Category: Review Sunday

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Kelly’s review of Shades of Temptation by Virna DePaul

TITLE: Shades of Temptation
AUTHOR: Virna DePaul
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/18/12

ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Carrie Ward understands dangerous men, and she’s got the scars to prove it. These days, the Special Investigations Group detective saves her risk taking for the job. But when she’s asked to pursue a high-profile serial killer, she’ll have to join forces with the last man she wants to depend on—Jase Tyler, an ace senior detective who’s as reckless as she is cautious. And despite her best intentions, the sparks begin to fly.As Carrie and Jase race to try to save the next victim, the passion that simmers between them ignites. But a cunning killer at the top of his game is challenging carrie to play to the very end. Now all she can count on are her instincts—and Jase, the one man daring enough to keep her safe….

REVIEW:
I enjoyed Shade of Temptation but not as much as book 1 Shade of Desire.

In Shades of Temptation we get to learn more about Jase and Carrie.  While I really liked Jase and Carrie’s story I kinda felt like these two were forced together.  It took a very long time for me to feel the connection between these two.  They do make a great team, but I struggled a little with them as a couple. But other than this was a good book.
Jase & Carrie have to team up to solve not one but two serial murder cases.  But when one of the serial murders sets his eyes on Jase & Carrie, these two learn quickly how fragile life really is.
If you like a good romantic suspense and liked Shades of Desire I believe you will like Shades of Temptation.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy (from NetGalley) 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 Lip Service by M.J. Rose

TITLE: Lip Service
AUTHOR: M.J. Rose
PUBLICATION DATE:   08/21/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Lip Service is the prequel to M.J. Rose’s Bestselling Butterfield Institute Series which includes three novels – The Halo Effect, The Delilah Complex, The Venus Fix – and the short story collection In Session.

Lip Service probes the secret world of phone sex and one woman who becomes empowered by what she discovers there. Not since Erica Jong’s Fear of Flying has a novel so masterfully examined the relationship between sexuality and identity. On the surface, Julia Sterling’s life seems blessed. Married to a renowned psychiatrist, living on Manhattan’s tony Upper East Side, Julia deeply loves her stepson, and is forging a career as a journalist.

When a writing job at The Butterfield Institute – a sex therapy clinic – exposes her to the world of phone sex, Julia glimpses a world that stirs her erotic fantasies but threatens her carefully constructed reality. As she explores her emotional and sexual connections to the men she knows and several she will never meet, she confronts evil, perversity, and her own passions.

Tracing the currents of desire, illusion, and psychological manipulation,Lip Service is an astonishingly vivid glimpse into one woman’s inner life. At the same time, this electrifying thriller grips the reader as it builds toward a battering climax.

REVIEW:
This is a re-release of a book from 1999 and the first thing the reader will notice is some of the dated references (sitting next to JFK Jr., debating banning cigarette tv ads, etc). I found myself forcing myself to read this book and I think it has something to do with the time line. While 1999 was not all that long ago the era was so different. Phone sex was a huge thing before the internet and the references to some many now not so current subjects was distracting. I can see how maybe at the time this was erotic and sensual but not much anymore.

The story has to do with Julia and her psychiatrist husband and the power he holds over her. In this day in age we would have claimed she was emotionally abused. This is also a coming into your own story and while I can appreciate that this story is written as if the character is sitting on the shrink’s couch.This is the first book by M.J. Rose and she has gone on to write many books but I think re-releasing this book was not a wise decision.

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

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Kelly’s review of A Jaguar’s Kiss by Katie Reus

TITLE: A Jaguar’s Kiss
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/01/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Owen Wright, alpha of his wolf pack, hasn’t seen jaguar shifter Gabriela Segura in nearly ten years. She was his first love—until he did something to drive her away just as their relationship was heating up. Now Gabriela has returned to Montana, and his craving for her is stronger than ever….

But a recent string of brutal attacks on humans have the wolves suspicious of the jaguars, threatening the tenuous peace between the packs. Before he can claim Gabriela as his mate, they must join forces to prove her family’s innocence and track down the true predator.

REVIEW:
Returning home after too many years away Gabriela finds herself being kidnapped by one of the the local wolf pack and he is blabbering on about jaguar attacks on the locals.   All Gabriela wants to do is get home and find out if what the wolf is saying is true.  To check in with her family to make sure they are all okay. The last thing and the last person she wants to see Owen Wright, the love of her life, the man who broke her heart just walked through the door.

This was a really good novella.  I loved the mystery of who is behind the killings, although I would have loved to get a little more into the heads of the bad guys.  But Gabriela and Owen are great together.

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.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of The Perfect Impostor by Wendy Soliman

TITLE: The Perfect Impostor
AUTHOR: Wendy Soliman
PUBLICATION DATE:   04/02/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Struggling to escape her past and make ends meet as a modiste, Katrina Sinclair hopes the daring new wardrobe she’s designed for her childhood friend Julia—now a marchioness—will attract the business she desperately needs. But Julia’s help comes at a price: Katrina must take her place at a house party. They look enough alike for the ruse to work…until Julia’s handsome former fiancé arrives.

Leo Kincade has been tasked with catching a traitor who steals from house parties to fund Napoleon’s armies. Three women are suspected—including Julia. But when Leo intercepts her at the party, he finds an impostor who stirs an attraction stronger than anything he felt for Julia.

The mysterious woman shares Leo’s interest, even if she won’t trust him with her true identity. He should expose her at once, but he’s too tempted to play along and see where her deception—and their passion—will lead.

REVIEW:
Honestly I am not even sure what I liked about this book but I seemed to have wanted to finish it. The premise has a lot of potential but I was so confused to understand how a woman can take the
place of another woman and no one notice the change not even those closest to her (ex-lover, husband, etc). Katrina spends so much time worrying she will get found out that it is distracting. Julia is just obnoxious and selfish. I found it hard to read the pages with her in it.

I was also unsatisfied with the ending. I expected some of the characters to “get what they deserve” but they didn’t. It seemed like everyone just ended up with a happy ending and that did not sit well with me.

I think the author did one of two things: either she was rushed to write this book and it lost some of the potential it had OR she had too long to write it and the more she fiddled with it the more out of control she wrote it. I can see how someone might enjoy this story but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

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

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Ursula’s review of Bound Temptations by Shiloh Walker

TITLE: Bound Temptations
AUTHOR: Shiloh Walker
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/01/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
TEMPT ME
She’s a temptation he can’t resist…

Roxanne ‘Rocki’ Monroe’s life is full of secrets and hidden heartaches. Cole Stanton would love to heal her pain and chase away the ghosts of her past, but she’s just a complication he doesn’t have room for in his life.

Or so he thinks.

It doesn’t take Cole long to realize he’s more than willing to let temptation get the best of him, more than happy to deal with complications if that’s what it takes to get her.

What he has and what he needs are two different things…and what he needs is Rocki.

BEG ME
Beg me…there had been a time when those words made her burn with desire. But now, there was only fear.

Once, Tania Sinclair’s life was almost perfect…But a couple of tragedies later, she’s barely holding it together. A car accident took away her husband, and an attack from somebody she should have been able to trust has shaken not only her confidence, but it’s also stripped away her fantasies and even made it painful to look back on her memories of her husband without fear.

Two years after her attack, Tania is determined to take her life back and the first step is taking back herself…her fantasies, her dreams, her memories. There’s only one person she can trust to do it, too. One person she wants enough…Drake Bennett, her husband’s best friend.

Warning: This book involves light bondage play, rape fantasy & role-playing. The acts between the hero & heroine are consensual, but they may not be ideal for all readers…

REVIEW:
This is a print book that combines two of Shiloh Walker’s E-books.

In the first book, Tempt Me, we have a strong female character who is a joy to read! She has had heartache and loss yet she comes out all the stronger for it. There is a slight element of intrigue and suspense that keeps the pace moving briskly. I really wanted to slap the female protagonist! Ms. walker did a fantastic job of writing a person to hate. the only thing that bugged me about this story was the hero being engaged and then going right for Rocki. I know it is explained but it felt a little rushed for me. However, I got over it and was able to enjoy the rest of the story.

In the second one, Beg Me, we have a slightly controversial story.  The author clearly states that the subject might not be ideal for all readers. I gave it careful thought and decided that it would not bug me. It was very well written.  The subject of rape fantasy is a huge hot button topic for a lot of people. I, personally, enjoyed the story in the spirit it was written. And the hero and heroine’s interactions were hot.  It was a very thought provoking and heart wrenching story.  With the added elements of intrigue and suspense I was hooked.

Of the two, I enjoyed Beg Me the most, but both are wonderful stories and this book is definitely worth a look.

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 Santerra’s Sin by Donna Kauffman

TITLE: Santerra’s Sin
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE:   09/10/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
HE LIKES HIS SALSA HOT, AND HIS WOMAN HOTTER… — When she answered his knock with “Enter at your own risk,” Diego Santerra realized he’d have his hands full protecting Blue Delgado without her knowledge. He’d taken more than a little pleasure keeping an eye on her the past three weeks, but now he had to get closer — and that meant getting a job in her cantina. Blue could feel the danger he exuded, and yearned for the excitement he aroused in her passionate soul. But could surrendering to this mystery man be a sin?

At her best when a story sizzles and peril lurks in every corner, Donna Kauffman burns up the pages with a hero just born for trouble, and a lady strong enough to handle him! She provoked him, tempted him, made him hunger for what he could never have, but if he managed to keep her alive, would he ever be able to let her go?

REVIEW:
This is a reprint from 1996. While it is a good story it mostly certainly gives you the feel of the LoveSwept stories. What is a LoveSwept? It was put out as a short paperback novel to be carried with you wherever you went. In other words the equivalent of a novella. This story is fast moving and direct to the point of getting the couple together. It has some suspense and romance mixed in. The character of Blue is a little too hard shelled for me. I like a woman who can take care of herself but the man is also able to make her feel like she wants to be taken care of and I never really got that feeling from Blue and Diego was just not “alpha” enough for me. I did enjoy the story though and I think if you are looking for some quick reads to have on your e-reader this is one you will enjoy.

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

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Kimberly’s review of Not This Time by Vicki Hinze

TITLE: Not This Time
AUTHOR: Vicki Hinze
PUBLICATION DATE:   02/21/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Small town scandal. International terrorist attack. Who among them is the traitor?

Sara and Beth have built a multi-million dollar business together, but their once solid friendship is now strained. Beth is leery of Sara’s husband, and when he is kidnapped, authorities consider Beth their prime suspect.

Then, their small town of Seagrove Village is rocked by an act of terrorism, and Beth doesn’t know who to trust. Someone she knows is linked to the attack, but who? Is there a connection to Crossroads Crisis Center? In the midst of the confusion and fear, Beth finds herself attracted to a man from her past. She knows she shouldn’t fall in love with him, but she can’t resist or even explain their bond. As her world unravels around her, she wonders, is it possible to be beyond redemption?

 

REVIEW:
This is the third in this series and I have not read the first two so I have to say I was really confused especially in the beginning (really through the whole thing on some people). You can tell that some of the characters have been mentioned in the other books before this one and were the backstory so coming into this book not knowing these characters was a little hard. Especially since there are so many characters mentioned just in the first three chapters. I had only read the Seascape series from this author and this book is completely different. The Seascape were these extremely romantic movie-esque books set at a magical seaside inn. This book is about terrorism and scandal. Way different.

I really liked the story of Joe and Beth. They have an adorable relationship and Joe is written as a really great guy. Beth is an interesting character as well. She is strong and caring. The problem is that it is hard to believe all of these things are happening in this small little town and nobody knows about it. And while some seems far fetched the rest seems to not have any merit. Because I did not read the first two books I did not have the whole backstory on NINA and why I would care who in the small town was the bad guy.

I think if you read all the books in order it would make sense but reading only this one was hard to do.


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Kelly’s review of Playing To Win by Jaci Burton

TITLE: Playing To Win
AUTHOR: Jaci Burton
PUBLICATION DATE:   09/04/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Someone’s going to have to let down their guard…

Football star Cole Riley is notorious for doing as he pleases—on the field and off. He parties hard and fights harder, but if he doesn’t clean up his act, his career is over—so Cole reluctantly agrees to work with image makeover consultant Savannah Brooks. He’s not used to being told what to do, especially by some (admittedly hot) Southern belle. As for Savannah, she’s not convinced she can transform this cocky (and aggressively sexy) force of nature. But she’s determined to give it her best shot.

When the sparks start to fly, Savannah lays down the ground rules: no personal complications. If she can turn off the tingle she feels every time Cole gives her a hot stare with his gorgeous baby blues, he can turn off his desire as well. But for two people determined to have it all, a hands-off policy can only last so long before one of them yields.

REVIEW:
Jaci, has done it yet again.  She delivers a very hot, yet sweet story of a big bad ass football player that gets his life uprooted by a very determined female.  A determined female that has been hired to whip this bad boy football player into shape.  But to both of their surprise this chance meeting will change everything for both of them.

Cole Riley is the bad boy of football, the ladies love him, the media loves to hate him and his team mates?  Well, they really couldn’t care less about Cole.  But Cole is a great football player, but the living in the limelight is playing havoc on his career and his future with his new team.

Savannah is a sweet southern girl with a heart of a lion and an iron fist.  She has been hired to whip Cole Riley into shape before the beginning of the season and that is exactly what she plans to do.  Only problem is Cole Riley is drop dead gorgeous and Savannah wants him.    But Savannah has never mixed business with pleasure.
Never…….
Well until now.

I loved Cole & Savannah.  Both are stubborn and determined to live life their way.  Both soon learn sometimes there is a better way to do things.  And together they learn how to make each others life so much better.

If you have not started Jaci’s Play by Play series you really need too.  Theses are great books!!  And yes each book can stand alone but I would suggest starting from the beginning so you can get to know all the characters better.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly’s review of Can’t Hurry Love by Molly O’Keefe

TITLE: Can’t Hurry Love
AUTHOR: Molly O’Keefe
PUBLICATION DATE:   07/31/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Victoria Baker, the penniless widow of a disgraced financier, is ready to stand up, be counted, and make a new life for herself and her beloved son in Texas. She’s taking over Crooked Creek ranch, her birthright, and turning it into something special. All that stands in her way is Eli Turnbull, a rugged, too-handsome cowboy who wants the land just as badly. If Victoria wants a fight, Eli will give her one. He’s devoted his life to Crooked Creek, and he’s not about to let some pampered city girl-even one as brave and beautiful as Victoria-turn it into some silly spa. But Victoria’s and Eli’s burning anger and frustration only fuel heat of another kind: uncontrollable passion. And soon they each realize that the person standing in their way is the one they can never do without.

REVIEW:
There is a thin line between love and hate best describes this book. This is the second in the Crooked Creek Ranch series. And I will admit that I have not read the first one and based on this book I will not be picking it up anytime soon. I was very disappointed in this book. The characters are mean, hostile and dark. While I can handle the fighting in the beginning I expected the characters to have a change of heart that never happened. They fought on a constant basis. The characters never connected even during the “love” scenes.

I do not read a book to live vicariously in a dysfunctional situation and that is what this story was. Having never read this author before I am not sure if this is how she normally writes but I will say this series is just too dark for a fan of the romance genre.

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

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Kimberly’s review of Ghostwriter by Lissa Bryan

TITLE: Ghostwriter
AUTHOR: Lissa Bryan
PUBLICATION DATE:   10/11/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
After being laid off from the newspaper where she worked as a journalist, and losing her boyfriend in rapid succession, Sara Howell is looking to downsize before her dwindling savings run out. Things are finally starting to look up when she lands a job ghostwriting the biography of a popular politician and rents an isolated island house which turns out to have once been the home of her favorite author, Seth Fortner, who mysteriously disappeared in 1925.

But when strange things start happening, as objects break, or go missing, and terrifying visions appear, Sara begins to wonder if Seth ever left, or if she is losing her mind.

What happened to Seth is a secret closely guarded by the family to this day, a family that seems to exist under a terrible curse. Through an old trunk of letters she discovers in the attic, Sara unravels the mystery and becomes caught up in a tale of greed, lost love and the horrors of WWI.

When Sara realizes she is not going crazy and that Seth Fortner’s spirit still haunts her new home on the isolated island, she begins to draw him out of his shell bit by bit. She will discover what happened to the idealistic young writer who went to the battlefields of France to save lives, and to his beautiful bride to destroy the love between them, and what led Seth to make a terrible choice which would have consequences that would echo for generations.

They gradually fall in love in their world of dreams, dreams which swiftly become more attractive than reality, as Sara learns from a ghost how to truly live. Will she be the one to break the “Fortner Curse” by helping Seth conquer his demons, and heal both of their hearts in the process?

REVIEW:
This is a beautiful story with a lovely concept but I had a really difficult time getting interested in it in the beginning. While written wonderfully it was very slow in the beginning. I kept waiting for something to happen and when it did I just didn’t find myself interested for some time. I thought the relationship between Sara and Seth was beautiful as far as the love of characters go but didn’t understand how they could “fall in love” I wish the book had brought in an actual character that Sara could have found herself drawn to instead. That being said it was a beautiful love story and any fan of ghost stories will enjoy it. The time spent getting to know Seth was very intriguing and the dream life of Sara and Seth is very sweet and endearing. I found Sara to be an almost sad yet caring person and found enjoyed her character. Stepping back into the time of WWII was also interesting since I do not know a lot about that time period.

This truly is a love story in every sense of the word and one that will stick with you for a while.

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 Cosmo’s Fifty-One Shades of Blonde by Jessica Knoll

TITLE: Cosmo’s Fifty-One Shades of Blonde
AUTHOR: Jessica Knoll
PUBLICATION DATE:   08/28/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The sexy story that first burned up the pages of Cosmopolitan is here-with three new chapters that are so hot they may steam up your screen. Christopher Reiss is the handsome and extremely intimidating CEO of a major financial firm. Megan’s nothing but a lowly assistant. But when she stumbles upon some incriminating evidence that could threaten Christopher’s career, she finds herself on his radar . . . and eventually his desk, his kitchen counter, his bed . . . you get where this is going, right? Jessica Knoll is a senior editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about relationships, sex, career, and health. According to her colorist, her hair is only three shades of blonde.

REVIEW:
This short story first appeared in Cosmopolitan Magazine and is only about 30 pages. It is a sexy erotic story which I would have been happy with if it had been a little longer. There was such a jump from Megan seeing Christoper to having sex that it just felt rushed. A chapter in between would have been better. But for a short sexy story this one fits the bill.

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

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Kelly’s review of A Season For Sin by Vicky Dreiling

TITLE: A Season For Sin
AUTHOR: Vicky Dreiling
PUBLICATION DATE:   09/04/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Introducing the Sinful Scoundrels…

The Earl of Bellingham is nothing is not a creature of habit: money, meals, and mistresses must be strictly managed if a man is to have a moment’s peace. It’s a system that works splendidly for him–until now. With his oldest and dearest friends succumbing, one by one, to wedded bliss, Bell is now restless and a trifle lonely. Enter the Sinful Scoundrels–Colin Brockhurst, Earl of Ravenshire, and Harry Norcliffe, Viscount Evermore–who drag him back into society and draw his rakish eye to the ton’s new beautiful young widow. Bell isn’t after a wife, but a challenge. And Laura Davenport should fit the bill quite nicely…

REVIEW:
Season for Sin is Vicky’s new novella and prequel to her upcoming Sinful Scoundrels series.  If you have read Vicky’s “How To” series you have meet The Earl of Bellingham, or Bells as his pals call him.   In Season for Sin we get a closer look at what makes Bells tick and a little insight as to why his is still a very eligible bachelor.

As with ever novella we are left wanting more.  And I will say that as I was reading I was just getting into the story and then Vicky so cruelly leaves us hanging (don’t worry Vicky I still love you).  And I for one can’t wait for the first book in the Sinful Scoundrels series.

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