Past Tense (Jack Reacher #23)

PAST TENSE                                                  LEE CHILD
        
Jack Reacher hits the pavement and sticks out his thumb. He plans to follow the sun on an epic trip across America, from Maine to California. He doesn’t get far. On a country road deep in the New England woods, he sees a sign to a place he has never been: the town where his father was born. He thinks, What’s one extra day? He takes the detour.
At the same moment, in the same isolated area, a car breaks down. Two young Canadians had been on their way to New York City to sell a treasure. Now they’re stranded at a lonely motel in the middle of nowhere. The owners seem almost too friendly. It’s a strange place, but it’s all there is.

The next morning, in the city clerk’s office, Reacher asks about the old family home. He’s told no one named Reacher ever lived in town. He’s always known his father left and never returned, but now Reacher wonders, Was he ever there in the first place?

As Reacher explores his father’s life, and as the Canadians face lethal dangers, strands of different stories begin to merge. Then Reacher makes a shocking discovery: The present can be tough, but the past can be tense . . . and deadly.


Once again when I think that this series is finally going to get old it does not disappoint. Reacher is in Maine and when is dropped off by a man giving him a ride he finds a name of a town that jars a memory from his past. His father said he was from this town, but as you get further into the story you find more secrets about his father and from an incident in the ’40s during the war. Wondering about all of this continues to push him to find out what the truth is. Meanwhile, the other part of the book has a couple from Canada, Patty, and Shorty. They get stuck in a remote town, but really a motel. They don’t know that they have fallen into a trap until it is too late. Eventually, Reacher crosses paths with the two of them during their ordeal and he helps them to be on their way, but the action before that with the two of them is very good. Along with Reacher who once again goes back to the town he has been told not to go too. He is still searching for answers, and they help in a way to describe the character he has become. Another excellent book in this series and very much a must read. I received this book from Netgally.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us atwww.1rad-readerreviews.com

Promise Me You (The Eastons #2)

PROMISE ME YOU                                       MARINA ADAIR

Mackenzie Hart has made a career out of writing about eternal love, so when she finds her perfect match in Hunter Kane, she decides to put it all on the line. Irresistibly charming and drenched in alpha-male swagger, Hunter isn’t just the catch of the town—he’s Mackenzie’s best friend. Only someone beats her to the altar. After a fresh start and three years to recover, the last thing Mackenzie expects is for her old life to come knocking…
Recently divorced, musician Hunter Kane wants to reconnect with the woman he left behind. Admitting his biggest mistake comes first. What comes next is up to Mackenzie. He hopes she’ll give him a second chance. He may have been the one to break her heart, but he knows he can also be the one to mend it.
As a tenuous friendship turns into something more, Hunter’s life on the road beckons once again. Will love be enough to keep them together, or will their wildly different worlds be too much for them to overcome?
PAT'S REVIEW

I have read eight different books from this author and this book was something totally different from all of her other books. Different in the describing of the women and the way her body reacted to her male friend and for some of the other descriptions that had not been in her other books. I must say it did not take away from the story and I think I know why she did it but you must read this story. First, it starts out with Mackenzie Hart watching her best friend Hunter Kane go through the all of the steps of getting married except for the wedding. Mack and Hunter have a friendship that includes writing songs and playing music, but now Hunter is marrying a big-time female country star and the big label he has signed on with wants him to also drop the band he is with. Mack just can’t tell him that she has been in love with him for years now and leaves that night. Three years later with his marriage over and his career looking like it might also be over. He fights with his manager who also is his cousin to meet with the songwriting duo or Mac and Hunter. What he does not know is that Mac is Mackenzie and Mutt is Muttley is her Seeing Eye dog. Now you begin to see really how messed up Hunter is by the way he treats her that night, leaving her. Then not talking to her for days until he realizes his career and that of his band is at stake, he goes to her and her being blind is in a bind because he ends up moving in. they do write songs, and he does get his record but he really does not see or hear her. That is until the end when he is upset when she says no about going on a 16-month world tour. She cannot do it yet for reasons that are explained but he won’t listen. It is not until something happens that he opens his eyes. I think this is a good story from her side but also showing how he just wants a hit record and everything else is secondary until it is not. A good book with good characters. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

One Winter's Day: A feel good winter romance

ONE WINTER'S DAY                                    LAURA BRIGGS

But as Ama stocks up on cinnamon for her Christmas orders, she meets tall, dark, handsome mechanic Luke, who sets her pulse racing. Who takes her out for a ride on his motorbike, and who is the first person who’s ever seen the gleam in her eye that reveals the adventurous heart she’s been trying to hide. 

Ama knows she and Luke can never work though. He’s too wild and impulsive for her orderly life. And he’s her strictly-traditional parents’ absolute worst nightmare. She needs someone calm and sensible who shares their old-fashioned values. 

As snow begins to fall, Ama tries her best to put Luke out of her mind, and concentrate on gingerbread and spiced muffins. But her latest commission, a towering cake for a winter wedding, just reminds her she’s lonely. 

Ama doesn’t want to let her parents down, and she has never broken the rules before. But do her family know best? Or should she trust her heart? 

PAT'S REVIEW


So not knowing I ended up getting book two in the series of Wedding Bells. Which has Tess, Ama, and Natalie? Looking at the cover you would think that this would be some type of romance book, but I once again missed that part. There was a wedding and Ama goes through the motions on the dates her father set up for her until she told them no! Natalie is with a guy who does not really see her and even after he hears that the other day was her birthday he says nothing. The only person to say or do anything for her is the one guy she does want because he is from the neighborhood yet gave her a chocolate cake, a card, yet she basically told him to kick rocks I want nothing to do with you. The other guy takes her rock climbing and eating food that she doesn’t like but she does it anyway. She hasn’t heard he is leaving for South America so they are not going to be together anyway. Tess can’t decide if she is jealous or not of the women who works with Blake who Tess likes but doesn’t say anything because of being hurt in the past. Then the wedding with the two mothers fighting because of what the bride wants, this is where Tess shines and is able to pull it together. The rest of the book the author does a good job with big meddling families and how at Christmas it is just crazy. You see the reason why Natalie is with her boyfriend, and Ama finally goes to the guy in the leather jacket and motorcycle. Tess, on the other hand, is thinking something totally different about Blake, so once again no romance just a storybook. The guy on the cover of the book got more action than any guys between the pages. The characters are good. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 3 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

A Brand New Ending (Stay #2)

A BRAND NEW ENDING                             JENNIFER PROBST

Ophelia Bishop was a lovestruck teenage girl when she and Kyle Kimpton chased their dreams to Hollywood. Kyle’s dreams came true. Ophelia’s did not. When Kyle chose his career over their relationship, Ophelia returned home to rural New York to run the family’s B & B—wiser, and more guarded against foolish fantasies. Now Kyle has come crashing back into her life, and all her defenses are down.

Kyle can’t think of a better place to write his latest screenplay than his hometown. After all, that was where he met the heart of his inspiration—his first love. He knows the damage he’s caused Ophelia, and he wants a chance to mend their relationship. If anyone can prove to Ophelia that happy ever afters aren’t only for the movies, it should be him.

As much as Ophelia’s changed, she still has feelings for Kyle. But her heart has been broken before, and she knows that Kyle could run back to Hollywood at any time. She gave up her dreams once, but maybe she can dare to change her own love story…one last time.
 

PAT'S REVIEW

This is the second book in the series, and it features Ophelia and what happened between her and the guy she ran off with 10 years ago. Kyle her boyfriend and writer, had always wanted to go to Hollywood and become a screenwriter. So when her brother took off to boot camp Ophelia and Kyle went west to Hollywood. They never told anyone that on the way there that they stopped in Vegas and got married. After two years there Ophelia came home and took over the B&B making it her own and really not looking back. It has been ten years and who shows up at the place but Kyle and she for one is not happy to see him at first. Giving in to his plea she lets him stay in a room upstairs and he begins his writing. When he can’t write the screenplay he was working on he decides to write about their story. This is where you first begin to see how they ended up in Hollywood and her eventually leaving from his memories, or his side. After she gets mad at him for saying he forgives for leaving he decides to write the story from her side and begins to see a totally different side. Ophelia still likes Kyle but you can see the growth in her by her helping his father which he does not understand, for one and when he decides to go back to Hollywood for a meeting. She has already come to terms that she will never see him again, that he will become the same man she left years ago. You must read the story to see if he changes at all. I don’t know if in real life women would just take in the guy she was in love with from ten years ago without any courting. You still have the same characters from the first book which is good, and overall the writing is good and this is just a good story. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

Mistletoe Kisses

MISTLETOE KISSES                                    MARNIE BLUE

For Officer Justin Weaver, Christmas is the most hideous time of the year. To improve his “holiday cheer,” he’s been put on Officer Kringle duty, collecting toys for the Ho-Ho-Patrol.

It’s a week in holiday hell.

Worse, it comes with an elf—his little sister’s gorgeous best friend—but Lilly Maddox isn’t so little anymore. And as an annoyingly festive reporter looking to make her mark, she’s there to document his every move.

Justin’s always had a thing for Lilly, but he refuses to go there with her. Ever. Not after watching what his mom went through as a cop’s wife. But now that they’re trapped in his squad car, avoiding her just got a lot more complicated…

PAT'S REVIEW


The story opens with a police officer and Mr. Scrooge himself, Justin Weaver is now on Ho, Ho, Ho, kringle duty playing Santa and also collecting toys for the needy kids in town. Waiting for the parade to start is informed that a reporter will be going along with him. When that reporter turns out to be Lilly Maddox his sister’s childhood friend who he feels abandon them after their father died he does not want her around. He always liked her when they were growing up but ten years later he is still dealing with his father’s death and PTSD from when he was in the military. Lilly wants the job at the local station and after years of traveling as a reporter she wants to be in one place, but Santa Justin is a tough nut to crack, especially after they get caught kissing on camera under the mistletoe. Now the viewers want more of Santa and his Elf kissing but somehow the Elf must find a way to get to Santa. Will Santa let her go or keep her in his sleigh read this fun and fast read. My one and only sore spot is that the Justin character threw away an Aluminum 1950’S Christmas tree, having two of them myself and yes with the light and we put one up every year my heart went into shock, but it went with the character in the story. A good and fun story and a fast read. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

Sweet-Loving Cowboy (Kinky Spurs #2)

SWEET-LOVING COWBOY                         STACY KENNEDY

Harper McKinney finished culinary school with big dreams. Right now, she’s a bartender at Kinky Spurs. While she’s content with her life, her brother is determined that she make a name for herself, because he wants her far away from what he deems a trashy bar. But Harper refuses to go anywhere. She’s in love with her brother’s best friend, Chase Blackshaw, and that love is keeping her in River Rock.
After the death of Chase’s father, he’s the one responsible for running the construction of the Blackshaw Cattle Company’s guest ranch. Back in the day, he had dreams of opening a construction company, but lack of finances kept him working for the family’s cattle ranch. Now with the responsibility of his family’s guest ranch on his shoulders, those dreams seem far away. Though he has bigger problems. His build is failing the inspections.
Now Chase has more trouble on his hands. Harper, the woman he’s forbidden to ever touch has decided to move to Las Vegas. She isn’t so little anymore, and Chase is finding her all too tempting. She’s also not shy about what she wants. Him. Naked. And giving her some sweet lovin’ in all the kinky ways he craves. But neither Chase nor Harper can anticipate the fate that awaits them if they dare give in to their desires, as Chase soon learns there is something far worse than not being able to live out his dreams. It’s being given the chance to live out his dreams but having to watch Harper lose hers.
PAT'S REVIEW

Harper McKinney is working the bar at Kinky Spurs, she thought by now that she would be off somewhere using her culinary degree, not still in Texas. Chase Blackshaw and his brothers are still working at saving their families ranch after their father died. Now starting out on his own with his construction business is looking at helping the ranch. He is also wanting a chance with Harper but knows she wants to leave to Vegas but he still wants to see if she is into him as he is into her. What she does not know is that Chase promised her brother to back off. Still, he goes for it and she agrees, but neither expects what happens to both of them to happen. Now will punches be thrown, will she stay or go, will he commit to women finally? These and many more answers will be given along with a wedding from her brother from the last book, what is going on at their ranch and some hot bedroom and not in the bedroom scenes. A book that has something for everyone. Good characters along with a good story. Can’t wait for the next book. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

                                                                      Back to You #1 Hard Crush HARD CRUSH                                  ...