Broken Harbor: a hockey player, a single mom with great banter and romance

Broken Harbor is the third book in the Sparrow Falls series by Catherine Cowles. After leaving a dangerous situation involving her ex-husband, Sutton Holland came to Sparrow Falls with her young son and started rebuilding her life. She finds happiness in her business, The Mix Up cafe and seeing her son, happy, healthy and safe. She never thought they would find that safety in Copeland “Cope” Colson, a hockey player. She quickly learns there is so much more to Cope than the dominant hockey player. Sutton is surprised by the gentle way he is concerned for their safety, the playful way he plays with her son, and the way he seems to truly see her. As they spend time together, Sutton finds herself falling for him. Cope and Sutton both have secrets and when their pasts come roaring back, they now must fight for their newfound happiness. 

The Sparrow Falls series is an emotional roller coaster of romance, suspense and the fighting, resilient human spirit. There are a few spicy scenes. The suspense was great and took me by surprise with the reveal. I loved this story! Cope and Sutton are great together. They butted heads with great banter and when they fell, they fell hard. I loved the macho bravado of Cope which hid a very wounded heart and it was Sutton to help him heal. Sutton is a strong woman who wants to stand on her own two feet for her son. Her son is completely adorable and added to the humor in the story. I also loved the Colson family and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. If you haven’t started this series, I highly recommend it. I highly, highly recommend Broken Harbor. 

Broken Harbor is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Fragile Sanctuary: an ultimate grumpy-sunshine love story with suspense and hard hitting emotions

Fragile Sanctuary is the first book in the Sparrow Falls series by Catherine Cowles. The scowl Anson Hunt gave the world should have been all the warning Rhodes Stirling needed. Adding in his sexy smirk and the fact that he is her brother’s best friend, she should have stayed far, far away. Now he is the new contractor restoring her house and she runs into him every day. Despite her painful past, Rhodes is determined to be upbeat and positive. Anson is the ultimate grump. He’s rude and enjoys solitude way too much. The man won’t crack despite any of the kindness she shows him. Until, that is, he sees her sunshine demeanor shatter.  After a series of events that seem to target Rhodes herself, Anson is there to keep her safe and a spark between them becomes engulfing flames. But Anson is a man with secrets, secrets that have followed him to Sparrow Falls and threatens them both. Will they discover who is targeting Rhodes? Will they survive? 

Catherine Cowles knows how to deliver a deeply emotional and highly suspenseful story with a great love story. I am still working through her book catalog but I know her story will be a roller coaster of emotions and action. When I heard she was writing a new series, I couldn’t wait to dive. What a story it was! Fragile Sanctuary was the ultimate grumpy-sunshine love story with a great deal of suspense. I loved that Rhodes was determined to have a positive outlook on life. I knew that there was a painful reason for Anson’s hands-off approach. Their romance was filled with witty banter and slow burn to spicy scenes. The suspense was great and the reveal of who was behind everything was a complete shock! I loved the found family aspect and the protectiveness the siblings have for each other. Overall, I loved this story and I am eagerly looking forward to the rest of the series. I highly, highly recommend Fragile Sanctuary. 

Fragile Sanctuary is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Twisted Hate: the ultimate enemies to lovers romance

Twisted Hate is the third book in the Twisted series by Ana Huang. Josh Chen and Jules Ambrose have a hate-hate relationship. As a gorgeous, cocky and on track to becoming a doctor, Josh has been able to charm any woman he wanted, that is until Jules. As one of his sister’s best friends, she has been a thorn in his side that he must tolerate for his sister’s sake. However, he always finds Jules entering his thoughts in ways he didn’t expect. When their animosity results into one unforgettable night, Josh proposes a frenemies with benefits arrangement with three simple rules. No jealousy. No strings attached and absolutely no falling in love. Jules thinks easy peasy because, despite being incredibly handsome, Josh is insufferable. However, she soon realizes there is more to Josh than meets the eye. When demons from her past catch up with her, Jules soon sees that her best friend’s brother, her nemesis, may be her salvation as well. 

Twisted Hate is the ultimate enemies to lovers romance. Josh and Jules only have one thing in common: his sister Ava. That and their mutual goal to take the other down a peg or two. The banter between Josh and Jules from the previous books was only the beginning. It fuels into a full blaze in Twisted Hate. And yet there were tender moments as their hearts soften toward each other. Their spicy scenes were a bit uncomfortable at times. I enjoyed their banter and tender moments more especially toward the end as they acknowledged their new feelings for each other. Huge warning with this book. It does contain explicit content, profanity and other sensitive topics. There were a few moments that were difficult to read. It is recommended for 18+ readers and I concur. Overall, I enjoyed this story, even though it is not my favorite of the series. If you have enjoyed the first two books of the Twisted series, I recommend Twisted Hate. 

Twisted Hate is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Twisted Games: a slow burn, bodyguard royal romance

Twisted Games by Ana Huang is the second book in the Twisted romance series. Rhys Larsen is ex-Navy Seal and an elite bodyguard who lives by two rules. One, protect his clients at all costs and two, do not become emotionally involved. He has never broken those rules. That is until her. Bridget von Ascheberg is a princess with a stubborn streak a mile wide and a fire that would turn anyone into ash. Even a stoic bodyguard. As they spend time together, Rhys’ defenses begin to fade and they begin a mutual friendship as they ignore the growing desires flaring between them. When Bridget’s older brother abdicates the throne, she realizes she faces a loveless, politically motivated marriage and a role she never expect to have. Now she is thrust into the minefield of politics and she must hide her desire for a man she cannot have. 

I loved Twisted Love and eagerly looked forward to continuing the series. Twisted Games is a slow burn, at first, then to an inferno as Rhys and Bridget eventually give in to their desires. I loved this story much more than Twisted Love, and I loved Twisted Love! Rhys is a man with a deeply painful past. Despite her confident facade, Bridget carries her own painful scars. I loved every minute of these two together as bodyguard/client, friends and then eventually lovers. There were plenty of moments of great banter, swoon worthy flirty moments and spicy scenes. While technically you do not need to read Twisted Love before reading Twisted Games; however, I highly recommend it. There is some overlap and references that make great Easter eggs but not necessary to enjoy Rhys and Bridget’s love story. If you love a slow burn romance, I highly recommend Twisted Games. 

Twisted Games is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Twisted Love, book 1, is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Wildfire: a passionate one night stand to a summer romance to a happily ever after?

Wildfire by Hannah Grace is the second book in the Maple Hills series. Russ Callaghan and Aurora Roberts cross paths at a Maple Hills party celebrating the end of the academic year. When a drinking game results in a passionate one-night stand, Aurora slips away before Russ has a chance to ask her full name. Both are shocked to learn that they are both counselors at a summer camp. The camp has a strict “no staff fraternizing” rule that has Russ determined to walk the straight and narrow while Aurora never truly cares for the rules. As they learn that they are both dealing with complicated family issues and hoping for a peaceful, fun summer, they are drawn together, further fanning the fire between them. Can they keep the fire of their passionate night under control or is it a fire that won’t be put out?

Wildfire is more than a spicy romance. It is more than a summer romance. It deals with deep family issues and finding the courage to stand up and say enough’s enough. I loved Russ and Aurora as individuals and as a couple. I loved that they found the strength to make changes inspired by each other. Add in fun banter and spicy moments and it is a great romance. I found the spice was a bit less than Icebreaker. There was more flirty build up than spicy scenes. I enjoyed seeing many of the characters from Icebreakers make the occasional appearance. Overall, I enjoyed Wildfire. I laughed. I sighed. I smiled. There are also humorous interactions between characters and heartwarming moments. I am looking forward to reading more books in the series. If you enjoy romance with fun banter and dramatic moments, I highly recommend Wildfire. 

Wildfire is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook