Welcome to Coffee Pot Reviews! These are short and sweet reviews done in the length of time it takes my coffee pot to brew! I have two Avon books to share with you today. One features a group of super-elite soldiers and the other is a Regency romance that is sure to please. Grab a cup of coffee, tea or some mango punch, sit back and enjoy!
by Lisa Marie Rice
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
They are the Ghost Ops: a covert squad of super-elite soldiers. After their team was betrayed and massacred, the three surviving members went underground and built Haven, a community of misfits and geniuses. Now they're at a crossroads, facing a new threat capable of destroying everything they hold dear. In the second book of Lisa Marie Rice's thrilling Ghost Ops series, the Haven team is faced with a new addition to their secret society-and a threat capable of destroying everything they hold dear. When Nick Ross disappears from Elle Thomason's life, she is certain she'll never see the man she loves again—except in her dreams. Ten years later, as a respected researcher breaking new ground in psychic phenomena, she sends a desperate call for Nick's help. One by one, her colleagues have started disappearing . . . and Elle knows she's next. An elite soldier, Nick never meant to hurt Elle, duty kept him away—and then she vanished. Now troubled by unusually vivid, disturbing dreams of Elle in danger, Nick will rescue the only woman he's ever wanted and bring her back with him to Haven. Though powerful men are after Elle and her special abilities, Nick will die before leaving her side again.
I Dream of Danger is the second book in the Ghost Ops series, and although I didn’t read book one I was able to pick things up fairly quickly. The tale has a whole X-men kind of vibe and a lot of the clichés we see in the romantic genre. It does have an element of suspense which I enjoyed but felt the mystery wrapped up a little too neatly. There is a lot of heat in this novel. Nick and Elle are two very different souls and their romance heats up the pages. She is inexperienced and has had a life of privilege. He is a soldier, sharp and ready for action. The smexy times were good but sometimes felt a little stiff or awkward as Nick taught Elle the art of pleasure. I Dream of Danger has some paranormal aspects that I wanted more of. Elle has the ability to astral project and I wanted to explore more. The tale wraps up but leaves some things unresolved for book three. Overall this was a quick read While it was a solid read I wanted more details and a little more suspense.
by Caroline Linden
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Joan Bennet is tired of being a wallflower. Thanks to some deliciously scandalous—and infamous—stories, she has a pretty good idea of what she's missing as a spinster. Is even a short flirtation too much to ask for? Tristen, Lord Burke, recognizes Joan at once for what she is: trouble. Not only is she his best friend's sister, she always seems to catch him at a disadvantage. The only way he can win an argument is by kissing her senseless. He'd give anything to get her out of her unflattering gowns. But either one of those could cost him his bachelor status, which would be dreadful—wouldn't it?
Caroline Linden offers up a standalone regency romance in Love and Other Scandals, that is sure to please with fleshed out characters, familiar troupes, witty banter and enough heat to curl your toes. Yep, I would say this is the perfect rainy afternoon escape. Joan Bennet our heroine is delightful, she reads naughty books, is outspoken and finds herself heading towards life as a spinster. How they meet is funny and I love how Joan unnerves Tristan. He is drawn to her and while at times his manners had me wanting to hit him over the head, I delighted in seeing them interact. The romance felt realistic and I got caught up in the banter and romance. Joan truly made this book come to life, she was such a complex character and her inner self often conflicted with what others saw. I enjoyed Love and Other Scandals immensely and look forward to trying more of Linden’s works.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
anna
I still need to read Love and other Scandals. It does sound good. I really enjoyed I Dream of Danger. Sorry to hear it didn’t quite wow ya.
kimbacaffeinate
It was a solid read Anna, it just didn’t make me squee..LOL
Dani
Both sound like very interesting books. Thank you for the reviews!!
kimbacaffeinate
welcome 🙂
Candace
Love and Scandals sounds good- once again it sounds like more great characters! The other one sounds like one I would skip. I remember seeing another not so great review of it or the first book.
kimbacaffeinate
Love and Scandals was a good one. Have a wonderful day Candace 🙂
Braine
I dream of Danger is my kind of romantic suspense. I haven’t read straight up historical romance in a long time.
kimbacaffeinate
I took a five year hiatus from HR and now read one or two a month 🙂
Heidi
I am more drawn to the ghost ops book, I don’t know why, even though that was the one you liked a little bit less. They both still look good, though. Happy Saturday!
kimbacaffeinate
It was a solid read Heidi..but you know me..I want more!
Lark
Love and Other Scandals sounds like fun! I’m always up for a good Regency-era romance. And BTW, I like your Coffeepot Reviews icon/button.
kimbacaffeinate
Glad you like my little button, these reviews are fun to write, and help me fit all of the reviews in each month.
sharonda
love the cover for Love & Other Scandals, its so pretty and reminds me of covers from HR’s back in the day. Great reviews Kim, I’ll adding L&OS to my TRB list.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Sharonda, and agree the cover is pretty.
Tanja
You’ve got one for me and one for my mum this week 🙂 I haven’t heard of the I Dream of Danger but it sounds like a really interesting read. Not perfect but a quick and interesting read is just what I need now. I’m glad you enjoyed the second book it does sound like your thing 🙂 Great reviews 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
You know me so well Tanja, thanks!
Andrea
I was sent a copy of I Dream of Danger, and though I liked another of Rice’s books, I don’t think this one is really for me, right now.
Thanks for the review!
kimbacaffeinate
Definitely a mood rider like me..eh?
Vilia
Love and Other Scandals sounds fun. I’m on a Regency kick atm – 5 in the last fortnight.
kimbacaffeinate
I get on kicks like that Villa, and gobble them up!
blodeuedd
I like the Linden one 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, you would enjoy this one!
Kimberly
I was just looking at one of Rice’s books on my library’s website and was thinking about borrowing it, I like the whole X-Men type theme so I think I’ll be downloading it in a little bit. Linden’s historical romance looks really good too and I’m hoping my library has a copy of that one too. I seem to be on a romance particularly a historical romance kick lately 🙂 Thanks for the recs!
kimbacaffeinate
It’s a fairly quick read, and different. I hope ya enjoy it!
Berls
Love and Other Scandals sounds pretty good. I love books with clever banter, it’s so much fun and easy for me to lose myself in.
kimbacaffeinate
I agree, I can consume this type of novel usually in a single sitting, so they are perfect escapes.