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| Soul Deep (I-Team 6.5) by Pamela Clare. Kindle & Audible. |
Soul Deep is a 210-page (5 hours and 39 minutes audiobook) third person novella in the suspenseful I-Team
series by former investigative reporter and newspaper editor, Pamela
Clare. It has become a favorite reread of mine for several reasons,
including the tropes: age gap (mature couple), enemies to lovers,
scarred character, forced proximity (snowed in), and small town (large
ranch). The hero, Jack West, is a 63-year-old widower and father of a
grown son. His impressive Colorado mountain horse and cattle ranch makes
for a captivating setting. The heroine, 45-year-old Janet Kileen, is an
FBI agent who didn't exactly get along with the normally gracious Jack
the first time they met. While not a true second chance romance, they
end up with a second chance to become "deeply" acquainted when Janet is
rescued from a snow drift and is forced to stay at Jack's ranch
throughout a blizzard. Jack and Janet are recurring characters in the I-Team series and Janet suffered a life-altering injury in the previous book (Striking Distance).
There is a dangerous threat on the ranch that adds mystery and
intrigue, while the passages featuring hospitality, conversation, and
physical intimacy warm my soul. In addition, there are HORSES!
The entire arc of the story is much more fulfilling than the majority of
novellas I have read and the conclusion is beautifully emotional. I've
enjoyed reading and listening to this book as both the author
and narrator (Kaleo Griffith) are exceptionally talented. I also found
the author's dedication to be admirable and worth sharing. "This
book is dedicated to all the women—and men—who know that the human
desire for romance, love, and sexual passion has nothing to do with
age."
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| Don't Kiss the Bride by Carian Cole. Kindle & Audible. |
Don't Kiss the Bride is a 518-page (13 hours and 28 minutes audiobook)
dual point of view standalone. It is an age gap, marriage of
convenience, and slow-burn romance with 18-year-old high school student
Skylar Timmons and 34-year-old construction worker Jude "Lucky"
Lucketti. One of the reasons I appreciate this particular age gap
romance is that even though there is a 16-year age difference Jude and
Skylar have a significant number of things in common, as Skylar is an
"old soul." Carian Cole wrote Jude as an exceptional average guy, which
means that besides his long hair and tattoos, he's a regular kinda guy.
Not wealthy, not flashy, and not a superhero. However, he is a decent
and respectful hardworking man with honorable white knight tendencies.
And then there is Skylar, who even though she is mature, intelligent,
courageous, and goal-oriented, has a hideous home life and serious
health issues. Jude's awareness and eagerness to help her leads to their
marriage of convenience so that Skylar can have health insurance and a
decent home. There are numerous real-life issues represented in this
sweet, slightly tragic, emotional story and I "read" them all up! It is a
fully rewarding experience whether read or listened to.
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| Books 1, 2, & 3 of the Quantum Series by Marie Force. Kindle, Audible, & Paperback. |
Virtuous, Valorous, and Victorious are books 1, 2, and 3 in the 8-book Quantum series by Marie Force. Even though I have enjoyed all eight books, these first three are my go-to favorites by far. These three books feature the romantic arc of a single couple: Natalie Bryant and Flynn Godfrey. After several years and numerous rereads I still feel they deserved three books. (The remaining books feature one couple per book with cameos from the other couples.) For many years after I began reading romance, I avoided stories featuring Hollywood types (mainly actors). I'm not clear as to why, but at some point, I started trying them and found a number of them I truly enjoyed. These are three of those books, as Flynn Godfrey is a world-renowned second-generation actor. Where the character of Flynn brings fame, wealth, and other, rather, um, salacious elements to the books, Natalie grounds the story with her simple, quiet, and pure nature. Their introduction is an ideal example of a meet-cute brought about by Natalie's ancient little dog biting Flynn. He is immediately taken with Natalie, and she is gobsmacked by the appearance of the famous Flynn Godfrey during her walk. He pursues her with determination, but Natalie is beyond hesitant to even go out on a date with Flynn and thereby begins Flynn's dazzling courtship of Natalie, and we are along for the swoony ride. The road to their happily ever after is rocky though—particularly after the brutal event in Natalie's history is disclosed—but Flynn does everything possible to alleviate Natalie's distress. His actions more than prove his affection, respect, empathy, and ultimately love for Natalie. She learns that she can trust Flynn wholeheartedly, and their relationship's progression makes for giddy reader feelings. The narrators' performances are inspiring in the next-level quality of the audiobooks, as well.
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| Blood and Sand (Elemental World 2) by Elizabeth Hunter. Kindle, Audible, & Paperback. |
Blood and Sand is a 309-page (11 hours and 52 minutes audiobook) third person paranormal suspense in the Elemental World series by Elizabeth Hunter. I honestly believe I am missing whatever component it is that induces
the love of fantasy in readers. For the most part, I don't connect with paranormal stories enough to read without much scoffing and eye-rolling.
However, I've found something about Elizabeth Hunter's otherworldly
writing that inspires me to levels of story investment like no other
author to date. Her Elemental Mysteries books were the only paranormal
books in my top twenty-one all-time favorites but there is something about
Blood and Sand that stirs my blood! Baojia and Natalie's story
is full of suspense, danger, excitement, humor, sarcasm, and sizzle! For
being a water vampire, Baojia is smokin' hot! Natalie is a journalist
driven to uncover the culprits in a string of murders. It's also
partially set in my hometown of San Diego....YES! Baojia has a
fascinating human story and is a fierce warrior of a vampire, but the
positive human traits he retained make him an excellent preternatural
hero.
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| Jacked (Trent Brothers 1) by Tina Reber. Kindle, Audible, & Paperback. |
Jacked is a 495-page (18 hours and 33 minutes audiobook) dual point of view romantic suspense in the Trent Brothers series. Romantic suspense is my top trope in the romance genre and Jacked by Tina Reber is a crackerjack of a story. Every time I read (or listen) to Jacked, I'm impressed with how authentic feeling it is. Every description, bit of dialogue, and scene feels genuine. Whether to do with Adam’s career, Erin’s career, or their attraction and chemistry (emotional and physical), it all feels 100% authentic. I have never felt a hint of the unbelievable or that-would-never-happen or that’s ridiculous. It is 100% realistic fantasy escapism with smarts and soul!
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| Black Hills by Nora Roberts. Kindle & Paperback. |
Black Hills is a 545-page third person standalone romantic suspense by Nora Roberts. It remains one of Nora's most popular suspense books for a reason. It was in consideration, along with three other books by Nora, for my all-time top twenty-one favorites list. The character interaction and
dialogue are top-notch, as usual. I was enthralled with the story and
captivated by the people. Cooper, Lil, their friends, and their family
are all amazing characters! Chapter 11 had some of the most witty and
delightful female banter I've ever read. Lil and Tansy are the truest of
friends. Their relationship is the best. This is one of my go-to rereads.
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| The All-in Duet by Alessandra Torre. Kindle & Audible. |
The All-in Duet (Even Money and Double Down) is a 544-page romantic suspense series (14 hours and 25 minutes combined total for both audiobooks) by Alessandra Torre. When I first read and finished Even Money, I was engrossed until that
gasp-inducing cliffhanger. I was instantly relieved knowing I had Double
Down available to start immediately. This series had me constantly on
edge, anxious, conjecturing, and indecisive about my feelings toward the
main characters, Dario Capece and Bell Hartley. The
fast-paced story was kept intriguing by multiple nefarious happenings:
adultery, rape, kidnapping, organized crime, murder, and human
trafficking. Amid all this chaos and corruption was the unexpected and
risky relationship between Dario and Bell. Sheesh, these two stirred up a
heap of trouble with their mutual attraction and affair. Even with all
the morally black and gray doings, my time within this dark story is always so
satisfying!
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| The Bourbon Kings Series by J.R. Ward. Kindle, Audible, & Hardcover. |
The Bourbon Kings trilogy by J.R. Ward is a series I
first read via my library’s digital collection. I purchased the
audiobooks (because, gimme!), but I wanted to be able to reread them anytime. Hence, the
acquisition of these pristine used hardcover editions.
I am not, nor have I
ever been, a fan of soap opera-style stories. I have no tolerance for
greedy, whiny, entitled people (characters). I detest much of what is
done in the name of building businesses and perpetuating traditions that
in all good conscience should become obsolete. Oh, and don’t get me
started about detrimental alcohol consumption, or adultery, or any of the
other despicable things these Bradfords/Baldwines, et al. do. Even with
all those nasty bits, I devoured this series and remain poised to
perpetually reread. (Ah, the joys of reading well-written fiction!) The
little glimpses into genuine empathy and concern saved it, I think. The
respect and love Lane exhibits toward Miss Aurora and Lizzie and vice
versa shine a much-needed positive light on this otherwise bleak
family.
This series is addictive, dramatic, complex, clever, and during several scenes, extremely poignant…and I love it!
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| The Reapers MC Series by Joanna Wylde. Kindle, Audible, & Paperback. |
I guess I had to have one series featuring men of dubious character; and truthfully, these Reaper MC dudes are_the_worst! They do all the bad stuff, including not always treating their women respectfully. Since we're talking fictional jerks, I can read about their shenanigans, be appalled, and still be
entertained. And entertained I am! I've read and listened to this
series so many times; and each time, I scold them and curse them but keep
on reading. I've read other MC books, and so far the Reapers are the
most, um, intense. They do have some honor, and they are loyal to each
other. Occasionally they are even downright loving to their women too. The
few positive qualities they present make reading this series a helluva
fun ride!
Honorable Mentions (I enjoy them enough to have read them at least three times)
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