Nelson High Raiders Box Set: YA Sports Romance Series

 by Jordan Ford

Amazon

I can't believe it's been over 4 years since I read these books individually. Lucky you, getting to binge one of my fave series. After reading through my reviews from before I want to go back and read them now.

The Playmaker
I love a good YA in between other books and this was one not to be disappointed with. In fact I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it.
Teenage angst...so long ago for me and I'm an Aussie so American sports is another world away.
Tori is not one of the 'popular girls' as she is different and unique, she's hot for the football jock who is also a childhood friend. Colt the football jock has his own self doubts that he keeps hidden to stay cool. Circumstances bring them together and we watch Tori change herself, her clothing and makeup to try and fit in. Their journey is amusing, the banter funny, but I'm sure to a teen it's total drama.
Ultimately it's about friendships and the journey through the final year of high school.
The story flowed well and the characters were so engaging.

The Red Zone
I found this book hard to put down, I got so caught up in their lives that I was annoyed when I reached my train stop and had to get off.
Living in Melbourne myself there are a lot of Kiwis around especially when a local rugby game is on and I couldn't help but read Kaija's speech with her accent.
High schools I'm sure are similar the world over, the popular kids, the jocks, the nerds and all those kids on the outer. Teenage angst, love, jealousy and bullying all made so much harder in this generation of social media where there is no escape.
Fabulous story line and engaging characters, I laughed and cried reading this book.

The Handoff
This one is about Layla, Mack's sister and Mack's friend Finn. Layla and Finn found an expected connection that quickly became special.
Trouble seems to find Layla, the grief of losing her father has her lost and lonely despite being a popular girl (pretty much due to her drinking and easy reputation with the boys). I enjoyed watching her blossom and mature while surrounded by drama.
I really enjoyed the story line in this book, I was totally swept up in Layla's life and felt so sorry for her. I was hoping that it would all work out in the end and she'd get her HEA.
The characters were fun, except for the ones I wanted to smack and I waited for them to get their comeuppance. There was that one scene that I read faster to see how it panned out...my heart was pounding.
There is an ongoing secret in these books and I imagine it will all come to light in the next book.

Shoot The Gap
This is Tyler's story, the goofy funny guy and his friend Sammy who is like one of the guys. He has the hots for her sister and can't see past her looks and popularity to what a b*tch she is.
The story line flowed smoothly and kept me entertained, I enjoyed catching up with characters from previous books too. Such teen angst, typical high school with the popular kids and the jocks and the nerds.
I'm sad to see this series end, but look forward to whatever this author puts out next.

If you're a fan of small-town football, field parties, high school angst and melt-your-heart kisses, then you'll love The Nelson High Raiders novels!

The Playmaker:
Can the quirkiest girl in school win over the coolest guy on the football team?

The Red Zone:
He’s never wanted a girl more, but she’s not the type to fall for a star quarterback. Can the popular jock win over this feisty new exchange student?

The Handoff:
She’s the last person he has time for, but Finn’s never been able to turn his back on someone in trouble. Can the kind-hearted offensive lineman be won over by Nelson High’s party girl?

Shoot the Gap:
She’s a tomboy with a crush. He’s her best friend with a secret. Will either of them have the guts to admit they’re falling for each other?

This complete box set also includes a bonus short story epilogue!

Grab this YA sports romance series today and get ready for the ultimate book hangover!

Force of Nature (Aaron Falk Book 2)

 by Jane Harper

Amazon

This story continued the tale of Aaron Falk and his next case. The story was slow and steady, a tad creepy and a lot more going on than I first thought. There was no particular hook that grabbed me making me read faster, but perhaps the author is clever with her subtlety as I had to know whodunnit.
I hope my company never puts together adventures like this, not even glamping.
This group of woman strayed off the path, Alice is missing...do any of the others really care?
The author brought the area to life, I could almost smell it...well it's close to home for me so I'd know (this is fictional but could be any ranges surrounding me).
Fabulously woven tale of mystery keeping me guessing all the way.

#libraryebook #supportyourlocallibrary

From the international bestselling author of The Dry and new novel The Survivors.

Lost, Cold, Desperate ... Danger Runs Deep

Five women reluctantly pick up their backpacks and start walking along the muddy track. Only four come out the other side.

The hike through the rugged Giralang Ranges is meant to take the office colleagues out of their air-conditioned comfort zone and teach resilience and team building. At least that is what the corporate retreat website advertises.

Federal Police Agent Aaron Falk has a particularly keen interest in the whereabouts of the missing bushwalker. Alice Russell is the whistleblower in his latest case - and Alice knew secrets. About the company she worked for and the people she worked with.

Far from the hike encouraging teamwork, the women tell Falk a tale of suspicion, violence and disintegrating trust. And as he delves into the disappearance, it seems some dangers may run far deeper than anyone knew.

WINNER OF THE READERS' CHOICE DAVITT AWARD 2018
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2018 SPECSAVERS (UK) NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS INTERNATIONAL AUTHOR OF THE YEAR

Caleb (The K9 Files Book 11)

 by Dale Mayer

Amazon

A great series, of course the dogs steal the show.
Caleb is on a mission to find a missing retired war dog back in his home town.
He gets way more than he bargained for. Staying with childhood friend Laysha he also helps her renovate her home. The chemistry is there, will he notice her as more than a buddy?
Meanwhile an anonymous source reveals the location of the dog. It's bad, will he and the dog get out alive?
I really enjoyed reading this story, there was a lot more going on that will keep you entertained.

For Caleb, returning to his hometown for his brother’s wedding should have been cause for a wonderful celebration. However, since his brother is marrying Caleb’s ex-wife, Caleb doesn’t want to go anywhere near the event. Yet Caleb returns, as his best friend, Laysha, is in the same town, and they are overdue a reunion. Plus Caleb’s been asked to look into a War Dog adopted out but now missing.
Having Caleb back in town, at her house even, Laysha couldn’t be happier, all the while knowing Caleb still had issues with his ex-wife. When Caleb and Laysha take a trip to the last known residence where the War Dog had been and instead find a human corpse, life takes a dark turn.
Even worse, they are seen at the house and have both become targets … in a game Caleb has to win or will lose everything that’s important in his life.

Breaking Free (Delta Force Strong Book 4)

 Elle James

Amazon

I love this series and the characters. Such strong Alpha men that meet the women they will love and show their softer hearts.
This mission has Bull undercover as a fiancé of the Ambassador's daughter. She's not impressed as she has secret plans of her own. The country is in turmoil and their lives in danger.
The plot kept me glued to my kindle, plenty of action, danger and exciting moments. Still time for these two to develop a sizzling chemistry. Will it be over with the mission?
This story stands alone but you'll want to check out the others for character development.

The Delta Force team is sent to tumultuous Turkey to protect the American Embassy from a distance, undercover. Craig “Bull” Bullington is assigned inside the embassy to provide intelligence and protect the ambassador's daughter, acting as her American fiancé.

As the daughter of a Turkish mother and the American ambassador to Turkey, Layla Grey, knows her place but refuses to stand by and do nothing about injustices toward women in her mother’s country. Hosting dignitaries by day, she runs covert operations at night to free women captured to be sold into the sex trade. Having a bodyguard assigned to her cramps her style and she chafes at the constraints.

After her enemies compromise her cover, all hell breaks loose, and Layla’s life is on the line. Bull is forced to go rogue in order to get Layla out of the country alive.

Once in a Lifetime: (Becky) (Unnamed Duo Book 1)

 by Luana Ferraz

Amazon

This was my 'Quirky Blind Date with a Book' this month. I will admit when I received it and saw the cover I thought it was a children's book.

It was such an entertaining read. Becky's character was so interesting. Becky and Pete, a London based punk duo, not that well known hired as an opening act for a famous American pop band.
I enjoyed the diversity between the characters, the admiration and chemistry. There was angst, tears and happiness. Some of it fluffy and some angst.
There are flaw in the book, but I don't mind. I'm not writing a literature review here, I'm basing it on the fact that I felt the emotions and I was entertained.
A fun story from an unknown-to-me-author.

Twelve days, eight shows, six cities.
How many unknown artists land that kind of gig?

Becky and Pete have been friends all their lives, almost as long as they’ve been a pop-punk duo. They moved from their small Northern hometown to London in hopes to ‘make it’—yet almost a decade on, they’ve got little to show for their efforts. Pursuing their dream has taken its toll on both of them, and they’re desperately in need of a break.
Enter The Hacks—an American bubblegum-pop trio that has been around for nearly fifteen years. Brothers Todd, Tyler, and Tristan were barely out of the diapers when their first album became a worldwide sensation. Their chart-topping success is long gone, but they’ve managed to stay relevant and keep a loyal fanbase.
In an unexpected turn of events, Becky and Pete are hired to be the opening act in The Hacks’ UK tour. Even though they don’t fit in the same genre and the out-of-the-blue proposition raises a few suspicions, the duo sees it as an opportunity. Maybe they’ll get the visibility and the contacts they need to get a record deal. Maybe this is the chance they’ve been waiting for.

But expectations might not meet the reality of the music business, especially when the lines between personal and professional life start to blur. Ghosts from the past, surprises in the present, and dreams for the future will align to shift their perspectives irreversibly. Are Becky and Pete up for the challenge?

Raised to Kill: Kindred Tales 32

 Evangeline Anderson

Kindle – http://mybook.to/PlayingTheirParts

+ Nook - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/.../playing.../1138662972...

+ iBooks - https://books.apple.com/.../playing-their-parts/id1550141288

+ Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/playing-their-parts

+ Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1065072

+ Aliens & Alphas - https://shop.evangelineanderson.com/.../playing-their-parts

I don't think I'll ever tire of this series. The author's imagination is crazy fun. The animals, the people and the places on other planets make Earth boring.
They are to wed to heal a riff between cultures, only she's not what she seems. She's on a mission of death. Not a bad person though, just evilly brainwashed all her life.
It was fast paced or I just read too fast and it was over before I knew it. A few scary moments but love will conquer all.
Brilliant tale, I loved it.

A Bride ordered to kill her Husband

 Marries a Kindred warrior who loves her.​

Will she fulfill her mission to kill him?

Or lose her heart to him instead?

Read RAISED TO KILL to find out!

All her life, Allara Ke'ta'nu has been raised and trained with one purpose in mind--to kill a member of the Kindred High Council and avenge the Blood Feud which has raged between her people, the Q'ess, and the Kindred for generations. But in order to do that, she must first get close enough to kill. And what better way to get close than to marry the enemy?

Brand is a Beast Kindred who has just become a provisional member of the High Council. When the Q'ess announce they will end the Blood Feud with a marriage of one of their maidens to a Kindred warrior, he agrees to take her as a wife, since he is the only unmated member of the Council. What he doesn't expect is to fall in love...

Raised on tales of Kindred cruelty, Allara believes that Brand will be rough with her on their wedding night. When, instead, he introduces her to the Kindred concept of the Claiming Period, a slow dance of seduction begins. Can Allara hold on to her sense of purpose and do her duty as mandated by her people? Or will she lose her heart to the gentle touch of her new husband?
You'll have to read Raised to Kill to find out...

A Pocket In Time (Time Weavers, Inc. Book 2)

 by Lexi Post

Amazon

Regency is one genre that I rarely read, but I do love a time travel story.
Katz is part of a group that travel back in time to repair history interfered with by wrong doers.
Her mission and other missions do not count on human emotions, namely love.
In changing history something happened that made it worse and back again she went to fix it.
This was a fun story, I read it in one afternoon and loved it.

Katz Almira’s mission is clear—travel to the past, steal the note that ruins the world, travel back to the present. Easy. She’s the best pickpocket Time Weavers, Inc. has ever had. Posing as a poor widow in Regency London, she convinces her target, Lord John Byron, a man as sexy as he is wealthy, to take her in off the streets. But at her request to keep her hidden, instead of his cushy manor, he allows her to stay in a warehouse full of orphan boys he cares for there.

It’s the perfect place to hide, and bonus, her new roommates can help her find the mysterious note. With John as their pseudo-father, they know what he does every day, and with who. Katz can’t afford any distractions, but she soon finds herself getting attached to the orphans—and John—even helping him plan for their futures.

Each day she spends in the past is another day closer to her deadline, another day closer to returning to her own time, and another day John and this makeshift family get dangerously closer to her heart. But Katz staying in the past would have dire consequences for them all…

Each book in the Time Weavers, Inc. series is STANDALONE:
* On Highland Time
* A Pocket In Time