WITH THIS CHRISTMAS RING (Lords of Anarchy #3.5)

WITH THIS CHRISTMAS RING                 MANDA COLLINS

A wallflower determined to fulfill a dying promise, the rogue she jilted years ago, and an orphaned baby are all brought together amidst the magic of Christmas in this novella from Manda Collins.

Miss Merry Parks makes a deathbed promise to a school friend that her infant daughter will be taken to her absent father. There’s only one problem—to find the baby’s father, she’ll have to consult his cousin, Viscount Wrotham, the man she jilted five years ago. The man she couldn’t forget.

Alex Ponsonby, Viscount Wrotham, is stunned to find Merry Parks—looking more lovely than ever--on his doorstep with an infant in her arms. His shock soon turns to dismay when he learns his own cousin William is the man who abandoned his wife and child. As head of the family, he’s duty bound to see right is done. But he can't let this opportunity pass. He’ll take Merry and the baby to his cousin, but he’ll woo her back in the process.

Merry agrees to travel with Alex and the baby to Wrotham Castle, where the entire Ponsonby family has gathered for Christmas, but her plans to see the baby settled then leave are ruined by a snowstorm. After five years apart, Alex and Merry will spend the week getting reacquainted. Perhaps it’s the spirit of the holiday or the magic of the season, but there could be something else in the air this Yuletide…A Christmas Reunion.

MY REVIEW:

     At one time Merry and Alexander had been engaged to one another.  Until Merry called it off.  Now five years have passed and Merry is at the deathbed of her friend Charlotte and she has an infant daughter Lottie.  Charlotte has asked her to take her to take her to father William Ponsonby her husband and the cousin of Alex.    

     You see William and Charlotte had eloped and then he left and never returned.  Before leaving he told her if she ever needed him to get ahold of Wrotham House in Berkley Square.  But they turned her away.  She’s dying and needs Merry to deliver their daughter to her father.  

     Charlotte dies from a fever.  Now Merry needs to find a wet nurse for Lottie.  Doing so means she will have to take her home to her house.  It will more than likely cause trouble for her there with her father.

     The interesting part is when she shows at Wrotham Alexander and she are reminded of what happened five years ago.  Merry arrives with Lottie asking about William the baby’s father, Alex agrees to help. 

     William is at the Wrotham family home for the holidays.  While at the family home for the family gathering with Lottie and Alex.  We find out why William left Charlotte.  About his past and we find out who he really is.  We get to find out why Merry broke off her engagement with Alexander.  Is it possible for them to find their way back to one another?

     This author enjoys taking her readers on some twist and turns that you don’t see coming.  Good solid characters that give you a reason to love the characters that give you a reason to love or not.  It was a fast read, pacing not very even but not bad, it’s a novella so not all your questions will be answered.  Remember more to come with this one.

     I give this: 4 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com. 

Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

WANT ME, COWBOY (Copper Ridge: Desire #5)

WANT ME, COWBOY                             MAISEY YATES

Her rancher boss is looking for the perfect wife...and she wants the job!

Poppy Sinclair kept her feelings for Isaiah Grayson secret for a decade. When her infuriatingly gorgeous Stetson-wearing boss enlists her help in finding him a convenient wife, she threatens to quit. Until Isaiah counters with an interesting proposal: Why doesn't she marry him? Can she say yes to sharing his life and his bed, but not his heart?





MY REVIEW:

     This eye-opening short of how we as humans can dig in and believe what we talk ourselves into.  In order to not face the world head-on while feeling the emotions.

     As in Isaiah Grayson’s case.  All his life he has had a hard time processing info quickly.  Which freezes him to the bones.  So, instead of requiring him to work through it he was allowed to avoid it all throughout his life.  Better yet, there were siblings to buff the road for you.

     Therefore, his inability to work out his emotional embarrassment, hurts, anger and so many other feelings from his only big relationship have stumped him.  When he asked his assistant and friend, Poppy to place an ad, interview, and weed through the women from them he can’t understand her anger over the matter.

     Poppy Sinclair, started working for Isaiah when she was just eighteen.  When her foster sister was then dating him.  Rosalind asked him the favor of helping her out with a job and he did it.  Every time he moved jobs, he took Poppy with him.  When he and his siblings opened their own business, she was there on the bottom floor, right there with them.  She was basically part of the family.  For a foster kid that meant a lot.

     It killed her when she knew that her foster sister, Rosalind was the cause of the heartache that Isaiah had been going through those five years back.  You see the day she started she fell in love with him on sight.  She never once stepped over the line and now there has been a decade gone by and she still has never said a word about her crush.

     She has seen him on dates and seen his taste of women and she is not on his list.  Because he likes blonde hair and blue eyes.  She is mahogany skin, brown hair, and eyes.  Just her luck.  But she loved Isaiah quirks and all.  She never minds being his go-between when it came to the world during their working hours.  She also cherished their friendship.  But she knew he still had major scars on his heart.

     When after interviewing at least six women she has had enough and confronts him.  He is obtuse when it comes to emotions so he can’t read her.  But earlier in the day he had made the statement in a pissy smartass way in reference to being ‘her boss’ not ‘boss/friend’ just ‘I’m your boss.’  So, it had played on her all during the interviews no self-respecting assistant at any other place would even be asked to do this for their boss.  So, she quit!

     She had job experience, a nest egg, and at a larger company, she could get comparable pay.  She didn’t have to stay with a man who didn’t appreciate what she had to offer.  Why continue to torture herself watching the man she loves date other women and now marry one too.  It shouldn’t be a requirement to find him a wife.  She questioned him asking if he was looking for a clone of her but for at home to do wife things for him.

     That’s when she got the surprise of her life.  When he realized he needed a PA for all areas of his life.  Then, asked her to marry him.  In making the proposal he forgot an aspect of the venture, SEX…

     I enjoyed the push and pull of this emotional war of feelings of their past experiences.  They seem to overcome them for the most part.  Yet, you see some rawness as they try to deal with their own personal turmoil.  I give this: 4 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

THE MEMORY OF YOU #1

THE MEMORY OF YOU                       JAMIE BECK                  

When Steffi Lockwood returns to Sanctuary Sound to start over, she has no idea she’ll also get a second chance with her first love.

Steffi Lockwood has survived more than most. Recovering from an assault, she returns to her coastal Connecticut hometown to rebuild her life the best way she knows how: with her hands. But starting a remodeling business with one longtime friend puts her in the middle of a rift with another. Worse, being hired by her ex-boyfriend’s mother forces her to confront old regrets.

Public defender Ryan Quinn wasn’t shocked when his wife left him, but he was floored when she abandoned their daughter. With his finances up in the air, the newly single dad returns to his childhood home in Sanctuary Sound. The last person he expects or wants, to see working on his family house is Steffi Lockwood—his first love who shattered his heart.

Although Steffi and Ryan are different people now, dormant feelings rekindle. But when Steffi’s secrets begin to surface, will it bring them together…or tear them apart for good?

MY REVIEW:

     This story has a lot to offer and that gave me some really good reading.  It had so many layers to be peeled back from this second chance romance.

     You have Steffi Lockwood a woman who although all woman and sexy as hell.  She never was your “girly girl” type.  She was an all-out soccer athlete who could go toe to toe with guys on the field.  One being her crush and boyfriend Ryan Quinn.  There was only one set back.  Like her dad and brother’s, he had definite ideas on how and what their future should look like.

     He was in the class ahead of her and good friends with her brother, Ben.  He was also a serious soccer player.  He had dreams of playing pro ball.  They got together as a couple and created many of their dreams for their future.  Only Steffi had in her dreams to travel to Barcelona. 

     Yet, when Steffi got to college, she started to become spooked when talking with Ryan and her pending trip to Barcelona.  For which he talks her out of it.  With that, she knew she was seeing her mom’s life being played out in front of her eyes all over again.  Her mom died of breast cancer.  She remembers her mom telling her aunt that she wished she had more or at all, really.

     So, she knew to explain that to Ryan that he would have fears of losing her, and she feared he would talk her out of traveling.  So, she needed to avoid him.  She ghosted him.  Years later she finds out he marries and has a daughter.  She is heartbroken but she had chosen her path so what could she do?

     Now she was back home, owned a construction business/rebuilds and living with Claire in a rental.  Only to find out one of her first paying jobs would be for Ryan’s mom, Molly.  On day one she runs into not only him but his daughter.  They have now moved in with his parents and he is going through a divorce.  She can’t say she is heartbroken but she is sad for his young daughter since her mom didn’t want her full time.

     At first sight, he is mean and out of line.  Each meeting thereafter becomes easier.  Yet, they are both left with a gaping ache in their hearts.  What she finds interesting is his daughter, she is such a spitfire.  So, independent yet hurting so bad you can just see it.

     Each character is full bodied and full of endless emotion and passion.  Yet, the one I just love is Emmy.  She is just the funniest and saddest all at the same time.  She is such a drama queen who so wants to get her hand's dirty helping, Steffi.  After years of being her mom, Val’s baby doll it’s hard.

     You will totally enjoy this story.  It does deal with a second chance, PTSD, aftermath of an assault, and how we all deal with relationships with those we love.  I give this: 5 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com. 

Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

SHOUTGUN ROMANCE #2

SHOTGUN ROMANCE

He had no faith in love. She had no faith in men. They’ve got nine months to find faith in each other.
Since the night his life had taken a dramatic left turn, Nick Jacobs had been searching for a chance to prove he was the man he’d always wanted to be. When his old friend calls him and offers him a chance to help rebuild the Cormac University football program, he thinks this is his shot. He didn’t count on falling for Olivia or getting her pregnant. Can he juggle all his responsibilities and prove to himself, once and for all, that he’s worthy of love?
After the traumatic loss of her mother, Olivia Valenti shut herself off from the world. Running the Cormac University English department is a dream come true. She didn’t think she would ever want or need anything else. One night with Nick in Las Vegas and motherhood is on the horizon. Can she open her heart to Nick and build the home she never knew she dreamed of?
An instant attraction and a night of celebration lead to an unexpected pregnancy, which Nick and Olivia are determined to face together. Unfortunately, their pasts and present are about to collide, and old secrets will challenge the foundation they’re trying to build their family on. Can they learn to let go of the past in time to share a future?
Will they realize that love always wins?
Welcome to Shotgun Romance, the second book in the Gridiron Knights series set in King’s Folly, South Carolina, where football is king, and the locals have something to say about everything. When you come for a visit, you’ll never want to leave.
This is a stand-alone romance. It can be read and enjoyed on its own. If it’s your first taste of the Gridiron Knights, check out Second Chance Option and find out how Tess and Cade found their happily-ever-after.


MY REVIEW:

     What an interesting a unique storyline this was to read.  It was like peeling an onion layer by layer.  Yet, no tears.  Okay, some tense moments.

     This is a story of two people who by rights could have at any time sat down and given up.  Instead, they decided to do the exact opposite.  You have Olivia the child who started college at nine.  Her small brain at nine was bigger than a full-grown adult.  Her life was not an easy one at all.  Yes, she was gifted but what friends could she have?  Think about it.  Really, think about it.  Her peers educational wise is, “Yeah, right.”  And nine-year-olds are like, “What is she talking about?”

     Then, at sixteen her father murders her mother.  His family turns their backs on her.  Her mom had no family so she was emancipated because y the time he was found guilty she had finished graduate school.

     As for Nick.  He was getting a second chance.  Not to play football but to help those on the field and be near the game.  His old teammate and military buddy, is going to be the head coach at Cormac Univ.  Cade is a good friend.  Even knowing his past.

     When he is a senior his girlfriend and her best friend took off in his truck after lifting his keys out of his pocket while kissing him.  They had been drinking.  When he realized this, he tried to stop them by jumping into the bed of the truck.  His girlfriend’s friend was killed when his girlfriend slams into a tree.  Long and short of it he takes the blame for it since it was his truck and says he was driving.

     The judge gave him an option of 4 years in the military or prison he took the military and stayed in much longer.  Then he moved to King’s Folly to open a mechanic shop with his brother, Simon.  When Cade calls about the job, he came. 

     He sees Olivia the first days he is in town at the library.  She is the head librarian.  With his background, he doesn’t figure he can dirty up her life.  But when she being a good friend of Cade’s future wife and then all end up in Vegas for their wedding together and Olivia and Nick end up on the dance floor more than once.  It is fate.

     What they thought was a ‘One and Done’ turns into a lot more.  He finds out and there is a no obligation clause she gives him but he wants to be involved.  Now Olivia’s on two weeks bed rest.  See what goes on.

     I enjoy the dynamics of this couple.  The closeness of their friends and the one for all mentality.  I am having questions as to what the Gills are up to, we never find out.  Why Brian is delaying the divorce and why Jr. locked out Sr.?

     I give this book 5 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com. 

Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

STRONGER THAN EVER #2

STRONGER THAN EVER                            ANCELLI

Sequel to My Best Friend. 

Jason and Kay are back. Will they let secrets and lies tear them apart, or will their love for each other become Stronger Than Ever. 

WARNING: This book contains explicit sexual content.








MY REVIEW:

     This was such an interesting part two to the series.  Filled with sexual foreplay, loving sexual scenes, and unfortunately a sexual assault.  So, you are aware.

     This couple for being best friends and being so in tune with one another for four years before they got together, wow.  They are lacking in communication skills in this version of the book.  I feel like they are not even the same couple in ways. 

     Jason is a hot head and seeks revenge a lot for being a lawyer.  Not to mention he seemed to be controlling when it came to Kay and the Jealousy issues.  At the same time, he treated her and Angel like a queen and princesses.  Until, someone tries to flirt, get to close, or anything remotely threatening he comes unglued.

     Kay is also territorial because it is not beyond her to get all up in any woman’s face either.  To let them know that he is her man and they better get back.  His ex-being and a temp secretary.  In both those issues, I can’t blame her.

     But when she does something that feels like a betrayal to Jason and he leaves home for some time to himself to get over it and it turns into one and a half months.  She figures she is a strong black woman who doesn’t need any man.  Taking off her ring and hitting the club scene.  Jason is not pleased.  Especially, when he finds out she consulted a lawyer.  He has choices to make.  Is it too late?

     This was a good story I liked, book one better.  This book Jason seemed to whinny and vindictive for my liking.  He was always flying off the handle and running out on Kay.  I give this: 3 stars.  I got this on Amazon.  Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

MY BEST FRIEND #1

MY BEST FRIEND                                  ANCELLI

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED. New cover. 
What would you do if you realize that your best friend is the love of your life? Jason and Kay loved each other from the moment they met but obstacles kept getting in their way. An unexpected pregnancy brings them together. 

This book contains explicit sexual content.








MY REVIEW:

     This was an interesting take on a mix couple relationship.  With having this couple Kay and Jason who were good friends since college.  And although they had found each other highly attractive, were always with others and never at the right time to make a move on the other.

     Neither saw each other’s color or background as an issue.  Kay’s parents passed at fifteen and Jason’s parent’s loved, Kay.  Everyone knew the two should be together as a couple but them.  At least they never wanted to take any chance and ruin a great friendship when there were those small windows to try.

     But one day at their weekly Friday night dinner date.  Kay tells Jason she got pregnant by her ex-Tommy who she told and has not heard from for almost two months now.  Jason was angry and disappointed for her allowing herself to let this to happen.  He absolutely hated Tommy.

     Once the shock wore off, he wanted to be there for her and the baby.  Once she heard the heartbeat, he was all in.  Even wanted to adopt the baby.  When there was a tragic episode that happens at her home, she is not happy.  Neither is Jason.

     He handles the situation and claims her that night as his and the baby too.  See what happens and why.  They are a sweet couple who are learning as they go along.  Jason can be a little to Alpha for a “white boy” as Kay calls him.  But this author gives you enough twist and turns to make it so interesting.  Beware this is an over 18 books for sure there is some sexual content. 

     Bought on Amazon.  I give this: 4 stars.  Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

FALLING FOR THE BILLIONAIRE #4

FALLING FOR THE BILLIONAIRE               J.S. & HELEN COOPER

“A man like me takes what he wants when he wants it.”

Lacey wanted to find a sexy and irresistible man. Only, she never thought she’d meet someone like Henry James. Henry James had a wicked smile and dazzling eyes. He was arrogant, handsome, teasing, and the sexiest man she’d ever seen in her life.

The only problem was Henry James was everything she wasn’t looking for in a man. He was too handsome. Too rich. Too alpha. He was the sort of man that could have Lacey doing what he wanted without her even knowing. He was the sort of man that had her doing things she never thought she’d do.

Plain and simple, Henry James was trouble and Lacey wanted nothing to do with him. However, Henry had other plans and the first of which was to get Lacey into his bed.

Falling For the Billionaire is a hot sexy standalone book. Readers should be 18 and over due to mature content.


MY REVIEW:

     I really tried to like this book.  With each scroll up on my phone, I kept telling myself it has to get better than Falling for My Boss.  But slowly and painfully found out it was really no better.

     This is Lacey’s first sexual experience with Henry.  I could almost understand Lacey only because Henry was her first everything.  But a big BUT.  Did the pig notice or care?  Not even.  He jumps out of bed and when she questions and when she questions where he’s going, he says to dispose of the condom.  The next thing she hears is the shower running.

     Now granted they had rules, before going to bed with each other.  1.) NO relationship, no falling in love, 2.) NO set rules in bed, 3.) NO questioning the other of what they are doing.  They ARE NOT DATING.  Basically, NO FALLING IN LOVE, No Dating Others, and No getting jealous of the others dating life.  Really, he could go on but mainly all on his terms.  Yet, she agreed.

     Mainly just sex.  When he saw her talking to other men the alpha male BS would start.  In her head, she would say this is BS and react as such.  Later on, she would talk herself into believing he was starting to love her.

     One thing she couldn’t forget was that first night as he went into the bathroom and he showered making her feel cheap and like a whore.  Washing her scent away from him.  She had walked up to the door that night thinking she could be bold and get in the shower with him.  Only to stop when she heard him talking yes, talking to another woman on the phone, Claudia.

     She heard him say he had proposed to her for a reason.  So, now she believed he was engaged or had been.  She knew he was to meet her at a dive coffee shop.  Which she goes to and spies on them because she had to know.  Once she did, she still wanted him.  She was hooked.

     The same girl that was pissed off at her friend at the beginning of the book because she slept with her ex-in college.  Yet, she’s willing to continue having loveless foreplay and sex with a man who has an emotional girlfriend if not a physical relationship with her still.  He was also the same man so self-absorbed he never noticed he took her V-card.  Yeah, ladies stand in line he’s taking numbers.  What!?

     This was one crazy ass book!  2 stars and only 2 because 1 she turned him away finally telling him off and 1 for him figuring out his mistakes and going to her to make amends.  Telling her he got Claudia help, that he was in love with her, Lacey.  Then asking her to marry him.  I think they both need therapy I think first. Bought on Amazon. 

Follow us on www.1rad-readerreviews.com

ONE NIGHT, ONE UNEXPECTED MIRACLE

ONE NIGHT, ONE UNEXPECTED MIRACLE            
CAROLINE ANDERSON

Can one illicit night…

Lead to the love of a lifetime?

In this Hope Children’s Hospital story, senior pediatric surgeon Alice Baxter believes she’ll never conceive. So is stunned to find she’s pregnant after one spontaneous night with colleague Marco Ricci! She might be his buttoned-up boss but their chemistry is off the charts. And when Marco whisks Alice to his family’s Italian Castello she discovers he’s determined to claim both his baby…and her heart too!



MY REVIEW:

     I understand Alice believing she can’t have a child ever do to a medical condition.  Been there done that.  So, for those who think the miracle can’t be oh yes it can.  Mine is now almost 18 and we had her almost twenty-one and a half years into our marriage and three adoptive children later.

     So, when she and her crush Marco her equal and yes technically her subordinate get together it is not impossible to believe that they also produce this miracle.  Their sexual chemistry makes them all the more suited for each other.  Being that each had been engaged before they met and being hurt didn’t make it any easy for them.

     They are both pediatric surgeons skilled at their jobs but not at communication.  Being that they have both been attracted to each other since day one.  It makes it harder not to allow the tension to mount.  So, they use their banter to come out by teasing about each other’s egos.  For the most part it has been harmless but on this not so much. 

     This day it got out of hand and became more personal.  It just so happened it was on the day of the big hospital fundraiser.  At the event when Marco sees Alice his boss, he nearly loses his teeth she is so breathtaking.  For it almost covers her sleek stealth body that he knows she cares for like a machine.

     He knows he needs to talk to her and make his amends for not giving her the respect she deserves.  He walks to her and asks her to dance.  At which time he says he’s sorry for taking the teasing too far.  When his closeness and his sexual essence gets to her overwhelming her senses, she says she needs air.  Leaving him standing on the dance floor.

     Marco follows her out and rides the elevator down she’s not happy because her temp is running higher due to his closeness from the dance.  They ended up in one of the procedure rooms together to talk before leaving to go home when their sexual attraction gets the better of them both.  It was fast, hot, and so worth it to them both.

     Then reality hits Alice like a sledgehammer.  She panics because one she is his boss.  Two, her last relationship castrated her due to her illness.  As much as she wants Marco and she does want him so much it aches.  She knows reality always comes after one and down.  But she does it anyway.  Six weeks later the surprise of her life occurs.

     Now comes her struggling with “could it be, ‘Does he want me for me or just for the baby I carry?’ All real fears but she goes back and forth a lot it did start to be much at times.

     My only problem with the story is that when he knows how fragile is emotional she is that he does several things that any other woman would have said, “Oh Hell No!”  So, here we go her fears about going to his parent’s vineyard that he just doesn’t seem to take as real…

A.)     His family, finding out she’s pregnant.

B.)     His family, finding out she doesn’t speak any Italian.

     But when his family does find out about her being pregnant, he runs after his ex-leaving her behind with is Italian speaking family.  Why would he do that?  I mean the whole book in his head he keeps letting the reader know he loves her yet goes after the ex? 

     She can’t understand why so she figures why am I here.  So, she packs and leaves.  Whatever the case now this is what Alice thinks.  Why or how does he think this is a good idea at all?  You will have to read to find out but it was a surprise to me.

     At any rate, I am giving this: 4 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.