Mini Reviews: Winterblaze by Kristine Callihan, A Kiss for Midwinter by Courtney milan, Not Over You by Marquita Valentine

   
Winterblaze (Darkest London #3) by Kristen Callihan - Goodreads
Source: Copy provided by publisher – Grand Central Publishing – via BEA

Once blissfully in love . . .

Poppy Lane is keeping secrets. Her powerful gift has earned her membership in the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals, but she must keep both her ability and her alliance with the Society from her husband, Winston. Yet when Winston is brutally attacked by a werewolf, Poppy's secrets are revealed, leaving Winston's trust in her as broken as his body. Now Poppy will do anything to win back his affections . . .

Their relationship is now put to the ultimate test.

Winston Lane soon regains his physical strength but his face and heart still bear the scars of the vicious attack. Drawn into the darkest depths of London, Winston must fight an evil demon that wants to take away the last hope of reconciliation with his wife. As a former police inspector, Winston has intelligence and logic on his side. But it will take the strength of Poppy's love for him to defeat the forces that threaten to tear them apart.

My thoughts: I adore Callihan’s lush, romantic writing style and I loved the idea of an already established (yet broken) romance but Poppy and Win have so many interrupted, sexy moments and very little actual movement with their relationship that it started driving me batty. The sex & will they/won't they get back together started overtaking the story. Don't get me wrong - it was hot - and I loved them together but I started glazing over whenever they were alone and I rarely feel that way about a couple that I otherwise like.  I did absolutely love the flawed but very capable Poppy though. She’s what kept me reading.

***


A Kiss for Midwinter (Brothers Sinister #1.5) - Goodreads

Source: Freebie download from AmazonMiss Lydia Charingford is always cheerful, and never more so than at Christmas time. But no matter how hard she smiles, she can't forget the youthful mistake that could have ruined her reputation. Even though the worst of her indiscretion was kept secret, one other person knows the truth of those dark days: the sarcastic Doctor Jonas Grantham. She wants nothing to do with him...or the butterflies that take flight in her stomach every time he looks her way.

Jonas Grantham has a secret, too: He's been in love with Lydia for more than a year. This winter, he's determined to conquer her dislike and win her for his own. It all starts with a wager and a kiss...
A Kiss for Midwinter is a novella (38,000 words) in the Brothers Sinister series. It follows The Duchess War. Each book stands on its own, but those who prefer to read in order might want to read that book first.

My thoughts: I loved this novella. It’s my first time reading anything by Milan but it won’t be my last. The emotion and backstory she managed to fit into a 38,000 word novella was stunning. A Kiss for Midwinter is a beautiful story about how one chance meeting can change the course of your life.

***

Not Over You (Holland Springs #5) by Marquita Valentine – Goodreads

Source: PurchasedThere’s only been one woman for Gabriel Edwards—Summer Holland. But unless she needs cash, food or a place to stay, she wants nothing to do with him. Now he’s done playing Summer’s knight in shining armor. He’s finally found the woman to settle down with—the town’s newest librarian. She’s smart and sweet, and wholly in love with him. And nothing and no one will get in the way of his plans.
Until Summer comes home to Holland Springs, and needs his help once more.

Summer Holland is set on one thing: convincing Gabriel Edwards to help her get back the daughter she gave up for adoption. She’s always counted on him to rescue her when she needed it most, and this time is no different…until she learns of the new woman in Gabriel’s life.

Now she realizes she’s never gotten over him, and after they share one sweet kiss, Gabriel starts to believe that he might not be over her either.

My thoughts: This is the 5th book in the Holland Spring series , which I have not read, and I definitely felt like I missed a lot of background. Characters popped up that I’m sure were fun cameos for fans but they said things referring to past books that made no sense to me.
Once we got to the main romance between Gabriel and Summer – oh man – I was hooked by their cheesy, romantic goodness. This is one of those books where the guy just loves the girl with all his heart and lays it on the line….really fights for her. Gabriel is sweet, the son of a pastor, and a virgin, but he’s no stick in the mud! Summer is pretty outlandish and unlikable at first until you get to know the *real* Summer and then you can’t help but root for her.

I was really in the mood for a sexy, over the top romance and this was it. Just the right amount of angst, sexy times and romantic drama.