Sunday, March 31, 2019

3.5 Wine Glass #Review of Women Warriors: An Unexpected History by Pamela D. Toler




40407230Title: Women Warriors
Author: Pamela D. Toler
Format: Hardcover, eBook, 240 pages
Expected publication: Feb. 26th 2019 Beacon Press
ISBN-13: 978-0807064320
Links: Goodreads | Amazon |B&N
Source: LibraryThing
Reviewer: Kimberly
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Wine Glasses

Who says women don't go to war? From Vikings and African queens to cross-dressing military doctors and WWII Russian fighter pilots, these are the stories of women for whom battle was not a metaphor.

The woman warrior is always cast as an anomaly--Joan of Arc, not G.I. Jane. But women, it turns out, have always gone to war. In this fascinating, lively, and wide-ranging book, historian Pamela Toler draws from a lifetime of scouring books for mentions of women warriors to tell their stories and to consider why women go to war.

Tomyris, ruler of the hard-riding Massagetae, and her warriors killed Cyrus the Great of Persia when he sought to invade her lands. She herself hacked off his head in revenge for the death of her son. The West African ruler Amina of Hausa, a contemporary of Elizabeth I, led her fierce warriors in a campaign of territorial expansion for more than thirty years. Like Elizabeth, she refused to marry; unlike Elizabeth, she never claimed to be a Virgin Queen. Contemporary accounts of medieval sieges in Europe describe women using firearms, participating in night raids, joining in the defense of breaches in the walls, and fighting hand-to-hand at the improvised barricades that often provided a last line of defense. Among the examples of female samurai in Japan are the Joshigun, a group of thirty seriously combat-trained women who fought against the forces of the Meiji emperor in the late 19th century.

These are the stories of those who commanded from the rear and those who fought in the front lines, those who fought because they wanted to, because they had to, or because they could. Considering the ways in which their presence has been erased from history, Toler concludes that women have always fought: not in spite of being women but because they are women.



Kimberly's Thoughts:
In fact, women have always gone to war:  fighting to avenge their families, defend their homes (or cities or nation), win independence from a foreign power, expand their kingdom's boundaries, or satisfy their ambition.

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Saturday Sangria: Yacht Rock Sangria (#Wine #Sangria #Recipe)


Welcome to Saturday Sangria, where ever Saturday you will find a delicious sangria recipe to go with your weekend reading! Have a recipe of your own? Join the fun and leave us a comment or a link to your own post!  



We're heading out for a little spring break getaway so I thought sharing a corresponding sangria recipe would be fun! Are there any Patrón fans in the house? If so, this one is for you! ⚓☀🍷


Yacht Rock Sangria

Servings: 8

Friday, March 29, 2019

#Spotlight on Logan's Lady by Rosanne Bittner + #Giveaway




40597269Logan's Lady
by Rosanne Bittner
Paperback, 432 pages
Published March 26th 2019 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 1492673498
Two worlds in conflict
Two hearts intertwined
One love worth fighting for

Wealthy Englishwoman Lady Elizabeth Baylor longs for adventure. She leaves for America full of hope, only to lose everything to a villain hiding treachery behind his smile. Lost in this strange and lawless land, Elizabeth vows to track down the man who did her wrong...but she can't do it alone. What she needs is someone hardened by the west and unflinching toward its dangers: notorious bounty hunter Logan Best.

Ill-mannered and seemingly ruthless, Logan exorcises his dark past by throwing himself into his vengeful profession—hunting wanted men. There's nothing about the pampered Englishwoman that should call to him, and yet as their adventure takes them across the wild and treacherous west, he realizes he'll do anything to keep her safe...and defend his Lady to his final breath. 

Thursday, March 28, 2019

#Spotlight on A Phoenix Is Forever by Ashlyn Chase + #Giveaway




40597251A Phoenix Is Forever
(Phoenix Brothers #3)
by Ashlyn Chase
Paperback, 352 pages
Published March 26th 2019 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 1492645559
She didn't see this hot cop coming.

Dawn Forrest is ready for a big change. She's determined to put her criminal past behind her and only use her extraordinary psychic abilities for good from now on.

Luca Fierro is a Phoenix shifter and rookie cop with something to prove. The last person he should tangle with is a newly reformed bad girl, especially one as irresistible as Dawn. But he needs her help to find a missing child, and every minute counts. This case is going to put their skills to the test and force them to keep their sizzling attraction at bay...

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

#Spotlight on A Lord Apart by Jane Ashford + #Giveaway




40597255A Lord Apart
(The Way to a Lord's Heart #2)
by Jane Ashford
Paperback, 320 pages
Published March 26th 2019 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 1492663387
Family secrets, an unlikely alliance―and a love neither expected...
After his parents' sudden death, Daniel Frith, Viscount Whitfield, is struggling to unravel a web of chaotic family records. He is astonished to learn his father's will contains a mysterious legacy: a house left to a complete stranger. He knows nothing about the beautiful Penelope Pendleton and he's not sure he wants to...until she turns out to be a whiz at all those nasty tasks involved in estate administration...

Penelope has no idea why Rose Cottage was left to her. But it's a godsend after her brother's reckless actions disgraced her family. She had planned to stay out of Viscount Whitfield's way, not grow ever closer to him. But when they discover how entwined their families really are, Daniel and Penelope must collaborate to avoid a scandal that reaches much higher than they could have guessed... 

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Read an #Excerpt from King by Cassia Leo




44564856King
by Cassia Leo 
Kindle Edition, 200 pages
Published March 20th 2019 (first published March 19th 2019)
ASINB07PVL18VN
From New York Times bestselling author Cassia Leo comes a romance about taking chances, double lives, and falling madly in love with the one person you’re supposed to want dead.

Never steal from a king.

Down on her luck in Las Vegas, Isabel “Izzy” Lake turns to the regulated prostitution industry. But her first day on the job ends abruptly when her client dies, and his suitcase contains over a million dollars.

Izzy takes the money and sets off to a small town on the other side of the country, where she attempts to live a low-profile life. A few weeks into her new country girl lifestyle, she finds owning an old fixer-upper isn’t so fun when you’re a city girl with zero DIY skills.

Izzy’s handsome new neighbor, Kingston Jameson, is all too eager to fix her leaky faucet and warm the cold side of her bed. It’s not long before she finds herself falling for King. But is he really the sweet-talking country boy he claims to be, or has he come to collect more than her heart?

***

Kingston “King” Jameson knew he shouldn’t have let Garrett pick up the suitcase full of cash. And he sure as hell never expected Garrett to die at a brothel and get robbed by a prostitute.

King needs to get the suitcase – and the secret item hidden in the lining – before his boss kills him.

He has one problem: The girl who stole the suitcase has hidden it very well. She left her entire life behind in Las Vegas. She’s got nothing left to lose. If King wants that suitcase, he needs to get close to her. Close enough to watch her every move. To know her deepest secrets.

Okay, he has two problems: He’s also fallen in love with the girl he’s supposed to kill.


Monday, March 25, 2019

#Spotlight on In Her Sights by Katie Ruggle + #Giveaway




40597254In Her Sights
(Rocky Mountain Bounty Hunters #1)
by Katie Ruggle 
Mass Market Paperback, 336 pages
Expected publication: March 26th 2019 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 1492662496
Five bounty-hunting sisters
Deep in the heart of the Rockies
Fighting to save each other
...and the men who steal their hearts


Bounty hunter Molly Pax fought hard for everything she has, turning the bail recovery business she shares with her sisters into an unqualified success. So when their sticky-fingered mother jumps bail and puts the childhood home up as collateral, Molly's horrified. To make matters worse, every two-bit criminal in the Rockies now sees her family's misfortune as their next big break.

She needs help, stat.

Enter rival bounty hunter John Carmondy: six feet of pure trouble, with a cocky grin to match. John's the most cheerfully, annoyingly gorgeous frenemy Molly's ever had the pleasure of defeating...and he may be her only hope of making it out of this mess alive. 

Saturday, March 23, 2019

Saturday Sangria: SPRING MOSCATO SANGRIA (#Wine #Sangria #Recipe)


Welcome to Saturday Sangria, where ever Saturday you will find a delicious sangria recipe to go with your weekend reading! Have a recipe of your own? Join the fun and leave us a comment or a link to your own post!  



Wednesday was the first day of spring and I don't know about you, but this has me excited! ☀💮🍷


SPRING MOSCATO SANGRIA

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Chill Time: 1 hour | Total Time: 10 minutes | Servings: 4

Friday, March 22, 2019

Read an #Excerpt from Remind Me by Samantha Chase




44001258Remind Me
(Magnolia Sound #1)
by Samantha Chase 
Kindle Edition, 234 pages
Published March 12th 2019 by Chasing Romance, Inc.
ASINB07NMFRWV2
It’s been years since Mallory Westbrook set foot in Magnolia Sound, but the death of her great-grandfather forces her back. Two weeks to get his affairs in order then she would return to her life in New York. The perfect plan, if not for Jake Summerford—her first love who broke her heart.

Jake always regretted the way things ended with Mallory and now that she’s back in town, he’s hoping they can put the past behind them. As they reconnect, old feelings resurface and Jake realizes that friendship is only the beginning of what he wants from Mallory.

With one foot out of the door, Mallory is looking for any excuse to leave Magnolia Sound behind. Forever. Will Jake’s plan to replace the old, painful memories help him finally show her their love deserves another chance?


Thursday, March 21, 2019

3 Wine Glass #Review of An Irish Attraction by Louisa Masters

 



43845654Title: An Irish Attraction
Series:  Emerald Enchantment
Author: Louisa Masters
Format: eBook, 352 pages
Publication: Mar. 17th 2019
ASIN: B07N7W5B6T
Links: Goodreads | Amazon |B&N
Source: LibraryThing
Reviewer: Kimberly
Rating: 3 out of 5 Wine Glasses

While a paranormal investigator and a hotel concierge butt heads, matchmaking ghosts and an enchanted elevator cause mischief. It’s just another day at Castle Tullamore. 

Keela Keane sees things others think aren’t there. It’s the perfect talent for a paranormal investigator and has served her well across the globe. She’s at the top of her field and ready for a new challenge: the enchanted elevator at Castle Tullamore Hotel in her homeland of Ireland.

Senior Concierge Seamus O’Kane has been dealing with the fallout from that cursed elevator for fourteen years, but that doesn’t mean he likes being assigned to assist Dr. Keane in her investigation. Working with Keela is a revelation he never expected, and it’s not long before the project—and Keela—soften his attitude.

But as they get closer to unraveling the secrets of the elevator, all the while dodging the efforts of the castle’s matchmaking ghosts, both Keela and Seamus are forced to admit that the magic of Tullamore might be the best thing to have ever happened to them.



Kimberly's Thoughts:
“Stop laughing!” Keela demanded, smacking him with a cushion between her own bouts of giggles. “It’s not that funny.”
Flopping back against the sofa, Seamus gasped for breath. “Not that funny? A ghost who lived before the Industrial Revolution wanted to give you the sex talk!”

Read an #Excerpt from Vengeance by Rebecca Zanetti




43799236Vengeance
(Dark Protectors #10.5)
by Rebecca Zanetti
Kindle Edition, 167 pages
Expected publication: March 19th 2019 by Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated
ASINB07N8LHGMY
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti comes a new story in her Dark Protectors/Rebels series… 

Vengeance and revenge are the only forces driving vampire soldier Noah Siosal since losing his brother to an enemy he’s been unable to find. He’s searched every corner of the globe, going through adversaries and piling up bodies until finally getting a lead. The last place he wants to be is in a ridiculous anger management group with people expressing feelings instead of taking action. Until one fragile human, a green-eyed sweetheart being stalked by danger, catches his eye. One touch, and he realizes vengeance can’t be anywhere near her.

Anger and self-preservation are the only motivations Abby Miller needs or wants right now. Falsely accused of attacking the man who’s terrorized her for years, she’s forced as a plea bargain to attend an anger management counseling group with people with some serious rage issues, while learning true self defense on the side. Yet a man, one more primal than any she’s ever met, draws her in a way and into a world deadlier than she’s ever imagined. He offers her protection, but she finds the fight is really for his heart, and she’s ready to battle.


Wednesday, March 20, 2019

3 Wine Glass #Review of The Woman in the Dark by Vanessa Savage

 



40965093Title:  The Woman in the Dark
Author: Vanessa Savage
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages
Publication: Mar. 12th 2019 by Grand Central Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-1538714294
Links: Goodreads | Amazon |B&N
Source: Publisher
Reviewer: Kimberly
Rating: 3 out of 5 Wine Glasses

A chilling psychological thriller about dark family dysfunction and the secrets that haunt us - perfect for fans of BEHIND CLOSED DOORS and THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR.

For Sarah and Patrick, family life has always been easy. But when Sarah's mother dies, it sends Sarah into a downwards spiral. Knowing they need a fresh start, Patrick moves the family to the beachside house he grew up in.

But there is a catch: while their new home carries only happy memories for Patrick, to everyone else it's known as the Murder House - named for the family that was killed there.

Patrick is adamant they can make it perfect again, though with their children plagued by nightmares and a constant sense they're being watched, Sarah's not so sure. Because the longer they live in their 'dream home', the more different her loving husband becomes . . .



Kimberly's Thoughts:
He sees the beautiful Victorian house he grew up in, with its pitched roof and gabled ends---a fairy-tale house before it became the county House of Horrors. He sees happy memories of a childhood lived by the sea. He doesn't imagine blood on the walls or whispering ghosts. He doesn't see the Murder House, but I do.

Read an #Excerpt from From Breath and Ruin by Carrie Ann Ryan




43800567From Breath and Ruin
(Elements of Five #1)
by Carrie Ann Ryan 
Kindle Edition
Expected publication: March 19th 2019 by Carrie Ann Ryan
ASINB07JH1QDCF
In her YA debut, New York Times bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan dives into a world with magic and sacrifice with the Elements of Five.

Five hundred years ago, the Maison Realm was shattered, divided into warring kingdoms of elemental Wielders with fate and truth shadowed and uncertain. Now, factions of both the light and dark venture into the human realm in search of the prophesied Spirit Priestess who is said to Wield the Elements of Five to bring the two fractured kingdoms together.

Lyric has no idea that there's a realm outside the human one she lives in. When fate and circumstances are pulled from her hands after an accident, she finds out that nothing is as it seems.

War is raging around her, and when Lyric realizes that they are searching for her, she must rely on those she once trusted as she trains: a boy who isn't who she thought, and a new realm of warriors who have come to protect her.

For the darkness is coming, and the Queen of Obscurité wants to ensure that the King of Lumière can't get his hands on Lyric. And the only way to ensure that is if Lyric herself is no more...no matter the cost to prophecy.


Tuesday, March 19, 2019

5 Wine Glass #Review of Back to You by Kimberly Kincaid

 



42920681Title: Back To You
Series: Remington Medical #1
Author: Kimberly Kincaid
Format: Kindle Edition, 321 pages
Published: February 12th 2019 by Kimberly Kincaid Romance, LLC
ISBN: ASIN B07KRHTSBJ
LinksGoodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Author
Rating: 5 out of 5 Wine Glasses

His second chance is his only chance

Parker Drake wants exactly one thing—to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor. Between his reputation as a rule-breaker and the six years that have passed since his first internship ended in disaster, he knows he’s only getting one shot at a second chance. He’ll do anything to put the past behind him and reach his goal…including work with the gorgeous ex-wife he’s never gotten over losing.

All work and no play make surgeon Charleston Becker a very happy woman. But when she’s tasked with mentoring her ex-husband through his second chance as an intern, her signature calm is put to the test. She’s not interested in re-hashing the heartbreaking circumstances that ended their marriage, and the six years that have passed haven’t made Parker less reckless. The last thing she’s willing to do is trust him—even if she does find him sexier than ever.

But familiarity breeds forgiveness, which then becomes a passion that threatens the careers Parker and Charlie have worked for. Can they turn their second chance into a happy ending? Or is history bound to repeat itself? 



Linda's Thoughts:
“No matter what, I’ll always come back to you.”

Happy #BookBirthday to The Hookup Handbook by Kendall Ryan




40058919The Hookup Handbook
(Escorts, Inc. #2)
by Kendall Ryan
Expected publication: March 19th 2019 by Kendall Ryan
My love wand is on a strike.

As bad as that blows, pun unintended, it’s ten times worse for me. I’m a male escort, but not just any escort, I’m the escort. The one with a mile-long waiting list and a pristine reputation that’s very well-deserved.

Only now, I’m on hiatus. Because after years of pleasing women all over the city, my man missile decides to get finicky. And the only woman he wants? Someone I can never have—my best friend’s younger sister, the nerdy and awkwardly adorable Sienna.

She’s working at the agency this summer, keeping me organized, handling paperwork, and most importantly, keeping me on track to finish writing my book about sex and intimacy, which is due to my publisher in thirty days.

She thinks I hate her, that I don’t want her here. The truth is much more twisted. I get hard every time she walks into my office. Her wide blue eyes and pouty mouth drive me wild with desire, and if she stays, I’m not sure how much longer I can stay away from her.

Little Miss Overachiever says she’s here to help? Fine. I’m going to put her nerdy, curvy tush to work.