READ-2-REVIEW - Hollywood Stardust series by Kim Carmichael

Hollywood Stardust Series

by Kim Carmichael

Published 2015 - 2016

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Hollywood Romance

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of Hollywood Stardust series. . .

Typecast . . . brought me into the world of Hollywood Stardust. A man out of place and time but needs to get back in to set it all to rights. Logan has to step in where he does not want to be. While Ivy wants badly to be in where she was not comfortable. In front of the camera. 

With her interactions with Logan behind the scenes Ivy begin to realize that she is open and can freely express herself, but only with Logan. Teen crush aside. Movie idle aside. Sexual chemistry open the door. 

Ivy and Logan sends the rating makers running for new markings. 

Limelight . . . flashback to the hero and heroine of this highly popular movie 20 years ago. Now, Drew (Issac) and Erin are not who they were then but have they really changed that much. Time can open doors that were closed and close doors that were open. Drew knew how to close down his feeling and move on. Make a new life. Now 20 years later he's not so sure of staying closed. 

Erin has never really been what she projected to be. She had to protect herself the only way she knew how. Now years later and with the anniversary coming up she has to make some decisions.

If you are not looking to be emotionally involved in this read. Then move on. You will need tissue and time to absorb, cry and any other emotion that will be evoked. 

Supporting Roles . . . does not always mean forgettable.

Overall, I found each of them to bleed into the next one. Each one was supporting to the overall experience of the one that came after it. I highly recommend that they are all read in order and as close together as you can possibly get them.

**This eBook was provided by NK Author Serives the author in exchange for an honest review.**

Hollywood Stardust series:

Typecast – Hollywood Stardust, #1

Limelight – Hollywood Stardust, #2

Supporting Roles: Giselle & Wilson – Hollywood Stardust, #3

BLURB Typecast

Twenty years ago, the movie Hollywood Stardust defined a generation of teens and changed the four actors’ lives forever.

Typecast as the villain both in front and behind the silver screen, Logan Alexander has purposely allowed his star to fade. Now with the 20th Anniversary of the movie on the horizon, he is the only one fit to step into the spotlight, deal with the unwanted publicity, and make sure that things meant to be left on the cutting room floor remain there.

Ivy Vermont has always longed to be a leading lady, yet her paralyzing stage fright has relegated her to stay behind the scenes as a fact checker for Chargge.com’s entertainment webcasts. However, when her one-time poster-boy crush walks in to the studio demanding only she be in charge of his story, she knows she must take advantage of her big break.

Now, Logan tightropes between old loyalties and new love, while Ivy struggles to stay in reality with her ultimate fantasy. 

BLURB Limelight

Worth Waiting For…

Twenty years ago, Drew Fulton was made famous in the genre-changing movie, Hollywood Stardust and fell in love with his costar, Erin Holland. Left heartbroken and fed up, he played his ultimate role and walked away from his life, taking on an entirely new persona. Now he wants everything back, from his place in the limelight to the love that made him leave. He only needs to make sure he can leave the past in the past.

Known as the spoiled, has-been star of Hollywood, Erin Holland has spent the last two decades pining away for the one love she cannot have. Blindsided when Drew Fulton appears in her life as mysteriously as he disappeared, she is torn between acting on her heart and using Drew’s reappearance to relight her star.

Together for the first time in twenty years, their true passion consumes them, but the sparks of old wounds still threaten to burn out of control before they can decide if their love was worth waiting for.

BLURB Supporting Roles

Some girls only want to have fun.

Giselle Abromowitz lives her life with two simple rules. 1. Have fun. 2. Defer to rule number one. She does what she wants when she wants, and when things get too complicated she moves on to happier, more casual pastures.

As the older brother to Hollywood star, Logan Alexander, Wilson Alexander has played the role of pacifier, parent and protector. With the opening of his club it is his time to step in to the spotlight and make his own life.

When Giselle stumbles into Wilson’s regimented life and takes over, Wilson knows he found the missing piece of his life, now he only needs to convince his lady love that fun and love can coexist.

Author Info

Kim Carmichael began writing eight years ago when her need for graphic sex scenes and love of happy endings inspired her to create her own. She has a weakness for bad boys and techno geeks, and married her own computer whiz after he proved he could keep her all her gadgets running. When not writing, she can usually be found slathered in sunscreen trolling Los Angeles and helping top doctors build their practices.

PRESENTED BY 

READ-2-REVIEW -Queen of His Heart by Lena Hart

Queen of His Heart

(Queen Quartette, #3) 

by Lena Hart 

Publication date: September 25^th 2014

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of Queen of His Heart (Queen Quartette, #3) . . .

Queen of His Heart gave me flutters of excitement. Fine, hot, tempting, more, more, and more. 

Judith is a woman hurt and betrayed. This was something that proves to be very hard for her to overcome.  She had to work even harder to earn the forgiveness in herself so that she could accept the love, help, and protection that Carlos was wanting to give her. 

Carlos was a man of his word. He willing sacrificed all he has built in his life for the truth of one woman. He put it all on the line for her. He proved his worth in more ways than one. 

I must say that after this first read from Hart. I am anticipating my next read from her. I especially want to read the remaining books in this series. Plainly speaking. I hope to score the set by the end of the week.

**This ARC was provided via N K Author Services in exchange for an honest review.**

Queen Quartette series:

His Flower Queen - Queen Quartette, #1

His Bedpost Queen - Queen Quartette, #2

Queen of His Heart - Queen Quartette, #3

His Diamond Queen - Queen Quartette, #4

BLURB

The heartbreaker...
Judith Bell is comfortable with her quiet, predictable life. After a failed relationship left her emotionally—and physically—scarred, she tries her hardest to ignore Carlos Moreno’s advances. But the sexy, dark-eyed security chief is proving very hard to ignore. When fear and blackmail drives her to compromise her new position at Royal Courts, Judith’s serene life is once again disrupted. 

Carlos is captivated by his boss’ assistant. Beyond her beauty is a sweet, gentle woman needing desperately to be loved. But when an internal investigation points to her, he realizes Judith may not be the innocent she appears. Left wondering if he’s been duped by a pretty face and bewitching smile, Carlos finds himself torn between his obligations to Royal Courts or protecting the woman who’s already stolen his heart. 

On the run from her past and forced into hiding, Judith is faced with two choices—either let fear define her future or allow love to heal her wounded heart.

Author Info

Lena Hart is an author of sensual romances with alpha heroes and smart, sexy heroines. She's a proud member of Romance Writers of America, busy writing more happily ever afters. A Florida-native, Lena currently lives in New York City with her two calico kitties, Duchess and Daisy. When she is not writing, she's reading, researching, or conferring with her muse.

Author Links:

Website  /  Twitter

RELEASE DAY/REVIEW - Welcome to Lovely (The Lovely Mystery Series, #1) by Candace Clark

Welcome to Lovely 

The Lovely Mystery Series, #1

by Candace Clark

Publication Date: February 23rd 2016

Sword Publishing

Genre: Romance, Mystery  & Suspense, Cozy Mystery

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of Welcome to Lovely  The Lovely Mystery Series, #1 . . .

Small town with big city problems. Murder comes to Small Town USA. Lovely has the simple life down to a science with its Mom & Pop's businesses and everyone knows you name. The quiet simple life was in full effect. That is until murder one comes town with a second one in tow. 

Daniel, a big city detective, and Samantha, the local news girl, have much on there hands to make it to the end of this mystery. There was romance but simple. The mystery was what sucked me in with the host of interesting characters, clues, and misdirection. 

Clark's work is new to me but this was a  good job in keeping me on my toes working to find the culprit and still enjoy the romance between Daniel and Samantha. 

**This ARC was provided via NK Author Services in exchange for an honest review.**

BLURB
Discover what evil lurks in the shadows as Samantha Roberts puts her life in danger, and their love on the line, helping Detective Daniel Drake unravel this mystery..... WELCOME TO LOVELY. 

Lovely is a charming place tucked deep in the Appalachian Mountains. One hot August morning the sleepy little town awakens to the horrific murder of the beautiful, yet troubled, Emily Teller. The killing doesn’t stop with her. 

Putting newly appointed Detective Daniel Drake to the test, the Lovely murders, call into question his promotion, and push his relationship with local television reporter Samantha Roberts to the limits. Nothing is more important to Daniel than catching the killer tormenting his town. At least, that's what he thinks. 

For Samantha Roberts, the Lovely murders are the breaking news story she thought she wanted. An opportunity that could propel her career to the next level, but that would mean leaving Lovely and Daniel behind. Are the murders the wish that becomes a curse? 

While Samantha and Daniel struggle to deal with their professional demons, Lovely’s time as a safe, innocent, small town fades into the hills that protect it from the outside world. 

Author Info
Candace Clark was born in Ashland, Kentucky, the youngest of three children. After growing up in the small Eastern Kentucky town, Inez, her family moved to Central Kentucky where she finished high school and attended her first two years of college at Transylvania University. Transferring to Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia set Candace on a path that would change her life. Over the course of ten years, she graduated, moved to New York City, attended Parsons School of Design and found her creative voice.

After years of studying design and photography, she finally took to the page unleashing the ramblings of stories, characters, and scenes trapped in her mind. Finding inspiration in reading romance, mystery and suspense novels, she draws inspiration from many sources. When not typing away at her computer, she can be found cooking up some recipe she has undoubtedly altered to suit her family's food sensitivities, crafting with her daughter, or enjoying a peaceful evening with her partner on their secluded farm in Central Kentucky. 

While writing is her passion, her family always comes first. An avid reader, budding blogger and hell of an editor, her daughter is a great help with every story. As in most great love stories her partner, Billy is more than just a supporter, he is a contributor of ideas, plot lines, characters, and one hell of a dialogue whisper, without whom the worlds in her novels would not be the same.

READ-2-REVIEW - I Knew You Were Trouble by Vera Roberts

I Knew You Were Trouble

by Vera Roberts

Publication Date February 16^th 2016

Self-Published by Vera Roberts

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, New Adult

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of I Knew You Were Trouble. . .

 I was on a roll. Once I jumped in it was hard for me to stop. I was wanting to know what was going to happen next. Then I looked up and I only had a few more pages to go. Second chances makes things more emotionally filled.

Julian was not just fighting but he had a battle on his hands. The past plays a part in the future. In his future he wanted Kaia. The holidays can make for a perfect setting to get things on the right path. 

**This ARC was provided via N K Author Services in exchange for an honest review.**

BLURB

Rekindling the flame or just keeping each other company?

When Julian Rodriguez has to stay behind and attend to business matters, Kaia McCrae offers him the option to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas with her and her family. Julian returns the favor by requesting her presence as he visits New York to see his family. While the pair has told their families their relationship is just platonic, no one quite buys what the music pair is selling.

Will the former lovers finally get past their issues and rekindle their romance? Or will it be business as usual?

I Knew You Were Trouble is a New Adult romance that deals with second chances, forgiveness, and renewed love.

RELEASE DAY/REVIEW Precious Cargo (An Omega Team Novella) by Brenna Zinn

Precious Cargo

(An Omega Team Novella)

by Brenna Zinn

Released February 18^th, 2016 

Kindle Worlds

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Military, Suspense

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of Precious Cargo an Omega Team Novella . . .

There is much to say for sticking with what you know and love. The Omega Team does not disappoint in this latest installment with a new author. The flow is great and the suspense and romance are right there on point. 

Mila gets in a little over her head with this plot of revenge. In comes the one man that she was not truly expecting but maybe really wanted. Duke is more than she could hope for and more. There past and present collide in this suspense filled ride to takes ones revenge. 

I found that this new edition to the team kept pace with the previous in its series. Grab a copy of 'Precious Cargo' and see just where it takes you. 

**This ARC was provided via NK Author Services in exchange for an honest review.**

The Omega Team series:

Raw Edge of Danger (The Omega Team, #1) by Desiree Holt

Mission Control (The Omega Team, #2) by Desiree Holt

Lethal Design (The Omega Team, #3) by Desiree Holt

Precious Cargo (Desiree Holt's The Omega Team) by Brenna Zinn

BLURB

Master Sergeant Duke Gunnison sucks at retirement. He has no intention of turning in his combat boots for golf shoes. His former life in Special Ops, where he protected innocents and fought dangerous enemies, provided the rush he continually craved. Without the constant missions to feed his adrenaline addiction, he’s lost his sense of purpose and he struggles to find meaning in his new life—until he gets a life changing phone call. 

Grey Holden, a founder of the prestigious private security agency The Omega Team, offers Duke a chance at a second life doing what he was born to do—a special op to safeguard the daughter of an important Ukrainian diplomat. But Mila Bartosh is not only a special envoy’s daughter, sent to accompany her father as he negotiates the removal of troops in eastern Ukraine. She’s on a secret mission of her own—to exact revenge on a powerful Russian mob boss, guilty of unspeakable crimes. 

Mila is determined to help protect her father and accomplish her treacherous undertaking at all costs. But as her tasks become more complex, she unexpectedly reunites with the man who stole her heart and then vanished into the night, never to be heard from again, until now. Her love’em and leave’em paramour is none other than her new American bodyguard Duke Gunnison. With innocent lives on the line, can she carry out her missions while avenging her broken heart? 

RELEASE DAY/REVIEW - Power Play (Pilots Hockey, #2) by Sophia Henry

 Power Play 

Pilots Hockey, #2

by Sophia Henry 

Released February 16^th, 2016 
Flirt
Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Sports, Hockey

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of Power Play (Pilots Hockey, #2) . . .

I am not real sure where to begin. I found a few of the scenes to be a bit too much for me. There are things that made my skin crawl and my brain need a scrub. There are other things that gave me the oh that is sweet. Regardless of these facts I was feeling something. 

I did find the pacing a bit slow and some interaction between Gabriella and Landon to be flat. Landon was a man. Just to put it in simple terms. He knew what he wanted and who he wanted and went for it. Gabriella seem to have the wishy-washy way of life. I  could not connect with her and wanted better for Landon. 

I found there was possibility within and hopes to be a bit too high, but that has not deterred me from wanting another look at future work from Sophia Henry. 

**This ARC was provided via N K Author Services in exchange for an honest review.**

Pilots Hockey series:
Delayed Penalty - Pilots Hockey, #1
Power Play - Pilots Hockey, #2
Interference - Pilot's Hockey, #3  Expected Publication 2016

Blurb
In Sophia Henry's blistering follow-up to Delayed Penalty, hailed as “sexy, fun, and full of angst” by L. P. Dover, a good girl and a hockey hunk face off against expectations—and this match is guaranteed to see plenty of action.

Beneath her innocent facade, Gabriella Bertucci has her reasons to be standoffish with guys. Especially guys like Landon Taylor, a star defenseman on the minor-league Detroit Pilots and the object of a serious crush since he first walked into her family's market. But when Landon comes through for her in a moment of crisis, Gaby starts to wonder if there might be more to Landon than hard muscles and fast skates.

Landon isn't afraid of telling Gaby that he's got it for her bad. The problem is, she seems unwilling to believe it. And though Landon enjoys his reputation as a cool-headed athlete, he hates losing—both on the rink and off. It's his competitiveness that makes him so damn good at what he does . . . but it also makes him just a little bit complicated.

One minute Gaby's tempted to give in; the next, she's getting cold feet. How can she trust a guy who's destined for bigger and better things to stick around? Then again, when Landon pulls her close with those powerful arms, the only thing that matters is right now.