Category: Review

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Peg Cochran Blog Tour Interview and Review

Steamed to Death

I am excited for Peg Cochran to be here today to promote her new book, Steamed to Death, the second novel in her Gourmet De-Lite mystery series.  She has been kind enough to answer a few questions for us today.

1. When you’re not writing or editing your own books, what authors or genres do you like to read?

I love mystery and suspense (as long as it’s not too gory).  Some favorite authors include Deborah Crombie, Julia Spencer-Fleming, Peter Robinson, PD James.

2. What’s your favorite thing about being a author?

I get to make stuff up!   I love dreaming up characters and disappearing into the world I’ve created.  It’s the most fun I can think of—except when it’s not—like when you’re stuck in the middle of the book—the hardest part to write.  But I always manage to dig myself out.

3. What would you tell new readers to your series about your series, to inspire them to pick them up?

My daughter is in college and I need the money for tuition?  Seriously, someone left a review on Amazon that said I really took the time to develop the characters and the mystery.  And that is what I try to do—create characters that become your best friends.  If you like a small town setting, with plenty of food and cooking thrown in, I think you would like the series.

 4. Are the recipes from your books your own tried and true recipes? Do you have a favorite recipe?

 They’re recipes I have adapted to be lower calorie and lower fat by making substitutions.  Then, I usually have to add a little something…or leave out something we don’t like.  Next thing you know, I’ve created an entirely new dish!  But hubby had a quintuple bypass last summer, so I have to make sure we eat healthy things.  As to a favorite, there are the ones I make over and over—lower fat shepherd’s pie, a smoky chipotle chili (recipe coming in Steamed to Death!), chicken tortilla soup (recipe is in Allergic to Death). 

 5. Are any of your characters inspired by family or friends?

 No.  Although my mother is convinced she’s in every book I write.

6. What are you currently reading?

 I just finished Gone Girl and was blown away by it.  I would love to be able to write like that!  I also just finished Laura Lippman’s newest…I’m so bad I never remember titles, but I think it was When She Was Good.

Thank you so much for being here today and I can’t wait to read more from this mystery series.

About the Author:

Peg-Cochran-author-photo-245x300Peg grew up in a New Jersey suburb about 25 miles outside of New York City.  After college, she moved to the city where she managed an art gallery owned by the son of the artist Henri Matisse.  When her first daughter, Francesca, arrived, the new family moved back to the New Jersey suburbs where her second daughter, Annabelle, was born.

After her husband died, Peg remarried and her new husband took a job in Grand Rapids, Michigan where they now live (on exile from New Jersey, she likes to joke). Peg managed to segue from the art world to marketing and is now the manager of marketing communications for a company that provides services to seniors.

Her greatest love though has always been writing – particularly mysteries! She has two cozy mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime: The Gourmet De-Lite series set in Connecticut and featuring Gigi Fitzgerald, who provides gourmet diet meals to a select group of clients and the Sweet Nothings Vintage Lingerie series, written as Meg London, set in Paris, Tennessee with Emma Taylor who finds murder and mayhem in this quiet country town.

As for pets – she has a schizophrenic cat (really!) named Frazzle and a Westhighland White Terrier, Reggie, who is desperately in need of losing a few pounds.  But you know what they say: If your dog is overweight, it means YOU aren’t getting enough exercise!

When she’s not writing, Peg can usually be found cooking, which she loves.  When asked to bring a dish to a potluck she invariably opts to bring dessert – partly because she loves making sweet dishes and partly because she and her husband always manage to be late so there’s no point in putting them in charge of appetizers!

Connect with Peg Cochran: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Steamed to Death

Steamed to Death

TITLE: Steamed to Death

SERIES #: A Gourmet De-Lite Mystery #2

CHARACTERS: Gigi Fitzgerald, Sienna, Detective Mertz

AUTHOR: Peg Cochran

PUBLICATION DATE:  06/04/13

ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: Gourmet health food caterer Gigi Fitzgerald is used to helping dieters drop a dress size. But when her clients start dropping dead, she’s ready to switch her chef’s hat for a detective’s cap and track down a killer….

Aging soap star Felicity Davenport is looking to revamp her image, and she’s using Gigi’s Gourmet De-Lite to help her shed a few of those unwanted pounds.  Having such a high-profile client is definitely good for business, but when Felicity is found murdered in her sauna, things start getting too hot for Gigi to handle.

The list of suspects is a mile long, and Gigi’s best friend, Sienna, is at the top.  Refusing to let her friend get blamed for a crime she didn’t commit, Gigi is determined to hunt down the real killer.  But, as the case reaches a boiling point, Gigi will have to be careful or she could be the next one getting burned.

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Jennifer             NUMBER OF STARS: Four Stars

REVIEW: I really enjoyed Peg’s first novel, Allergic to Death, so I was excited to read more about Gigi and her booming gourmet catering business. In this book, Gigi’s main customer is a daytime soap star looking to make a comeback and hires Gigi to provide all her meals when tragedy strikes.  Felicity is found dead in her sauna and Sienna, Gigi’s best friend, is the prime suspect. Sienna is also several months pregnant and has been helping Felicity with her publicity, so Gigi is desperate to determine the true culprit before Sienna is arrested for a crime she didn’t commit.

Steamed to Death is a very cute mystery and I love the quirky cast of characters in this one. Gigi finally has a possible love interest in this story with the handsome Detective Mertz and the new restaurant owner, Declan McQuaid. This book has the right dash of mystery, humor and romance that will have you entertained until the very last sentence.  I loved the recipes and everyone knows that I’m a big fan of books that deal with the culinary world.  Steamed to Death is the perfect recipe for a lazy afternoon and I can’t wait to read more about Gigi and the residents of Woodstone, Connecticut.

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Kelly reviews The Best Man by Kristan Higgins

TITLE: The Best Man
SERIES: Blue Heron #1
CHARACTERS: Levi Cooper & Faith Holland
AUTHOR: Kristan Higgins
PUBLICATION DATE: Feb 26, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sometimes the best man is the one you least expect…Faith Holland left her hometown after being jilted at the altar. Now a little older and wiser, she’s ready to return to the Blue Heron Winery, her family’s vineyard, to confront the ghosts of her past, and maybe enjoy a glass of red. After all, there’s some great scenery there….

Like Levi Cooper, the local police chief—and best friend of her former fiancé. There’s a lot about Levi that Faith never noticed, and it’s not just those deep green eyes. The only catch is she’s having a hard time forgetting that he helped ruin her wedding all those years ago. If she can find a minute amidst all her family drama to stop and smell the rosé, she just might find a reason to stay at Blue Heron, and finish that walk down the aisle

REVIEW:
This was a super sweet read. I loved Faith. She is sweet, sarcastic, brave and as you will learn very blind to things that are right in front of her.

Levi is such a stick in the mud at times, but once you know his back story you will understand why. But he really is a great guy.

This was as I said earlier a very good read. I am really happy that I picked up a copy of this book. I won’t go into anymore details of this book as I may inadvertently give away too much. But know this: love sometimes finds you when you least expect it or when you are stuck in a bathroom window.

If you have not picked up a copy of The Best Manyou really should. I can’t wait to see what Kristan has in store for us next in the Blue Heron series.

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 At Last by Jill Shalvis

TITLE: At Last
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE:   06/26/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
HER LOVE HAS COME ALONG . . .
Amy Michaels loves her new life in Lucky Harbor. A waitress in the local diner, she’s looking forward to her first weekend hike through the mountains. But when a wrong turn takes her off the trail, she finds herself up close and personal with forest ranger Matt Bowers. And even though she’s tempted to kiss that sexy smile right off his face, she won’t make the mistake of getting involved with the town heartthrob.

A former cop whose life went south, Matt doesn’t let anyone get too close. But something about the feisty beauty caught his eye the moment he first saw her in the diner. After a hot night under a starry sky, Matt can’t deny their attraction-or the fact that for the first time in a long time, he feels the stirrings of something more. Now it’s up to Matt to help Amy see that, no matter what is in their past, together they can build a future in Lucky Harbor.

REVIEW:
This is the 5th in the Lucky Harbor series. I have not read the other four books and had never read this author but I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The character of Matt had me actually smiling by page 20. He is an adorable character. Amy is written very well too. Amy is a tough girl who has lived on the streets as a teenager and has finally moved to Lucky Harbor and found where she belongs. I believe we may have met her in at least the last book “Lucky in Love” (#4) but as I said before I have not read this series before. However this book is certainly a stand alone book. While I could tell that there was background to some of these characters from previous books it was not written in a way where you feel lost by not knowing the characters.

This story is mostly about Matt and Amy. However, I love the “bro-mance” of Matt, Ty and Josh as well as the friendship of the “Chocoholics” Amy, Mallory and Grace. Amy is just a wounded bird who is learning to fly again and watching her take flight is amazing. Matt is a womans dream. He is funny, sweet and loving as well as strong enough to take care of his woman and anyone else who comes along.

I will most certainly be working my way through this series now that I have read this one. I loved the writing of Jill Shalvis and can’t wait to read the next story of Grace and Josh (Forever and a Day).

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 A Little Mischief by Amelia Grey

TITLE: A Little Mischief
AUTHOR: Amelia Grey
PUBLICATION DATE:   08/01/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Isabella Winslowe is finally gaining respectability when the unthinkable happens: she finds the Earl of Colebrooke’s sister in the back garden with a stone cupid in her hand and a dead man at her feet. The last thing Isabella wants to deal with is a formidable earl who is willing to go to great lengths to protect his sister’s reputation from a murder scandal. As Daniel Colebrooke begins following Isabella around the ton, desperate to keep her from spreading her story and making mischief, he can’t help but notice how captivating she is. And if he’s not careful, he could lose his heart along with his sister’s reputation.

REVIEW:
This is a re-release from 2003 and a delightful read. This historical has a little bit of suspense and a lot of romance. The characters of Isabella and Daniel are perfect together. The connection they have even from their first scene together jumps right off the page. I love that Isabella seems so strong, confident and loves a good mystery and yet she has decided she should just become a spinster and has never even been kissed. She helps “wallflowers” come into their own by teaching them they are worthy and how to act. Yet she is just as much of the innocent as they are. She is innocent and worldly wrapped in one package. Daniel is written very well too. He is of course handsome and rich but he is also protective of those he loves and has a heart of gold.

Honestly this book has the basis of so many other historicals but it is such a delightful read that it is a must read. It is the perfect beach book or sit around and relax book. It is a very quick read and you really don’t want to stop until you get to the end. If you love the historical romance genre then this should be near the top of your “TBR” list. You will not be disappointed.

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 Entice by Jessica Shrivinton

TITLE: Entice
AUTHOR: Jessica Shirvinton
PUBLICATION DATE:   09/04/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

The war between Exiles and Angels is on—and she’s wanted by both sides.

Seventeen-year-old Violet Eden is learning what it means to be Grigori: part angel and part human with a destiny is to protect humans from the vengeance of exiled angels. Knowing who to trust is key, but when Grigori reinforcements arrive, it becomes clear everyone is hiding something. Even her partner, Lincoln. Violet has to learn to live with her feelings for him while they work together to stay alive and stop the exiles from discovering the key to destroy all Grigori.

It isn’t easy. Especially when the electricity between Violet and Phoenix ignites, and she discovers his hold over her has become more dangerous than ever. With Lincoln’s secrets and Phoenix’s mysterious schemes, Violet is truly on her own. The race to find the one artifact that could tilt the balance of power between Angels and Exiles brings them to the cradle of civilization, where Violet’s power will be pushed to the extreme. And the ultimate betrayal exposed.

The story continues with EMBLAZE in March 2013!

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly

NUMBER OF STARS: DNF

REVIEW:

Had to set this one aside. I didn’t realize that this was the second book in the series.
I need to read book one first.  While I got a good idea of what happened in book one I didn’t connect with the characters in book 2.  That and I am not a huge fan of love triangles.  I don’t like when the heroine is so in love with the hero but sleeps with the enemy.
I have these on my list to read now and will be starting with book 1.

I am sure if you have read book 1 you will love Entice.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I received this book free as part of the blog tour.

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Kimberly’s review of Promise Me A Rainbow by Cheryl Reavis

TITLE: Promise Me A Rainbow
AUTHOR: Cheryl Reavis
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/07/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Deserted by her husband because she couldn’t have children, Catherine Holben has thrown herself into her job counseling pregnant teens. Catherine is still recovering from the pain of her divorce, but her life is changed forever when she makes a purchase in a quaint curio shop. She meets handsome, hardworking Joe D’Amaro, a widower and father of three, and his daughter, Fritz. But Joe needs help with Fritz, a seven-year-old dynamo. She’s a precocious but headstrong little girl who’s impossible to resist., and he is too proud to admit it.

Joe and Catherine are cautious about making a commitment to each other. They both know the joy and heartache of falling in love, but are they willing to risk being together despite their misgivings? Neither can ignore the love that quickly blossoms between them. Maybe they can have a wonderful life together . . . if only Joe’s still-grieving older daughter, Della, will accept a new woman in her father’s life.

True love versus reality. Can Catherine handle his ready-made family? Or is there more in store for her than she thinks?

REVIEW:
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would when I picked it. The writing eventually was good, but in the beginning it was not written the way a normal conversation takes place but that seemed to change as the book went on and the dialogue became more real. The interesting thing about this book is Joe is a single father of three who manages to get by by the skin of his teeth. He is not rich nor has some fancy job, he is a man trying to make life work out as best he can. He is not perfect and he messes up more than not but he loves with his whole heart. Catherine is a teacher of pregnant teens and not some model or something. Catherine is a broken woman trying to get on with her life after a divorce and finding out she can not have children. They are just normal people who most anyone can connect to. The background characters are interesting too. Fritz is adorable and written really well for the age she is portraying. Charlie does not have much of a part but is cute too. And Della could have used a little more of a background for us to understand her pain but she was written as a typical teen. This book has a lot to offer especially if you are at a point in your life wondering if you can have a second chance at love. I do wish the book had a epilogue since so much was left without us knowing. Also the book started with both characters being still in love with the people of their past and in the beginning that is hard to get past even though eventually you do. I think this book is very good and I think if you enjoy the genre you will enjoy this book.

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 Starstruck Romance & Other Hollywood Tails by Julia Dumont

TITLE: Starstruck Romance & Other Hollywood Tails
AUTHOR: Julia Dumont
PUBLICATION DATE:   09/04/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
As her Second Acts Dating Service truly takes off, Cynthia Amas discovers that in the heady world of high-end Hollywood romance, with success comes complexity. In this wildly seductive romp through the lush canyons and lavish neighborhoods of Los Angeles, the line between business and pleasure quickly blurs in a dizzying rush of sex and celebrity. Just as our heroine’s uncanny genius for matching up her growing roster of exclusive love seekers continues to deepen, her own love life reaches a fever pitch. Things get complicated. And funny. And excruciatingly sensual. Cynthia’s high-maintenance lovelorn mother, her maddeningly hot ex-fling Max, a long-lost high school crush, and of course her best friend, the libidinous, star-crazed Lolita and her mysterious pack of telepathic canines, are all along for the ride. Not to mention one very rich, very famous film producer. On top of everything else, her newest, most important client is literally the biggest movie star in the world. In more ways than one. When it comes to extra curriculars, he is the hardest-working stud in show business. Try as Cynthia may to hook him up with any number of gorgeous ladies in waiting, his notoriously one-track mind is set on her. She’s determined to steer the dating service to the next level, but it’s hard to focus, let alone keep your hands on the wheel, when you’re hot, bothered, and nearly driven to distraction along the steamy highways and byways of love and lust. What a way to make a living.

REVIEW:
This is the second in a new the series called Second Act. This book is a cute quick read. There are some funny pages and the dogs are adorable. The problem is that I never really found myself liking Cynthia. She and the rest of the cast can be very annoying. I never felt any chemistry with Max and Cynthia at all and spent the whole time trying to figure what she saw in him. Don’t get me wrong this is a cute read but just really didn’t have enough romance in it for me. Something is just off about this book for me even though I am not sure what it is.

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

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Ursula’s review of Spinning Gold by Vivi Andrews

TITLE: Spinning Gold
AUTHOR: Vivi Andrews
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/18/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

Rumpelstiltskin as you’ve never seen it before. In this fairy tale, no princes need apply.

Juliana Ravel will do anything to save her innocent brother from the executioner, but what the supposedly charming prince demands is impossible. Spinning straw into gold? He might as well ask her to fly. Her only hope is a family heirloom – a gold medallion rumored to be the magic prison of one of the fabled golden fae.

Trapped inside the medallion for hundreds of years, Rue isn’t fool enough to trust Juliana, but he can’t help but be tempted by the feisty beauty. Even though she is the spitting image of the witch who betrayed and imprisoned him, Rue agrees to help her. For a price.

Entranced by the exotic, golden-skinned man, Juliana agrees to his terms, believing her worries are at an end. But when the tyrannical prince finds her surrounded by riches, he isn’t about to let her walk away – instead holding her prisoner within the corrupt court. Juliana’s only freedom is her nights with Rue, where their negotiations turn to seduction, and together they construct a desperate plot to escape a life where they must keep spinning gold… or die

REVIEW:
A very romantic tale on the classic: Rumplestiltskin.  It was set in medieval times, contained magic, fae and had hot sex.  There was a villain, a brother in peril and a handsome prince. Sounds like the stuff dreamy stories are made of.  I just wasn’t swept away.  The whole evil prince/evil advisor plot was a little convoluted. So was the whole captured/enslaved fae part for that matter. I enjoyed the premise of a girl willing to do anything it took to save her brother. The realization that she was totally naive and that she had some growing up to do was the best part of the book. Oh and the happy ending. Because I am a sucker for those.

The premise for the story was great. The characters were the stuff that fairytales are made of. The writing was solid. And the plot was classic. But it just didn’t carry me off into the fantasy. I think a lot of people will really enjoy this book. It just wasn’t for me.

Disclaimer:
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I received this book free as part of a blog contest.

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Kelly’s review of Lover’s Instinct by Katie Reus

TITLE: Lover’s Instinct – Moon Shifter #1.5
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/07/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Novella:
Lupine shifter Nikan Lawless has it bad for Esperanze Cordona, the sweet and curvy woman who only views him as a friend. But when Nikan is assigned to act as Esperanze’s bodyguard during a weekend education conference, he knows it’s the perfect opportunity to seduce her off her feet—away from the pack.

To put his plan into motion Nikan cancels one of their hotel rooms, giving them time to get to know one another in a whole different way. But when a man from Esperanze’s past shows up in need of help, Nikan must shield her from a group of dangerous rogue shifters, all while trying to prove that they’re destined to be mates.

REVIEW:
Lover’s Instinct was a great novella.  But like any good novella it was too short.  I really wanted more of Nikan & Esperanze.

Lover’s Instinct takes place between Alpha Instinct & Primal Possession, but can be read as a stand alone.  Although I would highly recommend reading Alpha Instinct first.

In Lover’s Instinct we meet Esperanze who is the cousin of the female Alpha.  After a string of murders leaves the pack reeling Esperanze decides she need a weekend away.  Just a weekend away to regroup.  While her Alpha’s are letting her go they are not letting her go alone.  They are sending Nikan long to protect her.  Nikan is new to the pack.  He is one of the Warriors that showed up with the new Alpha.  While Esperanze doesn’t mind Nikan at all she is not overly happy he is tagging along with her on her weekend away.

Little does Esperanze know that she is leaving one problem for another and having Nikan by her side will be a very helpful too.

I really can’t say much more than that, but I did really enjoy this novella.

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 Soul Weaver by Hailey Edwards

TITLE: Soul Weaver
AUTHOR: Hailey Edwards
PUBLICATION DATE:   08/07/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Since the accident that nearly took her life, Chloe suffers from acute agoraphobia. Living alone above her family’s bookstore, she spends restless nights terrified by strange visions . . . until a mysterious stranger appears and offers her salvation. Chloe is drawn to the ethereal, gorgeous Nathaniel-but her haunted soul warns her there is more to him than meets the eye.

An archangel who roams Earth collecting souls of the newly departed, Nathanial is the sole witness to the accident that should have taken Chloe’s life. Seduced by the purity of her soul, he defies Providence by saving her life. But his attempt at kindness marks Chloe for damnation, and makes her an unwitting pawn in a game of unholy ambition. Now together they must fight the demons of Hell itself-for a love that defies the boundaries of Heaven and Earth.

REVIEW:
Honestly it is hard to say if I liked this book or not. In the beginning there were so many characters introduced (and of course they were complicated angel names) that it was difficult to remember who was who and why they were doing what they were doing. The characters of Nathanial and Chloe just never connect for me. The characters of Chloe and Neve are actually a bit more interesting.

I was just so lost in the beginning of the story that I think I never fully got into the storyline. Yes the story got better but just never up to the potential the story had. There seem to be a lot of holes in the story. I mean supposedly Chloe has no ties to anyone (or atleast her soul doesn’t) but she seems to have a family she loved and people calling her and helping her.

While I have read books with angels/fallen angels I have not read one (not that I remember) solely on them so maybe I am not used to the genre and if someone is into this kind of story I can see them enjoying the book. It just really was not my cup of tea.

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

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Kimberly’s review of Deadly Secrets, Loving Lies by Cynthia Cooke

TITLE: Deadly Secrets, Loving Lies
AUTHOR: Cynthia Cooke
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/13/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Family secrets must be kept, and painful wounds must be ignored.
After an all-out assault by a vicious terrorist bent on destroying her entire family, a former government agent must break the strict rules she has always lived by when she emerges from hiding to reluctantly accept the help of her all-too-sexy ex-lover. Running a deadly race against time, they rush to rescue her kidnapped sister, find her missing father, and bring the notorious villain to justice. But nothing ever goes as planned. Bullets fly, danger abounds, and their
passion reignites even faster than the lies are flowing. But their stubbornly held secrets just might spell the end of their rekindled love and hopes for the future…as well as their very lives.

REVIEW:
This is a short novella. Genie has gone into hiding after leaving the CTA (Counter Terrorism Agency) but when terrorist come after her Kyle (her ex-boyfriend) and the CTA come to her rescue. Now she needs to find out who the people after her are, how they found her and figure out how to save herself and her family. But she has so many secrets and she is afraid to lean on Kyle and reveal those secrets.

The problem was Genie and Kye have no real connection. While the story can be a little interesting it is just not a story that is believable enough to keep your interest completely. Luckily it is not a long story so reading it to the end was doable, at best.

The story has potential but the author just did not get the characters right. There is no connection to any of them (boyfriend, sister, dad, etc) and the reader just doesn’t get to the point of caring about them either. Plus as I said it is so unbelievable it just never meshes and it manages to get more off course with every page.

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

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Kimberly’s review of All Summer Long by Susan Mallery

TITLE: All Summer Long
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE:   07/31/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Can a summer fling turn into love that lasts a lifetime? Former underwear model turned entrepreneur Clay Stryker has loved, tragically lost and vowed that he’ll never risk his heart again. After making his fortune, the youngest of the rugged Stryker brothers returns to Fool’s Gold, California, to put down roots on a ranch of his own. But he’s frustrated to discover that even in his hometown, people see him only for his world-famous…assets.

Firefighter Chantal (Charlie) Dixon grew up an ugly duckling beside her delicately beautiful mother, a feeling reinforced long ago by a man who left soul-deep scars. Now she has good friends, a solid job and the itch to start a family-yet she can’t move toward the future while she’s haunted by painful memories.

Clay finds an unexpected ally, and unexpected temptation, in tomboyish Charlie, the only person who sees beyond his dazzling good looks to the real man beneath. But when Charlie comes to him with an indecent proposal, will they be able to overcome their pasts and find a love that lasts beyond one incredible summer?

REVIEW:
This is the ninth in the Fool’s Gold series. And the last of the Stryker Brother trilogy. And I think Mallery saved the best brother for last. This is the story of Clay and Charlie. We met Charlie a few books back. She is a Fool’s Gold firefighter and Clay is a NYC underwear model.

I will be honest, I could not imagine these two together. I imagined Charlie something like Kristen Johnston from “3rd Rock from the Sun” tv show. And Clay something like Matthew McConaughey. Just not a couple that would look good together but something about them just meshes really well once you start reading. Not only does Charlie believe she is far from feminine she was raped years ago and has never gotten beyond the trauma of the incident and trusting in a man. When she befriends Clay she feels he might be the one to help her get beyond her past. Clay just wants to move past his reputation of being a model and being dumb, spoiled and stand-offish. The interesting thing is both of them just want to be “normal”.

Any woman who has had trauma in her life, even if it was not a rape, can relate to Charlie. She is written so strong physically and will do anything for her friends but when it comes to men there is a vulnerability that any woman can relate to. Then Clay comes into her life. I loved the way he was written. He is so sensitive to her mind, body and heart. He is willing to take it slow with Charlie even when she doesn’t think that is what she wants. Every woman who has been through a trauma should have a man like Clay.

While I would suggest reading the entire series, this book really can stand alone. But I would strongly recommend the entire series. Mallery has a way of bringing you right into her world of Fool’s Gold and you never want to leave.

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