Category: 2 Star

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Kimberly reviews Last Chance Hero by Hope Ramsey

last chance heroTITLE: Last Chance Hero
SERIES #: Last Chance #9
CHARACTERS: Sabrina & Ross
AUTHOR: Hope Ramsey
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/30/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ross Gardiner has had his fill of difficult relationships. Returning to Last Chance after a rough divorce, the town’s handsome new fire chief just wants safety and stability-a tall order given his dangerous job and the way he has the attention of all the single women in town. All except Sabina Grey, the girl who stole his heart when they were teenagers.

Sabina knows a lot about playing it safe. Always the good girl, she’s now responsible for her antiques store and caring for her sister. But having Ross in town brings back the memory of one carefree summer night when she threw caution to the wind-and almost destroyed her family. Now that they are both older and wiser, will the spark still be there, even though they’ve both been burned?

REVIEW:
DNF – I have not read the rest of this series. I picked up this book from NetGalley thinking I had but as soon as I read the first chapter I was like “what series is this?” and went back and looked and nope this was not the series I thought I was requesting. And I just couldn’t read it.

I have not looked it up but I would bet this author is a northerner who thinks she is a southerner. She probably spent summers visiting or something but never really got the language down. The line that put me over the edge was….

“It hadn’t taken Momma more than a minute to start ladling on the guilt just like gravy on her pot roast. And Momma never stinted on gravy.”

The writing cheesy and didn’t flow. I just couldn’t get much into this book when I realized I have so many more books that I want to read.

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

2hearts

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Kimberly reviews Cowboy Heaven by Cheryl Brooks

cowboy heavenTITLE: Cowboy Heaven
SERIES #: Cowboy Heaven #1
CHARACTERS: Angela & Dusty
AUTHOR: Cheryl Brooks
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/01/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Cheryl Brooks, well known for her blazing hot love scenes, presents a smoking new erotic romance series set at a Wyoming ranch and featuring sexy-as-sin cowboys.

When widow Angela McClure decides to let loose and start a secret affair with a younger ranch hand, she inflames rancher Dusty Jackson’s long simmering desire. Both men are irresistible – and forbidden – so Angela forms a plan to divert her old-fashioned father’s suspicions: flirt with all of “her cowboys.’ The new competition makes Circle Bar K ranch hotter than it’s ever been before…

REVIEW:
This was really hard to read.It seemed like it was written as a short erotic story and the author decided to add some back story to it. The only thing missing was the “boom chicka bow bow” music playing in the background.

Worst part was the sex scenes weren’t even that great. Won’t be continuing with this series.

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

2hearts

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Kimberly reviews Under His Touch by Jeffe Kennedy

under his touchTITLE: Under His Touch
SERIES #: Falling Under #2
CHARACTERS: Amber & Alec
AUTHOR: Jeffe Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/19/15
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Amber Dolors knows better than to get involved with her boss. Devastatingly handsome in his sharp suits and sexy beyond belief, he possesses an air of command that fuels her darkest fantasies. But she’s worked too hard to get this job, and keeping it will lead to a brilliant future. She won’t cross that line—even if his way of giving orders and demanding her best performance gives her delicious warm shivers.

Alexander Knight prides himself on his integrity and self-discipline. After all, he hasn’t risen to the position he enjoys by indulging his whims over ambition. He also isn’t blind. He’s certainly noticed his sharp, young assistant is hot as hell. His self-imposed sexual hermitage doesn’t stop him from watching her. And endlessly fantasizing.

The day Alec’s cool reserve cracks and Amber catches a glimpse of something simmering beneath his apparent indifference is the day everything between them changes. Alec gives her what she’s been looking for sexually—as masterful in the bedroom as he is in the boardroom. He finds himself in the grip of an affair that tests even his boundaries, while Amber’s new role as willing student pushes them both past any consideration other than mutual longing.

REVIEW:
2.5 Hearts Let me start by saying I am usually a fan of what Kennedy has to write but I just couldn’t enjoy this story. First it took almost half of the story for the characters to really get together. There was so much of the back and forth of “we shouldn’t do this”, “I can’t get you out of my head”, “you are my employee”, blah blah blah that I felt the connection lacked by the time they got together. I also had a hard time with the age difference. Not because it was there but because too many time it was reminded he was “old enough to be her father” putting that thought in my head.

Amber is actually too innocent if you ask me and Alec just doesn’t have the Dom attitude, again to my way of thinking. I wish I could say I thought this story had potential but I just don’t. Mind you this will not stop me from picking up the next book by Kennedy in hopes that she has gone back to her usual way of writing.

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

2hearts

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Kelly reviews Burn For Me by Ilona Andrews

burn for meTITLE: Burn for Me
SERIES #: Hidden Legacy #1
CHARACTERS: Connor “Mad” Rogan & Nevada Baylor
AUTHOR: Ilona Andrews
PUBLICATION DATE: October 28, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews launches a brand new Hidden Legacy series, in which one woman must place her trust in a seductive, dangerous man who sets off an even more dangerous desire…

Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career—a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile case. Nevada isn’t sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire.

Then she’s kidnapped by Connor “Mad” Rogan—a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run or surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive.

Rogan’s after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she’s getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world.

REVIEW:
I had a hard time rating this book. I don’t know what it was but the first few chapter’s interested me. A new world to explore and a new twist on magic. Connor peaked my interests. All moody and mysterious. Nevada came acrossed as tough and determine. But then I read on and found myself bored. I am not sure if it was my mood or not. Or maybe I just have a hard time with the Urban Fantasy genre (I like my HEA at the end of the book). Or maybe it was the first encounter between Mad & Nevada. I don’t know. But I didn’t connect with this book. Maybe at a later date I will pick this book up and re-read. But at this time I am not sure I will continue with this series.

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

2hearts

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Kimberly reviews Beauty’s Beast by Amanda Ashley

beautys beastTITLE: Beauty’s Beast
CHARACTERS: Kristine & Erik
AUTHOR: Amanda Ashley
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/02/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Beauty
Fair of face and figure, Kristine is young, innocent, pure. Yet she has been condemned to the gallows for killing a man. The only one who can save her is a lord so infamous that some say he is the son of the Devil himself…
And the Beast
Erik Trevayne is called the Demon Lord of Hawksbridge Castle, but few know of the curse he lives under. Or the terrifying changes slowly gnawing away at his humanity. When he weds her, all he wants of Kristine is a son. But when he beds her, a wild hope is born—that love that can tame even the most monstrous of beasts…

REVIEW:
This was a DNF for me which doesn’t happen very often. Usually if I can’t get into a book I might skim over certain sections but still manage to finish the book but not this one. I was about 20% into the book and just couldn’t go on.
First I can’t stand Kristine. She is just so dull and has no gumption to her. She just takes the way Erik uses her and leaves her room and still manages to think that she needs to learn to love him. Why? And Erik while understandable is just a jerk. Nothing about either of them makes me want to care about them.
This is not the Beauty and The Beast we grew up on. I didn’t really expect it to be but it is so slow moving with nothing going on that I just didn’t care about learning more of the differences. I would say more but not much more I can say when I couldn’t read anymore at 20%. I think this is a love it or hate it kind of book. Nothing in between.

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

2hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Best Kind Of Trouble by Lauren Dane

Best kind of troubleTITLE: The Best Kind Of Trouble
SERIES #: The Hurley Boys #1
CHARACTERS: Natalie & Paddy
AUTHOR: Lauren Dane
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/26/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

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.

2hearts

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Kimberly reviews What A Lady Craves by Ashlyn Macnamara

what a lady cravesTITLE: What A Lady Craves
SERIES #: The Eton Boys Trilogy #1
CHARACTERS: Henrietta & Alexander
AUTHOR: Ashlyn Macnamara
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/12/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Henrietta Upperton is about to marry Alexander Sanford, when he rushes off to India to salvage his family’s fortune. Then comes the devastating news that he has wed another. Eight agonizing years later, a storm washes Alexander ashore—injured, widowed, and hunted—and one glimpse of his ruggedly handsome face reawakens the desire Henrietta thought she had buried deep inside. Her body still yearns for his touch, but she’s determined not let him wound her again . . . not this time.
For Alexander, honor always comes first. But only now does he realize that when given the choice between two virtuous deeds, he picked the wrong one. On the run with his life in tatters and a pair of daughters in tow, Alexander burns for Henrietta. He knows he does not deserve forgiveness. And yet he longs to wrap his arms around her warm body once again. What’s more, he is sure the lady craves the same.

REVIEW:
I had the hardest time with this book. I really never cared about either of the main characters. Alexander is just a jerk who thinks he does everything for honor and even when he hurts others with his actions he doesn’t see it as dishonor. And Henrietta just seems desperate or something. Why she would allow Alexander back into her life I have no clue.
I started off feeling saddened for Henrietta but right off the bat she keeps the box from Alexander when he has lost everything and I guess I never recovered for her keeping it from him. Mind you I never liked Alexander either. I really just wanted to slap them both and tell them to leave each other alone and never talk again. But I guess they deserve each other if they are willing to get back together after everything that has happened.

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

2hearts

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Kimberly review A Vampire’s Promise by Carla Susan Smith

Vampires PromiseTITLE: A Vampire’s Promise
SERIES #: Part 1
CHARACTERS: Rowan & Gabriel
AUTHOR: Carla Susan Smith
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/05/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Trust Your Instincts
Rowan Harper is nothing but a smart-mouthed bookstore clerk with a crappy love life on the night she walks into Rosie’s Bar. Most of the drama in her life is borrowed from her best friend’s adventures. But when she meets Gabriel–tall and movie star gorgeous–everything changes. Never mind that she turns down the drink he offers, or that he brims with secrets she can’t begin to guess at. He ignites a desire in her she never suspected–and shows a fascination with her she can’t explain.
He has no family, no job, no bank account;he knows where she lives and her favorite flower. An aura of mystery cloaks him, even as Rowan grasps for facts, even as she fears an answer that could destroy her happiness. Gabriel can guide her through a wonderland of new sensations. But only if Rowan trusts him enough to follow. . .

REVIEW:
2.5 Hearts I had a hard time with this story. First the writing is off. Not sure exactly how but it is written in first person which is odd for this kind of book but the conversations are not the way anyone would really talk and there is so much commentary that the story is over done.

Also there is no connection between Gabriel and Rowan. Gabriel seems set in old times even though he is so many years old wouldn’t he have kept current? And Rowan is clueless in almost everything she does. She seems like a push over to me and I really didn’t connect with her at all. And while obvious to the reader, I mean heck it is in the name of the book, Rowan doesn’t know Gabriel is a vampire until the last few paragraphs.

The story is continuing in the next part but not sure that I can enough about either character to want to read it.

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

2hearts

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Kimberly reviews Surrender by Tawny Taylor

surrenderTITLE: Surrender
CHARACTERS: Abby & Kameron
AUTHOR: Tawny Taylor
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/27/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
I was his.
To touch.
Anywhere.
Any time he wanted.
Abby is ready to agree to anything to stop her brother from going to prison, but Kameron Maldondo, the owner of MalTech Corporation, is asking for the unexpected. Enthralled by his commanding brilliance, she agrees to be his assistant, at his beck and call for whatever he needs–whenever and however he wants. What that means is for him to decide and for her to submit to. Frightened yet fascinated by what he promises, Abby becomes a willing captive to his caress, undone by his peerless touch, a quivering submission to an aching need for complete carnal surrender. . .

REVIEW:
2.75 Hearts This book was just ok for me. I have more complaints with it than I do praise but the story had an underlying interesting story so I am letting the stars fall mostly in the middle.

First the good. The story like I said is a bit interesting and even though I was pretty sure I had the who-dun-it figured out I wasn’t sure (I was right by the way) but knowing I was sure kept me interested. Abby is kind of interesting too even though I would never say she is one of my favorite heroines. She does what she believes is right and stands by it which I can appreciate. Kam is just ok and falls more in the complaint side.

Now the bad. There is not much in the erotica side to this story and what is sexual is the same over and over and not something that is every other erotic novel out there. There was nothing interesting about it. Kam is so far from a Dom that it is laughable. He wouldn’t know what to do with half the items in the dungeon he has. I think the author fell into “a kiss is more intimate than anything else sexually” idea because if I had read the word kiss one more time I might have screamed.

Maybe if this story had been categorized as romantic suspense it would have been better but as it says it is erotica and the synopsis makes you think that this book comes up lacking.

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

2hearts

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Kimberly review Mai Tai for Two by Delphine Dryden

mai taiTITLE: Mai Tai For Two
CHARACTERS: Julie & Alan
AUTHOR: Dephine Dryden
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/01/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Julie’s Hawaiian Vacay Itinerary!

You and your “work husband” have just won an all-expenses-paid vacation in Oahu. Now the fun begins…

1.Get lei’d. (With flowers, obvi.)
2.Settle into your gorgeous ocean-side cabin. Contemplate living in Hawaii forever.
3.Become overwhelmed with hideous unexplained jealousy when your bestie decides to make sexy moves on your work-husband, Alan.
4.Dismiss jealousy. After all, you’re not interested in Alan “that” way… are you?
5.Avoid joyous dancing when bestie’s ex arrives, and sweeps her off her feet—leaving Alan completely and totally available.
6.Now you’re alone with Alan. Alone. In paradise. Take a deep breath, have a mai tai—or two—and (gulp!) make your move. Be classy.
7.”Accidentally” let Alan peek under your grass skirt.
8.Take off grass skirt.
9. Do Incredibly Naughty And Sexy Things everywhere.
10.And do not think about what happens when you and your work husband go back to reality…

REVIEW:
2 Hearts Trying to be nice I will say this was just not a good story and the writing was even worse. I have read books by Dryden before and while youthful without being YA it has never been like this book. I can’t imagine anyone talking like these people did. I mean really what near thirty year olds say “I like like you not just like you”? The story was cliche’ as well. Just not one I would recommend even as a short read.

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

2hearts

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Kimberly reviews Once Upon A Billionaire by Jessica Clare

Once upon a billionaireTITLE: Once Upon A Billionaire
SERIES #: Billionaire Boys Club #4
CHARACTERS: Maylee & Griffin
AUTHOR: Jessica Clare
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/15/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The Billionaire Boys Club is a secret society of six men who have vowed success—at any cost. Not all of them are old money, but all of them are incredibly wealthy. They’re just not always as successful when it comes to love…

As a member of the royal family in a small European country, Griffin Verdi’s presence is requested at the wedding of the century. The scholarly billionaire feels out of his depth in social situations, so a good assistant is required—especially when dealing with royal etiquette.

Unfortunately for Griffin, he’s stuck with Maylee Meriweather, a pretty, charming, and thoroughly unsuitable woman who doesn’t know a thing about high society—but she sure can kiss. Her lack of polish may sink Griffin, because after all, even his money can’t buy class. But through Maylee’s eyes, he’s starting to appreciate the simple things in life—if simple means the most complicated woman he’s ever met.

Maylee is everything Griffin isn’t—and everything he wants—if he can let down his guard and step outside his sheltered world…

REVIEW:
2.75 Hearts I had a hard time with this story. Maybe it was because it is the 4th in the series which I didn’t realize but I really think it was the writing. It had a youthful feel the writing and the way Maylee speaks seems “dumbed down” and stereotypical of what a southern is supposed to sound like.

I didn’t feel any kind of real connection between any of the characters even the men in the club. Just not my cup of tea I guess.

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

2hearts

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Kelly reviews Turned by Virna DePaul

TurnedTITLE: Turned
SERIES #: The Belladonna Agency #1
CHARACTERS: Ty Duncan & Ana Martin
AUTHOR: Virna DePaul
PUBLICATION DATE: April 1, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to a mesmerizing world where vampires hide among humans. This centuries-old species has its own rules, code of conduct, and taboos. Only the FBI knows that vampires exist—and although the Bureau agrees to keep their secret, it also plots to give humans the upper hand.
Turning mortals into vampires is forbidden.
But there are creatures who refuse to play by the rules.

Ever since he was turned, FBI special agent Ty Duncan has had one mission: bring rogue vampires to justice. As a recruiter for Belladonna, a shadow agency formed to keep vampires in check, Ty must tap Ana Martin, a troubled ex–gang member and one of the few mortals who can infiltrate places that his kind and the law cannot. From their first encounter, Ty fights a hunger to make Ana his own.

When Ty claims to have information about Ana’s missing sister, Ana has no choice but to trust this captivating stranger who awakens her deepest desires. But as she and Ty climb the heights of pleasure and passion, an enemy is conspiring to destroy them both.

Can Ana help Ty find his humanity in a love that could heal them both, or will their passion lead them into a darkness impossible to escape?

REVIEW:
2.5 HEARTS Really on the fence about this book. I liked the world, liked the idea behind the story liked the beginning. But I just never really connected with the main two characters. I really can’t explain why. I just didn’t feel the love that I would have liked to.

Even with that it was a good story and I am going to give the next book in this series a shot.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group – Bantam Dell in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

2hearts