Tag Archives: review

August 12, 2016 · 5:00 am

No Pants Required by Kim Karr (Book Review)

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I, Makayla Alexander, am on a mission to reinvent myself. So when a super hot guy boards the plane and flashes his rock hard abs, I pay attention. When he sits next to me and offers me his nuts, I can’t resist. But when I choke on them and he tells me I need to work on my gag reflex, I realize I might be in over my head. 

Before I know it we’re in the lavatory and attempting to join the Mile High Club. Let me just say this…anyone who tells you it’s easy to get it on at 37,000 feet isn’t telling you the truth. After the flight attendant busts us for getting frisky in the air, the only thing that can ease my total and complete mortification is the simple fact that I am never going to see him again. 
    
Hours later, I can’t help but wonder if fate will ever allow me to become a new version of myself.Because Fate, she’s a fickle bitch.Case in point…my seatmate is my new next-door neighbor.Even with the whole fate thing we have going on, we are so not meant to be together. He’s all cool and sexy in that make love not war kind of way. Guys like him are dangerous. With that bring-you-to-your-knees body, that handsome-as-hell face, and that dirty, dirty mouth, I guarantee one glance from him wets every girl’s bikini bottoms. 
    
And then there’s me…the quirky girl looking to find herself in California. All I want to do is learn to let loose. Say words like peace and groovy. Bury my toes in the sand. Who knows, maybe even have sex on the beach. 
 
Unable to get him out of my head, I entertain the thought of being more than just friends. I know the idea is absurd. And yet, I go with it. You see Camden Waters gets me. Really gets me. Like no other guy has before.On this 7-mile stretch of paradise, I decide to keep things simple and just have fun…that is until fate decides to screw with me, again. 
 
Can two people hell-bent on finding themselves realize the search should have ended the day they met? Find out in No Pants Required–a sexy, funny, romantic stand-alone, that will have you hurrying to grab your bathing suit and rushing to the beach to check out every lifeguard on duty.
 
 
 
 
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Our first introduction to Camden (Cam) is not flattering. Unbeknownst to Cam, Makayla is in the private room when he gets oral satisfaction from Vanessa. She’s also there to witness his rudeness before, during, and after the blow job. If you’re like me, you’ll be thinking and calling him all sorts of names… dick, douchebag, asshole. The list goes on. However, once he explains his behavior towards Vanessa, you kind of forgive him. With that said, based off what she did to him, I wonder why he allowed her to suck him off again. Oh wait, he wasn’t thinking — at least not with the head positioned squarely between his shoulder blades.
 
When Makayla and Cam’s paths cross a second time they are aboard the same flight. She doesn’t recognize him because, from her vantage point in the dark room, she never saw his face. While they are seat mates, the fun and their chemistry really heats up until they are caught trying to get some lovin’ in the sky. HOW EMBARRASSING!! 
 
Their flirtatious antics could’ve been restarted if she didn’t notice his chest tattoo (while in the bathroom) and recognized him as the bastard from the club. 
 
Now in the real world, the story would be over but this is the land of make-believe so the show must go on. 
 
They meet again and, this time, they lay all their cards on the table. He explains the club incident and what led up to it. This is the point of the story where you stop calling him a dick and start calling Vanessa a bitch.
 
This is also the point of the story where the sexiness levels goes from from eh to whoa momma!
 
There’re so many funny and sexy moments in this story. Times you laugh so hard you snort and then there’s times you’ll be so turned on you think you’re going to combust from sexual frustration. 
 
Hey, if you find yourself in this situation, do what Makyala did and grab a toy or rub one out like Cam.  😉 
 
On a final note, even though No Pants Required ended on a happy note, Cam pissed me off again towards the last third of their story. For a man who loves her so damn much, why couldn’t he let her in and explains his fears of the future, his plans for himself, and for them. Instead, his ugly side showed up again and this time, I didn’t find myself forgiving him so easily. The end goal was sweet, romantic, but he didn’t have to treat her like an acquaintance when she was supposed to be his everything. 
 
 

Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

Score: ❤❤❤❤

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August 10, 2016 · 5:00 am

Solace: Fae Warriors, Book 1 by Gini Rifkin (Book Review)

 

Solace Goodeve, one of Mother Nature’s favorite Fae Warriors, is assigned to Earth to help save the planet. Reptile invaders, disguising themselves as humans, are waging a takeover—and Mother is mad enough to eat asteroids. Solace is ready to prove herself as a warrior, but having a human for a partner is not in her battle plan—even if the man is rugged, ripped, and ready for action.

Army Ranger, Tanner Jackson, has seen his share of black op missions. The last one took a toll on both body and soul. Tanner isn’t looking for love, even though his new partner is six-foot-tall and drop dead gorgeous. However, after Solace shows him a new meaning to working undercover, he may have to reconsider that possibility.

As the Reps plan to sabotage NOAA, Tanner and Solace must learn to trust one another. But as they’re trying to save the world, Solace and Tanner might just lose their hearts—and that takes the most courage of all.

 
 
 
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(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
Science fiction lovers, I’d like to proudly introduce you to your next favorite book. 
 
In Solace, you’ll watch the Fae Warriors battle Reptilian/Men. A battle which began in chapter one and didn’t let up. In fact, the action will continue in Bliss (Fae Warriors Book 2). FYI: A sneak peek is found following Solace’s glossary.
 
The initial fight scene was pretty extraordinary. Her opponent was no one I’d like to run across in a darkened alley or one heavily lit up either. Reptilians are bad mojo. Let me describe them to you. 
 
Imagine this showdown: Watching a “man” slowly morph into a Reptile… thick green skin, elongated nails, and sporting a lizard head. A creature with lethal pointy teeth, outweighing you by 200 pounds and harboring a very deadly weapon —- a tail. A tail that grew right before Solace’s eyes. Oh, lets not forget he wore scaly body armor. Freaky!!!
 
If I faced one of those abominations, I would definitely develop a full blown case of herpetophobia — fear of reptiles. 
 
If you think you wouldn’t, you would after taking a gander at its genitalia. Huge and thorny. I mean, I’m ok with a little pain with my pleasure but I’m not in the market to get ripped wide open. No way, Jose. This chick would become celibate. 
 
Luckily for Solace, she didn’t have to remain celibate. She found herself an Army Ranger who literally plucked her out of the sky. 
 
With moves like that, I can see why she fell for the human. 😉
 
I’m not sure how long they will stay together since she’s not a human but, for now, their relationship is full speed ahead.  
 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤1/2
 
 
 
 
 

Gini Rifkin writes adventurous romance, past present, and into the future. Her settings include the American West, Medieval England, Victorian England, and contemporary fantasy. When not reading or writing, she has the privilege of caring for a menagerie of abandoned animals including ducks, geese, rabbits, goats, donkeys, and cats. She was born and raised in Illinois where she went to school to become a registered nurse. When struck by wanderlust, she moved to Colorado and met her husband Gary. They shared the journey for 30 years, spending vacations canoeing, doing Mountain Man reenacting, and traveling around this great country. Although Gary has passed on, he left her with the skills to soldier on alone, and a little bit of him lives on in every hero she creates. Her writing keeps her hungry to keep learning new things, and she considers family and friends her most treasured of gifts.

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August 8, 2016 · 5:00 am

Law Of Attraction by Darlene Fredette (Book Review)

 

Lawyer Christina Crawford has a successful career and stable financial future, but is it enough? Her world is disrupted when a routine divorce case means working with a man she never expected—or wanted—to see again. During their first meeting, she can’t deny a connection still exists. Her head warns her to run, but her heart yearns to stay.

Steven Mitchell is ruthless in the courtroom, but outside those doors, his easy charm, good looks, and unlimited stream of female companions gives him an unscrupulous reputation. Six years ago, Christina saw beyond his façade, but the emotions she evoked scared him and he pushed her away. Now he wants a second chance and he is determined to get her back…even if he has to play dirty.

 
 PURCHASE LINKS:  KINDLE / PAPERBACK
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
Five years ago, Christina meets Steven through work, they go from despising each other to liking one another to becoming much more (in a span of three weeks) and is it no wonder why trust wasn’t ever fully achieved. 
 
It takes time and patience to build up trust. Seriously, I don’t think this can be achieved in 3 weeks, especially given their rocky start. (He questioned her character upon their first face-to-face meet.)  
 
He goes from  0-60 without thinking causing him to make one disastrous judgment call after another. All those years ago, his rash actions got her fired, tarnished her reputation, and hurt her in every way possibly.
 
Stephen really needs to learn to think before he speaks. His actions/words keep hurting her, even after they meet again due to a case they are both representing counsel on. 
 
Present day: Stephen’s mouth doesn’t seem to know when to quit. He still hasn’t learned the importance of slowing the eff down.  
 
With their history and his present attitude, I’m thoroughly surprised how quickly she melted in his arms…. again.  
 
As you can guess, I wasn’t a huge fan of their coupling.  
 
Sure, he was sweet towards the end. The letter to her, nice gesture. IMHO, one small gesture doesn’t erase a multitude of  pain. 
 
The only saving grace was Vince. Now him, I couldn’t get enough of and I think you’ll agree with my sentiments after you get a taste of him. 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤
 
 PURCHASE LINKS : KINDLE / PAPERBACK
 
 



An avid reader since childhood, Darlene loves to develop the stories swimming in her head. Following a career path in administration, she excelled in the art of editing and design, which eventually led to a position as Director of Administration and Marketing.

Now, making her dream come true to write full time, Darlene writes heartwarming contemporary romances with a focus on plot-driven page-turners.

Darlene resides on the East Coast of Canada with her husband, daughter, and Yellow Lab. When not working on her next book, she enjoys spending time with her family.

  

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August 6, 2016 · 5:00 am

Asked For by Colleen L. Donnelly (Book Review)

Lana was young when Cletus asked for her. Barely more than a girl when he offered to give Lana a home and her grandmother a pittance to help her survive if Lana would become his wife. Cletus was older, a widower who wanted a wife young enough to be uncomplicated and give him sons. He cared nothing about pretty, and he had no desire for a bride. Just a wife, and only sons.

Lana gave Cletus more daughters than sons, lastly giving him James, the one Cletus referred to as That Boy, the one he claimed wasn’t his. Isolated and without love, Lana forged ahead as mother, as a disappointing wife, the beauty Cletus dismissed in her seen by others who offered their support. Jim, her childhood friend, who never thought she’d be taken away so young to be someone else’s. And Mr. Morgan, Cletus’ nemesis, who said to James, “Your mother’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”

Did she or didn’t she? Was Lana faithful or not? James has the key, That Boy who looks nothing like Cletus, but who walks in his shoes more than anyone else.

PURCHASE LINKS: 
 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
From the very beginning of Asked For, it’s apparent Lana’s life was not going to be the fairy tale life most little girls dream about. While she’s still in 8th grade (time period 1920’s), she forced to wed Cletus. He doesn’t want a typical marriage with love, laughter, and equal partnership. No, he basically wants a workhorse who will bear his children….preferably sons. It’s obvious by his behavior girls are subpar. Heck, he showed no love for his sons either. 
 
Really, the only one he seemed to love was himself and that was debatable. 
 
Lana, though, loved her children with all her heart and, in time, grew to love herself. Glen, the true gem of the story, brought much joy to their family. He wasn’t her husband, nor the father to her children, but he showed more attention, love, patience, and support than Cletus. 
 
He was their family. He was the man Cletus should’ve been and the man James (youngest child) mirrored. 
 
Word of warning……
 
Asked For is not a fast pace, gotta keep reading until I fall asleep, story. 
 
No, it’s rather slow at times. 
 
However I believe every aspect of her life, the good and bad, were vital in us (the readers) understanding the true depth of Lana’s strength & determination to have a better life for her children. 
 
  
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5
(highest)  
Score: ❤❤❤
  
PURCHASE LINKS: 
 
 

Colleen L. Donnelly has her roots in the rural Midwest of the US, but moved around and explored other cultures as an adult. Those other areas were fun and they were exciting, but…there’s no place like home, so she’s back in the Midwest.

Colleen works as a laboratory technician by day, but spends her evenings writing, poised in front of her laptop until she can’t think any more. Her story ideas come from observing people, pondering their dilemmas, and adding a twist of her own.

Other interests are/have been bicycling, antiquing, anything outdoors, furniture refinishing, and raising pets or small barnyard types of animals. Last thing in the world she would be caught doing – “vegging” in front of a television. She loves a good movie on occasion, but most of the time, the TV is off.

colleenldonnelly@gmail.com
http://www.colleenldonnelly.com/ 
https://colleenldonnelly.wordpress.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/colleen.donnelly.568
ttps://twitter.com/ColleenLDonnell

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August 2, 2016 · 5:00 am

Renegade Heart by Nina Barrett (Book Review & Author Interview)

 

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As if Vegas didn’t have excitement enough, December brings the National Finals Rodeo to the city. Heading the Imperial Hotel’s participation as a host hotel, Kerstin Hennepin is rushing to a meeting when a fall sends her tumbling into a stranger’s arms and he’s in no hurry to let her go.

Jake Aaron is a troubleshooter for the rodeo Or maybe he’s just plain trouble. Their attraction is instant and one close encounter leads to another, but Jake comes with plenty of questions. True he’s busy handing the offstage antics of rowdy rodeo contestants, but does his job also include romancing a young barrel rider and carrying a concealed weapon?

With the finale of the Finals approaching, Kerstin needs answers. But when her search for the truth reveals more is going on behind the scenes than on the arena floor, she and Jake are squarely in someone’s cross hairs.


Interested?
Below is a sneak peek of Renegade Heart – Let me know what you think.
 Thanx!
 
 

“This way.”
 
It wasn’t a question.
 
Putting an arm around her shoulders, Jake steered her away from the entry to a shadowed alcove behind a pair of oversized ornamental urns. Droplets of water from the fountain misted the air. He pulled her into the dark recess as if it had been placed there for them. Kerstin flinched as the cold of the stone façade penetrated her thin clothing. The afternoon’s warmth was only a memory now. Before she could shiver, he swept her into an embrace. Her legs braced against his, he trailed kisses down her exposed neck.
 
“Jake.”
 
It sounded like she was begging.
 
Was she? Backed against the stone of the Imperial, she was trapped between fire and ice.
 
He captured her head in his hands, his tongue parting her lips.
 
Her breath caught in her throat as she melted into him. The sweetness of his mouth was intoxicating, like drowning in honey.
 
Her hands made their way around him, savoring the tight muscles of his chest and waist. It was December and she was burning up. His thumb flipped the clasp of her bra. Was the Imperial’s director of special events about to be taken up against the wall of the hotel’s entryway? Over the years there’s been similar stories about some of the hotel’s randier guests.
 
Her hands found their way under his suit coat and down his back, feeling the dampness of her shirt. She caught her breath as he cupped her breasts. He was saying something about his room.
 
She jerked her head, staring up at him. Taking both hands, she shoved back against him. Her sudden strength must have caught him off-guard. He took a step back.
 
“Kers . . .”
 
She twisted away as he reached for her.
 
His room? His room?
 
She was at the entrance and inside before the doorman had a chance to open it.
 
His room? Not until Jake Aaron could convince her he wasn’t Ginny Mathieu’s lover and explain why he carried a concealed weapon in a back holster – .40 caliber if she knew her weapons.
 
And she did.
 
PURCHASE LINKS: 
 
 
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 (review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
For those who live the rodeo life or have every been to one, I know you’ll appreciate the attention to detail in Renegade Heart. She illustrated beautifully the hard work it acquires to pull off the rodeo. How much time and effort it takes to keep guests, vendors, competitors, basically everyone happy. For the most part, it appeared to be a 24-7 job but Kerstin did it with style and grace. 
 
For those not familiar with rodeos, Nina explained certain events in a rodeo without it appearing mundane. BTW, if you haven’t seen a rodeo before, check one out. It’s a helluva thing to witness — intense, on the edge of your seat action! Plus, you can’t go wrong with men or women in chaps. For that alone, I’d buy a ticket. 
 
Before I conclude this review, I want to touch a bit on the mystery portion of this western tale. For me, the mystery was boring. It didn’t hold my interest at all. The conclusion of it seemed rushed as well. Actually the last 10 or so pages seemed thrown together because the author needed to ‘wrap it up’. 
 
Hey, at least Jake and Kerstin got to ‘ride off into the sunset’ together and that’s all that matters…. Right?
 
PURCHASE LINKS: 
Kindle / Paperback (Amazon)  
The Wild Rose Press
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤
 
 
 
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Hi, I’m Nina Barrett. I’ve been a public school teacher, focusing on early childhood education and am having a blast now writing contemporary romances. I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I was one of those children who loved going to bed at night because you could lie there and make up stories. I’d be out west with Roy and Dale or in Sherwood Forest with Robin Hood. It took time and persistence to gain publication. Winning a scholarship to the Antioch Writers’ Workshop gave me a boost and my forthcoming romance Renegade Heart is dedicated to them in appreciation. Musa Publishing released my first book Marriage Made in Haven in June 2012. The Wild Rose Press published Return of the Dixie Deb in December 2013 and A Man to Waste Time On in January 2015. Its sequel Renegade Heart is available April 27th.

I live in Southwest Ohio. My hometown recently was featured on the cover of Ohio magazine. I enjoy traveling – I’ve been to the top of Masada in Israel and the bottom of the great pyramid at Chichen Itza. Advocating for autism research and education is a passion.

I’m on Facebook as nina.barrett.315 and at nina@ninabarrett.net – love to hear from readers and fellow writers!

 

Tell us about your background – have you always been a writer?

(Nina) At least in my head. My mother was a great reader, reading to me nightly and on long car trips – Mother Goose, Thornton Burgess, later introducing me to the classics – Heidi, Treasure Island, Little Women. I finished my first complete story in junior high, an Agatha Christie type mystery, and continued writing through high school. College, marriage and a career in education kept me busy, but I continued writing and submitting manuscripts growing more and more discouraged. Winning a scholarship to the Antioch Writers’ Workshop re-energized me and led to the publication of my Western romance Marriage Made in Haven.

 

What lead to the writing of Renegade Heart?

(Nina) I was intrigued by the excitement and explosive energy of Las Vegas. In my previous release, A Man to Waste Time On, Cinnamon Smith is stunned to realize the general manager of the neighboring Imperial Hotel Casino is the waste of time loser who dated and dumped her sister back in their hometown. And he wants to date her. No way . . . but then securing an order from his hotel might prove salvation for her struggling teashop. And he is so good looking.

Doing research and finding out what goes on behind the scenes of a major Vegas property was so captivating it lead to Renegade Heart and Kristin Hennepin’s adventures when the National Finals Rodeo comes to Vegas and Kristin falls into the arms of a rodeo troubleshooter.

Who are some of your favorite writers?
 
(Nina) Jennifer Crusie, of course. She began by writing category romance for Harlequin while teaching English in a local school system before moving on to being the best selling author she is today. Having taken a class with her at Antioch, I can attest to the fact she is unfailingly supportive and encouraging to neophyte writers.

In historicals – Dorothy Dunnett; for mysteries James Lee Burke and for fun, Kristen Higgins.

What’s coming up for your readers?

(Nina) My work-in-progress, Deep, Dark, Delicious. And Deadly, continues my Vegas trilogy. When candy heiress Sofie Matthew wakes up from her coma in a hospital bed, there’s a strange man staring at her, a murder to be solved and a ring on her finger. What’s the story with that?

 

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