Category: Review Sunday

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Kimberly’s review of Anything He Wants by Sara Fawkes

TITLE: Anything He Wants
AUTHOR: Sara Fawkes
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/27/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
First published as a five-part e serial novel, Anything He Wants inflamed imaginations everywhere and became a national bestseller. Now available for the first time ever as a complete book, this edition contains never-before-released scenes and special bonus material. Don’t miss this erotic tale of a powerful billionaire who always gets what he wants and the young woman who’s about to enter his exclusive realm–a world of glittering opulence and all-consuming passion, where she’ll explore the darkest reaches of her own desire.

Lucy Delacourt’s temp position isn’t quite her dream job but it pays the bills. The highlight of her day is riding the elevator in the mornings with a handsome stranger. Tall, dark, and sexy as hell, Lucy knows he’s way out of her league, but a girl can look, right?

Everything changes the day the stranger seduces her. Completely out of character, she yields without a fight, but she has no idea her wanton acts with a man whose name she doesn’t know will change her life forever. Because the sexy stranger is none other than Jeremiah Hamilton, billionaire CEO of Hamilton Industries, and one taste isn’t nearly enough to satisfy his need. As the billionaire pulls Lucy deeper into his world of high stakes business deals and ruthless takeovers, he demands nothing less than her complete surrender. But even as enemies seek deadly revenge against him, she’ll discover that her greatest threat is falling for her fiercely guarded boss…and yielding to her own darkest needs.

REVIEW:
The first thing I want a reader to know is this book has a cliffhanger and does not end with this book so don’t expect it. I was surprised by this and wish I had known before reading it (not that I wouldn’t have read it but I would have liked the forewarning.

Now, I have not researched this book but, I am going to assume that it was written as fan fiction off of 50 Shades Of Grey. There is just too many similarities in the stories. Not enough to say it was a rip off of it but enough to make me wonder if it started out as fan fiction and has become popular. The story is good (if not familiar) but Jeremiah really is not into BDSM as you would think he just likes control. He allows too many things that a Dom would never allow the sub to take liberties with. That being said the erotica is good. This is more of what the average person who enjoys a little fun can connect with, it is not over the top like some scenes from Shades.

It is good. It is interesting. It has more than just sex. I think anyone who enjoys these genre will enjoy this story very much.

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

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Kelly’s review of Instant Temptation by Jill Shalvis

TITLE: Instant Temptation – Wilder #3
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
Characters : TJ Wilder & Harley Stephens
PUBLICATION DATE:
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
T.J. Wilder is the perfect package of breathtaking adventure and raw sex appeal. Even better, he’s about to reconnect with the one woman he’s never been able to forget…
Get Your Pulse Racing
To Harley, the landscape around Wishful, California, is exhilarating, untamed, and more than a little dangerous. The same could be said for T.J. Wilder, who’s invited himself along on her trek to study a rare coyote. Harley’s career is riding on this trip, and she doesn’t need a stubborn, incredibly sexy distraction. But T.J. is a professional guide who knows when to stay back and when to provide invaluable expertise-just like he’s done since they were in high school. And Harley, as usual, is torn between throttling him and giving in to the raw attraction that’s been smoldering all these years.
T.J. knows how proud and capable Harley is, but he’s damned sure not letting her put herself at risk when there are illegal hunters in the area. She needs him, with the same soul-stirring urgency that he’s always craved her. And here, in this beautiful place days from civilization, he’ll finally have a chance to prove it-over and over again..

REVIEW:
Another great book and great series for Jill Shalvis. The girl really knows how to suck me into her stories. I had to force myself to put the book down and get a little sleep. But all the while i was thinking about how stubborn both TJ and Harley are. But you know what they say “the bigger they are the harder they fall”. And these two are about to fall.

I am a little sad that this is the last book in the Wilder Series and really hope that JIll will bring us back to Wishful, California at some point in time for an update on the Wilder boys and the very strong women they fell in love with.

If you love Jill or any of her books and have not read the Wilder series you really need to go pick up this trilogy. It is so with the time to read.

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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Jennifer’s review of Boyfriend From Hell by Jamie Quaid

TITLE: Boyfriend From Hell
AUTHOR: Jamie Quaid
PUBLICATION DATE: 9/25/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: Justine (Tina) Clancy is just an ordinary law student with a faulty arrest record, a part-time job in Baltimore’s radioactive Zone, and a family secret so bizarre even she doesn’t believe it. That is, until in a fit of fury she damns her boyfriend to hell–and it’s exactly where he ends up.

Much to her surprise, Tina is apparently one of Saturn’s daughters, with the power to wield vigilante justice. But poor Max didn’t deserve to go up in flames, even if he did almost run her over with her own car. Tina’s convinced someone cut the brakes–and now a relentless nemesis is stalking her through the Zone’s back alleys, where buildings glow, statues move, and chemical waste exposure comes with interesting consequences. Tina’s usually a loner, but now she needs a posse like no other: a shape-shifting kitten, an invisible thief, a biker gang, a snake-charming private detective, a well-meaning cop, and her sleazy, sexy boss. But in between freeing Max from hell, saving her own neck, and solving a mystery that threatens the Zone and her newfound friends, how is she ever going to study for finals?

REVIEW: This book grabbed me from the very beginning and I immediately connected with Tina’s character. I liked how Tina was this smart, tough young woman who was trying to work her way through law school at a time when her situation seemed hopeless. She was broke, living with a damaged leg as a result of a college riot years prior and working part-time in the radioactive Zone until she was able to take the bar exam. Everything seemed to be normal for her up until the day that she had her bank deposit stolen outside the bank while witnessing a hit and run involving a group of teenagers. To top it all off, her boyfriend Max, then tried to hit her with her own car and she wishes him to hell in a fit of anger. For Tina, things start to go from bad to worse as she learns that she is one of Saturn’s daughters with the power to dish out vigilante justice on people that have wronged others with interesting results.

Jamie Quaid has created a fascinating paranormal world with Boyfriend from Hell and I enjoyed this book immensely. I liked the funny cast of characters and the crazy environment of the Zone, where things aren’t always what they seem and even then you can’t always trust what you see. This book was action-packed from the first page and I was hoping that everything would work out for Tina and she would finally be able to reach her goal of finishing law school. I would definitely like to see this book be the start of a series because I would love to catch up with these characters and see what dangerous situation Tina may find herself in next.

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

4 Hearts
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Kelly’s review of Instant Gratification by Jill Shalvis

TITLE: Instant Gratification – Wilder #2
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
Charcters: Stone Wilder & Emma Sinclair
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/01/09
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In Instant Attraction, Jill Shalvis introduced Cameron, Stone, and T.J.; the sexy, daredevil brothers who run Wilder Adventures. And for Stone Wilder, the thrill of a lifetime is about to arrive in a surprising package. . .

The Doctor Is In Deep
Wishful, California, is 3000 miles from Dr. Emma Sinclair’s last job in a New York City ER. It may as well be another galaxy. Here, running her father’s clinic for a summer, Emma treats bee stings, stomach flu, and the occasional pet cat. Plus, she has to contend with patients like Stone Wilder: gorgeous, laid-back, and irritating beyond belief. The man laughs at her. A lot. And Emma loathes him. All except that tiny part of her that wants to throw him on her examining table and break every doctor-patient rule in the book. . .
When Stone tries to help Emma learn to loosen up a bit, he pictures white-water rafting or scenic mountain hikes. Not a mind-blowing affair that shakes them both to the core. Emma’s sure she has no place in a town like Wishful, but Stone knows different. Emma belongs here – in this town, in his life. And convincing this strong-minded, stubborn, sexy woman of that fact will be a challenge no Wilder man could resist

REVIEW:
I have to say first I am a huge fan of Jill Shalvis and I am totally in love with her Lucky Harbor and Animal Magnetism series. So I was super excited to get a chance to read Instant Gratification book two in her Wilder Series. Jill originally released The Wilder Series back in 2009 and just released the series in 2012.

While I really enjoyed Stone and Emma’s story. I was not totally sucked into the world to the point of being obsessed like the other series have done. But I still really liked the book and very glad that I read. Stone is dreamy and yummy. Emma is tough as nails and a very good fit for Stone.

I am planning on going back and reading book one and three in this series. I really do like the Wilder boys and want to learn more of them .

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

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Kimberly’s review of Wild About You by Kerrelyn Sparks

TITLE: Wild About You
AUTHOR: Kerrelyn Sparks
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/27/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Handsome Howard…
Hunky Howard…
Hot Howard…

It’s not every day that Elsa Bjornberg feels delicate, not when she hosts a home renovation show where she can effortlessly demolish a kitchen. But from the moment she meets Howard Barr, this bear of a man makes her feel like a woman. And the way he looks at her, as if she were a pot of honey he’d like to lick…

Howard is not like most men. For one thing, he’s a shapeshifter. And he always thought his celebrity crush would never amount to anything more than drooling at Elsa on TV. When his meddling vampire employer gets involved, the star is suddenly within his grasp—and within a hair of her life. For an ancient curse forbids their newfound love, and Howard is suddenly torn between his desire for her and his desire to keep her alive.

REVIEW:
I received an ARC of this book and I did not know it was part of a series and honestly I was a bit confused for a good amount of the beginning of the book. Obviously these characters have been introduced before and situations are ongoing from the other books. I just never connected with the characters which I think has something to do with not being aware of the previous story.

I did not feel that Howard and Elsa had a connection either. The book seemed very juvenile to me. Howard is more of a lovesick puppy than a were-bear and Elsa is very feeble-minded. Nothing made me what to get to know these characters.

Maybe if I had read the series from the beginning I would have enjoyed this more. I just do not know.

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

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Kimberly’s review of Light My Fire by Donna Kauffman

TITLE: Light My Fire
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/10/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Wearing jeans, boots, and a reckless, knowing grin, T. J. Delahaye is six feet and seven inches of pure danger. As a covert agent, T. J. saves people for a living. But when he tumbles down a mountain to rescue a wayward hiker, it’s T.J. who needs a helping hand. He falls—hard—for a gorgeous goddess named Jenna whose strength and fierce determination matches his own.

Tormented by the demons of her past, Jenna King once called herself an elite firefighter. She’s nobody’s damsel in distress, but now survival means joining forces with T.J.—and soon sparks are flying between them. Though Jenna has known as many wild men as wildfires, this maverick just may be the one to heal her heart and teach her the dark, secret thrill of surrender.

REVIEW:
This is the third in the Delgado’s Dirty Dozen series. As a recent fan of Donna Kauffman’s I am going back to find her older books which are being re-released having read Santerra’s Sin (1st) and Silent Warrior (2nd) I wanted to read this book but even if I hadn’t read the other two this book can stand alone and in my opinion is better than the first in the series and just as good as the second. There is an immediate pull when you start reading it because of the intensity of the first chapter. Finding out Jenna’s backstory right away really draws the reader in. The book takes place in less than 24 hours so having a connection between characters that soon is pretty far fetched but they do have a very intense 24 hours for sure. T.J. is very alluring in the strength of his character but also his easy way about him. And Jenna is fighting some demons but is up for the fight and willing to fight alone until T.J. comes along. There is not much suspense since there is no aggressor in the book but there is a lot of tension in what they go through in these short hours together. The story is great and a quick read. I think any fan of romance will enjoy it. And Bob is not to be missed.

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

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Born To Be Wild by Donna Kauffman

TITLE: Born To Be Wild
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/08/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
They call themselves the Three Musketeers: three lifelong friends, men who will put it all on the line in the name of honor and loyalty. Of course, that’s nothing for musketeer Zach Brogan, who risks life and limb daily as the owner of an adventure vacation outfitter. Skydiving into active volcanoes, hang gliding off glaciers, diving in shark-infested waters—Zach lives and breathes heart-stopping scenarios. But nothing can prepare him for seeing his childhood friend Dara again—or for the visceral reaction their reunion incites.

Dara Colbourne is living her professional dream: granting elaborate wishes to ill children. Yet when her new project puts her face-to-face with the guy who teased her all through school, Dara is far from pleased. But she is unprepared for the handsome, flirty man that Zach Brogan has become. As the two spar over trip logistics, the heat rises to levels neither can ignore. Is the thrill of adventure all there is between them, or can Dara trust this magnetic bad boy with her heart?

REVIEW:
This is a reprint of an earlier work from Donna Kauffman. As with all her books I enjoyed this one. The characters are interesting. The women in Kauffman’s Loveswept novels always prove to be independent and capable, yet, willing to find love. The men are dangerous and a diamond in the rough. This book was no different. This is the second in the Three Musketeers series. It is a good short read. Perfect for cuddling up in front of the fire or on a beach.

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

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Jennifer’s review of The Edge Of Nowhere by Elizabeth George

TITLE: The Edge of Nowhere
AUTHOR: Elizabeth George
PUBLICATION DATE: 9/04/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Becca King is on the run. Her ability to hear “whispers”–the thoughts of others–has put her at risk from her stepfather, whose criminal activities she’s discovered. When she arrives on Whidbey Island, beautiful, wild and a world apart, she embarks on a life very different from her old one, with new friends that include, Seth, a kind-hearted dropout turned gypsy jazz musician; Derric, a Ugandan boy adopted by a local family; Diana, with whom she shares a psychic powers; and Debbie, who makes a habit of helping runaways.

REVIEW: I was very excited to read the beginning of this new Young Adult series from Elizabeth George because I have enjoyed her mysteries in the past. This book held the promise of mystery and romance with a paranormal element among a secluded locale which should have been thrilling to read. The only problem was that this book didn’t follow through with any of these aspects that were promised. Becca King, the main character, has a hearing disability that is helped via an auditory device that can drown out excess noise to help her focus when others are speaking. When she doesn’t use this device, she is able to pick up “whispers” from people, which are snippets of their true thoughts. This helps Becca discover people’s most intimate thoughts and feelings, even when their facial expressions portray something else entirely. She is currently on the run from her stepfather, because she learned from his “whispers” that he killed his business partner and covered up the crime. She is brought to Whidbey Island to stay with a family friend, but nothing goes as planned and Becca finds herself living alone in a strange city with no one to help her.

To me, Becca was a very sad character that spent most of the book feeling sorry for herself instead of looking for anything positive in her new surroundings. The pacing of the story was very slow and the mystery aspect of this novel turned out to be not a mystery at all. I have enjoyed Elizabeth George’s Adult mysteries but I was very disappointed in this installment in her YA series. The second one may be more interesting but I was unable to connect with these characters and will not be reading the next one after reading The Edge of Nowhere.

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

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Kelly’s review of For The Love Of A Goblin Warrior by Shona Husk

TITLE: For the Love of a Goblin Warrior – Shadowlands #3
AUTHOR: Shona Husk
Characters: Meryn & Nadine Gilbert
PUBLICATION DATE: 1/1/2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Centuries ago, Meryn was thought to be utterly lost–all traces of his soul given up to the ravening goblin horde. But with the curse that enslaved him now broken, he must once again learn to walk in the realm of men.

Nurse Nadine Gilbert likes working the night shift to avoid her disturbing dreams, but her mysterious new patient looks hauntingly familiar. Meryn knows he doesn’t deserve a second chance, but Nadine brings out his long-buried human side. Telling her the truth about his violent past could destroy their fragile trust. Could she ever believe in the love of a Goblin Warrior?

REVIEW:
I liked this book and this series but I didn’t love. I will say when I started this series all I could think about was David Bowie from “The Labyrinth” (if you aren’t old enough google it :D). But sadly this was not like the movie I love so much back in the 80’s. Yes, young people the 80’s were cool. But that might have been a good thing. While David Bowie was dreamy the movie was well kinda bad.

That being said For the Love of a Goblin Warrior was my least favorite of the series. I just never really connected with Meryn or Nadine. I think was too stuck on that darn Goblin Prince Dai. But I did find that I had more questions than answers after reading this book. I am not sure if there will be a book 4, but if there is I hope that Shona will answer more questions about Nadine and her crazy dreams.

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’s review of Perfect Fit by Carly Phillips

TITLE: Perfect Fit
AUTHOR: Carly Phillips
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/31/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
MIKE
Always feeling like the odd man out in his family, Michael Marsden wanted to make it on his own. So he escaped Serendipity to become an undercover cop in Manhattan, where the Marsden name wasn’t known. But Michael’s independence is compromised when he returns home to replace his sick father as chief of police. Back in the shadow of his family, he’s as lost and restless as ever, until he’s challenged by someone he never anticipated.

CARA
Cara Hartley is the Serendipity cop with whom Mike had a one night stand three months earlier. Neither expected anything more but fate has other things in store. When Mike returns as Cara’s boss, the sexual tension between them is impossible to ignore – and the unexpected emotional connection continues to grow. But Cara’s a small town girl while Mike has a wanderer’s blood in his veins.

Together their chemistry explodes but …
Both are convinced a future together is impossible. Until Mike’s real father’s secrets come back to haunt him and he realizes there are some things worth staying and fighting for. Including Cara.

REVIEW:
This is the 4th in the Serendipity series and the 1st in the “Serendipity’s Finest” part of the series. Having not read books 1-3 yet (even though I will) I was slightly lost with some of the background characters but not too bad. You can tell their stories have been told but it just makes you want to read the other books as well.

Mike is a diamond in the rough. He is a really good guy and I enjoyed the way he was written. He has these inside feelings that he is not the man that everyone else knows he is. His father left before he was born and he believes because blood runs deep that he is just like him but no one else believes that. I enjoyed reading about Mike. I loved that when he was an all around good guy especially to Cara. Now Cara is an interesting character too. She has been through so much and while on the outside she has become tough she really is just soft-hearted. I really enjoyed her as well. I think Phillips matched these characters perfectly.

I can’t wait to read Sam’s story but it looks like Erin’s story is up next and I look forward to reading that too. Carly Phillips books are always a “perfect fit”.

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

4 Hearts
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Kelly’s review of Immortal Craving by Kendra Leigh Castle

TITLE: Immortal Craving – Dark Dynasties #4
AUTHOR: Kendra Leigh Castle
Main Characters: Tasmin Singh & Bailey Harper
PUBLICATION DATE: 1/29/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The last-and most lethal-of his kind . . .

Wild, uncontrollable, and powerful, the lion-shifting Rakshasa were hunted down by vicious rival vampires who feared their dark, magical abilities. Somehow one survived, and now, after centuries of hiding, Tasmin Singh reemerges as fierce and fearless as ever at the door of the Lilim queen, seeking answers . . . and sanctuary.

The human best friend to a vampire queen, Bay Harper traded her quiet, comfortable life for a world filled with immortal assassins, warring werewolves . . . and this hauntingly sexy shifter. Only Bay’s gentle touch can subdue Tasmin’s inner demons, even as he brings out a passion and sensuality she never imagined she could feel. But when a bloody struggle threatens to tear them apart, can Bay risk everything on her faith in him-or will his dark side be stronger than even their all-consuming desire?

REVIEW:
I really like the Dark Dynasty world. I love the twists and turns that Kendra has put into this book and her vampires. They are not your typical vamps which I really like. I have not been able to get back to book 1 or 2, but I have read book 3 and now book 4. I can say that you can read these books easily as stand alones, but I am going to go back and read the first two.

I loved Tasmin. I love that he has been asleep for the last 4 hundred years and doesn’t know anything about the new world, except for the fact that he is draw for some reason to a human woman who is best friends with the Queen of the Lilim’s. And Bay, she is one tough cookie. She finds herself in an impossible situation and instead of curling up in a ball or running with her tail between her legs she grabs the bull by the horns or the lion by the mane and shows everyone who is in charge here.

I really did like this book. But I would have loved for the battle scene to be a little more, uuummm of a battle. It was over just a little too fast for me. But other than the battle being a bit short I enjoyed Tasmin & Bay’s story. I am looking forward to what Kendra has in store for the Dark Dynasty world.

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’s review of Kissed By A Vampire by Caridad Pineiro

TITLE: Kissed By A Vampire
AUTHOR: Caridad Pineiro
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/16/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
For two thousand years, vampire elder Stacia has roamed on her own, haunted by the betrayal that turned her into a creature of the night. Her nights looming empty and eternal, Stacia longs for love, but settles for quick bites and sinful pleasures in South Beach. Until she comes face-to-face with the unforgettable DEA agent she once brought back from the brink of death. Alex Garcia knows that demons exist—the real kind, the kind that are kidnapping women and selling them into slavery. Finding those victims is his focus—not a beautiful seductress whose otherworldly abilities can’t possibly be real. But when Stacia summons all her powers to prove what she really is, Alex will summon all his to believe in the vampire’s kiss….

REVIEW:
The story is good. The connection of the characters is not. I have never read a book by Pineiro before and while most of the writing was good I was tired of her using the same words over and over. How many times does the vampire need to tell us she is an elder? While we apparently meet this characters in “Death Calls” the meeting is explained and does not matter if you have not read the first one (as I had not).

I really just did not feel a chemistry between these two characters. And Stacia (Who is an elder. Did we mention that already?) seems to be a bit of a wuss of a woman. Ok maybe not a wuss but certainly not the powerful vampire she is supposed to be. And Alex just has no depth to him. He is not the alpha you would think a vampire would fall for and his sweet moments are just blah.

Ok now that has been said the storyline is interesting and keeps you wanting to read more. Maybe it was just these characters but this book just didn’t do it for me much.

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