Kimberly’s Review – Page 92

February 14, 2014February 1, 2014

Kimberly reviews Misbehaving by Tiffany Reisz

TITLE: Misbehaving
CHARACTERS: Bea & Ben
AUTHOR: Tiffany Reisz
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/11/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Wanted: Adventurous, open-minded man willing to try anything…

As a popular sex blogger, Beatriz gets paid to have orgasms. So being on deadline the week of her sister’s wedding isn’t as rough as it sounds. There’s just one hitch: Bea’s assignment is to write a review of a sex position manual, but she doesn’t have a plus one to play with.

The good news: Ben, the one who got away back in college, is also attending stag–and he’s as temptingly gorgeous as ever.

The bad news: Ben turned down Bea’s offer of graduation night sex five years ago.

The best news: He’s not planning on making the same mistake twice.

A red-hot retelling of Much Ado About Nothing for people who love Shakespeare but thought his plays could use a few more sex scenes.

REVIEW:
Honestly this was just stupid. I have never read Much Ado About Nothing which apparently this is taken from but this story was boring. The sex was boring, the story was boring and way too unreal. I mean really who has a conversation about college and why he couldn’t get involved back then while they have sex? And this was not the only time this type of thing happened in the story. Just too much of some stuff and not enough of others to make this interesting.

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

February 12, 2014February 4, 2014

Kimberly reviews What Goes On Tour by Claire Boston

TITLE: What Goes On Tour
CHARACTERS: Libby & Adrian
AUTHOR: Claire Boston
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/11/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N (coming soon)

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
What goes on tour, stays on tour … or does it?

Few people know that socially awkward Adrian Hart is actually rock god Kent Downer, and that’s the way Adrian likes it. His privacy is essential, especially now that he has guardianship of his orphaned, ten-year-old niece, Kate. But when the nanny quits in the middle of his tour Adrian finds himself in a bind.

Until Libby Myles walks into his life.

Libby has only ever wanted to become a full-time author and prove to her parents that she can make it on her own. On the surface, the temporary job as the nanny for Kent Downer’s niece looks perfect—the pay is fabulous, the hours are short and Kate is a big fan—it’s the rock star that’s the issue.

Arrogant and way too attractive for anyone’s good, Kent Downer has enough swagger to power a small city. But when he’s out of costume he’s different—shy and uncertain. For Libby it’s a far harder combination to resist. She needs to find a balance between work, writing and ignoring her attraction to the rock star, because if she falls for him, it could mean the end of her dream.

But when a horrible scandal is unleashed—putting young Kate in danger—there’s more heat between Libby and Adrian than just sexual attraction. Libby must figure out if Adrian ever cared for her, or if it was all just part of the show …

REVIEW:
I really enjoyed this book. It’s story is different than what I imagined it would be from the synopsis. The characters are very well formed and enjoyable to read about. The different sides of Adrian/Kent were interesting but the side of Adrian is the one that the reader will fall for. He is sweet and shy and yet has a heart of gold.

Libby has a maternal side that is so adorable. She has also been hurt before so she is a little gun-shy. Kate is a great character too (even though she is written as much holder than 10) she steals every scene she is in.

I look forward to more stories by this author. Maybe a second in the series about George?

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

February 10, 2014February 1, 2014

Kelly & Kimberly review Bared by Stacey Kennedy

TITLE: Bared
SERIES #: Club Sin #2
CHARACTERS: Aidan Knight & Cora Adams
AUTHOR: Stacey Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE:
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
At Las Vegas’s exclusive Club Sin, Aidan Knight is the Master, unleashing the erotic yearnings of his submissive lovers. But his dominant façade conceals a devastating loss—something he instantly recognizes in his personally trained submissive Cora Adams. Sworn to unearth her secrets, Aidan uses his seductive skills to ignite her wildest desires until Cora yields to the pleasure she can find only with him.

Cora came to the BDSM club to act out her sub-and-dom fantasies without ever revealing the heartbreak that haunts her. But Aidan’s masterful touch is bringing her closer to the edge . . . and deeper into a world of control and surrender. He refuses to allow her to submit to any other man—nor does she want to. It’s a dangerous game they’re playing. For as they give in to passion, they must lay bare their souls for a love that could heal—and free—them both.

Bared is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences

KELLY’S REVIEW:
4 Hearts What a way to start a book. Chapter one was a bit intense and something you would find in the middle of any other book. But Stacey throw us into the deep in of the pool in this story.

I really did enjoy Aidan & Cora’s story. But these two tried my nerves. Both love and care for the other but the last two years has been a personal kind of hell for both of them. Cora is afraid to tell Aidan about her feelings fearing that he will run from her. Aidan just tries to not feel anything at all. So when Aidan sees that Cora is hurting he wants to know why. Just that one small questions could wreck everything that they have had the last two years.

Really love the way that Stacey writes a story. It tugs at your heart strings, makes you want to slap the characters and jump for joy when they finally figure it all out. If you love book one of the Club Sin series you will love Bared.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts So I am a big fan of Stacey Kennedy’s but something was just off with this book. That is not to say I didn’t like it because I did. I enjoyed it very much just not as much as I usually do. The character of Cora seemed to change from book one to this book. This book seemed a little dark. The sex was steamy but the connection just didn’t seem to be there.

Cora is in love with Aidan and has been but he doesn’t know it. She seems like a schoolgirl with a crush and Aidan seems almost naive for lack of a better word. They are both dealing with his past in different ways. I am just not sure it is worth it myself. And the ending seemed to be like Aidan had a lightbulb moment and changes his whole life. It is a bit weird.

Now again I enjoyed the book. I am not sure I could ever say I didn’t enjoy a book by Kennedy because her writing is great and her sex scenes are done great too. But I just hope the next in the series isn’t so unrequited.

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

February 5, 2014February 1, 2014

Kimberly reviews Master Of The Opera #3 by Jeffe Kennedy

TITLE: Master Of The Opera Act 3: Phantom Serenade
SERIES #: Master Of The Opera #3
CHARACTERS: Christy & Master
AUTHOR: Jeffe Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/06/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In the third enticing installment of Jeffe Kennedy’s enthralling “Master of the Opera,” a woman finds herself torn between two powerful lovers-and one reckless passion that leaves her aching for more…After a harrowing night trapped in the tunnels beneath the Sante Fe Opera House, intern Christy Davis finds comfort in the arms of Roman Sanclaro, the opera’s wealthy and gorgeous benefactor. But even as Roman tries to impress her with his lavish lifestyle-and seduce her with his charms-Christy cannot stop obsessing over her other, clandestine lover. Hidden in the labrynths below, a mysterious masked man has become the master of her desires: a sensual but commanding partner who pushes Christy to the very brink of erotic pleasure…and beyond. No other man can compare. But somewhere, watching from the shadows, a fiercely jealous rival threatens to destroy the erotic secret they share.

Haunted by doubts, deception, and danger, Christy must choose between the warnings in her mind, the feelings in her heart…and the wild, forbidden yearnings that set her body on fire.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This is the third installment by Jeffe Kennedy’s new book. It is a very short story that is being told in 6 installments. In the first installment we met the characters, in the second we saw Christy and Master come together. In this installment the Master introduces Christy to his world of sexual control.

It is obviously based on Phantom of the Opera with a few differences of course. There is a bit of suspense as well but that is not the true story.

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

January 31, 2014January 6, 2014

Kimberly reviews Winter’s Dawn by Kele Moon

TITLE: Winter’s Dawn
SERIES #: Age of Alphas #1
CHARACTERS: Susan & Max
AUTHOR: Kele Moon
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/22/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sometimes it’s good to be king. . .

Long ago four alpha pairs held dominance over the seasons. They led an ancient people only heard of in legend who were both wolves and humans. The alphas were chosen by the gods to wield great powers and bring peace and balance to their people.

Everything changed when members of their race later known as the rogues were driven mad by the taste of human flesh. They sought to kill the great alphas.

They succeeded.

Without them, the remaining wolves became weak and could no longer reproduce. Their race was slowly threatening to descend into nothing but a distant memory.

Over a century has passed before hope shines on the horizon for this ancient people. A new winter alpha pair is born and with them the promise of rebirth for the monarchy. Maxwell Wellington was crowned Head King on the Winter Solstice when he watched his aunt die giving birth to his mate, Queen Susan.

He was just three years old.

Max and Susie are born into a world where they are the youngest, but already the most powerful, yet they long for normalcy. With no other young werewolves around, they turn to human schooling hoping for playmates.

But the human culture forces them to question everything their people have raised them to believe. Cousins as well as mates, Max starts resisting his connection to Susie despite knowing they share a soul and were born to rule together. When the call to roam overtakes him at eighteen, Max finds himself fighting his nature as a deadly and powerful alpha wolf who will stop at nothing to claim Susie. Now he has just three years to build up a defense against her before time runs out and she goes into heat.

As winter dawns, Max and Susie come of age in a new era for werewolves. Their story is the first step in a long journey that explores the triumphs and tragedies of one powerful, royal family and those who serve them. The battles they wage against nature, each other and the forces that rise against them will change the dynamic of not just their world…but ours as well

REVIEW:
1.5 Hearts I have to say I was very disappointed with this book. I enjoyed the erotica from Kele Moon but this is a bit different. Set in a different world but it is a world that is hard to get involved in. I didn’t enjoy Max. He is a cheater and Susan is an enabler. I do not enjoy books where the romance has a cheater. And I really do not enjoy the woman bringing her man other woman. Something is just wrong with that.

I won’t say much because honestly there was not enough of the book that I enjoyed enough to talk about.

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

January 28, 2014January 10, 2014

Kelly & Kimberly review Bare Essentials by Shalvis & Kelly

TITLE: Bare Essentials
SERIES #: Naughty but Nice\Naturally Naughty
CHARACTERS: Cassie Montgomery & Sean Taggart\ Kate Jones & John Winfield Jr.
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis\ Leslie Kelly
PUBLICATION DATE: January 28, 2014 (reissue)
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Naughty But Nice by New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis

Lingerie model Cassie Tremaine Montgomery intends to have her revenge on the citizens of her hometown—starting with seducing the sheriff, Sean “Tag” Taggart. Tag, however, isn’t cooperating. He’s more than willing to set the sheets on fire with her, but he’s asking for more than just sizzling sex…. He knows Cassie’s not as tough as she pretends. And he knows she cares about him—even if she won’t admit it. So he’ll just turn up the heat until she concedes there’s more between them than this red-hot passion.

Naturally Naughty by New York Times bestselling author Leslie Kelly

Kate Jones, the girl from the wrong side of the tracks, is home. And she’s got an agenda. To get revenge on the man who humiliated her mother, Kate’s going to seduce that man’s son—the town’s golden boy, John Winfield Jr.—and then leave him drooling in a puddle of lust. However, when she finds herself seduced by a sexy stranger named Jack, little does she guess that the tables have just been turned….

KELLY’S REVIEW:
2.5 Hearts I think this might have been the first time I picked up a Jill Shalvis book and didn’t fall head over heels in love the the characters. I am not sure what it was but I just didn’t care for Cassie at all.

This was my first read of a Leslie Kelly story and while I liked Kate and John I just never felt totally vested in them.

Not to say that these were bad stories or anything. I just didn’t get sucked into the world.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4 Hearts This is a reprint from 2002 but to be honest I didn’t know that until I pulled up the information to type of this review. There were a couple of small things written that now I realize are dated but a handful of small comments does not take away from the story and 99% of the story is not dated at all.

The story of Cassie and Tag is very engrossing. I enjoyed the way they came together. I story background is interesting and comprehensive. I think Tag is a great character and I love that he has a list of what he wants in a woman and yet realizes that Cassie is none of those things and yet everything he wants. Cassie has issues but she is still fun to read about. She has an interesting way of thinking. Shalvis is one of the best and from this story you can see she had the golden touch even a dozen years ago.

The story of Jake and Kate was just as sweet as the story of her cousin. Jake is a great guy. I enjoyed the instant chemistry they had and the interesting history of the town. The sexual side of this story is a lot more intense than the first story but it is done in a fun and interesting way. Kelly has a much different way of writing then Shalvis does but their writing seems to mesh really well.

I enjoyed these stories very much.

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

4 Hearts

January 24, 2014January 6, 2014

Kimberly reviews The Wishing Tree by MaryBeth Whalen

TITLE: The Wishing Tree
CHARACTERS: Ivy
AUTHOR: Marybeth Whalen
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/04/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ivy Marshall, a savvy, determined woman, finds out her husband has cheated on her on the same day her sister’s perfect boyfriend proposes on national television. When Ivy’s mother asks her to return to her family’s beach home to plan her sister’s upcoming wedding, she decides to use the excuse to escape from the pain of her circumstances.
When her return to Sunset Beach, North Carolina, brings her face to face with her former fiance, old feelings rise to the surface and she wonders if there is a future for them. However, her husband has started tweeting his apology to her and doesn’t want to give up on their marriage. As she helps prepare the wishing tree for her sister’s wedding, she must examine her own wishes for the future and decide what love should be…

REVIEW:
3.75 Stars I honestly do not know of one woman who hasn’t had the thoughts that Ivy did in this story. “If I could turn back time, would I?” Ivy has just left her husband to go home to where she was once loved by her childhood sweetheart and back to a family who is upset with her for leaving him to marry someone else. But it is where she needs to be right now so off she goes. And while there she wonders about what could have been and what is.

The problem was it was a very depressing read through most of it. However I understand the quandry. I understand that moment of wondering “what if”. I understand remembering what seemed like a better simpler time.

This is a poignant, soul searching read and any woman can relate to.

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

January 23, 2014January 6, 2014

Kimberly reviews Blindsided by Fern Michaels

TITLE: Blindsided
SERIES #: Sisterhood #22
CHARACTERS: Maggie & Myra
AUTHOR: Fern Michaels
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/31/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ladies On Fire

Myra Rutledge isn’t ready to mothball the Sisterhood just yet. When Maggie Spitzer, former editor-in-chief of the Post and an honorary member of the Sisterhood, arrives with a new mission in mind, the Vigilantes are soon gathering in their war room once more. While catching up on each other’s lives, they plan a brilliant campaign against a duo of corrupt judges running a moneymaking racket that sends young offenders to brutal boot camps, often on trumped-up charges. Their enemies are powerful and ruthless, but the Sisterhood have their own formidable allies – including former President Martine Connor. Once their scheme takes off, the guilty won’t know what hit them. . .

REVIEW:
I could not finish this book but I think it was my own error. I requested this book from NetGalley because I have read other Fern Michaels books and while I think she has an odd way about her writing I usually enjoy the story. However, this book is the 22nd in a series called Sisterhood. The problem is this story is about the characters getting back together and restarting some type of operation they worked on before and while I tried I couldn’t understand the whole history of these characters.

Now I think if you are a fan of Fern Michaels and have read the other books you would probably enjoy it since this would be the 22nd in the series you have read. So I gave it 3 stars to split the error on my part down the middle.

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

January 16, 2014January 6, 2014

Kimberly reviews Master Of The Opera Act 2: Ghost Aria by Jeffe Kennedy

TITLE: Master Of The Opera Act 2: Ghost Aria
SERIES #: Master Of The Opera #2
CHARACTERS: Christy & Master
AUTHOR: Jeffe Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/16/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In the second seductive installment of Jeffe Kennedy’s thrilling “Master of the Opera,” a young woman falls deeper under the spell of the man who haunts her dreams, fuels her desire, and demands her surrender…With each passing day of her internship at the Sante Fe Opera House, Christine Davis discovers something new, something exciting-and something frightening. Hidden in the twisting labyrinths beneath the theater is a mysterious man in a mask who, Christy’s convinced, is as real as the rose he left on her desk-and as passionate as the kiss that burns on her lips. He tells her to call him “Master,” and Christy can’t deny him. But when her predecessor-a missing intern-is found dead, Christy wonders if she’s playing with fire…

If her phantom lover is actually a killer, how can she continue to submit to his dark, erotic games? And if he is innocent, how can she resist-or refuse-when he demands nothing less than her body and soul?

REVIEW:
This is the second installment by Jeffe Kennedy’s new book. It is a very short story so far (under 40 pages) so I don’t have too much to say but as a fan of Kennedy’s I am sure this will be an interesting read. It is obviously based on Phantom of the Opera with a few differences of course. Act 2 is the main meeting of the couple. While they have said hello this installment lets Christy realize Master is real and not the ghost she thought him to be. There are 6 installments so this is really only the beginning.

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

January 13, 2014January 6, 2014

Kimberly reviews Beyond Eden by Kele Moon

TITLE: Beyond Eden
SERIES #: Eden #1
CHARACTERS: Eve, Paul & Danny
AUTHOR: Kele Moon
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/01/10
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Three lifelong friends find themselves tangled in a web of love, pain and dangerous secrets in this erotic Garden of Eden tale.

Tall, dark and handsome Danny Carlow has always gotten whatever he wants except for the two he wants more than anything-his best friends, lovers Paul and Eve. Determined, he waits like a snake in the grass, poised for the right moment to offer them a temptation too delicious to resist.

Artist Eve Everton makes the painful decision to leave her true love Paul for the siren call of New York City. Ten years later, with her life in shambles, she returns. When Paul’s waiting arms aren’t available, Eve falls for Danny’s charm and finds herself a willing accomplice in the dangerous games Danny plays.

Former college football star Paul Mattling is now a successful attorney with a bright future ahead of him. But behind those brilliant blue eyes are secret desires for a taste of the forbidden. Will he play it safe or give in to Danny and Eve and bite the apple?

Reader Advisory: Not for the faint of heart, the pain in this story is vivid and real, the emotions even more so. Haunting and poignant, Beyond Eden presents a darker side of BDSM. You might gasp. You might cry. You might find yourself reading it again and again.

REVIEW:
Wow.. umm… well… ok… This is definitely erotica. There is no doubt about that. 90% of this book is sex and most of it hard core in some way or another. As the reader advisory above says there is a lot of pain in this story and it is physical as well as emotional. This is not your sweet BDSM story (if there is such a thing). This is very intense and borders on cruel except it is what the sub wants.

I gave this book 4 stars because I decided to do something that is rare for me. I decided to not compare it in a general scope (ie: historicals, contemporary, paranormal and erotica) but solely on erotica. The reason I did that is because this book, in my humble opinion, can not really be classified as a romance. Yes there is love but there is certainly no romance in this story. So I compared it to other erotica that I have read and it is very well written for the genre and should be given the credit for that. If this is the type of story you like, once again as said above, you will want to read this again and again. If you are into erotica romance than I would warn you this might be too much.

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

January 13, 2014January 6, 2014

Kimberly reviews Wanted by J. Kenner

TITLE: Wanted
SERIES #: Most Wanted #1
CHARACTERS: Angelina & Evan
AUTHOR: J. Kenner
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/07/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He is everything I crave, all I desperately want—and he is everything I can’t have.

Evan Black embodies my every fantasy. He is brilliant, fierce, and devastatingly handsome. But he is also headstrong, dangerous, and burdened with secrets.

My family warned me to stay away, that I could never handle Evan’s dark dealings or scarred past. Maybe I should have listened. Maybe I should have run. But our desire is undeniable, and some temptations you just can’t fight.

And from the moment we touch—the passion between us consuming us both—I know that I will never be the same.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Another great novel by J. Kenner. This probably falls under the erotica genre but I really do not see it that way. This is romance with some steamy sex. Yes it says fans of 50 Shades of Grey will love it and they probably will (I did) but this is about love and romance. It is about sex and control. It is not about BDSM nor fetishes.

I had a hard time getting to like Angelina. She seemed almost childlike in her crush and she seemed like a spoiled child not getting her way so she would do things to get people’s attention. However that is not her goal. She needs the thrill for herself. And eventually I found myself liking her. Evan is a powerful guy with secrets and he was fun to get to know.

I was really glad to see this story had an end. I know it is part of a series but it is not only the story of these two characters. I do not mind an ongoing story once in a while like in Kenner’s Stark series. But I don’t want them all to be. I hope we will learn more about the Knights in Heated but that it will be the story of another Knight.

Kenner has become one of my favorite authors and this story keeps her at the top of my list. I can’t wait for Heated.

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

January 8, 2014January 4, 2014

Kimberly reviews Island Promises by Thayne, Ferrarella, Banks

TITLE: Island Promises: Hawaiian Holiday/Hawaiian Reunion/Hawaiian Retreat
CHARACTERS: Varied
AUTHOR: Thayne, Ferrarella, Banks
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/07/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The Ex-Wife: Megan McNeil is genuinely happy to escort her little girls to their father’s wedding in Kauai, Hawaii;even though she feels like a third wheel. One gorgeous groomsman definitely disagrees. But are they both carrying too much baggage to begin a new romance?

The Best Man: Devlin Marshall won’t let anything spoil his buddy’s big day not even his own rocky marriage. Secrets and mistrust have divided him from his Amy, but the love in the air seems to be catching.

The Sister: Family comes first. Deep down, Gabi Foster knows it, but this holiday is hurting her career. Can a sweet, sexy surfing instructor convince her that love is worth more than a business deal

REVIEW:
Hawaiian Holiday
4 Hearts I loved this story. It was so sweet. I loved the little girls and liked how the special needs child was written so well and not as if she was a burden. I wish it has been a full size novel because I would have enjoyed more time with this couple and the girls.

Hawaiian Reunion
3 Hearts This story is very well written and some how (I really am not sure how) had me hoping this couple would get back together. Amy is just argumentative and insecure so why I wanted her with a good guy like Devlin I have no idea but I did.

Hawaiian Retreat
3.5 Hearts This story was very sweet as well. It did feel a little rushed in some way and yet drawn out in others. Not sure why that is but it had that feeling. Kai is just a sweetie.

Overall I am giving this 3.5 Hearts. I enjoyed all the stories. It is a fast read (I read it in a day) and yet seemed complete and enjoyable. I especially enjoyed the way the kids were written in the book. Not perfect but real. An enjoyable read all the way around.

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