My Bad Boy Summer by Ann Herrick – a Review

My Bad Boy Summer by Ann Herrick – a Review

 

My Bad Boy SummerAmazon

Description:
Will Nolan give up his bad-boy ways for Vija?

17-year-old Vija Skalbe wants to be an all-American girl—no matter how hard her parents try to impose their strict Latvian standards on her. She feels unsure of herself with one foot in each country.

Then Nolan, a folksinger, steals her heart at a coffeehouse. When Nolan stops at their table, it’s Vija’s friend, Caprice, who does all the talking. But it is Vija who gets his phone number—and later the back seat of his motorcycle. Soon she is cruising from one adventure to another, dizzy with joy, her new-found freedom and the excitement of being with the kind of guy who is a challenge.

However, when her father has a heart attack, Vija must take over running the family lawn-care business. She feels overwhelmed until sweet brainiac Joel volunteers to help. He shares the workload and lifts her spirits with his humor. But it is Nolan who fills her heart.

It doesn’t matter that Nolan wants everything his way. Or that he’s constantly eyeing other girls. Or that he can be pouty and punitive. Or that he says she’s seeing things all wrong. Until it does matter. But Vija’s in so deep. Will he change? Will she deal with Nolan’s controlling tactics, or is she too far under his spell?

Review:

My Bad Boy Summer by Ann Herrick follows teenager Vija Skalbe through her first true romance.  The year is 1959 and school has just ended for the summer.  Vija emigrated from Latvia to the United States when she was eleven.  Now seventeen – all she really wants is to have a typical American teenage summer.  Her first Friday night of summer vacation and she finds herself at The Exit – a local coffee shop that features music on Friday nights.  Vija’s best friend Caprice has brought her here for a night out of fun and possibly meeting guys.  And even though Vija knows her strict parents wouldn’t be happy that this is where she has found herself on a Friday night – she resigns herself to enjoy the night.  That’s when she meets local folksinger – Nolan Shar.  And while Caprice has her eyes set on bad boy Nolan – he seems to take an interest in Vija, much to Caprice’s chagrin.  Nolan gives Vija his phone number telling her to call if she feels like talking.  And what begins after is a whirlwind summer romance, fraught with lies, complexities, and teen angst.  Vija has exactly what she has wanted, a boyfriend to spend time with.  But as time goes on – she begins to contemplate why it is that she hasn’t told her family about him?  And what will happen when she does? 

I fell for Vija from the first page. She was relatable with real life issues.  Her parents are strict and exactly as I would picture parents being in 1959. She is complex, hard working, and not one to disappoint her parents.  She doesn’t refuse to babysit for a family friend, even though she wants to.  She doesn’t say no to helping her father with his yard-care business, although she would much rather be at the beach.  She is a dutiful daughter and not afraid of hard work.  But when Nolan comes along she begins to tell lies.  Lies to where she was, who she was with and what she was doing.  She knows, although she doesn’t quite admit it until later on – that her parents will not approve of Nolan Shar.  And with just reason.

I knew I was not going to like Nolan from their first phone conversation.  And it quickly went down hill from there.  His attitude towards Vija was ridiculous.  And while she was pining for her first love (we have all been there) he was treating her horrendously.  His criticism of her every time they were together – grated on me and infuriated me. And his constant dismissing of her feelings truly angered me.   I wanted to like him – I wanted to turn a page and have him have some redeeming quality that proved he deserved Vija.  But it never happened.   And although I know it was her first love and she was deeply immersed – I wanted her to see what a total ass this guy was. Because I get it – he was the quintessential bad boy – he lived by his own rules and no one tells him what to do.  She found it appealing – at some point we all have.  But I could not bring myself to like him – not one bit.  BUT, it was refreshing to see a real life, true to realism relationship.  With all that goes along with getting to know a significant other and what you are willing to change about yourself for another person.

Then “Joel the Genius” saunters onto the scene.  And I knew the moment I met him, that he was the one.  He is the one to show Vija how she is supposed to be treated.  He is the one that will show her the respect she deserves.  And although they have been friends for quite some time – eventually she would get past the fact that he was the smart kid she called for math help.  She would eventually see him for what he truly is and the man he is becoming.  And the more time she spent with Joel the less time I wanted to read about Nolan.  And Vija found that to be true too.  The more time she spent with Noel the less she thought about Nolan.  Will she be able to walk away from Nolan and find happiness with Joel?

I wanted Vija to be happy, I wanted her to have everything that she deserves. And as the story unfolds you realize that just like with everything – no one can tell you who to care about or who to fall in love with.  Each person has to walk that discovery on their own.  And Vija does just that.  This is her story to discovering who she is and what she wants, and if she is willing to sacrifice her beliefs or not.  

The story is thought provoking and should be a must read for all teenage girls.  We have all put up with things in relationships that we shouldn’t have and for way too long.  But she is young and first love is the hardest.  And even though the years are far apart (1959 vs. today) the story still holds true,  that even though the package is nice and pretty on the outside and quite tempting  – what’s inside isn’t always what its cracked up to be.

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Author

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Summer of Supernovas by Darcy Woods – a Review

Summer of Supernovas by Darcy Woods – a Review

 

Summer of SupernovasAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Fans of Jennifer E. Smith and Jenny Han will fall in love with this heartfelt and humor-laced debut following one girl s race to find the guy of her cosmic dreams. When zodiac-obsessed teen Wilamena Carlisle discovers a planetary alignment that won t repeat for a decade, she s forced to tackle her greatest astrological fear: The Fifth House relationships and love. But when Wil falls for a sensitive guitar player hailing from the wrong side of the astrology chart, she must decide whether a cosmically doomed love is worth rejecting her dead mother s legacy and the very system she s faithfully followed through a lifetime of unfailing belief.”

 

Review:

Summer of Supernovas is the debut novel by Darcy Woods.  Wilamena “Wil” Carlisle is a headstrong, enlightened and very unique seventeen year old girl.  She believes she is destined to follow the stars and the astrological chart her mother left for her before she passed away. But Wil is now down to the wire – she has just twenty two days to meet the love of her life the “one” that she is pre-destined to be with forever, at least according to her star chart.   Following the charts and the knowledge her mother left her with she embarks on an emotional, spiritual journey. 

One night as she is star gazing and contemplating her life on top of the town’s water tower, she sparks the attention of one Grant Walker. Grant although afraid of heights, scales the tower in an attempt to rescue Wil, who he thinks is out to harm herself.  But once he realizes she isn’t there to harm herself it’s too late – he has already called the authorities and they are now on their way.  As they are making their way down the water towers ladder – they fall. Wil ends up in the hospital.  Embarrassed and humiliated that he read too much into the situation on the water tower, Grant tries to apologize to Wil by inviting her out to the local club that his parents own – Absinthe.  Once inside the club with her best friend Irina, Wil has a magical and mesmerizing dance with Grant.   But following her mother’s cues and star chart – Wil is quick to learn that Grant is not the right astrological sign; in fact he is the exact opposite.  He is a Pisces and that is what her mother warned her to stay away from, or so she thinks.  

Grant is handsome and there is an undeniable connection between him and Wil.  But she knows he isn’t right for her – not in any sense of the word.  And if she is going to follow these charts to her destiny she must stay away from him. Its then that she meets Seth. Seth is handsome, warm, caring and surprisingly he is exactly what Wil has been looking for. Exactly what her chart has told her to seek and find.  In fact he is almost too exact in what she is looking for. But, in a twist of fate, Seth turns out to have a brother – and that brother is Grant.

Completely convinced that the stars and all the charts have aligned to bring Seth into her life,   Wil tries with everything she has to make her destiny come to pass. But when she finds herself and her thoughts drifting to Grant, she begins to realize that maybe our destinies can’t be found in the stars.  Maybe just maybe the one she is supposed to find was already there. And maybe the stars are wrong.

I loved Wil from page one.  She is unique, strong-willed and you just want to tag along on her journey to find true love and happiness. She is loyal to her best friend, Irina and stands up for what she believes in.  I found myself rooting for her and her star chart every step of the way. I wanted to believe just as she had.  But when Grant comes into the picture – there is an undeniable connection there. A connection that even the stars can’t conspire to create! Wil lives with her Gram and their relationship has been strong up until this point.  But when things come to light that Wil didn’t know about – things her Gram kept from her – their relationship becomes strained.  And you want more than anything for that relationship to right itself.  For the two of them to become whole again. Gram is one of those women that you just know has an amazing back story and you’d give anything to figure out what that story was.

I adored the sub characters of Irina – she was perfect as a best friend.  Strong, confident and just what Wil needs around her. She had me laughing and looking up words in the dictionary all at the same time! And while Irina doesn’t always buy into the stars and the charts that Wil follows – she still supports her and her decisions every time.   Manny is Grant and Seth’s friend and he was adorable from the moment he walked on the page.  He was hysterical and every time he opened his mouth he had me smiling or laughing.  I am hoping and praying to the stars above that there is follow up novels for both Irina and Manny.  Because there is a story that is just fighting to be told!

This story felt real – you wanted to believe in every page.  You buy into it and you want Wil to have everything she deserves.   And I loved every minute of her following the charts and doing what she thought was right to following her heart and believing in what she knew was right. I will be passing this book onto my daughter (I save and keep all my favorite to pass on to her) and I can totally see this being a huge break out summer book for young adults and teens, In fact – its written in the stars!

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

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The One That Got Away by A.J. Pine – a Review

The One That Got Away by A.J. Pine – a Review

 

The One That Got AwayAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo/ BAM

Description:
How far will one man go for the woman he’s loved since high school?

Jamie Kingston has been Brynn Chandler’s best friend since middle school. Only once was their friendship tested—when Brynn gave Jamie a single kiss. Since then, they’ve had an unspoken agreement never to cross that line again, and she’s ready to let go of the past and move on.

But Jamie has loved Brynn for as long as he can remember, and now that he’s ready to tell her, she has her sights set on someone else. Knowing this is his last chance, he asks Brynn to go on a two-week road trip. But their time alone brings old hurts to the surface, and Brynn has to decide if the one that got away lies at the end of the journey or if he’s been by her side all along.

Review:

The One That Got Away is book one in the Kingston Ale House series by A. J. Pine.  As high schoolers Brynn Chandler and Jamie Kingston were best friends.  Brynn has her sights set on kissing senior star athlete Spencer Matthews.  Her chance is going to come at a graduation party the following night.  But things didn’t work out as she had planned.  Brynn came down with a case of mono and all her high school dreams are crushed.  But coming to her rescue is her best friend, Jamie Kingston.  He stays with her that night while her parents are out of town and nurses her back to health.   In her time of recovery— she realizes that Jamie has always been there for her, and she risks it all to kiss him.  But Jamie who has long loved her completely and totally isn’t in a good place.  His parents are divorcing and he is sure that any relationship he pursues with Brynn will end in disaster and ruin their friendship.

Flash forward ten years and Brynn and Jamie are still best friends.  Jamie still secretly loves her, and Brynn feels the same about him.  But Brynn is currently single and Jamie is in a stable relationship even though it isn’t with the one he wants.  Their high school reunion is coming around and Brynn is bound and determined to not let this reunion go by without trying to kiss her high school crush Spencer.  It’s the night of the reunion and Brynn is seeking out Spencer.  Jamie realizes that Brynn is the one he wants and goes and breaks up with his girlfriend.  Brynn sees  Spencer and even gets some alone time with him—even almost kisses him.  But Jamie rushed in—all prepared to tell her he is in love with her and catches them together.  No kiss yet again!  Spencer is now an author and invites Brynn to California for his book launch.  Jamie knows that in order to have her he must let her try with Spencer.  Jamie now owns Kingston’s Ale House and has an opportunity to drive to California for a beer thing so he invites Brynn along with the hopes of convincing her that its he she loves and not Spencer.  Even going so far as delivering Brynn into the arms of Spencer.

What ensues is a cross country road trip that is filled with ups and downs and loads of adventures.  Jamie has ended his relationship in the hopes of winning Brynn over—but he hasn’t quite told her that part yet.  And even though they were never allowed to discuss it Brynn has been crazy in love with Jamie since the night they kissed.  But his rejection of her still hits her in the feels.  She wants to tell him how she feels about him but is in no way ready for another rejection.

This is one of the best road trip books I have ever read.  I loved the relationship of Brynn and Jamie and wanted nothing more than for the two of them to find each other and figure out how the other feels.

Hilarious adventures happen and wonderful memories are made.  But will they be enough to convince Brynn to follow her heart and tell Jamie how she feels.  Will it be enough for her to see Spencer, even kiss him maybe and make the right choice.

Brynn was a wonderful character with a stubborn mind of her own.  She is tripping over her own self.  She loves Jamie but is so afraid of rejection—because Jamie is in a relationship now.  Rejection isn’t anything she is prepared to deal with.  She is funny and good natured—most of the time.  Her relationship with her sister is funny from the moment you open the book.

Jamie is an amazing best friend who everyone in the world can see loves Brynn but her.   The friendship is amazing and their rhetoric with each other is wonderful and hilarious.  The story unwinds as the road trip continues, and from memories of high school slowly evolves into an amazing love story.  If you ever had a best friend that you had a crush on—this is the book for you.

Wonderfully romantic and hilariously funny.

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

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To Win a Lady’s Heart by Ingrid Hahn – a Review

To Win a Lady’s Heart by Ingrid Hahn – a Review

 

To Win a Lady's HeartAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM

Description:
England, 1811. When John Merrick, the Earl of Corbeau, is caught in a locked storeroom with Lady Grace, he has but one choice-marry her. He cannot bear to tarnish any woman’s reputation, least of all Lady Grace’s.

Lady Grace Landon will do anything to help her mother and sisters, crushed and impoverished by her father’s disgrace. But throwing herself into the arms of her dearest friend’s older brother to trap him in marriage? Never.

Corbeau needs to prove that he loves her, despite her father’s misdeeds. After years of being an object of scorn, not even falling in love with Corbeau alters Lady Grace’s determination to not bring her disrepute upon another. However, if they don’t realize that the greatest honor is love given freely without regard to society’s censure, they stand to lose far more than they ever imagined.

 

Review:

To Win a Lady’s Heart by Ingrid Hahn takes place in 1811 England. Lady Grace Landon is attending a party with her mother and sisters. Their life the past few years has been filled with scandal and gossip. Wanting nothing more than to disappear in a dark corner and read a good book, Lady Grace finds herself in a locked storeroom with one John Merrick, the Earl of Corbeau.  His lordship has loved Lady Grace from afar for quite a long time, even previously asking to court her, and the predicament they now find themselves in is quite the quandary. Being the honorable man that he is, he does not want to sully her reputation anymore than it already is. And after being found alone together without chaperones, he decides right then and there to announce that he and Lady Grace are now engaged. 

Lady Grace’s entire family has had a rough few years after their fathers scandalous deceit and gambling transgressions, he left his family in ruins upon his death.  Lady Grace would never bring the scandal that follows her and her family to his Lordship.  With regret and a clear conscious she resigns herself to breaking off the engagement and moving on with her life. After all, it is for the best for everyone involved! But Lord Corbeau has other ideas. And he will do whatever he can to win her heart. 

With an invitation to a Christmas celebration at Lord Corbeau’s manor, he decides to use this time to win over Lady Grace’s heart. But can he do that before she decides to break off their engagement? Will she finally give in to the Earl and have the life she truly wants? Or will she walk away with a broken heart, protecting the Earl from unnecessary scandal? 

As the party continues on around them, Lady Grace slowly lets down her guard, but with  a house full of guests and a few that aren’t so happy with the Earl’s decision to marry who he has chosen,  Lady a grace feels quite overwhelmed. Wanting to make the right decision for the Earl, and for herself proves to possibly more than Grace can handle! 

I found Lady Grace to be a woman on honor and substance, even though her fathers legacy has followed them for quite some time. And even though she would love nothing more than to marry the Earl, she knows that she can not bring scandal to his name, which is what she will surely do if she marries him. Lady Grace is headstrong and stubborn in her beliefs, and I loved the process in which Lord Corbeau attempted to court her. Grace’s best friend Hetty, happens to be the Lord’s sister and I found her quite lovely. She was curious and inquisitive and does her part to move things along between Lady Grace and Lord Corbeau.  Lady Grace shows herself as a truly caring woman, as she joins the Earl in the stables, and in the meeting of the charges on his estate close to Christmas. 

Lord Corbeau is everything you want in an Earl. He is of strong mind and body, steadfast in his beliefs and resolute in his honor. I fell for him quite quickly. The fact that he was an Earl, yet not afraid to work with his staff to better his estate showed quite character.  

The story played out like a Masterpiece Classic and I fell completely head over hills in love with the quaintness off it! I was swept away in the Christmas scene that unfolded and found myself daydreaming of attending such a celebration. But make no mistake, there is also a quite delicious intimate scene between Lady Grace and Lord Corbeau, so wonderful that it left me wanting more!   I truly look forward to more stories of the Landon sisters with the hopes that Hetty gets her own happy ending also.  

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

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Surrender at the Border by Risa Leigh – a Review

Surrender at the Border by Risa Leigh – a Review

 

Surrender at the borderAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM

Description:
ATF agent B.J. Carleton’s first priority is stopping the flow of guns into Mexico until sassy Callie Snowden finds herself in the sights of a ruthless gunrunner, a man B.J. suspects killed her husband. After the tragedy Callie retreated home to her small Texas town, thinking she’d found safety. Now secrets from the past plunge her into a nightmare.

When she and B.J. are kidnapped by ruthless cartel henchmen and taken into the Chihuahuan desert, B.J. must protect Callie from the killers and harsh terrain. As they run for their lives, the past continues to play itself out and catches them in its deadly spiral. And if B.J. gives in to his overwhelming attraction for her, he may lose everything…for both of them.

 

Review:

Surrender At The Border is a Border Series novel by Risa Leigh.

B.J. Carelton is an United States ATF agent, and he is in Rowdy, Texas.  He is there to stop a gun runner who is selling illegal guns to the cartel in Mexico. When he finds out his target – Karl Abbott, is using the towns library computer system to make deals he knows the only thing he can do is install monitoring software to track his activity. But this may not go as simple as planned. The town librarian Callie Snowden, isn’t about to agree to this easily.  Callie is strong willed and of high moral standards and she doesn’t like the idea of her patrons privacy being violated. After reaching an agreement – the software is installed. Callie has known Karl since way back, but she has no idea of his illegal activities.  

Callie’s husband was a State Trooper and was killed in the line of duty. His murder remains unsolved. But Callie uses the opportunity of B.J. Being in town to see what he knows about the case. As they get closer, B.J. Realizes that Karl is too close for comfort to Callie. In fact, he is stalking her without her even realizing it.  Once B.J. points it out to Callie she becomes even more scared than she was before. When Callie is kidnapped by Karl she realizes the one person that can save her is the one she can’t protect her heart against! With Callie and B.J. kidnapped and stranded in the heart of Mexico – danger lurks around every corner! Karl is after her, the drug cartels are looking for them, and she slowly get B.J. to open up to her. She finds out that he lost his wife to a murderer that happened in front of him.  He carries as heavy of a burden and Callie does. The two of them do everything in their power to fight the spark between them but it grows daily. Stranded in the desert, desperate to get home safely, the two of them struggle as their hearts are mending before their eyes. 

B.J. is a rugged, strong drug enforcement agent. He is damaged and broken and he has buried himself in his work for way to long. So long in fact that he isn’t even sure how change that.  I fell for him quite quickly as you are quick to realize that even damaged he is a stand up guy!  

Callie has had her heart ripped from her soul not once but twice. She is strong, sassy and determined. She is slow to realize that the last thing she thinks is looking for is the one thing she needs! I enjoyed her sassiness, her ability to face her fears and stand her ground in the darkest of moments. 

The suspense of the story is fast paced and wildly addicting. I wanted nothing more than for Karl to get his just punishment!  I loved how the relationship built between Callie and B.J. And couldn’t wait to see how everything turned out!  Romantic suspense at its finest! 

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

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Darkly, Deeply, Beautifully by Megan Tayte – Review & Giveaway

Darkly, Deeply, Beautifully by Megan Tayte – Review & Giveaway

 

Darkly, Deeply, BeautifullyAmazon

Description:
DARKNESS HAS FALLEN, AND SHE ALONE WILL SEE THE LIGHT.

The Ceruleans: mere mortals infused with power over life and death. Five books; one question: If the might of the heavens were in your hands, would you be sinner or saint?

With her mother’s life hanging in the balance, Scarlett is devastated – and done with being in the dark. She wants answers, all of them.

But when was her pursuit of the truth ever straightforward?

Pulling a single thread impels a great unravelling. And each revelation will force Scarlett to rethink what she thought she knew about the Ceruleans, the Fallen, her family – herself.

All that came before was a mere prelude to this, the last journey. From London to Twycombe to Hollythwaite to Cerulea, Scarlett will be stalked by the ghosts of what has been, what may have been and what may come to pass. Until she reaches the place where it all began, and it all must end.

But in the final reckoning, none will survive unscathed. And some will not survive at all.

In this explosive conclusion to The Ceruleans series, all must be defined by their actions: sinner, saint… or something more beautiful entirely?


Review:

Darkly, Deeply, Beautifully is book five in the Cerulean series by Megan Tayte. After the most epic of cliffhangers in book four, we may finally find out all the answers to the burning questions we all want to know!

Scarlett’s life has been a whirlwind lately. Finding out she is Cerulean and able to heal people. Finding out who her father is and that he is the leader of the opposition – a faction called The Fallen. And that her sister Sienna is still alive but has chosen the dark, she has chose to join The Fallen. But the burning question is who attempted to kill her mother and put her in a coma?  Who would want to hurt Scarlett or her family? And why now? 

With her ever faithful boyfriend Luke still by her side, she is still struggling to find a balance between being Cerulean and leading a normal life.  The ability to heal others comes with consequences. And trying to figure out how to live her life with Luke in it is a struggle. She waivers and questions, but never loses the love she has for him.

Scarlett is beginning a relationship now with her father, the leader of The Fallen, Gabriel. And his story isn’t at all what she has been led to believe. Even though her father was cast out of Cerulea – Scarlett still wants to find out the answers to all the questions about her father! Scarlett is also attempting to rebuild her relationship with her sister Sienna. But Sienna doesn’t want her involved in her life and she has secrets she just isn’t ready to share yet. 

This novel flowed beautifully from the previous ones. Questions are answered, rights are corrected, good really can conquer evil and things usually aren’t as they seem. I loved this final book… What a journey this has been.

Scarlett has evolved in to a very strong, young woman. Her relationship with Luke is strong, although there are things she just can’t confess to him. Not just yet. Luke is the rock, the one that is always there for Scarlett. Always protecting her and loving her the best ways he knows how! Luke’s sister Cara and her boyfriend Si’s story continues, as their relationship builds. Again, they are always there for Scarlett and supporting her in friendship.  I truly changed my thoughts on Gabriel and Sienna just as Scarlett did. Realizing that judging a book by its cover isn’t always the best thing to do, and I was completely ecstatic that Jude and Sienna have found a common ground and love. The total shocker was who had hurt Scarlett’s mother.

I believe I may have ugly cried when all was revealed – Darkly, Deeply, Beautifully! 
The characters evolved,  the story continued to pull you in, and wrap you in its arms…  A wonderful series with a beautiful, thought provoking ending.  Leaving you to wonder – what would you sacrifice for love? 



Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

 

About the author

Megan Tayte

Once upon a time a little girl told her grandmother that when she grew up she wanted to be a writer. Or a lollipop lady. Or a fairy princess fireman. ‘Write, Megan,’ her grandmother advised. So that’s what she did.

Thirty-odd years later, I’m a professional writer and published author by day, and an indie novelist by night. My fiction recently earned me the SPR’s Independent Woman Author of the Year award.

I write the kinds of books I love to read: young-adult romance fiction with an edge of paranormal. Young adult, because it’s the time of life that most embodies freedom and discovery and first love. Romance, because I’m a misty-eyed dreamer who lives for those ‘life is so breathtakingly beautiful’ moments. And paranormal, because I’ve always believed that there are more things in heaven and on earth than are dreamt of in our philosophy.

I grew up in the Royal County, a hop, skip and a (very long) jump from Windsor Castle, but these days I make my home in a village of Greater Manchester. I live with my husband, a proud Scot who occasionally kicks back in a kilt; my son, a budding artist with the soul of a palaeontologist; and my baby daughter, a keen pan-and-spoon drummer who sings in her sleep. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me walking someplace green, reading by the fire, or creating carnage in the kitchen as I pursue my impossible dream: of baking something edible.

 

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A Weekend of Misbehaving by Carmen Falcone – a Review

A Weekend of Misbehaving by Carmen Falcone – a Review

 

A Weekend of MisbehavingAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
When fantasy becomes reality…

The last thing nanny Alice Sommers needs is to be caught skinny-dipping by her sexy, cranky-pants boss—in his pool. Her sister owes a crap-load of money to a slimy loan shark and Alice really needs this job if she has any hope of saving her family. Fortunately, her boss is richer than sin and needs her just as much.

Art dealer Lorenzo Baldi will lose his prestigious career if his anarchist father’s paintings are revealed to the art world. He’s determined to persuade the paintings’ eccentric owner to sell them to him, even if to pull it off, he’ll have to blackmail his daughter’s nanny—a woman with the sexy curves of a Botticelli masterpiece—into being his fake fiancé.

The gorgeous island of Capri inspires some major misbehaving. But even as the loan shark breathes down Alice’s neck and the paintings move closer to the art scene, Lorenzo drops one more bomb that will change everything.


Review:

A Weekend of Misbehaving by Carmen Falcone is the second book in the Time to Misbehave series. 

Nanny Alice Sommers is dealing with a lot more than someone her age should.  A promise to her father that passed away has led her to taking care of her bi-polar sister, her adorable niece and her ailing mother.  All this,  while being a nanny for single, hot and brooding Lorenzo Baldi’s young daughter Cara.

And while Lorenzo has always just been her boss, she has secretly hidden her true feelings for him. Alice’s  promise to her now deceased father is one thing she won’t compromise on.  So when a loan shark comes forward saying that her sister owes him $20,000, money that she just doesn’t have. She makes it as her responsibility to handle the situation.  As she always does.

With her Cara away at camp, and Lorenzo out of town, Alice stops by to take care of their family pet. While she is there she decides after the week she has had, what harm could come from a quick skinny dip in the pool. And just as she was enjoying the pool – she realizes that Lorenzo is home and he has a woman guest.   But this isn’t just any guest. This is Viola Campello and she has something

Lorenzo desperately wants. Lorenzo would like to buy Violets art collection.  But Violet is a bitter, staunch woman, fresh from a divorce and she will not take lightly Lorenzo allowing an employee to skinny dip in his pool.    In the blink of an eye, Lorenzo tells Violet that Alice is his fiancée. And this lie will set the stage for their future.  Alice must now pretend to be engaged to Lorenzo – even though she has hidden her feelings for him away for years.  Her job was much more important than a crush on her boss.  And now  Violet would like them to come visit her at her home in Capri.

Can Alice pull this off, and what if anything will she gain from this arrangement?  Lorenzo offers to pay her to continue the charade – all she must do is name her price.  Alice immediately responds with $20,000. Done.  But Lorenzo wants to know what she needs the money for.  And against her better judgment she eventually relinquishes the reason to him.

But with the charade in full force, can Lorenzo keep his feelings and his hands to himself.  Will Alice jeopardize her job for a fling with her boss? Can their arrangement benefit each of them without one of them getting hurt?  These questions are wonderfully answered and more.  

I found Alice Sommers, real and relatable.  She is the girl next door, the one that is loyal to her family to a fault.  She’s quick witted and comical and she knows where and what she wants. It was an immediate connection of likeability with her.  Lorenzo, not so much.

At first meeting I found Lorenzo uppity, staunch and unwavering. But as his story unfolds you find out just why he acts the way he does.  And will the one person that has been there for his daughter be able to fulfill what is missing in his life?  The build up of romance and frustration can be carved with a knife.  You want nothing more for them to admit how they feel towards each other and move forward.  But sometimes things aren’t that simple. 

Alice lays her whole truth out before Lorenzo but it seems he is hiding something from her. Like why is this art collection so important to him? And once Alice finds out will she still have the same feelings for him as she has now?

This story tests the lines of promises kept, and family loyalty.  Will Alice give up her hopes and dreams of the future to fulfill her promise to her father.  And just how far can family loyalty stretch?  I found this story wonderfully written.  I laughed and giggled like a school girl with a crush.  Definitely recommend to anyone looking for a fun, romantic read.

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

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Killer Curves by Naima Simone – a Review

Killer Curves by Naima Simone – a Review

 

Killer CurvesAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM

Description:
She’ll lead him right into temptation…

Lately, things have been a little weird for Sloane Barrett—late night crank calls, disturbing images inher inbox, her tires slashed. She tries not to let it bother her. She tries to pretend everything is ok. Then someone breaks into her house and attacks her…and Sloane realizes she needs professional help. Tall, gorgeous and overwhelmingly intense help.

But Sloane knows all too well just how much trouble intense guys can be.

Security Specialist Ciaran Ross’s priority is to ensure Sloane is safe. His gut tells him she’s in danger, but his feelings for her are pulling his focus. Ciaran has already made the mistake of falling for a client, and the results were disastrous. He won’t risk it again. He can’t. But running from love is the surest way to get Sloane killed.

Review:

In Killer Curves by Naima Simone, Sloane Barrett fought with every ounce of her being to not to give into Ciaran.  And the fact that she was a full bodied woman made the story even more fulfilling.  She was real. 

Ciaran – well…. Lets just say – I loved him from the moment he stormed onto the page.  Tough, brash, rough exterior with an overwhelming, caring, loving heart on the inside.  He is loyal to his own and will not back down from anyone. And the way that he evolves right along with Sloane is beautiful.  The relationship between the two of them was wonderfully written, beautifully portrayed and perfectly executed and delicious in every single minute way!  

I would like to point out that I have never in my life disliked a character as much as I did Sloane’s ex fiancé Phillip.  From the moment he slithered onto the scene I wanted to punch him.

He was vile, rude and downright evil.  And I thought for sure he had something to do with what was going on with Sloane.  In the end I am glad everyone in her family saw him for the man he was.

I would also like to mention that this book could read as a stand alone – but why would you do that when the first book is just a wonderfully delicious as the second.

The fast paced mystery/story line intrigued me, left me wanting to know who was after Sloane and why. I read from start to finish in one evening. Not wanting to put it down, not wanting to miss a single thing. In the end the realization of who was after her and why was gut wrenchingly sad.  Understandable and yet sad.


Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

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