Category: Kimberly’s Review

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Kimberly reviews Naked by Raine Miller

TITLE: Naked
SERIES #: The Blackstone Affair #1
CHARACTERS: Brynne & Ethan
AUTHOR: Raine Miller
PUBLICATION DATE: 8/25/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Brynne Bennett is living the good life. An American art student at the University of London and part-time photographic model, she’s putting her life back on track with school and lots of hard work. When ultra successful London businessman, Ethan Blackstone, buys her nude portrait, he isn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer. He wants Brynne in his bed and makes plans to keep her there no matter what. His dominant nature captivates and ensnares despite the demons she carries inside her. But there are secrets in this relationship. Huge ones. Can Ethan free Brynne from the past that has marked her? Will Brynne let him or will the specters tormenting her resurface to destroy them both…

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars This is a short erotic romance which is very well written. This is the first in what is so far a 3 part story. In all honesty we do not learn much about the characters background in this story just that they have both been dealt some bad hands. Ethan is a smart businessman but is almost childlike in his exuberance of Brynn which is sweet and strange all at the same time. Brynn is a lost soul who seems to finally find her place with Ethan. Yet as with every story there is some hurdles to overcome. Because this story is short I was able to read it while in between books but now I want to read the next in the series right away. Is it an incredible book? Not really but it is riveting and I didn’t want to put it down.

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

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Kimberly reviews Defying The Odds by Kele Moon

TITLE: Defying The Odds
SERIES #: Battered Hearts #1
CHARACTERS: Melody & Clay
AUTHOR: Kele Moon
PUBLICATION DATE: 6/14/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When struggling waitress Melody Dylan gives a handsome, lonely stranger a simple gift she has no clue her life is about to take a drastic turn.

The stranger ends up being Clay Powers, a famous UFC heavyweight fighter. Clay’s large build and dangerous fists have always intimidated. People in his hometown keep their distance and Clay is fine with that. Everything changes when a new waitress at the local diner buys him a piece of pie on thanksgiving. Touched by the gesture when it’s obvious she can barely afford to survive, her warm smile and lush body churn up powerful feelings that leave Clay wanting more from her than pie.

Melody is running from her past and the small, country town of Garnet is the perfect hiding place. With an ex-husband after her and scars from her abusive marriage etched deep, the last thing she expects is to fall for a man who makes a living with his fists, but she can’t resist Clay or the tender connection they share.

Finding love in the most unlikely of places, the passion is undeniable, but Clay and Melody know their haunted pasts and unpredictable futures leave the odds stacked against them.

REVIEW:
I did not know what to expect of this book but I really enjoyed it so much. There were a few things I took issue with but it wasn’t much. The good part first. I loved Clay and Melody together. They are just so sweet and we see such a different side to Clay that it is hard to not smile when he is with Melody. I enjoyed that they both were just everyday people. Yes he has money but you never really feel he is rich. There is just something so endearing about this book and the characters.

Now the parts I took a small issue with… first the accent used. The author wrote the characters being from the south which is fine but they speak more like hicks. I figured the author could not really be from the south and after reading about the author being from Hawaii I understood. She is writing the way she imagines southerners talk. The problem is it can be a bit distracting through the entire book as it seemed I could not get used it to. But I was able to read through it.

Also Melody is a wonderful character and I enjoyed her so much, however, I think (and maybe I am wrong) some of the things she did as a woman who was abused for so long seemed odd. But then other things seemed right on the nose.

I think anyone would enjoy this story who enjoys a romance and I can’t wait for the next one!

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

4 Hearts
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Kimberly reviews Under The Covers by Rebecca Zanetti

Under The Covers

TITLE: Under The Covers
SERIES #: Maverick, Montana #2
CHARACTERS: Juliet & Quinn
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/27/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Opposites don’t attract. They ignite.

The small Montana town near t

he Kooskia reserve seemed like the perfect place for Juliet Montgomery to hide from her not-so-law-abiding family. But when her peace is shattered by a break-in and threatening phone calls, it’s clear someone back in New York knows where she is. It’s time to plan her getaway, and fast—but first, she needs to tie up a few loose ends. Namely, finding out exactly what the town’s sexy cowboy sheriff is hiding in his holster…

Sheriff Quinn Lodge has enough demons of his own to know when someone’s hiding something. Clearly, he needs to do a thorough investigation to uncover what’s beneath Juliet’s uptight, city-girl exterior—preferably one piece of clothing at a time. But when their chemistry goes from fizzy to full-on explosive, things start getting complicated. How can Juliet stay beneath the covers with Quinn, when doing so means blowing her cover?

REVIEW:
I’m a fickle thing… Why do I say that? Well back in March when I read Against The Wall I fell in love with Jake but here I am with a whole knew love… Quinn. Quinn is the perfect guy as far as I am concerned. I thought I couldn’t love one of Zanetti’s books more than the last (and her paranormal series too) but I honestly think she has created the perfect man and ALL women will fall for Quinn and you know what they will love Juliet as well.

Quinn is protective, dominate and caring. Juliet is funny, loving and willing to put her trust in a man finally. She has a background that Quinn should not be connected with but somehow they work together.

I love the men of Maverick Montana. There is just something in the water there. And there is just something about Zanetti as well. She sucks you into her books within a page and you never want to leave. I love her Dark Protector series and I can not wait for her next book Forgotten Sins the first in a new series. You can not go wrong picking up a Rebecca Zanetti book!

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

5hearts-68-77

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Kimberly reviews The Great Escape by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

TITLE: The Great Escape
SERIES #: Wynette, Texas #7
CHARACTERS: Lucy & Panda
AUTHOR: Susan Elizabeth Phillips
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/10/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Where do you run to when your life has fallen apart?

Lucy Jorik is a champ at never embarrassing the family she adores—not surprising since her mother is one of the most famous women in the world. But now Lucy has done just that. And on her wedding day, no less, to the most perfect man she’s ever known.

Instead of saying “I do” to Mr. Irresistible, Lucy flees the church in an ill-fitting blue choir robe and hitches a ride on the back of a beat-up motorcycle plastered with offensive bumper stickers. She’s flying into the unknown with a rough-looking, bad-tempered stranger who couldn’t be more foreign to her privileged existence.

While the world searches for her, Lucy must search for herself, and she quickly realizes that her customary good manners are no defense against a man who’s raised rudeness to an art form. Lucy needs to toughen up—and fast.

Her great escape takes her to his rambling beach house on a Great Lakes island. Here, she hopes to find a new direction . . . and unlock the secrets of this man who knows so much about her but reveals nothing about himself. As the hot summer days unfold amid scented breezes and sudden storms, she’ll also encounter a beautiful, troubled beekeeper; a frightened young boy; a modern-day evil queen; and a passion that could change her life forever.

REVIEW:

Lucy finally got her story and what a story it is. SEP doesn’t miss a beat in this story of Lucy and Panda. The two characters have a connection from the moment Panda revs up to Lucy after she has fled the wedding to Mr. Perfect, Ted Beaudine from “Call Me Irresistible”.

While the connection is there I have to admit that I wondered if the characters were really meant to be together. But they share a common background and while their current lives are no longer the same they still click. The background characters are just as interesting as Panda and Lucy.

*Possible Spoiler* I have to say that the ending made me sad. It seems that this is the end of the series. The epilogue seems to wrap everything up and while I am sure that SEP has a new set of books in the works saying goodbye to Wynette is like saying goodbye to a hometown.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Learning To Live by Marissa Dobson

TITLE: Learning To Live
SERIES #: Half Moon Harbor #1
CHARACTERS: Meg & Jay
AUTHOR: Marissa Dobson
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/04/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Meg Harper is tired of living in a box created by her overprotective brothers because of her ability to see guardian angels…

Jay Wilder a lion shifter so wrapped up in the guilt of not being able to save his friend that he might lose everything…

Can Meg and Jay save each other or are they destined to live half a life?

REVIEW:
This is a short but enjoyable read. This is a shifter story without any shifts and a guardian angel story without guardian angels but somehow it works. I would have loved for this story to be a bit longer. Maybe a interaction with an angel. Letting Meg see Jay shift. Something like that but it is a very sweet story about a woman who wants to live and the man who comes along to show her how.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Nothing But Trouble by Trish Jensen

TITLE: Nothing But Trouble
CHARACTERS: Brandon & Laura
AUTHOR: Trish Jensen
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/30/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He’s gorgeous, rich, sexy, super nice, and head-over-heels for her. So what’s the problem?

Her psychic best friend predicts that Laura Tanner is due to meet a prince—the man of her dreams. Not a likely scenario for a hard-working bar owner who’s better at karate-chopping rowdy patrons than hobnobbing with the silver-spoon crowd. When Ivy League lawyer Brandon Prince (a prince!) strolls into her bar, Laura admits he’s hard to resist. Brandon quickly realizes that this lovely, funny, take-no-prisoners woman is the special someone he’s always wanted.

Brandon is an expert at wooing women, and even a tough cookie like Laura can’t help but fall under his spell. Before she knows what’s happening, he’s lured her on a romantic adventure filled with laughter and desire. Dazzled, she begins to believe that she really can have this prince of a man as her own.

One problem: Brandon’s powerful mother is used to women chasing his family fortune, and she’ll do whatever it takes to keep yet another money-grubbing female out of his life. If a man is everything you’ve ever wanted, how can he also be nothing but trouble?

REVIEW:
Another adorable read from Trish Jensen. This is a short story only about 14 reading pages and worth every page.

I thought Brandon was just so cute. He was written with a wonderful sense of humor and romance. I liked Laura too. She is a hard working southern girl trying to make it in the big apple. They are worlds apart but they just click. Some of the things Brandon does are so endearing that it is hard not to smile when you read his parts of the story.

I have to say there was a couple of things I didn’t care for like the ending just didn’t do it for me and a couple of other small things but even with that this book is a delight. If you like a good sweet romance then this is the book to pick up.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Stuck On You by Cheryl Harper

TITLE: Stuck On You
CHARACTERS: Laura & KT
AUTHOR: Cheryl Harper
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/23/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon |B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Big shot producer KT Masters never apologizes. Especially not to showgirl waitresses. But when he tears Laura Charles’s feathered costume and she gives him a piece of her mind, it sets him aflame. In fact, between Laura’s feisty temper and how damn good she looks in that little number, KT wouldn’t mind seeing a lot more of that costume . . . balled up next to his bed, that is.

Despite KT’s arrogant attitude, Laura can’t help but be drawn to him. And when he offers her the fling of a lifetime—a week spent in his gorgeous celebrity arms—she’s willing to play along . . . just so long as her heart stays out of it.

But as things heat up between them, going back to the way things were isn’t so easy. Could their passion be the real thing . . . or just a vacation from reality?

REVIEW:
2.5 Stars Well I can sum of this book in three words: cheesy by cute. I actually wondered if this was the first book from this author but I see she has had a couple before this one. The dialogue is very immaturely written and well cheesy. The characters do not have a lot of connection and actually are written immaturely as well. KT actually is written like he could not find his head if it was not screwed on.

However that being said the story is very cute. The setting is different and the background characters are adorable. This story had a lot of potential but just didn’t meet it.

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

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Kimberly reviews A Taste Of You by Sorcha Grace

TITLE: A Taste Of You
SERIES #: The Epicurean #1
CHARACTERS: Catherine & William
AUTHOR: Sorcha Grace
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/28/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She didn’t know how hungry she was…Beautiful and talented Catherine Kelly is intent on starting over as a food photographer in Chicago. With her painful past buried over 2000 miles away, she’s focused on her career and is hungry for little else. Until she meets William Lambourne, a wealthy bachelor with arresting blue-grey eyes filled with enough tragedy to match her own. William urges Catherine to step out from behind her camera and fully taste all that life has to offer, stirring an appetite in her she never knew she possessed – and it’s one only he can satisfy.

He couldn’t wait to feed her…A gourmand who takes great pleasure in food and in women, William Lambourne is rich, powerful, and gorgeous — and as talented in the kitchen as he is in the bedroom. Longing for a woman to truly savor, William finds his match in Catherine. From the moment he meets her, he is determined to discover the perfect recipe to unlock Cat’s resolve, awaken her senses, and make her his own.

Theirs is a meal worth savoring…William is as mysterious as he is passionate, but as Catherine begins to fall for the stormy-eyed billionaire, she knows she must reveal her own dark secrets. But first, William must win Cat’s heart to ensure their pasts don’t undo them.

Book 1 in The Epicurean series, A Taste of You will leave you ravenous for more of Cat and William’s story!

REVIEW:
So I picked this book because it said if you liked Fifty Shades of Grey you will like this book. And I did like that book so I thought I would try this one. Then as I started to read it I thought “great another secretive billionaire who finds a lowly brunette and he has never felt this way with anyone else.” And while that is all true this story is a bit different.

William just may be my dream guy. Yes he is rich and good looking but he is protective, possessive and the type of lover I enjoy. Cat is interesting too. She is smart and a fighter and someone I would like to be friends with. I liked that Cat’s best friend (a male) is not pushed aside by William. While he is a jealous type it does not seem to apply to her best friend.

This story is part one of the story and it leaves off with a cliffhanger. There were some parts that I was just “ok” with but mostly I enjoyed the story. BTW it has nothing to do with BDSM as Shades does. William likes control but he is not into BDSM. The sex scenes are written well even though there are a bunch of them. If you enjoy reading erotica romance then pick up this book and then hold your breath until part 2 comes out.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Honey Pie by Donna Kauffman

TITLE: Honey Pie
SERIES #: Cupcake Club #4
CHARACTERS: Honey & Dylan
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/30/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Mocha Chocolate Chip… Caramel Fudge…Strawberry Lemonade…Butter Rum…There’s no such thing as guilt when it’s another delicious bitch and bake session with the women of the Cupcake Club…

When Honey D’Amourvell inherits property on tiny Sugarberry Island, she’s prepared to start a whole new life. Her plan is simple—make a home, open a shop, and maybe, finally, find a place to belong. But the building she now owns is leased to none other than the owner of Babycakes, which means her spot is already occupied. Honey isn’t sure how to put down roots when she has nowhere to plant them. But sexy, softhearted mechanic Dylan Ross seems determined to help. He’s everything she never imagined she would find in a man, and each kiss is more persuasive than the last…

Soon enough, Honey is another important ingredient in the spicy mix of the Cupcake Club. But will Dylan convince her that what she craves most is his love?

REVIEW:
Another great Cupcake Club novel for Donna Kauffman. I was a little worried about this story in the beginning. It seemed like both Dylan and Honey were both so introverted that I could not imagine that they could connect and while they did have a bit of a connection it felt forced. But that did not take long to change. Once the real Dylan came out and he pulled Honey with him I was a goner. I could not stop reading this book.

There are two big differences with this Cupcake Club novel first there was not a lot about the Cupcake Club in it. Yes they met a couple of times but they did not have the presence that they have had in the other three books. And the other difference from other Kauffman books I have read (and I think I have read them all or close to it) is that Honey has a idiosyncrasy (no spoiler here) that is not usually written into Kauffman’s books and yet it is an intricate part of this story.

You do not need to have read the other in the series to read this one but as I usually do I say start from book one but either way you will enjoy this interesting and intriguing story.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Highland Werewolf Wedding by Terry Spear

TITLE: A Highland Werewolf Wedding
SERIES #: Heart Of The Wolf #11
CHARACTERS: Elaine & Cearnach
AUTHOR: Terry Spear
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/07/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Elaine Hawthorn is a gray American werewolf, currently out of work, and on a mission to share in a family treasure. When she arrives in Scotland, she nearly has a head-on collision with one hot, kilt-garbed Highlander, and runs him off the road.

Werewolf laird Cearnach MacNeill isn’t happy Elaine ruined his car, but he quickly becomes her protector after a misunderstanding lands her right in the middle of two feuding clans. Now he’s out to ensure that this sexy female wolf gets her fair share of her clan’s treasure. He knows he should leave well enough alone, but it’s too late to leave his heart out of it.

REVIEW:
This is actually the 11th in the series which I did not know when I requested it but for the most part it can stand alone. There was some parts that made me realize that other characters had their own stories but nothing I found that confused me enough to not understand the story.

This is an interesting way of writing. Being about werewolves it is set in modern times yet the story has a historical feel. I really enjoyed the story. Cearnach is a great character. He has the heart of a warrior with modern time romance in his soul. Elaine is written as strong and independent but yet she follows her heart. I enjoyed the background characters too even though honestly there was not a lot about them.

This book also had a number of wolf scenes which it seems is forgotten in a number of shape-shifter stories now. Even the connection when the characters are in wolf form is interesting.

Any fan of shape-shifter romance will love this story and as I said it can most certainly stand alone but I think I might go back and read the rest of the series one day and will definitely read the next in the series.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Night Is Watching by Heather Graham

TITLE: The Night Is Watching
SERIES #: Krewe Of Hunters #9
CHARACTERS: Jane & Sloane
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/28/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The dead of night. The Old West town of Lily, Arizona, is home to the Gilded Lily, a former theater…and bawdy house. These days, it offers theatrical productions geared to tourists, but the recent discovery of a skull, a real skull, among the props and costumes shakes everyone up.

So, who do you call? The Krewe of Hunters, a special FBI unit of paranormal investigators. In this case, it’s agent Jane Everett. Jane’s also a talented artist who creates images of the dead as they once were. But the Krewe always works with local law enforcement, and here that means Sloan Trent, former Houston cop and now sheriff. His great-great-grandmother was an actress at the Gilded Lily…and she’s not resting in peace.

Then more remains appear in the nearby desert. As they search for answers, using all the skills at their disposal, Jane and Sloan find themselves falling into danger—and into love.

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars While an interesting story this book just did not have the flare that Graham’s books usually have. I didn’t feel that Sloan and Jane had the connection that most of the characters have in her stories. And in all honestly all the characters seemed so snippy to each other that it was distracting. There were many moments of mean-spiritedness in this story. I am not sure why because that is not common in Graham’s books but every character seemed so pissed off at everyone else.

Now that being said as always Graham puts so much real life history into her books that even one of her worst books (which this most certainly is not) is a great read. The story of the town of Lily, Arizona is one that you don’t want to stop reading. Something is just missing from this story.

I am glad I read this book even if it was not one of my favorites. Graham’s books are always an interesting and educational read if not for any reason other than the background that she must painstakingly research.

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

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Kimberly review Hot and Bothered by Linda Cajio

TITLE: Hot and Bothered
CHARACTERS: Judith & Paul
AUTHOR: Linda Cajio
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/13/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon |B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Judith Collier is running away from her life. She needs peace and quiet to focus on a very difficult decision, and except for the distinct lack of any kind of modern amenities, the isolated cove in Baja seems just about perfect. Judith knows that her wealthy and demanding family will never think to look for her in such a secluded spot. But there’s one major distraction: The most gorgeous man she has ever encountered lives in this cove. And Judith can’t escape from the reality of her physical response to him.

Paul Murphy has no interest in babysitting Judith. He came to the remote Baja village to heal from tragedy. Leaving the LAPD after ten years on the job, ending his marriage, and losing contact with his young daughter has left him with a stone-cold heart. And yet, this beautiful stranger just may have the power to shake his foundation to its core—and remind him what it’s like to believe in love again.

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars This is a re-release of a book from 1995 and unlike a number of other of Cajio’s books I have read that have been re-released this one actually does stand the test of time. There is no real mention of long ago and long dead people, etc. There is a bit about Mexico and to be honest I would not know if any of the laws have changed in this 18 years.

I was unsure about the characters at first. Paul seemed so distant and unfriendly and Judith seemed so desperate but something about these characters clicked pretty quickly in the story. This is another Loveswept Classic re-release so it was meant to originally be a pocket book and it proves to be exactly what they wanted back then. A short story that is a quick read but takes you into the story right away.

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