Kimberly’s Review – Page 88

April 22, 2014April 22, 2014

Kimberly reviews All Fired Up on Vivian Arend

TITLE: All Fired Up
SERIES #: DreamMakers #1
CHARACTERS: Lynn & Parker
AUTHOR: Vivian Arend
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/22/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He’s ready to lead the way

Parker Wilson never thought he’d go from battle-hardened soldier to romance expert, but after his stint in the Rangers, that’s exactly what happened. As the owner of DreamMakers Inc., he helps other men win in the love department, using every resource available to plan the perfect date. When a routine recon turns into an unexpected night of passion, Parker’s mission becomes more personal—and he won’t give up until Lynn Davidson is all his.

She’s more than willing to follow

Lynn is a goner from the moment she lays eyes on the delectable Parker. She’s just ditched her boring almost-boyfriend and is tired of sticking to the straight and narrow. It’s time to walk on the wild side, and what better way than in the arms of the most irresistible man she’s ever met? But when their red-hot affair is threatened, it’ll take a team effort to make their dreams come true.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I had a bit of a hard time getting into this story. Not because of the storyline but the writing just seemed a bit off but within a few chapters I was in the flow of the writing and found myself enjoying it. I liked Parker. Lynn was just ok for me. But the interesting thing was the difference in profession these ex-Rangers took on. I like that they didn’t open a security office or private investigation agency. They opened a dating service. How cute is that?

I ended up really enjoying this story and all the little things that happened to this couple. I liked the connection between the three guys as well. Thought the first sex scene was a little weird considering how the book ended up but I guess it was easy enough to get through.

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

April 21, 2014April 22, 2014

Kimberly reviews How To Lose A Duke in Ten Day by Kate McKinley

TITLE: How To Lose A Duke in Ten Day
SERIES #: What Happens in Scotland #1
CHARACTERS: Pippa & Lucas
AUTHOR: Kate McKinley
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/21/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Lucas Alexander, the ninth Duke of Arlington, is a man who gets what he wants. So when he sees the alluring Miss Pippa Welby from across a crowded ballroom, he vows to make her his. But the bold and spirited Pippa has sworn never to marry into the haute ton. Now Lucas must win her the only way he knows how—one wicked kiss at a time.

The daughter of a wealthy tradesman, Pippa has been sneered at by the upper echelons her entire life. So when the duke arrives on her doorstep with an invitation to her own engagement ball—to him—in ten days, Pippa hatches a daring plan. She must lose the duke before the ball, or risk losing her own heart.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Based on the name I am sure anyone can guess the synopsis of the story. Just take the movie by a similar name and set it in historical times and make the man a Duke and yep for the most part you got it right.

This is a sweet story and a quick read with less than 100 pages. The characters are well formed and connect well. The spitfire between them is endearing. I had a couple of problems with it though. **Possible spoilers: First Lucas never really admits his feelings for her. Second she acquiesces to what he wants way too easily. And third I really don’t understand why the series name talks about Scotland when the couple is in London.** But again it is a sweet quick read and if you like historicals you should enjoy this one too.

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

April 18, 2014April 12, 2014

Kimberly reviews Ace In The Hole by Marissa Dobson

TITLE: Ace In The Hole
SERIES #: SEALed For You #1
CHARACTERS: Gwen & Ace
AUTHOR: Marissa Dobson
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/01/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ace Diamond left behind the woman he loved when he joined the Navy SEALs. For years he focused on his career, working his way up, risking life and limb on missions for his country. Now home on leave, he must face his past and ask himself if leaving her was a mistake.
At seventeen, Gwyneth London gave her heart away only to have it broken. More than a dozen years later, she decides to embrace her single life and have a child on her own. Ready to start over in her hometown, she doesn’t expect to see the man who still has her heart, but when he walks into her life she’s unable to push him away.
Can Gwyneth and Ace claim the life they were supposed to have, or will they let love pass them by?

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Such a charming story. I couldn’t stop reading. This is about a second chance at love and making the future right after messing up the past. The connection is immediate between Gwen and Ace, probably because they never stopped loving each other. And while you can understand that he had good intentions you wonder how he could have walked away so many years ago. This couple is just so sweet together. I would have loved more pages and wish there had been more to this story. I could have kept on reading for another 100 pages. While complete as it is I wanted more time with them. I hope we are given the chance to see more of them as the rest of the series unfolds.

This is a great story to have ready between novels. To take an hour to yourself and sink into their lives. Great job by Marissa. Bring on the next in the series. I can’t wait.

Disclaimer:
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I received this book free from the author..

April 18, 2014April 13, 2014

Kimberly reviews Night After Night by Lauren Blakely

TITLE: Night After Night
SERIES #: Seductive Nights #1 (and #.5)
CHARACTERS: Julia & Clay
AUTHOR: Lauren Blakely
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/18/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N {coming soon}

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He plays to win and isn’t afraid to break all the rules…

Fiery bartender Julia Bell has been hit on by her fair share of customers, but has never been tempted to dip so much as a toe in that particular dating pool. She wants a man who can claim her body AND captivate her mind. Enter Clay Nichols, a lawyer with a dirty mind and a mouth to match. Confident, sexy, and commanding, he takes Julia to new heights of pleasure. And after one unforgettable weekend together, he craves more of her. If only she hadn’t taken off without saying goodbye…

Julia has no room in her life for commitment, not while she has serious trouble breathing down her neck, thanks to the criminal dabblings of a former flame. She doesn’t want to involve anyone she cares about in the kind of danger that’s chasing her and that’s the problem with Clay–she’s falling for him. Hard. He makes her heart race, and sets her body on fire.

He’s determined to keep her in his life, no matter the cost. She’s the woman he desires in every way. But when the past threatens to destroy any chance at a future, she has to make a choice –keep running, or give love a shot with a man who can hold her imagination, and her heart, night after night…

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts First let me say that Night After Night is #1 in the series but you really need to read First Night (#.5) to understand… Luckily the copy I got from NetGalley included both.

This is a short novella about a chance meeting between Julia and Clay and the connection they had but Julia has her own issues that she is dealing with and Clay really doesn’t want any more drama in his life. There is a conclusion to this story in After This Night (comes out in May) but this story is left with a cliffhanger.

I enjoyed the story. It is an interesting combination of good and not so good writing. The story is written very well and is very intriguing but some of the conversations aren’t written in a way that a normal person would talk. There is just something off about it.. And yet I liked the story. The connection between Julia and Clay is great. They are hot between the sheets and the writing of those scenes is done very well. I want to know how it ends. I want to see the couple make it. I am really looking forward to the next book.

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

April 15, 2014April 12, 2014

Kimberly reviews Naughty Bits: The Lingerie Shop by Joey W Hill

TITLE: Naughty Bits: The Lingerie Shop
SERIES #: Naughty Bits #1
CHARACTERS: Madison & Logan
AUTHOR: Joey W Hill
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/15/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Madison is a control freak with one wish—to lose control. Her hidden submissive cravings have led to a string of disastrous relationships. So when she inherits her sister’s North Carolina lingerie shop, Naughty Bits, she jumps at the opportunity to dump her boring finance career and bad history and try her luck down South.

But before Madison can settle in, she catches the attention of the owner of the neighboring hardware store. Sexually dominant Logan Scott can see the hunger for command in Madison’s eyes and is anxious to help unleash her submissive desires. He presents her with three very tempting gifts—handcuffs, erotic cards, and an open invitation to join him at a submissive’s training session.

Faced with the realization that she can’t sell fantasies to her lingerie customers without embracing her own, Madison accepts Logan’s offer. Now, she’s about to discover just how far her desire can take her…

REVIEW:
This is the first in the series and the meeting of Madison and Logan. First off if you are not into erotica then pass up this story. Second this story is very short. It only has about 80 pages and their story continues into the next novella “Naughty Bits #2 The Training Session”.

This story is about Madison realizing what she wants and her deceased sister giving her the chance for that to come true. We didn’t get too involved with Logan yet but so far he is an interesting character. He has the presence of a Dom. It almost seems like he started wanting Madison based solely on what he learned from Madison’s sister.

I enjoyed the story but wish it hadn’t ended so soon. At least the next story will be out in a month so there is not a lot of time between installments.

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

April 14, 2014April 6, 2014

Kimberly reviews Unravel Me by Tori St. Claire

TITLE: Unravel Me
CHARACTERS: Cassie & Brad
AUTHOR: Tori St. Claire
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/24/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Letting go might be the key that unlocks her pleasure…

Attorney Cassie Blaire has spent most of her life living by rules. Rules that keep her life sensible, and on the right path. But five years after losing her husband, Cassie is saying sayonara to “sensible.” And it starts now—with indulging a need she’s long denied.

When he arrives in Colorado, all Brad Steele wants is a scotch before he has to play nice in the first face-to-face meeting with his co-counsel in an ugly divorce case. But instead, he finds her—a lush, inviting stranger whose dark eyes invite him to sin…and thirst turns into a raw, undeniable hunger.

Now Cassie is initiated into a world that has nothing to do with being sensible, and everything to do with sensuality. Under Brad’s guiding touch, she’s receiving an education in desire—one that breaks all of the old rules, and explores tantalizing new ones. And once she learns that her naughty one-nighter is her arrogant co-counsel, all of her objections will be sustained…

REVIEW:
I really enjoyed this story. I am not sure it would fall under the erotica genre but it is a bit sexual. Brad has hidden his dominant side and Cassie has a submissive side she has never explored. There is no BDSM. He is more controlling than dominant really. The story is very well written and keeps your attention. The connection between the two is instantaneous.

I liked how Brad is not looking for a submissive outside of the bedroom. He wants someone who can handle herself and is strong in her career. Cassie is that person. Yes some of it is pretty obvious and there is no real surprise with how it ends but it is a romance. Did we want it to end any other way? Wonderful weekend read.

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

April 14, 2014April 12, 2014

Kimberly reviews Nailed by Christine D’Abo

TITLE: Nailed
CHARACTERS: Sophia & Fynn
AUTHOR: Christine D’Abo
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/15/14
ORDER LINKS:Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Warning: This show contains scenes of sexual tension.

Hosting a new TV show is a fantasy-turned-reality for diva decorator Sophia Holbrook. But concentrating on color swatches is hard when all she can think of is her studly co-host, contractor Fynn Babineau. These two may clash over blueprints and budgets on screen, but with the lust palpable between them, rumor has it they have been putting more than just their heads together behind the scenes. . . .

What secrets will the cameras expose? Tune in tonight to find out.

Viewer discretion advised. Mature audiences only.

REVIEW:
This is a short story of about 90 pages. Just a quick read. There were a few hitches in the story. Like it jumped a bit from scene to scene but it was an okay story to have ready to read between novels. Did it need the viewer discretion advisory? Not at all. There is nothing much sexual about this story. Some tension and a few scenes but nothing above and beyond.

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

April 11, 2014April 6, 2014

Kelly reviews Fashionably Dead Down Under by Robyn Peterman

TITLE: Fashionably Dead Down Under
SERIES #: Hot Damned #2
CHARACTERS: Astrid, Ethan and a whole herd of crazy @$$ characters
AUTHOR: Robyn Peterman
PUBLICATION DATE: March 31, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to Hell.
Literally.
The Hell where the Prince of Darkness is hotter than Hades, Hell Hounds smell like brownies and the Seven Deadly Sins are addicted to Facebook… Not to mention the soundtrack in the Underworld is Journey. For real.

I should have known no good could come from offing my parents in the space of twenty minutes no matter how psychotic and evil they were…

Now I find out my family tree includes almost every deity and mythological being alive while Ethan, the one and only love of my undead life has a limited time down under before he turns to dust. In the land of Sin, you’d think I’d get some nookie time with my man, but no. Baby Demons, cousins and grandparents put the kibosh on that. Blue balls are the new normal. What the hell does a half-Vampyre Half-Demon have to do to catch a break?

Apparently find a freakin’ sword, calm Mother Nature’s unmedicated mood swings and make sure Mister Rogers keeps his sticky fingers to himself during weekly poker with the Devil.

And I have three days to do it.

By all that’s unholy, I thought Ethan’s Vampyre family was crazy…Trust me, they have nothing on the Demons.

REVIEW:
Holy Hell!!! The cast of characters that Robyn comes up with makes me a little afraid to make her mad. At the same time I want to do something totally out there just so she can make me one of her crazy characters… This was such a fun book. I would have liked a little more Ethan & Astrid time *wiggle eyebrows* But they were a bit busy you know saving the world. Well the underworld or is it the above world.
Anywhoooo, Astrid has to use her amazing brains, quirky personality, the use of her boobs and a surprising new talent to save everyone from not only from a few crazy’s but from them self too.
I am am very much looking forward to the next book in the Hot Damned Series.

Disclaimer:
This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

April 11, 2014April 6, 2014

Kimberly reviews The Wolf Siren by Karen Whiddon

TITLE: The Wolf Siren
SERIES #: The Pack #15
CHARACTERS: Lilly & Kane
AUTHOR: Karen Whiddon
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/01/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When a werewolf and the beautiful siren he once saved meet again, resistance is futile…

As Pack Protector, Kane McGraw never gets involved with the victims he saves. But Lilly Gideon may be the one exception. She has intrigued him ever since he helped free her from a religious compound called Sanctuary. So when he learns that she’s still in danger, he can’t stay away—not even if it means exposing Lilly to the fanatics she’s trying to escape.

Years of psychological torture have left Lilly without the ability to control her shifter nature. Any man she touches is driven mad by an all-consuming desire. Though she wants Kane more than any man, she’s forced to deny him the release they most crave. That is, until he decides it’s time to take matters—and her—into his own hands…

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts So I am on the fence about this one but will give it a boost to the better side because it is different than shape-shifter books I have read before. I enjoyed the book in general. It was interesting and had a storyline I enjoyed. This is part of a series which I didn’t realize, actually it is 15th in the series, and while it (sorta) could stand alone there was no question that there was a storyline prior to this book that was missed.

The problem was there were some inconsistencies throughout the book. A bit too much jumping around like the author forgot to say something in the last chapter so lets throw it in this chapter. Kane is a sweet guy. I mean really sweet. Almost too sweet. He is so afraid of hurting Lilly that he never takes a chance on anything. And as a bodyguard he sucks. I mean he leaves Lilly alone over and over and for a wolf he kinda sucks too. I mean he can’t even smell that it is his brother walking to his door he has to look out the window? Lilly comes into her own and I loved that part. She started out more like a beaten dog than a wolf but really becomes the she-wolf we know she can be.

Like I said I am on the fence but I liked it.

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

April 9, 2014March 29, 2014

Kimberly reviews Down On Her Knees by Christine Bell

TITLE: Down On Her Knees
SERIES #: Dare Me #3
CHARACTERS: Courtney & Rafe
AUTHOR: Christine Bell
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/24/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Four lessons, no strings…

Detective Rafe Davenport has always made Courtney DeLollis uneasy. While her instincts whisper, Touch him, her mind says, Run. But since she learned that he’s dominant in the bedroom, she hasn’t been able to forget about it. She should be appalled—she knows all too well what happens when a man has too much control—but a deeper, darker part of her is fascinated…

And so is Rafe. The sexual tension between them is thick enough to touch, and damn, does he want to touch. So he suggests something that will benefit them both. Four scenes—because anything more is a relationship, and Rafe won’t go there ever again. Each scenario is designed to tease and torment. To show Courtney that with every submission comes the reward of scintillating pleasure. But once he has Courtney down on her knees, Rafe realizes that she might be the one woman capable of bringing him to his…

REVIEW:
This was just ok for me. The story was cute and the characters had chemistry. I had a problem with Rafe being labeled a Dom. First he might fall under the controlling label but not Dom. Courtney was a good character. Together they seemed good.

The problem was the sex was unimaginative and the terminology was wrong. They kept saying they had 4 scenes. What was actually happening was a roleplaying date. And other than one scene there was no BDSM that the Dom claimed he was into. It seemed as if the author was jumping on the BDSM bandwagon with no clear understanding of what it is.

Now that being said the story is cute as I said and the characters are good together. The story just might have been better as a contemporary because picking it up as erotica will disappoint.

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

April 9, 2014April 6, 2014

Kimberly reviews The Righteous & The Wicked by April Emerson

TITLE: The Righteous and The Wicked
CHARACTERS: Emma & Eric
AUTHOR: April Emerson
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/10/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Small moments can seem insignificant until they change the course of a life forever. The sound of a bulldozer. A chance meeting at a gas station. A gust of wind through a chime. Benign events become something more when viewed through the lens of fate.

Emma Santori is a prisoner of tragic memories. Locked in a spiral of depression, she leads a desolate and empty life, trapped in her decrepit home. Rooted in routine, she’s numb and vacant. As a lonely Catholic school teacher, her only joy comes from her young students. One Saturday morning, her isolation is infiltrated by a mysterious architect building a home beside hers.

That man is Eric Wilder and he’s keeping a secret—a secret that’s destroying his life. Filled with guilt and self-loathing, he’s forced to move often. He chooses the small northeastern town of Pine Lake as his latest refuge, and hopes to make a successful attempt at starting his life over. As always, he’s unable to make that happen.

That all changes when he meets Emma. She finds herself drawn to Eric when she accidentally bumps into him, but Eric’s unfazed by their first meeting. When a gust of wind brings these two people together once again, Emma discovers Eric’s secret. She’s forced to battle between her Catholic faith and her desire for this stranger.

Their attraction is intense and they soon discover they’re each lonely and longing for what the other has to offer. As their friendship blossoms, Emma realizes her passion and lust for Eric are the remedy to her depression. Eric discovers his feelings for Emma are the only antidote to his secret burden.

They begin an erotic journey, which leads these beautifully broken people to discover that love can be both righteous and wicked.

REVIEW:
I had the hardest time reading this story. First the writing is just different. Something is off about it and it made it hard to enjoy the story for me. Second Both Emma and Eric are such lost characters that I didn’t understand how they could be attracted to each other. I mean really can one lost soul really find and heal another? Eric sleeps with everything that walks and I really do not enjoy when one of the character sleeps around. And Emma has her own secret that disappointed me when I found out.

This is a very dark and not a carefree love story and while I can appreciate the story for what it is and appreciate it this was just not the story for me.

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

April 8, 2014April 6, 2014

Kimberly reviews Breathe Into Me by Sara Fawkes

TITLE: Breathe Into Me
CHARACTERS: Lacey & Everett
AUTHOR: Sara Fawkes
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/08/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
How did my life get so broken? It’s a question Lacey St. James asks herself every day. Stuck raising her little brother in a trailer park while she works a dead end job at a grocery store, she has a stalker ex-boyfriend, a bad reputation, and no way out.

And then, she meets Everett, who changes her entire existence.

Everett is an outsider who’s housesitting his family’s mansion off the coast, and for reasons Lacey can’t understand, he’s completely transfixed by her. He seems determined to show her that life can offer more than she’d ever hoped for, if only she believes in herself. She desperately yearns to trust him, but what happens when she finds out that everything he’s told her is a lie?

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This book is so sad. Pulled from recent headlines it hits home to bullying. I am not sure Lacey could have anything else go wrong in her life. She is such a sad case and yet someone you want to see pull herself together and show the world she can make it. Everett is so not the alpha male, unless he needs to be, but there is still something about him.

I enjoyed this book. There is just so much that goes on in it that it is hard to not want to keep reading it. The characters, including background characters, are very interesting and their feelings palpable. Well written. And I loved the cover art.

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