Tuesday 30 September 2014

REVIEW - Never Seduce a Sheikh by Jackie Ashenden

The Book
Release Date: 10 October 2014
Goodreads Link

How deep into the darkness will she have to go to help bring him into the light?

Oil baronness Lily Harkness isn't so much steel magnolia as titanium cactus. She's used to living in a man's world and when she plays, she plays to win. She wants exclusive oil rights to ensure her company remains at the top and she's not walking away empty handed.

Sheikh Isma'il al Zahara rules his country his way. Always in command, he has his own plans for his country's oil and it's not just about the money. But he's intrigued by the buttoned up business woman who's come to his country to strike a deal. He can't help but wonder what's beneath her icy facade.

Lily's desires are buried down deep, but her attraction to Isma'il is too strong to deny. Will seducing the sheikh cost Lily her body and her soul?

My Opinion  5 STARS
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Tule Publishing for an honest review**

I have read almost all of the novels that Jackie Ashenden has written and I have not read a book yet that I would rate below a four star.  Jackie Ashenden has a one-click stop for me and so far it has not steered me wrong.

Both of our characters in this novel have a darkness in their past that they have not come to terms with, let alone talked with to another person.  However both see a corresponding darkness and pain in the other that seems to set them free in more than just one way.  Lilly thought she had put the incident behind her and moved on, only to realise that she had not, whilst Isma'il thought the darkness he hides was a bad thing and that he was tainted and therefore not worthy of Lily's kind of love.

Both find solace and comfort with the other and a cleansing that no other has given to them before.  Their emotions run hot and Lily finds herself having to stand up for what she wants and pushing Isma'il not to run away.

A brilliant read that had me turning page after page and not being able to put the book down.

Monday 29 September 2014

BLOG TOUR (Review) - Legally Undead (Vampirarchy #1) by Margo Bond Collins

The Book
Release Date: 27 May 2014
Goodreads Link

A reluctant vampire hunter, stalking New York City as only a scorned bride can.


Elle Dupree has her life all figured out: first a wedding, then her Ph.D., then swank faculty parties where she’ll serve wine and cheese and introduce people to her husband the lawyer.

But those plans disintegrate when she walks in on a vampire sucking the blood from her fiancĂ©, Greg. Horrified, she screams and runs—not away from the vampire, but toward it, brandishing a wooden letter opener.

As she slams the improvised stake into the vampire’s heart, a team of black-clad men bursts into the apartment. Turning to face them, Elle realizes Greg’s body is gone—and her perfect life falls apart.

My Opinion  3 STARS

**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**


This is a book where the vampires really are the bad guys and they keep to the same idea that we are used to. They come out at night, they drink blood, their dead and they can be killed by stake or beheading.

Elle is a strong funny character and the action happens for her right from the beginning. Her fiancé is killed and turned in front of her before vampire hunters come and clear up.

Of course our girl gets herself mixed up and right up with the action endangering another civilian who is an almost new boyfriend.

This is more of a vampire action novel than a romance novel. No sparks fly, there is no sexual tension, you just wonder if or when its going to happen and with whom.

The ending with Malcolm just seemed added in and added nothing, unless it was just a release. It just seemed pointless and thrown in.

Otherwise it was a good vampire hunting novel.

Sunday 28 September 2014

REVIEW - Finding Home by Roxanne Snopek

The Book
Release Date: 25 September 2014
Goodreads

Fourteen years after her abrupt departure, Samara Davis is back in Marietta, Montana. Now a widow, all she wants is to give her anxious four-year old daughter, Jade, a happy, stable home. Unfortunately, the heritage house she purchased is nowhere near ready for occupancy. And the man responsible for the delay is none other than high-school golden boy and love of her life Logan Stafford, available, interested and just as swoon-worthy as ever.


But this single mother has one priority. She’s all Jade has, and she’ll do anything, make any sacrifice, for her child’s future. And getting distracted by a long-lost boyfriend is not on the agenda.

Logan Stafford never forgot the lonely girl from the wrong side of the tracks who broke his heart. Not only is she as irresistible as ever, but her delightfully odd little girl has him wrapped around her finger in no time. Believing they’ve been given a second chance, Logan’s determined to pull out all the stops on the house to prove to them both that he’s a guy they can count on. But, despite how easy it is to love Logan, a second chance is still a gamble Samara can’t afford to take.

My Opinion  3 STARS

**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is a very clean and fairly PG rated romance story with the adage that with a second change at love, perhaps your first love was the man for you after all and being a novella it took no time to read at all.


Samara and her daughter Jade go to Marietta, Montana a year after her husbands death so that she can move on in a safe environment for Jade.  Samara has MANY issues in this book, but Logan does help her with some of them.

Logan is a complete sweetheart and certainly jumps into the dating pool with Samara with his shoes on and wastes no time in getting time with her when she arrives in town.  Logan is soft yet firm in all occasions and especially good with Jade when she goes off on one.

Really fell in love with Logan :)

Saturday 27 September 2014

REVIEW - Reforming the Rock Star by Christine Bell

The Book
Release Date: 29 September 2014
Goodreads Link

When Sydney Metcalf's bestie asks her to cater her wedding, Syd can't say no, even though the thought of going back to her hometown makes her break out in hives. She's off to a great start until best man and rock god Lazlo Stone calls with a request for her to cater the bachelor party too. Petit fours adorned with rose petals, she can handle. A cake shaped like boobs for the sexiest guy in the universe? She's not so sure. But this is the chance of a lifetime and she refuses to screw it up by being a prude...

When a sexy stripper dressed as a Plain Jane crashes the bachelor party, Laz is all about getting vertical and making some music with her. Too bad his stripper is really the caterer and the bride's best friend. After a kiss between them blazes out of control, he can't seem to stop thinking about sweet little Syd.

But everybody knows, life on the road and love don't mix... 


My Opinion  0 STARS
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for an honest review**

We have a Rock god that is Lazlo Stone and a very insecure chef Sydney Metcalf.

I loved how Laz perceived Syd from the beginning and helped to make herself feel more secure in who she was.  The guy was nothing but honest from the beginning and the guys backed that up when they needed to.

Syd had many insecure feelings about herself, never thinking she was good enough for anyone in looks or anything, so to have the really good looking Laz after her did kinda confuse her when there are so many nice looking people out there.

A man who would give up everything for you?  A man to keep.  The epilogue was precious.

This did feel like it should have been part of a series, but its still good as a stand alone.

Friday 26 September 2014

BLOG TOUR (Excerpt) - Block (Social Media #3) & COVER REVEAL Status (Social Media #4) by J.A. Huss


BLOCK (Social Media #3) 
By @JAHuss
Publication Date: September 24, 2014
Novella (115ish pages)
Adult Contemporary Romance

Description:

Grace @FilthyBlueBird
@VaughnAsher #YouAreCaredFor So the movie star says. But his idea of cared for isn’t the same as mine. Obviously a #Douche.


MovieStar @VaughnAsher
@FilthyBlueBird #BehindTheScenesIsMyScene The Blue Bird has trust issues. And tantrum issues. And commitment issues.


Grace @FilthyBlueBird
@VaughnAsher #SaidTheKettleToThePot


MovieStar @VaughnAsher
@FilthyBlueBird #YouAreMine and I won’t let you forget it.


Grace @FilthyBlueBird
@VaughnAsher #YouMustShitUnicorns that’s how delusional your fairy tale is. #GetAGripOnReality I’m outtie.


MovieStar @VaughnAsher
@FilthyBlueBird You're an #Innie #Sweetheart :) My tongue licked all your #CuteLittleButtons.


#ForTheLoveOfFilth


Why is he so damn sexy? How will I ever get out from under Asher’s thumb if I can’t stop thinking about his tongue on my buttons? #HottiesNeedToPlayFair

Purchase Links: Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  |  Kobo  |  iTunes  |  B&N



EXCERPT

I head towards the bar and Grace isnt even paying attention. Shes chatting up the bartender, who sees me coming and excuses himself as I take a seat two stools away from her. 
"Hey," I say in a low voice. "Im sorry for picking you up back there. It was presumptuous to think youd talk to me tonight, let alone come up to my room."
"Another margarita," Grace calls out to the bartender.
I catch his eye and hold up a finger. "Scotch, please. Top shelf."
"Im not interested in your excuse, Vaughn. Truly." She looks me in the eyes for the first time tonight. "Truly, I am not interested. Im not playing a game with you. Im not playing hard to get. Im not pretending to be pissed. Im not even pissed. Im just not interested. Youre not the man I thought you were. And I get that I was invested in the fantasy version of you. OK?" she says, shaking her head a little. "I get that. It was my fault for turning you into some kind of Prince Charming. So its not fair that I had such high expectations of you. Im sorry that I blamed you for something I caused."
The bartender delivers our drinks and takes Graces empty glass away. I take a sip of my Scotch, then gulp it all, and slide my glass on the bar. "Another, please." The bartender nods and moves off to get that. I put my head in my hands. "Grace," I say, rubbing my temples. "Just for the fun of it, tell me what that Prince Charming version of me was like. How do I not measure up?" I look up at her, but shes staring down into her pink drink, playing with the paper umbrella. "Was I nicer? Was I more generous? What is the real Vaughn Asher missing?"

She meets my gaze for a moment, but it’s a fleeting one. They drop back down just a quickly and shrugs her shoulders. “I don’t know. The fantasy was… charming. Not just in a princely way, either. But really, really charming. Saying witty things, and being at ease with himself and others. He jokes with me and makes me laugh. You" She doesnt look at me, just continues to stare into her drink. "You make me sad. You make me feel inadequate. You make me feel stupid and small and pathetic."
Fuck. "How though? How did I do that? Because that was not my intention. OK?" I reach out and cover her small hand with mine. "I never wanted to make you feel like that. I wanted to excite you."
She looks up at my eyes and I almost wish she hadnt. Her expression is overflowing with disappointment and she looks tired. She does look sad. She looks like she cried very hard earlier and the makeup cant quite hide that. "You wanted to excite yourself, Vaughn. You wanted to please yourself. Not me. Everything you did, from picking out those clothes to putting money in my bank account, all of it was for your benefit. You lie to yourself, I think. Youre one long string of self-serving lies. I dont know how you do it, or how you get so many girls to play along. But all your best intentions were nothing but really good deceptions. And even though I know in my heart" she clenches her fist and holds it over her chest"that the fairy tale is fake, that it doesnt exist and Im setting myself up for disappointment, I dont care. Because I deserve that happy ending, Vaughn. I do. You might not think so. You might think Im just some silly girl who has no right to expect so much from a man. But I dont care. Maybe that man doesnt exist and maybe Ill spend the rest of my life alone, waiting for my prince. I dont care. I refuse to play this game with you."
And then she reaches into her little clutch purse to grab her credit card and wave it at the bartender. "Im done, Vaughn. And for what its worth, I do believe you about that girl on the TV. Thank you for the charity money. I will make sure it goes to worthy organizations and send you the receipt so you can claim it on your taxes."


INTRODUCING STATUS – Social Media #4
STATUS (Social Media #4) 
By @JAHuss
Publication Date: October 8, 2014
Novella (115ish pages)
Adult Contemporary Romance

Description:

MovieStar @VaughnAsher
@FilthyBlueBird #DirtyHeaven is mine tonight.

Grace @FilthyBlueBird
@VaughnAsher I own #DirtyHeaven, bitch. #VaughnAsherIsMyBitch

MovieStar @VaughnAsher
@FilthyBlueBird #FlashbackTime Get ready.

Grace @FilthyBlueBird
Come here and take off my lip gloss @VaughnAsher #OnMyKneesWaiting

MovieStar @VaughnAsher
@FilthyBlueBird #Flashback to last night. Oh, you weren’t wearing lip gloss. But you are now. #GetOnYourKneesAndWait

Grace @FilthyBlueBird
@VaughnAsher - Dabbing lips with a napkin. #ThatAllYouGot?

Finally... Grace sees me in a different light. The banter is flirty, the sex is fun, and the future looks fabulous. I just hope she feels the same way when she finds out what I did.


PRE-ORDER : Amazon US  |  Amazon UK



AUTHOR BIO
J. A. Huss likes to write new adult books that make you think and keep you guessing. Her favorite genre to read is space opera, but since practically no one reads those books, she writes new adult science fiction, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and books about Junco (who refuses to be saddled with a label).

She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really–Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master’s degree in forensic toxicology from the University of Florida. She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.

Author Links:  Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter


GIVEAWAY: 

Thursday 25 September 2014

REVIEW - Like (Social Media #2) by J.A. Huss

The Book
Release Date: 10 September 2014
Goodreads Link

#WhatADick

Vaughn Asher. I’ve stalked him relentlessly. I shaped and formed my lust into the perfect dirty hashtag…day after day… weekend after weekend. He was my prince. My fairy tale. My fantasy.

I gave him the best years of my online life and what did he do for me? 

Ruined my social media experience one tweet at a time. That’s what.

MovieStar @VaughnAsher
@FilthyBlueBird #Fantastic #BackToNatureFucking
#MissingSomething #You


And now #TheDickWhoIsVaughnAsher thinks he can weasel his way back into this filthy blue bird’s Twitter account? He’s wrong.

His public fantasy is about to collide… ah, fuck it. He’s hot as hell, bitches. I need more than a free sample. This time I want it all and I’ll do whatever it takes to get it.

My Opinion  5 STARS
Loved that we got to more of the private side of Vaughn Asher than the public facade and his alpha side.

This time it is Vaughn Asher that is stalking, and his stalking the woman that he just can't forget, Grace.  I think we also want to know what it is about her childhood that she is hiding.

Vaughn shows a sweet side, but he also ups-the-anty on the alpha dom side him, which at times makes him out in a bad light.

The book as with all serials just you more information, but also leaves you wanting to know what is going to happen next and desperate for the next book.

So glad that the next book is due out imminantly.

Wednesday 24 September 2014

REVIEW - Taken, Not Spurred (Lone Star Burn #1) by Ruth Cardello

The Book
Release Date: 23 September 2014

Previously published as Gentling the Cowboy, part of the Texan Nights series.
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ruth Cardello comes the steamy debut to the Lone Star Burn series.
Would-be writer Sarah Dery has just turned twenty-five and feels like her life is on hold. She’s done squat with her English degree and is just killing time working for her parents. So, when the opportunity to spend the summer working on a ranch in Texas comes her way, she jumps at the chance—figuring it might be just the jolt she needs to get her creative juices flowing.
Tony Carlton is a handsome and reclusive horse trainer with a tortured past and an eye for trouble, this time in the form of a naked blonde stranger he finds in his shower.
The wrong turn that led Sarah into the arms of this sexy, brooding cowboy turns out to be just what she needed to find her steamy inner voice, but will their connection be enough to break down Tony’s defenses?
My Opinion  5 STARS
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Montlake Romance for an honest review**

If your name is Tony Dalton, expect your quiet ordered life to be completely turned around by the lost Sarah Dery.

Sarah has travelled down to Texas to spend the summer with her friend Lucy on her Ranch, but has unwittingly found herself on another Ranch in the same name in a town with a similar name.

The closed off Tony doesn't quite know what to make of Sarah and makes the first mistake when he invites her to stay for the night when she can't contact her friend.

Tony makes more and more concessions for the girl as she keeps trying to leave, to the amusement of his staff.

There are many funny moments, many self healing moments and many steamy moments.  There is more than enough to keep most romance readers very happy and clambering for more.

I can't wait for the next book in the series to be release.

Tuesday 23 September 2014

REVIEW - Sicilian Engagement by Rachel Lyndhurst

The Book
Release Date: 29 September 2014
Goodreads Link

Money buys the perfect woman …

Billionaire Sicilian, Lorenzo Ferrante, needs a fake fiancée, and fast, in order to close a deal that will set him free from ties to a sordid past he never wanted any part of. Starting fresh somewhere else is all he wants for himself and his little girls...

 Lora Pryce-Howard has been conned into playing Ferrante's fiancĂ©e thanks to her low life brother. And if she wants to keep her business, a roof over her ailing mother's head, and her brother alive she'll play along. She refuses to be seduced by a luxurious Mediterranean lifestyle, but Ferrante's soft words and burning kisses make leaving all the more difficult...


My Opinion  5 STARS
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for an honest review**

The Italian Shark who becomes a right softie with the right woman.


Lorenzo is nicknamed The Shark for the way he does his business dealings and right now to close a deal he needs a fake fiancee.  Lora has been set up for this job by her no-good brother who has gotten himself into trouble.

Lora helps Lorenzo in many ways, with his deal, migraines,= and with his family.  Things happen quickly between them as lust takes them over.  However Lorenzo is not used to feisty woman who stand up for themselves  and he finds her a challenge in many ways.

Of course both do not guard their hearts properly and Lorenzo makes a mistake.

It would not be an Entangled book however until we get our HEA, and we do.

It would have been nice however to get an epilogue.

Monday 22 September 2014

BLOG TOUR (Review) - Unspeakable Truths by Alice Montalvo-Tribue

The Book
Release Date: 16 September 2014
Goodreads Link

Everything I ever learned about fairy-tales was a fucking lie…

Four years ago, my life was everything I wanted it to be: I had everything I wanted, everything I needed, in my best friend and newly wedded husband—Tyler.

Yet, hours after we said "I do," I lost him.

Forever...

The dreams we'd shared, the future we'd planned—all of our hopes and desires, were ripped away in mere seconds. 

And now, four years later, my life still feels like a hopeless eternity.

So, I guess it's quite fitting that the last person I want to hear from is currently standing at my front door. 

He wants to tell me the truth about that night, he wants to be my new knight in shining armor, but the thing is…

He was the best man...


Buy Links: Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  | iTunes  |  Kobo  |  B&N 

My Opinion  5 STARS
**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

WOW, just WOW.  This book really grips you from the first page and takes you on a really emotional journey with Everly and what she has, and is still going through four years after her husbands (Tylers) death.

The prologue starts at their wedding and finishes the next day before he dies.  You see how they are both totally in love with the other, with how Everly wants her forever with the man who seems so sweet and perfect.

Chapter one starts four years later with the mess that is still Everly.  She has pushed as many people as she can away.  She's lonely, still grieving all these years later and unable to get out the blackhole that she still finds herself in. 

However it is when her husbands best friend (Luca) comes back home after these four years that her world get completely and totally turned around.  Things she thought to be true are turned around, and suddenly Tyler is not the man that he seemed and Luca is the man that forces her out of her secluded little world and brings her back out of her protective shell.

Of course true love never runs smooth and there is a hurdle or too for them to climb over and Everly looses her way.  But friends are there to help her, and Luca through it all is lovely, never making her feel bad for still loving Tyler.  Her accepts everything except her cowardice and helps her through moving on...with him.

I certainly needed tissues for the first few chapters and am really glad that I got a chance to read and review this book.

Sunday 21 September 2014

BLOG TOUR (Review, Excerpt & Gieaway) - Steal My Heart (Heroes of Seaside Point #3) by Mia Dymond

Steal My Heart

Steal My Heart 1600x2400

Synopsis
Steal My Heart
Heroes of Seaside Point, Book 3
Realtor Alexa Sharpe enjoys a successful career, confident in her people skills until she must negotiate with a certain, sexy fireman. Never mind that the man could practically melt a glacier, he refuses to stop teasing her which makes any sort of agreement impossible. Both irritated and aroused by his cocky and playful attitude, she skillfully dodges his advances.
Maverick Ryder wears his ladies-man badge with pride, annoying Sexy Lexi every chance he gets. Although attracted to both her brain and her body, a bitter past experience stops him from acting on impulse. Determined not to make a second detrimental mistake, he settles into a routine that keeps them both on their toes.
Eager to strike a deal, the couple finds that teasing leads to full-blown arousal when they are forced into a dangerous game of truth or dare.

Links to Buy:Amazon ~ iBooks ~ Nook ~ Smashwords ~ Kobo

Excerpt
Official uniform, my Aunt Fannie.

 Alexa Sharpe balanced a cardboard box on one hip while she tugged at the hem of her t-shirt with her free hand for at least the millionth time in the last twenty minutes, only to expose the tops of her breasts in the process.

Never mind that the unforgiving cotton hugged her body like a second skin, one more good tug and she’d all but fall out. She exhaled a hard breath as she practically stomped across the dirt, headed for the dugout. She knew better than to make a bet with the devil, but those hypnotizing chocolate-dipped gaze and cocky grin had sucked her in. Again. And honestly, when he’d poked her with his silver-tongued pitchfork, pleasure flooded her lust-filled brain and dared her to spoil the fun.

 Unable to help herself, she pulled on the garment again, still convinced this was some sort of joke. No one played baseball in clothing this tight. No one in their right mind, anyway. And certainly not her. Determined to remedy the situation, she took a deep calming breath, and approached the dugout, prepared to negotiate.

 “Hey, Sexy Lexi.” She shifted the box on her hip and glared at the man who appeared to appreciate the scenery.

“Maverick.” He lifted his gaze and grinned.

“The girls are looking good this morning.”

 “Obviously you ordered me the wrong size.”

 “You told me to order a small.”

 “This is not a small.”

 “Yes, it is. Check the tag.”

 “Did you wash it first?”

 “No.”

 “Then I’m sure it’s a child’s size small.”

 He released a hearty laugh. “Don’t be a sore loser just because you couldn’t get your fine little ass up and over that wall.”

 As badly as she wanted to argue, he had a valid point. They had made an honest wager a month ago; she bet him that she could climb the endurance wall faster than he, and she didn’t. In fact, he had to boost her over the top. She’d always admired Maverick Ryder’s physique, she just didn’t realize how hard it was to carve it. And at least his t-shirt hugged his bulging muscles as well.

 “Fine,” she mumbled as she glanced around the field.

 “Where are the boys?”

 He frowned. “What boys?”

 “Your baseball team,” she drawled.

 He gave her a grin that made her want to yank that pesky top over her head and press the girls to his hard chest.

“I don’t coach boys or baseball.” 

“Really? Then why do you need a bat girl and why am I here?” 

“The Seaside Seagulls are an eight-year-old girls’ softball team. Think you can handle it?”

 “Piece of cake.”

 “Good, because you’re on.” He gestured with his head across the field where several little girls walked toward them.

 Lexi rolled her eyes at his lack of confidence. She was a girl, for Pete’s sake, of course she could entertain his female team.

 Unless there was something else Maverick failed to mention.

My Opinion  3 STARS
**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

I was slightly disappointed with this story.  I had looked forward to reading this after the end of book two, but the whole story went so quickly and went so fast with everything that I felt that something had been missed out.


Books one is so much better.

Again we had our baddies, but the whole story kinda just felt forced in regards to the suspense.  The relationship went from just teasing buddies in the first book to almost fully fledged lovers right off the bat.  

We got to see some more of the others, but not too much.  

Again, sadly disappointed with this book.


diamondAbout The Author Mia Dymond I write contemporary romance novels with sexy, alpha males and females with attitude to boot. I live in a zoo,hold down a full time job, and am trying to coax my creative muse from her cage. So BEWARE, the madness may rub off on you! ~ Facebook  

Other books in this series: Book One-Tattoo My Heart -FREE on AMAZON and iBooks for a limited time  It all began with a sixth shot of Tequila ... Independent, carefree Annessa Dupree knows she has a knack for attracting trouble but doesn't realize her true talent until she witnesses a wedding day murder. Armed with the terrible secret, running home is her only option. Sheriff Casey McIntyre has loved Annessa since the tender age of twelve, trouble and all. Hell-bent on mending past differences between them, he welcomes her home with open arms. When Annessa is forced to reveal the real reason for her return, Casey must save her life while earning her trust.  

Book Two - Cross My Heart Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ IBooks ~ Barnes & Noble Sometimes honesty is a bitter pill to swallow. Attempting to escape a minor distraction in her medical career, Dr. Verity Thomas finds that statement to be true when she keeps her past private and her present, secret. Only, her meticulously-planned intentions go horribly wrong when her skeletons escape from the closet and take center stage. Paramedic Travis Dupree vows to keep Verity's secrets, determined to crack her resolve in the process. Although he isn’t quite sure of her motives, intuition tells him he is wired to cope with the female psyche. After all, he has raised a pair of mischievous twin girls – he deserves a gold medal for patience. When minor distraction becomes a major roadblock, Travis is forced to break his word and the couple must dismember the skeletons bone by bone in order to build a future.  

Giveaway
Mia is giving away a $10 amazon gift card and 3 swag packs

Saturday 20 September 2014

REVIEW - All Bets Are On by Cynthia Cooke

The Book
Release Date: 22 September 2014
Goodreads Link

A paranormal category romance from Entangled's Covet imprint... 

The Prince of Hell needs to get laid. Well, according to his minions, anyway. Now Derek Wescott, ruler of the Eighth Level of Hell, has been set up on an online date. And worse still, his minions are placing bets that Derek won't be able to entice the sweet yet plain Jaclyn Reynolds into bed before midnight. But Derek has no intention of losing the bet. Not now. Not ever.

Jaclyn, on the other hand, is in danger of losing everything. The charity she runs is in trouble, and she is desperate for cash. The moment she sees her absolutely gorgeous—and insanely wealthy—date, she knows she's in way over her head. She also knows his type all too well, and it will be a cold day in Hell before she ever gets into his bed. Yet Derek offers her a friendly wager: he'll give $10,000 to her charity if she can resist him.

The wagers have been set. The game has begun. And Derek will do just about anything to ensure that Jaclyn is completely—and infernally—his...


My Opinion  5 STARS
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for an honest review**

Awwww. The Prince of Hell has a soft side, and he finds it along with enticing banter and increasing lust with Jaclyn.

Derek, The Prince of Hell has been set up my his minions for a date because they believe he is crabby and unhappy and therefore believe that he has to rectify this by getting laid.  However the girl that they had picked is a mousy little thing who tells him straight off that he is not her type.

A man not used to being turned down, along with having a bet with his minions can't believe his luck and so makes a bet with Jaclyn that she can't refuse.

The banter between them is fun, the tension ratchets up very quickly becoming hot lust and sexual encounters.

The minions are quite funny in their own way and seem to both annoy and amuse the Prince.  This mother and his sister however are more than annoying.

Jaclyn is a witty strong woman with a mind of her own, but finds that the more time she spends with Derek, the more she wants him.  With betrayal from a friend, Jacyln sees that the only one helping her is the man that she is falling for.  However his sister drops a massive bomb on her head.

Loved the ending.  The surprise father for Derek and the happiness that they have created seemed lovely.  Also loved how he was standing up more to his mother and not caring so much about the things his mother say is cool.

This book went far too fast for my liking and I would love to hear what happens with Deidre and Trish.

Friday 19 September 2014

REVIEW - The Cottage Next Door by Natasha Moore

The Book
Release Date: 16 September 2014
Goodreads Link

It's tough to grasp a second chance at love when you re holding on to the past.

After his wife died in a car accident, bestselling author Hunter McCaffrey stopped writing—and stopped living. He's rented a beachfront cottage to try to get his head on straight, and start the long climb up from his pit of despair.

Instead of pounding out a first draft, though, he runs the beach, drinks away his pain, and tries to ignore the vibrant woman in the cottage tucked next to his.

Still floundering months after the loss of her adventure-junkie husband, Sylvie Chase hopes some beach relaxation will help her decide what to do with the rest of her life. Instead she's wondering what to do about her unexpected attraction to Hunter, who makes her body long for the feel of his arms around her.

As Sylvie drags Hunter back to the land of the living, soon they're agreeing to a short fling. Just to get past their sorrow, not because it means anything. But when emotions get in the way, it's a struggle to leave the past behind and dare to love again.

Warning: This story has plenty of sun and sand, with an energetic golden retriever thrown into the mix. Prepare to laugh and cry and cheer for two people who deserve a second chance at love.


My Opinion  5 STARS
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Samhain Publishing for an honest review**

This book is perfect for a lazy day in the sun on the beach especially as its so short.

Two people who have lost their marriage partners find themselves right next to each other in cottages on the same stretch of the Florida coast.

Hunter is still in a slump two years after the death of his wife and has not written another novel since.  Whilst  Sylvie is getting over the death of her husband six months ago after an accident just days after Hunters wife died.

Both find unexpected attraction and the easy of talking to each other ends up getting them closer and closer together.

I love the interaction between the two characters and the dog especially as they start falling for each other.

I do wish however that the epilogue had been a little longer.

Thursday 18 September 2014

REVIEW - Vicky Angel by Jacqueline Wilson

The Book
Release Date: 1 March 2007 (Originally 2000)

No. 86 - The BIG Read

Every time a new Jacqueline Wilson book arrives, there is always a small part of every reviewer that dreads opening the book in case this time the author has missed the mark. But as yet, Wilson has never disappointed either the critics or her customers, and with Vicky Angel she once again pulls a little magic out of the hat and delivers another stunning novel with her trademark sensitivity and panache.
Jade and Vicky are best friends, but when Vicky is killed in an accident she doesn't let a little old thing like being dead interfere with her life. Instead, she continues as normal, following Jade around, telling her what to do, how to think, how to behave and ruining any chance Jade may have to make new friends. Eventually Jade tires of it all, and although she still loves Vicky deeply, she realises she has to get on with her own life.
Once again, Wilson digs deep and delves into tricky territory with a tenacity that at first shocks; but within a few minutes the shock subsides and the reader is drawn into Jade's world, willing her to come to terms with Vicky's death and praying that she will soon find her own way.
As ever, Wilson's characters are beautifully observed, and the story is filled to the brim with an emotional truth that is awe inspiring and captivating. Jade's response to Vicky's death, her realisation that the pedestal on which Vicky was placed during her short life was not as stable as she first believed and the ultimate release from the burden of guilt and love are dealt with with a sleight of hand that allows the reader to become completely involved with the story without a hint of darkness, captured instead by a lightness of touch that can only serve to make Wilson's peers green with envy.
The Illustrated Mum was the absolute best. Vicky Angel, a sort of Truly, Madly, Deeply for kids, runs an extraordinarily tight second. (Age 8 and over) --Susan Harrison
My Opinion  3 STARS
This book is for years 8+ and deals with the issues of death, grief and moving on.

Jade loses her best friend and sidekick as they are walking home from school and having an argument that Vicky always gets her way. They never do anything that Jade wants.

But Jade can't move on to make new friends and she keeps seeing the ghost of Vicky who is not very pleasant. 

Fatboy Sam is a lovely character who doesn't give up, even though at times she is really mean to him.

I'm not sure we really needed the dysfunctional parents added into the story making things harder for poor Jade. 

I never picked up the Jacqueline Wilson books up as a kid and am only reading them as part of the big read, but I don't think They would have been my kind of books back them either.


Wednesday 17 September 2014

REVIEW - The Crystal Slipper by Selena Fulton

The Book
Release Date: 22 September 2014
Goodreads Link

A paranormal category romance from Entangled's Covet imprint... 
 Sometimes you just have to believe... 
A single crystal slipper . It was probably the weirdest gift librarian Celinda Branham ever received during a Christmas gift exchange. Who would even wear these in the real world? Not Celinda, wearer of sensible shoes and fairy tale naysayer. That said, she certainly has the requisite wicked stepmother, irritating stepsister, and empty bank account. Of course, if she actually believed in all that fantastical junk, she could wait for her Prince Charming... Only Prince Charming doesn't exist. But Preston Chandler believes in fairy tales. Oh, does he ever . All he did was spurn the advances of a certain witch, and now his sister is under a sleeping spell. And the only way to break it? Find the other glass slipper and give someone "Love's First Kiss." But when Preston finally tracks down Celinda, he's dismayed to discover that the shy librarian who owns the other shoe has no interest in anything remotely resembling magic—including love. Now he must find a way into his Cinderella's cynical heart, or lose his sister... and his only chance for true love.

My Opinion  2 STARS
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for an honest review**

The write-up and the premise of this story pulled me in, however the book itself didn't pull me in and I found it a bit lackluster and dull.

T's a modern day Cinderella story with a little Sleeping Beauty thrown in for fun.

It was semi ok until the ending which didn't gel well with me abd left me feeling disappointed.

Tuesday 16 September 2014

BLOG TOUR (Review & Giveaway) - Saddles and Sin (Lonesome Point, Texas #2) by Jessie Evans



The Book
Release Date: 16 September 2014
Goodreads Link

From New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Jessie Evans.

Even sweet cowboys have a sinful side…

Robert Lawson—Bubba to his friends—is six feet, four inches of tall, dark, and handsome cowboy, with a panty-melting voice and a face made to launch a country music career. But when his family’s ranch hands go down with the flu, Robert cancels his high-profile auditions in Austin, and returns home to Lonesome Point to help out. Fortune and fame are all well and good, but family and friends come first. Besides, he’s ready to enjoy some off-the-clock time with his manager, a woman who has him dying to show her what a good man can do to a woman when he’s given permission to be bad.

Marisol Medina has been looking for her golden ticket since she became a country music manager. A scandal with one of her clients nearly destroyed her, but now she's close to launching an artist who will make her career. Robert Lawson has it all—talent, charisma, and a naughty side that flicks all of Marisol’s kinkier switches. But Robert is off limits. She refuses to mix business and pleasure, even if it will be hell resisting temptation while spending a week at the Lawson family ranch, doing her best to convince Robert to ditch the saddle and embrace his future as a star.

But as Marisol and Robert grow closer and the passion between them ignites, Marisol must decide if fear is stronger than love, or if a chance at forever is worth breaking all her rules.


BUY LINKS:  Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks



My Opinion  5 STARS
**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

Another brilliant and really sweet story in the series where the man is strong, steady and polite, but goes for what he wants, and our female character has her own issues to overcome first.

Bubba we met in the first book of the series and we saw how sweet he was there. Here he has started on the path to his singing stardom with his manager Marisol.

We learn that both like a little kink to their sex, but we get nothing more than a little spanking and its still fairly clean. Still the scene by the pool is nice.

We see a little more of Mia and Sawyer and of course Tulsi who will star in book three and I can't wait to read her story. I had a feeling that she would be next and I won't be disappointed.


About Jessie Evans
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessie Evans, gave up a career as an international woman of mystery to write the sexy, contemporary Southern romances she loves to read.

She's married to the man of her dreams, and together they're raising a few adorable, mischievous children in a cottage in the jungle. She grew up in rural Arkansas, spending summers running wild, being chewed by chiggers, and now appreciates her home in a chigger-free part of the world even more. 

When she's not writing, Jessie enjoys playing her dulcimer (badly), sewing the worlds ugliest quilts to give to her friends, going for bike rides with her house full of boys, and drifting in and out on the waves, feeling thankful for sun, surf, and lovely people to share them with.

Connect with Jessie Evans  Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Newsletter


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