Connections

This book was free on Amazon.com here as of the publish date of this blog.

Book: Connections

Author: Selena Kitt

Rating: M (for mature audiences – sexual content)

Bookshelves: 2013, fiction, lies, Kindle, Michigan, mommy issues, romance, USA,

Begun: January 1, 2013

Finished: January 1, 2013

Media Type: eBook (read on Kindle app on Nexus 7)

Setting: Michigan (USA)

Characters: Seth, Cathy

Synopsis: Cathy collects phone books and likes to randomly call phone numbers. This is her day to day life, calling strangers and listening to Bob Dylan with her fish. One day, she happens upon Seth, a college student who mistook Cathy for another Cathy he knew. They talk every day and develop a strange friendship.

Review: This was the strangest short story I’ve read in a long, long time. I couldn’t say that I liked Cathy. She was weird and very needy. She clearly had issues other than the mommy issues she expressed a couple of times. When she finally physically meets Seth (who we really don’t get to know all too well) whom she’s been talking to on the phone for a while, she jumps right into bed with him. That’s a classic response for a person with issues. I can’t say I liked this book or would recommend it to anyone else.

In my opinion, this book gets:

Not a good read and would not recommend it to someone else

Bibliophile

A Scandal, A Secret, A Baby/Marriage Scandal: Showbiz Baby!

This book was read as an Advance Reading Copy (ARC) provided for free by the publisher.

Book: A Scandal, A Secret, A Baby/Marriage Scandal: Showbiz Baby!

Author: Sharon Kendrick

Rating: M (for Mature Audiences – nothing that you would find in your run of the mill romance novel)

Bookshelves: 2012, alpha male, baby, England, fiction, Italy, Singapore, surprise pregnancy

Begun: December 26, 2012

Finished: December 27, 2012

Media Type: eBook (read on Kindle app on Nexus 7)

Setting: England, Italy, Singapore

Characters: Justina Perry, Dante D’Arezzo

Synopsis: Justina Perry was on top of the world five years ago: a member of a hot all-girl British pop band and dating the delectable Dante D’Arezzo. Now, she’s just another celebrant at the wedding of her friend and former band mate. It should have been an easy night of celebration but then she was confronted by Dante who she hadn’t seen since they broke up. Dante knows Justina looks better than ever and Justina can’t forget the love and lust she felt with her man. Eight months after the night of passion, Dante sees Justina on the news … looking decidedly pregnant. Is the baby his?

Review: Great quick read. There were actually two books in one for this novel. Both of them were great. Well written and very detailed characterizations. I love romance novels where I can read and actually feel heart sick for the heroine or the hero. Justina is definitely the bane of an alpha male’s existence but at the same time, the reader can see the softer side of her that is hidden (obviously) from Dante. Great read. I would definitely recommend it to others and will go in search of other Kendrick novels.

In my opinion, this book gets:

4 out of 5 stars (good book that I'd pick up again and recommend to friends)

Wild for the Sheriff (The Sisters of Bell River Ranch series #1)

This book was read as an Advance Reading Copy (ARC) provided for free by the publisher.

Book: Wild for the Sheriff (The Sisters of Bell River Ranch series #1)

Author: Kathleen O’Brien

Rating: M (for Mature Audiences – nothing that you would find in your run of the mill romance novel)

Bookshelves: 2012, bad girl/nice boy, child abuse history, Colorado, fiction, police romance, 

Begun: December 27, 2012

Finished: December 28, 2012

Media Type: eBook (read on Kindle app on Nexus 7)

Setting: Bell River Ranch in Colorado

Characters: Rowena Wright, Bree Wright, Penny Wright, Johnny Wright, Moira Wright, Alec Garwood, Dallas Garwood, Bonnie, Mitch Garwood

Synopsis: Fifteen years after she left, Rowena Wright has returned to Bell River Ranch. Her family home is steeped in history and not the best kind. At a young age, Rowena came home to find her mother’s mangled body at the bottom of the staircase and her father being hauled off by the police. This on the heels on being caught with Bell River’s saint incarnate and prodigal son, Dallas Garwood, in the back of his pickup. Can Bell River handle the return of wild child Rowena? Can Sheriff Dallas?

Review: I’ve never read a book by Kathleen O’Brien but I can definitely say that I’ll pick up more by her in the future. The history and the backstory was very well crafted and the characters seemed three dimensional, almost like someone that you might know from down the street. I liked the infusing of Alec who gave humor and great counterpoint to the serious Dallas. Mitch, Dallas’s older brother, is like a grown up Alec. Mitch and Bonnie’s relationship (and Bonnie’s mysterious backstory) was very intriguing and I can’t wait to read more about her (and Mitch) in future books. I hope O’Brien doesn’t let me down.

In my opinion, this book gets:

4 out of 5 stars (good book that I'd pick up again and recommend to friends)

Dealing Her Final Card

This book was read as an Advance Reading Copy (ARC) provided for free by the publisher.

Book: Dealing Her Final Card

Author: Jennie Lucas

Rating: M (for Mature Audiences – nothing that you would find in your run of the mill romance novel)

Bookshelves: 2012, fiction, gambling, Hawaii, romance, Russia

Begun: December 22, 2012

Finished: December 23, 2012

Media Type: eBook (read on Kindle app on Nexus 7)

Setting: Hawaii, Alaska, Russia

Characters: Bree Dalton, Josie Dalton, Vladimir Xendzov, Kasimir Xendzov,

Synopsis: Bree Dalton is thrown back into the life that she tried to escape. One mistake by her younger sister, Josie, and Bree finds herself gambling with a group of men to get her sister’s $100,000 back (a $100k that the sisters don’t have to begin with!). What the men gambling don’t know is that Bree’s father was a con man of the highest caliber and he taught his eldest daughter everything he knew about pulling a con, playing cards and calling bluffs. The problem? One of the men at the table knows Bree from way, way back. Prince Vladimir Xendzov was Bree’s first love and first lover. When she loses to him in a final winner takes everything game, she wonders what is going to happen to her now that Vladimir all but owned her. And what will happen to her heart now that she is his again?

Review: This was the first time I've read anything by Jennie Lucas and I think (no I know) that I wouldn't hesitate to grab another book by her. She’s a fantastic author who weaved great detail into this novel. I could really feel the depth of Bree’s love for Vladimir and her devotion to her sister (and even to the memory of her father). The ending was perfectly paced and well written. Lucas does an excellent job of setting the stage for Josie’s book (which I can’t wait to read!).

In my opinion, this book gets:

4 out of 5 stars (nearly perfect)

Baby Out of the Blue

This book was read as an Advance Reading Copy (ARC) provided for free by the publisher.

Book: Baby Out of the Blue

Author: Rebecca Winters

Rating:  M (for Mature Audiences – nothing that you would find in your run of the mill romance novel)

Bookshelves: 2012, baby, death, Greece, Harlequin, infertility, romance

Begun: December 21, 2012

Finished: December 22, 2012

Media Type: eBook (read on Kindle app on Nexus 7)

Setting: Greece

Characters: Fran Myers, Kellie Petralia, Leandros Petralia, Nik Angelis

Synopsis: Fran and her closest friend Kellie are traveling through Greece when a freak thunderstorm, complete with tornados, hits their region and they are forced to take refuge in a roadside hotel instead of traveling through to their destination (a hotel owned by Kellie’s Greek husband Leandros Petralia). The next morning as word travels through the breakfasting guest about the tornados, Fran finds a baby just lying in the shrubs next to the patio. She’s rushed to hospital and it’s discovered that she is the only surviving member of the Angelis family who were staying at the hotel that Fran and Kelly were supposed to have travelled to … twelve miles up the road. Swept up in the tornados, Demi was put down at the feet of a woman who needed some love and affection but will she be able to help the baby out when her very handsome uncle, Nik Angelis, comes to bring her home from the hospital?

Review: The plot beats you over the head with the knowledge that Fran didn’t have a child with her ex-husband and Kellie is allergic to Leandros’ sperm (which is literally spelled out for you in vivid detail – too much information – simply telling the reader that she had an allergy would have been enough but Winters goes into detail about the rash etc – TMI!!). Its like: I get it. These women are not exactly happy in their current relationship situations BUT they are so passive about it. I hope that Kellie’s book gives the woman some backbone because I came to despise her as the book went on! She gives a new meaning to the word “weak!” I think that Fran was pretty indesive and easily swayed too. One minute she doesn’t want to stay on as Demi’s nanny (or whatever) and the next she doesn’t want to leave. The girl needs a brain and needs to learn how to use it! And, truthfully, I’m usually not a fan of Rebecca Winters but this novel wasn’t half bad (much better than other novels by her that I’ve read).

In my opinion, this book gets:

2 out of 5 stars

The Professional/The Player (Men Out Of Uniform #13 & #1)

This book was read as an Advance Reading Copy (ARC) provided for free by the publisher and NetGalley.com

Two books were combined into one double book The Professional: The Professional/The Player.

Book: The Professional (Men Out Of Uniform series #13)

Author: Rhonda Nelson

Rating: M (for Mature Audiences – nothing that you would find in your run of the mill romance novel)

Bookshelves: 2012, fiction, Georgia, military, romance, USA,

Begun: December 12, 2012

Finished: December 15, 2012

Media Type: eBook (read on the Kindle app on a Nexus 7)

Setting: Georgia, USA

Characters: Jeb Anderson and Sophie O’Brien

Synopsis: Someone is stealing valuables at a very pricey and very exclusive old age community. This place is the place to retire to and someone is running around exploiting the elderly and taking valuable jewelry out of locked safes. Jeb Anderson is a retired Army Ranger whose twin brother, Judd, is also in the service and is currently stationed overseas but is on leave. Jeb has taken the job of finding out who is stealing the valuables and his first suspect is Sophie O’Brien, a vivacious and pretty massage therapist who owns her own farm and makes soaps that are sold at the retirement community. But, Sophie’s not his thief and there are dark secrets hidden in her closet. Can the two come together to find the jewel thief in a retirement community where the residents act like it’s spring break all year long?

Review: This was a very cute, quick, and well written read. I loved the backstory on both main characters and how Rhonda Nelson really pulled you in to the plot from the very beginning. Sophie’s back story kind of came to an abrupt ending which I think might have been a little more dramatic is it had been drawn out and played with a little more, but, overall, it was a good book.

  

Book: The Player (Men Out of Uniform series #1)

Author: Rhonda Nelson

Rating: M (for Mature Audiences – nothing that you would find in your run of the mill romance novel)

Bookshelves: 2012, fiction, Maine, military, romance, USA,

Begun: December 12, 2012

Finished: December 15, 2012

Media Type: eBook (read on the Kindle app on a Nexus 7)

Setting: Maine, USA

Characters:  Jamie Flanagan, Audrey Kincaid

Synopsis: Jamie Flanagan owed Colonel Garrett a favor. How else would he have ended up at a “distressing” camp in Maine called Unwind? No on his own, that’s for damn sure. This tough as nails ex-US Army Ranger would rather be back on the battlefields than painting pictures and talking about his feeling. And the only thing he’s feel right now is hot for the girl he’s supposed to be guarding, Audrey Kincaid, owner and proprietress of Unwind … and Colonel Garrett’s granddaughter. A raven haired beauty, Audrey left the world of financial analysis after having a heart attack at age 26. Now she’s stuck with an emotional vampire of a boyfriend who is asking her to marry him (with the ultimatum that he will dump her if she says “no”) and a hot, hot, hot colleague of her grandfather that is having trouble getting over the death of a battle buddy. What’s a girl to do?

Review: This was another well written, great, quick read. I was kind of hoping to get Judd Anderson’s (Jeb Anderson’s twin from The Professional (the first part of this book)) story but Jamie’s story was very good also. After reading these two stories, I do plan to go out and get the rest of the books in this series.

 In my opinion, this book gets:

Doctor Knows Best

Book: Doctor Knows Best

Author: Betty Glen

Rating: X (for erotica and sex as main plot)

Bookshelves: 2012, erotica, fiction, medical, romance,

Begun: Dec. 16, 2012

Finished: Dec. 16, 2012

Media Type: eBook (Kindle app read on Nexus 7)

Setting: A doctor’s office (presumably in the USA)

Characters: Dr. Chad Carson, Eve Kline, Darlene

Synopsis: Eve Kline works in Dr. Chad Carson’s doctor office and has been having a huge problem … she can’t help but get aroused when Dr. Carson is around. It’s ruining her job and she just can’t stand for anything to bother her as much as Dr. Carson is. He’s sexy and passionate about his job but all Eve wants is to know what he’s like in bed. When her gynecologist cancels her appointment at the last minute, Dr. Carson offers to give her an exam (not knowing that this is for a sexual problem). What will happen when the sexy doctor is asked to help Eve with a problem that he is creating?!?

Review: Sexy and provocative, I liked this very short novella. Definitely not a long read but worth it for a short thrill. Dr. Carson’s character easily could have been mad a more dynamic character. But what can you do when it’s like 300 words long. I liked it and would look for other books by Glen.

In my opinion, this book gets:

Five Days Grace (The McRae's series #4)

This book was read as an Advance Reading Copy (ARC) provided for free by the publisher and NetGalley.com

Book: Five Days Grace (The McRae’s series #4)

Author: Teresa Hill

Rating: M (mature reading audiences)

Bookshelves: 2012, Afghanistan, fiction, infidelity, Ohio, mistaken identity, romance, USA, war veteran, wounded warrior,

Begun: September 28, 2012

Finished: October 2, 2012

Media Type: eBook (read on Bluefire app on iPhone)

Setting: Ohio

Characters: Aidan Shaw, Grace McRae

Synopsis: Grace is escaping the memory of her husband. She was supposed to be headed to visit her in laws for the first time since her husband’s death months prior but she just couldn't bring herself to show up. And not because she was devastated over his death. She loved her husband, but the fool had been cheating on her with someone from the University at which he taught. Grace decided to high tail it to the McRae’s family cabin on a remote lake. But when she gets there, she has to deal with an intruder.

All wounded Naval Intelligence Officer Aidan Shaw wanted was a quiet place to convalesce after his helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan and all his crew killed. Mentally and emotionally scared, Aidan is instructed by his commanding officer to lay low while he recuperates because there is also someone after him.

In walks Grace to the secluded cabin and scares the pant of Aidan who draws a weapon on her until he realizes that he is the little sister of the friend who loaned him the cabin. What will happen with these two strong personalities in the same cabin for a weekend?

Review: I was hoping for a miracle with this book. I really, really wanted to like it. But, unfortunately, the story line, plot, and characters all fell flat for me. Everything felt one dimensional and didn't even come close to pulling me in. I, even, put the book down for about a week and came back and read it because I knew I just had to finish it. But it was painful! Even one of the more exciting parts of the plot (the fact that Aidan is in hiding because there is someone after him) crumbled when Aidan’s commanding officer just says something like … oh, don’t worry. We figured out it was a kid. You can come back now.

I don’t know that I would recommend this book to anyone else to read.  

In my opinion, this book gets:

2 out of 5 stars.

The Stranger (Just One Night series #1)

This book was read as an Advance Reading Copy (ARC) provided for free by the publisher and NetGalley.com

Book: The Stranger (Just One Night series #1)

Author: Kyra Davis

Rating: X (explicit sexual content)

Bookshelves: 2012, ARC, California, cheating, erotica, fiction, Las Vegas, romance

Begun: December 18, 2012

Finished: December 18, 2012

Media Type: eBook (read on Kindle app on Nexus 7)

Setting: Las Vegas, Nevada and California

Characters: Kasie Fitzgerald

Synopsis: Kasie is about to enter into a boring, bland, and vanilla marriage with a man who hasn’t even asked her to marry him yet. But, he’s discussed the feasibility of finding the perfect diamond for the perfect girlfriend who will, undoubtedly, make him the perfect wife, too. But the problem is Kasie has been dragged off to Vegas but her adventurous friend who wants her to go out and flirt with men and drink with a stranger. Until she starts playing the tables and a gorgeous hunk of a man invites her back up to his room. How can she say “no?” When she gets back to California, what will happen when she finds out her mystery man is a new client at her firm?

Review: I’m not a huge fan of “cheating” stories, even when the cheating is justified away. Kasie is so wishy washy. I completely forgot that her name was something as different as Kasie. Kasie’s should be exciting and vibrant but this Kasie was just as vanilla as her horrible sounding boyfriend. And she can never make up her mind. Sometimes I found myself flipping back in the pages because I felt like I missed something. Details that seemed like they would be important were glossed over and forgotten.

Davis’s writing was good but not extraordinary. And the novella just seemed to … end. There was really no good conclusion and instead of it seeming like a cliff hanger, it was more like a door slamming in your face.

I’m not sure if I would read a second book in this series if I didn’t get it for free or from the library.

In my opinion, this book gets:

Just ... ok.

Roman and Juliet (The Aerie Doms series #4)

Book: Roman and Juliet (The Aerie Doms series #4)

Author: Christina Thacher

Rating: X (explicit sex)

Bookshelves: 2012,Colorado, Denver, erotica, fiction, romance, USA

Begun: December 17, 2012

Finished: December 17, 2012

Media Type: eBook on Kindle app (read on Nexus 7) - FREE ON AMAZON AS OF DATE THIS BLOG WAS PUBLISHED

Setting: Denver, Colorado

Characters: Juliet Howard, Roman Grainger, Xavier Greer,

Synopsis: Juliet is a submissive whom most dominants won't touch because she looks very frail and fragile with white/silver blonde hair and huge doe eyes. Juliet likes it rough though and is saddened by the few men who given her a second look at The Aerie (a BDSM club in Denver, Colorado). Until, that is, the sexiest cowboy she's ever seen steps out of her fantasies and walks into the club. Can Roman and Juliet make a connection?

Review: This was a good novella. Took about an hour to read and was very enjoyable since it was the fourth book in a series. You don’t feel like you are missing anything not having read other books in this series. The characters were dynamic and well rounded. Thacher is a quality writer. My only complain is that of the “book,” only about ½ of the book was the novella and the other ½ were the first chapters of her other three books in the Aerie Doms series. Granted, this wasn't so bad since they were all pretty good reads and enticed me to look up the other books. I just felt tricked that I would be reading more than what I had in front of me.

In my opinion, this book gets:

4 out of 5 stars (good book that I'd pick up again and recommend to friends)