Brandy’s Blog

The Secret Santa Wishing Well by Nikki Lynn Barrett

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This was given to me by the author for review.

I have to tell you that this time of the year I tend to get very jaded just like Jacob was. My husband is currently battling cancer and the anger and helplessness that he feels in regards to his sister,Ada’s illness, is something I understand well.

Cheyenne is a single mom raising a son, Ben and a daughter named Desi. Her ex-husband, Eric, doesn’t want anything to do with baby Desi since he doesn’t think she is his but likes to pretend he has a relationship with her son, Ben. Ben is an amazing kid who likes to help with food pantries and always seems more concerned with others.

Jacob takes a part time job at the local mall playing Santa at his sister’s request. She knows he is suffering and she hopes this will help him find his missing Christmas spirit. Jacob is at the point where he wants to quit the job and then he meets Ben. Ben wants to make a wish into the secret santa wishing well. Jacob is impressed that his wish is for his mom and not for the lastest video game.

Chance meeting later and a news report on Ben’s good deeds, leads Jacob to nominate Ben for a community award. Spending time with Cheyenne and the kids allows Jacob to realize how much he is beginning to care for this amazing family. When Jacob’s sister dies and he realizes that Cheyenne’s dad is the surgeon who couldn’t save her, he is devestated. Storming out of the house in anger, Jacob feels like he has blown the love of an amazing woman and Cheyenne is confused. When Ben goes missing after a fight at his father’s place, Jacob is devestated to think that he wasn’t there for the boy and goes out of his way to bring him home. What happens when you realize that the magic of Christmas is real and that you are being given the gift of a lifetime?

This is a magical read for the holidays and I highly recommend it to all!

The Duke and I (Bridgerton Series, Book 1) by Julia Quinn (@avonbooks, @JQAuthor)

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This is the first book that I ever read by Julia Quinn and it is still one of my favorites of all time. I have to admit that I have a thing for books with dukes and Simon Bassett, the Duke of Hastings, is the type of devilishly handsome rogue that gets my imagination flowing! Simon has been accosted by debs and their matchmaking mamas at every turn and is exhausted by the endless parade of young misses.

Daphne Bridgerton is the fourth of the Bridgerton family, and longs to have a huge and loving family of her own. The problem is that most of the men of her acquaintance see her as a friend and not a romantic interest. Enter the devious minds of two kindred spirits. These two decided that the best course of action to get the ton and their families off Simon’s back and to show the world how attractive Daphne actually is, is for them to become engaged. The theory is that the men who have seen Daphne as a friend will look at her different if a duke is with her.

It works like a charm. Come and enjoy this humorous and romantic story about how the best laid plans can lead to an everlasting love.

Be sure to check out all of the books in the Bridgerton Series here.

Rated 5 stars

Let’s Get This Blog Hop Started!! (@avonbooks, #avonaddicts)

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What can you say when one of your dreams comes true?  I am a dedicated Avon books reader so when I was notified that I was an Avon Addict, I freaked out.  What is an Avon Addict, you ask?

Avon Addicts are specially chosen by the incredible staff at Avon Books.  We are given ARC’s (Advanced Reader Copies), and ebooks to review for new releases by some of the best authors in the business.  We are also given some pretty cool swag that we like to include in giveaways on our blogs.  My sister addicts and I have decided that we want to celebrate the holidays with you in a BIG way.

Everyday visit one of these incredible ladies listed below at their blog.  Enjoy the fabulous reviews that they have posted and register for their contest.  Feel free to bookmark the schedule below and don’t forget to come back and visit me on December 12th when I am giving out a collection of 5 Avon books!

Secrets Exposed by Lisa Renee Jones

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I have to admit that I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy this story but I found that I did.  I am not a big fan stories about lawyers and was surprised that this one read as well as it did.  Lindsey Paxton was a lawyer who had left her father’s law firm in New York after a bad case.  She had been defending an accused serial murderer and won the case.  After he was released another girl was found and DNA evidence pointed to her client.  Feeling responsible for the death of the girl, Lindsey left law and moved to Washington to join the FBI.  Her father has been diagnosed with cancer and Lindsey has come back to New York on a temp basis to get the firm back on track.  Mark Reeves is an ex-partner of Lindsey’s father and the one person Lindsey hopes will help.

Mark has no desire to go back to the Paxton law firm.  Edward Paxton was not the same man who had trained him for years and the bad feelings between the two were obvious.  However, after meeting Lindsey in person and not just in pictures, he feels a connection he has never felt before.  He agrees to help the firm for six months as long as she stays as well.  Lindsey is not happy with that since she wants to get of New York and away from a case that is strangely like the case that almost destroyed her to begin with.

Join these two has they unfold the mysteries of love and murder.

Rated 4 stars

Leather, Lace and Rock-n-Roll by Mia Dymond

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Leather, Lace and Rock-n-Roll (SEALS, Inc., #1)Leather, Lace and Rock-n-Roll by Mia Dymond
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a new author for me and I really enjoyed Hawk and Rachel‘s story.

Hawk is a Navy Seal that is undercover as a international rock star. This gives his team a chance to fight terrorism all over the world. Rachel is being watched as a possible accomplice to a terrorist smuggling information through her firm.

Sometimes love develops in the most unexpected places. This was a good and I can’t wait to read more from this author. I would be interested in seeing more back story to explain all the things that are going on with the characters in the book.

Fun read!

View all my reviews

Don’t Ask by Natalie Bell

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I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. It is one of those books that you can sink into the head of the main character and really understand what drives her.

Julia is your typical college graduate with no really “career” prospects. She is locked into what I would describe as unhealthy relationships. There is Greg who is her drugged up sex buddy who wouldn’t know a woman loved him if she knocked him over the head. There is Brian who is Bi, but I suspect as feelings for Julia. Then there is Duncan. He is the college boyfriend that cheated on her but she still manages to have a pseudo relationship with.

It was nice to read a story that was not front to back sex scenes. She alludes to sex between the characters but the story was more about Julia’s interpersonal relationships. All in all a very good read, and I am happy to support a fellow Wrimo!

50 Shades of Grey by E.L James

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I have to admit when I first became aware of this series, I was expecting something a little darker and more erotic. To hear some of the stories and television reviews, this was a truly naughty set of books. Now that being said, I really did enjoy this series. It took me 2 days to read all three of the books(thank goodness they were all available on my Kindle!). I laughed and giggled through most of the books, Ana really was very naive on so many levels. I did find it strange that a 21 year old in today’s society wasn’t a little more knowledgeable in some of the sexual areas. Not necessarily in the actual sexual acts themselves but she just seemed to lack some basic sexual knowledge. Christian, what can I say about him other than yummy? This is a man who knows what he wants and takes it. I am in awe of his prowess. I would recommend this series to anyone that wants a good love story with a little bit of edge to it.