Tag Archives: fiction

Ripped by Katy Evans (Book Review)

A ripped rock star with attitude. An ex-girlfriend with a reckless plan.

Pandora assumed getting her heart broken by her bad boy ex could only happen once–until Mackenna Jones comes back to town for the biggest concert of his career. They say girls are getting pregnant just thinking about the Crack Bikini tour and it’s destined to be a huge hit.

Oh, it’ll be a hit alright–when Pandora comes out swinging. She and her friend Melanie are determined to humiliate him onstage. But when they’re caught by security and her ex is summoned, Mackenna decides not to press charges if she’ll join him on tour and follow certain conditions–rules designed to give him the upper hand and keep her in close contact with him once again. Soon, the passion they once shared is reignited, and no matter how much Pandora wants to hate him, her hard exterior starts to crack.

And worse: Mackenna knows it, too. But even Mackenna doesn’t know everything…

 
Review
 
Like Pandora and Kenna, we all have done things in our lives we regret. We’ve hurt someone and wish we could undo the past or at least have the opportunity to make amends. Luckily for these two, they did get their second chance – even though it was six years in the making. 
 
For me, I found myself relating to Pandora’s personality. I’m a little spunky, closed off at times due to my upbringing, but when I let my walls down……watch out. 
 
See, I think that’s what makes this a great, memorable story. I saw myself as Pandora, minus the goth look and pink stripe. *smiles* 
 
In a nutshell, her characters come across as “real”.
 
It’s what drew me to Katy’s stories and has me returning with each new release. I think after you read one of her stories, she will become a staple on your bookshelf too. 
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Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤
 
 

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The 2B Trilogy by Ann Aguirre (Multi-Book Review)

(August 26, 2014)
Nadia Conrad has big dreams, and she’s determined to make them come true—for her parents’ sake as well as her own. But between maintaining her college scholarship and working at the local daycare to support herself, she barely has time to think, let alone date. Then she moves into a new apartment and meets the taciturn yet irresistible guy in 1B…
Daniel Tyler has grown up too fast. Becoming a single dad at twenty turned his life upside down—and brought him heartache he can’t risk again. Now, as he raises his four-year-old son while balancing a full-time construction management job and night classes, a social life is out of the question.  The last thing he wants is for four noisy students to move into the apartment upstairs. But one night, Nadia and Ty’s paths cross, and soon they can’t stay away from each other.
 
The timing is all wrong—but love happens when it happens. And you can’t know what you truly need until you stand to lose it.
 
 
Purchase Links —–> PaperbackKindle, and [Unabridged] [Audible Audio Edition]
 
 
 
 
 
(September 30, 2014)
Most people dream about getting out of Sharon, Nebraska, but after three years away, Lauren Barrett is coming home. There are the justifications she gives to everyone else—missing her family, losing her college scholarship. And then there’s the reason Lauren can’t admit to anyone: Rob Conrad, her best friend’s older brother.
Football prowess and jaw-dropping good looks made Rob a star in high school. Out in the real world, his job and his relationships are going nowhere. He can’t pinpoint exactly what’s missing until Lauren comes back to town, bringing old feelings and new dreams with her. But he’s the guy that women love and leave—not the one who makes them think of forever.
 
Though she’s terrified of opening up, Lauren’s ready to take that chance. Because the only thing more important than figuring out where you truly belong is finding the person you were meant to be with.
 
 
Purchase Links —–> Paperback and Kindle
 
 
 
 
(November 25, 2014)
Some people wait decades to meet their soul mate. Courtney Kaufman suspects she met hers in high school—only to lose him at seventeen. Since then, Courtney’s social life has been a series of meaningless encounters, though she’s made a few close friends along the way. Especially her roommate, Max Cooper, who oozes damaged bad-boy vibes from every pore.
Max knows about feeling lost and trying to move beyond the pain—he’s been on his own since he was sixteen. Now it’s time to find out if he can ever go home again, and Courtney’s the only one he trusts to go with him. But the trip to Providence could change everything…because the more time he spends with Courtney, the harder it is to reconcile what he wants and what he thinks he deserves.
 
It started out so simple. One misfit helping another. Now Max will do anything to show Courtney that for every heart that’s ever been broken, there’s another that can make it complete.
  
Purchase Links —–> Paperback and Kindle
 
 
—–>  Review <—–
 
It was quite interesting to read three stories which showcased the men as the emotionally fragile ones. For most of the books on my shelf, the women are usually the sensitive ones, uncertain about their worth, or unsure whether to follow their hearts. 
 
Honestly, it was nice to read/see the inner turmoil men must face just like us women. Who says you need a Alpha dog to make a story engaging; a hit. 
 
Now don’t get me wrong, I still love my strong silent bad boys. However…… these three tales prove that good guys DON’T always finish last. 
 
 
Overall Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤

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Truth or Dare by Lori Foster (Book Review)

Three best friends find this is one game you might never outgrow . . .

Satisfy Me – Asia Michaels and her friends find themselves tantalized by a quiet new arrival in their small town–and by its possibilities. One thing leads to another as truth leads to dare, and Asia’s in the arms of a man who gives her answers to all of the questions she could never ask . . .

Indulge Me – Shy Becky Harte has a private wild side. But she never thought she’d run into a secret crush like George while buying some rather surprising items. George is more than intrigued at her purchases and would love to show the blushing Becky a thing or two. But it’s George who becomes the student when Becky starts calling the shots . . .

Drive Me Wild – Assertive Erica Lee is used to having the upper hand in business, her love life–everything. On a dare, she boldly approaches hunky, mischievous Ian Conrad with a scandalous proposal. Ian isn’t intimidated in the least by Erica–and he’s been hoping for just this opportunity. Seems like Erica might have finally met a man who can keep up with her . . .

I rather enjoyed how the three women challenged each other to a DARE for sexual satisfaction but only had the tables turn on them – quite deliciously, in fact. 
 
And to think men say women are the ones who like to play games. Well, this collection proved that isn’t the case. *grins*
 
My only complaint was the love factor in the relationships seemed rather rushed. However due to them being short stories, I guess it was to be expected. 
 
With that said, each story was sexier than the last and I was hooked from the get go to the bitter end.
 
 
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤
 
~PURCHASE LINKS~

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The ‘Christmas, Colorado’ Series by Debbie Mason (Multi-Book Review)

 

September 2013
Paperback Link
Kindle Link

 

Resort developer Madison Lane is about to lose the one thing she loves most in the world—her job. Dubbed “The Grinch Who Killed Christmas,” Madison spoiled a deal that would turn quaint Christmas, Colorado, into a tourist’s winter wonderland. Now the citizens want her fired but the company gives her one last chance, sending Madison to the small town to restore the holiday cheer.

For Sheriff Gage McBride, no hotshot executive from New York City is going to destroy the dreams of the people he loves. But one look at this beautiful woman and it’s his heart that may be broken. In just a few days, Madison causes more trouble than he’s had to deal with all year. He can’t decide if she’s naughty or nice, but one thing is for certain—Christmas will never be the same again…

 

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REVIEW 
 
Having grown up in a small town myself, I can relate to life in Christmas, Colorado. It’s a blessing and a curse how everyone knows everyone and their business. However, I also know how special it is to have a small group of people as your support team. People who have your back in the good times and bad. 
 
This story depicted life in a small town remarkably well. Of course, there were some differences to my time in one. I never had to deal with a resort attempting to move in or a desperate man willing to do anything to cover his debts. Yeah, my town was simply happy to have one gas station/movie rental/deli. 
 
But friends treating friends like family? She nailed that on the head. Good job! 
 
 
 Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score:❤❤❤❤
 
 
July 2014
 

Grace Flaherty had given up hope of ever seeing her husband again. After all, it’d been over a year since he went missing in combat. So when he strides through the door of her bakery in downtown Christmas one sunny afternoon, she can hardly believe her eyes. But her happily-ever-after is going to take some effort – because Jack has no memory of his family.

All Jack Flaherty remembers about Christmas is that he couldn’t wait to leave town. Now he’s a local hero with a wife and son he doesn’t know. Even as he struggles to rekindle the romance with his wife, he knows in his heart what he wants: a second chance at love.

 

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Review
 
Damn, I can’t fathom what Grace and Jack had to deal with. A husband, who returns after being a POW for seventh months, would be enough for any man or woman to handle. 
 
Wait, there’s more……
 
Jack returned without his memories of his wife and child. On top of that, while he was being held captive, he got too close to another POW — a female journalist, Maria. 
 
Once he came home and found out he was married with a toddler, he tried to break it off with Maria – the journalist. However, she didn’t get the hint knowing very well why they couldn’t be together. 
 
After his memory returned, things still weren’t kosher between him and his wife. They both changed. 
 
Things were definitely tense at the homestead. 
 
He didn’t want to live in Christmas, Colorado. He wanted no part of the bakery his wife was running. He also didn’t know how to reach Jack Jr. The little rascal wasn’t a fan of his dad. In fact, he was calling Sawyer his “da” since Sawyer, Jack’s best friend, had been there for Grace and little Jack while big Jack redeployed and was lost to his family for almost two years.
 
Yeah, Sawyer fell in love with Grace. Maria fell in love with Jack. 
 
See what I mean, their life was one ginormous clusterfuck. 
 
And that’s why this story was a good tale. There was always something happening and the lull parts were few and far between. 
 
 
 Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score:❤❤❤❤
 
 
 
September 2014
Paperback Link
Kindle Link

 

Free-spirited activist Skylar Davis is out of money and out of options. After using up her trust fund trying to save the world, she hides out in Christmas, hoping the kindness of friends will help her forget the reckless actions of her past. All goes well . . . until she comes face-to-face with one of her mistakes: the town’s gorgeous young mayor.

Ethan O’Connor likes his life drama-free and predictable now that he’s about to make the move from small-town politics to the Colorado State Senate. Then Skye blows back into town, as impulsive and passionate as he remembers. If word ever got out about their night together-the night he’s never been able to forget-the scandal could cripple his career. Yet as he starts his campaign, Ethan finds that, like the town of Christmas itself, he can’t get Skye out of his head . . . or his heart.

 

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Review
 
The last thing Ethan, a politician  needed in his life was an Environmental Activist. Skylar was a complication he didn’t need while running for a Senate position. However, despite her differing views, vegan lifestyle, checkered past, he still fell in love with her. And Skylar fell in love with him just as hard. 
 
Like many romantic tales, they had obstacles to overcome before they achieved their HEA. Their biggest obstacle was themselves. They didn’t communicate and without the assist from some good-hearted, but meddlesome friends/family, I don’t think they would have gotten past themselves long enough to admit they were wrong and start anew. 
 
Moral of the story —- To have a long, happy relationship YOU must keep the lines of communication open with your partner. Keeping things bottled up only causes problems and unnecessary heartache. 
 
 
 Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score:❤❤❤❤

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Christmas at Twilight by Lori Wilde (Book Review)

It’s Christmas in Twilight, Texas. The Cookie Club is baking, the town is decorated, and Delta Force Operator “Hutch” Hutchinson has finally, reluctantly, returned home . . .

. . . only to get pepper sprayed by the delicious- looking stranger who’s taken over his house. She says her name is Jane, and she immediately sets down ground rules. Top priority: no touching. For Hutch that isn’t easy—he was wounded in action, but one part is still working very well.

Then Hutch learns the truth. Jane harbors a frightening secret—she’s really Meredith Sommers, on the run from a dangerous ex-husband and desperately in need of the safety Hutch can provide. In that moment, he vows he’d do anything in his power to protect her. And as Christmas approaches, they discover that their love can conquer the past and overcome any obstacle—but what price will they pay?

 
 
Review 
 
If you are looking for a story full of miracles, then this is the story for you. Hutch came back into town a broken man, both physically and mentally, but with the love of a good woman he overcame the trauma. 
 
Jane aka Meredith, also had some demons to vanquish. Her demon came back into her life and in a major way. She literally had the fight of a lifetime on her hands and through it all was Hutch. 
 
As for Hutch’s sister who disappeared shortly after the start of the book. I won’t tell you what happened to her but I will say she makes an impact upon her return.
 
And of course, as you can assume with most Christmas tales, there was a happy ending for Hutch and Meredith. 
 
Heart rating system – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤
 
 
PURCHASE LINKS: Kindle / Paperback

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