WHEN I FOUND YOU by Kate James

Reviewed by: Amanda

When I Found You by Kate James is a super emotional story that will leave you satisfied until the end. Ms. James creates a cast of deeply flawed characters who are tested and tried throughout the book. The main focus of this story, in my perspective, is trust. I was moved by the inner turmoil of the H/h and I rooted for them along their bumpy journey towards their fulfilling forever after.

Book 3 in the K-9 Trilogy – When I Found You tells the story of Logan O’Connor who appeared in the previous K-9 books. In this book we get to know Logan on a personal level. The author delves deep into his life, chiseling away the tough outer walls he’d built around himself, revealing his soft side. A side where his emotions are raw and his goals are unraveled without overpowering the romantic side of the story. Meanwhile, the heroine of this clean, sweet, suspenseful and emotionally gripping story is Ariana Atkins, Chief of Security at the San Diego International Airport. When a series of security breaches scare the hell out of her, Ariana begins to question herself on whether someone is threatening her on purpose. Because of panic, she must work with Logan in finding the person behind the breaches although all fingers point in her direction! Of course sparks fly between Logan and Ariana. But is it enough to keep Logan from believing Ariana is the one instigating the breaches? Grab a copy of this book and find out!

Highly Recommended
5 Stars

After The Silence by Rula Sinara

Reviewed by Nas

AFTER THE SILENCE by author Rula Sinara is March 2015 release by Harlequin Heartwarming series. This is Book Two of ‘From Kenya with Love’ mini-series. Rula Sinara’s Book One was The Promise Of Rain.

Hope Alwanga was an intern at the hospital in Nairobi. But she was washed out by all the death and lack of facilities and medicine and was forced by her brother to take a break in America with a friend’s family. This friend, a marine, Ben Corallis has lost his wife and is left with three small kids to raise on his own.

Hope took her responsibility very seriously. She looked after the kids and became very close to them. They were a broken family and Hope melded right in. But Ben was a distraction she could do without. She couldn’t keep the children or Ben from becoming too attached to herself; after all she just came for a break. She was needed back in Nairobi. 

AFTER THE SILENCE would keep a reader hooked from the first page till the book ends. The emotional intensity moved me to tears and made me choke up many times. Author Rula Sinara has a way with words that would take a reader right into her story-world and keep her entranced. 

Highly recommended for all readers. 

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Raising the Stakes by Karen Rock

Reviewed by Desere

The amazing talent of Karen Rock is back in yet another heartwarming, too good to be true but simply is, read.

This time the author introduced me to Vivienne Harris, hiding out from the world by tucking herself away in the Adirondack woods, it's meant to keep her safe from the dark memories of the Bronx, from danger and from any entanglements.

Then a little visitor in the form of an orphaned bear cub raids her pantry and up shows conservation officer Liam Walsh ! But he brings news of poachers nearby and suddenly Vivienne 's private, peaceful world is turned upside down.

Forces of nature meet the forces of attraction as Vivienne fights to help bear cub Button and Liam intervenes by being dead set against the bear being rehabilitated. But if Vivienne can gain Liam's support she knows she can give Button a good life, and just maybe find the courage to step into a future with Liam too.

From page one I already knew this was going to be one of those reads that will break my heart over and over again and that I would need to find a lot of courage to continue the read , but I also know that this author's books always finds a way of bringing happiness to the characters in such a manner that any heartache I experience will simply fade away.

I adore animals and reads that involve animals are always scary for me, because I always fear them dying or becoming ill or being in such serious danger that I literately want to climb inside the book to save them myself, the author brought all of those emotions to life but I was of course absolutely overjoyed when so many characters gather forces to save Button.

The characters of Liam and Vivienne were strong, independent, and both quite the force to recon with. Their personality clashes was exciting and I absolutely loved the sparks of attraction and defiance.

What got me the most of this read was the very strong message the author sent through her characters, hiding away from the world is never the answer. It simply proves us as being weak and therefore easy targets to get knocked down again. And saying that you're hiding out and there is no chance of getting knocked down again because you are stronger than you use to be, is simply just a lie, unless you stand up and face the wild hard reality of life you will never be strong enough to find courage of any kind.

I highly recommend this read for all fans that love romance reads with overpowering strong emotions, stunningly crafted characters, a memorable setting and a beautiful ending that will leave you with that amazing feeling of happiness and contentment.

5/5 star review
" The wild brings together two souls destined to save each other" 

A League of her own by Karen Rock

Reviewed by Desere 


Every woman loves a attractive and talented guy, add in a mix of him being off limits and voila, it's an explosive situation bound to be one heck of a fun ride.

Heather Gadway may have been a world-class college pitcher and a top uni coach, but she's ranked as amateur when it comes to managing the Falcons, her father's struggling minor league team.

And when it comes to managing her over the top and very aggravating attraction to Garret Wold, their brand new star pitcher, shouting " time to play ball "  is like setting loose the team on a football field!

Aside from her ever growing attraction she knows it 's going to be hard to prove herself as the first ever female manager in the league and prove to her overly critical father that she's worthy.

So no matter what the cost she cannot afford any distractions no matter how tempting or delicious they may be.  But soon Heather's world starts to fall apart and Garrett is the only one there to catch her.

If you have read my previous review for books by this author, you will now it's no surprise that am not only addicted to them, but that she is in a league of her own, I am yet to find a HQH author that does it quite the way Karen Rock does.

Deep soul searing emotion , chemistry so hot the pages go up in flames and best of all characters that are so real it's scary!

In this read the heroine, Heather is a strong and independent woman, the best kind of all I always say, she stands her ground as best she can but as we all know when the going get's tough the tough does have a tenancy to want to get going. Understandable, because life does seem to be just a little too hard sometimes and wanting to crumble and surrender when we fall is usually where our mind starts to wonder by the time we hit the ground for the what feels like the hundredth time.  Through this author the author showed that everyone needs someone to catch them, even when you think you can beat them all, it simply is not the case. So expect that little helping hand when it comes along.

The character of the perfect troubled past hero, and I adored him to bits! Through this character the author perfectly brought home the message of trust. If someone trusts you enough to risk it all, it's not only common decency to trust them too, but it's also the best way of showing you care. If you have someone's trust but cannot surrender your's to them there really is simply no point in the believe status of the relationship, as they say what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

I highly recommend this read for all fans of that very magical, super romantic, rivals turn lovers reads. It was perfect in each and every single way, sexy, sensual and packed with one heck of a curve-ball emotional punch !

5/5 star review
"He knocks her out of the park, but will she stick around to see the end of the game?" 

Someone like you by Karen Rock

Reviewed by Desere

Everyone knows you can't program love. It's meant to happen naturally , and no voodoo spell, or drink this magical potion is going to land you into the arms of the one and only.

But just maybe a new app can, well that's what Kayleigh Renshaw thinks, when she comes up with the idea of a brilliant
"compatibility app" , but the app's not for her to find love, it's only meant for others of the lonely life world to discover their true love, she'll keep playing it safe it 's the right thing to do.

The app is the wave of the future and the best kind of matchmaking software money can buy. All she needs to make it work is a programmer to help her bring the idea to the market.

And she knows the perfect rope me in am yours for the taking to work the magic needed. But there's a catch, because Mr work my magic Naill Walsh is not only Kayleigh's former best friend but also the one that has been avoiding her since his return from Afghanistan.

She can't quite seem to figure out if it's just her or if something far darker is holding him back. Can she gain access to his mind and discover what lies hidden behind his lazy all is well smile, or will she end up running away from her best friend when the truth is revealed?

I have been a huge fan of Karen Rock's truly inspirational reads since her first book. This author manages time and time again to take a everyday situation and turn it into such a vivid and realistic story that it is as if the characters are not simply a name on the page, but right there in front of you going through the worst time of their lives or finding their very own happy ever after. And this time was no different ! During this read I found myself thinking this is not a book, these are not just characters, this is not just a story, this is real life!

In this read I felt each and every single drop of emotion as if I was the one living it. The fear and anger Naill goes through at the loss of friend, the rage he feels at not knowing if what he is doing is the right thing or if he is simply mucking up again.

The heartache and feeling of being completely torn between honor towards her family and the man she has come to love that poor Kayleigh has to face. I more than once pulled out the tissues and bawled like a baby!

The character of Naill was such a heartbreaking one that I simply wanted to grab hold of this man and just hold him. I felt so sad for him and what the demons he had to face, and it reminded me of all the warriors of war out there, that sadly I see each day. They come home with nightmares, flashbacks and truly go through hell trying to try and re-learn life without thinking of what happened out on the battlefield. Some never even find the courage to crawl out from the hell they hide behind and simply fade away from the world. But then there are those like Naill who find a purpose to live again and this author reminded me that there is always hope and a way out. The scars never go away but with someone by your side they do get better and just a little easier to handle.

The character of Kayleigh was so sweet and so kind and just wants to make the world smile. I adored her so much and I saw myself in her all the way. It is a far nicer feeling to make people smile then sad. So yes I totally adored Kayleigh! She was so strong and courageous it made me so proud and I truly wished she could be real because I know for darn sure we would be best friends. Her not wanting to forget her family and the honor anyone would have for one's family made me sad, not because I don't believe in honor, for I definitely do, but because it made it so much harder for her to try and accept what happened to Naill. It is never easy to chose between being angry because of loss and learning to accept what happened and to instead fill your heart with love and not regret and hate. Through this character the author showed me that if we do go with the " I cannot accept what you caused " option then we will be pretty much as good as the walking dead. You will be left behind from the world and find yourself alone and in a pretty dark place, incapable of loving others.

I am taking away so many powerful messages from this read but the one that comes to light the most throughout the read is that we should never hide. Not from the world, not from those we love, and never from those we have lost. The world does not count because they are not ones that determine out happiness we are. The ones we love are the ones that will always be there for us no matter what, so don't push them away. And those ones we have lost, will never truly be gone, the memories of the times you sent together will always be there, and those can never be taken away, so don't let the ghosts of the past hold you back, smile and wave at them each day and thank them for looking down on you and giving you a chance to live.

I highly recommend this read for all fans of romance reads. The book is such an inspirational read you will find yourself having a new zest for life, no matter what the circumstances you are facing might be. You will want to push harder and harder to find a way out of what ever you might be needing to face. A truly remarkable, magical, blow me away, bawl my eyes out, make my heart soar, have anyone and everyone believe in romance read!

5/5 star review
" Together they rescue each other" 

His Hometown Girl by Karen Rock

Reviewed by Desere 

You know that feeling you get when you are so unbelievably sad for others that all you want to do is grab hold of them, hug them and tell them it will all be okay?  Or when you are so over the moon happy that you can't stop smiling and just want to shout it out to the whole world?  Well those are just two of the emotions I felt during this read.

The read tells of Jodi and just like every loving mother out there Jodi will do anything to help her son receive the medical attention he needs. Of course having to return to her hometown is not ideal but what must be done must be done.

But when she arrives it very soon becomes clear that her mission is going to be no easy walk in the park or in this case the farm's fields, and it's all because of the one and only man that has always been able to push her buttons both bad and good.

However as every mother knows, nothing stands in the way of helping our children and Jodi is not about to back down easily, only Daniel has the same fierce determination. Only their unspoken love for each other can save them both, that is if it's strong enough to withstand life altering decisions.

This was one of the most incredible stories I have ever read, and if I did not know it was a book I would never had believed someone if they told me it was made up, it was all just too real to be fiction.  It was as if the author did not write the characters herself but rather got real life people to sit down and each write their own part.

Issues such as Autism , unspoken love finally voiced and being tested, a mother having to do what is best for her child, and a man needing to learn how to love both mother and child and accept the mother's decisions are just a few subjects that were explored in this read. The author did a remarkable job with every real life element being described, the entire time I felt as if the author did not just slap this book together, she really took the time to make sure she is informed about every serious issue and it truly showed.

Some reads have the making of a good story but then the focus of the real issues are muddled up with the author not taking the time to research the truth behind the issues, so thank you Karen Rock for taking the time to properly research, in this read everyone will learn something that is vital in so many ways of life.

Jodi's character was the one I could personally most connect with, as a mother I know that doing the right thing can make it seem like there is only one way of doing it, but the author showed me through this character that sometimes what we think is best could very well be but, we need to take the time to listen to others opinions instead of just following our own set of rules, you might just learn something.

Daniel was a spectacular character, I truly loved how he blossoms from this really focused on his goal person to one that is able to see the other side of things and be ready to voice them too. Through this character I learned that we might think we have shown the world our feelings but until we voice them the world will truly never know what goes on inside our heads.

This was such an emotional read for me, I laughed and I cried my eyes out! I was right there with the author wanting to grab hold of the characters and tell them it will all be okay. It was so intense I wanted to climb inside this book and just do anything and everything I could to help. I truly felt the heartache, the pain, the despair and the happiness, exceptional job Karen!

I am taking away so many wonderful lessons from this book that they are simply too many to list, I will say the one that stood out for me from them all was , don't judge. You don't know what everyone is facing, when you see a father in tears it might be because he has just lost his wife and does not know how he will raise a child alone, or when you see a mother that looks like she's about to tear her hair out stop,and think for a moment, maybe her child is suffering some uncontrollable mental illness and no matter what or how tired the mom is she will deal with it because she loves her child yet it still does get to her sometimes as it feels like she just wants to do more but can't.  Never judge those you know nothing about, instead stick to the golden rule of humanity help, all that you can.

I highly recommend this book for every reader out there, it is an absolutely incredible read that will touch every single emotion you have ever felt in life.

5/5 star review
" Home is family and family is home" 

The Promise Of Rain by Rula Sinara

Reviewed by Desere

This was a beautiful and stunning love story of old lovers being reunited. Yes, that has been done so many times before but this time around I actually found the author added much more refreshing moments that I have found in other similar reads.

The heroine Anna and Jack were friends for a long time before taking their relationship to the next level of intimacy this lead to Anna becoming pregnant. Before she tells him Jack proposes, Anna panics and runs off to Africa to give attention to her elephant project.

Four years later she runs smack bang into Jack and aside from him being beyond furious that she never let him know about him being a father, he has to come up with a way to get his child back to the United States, but we all know that is mess we don't wish upon our worst enemies.

I loved the characters from this read, Jack and Anna were both portrayed as very realistic and I could connect with them both on a very emotional level.

It has to be so hard to know you are to be a mother and not tell the father, yes some woman can't always make contact and let the father know but when you can and things hit a rough spot as, let's face it being a single mother is never easy, and thus keeping it all to yourself and just hanging in there when you know you can have help is one of the bravest acts ever.

I could fully understand Jack's anger but I did at one stage feel he was approaching the entire situation wrong but I was delighted when the author twisted and turned him into a hero that will make your toes curl and just give you that warm and fuzzy 'that's what love is all about' feeling.

The backdrop settings were absolutely breathtaking! I was entranced at the descriptions of Africa and the poaching of elephants. I was transported to a truly whole other world with stunning, stunning STUNNING and vivid imaginations from the author.

I highly recommend this fabulous, sweet and truly heartwarming read from a brilliant author!
5/5 star review
" The promise of rain brings the power of a new life" 
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Reviewed by Nas


THE PROMISE OF RAIN is by debut author Rula Sinara and is a Harlequin Heartwarming release for January 2014.


Anna Bekker is trying to keep her research fund coming from the foundation and keeping her small family around her.


But the research director sent Dr Jackson Harper to audit her funds. Guess what Jack discovers? Anna has a daughter and he is the father of her child! Would Jack ever forgive Anna after her transgression? Could he walk away now from his daughter and Anna?


THE PROMISE OF RAIN is full of warmth and tenderness as well as some exciting moments. This reunion romance is well depicted amid some exotic setting. I loved reading about a new place and the elephant research and rescue seen through the eyes of the author, Rula Sinara. The atmospheric details were very well written. And the romance and emotional development between Anna, Jack and their daughter, Pippa as well as some other characters were realistically done.


4.5 out of 5 stars.

What a Girl wants by Jennifer Snow

Reviewed by Desere 

Every woman knows that sometimes manly stuff is so much more fun and being a bit of a tomboy is never all that bad, but when the man you are hopelessly in love with sees you as just one of the guys and never as a woman , it's time to drop the boy toys, find a hot dress and make your womanhood known.

Bailey is all game if it will get Ethan into her arms, but she needs to first get him to stop pining after his ex. And for that she will need more than hot dresses and makeup.

This Harlequin Heartwarming read had the perfect tearing me up, warming my heart affect every reader needs in order to escape the hardships of life.

The characters were well written and both showed unique traits of real life messed up, confused, trying to do the right thing personalities.  I very much enjoyed the story behind the story with Ethan's ex and the entire calling for help fiasco.

The various emotions of Ethan fighting his own demons and totally looking past Bailey as a woman made me of course want to deck him, but the message of some men are simply clueless when trapped in a maze of confusion and just need a little push was beautifully shown by the author.

I loved the courage the character of Bailey showed and when she finally takes that now or never step I could not have been more proud. I 'm taking away a message of, if you've known someone long enough they become familiar, but only surface based if you instead never focus on the real person they are.

Never only have a surface based friendship with anyone. Get to really know them even if you are not romantically interested make the effort in the long run it will be worth it.

And never ever think that stepping up to do the right thing is wrong, courage is a stunning personality trait.
I recommend this read for all fans of sweet sensual romance reads.

4.5 Star Review
" The girl wants the man to see the real her" 

The Trouble with Mistletoe by Jennifer Snow

Reviewed by Desere 

Leaving the love of your life for whichever reason always seems like a good idea when the time comes, but as we all know years later it could come back and blow those reasons out of the water, leaving you with all kinds of doubts as to whether you made the right decision.

In this read from author Jennifer Snow she shows just how those doubts can cause confusion, heartache but also how it can lead you to a lifetime of happiness if you dare to risk it.

The read tells of Victoria, twelve years ago she left her home town and headed for the big city and a excitement filled life. But she did not only leave behind her small-town hangup's she also left behind the one man she has always loved,Luke.

Now back in town to acquire the town's sports store she knows it is going to be the most difficult deal of her life, for the store owner is Luke.

But she is determined to get in, close the deal and get out before she falls for Luke all over again, but Luke has other ideas and if he has to pretend to not want to sell the store in order to keep Victoria in town so she can see they are meant to be together, than that is what he will do, but at what cost to his heart?

The character of Luke was simply fascinating, I loved that he was kind hearted and always wanting to do good but at the same time he was also a typical man, yes ladies this one loves 'em and leaves 'em the second they get too close. This showed him pretty much as most men are when they have loved and lost the only woman who ever made their hearts beat faster, they lost her and know they need to move on but it is easier said then done and thus they enjoy the fun along the way whilst still holding onto the past and ultimately in most cases this makes them the kind of man no woman wants to get involved with, for who wants to be with a man who's heart belongs to someone else.

The character of Victoria was very nicely written and the author showed her as many woman are when faced with the past. Confused, arguing with the voices in their heads telling them "This is it he is the one,  don't let him get away again", but their hearts telling them that he is not part of the dream you wanted. I really loved how the author let Victoria's conflicting emotions bounce from right to wrong , it really showed her as realistic, in real life we all know our minds never go from right to wrong immediately when dealing with our hearts, it is a back and forth battle.

The backdrop settings were vivid and very well incorporated, I loved the home-grown touch. The dialogue was pure emotion and truly heart-touching.

I am taking away a message of risking it all for a dream is not always a mistake, it can make you a better person and let you grow but when the time comes for a second chance listening to your heart and throwing caution to the wind don't run just take the risk !

I recommend this read for fans of sweet and sensual romance reads, a wonderful Christmas story of romance in a small town.

4 star review
" His kisses melt away all her well planned dreams"