Traveling home for Christmas, two modern women in their 20s are forced to drive together during a snowstorm, and they get lost. They cross a covered bridge and, suddenly, they enter the past, finding themselves in a small picturesque Vermont town in 1943. They meet two handsome soldiers, who are about to be sent off to war, and they fall in love with them, while also struggling to find a way to return home to their own time.
With the soldiers’ help, on Christmas Eve, the two women finally have one chance to return to their own time, but they are caught between their love for the soldiers, and their desire to return to the present. At the last moment, they must make the difficult decision and, because it is Christmas, a miracle happens. MY REVIEW: I looked forward to reading this book. The description had me intrigued. I had to wait to borrow it. Sadly, I wasn't as captivated once I started reading it. I didn't connect with the girls in the story - I found Megan and Jackie, and their interactions a little annoying. There was a lot more narrative than I prefer in a book. The whole time travel premise was intriguing, but wasn't mapped out in a way that explained why only certain people who crossed the bridge went through time and others didn't, or at least I didn't see it. There was repetition that made the story lag. Even the romance had holes in it. They fell in love in two days, not much room there for building a romance. There may have been a moral behind the story, but I didn't get it. I did enjoy reading about the signs, advertisements, and even songs of the by gone era in the book. The mechanics were good, so there were not typos or errors to trip over. But overall, it was a book I could easily walk away from.
DESCRIPTION ON AMAZON:
After the loss of his wife in a bizarre car accident from which her body was never recovered, Trayton Bennett has created a diminutive version of the world in which he used to exist. The inability to cope with his loss coupled with a pervasive reluctance to believe that his wife is truly dead, has led him to push away what's left that remains important to him.
Four years after the tragedy, Trayton's life is again turned upside down when he uncovers evidence which suggests that his wife's accident was staged and her disappearance the result of foul play.
Oblivious to the attempts that will be made to stop him, and underestimating the abhorrent nature of the secrets that he will unveil, his desperate hunt for the truth begins...
MY REVIEW:
Ms. Graham has a worth while debut novel. It sucked me in and kept me turning the pages. The bond of love that was unbroken for so many years was amazing. The path that lead Trayton to the truth was twisted, thrilling, and often times disturbing. The diabolical doctor was easy to hate, and yet, I could almost sympathize with his plight - almost.
You do need to suspend disbelief, but, that is necessary to enjoy fiction in many cases. I felt the descriptions and narratives were a bit thick and drawn out in places, and found myself skimming through them to get to the action. If the book was pared down a little, I don't think it would harm the story. I was also left with a few questions in the end, things didn't seem to tie up for me, such as: Why didn't Joey hear the SUV before it hit them? It was painstakingly described and illustrated that she could hear from long distances, and even through many walls. Also, the deja vu at the end of the book - how did Trayton have that dream? Was it from Charlie's thoughts? I believe Charlie could only transfer her thoughts if she was touching you. Did Trayton see the future?
Even with the things I was left questioning, over all, this was a very enjoyable read, quite an entertaining thriller. It stuck with me, and I really don't want to believe there is any possibility that the scenarios in it could be real.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Dr. David Lambert and his wife, Brianna, received the ultimate gift from her fraternal twin. They gratefully accepted it, of course, because everyone knows you can't return a baby like an itchy sweater. Yet, that's essentially what Brianna does when she has a meltdown and unexpectedly divorces David. She runs from their home in Redemption, Pennsylvania, and leaves their surrogate--her sister, Casey--pregnant with his little bundle.
When David chose her beautiful twin over her, Casey McIntyre hid her hurt behind a wall of sarcasm. Now that her sister has divorced her husband, it's increasingly difficult to remember why the hunky pediatrician is supposed to be off limits--especially since Brianna doesn't seem to want him or care if Casey and he get involved.
David always liked and admired his selfless ex-sister-in-law--despite that the sassy preschool teacher is always busting his chops. Consequently, after his wife bails on marriage and motherhood, it's only natural he turns to Casey for sympathy. Unfortunately, the exasperating pixie becomes more irresistible with each day she carries his child. He already mistook lust for love once and jumped way too fast into marriage. He's not about to botch up his life that way again.
Casey wants whatever happiness she can grab, whether it's temporary or not. The only problem is, if she lets herself love her baby (or David), what will happen to her when her sister inevitably realizes her mistake and returns to Redemption?
MY REVIEW:
An engaging story, an unbelievably deep sibling rivalry paralleled with the greatest sibling love. How much she would sacrifice to have a baby for her sister - and what is the real motivation behind her decision? The characters were strong, and well developed. I liked them, even though when reading the description I thought I would not like one of the sisters. You get behind the scenes with so many people and find out their secrets, their regrets, and their reasons for being the way they are. I absolutely adored Innes and his Scottish Brogue. The story was well written and flowed smoothly, with a good plot and several compelling sub plots. It kept me interested, and I finished it very quickly. The only thing that was a little weird for me was that one sister slept with the other's ex husband.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend it.
DESCRIPTON FROM AMAZON:
"Following college Frank is comfortable in his bucolic little hometown of Collins. College friend Beth Ann calls, announcing her divorce will be finalized Friday morning...and she is driving the two hours to Collins immediately thereafter.
Oh, no. Not Beth Ann, again.
amantes sunt amentes
Lovers are lunatics."
MY REVIEW:
Warning, the end of this review may contain things from the story that you will find out while reading it in order to better explain my thoughts about the book. There are spoiler notices before that content.
I always promise an honest review. When an author requests that I review their work, it is knowing I will give my sincere opinion. This book was tough for me. It started out with promise. I wanted to like it.
Lets' start with Beth Ann. The book starts out telling Frank's story in college, where he meets this highly annoying, bossy, manipulative, spoiled, inexperienced, rich girl. She is quite a thorn in his side. But, hey, she wants to have sex, so all is right with the world. Young, carefree Frank, Okay, I can see how he'd fall into the trap. I was reading along, more incensed by Beth Ann's behavior with each turn of the page. This in itself is not bad. A character you love to hate. That was definitely established. However, Frank continued on with her, for years...and years. Even though he repeatedly said he was going to be done with her... but I'll just have sex with her this one last time ..then it's over.. for good.. really. Even when he was in other relationships, even when he claimed to be in LOVE with someone else. Even though he cringed with the idea of spending time with her. I found myself hoping she would not be in the whole book, or if she was, that there would be a reason for it.
Another point, it seemed every woman in the book that he had any romantic interest in would have a plan for him, and when they wanted to see him. They all knew when their period was, did not want him around during that time, and specifically told him to stay away for that reason. That was very odd.
More than one woman wanted to have a serious relationship and made plans to spend more time together/live closer together and then BAM, flip flopped on him once the decision was made and it was goodbye time, see ya. Like hitting a brick wall.
The story was really slow, and very long. I couldn't stay engaged in it and I kept setting it down all through the middle thirty percent. I think it could be pared down. There was so much detailed information on things that could have been left out. The part of the book I was really interested in was Frank and Beth Ann, and how OH how was he going to get rid of her.
Gina's story at the end, that could have made a very interesting tale - If the reader could have seen it played out instead of just having it relayed in a matter of fact way at the end of the book. It didn't give you a chance to be invested in it.
There was a quote in the book that I liked, and found appropriately describes Frank's life. "A wise man counseled me once to make haste slowly when allowing a woman to select me as her mate."
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. When all the words were read, I concluded this book just wasn't for me. It happens sometimes. Perhaps you'll feel differently when reading it.
Show Spoiler Content
I really expected there would be some big explosion, some climatic event in which true love forced Frank to end things with Beth Ann, and then Beth Ann's nature would cause an upheaval, something, anything. An end came about, but not in a very satisfying way. Frank finally ended things, for the waffling love of Gina, but with a sentence or two describing Beth Ann's mood at the termination of their relationship. I really hoped their would be more to the story than just 'I'll use you for sex, until I finally grow backbone enough to dump you.' When I thought the plot was taking a new turn with Beth Ann's second husband - when she finally, FINALLY tells Frank what she has been planning and collecting, and then she handed it over to him, I was positive there was a new twist coming. Perhaps Frank would use it to get out of his relationship or to give Beth Ann a taste of her own medicine. No. Nothing came of it.
Gina, oh Gina. She was THE One? The one who left Frank three times in the book, without any reason. Yet, when she'd come back, after a year, or six years, Frank didn't question her motives. They just jumped right back to having sex. You don't find out the reason why she left the first two times until the very end of the book, and it was just not plausible. When you reach the end and think he is finally going to be with his Greek Goddess, love of his life, she jumps ship again. For no reason.
When a man is strangled on the campus of Felton University, librarian Jane Hall believes it may have something to do with a note she came across earlier in the day. It’s just an intriguing possibility until a close friend is injured during a second murder attempt two days later. Then it becomes a personal challenge: the killer must be stopped. But as Jane begins to put the pieces together, it also becomes a personal challenge for the killer, who is only days away from a comfortable retirement: Jane Hall must not interfere.
MY REVIEW: The book lead me to believe the culprit had to be one of a certain set of people right off the bat, and then there was no twist to surprise me with a new unsuspected character. I found it hard to believe they kept putting the notes back in the book, and nobody took real measures to see who was coming and going, or who could be retrieving the murder instructions. There were redundant pages of second thoughts, and explaining how the characters felt, or what they knew as far as the investigation went so far. Also, the client and killers' names were not known and so there was a tedious description, similar to "The man who hired the killer to kill this person and that person did this..." many times. I had difficulty believing in the assassin's character, as far as their "skills" went and how and why there were doing what they did even with a tiny bit of an explanation as to what drove their appetite to kill, especially in their current profession. I guess, I am a little disappointed because I didn't feel deeply. I didn't feel love or passion, hate or remorse, and I didn't feel anything when people died. There came a point when I had the ending figured out. It was just, plunk, there you go. The book didn't really have any grit.
DESCRIPTION FROM AMAZON:
A family saga about Rose Sullivan, an Irish girl who comes to Philadelphia in 1880 and finds love, heartache, loss, and unexpected joy during the tumultuous years around the turn of the century. She marries an Irish mystery man named Sean McCarthy, who has a violent past and a secret life, and he takes her to new heights and depths of passion. The lives of multiple characters, vividly drawn, come together in this series that examines what happens when the rural Irish of the 19th century encounter the breathtaking pace of change in the America of the 20th century. Follow Rose and Sean through the years as their lives take unexpected twists and turns, and they discover the many surprises hidden in the human heart.
MY REVIEW:
I have seen others describe this as a love story or romance, and am not certain I would agree. If you go into it believing that, you will probably be disappointed. Poor Rose, who is built as a strong and brave female character heading off to a strange new world to help support her family shares a single kiss with a young Irish boy before she leaves. She pines away for this boy for years and years, until one day he mysteriously appears in the same town where she lives. He then, under some heroic actions, ends up working for the same family she works for, and although he is drawn to her and she to him, the dim romantic spark soon fades. I don't want to give away too much of the story, but, let me just say I found Sean to be quite the scoundrel, and his only redeeming quality was that he actually sent money to Rose to care for his family, even if it wasn't enough. The end of the story left me shaking my head, "Shame, shame, shame on you Sean McCarthy."
This book was easily read. A lot of the story was told after the fact, through letters Rose writes to her family, and you don't actually get to see it played out. I wasn't at all satisfied with the relationship between Rose and Sean, and would look forward to reading the next book if only to see him served his just desserts. There is a hint of some happiness for Rose at the end of the book, after all the years she suffers of loneliness and pain, which leaves hope for her future.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. It was an okay read.
AN EROTIC ROMANCE
Recommended for 18+ due to mature themes and sexual content
*****
Beyond the seductive power of immense wealth lies... Dark Secrets
When Lana Bloom learns the devastating news that her mother is dying, she is faced with a terrible dilemma. The one thing that can save her is the one thing she does not have.
For young and Innocent Lana, The unthinkable is her only choice.
When she walks through the door of that exclusive restaurant she has no idea of the seismic shift her life is about to take, for the highest bidder will not be the rich man she has accompanied.
Fate drops her at the feet of the deeply mysterious and dazzlingly gorgeous American banker, Blake Law Barrington. Throbbing with raw masculinity and arrogance, this is a man who owns all that he pursues.
And now he wants her.
Lana cannot deny she is both intrigued and intoxicated by the world Blake inhabits and the smouldering passion he stirs in her body, but she is also fearful for this man is addictive and right now she is very vulnerable. She knows she should focus only on the arrangement, but how can she?
When he has opened a door that cannot be closed...
MY REVIEW:
I will give this book 3 1/2 stars. It ended with a cliffhanger leaving so many things unresolved which then forces you to read the next book to get answers.
I was intrigued with the idea that Lana, innocent and naïve would be so desperate that she would come up with the idea of selling her virtue to help her poor sick mother. Would I have come up with that idea in her place? Would I have been able to go against my ingrained sense of morality to follow through with it? I am not sure if it would take a strong or a weak person to finalize that deal - well, with slimy, offensive, and twisted Rupert anyway. Now, with Blake, it may not have been so hard for Lana to set aside her conscience.
I liked the idea behind the story, and the chemistry was proven between the main characters. It is definitely for mature audiences. The characters were developed, but Lana more than Blake. I especially liked Lana's best friend, kind of repulsive sometimes, but it makes her real. The differences in the views between the rich and poor were touched upon and debated, which gave an interesting sense of why Lana and Blake feel the way they do toward each other and the world in general. The intended fiancé threw a wrench in the mix, and you'd enjoy seeing her downfall, or hope to see her downfall in the next book.
I for one am cheering on Blake and Lana for the next book in the series, and hoping they work things out, but I am sure the author has placed many a hurdle in their paths.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
DESCRIPTION FROM AMAZON:
A captivating, mystical and erotic story about the life before Earth. The first world was ideal, the first humans were immortal, everything was given to them to ensure a happy and endless future and life seemed to be going perfect. But there was a curious angel who changed the course of life.
To begin with, angels hadn't any feelings, they were cold, emotionless creatures wandering around the new world and examining the surroundings. But one of them learned to feel and to see the beauty of God's creation and for that life, even the angel was surely ready to leave even Heaven.
MY REVIEW:
This is a short story, a quick read. It is an interesting take on Creation, Adam and Eve, and I especially liked the portrayal of Lucifer. I was impressed with the fact that this story was originally written in another language and then translated into English. It has a few errors, but very few. I enjoyed it.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Description On Amazon: Alyx was the best surveillance agent in the private security sector, until she walked away with a company secret. After months of slipping Lighthouse's radar, an old face reappears with a promise to right all that has gone wrong. With moneymen and grey hats at her side, this thief turned company woman is tested against demons from the past that threaten her future. MY REVIEW:
I can't say I liked this book, and I can't say I hated it. I don't want to say it was okay either, so the blasted required star rating of Amazon is going to be rough here. I have to say I didn't like it, but there was a possibility I could have liked it. I see talent glinting behind the heavy mask of typos and grammatical errors. As some one who supports indie authors and their work, I can and do try to overlook a few mistakes here and there, but, it can not be done when it interrupts the flow of the story - which it did. I finished reading the whole book because I was requested to review it and made a commitment to do so. I highly encourage the author to get someone to help them with proofreading.
That being said, I think the idea behind the story is compelling - politics, power, corruption, crime - and I could really get into it if I was given an inside to the main character. I felt like I was kept distant from Alyx. Her past kept being hinted at, and some big incident between her and another character - that she struggles with an urge to kill because of what happened. However, I read the whole book, and I am not sure what that even was. It could use a little more development - the story and the characters. I didn't really get to know them well. Even though I was interested in what was going on, in a lot of the scenes it felt disconnected, like I was running in the dark in an unfamiliar place.
Again, definitely could be a three or four star book, in my humble opinion, with a little more work.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Raised in the kitchens of Nottingham Castle, Wren has no idea she is the daughter of the legendary Robin Hood until she is summoned to Sherwood Forest. Since Robin's death many years before, the resistance against Norman tyranny has been upheld by a magical triad, but now one of the guardians has died. With two young men, Sparrow and Martin, Wren must form a new triad with a bond strong enough to defend Sherwood's magic. To one of them, she will also give her heart.
From the moment Wren bursts into his life, Sparrow loves her. But he knows she may choose his lifelong rival, Martin, as her mate. Martin wants Wren also, but Sparrow fears Martin is driven not by love but by ambition. When Martin is captured and held at Nottingham Castle, will the conflict between love and duty destroy the triad?
My Review:
Overall, Daughter of Sherwood was an interesting tale, and I enjoyed it. The main character, Wren, seemed a little weak at times, but I suppose she would be uncertain of herself growing up as a kitchen slave. When she drew upon the power within her, the power of the forest, and those that came before her, she completed some very brave tasks. I felt like the love triangle portion was drawn out for too long making me think, "Choose already, and make me believe in your choice." Ultimately, when she made her decision absolute, I think Wren made the right one for the story, even after taking things a bit too far. Some elements of the plot, I couldn't quite come to terms with, even using magic as an excuse. Yes, a book including magic is expected to cross lines of reality. Without giving away too much information about the story, I had to question - if the magic was able to save a character in this story who had met their end, then why couldn't it have saved any of those who died before, like Robin Hood? That, I guess, I set aside as miraculous magic of unprecedented proportions. It didn't detract from the story enough to make it not enjoyable, in my opinion.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Logan Richards is doubly blessed. Not only is he a genius but he has a rare gift, he remembers things and not just from this life but all his lifetimes. He lives a life of wealth and luxury and has never lacked any material possession. There has never been an obstacle his intellect couldn't overcome. But Logan has a problem: every night he dreams of the same woman, a woman he has dreamt of all his life. He knows she is real and he is determined to find her and convince her she belongs with him, forever.
Amber Lewis, a waitress for a five-star restaurant in Dana Point, California, is overworked and stressed. Her sister's death has left her weary and wondering if there's something more to life than mere existence. Then, one evening while working she meets Logan Richards, a chivalrous man who feels deeply familiar.
Fate has brought them together, but will their growing love prove strong enough to resist the forces that could pull them apart?
MY REVIEW:
The premise had me hooked, and the author compared it to the works of Nicholas Sparks - which intrigued me, and also raised my expectations. It started out a little slow for me. I questioned the characters actions and reactions, because I didn't feel I knew them, and it was taking too long to gain the insight. I wasn't sure I would like it. The author also relayed a lot of the story as second hand information, instead of letting the reader actually watch it unfold. It came together toward the end, and the power of its sentiment was a plus. It could use a thorough proofreading, and a little deeper development, but, parts of it did make me cry.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
The past defines us. For one man, it’s inescapable.
Fifteen years ago...On a beautiful September afternoon, Colin Wyle was boating with his girlfriend Natalie Merian when she disappeared. Natalie’s politician father assumed the worst. A media storm ensued, causing panic in the area and Colin came under suspicion. Desperate to find his love, he sought help from a mysterious source, forcing Colin to make the hardest choice of his life: commit a crime or lose her forever.
Now, Colin has a high-profile career and a fiancée. When a phone call unearths a secret federal investigation, Colin is forced to reckon with the past. And pay for his sins.
MY REVIEW:
I give this book 2.5 leaves, because I feel it is about half way there, between okay and good.
I started reading this book and thought it was great. I was excited, as it appeared to fall in one of my favorite categories of reading, and looked forward to the finish. The writer has potential. The book has potential. That being said, in my honest opinion, for all the compelling points of the story, there were an equal number of confusing points. The complications of tangled emotions toward the end with Natalie and Colin didn't seem to be firmly resolved. The whole federal investigation left me with more questions than answers, and seemed like it was wrapped up neatly - but I didn't really get how or why. Jamal's fate was a big question mark for me - Why put the people with the tattoos in the mix if it was an act of God? If it wasn't an act of God, then why would Jamal be marked and not Colin or his lawyer? The story turned into a struggle of religious beliefs, which was okay because it wasn't preachy or aggressive. I found it interesting. Colin's struggle between doing what was truly right and doing what he wanted to do - with help from the voice in his head, Christel, and justifying it by using the "power" to help others - was well delivered. But, Colin dragged on so long trying to discover whether the voice was "good" or "bad", and when he finally decided if he would listen to Christel anymore or take full responsibility for his own life - I felt a little deflated and unsure. Although, she added an interesting element to the story, I was also unclear how and why Christel ever entered his head to begin with.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Divorced Francine was a naïve young virgin when she first met her ex-husband. After a passionless, controlling marriage, where she lost her dreams and herself, she feels old and inadequate. Concentrating on her future, she craves a different life that will make her feel alive and set her soul on fire. Now free to pursue her dreams, a challenging idea emerges and an unexpected change of fortune takes her into a new world, where the last thing on her list is a man or love….or is it?
Awarded best autumn read 2012 by ‘Modern Romance’
My Review:
I enjoyed the story. Although, it was a long, long, very long story. The plot was good, and interesting. I like the whole idea of living better than her miserable, verbally abusive, cheating ex. The best revenge is living well, right? And how much better could it get? Her circumstances certainly improve by a hundred times - her dream career, a magnificent home in a magical place, a warm and compassionate lover, and let's not discount the windfall of money. It was written well, and there are A LOT of sex scenes in this one - so if that's something you're looking for, you'll appreciate it. Since she was starved of sexual gratification by her husband, she explores, and adjusts to her new life as a single woman - not easy she feels at her age. It is a fairytale of sorts that kind of inspired jealousy - silly, as it is a fictional character. But, still, Francine's new life is very enviable, and provokes thoughts of, "How wonderful it would be to have all those things happen in life... If only one had a Fairy Godmother or a genie in a bottle..." (except the segment involving a tattoo, that - I would not want, and frankly did not understand at all)
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Description on Amazon:
In this novel about love and longing, regret and renewal, a brother and sister discover a surprising secret after the death of their father: a photo of a young woman who was his lover decades before and half a world away. Even as they mourn their father, an eminent surgeon, David and Abbie question what they thought they knew about his life—and theirs—as they struggle with conflicting memories, unexpected emotions, and new possibilities.
MY REVIEW:
The part of this book that interested me the most was the book within the book - Dr. Emmerling's retelling of a part of his past he had kept a secret from his family. Those sections were extremely interesting and attention captivating. Most of what he told was truthful, and the way he embellished the end of his story was creative and read like fiction. His grown children, David and Abbie were believable characters, and there was much insight and information about their lives. They found it hard to accept their father had written a book, but were more surprised to find out it wasn't fiction. An emotional rollercoaster, and a whole lot of information come with this story, while David and Abbie deal with their father's death, discover they have a sibling in Japan, and then try to find her. I liked the story but sometimes the information was a bit overwhelming to me. I felt the end was a little longer than I liked. I admit I skipped through pages at the end to get to the part where they actually meet their sister, Kumi. This book was between three and four stars for me.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Description from Amazon: (I realize there is something missing, a flaw with the Amazon book uploads sometimes cuts out part of the description with the cover photo)
for a soldier’s wife. Jess Albert has been living with them for four years, since the death of her husband in Afghanistan. Finding blessed numbness in routine, she doesn’t dare to look ahead, any more than she can bear to look back. Then Tyler Brown, a former special-ops warrior, shows up at her small general store in Minnesota North Woods, jarring her back to life. Jess knows better than to fall in love with another man who places duty to his country before love of his wife- but there’s no denying the longing and the hope for a future that Ty makes her feel.
A world away, a man ravaged by years of captivity and torture, a man with no memories, finally escapes- clinging to life and sanity in a hostile land. In his darkest hour, he awakes in a lantern-lit cave to find a woman at his side. Dark-haired and dark-eyes, her touch is caring, despite the resentment he hears in her voice and sees on her face. Rabia is bound by honor to save the lost American soldier in her keeping, this broken warrior from a war that has brought so much devastation to her land. But is it honor igniting her compassion for her enemy, or is it something more?
While a Black Ops team plans a daring rescue mission to bring the solider home, two women on opposite sides of the world walk a dangerous path between betrayal and honor, and must find for themselves where to draw the lines between duty and love.
MY REVIEW:
This book contains love stories on many levels. Jess marries her high school sweetheart and becomes a reluctant military wife, hoping JR would eventually put his military career behind him. When she loses him to his patriotic endeavors, she grieves and holds strong to his memory, which makes her hesitant to love again. I don't want to spoil the story with too many facts about the plot, but the book made me feel the loss and regrets that Jess waded through, and it was a rich thought provoking experience. Did she settle down too young? Was her love for JR juvenile and not enough to withstand the years had he not been killed? Was her real soul mate yet to be discovered? Then there was JR's story. Some of the military stuff was over my head, but a lot of it was very interesting, edge of your seat kind of action. His romantic tale was heart capturing as well. So, romance, suspense, and action are all rolled into this book very well. I enjoyed it very much.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
You live together, laugh together, borrow her shoes and eyeliner – is there anything you can’t share with your sister?
Ellie’s younger sister Rose has it all. She’s beautiful, stylish and dates gorgeous, glamorous millionaires, while Ellie is quite happy watching TV on the sofa with her old mate Ben. But when Rose brings her new boyfriend home, it’s lust at first sight for Ellie. And although she knows it’s wrong, everything changes: she’ll do whatever it takes to get Oliver, even if it means abandoning her principles and turning a deaf ear to her friends. After all, would it be so wrong to take up running, put some highlights in her hair and make herself look a tiny, little bit more like Rose? But as Ellie follows in her sister’s stiletto-heeled footsteps, she realises that finding love could mean losing the most important thing in the world.
MY REVIEW:
I found it interesting to see the sister relationship between Ellie and Rose, and how they were so different but maybe longed to be a little more like the other. Hence, some of the transformations Ellie goes through in the book. She becomes polished and shiny on the outside, but what matters is on the inside, because it would be wrong to steal your sister's boyfriend, after all. Ellie had me holding my breath, thinking "will she or won't she", and I was afraid I would be disappointed in her character. That means I was engaged and involved, very good. The relationships and settings were very realistic, and the characters were well developed. One of my favorite characters was young Ben, and a favorite scene - he is in a fancy restaurant demanding a meal from McDonald's in no polite manner that I could repeat here. Gave me a chuckle.
I enjoyed this story. I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Lauren Endicott is haunted by the injustice of a father sent to prison for a murder he didn’t commit. She never expected the novel she wrote about the case to become a bestseller, one in which a thinly disguised local senator was the actual murderer, and she certainly never expected to face the town’s outrage after the senator committed suicide. Most of all, she never wanted to hurt the senator’s son, Flynn Huntington, the boy she had loved from afar, the one she knew could never be hers. After the senator’s death, the town and the Huntingtons wanted her gone, and truth be told, Lauren was glad to go. She knew Flynn Huntington hated her, and that she would have to make a life for herself elsewhere.
Ten years later when Lauren is forced to come back to town for a short stay, she has no intention of confronting her past. She’s changed her name, colored her hair, and hopes no one will recognize her. To her shock, she immediately finds herself the focus of Flynn’s attention. He’s no longer a boy, and in any other circumstances she’d be dazzled by the handsome and sophisticated man he has become. He doesn’t recognize her, and is under the mistaken impression she is an employee at the local inn. Lauren finds herself right back where she was so many years before, dreaming of someone who can never be hers.
Should Lauren tell him the truth about her identity? Or should she walk away before she breaks both their hearts? A novella, approximately 30,000 words
MY REVIEW:
Fast, easy, and entertaining. A smooth flowing read that was all wrapped up nicely after some unexpected discoveries near the end. I enjoyed the book, and was particularly interested in the story before the story - Lauren's novel, published when she was still a teenager that set the town on its ear - I think there was so much more to be told, and could be a whole other book setting the stage for this one, maybe? I'd read it.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
CAN THEY MAKE THE MADNESS END? TIME IS RUNNING OUT.
The Scavenger's Song
introduces us to ace homicide detectives, Angus
Carlyle and Skeeter
Sherwood. The Austin PD is stumped by numerous disappearances of young women in
a seedy, neon-lit area downtown. The scavenger is doing his chilling, evil
deeds, but no bodies can be found. Until they can produce bodies, technically,
no homicides have actually been committed. One day the disappearances end. Where
is the serial killer? His absence lasts for over ten years. When the scavenger
finally sings, Angus and Skeeter are confident the case is arriving at its
conclusion.
Now what did he do with the bodies? Bones begin presenting
themselves in
the most macabre ways. The scavenger's method of disposing of
the human evidence is not to be believed. Along the twisted, torturous path,
Angus is maimed and Skeeter is almost destroyed. Can they claw their way back up
to be productive and sharp once again? Let's hope so--a whole new series of
murders is occurring right under their noses and they are probably the only ones
who can make the madness end. Good detective work, hunches, psychics, long
shots, the words of a bug man--they must hurry. Time is running out.
MY REVIEW:
I thought the premise was unique. The beginning had me hopeful for an enjoyable read. But, the main characters, Angus and Skeeter, I just couldn't picture them being real. Maybe because I didn't feel like I got to know them enough in the beginning and then boom, it's ten years later. I felt the story was mapped out, I was guided all the way through, always knowing what was going to happen, and that tends to leave me restless and wanting to move on. I kept waiting for a plot twist or a surprise. Many points of the police scenarios didn't ring quite right, or seem possible. A couple examples - Skeeter saw her partner get shot in the leg and she was ordered on bed rest, house arrest, and had to be on medication? Seemed a bit drastic. Then there was "stubby" the torso, and the experiments which I can't say would never happen because I am not a forensic expert, but it seemed far fetched. I did think that making the tapes to use in later crimes was good, the way the remote control planes played into the story was interestingly creepy, and the landlord was suitably evil. I just had a hard time with this one. I honestly feel there were points of brilliance, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I am stuck between two and three stars. I didn't completely like it or dislike it. I find myself among four and five star reviews, and so therefore, the book may appeal to others more than it did to me.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
A severely autistic child with no past, no present and no real future…
An evil older than time itself…
When the boy Lucian is thrown into Aaron’s life with nowhere else to go all hell breaks loose and Aaron confronts things he never actually imagined could really exist in an effort to save one small, tortured child.
MY REVIEW:
I truly enjoyed sections of this book. Some of them, however (in my opinion) were written too formally, or included too much repetitive information/explanation, or it was just too wordy. I found myself skipping over those parts to get to the good stuff. I think it could have been shorter and been just as good, if not better. Also, the parts where Lucian/evil were giving their thoughts were very confusing to me.
The beginning drew me in quickly. It was extremely intriguing, and I couldn't wait to delve further into the story. As I got about half way into the book, my enthusiasm decreased because there was too much of a lull before the final reveal. Over all, I feel the author has a wonderful imagination, and great potential, and I love the main idea for the story. The tale of Bowen's family and how he ended up with the monks was riveting. The story of his punishment by the monks was painful and heart wrenching. The idea that Aaron was questioning his faith, that he was taking these "trips" to the past, and he endured the whippings for Bowen was fascinating. The very end, where the story comes together is also very interesting. The way they are all pulled together in the book could be better.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Jennifer Wright is finishing a long shift on the assembly line at Brickman Foods when she meets her newest trainee, Jason Baxter — only that’s not his name and she knows it. She recognises him instantly as Jared Brickman, internationally renowned playboy and son of the CEO of Brickman Foods, working undercover to film the reality show, Joe Average.Jared is also the father of Jennifer’s son, Chris, although he doesn’t know it. The six years since they dated have been momentous for Jennifer, but it’s clear when they meet again that Jared doesn’t even remember her. Jennifer knew Jared the boy — irresponsible and reckless. Now she has the opportunity to discover Jared the man. She’d like to tell him about his son, but fears his reputation as depicted in celebrity magazines. Is Jared an infamous heartbreaker, or is he the man she sees now: sweet, shy, and dependable — someone who can be trusted in her son’s life…and maybe even her own?
MY REVIEW:
I agreed to read this book because I absolutely loved The Gingerbread House. Not Your Average Joe did not disappoint. The main character, Jennifer, falls in love with Jared as a student and falls prey to a fraternity prank involving several young girls. She becomes pregnant but never tells Jared because she catches him in bed with another girl. This devastates her since she thought they were in love. Her father disowns her and throws her out of the house, forbids her mother to have anything to do with her, so she is alone in the world to raise a baby. She is strong, smart, and devoted to her son. She takes a job at Brickman Foods, which Jared's father happens to own. One day Jared prances in, disguised for reality tv, and Jennifer recognizes him right away. But, it seems she meant even less to him than she originally thought since he has no clue who she is. She plays along with his game because she doesn't want him to find out about their son and try to take him away. He flirts and pursues, she dodges and deflects. But their attraction becomes stronger and their joining inevitable. Finally she admits she knows who he really is, but struggles with whether or not to tell him about their son. The decision is taken away from her when it is revealed by accident. Jared is supposed to take over his father's company and is technically supposed to marry someone else. He watched his mother fall to depression and alcoholism over the years as his father strayed from their marriage over and over again and worries he will be the same way. Jennifer doesn't want to settle for less than everything and Jared isn't sure he can give it to her. Watching them work through the mire of emotions and conflicts of their hearts, and the added twist of reality tv makes this a good read. I was very pleased with it.
I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
BOOK DESCRIPTION ON AMAZON:
Anonymous. That was Jennifer's life. But when she survived a domestic terrorist attack and her last-minute escape became the iconic image of the event, that life was over. Wanting only to disappear and become just another face in the crowd, she cashed in on her unwanted fame and moved to a small town, hidden away and safe.
Retired. That was Sean's life. A former covert operative - the kind the government denies exists - he'd been pushed unwillingly into a life of suburban peace and quiet. But his retirement ended when he saw Jennifer's rescue; from then on he only wanted to find those responsible for the attack, even if it meant turning rogue.
What Jennifer and Sean will both find is that nothing goes to plan, and their paths will cross in a way neither could have foreseen.
MY REVIEW:
I thought I wouldn't be able to read this book because it would be too upsetting to read about subjects like the bombing of a federal building, that it would strike a painful nerve, that it would be too graphic. The author approached it and told the story in a way that did not horrify. I felt sad, yes, but it wasn't too traumatic. Jennifer's tale is of survival, and her struggle to figure out why she survived when others had not, why was she special? Her need for change – some place new and fresh – because she was no longer the person in the photographs being pulled away from that building, leads her to a new home – far away where she is not a "celebrity" and can find a measure of peace. But the past has a way of following you and she has demons left to exorcise.
Sean's story is of a hero put out to pasture, a man who sees Jennifer's rescue on television and wants to help bring those responsible for the horrible deed she survived and so many others didn't to justice. His superiors don't want or need his help, and so he sets out on his own to find and infiltrate the hate group responsible, with a plan to bring their leader to Jennifer so she may be the one to exact revenge. But will she want this gift he delivers to her door step? Ending made me say, "Wow!"
Sean's side of the story has a bit more violence to it, and honestly I skipped over a little, but I am sensitive to that kind of thing. If you are not it probably won't bother you anymore than other plots that include a little torture to get information.
I found that the "bad guy" is likeable. Some one you would befriend in your small town, devoted to his wife and community. Even Sean likes him, which makes his task a little more difficult. Hard to believe he is responsible for such hate and destruction, which also makes the story interesting.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
BOOK DESCRIPTION ON AMAZON:
Kate Parker has weathered unimaginable horrors—her parents died in a traffic accident on her wedding night, and her husband, Hugo, was murdered in a tragic break-in gone wrong. All she has left is her young son, Jack, and determined to make a better future for him, she attempts to pull her life back together. But are she and her son safe?
MY REVIEW:
In Accidents Happen, Kate lost her parents to a car accident on her wedding day, her husband to car thieves, her house has been burglarized more than once, and she is bound and determined to prevent anymore accidents from taking any one else she loves. She is constantly running statistics through her mind, searching and researching them in books, on the internet, newspapers, anywhere she can find them. She gathers them and compiles them on her laptop – which is stolen and makes her mental state worse than before since she doesn't have her numbers at her fingertips. She is convinced – even with alarms and other extreme measures she takes to provide safety for her and her son – that there have indeed been more break-ins. Her in-laws indulged her for a while but are growing weary of walking on eggs shells with her, and are on the verge of taking her son away from her because he too is becoming irrationally afraid of shadows and noises. When she realizes they are serious, and how much it is affecting her son, she begins to try to get control of her problem, first through therapy and then more unconventional methods with the help of a visiting author from the states, who just happens to be an expert on these statistics that rule her mind. How far will she go to get her life back, and is she really as crazy as everyone thinks she is? This book is riveting! The end was a surprise. It is not the happily ever after you'd expect – but maybe a better one! I loved, loved, loved it! I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
BOOK DESCRIPTION ON AMAZON:
Her father destroyed the lives of his parents and he in turn sent her father to jail. Now Daniel’s a successful billionaire and artsy Emily is his newest employee. Both of them intend to make the other pay for the sins of the past, but revenge has never been so sweet.
MY REVIEW:
Smart, independent, creative artist Emily and successful, business tycoon, billionaire Daniel: a story that seems ill fated from the beginning. Lust, Revenge, and eventually love – all between two characters who are curious about each other – drawn to each other – by a past they can't put behind them. Emily takes a job with Daniel's company with the idea of bringing him down – but it never seems she is very serious about that idea, especially when she starts dating him and has the means to do him the most damage but never inflicts the wound. Can a relationship with all this baggage – between a couple who are so far apart in age – endure the storms that erupt when trying to pretend the past doesn't matter and that they are only playing a game, a temporary diversion, until they tire of it? Or will they finally discuss the past and let it go, admit they love each other and live happily ever after? You'll have to read it to find out. I enjoyed the book, but the story behind the story – what happened with their parents to cause Emily's curiosity and thoughts of revenge– was a little confusing. Overall, it was a good read.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Skinny Bitch in Love by Kim Barnouin Book Description from Amazon: From the coauthor of the phenomenal #1 New York Times bestselling Skinny Bitch lifestyle series—a clever, kick-ass novel about friendship, romance, and making healthy choices both in and out of the kitchen.
Clementine Cooper is a born vegan, committed in every way to the healthy lifestyle she was raised with on her father’s organic farm. But how bad could a little butter be? Bad enough to get the ambitious and talented sous chef fired when an influential food critic discovers dairy in Clem’s butternut squash ravioli with garlic sage sauce. Though she was sabotaged by a backstabbing coworker, Clem finds herself unceremoniously blackballed from every vegan kitchen in L.A. Like any vegan chef worth her salt, however, Clem knows how to turn lemons into delicious, cruelty-free lemonade cupcakes. She launches the Skinny Bitch Cooking School in hopes of soon opening her own café in an empty space near her apartment. But on the first day of class, sexy millionaire restaurateur Zach Jeffries puts a fork in her idea with his own plans for the space—a steakhouse. Clem is livid. For a carnivore, Zach is more complicated than she anticipated. He’s also a very good kisser. But could dating one of the most eligible bachelors in the city—and a meat-eater—be as bad for Clem as high-fructose corn syrup? Shouldn’t she fall instead for a man who seems to be her perfect match in every way—like Alexander Orr, a very cute, very sweet vegan chef? Clem thought she was open-minded, but as she confronts the challenges of budding entrepreneurship, old rivals, ex-boyfriends, and tempting suitors, she begins to wonder if she can ever say “I love you” to a man who hates tofu.
MY REVIEW:
Clementine falls victim to a jealous coworker who slips real butter into Clementine's vegan culinary masterpiece just before it is to be judged by THE food critic. Poor Clementine loses her job but don't despair. She is a strong smart female lead. She pulls herself back up and uses her talents and intelligence to earn money through her own business endeavors, working up to her ultimate dream – owning her own restaurant some day. I liked that she was capable and resilient. I liked the fact she stood up for what she believed in and her lifestyle. Her relationships with friends and family were interesting – but the romance angle had me coming and going. I didn't quite feel the connection between Clementine and Zach. I was almost rooting for vegan chef Andrew to become her romantic lead, and thought I was supposed to for a while. Overall, the story was okay, with a lot of information on veganism. I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. Honestly, I don't think I'd pay the eleven or so dollars it costs for an e copy.
Annie is not enjoying her roaring-twenties as much as she should be. She’s been jilted at the altar by Stephen-the-indecisive, is paying off a mountain of wedding debt by holding down two jobs, and her flat is mostly made of cardboard and spackle.
Then at work she meets a man in need of a date to his ex-fiancée’s wedding. Annie goes, and one wedding and four bottles of wine later, she finds herself getting married in Vegas to Dorian, an erotic illustrator.
Of course, it’s all great and romantic, until someone loses an eye, which here means, ‘until Annie gets home, and realises that her best friend (and boss) Will, has kind of been working up to popping the question himself. Will is not happy to see Annie married, in fact he’s willing to trade his Mohawk and every Ke$ha CD he owns to get Dorian out of the way.
As if that wasn’t enough to make things tense at work, Annie’s best-work-friend Yvonne (who knows something really fun you can do with a rugby player, some roller skates and chocolate spread) can’t resist getting involved in Annie’s love life. Neither can Dorian’s kleptomaniac sister Fifi, Dorian’s ex-bride and Annie’s mother.
In between breaking into cafés, having her door kicked down by the police and trying not to kill each and every one of her friends and relatives, Annie tries to work out how the hell her life got so complicated.
MY REVIEW:
Where to begin with this book? I am stuck somewhere between two and three stars. It was okay, but there were parts that were very good. I don't think I have ever read about so many uniquely crazy characters between the covers of one book before. Over the top, strange, and completely unbelievable at times – like a daytime drama – such is Annie's life. The author has an exceptionally creative imagination. I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
DESCRIPTION ON AMAZON:
