Review: For a Good Time, Call… by Trish Jensen

December 10, 2012 Uncategorized 2

For a Good Time, Call… by

Published (first published July 1st 1999)

Kindle Edition

Series: Stand-Alone

Genre: Adult Romance
Source: Courtesy of BelleBooks, Inc through Netgalley in exchange of an
honest review
Amazon

Summary from NetGalley

A mysterious prank brought them together for  sizzling-hot romance . . .
“I’m just a nosy little ad exec who’s dying to see who invited me to meet
you.”
“Listen, Sherry Whoever-You-Are, I’m very, very busy,” Kit Fleming
answered. “If you could just speed this up, I’d be wildly grateful.”
Sherry became uncomfortably aware that he had a very sexy phone voice.
“Well, you see, I got a delivery tonight, and I didn’t have anything smaller
than a fifty, so the kid had to give me change.”
“Uh-huh,” he said, the grunt tinged with annoyance. “Fascinating.”
“The twenty he gave me had some writing on it.”
“Writing?”
“‘For a good time, call Kit.’ And of course, your phone number.”

Review

Funny, witty, charming and
heart-warming. ‘For A Good Time Call’ was a fabulous quick read. When
Sherry Spencer, an ad executive, gets a twenty dollar bill with a
“For a good time call Kit” written on it, she acts on as a good
civilian in hopes of saving some poor girl extended embarrassment.
What Sherry Spencer didn’t expect was for Kit to be a man. She meets
up with Kit in order to return to twenty dollar bill, and of course
to see the man behind the message. Of course she didn’t expect Kit to
be her next client, a controlling CEO that hired her company to do a
commercial on their beauty product. Sparks fly as neither of them are
able to agree at the beginning on the vision they have for the
commercial which in turn is followed by a heated attraction.
Kit Fleming is controlling, with his
own set of rules for the women he meets and beds. So when Sherry
wonders into his life, he isn’t prepared to deal with the attraction
he feels for her. She is one of the only women who has somehow
managed to reject him over and over again, and didn’t fall for his
demanding ways.
The story was absolute blast. I loved
the characters, Kit and Sherry were very well written. I thought the
story had it’s adorable funny moments. There was a time that I hated
Sherry especially when Kit was trying so hard and she would just poke
fun of him. I wanted to put him under my pillow and comfort him, heh.
The attraction between the two characters was thick and believable. A
great fast paced read, that left me yearning for more. The plot was
amusing and engaging. Thought I heard people compare it to Fifty
Shades of Gray I don’t have a leg to lean on, as I myself never read
those books. But know that ‘For a Good Time Call…’ held my
attention through and through.
       
                                                               

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Review: Cat or Dog for President by Julia Dweck

December 8, 2012 Uncategorized 0

Cat or Dog for President by  Julia Dweck

(Author), Bill Bruning (Illustrator)

Published
October 29th 2012

 
Kindle Edition

Series: Stand-Alone

Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Source: Received from the author in exchange of an honest review.  
Amazon
 

Summary from Amazon

The narrator asks the intriguing question all Americans want answered:
Who would win if a cat and dog ran for President of the United States?
Cat and dog lovers will both agree that this is a fun rhyming tale with a
political heart. Both sides of the campaign are humorously depicted in
a clever way that young readers will relate to and understand. The
illustrations are rich, bold and colorful. “Cat or Dog for President”
will keep readers engaged and laughing from beginning to end.

  Review
 

I literally could not stop smiling the
entire time I was reading this little book. It was absolutely
adorable, a delightful read with beautiful pictures that make you go
‘aww’. In the book the narrator asks the question of what would
happen if cats and dogs ran for president, and who would win? The
book is a rhyming tale centered around a political heart. With
humorous and clever events that young readers cant relate to,
understand and be very appealing to. The book is done so well, it
entertain and engages the adults as well.
The intention is to provide the young
readers with an innocent perspective and think about the political
process and the two candidates. The series unfolds with a cat and a
dog making a run at a president. What benefits each side has to offer
shall either of them win and eventually it escalates with the two of
them causing each other trouble and losing sight of what they are
really running for.
I love that the book teaches young
children about the presidential race with an undertone that they will
understand in a humorous way. Also the fact that the book provides a
valuable lesson about not loosing sight about what you stand for and
your values as well as putting aside differences and working towards
mutual respect, and with that a common goal.
The illustration of the book are simply
stunning, bold, rich, bright and very adorable that will keep young
readers attention flipping through the pages. I really enjoyed this
book myself, very delightful! Really greatful to be given such an opportunity to review it.

                                                              

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ACR Review: Deck the Halls With Love by Lorraine Heath

December 7, 2012 Uncategorized 0

Deck the Halls With Love by

 

ebook, 100 pages
Series: Lost Lords of Pembrook


Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Source: Courtesy of Avon through Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review.



Review


When Lady Meredith Hargreaves gave her heart to Alistair Wakefield,
the Marquess of Chetwyn , she did not expect him to break it by
proposing to someone else. Now with Chetwyn free to pursue her, Lady
Meredith is on the way to the alter with someone else.

Chetwyn who set aside his wants and
dreams in order to honor his brothers wishes, had asked Lady Anne to
marry for all the wrong reasons. But with the coming of Christmas he
has every intention to bring lady Meredith back into his arms.


Deck the Halls With Love is a little novella that ties
up the story of Chetwyn and Lady Meredith from book two of A Lost
Lord of Pembrook Novel. Thought I did not get a chance to read the
Lord of Pembrook , I am slightly disappointed that I missed out
before picking up this book. Thought I understood what had happened,
as the little novella did well explaining the back story line. The
book was delightful enough that it left me wanting more. It was a
great holiday read.

I loved the attraction
between Chetwyn and Lady Meredith and I almost felt a little bad for
her, being that she was engaged to a man who was in the run for her
inheritance, and had an obvious gambling issue.

After Chetwyn pulls
of a stunt to steal a dance with Lady Meredith, he goes to steal a
kiss. But when the two get stuck in an abandons castle during the
snowstorm, the heat really ignites between the two. Beautifully
written, fast paced holiday book with wonderful characters. Very
adorable romance story about reaching for the hearths desire. A sweet
holiday read. If you have read the Lost Lord of Pembrook novels and
curious about what happens between Chetwyn and Lady Meredith, it’s a
great pick up. It left me wanting to go back and read the beginning
of the series as I really enjoyed Lorraine
Heath’s writing.

           
                                                                     

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Review: The Girl in the Glass: A Novel by Susan Meissner

December 3, 2012 Uncategorized 1

The Girl in the Glass: A Novel by

Published
September 18th 2012
by WaterBrook Press  
Paperback, 352 pages

Series: Stand-Alone

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Source:  

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Amazon | The Book Depository



Review

Ever
since Meg was a child, she had always dreamed of going to Florence
Italy. Her mother had a painting on her wall of herself as a young child
posing near a statue that has captivated Meg for a long time and became
her calling. When her grandmother passed away, her unreliable father
makes a promise to one day take Meg to Florence and unfortunately those
plans are put on hold.

Year pass Meg works for a book publisher
and keeps in touch with Lorenzo and his sister from Florence who are
writing a travel book. When her father shows up on her doorsteps
promising to do go on his promise this time, the turn of events that
follow Meg is one emotional roller coast.

When Meg arrives in
Florence, she has to come to terms that her father is not there to meet
her. She ends up staying with Sofia Borelli a woman who claims to be
possible the last Medici, who is writing a book about her life and
claims to hear Nora Orsini’s voice in paintings and statues. Sofia takes
Meg on to a tour through Florence and all it’s beauty that parts of the
book had me wishing that I was there as well. I have never been to
Florence but after reading The Girl in The Glass, I kind of wish one day
to visit.

Oh my goodness, I cannot express how I had felt about
this book. I was happy and sad and angry. There were times that I wanted
to scream and throw the book because of everything that unfolded. Other
time my jaw hit the floor. Now, I have not read a book like this in a
while and boy was I missing something. Susan Meissner writing is like
beautiful magic. The book was amazing. It really was a roller coast ride
of emotions. I loved the characters so much it was sad to see them go. I
was very attached to Meg, because I know she wanted everything to
happen for the best and I really hated Sofia’s uncle and Lorenzo’s
sister – two characters that really mad me kind of mad through the book.
I won’t go into why or else it will ruin it. I loved Lorenzo as well,
he had me rooting for him until the very end. This true was an amazing
read.

Even thought this is a Christian book, it was missing the
Christian characteristics. It was a comforting clean read that was both
engaging and compelling. Where you could truly feel for the characters
and their love for Florence Italy.
                                                        

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Review: The Marriage Mistake (Marriage to a Billionaire #3) by Jennifer Probst

November 30, 2012 Uncategorized 1

Published
November 6th 2012


Paperback, 328 pages

Series: Marriage to a Billionaire

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Source:  Courtesy of Gallery Books through Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review.


Review

Carina Conte has had a crush on her
brother’s best friend and her own childhood friend Max Gray since she
was a teenage girl. After suffering an embarrassing night, Carina
runs off to earn her MBA degree leaving Max and her feelings for him
behind. When she returns to work at her brother Michael’s new bakery,
she is still treated by everyone in her family, including Max as if
she’s a child. Carina has a warm heart and isn’t really fit to take
over her brother empire in the long run, as she let’s things slide
with employees more easily then Max does. Max cannot ignore the fact
that the girl who practical grew up with is now a woman sporting very
womanly curves. Thought even Max has a hard time treating her as a
grown up. In his mind he still remembers the emotional teenager she
use to be, that would cry.
Carina has her own goal now in the
states, she want’s to be like an American woman and is tired of being
treated like a child. When she sees Max, the unmistakable attraction
has her ending up in his arms over and over again, but never crossing
the boundary. When the two are forced to go on a trip to Las Vega’s
together on a conference, she manages to talk Max into a one night
stand. An evening that was suppose to rid both of them of the sexual
tension between them. Too bad her mother arrives the next day and
demands marriage if Max wanted to save his and his families honor.
I truly enjoyed this book, and I have
to say I almost feel bad for missing out on the first two. But
reading this one has given me the drive to try the other two as well,
starting with book one since it appears it would make more sense with
the revisiting characters. The attraction between Max and Carina
sparks fast throughout the book. I love their characters a lot, and I
really did like Max. My heart broke for him learning about his past
and why he had a hard time finding himself a good man for any woman,
especially Carina. I thought her brother Michael and her mother were
very annoying. Forcing her into marriage like that was ridicules,
just because she had she had a one night stand. Thought later one
when she explained why she did it, it made me smile.
The first half of the book was about
Carina wanting people to look at her as something other then a child.
She was a grown woman and she had her needs. Of course she wanted
those needs to be taken cared of by Max himself.
The second half dealt with the almost
forced marriage and the hardship they had to endure being thrown into
it like that. I was expecting something more then a plain Vegas
marriage, but it wasn’t really expended one.
Both Max and Carina were very likeable
characters, and the story took me on a roller-coaster ride,
especially when I found out why Carina had left – it nearly broke
my heart. Beautiful and sexy story, with amazing writing and
wonderful character. I cannot wait to back track and read more.

                                                          

 

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Review: Twice the Trouble by Judy Griffith Gill

November 30, 2012 Uncategorized 0

Twice the Trouble by

Published
November 13th 2012
by Open Road

ebook, 230 pages

Series: Stand-Alone

Genre: Adult Romance
Source:  Courtesy of Open Road Integrated Media through NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. 
Amazon

 

Summary from Goodreads

Is this a twist of fate, or the family that’s fated to be?

When
Dr. John Martin is called to his daughter’s school, he thinks he’s
seeing double. In his wildest dreams he never imagined that the child he
adopted had a twin. But it’s the other girl’s mother—the outspoken,
fiercely protective redhead Maggie Adair—who’s keeping the widowed dad
up at night. Burned by love, Maggie isn’t ready to lower her guard. Yet
the handsome pediatrician makes her believe in the future again. For two
sisters separated at birth, it’s an unexpected and dizzying reunion.
For a man and woman who spark passion in each other, it’s the chance to
become the family they were meant to be. If only they can let go of the
secrets in their pasts . . .

Review
 
Courtesy of Open Road Integrated Media through NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.

Dr.
John Martin is a widow who moves back to his home town with his adopted
daughter Andi. When he gets a call from school that his daughter is in
trouble, the last thing he thought he would ever encounter is his
adopted daughter’s twin. Nor did he envision encountering a fiery
redhead and the other twin’s mother, Maggie. From the moment Maggie is
hit with the realization that Jolie has a twin sister and that the
father might be coming to claim the daughter he gave up as a baby, her
life is flipped upside down in panic. When Dr. John Martin shows up on
her doorsteps to talk about the twins and letting the two sisters bond,
Maggie isn’t very thrilled with the idea. But the widow doctor has her
heart hammering, and it’s becoming to hot to be around him. When Maggie
finally gives in, a series of small events bring all of them closer
together.

At first it was very confusing, as Jolie wanted nothing
to do with her other sister – very attached to her mother. Andi on the
other hand, according to John really wanted to meet her sister. Their
second encounter at Maggie’s home, the twins bond, but then Jolie comes
home crying that Andi picks on her at school. If they bonded at home?
Why is she suddenly being so mean to her in school? That threw me off,
as the child kept coming back crying about it.

The adults were a
little irrational themselves. There was instant attraction, but both of
their pasts had them holding back feelings for each other as well. Not
to mention that they had to be very careful around the twins, so they
didn’t assume anything. But for people who wanted to be together, both
went length to avoid each other, then blamed it on the other.

The
story was touching. If you like stories about twins separated at birth,
love, sisters, it might be a good read for you. It reminds me a bit of
The Parent Trap mixed with It Takes Two mixed with it’s own flavor. The
story is good, and it’s kind of a cozy read. The twins are cute, and
there is undeniable crackling sexual tension between the two adults and a
good story line with a happy ending. 

                                                           

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Second Grave on the Left (Charley Davidson #2) by Darynda Jones

November 30, 2012 Uncategorized 1

Second Grave on the Left

(Charley Davidson #2) by


(first published August 16th 2011)
Paperback, 336 pages
Series: Charley Davidson

Genre: Paranormal/Urban, Mystery 
Source:  Self-bought paperback

Amazon | The Book Depository



Summary from Goodreads

Second in the Darynda Jones’ award-winning paranormal series that’s “hilarious and heartfelt, sexy and surprising.” (J.R. Ward)

When
Charley Davidson and Cookie (her best friend/receptionist) have to
track down a missing woman, the case is not quite as open and shut as
they anticipate. A friend of Cookie’s named Mimi disappeared five days
earlier. This friend then sends Cookie a cryptic message telling them to
meet her at a nearby coffee shop. The coffee is brewing, but Mimi’s
still missing. There is, however, a clue left on the bathroom wall: a
woman’s name, scribbled by Mimi. Mimi’s husband explains that his wife
had been acting strange since she found out an old friend of hers from
high school had been murdered a couple weeks prior. The same woman Mimi
had named in her message.

Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow
(otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally) has left his
corporeal body and is haunting Charley. He’s left his body because he’s
being tortured by demons who want to lure Charley closer. But Reyes
can’t let that happen. Because if the demons get to Charley, they’ll
have a portal to heaven. And if they have a portal to heaven…well, let’s
just say it wouldn’t be pretty. Can Charley handle hot nights with
Reyes and even hotter days tracking down a missing woman? Can she keep
those she loves out of harm’s way? And is there enough coffee and
chocolate in the world to fuel her as she does? 


Review

I am absolutely in love with this series.

Its
so funny and witty and the sarcasm is just a nail on the head. The
quick and quirky dialog between the characters had me roaring with
laughter on multiple occasions.

Charlie Davidson is becoming more
and more likeable with each book. Her adventures are entertaining and
an absolute page turner. Love the recruiting cast, that adds depth to
the story.

In this page turner, Charlie is pulled out of her bed
in the middle of the night to help her friend Cookie find her missing
friend Mimi. A bunch of thugs are also looking for Mimi and before she
knows it Charlie is followed by people from all different kind of sides.
She also discovers her new abilities, thanks to the ever elusive and
magnetic Reyes.

I loved everything from this book, from the
situations Charlie finds herself in, to the loveable characters and then
there is Reyes. A dark sexy bad boy. Whats not to love?

                                                   
                                                               

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Storm Front (The Dresden Files #1) by Jim Butcher

November 28, 2012 Uncategorized 1

Mass Market Paperback, 322 pages
Series: The Dresden Files
Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy

Source:  Self-bought paperback
Amazon  |  The Book Depository


Summary from Goodreads

 

The novels of the
Dresden Files have become synonymous with action-packed urban fantasy
and non-stop fun. Storm Front is Jim Butcher’s first novel and
introduces his most famous and popular character-Harry Dresden, wizard
for hire.

For his first case, Harry is called in to consult on a
grisly double murder committed with the blackest of magic. At first, the
less-than-solvent Harry’s eyes light up with dollar signs. But where
there’s black magic, there’s a black mage. Now, that black mage knows
Harry’s name. And things are about to get very…interesting.


I have heard a lot of good about this book before I bought it, and after
hearing so many praises for it from the cashier at the book store, I
wasn’t left disappointed. Jim Butcher takes you into the world of Harry
Dresden the wizard. World filled with paranormal thriller and
investigations. His writing is amazing and humorous. I love the
characters interactions and dialog is witty. Harry Dresden himself is a
very well rounded and interesting character, his approach to his work
and his actions keep this book exciting as well as entertaining. A
wizard who is low on money and for a living helps people find things and
deal with paranormal. Most people think his ad in the paper is a joke,
until they stumble upon unexplained.

Storm Front is the first
book of the Dresden files and it is simply amazing. I mean I literally devoured the book, thought I tried hard to savor every moment. I love the world
that Jim Butcher had set up for the rest of the series and cannot wait
to get my hands on book two. 

People compare it to a noir film,  and I can see how it can look like that. Especially the undertone of Harry and the way the book is written. Which to me is right up my ally. Plus there is Bob, the spirit that lives in the skull, who is probably one of my favorite characters. The Dresden files is full of them, especially Harry the lovable wizard.
                                                     

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Just A Wish Away (Wish #2)

November 27, 2012 Uncategorized 0

Just A Wish Away

(Wish #2)
by
(first published January 1st 2012) 
ebook, 1st Edition, 264 pages

Series: Wish
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Source: Courtesy of Barbara Freethy through NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
Amazon 





Can the
sweet love of youth be recaptured by two now cynical souls? Can solving
the mystery of the past bring them to a new future? Or will it take a
wish, maybe two  


The moment the story started, it felt
like something beautiful and magical. At the beginning I was
introduced to Alexa and Braden as twelve year old kids, summer time
friends. Alexa’s parent’s would rent a house for the summer in Sand
Harbor each year up until the last year at twelve years old when her
parents divorced soon after and it was the last time she really saw
Braden. I thought the story started up beautiful. There was something
magical about a kids dream and the fact that Alexa wanted to collect
sea glass and make beautiful figures out of it. It made me almost
jealous, since living away from the ocean, I have never seen sea
glass before. But at the same time I found myself cut up in her
little girl dreams.
Alexa is an easy character to like.
When she comes back to visit Sand Harbor after her aunt on her father
side lends in the hospital because of a break in at her store, Alexa
finds herself running into Bradon and reconnecting with her childhood
self. Bradon who served in the military and is now going through a
divorce has a hard time not getting lost in the mysteries of the town
with Alexa. The book is nice, I like it. It was a lovely love story
about childhood friends that found themselves meant for a each other
in a world where faith still bought them together.
It had a bit of mystery, thought the
way it ended the mystery felt a little flat. But that’s okay because
it was all about the connection and dreams that two people had once
shared and the baggage they both carry and have to work through. The
ending ended up a little open ended, which I didn’t mind. It really
was a cute little love story with likeable characters and enough to
keep my interest going. I did like the authors writing and think I
will be getting book one in this little series.
                                            
                                                           

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Captured Heart by Heather McCollum

November 20, 2012 Uncategorized 1

Captured Heart by

Paperback, 400 pages
Series: None
Genre: Adult Historical Romance 
Source: Courtesy of Entangled Publishing, LLV through NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.

Winter winds rip across the Highlands, pressing Chief
Caden Macbain forward in his desperate plan to save his clan. He’s not
above using an innocent woman to bargain for peace if it keeps his clan
from starving. But Meg isn’t who Caden thinks she is, and when she kills
a man to save the clan, he must choose between duty and her life. For
although he captured her to force a peace, Meg’s strength and courage
have captured Caden’s heart. 

Review

Courtesy of Entangled
Publishing, LLV through NetGalley in exchange of an
honest review.

Meg Boswell knows that just like her mother, there is something
different about her. Cursed with healing abilities she is on the run
from her father Boswell in hopes to escape accusations of being a
witch and dreading the same terrible death as her mother, burned in
the witches fyre. With her she carried her mothers journal with clues
that might hand her the salvation she is seeking away from Boswell.

Chief Caden Macbain in a desperate attempt to save his clan from the
Munro’s in hopes to bring in peace between the two over centuries old
feud, is on a mission. Unfortunately that mission revolves around
kidnapping Meg Boswell, a niece to the Munro and his wife, in
exchange of that peace.
I really enjoyed this book. First, I
loved the fact that she had a wolf pet named Nickum who is always
lurking in the shadows protecting her. I thought that really added to
character development. Second, Meg is a character that was easy to
like. She is very ambitious, and she kind of grows into her own
person by the end of the story. I love her character, she had a very
gentle kind of soul but it was filled with fire by the end of the
book as she grew under Caden’s protection.
Caden Macbain is irresistible and he
has a hard time resisting the woman that stumbled into his life. He
thought his mission was going to be hard, but when she ends up
stumbling into his clan while running away – it’s hard to keep his
mind off the woman who thinks she is a welcome visitor to the clan.
As it turns out, Meg brings her own share of problems.
The book was interesting and I thought
it was well written. I have to admit it was probably my second
highlander book ever, but oh my did I enjoy it. It was easy to read,
easy to follow, and it had so much stuff going on that it kept you
well engaged. Everything flowed so smoothly. The chemistry between
Caden and Meg sparked, and there were even times that I felt a little
sorry for the both of them. Kept me reading and on the edge of the
seat in the very end. A perfect combination of romance and fantasy,
with a lace of lovable characters and a hard to resist alpha-male.

                                                       

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