Monthly Archives: August 2013

Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts – a Review

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Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts – a Review

whiskey beach

Links to order Whiskey Beach: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
For more than three hundred years, Bluff House has sat above Whiskey Beach, guarding its shore—and its secrets. But to Eli Landon, it’s home…

A Boston lawyer, Eli has weathered an intense year of public scrutiny and police investigations after being accused of—but never arrested for—the murder of his soon-to-be-ex wife.

He finds sanctuary at Bluff House, even though his beloved grandmother is in Boston recuperating from a nasty fall. Abra Walsh is always there, though. Whiskey Beach’s resident housekeeper, yoga instructor, jewelry maker, and massage therapist, Abra is a woman of many talents—including helping Eli take control of his life and clear his name. But as they become entangled in each other, they find themselves caught in a net that stretches back for centuries—one that has ensnared a man intent on reaping the rewards of destroying Eli Landon once and for all…

 

Review:

Nora Roberts has done it yet again with her newest standalone novel Whiskey Beach.  It had everything I look for in a Nora Roberts book, from suspense and intrigue, to a classic case of who done it, with a sweet and sexy romance that weaves seamlessly throughout the story. To top it all off, she even had the setting of the story take place in a small coastal town called Whiskey Beach.  There’s just something about a novel that takes place in a coastal town for me. It just seems to add an air of mystery, and provides beautiful scenery for the story.  I must admit, I do love a good mystery thrown into a romance every now and then, and Nora always delivers for me. Even though Nora is classified a romance writer, she does an amazing job of creating her mystery, setting up the backstory, weaving it seamlessly into her romance, and bringing it full circle by the end of the book.  I can never figure out who the culprit is until the very end, and even then there are times when I’m sitting there with my mouth hanging open, going, no way, I never saw that one coming.  In Whiskey Beach Nora creates a suspenseful and sexy story that centers around the hero this time, Eli Landon. 

As the book blurb states, Eli Landon recently moves back into his family home in Whiskey Beach to escape the past year of his life and try to find some sort of normalcy.  I really liked Eli from the start. He’s not your typical hero in a romance story.  He’s not big and brawny, over the top alpha, taking control of the heroine’s life.  Instead, Eli is more of your normal everyday type guy who’s currently going through some issues of his own and just wants to be left alone. Yes he’s brooding to a point, because of what’s happened to him, but it never got on my nerves. It’s just enough of a brood that allows Nora to pull the reader in, drawing you to Eli’s side, making you want to be his savior and help him overcome the past year of his life.  You can’t help but want to see him find that special someone who will change everything for him, while at the same time, finally putting the past to rest.  As the story progressed I found myself liking Eli more and more, and wanted desperately to find out who exactly was after him and why. I enjoyed the Landon family lore that we learn about through Eli’s research and bringing with it stories of pirates and buried treasure.  See what I mean about a novel set in a coastal town, that air of mystery with endless storylines, sorry I digress, back on track now.  With all this Landon lore, Nora weaves a good old fashioned mystery that surrounds our hero and grabs the reader by the throat and doesn’t let you go till the very end.

Along with the mystery that surrounds Eli and his family, our heroine of the book is quickly pulled into this mess.  Abra Walsh has known Eli’s grandmother for a long time and has become good friends with her.  Abra, like Eli is not your typical heroine.  She’s not the type of women who is fragile, needs protecting and an over the top alpha male to jump in and take control of her life.  We learn that Abra had her own issues and learned how to take care of herself from them.  She’s a real free spirit type girl and to me was a breath of fresh air.  I really liked the bit of role reversal Nora created with Abra and Eli.  It was Abra taking care of Eli and helping him sort through the past year of his life.  When Eli decides it’s time to set the trap for whoever is after him, Abra is quick to jump in and want to be a part of it, loved that about her.  She had me giggling a few times at the things she had poor Eli do throughout the book to help improve his spirit.  The massages and bringing him a pet/security dog were especially cute scenes. Along with fixing him meals and leaving him little reminder notes to eat it. This role reversal worked well and it made both Abra and Eli more endearing to me as a couple as the story progressed

As I said earlier, Nora does a wonderful job of setting the stage for her mystery that surrounds Eli and his family’s legacy.  The mystery and romance in the story are beautifully tied to together to form a cohesive storyline and keep the reader on the edge of their seat wondering who done it right up to the very end.  Reversing the hero/heroine roles was a nice touch and breath of fresh air in this particular story.  It was nice to see the female take care of her male for a change.  Abra was just what Eli needed and Nora couldn’t have written a better heroine for him. They made for a perfect match and balanced each other nicely.  I especially enjoyed watching Eli try to figure out Abra, to taking on a pet/security dog, researching his family’s history to find answers to his troubles, and re-opening the murder case against him.  Nora once again proves why she’s a number one romance writer with Whiskey Beach.  For any Nora fan, or even a non-Nora fan for that matter, I highly recommend Whiskey Beach. I promise you won’t be disappointed. 

Until next time, Happy Reading

Reviewed by Marcie

 

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Tonya Burrows – Wilde Nights in Paradise Guest Post & Review

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Wilde Nights in Paradise by Tonya Burrows – Guest Post & Review

 

wilde nights in paradise

Links to order Wilde Nights in Paradise:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
He’ll guard her body all night long.

Former Marine Jude Wilde’s motto has always been “burn bridges and never look back,” so nobody is more surprised when Wilde Security is hired to protect assistant district attorney Libby Pruitt, the woman he loved and left. Although she makes it clear she wants nothing to do with Jude, they’re forced to fake a relationship for her safety. He can’t ignore the heat still simmering between them, and when her stalker’s threats escalate to attempted murder, he’s left with no choice but to whisk her away to a friend’s safe house in Key West, FL. 

Cooped up in paradise together, Jude begins to chip away at Libby’s resolve to hate him. But even as she gives in to his proximity and her body’s demands for his, she refuses to fall for his charms again. Maybe a torrid affair in the sun is exactly what she needs to get him out of her system. But when her stalker tracks them down, can they escape the steamy Key West night without anyone getting hurt?

 

Review:
Wilde Nights in Paradise, a Wilde Security Novel by Tonya Burrows was the best read – a perfect, sexy, summer read!  Jude Wilde “was the family fuck-up and he’d made his peace with that”.  A month out of the Marine Corps lands him in the family P.I. business …bored as hell…until his former colonel and would’ve been/should’ve been father-in-law (refer to f-up label), shows up to hire him as his daughter’s personal bodyguard.  Someone is stalking Libby, she’s the assistant district attorney, and the threats have escalated to menacing levels.  How the heck is Jude supposed to be professional when Libby wants to kill HIM for breaking her heart?  Laying on the charm…reminding/demonstrating moments from their passionate past…all solid ideas.  😀  I devoured this book!    

The story begins in Washington D.C….8 years after Jude walked out of Libby’s life…2 days after proposing and putting a ring on her finger!  Who does that?!  It takes a loooong (but delicious and eventful time) to get to the truth.  When Jude shows up unannounced and dives right in for the feigned reconciliation (of course dad didn’t consult Libby on this genius plan), well hell hath no fury and all that!  Jude and Libby are shaken by their reactions to each other, but do their best to exude indifference (and suffer quietly).   

“Personal feelings don’t factor into anything for you, do they?  You avoid emotion like leprosy.”

“Pretty much.  Emotion is messy.”

When push comes to shove (a car literally runs them down), Jude opts to take Libby out of town to a friend’s house in Key West, Fl., until the stalker is in custody.  Falling into comfortable communication isn’t easy; their exchanges are simultaneously hilarious and bittersweet because it’s easier to point fingers and be snarky than face the aftermath of their broken engagement.  A subject neither one of them will broach. 

To be honest, the book then focuses on the tension of their living situation.  How can they continue to resist each other when they’re finding a new, healthy rhythm?  Broker an arrangement…or better yet, a plea bargain?   

…”You robbed me of eight years of my sexual life.  You owe me one night.”

…”Just one?”

“Yes that’s all.  I’m tired of pretending I’m not still attracted to you.  Since we have to live together for the foreseeable future, I want to get it out of the way now.”…

”But, Libs, you’ve been doing it all wrong if you think one night will satisfy either of us.”       

There…I’ve said too much!  At fewer than 200 pages, Ms. Burrows admirably delivers so many stories.  Jude’s relationship with his 4 older brothers is overflowing with love and misplaced anger that needs to be addressed (*sniffs*); Jude criticizes Libby’s conservative demeanor, but faces his role in that transformation; Libby finally gets her answers to Jude’s cruelty, but it creates new walls…I am leaving LOTS for you to discover and love.  Think of me when Jude reveals his romantic side with flowers…*sighs*…Oh, yeah, and the stalker culmination, too! 😀

I teased on goodreads about having to rethink my rating system after reading Wilde Nights because I gave it 5 stars…and had just awarded another book the very same.  I meant it both times.  Every story is unique and this one is no exception.  Ms. Burrows wrote a terrific book about honesty, regret, and discovery.  I even read the last scene to Sophia, my 11 year old, because their love story touched my heart.  She swooned, too.  I am crossing my fingers that Ms. Burrows has only begun to tell the story of the Wilde brothers.  Can they all be tamed?

“You should have put your swimsuit on.”

Resignation tinged her sigh.  “I was afraid this would happen if I did.”

“Hate to tell ya, babe, but this was gonna happen even if you were wearing chain mail.”

What are you waiting for?  Go get Wilde!!!

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Guest Post

I love to travel.

Seriously, I get itchy feet if I stay in one place too long. My family now just rolls their eyes at me whenever I start talking about a new place I want to visit and/or move to. My current fixation is Florida. Sunshine State, here I come!

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always dreamed of seeing the world. I used to hunker down in the elementary school library with books about children from different cultures, fascinated by the glossy photos of girls with gold rings around their necks in South Africa and children releasing paper lanterns down a river in Thailand. I decided I wanted to be an exchange student in high school, and worked toward the goal until my junior year, when I spent six months living in Costa Rica. Since college, I’ve moved eight times in as many years because why stay in one place when there’s so much to out there in the world I haven’t seen yet?

But if there’s one thing I love more than seeing the world, it’s writing about it. To me, a book’s setting is more than a backdrop to the story—it’s a secondary character. It stages the tone and the mood of the book. (Who doesn’t love a steamy night at the beach? Or a cozy snowed-in cabin on a mountainside?) It can present obstacles to the hero and heroine. (Did I mention the snowed-in cabin scenario? That’s one heck of an obstacle.) It also presents unique difficulties to the writer, especially if said writer (me) has never been to Colombia (the setting of my first book, SEAL OF HONOR), or to Key West (the setting of my latest release, WILDE NIGHTS IN PARADISE).

I wish I could do on location research in each of the places I write about, and maybe someday I’ll be able to, but usually a lack of funds or time prevents me.  I do most of my research by reading books and looking at online photos and videos. In the case of WILDE NIGHTS IN PARADISE, I watched a ton of vacation videos on YouTube just to get a feel for the sights and sounds in Key West. For the sexy paddle board scene, I watched an online tutorial to learn the proper techniques. (Um, for paddling boarding part, not the sexy part.) I scrolled through cabin rental listing to see what the houses in Key West look like. I wandered Duval Street using Google Maps. I talked to people who have been there. Then, I crammed as much of my newfound knowledge about the place into the story as I could.

Sometimes setting research satisfies my wanderlust. Most of the time, it only intensifies it. So like I said before: Sunshine State, here I come!

Do you have a favorite setting to read about? Have you ever set down a book and thought, wow, I’d love to visit that place for real?

Big thanks to The Reading Café for having me today!


About the author
Tonya burrowsTonya Burrows | Writing has always been my one true love. I wrote my first novel-length story in 8th grade and haven’t stopped since. I received a B.A. in creative writing from SUNY Oswego and I’m now working on a MFA in popular fiction at Seton Hill University.

When I’m not writing, I spend my time reading, painting (badly), exploring new places, and enjoying time with my family. Give me a good horror movie over a chick flick any day. (And, let’s be honest, I’ll take a bad horror movie too!) I’m a geek at heart and pledge my avid TV fandom to Supernatural and Doctor Who. I’m also a big fan of The Voice. What can I say? Guilty pleasure.​​

I share my life with two dogs and a ginormous cat. We live in a small town in PA, but I suffer from a bad case of wanderlust and usually end up moving someplace new every few years. Luckily, my animals are all excellent travel buddies.

 Author Website: http://www.tonyaburrows.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tonyaburrows

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TonyaBurrows

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Feel The Rush (Hard Feelings #2) by Kelsie Leverich-a review

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FEEL THE RUSH (Hard Feelings 2) by Kelsie Leverich-a review

Feel The Rush

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 20, 2013

Picking the wrong men is a talent Meagan Mitchell has perfected. She’s sweet, confident, beautiful—and single. With her thirtieth birthday sneaking up on her, she needs a new plan. No more Mr. Wrongs or Mr. Bads, it’s time to find Mr. Safe…

Army Captain, Reed Porter, lives for the thrill—he’s an Airborne Jumpmaster with a rush addiction. He’s sexy and playful, and he quickly tempts Meagan with his rich Southern drawl and sinful looks. But slowing down and settling down are not in his agenda, making him exactly the type of man Meagan wants to avoid…

As their undeniable attraction heats up, Meagan has to decide if she’s willing to risk everything on a chance at love with a reckless charmer. Is she brave enough to bet her future—and her heart—on Mr. Thrill? Or will Reed finally learn that the feeling of a safe landing is just as addicting as the rush of the fall?

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW:  FEEL THE RUSH is the second storyline in Kelsie Leverich’s contemporary military HARD FEELINGS romance series. Although this is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone. The series has introduced a number of fellow soldiers, friends and comrades, and each will have their story told. This is Meagan and Reed’s story. One thing I have noticed, there is a similar theme running throughout the first two novels-the heroine has been scorned; betrayed by a previous lover; cheated on by someone she trusted and loved, and in this, has shaped the character’s skewed outtake on life and love. I am not sure if this is where all of Kelsie’s storylines are heading, but it is a major premise running throughout both novels.

The story focuses on the almost thirty year old Meagan Mitchell- an army brat and nurse who measures her days by the lack of a permanent relationship, marriage and motherhood. Enter her new neighbor Captain Reed Porter, a man who does not remember their first encounter eight years earlier. Meagan fears she will lose her head and her heart to the resident bad boy who wants to live life to the fullest and looks for the next big ‘rush’. Meagan is looking for something more and Reed isn’t willing to be that more.

The relationship between Reed and Meagan is hot, sexy and romantic. Both realize that going into the relationship with boundaries is setting them up to fail and they will fail in a big way that will break your heart and flow your tears. Not only for our leading couple but for several of Reed’s fellow soldiers whose lives and loves are as screwed up as their commanding officer.

The storyline is well paced; most of the characters are likeable and relatable although Meagan’s character had the ability to set off warning bells with her behavior of pulling Reed in and pushing him away all the time. Her history with men has shaped her inability to trust and her growing fear that all men will break her heart and leave when someone new comes along. In this, she was a difficult character to like. And Reed, knowing full well that Meagan wanted more, kept pushing his limits in their relationship.

Once again, the storyline is filled with friends and fellow soldiers all with a story waiting to be told. The characters are real; suffer pain and loss; heartbreaking sorrow and misguided love.

FEEL THE RUSH is a story about two people trying to overcome pasts mired in betrayal, loss and pain. Kelsie Leverich puts her own spin on the military hero storyline and pulls the reader in with heartbreaking histories that left me looking for a tissue on several occasions.

Copy supplied by the author through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Deepest Night by Shana Abe – a Review

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The Deepest Night by Shana Abe – a Review

The Deepest Night

Links to order The Deepest Night:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
It’s 1915, and sixteen-year-old Lora Jones is finishing up her first year as a charity student at Iverson, a prestigious, gothic boarding school on England’s southern coast. While she’s always felt different from everyone around her, now she finally knows why: She is a drákon, a rare, enchanted being with astonishing magical abilities.

As war hits Britain’s shores, and Lora reels from an unimaginable loss, she finds that her powers come with grave and dangerous responsibilities. At the request of Armand Louis, the darkly mysterious boy whose father owns Iverson, Lora will spend her summer at his lavish estate. To help the war effort—and to keep Lora by his side—Armand turns his home into a military hospital, where Lora will serve as a nurse. For Armand is inescapably drawn to her—bound to her by heart-deep secrets and a supernatural connection that runs thicker than blood.

Yet while Lora tries to sort out her own feelings toward Armand, fate offers an unexpected surprise. Lora discovers there is another drákon, a prisoner of war being held in Germany. And that only she, with her newly honed Gifts, will be able to rescue him.

With Armand, Lora will cross enemy lines on an incredible mission—one that could bond her to Armand forever, or irrevocably tear them apart.  Beautifully written, deeply romantic, and filled with daring adventure and magic, The Deepest Night is a mesmerizing novel of the enduring pull of destiny, and the eternal strength of love

Review:

The Deepest Night is Shana Abe’s 2nd book in her The Sweetest Dark series.  To refresh your memory, we met Lora Jones in the first book, as she learned she was drakon, with ability to change into smoke and become a dragon.  This series takes place in England, during 1915, which is a time of a war.  Normally, I don’t usually like stories set in the past, especially if it’s not a historical romance.  But Abe does a wonderful job making this story a beautiful scenario, even in the time of war.

When we left off in The Sweetest Dark, Lora was grieving the loss of her love, Jesse, who was also her protector and teacher of her magical abilities.  But Jesse is a star, who is a light filled with song; as the stars fill the sky with light and song, and they are the ones who take care of their dragons. 

The Deepest Night picks up just about at the end of the school year, where Lora wonders where she will be sent for the summer.  Armand (Mandy), who also loves Lora, is determined to keep her close by, so that he can protect her. Armand is also a drakon, but he has not made the change, as of yet.  This story is about Lora and Armand,  with  multiple pov’s, though mostly Lora’s, and an occasional one from Jesse, who keeps his loving eye on Lora, but only in the stars.

The crux of the story is that it is wartime, and Armand finds out that his brother Aubrey, is still alive, but a prisoner of war.  Lora is determined to use her ability and go to Germany to save Aubrey.  What I thought made this book even better then the first book was watching Lora use her gifts, and I totally adored when she became a dragon, and with Mandy on her back flying high.  It was a lot of fun, and scary when she would lose the change while in the air and poor Mandy dropping to the ground. It also became natural to her to appear nude in front of him when she changes back from dragon to girl; and when Armand does make his first change, he too will be nude.  But at this point of their relationship, it doesn’t have an effect, other then being natural & helping one another.

The other main part of the story is Armand’s love for Lora, and how slowly she begins to feel more for him.  She becomes very protective of Mandy, knowing he is due to go through a very painful first change. In The Deepest Night, Lora truly becomes a strong heroine, and learning to use her gifts makes her more confident and courageous.  I like Armand more in this book, as he shows his love for Lora so well.  We find ourselves rooting for her to open her heart and accept Armand. 

The last third of the book, with Lora flying with Armand on her back, as they head to war torn Germany to save Aubrey was very exciting and tense.  In between there was some dangerous tight situations, and possible exposure when she was forced to turn into her dragon form to save them.  I really enjoyed this book, and love the drakon concept and watching Lora become so strong.  I know Shana Abe is writing the third book in this series, and hopefully we will get to see Lora admit her feelings for Armand, and they become the couple they are expected to be.  One can hope.  The Deepest Night continues the wonderful theme of the Drakons, with the younger set.  Abe has given us a beautiful background for this story. 

Review by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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A Million Dirty Secrets (Million Dollar Duet #1) by C.L.Parker-a review

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A Million Dirty Secrets (Million Dollar Duet #1) by C.L.Parker-a review

A Million Dirty Secrets

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 27, 2013

For fans of Fifty Shades of Grey and Bared to You comes a wickedly erotic new novel of innocence, desire, and unbridled pleasure.

Delaine Talbot has a secret. When a matter of life and death threatens to tear apart her family, Delaine makes the ultimate sacrifice. She auctions herself off at Chicago’s most exclusive erotic club. Now she belongs to Noah Crawford, a wealthy mogul who introduces her to a seductive feast of the senses, awakening desires she only dreamed about.

Noah doesn’t know why Delaine sold her body for a cool two mil. But it’s the perfect business arrangement. The inexperienced beauty will learn to satisfy his every sensual need, yet never touch his heart. Almost immediately their relationship generates heat—in more ways than one. When they fight, they take no prisoners. When they love, they show no mercy. When they’re together, they never want to leave each other’s arms. But soon, their intense, physical bond will take an unexpected turn—evolving into something neither has bargained for: the promise of a lasting love.

REVIEW

4 out of 5 for this reader folks!

Like many formulas out there these days in the land of erotica, A Million Dirty Secrets by C.L. Parker delivers the handsome billionaire and the innocent, naive girl who changes his world. I happen to like that formula and appreciate it for what it is and also love how different authors spin it to make it their own.

A Million Dirty Secrets is the first book in the Million Dollar Duet Series. It takes place in Chicago, current time and centers around two main characters. Our leading lady is Delaine (Laine to those she permits) Talbot. Delaine is a softhearted, kind soul who has had to place herself in “don’t want to but I have to” position of being auctioned off as a sex slave/companion at the exclusive erotic club. She is quite self sacrificing as she is doing this to bring in a large chunk of money to ensure her mothers gets the medical treatment she requires to continue living.

Enter Noah Crawford. Noah is the rich guy who felt an instant spark when he sees Delaine at this auction and decides that two million for two years is just what he needs in his life. Sex at any time he chooses, any way he chooses and a beautiful woman on his arm at the big events that plague his life as a wealthy man. The catch … NO STRINGS! He owes nothing, no explanation and ensures that this is business contract only!

YAH RIGHT!!!!!!!! LOL

These two are a disaster right from the get go .. a hilarious disaster if you will! Their first sexual encounter had me in stitches! Delaine doesn’t like being bossed around and Noah can’t believe that the woman he bought won’t do all he says .. and SHE TALKS BACK! However, between the sheets, these two have it going on. *FANS MYSELF* This seems to be the link that keeps them together while they learn how to be around each other.

Secrets are revealed through out the story with the big one being “Why would a beautiful woman sell herself??” Noah sets out to uncover this secret and in doing so discovers so much more!

This book has some YUMMY scenes. The chemistry is absolutely there, the back and forth bantering, the punishments, and the tender moments. It also has an immature feel to it at times. I can’t place it, but I actually rolled my eyes a few times. Wasn’t that bad though or I’d be writing a very different review .. right?? LOL

So, love the fifty shades formula??? Then chances are you’ll enjoy this book as well! I am looking forward to the next one for sure as we are left with a bit of a cliffhanger … man I hate (LOVELOVELOVE) that!

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Rachel T.

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Nikolai (Her Russian Protector #4) by Roxie Rivera-a review

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Nikolai (Her Russian Protector #4) by Roxie Rivera-a review

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

NIKOLAI (Her Russian Protector #4) by Roxie Rivera

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 23, 2013

After a brush with death as a juvenile delinquent, Vivian swore she’d never stray across that line again—but there’s just one problem with her plan to stay on the right side of the law. She’s completely, irrevocably and unabashedly in love with Nikolai, the Russian mob boss who saved her life.

From the moment Vivian appeared in his life on that tragic April night, Nikolai felt himself inextricably bonded to her. She’s the bright light in his dark world and the only thing that keeps him from sliding deeper into a life of crime and violence—a mobbed-up life he can’t escape no matter how hard he tries.

After Vivian is ripped from his arms in a brazen blitz attack, Nikolai will stop at nothing to get her back—but rescuing her and keeping her safe in his arms isn’t enough. Suddenly, Nikolai’s only chance to keep her safe is to do the one thing he vowed never to do—he’ll drag her deeper into his shadowy world and bind her to him forever.

Because their tangled pasts are about to collide and the shockwave threatens to bring Houston’s criminal underbelly to its knees…

••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: NIKOLAI is the fourth installment in Roxie Rivera’s Her Russian Protector series. The first four storylines focus on four ‘blood brothers’ from Russia, who by virtue of being orphans and lost, at a young age bound together to keep each other safe and alive. As adults the Russian mob called to their angry and broken hearts and current circumstances have forced each into a legitimate lifestyle-but one. This is Nikolai’s story and it is darker than the rest.

The storyline focuses on Nikolai –a man who will risk everything for the woman he loves-a woman he has hurt in more ways than one. Nikolai and Vivian have a history that goes back to a fateful night when her father forced the then eleven year old girl into a life of crime and theft. But on this night, the young Vivian will find herself abandoned by her father and struggling for her life when a gunman shoots to kill. A decade later, that fateful night will come full circle when she discovers the identity of the man who was only protecting his property.

Nikolai and Vivian have been secondary characters throughout the previous three storylines and in book 3 YURI we learn the dark secrets and haunted past that has kept Nikolai secluded and alone. But there is more to Nikolai than a damaged childhood-Nikolai still retains a strong connection to the Russian mob and it becomes a matter of family for both Vivi and Nikolai. Nikolai’s past continues to haunt him and there is currently no way for him to escape the control of the mob. But in doing so, he puts Vivian in danger, time and again.

The relationship between Nikolai and Vivian surpasses ward and foundling to lovers rather quickly in the storyline but in defense they have known each other for close to ten years. But it is the dance of sex and love that continues to pull one to the other. Nikolai is a man who has known no love in his life but for the woman who has wormed her way into the heart of a man only his brothers have loved.

The storyline unfolds as two warring factions of street gangs and the mob have set their sites on Nikolai and Vivian. The story is fast paced but dragged in a few spots. And there were a few issues not addressed as it pertained to a particular painting and former friend. Hopefully this issue will come into play in the next storyline.

NIKOLAI is an interesting storyline of loss and love; the loss of a family and the love of a mate. There are some issues concerning Nikolai’s continued affiliation with the Russian mob but on the surface it is easy to say-get out-when we are not the one’s who have been blooded by the mob. Sometimes there is no easy answer.

Reading Order
1. Ivan
2. Dimitri
3. Yuri
4. Nikolai

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Fear of Falling by S.L.Jennings-a review

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Fear of Falling by S.L.Jennings-a review

Fear of Falling

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

FEAR OF FALLING by S.L.Jennings

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 18, 2013

I can’t remember the last time I felt completely safe. Security seemed more like a luxury to me, reserved for those who were fortunate enough to have picture perfect childhoods. For those who didn’t bear the ugly scars that keep me bound in constant, debilitating fear. I’ve run from that fear my entire life. But when I met him, for once, I couldn’t run anymore.

He scared the hell out of me in a way that excited every fiber of my being. It wasn’t the tattoos or the piercings. It wasn’t the warmth that seemed to radiate from his frame and blanket me whenever he was near. It was just…him. The scary beautiful man that threatened to alter 23 years of routine and rituals, and make me face my crippling fear.

My name is Kami and I am constantly afraid. And the thing that scares me the most is the very thing I want.

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REVIEW: FEAR OF FALLING is the latest contemporary new adult novel from author S.L. Jennings. Although the story focuses on Kami and Blaine, this is a story of recovery-a story about survival following years of horrific abuse at the hands of Kami’s father and the emotional aftermath of trying to survive in a world of bitter memories and broken dreams. And this story is about three friends-three friends who know the horror of abuse and rejection at the hands of someone who professes to love and cherish. Only, surviving sometimes comes at a cost when the past catches up and wants revenge.

Kami would never consider herself a survivor, in fact, she considers herself broken and beyond repair. While her room mates Dom and Angel, act out their buried pain and anger, Kami withdraws into a world of her father’s making. Hoping to move on, Kami finds herself falling for a man who promises her that he will never let her fall. But Kami’s fear of falling has her pushing everyone away. When the people around her get too close, Kami runs without looking back.

Blaine is the man with whom Kami is falling in love. But fearing rejection and a broken heart, Kami will never allow anyone to come close enough that could physically or emotionally destroy the fragile hold she has on her own sanity. Blaine is no ordinary man; he is the man who promises that he will never let her fall and if she does he will be there to catch her. The relationship is slow to build as Blaine understands that Kami must fight her demons but he is willing to fight right along side with her. But growing up in an abusive home Kami knows that promises are hollow and she pushes Blaine once too often and in the end, will discover that the monsters from her dreams are real and at her front door wanting to finish what he started years before.

Fear of Falling is a story with a HEA but it is also a story of recovery, starting over and letting go. And it is also a story of three friends who each have a story to tell. Kami, Dom and Angel know what it is to be broken and it is their friendship and understanding of what each has gone through and experienced that is the glue to that keeps them together.

S.L.Jennings has woven a storyline about a topic that is prominent in many of today’s headlines but a topic that can find itself buried in the sand along with many other issues that the public refuses to acknowledge. S.L brings the horrors of abuse front and center and in doing so reveals the tragedy and the aftermath of recovery-one step at a time.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Burn (Breathless #3) by Maya Banks-a review

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Burn (Breathless #3)  by Maya Banks – a review

Burn

Book 3 in the Breathless Trilogy

About the book: Release Date August 6, 2013

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Ash, Jace, and Gabe: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Ash, it’s the woman who changes everything he’s ever known about dominance and desire…

When it comes to sex, Ash McIntyre has always explored his wilder side—extreme and uncompromising. He demands control. And he prefers women who want it like that. Even the women he’s shared with his best friend, Jace.

But Jace is involved with a woman he has no intention of sharing. And now even Gabe has settled into a relationship with a woman who gives him everything he needs, leaving Ash feeling restless and unfulfilled.

Then Ash meets Josie, who seems immune to his charms and his wealth. Intrigued, he begins a relentless pursuit, determined she won’t be the one who got away. He never imagined the one woman to tell him no would be the only woman who’d ever drive him to the edge of desire.

Review:

Ash has given his best friends and business partners, Jace and Gabe hell over falling in love and settling down. After all, their motto for years has been play hard and live free. And he had no plans in giving up on their mantra. Oh, but fate has different plans for Ash….

Burn begins with a chance, albeit brief, encounter between Ash and Josie in the park. Josie is there sketching and Ash just needed a breath of fresh air. And, what a breath he got. After their initial encounter, Ash becomes obsessed with finding out all that he can about Josie and the man she belongs to. Because when Ash wants something, he stops at nothing to get it.

Josie is a bit of a free spirit. She is an artist and jewelry designer and doesn’t do the regular nine to five. She has broken it off with her boyfriend and has fallen on hard times. Her art isn’t selling and she has to make her rent. Little did she know that her trip to the pawn shop would be life-changing. Once she heads back to the pawn shop to buy back her mother’s jewelry, she discovers that it has been purchased by someone and there is no way to get it back. Until she leaves the shop and runs into Ash, who immediately tells her he’ll give her back her jewelry……..for a price. Dinner. She is apprehensive, but will do anything to get the only thing of her mother’s she has left, and to get to know a bit more about the man before her.

Once they meet for dinner, Ash lays it on the line. He wants her to be his in every way. Josie finds his offer intriguing and knows that she will be his, but asks for a few days to wrap her head around the idea. They part ways, with her telling him she’ll be in touch in a couple of days with her decision. However, when Ash doesn’t hear from her in several days, he sets out to find her. And, what he finds leaves him cold. Seems Josie’s ex wasn’t happy about her dumping him and he physically attacked her. Ash packs her up immediately and takes her to his apartment, where he takes care of her and doesn’t rush her into anything. He gives her that one night, because the next? She will be his.

They embark on their relationship and they are both happier than they could have ever imagined. They fall into a routine that suits them both. Josie’s art is selling and she feels that she can take care of herself, if need be. Even though Ash would never allow it, she has a sense of independence and starts to fall in love with him, and he with her. She’s introduced to his friends, Gabe & Mia, and Jace & Bethany, and loves how close they all are. She can finally imagine a long term relationship with Ash, until she discovers what she thinks is a betrayal that sends her reeling. And, when she confronts Ash and goes back to her old apartment, they are both devastated. Only they had no idea of the events that would play out. An old threat returns and the actions taken against Josie not only threaten her being with Ash, but threaten her very life…..

I liked the first book in this trilogy, Rush. I loved the second book, Fever. I absolutely ADORED Burn! I knew that Ash’s would be my favorite. He is estranged from his family and had made his own way and his own fortune. Something that his family did not like. He was always the laid back, easy going one of the trio. But, I just knew that there was more beneath the surface. God, I love it when I’m right!! Even though he and Josie’s relationship developed quickly, it worked. I loved them together. The “old threat” that returned?? I DID NOT SEE THAT ONE COMING!! And, it affected them all, in one way or another. Of course they closed ranks and took care of business. Some of the best scenes in all three books are the girls’ nights out. Seriously!! The books are worth reading, if only for those scenes alone! They are hysterical and so much fun to read. I have my fingers crossed that Maya Banks will at least do a novella that lets us check in on this trio and their wives to see how things are going. The worst part of this being the third book of the trilogy? It’s over…………. Well done, Maya Banks. Very well done.

Reviewed by Vickie M.

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