Review: The Ultimate Surrender (The Cavallo Brothers) by Elsa Winckler

On a sunny beach in the Seychelles, she stole his heart.

Darryn Cavallo is a seasoned photographer and quite used to being surrounded by gorgeous, half-naked women without breaking a sweat but he isn’t ready for the powerful feelings fashion model Hannah Sutherland elicits the minute he sets eyes on her. He’d once made the rookie mistake of falling for a model and it had ended badly, so when another photographer implies he’s also been with Hannah, Darryn uses it as the perfect excuse to walk away.

But when they meet again, Darryn can’t ignore his instincts—Hannah is in danger. Lies and threats make targets of them both, and faced with a situation of pure terror, Darryn is forced to realize he’ll do anything to protect her. And to keep her with him, always…




My Review:

This is a fast-paced story about a model and photographer who first met in Seychelles and end up spending a few days together.  Even though Darryn had feelings for Hannah, he knew they couldn’t have a relationship.  But, when Hannah ends up in danger, Darryn is right there to help her.

I enjoyed the chemistry between Hannah and Darryn.  They were a fun couple to read about.   I liked the setting and the way the author told the story keeping me intrigued.  This may not have been my favorite book in The Cavallo Brothers series, but it was still a good addition.  If you’re looking for an exciting romance with a bit of suspense, this one would be a good one to read.  But, I would recommend reading this series in order.

Review and Giveaway: Dopey Women by Laura Barnard

From chemo... to cannabis... to chaos...

When Sadie and her colleagues find themselves out of a job and down on their luck they know desperate times call for desperate measures.

What starts off as a crazy idea to sell marijuana to the ladies at her friend's chemo sessions quickly spirals into a booming drug empire.

But they didn't expect a sexy detective on their trail, suspicious neighbours, and drug dealers angry they’re working on their patch.

Can Sadie pull them out of this dangerous world they’ve found themselves in? And can she do it before they end up in prison? 

My Review: 

What a ride!  I didn’t know what to expect from one minute to the next.

When Sadie and the girls in her department are laid off from their job and they can’t find another job, they don’t know what they will do for money.  But, when one of the women confesses she has cancer and wants to try marijuana, an idea is set into motion.  They will make pot brownies to sell to the other patients going through chemo.  Once they start selling, all sorts of craziness starts happening.  But, there is one speck of hope, a police officer who can’t seem to get Sadie out of his mind.  He will even risk his own life and career to protect her.  

This book was serious, funny and romantic all rolled up in one entertaining story.  I didn’t want it to end.  I could easily see it being made into a tv show.  I would say movie, but I wouldn’t want to watch for just a few hours, I want to keep watching the drama unfold for months at a time.  If you’re looking for something a little bit different, be sure to pick up this book.    

Grab your copy here - mybook.to/DopeyW

Head on over to Laura's page to enter her signed paperback giveaway - https://www.facebook.com/laurabarnardbooks/

 

Review: Forget Me (Van Allen Brothers #2) by Kimberley Ash

He’s the man she left behind, but never forgot… Laurel Moore might have had to leave her prized job as an assistant chef in one of NYC’s swankiest restaurants to take care of her brother and mother after her father’s death, but she’s not giving up on her dream. Nope. She’s going to turn her father’s debt-ridden, greasy spoon bar and restaurant into a destination gastropub that will bring life back to her small, struggling town. Laurel faces resistance on all sides, but it’s running into her first love, reformed bad boy Jonah Gardiner, that really throws her off her stride. Worse, he’s more tempting than ever. Spurred on by Laurel’s rejection a decade ago, Jonah cleaned up his act and became an academic and psychologist, who helps everyone understand their feelings except himself. He can think of a million reasons why he and Laurel need to stay at arms’ length, but when she shares her new recipes with him, it seems like foreplay. And that’s just the beginning… Can he and Laurel seize a second chance or will she destroy the peace he’s worked so hard for?

My Review:

An incredibly realistic and emotionally charged second chance romance. 

After Laurel’s father passes away, Laurel returns home to run her father’s bar.  She didn’t except to see Jonah again.  Jonah was the bad boy that Laurel was warned to stay away from.  But, Laurel couldn’t resist Jonah and they ended up having a secret relationship one summer. 

Laurel made the decision to leave her family and Jonah when she felt she was being pulled into the same destructive lifestyle that Jonah and her father both shared.  She followed her dream of becoming a chef.  Jonah cleaned his act up after Laurel left.  He went to school to become a phycologist.  Now that Laurel is back in town and they are both responsible adults, maybe they can pick up where they left off. 

This book pulled me in from the start.  I enjoyed seeing Laurel and Jonah discover love again.  The scenes were very realistic.  The author described addiction and what it can do, to the person and everyone close to them, very well in this book.  Be warned this is an emotional story, but well worth the tears you might shed.