Thursday’s Thought…
Kimberly reviews Irresistible Force by D.D. Ayers
TITLE: Irresistible Force
SERIES #: K-9 Rescue #1
CHARACTERS: Main Characters
AUTHOR: D.D. Ayers
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/26/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When adrenaline runs high, so does the force of desire…
For Shay Appleton, it’s love at first sight when a gorgeous stray dog is brought into the animal shelter where she works. She just knows he’ll make a terrific watch dog—and with an abusive ex who won’t let go, she needs all the protection she can get. But Shay never suspected that her new pet is actually a trained police K-9 named Bogart—until Bogart’s even more gorgeous, human partner shows up on her doorstep.
Officer James Cannon is one tall, strong alpha male who’s convinced that Shay stole his dog. But once he gets closer to the suspect, he realizes that this stubborn, independent woman not only needs a guard dog, she needs James as well. It seems that someone from her past is stalking her, and threatening her life. When danger meets desire, will James risk his career and his best friend…to protect the woman who’s stolen his heart?
REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts I really enjoyed this story. I read it in one sitting and couldn’t get enough. I loved James. What an incredibly sweet and caring yet possessive and protective guy. He is the perfect boyfriend. And Shay needs just that. Boy that girl has so much going on I can’t believe the author will be able to come up with something else in the next story. Talk about a bad couple of weeks! It did get to be a little much at some points but Shay takes it on and you just want to cheer for her. How James doesn’t want to just run away is beyond question but he doesn’t, he holds on tighter and I adored him for that.
And Bogart. Oh I am in love. So many stories with dogs have them as a background character who barely makes a scene but not Bogart. He is a full on part of this story. He has such a personality. He smiles, he gives mischievous looks and protects with everything he has and yet pull out a ball and he is all puppy.
This is such a great romance and yet does have a bit of suspense to it too. I think any fan of romance, suspense or of dogs will love this story. I did!
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Kelly reviews Miami, Mistletoe and Murder by Karie Reus
TITLE: Miami, Mistletoe and Murder
SERIES #: Red Stone Security #4
CHARACTERS: Travis Sanchez & Noel Baskov
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
PUBLICATION DATE: October 31, 2012
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Fierce and sexy, former Marine Travis Sanchez has always held himself back from the rest of the world, using his tattoos and piercings as armor. But when the woman he’s wanted for months is threatened, he knows it’s time to strip away the bad boy image and show her just how much he wants to be with her. As one of Red Stone Security’s best contractors, Travis is trained for almost any situation. But nothing prepares him for the most dangerous threat of all: the one to his heart.
Kind-hearted Noel Baskov’s only wish for the holidays is that her Miami coffee shop has a successful Christmas season. But her focus on work is interrupted when the family of the young girl she mentors is threatened, and the man she’s been lusting after for months steps in to handle it. Unfortunately the danger is far from over. Can this sexy and mysterious warrior protect Noel, or will he be the one to shatter her heart?
Warning: features a heroine determined to fight for those she cares about, a protective hero with a very interesting piercing, and some holiday magic.
REVIEW:
This was a really quick read only about 87 pages. Since this was a novella I won’t give too much away but Travis & Noel are about to stumble into a situation that would put strain any relationship let alone a new relationship. I loved Travis and Noel. These two were a fun couple to read about.
If you have loved any of Katie’s other Red Stone Security stories you will love Miami, Mistletoe & Murder.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & CrushStar Multimedia LLC in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Kimberly reviews Stone Cold Lover by Christine Warren
TITLE: Stone Cold Lover
SERIES #: Gargoyles #2
CHARACTERS: Felicity & Spar
AUTHOR: Christine Warren
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/26/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A prominent art restorer, Felicity is more than game to help a friend track down an obscure statue in Montreal. But when “Fil” finds it, she’s taken by surprise at how drawn she is to this statue. Attracted to it in a way a girl shouldn’t lust for a stone gargoyle, she revists it at night, longing to feel its embrace. Little does Fil know, her desire for this stone cold beast is about to heat up a notch.
Locked in stone for centuries, Spar has slept, waiting for when a human would need him. When he is awoken, Spar is taken aback to find that a human female needs his help. A very sexy woman who’s about to be the victim of a cultist attack. Saving and leaving her should be no problem. But as more questions arise, Spar knows that he cannot rest until Fil is safe in his arms.
REVIEW:
First let me say that this is the second in the series and when I picked it up I actually thought it was the second in another series about gargoyles so I was very confused when I started reading this one. And honestly I never really got into the story. Most certainly you need to read the first one to understand this story. While the romance of it can stand alone the background story can not and while it is explained throughout the story something is missing by having not read the first one.
Spar and Fil are sweet for lack of a better word. Spar is overbearing and protective but do you think a gargoyle who comes to life would be anything but? And Fil has a sarcastic and snide sense of humor which is kind of fun to read.
All in all I would say it is a good story if you start from the beginning and understand it.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Kimberly reviews The Best Kind Of Trouble by Lauren Dane
TITLE: The Best Kind Of Trouble
SERIES #: The Hurley Boys #1
CHARACTERS: Natalie & Paddy
AUTHOR: Lauren Dane
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/26/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She has complete control… and he’s determined to take it away
A librarian in the small town of Hood River, Natalie Clayton’s world is very nearly perfect. After a turbulent childhood and her once-wild ways, life is now under control. But trouble has a way of turning up unexpectedly—especially in the tall, charismatically sexy form of Paddy Hurley….
And Paddy is the kind of trouble that Natalie has a taste for.
Even after years of the rock and roll lifestyle, Paddy never forgot the two wickedly hot weeks he once shared with Natalie. Now he wants more… even if it means tempting Natalie and her iron-grip control. But there’s a fine line between well-behaved and misbehaved—and the only compromise is between the sheets!
REVIEW:
2.5 Hearts I am on the fence about this book. But leaning towards the just ok side. First it was a bit wordy and secondly I am not really sure the characters ever really connected. It is also written in an odd manor. It is as if the writer is trying to make the conversations too real but going so far that the wording seems off.
I really am not sure what Paddy sees in Natalie. She has so many issues and never sees to enjoy life. Yes she used to so I can see his connection to her then but not now. Paddy is sweet. Not really the alpha macho man that the synopsis made me think he would be. But he is sweet.
I enjoyed the connection between the brothers and think maybe I would enjoy the story of Ezra and Tuesday better than this one.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
What releases the week of August 25th? Check here!
Natasha reviews Memory Zero by Keri Arthur
TITLE: Memory Zero
SERIES #: The Spook Squad #1
CHARACTERS: Sam & Gabriel
AUTHOR: Keri Arthur
PUBLICATION DATE: 8/26/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
For Sam Ryan, life began at age fourteen. She has no memory of her parents or her childhood. In a decade of service with the State Police, Sam has exhausted the resources of the force searching for clues to her identity. But all mention of her family seems to have been deliberately wiped off the record. Everything changes the night Sam’s missing partner resurfaces as a vampire . . . and forces her to kill him in self-defense. Now Sam is charged with murder. Suspended from the force, and with no one left to trust, Sam accepts some unexpected help from Gabriel Stern, a shapeshifter who conceals startling secrets.
While investigating the circumstances surrounding her partner’s strange behavior, Sam discovers that Gabriel’s been involved with a dangerous organization that’s planning a war on the human race. More immediate, someone is guarding the truth about Sam’s past—someone who’d rather see her dead than risk her knowing too much. To stay alive, Sam must unravel the threads of her past—and find out not only who she is but what she is.
REVIEW:
Can I give this more than 5 stars? I’d sure like to. I read it in one day, and stayed up until 4am to finish because I couldn’t put it down! I have a six month old baby, so sleep is definitely precious to me nowadays, so my forfeit of that tells you how much value I put on this story. I loved this book! I’ve always been a big Keri Arthur fan, and was so excited to see this series. This story had everything: action, tension, infatuation, drama, explosions, prison escapes etc. The character interaction was fabulous, and the supporting characters extremely strong! I particularly enjoy when the characters in the books I read display common sense and these did. It’s really refreshing to see a story unfold without all the unnecessary idiocy of character manipulation. There are so many questions to be answered, and these two are a great team. I sooo want to see more of Sam and Gabriel together and cannot wait for book 2 release!
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Natasha reviews Lord Of Vengeance by Lara Adrian
TITLE: Lord of Vengeance
CHARACTERS: Gunnar & Raina
AUTHOR: Lara Adrian as Tina St. John
PUBLICATION DATE: 4/11/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Taken captive by Gunnar Rutledge, a dark knight sworn to destroy her father, Raina d’Bussy must teach forgiveness to a man who knows no mercy and lives only to exact revenge on his enemy. But time in Gunnar’s keep stirs an unwanted passion in Raina, and something far more perilous, when she finds herself falling in love with the one man she should never desire.
For Gunnar, vengeance is all that matters. He seeks the ultimate price from his enemy’s beautiful young daughter, claiming Raina as his hostage. But the proud beauty defies him at every turn, tempting him like no other. Setting out to break Raina’s glorious spirit, Gunnar instead finds himself bewitched by her goodness, her strength. Can he seize the justice he is due without losing Raina forever?
REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I’m torn with this book. I absolutely love Lara Adrian and wanted to give a try to the stories she wrote as Tina St. John, so I started with the stand alone book Lord of Vengeance. Unfortunately the book started off really slowly, and I almost put it down multiple times. Raina and Gunnar did not have as much interaction as I would’ve liked in the beginning half of the book. It literally took 17 chapters before they had a full conversation, which was frustrating to me. However, from that point forward the story took on a lot of momentum and I couldn’t wait to finish. Such treachery took place that threw everything into turmoil and it was a very intense second half. I ended up really enjoying the story, especially Raina and Gunnar together. Gunnar is a very special soul and I am happy we got to see the sweet side of him.
Disclaimer:
I purchased a copy of this book. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Kelly, Jennifer & Kimberly review It’s In His Kiss by Jill Shalvis
TITLE: It’s In His Kiss
SERIES #: Lucky Harbor #10
CHARACTERS: Sam Brody & Becca Thorpe
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE: August 26, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
ONE KISS CAN LAST FOREVER
Becca Thorpe has uprooted her life and escaped to the beach. Now’s her chance to get away from city living, throw caution to the ocean winds, and live in the moment. Especially if the moment includes the deliciously sexy surfer she meets shortly after arriving in Lucky Harbor. Something about the dark intensity of Sam’s eyes and the thrill she gets at his touch convinces her to stay awhile.
Boatbuilder and investment genius Sam Brody is a self-made man who knows how dangerous it can be to mix business and pleasure. But he can’t resist offering Becca a job just to hear her laugh and have her near. Yet when her brother comes to town asking for help, will he tempt her back to her glamorous life in the city? Or do Sam and little Lucky Harbor have a chance to win Becca’s heart?
KELLY’S REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Lucky Harbor is just going to be a pit stop in Becca Thorpe’s journey to find happiness. A beautiful pit stop with the Pacific Ocean as it’s backdrop and delicious ranch flavored popcorn. Oh and did I mention the amazing view a very sexy surfer? But that is not way she is here. Men are not on her list. Becca is here to get her life back on track. Except a certain sexy surfer keeps getting in her way.
Sam Brody is the one that everyone comes to. If you have a question in Lucky Harbor the answer is “Go ask Sam, he know everything”. Well Sam just met something, no scratch that someone that he doesn’t know how to handle. Oh he thinks he does, but he doesn’t. Sam’s tough exterior is not going to be any kind protection for the likes of Becca. But the problem is that Sam doesn’t let people close ever.
As with every trip to the to Lucky Harbor I totally fell in love with characters and their story. Sam & Becca are so good together. Once Sam finally get’s over his “rules” ;). I loved the Becca even with her faults is able to weasel her way into Sam’s heart and through the poor guy for a loop. Again I love Lucky Harbor and it’s inhabitants. I really wish I could go visit this please of true love and nosy neighbors. But until Jill tells me the location of this secret town I will wait patiently (okay not so patiently) for the next Lucky Harbor novel.
JENNIFER’S REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts I believe that this is one of my favorite Lucky Harbor books to date. Becca Thorpe moved to Lucky Harbor to start a new life and deal with the memories of her past. She never expected to move in next door to the sexy yet grumpy Sam Brody. Sam has a tough as nails exterior to protect himself from any emotional attachment and Becca slowly breaks down Sam’s carefully built walls. Together, they just may find the love that they have always been searching for.
I will be honest, I didn’t like Sam in the beginning of the book because of that gruff exterior that he was always hiding behind. The more I read about him and how he let his guard down with Becca, made me fall in love with him as well. He always did things for the people that he cared about, he just had a difficult time actually saying the words that Becca wanted to hear. His motto was “actions, not words” and he did some amazing things for Becca over the course of the book.
Becca didn’t seem like a very strong character to me in the first few chapters but I was soon impressed by the way that she held everything together after all the things that happened to her because of her family. It brought me to tears to know that she had dealt with that much pain and was still able to put herself out there emotionally with Sam. Sam’s love brought out the best in her and was the strong support that she needed to deal with the issues that still plagued her daily life.
It’s in His Kiss is a beautifully written romance about two kindred spirits that find love when they least expected it. Ms. Shalvis has done a wonderful job creating these characters and her books are always a winner for me. Can’t wait to read Cole and Olivia’s story next in He’s So Fine.
KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Another wonderful visit to Lucky Harbor. This is one of my favorite series and I am saddened that there is only a couple to go before Jill Shalvis leaves Lucky Harbor behind. This story was one of my favorites in the series. I adored Sam. He is quiet, responsible and good hearted but something about Becca turns him inside out and we get to see another side to him. I loved how he opened up with Becca. He was so quick to protect and is really a romantic guy. I love that he gets that Becca’s weakness is the ranch popcorn and not flowers. Any man who understands his woman that well has to be a good guy.
And Becca. She has had to deal with a lot and has had a hard time but she still has such a great sense of humor and openness about her. I wanted to be her friend from page 1 when she tells the ocean she would marry it and have it’s babies if she hadn’t already promised her heart to the popcorn. She made me chuckle right then and I knew I would love her. And I did all the way through the book.
I also enjoyed the bro-mance of Cole, Tanner and Sam. The closeness they have is endearing and really makes the background of this book. I can’t wait to read their stories in He’s So Fine and One In A Million. And then I will have to shed a few tears to leave Lucky Harbor forever.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Forever (Grand Central Publishing) in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Kimberly reviews Sandpiper Island by Donna Kauffman
TITLE: Sandpiper Island
SERIES #: Bachelors Of Blueberry Cove #3
CHARACTERS: Delia & Ford
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/26/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ford Maddox was running from his past when he came back to Blueberry Cove, Maine, where he’d tasted both heartache and comfort. With feisty Delia O’Reilly there to cheer him on, he couldn’t have picked a better place to start over—even if he’s determined to do it alone in his island tree house, working to save endangered seabirds . . . and himself.
But when he finds Delia fighting to hold on to her local diner, and all that’s best about their little seaside town, Ford has to lend a hand. Suddenly two fiercely independent people are building something sweeter than they ever imagined . . . together.
REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I had a hard time with this story. It took a long time to connect with Ford. He is so stand-offish that it is hard to enjoy him. Yes he finally does warm up. Delia is sweet and I enjoyed her when we met her in the last story but she is so sad in this story. I am not sre the connection between the characters is there for most of the story. They spend a lot of time apologizing for what they say to each other because they never seem to say what they really want to say. The interesting thing is this couple is older so that was cool. Once Ford warmed up and lightened up it became more fun to read and he really became romantic and sweet.
While I enjoyed this story it was not one of my favorites from Kauffman. Something was just a bit off about this story which is hard for me to say because I really enjoy Kauffman’s works.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Kelly reviews Tangle Of Need by Nalini Singh
TITLE: Tangle of Need
SERIES #: Psy-Changeling #11
CHARACTERS: Riaz & Adria
AUTHOR: Nalini Singh
NARRATOR: Angela Dawe
PUBLICATION DATE: May 29, 2012
RUN TIME: 15 Hours & 40 Minutes
ORDER LINKS:Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Adria, wolf changeling and resilient soldier, has made a break with the past—one as unpredictable in love as it was in war. Now comes a new territory, and a devastating new complication: Riaz, a SnowDancer lieutenant already sworn to a desperate woman who belongs to another.
For Riaz, the primal attraction he feels for Adria is a staggering betrayal. For Adria, his dangerous lone-wolf appeal is beyond sexual. It consumes her. It terrifies her. It threatens to undermine everything she has built of her new life. But fighting their wild compulsion toward one another proves a losing battle.
Their coming together is an inferno…and a melding of two wounded souls who promise each other no commitment, no ties, no bonds. Only pleasure. Too late, they realize that they have more to lose than they ever imagined. Drawn into a cataclysmic Psy war that may alter the fate of the world itself, they must make a decision that might just break them both.
REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts Another great book from Nalini. Seriously loving this series and I am so glad that I took the time to listen to them on audio. Ms.Dawe is an awesome narrator that is able to deliver Nalini’s story amazing way. Thank you to both of theses ladies for this series.
**Okay there may be a spoiler from here. So if you have not read you may want to stop. But I will do my best to be not give much away.
I loved that there was so much of Hawke & Sienna in this book 🙂 I think the people that felt there was not enough (I was not one of them) of Hawke and Sienna in Kiss of Snow will be very happy with how much we get to see the SnowDancer Alpha couple. And they are just as prickly sweet as ever. Of course my main man Judd is in this book. Love love love that guy. I really need to get a shirt that says I
But the main story is Riaz & Adria. These two’s story was so heart breaking. I felt for them on such a deep level that I kept waiting for Ms. Singh to make it right. But she didn’t. There was no bandaid for these two to cover up their wounds. And that made me really sad. BUT!!! Unlike some of the reviews I read. I think the Ms. Singh did right by these two and left a door open for there to become more. I am truly hoping that is the case. I guess only time will tell.
I can’t wait to get into Kaleb’s book. There is so much more to this Former Councilor than meets the eye.
Disclaimer:
I purchased this book from Audible and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Kelly reviews Lover At Last by JR Ward
TITLE: Lover At Last
SERIES #: Black Dagger Brotherhood #11
CHARACTERS: Blaylock & Qhuinn
AUTHOR: JR Ward
PUBLICATION DATE: March 26, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another….
Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.
Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions… but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together… finally become one
REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts So much better…. So so so much better than the previous book. I put off reading Lover at Last because I was so beside myself with how much I did not like the Lover Reborn. I was a little gun shy to say the least. But I am so glad that I read Lover at Last. Blay & Qhuinn needed this book so badly. While it was so very emotional and heart breaking to watch these two dance around each other the end result was worth the pain and torment they endured. Do I agree with the way they went about things? Not so much. I wish that Blay didn’t keep things from Qhuinn, but all part of the story. While a had an issue with a few minor things about Blay & Qhuinn’s story it didn’t change that I love that these two are happy.
I did find myself skimming over a few parts. There seem to be at least 3 stories being told in this book and I found that a few of those sub stories didn’t really interest me much. But all in all it was a good book and I am looking forward to starting The King.
Disclaimer:
This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.