Prah, Constantine, and Baryeh Reviews: Truth or Beard (Winston Brothers #1) by Penny Reid

Happy March! 2019 is doing its best to fly by. I don’t have much else to say because I really want you to get to the review. I’m sure that tells you how excited I am to tell you about this book. After you read my review remember to head over to Constantine and Baryeh’s  blogs to see what they thought. I can’t wait.

The Blurb

Beards, brothers, and bikers! Oh my! 

Identical twins Beau and Duane Winston might share the same devastatingly handsome face, but where Beau is outgoing and sociable, Duane is broody and reserved. This is why Jessica James, recent college graduate and perpetual level-headed good girl, has been in naïve and unhealthy infatuation with Beau Winston for most of her life.

His friendly smiles make her tongue-tied and weak-kneed, and she’s never been able to move beyond her childhood crush. Whereas Duane and Jessica have always been adversaries. She can’t stand him, and she’s pretty sure he can’t stand the sight of her…

But after a case of mistaken identity, Jessica finds herself in a massive confusion kerfuffle. Jessica James has spent her whole life paralyzed by the fantasy of Beau and her assumptions of Duane’s disdain; therefore she’s unprepared for the reality that is Duane’s insatiable interest, as well as his hot hands and hot mouth and hotter looks. Not helping Jessica’s muddled mind and good girl sensibilities, Duane seems to have gotten himself in trouble with the local biker gang, the Iron Order.

Certainly, Beau’s magic spell is broken. Yet when Jessica finds herself drawn to the man who was always her adversary, now more dangerous than ever, how much of her level-head heart is she willing to risk?

My Review

This book was hilarious. The characters, especially the brothers, were just so well developed and individualistic.  They had such different personalities and yet were really close. I developed a crush on one of them (Billy), and wanted to hang out extensively with the others because they were just so cool, especially Cletus – that man was just too clever for his own good and knew it. I’m looking forward to reading each of their stories.

The romance between Duane, the dark brooding brother who took no nonsense from anyone  (one of my favorite Winstons) and Jessica, who was smart and had the best sense of humor, began with a jump start (no pun was initially intended, but I like the way it worked out). From the beginning of the book until the end I wanted these two together.

Ms. Reid understands how to pile on drama without making the story overdramatic. Just when I thought one issue had been settled, Bam! Another one worked its way into the plot, setting both the characters and myself off balance. It was brilliantly done.

This book definitely has my stamp of approval and I hope the others in the series are just as entertaining.

I give this book five Mustang (the car, not the horse) shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased my copy from AmazonUK

Prah, Constantine, and Baryeh Reviews: Can't Miss Christmas (Mirror Lake #3.5) by Miranda Liasson

Happy holidays fabulous readers. I’m pretty sure you’re all busy preparing for the Christmas season, but I hope you get some time to read a little, too. This month we kept it light and short with a Christmas novella.

Remember to stop by Constantine and Baryeh's blogs to see what they thought of the book.

Have a fantastic and safe holiday!

The Blurb

Here comes a charming standalone Christmas novella by Amazon bestselling author Miranda Liasson. Fans of both Mirror Lake series will recognize familiar elements and people along the way.

It’s two days before Christmas and bestselling children’s author Grace Alberts needs to fulfill a promise—to make it to a book signing for the kids at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the place that did so much for her during a very rough time. But the weather’s getting awful and all flights are cancelled out of Boston, where she’s wrapping up her book tour. Then in walks her annoying but extremely sexy ex-husband, who (as usual) thinks he’s got all the answers.

Graham Walker just stopped by to get a book signed for Grace’s biggest fan, his niece, and wish Grace a Merry Christmas—why not? But he soon finds himself troubleshooting her dilemma. He’s got a Range Rover that can plow through a hundred-year Nor’easter. He’s even headed home to Philly. Trouble is, Grace's and his past is a disaster, something he has no intention of reliving while driving through a winter storm, no matter how much he once loved her. And maybe still does.

Bad weather has a way of bringing out the best and the worst in people, and when a run in with some deer antlers leads them to a forced stop in Mirror Lake, Connecticut, anything can happen, naughty or nice. Maybe a bit of enforced alone time and some Christmas magic can be just what it takes for them to face their past—and each other—once and for all.

My Review

I’m not the biggest fan of second chance romances, but this novella had me rooting for the couple. The reasons they got divorced two years ago was understandable and forgivable on both sides. After the changes they went through during their lives apart, I’m pretty sure there will be a greater chance of them staying together the second time around. A lovely Christmas read.

I give this book four out of five book shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased this book from Amazon UK.

Prah, Constantine, and Baryeh Reviews: The Afterlife Coach by Susan E. Paul

Happy October! We're officially into autumn, for me one of the prettiest seasons of the year. Until everything dies. I’m leading into the book we chose for this month (aren’t I clever?). We stepped away from romance this month and for me it was a good venture. I’m curious to find out what Constantine and Baryeh thought about the book.

The Blurb

Imagine waking up to find Napoleon Bonaparte, Janis Joplin and Count Dracula in your kitchen eating Froot Loops. 

For Claire Anderson, this crosses the line. 

To make matters worse, they’re on the lam and can’t be returned to sender until In Between, the afterlife way station, can arrange transportation to pick them up. In the meantime, Claire tries to contain this motley crew, hoping to stave off an international incident. How do they manage to walk among us? Will Claire succeed in repatriating them? And at what cost? 

The Afterlife Coach is a humorous tale of second chances, self-awareness and, for those among us who make bad choices, demonstrates just how hard it is to die happily ever after. 

My Review

The simplicity of the cover and the engaging blurb roped me into reading the novel. An afterlife coach is a concept I have never hear of, until this book. Very interesting. Claire was very likeable and I felt sorry for her at the beginning of the book. I cheered her on as the book progressed. In the end I was glad she’d found the trio sitting at her kitchen table because she’d found, or rather re-found, her true calling and found peace.

I did find the story a little slow in the beginning, but then it picked up and the novel flew by. I don’t know anything about heaven or the afterlife, but I like the way Ms. Anderson described it and why people ended up back on earth. She definitely has a way with words and the images leapt from the page into my head as I laughed at the antics the crew got into.

I give this book four out five guitar shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased my book from AmazonUK

Remember to stop over at Constantine and Baryeh's blogs to see what they thought of the story.

Constantine, Prah and Baryeh Review: Second Chance Marquess (Second Chance #1) by Jessica Jefferson

I hope everyone is enjoying the warm almost summer days and are getting the chance to read and relax. This month we went back in time with a Regency romance. Make sure to check out what Constantine and Baryeh thought about the book.

The Blurb

A beautifully told Regency tale about second chances for love....

When Wilhelmina Turner’s younger sister runs off with a young Lothario, she has no choice but to turn to the notorious rake who broke his promise and her heart, for assistance. George Bartlett, the Marquess of Chesterton, hasn’t forgotten the woman who hurt him so many years ago, but can’t deny her request, knowing that his brother’s reputation and fortune is at risk. A series of misfortunes leave the straight-laced widow and committed bachelor stranded, sharing both close quarters and old secrets. But when morning comes, will this unlikely pair find a second chance at love? 

My Review

There’s nothing like young love, until it crashes, burns, gets a man shot and leaves a woman struggling for life. If that sounds dramatic then I did the book justice because the story was filled with action, intrigue, and pure romance.

Wilhelmina is unable to let go of the lessons she’d learned at the hands of George when they were younger. Yes she’d fallen in love with him, but she’s also grown harder when things didn’t work out between them. George ended up living a miserable, empty, although still wealthy life when they broke up. As I read the story I wondered what would have caused them to split when they’d been so in love. The reasons satisfied me (but I won’t share them with you because I don’t do spoilers).

In the end it turned out to be a wonderful romance, not just because of the happily-ever-after but because they’d both grown along the way.

I give this book five out five carriage shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased this book from Amazon. 

Prah, Constantine, and Baryeh Review:Guardian of the Grail (Immortal Blood by Elena Bryce ·

Happy Spring to those who are living in the four season  areas. I hope the snow is gone until it’s supposed to be back. We took a month off  and now we’re back. Hope you didn’t miss us too much. 

We figured it’d been a long time since we’d read a paranormal, so that’s what we chose for this month. Could you blame us with that gorgeous cover?

Remember to stop by Constantine’s and Baryeh’s blogs to see what they had to say about the book. I'm really curious myself.

The Blurb

Before vampires, they were Guardians, drinking the sacred blood of the Holy Grail, and sworn to protect it through the ages.

When Lachlan Thorn is entrusted with the task of relocating the Grail to a castle in the Scottish Highlands, he requires the help of a witch to conceal it on the perilous journey. Unfortunately for him, the only one available is Ivy, who is untrained and a descendant of the woman who broke his heart.

For Ivy, helping to protect the Grail gives her a chance to do something good with her magic and learn more about it. But once the Grail is out in the open it draws the attention of both vampires and vampire hunters alike, and before long Ivy is facing an ancient and powerful foe that she has no chance of escaping.

Forced to tap into the deeper magic, Ivy must travel through time, linking with her ancestors and experiencing witch trials to take on the power that is her heritage. She might also learn the startling truth about her connection to Lachlan.

My Review

The chapters in this novel were short and they kept pushing me to read the next one and then the next and before I knew it the book was finished. It wasn’t just the short chapters that had me eating up the book, but the concept of vampirism through the use of the Grail fascinated me. I’m sure if I were more of a vampire book reader I may have heard of the concept before now (maybe not). I found it intriguing and kept looking up things mentioned in the story to see if they made sense within the context of the book, and they did.

I enjoyed the romance between Lachlan and Ivy. Did the aspect with the grandmother disturb me a little? Well yes, but destiny is destiny and Lachlan had to experience it before he could believe it. Their adventure with guarding the grail was filled with action. My favorite parts of the book were the last few chapters where we learn so much more about Lachlan and Ivy’s ancestors through her deeper magic. The journey was amazing and brought so much depth to their relationship and her power as a witch.

I give this book five out of five chalice shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased my copy from Amazon.

Prah, Constantine, and Baryeh Review: Pumpkin: a Cindermama Story (A Cindermama Story #1) by Ines Johnson

 A little bit of great yet bad news. This week it's only Baryeh and I reviewing. Our wonderful Constantine has a brand new book coming out on the 10th of this month called Incense and Peppermint and she's a little busy preparing for the release - be on the lookout for it.

We went the fairy tale route this month. A retelling of Cinderella from a completely different perspective. Make sure to check out Baryeh’s review.

The Blurb

Single mother Malika “Pumpkin” Tavares lost faith in fairytales after she fell for a toad. Now she believes she’s not cut from the storybook, heroine cloth and searches for Mr. Good Enough amongst the sidekicks and supporting men of the town.

Love at first sight isn’t a cliche for town royalty Armand “Manny” Charmayne. For generations the Charmaynes have spotted their soulmates by seeing a golden aura the first time they laid eyes on The One.

When Manny meets Pumpkin he sees…nothing, but sparks fly off the richter scale. The more he gets to know her the more he considers defying fate, if only he can convince her to take a chance on love again.

My Review

This was a wonderful story. A fairy tale for the contemporary woman. Malika has gone through so much in her life, from childhood straight through adulthood. I really empathized with her and that added a depth to the story. Armand was a true prince- his backstory wasn’t as intense as Malika’s, but it didn’t make him any less of a complete well rounded character.

I loved the way Malika challenged Armand and made him think in a different way than where he’d originally been heading­­— which in turn made him a better person and character.

The romance was heart warming The concept of destiny was heavy in the story and drove it forward in the most engaging way. I won’t give any spoilers, but when that moment occurred, I was like – Ahhhhh, because it was so incredible and smile worthy just like the story.

I’ll warn you that there are a lot of references in this story to the 80’s and 90’s. If you are a child of this era then you will get them and really enjoy how Ms. Johnson incorporated them in. I did have an issue with the constant references of fairy tale in the story by almost every character – I found it to be a bit much, but not annoying.

I give this story four out of five Mustang shaped white chocolate bars.

I purchased this book from Amazon.

Prah, Constantine, and Baryeh Review: Jingle Bell Harbor (Bell Harbor #3.5) by Tracy Brogan

Happy New Year! I was wondering how long I can officially  joyously exclaim Happy New Year. If I meet someone in July that I haven’t seen all year long can I say it? That aside, I’m happy to be back for another Prah, Constantine, and Baryeh Review. Everyone says that 2017 is going to be a fantastic year and I totally believe them because it’s true.

We chose a Christmas themed story to start the year off with (Technically it was to end last year, but who’s splitting hairs?) Tracy Brogan is not a stranger to Constantine or I, but I believe this is Baryeh’s first time reading her.

The Blurb

 As assistant buyer for the world’s second-largest Christmas store, Kelsey Parker feels like a holiday harlot. She’s contractually obligated to promote the yuletide season. All. Year. Long. And it’s taking a toll on her spirit. But when her clueless, self-absorbed boyfriend goes on their long-anticipated romantic vacation—without her!—Kelsey is beyond disappointed to find herself tromping through the Bell Harbor snow instead of lounging on a tropical beach.

Drew Hampton is considered quite a catch among the Bell Harbor bachelorettes, but when his high school dream girl, Kelsey Parker, shows up at his grandfather’s Christmas tree lot complaining about her love life, he decides it’s long past time to get her under the mistletoe himself.

As things heat up between the two, a surprise visitor arrives, making Kelsey an offer she can’t quite believe. Now she must decide what matters most, and she just may discover the key to her happiness.

My Review

Ms. Brogan is one funny writer. Her characters are lively and very entertaining. She knows how to pair people up, too. Kelsey and Drew were so adorable together.

This book was great, it really was except… Well I understand that Kelsey's relationship with her boyfriend isn’t what it should be (after all he went on vacation without her when her grandmother broke her hip – that’s bad), but I didn’t care for the way she and Drew got together. I know it added to the conflict, but I wasn’t comfortable with it.

I give this novella four out of five Christmas tree shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased this book from Amazon.

If you’re as curious as I am to see what Constantine and Baryeh thought about the book then head over to their blogs to read their reviews.

Prah, Constantine, and Baryeh Review: His Halloween Kisses by Kathy Bosman #ContemporaryRomance

 I hope you had a great October and that Halloween was full of treats rather than tricks. We decided on a Halloween themed romance which worked out nicely.

Remember to stop by Constantine and Baryeh’s blogs to see what they thought about the book.

 The Blurb

Ali’s never been so scared. She’s housesitting for a colleague on Halloween night, but the lights have gone out, and terrible noises and crashes send her imagination into overdrive. When her brother’s friend comes to her rescue, he kisses her in the dark three times. Once back in the light, Ali is embarrassed at allowing him to kiss her. Byron tries to ignore his strong attraction for Ali, especially seeing he’s not ready for a relationship. When Ali finds out why, she runs away, but life has other plans. What can bring them together? Fate, faith, or the memory of his Halloween kisses?

My Review

I knew this was a sweet book going in, but boy was I surprised (in a good way) to find so much passion at such an early stage. Ali and Byron’s attraction was instantaneous. Hyped up with the fear of the situation, it just exploded.

I have never enjoyed a holiday romance so much. I was excited when the book took us on a trip to South Africa. This was a fast paced story which kept me entertained for the whole short read.

I give this book five out of five pumpkin shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased my copy from Amazon.

Prah, Constantine, and Baryeh Reviews: Love Built to Last (Fireflies #1) by Lisa Ricard Claro

Welcome to another month of triple reviews. This book reminds me of a song by Leanne Rimes.

 Remember to stop by Constantine and Baryeh's blogs to see what they thought of the book.


The Blurb
She can’t let go of her dead husband . . .
Maddie Kinkaid believes her late husband, Jack, gives her advice on everything from ordering a pizza to hiring a carpenter, so when she finds Caleb Walker’s business card on Jack’s desk, she’s convinced that he’s the guy to remodel her kitchen.


He can’t decide if she’s worth the risk . . .


Caleb is a single father, and protecting his young son means avoiding romantic entanglements. But there’s heat in every kitchen, and sparks ignite between Caleb and Maddie—until disaster strikes.
As Jack goes silent and Maddie’s guilt consumes her, it looks like Caleb and Maddie will never find their happily-ever-after—at least, not without a little help from Jack . . .


My Review
From beginning to end this was a sweet story. Two people who had lost someone they loved deeply finding love in with each other. A second chance at true love is a miraculous thing.

Ms. Claro did a fantastic job at balancing the sadness if death with the joys found in life. When you put a kid and a dog in a story it is bound to be funny. Add a hot construction guy and a stubborn, spunky woman into the mix and you have the makings of a great romance.

The one thing I didn't appreciate was how hung up the heroine was on her late husband after four years had passed and how much she depended on his messages for so long. But when the reason behind it was revealed, I understood her better.

I give this book four out of five hammer shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased this book from Amazon.

Prah, Constantine, and Baryeh Review: Hot Pursuit (Hostile Operations Team 1) by Lynn Raye Harris

Welcome to my favorite month of the year. Usually my birthday month never fails me, so I expect good things in all aspects of my life, including the books I read. So far I have not been disappointed.

We decided to grab a book from our e-reader backlist for this month’s book and ended up with Hot Pursuit. Just look at that cover, a hot guy and purple lettering, how could the book be anything but good?

Remember to check out Constantine and Baryeh’s blogs to see what they thought about the book. 

Have a splendid September everyone!

The Blurb

He was the last man in the world she wanted to see…but he might be the only one who could save her…

Ten years ago, Matt Girard did something he shouldn’t. When sweet Evangeline Baker offered him her virginity, he took it. Then he left town and he’s never looked back.

Until now. His future as a black ops soldier with the Hostile Operations Team is in jeopardy, and he’s come home for a few days before going back to face the consequences of a mission gone wrong.

Matt still makes Evie’s heart pound, but she wants nothing to do with him. She’s had enough of men who lie and promise things they don’t deliver. But when her sister goes missing and her ex-boyfriend turns up dead, she’s in need of Matt’s special military skills.

With time running out, Matt will put everything on the line to protect Evie and find her sister. Even if it means sacrificing all he’s worked for with HOT. Sometimes, the reward is worth the price. Especially when it’s the one woman he can’t forget…

My Review

I really enjoy books where the hero and heroine share a common history. Matt and Evie have known each other since they were kids, and then he went and screwed things up, not by taking her virginity, but by bragging about it to his friends afterward. I don’t blame Evie for hating Matt for his duplicity. I did admire the fact that after all the time they’d spent apart, Matt felt badly for how he’d treated her and the implications his action had on his life. I would’ve advocated for him to kick his own ass. In the end, things worked out just the way they should’ve, even though I seriously wondered how it would get that way.

The story was filled with action from beginning to end. I do love a military alpha male who knows exactly what he’d doing it. I like the way Ms. Harris kept upping the stakes to his situation and making us wonder if he would or would not be able to keep his job.

Evie was full of grit, but I didn’t agree with all of her actions. For one thing, if I’m in danger and a professional tells me to do something,  I’m very well going to do it, but she didn’t roll that way, which annoyed me. Otherwise she was a tough heroine worthy of a delicious alpha male.

I give this book 4 out of five yacht shaped chocolate bars.

I bought my book from Amazon.

Prah, Constatine, and Baryeh Review: A Breath of Fresh Air: An African American Romance Story by Kalyssa Powell

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer. This month we went for something short and sweet.  Remember to stop by Constantine and Baryeh’s blogs to see what they thought of the book.

The Blurb

Air Robertson was fine with dreaming of the perfect guy, the perfect romance, and the perfect life. But after she meets her dream guy, her own sense of doubt tries to sabotage her growing feelings for this wonderful man. How can someone as handsome and charming as Corey Travis still be single? Air wants to believe that it is fate, but she can’t be sure.

All the while, strange things have been happening around Air’s apartment. From her front door getting vandalized to her cell receiving strange text messages, Air has no idea what to make of these occurrences. Are they merely harmless pranks? Or is there something more going on?

Amidst awkward beginnings, dealing with the past, and falling in love, Air learns that there is no such thing as the perfect guy. But she also learns that when it comes to true love, no one needs a perfect guy to be happy.

My Review

To by honest this book was too short to be satisfying. I didn’t get into the characters. I learned very little about the hero, and Air had no history to her. She acted more like a teenager than an adult. They fell in love way too quickly for my liking and the resolution to their conflict left the story feeling empty. I also got a little distracted by the name Air, which I was expecting an explanation of but never got.

I got my free copy from Amazon.

Prah, Constantine, and Baryeh Review: Bedding the Wrong Brother (Bedding the Bachelors #1) by Virna DePaul

April has begun. For some of you winter is wearing down and the pollen of spring is out to make you sneeze your lungs out. A good time to stay inside and read I say.

This month we chose a great book. I’m curious to see if Constantine and Baryeh enjoyed it as much as I did. Remember to stop by their blogs to check out their reviews.

The Blurb

Melina Parker has always excelled in two things: research followed by hands-on application. She prides herself on being a lady in public, but after she's dumped yet again for being a lady in the bedroom, she's ready to go back to school.

Determined to find her inner sex diva, she enlists her childhood friend, Max Dalton, to tutor her after hours. Instead, she ends up in the wrong bed and gets a lesson in passion from Max's twin brother, Rhys Dalton, a man Melina's always secretly wanted but never thought she could have. 

Despite craving the occasional adventure, Melina's a small-town girl who wants roots and a family. Rhys and Max, on the other hand, are celebrities who travel from one city to another, changing bed partners as easily as plane flights. Rhys is outwardly the more reserved of the two but, unable to believe his good luck when he finds Melina waiting for him, he gives Melina her first taste of multiples right out the gate. Come morning, she's so mortified that she threw herself at Rhys that she blurts out the truth about her tutoring experiment. Not about to let her get away from him, Rhys convinces Melina that when it comes to sexual lessons, he's more than man enough for the job. His biggest challenge is teaching Melina that when it comes to pleasure, the key to his own is hers.

Can a woman who's always longed for hearth and home find satisfaction with a man whose entire life has been about moving on to the next big thing?

My Review

I can’t tell you how much I loved this book. It started out sweet for a whole chapter. And then bam! The F word was dropped and then I knew what I was dealing with. No problem. What shocked me about this book was its sweet yet erotic nature. Yes the two words don’t even need to be on the same page, but Ms. DePaul made it happen.

As I read from Rhys’s perspective I kept thinking about how much he loved Melina. That was the sweet part. What they did to each other, well do I need to go there? And even through those heated scenes the sweetness still shone through.

I give this book five out of five scarf shaped chocolate bars.

I got this book for free on Amazon.

Remember to check out Constantine and Baryeh's reviews.

Prah, Constantine, and Baryeh Review: For the Love of Chocolate by Susan Ann Wall

February was the month of love and chocolate (How many of you are still burning off those calories?). I’m addicted to chocolate, and my review partners know this. When we encountered this book I wondered how anyone could give up both men and chocolate. Living a life without chocolate can't make for a mentally stable individual in my opinion.

Remember to stop by Cathrina Constantine and Empi Baryeh’s blogs to catch their reviews.

The Blurb

Maddie Carson has taken a sacred vow to give up chocolate and dating. A comfort eater who turns to brownies every time her twin brother is deployed with the army, Maddie has twenty pounds to lose before she can once again date like it's an Olympic sport. She and her best friend are on a mission to open an equine assisted therapy center and Maddie is desperate to work through her body image issues in order to be the best therapist she can be. When the fitness buff at the gym - known as Hot Shirtless Guy - not only teaches her proper technique on the rowing machine but also asks her to dinner, Maddie finds herself struggling to stay on the wagon. To complicate matters Darren Brown (yes, his name is the root word in "brownie") is trying to buy the same horse as Maddie and offers to buy in on a partnership to open the therapy center. Maddie fell in love the mare because of her name and gentle demeanor, but Darren's tragic relationship with Chocolate has Maddie questioning her own motives. When partnering with Darren becomes a financial necessity, Maddie will discover that by giving her heart, she can achieve all her dreams.

My Review

This book had me chuckling from beginning to end. Maddie had a wonderful sense of humor which flowed throughout the book. The attraction between her and Darren (I wouldn’t mind working out with a guy like him) once they had their first conversation set the book off just right. The sparks between them continued to grow until it culminated in a set of fireworks.

What I enjoyed about this book the most was my ability to relate to the heroine on so many levels. Comfort eating, chocolate addiction, suffering through weight loss and doing what she had to do to get her life well situated again. My only issue was that she took everything to such an extreme that it unbalanced her life.

Darren also lived a realistic life after going through a tragedy which had changed and redefined him. He was the kind of guy I’d like to fall in love with. Hot, attentive, kind, and not afraid to go after what he wanted, which was Maddie.

I give this book five out of five chocolate brownies instead of chocolate bars.

I purchased this book from Amazon.

Prah, Constantine, and Baryeh Review: Game of Love by Melissa Foster

 

Happy New Year everyone. I’m pretty sure you were all distraught when we didn’t post last month. Due to our busy schedules we decided to take a short break, but now we’re back.

This month’s book was chosen when we realized that all three of us had the book sitting on our Kindle and we’d never read a book by Melissa Foster before.

Remember to stop by Empi Baryeh and Cathrina Constantine’s blogs to see what they thought of the novel.

The Blurb

Ellie Parker is a master at building walls around her heart. In the twenty-five years she’s been alive, Dex Remington has been the only person who has always believed in her and been there for her. But four years earlier she came to Dex seeking comfort, and then disappeared like a thief in the night, leaving him a broken man. 

Dex Remington is one of the top PC game developers in the U.S. He’s handsome, smart, and numb. So damn numb that he’s not sure he’ll ever find a reason to feel again. 

A chance encounter sparks intense desires in Ellie and Dex. Desires that make her want to run—and make him want to feel. A combination of lust and fear leads these young lovers down a dangerous path. Is it possible to cross a burned bridge or are they destined to be apart forever? 

My Review

I enjoyed the depth of the romance between Dex and Ellie. Their intense attraction sizzled in their present relationship and was so sweet in their past.

I thought the novel dwelled a lot on the past. I know the couple had a deep history and it was important to bring it out, but just when I thought we’d stay in the present, we got thrown into their history and I found it made the novel dragged quite a bit.

I give this book three out of five chocolate bars.

I purchased my copy from Amazon.

Prah, Constantine, and Baryeh Review: The Gift by Joanne Clancy

I hope you aren’t surprised that we chose a Christmas story this month. The season is upon us and we wanted to get a jump start on getting into the mood.

The Blurb

Julie wants only one gift this holiday season, but it’s going to take a Christmas miracle to make her wish come true. 

Julie Hamilton loves Christmas. It’s her favorite time of year, from the cinnamon smell of freshly baked mince-pies to the excitement of buying gifts for family and friends, decorating the tree, and hanging stockings for Santa Claus on the mantelpiece. 
This Christmas promises to be extra special because she’s expecting the perfect gift--her first baby--on Christmas Eve. 
However, a chance encounter turns her world upside down, and soon, she’s praying for her very own Christmas miracle. 
Can the spirit of the Christmas season and the kindness of strangers find a way to make her wish come true? 

   

My Review

When I started reading this novella I thought I was in for a nice cheery Christmas story. Look at the cover. Nope. The author swerved me in one direction then yanked me in a completely different one.

If I tell you any more I’ll be stepping into the spoiler category which I prefer to stay out of. The story surprised me, in a no traditional good way.

I give this book three out of five Christmas tree shaped chocolate bars.

Remember to stop by Constantine and Baryeh’s blogs to see what they thought of novella.

Merry Christmas everyone! And a Happy New Year to boot!

Prah, Constantine, and Baryeh Review – Winner Revealed

In September we held a competition by having authors post their books on our FB event page so we could choose one for this month’s review. With all of the great books posted, it was a hard choice. 

And the winner is: 

           Her Real Life Hero by Vicki Ballante

The Blurb

Joanie wants to get her romances published but can't seem to get things right with her writing. She buys an antique bureau which the shopkeeper says has magic working through it. While using her new bureau, she begins to talk to the hero in her book, asking his advice on writing, all the while thinking it's her own imagination. She promises he can live in her home, eat at her table and sleep in her bed, if he helps her with her writing. She doesn't think he will actually knock on her door and insist she keep her promise.

He’s made a wish…

Theo has also bought a magic chest of drawers that brings him into Joanie's life. He wants to settle down with one woman, tired of shallow relationships, and Joanie seems like the perfect candidate if it weren’t for her insistence on getting rid of him.

Against her will…

The magic keeps on forcing them to live together and Joanie’s not happy. This is her first year alone and she’s been craving time to herself after looking after her younger siblings and an ailing aunt. Theo’s presence in her home, although unwanted, stirs up needs she’s suppressed for years. When they start to discover things about the magic and why it’s bringing them together, will Joanie recognize another type of magic at work? Will she succumb to the charm of Theo or will her need for breathing space pull them apart?

My Review

Who wouldn’t want one of their characters to come to real life? Especially if he’s buff, successful, intelligent, handsome, and has gorgeous green eyes. Theo is all of that and more, he’s a man looking for a committed relationship and has the opportunity to find it through magic.

Joanie has taken care of people all of her life so when she gets the opportunity to be by herself she doesn’t want to let go of the freedom, not even when the potential for love comes into her life.

The attraction between Joanie and Theo is instantaneous and hits volcanic levels quickly. This is an erotic romance and Ms. Ballante stays true to the genre. And yet, much to Joanie’s chagrin, there’s tenderness and romance between the two.

To be honest, as independent and spunky as Joanie was, she cried just a little too much for my liking. Those who live on the more sensitive side of life may be able to relate. I liked that she made a decision and stuck to it, making Theo work for what they both needed in the end.

A lovely story I wish would happen in real life.

I purchased this book from Amazon.

I give this novel four out five book desk shaped chocolate bars.

If you have a moment, head on over to see what Constantine and Baryeh thought of the book.