Author: Kimberly

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Kimberly’s review of Asher’s Dilemma by Coleen Kwan

TITLE: Asher’s Dilemma
AUTHOR: Coleen Kwan
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/07/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ever since he awoke one day on the floor of his workshop with a brain-splitting headache, Asher Quigley has been haunted by fleeting visions of a beautiful woman everywhere he looks—a woman he’s sure he knows, but can’t recall. In spite of this he has finished his most wondrous invention yet, one that will literally make history: a time machine. But before he can complete his exacting calculations a bizarre accident causes the device to be activated, with him inside! He awakes to find himself in his lab, eight months in the past, and suddenly he remembers her…

Asher knows that something in the near future causes Minerva Lambkin, the woman who turned down his marriage proposal, to be erased from existence. And he’s sure it has something to do with his device. Alone in a familiar world where he doesn’t belong, he’ll have to find a way to destroy the time machine to save the woman he loves from extinction. Even if that means erasing his own future.

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kimberly NUMBER OF STARS: 3 Stars

REVIEW:
Ok I had a couple of problems.. 1) I never read the first of this series “Asher’s Invention” so I was a little lost on the characters and their history and 2) I didn’t realize this was a Steampunk which I have never really enjoyed. Now with that being said I requested the book so I read it and if I take out the above problems (which are mine not the books) then it is a interesting read.

I was saddened by the end too. So… If you enjoy Steampunk give this book a shot!

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

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Kelly’s review of Amazon Heat by Melinda Leigh & Rayna Vause

TITLE: Amazon Heat
CHARACTERS: Elizabeth DeMarco & Logan Spencer
AUTHOR: Melinda Leigh & Rayna Vause
PUBLICATION DATE: Jan 9, 2012
e-novella 65 pages
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:

Deep in Brazil, the Amazons are more than a whispered legend.

Two years ago, ethnobotanist Dr. Elizabeth DeMarco, driven by grief to find a cure for cancer, left her lover mid-proposal to accept a position on a research expedition to the Amazon Rainforest. Kidnapped by guerrillas, she was saved by warriors from the secret all-female civilization of the ancient Amazons. She has been kept prisoner since in the Amazon’s supernaturally hidden valley.

Despite Elizabeth’s rejection, anthropologist Logan Spencer never stopped searching for her. While consulting on a mass grave uncovered in the remote Brazilian interior near the place Elizabeth was kidnapped, Logan falls from a cliff. On the brink of death, he is collected by the Amazons and magically healed. When Logan wakes, the first person he sees is his beloved Elizabeth. Unfortunately, their reunion is less than joyful. The mystical medicine is changing Logan. But there’s no time to study the side-effects. The Amazons plan to steal Logan’s DNA, then kill him. Logan and Elizabeth must escape before dawn or Logan is doomed. Getting him out of the hidden valley won’t be easy. The Amazon’s supernatural powers make the task all but impossible.

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly NUMBER OF STARS: 3

REVIEW:
This was a very short story so I will keep my review short. I liked this story it was pretty good. Very different from Melinda’s other books. But still good. My only complain would be that because it was so short I felt like there were some things missing. Some questions left unanswered. But Melinda did leave the story open to continue in this world.

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

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Kimberly’s review of Stand-In Star by Rachael Johns

TITLE: Stand-In Star
AUTHOR: Rachael Johns
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
As an anthropologist, Holly McCartney is more comfortable in a museum than shopping on Rodeo Drive. She isn’t prepared for the media frenzy on her arrival in L.A. to accept a posthumous acting award for her late sister….or for her sister’s gorgeous friend Nate Devlin to come to her rescue. Though he resents her for some reason, she can’t fight their irresistible chemistry—especially when the paparazzi force her to stay at his mansion.

Photographer Nate only agrees to help Holly survive Hollywood for her sister’s sake, but she soon gets under his skin in a way no other woman has. The more time he spends with her, the more his attraction grows and he finds himself opening up to her in ways he never expected. But will ghosts of the past stand in the way of their perfect Hollywood ending?

REVIEW:
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. There were a couple of oddities but I was able to bypass those and enjoy the book. The author is from Australia so there is some language differences. The other thing was there was a little much of the whole “he/she could never love me for me”, etc that got a little tiring but it was still a very enjoyable book.

I enjoyed Nate very much. Holly was a little insecure but I think we were supposed to believe it was because of her being from Australia and the fact that she is the kid sister of a star. But that being said I enjoyed the story. I enjoyed the characters. I enjoyed everything. This is an adorable beach read.

If you enjoy romance books you will really enjoy this one…. Did I say enjoy enough? Oops!

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

4 Hearts
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Guest Reviewer Hai-Yen reviews Hearts Of Darkness by Laura Kaye

TITLE: Hearts Of Darkness
CHARACTERS: Makenna & Caden
AUTHOR: Laura Kaye
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/21/11
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Makenna James thinks her day can’t get any worse, until she finds herself stuck in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call and juggling too much stuff, the pin-striped accountant caught only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights went out.

Caden Grayson is amused when a redhead literally falls at his feet. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he’s terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he’s trapped in his own worst nightmare.

To fight fear, they must both reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?

REVIEW:
I first discovered Laura Kaye’s work with “Hearts in Darkness” (HID). This story falls into the contemporary romance genre, which was a first for me. I fell completely and utterly in love with HID on so many levels.

For starters, the cover got my attention. I don’t want to sound shallow but I do love a great cover and this cover caught my attention (I mean, have you seen it?!). After reading the blurb, I was curious. What is so special about the story of two strangers stranded in an elevator? Well, when it is written by Laura Kaye, let’s just say it is insanely hot!

Makenna James thinks her day can’t get any worse, until she finds herself stuck in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call and juggling too much stuff, the pin-striped accountant caught only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights went out.

Caden Grayson is amused when a redhead literally falls at his feet. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he’s terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he’s trapped in his own worst nightmare.

To fight fear, they must both reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?

The story is compelling and, at times, heartbreaking. The main characters are likable. You cannot help but get attached to them and wish them well. I have never read a love scene that is so explicitly well described and emotionally-charged. I laughed, cried and groaned while reading HID. A truly heartfelt story. I highly recommend HID. You won’t be disappointed. Promise. Laura Kaye has been on my To-Read list ever since.

Disclaimer: The above review was written by a guest reviewer, is the opinion of that reviewer and not a paid review.

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Kimberly’s review of A Dark Desire by Natalie Hancock

TITLE: A Dark Desire
SERIES #: World Of Darkness #1
CHARACTERS: Nikalye & Belia
AUTHOR: Natalie Hancock
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N (no link)

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Can the love of a human restore the memories stolen from him before their connected lives kill them both?

When Nikalye wakes in the middle of nowhere, unable to remember even his own name, he has no choice but to trust the only person who remembers him—a human woman—to help him find his way back to the only thing he remembers—a beautiful and deadly warrior—Layla. Despite being attacked by vampires in the past, Belia Garcia Sanchez tries to help Nikalye, feeling as though she owes him after he saved her life. She knows that in order for him to remember what he forgot she needs to help him get back home but doesn’t know how. She lives in the middle of the South Pole and trusts no one to help her. Belia is attacked by vampires again, and after saving her, Nikalye knows he has to get to Layla in order to save Belia and everyone he loves from the danger he can’t see before it’s too late. When he’s reunited with Layla and his memories are restored, a man he thought to be dead makes his appearance. When he threatens Belia and Layla’s life, Nikalye must choose between the two women he loves.
Who will he choose?

REVIEW:
Honestly I am just confused. This is a very short read of about 40 pages and it just was not enough for the reader to understand everything the author was trying to convey. There is too much information thrown in and it just gets confusing. I believe if given another 20 pages to explain some things properly this would have been a good short story. As it is it is just ok.

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

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Kimberly’s review of With This Kiss: Part Two by Eloisa James

TITLE: With This Kiss
SERIES #: Part 2
CHARACTERS: Grace & Colin
AUTHOR: Eloise James
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/19/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Lady Grace Ryburn has accepted another man’s proposal after the love of her life, Lieutenant Colin Barry, asked for her own sister’s hand in marriage.

But when Colin returns home from the wars, injured in body and spirit, will she be able to turn her back and marry another? Or will she throw away every rule her mother taught her and try to seduce a man who has shown no interest in her kisses?

Author’s Note: Be sure to read Part One first! You need to know the story of how Grace fell in love with Colin . .

REVIEW:
This is the second in a three part story. It, like the first, is a short story of about 50 pages. You must read the first to understand the second. I do not think reading the second without the first will have any meaning. And of course there is a final third part that will hopefully wrap the story up nicely.

This is an almost sad love story. This is sort of the ships that pass in the night story and I really can’t wait to read the last part so I know how it ends.

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

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Kelly’s review of Blurred Expectations by Carrie Ann Ryan

TITLE: Blurred Expectations
SERIES: Redwood Pack Novella #4.5
AUTHOR: Carrie Ann Ryan
PUBLICATION DATE: 1.8.13
Characters: Hanna, Josh & Reed
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Hannah Jamenson has babies on the brain. It seems that her sisters-in-law are expanding their family in the blink of an eye, but Hannah feels left behind. Every time that little test reads negative a little part of her dies and she feels like her Healing powers are failing her. Her mates, Josh and Reed, are doing everything they can to help her deal with their trials and losses, but they too feel like there is nothing they can do.

Just when the lines of what they mean to each other go out of focus, an enemy from Josh’s past is back to prove the things that go bump in the night are real and everything they had held dear is now in jeopardy. In order to fight back and find their way, they’ll need to put everything on the line before they lose it all.

Author’s Note: This is a novella set between books 4 and 5 to give you a taste of Reed, Josh, and Hannah. It is best that you have already immersed yourselves in the Redwood Pack world, however even new readers will enjoy a glimpse of the Redwood’s favorite triad.

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars Being a novella I will keep this really short.

I really enjoyed this novella. I have not been really feeling the menage story line in a really like time. But I really enjoyed this story by Carrie Ann.

If you are a fan of the Redwood Pack series then you will love Hannah, Josh & Reed’s story

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

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Kelly’s review of Beautiful Scars by Shiloh Walker

TITLE: Beautiful Scars
AUTHOR: Shiloh Walker
PUBLICATION DATE: Jan. 13, 2013
Characters: Marc Archer & Chaili Bennett
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Some scars cut right to the heart.

Three years after her divorce, Chaili Bennett is over her ex. Her only problem now? Of the few men she’s dated since, no one “gets” her. Not like Marc Archer—a man who’s never seen her as more than a friend.

Marc Archer needs a date for a last-minute charity event, and he needs it fast. Not that women aren’t throwing themselves at his world-famous face and body, but sometimes it’s less messy—as in less personal—to use his sister Shera’s escort service.

The last woman on earth Marc expects to see in his sister’s office is Chaili. There’s something different about her, but nothing pleases him more when Shera sets them up. That simple date quickly evolves into much more as they both discover the other fills a deep, secret need they’ve shared with anyone else.

Though Chaili insists one night is all she wants, Marc isn’t walking away now. Not until he discovers what put the shadows in her eyes. And the scars on her soul.

REVIEW:
Another wonderfully emotional story by Shiloh Walker. Every page of this book jumped out at me. Everything from Chaili’s crush on her best friends big brother to the terrible reason her marriage didn’t work out.

Marc is a man who doesn’t trust easy. He has been hurt one too many times by people he thought he could trust. But when his little sisters best friend (who just happens to be one of his close friends too) steps back into his life he will have to learn quickly that trust is giving freely, but if you mess it up once you will have a heck of a time getting it back. Only this time Marc is the one having to earn it back.

Chaili has been through hell the last few years, but she is determined to get back on her feet. But it is proving to be a bit of a challenge. When an opportunity comes up to spend the evening with Marc, Chaili is willing to do just about anything to get close to the only man she has ever truly loved.

Beautiful Scars is a great story of trust, love and learning to overcome your fears. If you are looking for a good read that will leave you wishing there was more. You need to pick up a copy of Beautiful Scars and learn what true love really is.

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

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Covert Seduction by Callie Croix

TITLE: Covert Seduction
CHARACTERS: Reid & Becca
AUTHOR: Callie Croix
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/14/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Navy SEAL Reid Galvin is back from hell and eager to find comfort in Becca Anderson’s arms. He knows he hurt her when he cut contact during his deployment, so when his call interrupts her date with another man, he has only himself to blame. But he can’t forget what she means to him—or the sexy email she sent him—and he won’t miss this chance to claim her as his own.

It’s been weeks since Becca heard from the man she thought she was involved with. So when Reid wants to take up where they left off as if nothing happened, she refuses. Then he rescues her from a first date gone very wrong, and she realizes she’s not quite ready to let him go.

Reid and Becca have a lot to talk about, but since she’s not listening, he’s going to have to regain her trust another way—by bringing her most erotic fantasies to life. Making her surrender to pleasure just might be his most important mission.

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars This is an enjoyable short story. Reid is a SEAL (aren’t they all?) who was in a relationship with Becca until he was sent on a mission. She did not hear from him for 6 weeks and while they both missed the other there was no communication which caused a problem for Becca. Reid comes home and wants to rekindle the fire. Becca had sent him a erotic love letter and Reid wants to fulfill her desires if Becca will give him the chance.

There is a bit of a romantic suspense in this story but not much. A little bit more would have been nice. I did not consider this erotica. Yes there was some sex scenes showing Reid in control but this is not D/s sex scenes.

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

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Kimberly’s review of The Valentine’s Arrangement by Kelsie Leverich

TITLE: The Valentine’s Arrangement
SERIES #: Heroes For The Holidays #1
CHARACTERS: Ronnie & Kale
AUTHOR: Kelsie Leverich
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ronnie Clark, an edgy tattoo artist with hopes of high tailing it out of the forsaken Military town she followed her now ex-fiancé to, is counting down the days until Valentine’s Day is over. Ronnie doesn’t do romance. She doesn’t do flowers or dates, and she sure as hell doesn’t do love—not anymore. After her fiancé slept with a female soldier while deployed, she has vowed never to fall in love again, especially with a soldier.

Sergeant First Class Kale Emerson is home on his mid-tour leave from Iraq, but he only has one thing on his mind—returning to his deployment to finish leading his soldiers on their mission. The last thing he wants is a relationship, but casual sex, that’s a different story. And when he meets the renowned tattoo artist Ronnie Clark, a snarky, blunt, takes no prisoners kind of woman, that seems to be all he can think about.

But when Kale realizes he has met his match with a bombshell woman who is hell bent against love, will just sex be enough? And if it’s not, will he be able to convince Ronnie that the proverbial hearts and flowers aren’t so bad after all, even if he is a soldier?

REVIEW:
Did I like this book? I am 50/50 on that answer. I liked the storyline. I thought that Kale was adorable. I couldn’t stand Ronnie. And the language just went overboard.

I am not exactly sure why Kale would be attracted to Ronnie at all. I am not talking about the fact she is tough and independent but the fact that she is rude and crass. She has nothing that makes you want to like her. I just wanted to wash her mouth out with soap. There is not one page that does not have crude language over and over. And while I realize she is trying to prove she is strong she really just proves she is just unappealing.

Now Kale is worth reading about. And the story as I said was really good… well the storyline. It had a lot of potential and Kale would have been a great hero for a story with a woman that the reader actually cared about.

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