Author: Kimberly

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Kelly reviews Melting The Ice by Jaci Burton

Melting the IceTITLE: Melting the Ice
SERIES #: Play by Play #7
CHARACTERS: Drew Hogan & Carolina Preston
AUTHOR: Jaci Burton
PUBLICATION DATE: February 4, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Carolina Preston has only one goal in mind—launching her new fashion line. She needs only one last thing to make it perfect—hockey phenom Drew Hogan. But Carolina and Drew have a history that goes back to their college days, and Carolina doesn’t want the embarrassment of her past to cloud the brightness of her future.

Drew is eager for the chance to show Carolina he isn’t the boy who hurt her back then, but a man now, with the skills necessary to melt the icy exterior of her cold heart.

REVIEW:
But I will say that in the prior books and chapter one I really didn’t like Drew. I hated him for how he treated Carolina all those years ago. I really hated how he keep bring it up like it was no big deal. But I will say that as the story went on and on I found myself falling for Drew. He is such a sweet guy who realized that what a mistake he made all those years ago. A mistake that was made for all the right reasons. Drew was not the man that Carolina need back then, even if he really wanted to be. But this second time around he is the right man and it is the right time. Convincing Carolina about that might be another story, but Drew is up for the battle.
Carolina is not the same shy girl with a horrible crush on the boy of her dreams. Oh no, Carolina is now a woman who is determined, stubborn and still has a horrible crush on the man of her dreams. It just happens that the man is the same boy she loved so many years ago. But can Carolina finally forgive Drew for the hurt he caused her in college? And can she finally let the walls around her heart to fall and take a chance on Drew?

I just love Jaci’s Play by Play series!!! I am a huge sports fan and so love reading about these hot guys and the women that push them into learning to love. I loved this story and so glad that Drew & Carolina both finally realized what they mean to each other. I am so looking forward to the next story in this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Marine For Hire by Tawna Fenske

Marine For HireTITLE: Marine for Hire
SERIES #: Front & Center #1
CHARACTERS: Sam Kercher & Sheridan
AUTHOR: Tawna Fenske
PUBLICATION DATE: February 3, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She thought she’d sworn off military men for good…

Sam Kercher is every inch a wickedly hot Marine. Tall. Sexy. Lethal. When his best friends call in a favor, Sam is forced to face an entirely new line of duty—playing nanny for their newly divorced sister and her squirming seven-month-old twin boys. If Sam can dissemble an M16 in his sleep, diaper duty should be a cakewalk…right?

Unfortunately, Operation Nanny isn’t quite that simple. Sheridan has sworn off overbearing military men, so Sam must protect her from her dirtbag ex without revealing just how much he has in common with her brothers. Or that he’s been ordered not to touch her. Ever. Problem is, Sheri’s one hell of a gorgeous woman, capable of making this hard-bodied marine even harder. And Sam wants her bad.

Protect the girl. Care for the babies. Hide his identity. And keep his handsoff. But even the most disciplined Marine has weaknesses…and Sheridan is one Sam might not be able to resist

REVIEW:
Sam is such an awesome guy who is tortured by his past. But when Sam’s best friend Mac show up and asks him for a favor Sam can’t say no. Not to this mission. Not if it means he gets to get close to Mac’s super hot sister.

Poor Sheri has had a bit of a rough year: twin boys, a cheating husband, a divorce, being a single mom. And now she has to deal with her brother’s idea of a nanny. Who just happens to come in the form of a very very handsome man.

This was a fun book to read. I totally fell in love with Sam from page one. And Sheri is very stubborn yet she worries so much about being a bad mom. These two were really fun to read about the sexual tension between these two was great.

As always Tawna’s story mixes romance, sexy and make you laugh out loud. If you are looking for a fun read I would suggest picking up a copy of Marine For Hire.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Entangled: Brazen in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Winter’s Dawn by Kele Moon

Winters DawnTITLE: Winter’s Dawn
SERIES #: Age of Alphas #1
CHARACTERS: Susan & Max
AUTHOR: Kele Moon
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/22/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sometimes it’s good to be king. . .

Long ago four alpha pairs held dominance over the seasons. They led an ancient people only heard of in legend who were both wolves and humans. The alphas were chosen by the gods to wield great powers and bring peace and balance to their people.

Everything changed when members of their race later known as the rogues were driven mad by the taste of human flesh. They sought to kill the great alphas.

They succeeded.

Without them, the remaining wolves became weak and could no longer reproduce. Their race was slowly threatening to descend into nothing but a distant memory.

Over a century has passed before hope shines on the horizon for this ancient people. A new winter alpha pair is born and with them the promise of rebirth for the monarchy. Maxwell Wellington was crowned Head King on the Winter Solstice when he watched his aunt die giving birth to his mate, Queen Susan.

He was just three years old.

Max and Susie are born into a world where they are the youngest, but already the most powerful, yet they long for normalcy. With no other young werewolves around, they turn to human schooling hoping for playmates.

But the human culture forces them to question everything their people have raised them to believe. Cousins as well as mates, Max starts resisting his connection to Susie despite knowing they share a soul and were born to rule together. When the call to roam overtakes him at eighteen, Max finds himself fighting his nature as a deadly and powerful alpha wolf who will stop at nothing to claim Susie. Now he has just three years to build up a defense against her before time runs out and she goes into heat.

As winter dawns, Max and Susie come of age in a new era for werewolves. Their story is the first step in a long journey that explores the triumphs and tragedies of one powerful, royal family and those who serve them. The battles they wage against nature, each other and the forces that rise against them will change the dynamic of not just their world…but ours as well

REVIEW:
1.5 Hearts I have to say I was very disappointed with this book. I enjoyed the erotica from Kele Moon but this is a bit different. Set in a different world but it is a world that is hard to get involved in. I didn’t enjoy Max. He is a cheater and Susan is an enabler. I do not enjoy books where the romance has a cheater. And I really do not enjoy the woman bringing her man other woman. Something is just wrong with that.

I won’t say much because honestly there was not enough of the book that I enjoyed enough to talk about.

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

 

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Kelly reviews Shameless by Rebecca J Clark

ShamelessTITLE: Shameless
CHARACTERS: John Everest & Samantha Rossi
AUTHOR: Rebecca J. Clark
PUBLICATION DATE: December 2, 2012
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Haunted by a tragic accident 20 years ago, John Everest knows he doesn’t deserve a family of his own, so he spends his days building the most successful fitness franchise in Seattle…and his nights alone. But that all changes when Samantha Rossi storms back into his life.

Happily single, Samantha feels there are only two types of men in this world: those who are good for nothing and those who are good for one thing. Now she needs that one thing desperately, because she wants a baby. John, a man from her past, is the perfect donor. He doesn’t want children. He doesn’t want a wife. He just wants her body. She can deal with that.

John agrees to Samantha’s no-strings-attached proposal, never expecting to fall for the fiery beauty he’d wronged so many years ago. It’ll take more than a shameless proposal to overcome their tragic past, but with a little luck and forgiveness, anything is possible.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts 20 years ago John and Sammy Jo meet under the worst circumstance but they lived through it. Now 20 years later John has tracked her down again. But only wanting to see that she is okay quickly changes with John realized that Sammy Jo has grown into a very beautiful women. Just one date. That is all he wants, just to make sure she is okay.

Samantha is a woman on a mission. She wants a baby, but so far things have not gone her way. A chance meet with John Everest at a fundraising event will change Samantha’s plan for the future and who will father her baby.

This was a great story!! Shameless takes you on a wild ride of emotional highs and lows. There were so many times I wanted to shake then hug the crap out of both John & Sam. Both have so many demons in their past that shape the future of every relationship in the future. Both know what they want but neither is willing to jump. With their future slowly slipping out of their fingers John & Sam have two choices let go or hang on tight.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Aspendawn Books in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Burn For Me by Cynthia Eden

Burn For MeTITLE: Burn For Me
SERIES #: Phoenix Fire #1
CHARACTERS: Cain O’Connor & Eve Bradley
AUTHOR: Cynthia Eden
PUBLICATION DATE: January 28, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Under Fire

Eve Bradley was undercover looking for a story, not a cause. But something about the man they called Subject Thirteen got her involved. The scientists said he was a devil, and they had a decent case: Terrifying power. A bad attitude. And looks that could lead anyone to sin. . .

Cain O’Connor knows the minute he catches her candy scent that Eve could drive him wild. But she’s a threat–in a way no one has been for him in years. She’s safer away from him, too. But with a powerful conspiracy determined to shut Eve up for good, there’s no time to argue. All they can do is trust their instincts–and their hearts.

REVIEW:
Being undercover didn’t turn out the way that Eve had planned. I don’t think that she ever expected to see the type of pain and torture that were being inflicted on the subjects in Genesis’s control. And I am 100% she never thought she would end up as one of those subjects.

This was a great start to a new series by Cynthia. I really enjoyed this book. Cain & Eve are great to read about. Although I would have like to see more about what Eve is. I felt a little let down on that part. I was hoping she would use her powers in some awesome way. Maybe we will get to see more of that in future books. And speaking of future books I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. Ryder’s books should be an awesome journey. Really like this vampire 🙂

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from BRAVA in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kelly & Kimberly review Bare Essentials by Shalvis & Kelly

Bare EssentialsTITLE: Bare Essentials
SERIES #: Naughty but Nice\Naturally Naughty
CHARACTERS: Cassie Montgomery & Sean Taggart\ Kate Jones & John Winfield Jr.
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis\ Leslie Kelly
PUBLICATION DATE: January 28, 2014 (reissue)
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Naughty But Nice by New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis

Lingerie model Cassie Tremaine Montgomery intends to have her revenge on the citizens of her hometown—starting with seducing the sheriff, Sean “Tag” Taggart. Tag, however, isn’t cooperating. He’s more than willing to set the sheets on fire with her, but he’s asking for more than just sizzling sex…. He knows Cassie’s not as tough as she pretends. And he knows she cares about him—even if she won’t admit it. So he’ll just turn up the heat until she concedes there’s more between them than this red-hot passion.

Naturally Naughty by New York Times bestselling author Leslie Kelly

Kate Jones, the girl from the wrong side of the tracks, is home. And she’s got an agenda. To get revenge on the man who humiliated her mother, Kate’s going to seduce that man’s son—the town’s golden boy, John Winfield Jr.—and then leave him drooling in a puddle of lust. However, when she finds herself seduced by a sexy stranger named Jack, little does she guess that the tables have just been turned….

KELLY’S REVIEW:
2.5 Hearts I think this might have been the first time I picked up a Jill Shalvis book and didn’t fall head over heels in love the the characters. I am not sure what it was but I just didn’t care for Cassie at all.

This was my first read of a Leslie Kelly story and while I liked Kate and John I just never felt totally vested in them.

Not to say that these were bad stories or anything. I just didn’t get sucked into the world.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4 Hearts This is a reprint from 2002 but to be honest I didn’t know that until I pulled up the information to type of this review. There were a couple of small things written that now I realize are dated but a handful of small comments does not take away from the story and 99% of the story is not dated at all.

The story of Cassie and Tag is very engrossing. I enjoyed the way they came together. I story background is interesting and comprehensive. I think Tag is a great character and I love that he has a list of what he wants in a woman and yet realizes that Cassie is none of those things and yet everything he wants. Cassie has issues but she is still fun to read about. She has an interesting way of thinking. Shalvis is one of the best and from this story you can see she had the golden touch even a dozen years ago.

The story of Jake and Kate was just as sweet as the story of her cousin. Jake is a great guy. I enjoyed the instant chemistry they had and the interesting history of the town. The sexual side of this story is a lot more intense than the first story but it is done in a fun and interesting way. Kelly has a much different way of writing then Shalvis does but their writing seems to mesh really well.

I enjoyed these stories very much.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Harlequin in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

2hearts4 Hearts

4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Letting Go by Maya Banks

letting goTITLE: Letting Go
SERIES #: Surrender Trilogy #1
CHARACTERS: Dash & Joss
AUTHOR: Maya Banks
PUBLICATION DATE: February 4, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Josslyn found perfection once, and she knows she’ll never find it again. Now widowed, she seeks the one thing her beloved husband couldn’t give her. Dominance. Lonely and searching for an outlet for her grief and wanting only a brief taste of the perfection she once enjoyed, she seeks what she’s looking for at an exclusive club that caters to people indulging in their most hedonistic fantasies. She never imagined that what she’d find is the one man who’s long been a source of comfort—and secret longing. Her husband’s best friend.

Dash has lived in an untenable position for years. In love with his best friend’s wife and unwilling to act on that attraction. He’d never betray his best friend. And so he’s waited in the wings, offering Joss unconditional support and comfort as she works past her grief, hoping for the day when he can offer her more.

When he finds her in a club devoted to the darker edges of desire, he’s furious because he thinks she has no idea what she’s getting herself into. Until she explains in detail what it is she wants. What she needs. As realization sets in, he is gripped by fierce, unwavering determination. If she wants dominance, he is the only man who will introduce her to that world. He is the only man who will touch her, cherish her…love her. And the only man she’ll ever submit to.

REVIEW:
Letting Go is Maya’s first book in the Surrender Trilogy and it was a great start to this trilogy. In Letting Go we meet a small group of friends that are all trying to learn to live again. Some are dealing with their demons from the past. Some are dealing with their insecurities of the present. And then there is Joss who is trying to figure out how to live again after the death of her husband.

Joss finally after 3 years of mourning is finally ready to say goodbye and move on with her life and try file the a void that has always been there. But a trip to The House does not go according to plan. Not only does Joss not get what she wants Dash her husband’s best friend is there and whisks her away from what she wants. But just when Joss thinks she will have to work up the courage to walk into the club again Dash throw her for a loop and tells her he will be what she wants, what she needs, what she craves.
The only question is can these two learn to trust each other fully? Or will the ghosts from the past drive them apart.

I totally love Dash. His is so sweet yet at times a total ass. A total ass that is so in love with this woman that he is blind to the things he does and says. Joss knows what she wants, well kind of, and she is willing to do anything it takes to get that.
I really liked this story. Yes there were parts and pieces that were erotic and touches of the BDSM but for the most part I felt like I was reading a great love story. I thank Maya for writing this story. And I am looking forward to Kylie’s story and have high hopes for Chassy & Tate’s book.

If you are a Maya Banks fan I think that you will love this book.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Mark Of The Demon by Diana Rowland

Mark Of DemonTITLE: Mark of the Demon
SERIES #: Kara Gillian #1
CHARACTERS: Kara Gillian, Ryan Kristoff & Rhyzkahl
AUTHOR: Diana Rowland
NARRATOR: Liv Anderson
PUBLICATION DATE: June 23, 2009
AUDIBLE PUB DATE: June 7, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Cop and conjurer of demons, she’s a woman in danger of losing control – to a power that could kill….

“Why me? Why now?” That’s what Beaulac, Louisiana, detective Kara Gillian was asking herself when an angelic creature named Rhyzkahl unexpectedly appeared during a routine summoning. Kara was hoping to use her occult skills to catch a serial killer, but never had she conjured anything like this unearthly beautiful and unspeakably powerful being whose very touch set off exquisite new dimensions of pleasure. But can she enlist his aid in helping her stop a killer who’s already claimed the lives – and souls – of 13 people? And should she?

The Symbol Man is a nightmare that the city thought had ended three years ago. Now he’s back for an encore and leaving every indication on the flesh of his victims that he, too, is well versed in demonic lore. Kara may be the only cop on Beaulac’s small force able to stop the killer, but it is her first homicide case. Yet with Rhyzkahl haunting her dreams, and a handsome yet disapproving FBI agent dogging her waking footsteps, she may be in way over her head.

REVIEW:
This book took me a little bit to get into. I am not sure what I was expecting but after listening to Diana’s White Trash Zombie I guess I expected a little more snark and humor. But Kara is very different then Angel. As the story when on I started to like Kara. I started enjoying her view on the world and how a summoner sees things. I honestly took me until the end of the book to decided if I like the Demon Lord and the FBI agent in Kara’s life. Let’s say that I really like one when we first met him, then I hated him, then I kinda liked him. The other I didn’t like at all until the end of the book. You will have to read/listen to and see if you can figure out which is which.

The narrator was not my most favorite but she did a pretty good job. I will say that Rhyzkahl’s voice was a little creepy, but he is a Demon Lord. So I guess that is okay.

Even though this was a slow start for me I am very much looking forward to Kara, Ryan & Rhyzkahl’s next adventure.

Disclaimer:
This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Wishing Tree by MaryBeth Whalen

Wishing TreeTITLE: The Wishing Tree
CHARACTERS: Ivy
AUTHOR: Marybeth Whalen
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/04/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ivy Marshall, a savvy, determined woman, finds out her husband has cheated on her on the same day her sister’s perfect boyfriend proposes on national television. When Ivy’s mother asks her to return to her family’s beach home to plan her sister’s upcoming wedding, she decides to use the excuse to escape from the pain of her circumstances.
When her return to Sunset Beach, North Carolina, brings her face to face with her former fiance, old feelings rise to the surface and she wonders if there is a future for them. However, her husband has started tweeting his apology to her and doesn’t want to give up on their marriage. As she helps prepare the wishing tree for her sister’s wedding, she must examine her own wishes for the future and decide what love should be…

REVIEW:
3.75 Stars I honestly do not know of one woman who hasn’t had the thoughts that Ivy did in this story. “If I could turn back time, would I?” Ivy has just left her husband to go home to where she was once loved by her childhood sweetheart and back to a family who is upset with her for leaving him to marry someone else. But it is where she needs to be right now so off she goes. And while there she wonders about what could have been and what is.

The problem was it was a very depressing read through most of it. However I understand the quandry. I understand that moment of wondering “what if”. I understand remembering what seemed like a better simpler time.

This is a poignant, soul searching read and any woman can relate to.

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

3hearts-68-77

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Kelly reviews Dark Moon by Kate Douglas

Dark MoonTITLE: Dark Moon
SERIES #: Spirit Wild #2
CHARACTERS: Igmutaka, Star, Sunny & Fen
AUTHOR: Kate Douglas
PUBLICATION DATE: January 28, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Chanku spirit guide Igmutaka has known since the day he held the newborn daughter of Tala and Mik Fuentes in his hands, that she would grow up to be his. Unfortunately, no one thought to copy Mikaela Star on the message.

After years of avoiding her overbearing spirit guide, Star has decided to return to Montana and face the beautiful and irritating man who has haunted her nights for much too long. But first, she takes a small vacation in California, where Igmutaka just happens to be waiting.

Sunny Daye has known this day was coming. She and Ig have been lovers for years, but both of them accept that they are not meant to be a mated pair. When Igmutaka tells Sunny her man is “out there, and coming closer,” she can barely contain her excitement. But Fen Ahlberg is not at all what Sunny expected—in fact, he is so much more that his mere existence may change the Chanku forever.

REVIEW:
2.5 Hearts To say that this book was a bit naughty would be a totally understatement. While I don’t mind a little sex with my story I felt like this was sex with a little story. There was so much bed hoping that I couldn’t handle it. I just didn’t get how Ig could continue to bed Sunny even though he was in love with Star. It just drove me nuts. I didn’t expect the m/m relationship either.
I am still recovering from reading this book. If you like your books naughty then pick up a copy of Dark Moon. If you don’t like any kind of naughty this is not the book for you.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

2hearts