Susan's Review of How Much I Want by Marie Force--Miami Nights #4

I put my hands on her hips and bring her in close to me, kissing the top of her head and breathing in the distinctive scent of her hair, the scent of my love. “I’m focusing on the most important thing here, and you calling me your boyfriend is a big deal. You want to know why?”
“Um, sure. Why is that?”

“Because I’ve never had a girlfriend before.”
“That’s not true. You’ve had all the girlfriends.”
“There have been girls, yes, and women, yes. But never one I would call an official girlfriend until now."
“You’re thirty-two years old, Nico.”
“I’m aware.”
“It’s weird that you’ve never had a girlfriend before.”
“I never wanted one before I met you. Now that’s all I want, but only if it’s you, of course.”
The withering look she gives me is the one women have been giving men since the beginning of time, and I love it. I love her, and I need her to know that again. Right now. Leaning even closer to her, I whisper in her ear, “You’re the only one I’ve ever loved.”
“Nico,” she says on a long exhale. “How do you do this to me?”
“What am I doing?”
“You know!”

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Nico Giordino 's reputation precedes him. Simply put—he’s a player. His sisters and cousins describe him as toxic. Relationships are not his thing. I had a hard time envisioning Nico maintaining a relationship with Sofia. Marie Force has created a dynamic and fascinating character that at first I did not consider to be hero worthy. Nico’s love for his family, his love for Sofia and his need to protect Mateo won me over.
I admired Sofia Diaz. Loved her strength and her determination to provide a better life for herself and her young son. Sofia is resilient –she left her abusive ex-husband, is caring for her son who is recovering from a long term illness and is working to support her son. The Giordino family has taken her under their wing—she is grateful for their love and support. Her ex-husband does not approve of Sofia’s new life and new family—this causes tension between them.
Nico realized that Sofia was special and he understands that he needs to show her he cares about her and Mateo. Loved the back and forth banter between Nico and his cousin Dom about Nico’s feelings towards Sofia. Loved the friendship and sizzling chemistry between Nico and Sofia. With each chapter, Marie Force builds upon the couple’s relationship – Nico consistently steps up for Sofia and she in turn learns to trust him. Loved that both characters were dynamic— Nico learns to truly care for someone while Sofia grabs a chance for love and happiness for herself and her son.
Loved the elements of suspense and danger that are woven into the fast paced storyline. This plot choice sets How Much I Want apart from the other books in this series – it held my interest and I read the book in one sitting. There is plenty of romance and laughter in this story as several of my favorite characters appeared throughout the novel.
How Much I Want has all of the story elements that I adore—intrigue, romance and complex family relationships. I highly recommend this novel!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC from the publisher

Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense and erotic romance. Her series include Fatal, First Family, Gansett Island, Butler Vermont, Quantum, Treading Water, Miami Nights and Wild Widows.
Her books have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller more than 30 times. She is also a USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestseller, as well as a Spiegel bestseller in Germany.
Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news.
Join Marie's mailing list for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Facebook and on Instagram. Join one of Marie's many reader groups. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com.
 

 

Join Marie's mailing list for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Facebook and on Instagram. Join one of Marie's many reader groups. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com. 

 

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Susan's Review of This Cowboy of MIne- by R. C. Ryan --- Wranglers of Wyoming #2

A cowboy with a wild side

Kirby Regan isn't opposed living on the edge. After all, she just quit her career in Washington, D.C, so she could move back to Wyoming and buy her family's ranch. But hiking the Tetons after dark during a snowstorm goes beyond being adventurous, especially when Kirby's boss warns her that an escaped convict is at large. Sheltering in a cave seems the safest option to ride out the blizzard-until Kirby realizes it's already occupied . . . by a ruggedly handsome cowboy.

Like the mustangs he treats, veterinarian and rancher Casey Merrick prefers to live wild and free, which is why a relationship is not in the cards for him. He doesn't mind sharing his space with a gorgeous stranger, as long as they can both keep their distance-a task that begins to seem impossible as the attraction between them heats up. But before they can worry about the spark smoldering between them, Casey must find a way to protect Kirby from nature's most ruthless conditions . . . and a convicted killer on the loose.



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RC Ryan’s This Cowboy of Mine blends romance and suspense perfectly. The author’s rich descriptive voice drew me into the story.

Veterinarian Casey Merrick has a deep respect and love for his family and the wild mustangs that live in the hills surrounding his family’s ranch. I loved the strong relationship between Casey and his great grandfather. Ham Merrick epitomizes the tough, no nonsense cowboy. The patriarch values honestly, hard work and family and he has instilled these values in Casey. These values test Casey throughout the novel.

Kirby Regan grew up on a neighboring farm. She has traded her career and lifestyle in Washington DC in order to purchase her uncles property. I like that Kirby was self-reliant and that her confidence enabled her to overcome several difficult situations.

RC Ryan does a fabulous job introducing Casey and Kirby! Think blizzard conditions, a dark cave and Kirby aiming gun at a sleeping Casey! Kirby believes she has stumbled upon an escaped convict! When the storm subsides, Casey and Kirby manage to reach his family’s ranch where she is welcomed by his family.

I enjoyed the slow burn romance that developed between Casey and Kirby. The author blends romance with suspense throughout the novel. The couple’s romance is at the heart of this novel but RC Ryan is able to maintain an element of tension throughout the novel as the convict has not been captured. This plot technique kept me turning the pages of the book.

This Cowboy of Mine is the first RC Ryan novel I have read. I loved the dynamic characters of Casey, Kirby, Ham and Gram Meg. I would love to read Aunt Liz and Jonah’s stories. The author’s descriptive writing enable me to picture the Merrick ranch and be a part of the family’s life.

This Cowboy of Mine has all the feels—it’s a feel good romance filled with fabulous characters and suspense!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by publisher

Dead Man's Curve - Review

Dead Man's Curve - by Paula Graves - Review


It is always a good day for me when I get to start reading a new series by Paula Graves. Paula Graves writes romantic suspense that you just have to sit down and read in one sitting. Dead Man's Curve is the start of a new miniseries called The Gates, set in the mysterious Smoky Mountains.  The action leaps off the page in typical Paula Graves cinematic style with non-stop intrigue, heart pounding danger and bad guys that make you get up to check and see if your doors are locked. 

Paula Graves pulls you into her world, where trust is a scarce commodity, and loyalty is earned the hard way. I always really enjoy reading Paula's intrigues, because her characters are real people with flaws, hopes and secrets. Also, she doesn't make her characters rush into the physical side of the relationship, and for me that makes the story so much more believable.

Have you ever looked out into a crowd of faces, and think that you recognize someone? Someone that meant something special to you? Dead Man's Curve starts with the FBI agent Ava Trent responding to a kidnapping case, and turns into something bigger. Ava Trent scans the crowd and thinks she sees a ghost from her past. Sinclair Solano meant something to her, eight years ago but he could not be there in that crowd, because he is dead. He died a wanted man, under explosive circumstances, but then things aren't always as they seem. Ava Trent is confident, funny and determined to find out the truth. 

"He had a full lower lip and deep brown eyes, back in her foolish, romantic youth, she'd thought soulful."

There are some characters in Dead Man's Curve from previous series, but they don't overwhelm the story. For fans of the Cooper Justice and Cooper Security series it is a bonus, to get to check in with some familiar faces. My favorite hero, Gabe Cooper from The Man from Gossamer Ridge, finds himself in a bit of a mess in this book.  

I was talking to the book the whole time,"Duck! Get out of there! Kiss her!", which typically means for me it was a winner. The dialogue is crisp and is funny, though the hero and heroine were hardly in a laughing situation. Luckily for me and fans of Paula Graves the next two books in the series, Crybaby Falls and Boneyard Ridge will be available in October and November of this year. 

 

Reviewed by Gayle Cochrane