Category: Review Sunday

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Kimberly reviews Learning To Live by Marissa Dobson

TITLE: Learning To Live
SERIES #: Half Moon Harbor #1
CHARACTERS: Meg & Jay
AUTHOR: Marissa Dobson
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/04/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Meg Harper is tired of living in a box created by her overprotective brothers because of her ability to see guardian angels…

Jay Wilder a lion shifter so wrapped up in the guilt of not being able to save his friend that he might lose everything…

Can Meg and Jay save each other or are they destined to live half a life?

REVIEW:
This is a short but enjoyable read. This is a shifter story without any shifts and a guardian angel story without guardian angels but somehow it works. I would have loved for this story to be a bit longer. Maybe a interaction with an angel. Letting Meg see Jay shift. Something like that but it is a very sweet story about a woman who wants to live and the man who comes along to show her how.

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

4 Hearts

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Guest Review Dianna reviews Dead To The World by Charlaine Harris

TITLE: Dead To The World
SERIES #: Sookie Stackhouse #4
CHARACTERS: Sookie & Eric
AUTHOR: Charlaine Harris
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/03/05
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In Sookie Stackhouse—a Southern cocktail waitress with a supernatural gift—Harris has a created a heroine like few others, and a series that puts the bite back in vampire fiction. Now the hit series launches into hardcover for Sookie’s biggest twist-filled adventure yet.

When cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse sees a naked man on the side of the road, she doesn’t just drive on by. Turns out the poor thing hasn’t a clue who he is, but Sookie does. It’s Eric the vampire—but now he’s a kinder, gentler Eric. And a scared Eric, because whoever took his memory now wants his life.

REVIEW:
Sookie Stackhouse is a waitress. Just ask her and she will tell you that. But that’s where the normalcy stops.

She has a vampire “hidey-hole” in her closet, an ex-boyfriend who is a vampire, and a boss who is a shifter. In fact, most of her acquaintances are of the paranormal variety.

This fourth entry into Harris’s Southern Vampire Series is just another hit with a sense of humor, a smear of gore, and wisps of paranormal romance and suspense.

Where else can you come across a partially naked man running on the side of a dark, country road? Of course good-hearted and humane Sookie cannot abide by someone alone, in the winter cold, and apparently in trouble.

It seems this man has not a clue as to who he is, where he is, or how he got there. However, Sookie knows who he is, Eric Northman – Vampire Sheriff of Area 5. Eric does think that whoever took his memory also wants his life.

Eric’s memoy loss has changed him from a pompous person into a very kind, gentle, and basically innocent man, I mean Vampire. A version of Eric that Sookie finds difficult to resist.

Sookie’s investigation into the who, why, and what for, leads them into an adventurous and dangerous battle between Vampires, Weres, and Witches. These Witches are not simply Wiccans, but Weres as well. Did I mention that they drain and drink Vampire blood? Only by capturing the leader of the witch group can Eric be returned to his former self.

At the same time Sookie is trying to focus on solving Eric’s perplexities, another travesty occurs. Jason, Sookie’s brother and only living relative (except for a cousin that can’t be found), has disappeared. While the police think the worse and feel he is dead, Sookie refuses to accept this. Her research introduces her to the natives of the little village of Hotshot. The inhabitants are strange and aloof and for a good reason! They play heavily into Jason’s disappearance as the last person to see Jason alive is from Hotshot.

For fans of the Anita Blake Series by Laurell K. Hamilton on a lighter version, the Sookie Stackhouse Series is right up your line. Harris always leaves your curiosity tweaked and looking forward to the next book and this one is no exception.

Disclaimer: The above review was written by a guest reviewer, is the opinion of that reviewer and not a paid review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Nothing But Trouble by Trish Jensen

TITLE: Nothing But Trouble
CHARACTERS: Brandon & Laura
AUTHOR: Trish Jensen
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/30/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He’s gorgeous, rich, sexy, super nice, and head-over-heels for her. So what’s the problem?

Her psychic best friend predicts that Laura Tanner is due to meet a prince—the man of her dreams. Not a likely scenario for a hard-working bar owner who’s better at karate-chopping rowdy patrons than hobnobbing with the silver-spoon crowd. When Ivy League lawyer Brandon Prince (a prince!) strolls into her bar, Laura admits he’s hard to resist. Brandon quickly realizes that this lovely, funny, take-no-prisoners woman is the special someone he’s always wanted.

Brandon is an expert at wooing women, and even a tough cookie like Laura can’t help but fall under his spell. Before she knows what’s happening, he’s lured her on a romantic adventure filled with laughter and desire. Dazzled, she begins to believe that she really can have this prince of a man as her own.

One problem: Brandon’s powerful mother is used to women chasing his family fortune, and she’ll do whatever it takes to keep yet another money-grubbing female out of his life. If a man is everything you’ve ever wanted, how can he also be nothing but trouble?

REVIEW:
Another adorable read from Trish Jensen. This is a short story only about 14 reading pages and worth every page.

I thought Brandon was just so cute. He was written with a wonderful sense of humor and romance. I liked Laura too. She is a hard working southern girl trying to make it in the big apple. They are worlds apart but they just click. Some of the things Brandon does are so endearing that it is hard not to smile when you read his parts of the story.

I have to say there was a couple of things I didn’t care for like the ending just didn’t do it for me and a couple of other small things but even with that this book is a delight. If you like a good sweet romance then this is the book to pick up.

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

4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Fool For Love by Beth Ciotta

TITLE: Fool for Love
SERIES: Cupcake Lovers #1
CHARACTERS: Devlin Monroe & Chloe Madison
AUTHOR: Beth Ciotta
PUBLICATION DATE: August 28, 2012
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
SHE’S CRAVING A SWEET NEW LIFE…

Call her a fool, but chef-in-training Chloe Madison wants to have her cake and eat it too. So when her boyfriend dumps her for some French tart, she decides to start over from scratch—with a new life and job in Sugar Creek, Vermont. What could be sweeter than cooking for an eccentric lady who’s crazy for desserts? What could be more tempting than joining a club called the Cupcake Lovers? Just one thing: local business-hunk Devlin Monroe…

AND HE’S THE ICING ON THE CUPCAKE

Although he’s the grandson of Chloe’s fun-loving boss, Devlin Monroe is all work and no play. Micro-managing the family business, he doesn’t have time to indulge in life’s sweetest pleasures—until he meets Chloe. How can he resist such a vibrant, beautiful woman who brings so much passion to the table? But when old grudges and secrets threaten to destroy the Cupcake Lovers, Devlin must decide if his feelings for Chloe are a recipe for disaster—or a sinfully delicious ever-after

REVIEW:
Who doesn’t love cupcakes???

Dumped.

That is how Chloe’s celebration night went. But what is a girl to do with a new degree and a recently single status? Move to a new town, start over and find out that some time doing it on your own is not all it is cracked up to be.

This was a fun book. Chloe is a hoot and her cohort Daisy is the feisty grandma everyone wished they had. But while Daisy and a few of her family members are happy to have Chloe helping take care of Daisy not everyone is as happy. Daisy’ overbearing, controlling and super hot grandson is a different story. He doesn’t like having a stranger in his grandma’s house, taking care of her, assisting in her crazy schemes. But there is just something about Chloe that drives Devlin crazy. Crazy in the I want to kiss you senseless way. These two are fun to read about.

If you are looking for a good, fun and sweet read I would suggest picking up a copy of Fool for Love.

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.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Stuck On You by Cheryl Harper

TITLE: Stuck On You
CHARACTERS: Laura & KT
AUTHOR: Cheryl Harper
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/23/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon |B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Big shot producer KT Masters never apologizes. Especially not to showgirl waitresses. But when he tears Laura Charles’s feathered costume and she gives him a piece of her mind, it sets him aflame. In fact, between Laura’s feisty temper and how damn good she looks in that little number, KT wouldn’t mind seeing a lot more of that costume . . . balled up next to his bed, that is.

Despite KT’s arrogant attitude, Laura can’t help but be drawn to him. And when he offers her the fling of a lifetime—a week spent in his gorgeous celebrity arms—she’s willing to play along . . . just so long as her heart stays out of it.

But as things heat up between them, going back to the way things were isn’t so easy. Could their passion be the real thing . . . or just a vacation from reality?

REVIEW:
2.5 Stars Well I can sum of this book in three words: cheesy by cute. I actually wondered if this was the first book from this author but I see she has had a couple before this one. The dialogue is very immaturely written and well cheesy. The characters do not have a lot of connection and actually are written immaturely as well. KT actually is written like he could not find his head if it was not screwed on.

However that being said the story is very cute. The setting is different and the background characters are adorable. This story had a lot of potential but just didn’t meet it.

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

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Kimberly reviews A Taste Of You by Sorcha Grace

TITLE: A Taste Of You
SERIES #: The Epicurean #1
CHARACTERS: Catherine & William
AUTHOR: Sorcha Grace
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/28/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She didn’t know how hungry she was…Beautiful and talented Catherine Kelly is intent on starting over as a food photographer in Chicago. With her painful past buried over 2000 miles away, she’s focused on her career and is hungry for little else. Until she meets William Lambourne, a wealthy bachelor with arresting blue-grey eyes filled with enough tragedy to match her own. William urges Catherine to step out from behind her camera and fully taste all that life has to offer, stirring an appetite in her she never knew she possessed – and it’s one only he can satisfy.

He couldn’t wait to feed her…A gourmand who takes great pleasure in food and in women, William Lambourne is rich, powerful, and gorgeous — and as talented in the kitchen as he is in the bedroom. Longing for a woman to truly savor, William finds his match in Catherine. From the moment he meets her, he is determined to discover the perfect recipe to unlock Cat’s resolve, awaken her senses, and make her his own.

Theirs is a meal worth savoring…William is as mysterious as he is passionate, but as Catherine begins to fall for the stormy-eyed billionaire, she knows she must reveal her own dark secrets. But first, William must win Cat’s heart to ensure their pasts don’t undo them.

Book 1 in The Epicurean series, A Taste of You will leave you ravenous for more of Cat and William’s story!

REVIEW:
So I picked this book because it said if you liked Fifty Shades of Grey you will like this book. And I did like that book so I thought I would try this one. Then as I started to read it I thought “great another secretive billionaire who finds a lowly brunette and he has never felt this way with anyone else.” And while that is all true this story is a bit different.

William just may be my dream guy. Yes he is rich and good looking but he is protective, possessive and the type of lover I enjoy. Cat is interesting too. She is smart and a fighter and someone I would like to be friends with. I liked that Cat’s best friend (a male) is not pushed aside by William. While he is a jealous type it does not seem to apply to her best friend.

This story is part one of the story and it leaves off with a cliffhanger. There were some parts that I was just “ok” with but mostly I enjoyed the story. BTW it has nothing to do with BDSM as Shades does. William likes control but he is not into BDSM. The sex scenes are written well even though there are a bunch of them. If you enjoy reading erotica romance then pick up this book and then hold your breath until part 2 comes out.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Honey Pie by Donna Kauffman

TITLE: Honey Pie
SERIES #: Cupcake Club #4
CHARACTERS: Honey & Dylan
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/30/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Mocha Chocolate Chip… Caramel Fudge…Strawberry Lemonade…Butter Rum…There’s no such thing as guilt when it’s another delicious bitch and bake session with the women of the Cupcake Club…

When Honey D’Amourvell inherits property on tiny Sugarberry Island, she’s prepared to start a whole new life. Her plan is simple—make a home, open a shop, and maybe, finally, find a place to belong. But the building she now owns is leased to none other than the owner of Babycakes, which means her spot is already occupied. Honey isn’t sure how to put down roots when she has nowhere to plant them. But sexy, softhearted mechanic Dylan Ross seems determined to help. He’s everything she never imagined she would find in a man, and each kiss is more persuasive than the last…

Soon enough, Honey is another important ingredient in the spicy mix of the Cupcake Club. But will Dylan convince her that what she craves most is his love?

REVIEW:
Another great Cupcake Club novel for Donna Kauffman. I was a little worried about this story in the beginning. It seemed like both Dylan and Honey were both so introverted that I could not imagine that they could connect and while they did have a bit of a connection it felt forced. But that did not take long to change. Once the real Dylan came out and he pulled Honey with him I was a goner. I could not stop reading this book.

There are two big differences with this Cupcake Club novel first there was not a lot about the Cupcake Club in it. Yes they met a couple of times but they did not have the presence that they have had in the other three books. And the other difference from other Kauffman books I have read (and I think I have read them all or close to it) is that Honey has a idiosyncrasy (no spoiler here) that is not usually written into Kauffman’s books and yet it is an intricate part of this story.

You do not need to have read the other in the series to read this one but as I usually do I say start from book one but either way you will enjoy this interesting and intriguing story.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Highland Werewolf Wedding by Terry Spear

TITLE: A Highland Werewolf Wedding
SERIES #: Heart Of The Wolf #11
CHARACTERS: Elaine & Cearnach
AUTHOR: Terry Spear
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/07/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Elaine Hawthorn is a gray American werewolf, currently out of work, and on a mission to share in a family treasure. When she arrives in Scotland, she nearly has a head-on collision with one hot, kilt-garbed Highlander, and runs him off the road.

Werewolf laird Cearnach MacNeill isn’t happy Elaine ruined his car, but he quickly becomes her protector after a misunderstanding lands her right in the middle of two feuding clans. Now he’s out to ensure that this sexy female wolf gets her fair share of her clan’s treasure. He knows he should leave well enough alone, but it’s too late to leave his heart out of it.

REVIEW:
This is actually the 11th in the series which I did not know when I requested it but for the most part it can stand alone. There was some parts that made me realize that other characters had their own stories but nothing I found that confused me enough to not understand the story.

This is an interesting way of writing. Being about werewolves it is set in modern times yet the story has a historical feel. I really enjoyed the story. Cearnach is a great character. He has the heart of a warrior with modern time romance in his soul. Elaine is written as strong and independent but yet she follows her heart. I enjoyed the background characters too even though honestly there was not a lot about them.

This book also had a number of wolf scenes which it seems is forgotten in a number of shape-shifter stories now. Even the connection when the characters are in wolf form is interesting.

Any fan of shape-shifter romance will love this story and as I said it can most certainly stand alone but I think I might go back and read the rest of the series one day and will definitely read the next in the series.

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

4 Hearts

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Jennifer reviews Club Monstrosity by Jesse Petersen

TITLE: Club Monstrosity
SERIES #: Club Monstrosity #1
CHARACTERS: Natalie Grey, Alec, Kia
AUTHOR: Jesse Petersen
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/29/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
There are monsters in New York…Natalie’s one of Frankenstein’s creations and works in a New York City morgue. So, of course she needs therapy. She and her friends–er, fellow monsters–have formed the world’s most exclusive, most dysfunctional support group. What could go wrong?

Undetected in the modern world and under pressure to stay that way, Natalie Grey, Dracula, Bob the Blob, and others (including the fetching wolfman Alec) meet regularly to talk about the pressures of being infamous in the Big Apple. Topics include how long it’s been since their last sighting, how their “story” creates stereotypes they can’t fulfill, and–gasp–sometimes even their feelings. But when their pervy Invisible Man, Ellis, is killed in a manner reminiscent of the H.G. Wells novel, it’s clear someone’s discovered their existence and is down for some monster busting.

Led by Natalie–and definitely not helped by Hyde’s bloodthirsty tendencies–the members of Monstofelldosis Anonymous band together for security and a little sleuthing. And maybe–maybe–if they don’t end up dead, they’ll end up friends somewhere along the way.

REVIEW:
This was a great book for me because I have always loved the old monster movies as a child and imagine now that these same monsters have been leading normal lives with you and me all along. Jesse Petersen has created such a charming, hilarious and highly-entertaining tale about monsters living among us and I instantly fell in love with these characters. Natalie Grey was so adorable as one of Frankenstein’s creations who worked in the city morgue at night trying to hide her superhuman strength and her scars from the rest of the world. I loved how she seemed to find herself in charge of the investigation with Alec when she was so used to hiding in the shadows so she wouldn’t be discovered. She went from being a meeky character to this strong woman who would do anything to protect the people that she considered her “family.”

Alec was a super sweet guy who instantly connected with Natalie during the murder investigation and probably wouldn’t have gotten to know her if these murders hadn’t of happened. I loved how he was sort of a Casanova with the ladies but who also had a hard time keeping a roommate around the full moon. The secondary characters in Club Monstrosity were very entertaining and made want to watch all their movies again to familiarize myself with their stories. Jesse Petersen is a fabulous writer and I can’t wait to read the second book in this great series.

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

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Kelly reviews One Day In Apple Grove by CH Admirand

TITLE: One Day in Apple Grove
SERIES: Small Town USA #2
CHARACTERS: Jack Gannon & Caitlin Mulchahy
AUTHOR: C.H. Admirand
PUBLICATION DATE: June 4, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Caitlin Mulchahy doesn’t have much time for socializing now that her sisters’ handyman business is thriving. For Dr. Jack Gannon–former Marine medic–keeping the residents of Apple Grove healthy is a welcome distraction from the haunting memories of his time served in Iraq. Although the two have lived in the same small town their whole lives, Cait and Jack barely know each other. That is until a stray puppy leads them to the same place at the same time. But it will take more than one adorable canine to get these two together–it’ll take a whole town.

REVIEW:
This story was okay for me. I really liked the idea of the story. I liked the characters well enough. But I just didn’t connect with this story. By the end of the book I was happy with the story.

Will I read the next book in this series? I will be giving it a try.

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.

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Kimberly reviews The Night Is Watching by Heather Graham

TITLE: The Night Is Watching
SERIES #: Krewe Of Hunters #9
CHARACTERS: Jane & Sloane
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/28/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The dead of night. The Old West town of Lily, Arizona, is home to the Gilded Lily, a former theater…and bawdy house. These days, it offers theatrical productions geared to tourists, but the recent discovery of a skull, a real skull, among the props and costumes shakes everyone up.

So, who do you call? The Krewe of Hunters, a special FBI unit of paranormal investigators. In this case, it’s agent Jane Everett. Jane’s also a talented artist who creates images of the dead as they once were. But the Krewe always works with local law enforcement, and here that means Sloan Trent, former Houston cop and now sheriff. His great-great-grandmother was an actress at the Gilded Lily…and she’s not resting in peace.

Then more remains appear in the nearby desert. As they search for answers, using all the skills at their disposal, Jane and Sloan find themselves falling into danger—and into love.

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars While an interesting story this book just did not have the flare that Graham’s books usually have. I didn’t feel that Sloan and Jane had the connection that most of the characters have in her stories. And in all honestly all the characters seemed so snippy to each other that it was distracting. There were many moments of mean-spiritedness in this story. I am not sure why because that is not common in Graham’s books but every character seemed so pissed off at everyone else.

Now that being said as always Graham puts so much real life history into her books that even one of her worst books (which this most certainly is not) is a great read. The story of the town of Lily, Arizona is one that you don’t want to stop reading. Something is just missing from this story.

I am glad I read this book even if it was not one of my favorites. Graham’s books are always an interesting and educational read if not for any reason other than the background that she must painstakingly research.

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

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Kelly reviews The Cursed by Alyssa Day

TITLE: The Cursed
SERIES: League of the Black Swan #1
CHARACTERS: Luke Oliver & Rio Jones
AUTHOR: Alyssa Day
PUBLICATION DATE: May 7, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author of the Warriors of Poseidon series Alyssa Day returns with a thrilling new series of paranormal romance and a heated battle between good and evil fought to the death on the streets of New York…

Bordertown private investigator Luke Oliver’s beat is the dimensional fold in Manhattan between the human and supernatural realms. But now a secret from his past—the League of the Black Swan—has surfaced. Because Luke isn’t any ordinary P.I. He’s the Dark Wizard of Bordertown, and he never backs down from a fight.

But this time the fight threatens his life and his heart. Rio Jones, the only woman he loved, needs his help against a deadly menace. Luke pushed her away once before, so she’d never fall prey to the curse that threatens to destroy him. He swore he’d never let her go again.

Luke and Rio, with the help of the newly reformed League, must keep evil forces from taking over Bordertown—all the while battling a passion on the razor’s edge between danger and desire. And going to take everything they have just to stay alive.

REVIEW:
Rio Jones is a fighter. Always has been even if she feels alone most of the time. But as her 25th birthday draws near she finds she is the center of attention and not in a good way. Rio may not know what everyone wants from her, but she does know who is the only person she can trust. Luke Oliver

Luke Oliver is very yummy (it helps that his likeness is Paul Marron, Right SG?) Yummy, but very deadly. Luke is the dark Wizard of Bordertown. He runs a private investigation services and tries his best to keep the citizens of Bordertown safe. But when Luke is drawn back into the world of the League of the Black Swan, he finds himself protecting the one woman he would not let himself get close to, not matter how bad he wanted her. Until now.

This was an awesome start to a new series for Alyssa. I really love her Warriors of Poseidon series. But I think I am going to love the League of the Black Swan series even more.

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.

4 Hearts