Thursday, January 30, 2014

Caroline and West by Robin York


Deeper by Robin York

Caroline & West # 1

  


Deeper is the first installment of the Caroline and West series by Robin York.

If reviews could be one word this one would be BEAUTIFUL!

This book blew me away.  The plot was heartfelt and realistic.  The reactions were real.  The emotions pulled at my heart strings. The characters were spot on.

Deeper has the right amount of angst, drama, emotion, and romance.  The beautifully flawed characters are perfect.  The plot is gut wrenching and genius.  The approach of this very real, very touchy subject was tactful and breathtaking.

I can’t imagine being put in the situation that Caroline is in.  If I was I feel like I would react just as Caroline did and pray that I would have a West to pick me up and take away some of the pain. 

The semi-cliffhanger ending is a wonderful set-up for the next book in this compelling series.  I can’t wait for more of Caroline and West!

Synopsis:

In this New Adult debut by Robin York, a college student is attacked online and must restore her name—and stay clear of a guy who’s wrong for her, but feels so right.

When Caroline Piasecki’s ex-boyfriend posts their sex pictures on the Internet, it destroys her reputation as a nice college girl. Suddenly her once-promising future doesn’t look so bright. Caroline tries to make the pictures disappear, hoping time will bury her shame. Then a guy she barely knows rises to her defense and punches her ex to the ground.

West Leavitt is the last person Caroline needs in her life. Everyone knows he’s shady. Still, Caroline is drawn to his confidence and swagger—even after promising her dad she’ll keep her distance. On late, sleepless nights, Caroline starts wandering into the bakery where West works.

They hang out, they talk, they listen. Though Caroline and West tell each other they’re “just friends,” their feelings intensify until it becomes impossible to pretend. The more complicated her relationship with West gets, the harder Caroline has to struggle to discover what she wants for herself—and the easier it becomes to find the courage she needs to fight back against the people who would judge her.

When all seems lost, sometimes the only place to go is deeper.


 

Safe in His Arms


Safe in His Arms by Renee Rose


The short book packed quite a punch.  You never know how a short story is going to go.  I have read some I wish were longer and some that just plain sucked.  Rarely do I find a novella stand-alone that I enjoy.  This book was a shockingly pleasant surprise. 

I blew through this book in one sitting and it was everything I was hoping for.  It has some action, erotica, and most importantly romance.  The fast paced plot was full of twist and turns.  The characters have depth and connection.

This is a great quick read!

On a side note, I loved the heroine’s name Becca.  Since I am a Becca I feel bias toward the name even though we don’t see it often in books.

Synopsis:

For as long as she could remember, Becca dreamed of a dominant man to take her in hand, and Zac, the handsome Marine she met at her sister's wedding, filled the role with aplomb… for a weekend. Then the fling came to an end, Zac went off to war and died for his country, and Becca learned she carried a child who would be born without a father.

Seven years later, Becca has done her best to move on and forget about Zac… until the day she walks into her kitchen to find the man she believed she would never see again locked in mortal combat with her son’s nanny, and realizes everything she thought she knew about Zac was a lie.

Like all Black Ops agents, Zac doesn't exist in any government record. His life is a series of deadly missions, and relationships of any kind are unsanctioned. But he keeps one secret. He watches over Becca, the beautiful daughter of a rogue agent, and Parker, the six-year-old boy he fathered that fateful weekend. When he spots a known assassin in their apartment posing as a nanny, he's forced to reveal himself and take them to safety… whether Becca likes it or not.

While Becca may have enjoyed his dominance once, bending her to his will again may not be quite so easy. He is determined to keep her safe, however, and if a long, hard spanking is required, he is more than willing to oblige. Having Becca over his knee rekindles more than his passion, though; even when the immediate danger has passed, he finds it much more difficult to “ghost out” on his family again. Must he resign himself to protecting those he loves from afar, or can he find a way to be the man Becca needs and longs for, the man who is worthy of her
submission and her love?

Almost Bad Boy by A.O. Peart


Almost Matched by A.O. Peart

Almost Bad Boy # 1

 


Almost Matched is the first installment in the Almost Bad Boy series by A. O. Peart.

This book was just ok for me.  It focused a lot more of the heroine’s friends than on the romance factor.  I don’t know if the author was trying too hard to set the characters for the series, but the leads just ended up together and no build up. The pacing of this book was just off. 

Also the ending was awkward.  The hero just ends up going from normal to hiding a past. The characters and the plot were vastly underdeveloped.  I would have liked more connection to the story and the characters.

Synopsis:

Twenty-five-year-old Natalie Davenport lugs substantial baggage. One boyfriend after the next has been a total disaster, leaving Natalie distrustful toward the male population in general. So when Colin Hampton crosses her path, she’s cautious. Her heart (and some other body parts!) nudges her to go for it, while her head wants her to run for the hills.

Colin is one of those gorgeous guys who attract women, no matter the age or marital status. With a successful career at a popular Seattle radio station, hard body, and charming personality, he is the complete package. But something dark lurks in the corners of his soul; some murky experience that has changed him—maybe for the better, but maybe for the worse.

Will he steal her heart and stomp over it like other guys did?

Will she let him into her heavily fortified world despite herself?

Or will they settle somewhere in the middle—establishing the emotional boundaries to protect them from falling in love?


 

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Games Series by Nyra Dawn


Charade by Nyra Dawn

Games # 1

 



Synopsis:

Nineteen-year-old Cheyenne tries to portray the perfect life to mask the memories of her past. Walking in on her boyfriend with another woman her freshman year in college threatens that picture of perfection.

Twenty-one-year-old Colt never wanted college and never expected to amount to anything, but when his mom's dying wish is for him to get his degree, he has no choice but to pretend it's what he wants too.

Cheyenne needs a fake boyfriend to get back at her ex and Colt needs cash to take care of his mom, so they strike a deal that helps them both. But what if Cheyenne’s past isn’t what she thought? Soon they’re trading one charade for another—losing themselves in each other to forget about their pain. The more they play their game, the more it becomes the only thing they have that feels real.

Both Cheyenne and Colt know life is never easy, but neither of them expect the tragedy that threatens to end their charade and rip them apart forever.

Façade by Nyra Dawn

Games # 2



After her father commits a crime that shatters her family, eighteen-year-old Delaney Cross is tired of pretending everything is all right. Packing up her car, she sets out to find the people her father hurt. Her search leads her to places she’s never been—and into the arms of Adrian Westfall.

To the outside world, Adrian is a sexy, charming ladies’ man. But his playboy persona is just an act. Secretly his soul is tortured by a memory too painful to share. Only Delaney seems to see through his façade to the real man underneath. And for the first time in his life, Adrian feels he can begin to open up about his past.

Together, Adrian and Delaney share a passionate love they never expected to find. Yet both still harbor their own secrets. When the dark truth is finally revealed, will it bring them closer together—or tear them apart forever?ynopsis:

 

Masquerade by Nyra Dawn

Games # 3




Synopsis:
Maddox Cross has always had to be tough. When his father went to jail for murder, the teenager took care of his sister and mother. Now on his own and working security at a night club, Maddox wants to become a tattoo artist-a dream that comes closer to reality when he falls for the hottest, most tatted woman he's ever seen. She's wild and beautiful, and Maddox will do anything to be with her.

Bee Malone came to town to open up her new tattoo parlor, Masquerade. Since being kidnapped as a young girl, Bee has had trouble getting close to anyone. But when she meets Maddox, she sees that under his hard biker's body is the sensitive soul of an artist. What starts out as a sizzling one-night stand soon becomes so much more.

Bee wants Maddox to join her tattoo business, but letting him into her life means revealing all her most intimate secrets. And as the past begins to intertwine with her present, Bee fears their love may not be as permanent as their ink . . .


My Review of Games

 

I love Nyra Dawn.  I happened to stumble across her on my reading device a few years ago and have quickly added her to my must read list.  Nyra knows how to write an emotional story.  Her interesting plot lines paired with unique characters leave readers with stories they will never forget.

Nyra has a way of bringing her characters from the pages of her books to life.  I have always been a fan of beautifully flawed characters and this series is some of the best yet.  The raw unkempt emotions these characters struggle with will have you captivated, enthralled, and rooting for them to make it.

With great intrapersonal turmoil, hot chemistry, and sex scenes that are not over-the-top, this series is everything you can ask for in a great NA series.  And the covers are so great!

My favorite so far in this series is Façade.  This story sent shivers down my spine.  I loved every heartbreaking second of it!

Heart of Fire series by Lizzy Ford


Charred Heart by Lizzy Ford

Heart of Fire # 1

 

Charred Heart is the first book in the Heart of Fire series by Lizzy Ford.

I read the premise of this book and can’t pass on a paranormal romance. 

This is the first dragon shifter book that I have read.  The main character Chance is a eons old dragon who has pretty much given up on life.  He is sexy as hell, but has nothing left to look forward to in life.

Skylar is a dragon slayer who has a one night stand with Chance and it changes her life forever.

To me this book lacked a sense of the world that these creatures live in.  Do humans know about shifters?  Who are these so-called slayers?  Why do shifters have magic and how can they move houses?  I really can’t get into a book, especially paranormal, without good word building.

Also, the secondary characters just seemed to be stuck in the pages.  These characters didn’t seem to fit into the story.

I really wanted to like this book, but felt some things were lacking.

Synopsis:

For a thousand years, Chace has searched for a way to break the curse placed on him by a jilted lover. He’s a dragon shifter, one who can’t control when the magic will force him into a different form. He’s already lost everyone he ever cared about a few times over and doesn’t know how much longer he’s meant to suffer.

At his wit’s end, he makes a deal with a mysterious figure that offers him what he wants most – an end to his misery – in exchange for everything that’s his: His life, his power. His heart.

The next day, he meets Skylar, a modern day dragon slayer whose mission is to cage him – or kill him. Sexy, witty and brave, she is the yin to his yang, the woman destined to break the curse, balance his magic and make his broken heart whole.

Except it’s too late. Not only has he sealed his fate, but an innocent one-night-stand with Skylar has dragged her into the middle of a deal with the devil, one she won’t escape, if he can’t convince her that dragon shifters aren’t her enemies.

 

Fierce


Fierce by Clarissa Wild

 

They say too much of a good thing is not enough, but in this case it is too much.  Think of every YA/NA book you love; the illegal fighting rings, the bad boy who wants to go good, the nerdy girl who catches the bad boy, the boy form the wrong side of the tracks, this book has it all and I think it is way too much for one book.

The plot was good, it would have been better if it was not all over the place.  The characters really had no connection to the audience.  The emotions were lacking.  It could have been so much more!

I wish I could say more, but meh about sums it up.  I really wanted to like this book.

Synopsis:

Nerdy girl Autumn Blakewood is the prime example of a goody two-shoes. She studies every night, is never late for class, and always follows the rules. She has never felt the need to step out of her comfort zone. That is, until she meets Hunter.

Hunter Bane is a cocky, confident bad-boy, who's nothing but trouble. He’s a dangerous distraction to everyone around him. Sexy and strong, Hunter enjoys the swooning effect he has on women. Especially those who aren't used to attention, like Autumn.

Autumn finds it hard not to give into Hunter’s advances, even though it all seems like a game to him. Trying to understand him is impossible, because he shrouds himself in mystery.
What she doesn't know is that Hunter has more baggage than anyone should have to carry. When she discovers he's in an illegal frat club to save the one person that matters to him, Autumn realizes this could mean the end of her undeniable connection to him. Even their lives are at risk.
But it's too late to turn back now ...

This Man Series by Jodi Ellen Malpas





This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas
This Man # 1
 
this man1
This Man is the first installment in the self titled series by Jodi Ellen Malpas. 
I have just started reading erotic romance and I think I might be hooked.  I have yet to read 50 Shades, but have been reading some fantastic Indy authors.  This genre is quite different from the YA/NA tame book that I am use to.
I have several gripes with this book, but with all the drama going on within the pages I can honestly say that I am hooked. 
Gripe # 1 – Ava is way too wishy washy one minute she loves Jesse and the next she is leaving him.
Gripe # 2 – Jesse is too controlling.  Don’t get me wrong I love a HOT alpha male but the overbearing childish attitude gets old quick.
Ok, having said that I couldn’t put this book down.  All the DRAMA, back and forth fighting, one minute I love you the next I can’t stand you, works for this book.  Even though most of the time I was rolling my eyes and thinking here we go again, it was honestly like watching a train wreck…you want to do something to stop it but you are so mesmerized your can’t help but look.
I don’t want you guys to take this the wrong way.  I liked this book and the more I read the deeper I got sucked in. 
I really liked the plot.  The characters were flawed, neurotic, and controlling but worked well in this book.  It kind of reminded me of my ex.  You know most of us have had “the one”.  The one who we had mind blowing chemistry with and the sex was through the roof, but the drama was too much and a relationship just didn’t work out. 
All in all, I loved this book.  The characters were realistically flawed even though I had some issues with them.  I have already loaded the second installment on my Kindle.
Synopsis:
Young interior designer Ava O’Shea has an appointment for a first consultation at The Manor with the owner, Mr. Jesse Ward. She is expecting nothing more than an overweight, cravat wearing, well-to-do countryman, and on arrival, nothing would suggest otherwise. How wrong could she be? This Man is devastatingly handsome, charming and confident. He is also a conceited, hedonistic playboy, who knows no boundaries. Ava desperately does not want to be attracted to him, but she can’t control the overwhelming affect he has on her. Every instinct is telling her to run, so she does, but Jesse Ward is not so willing to let her go. He wants her and is determined to have her. She knows she is heading for heartbreak, but how can she run when he won’t let her?



Beneath This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas
This Man # 2
 
man2
Beneath This Man is the second installment in this This Man series by Jodi Ellen Malpas.  I just so happen to get hooked on this series with This Man and couldn’t stop at just one book in this series.
The drama rises in this book.  We dive deeper into the relationship of Ava and Jesse.  Jesse’s past is something that Ava is having a difficult time getting over and Ava’s rebellion is causing Jesse to go postal.  Ok, folks that is all the recap you will get from me.  If you want to know more read the book.
I feel like I might need therapy after this book!  I love to hate and hate to love this couple.  All the drama couldn’t be written better.  This installment was genius and is sure to hook everyone who reads this book. 
 
 
Synopsis:
Jesse Ward drowned her with his intensity and blindsided her with his passion, but he kept her away from his dark secrets and broken soul. Leaving him was the only way Ava O'Shea could survive. She should have known that Jesse Ward is impossible to escape--and now he's back in her life, determined to remind her of the sensual pleasures they had shared. Ava is equally determined to get at the truth beneath this man's steely exterior. That means letting herself get close to the Lord of the Manor once more. And it's exactly where Jesse wants her--within touching distance...
 
 
This Man Confessed by Jodi Ellen Malpas
This Man # 3
 
This Man Confessed it the third and final installment in the This Man series by Jodi Ellen Malpas. 
The last chapter in this series knocked me off my feet.  The drama between the characters seemed to be toned down a notch, but nonetheless dramatic.  The intrapersonal conflicts were genius as was the character development.
The way the characters come full circle impressed me as well as put a smile on my face.  The love these two have for each other is endearing and progresses beautifully.  We dive into Jesse’s past in this book and all I have to say is wow. 
The plot is full of twists and turns, which I love.  The story from start to finish impressed me the most.  The chemistry in this addition is just as hot as the first two books. 
This book knocked me off my feet.  It is my favorite of all three books.  I hate to see this series come to a conclusion but it was a WILD RIDE to get here.
Synopsis:
THE STUNNING CONCLUSION TO THE THIS MAN TRILOGY!

The Manor, the very place where their passionate love affair began, fills with guests on what should be the happiest day of Ava and Jesse's lives. She has accepted that she'll never tame the fierceness in Jesse-and she doesn't want to. Their love is profound, their connection powerful, but just when she thinks that she's finally gotten beneath his guarded exterior, more questions arise, leading Ava to believe that Jesse Ward may not be the man she thinks he is. He knows too well how to take her to a place beyond ecstasy . . . but will he also drive her to the brink of despair? It's time for this man to confess.
 

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Alienated by Melissa Landers


Alienated by Melissa Landers

Alienated # 1

 

Alienated is the first book in the self-titled series by Melissa Landers.  What drew me to this series is the unbelievably beautiful cover.  It sparked my interest, so I had to have this book. 

I have always had good luck with Disney Hypersion so I had high hopes for this book.  The only other alien books I have read consist of the Lux series, so the bar was set high.  I also read tons of great reviews praising this book.   I was expecting more from this book than what I got.  I’m not sure if the build-up was so high that I wanted to fall in love with the characters but I didn’t and I wanted to so bad.

The plot and premise was interesting and the delivery was good to.  I’m not sure if the word building was lacking or it was my connection to the characters but this book missed the mark for me.  The story was not bad nor was the writing style, but I just couldn’t get into it. 

The characters went from blah to better by the end of the story but I felt something was still lacking.  Maybe I just need more personality or emotions.  It almost felt robotic if that makes sense. 

I do want to love this series so I will stick with it and read the follow up and hope for better. 

Synopsis:

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Another Little Piece of my Heart


Another Little Piece Of My Heart by Tracey Martin


I have never read a re-telling of Persuasion quite like this.  I loved the modern plot.  I loved the long lost love.  I loved the drama.  I loved this book. 

The characters adapt and develop nicely throughout this book.  The catchy story-line is great.  Who doesn’t love a musician? I’ll take one Jared to go please.

Synopsis:

At her dying mother’s request, Claire dumps Jared, the only boy she’s ever loved. Left with a broken family and a broken heart, Claire is furious when she discovers that her biggest regret became Jared’s big break. While Jared is catapulted into rock-star status, another piece of Claire’s heart crumbles every time his song plays on the radio.

The summer after her senior year, it’s been months since the big break-up, and Claire is just trying to keep her head down and make it through a tense trip to the beach with her family. But when Jared shows up, and old feelings reignite, can Claire and Jared let go of the past? Or will they be stuck singing the same old refrain?

Midnight Magic Mystery Series by Jennifer Harlow


What’s A Witch to Do? By Jennifer Harlow
A Midnight Magic Mystery # 1
 
 

 

Don’t judge a book by its cover.  This cover did not impress me, but I gave it a go and I am sure glad I did. This paranormal romance was right up my alley for a quick read.  Harlow creates a whole cast of quirky characters in What’s a Witch to Do? The strong female heroine who can take care of herself is one of my favorite things about this book.  The other cast members include an uptight doctor, a sexy werewolf, a couple of cute kids and cousins galore round out the perfection of the plot.  With mystery, romance, and a paranormal twist you can not go wrong with this book.

 

Mona McGregor, guardian of her nieces, high priestess, shop owner, and single lady, gets a knock on her door in the middle of the night she never expected it to be Adam Blue, sexy werewolf.  He is bleeding and explains that Mona’s life is in danger and someone is trying to kill her.  Mona and Adam try to get to the bottom of this mystery.  Although, Mona has her eyes set on a hot doctor who is new in town.  Mona tries to juggle her life, romance, and this mystery while helping her sister with last minute wedding plans.



 
Werewolf Sings The Blues by Jennifer Harlow

A Midnight Magic Mystery # 2


So I read What’s A Witch To Do? Last year and was pleasantly surprised on how much I liked it.  So I thought that I would keep up with the series and try Werewolf Sings The Blues.  When I open this book it points out that this book is set 8 years before the previous.  I thought to be strange, but gave it a go anyway.

I really enjoyed this book.  It mentioned the characters in the previous book faintly.  It is a good mix of action and romance.  I loved the sarcasm and banter of the characters.  This book has a hint of mystery but nothing that requires too much thinking.

I loved Jason.  He is the perfect strong, silent type.

Synopsis:

 The last thing Vivian needs is to be thrust into a werewolf war

If Vivian Dahl's life had a soundtrack, every song would be the Blues. She's pushing thirty, her singing career is going nowhere, and the partying lifestyle is taking its toll. Plus, a mysterious man is stalking her. But when she's abducted from a singing gig, Vivian is surprised to see her stalker become her savior. Jason is her werewolf rescuer sent by the biological father who abandoned her as a baby. Finding herself on the run, Vivian drives across America with the enigmatic Jason and learns about the werewolf war her father's pack is caught in. Now that an opposing pack has targeted her, Jason will stop at nothing to make sure Vivian's song isn't cut short

Grayslake Series by Celia Kyle


No Ifs, Ands, Or Bears About It by Celia Kyle

Grayslake # 1
 
No ifs, ands, or Bears About it is the first installment of Celia Kyle’s new series Grayslake.  I had no idea when I received this book it was a series, but by the time I finished it I hoped we would be getting more of these characters.

I really love this world of bear shifters that Ms. Kyle has introduced me to.  This is the first bear shifter book that I have read.  I really felt vested in the world of Grayslake.

This action packed paranormal romance brought a lot to the table and left me hungry for more. 

I can’t wait to see how Parker makes out with his new family and I really want to meet Mia’s new cub.  Oh, and can I please have a Ty for myself?

I hope we can meet Isaac in the next book.  He is so swoon worthy!

 

Synopsis:

The first day of Mia’s new life in Grayslake, Georgia is not going as planned. The house her grandfather left her looks ready to crumble, boxes cover every inch of the floor and—oh—there’s a bear cub in her pantry. It gets worse when the cub’s uncle comes by and busts out his fur and claws while on her front porch. Then it gets loads better because suddenly there’s a hot hunk of badge-wearing werebear on her lawn ready to rescue her. Yum. Of course, he has to ruin things by trying to take the cub out of her hands. Ha! The cub is hers… No ifs, ands, or bears about it.

Werebear Ty can’t seem to get the curvaceous, delectable Mia to understand that, even if she is one-quarter werebear, she isn’t keeping the cub. Ty is the Grayslake Itan, the clan’s leader, and the little werebear is going home with him… Unless it isn’t. It’s her smile. If she’d stop smiling and being gorgeous, his inner-bear would support him and Ty would get his way. But the beast wants to make their woman happy, so it’s perfectly content to let her do as she pleases. Then things change. Threats arise, danger comes close, and Ty demands she return to his den. No ifs, ands, or mates about that.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Something Borrowed


Something Borrowed by Adriana Hunter



Ok, so when I read the blurb I was gearing up for some epic book like the movie The Wedding Planner.  Yeah, you know the one with Jennifer Lopez.  Well either I had high hopes or this one was an epic fail. 

It was entertaining, but the characters lacked development and interest.  It was your typical rich guy meets bitchy girl, guy wants to marry said girl, girl is so hung up on the perfect wedding that the guy falls for the wedding planner story.

Enough said!

Synopsis:

What do you do when the one man you were meant to be with already belongs to another?

For Dana Marshall, new wedding planner and curvy single, "always the bridesmaid, never the bride" seems to be the story of her life. But when she is assigned to assist popular wedding planner Vienna Saunders in managing a dream wedding for an important client, nothing can prepare her for the face-to-face encounter with the insanely handsome groom, Benjamin Carter. Sparks fly, and the chemistry between them is undeniable. Except he doesn't belong to Dana. He's off limits, forbidden and if she ever expects to walk away from the job with her heart still intact she needs to play by the rules. Except as far as true love is concerned, rules are meant to be broken.



 

The Jamesburg Shifters by Lynn Red


To Catch A Wolf by Lynn Red

The Jamesburg Shifters # 1

 

To Catch A Wolf  is the first installment to The Jamesburg Shifters series by Lynn Red.

This is a paranormal romance with a hint of mystery.  I feel like I have read so many paranormal books that this one just didn’t stick out to me.  I didn’t think it was a bad book or poorly written, just didn’t have that wow factor.  Since Twilight this genre has become overwhelmed with paranormal book, and a lot of them are great so the competition is stiff and this book just couldn’t compete. 

It was short and the chemistry was there. I just think this genre is a little too competitive.  The author did do a good job of bringing something different to the table in her shifter world with her zombies. That was a plus.

 

Synopsis:

Sometimes a wolf's gotta fight and growl and bite. But Erik? He just needs a mate.

Erik Danniken is the alpha of Jamesburg, a small town hidden from the world and full of shifters of all stripes. But underneath it all, he's just a muscled-up, rough-shod bad boy of a werewolf with a tattoo that goes all the way up his chest and sticks out the collar of his shirt. He's down to his last nerve, but he's willing to fight one last time... for the woman he loves.

Sometimes a girl needs romance and wine and sweet kisses. But Izzy? She just needs a job.


Isabel Taylor was more than a little frustrated when she answered a very vague job ad to be the personal assistant of a mayor in a town she didn't know existed. That was two years ago. Curvy, tough and with more than a little bit of a naughty streak, Izzy has long since gotten used to the weirdness of everyday life in Jamesburg... but she's fallen hard for Erik's rough charm.

Erik wants to claim her forever, marking Izzy as his honest-to-goodness mate. Izzy wants him to quit being such a coward and just come out and do it, but will a good old-fashioned small town scandal make them keep their love a secret, and in the process, kill it before it can grow?

Note: The Jamesburg Shifters is a series of standalone books. Each installment has its own hero and heroine, and the stories never cross over. Each novel or novella is a complete story, complete with happy-ever-after ending. Enjoy!


Worth the Fight Series by Michele Mannon


Knock Out by Michele Mannon

Worth The Fight # 1



 
Knock Out is the first installment in Michele Mannon’s new series Worth The Fight.  This is a great series opener for those of you who love MMA/fighter type books.  This sub-genre is one of my favorites.

This is an excellent story with good character depth and development.  I loved the flawed-to-perfection characters, humorous banter, and hot chemistry. 

I love a good alpha male and this one did not disappoint.  If you liked Real then check this one out.  It is sure to be a hit!

Synopsis:

Logan Rettino never imagined she'd fall so far. Dropped by her ex on national TV, she's gone from prima ballerina to ring card girl, reduced to revving up the crowds before MMA bouts. However distasteful she finds her new job, it pays well…and she needs the money if she's ever going to rebuild her life. Promised a huge bonus if she can convince a brooding, gifted welterweight to keep fighting, she'll do whatever it takes to earn his trust.

Keane O'Shea is unbeatable in the octagon. A former marine, he fights with a ruthlessness no gym jockey can match. He knows his brutal strength is too much for the delicate ex-ballerina, regardless of how fascinating he finds Logan's tight dancer's body. But one private performance and he's drawn to her in a way he can't—or won't—resist.

As Logan discovers the heartbreaking truth that lies beneath this handsome warrior's rage, she'll need to forfeit everything she thought mattered for the one thing that matters the most: saving Keane from himself.

Bad Boys Gone Good Series by Reese Ryan


Love Me Not by Reese Ryan

Bad Boys Gone Good # 2

 

Love Me Not is the second installment in the Bad Boys Gone Good series by Reese Ryan.

The premise of the book sounded interesting and the follow through was good.  I love flawed characters and these characters are flawed to say the least.  I love the growth of the characters as the story progresses.

The ending jumped around a little and at the halfway point it seems to lull some, but other than that the book was good. 

I hope to see Ex get his own story!

 

Synopsis:

 Abandoned by a mother who chose drugs over her, Jamie Charles barely got out of her own addiction alive. Now, she pours her pain into her art while pouring drinks at a local bar. To Jamie, love is a four-letter word—until she meets Miles, a charming ad exec with piercing blue eyes who makes no secret about his desire for her.

Miles Copeland has family demons of his own, but his unhappy upbringing drove him toward hard work and success. He's determined to win Jamie over, and when he finally does, it's worth every moment he spent waiting. But when he confesses that he's falling for her, she panics. Sex is one thing, but love requires more than she can give.

Jamie can't deny her feelings, but she's haunted by her past. Miles knows his heart, but Jamie's lingering doubts have him questioning their future. It might take the threat of losing him forever for her to realize that refusing to let love in is the worst mistake of all.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

The Billionaire’s Paradigm


The Billionaire’s Paradigm by Cerys de Lys
 
 

Ok, I was thinking that this book went on forever.  But as I am researching this book was broken up into seven parts.  I think reading them that way would be better and have readers hooked more on this story than giving them everything in this book all at once.  I have to admit it was a little overwhelming to read and it seemed like it took forever to get thought.  Toward the end I was thinking “when is this story going to end?” and saw myself drifting a little.

The story itself is good.  I was hooked in the beginning and it continued throughout this saga.  However, I would highly suggest reading the novella’s as to the whole story at once.  I do think I would have fallen harder for this series if I would have had it in little doses. 

The characters are great and develop nicely as the story progresses.  The pace is fast and plot changes so much it is hard to lose interest.

Overall, a good read.

 

Synopsis:

Trapped in a library during a blizzard, Elise finds herself forced into isolation with Lucent Storme, the untoward magnate who's rumored to have more than a few forbidden desires and darker passions. Both appalled and allured by his sordid sophistication, struggling to come to terms with what she knows and what she feels, she finds herself drawn to this man who seems both powerful and fractured all at once. Lucent's secrets and dominant obsessions may be more than Elise can handle, though, and her gentle curiosity is just as likely to cause her pain and heartbreak as it is to bring her happiness...

(A Cerys du Lys contemporary romance novel)

When Elise Tanner finds herself trapped in a library with Lucent Storme during a record-breaking blizzard, she panics. He might not know her, but she knows more than enough about him. Besides being the newly appointed Director of Public Relations for Landseer Enterprises and an influential business magnate, there are rumors that he has a taste for the darker side of sexuality.

He seems fake, false, excessively demanding, too self-important by far, and... with over six feet of snow expected and the streets completely unmanageable, there's absolutely no way for her to escape him.

He's so predatory and dominant, yet beneath his rakish and enigmatic exterior, she senses there's more to this mysterious and isolated man. He's charming and intelligent (though reserved and terse), begrudgingly handsome, and surprisingly thoughtful. Unintentionally, Elise finds herself drawn to Lucent in a way that defies logic.

Unfortunately the snow may be the least of her worries. One disaster begets another and not everything is as it seems with the man who holds a sole singular obsession above all others. Will Elise's curiosity be her undoing? Is she unwittingly playing right into Lucent's hand; his dark desires and commanding personality? Or can she discover His Absolute Purpose, the reason he hides himself behind a facade of formality, and gain a deeper, more emotional and intimate connection with the compelling Director of Public Relations?

The snow may have brought them together, but it can't keep them together forever. What happens when the ice begins to melt?

Powerful, sensual, and commanding. This poignant story of love, attraction, and temptation will bind you, entwine you, and thrill you until the very end

Cinderella Series by Aubrey Rose


Me, Cinderella? by Aubrey Rose

Cinderella # 1



 
What initially drew me to this book was the awesome cover!  I read the blurb and I really was excited to read this book.  It fits into two of my favorite categories, NA and student/teacher relationship.  Having said that the relationship has to be age appropriate, no pedophilias please!

The premise of this book was great, but unfortunately my hopes were too high for this book.  I was thinking the next great book on my Kindle and it was a good read, but it was not great.  I thought that the author went a little overboard on the math in this book and the romance was lacking.  But if you are into math then give this book a shot.  I was not bad in anyway, just not what I had expected.

Having said that, the next book in this series is loaded on my Kindle and I will begin reading the Broken Prince now. 

 

Synopsis:

One kind deed can change your life forever...

Brynn Tomlin could never afford to follow her heart. But when she sees a stranger shivering in the snow outside of the college library, an inexplicable urge leads her to buy him a hot cup of coffee. It's just a small act of kindness, a few words of conversation. Brynn should be focusing on her finals, after all, not on the man who looked up at her gratefully with piercing blue eyes.

He could have been anyone - a janitor on break, a graduate student, a bum. But the man standing outside in the cold turns out to be Dr. Eliot Herceg, one of the most brilliant minds in mathematics and heir to a fortune. After years of reclusive isolation, he now finds his heart awakening to the kind girl whose name he does not know.

Brynn has spent her life trying to forget her desires, and Eliot's deep wounds have taken nearly a decade to heal. After so much hurt, will either of them be able to open their hearts again?

 

Broken Prince by Aubrey Rose
Cinderella # 2

 


Again the cover on this book is great!  I love to follow a good series and thought that I would move forward with this one.  Where Me, Cinderella? left off my interest was piqued enough to dive right into this one.  I am so glad I did.

This installment gives us lots of back-story on Brynn and Eliot.  We learn more about Brynn’s mother’s death and Eliot’s wife’s death.  They are still doing math. 

The romance in this book is lacking.  I would have loved to see more to say the least.  The emotions do run high in this addition and the characters seem to be working through their “baggage”. 

This book is better than the first in the series.  If you are looking for an emotional story that has little romance then this is the book for you.  If you are a romance lover like myself, then I might choose something else.

Synopsis:

The thrilling new follow up to the new adult bestseller Me, Cinderella? by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Aubrey Rose!

Happily ever after is just what they say in books. Real life is MUCH more complicated.

Brynn can't believe her good luck. Her Cinderella story continues as she finds herself studying math in a castle on the edge of a Hungarian forest. However, no fairy tale lasts forever, and a letter about her mother's death opens up a whole new world of nightmares...

Eliot, finally back in Hungary, is haunted by the lie he told ten years ago to protect his family. Now he finds that he can no longer hide his dark past from Brynn, and time is running out to finish his life's work in mathematics.

The problem that neither one of them can solve is this:

Once broken, can two shattered lives ever be made whole again?

 

 

 

 
Lush Curves: The Complete Series by Delilah Fawkes

Anytime an author attempts to write a book I appreciate it, even if I do not like it.  This is the case with Lush Curves. As I am writing this review I feel torn.  I did not love the book, but it did hold my interest until I finished. 

I felt the characters had no depth and were not relatable.  The story was fast paced and almost felt rushed.  Even though I did not connect with this book, it was not a bad story. 
 
I did like the cover!
 

Synopsis:

Aolani Kahale has always had big dreams, putting everything on the line when she moved from Hawaii to the mainland in hopes of opening her own photography studio.

When the firm she works for takes on a photo shoot for a mysterious Scotsman's yacht company, she hopes she'll get the big break she needs. However, CEO Gavin Fletcher doesn't want her behind the camera. He wants her to be his new model--the face and body of his "Live Beautifully" campaign.

Aolani's always been shy about her curves, but the job offer is one she can't resist, including travel through the Carribean on Gavin's private yacht. When sparks fly between them, they both struggle to remain professional, but traveling in tight quarters makes it all but impossible.

What Aolani doesn't know is that Gavin Fletcher has a dark secret; a vow he made long ago to never love again after his girlfriend, Fiona, drowned on the night he'd planned on proposing.

One passionate affair, one incredible journey, and two hearts yearning for one another... Lush Curves is a series you won't soon forget from best-selling romance author, Delilah Fawkes.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Eagle Elite Series by Rachel Van Dyken


Elite by Rachel Van Dyken

Eagle Elite # 1



 

Elite is the first book in the Eagle Elite series by Rachel Van Dyken.  This NA book is a great start to a hot new series.

Everyone knows I am a fan of series and NA so this book was made for me.  The drama, suspense, and mystery in this book had me salivating for more. 

Without giving anything away, I loved the fresh new take that Elite brings to this genre. 

This series is sure to hook readers and make Ms. Van Dyken new fans!

 

Synopsis:

For Tracey Rooks, life with her grandparents on a Wyoming farm has always been simple. But after her grandmother's death, Tracey is all her grandfather has. So when Eagle Elite University announces its annual scholarship lottery, Tracey jumps at the opportunity to secure their future and enters. She isn't expecting much-but then she wins. And life as she knows it will never be same . . .

The students at Eagle Elite are unlike any she's ever met . . . and they refuse to make things easy for her. There's Nixon, gorgeous, irresistible, and leader of a group that everyone fears: The Elect. Their rules are simple. 1. Do not touch The Elect. 2. Do not look at The Elect. 3. Do not speak to The Elect. No matter how hard she tries to stay away, The Elect are always around her and it isn't long until she finds out the reason why they keep their friends close and their enemies even closer. She just didn't realize she was the enemy -- until it was too late.


 

Elect by Rachel Van Dyken

Eagle Elite # 2


 
Elect is the second installment of Rachel Van Dyken’s Eagle Elite series.  For fans of this series this addition does not disappoint. 

In this book we dive deeper into the lives of the Eagle Elite and their “choice” lifestyle.  I do not want to give this plot line away for those of you who have not read the first book. 

I love this unique story.  The characters are great too.  This is NA perfection!

Synopsis:

Would you die for the one you love?
Nixon Abandonato made his choice. And now he has to pay the price. Tracey is the love of his life, but being with him has made her a target of his family's enemies. The only way to keep Trace alive is convince the world she means nothing to him.

Trace Rooks has fallen irrevocably in love with the son of her family's sworn rival, and she knows in her bones nothing can tear them apart. Until Nix suddenly pushes her away and into the arms of his best friend... But Trace isn't ready to give up on a future with Nix--and if he won't fight for them, she will.

In the end, a sacrifice must be made. A life for a life. For what better way to cover a multitude of sins than with the blood of a sinner . . .