Surrender My Heart

07 Tuesday Aug 2012

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Book Review, Harts In Love, Kayla Perrin, Surrender My Heart

In Kayla Perrin’s Surrender My Heart, Natalie Hart has just been divorced by her cheating, NBA player husband. She wasn’t too surprised to find out that he’d cheated on her except that it was with her best friend. She’s decided to take a break from men … and to never again get involved with a professional athlete. NFL wide receiver Michael Jones wants to change her opinion that all athletes are players, both on and off the field.

This is the second story in Kimani Romance’s Harts in Love series, which has a central story line involving the three Hart sisters trying to find their mother. This story line is not resolved in this book so if you aren’t comfortable with unresolved issues you will need to plan to pick up the other stories in the series – Always In My Heart and Heart to Heart.

Surrender My Heart is your typical trust issue book – Natalie has been burned, not only by her ex-husband Vance, but also by her mother when she left her daughters behind. When she meets Michael for the first time, his flirtations only reinforce her belief that he is just like her ex. When the two are thrown together on a mutual charity project, Michael takes the opportunity to show her his sincerity. The path these two take can be predicted easily but the journey is still enjoyable. The characters are interesting and their interactions are fun. Michael is sweet, charming, and of course hot. Natalie is troubled, but it is understandable given her fresh romantic troubles. The two together are funny, touching, and steamy. Perrin does a good job of keeping the story moving and fresh.

Again, this is definitely not a stand-alone story – although Natalie and Michael’s portion is complete, the secondary story involving the girls’ mother is not. I would definitely recommend picking up all the stories.

Case for Seduction

05 Sunday Aug 2012

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Ann Christopher, Book Review, Case for Seduction

Ann Christopher’s Case for Seduction kicks off Harlequin’s new series – The Hamiltons: Law of Love. One morning in a Starbucks, Jake Hamilton runs into the first woman who really throws him for a loop. He’s tired of his playboy lifestyle and he’d like to see where such an intense attraction might go. Unfortunately his past could prove to be his downfall. Charlotte Evans has worked in the typing pool at Hamilton, Hamilton and Clark for a couple of years. She’s met Jake in passing on a few occasions but it quickly becomes obvious that he doesn’t remember her. Now that he really sees her, will he be content to leave their relationship on a professional level? And if not, how will she feel to be one in a line of many?

This is a really sweet little story – the characters are appealing and the plot is believable. Jake is gorgeous, rich, intelligent and charming. He’s led an easy life, with everything that money can buy and women falling at his feet. He’s taken advantage of all that has been available to him, but he’s recently been dissatisfied with it. There isn’t really a big “poor, little, rich boy” moment but he is attracted to Charlotte’s life, to the warmth of it and her family.

Charlotte has a very full life. She’s going to law school, has a full-time job, a two year old son and a sick mother. What she doesn’t need is an unwise attraction to her boss. Unfortunately for her, Jake is used to getting his way. He’s drawn to her heart, her mind, and her strong character. She’s dedicated, hard-working, and loving, not to mention beautiful.

Case for Seduction brings readers a simple, straight-forward story of two people exploring their feelings for each other and deciding if they are willing to take a chance on it being something that will last. It’s a quick read, engaging, and the perfect book to throw in your bag take to the pool. I look forward to reading more about the Hamilton family.

Lakeside Family

05 Sunday Aug 2012

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Book Review, Harlequin Love Inspired, Lakeside Family, Lisa Jordan

Ten years ago, Josie Peretti’s heart was broken when Nickolas Brennan went to college and left her behind. When she finds out she’s pregnant she goes to his mother to try to contact him. She won’t give Josie his information but promises to pass on her message. In Lakeside Family, it is 10 years later and Josie tries again to contact Nick. She never heard back from him the first time, but their daughter needs a bone marrow transplant and he is her last hope to find a family match. Nick never knew about their child and now he plans to do everything he can to make up for lost time.

Both Josie and Nick have hang-ups about relationships. Josie believes that love doesn’t last and isn’t worth the pain that will inevitably come. Nick feels like he is unworthy. I won’t go into his reasons why but it is something that he has been living with for a while. Their daughter, Hannah, is a delight and handles her illness with a lot of grace.

This is the second book in Harlequin’s Love Inspired line I’ve read this month that I want to give a 3.5 – it is better than a 3 but I don’t think it is quite a 4. The characters are well developed and likable. The plot is realistic and enjoyable. For some reason though something about it just didn’t put it over the top for me. But there is nothing about the book that would cause me to not recommend it.

Overall, Lakeside Family is an engaging story about two people who have to decide if they can trust in each other again, and in themselves. This is a series so there are secondary characters that either have already had or will have a story of their own, but this book easily stands on its own.

The Rancher’s Secret Wife

04 Saturday Aug 2012

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Book Review, Brenda Minton, Harlequin Love Inspired, The Rancher's Secret Wife

In Brenda Minton’s The Rancher’s Secret Wife, Reese Cooper meets Cheyenne Jones while he is in Las Vegas, just before he is due to deploy to the Middle East. Cheyenne is pregnant, alone, and desperate. Not knowing if he will return from combat, Reese proposes a deal – the two marry, which will give Cheyenne insurance for her pregnancy now and life insurance if something happens to him. The two develop a friendship through letters while he is away and when he returns injured by an IED explosion, Cheyenne feels compelled to make sure he is fine. The two discover that their friendship might have turned into something more, but they don’t know if they can trust in those feelings or in themselves.

I liked this story – the characters are interesting and believable, with understandable personal issues. Reese has to deal with not only being the lone survivor of the attack but he has gone from being an independent adult to being dependent on those around him because he’s blind. Plus he still has a touch of PTSD. He handles it well, with a positive attitude, faith and the support of family and friends. He’s an asset no matter the situation, even with his disabilities, although he isn’t sure of his own value.

Cheyenne has an issue with feeling wanted. She was adopted to a family unable to conceive, only to have them have a baby of their own shortly after. Then she gets married, but then finds out it is a sham when she gets pregnant. This is when Reese enters her life. He’s an amazing man, willing to do much for those around him. But due to her past experiences, Cheyenne finds it hard to believe that any feelings they have are real.

I really wished I could give this story a 3.5, instead of a 3. I don’t think it warrants a 3 but I also don’t feel it deserves a 4. It’s a lovely book, full of heart, with two kind souls who discover a lot about themselves and each other. However I spent most of my time yelling at them to just sit down and have an honest conversation. They are good people who deserve their happy ending but they let their fears and insecurities drag them down. And unfortunately they take readers on the ride with them as they circle around the issue. After a while you want to smack them for being so stubborn in not talking about how they feel.

If you can handle that though, the book is worth it. It is a very sweet story and you’ll find yourself rooting for them … when you aren’t frustrated with them.

Contest

03 Friday Aug 2012

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I was sent the below and thought it might be of interest. I have no affiliation with this contest or any information beyond what is below so choose to enter at your own risk.

PR by the Book’s “Escape to Austin” Contest

To celebrate its 10^th Anniversary, PR by the Book will award one literary lover a trip to the home of storytellers like O. Henry and Willie Nelson: Austin, Texas

AUSTIN – Now in its 10^th year of operation, with a growing pool of star literary talent and media personalities, PR by the Book has become a go-to firm in the book publishing industry for innovative publicity campaigns and top-tier media placement.

Founded in 2002 by Marika Flatt, PR by the Book has grown from a one-woman operation to a team of 10, representing everyone from The Berenstain Bears series to Rex Pickett, author of the beloved book-turned-movie, Sideways.

Now, PR by the Book has decided it’s time to share the love. And what better way to do that than to award a trip to the town where it all got started: Austin, Texas?

“Austin has burgeoned into a bustling literary community. When I started in book publicity here in 1997, I’d meet people who would be surprised I wasn’t from New York or Los Angeles,” says Flatt. “Now, when I travel for work and people ask where I’m from and I tell them Austin, the response is something similar to: I adore Austin and what a literary town that is!”

The contest is called “Escape to Austin” and will be a truly one-of-a-kind trip for the lucky winner. The prize package includes round-trip airfare for the winner and a guest, a two-night stay at The Hilton Garden Inn downtown Austin, dinner for two at TRIO in the Four Seasons, a $50 gift certificate to historic Hyde Park Bar & Grill and a couple of bookish perks.

Drawing the likes of Susan Orlean and Chuck Palahniuk, the Texas Book Festival is one of the premiere literary fests in the country. Last year, the festival featured 243 authors and attracted 40,000 attendees. The winner of the “Escape to Austin” contest will be granted two VIP passes to the weekend-long festival October 26-28, as well as a pass to one of TBF’s invitation-only author parties.

“We are very excited to partner with PR by the Book for this contest package,” says Lidia Agraz, TBF’s Executive Director. “We’re still early in the talent line-up process, but I can say that this year’s festival will offer attendees a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to commune with true literary icons.”

To enter “Escape to Austin,” contest hopefuls must simply “like” PR by the Book on Facebook and fill out the entry form. The contest runs August 1 – August 31, 2012, and a winner will be selected by September 7 (open to U.S. residents only.)

PR BY THE BOOK is a boutique publicity firm specializing in literary media relations campaigns, publishing consultation, small business publicity, and publicity tours for authors and experts. Our team of seasoned publicists has worked on books in nearly every genre, and with dozens of major publishing houses and small presses. Visit prbythebook.com to learn more.

Soul Weaver

30 Monday Jul 2012

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Book Review, Hailey Edwards, Soul Weaver

Soul Weaver is the first in a new paranormal series by Hailey Edwards. Chloe McCrea has suffered from acute agoraphobia since she almost died in a car accident. Nathaniel is a fallen angel who harvests the souls of corrupt humans – murderers, rapists, molesters, etc. He is present at Chloe’s accident and realizes that she has a pure soul that for some reason will not go to Heaven. Taking a step that could mean eternity in Hell for him if caught, he buys her time until paramedics can save her life. Unbeknownst to him, his attempt to help taints her soul and marks her to be taken by a Harvester. He must repair the damage that he has caused so that she can go to Heaven, if only he can resist her appeal.

Edwards weaves a realistic world where angels and half-angels walk among humans. The history of Nathaniel’s family is rich and complex, with him making sacrifices for both his brother and nephew. The relationship between the three is the heart of the story and of who Nathaniel is. It wouldn’t be a romance if Chloe and Nathaniel didn’t fall for each other, but the family dynamic is what I was drawn to the most.

Readers are also given an interesting view of Hell, run not by the devil but by a complex fallen angel named Delphi. He uses other fallen angels as Harvesters, whose job is to collect the soiled souls of humans who have done despicable acts. I found him to be the most interesting of the characters as his purpose is for the good of humanity; however he is a scarily powerful being. I hope for a better glimpse of what makes him tick in future stories.

The pacing is fast and I read the end of the book with my breath held. Edwards did a great job giving you characters you care about and I was so anxious for them all. I knew that that things had to end well for Chloe and Nathaniel, but I worried the entire time anyway. Soul Weaver is a great start to a new series and I look forward to the next installment.

All Summer Long by Susan Mallery

25 Wednesday Jul 2012

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All Summer Long, Book Review, Fool's Gold, Susan Mallery

All Summer Long is the newest book in Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold series. Charlie Dixon wants to be normal. A disastrous incident in college has left scars that stop her from having a successful romantic relationship. The youngest Stryker brother, Clay, is known for his “assets” after spending years as a model, but now he wants to do more with his life. When Charlie and Clay develop an unusual friendship, it looks like they might be the answer to each other’s problems.

I honestly did not expect to like this book as much as I did. Before you even start reading it you know how it ends – the two come to a no strings arrangement that ends with them both falling in love – it wouldn’t be a romance otherwise. The premise seemed a little strange and I wasn’t sure what to think of Charlie using Clay to get over her hang-ups about sex, just so that she could move on to having a relationship with a “normal” man. But it should in no way surprise me that Mallery makes it work. She deftly handles what could have been something awkward with humor, heat, and most importantly heart.

Charlie is awkward and insecure. Her issues with herself and her mother are poignant and delivered in her straight-forward manner. I know women like her who so badly want to show that they don’t need a man and how the more mainstream feminine ideals are worthless. The trauma she went through, along with her delicate mother, make this attitude understandable. I like the fact that she isn’t changed into a traditionally female character by the end. Instead she is appreciated for the woman she is – strong, blunt and no-nonsense – and it is her caring and dedicated personality that draws Clay.

Clay is almost perfect, emotionally as well as physically. He’s spent so much of his adult life being appreciated for what is on the outside that he now wants to be seen for what is on the inside. He is afraid he isn’t enough, though, and it is hard, even in Fool’s Gold, to be taken seriously. But the way he approaches Charlie’s request is very touching and the thought he puts into it shows the strength of his character. He does research into what she is feeling and how best to work with her to overcome it, showing that he is more than just a gorgeous . . . face.

Once again Susan Mallery brings to life characters so real they feel like long-time friends, in a story that is both touching & funny. All Summer Long is a wonderful addition to the Fool’s Gold saga and I highly recommend picking it up.

Hello

25 Wednesday Jul 2012

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Misc

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If you are here then you were likely just at Booktrib. I’ve had such a good time reading and writing about books for the Review Crew that I’ve decided to create a place of my own. The reviews will mostly be the same but I’ll also add a few thoughts on romances or romance authors here and there.

Welcome! And I hope you find something great to read.