Author: Kimberly

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Fast Track by Julie Garwood

fast trackTITLE: Fast Track
SERIES #: Buchanan-Renard #12
CHARACTERS: Cordelia & Aiden
AUTHOR: Julie Garwood
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/29/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Cordelia Kane has always been a daddy’s girl—her father raised her alone after her mother died in a car crash when Cordelia was just two years old. So when he has a serious heart attack, Cordelia is devastated, and the emotion is only intensified by the confusion she feels when he reveals the shocking truth about her mother.
Cordelia can’t suppress her curiosity about the woman who gave birth to her, and when she discovers the answers to her questions lie in Sydney, Australia, she travels there to get them.
Hotel magnate Aiden Madison is Cordelia’s best friend’s older brother. He’s oblivious to the fact that she’s had a crush on him for years. When he gets railroaded into taking her along to Sydney on his company jet, he unknowingly puts her life at risk. He’s recently angered a powerful congressman by refusing to purchase overvalued land. Congressman Chambers is not a man to let such an offense slide, and he has the resources to get even and to get what he wants.
In Australia sparks are flying between Cordelia and Aiden, but multiple attempts on Aiden’s life are made while Cordelia is with him, and he realizes he must put a stop to the madness before he loses the thing he values most.

REVIEW:
I have been a fan of Julie Garwood for so long I don’t remember not reading her books. And as with all of them I enjoyed this so much. Cordelia is such an interesting character. She has so much going on. This is really her story. Aiden is a little hard to enjoy. He sometimes has warm moments but mostly he is stressed and stand-offish. I did eventually start to like him but it did take a while.
That being said the story is so good and the background story of Cordelia’s family keeps your attention. I liked catching up with the couples from the last couple of books.
I will say this was probably not my favorite Garwood book but I still enjoyed it very much. I look forward to the next in the series. Whos will it be? Spenser? Walker? Either way I can’t wait!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Mastering The Marquess by Lavania Kent

mastering the marguessTITLE: Mastering The Marquess
SERIES #: Bound and Determined #1
CHARACTERS: Louisa & Geoffrey
AUTHOR: Lavania Kent
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/29/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
One night of fierce passion and unbound pleasure leaves two strangers craving much more in Lavinia Kent’s sumptuous novel of sensual discovery.
The time has come for the widow Louisa, Lady Brookingston, to move on, but she refuses to remarry at the cost of shaming her late husband’s memory. Their six years together were wedded bliss—even if a war injury prevented him from fulfilling his marital duties. Only one woman can help Louisa: Madame Rouge, the discreet proprietress of a club where London’s elite explore their wildest fantasies.
Geoffrey, the Marquess of Swanston, has no intention of agreeing to deflower an anonymous virgin. But when Madame Rouge tempts him with the absolute power he’ll have over a woman who knows nothing of carnal delights, he’s intrigued. Control is the one thing he cannot resist—and control is what he loses during his night with the blindfolded beauty. He longs to take her further, to leave his mark upon her perfect behind, but the mystery woman refuses to see him again. Instead Geoffrey reluctantly agrees to take a wife, the widow of his dear friend, Lord Brookingston—fating them both to a wicked surprise.
Mastering the Marquess is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

REVIEW:
Ok so I had a really hard time with this book. Not because it wasn’t interesting because the main part of the story was and even the first section of their meeting and the sexual part of the story was interesting. The problem is first how can two people who had sex with only a blindfold between them not know that the person they run into at a party is the same person? I mean is she the female version of Superman. Put on glasses/blindfold and they are a completely different person? I mean her hair is very distinct and what about the voice? It honestly bugged me too much to enjoy the story.

But the thing is I enjoyed the characters. I enjoyed their connection. I enjoyed the writing of the story just not the storyline per se. Maybe someone else can get passed the ridiculousness of the unknowing but I couldn’t. Will I read the next in the series? Sure because I liked the idea and the writing but I really hope the next couple is not as naive as these two are.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

3hearts-68-77

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Shifter’s Claim part 4 by A.C. Arthur

Shifters Claim 4TITLE: Shifter’s Claim Part 4
SERIES #: Shadow Shifter’s #4
CHARACTERS: Priya & Sebastian
AUTHOR: A.C. Arthur
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/29/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In Shifter’s Claim Part II, from The Shadow Shifters series by A.C. Arthur, Priya never imagined there was truth to the story she’d been forced to track down, she never imagined coming face to face with a man that can shift into a cat.Bas hadn’t meant to reveal himself to her, he’d tried to protect the secret. Now, it was out and he wonders what the reporter will do with the information and more importantly, how the woman will react to this new facet of the man.

REVIEW:
This is the final installment (#4) of the story. The story was really interesting and the main characters really had a connection right away. The suspense part was right one. I actually read the 4 installments in one sitting which I think was best. I am not a fan of the installment fad that is going on right now but the full story can be picked up on July 29th as well which is what I would prefer.
Bas is an interesting shape shifter and Priya is perfect for him. I enjoyed them both and I really enjoyed the entire story.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Posted on

Kelly reviews Taste Of Darkness by Katie Reus

taste of darknessTITLE: Taste of Darkness
SERIES #: Darkness #3
CHARACTERS: Drake & Victoria
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
PUBLICATION DATE: July 27, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N (coming soon)| ARe

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He spent more than a thousand years imprisoned in hell…

Drake is an ancient dragon shifter, one of the most powerful beings in existence, but a millennium trapped in utter darkness has left him ill-equipped for modern society. If it wasn’t for Victoria, the sweet female brave enough to befriend him, he’d be lost. She’s smart and gorgeous and everything he never dared dream of during his years of agonizing loneliness. He may not have anything to offer her, but one thing he knows for sure: he’d die to keep her safe.

Only to fall into the heaven of her touch.

Victoria is a wolf shifter, healer of the Stavros pack. She’s seen a lot, but she’s never met anybody quite like Drake, the fiery, fascinating shifter who can blaze through the skies unseen by mere mortals. He’s lost, dangerous, and the last male she should fall in love with, but the more time she spends helping him navigate modern life, the deeper—and hotter—their connection becomes. She’s thrilled when they finally locate his family, but reuniting with his people plunges them both into unimaginable danger. It’s a race against the clock trying to figure out who wants them dead and who they can trust, especially when the threat is closer than they ever imagined

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Taste of Darkness picks up a few months after the end of Darkness Awakened (bk1). Drake is out of Hell and trying to figure out his place in the world. He may not have much in the way of money or experience in this new world, but one thing Drake does know is that he will do everything to be the man that Victoria needs. But as Drake tries to navigate this new world the past comes back to bite him in the butt
This was a great follow up to Darkness Awakened. I knew from the minute the Drake blasted on to the pages that he would be a very important person in this world. And I was right. Drake’s reappearance into the world really up roots the world. And brings in a whole bunch of new characters that I can’t wait to read about. Drake and Victoria are just to cute together. I loved the Drake is trying so hard to be who he thinks Victoria wants. Yet Victoria keeps telling him that all she wants is Drake, just the way he is. I hope that Ms. Reus will revisit these two soon.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Katie Reus in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Posted on

Jennifer reviews Talk Dirty To Me by Dakota Cassidy

talk dirty to meTITLE: Talk Dirty To Me
SERIES #: Plum Orchard #1
CHARACTERS: Dixie Davis, Caine Donovan
AUTHOR: Dakota Cassidy
PUBLICATION DATE: 4/29/14
ORDER LINKS:Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: Former mean girl Dixie Davis is back in town and it’s payback time. Literally. Dixie is flat broke and her best–make that only–friend, Landon, is throwing her a lifeline from the Great Beyond. Dixie stands to inherit his business…if she meets a few conditions:

She’s got to live in Landon’s mansion.
With her gorgeous ex-fiance’, Caine Donovan.
Who could also inherit the business.
Which is a phone sex empire.
Wait, what?

Landon’s will lays it out: whoever gets the most new clients becomes the owner of Call Girls. Dixie has always been in it to win it, especially when it comes to Caine, who’s made it clear he’s not going down easy. (Oh, mercy.) Can Dixie really talk dirty and prove that she’s cleaned up her act? Game on!

Plum Orchard, Georgia, is about to get even juicier.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Dixie Davis was the quintessential mean girl who used people for her own gain while growing up and didn’t care who she hurt in the process. She was set to marry Caine Donovan, the golden boy of Plum Orchard, when her devious ways were exposed at their engagement party and she lost everything. Ten years later, Dixie is back in Plum Orchard to say goodbye to an old friend, who has plans for Dixie to stay in Plum Orchard for good. He has left his business to Dixie and her ex-beau, Caine, on the condition that they both work there for two months. It is bad enough that Dixie has to be in close quarters with Caine after everything that has happened, but now she has to work as a phone-sex operator to fulfill the terms of the will.
Dixie was a horrible person when she originally lived in Plum Orchard but ten years away from her childhood home has changed her for the better. She learned her lesson and came home to say goodbye to the one person that was truly her friend and was shocked that he left her his business in the will. She has made a lot of enemies in the small town and will do whatever it takes to make amends with the people that she hurt so she can start a new life. I liked Dixie a lot in this book because she knew she was a bad person in the past and due to her situation became a better person because of it. She was caring, thoughtful and loyal during this book but a lot of people had a hard time believing that Dixie was now a changed woman including Caine.
Caine had always loved Dixie and when the truth came out at their engagement party, he did everything possible to forget how she affected him. Being near her again, brought back those old feelings and he realized that he would always love her, no matter what. I wish there were more men like Caine in the world especially if they could do the voices of Johnny Depp and Daryl Dixon from the Walking Dead.
Talk Dirty To Me was a great romance for me and I was cheering for Dixie every step of the way. Dakota Cassidy has a fantastic way of writing stories that will pull at your heartstrings one minute and have you laughing out loud the next. This is the first book in the Plum Orchard series, which I know will be a hit and the next book is Something to Talk About, where Dixie’s friend, Em, finally gets her happy ending.

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.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Posted on

Jennifer reviews Autumn In The Vineyard by Marina Adair

autumn in the vineyardTITLE: Autumn in the Vineyard
SERIES #: St. Helena Vineyard #3
CHARACTERS: Frankie Baudouin, Nate DeLuca
AUTHOR: Marina Adair
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/29/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: Frankie Baudouin has a hundred reasons not to trust Nate DeLuca.
First, he’s a DeLuca. Second, he kissed her–in front of the entire town–and then never called. Oh, and he’s after her land. Sorrento Ranch is Frankie’s last chance to prove to her family–and to herself–that she has what it takes to be an award-winning winemaker. And she will stop at nothing to ensure her success–even if it means playing nice with the starched, sophisticated, and oh-so-sexy Italian.

For Nate, Sorrento Ranch is more than just soil and grape vines; it was his father’s dream–a dream Nate is determined to make a reality. So when he finds himself forced to cohabitate with a hot-headed, irrational, and incredibly gorgeous Baudouin, Nate is surprised to discover that chaos could be so much fun–especially when she sleeps in nothing but lace.

REVIEW: Marina Adair has quickly become one of my favorite authors because I know that each of her books in the St. Helena Vineyard series is going to be a great romance. Frankie and Nate were great as a couple because their personalities were exact polar opposites, which made them perfect for each other. Frankie was such a free-spirit, motorcycle-riding woman while Nate was a straight-laced, making organized lists type of guy. They had such a long history together that they were destined to be together.

Frankie has to be one of my favorite characters ever because you see her vulnerability in this book and how she wanted to feel as though she belonged in her family but all she ever felt like was an outcast. But with Nate, he made her feel special and wouldn’t let her family try to destroy what she had worked so hard to build on her own. Nate did some pretty awesome things for Frankie so nothing could stand in her way from achieving success for her amazing wine and that just made me want to cry.

Autumn in the Vineyard is a great addition to a wonderful series and I can’t wait to see what is in store for Trey in Be Mine Forever.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

5hearts-68-77

Posted on

Natasha reviews Burn by Julianna Baggott

BurnTITLE: Burn
SERIES #: Pure #3
CHARACTERS: Pressia, Partridge, Bradwell, Lyda & El Capitan
AUTHOR: Julianna Baggott
PUBLICATION DATE: 2/4/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Inside the Dome, Partridge has taken his father’s place as leader of the Pures. His struggle has led him here, intent upon bringing down the Dome from the inside, with the help of a secret resistance force. But things are not as simple from his new position of power and he finds himself tempted by his father’s words: perhaps if the world is to survive it needs the Dome – and Partridge – to rule it…

As Partridge’s resolve weakens, Pressia and Bradwell continue piecing together the clues left to them from the time before the Detonations. It is their hope that they will be able to heal the Wretches, and free them from their monstrous fusings and the Dome’s oppression once and for all. But everything depends, too, on Partridge. Separated by distance and history, can they still trust their friend and ally? Or is the world doomed to an eternity of war and hardship?

REVIEW: Unfortunately this book didn’t have as strong an ending as I’d hoped when I began the series. The characters have gone through so many trials and tests throughout the series and have drastically changed from who they began as. That can be a good thing and a bad thing. I like the fact that Julianna had the characters evolving in a way that gave them more complexity, but I do think she drastically strayed from the core of the characters as I had perceived them to be. I was disappointed by the way things evolved and eventually ended. I like when authors allow readers to imagine for themselves what goes on with the characters once the book ends, but this ending seemed quite lackluster and rushed. After three books of build up it just ended and there is a lot left unanswered. Though I’m not thrilled with how the trilogy concluded I am happy I read it.

Disclaimer:
I purchased this book myself. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

3hearts-68-77

Posted on

Natasha reviews Vanished by Kendra Elliot

VANISHED.FINALTITLE: Vanished
SERIES #: Mason Callahan #1
CHARACTERS: Mason Callahan & Ava McLane
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot
PUBLICATION DATE: June 17, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When eleven-year-old Henley Fairbanks is abducted on her way to school, the FBI doesn’t waste a moment, sending agents to scour the area and embedding Special Agent Ava McLane with the distraught family. In the eye of the storm is local detective Mason Callahan, who also happens to be related to Henley. To make matters worse for Mason, the kidnapping comes on the heels of the murder of his longtime confidential informant, and he’s been sidelined from the investigation.

Now both he and Agent McLane are holed up in the Fairbanks’ home, along with Callahan’s ex-wife, Robin. Every second counts in a kidnapping case, and the stakes keep rising the longer Henley stays missing. As Ava and Mason struggle to hold the Fairbanks family together in their darkest hour, the two investigators find themselves more and more drawn to each other.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts This is my first book by Kendra Elliot, and I think I’ve found a new favorite author. Her writing is incredibly vivid and engrossing. I was sucked into this story from the beginning and couldn’t put the book down. Mason Callahan is a great lead character, and he really found a perfect partner with Ava. I adore them both. I love that they are able to separate out their professions and personal lives in a believable manner. I also really enjoyed all of the side characters in the story and I’m happy that we’ll get to likely see them again throughout this series. I didn’t know who the perpetrator was until Kendra deliberately revealed it, and that makes me happy. I like to pretend to know who the bad guys are, but I always prefer to be surprised. She gave us just enough information to keep us guessing until the climax. I’m very excited for Kendra’s work and cannot wait for book 2 in this series. I’m even going to have to go back and read all of her previous books now.

Disclaimer:
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Posted on

Kelly reviews Shattered by Kevin Hearne

ShatteredTITLE: Shattered
SERIES #: Iron Druid Chronicles #7
CHARACTERS: Atticus O’Sullivan, Granuaile McTerine & Owen Kennedy
AUTHOR: Kevin Hearne
NARRATOR: Luke Daniels
PUBLICATION DATE: June 17, 2014
RUN TIME: Hours & Minutes
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N |Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
For nearly two thousand years, there was only one Druid left walking the Earth—Atticus O’Sullivan, the Iron Druid, whose sharp wit and sharp sword kept him alive while pursued by a pantheon of hostile deities. Now he’s got company.

Atticus’s apprentice Granuaile is at last a full Druid herself. What’s more, Atticus has defrosted an archdruid long ago frozen in time, a father figure (of sorts) who now goes by the modern equivalent of his old Irish name: Owen Kennedy.

And Owen has some catching up to do.

Atticus takes pleasure in the role reversal, as the student is now the teacher. Between busting Atticus’s chops and trying to fathom a cell phone, Owen must also learn English. For Atticus, the jury’s still out on whether the wily old coot will be an asset in the epic battle with Norse god Loki—or merely a pain in the arse.

But Atticus isn’t the only one with daddy issues. Granuaile faces a great challenge: to exorcise a sorcerer’s spirit that is possessing her father in India. Even with the help of the witch Laksha, Granuaile may be facing a crushing defeat.

As the trio of Druids deals with pestilence-spreading demons, bacon-loving yeti, fierce flying foxes, and frenzied Fae, they’re hoping that this time . . . three’s a charm.

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4
REVIEW:
Once again I found myself drawn into the world of Druids, Fae’s and magic. There was a lot going on in this book. So if you have not started this series yet, you really need to start with book one. If not you will be completely lost on the events that happen in Shattered.
Kevin changed things up a bit in Shattered. The book was not told solely from Atticus’s point of view, which was good and bad.
Good because we got to learn more about Granuaile and Owen. It was good to see Granuaile grow as a Druid. It was a very painful growth, but I do believe that she will become an even more amazing Druid. Good because Owen gets real and learns a thing or two about life and himself.
Bad, because listening on audio I am totally in love with Luke Daniel’s version of Atticus & Oberon, so there was less Atticus talking.
Overall this was a great book. If you are a fan of the IDC then you will enjoy this book. Like I said in the beginning it is written different 3 POV. I will say it took me a bit to get into, but in the end I really enjoyed and loved having the different POV’s. I for one am looking forward to the next IDC series and hope that Atticus & Granuaile get a little more time together in the next one!!

As always Luke Daniel’s wins my heart. I love to listen to him read. Just love him. Yep… that is all I got. Just love him!!!

Disclaimer:
I purchased this book from Audible and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Posted on

Natasha reviews Champion by Marie Lu

ChampionTITLE:  Champion
SERIES #: Legend #3
CHARACTERS: Day & June
AUTHOR: Marie Lu
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/5/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N 

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He is a Legend.
She is a Prodigy.
Who will be Champion?

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position.

But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything.

With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.

REVIEW: I literally started this book 5 minutes after finishing Prodigy. I had to put all other books on hold so I could finish this series. June and Day’s lives have completely changed and they have to adjust to some very difficult challenges. June is trying to find her right path in the new Republic, and Day is fighting for his life and the life of his brother. A series of devastating news begins to hit the pair and the entire Republic is at risk. This book opened up the world of the Legend series so much. I had no idea how much of a narrow perspective I had on the world the Republic existed in, until all of a sudden we saw the goings on of the entire planet in comparison. It was great to move things away from the Republic and show how they interacted with the rest of the world. I struggled with June and Day at the same time. Trying to find the best ways to live in the world together, or apart. This book was INTENSE. So much was happening, so many hostilities, people having to rely on their enemies – it was a lot. All three books were leading up to one intense moment, and it did not disappoint. It felt so very real, I was right there with them the entire time. The ending was both heartbreaking and exciting. Usually I am disappointed with how trilogies close out, but this author broke the disappointing third book mold for me. She wrapped up the series beautifully and I am so happy I read them all.

Disclaimer:
I purchased a copy of this book on my own. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

5hearts-68-77