Category Archives: Book Review

Book Review – My Kind of Wonderful

11 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by in Book Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

25317360My Kind of Wonderful

A Cedar Ridge Novel

by Jill Shalvis

UNEXPECTED AND UNDENIABLE . . .

Bailey Moore has an agenda: skiing in the Rockies, exploring castles in Europe, ballroom dancing in Argentina. Now that she has a second lease on life, she’s determined not to miss a thing. What she doesn’t realize is that item #1 comes with a six-foot-one ski god hot enough to melt a polar ice cap. She doesn’t want to miss out on him either, but Hudson Kincaid isn’t the type of guy to love and let go. And as gorgeous as Cedar Ridge is, she’s not planning to stick around.

As head of ski patrol at his family’s resort, Hud thinks he’s seen it all. But never has he run into someone like Bailey. She might look delicate, but her attitude is all firecracker. And her infectious joy touches something deep within him that he’s been missing far too long. Now he’ll just have to convince Bailey to take a chance on her biggest adventure yet . . . something rare and all kinds of wonderful.

I really got caught up in the Kincaids when I read Second Chance Summer and I remember not caring which of the siblings was next because I knew I was going to read their story whoever it was.  But I do have to say that I am SO tickled that it is Hud.  He is such a rascal that having him meet his match is extra fun.

And this story is fantastic!  It is one of those slow burns as we get to know both of them while at the same time they are getting know each other.  As to be expected, they have hang-ups (understandable & realistic ones) that they have to work their way through.

Hud is a great hero – smart, caring, and has taken on so much responsibility.  Unfortunately that also he’s not very good at letting things go and he carries around a lot with him.  His dedication to his mother is absolutely amazing but the guilt over the way his brother left is dragging him down.  And while he doesn’t have time for much more in his life, between his jobs and family, Bailey definitely gets his attention!

I think she is one of my favorite heroines ever and  I so wish I could be more like her (of course without going thru what she did to get there).  She’s got an amazing love of life, tempered with an interesting, straight-forward wisdom.  I think that the HEA moment for her and Hud will go on my list as one of the best I’ve read for a very long time.

On a little of a down side I didn’t feel like the siblings were involved as much as in the previous story.  I think because Bailey has got such a compelling story that maybe there isn’t much room.  Or maybe it was so much like coming home again, after getting to know them so much before, that it was one of those moments where you slipped right in like you never left.  They are just as rowdy & in each other’s business, which I loved so much about them.

If you’ve never read a Shalvis book, this is a FANTASTIC series to start with.  All of the quirky Kincaids and their SOs are delightful – full of mischief and love for one another.  They play hard, work hard, love hard and live hard.  They don’t have things easy but they have each other and I can’t wait to see what Shalvis dreams up for them.

(The next book is about Hud’s twin, Jacob, and since he’s been MIA for years, I’m very interested to find out exactly who he is and what his deal is going to be.)

 

Get your copy at Amazon

Book Review – The Fractured Heart

08 Friday Jan 2016

Posted by in Book Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

cover77067-mediumThe Fractured Heart

A Second Circle Tattoos Novel

by Scarlett Cole

All things, when placed under pressure, eventually break or leave a mark.

Tattoo artist Brody “Cujo” Matthews knows how to keep things simple. In life and in love. Abandoned as a child by a mother who refused to stick around to raise three boys she didn’t want, he’s intent on staying clear of complicated women. The only things complicated in Cujo’s life are the killer tattoos he designs and inks. That all changes when he’s asked to help organize his best friend Trent’s engagement party, which means working with Trent’s fiancée’s best friend, Drea, the definition of high maintenance and sizzling curves. And the one woman he doesn’t want to walk away from.

Andrea “Drea” Caron is broke and tired. After years of caring for her ailing mom, she’s at the end of her rope trying to manage the piling medical bills, two jobs, and a life placed on hold. She certainly doesn’t need the added frustration of a sexy playboy tattoo artist messing up her best friend’s engagement party or her carefully balanced life. But when Drea witnesses the abduction of a woman from the café she works at, she can’t help but turn to Cujo who’s determined to prove to Drea that he’s someone she can count on forever…but as they attempt to bring the truth to light, someone is working to bring that forever to a sudden, deadly halt.

I really shouldn’t be surprised at how much I loved this one – The Strongest Steel was one of my favorite books from last year (and I wasn’t the only one because it was a Best Debut Goodreads Author 2015 Finalist).  And once again she knocks it out of the park.

Poor Drea has not had a great decade.  She’s had to take on a lot all by herself, starting when she’s just a teenager, while dealing with a mother who has spent years treating her horribly.  It’s caused her to be prickly and defensive and isolated, but she’s also very strong to be able to do it all.  Unfortunately she needs to learn that sometimes you need someone to lean on.  Once Cujo sees beyond her armor, he wants to be that person … and it scares him.  His own history has made him swear off relationships, but Drea has him reconsidering.

The relationship that develops between them is wondrous– the ups and downs are just about perfect.  Cole makes it very realistic and I totally get them every step of the way.  Both of them come into it with baggage, some much more obvious than others, but they manage to figure things out and it is so great to see.

I will say that the suspense portion wasn’t as fantastic as it was in the first book, however the real focus is on Cujo and Drea (much as it should be).  Because of how Drea has had to stand on her own for so long, she’s hesitant to let the mystery go.  I would have liked her to be a little more cautious with the danger involved, but I kinda can see why she wouldn’t be.

Just like with the first book, the highs and lows between Drea and Cujo make this book an absolutely fabulous ride.  I definitely can’t wait to see what Cole has for us in book 3.

 

Buy it on Amazon

Book Review – Lucky For You

06 Wednesday Jan 2016

Posted by in Blog Tour, Book Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

We’ve seen Jayne Denker’s books before with Picture This and By Design.  I’m super excited not only to have the newest Marsden book for you, but to also have Jayne agree stop by and answer a few questions.

AAAAANNNNDD, to sweeten the deal – major retailers (including Amazon) have it for only $0.99 right now!  I so can’t wait for you to meet Jordan – I’m sure you are going to love her as much as we do.

*****

What do you like best about writing romances?

All the happy, for sure! There’s so much unhappiness everywhere, and so much entertainment with “dark” themes, that when I decided to write my first book several years ago, I knew it had to be a romance, specifically a romantic comedy, because I didn’t want to put more darkness out into the world. One of the best things you can do in life is make people laugh and lift their hearts, even for a little while. I hope all five books I have published so far have done that.

What is your favorite romantic story (movie/book, fact/fiction)?

Aaaahhh don’t make me choose! There are so many. I could go for one of the oldest love stories, Diarmuid and Grainne (precursor to Tristan and Isolde, precursor to Lancelot and Guenevere), all the way up to whatever TV show I’m watching right now (again, too many to list) or whatever new novel I’m reading, and I’d be telling the truth. They all matter. They’re all my favorites because they make with the warm fuzzies. At this very moment I’m watching my son watch Parks and Recreation, so Leslie and Ben once again have pulled to the forefront, breaking my “awww” meter. It’ll change in about five minutes, though, when the episode ends, my kid wanders off to do other things, and I go back to editing my latest work in progress. Then that’s my favorite love story.

If you could be any romantic character, who would it be and why? 

The best part about writing and reading romances is I get to be all of them, at least for a little while, while I’m immersed in the story. If I had to choose an all-time favorite, I’d have to go with Lizzie Bennett, because she has the best spirit, is the cleverest person in the room, and is so confident (which I’m so not). Plus, when she makes a mistake, she owns up to it (eventually)—a rare and admirable trait.

Which of your characters/books was the most fun to write?

I love writing each book the most as I’m writing it, for completely different reasons, but I have a special place in my heart for Jordan Leigh, the main character in Lucky for You. Even though she’s prickly all the time and even downright annoying once in a while, she has a huge heart. She gets frustrated when she can’t express herself properly within the confines of a typical social structure. I have massive amounts of sympathy for her. She matures, learns, and grows over the course of the story, becoming kinder and more considerate of others, truly earning her happily-ever-after, which makes it all the more special.

If you weren’t a writer and could be anything you want, what would it be?

Oh, a rock star or Broadway diva, of course! Maybe both. Why not?

*****

cover67009-mediumLucky For You

A Marsden Novel

by Jayne Denker

Blurb:

It’s where everyone remembers your name—and your mistakes. But the quaint Catskills town of Marsden has a way of inspiring the unlikeliest reunions, flipping the script on the best laid plans, and opening even the most stubborn hearts…

Jordan Leigh’s always had a reputation for being bad news. So she figured it was only a matter of time before she got into serious trouble. But serving house arrest in her hometown of Marsden is truly cruel and unusual punishment. Plus she’s under police officer Will Nash’s up-close-and-all-too-personal supervision…which could make things worse—or more fun.

To make amends, Jordan throws herself into making nice with her neighbors, taking in stray animals, and helping teenage girls get back on track. But what she really wants is to get on the right track with Will. To do that, she’ll have to show him she’s grown up. And if that means making him break his own rules and face down his own fears, she’s up for the challenge …

*****

Review:

I loved how spunky Jordan is.  She’s hiding a world of hurt behind humorous sarcasm.  She’s not mean-spirited but she is quite snarky and unless you look further you might mistake it for just being awful.  She’s also a little socially awkward which makes it even worse 🙂  Will is one of those people who has a huge heart.  He’s patient and understanding, which Jordan needs in spades, and he’s the only real support she has in town.  They are so fun together … once they stop letting their pride get in the way.

My only complaint with the story is how Jordan handles the end.  She’d done so much growing through the book that I would have thought she would have done so much better.  I mean I understand that she might have fallen into old habits but she let it go too long, I think.  And when she comes back she doesn’t do much better, but Will is such an amazing and understanding guy that together they figure it out.

As with Picture This, it is the characters that make this such a hit.  While we do get a good cast of supporting characters (and I’m SUPER interested in what Denker has in store for Will’s brothers), it is Jordan and Will that drive this story.  The growth and development is so satisfying (with a few hiccups) and I was so excited when they finally got their happy ending.

I’ve loved both of the Marsden books that I’ve read so far and I’m definitely looking forward to see what comes next.

*****

Author Info:

Jayne Denker divides her time between working hard to bring the funny in her romantic comedies and raising a young son who’s way too clever for his own good. She lives in a small village in western New York that is in no way, shape, or form related to the small village in her Marsden novels Down on Love, Picture This, and Lucky for You. When she’s not hard at work on another novel, the social media addict can usually be found frittering away startling amounts of time on Facebook (Jayne Denker Author) and Twitter (@JDenkerAuthor).

*****

Don’t forget to get your copy for just 99 cents!

Book Review – Can’t Hold Back

04 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by in Book Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

cover73097-mediumCan’t Hold Back

A Returning Home Novel

by Serena Bell

In this tender military romance from the bestselling author of Hold on Tight—perfect for fans of Jill Shalvis and Susan Mallery—a war-shattered veteran gets a second chance at love with the one that got away.

No girl can resist a man in uniform—especially if that man is Nate Riordan. But after an injury in the line of duty leaves Nate broken, body and soul, the soldier finds himself addicted to his pain meds, with no place to call home. Desperate for an escape, Nate reluctantly accepts a friend’s invitation to a new veterans’ retreat. Expecting a little R&R, Nate is shocked when the sight of his physical therapist opens up another old wound: heartbreak.

Years ago, Alia Drake fell hard for Nate, but never made her move. Instead, she set up her sister with the sexy, confident military man, a foolish decision that continues to haunt all three of them. Now, with Nate as her patient, she can make things right—even if it means getting too close for comfort. A healing touch and a little honesty work wonders, fueling a physical intimacy that crosses professional boundaries. This time, with desire in the air once more, Alia won’t hold anything back.

There is a lot of emotional growth going on here – both Nate and Alia have things that they have to look at about themselves.  And I think because of that it isn’t a very quick read.  The undertones require a lot of digesting and picking apart so that you can totally get where they are coming from.  Which means you have to go a little slower to get all of it.

Because Alia is so strong and independent I think it is a little harder to like her.  Not that she isn’t likable but it makes her a little intimidating because she isn’t very … soft.  She’s used to being the one who is strong that it is hard for her to let go.  Nate is still trying to get over the incident that left him injured and out of the military.  It’s left him in pain both in body and in heart, but now he’s back in Alia’s sphere for help.  Neither expects exactly what that is going to mean for them.

The history between the two takes a bit to get over, but not as much as you would imagine.  It’s more of an issue with the people they are now, how they interact & what they expect from others and what they think their futures should be.  It’s such a journey for them from where they were to where they think they are going to where they actually should be.  It’s a rough trip but definitely worth it.

(This is a follow up to Hold On Tight, but you really can read this one on it’s own.  The little bit of influence the first book has here is minute and easily explained.  It pretty much revolves around Alia and Nate.)

Book Review – Falling Hard

01 Friday Jan 2016

Posted by in Book Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

cover74759-mediumFalling Hard

A Falling Fast Novel

by Tina Wainscott

In bestselling author Tina Wainscott’s gritty, emotional small-town romance—perfect for fans of Jasinda Wilder and Colleen Hoover—passions run high as a reformed bad boy reconnects with an old enemy . . . and gets her engine revving.

There’s no one Pax Sullivan wants to run into less than Gemma Thornton. Back in high school, she revved his heart more than street racing. But she picked his clean-cut brother over him—only to accuse Blake of an unforgivable crime. Eventually the charges were dropped and Gemma left town, but the hard feelings lingered . . . along with Pax’s gnawing “what-ifs.” Seven years later, just as he quits the police force to open a racetrack, Gemma’s back—and their chemistry is more combustible than ever.

If it were up to her, Gemma would never lay eyes on another Sullivan. She hates them, and they hate her—even Pax, who just so happens to be fixing up her father’s B&B. But the more time she spends with the lean, hard-bodied ex-cop at the inn and on the track, the more Gemma sees that Pax is nothing like his brother. Despite their anguished history, she’s tempted to take their relationship into high gear . . . if she can face the past and risk her heart.

After reading Falling Fast I knew I had to read Pax’s story.  He was such a fantastic supporting character – full of strength & conviction and was such a supportive friend.  You get a little of his history in the first book, but it isn’t a requirement that you have to have read it to enjoy Falling Hard.  But it helps because you’ll have already started your crush on Pax and get that ahhh feeling when he finally gets his moment 🙂

I wasn’t sure where Wainscott was going to go with Gemma’s story.  We only got a little bit of it before so I wasn’t sure how it was going to play out but I was thrilled with what she did.  The struggle that Gemma goes through, when no one believes her story, is heartbreaking.  It’s a horrible thing to have happen but to have every think that she’s lying is just … unbelievably awful.  And to have to come back and face those people is so intimidating but she handles it with her head held high.  Even though she’s had some therapy, rape is going to have a lot of long reaching impacts so I admire her grit as she works through it.

Pax proves himself to be the wonderful man that returning readers knew he would be.  He uses his head and logics though everything that he sees & knows, so that he starts to acknowledge the truth of what happened all of those years ago.  But it is terrible how much he has to pay for it.  He’s already being treated poorly by his family for some of his other decisions but he’s man enough to follow what he knows is right and not give in to others.  Of course that’s one of the reasons we love him so very much.

Falling Hard isn’t an easy story to read, because of some of the bad things that happen to good people, but I think that makes it that much more worth the effort.  As Pax & Gemma work their way to the truth, not only about their history but about their feelings today, readers are given a very satisfying and enjoyable read.

Book Review – To Catch His Mate

29 Tuesday Dec 2015

Posted by in Book Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

cover78347-mediumTo Catch His Mate

Crescent Moon Series

by Savannah Stuart, Katie Reus

When she ran, she didn’t think he’d follow…

Pack princess Alyssa Clare was trying to come up with ways to get out of her arranged mating to alpha wolf Reece O’Shea—until she meets the powerful male. After getting to know him, mating doesn’t seem like such a bad idea anymore. But when he makes it clear she’s just a business arrangement for him and his pack, she calls off the mating and heads south to stay with a friend to lick her wounds in private.

But he’s not willing to let her go without a fight.

Reece can’t let Alyssa go, not when he’s completely fallen for the sweet, sexy female. He doesn’t care about the arranged mating deal, he just wants her and has no idea why she ran. To win her back he infiltrates another alpha’s territory, knowing it could mean his death. Luckily Grant Kincaid allows him in his domain—as long as Alyssa is okay with it. Convincing her that she’s all he wants is a bigger challenge than he imagined. But he’s not giving up, because he knows she’s the one he’s meant to be with forever.

Length: NOVELLA

I have not read anything in this series so I have nothing else to base this story on but what I have been given is great.  The characters are fully developed as is the story and I didn’t feel like any of it is incomplete or that it needs previous stories to get the full depth.

I really liked Alyssa and I understand why she ran.  New feelings have enough volatility so adding in a misunderstanding can easily throw things into a whirlwind.  And while that could be a tired, overused plot I think that here it works.  One of the reasons is that there is something very appealing about Reece as he tries to win her back.  Maybe it is the added paranormal parts that keep it going, although that could be easily overdone as well, but whatever it is I really enjoyed it.

Although the Were part is important, at the core it is a story of a man who is trying to win back the woman he loves.  It’s sweet and hot and fun.  And I’m definitely interested in seeing where else this world goes.

Book Review – When We Fall

28 Monday Dec 2015

Posted by in Book Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

cover74758-mediumWhen We Fall

A Take the Fall Novel

by Marquita Valentine

In the captivating new novel in Marquita Valentine’s Boys of the South spinoff series—perfect for readers of Abbi Glines and Katy Evans—a small-town sweetheart takes a chance on the bad boy who’s always been her hottest fantasy.

The last time Piper Ross saw her best friend’s sexy older brother, Jase Simmons, he was being taken away in handcuffs. Seven years later, two things haven’t changed: Piper is still head-over-heels in love with him . . . and Forrestville’s chief of police—Piper’s dad—still hates his guts. So when Piper sees a chance to get close to Jase, she makes her move—literally. As his new roommate, and as the office manager of his tattoo shop, Piper won’t be satisfied until Jase knows that she wants to be his.

The quintessential good girl, Piper is pure temptation for Jase. The only reason he’s always kept his distance is because she’s the last person he’d ever want to hurt. But once he realizes that Piper is ready to take the leap, everything just makes sense. Suddenly Jase feels like a new man—until nasty rumors start swirling and Piper’s heartless father stirs up even more trouble. Now Jase must convince Piper that she wasn’t wrong about him . . . because falling in love never felt so right.

When We Fall is steamy and fast.  I didn’t even realize how quick a read it actually was until I looked down at one point and was 2/3 of the way thru 🙂

I really liked Piper and Jase.  And I really appreciated that there wasn’t a lot of angst in their relationship.  Piper knew from the get go what she wanted and that was Jase.  She just had to convince him that he actually is the man that she knows him to be.  Jase drags his feet for a bit (and pulled a crap move or two that gave me sympathy pains for Piper) but once he realized they could be together nothing was going to keep them apart.  I love how easily they fit together and how much they supported each other.

I’m not sure what I missed from Take the Fall but I get the idea that at least part of their lead up might be there.  It wasn’t enough to make me confused but I love them so much that I am a little sad that I missed out on any of their romance.

Two people with not-so-great starts in life find that together they can be so much more, leading to a wonderful, feel-good read.

Book Review – A Midnight Clear

23 Wednesday Dec 2015

Posted by in Book Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

cover77298-mediumA Midnight Clear

by Hope Ramsay

Dr. Tom Crawford isn’t feeling the spirit of the season when he arrives in Last Chance. Far from friends and family, he’s the odd man out in this town of gossiping, tight-knit Southerners-until he meets a sweetly sexy single mom who makes him feel welcome. Suddenly the handsome doctor is thinking he’s finally found a place to call home.

Local florist Teri Summers has her hands full of mistletoe in preparation for the holiday, yet finding someone to kiss is her last priority. But when the gorgeous new doctor makes a connection with her special needs son, Aiden, Teri finds herself wondering if she’s finally found happiness in this season of joy. For Teri and Tom, Last Chance may be their best chance at love . . .

Tom is so sweet and caring – I absolutely love his patience and understanding with Aiden and Teri.  He’s got some personal experience, which helps so much with dealing with Aiden’s Asperger’s Syndrome.  Poor Teri is a little overwhelmed and convinced that no one is going to take on everything that her life entails … lucky for her, Tom is made of stronger stuff.

I also really love that Ramsay gives us a peek into what goes on in Aiden’s head.  It adds so much to the story to be able to understand where he’s coming from and why he reacts the way he does.

A Midnight Clear is a fantastic, feel good holiday read.  It’s short, which makes it perfect for a little break from all the Christmas madness 🙂

Book Review – Love on a Summer Night

19 Saturday Dec 2015

Posted by in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

We’ve seen book 2 before – Love in a Snow Storm – and I’m super excited to see another story.  And just like that one, this one can easily stand on its own so don’t worry if you are new to the series.

*****

LoveOnaSummerNightDec2014Love on a Summer Night

Pine Harbour #4

by Zoe York

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release: November 24, 2015

Blurb:

Never say never. Especially not to a determined bad boy.

Zander Minelli is exactly the wrong kind of man. He’s dark, dangerous, and knows far too much about sawed-off shotguns.

Faith Davidson finds him irresistible. The widowed single mother knows she should dip her toe back in the dating pool with someone solid and dependable. Definitely no tattoos. But every time she looks up, the brooding soldier is watching her, and she can’t help but wonder what it would be like to let herself have a taste…

Small town summer nights have never been hotter—and one transplanted city-girl’s heart has never been more fragile.

STANDALONE FACTOR: This book is the fourth story in the Pine Harbour series, but can be read as a single title romance. The main characters were introduced in the previous books. No cliffhanger.

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23872864-love-on-a-summer-night

Amazon – www.smarturl.it/LoaSNAmazon

Amazon CA – http://goo.gl/pnE4FL

Amazon UK – http://goo.gl/xAtgc7

Amazon AU – http://goo.gl/jWtH2u

Barnes & Noble – www.smarturl.it/LoaSNNook

Kobo – www.smarturl.it/LoaSNKobo

iBooks – www.smarturl.it/LoaSNiBooks

Book Trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=uk_qGl8tcHM

What Others Are Saying:

“If you’ve never read a Zoe York novel, start here. Read this story. Because this is the story that defines who Zoe is as a writer. This isn’t her first book, but I feel it is the best representation of who she is as a writer.”-OMG Reads

“Wrapped up in a flawless writing-style, you get this book which indeed is just beautiful!”-Jeri’s Book Attic

“Romance books are a dime a dozen, same old storyline with young people falling too easily in love. Not with this series, a far more relatable story to her readers’ more normal lives.”-Goodreads Reviewer

Series Banner

In the Series:

Love in a Small Town – Rafe and Olivia

Love in a Snow Storm – Jake and Dani

Love on a Spring Morning – Ryan and Holly

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/128583-pine-harbour

 

Amazon: http://goo.gl/avW5WD

Amazon CA: http://goo.gl/l7dWiV

Amazon UK: http://goo.gl/tq2tGn

Amazon AU: http://goo.gl/R0USId

Barnes & Noble: http://goo.gl/DU9wob

Kobo: https://goo.gl/YNXfGZ

iTunes: https://goo.gl/1DWT2I

*****

Excerpt:

He settled between her legs, not grinding—just there. Hard and ready. More teasing.

She was going to explode from the delayed gratification. Lifting her hips, she took on the task of remedying that herself.

At the first roll of her hips, Zander paused his worship of her breasts. At the second, he redoubled his efforts, helping her get right to the brink—then he reared up and reached for the waistband of her jeans.

Oh no.

She wanted to be naked with Zander more than anything else in the world.

But even under the cover of darkness, she realized she wasn’t quite ready for Zander to see her naked.

She grabbed at his wrists and tried to pull him back down on top of her. Maybe they could just dry hump. That had been hotter than it sounded. It had been hotter than her fantasies, and she was a writer with a pretty expansive vocabulary and a deep understanding of the dirty side of the Internet.

He wouldn’t be deterred. His fingers slid beneath her waistband, making her soft tummy quiver, and not in a good way. Okay, mostly a good way with just an edge of fear. But she still pushed at his hands.

He gave her an amused look. “Stop batting my hands away. I want to feel it when you come.”

She sighed, suddenly nervous, and he gave her another look, this time one of dawning awareness. She tipped her head back. The stars were so bright tonight. “I’ve got battle scars,” she whispered. “Stretch marks and a c-section incision that didn’t heal properly. You’ve only seen the good bits.”

Zander settled back on the blanket beside her and nuzzled into her neck. “Seriously? You don’t think I’ve got scars? Let’s go toe to toe.”

“Yours are different.” He was beautiful. All sculpted muscle and delicious shadows. “New plan. I’m going to touch you.”

“Be my guest.” His voice was low and rough, like a tumble of falling rocks. Danger, her heart thumped. He rolled away from her and pulled off his t-shirt, baring the tattoos that had caused her so much anxiety just a few days earlier. The flickering light from the fire caught the edge of a raised scar on his rib cage, and she sucked in a breath as she reached out and traced the knotted tissue that looked suspiciously like a slash in his skin.

“What happened?” she asked in a quick rush, then shook her head. “No. I don’t think I want to know.”

“You don’t. But it’s okay, I’m alive and here. That’s all that matters.”

*****

Passionate couple kissing, boy and girl sitting on wooden floor near the rumpled bed opposite the window.

Review:

Just like with Love in a Snow Storm, it’s the characters that make this book so great.  York does a fabulous job with their motivation, history, and interactions – letting us get to know them as they get to know each other, being there with them as they fall in love and watching them have ups & downs.  I love how real her characters and their issues feel.

Zander is absolutely fantastic, with an amazing amount of patience and understanding, but also a fun sense of humor – I absolutely love him from their first meeting.  He’s always there to support Faith & Eric and he totally keeps his head each time that Faith gets scared, probably from that crazy Minelli family of his as well as his military training.  Faith is having a little bit of a tough transition (York does such a great job of making sure we understand why), so she does a lot of dancing around her relationship with Zander.  But he’s such a sweet-heart in a bad boy’s body that she has no hope of resisting 🙂

I think these everyday romances – where you feel like the people are friends and that their problems could be anyone’s problems – are my favorites.  They are just so … well, real.  And York is good at delivering on that with great characters that you can relate to, a good deal of humor to have you smiling and just that right amount of heat to make it spicy!

*****

oeAuthor Info:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Zoe York is a busy working mom of two young boys, wife to a very understanding soldier, and creator of modern, sexy, small town contemporary romances. Her debut novel, What Once Was Perfect, started the popular Wardham series, and her first military romance, Fall Out, was released as part of the international bestselling SEALs of Summer super bundle.

She lives in London, Ontario and is currently chugging Americanos, wiping sticky fingers, and dreaming of heroes in and out of uniform.

Website: www.zoeyork.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/zoeyorkwrites

Twitter: www.twitter.com/zoeyorkwrites

Amazon: www.amazon.com/Zoe-York/e/B00DEW9HDM/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/zoeyork

Newsletter: http://zoeyork.com/wordpress/zoes-newsletter/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoeyorkwrites/

*****

Giveaway:

Win a bracelet and a signed copy of the book

WinBracelet

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/81aa7894765

*****

Love on a Summer Night Banner

Book Review – His Best Friend’s Girl

18 Friday Dec 2015

Posted by in Book Review

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , ,

cover74063-mediumHis Best Friend’s Girl

In the Line of Duty, Book 5

by Cathryn Fox

With a little help—and a little kink—from her friend, she might just get her man.

Skylar Redmond’s Sky Bar is regularly wall-to-wall hot soldiers. Yet she is alone—and getting tired of it. Forget about finding a man who’ll rock her world in the bedroom. She’ll settle for a guy who’s stable, kind and compassionate. Too bad that guy still sees her as the pigtailed girl from their youth, not the strong woman she is today. But maybe, with a little help, that’ll change.

As an ex-military field ambulance technician, Matt James excels at performing under pressure. Pretending to be interested in Skylar to help her capture the attention of his best friend? Piece of cake—because he won’t be faking it. He’s been in love with her since their school yard days, but never pushed it. She deserves someone who can offer her more.

A touch leads to a kiss, and a kiss to a night that throws a kink—or three—into Sky’s plan. Leaving her wondering if she’s going for the wrong man…and letting the right one slip through her fingers.

Warning: This book contains a girl with her eyes on the wrong prize, and a half-cocked plan—but definitely not a half-cocked hero.

This series is one of my absolute favorites.  As soon as I see that there is a new book I pick it up without even looking at the blurb – don’t care, I know it will be good 🙂  And Fox doesn’t let me down with her latest.

Matt has to be one of my favorite heroes.  He’s smart, caring, sensitive, hard-working, a good friend … and has been silently in love with one of his best friends forever.  Unfortunately he also has a little inferiority complex – thinks that he’s not good enough for her until he becomes a doctor – so he’s willing to help her catch the attention of their other best friend instead.  Even if it breaks his heart.

I like Sky as well.  Too often with this kind of book, she would have been so oblivious to Matt and his appeal that it would be painful – concentrating instead on the one she thinks she wants.  Here though it’s a more fluid process as she starts to see her old friend as more, but of course miscommunication and assumptions make for complications.  She has some help from her friends but it is very hard to take that step to something more with Matt and potentially ruin a friendship that means so much to both of them.

There is always a warning with the In the Line of Duty series because they are fabulously spicy.  Matt has a little kink to him which adds a little steam to a beautifully romantic and touching story – nothing to be too concerned about as long, though,  as you like your romances hot 🙂