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Book Review – Tempting Alibi

20 Sunday Jul 2014

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cover49190-mediumScott got into a fair amount of trouble as a teenager, but now he’s grown and runs a respectable auto body shop. Unfortunately, the sheriff of his town has it out for him, no matter how much he’s cleaned up his act. When he’s accused of a crime he didn’t commit, no one is more surprised than he is when straitlaced Michaela Miller provides him with an alibi. An alibi that’s a complete lie. Determined to find out why his sexy next-door neighbor helped him out, he puts himself in danger of losing something he’d never considered. His heart.

Wonderfully fast, but full of sensuous charm, Tempting Alibi is a fiery read perfect for a steamy summer night. There is so much to love – normally confident Scott all twisted in knots just talking to Michaela, their out of this world chemistry (and hot sex), and the way they work together so well.

Scott has some scars from his childhood and a little misunderstanding creates a bump in the road to their HEA, but Stuart doesn’t make a big deal out of it.  The resolution doesn’t get dragged out unnecessarily and they quickly figure everything out.  It’s touching and sweet and then it gets oh-so-spicy.

I’ve been having some good luck with novella length stories lately and Tempting Alibi is no different.  The characters are engaging and their story is captivating.  And when I hit the end, I didn’t have any regrets … except that it was over.

Book Review – Overexposed

19 Saturday Jul 2014

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cover48354-mediumFor five years, Leah has been known as the fame whore who screwed Kevin Grayson, son of Hollywood royalty, as a step up the ladder to stardom and then maliciously exposed footage of their most intimate moments to the world. Only Leah knows Kevin is the guilty one, using the public sympathy to advance his career and breaking her heart in the process.

Leah isn’t naïve anymore. She’s given up on romance, and she’ll do whatever necessary to prove she hasn’t been defeated. So when she needs another shot of notoriety to ensure the success of her new restaurant, at the same time Kevin needs some PR help of his own, she agrees to a crazy plan.

She can fake a two-week romantic vacation with Kevin, pretending to rekindle their relationship for the eyes of the world. And she can resist Kevin’s breathtaking sexiness, even in such close quarters. And she absolutely won’t fall for any of his lies.

I felt so bad for these two … which shows that Adams does a fantastic job of giving her readers characters to care about.  Although the blurb makes it sound like it is about Leah, it is really about both of them.  And they are both so devastated by the events that happened in the past.  It’s going to take a lot to get these two to a HEA ending.

Usually a book that bounces between the past and the present doesn’t work for me.  The disjointed time frame usually just brings me out of the story, but this one worked very well.  We start in the now when Leah is dealing with the aftermath of the sex tapes, but then we start bouncing between now and how they met, fell in love, and then lost everything.  Adams wonderfully manages to weave the two together and brings us the pertinent points at the right time.

Leah has lost a lot of her sparkle because of what happened and I don’t know that I would have held my head up as well as she does, facing everything the public throws at her.  I’m not sure if staying in LA is brave or stupid but she definitely does it with style.  It has left her tough, cynical and isolated, so very hesitant to trust again.  Especially trusting Kevin.

Kevin has also lost some of his mojo and we’re given his side of the events as well.  He had a horrible upbringing and I think my only complaint is that we didn’t get to see more of that.  We get some indication thru interactions with his dad, and it definitely explains things, but I think I would have liked to have seen a little more of that.  Because Kevin is definitely shaped by his relationship with his father and it affects everything that happens with Leah.  Considering she was one of the few people who he opened up to, having their relationship blow up (and so publicly) has given him a few more scars.

It’s a joy to watch them learn to let go and trust again.  Together Leah and Kevin are smart and witty and their interactions are so realistically cute.  I think the ending was the perfect complement to the rest of their relationship and it left me with a smile.  A sizzling heartbreaker, Overexposed highlights troubled lovers and their rocky path back together again.

Book Review – Against the Cage

16 Wednesday Jul 2014

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cover42998-mediumFor Chrissy Martin, returning to her Florida hometown always seems to bring bad luck. The day starts with a breakup text, followed by a jailhouse phone call from her troublemaker brother. Now a routine traffic stop has ended with her accidentally punching an officer . . . in a delicate place. Then Chrissy realizes that the hot cop on the receiving end of her right hook is none other than the man from her teenage fantasies.

 Jack Daniels knows how to take a hit. After all, when he’s not chasing reckless drivers, he’s kicking ass in a mixed martial arts ring. So what takes his breath away isn’t the low blow, but the woman who dealt it: a gorgeous knockout with legs Jack wouldn’t mind being pinned under—who just so happens to be his best friend’s nerdy little sister, all grown up. Soon their instant chemistry leads to a sizzling affair, but Jack and Chrissy are fighting an uphill battle if they want to make love last beyond the final bell. 

For her debut Loveswept book, I found Halston’s Against the Cage to be strong.  One of my favorite storylines is friends to lovers, and it’s even better when it is a sibling’s friend, and this one is perfect for that.  Add in a little ugly duckling theme with Chrissy and I couldn’t wait to read this one.

Now, you do have to be prepared for some steamy bedroom scenes (and against the wall and in the kitchen and outside …) so keep that in mind.  It’s very hot and Jack is a little dominant (understandably given the type of guy he is, which just makes it hotter), but Chrissy definitely gives it right back to him.

I love these two together.  You can tell they’ve had a contrary relationship for years but that tension is now warping into one of the sexual variety.  They are funny and sassy and smart.  It’s fun to watch them push each other’s buttons, getting each other all hot and bothered.  It takes a little maneuvering to figure out a new dynamic with each other but they get there and it makes for a very happy ending.

(It looks like there is another book coming out this fall, Full Contact, and I really hope that is Slade’s story.  But there are a lot of interesting fighters introduced (and the potential for even more in the future) so I’m good with whoever the book is about.)

Book Review – Backwoods

13 Sunday Jul 2014

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cover44460-mediumThe more you trust, the more you risk…

When plans for a wilderness retreat with her teenage daughter Brooke go awry, Abby Hammond reluctantly pairs up with Brooke’s stepbrother and his dad, Nathan Strom, for the weeklong trek. The only thing Abby has in common with the bad-boy former pro athlete is that their exes cheated with each other. That…and a visceral attraction that’s growing more complicated with every step through the picturesque woods.

Nathan’s wild-card reputation lost him his career and his family. After years of regret, he’s ready to fight for what truly matters—and that includes Abby’s hard-won trust. When Brooke goes missing, Nathan knows he’s her best and only hope of rescue. But the deeper into the rugged mountains they go, the more dangerous the territory will prove—for their safety and for their hearts.

I really enjoyed Backwoods.  It was a fun (and intense) mix of family drama, romance and suspense.  Abby’s ex-husband is now married to Nathan’s ex-wife, but neither of the exes is on the trip.  Instead it is a time for Nathan to reconnect with Leo and Abby is there because there was a good chance that Brooke’s dad will flake on her … which is a good indication of what their relationship is like.

The first half is all about the dynamics of this mixed family – Nathan’s relationship with Leo, Abby’s relationship with Brooke, and all of them in relation to the exes.  A little attraction between Nathan and Abby is thrown in to keep it spicy.  The second half though is when things crank up.

I’m not going to say anything more than what the blurb does – which is that Brooke goes missing – but it really isn’t a well-kept secret during the early part of the book.  There are red flags every step of the way but it isn’t a mystery as much as it is suspenseful.  And just because things are blatantly telegraphed doesn’t make them any less interesting.

I’m sure there will be some people who find a few issues with the potential repercussions from their little adventure (I always think of the movie Speed and Keanu’s comment that a relationship based on intense experiences can’t last) but the ride is fun and I was happy at the end … so who cares.

Book Review – Perfect 10

12 Saturday Jul 2014

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cover45728-mediumKatrina’s Lesson in Social Media Disasters

or How Technology Can Bite You in the A**

Katrina Phillips is an expert social media manager. But that doesn’t mean she can’t make mistakes. Horrible, hide-in-your-closet-forever mistakes…like accidentally syncing her BootyBook app with her online profiles.

Blammo. Now everyone in the world can see who Katrina has dated and how they rated in appearance, sexual performance and (OMG) detailed descriptions of their manly parts! Now her phone is blowing up with angry exes—and an out-of-the-blue text from the only guy who came close to a perfect score….

Katrina has had a thing for Drew Jordan since forever ago, even if a booze-fuelled one-nighter did destroy their friendship. So why is he suddenly texting her now—and is it because she rated his Sexy Staff of Manliness as “magnificent?” Now the only way to satisfy her curiosity is to reunite with Drew…and rate him all over again!

Perfect 10 is a great example of what horrible things can happen in today’s world of technology.  It’s totally embarrassing and easy to imagine actually happening to anyone.  Well, except most of us probably don’t have an app like BootyBook, but the idea is the same.

At its heart, it’s the story of second chances and it’s very sweet.  Drew got overwhelmed after a night of drunken sex with his friend and was less than gentlemanly.  Who hasn’t reacted poorly and then couldn’t figure a way out of it?  Lucky for Drew, Trina offers him a way in on a silver platter.

Trina is devastated by her mistake (again a totally realistic situations) but also hopeful when she hears from Drew.  Who hasn’t embarrassed themselves in front of a lot of people and had to figure out how to go on with your head held high?  McCarthy handles it with style and grace … and some hot sex.

Perfect 10 is a cautionary tale for today’s plugged in world, but it’s also a sweet romance, with just that perfect touch of spice.

Book Review – Noble Intentions

11 Friday Jul 2014

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cover40744-mediumIn this hilarious romp, Noble Britton literally falls head over heels for his charming-and er, clumsy-new bride

When Noble Britton’s first wife dies, he tries everything to clear his name, including marrying a quiet, honest woman with no history of scandal or ill reputation. As soon as he meets Gillian Leigh, he knows she’ll do quite nicely. But Noble has a lot to learn about his unconventional bride. Gillian is a bit…accident prone. Now, with unfortunate incidents occurring all around him, and a banged-up head, black eye, and broken nose to boot, he realizes that this feisty girl has stolen his heart…and healed his soul.

I actually read Noble Intentions a handful of years ago and forgot how much I enjoyed it.  You definitely have to be in the mood for zaniness, though, but as long as you are it is a fantastic read.

Gillian is quirky and sweet and fun.  She throws herself headlong into life and that includes her marriage to Noble.  She finds herself in some embarrassing situations but she does it with an inquisitive mind and a good heart.  And even though he doesn’t embrace it quite as wholeheartedly, it is this liveliness that captures Noble’s attention.

Noble is living down a bad reputation thanks to the death of his first wife but he’s intent on doing the best for his family and his title.  He’s under the impression that he wants a quieter life and can mold Gillian into fitting into his expectations.  But he soon realizes that Gillian is a force unto herself.

There is also a nice suspense element that threads through the majority of the story and helps to highlight the deepening feelings between Gillian and Noble.  It’s an interesting mystery that kept me turning pages until the end.

Noble Intentions is a fun and entertaining start to MacAlister’s Noble series.  I’ve read a couple of the others as well and remember them being just as much fun, so get ready to add a handful of stories to your TBR pile.

Book Review – Worth the Fall

06 Sunday Jul 2014

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I’m really late getting today’s review up but this book is definitely worth it!

*****

cover48018-mediumThey meet on a beach. . . . Abby Davis isn’t wearing a skimpy bikini or sipping umbrella drinks, not when she’s busy chasing around four little ones. And Matt McKinney isn’t looking for fun—he’s a Navy SEAL, a grown man with a long list of missions . . . and fallen brothers.

They only have a week. . . . Abby has brought her children to this beach to start over, to give them the enjoyable memories they deserve. Matt’s been sidelined by a combat injury, and haunted by the best friend he lost and the promise he made: to remain a SEAL—focused and dedicated. This leaves no time for what he’s always wanted: a family.

But a week is all it takes. . . . Matt opens her heart while Abby soothes his soul. And though they plan to say good-bye when the week is over, something magical happens on that beach, something neither can forget. Something utterly, completely worth falling for.

Worth the Fall is the kickoff to Connor’s “The McKinney Brothers” series and it is a captivating start.

Matt is dealing with quite a bit of guilt over his best friend’s death, even years later, and he’s starting to question where his life is going.  Like all military heroes, he’s strong, dedicated and hard-working.  He’s also charming and funny and very, very sexy.  He’s great with kids, smart as a whip, and is wonderful for Abby’s self-esteem.  In other words, the perfect Navy SEAL romantic lead.

Abby is widowed with four kids and another on the way.  Her childhood was spent revolving thru foster homes and her marriage did very little to give her the feeling of being loved.  A week with too-good-to-be-true Matt finds her more attracted than she wants.  And when things continue after their week is over, Abby struggles very hard to not continue to run from what could be a great thing.

I’m not sure that Abby ever really lets go of her fears that she’s not good enough and will be left.  But I found the ending to be extremely touching and my heart squeezed a little at how they get to their HEA.  Her kids are adorable and Matt connects with them just as much as with Abby.  He’s got a whole herd of siblings and it’s going to be interesting to see more of them in future stories.

A touching story about two people dealing with regret and fear, Worth the Fall is a moving tale of learning to let go and embrace the good things that the future can hold.

Book Review – Hot Package

05 Saturday Jul 2014

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cover44944-mediumWhen public relations expert Olivia Reese stumbles onto evidence of a dangerous conspiracy right before Christmas, there’s only one man she can call for help. Billy “The Kid” Blake is a member of an elite military unit—the Hostile Operations Team—and he’s Olivia’s former lover.

Billy never forgot the sexy woman who rocked his world—and his bed—before she walked out on him. Now that she needs his help, he’ll do anything he can to keep her safe. But as time runs out and the snow piles up, can Billy and Olivia work together to thwart a lethal plot against the Pentagon without getting involved again?

Note: This novellas has been previously published in the Hot, Sexy & Bad box set.

With a little more action than Hot Mess but a little less than Hot Pursuit, Hot Package is the perfect choice for those looking for a mix of suspense and romance in a tiny little package.  I love these HOT guys – they are strong and smart and big hearted.  They fight hard, play hard and love hard.  Here, I appreciate how well Harris can give her readers a complete story, packed full of emotion and thrills, in under 100 pages.

Olivia had an uncertain childhood, bounced from place to place as her mom went from relationship to relationship. She doesn’t have a lot of confidence in men sticking around and those fears helped destroy her relationship with Billy.  He also had a bad experience, with his mom leaving him with his aunt, and having another woman not stick around just proves that those who should love you don’t stay.  Thrown together to look into possible trouble at her work, they have to decide if they can let go off their issues or if they are going to let it destroy their chance of being together.

I liked these two a lot.  They have good chemistry and they work well together on figuring out what is going on at Olivia’s work.  We get a little glimpse of the rest of the HOT team and a few hints at possible future stories.  The mystery is well done and I really enjoyed how it ended.  There was great tension, hot sex, and touching emotions. Harris is a master at giving readers kick-ass intrigue mixed with heart-warming moments and she’s become my can’t-be-missed military romance author.

Book Review – Return to Glory

04 Friday Jul 2014

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To celebrate the long Independence Day weekend, we’re going to do book reviews starring men who served our country with honor … starting with the heartwarming (and heartbreaking) Return to Glory.

*****

cover48928-mediumIn Glory, Kansas, the best bakery in three counties not only brings together ingredients for sweet treats, but is the place where—through the powerful mix of friendship, community and a well-stocked kitchen—a wounded hero can forge a forever kind of love.

Back in the hometown he left behind five years ago, Jack McConnell has returned battle-scarred and feeling like half a man. But Betsy Lewis only sees the hero who once saved her life and set her heart on fire. Now she’s burning to save him in return. She’ll use every trick she’s got up her sleeve, from her generous natural assets to her talent for baking, to coax Jack out from the bottom of his whiskey bottle.

At first, Jack responds to Betsy like any red-blooded man would. He’s always denied his attraction to the innocent girl he used to know, but he’s returned to find Betsy’s grown into a full-on woman with strength enough for both of them. Until Jack realizes the only way to conquer his demons and be worthy of the hero’s mantle she’s pinned to his shoulders is to save Betsy one last time—from himself.

Ya’ll, Jack and Betsy just about broke my heart … and I loved every page.  There are moments of great beauty and moments of extreme heartache, but there are so many wonderful, ordinary moments in between.

Betsy’s sassy and sweet at the same time, and I love her style.  She may be a little over her head with handling Jack’s troubles but that isn’t going to stop her from trying.  She’s caring and I love the relationship between her and Jack, as well as with her friends and family (especially her brother Caleb and his best friend India).

Jack has had so much bad happen to him that it is hard to imagine how he made it home and it is not surprising that he’s broken because of it.  He’s strong for making it as far as he has but he’s also got to realize that sometimes even great men need help.  The lead up to the moment he decides to fight is wrenching, although I do wish we’d seen a bit more of his recovery.  There is so much to be made of getting him to that point that I would have liked to have seen just a bit more of how he handles it from there.

I adored the Jack and Betsy together.  They each do so much for the other and even when Jack’s broken he’s still got so much heart (he just doesn’t realize it).  I just ate up the way their relationship changed over time and it added so much more oomph to their love story to have them be such a large part of each other’s lives for so long.  They are sweet and touching, and troubled, and the ending just brought a huge smile to my face.  It’s the perfect way to wrap up their relationship.

I can’t wait for the next book – hopefully we’ll get to see Caleb and India finally figure things out.

Book Review – Break Me

29 Sunday Jun 2014

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Today’s second review, since I missed yesterday.

*****

cover45149-mediumAbigail Stevens, an efficient and no-nonsense editor for one of the biggest names in the romance novel industry, has a big problem. She’s been desperately in love with Anthony Tate, Mr. Romance-Writer himself, for the last four years. She’s settled for friendship and professional success for the last four years, but now the sexy writer needs something more from her and she can’t find a reason to refuse.

Tony Tate has built a career centered on his identity as America’s most romantic writer. That identity does not include a debauched temper tantrum in the aftermath of his very public break-up with his on-again, off-again girlfriend. Tony has known that Abby has had the hots for him since the moment they met, but when his Plain Jane best friend and controlling editor ends up being his only option to exorcise his demons and pent-up sexual frustration, he can’t wait to break her prim and proper shell.

As Tony and Abby push each other farther than they’ve ever gone before, the question becomes, who will break whom?

There are a lot of people who aren’t going to like Break Me.  Tony’s treatment of Abby is horrible and she goes along with it for a long time … then she finally reaches her breaking point.

This is the first book by Autumn Stark and it’s a good start.  The sex is extremely hot, although some may not appreciate Tony’s dominance and there are times when it is almost violent.  Abby’s heart is too involved, so I understand why she lets things go as long as she does.  Tony, though, is typically clueless to his real feelings and motivations until it is almost too late.  He’s a complete jerk and his treatment of Abby definitely is beyond outrageous.  The tone changes toward the end but I’m not sure if everyone is going to appreciate his aha moment.

We get a great secondary cast and I can’t wait to see what Stark has in store for us with them.  Abby’s friend, her brothers, and Tony’s buddy have interesting stories, providing plenty of material for more books.

A decent first novel, Break Me won’t be for everyone, but it’s a good beginning for a new series.