Review Sunday – Page 134

March 11, 2014March 11, 2014

Kelly reviews Visions Of Heat by Nalini Singh

TITLE: Visions of Heat
SERIES #: Psy-Changeling #2
CHARACTERS: Vaughn D’Angelo & Faith Nightstar
AUTHOR: Nalini Singh
NARRATOR: Angela Dawe
PUBLICATION DATE: March 6, 2007
AUDIO RELEASE DATE: May 30, 2011
RUN TIME: 9 hours & 43 minutes
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Hailed as a major new talent in paranormal romance, Nalini Singh takes us deeper into the world of the Psy and the changelings in her latest extraordinary novel, where a gifted woman sees passion in her future – a passion that is absolutely forbidden by her kind…

Used to cold silence, Faith NightStar is suddenly being tormented by dark visions of blood and murder. A bad sign for anyone, but worse for Faith, an F-Psy with the highly sought after ability to predict the future. Then the visions show her something even more dangerous – aching need… exquisite pleasure. But so powerful is her sight, so fragile the state of her mind, that the very emotions she yearns to embrace could be the end of her.

Changeling Vaughn D’Angelo can take either man or jaguar form, but it is his animal side that is overwhelmingly drawn to Faith. The jaguar’s instinct is to claim this woman it finds so utterly fascinating, and the man has no argument. But while Vaughn craves sensation and hungers to pleasure Faith in every way, desire is a danger that could snap the last threads of her sanity. And there are Psy who need Faith’s sight for their own purposes. They must keep her silenced – and keep her from Vaughn.

REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts

Loved this book!! Love Vaughn!! Loved Faith!! Just plain loved! I have yet to pick up a Nalini Singh story and not totally be in love. Nalini is such an amazing storyteller and Angela Dawe brings the characters to life. This girl has a knack for voices!! It is amazing. And as always I love when I feel like I am in the story not just being read to. Angela does that. I never feel that she is just reading the works. I feel like I am right there with the characters.

If you are thinking about a book to read or listen too I would HIGHLY suggest picking up a copy of Vision of Heat, but if you have not read book 1 Slave to Sensation I would start there

Disclaimer:
I purchased this book from Audible and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

March 11, 2014March 8, 2014

Kimberly reviews Her Summer With The Marine by Susan Meier

TITLE: Her Summer With The Marine
SERIES #: Donovan Brothers #1
CHARACTERS: Ellie & Finn
AUTHOR: Susan Meier
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/10/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Their competition has never been so irresistible

The last person Ellie McDermott wanted to run into after returning to her hometown is Finn Donovan, her high school nemesis and the guy she crossed the line from enemies to lovers with one night years ago. Now ex-military, tattooed, and still sexy as hell, Finn is a complication Ellie doesn’t need—she needs to concentrate on saving her family business.

Finn’s entire life, Ellie was there, going head-to-head with him in every class, bee, and test. So it’s no surprise she’d show up just as he was about to take over her father’s struggling business. It is a surprise, though, that his attraction to her is even more explosive than it had been. Acting on their attraction is one thing, but Finn has to turn a profit to save his own family, and nothing—not even love—will get in his way.

REVIEW:
2.5 Hearts This story was just ok for me. First it was so odd that it was set over the couple fighting for a funeral home. I mean it actually seemed at times like they were happy someone died so they got the business. Just weird.

I don’t really think the couple had much chemistry either. Something was just off about this book and the characters. The writing was good and the background characters were good but the main couple just didn’t seem to mesh. I liked some of the storyline and had a couple of good chuckles at some of the lines but most seemed like forced humor.

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

March 10, 2014March 8, 2014

Kelly reviews Slave To Sensation by Nalini Singh

TITLE: Slave to Sensation
SERIES #: Psy-Changeling #1
CHARACTERS: Lucas Hunter & Sascha Duncan
AUTHOR: Nalini Singh
NARRATOR: Angela Dawe
PUBLICATION DATE: September 5, 2006
AUDIO RELEASE DATE: April 26, 2011
RUN TIME: 9 hours & 39 minutes

ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Dive into a world torn apart by a powerful race with phenomenal powers of the mind—and none of the heart…

In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of “rehabilitation”— the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was….

Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a Changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy co-existence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several Changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion—and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities—or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation

REVIEW:
This was my second read/listen to this book. But I decided that I really wanted to tackle Nalini’s Psy-Changeling series. This first book was really good. Lots of world building, history and foundation that needs to be laid for us to understand this world. But the story between Lucas & Sascha really heats up the pages. Anyone that can have those types of dreams is okay in my book 🙂
I really loved Lucas’ character. As Alpha of his pack he has to be strong. But Lucas was strong even before he was alpha. Although he was a little broken too. I hope that we get to see glimpses of these two in future books.
I loved Sascha, even if at times I wanted to shake the Psy out of her. But if she was not Psy and struggling with her emotions the story would not be as good.

The narrator Angela Dawe did a really good job with the reading of this book. This was my first book I have listened to narrated by Angela. My only complaint was that the splicing between chapters was way too fast. But I do plan on listening to the second book in this series on audible too.

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

March 7, 2014March 2, 2014

Kelly reviews Sapphires are an Earl’s Best Friend by Shana Galen

TITLE: Sapphires are an Earl’s Best Friend
SERIES #: Jewels of the Ton #3
CHARACTERS: Andrew Booth-Payne & Lily Dawson
AUTHOR: Shana Galen
PUBLICATION DATE: March 4, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She Wants Him…

She Wants Him Not…

Lily Dawson, dubbed the Countess of Charm by the Prince Regent himself, plays the role of the courtesan flawlessly while her real purpose is spying in the service of the Crown. Her mission now is to seduce a duke to test his true loyalties. She’ll do it, even though the man she really wants is Andrew Booth-Payne, Earl of Darlington—the duke’s son.

Andrew is furious when he finds himself rivaling his father for Lily’s attention. When he uncovers Lily’s mission, Andrew is faced with impossible choices. It seems he is destined to betray either his family, his country, or the longings of his own heart.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This was my first book in this series and while I think it might have be helpful to read the first to books first. I didn’t feel lost, but the main characters in this book do have a bit of a history that I am guessing we would see in the first two books.

I liked this book but didn’t love. I really liked Lily. She is feisty, independent, determined and not afraid to speak her mind. But Lily does have a few secrets in her past and those secrets for every changed her future. Andrew on the other hand was a bit of an asshat in the beginning. Although I did really enjoy that first kiss. Once these two came to an understanding everything was coming up roses. Or was it?

If you have read the first two books in the Jewels of the Ton series you will really enjoy Andrew & Lily’s story. If you are new to this series I would suggest you give this series and these Jewels a chance at their second chance at life and love.

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

March 6, 2014March 2, 2014

Kimberly reviews Master Of The Opera Act 5: A Haunting Duet by Jeffe Kennedy

TITLE: Master Of The Opera Act 5: A Haunting Duet
SERIES #: Master Of The Opera #5
CHARACTERS: Christine & Master
AUTHOR: Jeffe Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/06/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In the fifth erotically charged installment of Jeffe Kennedy’s scorching Master of the Opera, a daring young woman follows her reckless desire for the perfect lover—to the point of no return.

He is more than just the man of her dreams. He is the master of her destiny. A mysterious masked stranger who haunts the darkened tunnels beneath the Sante Fe Opera House, the Master is like no other lover Christy has ever known. He has lured the beautiful intern to the very brink of ecstasy—and beyond. He has pushed the boundaries of her sensuality and tested the limits of her passion. But now the Master wants more. If Christy accepts his challenge, she must be willing to go further than she’s ever gone. She must surrender to his every desire. She must submit to his every command. She must expose herself body and soul—or bear the scars of a broken heart forever. . .

Tonight is the night she must make a choice: to free herself from one man’s obsession. . .or bind herself to him for life.

REVIEW:
2.75 Hearts This is the 5th of the installments in this series. And it just keeps getting weirder and weirder. While the erotica part of the story was actually there this time even it was weird. This story started out as a homage to Phantom Of The Opera and while there are still parts of that entwined in the story I just have a hard time with how odd this is. I really hope the next installment brings some understanding.

I think having the installments has actually hurt the storyline. The time between sections just doesn’t seem to flow. Maybe if it was one full story it would have had a better flow.

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

March 6, 2014March 2, 2014

Kelly review Werewolf in Las Vegas by Vicki Lewis Thompson

TITLE: Werewolf in Las Vegas
SERIES #: Wild About You #6
CHARACTERS: Luke Dalton & Giselle Landry
AUTHOR: Vicki Lewis Thompson
PUBLICATION DATE: March 4, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Giselle Landry is in Las Vegas to haul her wayward brother back home. But casino owner Luke Dalton is also looking for her brother, who has run off with his little sister. The two should join forces, but Luke is unaware that Giselle’s brother is also fleeing his duties as the future alpha of the Landry werewolf pack—which includes his Were bride.

The Landrys don’t believe in Weres mating with humans, and Giselle is no exception. Though Luke is wealthy, gorgeous, and protective, Giselle can’t let herself get close to him, even to solve their shared dilemma. But the tension wears away her resistance, and after a wild night with Luke, she is shocked to find she’s fallen for him.

But Luke still doesn’t know Giselle’s true identity. And once their siblings are found, Giselle must return to San Francisco. Can they overcome the odds—or will what happened in Vegas stay in Vegas?

REVIEW:
Luke Landry is trying so hard to keep it together for everyone since the death of his father. It may look like he is doing an okay job. But after paly a high stakes game for the deed to his rivals property, his little sister not wanting to go back to school and then playing a game of cat and mouse with him, Luke really needs a break from running an empire. Little does he know that the help he is looking for is about walk right into his office.

I just love Vicki’s Wild About You books. All the characters are so much fun. You truly can’t help but fall in love with them. I love Luke. He is trying so hard to live up to who his dad was. It was a fun journey to watch Luke grow as a person. Giselle is a feisty little sister and would so love to hang out with her. This was just a fun book to read. But I want to know more about some of the side characters 🙂

If you have never read a Vicki Lewis Thompson Wild About You book you really need to go grab one. And don’t worry they each can easily stand on their own so don’t feel that you have to read in order (but I would suggest reading them all 🙂 ). I can’t wait to see where the next Wild About You series will take us.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

March 5, 2014March 2, 2014

Kelly reviews Silence Of The Wolf by Terry Spears

TITLE: Silence of the Wolf
SERIES #: Heart of the Wolf #13
CHARACTERS: Tom Silver & Elizabeth Wildwood
AUTHOR: Terry Spears
PUBLICATION DATE: March 3, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Gray werewolf Tom Silver is determined to find the wolves who have been attacking local livestock. While tracking the pack through the Rockies, a blizzard forces him into a remote cabin where he hears a plane crash nearby.

When he discovers the sole survivor is a beautiful female werewolf/coyote shifter mix, bound as a prisoner, he knows it’s his duty to hide her. Now, they are both at risk as a search ensues for the missing prisoner.

Will Tom be able to protect this beautiful stranger while tracking down the wolves responsible for terrorizing the local livestock?

REVIEW:
3.25 Hearts When Tom is asked by his Alpha (aka his brother) to look after the new shewolf in town to say that Tom was happy is an understatement. He doesn’t want to have to babysit some shewolf who is visiting for a short period. That is until he sees her, then he thinks this might be a very good idea.
Elizabeth is in town to wrap up a story she is writing on the ski resort and to meet a member of her old back. Elizabeth has been trying to solve her parents murder for years. Now that she finally has a clue as to whom nothing is going to stop her. Not even falling down a mountain.
I liked this story. Love Tom. Liked Elizabeth. But something in the story was off for me. I am not 100% sure that it is or why but it just was. Now if you are a fan of Terry’s Heart of the Wolf series I am sure you will love this story. This is only my second book in this series. I think that maybe I have a lot of unanswered questions which means I need to go back and start with book 1.

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

March 5, 2014March 2, 2014

Kimberly reviews Rock It by Jennifer Chance

TITLE: Rock It
SERIES #: Rule Breakers #1
CHARACTERS: Lacey & Dante
AUTHOR: Jennifer Chance
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/04/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

Lacey Dawes is a total pro at the talent agency where she works, and it doesn’t hurt that IMO Worldwide Media represents Dante Falcone. The rock god has starred in her fantasies since she was sixteen—and remains her secret crush to this day. So when Dante picks her to be the interim manager on his Dream It tour, Lacey can’t believe her luck. Handling Dante is sure to be the most exquisite, spine-tingling, nerve-wracking mix of business and pleasure ever.

Although Dante is grateful for the adoring fans who scream for one more of his full-throttle, soul-searing songs, being surrounded by a cadre of corporate types backstage is wearing thin. Then Lacey shows up. Yeah, she’s organized, smart, quick to get him what he wants before he knows he wants it—but Dante senses there’s something else going on with sweet, sexy Lacey. One kiss tells him what that “something” might be . . . and makes him hungry for more.

REVIEW:
Haven’t we all had a crush on a singer at some point in our lives? Maybe it was Frank Sinatra, Elvis, David Cassidy, N’Sync, Jonas Brothers or anyone in between. You pulled the pictures from magazines and put them on your wall. You dreamed of being Mrs “?”. Well imagine it became real. That is what this story is about. It is about realizing you can live the dream.

The writing is done well maybe not up to par with more well known authors but it is well done.I enjoyed the story very much. It was a quick enjoyable read. I am looking forward to the next from this author. If you enjoy a Cinderella romance then I think you will enjoy this story too.

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

March 4, 2014March 2, 2014

Kimberly reviews Falling For The Wingman by Christa McHugh

TITLE: Falling For The Wingman
SERIES #: Kelly Brothers #3
CHARACTERS: Alex & Caleb
AUTHOR: Christa McHugh
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/03/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Air Force pilot Caleb Kelly has come back home with one mission in mind—to propose to the woman whose letters and lucky charm helped him survive his deployment in Afghanistan. But when he finds their apartment empty with a note saying she’s left him, he arrives at her mother’s house in rural Alabama less than a week before Kourtney is about to marry another man. Now he’s out to win her heart again and gets some unexpected assistance from her younger sister, Alex.

Alex Leadbetter has always thought Caleb was too good for her manipulative, social-climbing sister. She had assumed Kourtney’s identity to write letters to him and keep his spirits up until he returned home to the hard truth, never expecting to fall in love with him along the way. After he shows up in town, she convinces him that the best way to get Kourtney back is to make her think he’s fallen for someone new — her. But when a fake romance becomes all too real, her deception may leave them both grounded

REVIEW:
I had not read this author before so I was unsure what the story would be like but it sounded interesting. I really enjoyed it. It is a sweet romance. At first I was unsure because the characters seemed so young and immature but some how they grow on you. The sweetness of Alex and her crush on Caleb and all she does to make him just see that she is in the world too. Caleb is the one I enjoyed reading about. He seemed to mature in the book not just fall in love.

This is a quick read but with all the emotions a romance needs to reel you in. The only problem? I read this one first and now I want to go back and find out what happened to the previously written about brothers. I can’t wait to read about the other 4 brothers too.

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

March 3, 2014March 3, 2014

Kelly reviews Sensual Surrender by Katie Reus

TITLE: Sensual Surrender
SERIES #: The Serafina: Sin City Series, #2
CHARACTERS: Jay Wentworth & Ellie
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
PUBLICATION DATE: March 3, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
I’m ready to move on. Please don’t search for me. Please just let me go.
~Ellie

The note on the kitchen table shatters Jay Wentworth’s world into bits. Ellie is his lover, his soulmate, his best friend…she’s the woman who stood by him through the aftermath of a horrible explosion, the woman he’s planning to propose to. He’d do anything for her…except let her go. With his fierce protectiveness kicked into overdrive, he teams up with Ellie’s Hotel Serafina boss, billionaire Wyatt Christiansen, to find her. Ellie is family at the casino and they take care of their own.

Ellie is devastated when her secret past finally catches up with her. Stupid to think she could bury the mistakes of her youth and find happiness with a good man. Leaving Jay rips her heart to shreds, but it’s the only way she can protect him from the dangerous people she once ran with. And deep down, she fears he’ll never be able to forgive her for hiding her past from him.

The closer Jay gets to the truth about Ellie, the deeper he plunges into danger. He’ll move heaven and earth to save her, but if she can’t trust in Jay’s love it might be too late for both of them.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts What is one to do when the wolves coming knocking on your door? If you are Ellie, you run. You run and leave everyone you care about behind. But that was the wrong move. Because Jay is not going to let Ellie run.

Another great story from Katie. Sensual Surrender has a quick start and just keeps going until the very end. Jay and Ellie are a great couple. Although I wish that Ellie would have confided in Jay before she ran. But that was part of what made this story so good. This was a quick read too. You get sucked into the story that you don’t want to put the book down until you get to the end.

If you enjoyed the first book in the Serafin, Sin City series you will enjoy Jay & Ellie’s story. I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series.

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

March 3, 2014March 2, 2014

Kimberly reviews Lone Wolf’s Captive by Sherilee Gray

TITLE: Lone Wolf’s Captive
CHARACTERS: Laney & Fletcher
AUTHOR: Sherilee Gray
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/01/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He let her father chase him off once, but this time nothing is getting in his way.

Fletcher Stone was forced out of the pack life, and now he makes his living as a hired thug, living day-to-day without honour or commitments. Shame over his choices and his lifestyle keep him from returning to the pack to claim Delaney — the woman who holds his heart. But when a rival pack hires him to kidnap her, Fletcher takes his chance. Now he must convince her that he never wanted to leave…and reveal a betrayal that will break her heart.

Delaney Jones has spent the last five years convinced the man she loves is dead. Nothing else would keep him from her. So when Fletcher shows up, whole, healthy, and very much alive, she’s devastated — and pissed off. He broke her heart once and he’s never going to get close enough to do it again.

REVIEW:
This is a short novella with about 60 pages but I really enjoyed it. The characters are well formed and they connect immediately. I actually wish there had been another chapter or two with more details about the past between Laney and Fletcher. If you enjoy shape shifter romance and want a quick read this is the perfect book for it.

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

February 28, 2014February 15, 2014

Kimberly reviews Wanton Heat by Nicola Marsh

TITLE: Wanton Heat
SERIES #: Feel The Heat #2
CHARACTERS: Zoe & Dominic
AUTHOR: Nicola Marsh
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/24/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
At his majesty’s service…or so he thinks.

With her job and her self-respect on the line, advertising executive and reformed bad-girl Zoe Keaton heads to Italy to score a vital business deal. Unfortunately, the guy she needs to convince is the wickedly hot—and totally closed-off—Prince Dominic Ricci, who has no intention of listening to her pitch. So with the queen’s help, Zoe does the only thing that will get the job done. She kidnaps him.

But the joke’s on her when the queen’s matchmaking strands Zoe and the prince on the royal family’s secluded island. Zoe vows not to mix business with pleasure—and prove that she’s more than a spoiled rich girl who bought her way to success—but when the prince turns up the heat, the chemistry between them ignites. Is it just sizzling sex, or could an Italian prince with a tragic past fall for a take-no-prisoners American?

REVIEW:
2.5 Hearts This was just “ok” for me. A little different but kind of cheesy really. I never really felt any chemistry between the characters and there was just too much bickering. It was a short read so I won’t make this too long. It just didn’t do it for me.

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