Monthly Archives: March 2014

Made for You & Held by You by Cheyenne McCray (2 Book Reviews)

Detective Kelley Petrova’s life hasn’t been easy. The one constant in her adult life has been her career and the ability to make a difference in the lives of abused women and children. Having a capable and dedicated partner like Reese McBride, who also doesn’t happen to be one bit hard on the eyes, only makes her job easier and more worthwhile.

That is, until a string of cases go awry leading to injuries for both Kelley and Reese. When a domestic dispute goes bad and Kelley is shot while a woman is murdered, Kelley’s own personal history forces her to push ahead to find the woman’s killer and the kidnapper of the woman’s daughter. Difficult tasks even when not on a forced leave due to her injuries.

Detective Reese McBride knows his partner of two years is tough, smart, determined and for the first time ever is really noticing just how beautiful she is. Perhaps it’s the vulnerability of her injuries, but he’s having trouble denying his attraction. And forget about keeping her on medical leave, she always seems to be one step ahead of him on the case.
As much as he wants to, Reese can’t keep his partner down and soon they’re chasing after more than just a man and the girl he’s kidnapped. Drugs and a human trafficking ring are exposed and soon Kelley and Reese are running out of time.
The love that has developed between Kelley and Reese grows stronger with each day before they are brutally torn apart. Reese must not only find and rescue the little girl, he’s got to save Kelley before it’s too late.

 
 
Quick Thoughts
 
From beginning to end, this story was action-packed: drug smugglers, kidnappings, car wreck, stand-offs, and not to mention the LOVE scenes. 
 
All the page turning excitement had me blasting through the book in a couple hours. 
 
And the ending chapters, yeah, the mushy stuff arose but I liked it. It was a prefect ending to one HELLER good book! 
 
 
Heart rating system
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤❤
 

 

Purchase links: 
 

 

 
 

Much like Cinderella, Hollie Simmons was waiting for her Prince Charming but wondering if her life was meant to be anything but a fairy tale. A kindergarten teacher, Hollie was raised to be a lady by her southern mother who passed away when Hollie was young. After a speedy remarriage by her father and more losses than she can count, Hollie is left alone in the world with only three cold, abusive stepbrothers who, along with their lowlife friend Freddy, are constantly into trouble of the worst kind and with Hollie as an easy mark.
When John McBride, a police lieutenant, saves Hollie from a nasty fall, she thinks perhaps her prince has finally come in the guise of a man she’s always wanted to get to know but was too shy.
John has seen too many cop marriages fail. He’s married to his job and doesn’t have room or the desire to be tied down. Until Hollie. As a cop he’s learned to trust his gut instinct. Perhaps he should have trusted it when told him to approach her long ago. Is he ready for the forever he sees in her eyes?
When Hollie is framed for a murder she did not commit and the key to proving her innocence seems impossible to find, will John be able to locate the shady character who committed the crime before Hollie is put behind bars? Is their love strong enough to withstand such a hardship to find their happy ending?

 
 
Quick Thoughts!

Way to go Hollie on being a tough ass chick who doesn’t go down lightly. John might’ve came to her rescue but Hollie proved she could handle her own when push comes to shove. 
 
Yeah, we women totally rock!!
 
Only negative comment: It seems lately in the books I’ve been reading, the ladies (in their twenties) are virgins. NOT THAT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT BUT, I hope this isn’t the newest reading trend. I kind of prefer women who have more experience and show the men some moves in the sheets – not vice versa. Just sayin’ 🙂
 
 
 
Heart rating system
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤❤
 

 

 

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Back in Black & Man’s Best Friend (featured in “Tails of Love”) by Lori Foster (2 Book Reviews)

SBC president Drew Black is as controversial as they come. But the hot-headed entrepreneur is a perfect match for his popular sports club venture: uncompromising and extreme. Maybe too extreme. With a reputation for saying what he thinks, Drew’s been causing a lot of friction. That’s why someone’s been called in to clean up his image—before he does any permanent damage.

The lucky lady is Gillian Noode, a PR expert who’s smoothed out the rough edges on many a man. But Drew is rougher than anyone she’s ever met, and he refuses to change for any woman, for any reason. To make matters more complicated, Gillian’s starting to like him raw. Now, opposites aren’t only attracting, they’re igniting. But in the rising heat, which one of them will end up on top?

 
~~ Review ~~
 
I liked the character of Drew except for his repeated use of the word “rack” to describe a lady’s bust. He might’ve had a sailor’s mouth, but he also had a heart of gold. He gave to back to the community and he took great care of his fighters. 
 
As for the wacko in the story, I wasn’t surprised who was behind the bomb threat, hit and run, or the fire at Brett’s place. 
 
Speaking of Brett…. Oh my goodness, he was such a doll. A man whom I’m sure readers will fall in love with, like Audrey. 
 
Heart rating system
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤❤
 
 
 
 


From Seeing Eye dogs to the cat who cuddles in your lap, animals are there for us in more ways than we can count. Helping us get through the day with a wag of the tail and a tilt of the head, they let us know that someone is on our side—no matter what. They also have an amazing ability to break down barriers between people; bringing families and loved ones closer, and giving strangers an excuse to strike up a conversation. In Tails of Love, each writer draws from her own unique perspective on our loyal friends—exploring the many mysterious ways they bring love into our lives.

 
 
 
Review of “Man’s Best Friend
 
At roughly 30 pages, this story was short and sweet. There was no drama, no real connection to the SBC except for the fact that Erin happened to love a Gary, a fighter for the company. But the story wasn’t intended to be about the cage and the fighters. 
 
See below for the reason why the authors gathered again to create this anthology. 
 

“Ten all-new stories that celebrate our animal friends, by bestselling and award-winning authors. All Author and Agent proceeds from sales of the book will benefit the AAF – Animal Adoption Foundation – a no-kill animal shelter in Hamilton, Ohio.”

 
 
Heart rating system
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤

 

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My Man, Michael & Hart and Soul (featured in “Double the Heat”) by Lori Foster (2 Book Reviews)

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On the verge of a title shot match, fighter Michael “Mallet” Manchester is injured in a car accident. And just as quickly as his career was taking off, it’s over. Then Kayli Raine appears, offering him a second chance at becoming whole. Even though Mallet thinks it’s the pain medication talking, he accepts her challenge. And on an extraordinary journey with Kayli, he’ll get a chance to fight again—to save the woman who has saved him.

 

  
Review
 
I was highly anticipating reading Mallet’s story because I enjoyed him so much in “Simon Says”. 
 
However, in the first chapter, the book I assumed would be “realistic” turns into a Sci-Fi story. Let me say, I was extremely disappointed.
 
Ok yeah,  I did like the “The Jetsons” features. If you aren’t familiar with this old-time cartoon, you missed out on a classic. I, for one, could get used to a bed that tidies itself. Any meal you want is merely a voice command away. 
 
But again, my mind couldn’t truly and fully enjoy the tale because of the change in genres. 
 
Before anyone asks, NO the back cover on the book didn’t mention time traveling. 
 
Confused by the switcheroo, I went to her site and noted this under the reading order…..
 
 
(February, 2009)
Berkley · ISBN: 978-0425226292 
 
Michael Manchester and Kaylie Raine
Michael aka Mallet is friends with the other fighters from previous books, and made appearances in those books.
This book is a time travel.
 
 
However, when you are in a store, how many of you actually go to an author’s website to read up on a book? We look at the book summary. Nuff said! 



Heart rating system – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)

Score: ❤❤

Amazon Kindle Link

 
 
 
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With a brand-new novella featuring Hart Winston, whose switch with his identically hot twin brother has landed him in some serious foul play, it’s a safe bet that in the game of love no one is going to follow the rules.

 
 
 
Review of Hart and Soul 

When we were first introduced to Hart and Lisa in “Deuces Wild”, I suspected Lisa was frantically calling Hart to tell him she was pregnant. In “Hart and Soul”, he was under the assumption as well. We were both wrong. I won’t give out spoilers why she was calling but as you can guess, a frantic call is never a good thing. 
 
For a short story, I will say this tale had sex, action, and love. Three things I personally look for in a good book. How about you? 
 
 
Heart rating system – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤
  

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Hard to Handle & Deuces Wild (featured in “Double the Pleasure”) by Lori Foster (2 Book Reviews)

After Fate deals Supreme Battle Challenge (SBC) fighter Harley Handleman a sucker punch, his uncle secretly hires a pretty life-coach to get Harley back in the ring of life. Anastasia Kelley has actually known Harley for years, but never as well as she’s going to now. Hot for his fighter’s form, she has trouble keeping it professional, especially since Harley doesn’t know she was hired. And when Anastasia turns the tables on him, it’s as if he’s been hit below the belt. But that’s also where his uncontrollable lust for her burns.

 

 
Review
 
I know for a fact I’ve never read a MMA story before. Don’t recall reading one about a life coach either. The combination of the two……fantastico. 
 
Oh, I absolutely – positively adored Barber’s role. He was so funny, charming, sexual charged and irresistible to the eyes/body. My only wish was HE had a full length novel.
 
The only snafu, hiccup in the story had to deal with the fight scene. I’ve watched many MMA fights and I know a single punch can knock a fella out; however, I was hoping it wouldn’t have been in the first couple seconds of the first round. 
 
Other than that minor letdown, good job Foster! 
 
 
Heart rating system – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤❤
 
  

 

 

 

New York Times bestselling sensation Lori Foster, USA Today bestselling authors Deirdre Martin and Jacquie D’Alessandro, and Penny McCall come together to deliver four all-new stories of fun and games between friends and lovers in this tantalizing anthology. Included in this spellbinding collection is a brand-new novella featuring Foster’s Winston cousins—sexy twins who use their knock-out mirror-image good looks to switch places and have a little fun with the girls of their dreams.
 
 
 
 
Review of short story – Deuces Wild 
 
Even though Lori does mention SBC and a brother who’s training to fight in the octagon, the story isn’t about him… really. No, it centers around his twin brother, Dex, who’s pretending to be him (Hart) so the family doesn’t know he’s off training in Havoc’s gym.
 
For a short story, this was cute. Dex was adorable and sweet. I thought him buying a cake for his neighbor, turned ladylove, was so very romantic. 
 
Lori did leave me hanging with the whole Lisa/Hart storyline. As I’m writing this, I have no clue who’s the stars of the other books in the series but I’m hoping we haven’t seen the last of Hart. 
 
 
Heart rating system
 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤
 
 

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Causing Havoc & Simon Says by Lori Foster (2 Book Reviews)

 

 
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Sexy, sculpted extreme fighter Dean “Havoc” Connor has knee-melting good looks-and thick skin. But not from his brutal sport’s enclosed rings. Orphaned and torn from his sisters as a boy, he has no family. That is, until he gets a letter revealing how much the once-little girls want him back in Harmony, Kentucky.
To stop his sister from marrying a man as sleazy as he is wealthy, Dean finds himself teaming up with her pretty-but-smart-mouthed friend Eve — who’s heard of “Havoc’s” reputation and doesn’t need some hunk trampling on her heart. Now all Dean has to do is protect his sisters, win Eve over, and expose a devious criminal.
And he thought winning the heavyweight cage fighting belt was hard.
 

Review
 
Many, many times, a friend of mine suggested I should read the creations by L. Foster. Finally my stack of books dwindled down and after a quick trip to the bookstore, I had in my hands the entire fighter series.
 
I must say, I’m pleased with my first taste of Lori. (Gee that sounded way dirtier than I intended.) 
Dean was a such a lovable man. Yeah, a big ole teddy bear who could make you submit, on and off the mat. Yeah folks, I meant that to sound dirty.
I also enjoyed the supporting cast in this story – Gregor, Roger, Eve, Jacki, and Simon…. His brief appearance and the ladies’ reaction to him made me eager to start his story right away. (See thoughts on his story below) 
 

Heart rating system – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)

Score: ❤❤❤❤

 
 
 
 
 
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Ultimate series, a former MMA fighter returns to the ring while a beautiful investigator watches his every move…
 
With his perfectly chiseled, lava-hot body, Simon Evans, ex-fighter, also has a perfect life—great job, great girl, and more than enough dough. All that changes, though, when he catches his girlfriend cheating. To shake things up, Simon goes full-force back into the ring, ready to take out his rage on his opponents…
 
To make matters worse, the father who walked out on Simon and his mom eons ago wants to be back in the picture. He’s hired his stepdaughter, Dakota, to find Simon. Hot on Simon’s heels, the gutsy P.I. puts love on the back burner. But when attempts are made on Dakota’s life, Simon steps in to protect her, all but putting both their hearts on the line…

 

Brief Impression
 

Ok, Simon is fantastic. No doubt about it. But Dakota…. that girl is badass.
I was mentally cheering when she kicked the living shit out of her ex-abusive husband. Marvin learned the hard way that KARMA IS A BITCH! 

Heart rating system – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)

Score: ❤❤❤❤

 

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