Tag Archives: H.P. Mallory

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Mountain Man

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I adore this author and usually relish the tales I read, but this particular story didn’t fully meet my expectations. Initially, I could predict the plot from the first chapter and character introduction. The characters were well-developed, to the extent that I genuinely disliked one of them for her lifelike portrayal. However, I missed a sense of the town and its inhabitants, as I enjoy rich backdrops. The main characters received some background, but it felt insufficient, providing just a skeletal understanding of their identities before they came together.

William Black relocated to Marshall Heights to escape what he viewed as unforgivable failures, believing he didn’t deserve to be part of society. Living reclusively on the mountain, he’s the subject of much speculation, yet the truth of his past remains hidden. Delilah, a bank employee, encounters William during his biweekly visits to cash checks. Despite the rumors, she senses they’re unfounded. Her admiration turns to affection after witnessing an act she deems heroic. Complicating matters is Janet, the proverbial thorn in the side, who seeks to rekindle a relationship with William for less than noble motives.

The romance was endearing and somewhat steamy. I would suggest it to others, as the author’s talent shines through, and fans of this book are likely to appreciate their other works as well.

My rating: 💖💖💖

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The Handbook

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The story begins at a leisurely pace, introducing the main characters individually, but gains momentum when Nikki and Derek meet. While some characters are mere stereotypes, they serve to advance the plot effortlessly. More classroom interactions would have been preferable, as the main characters, particularly the teacher, often end up clubbing instead.

Nikki Sloan, after being dumped by her long-term boyfriend, spirals downward, despite the relationship not being right for her. As she starts to recover, a disastrous date sends her plunging back into despair. Discovering a notebook claiming to transform her into the ultimate seductress, she embarks on a journey to gain confidence and power.

Derek Anderson, a professor rumored to be involved with his students, finds himself coerced into taking over another instructor’s classes when the dean hears of his alleged affairs. This twist of fate brings him and Nikki together. Derek, who prides himself on bachelorhood, begins to see the potential for change.

Initially, Nikki appears immature, but she matures significantly as she follows the notebook’s advice. Derek, too, starts off seeming juvenile but reveals deeper layers. Although this genre isn’t my usual preference, I find these stories quite engaging and am open to exploring more.

This book should appeal to anyone who enjoys a heartfelt romance with a guaranteed happy ending.

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Bronco

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Summer Camile Sellers, once wealthy, has lost everything due to others’ arrogance. Her life, now a prolonged nightmare, finds solace only in her horse, Aria, and the hope of rebuilding. At 22, Summer faces her first job unprepared, journeying to Springhill Ranch in Colorado, clinging to hope for a better future.

My feelings towards Summer are mixed; her arrogance is evident, yet she acknowledges the need for humility. Nonetheless, she is a compelling character, capable of growth, which I appreciate.

Jake Lawson, the quintessential cowboy, has little patience for city dwellers but makes an exception for Summer, the attractive newcomer at the ranch. Both harbor secrets; Jake’s are closely guarded, yet Summer prompts him to contemplate a future he’s never considered—one with her alone. His uncertainty about her feelings, however, remains a barrier.

I was drawn to Jake immediately, perhaps due to his upright nature or simply my fondness for cowboys.

The sexual tension between them was palpable from the outset, escalating to a crescendo that was timely yet not premature. Their story is a tender tale of two individuals scarred by their pasts, who never envisioned finding a kindred spirit, yet they did in each other. While Contemporary Romance isn’t always my preference, this story captivated me, leaving me curious about their future—a testament to its impact.

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟½

The cover has been updated since the original reading.

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Malice In Wonderland

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Malice In Wonderland (Dulcie O’Neil #5)

Overall I liked the story. There were just some things that I did not particularly agree with. For one thing our main girl does not seem to have really grown in all this time, she wants things to be all cut and died when they are not. I expected quite a bit more action from this book as well since the last one ended on such a dramatic note and it was kind of humdrum with no real action and a lot of obvious plot twists, at least to me. It’s worth the read but don’t expect much.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
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Better Off Dead

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15962381

Better Off Dead (Lily Harper #1)

This was a 4.5 for me but I would have given it 5 for a little more back story on Tallis Black. The writing was everything I have come to expect from this author, who I already love. The plot was fun but seemed a bit rushed, I would have liked to take a little time when Lily arrived in her new digs before heading off on her first adventure. This being the first novel in the series, it lays out the overall theme of what will be happening. The characters seem plausible and act and react in the way that you would expect them to, except for maybe Bill who is on a whole different plane than anyone else. 🙂 The language is appropriate for the characters and is easily understandable, even the thick brogue that is employed by Tallis.

Lily Harper is having a bad day, she is late for a presentation at work, it’s raining, traffic is a nightmare and then it gets worse, she dies. What’s a girl to do when she finds herself deceased and in the equivalent of a DMV office where she is given an impossible choice, die and go to purgatory or become a bounty hunter for souls. What would you do given that choice? Well she opts for hunter and there begins her adventure in the wonderful world of soul retrieval. She meets her guide, Bill, her guardian angel who will accompany her, but knows as little as she does about what they will face. Tallis Black is a blade-smith and is hired officially to make Lily a sword for her missions but the moody Scotsman becomes more.

A nice first book that gave us an introduction to some interesting characters some good action and a new outlook on the afterlife. Who knew bureaucrats could be found in the hereafter. Loved this and really like Lily, I think she is going to be totally bad-ass once she gets her bearings. Can’t wait for the next one!