Kimberly’s Review – Page 95

November 13, 2013November 3, 2013

Kimberly reviews Hunted: An Erotic Retelling Of Beauty & The Beast by Cerys Du Lys

TITLE: Hunted: An Erotic Retelling Of Beauty & The Beast
CHARACTERS: Danya & Everett
AUTHOR: Cerys Du Lys
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/22/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When the beast-cursed man of legends comes for her, desiring her as his mate, can Danya tame his savage ways and show him love, or will she unwittingly become some plaything for a monster, existing solely for his pleasure?

(A Cerys du Lys erotic fairy tale novel)

Hidden in the woods sits a mansion. Rumors say it’s commanded by a beast-cursed man who crossed a witch nearly a century ago.

Danya has no time for rumors and fantasies, though. Abandoned by her mother at an early age, now trapped by her father’s constant debt, she struggles just to care for her family. She’s shamed herself, sold her body, all to make some coin and ward the debtors away for a little while longer.

One day someone will find her and love her and offer her a better life. Right?

The one who comes for her is nothing like what she expects, though. The beast-cursed man of legends knows her scent and he hunts for her lust like a wolf pursuing a rabbit through the underbrush. He wants her, needs her, desires her body, and yet…

There’s a reason the witch cursed him in the first place, isn’t there? The lord’s son, Everett, trapped as a man in wolf’s clothing, bound to the witch’s whim. Can Danya hope to tame his wild ways, undo his curse, and find love in the process, or is she merely a pleasure toy to him, some sexual prey meant to be Hunted?

Impassioned, steamy, and haunting. This evocative fairy tale of obsession, lust, and erotic thrill will enchant you, romance you, and leave you feeling bewitched.

This book is intended for mature audiences.

REVIEW:
Ok imagine watching Disney’s Beauty & the Beast and all of a sudden the characters come to life and have an orgy. Yep that is pretty much this book.

The story is the mostly classical telling of the B&B story. He is changed by a witch. Beauty comes along to love him and he changes. Ok got it. But now they are messing around like bunnies. Every time they have sex another servant comes back to life and one or the other feels the need to sleep with them.

The sex is erotic and wild. If you want to read it for the sex go for it and enjoy but if you are looking for a fairy tale with a little bit of eroticism that is not this book. Almost every scene is a sex scene (at least through more than half of the book) and there is no fairy tale aspect to it. I would have given the “story” 2 stars and the erotica 4 so I settled for a 3 as an overall review.

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

November 11, 2013November 3, 2013

Kelly reviews Protecting His Witness by Katie Reus

TITLE: Protecting His Witness
SERIES #: Red Stone Security #7
CHARACTERS: Vincent Hansen & Jordan Alvarado
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
PUBLICATION DATE: August 26, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Seven years ago she broke his heart…

Leaving Vincent was the hardest thing Jordan Alvarado ever had to do, but she had no choice. Now she’s back and looking for forgiveness so she can move on with her life. She doesn’t expect the smoldering attraction between them to still be there, burning hotter than ever. After the way she hurt him she knows things will never be the same again and that in the end, she’s the one who will get her heart broken when he walks away.

He’s not letting her go again…

Former SEAL Vincent Hansen never got over Jordan and the way she up and left him without a trace. After she suddenly reappears and explains what happened, he’s even more furious. He doesn’t know what he wants from her, but when she’s targeted in a series of potentially deadly attacks, he realizes he can’t give her up again. He won’t. Now he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe and convince her that she was always meant to be his.

REVIEW:
I enjoyed Vincent & Jordan’s story. They both were so in love with each other. But when Jordan disappeared over night Vincent was left with a broken heart and no answers. When Jordan reappears out of nowhere Vincent has a hard time keeping his feelings in check. He can’t decide if he is mad and wants to push Jordan away or grab her and hold her tight so she can never leave again.

This was a very quick read, just a few short hours and I read slow. But it was a good read. I have not read the previous Red Stone Security book, but Protecting His Witness was easily read as a stand alone story. There was some cameos of characters from past books and now I want to go back and read the first 6 books.

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

November 6, 2013November 3, 2013

Kelly reviews Bad Nights by Rebecca York

TITLE: Bad Nights
SERIES #: Rockfort Security #1
CHARACTERS: Jack Brandt & Morgan Rains
AUTHOR: Rebecca York
NARRATOR: Tara Sands
PUBLICATION DATE: Sept. 9, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Private operative and former Navy SEAL Jack Brandt barely escaped a disastrous undercover assignment, thanks to the most intriguing woman he’s ever met. When his enemies track him to her doorstep, he’ll do anything to protect Morgan from the danger closing in on them both . . . Since her husband’s death, Morgan Rains has only been going through the motions. She didn’t think anything could shock her-until she finds a gorgeous man stumbling naked and injured through the woods behind her house. He’s mysterious, intimidating-and undeniably compelling.Thrown together into a pressure cooker of danger and intrigue, Jack and Morgan are finding in each other a reason to live-if they can survive.

REVIEW:
I had the honor of listening to this book on audio. I love audiobooks. But the narrator can make or break a good book. If you don’t have a great narrator it really doesn’t matter how good the book is. I do have my favorite narrators. So let me say that I really enjoyed the story of Bad Nights Rebecca York is an amazing story teller. And this was my first Rebecca York books. But I was not in love with the narrator for this book Tara Sands does a fine job in the dialog part, although some of the guys sounds very similar. But the storytelling part felt like she was just reading the book not telling the story. I prefer to have my narrators tell me the story. But overall I really did like this story. But I think the next book in this series I will be reading. I am not sure. I might give Tara another shot.
I loved Jack & Morgan. Oh and Shane & Max!! I can’t wait for these two’s story. But back to Jack & Morgan. Jack is a man on the run and Morgan is the unfortunate person who finds him naked, hurt and out cool. This chance meeting puts them both in grave danger. The only trusting each other and a little lucky will keep them safe.
This was a really good story. It keep my attention the whole time. I wanted Jack & Morgan to get out safe. I wanted them to realize what they could have together. I wanted to slap Jack for telling Morgan he was not the man for her. But in the end…..
Well you need to read the book to find out.

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

November 6, 2013November 3, 2013

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews The Keepers: Christmas In Salem by Graham, Leblanc, Pickering and Ciotta

TITLE: The Keepers: Christmas In Salem
CHARACTERS: Various
AUTHOR: Graham, Leblanc, Pickering, Ciotta
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/05/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
This holiday season, armed with love and passion, can the Keepers stop the reign of Darkness?

Christmas is coming to Salem, but so is an evil force that threatens all mankind. In this memorable collection led by New York Times bestselling author Heather Graham, four powerful Keepers must save their community as a strange, eternal night creeps over the town. Forced to choose between their time-honored responsibilities or the lovers their hearts desire, these four extraordinary women must risk their own happiness to save the holiday. But Christmas is a time for miracles, and as each Keeper’s greatest longing is met, the Season of Light returns. Don’t miss this magical holiday collection from Heather Graham, Deborah LeBlanc, Kathleen Pickering and Beth Ciotta.

REVIEW:
2.5 Hearts This just didn’t do much for me. I enjoyed the story by Graham and was looking forward to the others but they just got repetitive. They were just too much alike so by the third story I was bored.

Not a great book to put you in the holiday spirit. Think I will stick with Graham’s Krewe Of Hunters series and leave the Keepers to others.

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

November 5, 2013November 3, 2013

Kimberly reviews Rumor Has It by Jill Shalvis

TITLE: Rumor Has It
SERIES #: Animal Magnetism #4
CHARACTERS: Kate & Griffin
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/05/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He’ll help unleash the new woman in her…

Special Ops soldier Griffin Reid doesn’t exactly have happy memories of growing up in Sunshine, Idaho. He’s only come back to recover from a war injury, and while he refuses to admit he’s in a weakened state, he finds comfort in the last person he’d expect.

Kate Evans teaches second grade in Sunshine, the place she’s always called home. Dreaming of graduate school and a happily-ever-after, she’s desperate to break out of the monotony of Sunshine. Luckily, a certain sexy man has just come back into her life.

To Griffin, Kate has always been his little sister’s friend, but now he’s finding her to be so much more. As both attempt to forge their paths, they must decide if their passionate connection can turn into something lasting…

REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts Boy did I love this book. Griffin is just adorable. I just wanted to package him up, take him home and make his boo-boo all better. Kate is something else as well. She is Superwoman. And yet everything she does is authentic and well meaning. She just is who she is and I loved that about her.

The characters connected immediately. The reader can just tell they are meant to be together. There is a calmness that they give each other. I also enjoyed revisiting Holly and Adam from Rescue My Heart.

I am not sure the next in the series for Jill Shalvis but I am throwing out my request for Ryan’s story. Now there is a man I could fall in love with.

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

November 4, 2013November 3, 2013

Kimberly reviews Perfect Mate by Aubrey Rose

TITLE: Perfect Mate
SERIES #: A Werewolf BBW Romance #2
CHARACTERS: Julia & Damien
AUTHOR: Aubrey Rose
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/25/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The standalone romance novella which follows the #1 Bestselling Shifter Romance Blind Wolf!

Julia always thought that she was human. When the blind leader of a pack of straggling misfits claims her as his one true mate, she accepts that she is in love with Damien despite their radical differences.

But after another shifter wolf attacks them, he points to her as he dies and utters words that will change Julia’s life forever:

“…she’s not what you think she is…”

REVIEW:
2.5 Hearts This is the second in the novella series and I have to say it was just ok for me. The writing of the character was a bit immature. The story is sort of interesting but not much different than many others except Damien in blind. It is a short story so I won’t make this long but I do think you need to read the first novella before reading this one if you do chose to read it. There is not much to the BBW part and not much to the erotica part but if you like shifters you could possibly enjoy it.

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

October 31, 2013October 29, 2013

Kimberly reviews The Pleasures Of Autumn by Evie Hunter

TITLE: The Pleasures of Autumn
SERIES #: Pleasures #3
CHARACTERS: Sinead & Niall
AUTHOR: Evie Hunter
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/31/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When fine arts curator Sinead O’Sullivan is charged with a stealing the Fire of Autumn, a dazzling ruby with a history of violence and treachery, bail is set at one million Swiss francs.

Investigator Niall Moore is hired to stop her fleeing and to find the jewel. Niall knows Sinead’s form as the feisty red-head led him a merry dance when their paths crossed once before. Despite the overwhelming sexual chemistry between them, Niall knows that he cannot trust her.

Sinead toys with Niall, refusing to tell him what she knows about the theft. An expert in interrogation, Niall uses every trick of the trade – and every tool in his erotic armoury – to get at the truth. And Sinead – just as well armed – counters his every move with one of her own.

As thief and thief-taker fight for dominance, there can be only be one winner … but what happens when the stakes are raised and it’s no longer just a jewel and Sinead’s freedom in play?

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts I was riveted. This was a wonderful read. While it is under the erotica genre there is more story than sex in this book. The characters are ones we have met before in the other Pleasures series but it can certainly be read as a stand alone.

I really enjoyed Sinead. She is an interesting character and more rounded of a character than the previous ladies in the series (even though I enjoyed them too). This should have been called Pleasures of the Gemini. Sinead is such a Gemini of a character. She is two complete characters in one. She enjoys her job at a museum but also has a secret life as a burlesque dancer which fulfills her other side. Naill is interesting as well. He is a Dom with interesting ideas that somehow Sinead finds just as interesting.

I would probably have given this story 5 Hearts except a couple of little things that kept driving me crazy. While I understood why Sinead could not tell Naill about her Lottie side it got tiresome for her to “switch” characters “I will show him Lottie if he thinks Sinead is too demure” type attitude. Even down to looking at herself in the mirror and thinking “this is more Lottie than it is Sinead”. It could be too much when it happened too closely together. But the little things that drove me nuts was things like they are looking for someone (no spoilers) and someone says to Sinead “did you get my email about that?” thinking she was someone else and never once did she say “no what email did you send that too?”. Hello wouldn’t that be the first thing you would ask?

Ok now all that being said I so enjoyed this book. I can’t wait for the next in the Pleasures series and am sad that there are only four seasons. Ummm Pleasures of the Gemini… Maybe they could start with the Zodiac signs which would give us fans 12 more books to enjoy!

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

October 30, 2013October 30, 2013

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Christmas in Snowflake Canyon by RaeAnne Thayne

TITLE: Christmas in Snowflake Canyon
SERIES #: Hope’s Crossing #6
CHARACTERS: Genevieve & Dylan
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/29/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
No one has ever felt sorry for Genevieve Beaumont. After all, she has everything money can buy. That is, until she discovers her fiancé has been two-timing her and she’s left with two choices: marry the philanderer to please her controlling father or be disinherited and find a means to support herself.

Genevieve’s salvation appears in the most unlikely of prospects: Dylan Caine, a sexy, wounded war vet whose life is as messy as hers. Dylan’s struggling to adjust after his time in Afghanistan, and the last thing he needs is a spoiled socialite learning about the real world for the first time. True, she may have unexpected depths and beauty to match. But he knows he could never be the man she needs…and she knows he could never be the man she thinks she wants. So why are they each hoping that a Christmas miracle willl prove them both wrong?

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts What a delightful holiday romance. This story has all the good feelings of the holiday season as well as a romance that will melt any heart. I loved watching the character of Gen morph into the woman that the reader knows she will be by the end of the book. While she iz used to the finer things in life it is her heart that is made of gold.

Dylan is sweet and charming this is not his story. It is Gen’s. The reader wants them together but not because she has fallen for Dylan but she wants Gen to triumph. Ok yes maybe there are others out there that won’t agree but it is my review after all.

Looking for a holiday romance to curl up in front of the fire with? This one is it.

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

October 29, 2013October 20, 2013

Kimberly reviews Holding Out For A Hero by Amy Andrews

TITLE: Holding Out For A Hero
CHARACTERS: Ella & Jake
AUTHOR: Amy Andrews
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/15/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Holding Out For A Hero
When sensible schoolteacher Ella Lucas rides into her home town on a Harley and seduces the resident football hero, Jake Prince, she figures she can be forgiven and move on. After all, she’s just buried her mother.

Two years later, back in the city, their paths cross again but this time Jake is in the process of destroying her favourite dive bar. With her home facing a wrecker’s ball, her school being closed down and her 15-year-old brother hell bent on self-destruction, it’s the last straw. Throw in a dominatrix best friend who is dating a blue ribbon guy so straight he still lives at home with his mother, it’s no wonder the sanest person in Ella’s life is a dog.

With all this to contend with, the last thing Ella needs is Jake back in her life. But, as fate would have it, Jake is the only chance she has to save her school.

As the school football season heats up, old secrets threaten to surface and Ella takes on greedy developers, school boards and national tabloids. But can she save not just her home, her school and her brother, but also the reputation of the man she’s never been able to forget? And, more importantly, does she want to?

Holding Out for a Hero is a quirky, heartwarming tale of unlikely romance, friendship and family.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I enjoyed this story. It was a bit of a different storyline than usual. It was a bit wordy with the same things over and over and I am not sure there was much chemistry between the characters but somehow the story worked.

Ella has just about everything coming at her that you can imagine and there is a bit of background between Ella and Jake so it makes sense they connect again but it was odd how at some points the author wrote that the characters had a connection even in youth and then other times that they barely talked to each other growing up.

But it is a heart touching story that turns out to have a HEA.

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

October 25, 2013October 20, 2013

Kimberly reviews Captive by A.D. Robertson

TITLE: Captive: The Forbidden Side Of Nightshade
CHARACTERS: Sarah & Tristan
AUTHOR: A.D. Robertson
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/22/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The first adult novel set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Nightshade series, Captive delivers a steamy, forbidden romance between sworn enemies drawn together by an irrepressible desire.

Twenty-five-year-old Tristan Doran enjoys a life of incredible power and privilege. As a direct descendant of the Keepers—witches who have embraced dark magic—he defers to no one but his overlord, Lord Bosque Mar. For most of his life, Tristan has been kept out of the centuries-old Witches War, his bloodline too valuable to risk in battle.

But when a beautiful, young human Searcher named Sarah is captured and made a prisoner in his Irish castle, Tristan’s infatuation with her flings him headlong into the fray. Captive and captor, unable to contain their longing, embark on a passionate, forbidden romance together—only to learn that their love is at the heart of a prophecy predicting the downfall of the Keepers’ ages-old reign.

Captive explores the darker side of the richly imagined Nightshade universe, a fantasy world of powerful dark witches, shape-shifting wolf warriors, and fascinating history. The first of three erotic novels, Captive delves deeply into the fiery, illicit romance of two young lovers whose very desires invite their doom.

REVIEW:
2.5 Hearts Ok so here is the deal. I have no idea what Nightshade is and what it is all about. I’ve never heard of it so even though it has Nightshade in it’s title I didn’t realize it was referring to a series by someone else. So when I started this book I was lost. Totally completely lost. I have no idea who the characters are or what they do. There are a bunch of titles like Guardian, Arrow, Keepers, etc and it was just too much to try and comprehend.

I also could not get excited about Tristan. Honestly he seems like a wuss. Sarah is the one who wears the pants in this relationship and that just doesn’t work for me. And while I can see where the sex scenes are plenty I really am not sure I would say this is erotica. Based on the information that Nightshade is a YA series I can understand it being classified as Adult and not for YA readers but erotica? Nope.

Based on all that I tried to enjoy it. I just couldn’t.

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

October 24, 2013October 20, 2013

Kimberly reviews Cinderella Screwed Me Over by Cindi Madsen

TITLE: Cinderella Screwed Me Over
CHARACTERS: Darby & Jake
AUTHOR: Cindi Madsen
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/22/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Darby Quinn has a bone to pick with Cinderella. Burned one too many times by ex-boyfriends, Darby has lost all belief in the happily-ever-after that the fairy-tale princess promised her. She’s sworn off love, Prince Charmings, and happy endings and she’s happy about it. Really. Or at least she was…until she met Jake, her gorgeous neighbor and the manager of her favorite restaurant. But Darby has rules about dating, ones she’s culled from her years spent with so-called “princes,” and starting something with Jake would break all of them.

Charming, fun, and unwilling to give up on her, Jake doesn’t fit any of the profiles Darby has created from her case studies of ex-princes-gone-bad. Finally presented with her own Prince Charming, can Darby take a chance on a happily-ever-after?

Full of wit and sarcastic humor, Cinderella Screwed Me Over proves that sometimes the perfect love, like a perfect pair of shoes, is just within your grasp.

REVIEW:
I enjoyed this story. I will be honest and say it was not exactly what I expected but I found myself wanting to read every word. Ironically enough while reading the story a friend posted a comment about Disney princesses not being a bad role model for little girls and I found myself commenting back that while the girls were strong the stories gave an unrealistic view of relationships. Once I realized what I was writing I realized that this is what makes a good book. One that makes you think and yet you still enjoy it.

Now there were somethings that I had a hard time with. First there was just too much “I can’t break my rules for him. He makes me want to break my rules. etc”. Darby is a bit too cynical if you ask me. Honestly the relationships she describes are not all that horrible and are something that most women have been through at some point (or know of a friend who has been through it) and yet Darby feels these are reasons to stop trying. I actually thought there would be a moral. Something like learning from the past means you find what you don’t want so it is worth it, blah, blah but it never came. Also based on the title I expected more humor. I thought there would be some silliness but there is not. There is snide humor and almost a sad humor sometimes but not a fun humor.

Ok now do not get me wrong. Yes there are some flaws but the story is good and if you enjoy the Disney Princesses then you will enjoy the connection and actually wonder what “prince” catagory your ex-boyfriends fall into.

PS: I wonder if the author purposely used the name Darby which is a character in the new Winnie The Pooh and Friends show…. Was she trying to subconsciously tell the reader the best guy to love is a teddy bear? hmmm… or is that just me being cynical?

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

October 23, 2013October 20, 2013

Kimberly reviews Red Hot Dragon by Lolita Lopez

TITLE: Red Hot Dragon
SERIES #: Dragon Heat #2
CHARACTERS: Avani & Griffin
AUTHOR: Lolita Lopez
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/01/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Griffin Cadogan is shocked to see Avani Monroe, sworn enemy of his dragon family, walk into his gym. With his mating phase soon approaching, Griffin is curious as to why she has to come enemy territory knowing the risks. Not only does she surprise Griffin and his cousin, Mad, by coming to enemy territory, but what she wants is borderline insane-Griffin must help her have a baby.

After her mother’s line was annihilated by the Knights, Avani accepted her duty to ensure the continuation of their unique dragon breed. She’s searched the dragon registries and Griffin is the most likely candidate for her crazy plan. Working up the courage to approach a man who considers her an enemy wasn’t easy but she manages to calmly lay out her carefully orchestrated plan.

But Griffin isn’t about to agree to her harsh terms. If she wants him to father her child, he intends to play an active role in his offspring’s life, not simply walk away as she requires. Shocked by her instant attraction to him, she agrees to his terms. Once together, they realize their connection is about more than creating a child, but that happiness is short-lived when Mad suddenly disappears. Knowing the dragon slayers are behind it, Griffin must risk it all to save the ones he loves.

REVIEW:
This is a very short story of about only 80 pages but somehow the author gets the full story into these pages. The characters connect immediately and while there is a bit of drama most of it is romance. I enjoy the dragon shape-shifters. Until the first in the series I had not read a dragon shape-shifter but it is different and enjoyable.

This is a great short paranormal romance to have ready to read between books and while second in the series it can be read as a stand alone.

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