Category: 3 Star

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Enchantress by Rae Morgan

TITLE: Enchantress
AUTHOR: Rae Morgan
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/05/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Successful businessman Eric Thorsson Ward has worked hard to reach the stage in life where he could have anything he wants – – and he wants Gina Morelli. Problem is successful businessmen remind Gina of her father, a man who’d abandoned her mother, took her brother, and started a whole new family, one that didn’t include her.

When she finds her brother shot and the threatening phone calls start, Gina reluctantly accepts Eric’s offer of protection and help. After all, even if he breaks her heart, she’ll still be alive.

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars ~ I really enjoyed this story. Yes some parts of it got a little cheesy (“Petey”) but the story is complete and interesting. It is a short story only about 100 pages but it still feels whole. The characters are fully developed for a short story. The problem I had, while small was distracting, was the writing at some points made me wonder if the story was originally written as a shape-shifter story. There are a number of references to a wolf and the senses a wolf has “I could smell her danger across the room”, “like a wolf I mate for life”, etc type sentences and I kept waiting for the big reveal that never came. Mind you it would have made a great shape-shifting story.

If you are looking for a quick read with suspense and romance this would be a good story to pick up. *I believe this is a reprint*

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

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Love Letters Volume 1 by Glass/Thacher/Cale/Wells

TITLE: Love Letters Volume 1
SERIES #: Obeying Desire
CHARACTERS: various
AUTHOR: Glass/Thacher/Cale/Wells
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/08/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Love Letters Volume 1 contains four hot novellas that will tempt you to submit to desire:

A Is for Assignment by Ginny Glass

Lane Heywood is the last person Cameron Isley wanted as his partner in an undercover investigation at a sex club. But with the sexy psychiatrist masquerading as his Domme, he’ll have to submit to her erotic torment—and try to control his all-too-real lust.

B Is for Bondage by Christina Thacher

When Rachel Cooper begins BDSM lessons, she soon starts fantasizing about her instructor, Marc Thibaud. They’re not supposed to have sex—until one lesson crosses the line…

C Is for Curious by Emily Cale

Mistress Rebecca Greer has had her eye on The Black Rose BDSM club’s shy receptionist, so when Hilary “accidentally” interrupts one of her sessions, Rebecca decides to give her a taste to satisfy her curiosity.

D Is for Detained by Maggie Wells

He was the preacher’s son; her parents owned the local sex shop. Sherry Adams and Tyler Prescott’s attraction was forbidden when they were teenagers, but years later Deputy Tyler takes out his trusty handcuffs to show her just how good they could be together.

REVIEW:
This is four stories in one read. I assume since this is A-D that the rest will be in alphabetical order as well. The stories were short with each story about 20 pages. They are good but since they are so short there is not much of any kind of background or story to each story. Good for a short read that you can start and finish before bed.

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

Posted on

Kelly reviews How Beauty Met the Beast by Jax Garren

TITLE: How Beauty Met the Beast
SERIES: Tales of the Underlight #1
AUTHOR: Jax Garren
PUBLICATION DATE: 11.19.12
Characters: Wesley “Hauk” Haukon & Jolie Beniot
ORDER LINKS:Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The Beast

Scarred. Damaged. Living with a terrible secret. Agent of the Underlight Wesley “Hauk” Haukon has nothing left but the fight for liberty against the oppressive Order of Ananke. He’s starting to lose hope…and then he sees her.

The Beauty

Despite her night job as a burlesque dancer, grad student Jolie Benoit has always played the mostly good girl. That all changes following a scorching sexual encounter with a stranger whose face she doesn’t see. After she’s kidnapped by thugs and rescued by a man with a very familiar voice, Jolie becomes a pawn in a struggle she never knew existed.

Hauk knows he cannot have her, and resolves to protect his heart and his secrets. But as they work together and grow closer, he finds new reason to keep fighting. Dare he risk hope in a new life, one where Jolie can see past his ravaged face and where their friendship can grow into something more?

38,000 words

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars ~ I really liked this novella and since it is a novella I will keep my review short.

After a most unexpected encounter Hauk & Jolie find themselves thrown together in unknown ways. They must learn to trust each other in order to survive.

Jolie is beautiful and trustworthy.

Hauk is scarred and damaged.

But they form a relationship that slowly breaks down all barriers between what you see and what you feel.

Jax does a great job of getting us 100% invested in these two and then leaves us hanging with the friendship card swinging between them. Can’t wait to see what book 2 has in store for our Beauty and Beast.

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.

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Flirting Under A Full Moon by Ahlyn Chase

TITLE: Flirting Under A Full Moon
SERIES #: Flirting With Fangs Trilogy #1
CHARACTERS: Brandee & Nick
AUTHOR: Ahlyn Chase
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/02/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
If Brandee Hanson ever wants to go from waitress to photographer, she’ll have to take some once-in-a-lifetime shots. But when she catches the gorgeous private investigator, Nick Wolfensen, on camera— transforming into a werewolf—she is thrown into a world of vampires, shapeshifters, and other paranormal misfits.

In order to keep his secret and stay clear of the supernatural council, Nick will have to convince Brandee not to release the photo. Fortunately, he was looking for an excuse to spend more time with the beautiful waitress anyway.

REVIEW:
Well I didn’t love this book but I didn’t hate it either. The synopsis really doesn’t explain what the book is about clearly. There is an interesting story that is told but nothing ever seemed to click.

The book was written in almost a YA style even though it is not. The characters never seemed to really connect. The characters in the background weren’t over the top interesting and it also seemed to have a feel that we missed a book somewhere when it talks about Nick’s twin brother and his wife but this is the first in the series so obviously we didn’t. However it is not the first book for the author so maybe their story was told in another book or series.

I want to say I liked the book. I read it in a day even though it was over 300 pages so it had me interested I am just not sure it would ever be a book I recommend.

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

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Dream Seeker by Storm Savage

TITLE: Dream Seeker
AUTHOR: Storm Savage
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/01/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
These men don’t drink female blood to survive—they need it to regain virility and for the sexual high!

Gorgeous rock stars sweep into major cities and seduce women of their choosing. Commoners call them vampires, but they see themselves as cursed men, not vampires. They don’t need blood to survive. They drink female blood to reverse a spell cast upon them by a scorned lover who took her own life decades ago. While deep-sea diving in Spain, they were attacked by a vicious creature and rendered impotent by her bite. Women’s blood is a sexual enhancement aid to them.

Blackmailed into a marriage of convenience at eighteen, Angel deems herself the world’s oldest virgin living outside a convent. Her thirty-year fantasy involving a special rock star leads her into unexpected territory. Savaant is everything she dreamt of and more. His sweet and sexy ways are irresistible and she surrenders to his powerful seduction. Can she accept what he is when the truth unfolds about his curse? Will she be able to hold her own in his precarious world and travel with him to his tropical island home?

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars ~ The first thing I want to say is that this book does not end. It is part 1 of 2 (I believe) so the end of the book is more like a intermission. I am not sure why I liked this book but I did for some reason. The characters have chemistry and it made me want to keep reading even though the writing is not all that great. I have to say the story is a little weird really but there is something about it. I just wish I knew what it was so I could explain it.

The story is only about 100 pages so it is a short read that really catches the attention. It is really not a vampire story even though it has the same characteristics. Savaant is written in such a way it is hard not to enjoy him.

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

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Let The Dead Sleep by Heather Graham

TITLE: Let The Dead Sleep
CHARACTERS: Michael & Danni
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/26/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
It was stolen from a New Orleans grave – the centuries-old bust of an evil man, a demonic man. It’s an object desired by collectors – and by those with wickedness in their hearts.

One day, its current owner shows up at Danni Cafferty’s antiques shop on Royal Street, the shop she inherited from her father. But before Danni can buy the statue, it disappears, the owner is found dead…and Danni discovers that she’s inherited much more than she realized. In the store is a book filled with secret writing: instructions for defeating evil entities. She’d dismissed it as a curiosity…until the arrival of this statue, with its long history of evil and even longer trail of death.

Michael Quinn, former cop and now private investigator, is a man with an unusual past. He believes that doing the right thing isn’t a job – it’s a way of life. And the right thing to do is find and destroy this object weighted with malevolent powers. He and Danni are drawn together in their search for the missing statue, following it through sultry New Orleans nights to hidden places in the French Quarter and secret ceremonies on abandoned plantations.

Cafferty and Quinn already know that trust in others can be misplaced, that love can be temporary. And yet their connection is primal. Mesmerizing. They also know that their story won’t end when this case is closed and the dead rest in peace once again.

REVIEW:
As with most of Grahams books the history that she researches is above and beyond. The history that she finds out makes the reader want to head out on vacation to one of her locations. However, while I am usually a big fan of Grahams this book just did nothing for me. The characters never seemed to click at all. The story really never clicked either. Yes it has an interesting storyline something is just off about it.

Usually when I read a book by Graham I can not figure out the who-dun-it but I had pretty much everything figured out which was a disappointment. I am not sure if this is part of a series but the ending was not what I wanted either. The best part of the story is Wolf, Michael’s dog, who steals every scene he is in.

As with all of Grahams books the writing is done well and the basic story is good unfortunately it is just lacking this go round.

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

Posted on

Kimberly reviews No Foolin’ by Lisa Scott

TITLE: No Foolin’
SERIES #: Willowdale Romance #1
CHARACTERS: Kate & Teague
AUTHOR: Lisa Scott
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/04/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to Willowdale, North Carolina, a small town where the folks are friendly, the romances are as sweet as the tea, and the biddies at the diner gobble up gossip like it’s peach cobbler. This may be their biggest scoop ever.

When sexy Hollywood bad-boy Teague “T-Rex” Reynolds comes to this quiet Southern town, he needs a fake girlfriend to hide the secret that brought him there. School nurse Kate Riley takes the job, but she won’t fall for a movie star, no ma’am. That’s fine with Teague. He hung a closed sign on his heart years ago.

Convincing the press they’re in love is one thing. Fooling each other they’re not is getting harder each day. Despite scandal, heartache, and misunderstandings galore, they might just find the sweet thrill of true love. Book one of The Willowdale Romances.

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars ~ This is a cute story. I enjoyed Teague and Kate a lot. The relationship they have it very sweet. I am not sure that I think this book is “upbeat” though for most of it. Kate (and her sister) have a very low self-esteem which you can understand given their history but it is a bit of a downer after a while. I actually started to feel sad for them both. I wanted Kate to have a least some confidence in herself but other than the fact that she knows she can “always make things work out one way to another” she has very little confidence in herself.

However, she also almost has a childlike quality when she learns new things. She is really a interesting character in some ways good and some ways bad but still interesting. Teague is sweet and loving but he also has a youthfulness about him that should not be there for his age. He knows he is not what the papers say he is but he is not sure he can be what he wants to be. I am not sure how he supposedly got all the money he has since he is not a big time actor yet but, hey, I don’t know how Hollywood works. But, anyway, I liked him.

I really didn’t care about the background story of Kate’s pregnant sister. She was so needy and scared of life that, again, it was a bit of a downer but I understand it needed to be there to enhance Kate’s story.

Do not get me wrong. I liked the book. I truly enjoyed the day reading it and think anyone who enjoys the romance genre will enjoy it too.

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

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Keeper Of The Night by Heather Graham

TITLE: Keeper Of The Night
SERIES #: The Keepers: LA #1
CHARACTERS: Rhiannon & Brodie
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/18/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon|| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In their new Keeper roles, these extraordinary women must balance the fate of the world with their desires…

New Keeper Rhiannon Gryffald has her peacekeeping duties cut out for her—because in Hollywood, it’s hard to tell the actors from the werewolves, bloodsuckers and shape-shifters. Then Rhiannon hears about a string of murders that bear all the hallmarks of a vampire serial killer, and she must confront her greatest challenge yet. Together with Elven detective Brodie McKay, they head to Laurel Canyon, epicenter of the danger, where they uncover a plot that may forever alter the face of human-paranormal relations.

REVIEW:
So the plot for this story is interesting. Rhiannon is a Keeper (babysitter/judge) for the vampires. She is new to the job with her 2 cousins. She barely gets to LA and vampire murders start happening. Brodie is a copy (and Elvan) who is working the case and they team up.

Sounds interesting right? And it sorta is except the writing of the story almost seems like it is written for YA (except the minor love scenes). This is the first in a new series but it felt like I should know the Fathers of the new Keepers because they refer to them over and over as if they were in an original series and I did go back to see if I could find the series but I couldn’t find anything but it made me feel like I was missing a little something.

Also the other problem was the female characters. They are so immature. And yes we are supposed to think that they are new and thrown into this Keeper position but it Rhiannon seems like she can not do anything alone and one cousin is too uptight and the other is a bit spoiled. I really didn’t like them much.

But I did enjoy Brodie and Rhiannon together. They worked well together. I love Heather Graham’s ghost stories so I thought I would love this too but I just liked it.

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

Posted on

Kelly reviews Shades Of Gray by Maya Banks

TITLE: Shades of Gray
SERIES: KGI #6
AUTHOR: Maya Banks
Characters: PJ Rutherford & David Coletrane
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/31/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
P.J. and Cole were sharpshooting rivals on the same KGI team and enjoyed a spirited, uncomplicated camaraderie. Until the night they gave in to their desires and suddenly took their relationship one step further. In the aftermath of their one night stand, they’re called up on a mission that goes terribly wrong, and P.J. walks away from KGI, determined not to drag her teammates into the murky shadows she’s poised to delve into.

Six months later, Cole hasn’t given up his search for P.J., and he’s determined to bring her back home where she belongs. Bent on vengeance, P.J. is on a mission that will plunge her into a serpentine game of payback and make her question everything she’s ever believed in. Cole—and the rest of their team—refuse to let her go it alone. Even if it means sacrificing their loyalty to KGI and their very lives

REVIEW:
I am really on the fence about this book. I really hate what happened, I mean REALLY hate what happened to the heroine. I just plain hate this type of storyline, not matter how good the rest of the book is. But it didn’t stop me from loving the characters.

PJ is strong despite everything that has happened to her and I am happy that she made it out on the other side okay. And with Cole’s help I believe she will fully heal (but again, really hate when what happened to her is in a story) I really loved Cole. He is so sweet, patient and perfect for PJ.

I enjoyed this story even if I disliked part of the storyline. This was also my first book in Maya Banks KGI series. And from what I have gathered the story line that I disliked might be in other books. So I am not sure if I will be back tracking and reading the other books. But if you are a fan of the KGI series I am sure you will enjoy PJ & Cole’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.

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Protector by Nancy Northcott

TITLE: Protector
SERIES #: The Protectors #1.5
CHARACTERS: Edie & Josh
AUTHOR: Nancy Northcott
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/30/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When firefighter and paramedic Edie Lang arrives to battle a wildfire in southeast Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp, she’s dismayed to encounter the man who ruined her life in just one night. Their reunion doesn’t make helicopter pilot Josh Campbell any happier than Edie is. Despite their efforts to ignore each other, the sparks between them have not diminished, but neither intends to let them flare again.

When one of them is gravely injured, the two discover their passion runs deeper than either of them could have imagined and they have Dr. Stefan Harper to thank for that chance.

Dr. Harper is happy to have given the couple a second chance, but realizes through Josh and Edie, as well as his good friends Val and Griff, that what’s missing from his life is love.

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars ~ Ok first… Did you know this was a paranormal novella? Well I didn’t based on the synopsis and in the beginning I was confused. I had not read book one (actually I didn’t even know there was a book one until after I read this one). But once I read a bit I was able to understand what was going on. Apparently in short… There is a paranormal hospital for mages which is not a witch but has magical powers. Now something happens to Edie and Josh which is why they end up in the hospital.

Ok now that you have the correct synopsis…. I really enjoyed this short story. It was a well written story with a full story in a small amount of pages. I enjoyed the story of Edie and Josh. I have to say I am not sure about the story of the doctors but I will honestly say I think that it because I have not read the first in the series. You could tell a lot had been explained prior so I did feel that I was missing a bit of information but was able to enjoy the story besides that. I think anyone who likes romances with a magic twist will enjoy this one.

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

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Midnight Fantasy by Sandra Chastain

TITLE: Mac’s Angels: Midnight Fantasy
CHARACTERS: Annie & Joe
AUTHOR: Sandra Chastain
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/11/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
After a series of football injuries leave him broken in both body and spirit, former star quarterback Joe Armstrong decides that his life is over. Wanting nothing more than to sit alone with a strong drink, Joe is less than pleased when he receives an unexpected visit from nurse Annabelle Calloway. Finding the golden-haired angel impossible to ignore, Joe reluctantly lets Annabelle into his home.

Although she’s seen her fair share of tough cases, Annabelle isn’t sure how to reach the troubled Joe. But having almost succumbed to depression herself, Annabelle feels an instant connection to her charge. A connection that becomes undeniable. Enveloped by passion and filled with longing, Annabelle will stop at nothing to give Joe a reason to live—and a reason to love.

REVIEW:
This is a “Loveswept Classic” reprint so parts of the story seem a little dated but that does not take away from the story. The part that takes away is the story itself. I saw a review of GoodReads that says “cheesy” and yeah that fits it perfectly. While sweet and I can understand why in the 90’s it was just not up to todays reads. That being said though it is a cute story. If written today a lot would be written differently. This is a cute quick read. If you want to have a story ready for when a short read is needed this is great.

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

Posted on

Kimberly reviews A Dream To Cling To by Sally Goldenbaum

TITLE: A Dream To Cling To
CHARACTERS: Brittany & Sam
AUTHOR: Sally Goldenbaum
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/11/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In an unforgettable tale of unlikely passion, cherished romance author Sally Goldenbaum shows that in the game of love, rules are meant to be broken.

Sam Lawrence is a wild Renaissance man who chases his dreams around the world in pursuit of lucrative business ventures. But after meeting the captivating Brittany Winters, he is determined to keep her in his arms forever. If only he can persuade the auburn-haired beauty that he’s a serious catch and not a fleeting mirage.

Brittany has always followed the rules. Close with family and friends, dedicated to her job at an animal shelter, Brittany is firmly planted in a satisfying life—that is, until Sam comes along. Sam’s touch makes her head spin, but can a man on the move ever have a real home? Longing to hold on to her own dream of happily ever after, Brittany must decide whether she can trust Sam—or risk a broken heart.

Includes a special message from the editor, as well as excerpts from these Loveswept titles: The Reluctant Countess, Wild Rain, and Silk on the Skin.

REVIEW:
I was going back and forth about giving this book 2.5 or 3 stars and settled on 3 for one reason only. The concept is different than what we normally see in romance books. I never connected with the characters even though I enjoyed Sam. I felt like the author was trying too hard in the writing and gave the characters an uppity feeling that I just could not enjoy.

But on the other hand I have never heard of a male character getting to know the female character based on a game board. (Yep you read that right). So I decided it was different enough to give the author credit for that.

This is a LoveSwept classic originally from 1987. Maybe that makes the difference.

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