Some soul mates can never be forgotten.

Author Synopsis

Jordan was in love with her best friend, Sophie, in high school and no one knew… least of all Sophie. After fleeing without a trace before graduation, Jordan vowed never to return to Monarch, the butterfly obsessed town along the Central California coast.

Ten years later, Jordan owns a successful soul mate matchmaking company where she finds love for others, but has little use for it herself. Sophie runs the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary and has yet to forgive Jordan for disappearing from her life. When Jordan is forced to return to Monarch, will their soul mate connection deepen or will differing goals tear them apart?

My Review

This was a beautifully written novel by Lisa Moreau that tells the story of unrequited childhood love for both women, having never truly knowing the love they felt for one another.

Jordan knows when she meets Sophie in high school, that she is her first love but also believes that Sophie will never truly love her the same way. After her Jordan’s father finds her diary with her feelings scribbled through it, he banishes her to live with her mother in another city. The scared young girl leaves without telling Sophie how she really feels, never knowing that the feelings are very mutual. When Jordan returns to deal with her family business years later, she doesn’t expect to bump into the beautiful woman she finds that she still can’t live without…

I really enjoyed the prologue to this book and was expecting quite a rollercoaster ride of emotions however what I got was actually more of a sweet love story. There was a lot of predictability with the story and I am not meaning that in a negative way, I actually enjoy quite a few authors that stick to the love story formula however, from the prologue I thought it was going to have more twists and a lot more angst.

Both protagonists personalities where fleshed out well and I understood their apprehension when it came to declaring there feelings to one another, they both had wounds from the past that hadn’t yet healed. When Jordan and Sophie finally got round to expressing their love, you could feel the tension and the genuine love between both characters. I had a little trouble imagining what Sophie looked like as she was described as the Disney Princess but unfortunately there are so many different ones.

I enjoyed this novel and personally I think it was a sweet story that is all about feeling good  and falling in love.

3.5 Stars.

Quote of the Book:

“You made me love you. Just like that Patsy Cline song. I didn’t want to do it, but you made me love you.”

I received my copy of The Butterfly Whisperer by NetGallery & Bold Stokes Books for a honest review.

If you would like to purchase The Butterfly Whisperer it is now available from Bold Strokes Books. Please follow links below to purchase your copy:

Bold Stokes Books

Debut Novel from Jane Hardee 

Synopsis

Michael, an up-and-coming hyperrealist sculptor from Atlanta, Georgia, is about to get her big break. An expert at carving the female form, she owes much of her success to her muse, best friend, Jess. Michael has been in love with Jess for years but treasures their friendship too much to risk it for uncertain romance. Jess, a special education teacher, values Michael’s friendship above everything else in her life. Can one passionate kiss change everything she thought she felt about Michael? Can Michael make the choice between a dear, lifelong friendship and capturing Jessica?

My Review

Michael has been in love with Jessica most of her life. They have been best friends since school but Michael keeps her feelings hidden from Jessica as she is scared to loose their friendship. Jessica doesn’t know she has a underlying romantic love for Michael until she kisses her and then she can’t get her feelings for Michael out of her head. Both Jessica and Michael are scared to loose each other if they explore their love with one another…

This is Jane Hardee’s debut novel and for a first novel it was written very well. It was written from both Jessica and Michael point of view, which gave more insight into their feelings from both perspectives.

I got frustrated with how long the main protagonists miscommunicated their feelings… I almost shouted at my Kindle more than once “JUST TELL HER HOW YOU FEEL!!!!”… I liked both Michael and Jessica’s personalities and thought the character development was handled well however I think the storyline could have been covered in the first half of the book and the second half could have looked at more of how they both managed forming a romantic relationship after being best friends for most of their lives.

I really enjoyed the moments that the author used memories of Michael and Jessica’s childhood to show how deep and long they love each other. The erotic scenes were written extremely well and depicted not only the sexual connection between them but also a loving and all encompassing connection that was trusting and deeply emotional.

All in all it was a good first novel by Jane Hardee. I’ll definitely be looking out for what comes next.

3.5 Stars.

Capturing Jessica will be released on 1st December 2016.

Quote of the Book:

“Sometimes I feel like I must be missing something. I mean, there have been some women to show interest in me…but not for long. Morgan and Stevie both have overflowing dance cards. And of course, Camille.” Jess splayed her hands over the surface of the water and observed the ripples flow and disappear. Michael felt angry at the thought of anyone making Jess feel anything less than perfect. Her mind flashed back to the creep with the fake Southern drawl who’d hit on Jess at Nine’s. What had she wanted from Jess? A night in bed and a good-bye in the morning? “Jess…you…I mean you have so much to offer. You’re smart and fun. Unique, compassionate. And you’re terribly sexy,” Michael said, trying not to sound breathless. Why the hell did she say that?

Follow the links below to purchase Capturing Jessica…

Bold Strokes Books

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon AUS

*ARC received from NetGalley & Bold Stroke Books in return for an honest review.

Who need’s the luck of the Irish… Nora and Ger certainly do!

Author Synopsis

Nora Kelly loves her carefree London life where there’s always a new woman to seduce. Her big Irish family tease her about her footloose ways, but she knows she’s in no danger of losing her heart.

Her family has only one rule when it comes to dating: Nora can date any woman she wants—as long as she’s not a Flannery. The Kellys and the Flannerys have been feuding ever since both families arrived in London from Ireland sixty years ago, and time has not lessened the hatred.

But never-tied Nora has just met the woman of her dreams, and suddenly commitment isn’t a dirty word. Trouble is, Geraldine is a Flannery.

Can Nora convince Ger that, despite their families, they are meant to be together?

My Review

Nora see’s Geraldine across the room and vows to her best friend that she is her future wife (see full quote below) before she has even spoken to her.

Nora woo’s Geraldine and they fall in love and… into bed. Its almost too late when the realize that their families know each other and have been feuding for years… With no sign of hope, how can their love triumph their families hate?

The story is told from only Nora point of view. I would have liked to have a little insight into Geraldine’s thoughts as she came off cold in a lot of the scenes and due to this I never really warmed to her. Nora’s personality was genuine and she was clearly a very caring person. I wasn’t so keen on her cheesy lines but hey I’m sure that appeals to the larger audience.

The sex scenes where hot and there was a certain amount of vulnerability in those moments between the main protagonist’s that renewed my faith in their love in my moment’s of doubt.

I really liked the authors writing style and I am looking forward to reading more of her books especially in this particular series.

3.5 Stars. Good start to new series.

The next books in the series are ‘Not-So- Straight Sue’ (released October 2016) followed by ‘Fenced- in Felix’ (released November 2016) both of which are currently sitting on my to-read list. Watch out for the reviews in next few weeks.

Quote of the Book: 

“I just seen my future wife” I said to sue “I want to woo her, date her and live with her. In a couple of years I’ll send you a wedding invitation.”

Follow the links below to purchase Never-Tied Nora…

YLVA Publishing

Amazon AU

Amazon US

Very Courageous

Author Synopsis

Alex Taylor is an ER nurse who prides herself on the care she gives to those in need. Through a chance encounter, Alex meets police sergeant Francesca Greco and finds the handsome officer too hard to resist. When Alex is diagnosed with a devastating disease, her role is changed from caregiver to patient and she prepares for the fight of her life.

Frank Greco has developed intense feelings for Alex, but wonders if she has it in her to take care of another woman she loves who has become sick. However, she sees this as an opportunity to do things differently this time around.

Will Alex and Frank be able to overcome Alex’s illness, and their own demons, to embrace love?

My Review

This was a tough one to review because I have mixed emotions about the book. The story follows Alex Taylor from the Authors first book ‘New Beginnings’ which I loved. So when I heard Alex had her own story I was really excited.

Alex meets Srgt Frank Greco when she’s pulled over for talking on her phone while driving. Straight after they meet they both turn up to mutual friends apartment for a party. Attraction is instant even though Alex plays hard to get. Unfortunately just as their romance is taking off Alex is diagnosed with Cancer. Can Frank stand by her when she’s just beginning to fall for her? Especially when she has lost a love one before to the same disease?

Honestly I loved this book for the first half and then it began to take a turn. Don’t get me wrong the writing is great and a fantastic topic to tackle, which I feel make the Author incredibly brave, but the characters started to get a little flat and the story was very slow for second half. The subject matter didn’t help with the characters because Alex’s personality changed during the treatment and I began not enjoy her in the book and I especially didn’t like how she treated Frank. I get that this is a symptom of some horrible disease but for me it felt a little too sad and the story lost momentum. That being said as we approached the end the story-line picked up again we got to see some really incredible strength from both protagonists and the ending was done extremely well.

3.5 stars.

Follow the links below to purchase Courageous Love by K.C Richardson…

Bold Strokes Books

Amazon US

Amazon UK

*ARC received from NetGalley & Bold Stroke Books in return for an honest review.

Slow starter but i was fully invested by the end…

Author Synopsis

Motion picture producer Selena Ryan has the impossible: Fame and fortune and her integrity. Her reputation for playing fair in an industry rife with games has earned her respect from other producers, writers, and actors.

She’s learned the lesson that plenty of people would like to use her to get what they want–a starring role or some other way into the movies. Most of them feel no obligation to return any favors she might give. Burned badly by actress Jennifer Lamont, who used her and left her with a devastating aftermath, she’s wary of everyone related to the industry.

Surrounded by gatekeepers to keep the hopeful at bay, aspiring starlets have tried every trick in the book to make Selena’s acquaintance. When Gail Welles literally lands in Selena’s lap, she suspects another ploy. Jennifer’s sudden announcement that Selena is still her one-and-only is equally ill-timed and suspect. Selena wants everyone to leave her alone, even if that means living without love.

My Review

This book is not written in a typical Lesfic romance format. The story got off to a slow start. I thought the characters where never going to have their moment but when it happens boy is it worth the slow burn.

The book starts off giving a little background on Selena. She’s a movie producer, philanthropist and the owner of a broken heart, care of the very gorgeous and talented actress Jennifer Lamont. Selena is wary of love that could break her heart again and Gail Welles is everything that could wreck her.

Gail is a struggling actress and has given herself a time limit on making it in Hollywood before heading back to her hometown and starting again. Just when she thinks all is lost she gets her big break.

Gail never expected to be attracted to Selena and vice versa however the heart wants what the heart want. Selena doesn’t want to get her heart broken by another actress and she also doesn’t want to create another media buzz about sleeping with a cast member. There were so many moments for these women to make and every time I was left disappointed but wanting more.

I enjoyed Stepping Stone. 3.5 Stars.

I have just downloaded Kallmaker’s next novel in the series Captain of Industry to keep going with Jennifer Lamont’s story…

Favourite Quote

‘Maybe because she was rare. Rare and fine, a one-of-a-kind-woman. Sweet-natured without being humorless. Sexy, God yes, sexy. Blood rushed in her ears remembering Gail’s words: The only power you have over me is what i give you.‘

Pick up your copy from the following:

Author’s Store

Bella Books

Amazon AU

Amazon US

Amazon UK