Hannah Murray, One Hit Wonderful

Title:  One Hit Wonderful

Author:  Hannah Murray

Rating:  Four Siren Stones

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Keywords:  Bridesmaid, Jilted Bride 

Length:  Novel       

ISBN E-Book:  978-1419937262

Price:  $5.95

Publisher:  Ellora’s Cave 

Buy-Link:  http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9838-one-hit-wonderful.aspx

Reviewer:  Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

Being a bridesmaid is a dull job. But when the groom gets caught with his cummerbund around his ankles, dull isn’t in the cards.

Lily Michaels is happy to help her best friend cancel her wedding. But since the groom with the broken nose is also her landlord, it means she’s looking for a new apartment. Enter Nate MacIntyre—former boy-band member and current composer—his mostly St. Bernard dog Beau and the apartment over their garage. Nate is sexy, Beau is adorably charming and the apartment is gorgeous. Things are looking up!

But things get complicated when Max, the former groom, starts hassling Lily for the location of his jilted bride. Nate thinks Max is dangerous, Lily thinks Nate is silly, and while she’s enjoying where her attraction to him is going, her independent streak simply won’t let her lean on him too much. What do you get when you mix an overprotective man, an independent woman and the confusion that comes with falling in love? Whatever it is, it’s not dull.

Review:

Life is complicated, love is risky, and the path to finding it can be quite the thrill ride.

One Hit Wonderful delivers a fun-filled, emotional journey.  The heroine, Lily, is thrown into a tricky situation, and the turn of events afterwards take her down the road to finding some unexpected love waiting for her in the end.  Lily is feisty, stubborn and strong willed.  I like that about her.  She doesn't get the greatest first impression of Nathan, her soon to be new landlord.

I like a musician, and Nathan fits the bill perfectly.  He had a small bout with fame, and now continues to make music, but isn't as well known.  He didn't get the greatest impression of Lily, either, but the two sure changed their opinions when she rents out his apartment!

I enjoyed this story.  The characters, the plot, and the wit were spot on.  One Hit Wonderful is a novel not to be missed if you enjoy a little bit of everything mixed into one great read. 

Joya Fields, Beneath the Surface

Title:  Beneath the Surface

Author:   Joya Fields

Rating:  Four Siren Stones 

Genre:  Romantic Suspense

Keywords:  Crimson Rose, Spicy

Page Count:  252     

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-004-6

Price:  $4.99

ISBN for Print:  978-1612170046

Price:  $12.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=137&products_id=4733

Reviewer:  Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

She's fighting to stay independent--he's determined to protect her no matter what...

Brooke Richards survived the earthquake that took her parents and most of her leg, but she needs time to regroup. A trip to Florida for a state-of-the-art prosthesis and to visit her best friend Linda seems ideal. But the trip turns traumatic when Brooke witnesses Linda's boat disintegrating in a fiery explosion.

Police Officer Garrett Ciavello believes the blast was intentionally set to hide something Linda found on a dive. When Brooke offers her expertise in underwater archeology, Garrett accepts her help with the investigation. But since his fiancée's death years ago, Garrett has become overprotective, and as they are drawn to each other, Garrett realizes he will risk anything to keep Brooke safe.

Brooke is fiercely independent. Garrett is fiercely protective. Will they heal each other's wounds and find a killer...before it's too late?

Review:

Need a suspenseful, action packed story filled with emotion?  Beneath the Surface offers that and so much more.  The characters, Brooke and Garrett, have seen a lot of loss and heartache in their life.  A cruel twist of fate brings them together, but there is so much they have to overcome to be together.  Their own fears, plus stay ahead of a killer. 

I love the way Brooke and Garrett are portrayed.  They are easy to relate to, which makes them real and likable.  The pacing is great, so many twists and turns in the plot and it kept me going.  The suspense is heart-stopping and overall this story is great!  Joya Fields weaves a tale of intrigue that romantic suspense readers can enjoy.  Add this one to your to be read pile today! 

Doreen Alsen, Charming Dave

Title:  Charming Dave
Author:  Doreen Alsen
Rating:  Five Siren Stones

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Keywords:  Champagne Rose, Spicy

Page Count:  292     

ISBN E-Book:  1-60154-994-6

Price:  $6.50

ISBN for Print:  978-1601549945

Price:  $13.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=175_133&products_id=4724

Reviewer:  Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

[At The End Zone]

Ainslie Logan has left her life as a trophy-wife behind and moved her family north to escape the scandal created by her ex-husband. Lacking work experience but rich in determination she lands a job at the local sports bar, The End Zone.

Dave Mason, principal of the town’s high school, frequents the End Zone and is not a fan of the clumsy new waitress. Things suddenly change when he finds himself enamored by a woman who will stop at nothing to protect her children.

Now Dave has to use all his charms to convince Ainslie and her children happy endings do exist and that it’s safe to love again.

Review:

I am absolutely loving these At The End Zone books!  Doreen Alsen creates beautiful stories that I can't get enough of.  This book features Dave and Ainslie. At first, the two don't get off to a good start.  Ainslie is new at being a waitress, and Dave doesn't know her history.  But when she goes to talk to the principal about one of her children, what a surprise to find it is Dave.

The chemistry between the two is hot!  The story is so well done I was caught up in the moment and forgot about everything else.  I loved Ainslie's kids, and the reader gets to know them through their point of view a few times.  So far, this is my favorite of the series.

If you enjoy contemporary romance, I'd advise you to hurry and get a copy of Charming Dave.  I bet it will charm you and sweep you right off your feet!

Christine DePetrillo, Abra Cadaver

Title:  Abra Cadaver

Author:  Christine DePetrillo

Rating:  Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal

Keywords:  Black Rosebud, Spicy

Page Count:  203       

ISBN E-Book:  d5748

Price:  $5.50

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_136&products_id=4723

Reviewer:  Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

Holly Brimmer never expected to be brought back from the dead. After a fatal car crash, a mysterious stranger gives her a second chance at life—but it comes with a price. To stay alive she must pay it forward, accomplish an important deed, thus making her mark in the world. Until she does, her savior is bound to her. Now she has a backyard full of dead bodies and one unwanted houseguest. 

Keane Malson kills bad guys to keep the innocent alive, but he’s still a monster. Cursed by a witch moments before an honorable death on the battlefield, he’s lived thousands of years, roaming from place to place with no end in sight. It’s a lonely life…until he meets Holly.   

When a wanted man targets Holly, Keane will do anything to protect her, even if it’s the last thing he ever does.

Review:

There's a second chance at stake, even after death.  It's not a chance people normally get, but somehow, some way, Holly was lucky (or unlucky, depending on the day and how she feels) enough to get that second chance. 

But it comes with a price.  Since then, Holly has been different.  She's not sure how she feels about being alive when her time was supposed to have ended.  Holly is an interesting character, and the situations that she faces sometimes have funny moments in them.  I love how she is portrayed and how she handles these things.

Keane is an intriguing character.  He's mysterious, and I feel bad for him with his curse.  He's pretty hard on himself, and Holly really changes his life.  He reminds me of Beast from the Beauty and the Beast movie - the whole curse, he calls himself a monster and therefore hides away.

Abra Cadaver is an interesting story with a unique plot, fun characters, plenty of suspense, and lots of witty dialogue.  I found myself smiling and giggling quite a few times.  I didn't want to see the story end just because I wasn't ready to let go of these characters quite yet.  This is the kind of story I will be seeking for a reread in the future.

If you like paranormal romances with plenty of fun don't miss Abra Cadaver.