Category: Kimberly’s Review

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Kimberly reviews Paradise Hops by Liz Crowe

TITLE: Paradise Hops
CHARACTERS: Lori/Garret/Eli
AUTHOR: Liz Crowe
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/15/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A brutal attack left Lori Brockton convinced she was damaged goods. By the time she emerges from hiding two years later, ready to run her family’s famous brewery, she’s determined to be independent–never rely on anyone ever again. Nearly a year of working in every corner of Brockton Brewing Company, from warehouse to pub, front office to kitchen, teaches her all she needs to know about the business. Then, she comes face-to-face with masculine perfection in a suit and her world is rocked in more ways than one. Garret Hunter is the new Brockton business manager who takes one look at the beautiful, sad young woman and his entire existence coalesces around winning her heart.

But standing between Garrett and what he believes is his true love, is a six-feet six-inch blond-haired bad boy brewer.

Eli Buchannan is a craft beer rock star, recently hired by Brockton to drag the company into the 21st century. He brings innovation and attitude plus a prima donna ladies’ man reputation. But he’s sworn off anything resembling commitment, personal or professional, after getting burned at his last job on both fronts.

Garret Hunter is “The Perfect Man” — handsome, successful, stable, eager to settle down. Eli Buchannan… is not. Compelling, smoking hot, creative and elusive, he represents everything Lori Brockton should avoid. But just as she makes a difficult choice, a drastic life-changing shift occurs, and nothing is ever the same again.

REVIEW:
I just could not get into this book. The character of Lori is way beyond irritating and I just never cared about her circumstances. I am not big on the love triangle storyline anyway but wanted to give this book a shot and I am kinda sorry that I did.

Eli is crass and I just hated every scene he was in. Garret was very sweet but a bit OCD. Lori is selfish and I just never understood why she had to go back and forth between the two. And the end… UGH! I was just disappointed. I think this is a love it or hate it kind of story and I just didn’t love it at all.

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

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Kimberly reviews The Professional/The Player by Rhonda Nelson

TITLE: The Professional/The Player
SERIES #: Men Out Of Uniform #13/#1
CHARACTERS: Jeb & Sophie/Jamie & Audrey
AUTHOR: Rhonda Nelson
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/16/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
THE PROFESSIONAL
Former military man Jeb Anderson accepted a job at Ranger Security to regain some control over his life. But when he goes undercover to investigate a series of thefts at a retirement home, his number one suspect completely unravels his control…and sends his libido sky-high! As far as massage therapist Sophie O’Brien is concerned, Jeb is infuriating. Still, she’d like nothing more than to find out just what’s underneath Jeb’s reserved exterior—and his clothes! Because if he’s half as talented as his nickname implies, letting him uncover all her secrets will be very, very satisfying….

THE PLAYER
There’s nothing like a man in uniform…or out of it! Especially when he’s as hot as former Ranger Jamie Flanagan. After their last assignment went horribly wrong, he and his buddies needed to get out of the military for good. There was only one catch–that he and his pals promise their commanding officer one favor. Any favor. Now tall, dark and sexy Jamie is a top security specialist… and the ultimate ladies’ man. So he’s more than a little surprised when he learns the colonel has set him up to protect his granddaughter. Who would trust a player like Jamie with a gorgeous woman like Audrey? Then he learns his “mission” is to seduce her away from another man….

REVIEW:
THE PROFESSIONAL
I am not sure how I feel about this story. I really enjoyed the storyline itself and I enjoyed the characters too. They really are so cute together. Then why am I not sure about it? Because it makes Jeb, who supposedly is an Army Ranger, look like an idiot. Becca is the one who thinks up everything and Jeb is just the muscle. And while I liked him as the muscle I felt like he was written wrong. I also would have enjoyed more of the twin connection. That being said I liked the story. And I think anyone who enjoys romance will enjoy it too. Pick it up and you will not be disappointed.

THE PLAYER
This is actually a reprint of the first in the series of “Men Out of Uniform” and it was good but again not great. There is just something a little off about the way this author writes these books. It isn’t that it is bad writing just odd. I am glad I read the other book first because I am not sure I would have continued with the series having read this book first. But seeing as I did read the other one first it was kind of nice to backtrack and see how it all began.

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

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Kimberly reviews Claim Me by J. Kenner

TITLE: Claim Me
SERIES #: Stark Trilogy #2
CHARACTERS: Nikki & Damien
AUTHOR: J. Kenner
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/23/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon |B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
For Damien, our obsession is a game. For me, it is fiercely, blindingly, real.
Damien Stark’s need is palpable—his need for pleasure, his need for control, his need for me. Beautiful and brilliant yet tortured at his core, he is in every way my match.

I have agreed to be his alone, and now I want him to be fully mine. I want us to possess each other beyond the sweetest edge of our ecstasy, into the deepest desires of our souls. To let the fire that burns between us consume us both.

But there are dark places within Damien that not even our wildest passion can touch. I yearn to know his secrets, yearn for him to surrender to me as I have surrendered to him. But our troubled pasts will either bind us close . . . or shatter us completely.

Claim Me is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

REVIEW:

3.5 Stars Claim Me is the second in the Stark Trilogy. I would suggest you read Release Me first. This is a continuing story and I do not believe that the books can stand alone.

As with the first in the series this book is compared to Fifty Shades of Grey and again i will say while they are very different there is a similarity to them that makes me understand the comparison in the synopsis. While this book does fall into the erotica genre as Shades does I find them to be very different. Shades was a book of romance with erotica thrown in to explain the character. This is more of a story of erotica with the characters information thrown in. Now that does not mean it is not good because it is.

I gave the first in the series 4 stars but I couldn’t give this book that many. IN an odd turn of events there was too much sex but not enough erotica. Meaning that they had a number of sex scenes (heck it seemed every other page had a quickie) but there was not much of the romance or erotica that the first story had.

So yes I did enjoy this story but not as much as the first and you certainly have to read the first before you read this. But if you enjoy the genre you will enjoy this book.

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

 

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Kimberly reviews Down In New Orleans by Heather Graham

TITLE: Down In New Orleans
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/20/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When Ann infiltrates the dark corners of the Big Easy to clear her ex-husband’s name, what begins as an innocent investigation becomes a matter of life and death

Ann and Jon Marcel are a rare case; five years after their divorce, they’re good friends, and Ann has come to love Jon’s hometown of New Orleans. Until the day Jon staggers through her door covered in blood and mumbling, “I didn’t do it.”

Jon is charged with murdering a stripper, and in order to save him, Ann will have to dive into the sordid New Orleans underworld, looking for clues in erotic clubs and seamy jazz spots. And, if that weren’t enough, she must deal with the resolute detective bent on bringing her husband to justice—the eagle-eyed lieutenant who dogs her steps and surfaces in her dreams. But despite her wavering affections, Ann has bigger concerns as she becomes embroiled in a fight not only for Jon’s freedom, but also for her life.

REVIEW:
Ok first this is a reprint from 1996 and I have to say as much as I love Heather Graham I was not overly thrilled with this story. The characters never connected. I thought Mark was actually a very mean man. I hated how he called Ann “a little fool” and “stupid” on more than one occasion. Ann was strong willed and didn’t seem the type to take it yet she seemed to take his crud for some reason. The story had potential and I can definitely say that Graham has improved in her stories since writing this one so if you have not read one of her stories to do NOT read this first since it will give you a wrong impression of her writing.

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

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Kimberly reviews Lush by Lauren Dane

TITLE: Lush
SERIES #: Delicious #3
CHARACTERS: Mary & Damien
AUTHOR: Lauren Dane
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/02/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Mary Whaley has her hands full running a successful catering company and overseeing her supper club. She has everything she ever wanted—or so she thought. When she meets ridiculously hot and very dirty rock star Damien Hurley at her friend’s engagement party, the attraction she feels is overpowering—and she isn’t about to deny herself.

Damien is used to a hard and fast life. He and two of his brothers started a band when they were fresh out of high school—then they hit the big time and stayed there. He’s also a legendary madman on the stage and in the bedroom. But when he meets Mary, something clicks, and the bad boy starts thinking he may have finally found something good.

What begins as a series of fleeting trysts soon gets much more complicated. Damien can’t figure out why Mary doesn’t want more from him. And before long, it’s Damien who wants more from Mary. But it turns out Mary is no stranger to celebrity news, and he’s got a very big job ahead of him: proving that he’s worth more than a one-night stand…

REVIEW:
First I have to say that I have not read the first two in the series so that made it hard in the beginning to follow who all the characters are. There are a bunch of people thrown in the beginning and it got very confusing. I hate to say it but I really don’t think this book can stand alone and needs to be read in the series.

I don’t know… I just couldn’t get into this book. I am not sure why. I don’t think the characters had much of a chemistry together. The friends had more chemistry than Damien and Mary. They are both too focused on what they do than what they want. There wasn’t enough time with them together as well. The sex scenes are good but not as “dirty” as I expected from the information I received on the book. I also had a hard time with the dialogue. It seemed so off from how a normal conversation would sound.

I can understand why someone who has read the rest of the series (and I think some other books before that too) would enjoy this book I just couldn’t get into it.

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

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Kimberly reviews A Vampire’s Salvation by Virna DePaul

TITLE: A Vampire’s Salvation
SERIES #: Beyond Human Novellas #1
CHARACTERS: Frankie & Jacob
AUTHOR: Virna DePaul
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/22/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Jacob La Costa Rios is the head of the California governor’s security team; he’s also a vampire who wants the governor, a presidential hopeful, to support the peaceful integration of vampires into human society. Unfortunately, there are others who oppose Jake’s plan. Plus, Jake’s a little distracted by discovering his one true mate, the human female who can give him everything he’s always wanted: love, children, and continuing immortality. Francesca Marie Stewart is the governor’s “go-green” political consultant.

Although she’s been attracted to Jake from day one, her priority is her career and protecting her heart. But then Jake blatantly propositions her and Frankie, who hasn’t experienced sexual intimacy since she was seventeen-years-old, decides it’s time to take what she wants—within reason. No matter—once Jake makes love to Frankie, he knows reason will be the farthest thing from her mind. Then he just has to eliminate the person threatening her, reveal the fact he’s a vampire, and convince her that trusting him will bring both of them eternal happiness.

REVIEW:
This is a Vampire Erotica eNovella (say that 5 times fast). It is the beginning of the Beyond Human Novellas which means it really does not have an ending and I can not wait for the next one in the series. The characters have a connection immediately. And even though it is a short read of only about 70 pages the story is complete (ok not the ending but that is what the next story is for). The characters past are fully formed and the present is interesting.

If you enjoy vampire stories with a bit of erotica thrown in then this is the story to have on your ereader ready to read at a moments notice.

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

4 Hearts

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Kimberly reviews For All Of Her Life by Heather Graham

TITLE: For All Of Her Life
CHARACTERS: Kathy & Jordan
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/20/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sometimes our exes are exactly how we remember them. Sometimes they’re better . . .

Kathy and Jordan Treveryan used to have everything. They fronted the enormously successful rock band Blue Heron, they had two beautiful daughters, and they had a passionate marriage. But life as they knew it came to an abrupt end when their bandmate, Keith, was killed in an apparently accidental fire. Soon after, the band and their marriage fell apart.

In this tale of unstoppable love, Jordan pursues Kathy as he tries to reunite the band and lay to rest the mysterious circumstances of Keith’s death. And while Kathy finds herself torn between her current boyfriend and her lingering feelings for her ex-husband, romance reignites—and the exes may even unravel the truth behind what made them separate so long ago.

REVIEW:
This is a re-release from 1995. I enjoy Heather Graham very much but apparently not her old stuff. The characters never seemed to connect. The ex-husband was just rude. I can’t imagine that any female reader would fall for this guy and want him to win the girl. Kathy on the other hand is pathetic. She has a chance at a life but for some reason only wants to be with her ex and why she would want that is beyond me.

Seeing as this was written 2 decades ago maybe that made the difference but I think I will stick with the current reads from Graham from now on.

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

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Kimberly reviews Rules Of Entanglement by Gina L. Maxwell

TITLE: Rules Of Entanglement
SERIES #: Fighting For Love #2
CHARACTERS: Vanessa & Jax
AUTHOR: Gina L. Maxwell
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/31/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Seven days. And seven rules to break…

District Attorney Vanessa McGregor firmly believes that structure and order are the stuff that dreams are made of. Happiness can be planned – and it starts with seven rules she’s laid out for her future. But as she’s organizing her best friend’s wedding in Hawaii, all of Vanessa’s best-laid plans are about to meet their match in a wickedly hot MMA fighter…

Jackson “Jax” Maris is focused on surfing, training and fighting. That is, until he opens up his big mouth, and finds himself having to pretend he’s engaged to his little sister’s best friend, Vanessa. When they’re forced to share a romantic bungalow, however, their little charade suddenly takes a turn for the seriously sexy. And while Jax is definitely not part of Vanessa’s long-term plan, he has seven days – and seven naughty nights – to turn her seven-rule plan upside down

REVIEW:
I didn’t want to miss a word of this story. I thought with it being such a long story there might be a lot of repeating itself but there really wasn’t. I enjoyed the connected between Jax and Vanessa. V is such an interesting character and I loved her snideness. She is written very well. Jax is just a great guy. Man I wish there were more guys like him in the world. He has a romantic sweet side but will also fight for his woman and will even not fight for her (you will understand that when you read the book).

I think anyone who enjoys a true love romance then this is the book for you. It has a bit of everything but the best part is Jax. There is something about that man… Yum. The book is a bit long but as I said before I really didn’t want to miss a word of it. A true fan of romance will enjoy this story.

I did not read the first in the series but will go back and read it now because Lucie and Reid sound like they had a great story too. But you do not need to read that one to read this book.

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

4 Hearts