Reviewed by Deborah Lloyd for Readers' Favorite

Hayden and Briar meet in a most unlikely place to find love – a hospice center. Hayden Crewe is the pianist, singer and composer in the popular Australian rock band, Jackaroo. He receives a phone call that his mother, from whom he is estranged and has not seen for years, is dying from pancreatic cancer. He immediately flies to Seattle to find the explanation for his mother’s silence, and emotional closure, before it is too late. Briar Moore, strongly connected to her ex-significant other’s Aunt Rosie, is spending hours at her bedside. Between Breaths, Book 2 of the Seattle Sound Series, written by Alexa Padgett, is an unpredictable and engaging romantic fictional work. There is a cast of interesting characters – from the members and manager of Jackaroo; Briar’s sister and family; Briar’s ex-significant other, Dr. Ken Brenton; and others. Perhaps, the most interesting characters are the parents of Hayden and Briar – they created deep-seated fears and misgivings about the possibility of forging committed, loving relationships.

The author is a skilled and competent writer, as she creates believable, and likeable, characters. There is an easy flow, as Hayden and Briar each relate their thoughts, emotions and experiences in alternate chapters. There is a depth of understanding for these characters, as Ms. Padgett connects their childhood experiences to current-day decisions. Alexa Padgett has penned the perfect romantic story in Between Breaths. This story is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It is a true page-turner and engages the reader from beginning to end.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Man Down: Wings of Gold Book 3 by Tracy Tappan is one of the coolest romances I have read so far this year. The story follows a soldier and a doctor who travel through a dangerous land towards safety, and in the meantime, the two of them find love. The story follows Petty Officer Shane “Mad Dog” Madden and Lieutenant Commander Jason “Casanova” Vanderby are the sole survivors of a helicopter crash in Northern Pakistan. Together, these two soldiers find a help station where they meet the beautiful and charming Dr. Farrin Barr. She is the head doctor at the help station and the only one remaining behind.

If Jason and Shane thought this would be the end of their journey, they thought wrong. Now, these two men and Farrin are on the run from terrorists and trying to stay alive. Through this journey, Farrin and Jason feel a strong attraction between them, but this is not the time for romance. Fighting for their survival, they realize that even though they are ready for each other, their pasts and their present are not letting them explore their desires and what their relationship could be. Can Jason and Farrin let go of the past? Will they even get the chance to explore their feelings when the enemy is so close behind them?

What can I say about this novel? I loved the dynamics between Jason and Shane. These two childhood friends had each other’s backs at all times. I loved Farrin, she is smart, strong and not a shrinking wallflower like most of the female characters in similar novels. She gives as good as she gets and she is not afraid to show everyone that she is ready to claw her way out if she has to. The story was intense, the characters were given proper time to develop and heal, and I loved the fact that nothing was rushed, even though it was certainly not a slow paced novel. Even the cover of the novel is awesome!

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

His Return by Sheila Kell is the third book in the HIS Series, a steamy romance mixed with suspense and punctuated by nonstop action. Yes, this is a romance with a unique flair and readers will find themselves swinging from one extreme emotion to another. Jake has been away for four years, away from Emily Hamilton, a woman he’d shared intense moments of love and passion with, and he still carries memories of her, fresh as yesterday, as if she’s become a part of him. But that night four years ago ruined everything and he woke up with Emily in his bed and his best friend banishing him. After four years, can she still be the same? Can she still see him the way she once did? Now Jake Cavanaugh is coming back to his past, but things have changed, and his new status doesn’t make them any better.

Watch as these two souls reignite the flame and journey into the secret light and darkness in each other’s heart, amidst dangerous threats from unexpected quarters. His Return is the first book of Sheila Kell that I am reading and it has been such sweet delight. Even though it is part of a series, it reads like a standalone novel, with enough backstory to fill in the surprised reader without losing them. I loved the compelling cast of characters. Jake and Emily constitute an incredible pair and readers will enjoy the emotions they evoke. The story is insanely passionate, well-written, and luscious and seductive prose will keep the reader gripped by the story from start to finish. Here is a steamy romance with a unique plot and a whole lot of originality, a story that will appeal more to the reader’s heart than to their thoughts. I still feel its warmth, hours after reading.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

The Best Part of Love by A. D'Orazio is a beautifully plotted and well-executed historical romance with a cast of exciting and delightful characters. After the merciless murder of her first husband, Elizabeth Bennet knows there is no future for her with any man. In fact, she spends her days hiding from the people who destroyed her marriage. Many people know this is no secret, except Fitzwilliam Darcy, and he is growing fonder of the country girl than he is aware. Elizabeth quickly develops a friendship with him which soon transforms into love. They are wedded, and, not long after settling into their married life, a condemned man about to serve prison time divulges a secret that makes Elizabeth question everything she thought she knew about her late husband. Now, she could be walking a path that might destroy her new happiness and her entire life.

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill kind of romance with predictable plot lines and one-dimensional characters. The plot is well-conceived and it unfolds in an unpredictable manner with surprising turns for readers. I enjoyed the compelling cast of characters. Elizabeth is a broken woman and readers will love the way she’s fleshed out. It is just natural to feel her hesitation when she meets Darcy. The conflict is well developed and it enhances the emotional depth of the story. A. D'Orazio’s writing features great prose and passages that are delightful to read. The Best Part of Love is a book that will transport readers into the inner world of the characters’ hearts; it reels with intense drama and is so emotionally charged.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Illicit Passion by Sarah Stuart is the story that made me say, “Oh, my Gosh,” by just reading the blurb. But you know what, I absolutely wanted to read the story. I even broke my own self-imposed rule of not reading novels whose first parts I have not read. I am so glad I did. This taboo subject is enough to make you cringe at first, but it is also good at making you want to read more and more and more to know what really happened. Before we go into the actual review, let me talk a little bit about how the author did not confuse me.

Yes, it is a part of a series I was not familiar with, but I completely understood what had happened in the previous novel and what can I expect from the old characters. The information was subtle, nothing was implied, and all of it was explained in a manner that was not too long and not too short.

Now let’s get to the juicy part: the story. Lisette is a star and her father was her lover. And yes, they have a daughter Harriet. Lisette’s father has devised a plan that will set her free, but it may leave her with nothing else. And her daughter is in love with the man they registered her with as twins, so that her identity and her reality would be hidden from the world. But she will not stand back and let people rule her life and keep the man she loves away from her.

Needless to say, this novel had my attention from page one and kept me entertained. The characters were real and they were believable. Nothing was far fetched and that gets major points from me. I loved it and I am off to read the first novel in the series.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Cake In Bed by Sheri Fink is just as light hearted and fun as it sounds. The story follows a 30-something woman called Julie. She has been divorced once, but she is not losing hope of finding love. The night that might have been her first wedding anniversary, she is sitting alone in bed, eating cake. But she is not going down without a fight, and so starts the parade of messy men, bad men, and selfish men. It is great that Julie has Nick, her friend who has always been there for her. There has always been something between them; they had a chemistry they always tried to ignore. But when push comes to a shove, will they finally give in to their attraction or will they still waste time on Mr. and Ms. Wrongs?

Oh boy! I’m a sucker for a sweet, sassy romance. People are calling it a “feel good” romance, and they are right to some degree. But this is just simply pure talent on the writer’s part. Give this story to someone else and they will make it into a long, boring affair. But not Fink! She kept it simple, sweet, passionate ... and a little steamy. From the get go, you are cheering Julie on and rooting for Nick. I don’t think I have had such strong emotions for any characters other than the Harry Potter series. All in all, this is a romance book I would love to introduce to my book club, because we love a nice romance that makes you smile and makes you “feel good” so effortlessly.

Reviewed by James Phillips for Readers' Favorite

Krystina Cole isn’t necessarily looking for a man when she meets real estate tycoon and billionaire Alexander Stone. But Stone is attracted to how smart she is and her sassy attitude. And if Stone wants something, he usually gets it. This is the opening scene of Heart of Stone by Dakota Willink, a saucy romance that brings two characters into the world of BDSM. Stone is open about his tastes in dominance and submissive partners. Because Krystina is quite different than the women that Stone usually takes to the clubs, he is worried that she might be turned off by his unique tastes. But Krystina has secrets of her own, and she isn’t about to share them with Stone until she feels that it is safe. And what is safe about going to a BDSM club to be dominated? In order to be completely submissive, Krystina might have to share her secrets. But only if Stone agrees to reveal his, too.

I enjoyed Heart of Stone. Dakota Willink is definitely a talented author. She easily created a world of dominance that I was drawn into. Even if readers are not familiar with BDSM or are uncomfortable with that lifestyle, they won’t be able to stop reading this book. Willink is that good. She created characters that I liked and was invested in, and I really wanted to know out what their secrets were and how the other characters would react when they found out. If that’s not a sign of a tremendous author, then I don’t know what is.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Missing Pieces by Michael Golvach is the story of a heartbroken woman whose life was all about misery, but one day her knight came and he swept her away from her demons. Mandi has not had a wonderful life. Being abused is not fun, especially when you are just a child. And now, even though she is grown up, she is not past all the abuse she suffered when she was younger. She still lives her life as she did before, but this time, she is depriving herself of all the love and affection she deserves. When Michael Skyler met Mandi, he felt a connection that he'd never felt with anyone before. Always having the feeling that he never belonged, he saw a kindred spirit in Mandi. But Mandi is very hard to woo, she is not letting him in. Can Michael bring down her walls? Can Mandi get past the scars of her past?

There is only one word that describes this novel: “beautiful.” The story is so powerful and poignant that you can actually feel the pain deep inside you. You become one with the characters and that is a major gigantic star for the writer. The story is moving, the characters are strong, and you will simply love them for being the way they are. Many times, writers are not able to write really good dialogues, but in this novel they are on point, like REALLY on point. The characters are beautiful, the story is beautiful, and the cover of the novel is just perfect! You do not want to miss this one; it is a novel that will stay with you for a long, long, long time.

Reviewed by Marta Tandori for Readers' Favorite

A deliciously delightful romp on the fun side, Marry Your Billionaire by C.J. Anaya takes its readers behind the scenes of a Hollywood reality TV show called Marry Your Billionaire – what else! – where 20 beautiful young women vie for the affections of one hunky billionaire. Actually, better make that 19 young women. Madelyn (Midge) Knightly has her own agenda for being on the show. Just one semester shy of graduating with a degree in English, her scholarship has lost its funding, forcing Midge to take her father, the legendary Hollywood producer of Marry Your Billionaire, up on his offer to reinstate her trust fund in exchange for becoming one of the contestants on the reality show for only 24 hours, after which she’ll be eliminated from the so-called competition. With absolutely no Plan B in sight and her dreams of graduating in serious jeopardy, Midge grudgingly agrees, but has an absolute panic attack when she learns that the billionaire heartthrob of the show is none other than Brody Prescott, CEO and owner of an online dating company, with whom she’s already engaged in some not-so-nice dialogue and a heated tongue-tango that’s currently going viral on YouTube. Things become even more complicated when Midge learns that one of the other contestants is the vindictive Felicia Davenport, Brody’s ex, who appears to want her man back and takes an intense disliking to Midge when Brody refuses to eliminate her. Felicia makes it known that she’ll stop at nothing to get her prize. Growing suspicious of Felicia’s motives, Midge unleashes her own secret weapon, her roommate Lisa, a gal with a weakness for men with money and a talented computer hack, ready to do her bidding.

While the hilarious premise behind Marry Your Billionaire is enough to make it worthy of a read, it’s the characters of Midge and Brody and how they play off each other that keep readers hooked. Midge grew up in the world of show business, isn’t impressed by it, and is as down to earth as they come, cheesy expressions and all. She’s smart and sassy, a lethal combination, and is fiercely independent, which she’s quick to point out to her father at every turn. However, there’s a core of vulnerability to her, thanks to her inability to believe that anyone would actually be interested in her for herself – and not because she’s the famous Corbin Knightly’s daughter. Brody, on the other hand, is dreamboat material, no two ways about it. He’s hot and he’s super rich – which is pretty much de rigueur in a romance book – but what sets Brody apart from the masses of other hunks in this genre is that he’s got heart by the bucket loads and a soft spot the size of Texas when it comes to his mother and the many charitable causes he supports. And just because he’s gorgeous doesn’t mean the man doesn’t have insecurities. His insecurities stem from the fact that, as the owner of an online dating company, he has been unable to find his own perfect soul mate. It’s these core vulnerabilities which give the two main protagonists their backbone, while their mutual attraction and constant sparring keep Marry Your Billionaire full-out engaging from first page until last.

Reviewed by Marta Tandori for Readers' Favorite

Have you ever had the urge to indulge in a luscious-looking dessert that’s almost too perfect to eat, and that’s probably laden with a thousand calories – but you’re going to go for it anyway, because you need your feel-good fix? Well, that’s the same feeling you’re going to experience with Something Amazing, Book 4 in the Something Great series of romance books by author M. Clarke. This sexually-charged, luscious dessert of a story will have romance lovers sensually licking their lips in satisfaction – like the proverbial cat who’s had its fill of delicious cream – right until the very end, the perfect forever after.

Rachel Miller’s heart has just been broken after her breakup with Greg, and with her best friend and roommate, Stacey, in tow, the two head off to Kauai for ten days of rest and relaxation in paradise. It doesn’t take the two girls very long to meet two gorgeous guys – brothers to boot – who are more than willing to help the girls occupy their time while on vacation. Hendrix is the entrepreneur of the family and a friend of Rachel’s brother-in-law, Matthew, while Hendrix’s brother, Jackson (Jax), is the more mysterious and certainly the more adventurous of the two. Rachel is immediately smitten by Jax and the feeling appears to be mutual as the two quickly pair off. They both discover that their sexual chemistry is undeniable, yet Rachel is doing her best to put the brakes on her growing feelings for Jax. She’s just come out of a bad relationship and doesn’t want to jump into another one. The only problem is that with her sister, Becky, about to be married to the very eligible Matthew Knight in Paris, no less, Rachel can’t seem to help her growing feelings for the very hot – yet strangely mysterious – Jax.

Something Amazing has some great characters, not only in its main protagonists, Rachel and Jax, but also in its supporting cast of characters, from Jax’s brother, Hendrix, to Rachel’s sister, Becky, to her roommate, Stacey. All of these supporting characters enrich and provide another layer to an otherwise fairly straightforward romance. There’s sexual tension aplenty with lots of hot sex to get one’s proverbial knickers in a knot. All in all, Something Amazing is pretty much the perfect love story. Rather than intersperse the story with conflict from the beginning, Clarke introduces it at the three-quarter mark and when she does, it’s a whammy, followed by a relatively quick resolution. Something Amazing is something pretty darned good.