The Billionaire Banker by Georgia Le Carre

The Description from Amazon:

 

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.

 

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Passion of an Angel by Suren Fant

Passion of an Angel: Shade of Light by Suren Fant

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.

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Proxy by Daniel Moore

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.

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Daughter of Sherwood by Laura Strickland

Description From Amazon:

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.

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Across Eternity By Aris Whittier

Across Eternity by Aris Whittier

Description From Amazon:

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.

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Discretion by David Balzarini

Discretion by David Balzarini

Description as on Amazon:

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.

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Set My Soul On Fire by Celia

 

From the Fire and Ice Book Blog Tour

 

 

Blurb:

 

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.

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The Girl In The Photo by Wally Wood

The Girl in the Photo by Wally Wood

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.

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