GRR Reviews Taking Charge by Ruth Cardello

NOTE: Book 4 of Lone Star Burn series 

Lucy and her brother left the family ranch to pursue their own dreams. They came back when their parents can't keep up with the ranch, but now both are gone, and her brother ran off, can't deal with the pressure anymore, as they can't balance the books. Lucy reluctantly accepted the bailout from Ted, who claimed to love her, in exchange of getting engaged. But she doesn't love Ted... So she had to break it off and save the ranch her own way... even if she had to secretly sell high-tech sex toys through online blogs. And Ted doesn't like this at all... Then David came to her rescue... Much to her chagrin... // David knows who he wants in his life: Lucy, but a cowboy doesn't go after someone else's woman. When Lucy broke it off with Ted, David wrote 250K check right there when Ted looked like he may do something. Lucy knows that David means her no harm, but she can't allow someone else to own her life... But Ted making trouble means keeping David, and her own ranchhand, Wyatt, around. The attraction between David and Lucy is undeniable, but she doesn't want to owe anyone or tolerate lies, and he will protect her any way he can, even if he had to lie to her... And Ted may be about to do something stupid... 

David is the warm and fuzzy alpha, and he knew Lucy liked him but something's holding her back, so he's willing to wait her out. My problem is with Ted, the antagonist, who just behaves like an a-hole, despite the build-up that made him sound like an evil messiah, only for Ted to dispel that image and behave like an a-hole again. And the resolution to that... well, felt like a deus ex machina, even though it really wasn't, as there was a mention earlier to that. Can't really say more without spoiling the plot. The generally weak antagonist here left me a bit wanting. 4/5

GRR Reviews Aaron by Dale Mayer

Aaron is a former Navy SEAL who suffered a major injury and death of two friends by betrayal... and no one believed him. He wanted a transfer, and he was moved to Hathaway House, Texas, a new ranch/convalescent/rehabilitation home for both humans and animals. He was angry at the world, but he can't be angry at Dani, childhood friend... who runs Hathaway House with her father, simply known as "the Major". // Dani had a crush on Aaron a long time ago, and was also friends with Aaron's older brother Levi. In fact, Levi financed Aaron's transfer. And Dani will make sure Aaron gets the best care, and hopefully, realize his life is not over, and he can be the man he used to be, just maybe a little different. But is Aaron ready to see his future with her? Or will his pride ruin everything?

Good, if a bit slow. Darkest hour IMHO, with pride, works fine. 4/5

GRR Reviews The Price of Scandal by Lucy Score

Emily may be a billionaire CEO, but her family is a total mess. With her company on the verge of IPO, Emily needs a little publicity boost... But when her plus-one for the gala was busted for drugs in front of the Miami paparazzi, she needs help fast. Enter Derek, corporate troubleshooter. // Derek likes Emily, but he never sleeps with a client. He can sense that this incident was no accident... someone orchestrated a negative media blitz to take Emily down. He needs to show the world who Emily really is to win their trust, and he may have to break his own heart to protect her...

Some parts worked, and some parts didn't. And I'm surprised nobody thought of recording the phone calls, as the villain basically confirmed the dastardly deeds with a cackle over the phone once they figured out who the villain is. The escalation works well. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Decker and Joy by Elle Rush

Private Investigator Decker is chasing down an escaped prototype named E.L.V.I.S for North Pole Unlimited's top-secret research division, and he knew it's somewhere in this town, a few weeks before Halloween... // Joy is busy handling foster animals and the store at Kitten Caboodle. The policy is not to allow the adoption of black kittens during October, and they just happen to have three (came as a package). So when someone starts to get REALLY insistent on adopting those kittens, something feels very wrong. // Decker and Joy met when Decker found that his missing prototype may have been shipped to Joy's store, just as someone pulled off a triple kitten-napping by starting a huge distraction. Now the two will have to work together...

Light-hearted and fun, but it's more adventure than romance. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews The Christmas Cookie House by Jennifer Griffith

Leela is back in Massey Falls, to grieve for her mother and care for her ailing father, as well as try to fill her mother's shoes for the local Ladies' Auxiliary Cookie House benefit gala. However, it seems that Mrs Coldicott is determined to sink the event (and make Leela look bad) by refusing to host the event at her house (even though it's her turn), and no other venue is available... Unless Leela can convince town stranger Jay to allow the use of his Layton Mansion. But Jay had been spending the last few months renovating the place anticipating a quick sale, and now, he absolutely must clean out the attic... as stipulated in the will, before he has the title, free and clear. When an offer came through... and want to close BEFORE the event, Jay can't possibly sell the mansion out from under Leela... right? Who'd pay cash for a mansion before Christmas anyway?

The motivation wasn't explained until the very end, leaving the "persecution" (Caldicott's unexplained hostility toward Leela) just "weird", I guess the author is going for "the entire family is nuts" explanation. 4/5

GRR Reviews Kiss Me at Midnight by Lucinda Whitney

Celeste just wants her job as aquarium's head caretaker to continue. She is a single parent whose ex prefers to party with the boys than his parental duties. However, the aquarium is closed pending disposition by the new owner, and it's clear that her direct superior wants her gone, one way or another. When the new owner turned out to be Filipe, her dead brother's best friend, whom she hadn't seen in a decade, she's conflicted... Can she trust Filipe in anything? // Filipe just wants to complete the hotel renovations. Aquarium seems to be just an extra problem on his plate... until he realized who works there... a woman he abandoned so long ago out of guilt and shame... His brain says sell the aquarium and get out. But his heart says stay and help her... Can he ever confess his sins?

Good and understandable reasons about keeping secrets. But the "heavy" is just so... clumsy and transparent. And the ending just feels so... deus ex machina. 4/5

GRR reviews Meet Me at Sunrise by Lucinda Whitney

Vanessa just learned that she has a grandpa she never knew about... in Europe, and he is VERY rich. Angry with her father for keeping secrets her entire life, and trying to get over a breakup, she left for Europe on a river cruise, escorted by none other than ship's captain, Matias Romano. She was not looking for love. // Matias is the captain of a ship with a jillion details to oversee, and has no time to babysit a "princess", but when his boss asked, he can only answer "yessir". But Vanessa turned out to be NOT a princess at all, but an EMT that helped a guest through a medical emergency. And when the ship started to suffer mysterious malfunctions, she may be the only one he can trust to get to the bottom of it all...

Good mystery and "wrong expectations", good mix of different characters. 4/5

GRR Reviews Hard to Stay by S Jones

Lexi ran from her evil boyfriend who has her family enthralled. No one would believe her boyfriend is also banging her sister, while mentally abusing her. And he's rich and can get away with a lot of stuff. So she ran. And met Brad... // Brad is a cop with a shitty history in love. There's Emily, and Samantha... but that's in his past. Now with Lexi, he wants a fresh start, and as a cop, he knew she's keeping secrets. When evil Colton showed up, intending to force her back, Brad is there to protect her. But Colton has plenty of underhanded tricks up his sleeve...

Brad has no temperament for a cop. He's easily goaded by fellow officers, esp. the douchebag one. And it's pretty obvious he's being set up by Colton for something. Except Brad swallowed the bait, hook, line, and sinker. This is basically "PMS pro" cliche trope. The ending is a total cop-out and a deus ex machina, where basically Brad came up with even BIGGER connections than even Colton can call upon. And what sort of family Lexi has that listens to a stranger and not their own daughters? 2/5

NOTE: This book managed to hit no less than THREE corny tropes: deus ex machina, PMS Pro, and Heart-break savior.

GRR Reviews Don't Fall for a Fugitive by Cami Checketts

Hazel, a British photographer, accompanied a friend to the US for some deluxe accommodations and a chance to photograph some majestic mountains in the winter. Being witness to murder wasn't in her plans... nor was running for her life, or stowing away on the jet of millionaire Heath Strong. // Heath was surprised to find Hazel on his aircraft, but his instinct was to protect her, as the pursuer, Brigham, is a well-known shady guy with ties to the mob. If Brigham said Hazel killed his cousin, chances are Brigham killed his cousin and tried to frame Hazel. But can he justify putting his own family at risk? And how would he hide Hazel under the nose of his (quite large) family?

Nice tight plot. But there are a couple technical details that made no sense. 1) How high would a staircase be in a HANGAR's office, that Hazel could have watched from a nearby aircraft, and caused nearly-fatal injuries? And 2) They called various numbers (including 911?) using regular cell phones while on a private jet flying to Colorado...  The action ending isn't that bad. 4/5

GRR Reviews her Billionaire Pirate of the Cove by Stephanie Fowers

Audrey does not want to pretend to be her friend Clara to take a job pampering dogs of an ultra-rich and eccentric aunt in the Cove. But when she found an intruder in her house and the entire place tossed, she barely escaped. It seems her brother Michael may have made enemies, and suddenly hiding out in the Cove, surrounded by security, seems to be a brilliant idea... // Ryker is hiding at his brother's place in the Cove after testifying in court that put his conspirators behind bars. He knew he kept questionable company, but that should all be behind him, except for his CIA handler that is still hovering.  When matchmakers tried to pair him up with "Clara" (actually Audrey), he's interested, but when enemies found them in the Cove, and mix in rogue agents, turncoats, mercenaries, terrorists, business rival, lost princess, secret origins, and spycraft, it seems both will be on an adventure of a lifetime... if they survive it.

I know it's supposed to be a spy thriller of sorts, but it feels at times like a comedy, with people prone to more slapstick than seriousness. Add in some Hollywood stunts like "throw her off the boat, only to have her met by scuba divers with oxygen masks underwater". That's not something a normal person would know what to do, is it? There are certainly good twists and turns, and I guess that sort of forced proximity and adrenaline rush can be good for bonding, but it just doesn't feel that romantic. Not to mention that ocean water near Seattle is not that warm to be scuba-dived. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Alice's Arranged Marriage by Joyce Alec

It's about 1900... Alice doesn't fit in with the rich crowd on the US East Coast, despite her father's nouveau-riche status. She hated the parties and balls where people are just out to see her fail. And she was devastated when she found that she will be going overseas, as fiancee to a British Earl, who needs a large dowry to keep his own estate afloat. How can she ever hope to fit into the even MORE rigid British high echelons... or marry a total stranger, even if he's an Earl? // Charles, Earl of Allerton, had bailed his brother (with addiction to gambling) far too often that he's in danger of going under himself. To survive, he had to cut his brother off, and to marry a rich bride from the US. She is beautiful, but she has absolutely NO manners. But he has no choice but to marry her right after Christmas... only a few weeks away. Alice found a friend, even when Charles is indifferent, and his aunt downright cruel. But who is sending her merciless notes telling her to go back home? Will she stay?

It's okay, I guess. Alice was basically sobbing and sniveling at practically every other scene, which is sorta understandable (stranger in a strange land) for a period piece but it's also annoying after a while. Charles basically had to be lectured multiple times, and I still don't quite see where love comes in. 3/5

GRR Reviews Say It Again by Catherine Bybee

Sasha was trained by Richter School to be the best in all forms of combat... but her own origins were hazy that she sought answers. // AJ was also looking for answers... His sister, also graduates of Richter, is dead, as are SEVERAL of the ex-students. And he fears that Sasha may be next. They agree to look for answers together, and their own passions... must be denied, at least temporarily. For the past they dug up are secrets decades old, and may yet bury them...

Interesting background, trying to mix in a bit of Salt and Le Femme Nikita into romantic suspense and adventure.  4.5/5

GRR Reviews Call Me Sugar by Dez Burke and Sage Nyx

Sugar is an illusionist working in Vegas with his own show, staff, and more. Despite the tons of beautiful people around him, Jade, a brunette geekette caught his attention. She doesn't respond well to the normal wooing, and she's clearly hiding something, but what? //  Jade knew she's a geekette. She can conduct statistical analysis in her head, and that gave her an edge in slots and cards and more. She needs to make some money for her family's medical bills, and being interrupted by a blonde god wasn't in her plans. // Soon Jade was recruited by some shady folks to help with THEIR plans, and Sugar has to scramble to protect Jade from his boss, who actually has Mafia ties...

Doesn't quite feel right, plot went in too many directions, not enough of emotional bits about love. Feels more like an adventure. 3/5

GRR Reviews Declan by Melody Anne

Declan, the oldest of the Forbes brothers, is an FBI agent that's trying to take down a gang with an elusive leader that left a lot of victims in its wake. He knew that Angela is a part of the puzzle, but not sure how. And seeing his brothers finding their soulmates does make him realize he lacks that certain someone in his own life. When Angela suddenly left town with her son, he realized that the enemy is much closer than he thinks... and his feelings about Angela is no longer platonic... But can he convince her to come back? And can he protect her?

Good twists near the end, though it felt a bit deus ex machina... 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Irresistibly Rugged by Victoria Pinder

Dylan was one of the family framed and only marriage to Lois got him out. While the charges against them were dropped, Dylan is going to resolve the threat once and for all by finding and convicting the masterminds behind the operation. However, Dylan didn't know that his wife, Lois, is a spy for the other side... Lois just wanted to get out from her fate... marrying a guy she hated, or stuck in her cult leader father's clutches. Marriage is supposed to get her out with some money to start over somewhere else. She never counted on being used to frame a whole family... and being the actually guilty one. But can she come clean, even as the conspiracy closes in around them?

Sort of works, sort of doesn't. The schtick of a fake wife spying for the other side was used in all the other books and it's getting a bit old by this point. The final confrontation reads like an old pulp fiction plot (tie the victims to one of those highrise window washing platforms, with a bomb, to drop them at press of a button). It reads as if it's pulled from a plot generator. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Irresistibly Tough by Victoria Pinder

Billionaire physician Oliver Bentley can't believe his entire family was arrested for alleged scam and to get himself out, he just needed to marry someone. And he needs to get out because his mother needs treatment. He was even more surprised when his intended bride was none other than the one that got away... His former girlfriend, Rachel. But Rachel has a huge secret... She bore him a son five years ago and never told him. Now, married to Oliver, she has to decide whether to divorce him in 30 days and be safe... Or risk it all for forever...

Not feeling much for this one, as this one relies more on plot than the characters. There's only so much a doctor and the secret baby tropes can advance the plot. The rest is basically enemies attack and attack, and suddenly came up with a different attack, only for the good guys to save the day. 3/5

GRR Reviews Seduced by Sunday by Catherine Bybee

Meg is a matchmaker for Alliance, a matchmaking firm that specialized in marriages of convenience. She wants to investigate a secluded island resort operated by Valentino Masini, a sexy businessman. A secluded island with very discrete employees can be very good for Alliance's clients, and even though Meg considers herself off the market, she does notice Valentino's charm... and attempt to woo her. But Valentino and Meg soon found themselves in the middle of a mystery... Valentino's sister is being wooed by a winemaker, and someone wants Meg and her entire party off the island. What did Meg get too close to?

Again, the pivot from romance to romantic suspense was done almost seamlessly and all the plot points flowed properly. There was even a perfect karma payoff at the end.  What's even more amazing, it sets up the next and final novel in the series. 5/5

GRR Reviews No Broken Beast by Nicole Snow

Clarissa returned to her hometown Heart's Edge when her sister vanished from their candy store. She left the town years ago when the hotel burned down, killing her father. But she's keeping secrets... Because Leo stayed behind... and is her child's father. Leo had since become the monster around town known as "Nine". The town never knew that her father made a deal and turned the labyrinth below her family mansion into a secret lab to create monsters like Leo... and Leo risked everything to save her that night. But the evil isn't done with that place, and her sister is now paying the price. Clarissa will have to save her sister, with Leo's help... but Leo will meet his match... a fellow monster, with his own plans...

An interesting way to do a beauty-and-the-beast story albeit combined with a ton of other tropes... the sci-fi bent seems to be inspired by Resident Evil's Umbrella Corporation, combined with secret baby and more. It's just that... this book doesn't quite know whether it wants to be a scifi story, a conspiracy story, or a romantic suspense story. It just felt a bit... off. 4/5

GRR Reviews Irresistibly Charming by Victoria Pinder

Hannah had a fortune... the operative word is on "had". She trusted a cult leader and lost it all. So when the said leader told her he has a way for her to earn it all back, and get her family jewels back too, she's hesitant. But if all she had to do is to marry a guy to get him out of prison, stay married for 30 days, then divorce him, it's good, right? That is until she met Logan Bentley in person... // Logan can't believe his entire family, including mom in the hospital for cancer treatment, was arrested on trumped-up charges. Now that someone wants the brothers to get married before putting up bail is even stranger. But since they can't do anything from behind bars, what do they have to lose? Logan liked Hannah, and he vowed to help her recover her own fortune and put the cult leader behind bars. But the wives all seem to have their own agendas, having mostly been recruited by the same cult leader, who's doing bidding for some hidden mastermind. Does Hannah still want to get divorced? Will she help the Bentleys prove their innocence... or was she being swindled again?

Not too sure about this one. The reasoning for the conspiracy seems okay, but 'trumped-up charges' that would result in the arrest of the entire family, yet can be bailed out, really makes no sense at all when you think about it. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Secret Crush by Victoria Pinder

Billionaire John Morgan didn't care about his fortune. What he really wanted was to prove his father killed his sister. That's why he joined the FBI and took down his father's cronies and underlings. But when his father died, John feels lost, and even his FBI superior felt he's no longer of any use. But can he go home again? // Alice still can't believe her friend (John's sister) is gone. When senior Morgan died, Alice felt prudent to attend the funeral, but also to save her parent's organic produce farm (one of the Morgan enterprises was their distributor). Meeting John wasn't on the agenda, nor were the feelings. Then they got one shocker after another... even as someone threatens them both...

There are a few continuity errors as if the story were written in different spurts and merged together without proper editing. The connection between John and Alice was rather thin and chemistry isn't really there. More plot-driven than character-driven. 3/5