Tag Archives: Erin

I Do by A. J. Pine – a Review

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I Do by A. J. Pine – a Review

 

I doAmazon / Barnes & Noble

Description:
Sometimes you have to trust your heart to find out what home really means.

Duncan McAllister is marrying Elaina Tripoli tomorrow. Except—he’s missing. Jordan, Noah, Griffin, Maggie, and Miles arrive in Greece for the festivities to find frantic messages from both the bride and groom. Noah and Griffin set off to find Duncan while Jordan, Maggie, and Miles try to salvage what should be a day of celebration before the wedding.

But the Americans have their own baggage. Noah’s got a surprise planned for Jordan that has to go perfectly. Griffin’s keeping life-changing news from Maggie. And Miles—well, he wasn’t looking for love on this trip until a Greek sous chef named Alex rocks his world.

The race is on for Duncan to make it back to Elaina before she decides not to take him back at all. For Noah to make sure his monumental plan goes off without a hitch. For Griffin to tell Maggie the truth without losing her. For Miles to admit that letting himself fall in love is worth the risk.

Happily Ever After waits at the finish line…if the four couples can make it on time.

 

Review:

I Do by A.J. Pine is book three in the If Only Series.  It follows the lives of four couples as they embark on the next stage of their lives.  Duncan McAllister is all set to     marry Elaina Tripoli in Greece.  The only problem is – he needs to get there.   Griffin is traveling to Greece with his girlfriend Maggie.  While he is concerned about her medical state he is also keeping a life changing secret from her.   Noah is on his way to Greece with his girlfriend Jordan, and he plans to have a perfectly timed and precise place to ask her to marry him.   Miles is so dead set against weddings and any form of commitment, yet he tags along to keep Maggie company. And the placement of a handsome stranger in the seat next to him on the plane proves much more than he was expecting.  While all of their friends are arriving in Greece for the nuptialsthey get a frantic message from the bride that Duncan is missing. And Duncan makes his one phone call to his friend Griffin – not his future wife.  Causing more strife with his bride to be.

While Noah and Griffin set off to find Duncan they leave behind Jordan, Maggie and Miles to console and comfort the bride.Elaina is dead set that Duncan has stood her up at the alter and she is bound and determined to show him what he is giving up once he does arrive, if heever arrives.   

Will Duncan make it in time to marry Elaina?  Will Maggie stay with Griffin after the life changing news he has for her?  Will Noah find the perfect time to ask Jordan to marry him, and will Milesrealize that its ok to let down his walls and love again?

This story was a fast paced drama that unfolded perfectly.  While I had not read the previous two books – this was perfect even as a stand alone.  Although I will go back and read the first two books now as I am completely hooked.  Duncan was my absolute favorite – who can deny a kilt wearing Scot?  And his relationship with Elaina has had its share of ups and downs and now was the perfect moment for them to make the commitment to become one.  But, as always, it seems that Duncan’s tendency to make a mess of a situation won out.  I loved the way he loves her. Absolute and completely.   And the epilogue – Perfection!!   Griffin and Maggie’s relationship actually had me on edge at first. I could not understand why he wouldn’t tell her up front about the life changing job – but in the end he made that absolutely clear.  He loves her and all of her flaws.  He wants nothing more than to protect her and love her.  Noah and Jordan’s relationship was playful and truthful.  Even though the road getting to where they are now was a rough one – Noah’s love for Jordan is real.  And his nervousness about the whole marriage proposal was wonderful to read.  But my favorite character of the entire book was Miles.  Its always the closed off, soft hearted guys that get you. I loved every moment of his and Alex’s relationship, from the airplane to the final scene.  They made me laugh and sweat and everything in between.   Each relationship was wonderful and unique but in the end it was all about the trust and the trust in their hearts. 

 I truly enjoyed this book and I will absolutely go back and read the first two books now. As I can not wait to delve deeper into each couples stories.  Wonderful read…

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

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Devil and the Deep by Megan Tayte – a Review

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Devil and the Deep by Megan Tayte – a Review

 

Devil and the DeepAmazon

Description:
STORM CLOUDS ARE GATHERING, AND THEY WILL RAIN BLOOD.

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?

Scarlett is living her happy-ever-after, back in the real world. Only the ‘happy’ part is proving problematic.

For starters, there’s the isolation. Being a Cerulean among humans is fraught with risk, so her time with people can only be fleeting. Which means being with Luke but not being with Luke.

Then there’s her Cerulean light, her power over life and death. Less awesome talent, as it turns out, and more overwhelming responsibility. And it comes with rules – rules that are increasingly difficult to obey.

But what’s really pushing Scarlett to the precipice is something much bigger than herself, than her life in the cove. A force to be reckoned with:

Blood.

When long-buried truths are exposed, will Scarlett keep her head above water – or will she drown in the blood-dimmed tide that is unleashed?

Review:

Scarlett Blake is Cerulean. That means she has the power to heal others within herself.  But with that power comes many rules and risks.   Scarlett has decided to leave Cerulea behind and return to her life with her boyfriend Luke.  But that choice does not come without consequences.  You see, it is unheard of for a Cerulean to have a relationship with a human.  Ceruleans; with or around humans for any length of time poses a risk.  But Scarlett is bound and determined to make it work.  Adjusting to a new way of life has been a struggle; Scarlett is isolated and sometimes alone at length.  But she takes on the task of spending time with Jude (fellow Cerulean) to learn how to use her light and heal those who are in need, without causing any harm to herself.  Scarlett has discovered that the results of using her light in the wrong way or on the wrong person can have devastating and real repercussions. 

Scarlett’s relationship with her mother has improved. Her mother is forging forward and creating a life for herself, and finally seems quite happy.  But as all of this is coming about, Scarlett realizes that all of what she has believed about her childhood and life has been lies.  The man she has always believed to be her father, is not.  Which leads her on a journey to find out just who is?  And what will the consequences be when she finds out? Will it change Scarlett’s life as she knows it?  Will she be able to handle the truth of just who her father is?

I have absolutely “fallen” in love with this series.  Megan Tayte’s writing opens up an enchanted world of love, friendship, lies and turmoil.  Finding out who Scarlett’s real father is – was both heartbreaking and completely satisfying.  Knowing that her sister Sienna – now lost to The Fallen was not alone in her tragedy left me hopeful and with a complete sense of understanding. Especially when finding out the real story behind The Fallen.  All along I believed; just as Scarlett that The Fallen were outcasts because they had decided to use their healing power to take lives instead of heal them.  But that may not be the case.  The real reason behind what they have done may be something different entirely.   This adds a completely and totally unexpected twist to this journey.

Luke is completely loving and understanding in this book.  Making me care for him even more than previous books.  His patience with Scarlett and understanding knows no bounds.  Luke is completely committed to the relationship he shares with Scarlett.  And even though she is keeping things from him, I truly believe nothing will ever change the way he feels for her. The way that he brings love and even his own light to everyone around him makes him a pleasure to read.  He is completely selfless and unwavering.

I still continue to love the secondary characters of Cara (Luke’s sister) and Si.  They are both fun and always uplifting.  Jude proves to be more of a friend to Scarlett in this book, and I truly love how he is always there for Scarlett.  Michael has stepped forward in this book and I find him quite intriguing as a character.  I am hoping to find out more about him in the fifth book.  I even enjoyed Evangeline in this book, which I did not in previous books.  Evangeline reveals more to Scarlett and seems to be open to a new way of being Cerulean, which I hope for everyone’s sake is the case.   The ending of course was the ultimate cliff hanger – one of those –scream at the page ones.  Where you can not believe it has ended this way – but leaving you wanting more and more.  I will – although not easily – patiently wait for book five.

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Author

 

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Quinn Invisible (Quinn Callahan Chronicles #1) by Amy Martin-a review

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Quinn Invisible (Quinn Callahan Chronicles #1) by Amy Martin-a review

Quinn Invisible

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository / BAM

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 1, 2015

When her cop father is killed in the line of duty, Quinn Callahan returns from New York to her hometown of Shady Springs, Missouri, to live with her aunt. Unfortunately, Shady Springs holds nothing but pain for Quinn, whose mother allegedly murdered Quinn’s popular best friend Emma before killing herself, leaving Quinn a bullied outcast at her upscale prep school.

After almost four years away, Quinn finds not much has changed at Harrandale Preparatory Academy, although her bullies have grown older, taller, and crueler. And Emma’s twin brother Evan is still indifferent to her, which is more painful than any punishment her classmates can inflict.

Determined to clear her mother’s name, Quinn begins re-investigating Emma’s death with the help of some new friends and–eventually–Evan. But will Quinn and Evan be able to live with what they learn about their families in the process?

••••••••••••

REVIEW: When fifteen year old Quinn Callahan’s father is killed in the line of duty, she is left with no choice but to leave New York City and return to her hometown of Shady Springs, Missouri. But sometimes going home isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. Now in the custody of her Aunt Maureen, Quinn must return to the one place she doesn’t want to be. And even though her past continued to haunt her in New York, returning to Shady Springs means returning to a life of hell as she knows it. Quinn’s mother allegedly murdered her best friend Emma and then killed herself four years ago, and returning to town will bring nothing but heartache and pain to her. And to add insult to injury, her father’s wish before he died was that she return to Harrandale Prep School – where she was a social outcast because of the tragic turn of events. But the determination Quinn has to clear her mother’s name wins out, and she soon returns to the upscale school where all the bullies still go. But there is a silver lining. …

Quinn’s first day back she makes friends with Seti and Hal, a couple in love, who must keep their relationship a secret. They are determined, more than ever to help her figure out what happened to her mother, and what lead up to the events that left both Emma and her dead. But facing old ghosts and memories also leads to facing Evan, Emma’s twin brother. At first his coldness to Quinn is hurtful but soon they begin a journey to find out what truly happened on the night their lives changed forever. Will Quinn and Evan be able to rekindle the love they once felt for each other when they were younger? And will they be able to handle the truth they uncover in the search for justice? Can their friendship withstand another tragedy?

Quinn, to me, was the perfect mix of teenage sarcasm and wit. While her life is a series of one tragedy after another you wonder how she gets the courage to face those that condemn her for nothing that was a fault of her own. I loved that Seti and Hal stepped up and into her life on the first day back to school – when no one else would. Those are what true friendships are made of. And their intentions from the start was to protect her at all costs. Of course, Evan is the guy you love to hate or is it hate to love? His annoying, rich, entitled friends are relentless in making Quinn’s life miserable and you want nothing more than to see her rise above all of them. But when Evan shows his true self, you can’t help but wonder if his intentions are pure- I hoped with all my heart that they were. The story moves flawlessly and each turn of events leads you to finding out who murdered Emma and what exactly befell Quinn’s mother. And when Quinn finds something that will truly hurt Evan will she tell him or keep it to herself? The twist in the story leaves you wanting more. Looking forward to continuing with these chronicles.

Reviewed by Erin

Copy supplied by the author.

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Own Me / Risk Me by Lexi Scott – Reviews

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Own Me / Risk Me by Lexi Scott – Reviews

 

Own Me
Silver Strand Series – Book #3
by Lexi Scott
Release Date: 8/17/15

Own MeAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM

Description:
Limits were made to be broken…

Genevieve Rodriguez’s life isn’t panning out the way she’s always envisioned. At all. Not only is she exactly one “D” away from getting kicked out of school, but her heart is in pieces after her long-time crush marries someone else. For Genevieve, sunny Silver Strand has never felt more dismal.

Then Adam Abramowitz, her super-cute, super-smart physics tutor-who never seems to notice even her sexiest tops-tells her his visa is about to expire and he’s going to have to return to Israel.

Suddenly the words pop out of Genevieve’s mouth before she can stop them. “Marry me.”

At first, it’s a joke…until it’s not. Because in that brief, unexpected moment, everything changes. The rules. The boundaries. And Adam and Genevieve are about to discover what happens when you push the limits.

 

Review:

Own Me by Lexi Scott is book three in the Silver Strand series. Genevieve Rodriguez’s life isn’t going quite the way she has planned. Her long-time crush Deo has recently married someone else. Her college career is about as close to failing as it could possibly be. She is working in her families furniture store and life as she knows it couldn’t get anymore bleak. The one highlight she has is her tutor – Adam Abramowitz. While they have become close friends, he is all by the books, scientific guy. And while she flirts with him and plays with his intellect she secretly is completely and totally into him.

But Adam’s student visa is about up and with the deadline looming he is worried he will be deported. Gen quickly devises a plan for her best friend to stay in the states and for her to move out of her overbearing families house. She will marry Adam and move into the married dorms with him. But will Adam go for the plan? Will he accept the gift of staying in the states since he desperately does not want to return to Israel and his disapproving father. And if they do go through with this – will immigration believe them and let Adam stay?

Genevieve Rodriguez is a spitfire of a woman. While she is struggling to find herself in not only her family but her own life – she knows one thing is for certain. She would do anything to keep her best friend in the United States. And anything may include a sham marriage that may get Adam deported and her thrown into jail. Gen is an amazing woman with so much potential, and the only person that really can see it at the moment is her best friend Adam. He encourages her to be the best person she can be. He makes her want to be a better person. And she will not let that be taken away by some stupid expired student visa. Will Gen’s family accept Adam on such a short courtship? Will they find out the truth? And will her fake marriage change the one friendship she is fighting to keep?

Adam Abramowitz is all books and science. He has his life experiment he has been slaving over and he completely forgot about renewing his visa. With the expiration date looming he isn’t sure what he is going to do. His best friend comes up with a solution – but can he be so selfish as to take her up on her offer. Especially knowing that one day their fake marriage will end and she will divorce him to be with someone she truly cares about.

Each book in this series is wonderful and thought provoking. This one truly hit home. I absolutely loved both Gen and Adam’s characters. They truly complete each other – fulfilling each other, making each other better people. But both their pride and stubbornness get in the way of either of them telling the other how they truly feel. I wouldn’t even begin to pick a favorite so far in the series – but this one is up there. I found myself laughing out loud and smiling to the universe at this one.

The sub-characters and intertwining of all of the stories may be my favorite of any series. They truly are mingled each one in the others stories and the continuation of each story is magical. Probably the best continuing series I have read… Truly enjoyable!

 

Risk Me
Silver Strand Series – Book #2
by Lexi Scott
Release Date: 7/28/2015
Risk MeAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
You can never judge the depths by the surface…

For Cohen Rodriguez, getting dumped by his girlfriend was bad enough. Being told he’s “not impulsive enough” was just the cheap parting gift. Still, he takes a break from his über responsible ways and dates his way through Silver Strand. Except it’s not exactly turning out the way he thought…

On top of that, there’s Maren Walshe, whose combination of sexy and down-to-earth is everything Cohen wants in a girl. But while they’ve recently been talking on the phone and texting every day, they’ve never actually met. Now Maren wants to meet. In person.

Faced with turning his oh-so-safe fantasy girl into an uncertain reality, Cohen and Maren are both about to dive head first, ready or not.

Review:

Risk Me is book two in the Silver Strand series. Cohen Rodriguez does everything by the book. Never stepping outside his comfort zone. He works at his families furniture store – always reliable and dependable. He has had the same best friend, Deo – since they were in diapers. Never faltering. He seems quite content with his life and his girlfriend until she decides to dump him and to add insult to injury she tells him that he is just too predictable for her. After attempting to get over the break-up. He decides that he is just going to step out of his comfort zone and date girls he would never normally pursue.

After one disastrous date after another the one constant in his life, he realizes has been Maren Walshe, an employee at his fathers furniture company. While they have only ever spoken on the phone and never met in person, he has a fantasy in his head of this amazing girl who has been there for him through the tough times.

But Maren isn’t content with just sitting back and keeping everything over the phone. In a moment of complete impulse she asks Cohen to meet her – in person. Will Cohen’s fantasies of the girl on the phone meet up to his expectations of what she really is? Or will this be the end of the amazing phone conversations they have had over work discussions for so long?

Cohen Rodriguez plays everything by the book. His life is planned, although working at his parents furniture store is a side step, he doesn’t mind taking it. Everything is the way it should be. But, after the recent break up with his girlfriend he plays the field, and each date becomes more disastrous than the last. All the while he is confiding in his super sexy, sultry voice on the other end of his work phone – Maren. She is hilarious, sexy and makes him laugh – something he hasn’t been doing much of lately. But when she asks him to step outside of his comfort zone and meet her – he isn’t sure he wants to take things to the next step.

Maren Walshe has put her life on hold to take care of her alcoholic, has-been rock star father. She quit college, works full time – all to try and keep their life together. When she forms a bond with the bosses son, Cohen, over the telephone, she isn’t quite sure where she is treading. She is completely shocked when she asks him to meet her. Once she meets the man that has filled her thoughts for quite some time, she realizes that she has nothing to offer him in terms of a relationship. She can’t bring this amazing man into her chaotic life. She doesn’t even know if they will have a place to live from one moment to the next and she certainly can’t let him know that she is drowning in the life her father has dragged her into.

In a thought provoking turn of events, Cohen gains her trust and offers to help her with her father and with her life. But her every instinct is telling her to run and to protect this man from the chaos of her life. I truly liked the character of Cohen. He has strong family beliefs and bonds and he is just what lost soul Maren needs. She has no family since her mother and sister basically turned their back on her for choosing to stay and help her father! Maren is a true and relatable character. You just want her to have her happy ever after ending. But is she willing to allow someone into her life, a life that she has worked so hard at protecting and shielding from everyone in the outside world?

The sub characters of Cohen’s family – Enzo, Lydia, Gen, and Cece were truly enjoyable and I absolutely love the family dynamic that was the Rodriguez clan. I loved that Deo and Whit were so involved in this story and played a huge part in bringing Cohen and Maren together. I am truly enjoying the intermingling of stories and I hope that the series just continues to play out like this. Such an enjoyable, easy read. Highly recommend this series.

Reviews by Erin

Copies provided by Publisher

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Hide Me by Lexi Scott – a Review

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Hide Me by Lexi Scott – a Review

 

Hide MeAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM

Description:
Sometimes it’s easier to run…

Ripped apart by guilt and grief, nineteen-year-old Whit Conrad grabs her stuff and runs from her super-conservative home and family in Pennsylvania and hauls ass for sunny California. All she wants is escape. Now she has a craptastic apartment, a job at a tattoo parlour, and even a friend-who’s-mostly-benefits. Then she meets a sexy, inked, surfer-dude who has the potential of capsizing everything…

Deo Beckett is adrift. Underemployed and over-boozing, Deo knows he should be doing something more with his life. Being something more. All it takes is a pin-up hottie with a smart mouth—and a bruised soul—to force Deo to start looking below the surface. To wonder if there’s more to life than being a beach bum. Now he’s falling for Whit…and hard.

But Whit ran from home for a reason, and she’ll go to any lengths to keep Deo from learning the truth…

Review:

Hide Me by Lexi Scott is book one in the Silver Strand Series.  Whit Conrad is a small town Pennsylvania girl that has recently moved to California.  She brings with her a haunted past and a troubled soul.  She came to California to be closer to her brother, Wakefield.  To the brother she so tragically lost.  And with her she brought a box of pictures – and she goes to the places that her brother has taken pictures of just to be closer to him.  She needs to be as near to the memory of him as possible. Hence, she gets a job at the tattoo shop where her brother got his first tattoo.   Bullheaded and stubborn – she wants to do things on her own, her own place, college, anything and everything without the help of anyone else.  What she wasn’t bargaining for was Deo Beckett.   He came into her life when she needed him most; unfortunately she wasn’t ready to see that.  Deo is your typical California aimless, slacker surfer.  He is content living out his days in his grandfather’s house, spending the days surfing and the nights partying and having a good time.  Deo isn’t anything that she is looking for – despite him being good looking, charming and funny.  That is until he comes into the tattoo shop looking for a new tattoo.  He wasn’t exactly bargaining for what he found in the tattoo shop either.   Bull-headed and stubborn – Whit is resilient in her thought processes.  No one needs to know about Wakefield, in fact the less she speaks of him the better.   But when her relationship with Deo starts to get even the slightest bit serious – and he wants to know more and more about her and her past.  She not only shuts down, she bails.  And falling back into his old ways – Deo is content that when things start to get tough – its time for him to bail too.   Little did they know that the things there were fighting the most to stay away from is the exact thing that both of them need.

Whit Conrad is pig-headed and stubborn.  She doesn’t want to open up and let anyone in.  It hurts to much when she does that.  The tragedy of her brother’s life is just too much for her to deal with.  And she needs to deal with it in the worst way.  The more that you find out about Whit between the pages the more I started to relate with her.  And her pain is palpable.  You want nothing more that to make things right for her and to show her stubbornness the way. 

Deo Beckett is that loveable jokester that likes to have fun and just hang out.  He can do that because he has no responsibilities and nothing he is committed to.  He makes you laugh and as the story progresses you can see him evolve into a wonderful young man with so much to offer.  Once he began to open his heart and soul to Whit you want nothing more than for her to do the same.  But this isn’t your normal fairytale romance.  No, this is tragic, heart breaking and truly moving.  As you watch as Whit finally finds her true self and what she truly wants and needs – you begin to feel a connection like you have been friends for a long time.

This book was moving.  It makes you think about those things that you hold inside.  That you don’t allow another to see or feel or know. And what exactly that can do to the other person that you are holding back from.  The passion between the two main characters is wonderful and when they are good – they’re great. And when they are bad – it’s heart breaking.  But will Whit finally open up to Deo and explain to him the pain and tragedy that is her life?  Or will Deo get his act together and be the kind of man that Whit wants and needs.  This was one of my favorite read so far of 2015.  The banter back and forth between Whit and Deo is hilarious and jovial.  And the passion – on fire!

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

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Red Nights by Shari J. Ryan – a Review

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Red Nights by Shari J. Ryan – a Review

 

red nightsAmazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM

Description:
I’m Felicity Stone, a twenty-five-year-old with my whole life ahead of me. Well, until recently.

I didn’t do it. Why would they think I did? Why would I want my twin brother dead? Why is everyone looking at me like I’m a criminal?

Well, everyone except him… Hayes Peyton, the charmingly beautiful stranger I met in the park at midnight; a totally legitimate place to meet the man of my dreams. Plus, he knows I’m innocent.

Believing him is easy. So very easy. Maybe too easy?

But when you hear things like: ‘All good is laced with some bad, and everything you think is the truth, is nothing more than a blatant lie,’ it makes you question reality.

In Shari J. Ryan’s latest Romantic Suspense, Red Nights, you wonder how dark your world can get before all you see is red.

Review:

Red Nights by Shari Ryan is a fiery romantic suspense thriller. The story begins with 25 year old Felicity Stone awakened to a fire that is engulfing her, her home and quickly burning away everything that she knows and holds dear in her life. As she struggles to save herself from the flames and smoke that are more than likely going to take her life, she is thankful that her twin brother Blake had decided to go out with friends for the night. At least if there is going to be one tragedy its going to be her not him. Just when she gives herself up to the chaos around her she is miraculously saved, but as she is carried away on a stretcher she hears someone say there is a male in the house with severe burns and unconscious. It has to be Blake. And her world slips out of control and spirals down to rock bottom.  

After losing her twin she wonders how she will continue on. How can she live in this world without him? Her friend Aspen and her ex-boyfriend Tanner are right by her side to comfort her in her time of sorrow. But all she really wants to do is run away and leave all her problems behind her. One night she finds herself at the local park, lying in the grass, staring up at the night sky that looks amazingly red to her. It’s late and she knows she shouldn’t be out alone all by herself. And that is exactly when a stranger walks into her life. One that will change the course of her life and quite possibly change her. Not long after meeting Hayes Peyton ex police detective, her world slides even further into oblivion when the prime suspect in the fire that took her brothers life is herself. She knows she didn’t set that fire, but could something she did inadvertently cause it? Hayes vows to help her figure out who the arsonist is and why someone would want to hurt her or her brother.

I absolutely loved the character of Felicity Stone. She is a 25 year old chef, she is loyal to her family and friends. And she has the sense of humor needed to deal with everything that is going on in her life – well most of the time. When she accidentally meets Hayes Peyton at the park in the middle of the night, he chastises her for being out all alone by herself so late at night. He is a protector right from the start. And the fact that he is tall, dark and handsome doesn’t hurt matters. Hayes draws you in from the first moment you meet him. He is mysterious and he has secrets and a past that seems to haunt him on the deepest of levels. The meshing of what now haunts Felicity and what has been haunting Hayes makes the chemistry between the two almost addicting. You want to know what secrets Hayes has and why he won’t share them with this woman that he professes to care so much about. And will he truly be able to help and protect Felicity? I truly enjoyed the suspense of not knowing who the arsonist was. There were definitely a lot of signs pointing in different directions and you never truly knew who you could trust.

In true Shari Ryan fashion she weaves a story of suspense coupled with a hot and steamy romance that makes this book a page turner from page one!

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Author

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Witness to Passion by Naima Simone – a Review

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Witness to Passion by Naima Simone – a Review

 

Wtiness to PassionAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM

Description:
Under his protection and in his bed…

For Fallon Wayland, birthdays are just another reminder of her looming spinsterhood. This year is shaping up to be no different. Fired from her job, dumped by her boyfriend, and oh yes, witnessing the murder of a high-ranking lieutenant in the local crime family… Yeah, birthdays suck.

Ever since a disastrous, hot-as-hell kiss years ago, soldier-turned-security specialist Shane Roarke has avoided his baby sister’s reckless – and gorgeous – best friend. Yet when her life is threatened after she witnesses a gang hit, he insists on protecting her…even if she objects.

The two are forced to hole up in a safe house. Alone. Passion long denied erupts between them, burning away their inhibitions. But even as layers – and clothes – are peeled away, danger closes in. Shane and Fallon might finally have a chance at love…if they survive long enough to see it.

Review:

Witness to Passion by Naima Simone is book one in The Guarding Her Body Series. Fallon Wayland has lived her entire life simply hating her birthdays. They seem to be one disappointment after another. This year on her twenty fifth birthday she was hoping it would pass by unnoticed. Unfortunately, that would not be the case. While picking up coffee before work for her unyielding boss, Fallon’s life takes a drastic change in a few short minutes. Her boyfriend dumps her via Twitter, she witnesses a cold blooded murder of a high ranking gang member – to which she is the sole witness, and upon being late for work she loses her job. She moves forward. Getting a job as a waitress, while becoming the State’s star witness in a gangland murder trial Fallon is short to realize that her life is in danger. But her best friend Addy takes the situation into her own hands and calls in her older brother Shane Roarke. Shane is a war vet turned security specialist running his own security firm. And he is the last person Fallon wants to see. The history between these two runs deep. From her ill-fated eighteenth birthday which she stole a kiss from him, to his crushing comment of not interested – the strife between them runs deep. But now that Shane has taken on the job of looking after Fallon, will his body betray him. Will he be able to be close to her and protect her like she needs without giving into the one thing he has thought about since her birthday years ago? And will Fallon be able to be near the one man she has yearned for since time can remember without falling for him? And will both of them be safe from the men that are now after both of them? 

Fallon Wayland is a beautiful young woman who grew up spoiled with rich parents, who a few years ago turned her back on the luxurious house, credit cards and wealth, to strike out on her own. Strong willed and determined to make it on her own – she has set about to do just that. But her life is incomplete. She doesn’t want the happy ever after, she doesn’t believe in them. From her parents disastrous marriage she has learned that this is not what she wants. But there is one man – one who she has wanted for some time – but the one man she has yearned for – pined after – even made a complete fool of herself for wants nothing to do with her. Not only is he her best friends brother, he made it quite clear she is not what he wants. That is until they are holed up together in a safe house while he is trying to protect her. 

Shane Roarke is a military vet turned security specialist. His life is black and white. Strict rules, strict lifestyle and he has no time for free spirited, careless, fun loving rich girls. He wants it all. Good job, wife, kids, the picket fence. He doesn’t want or need his sisters best friend in his life in any way shape or form. Even though the kiss she laid on him years ago has stuck with him. Something he just can’t seem to forget but wants to. That is until his sister calls in a favor and asks him to look after Fallon. From the moment he lays his eyes on her again he is protective. Wants nothing more than to ensure she is safe. But what he doesn’t bargain for is – who or how will he protect his heart? I enjoyed this book from start to finish. I loved Fallon’s free spirit and determined nature. She is stubborn and strong-willed and just says what she needs to say. Sometimes to a fault. But she knows what she wants and she isn’t afraid to go for it. Shane rubbed me the wrong way at the start of the story once he started to let his guard down I truly started to enjoy him. The sexual tension in this story was thick and tangible. You could literally feel it dripping off the pages. The moment the two of them touch you just know it’s going to be amazing. And it was…. Hoping that the series continues with Shane’s partners in the security firm stories! Wonderful storyline, with twists and turns and plenty of hot, steamy romance! 

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

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Wild Blue Yonder/Forget Me Not by Megan Tayte – Reviews

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Wild Blue Yonder/Forget Me Not by Megan Tayte – Reviews

 

wiild blue YonderAmazon

Description:
IN A WARPED HEAVEN, SHE MUST CHOOSE HER FATE: OBEDIENCE OR REBELLION

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?

When Scarlett Blake chose life-after-death as a Cerulean, she expected to grieve for all she left behind: her boyfriend, her best friend, her mother, her home. But at least Cerulea, her heaven, would be… well, heavenly. Right?

Wrong.

The world in which Scarlett awakens is very far from her idea of a utopia. Picturesque, sure, and serene. But there can be no paradise within the unforgiving walls of a prison, be they of cold, hard stone or beautifully blue water.

Now Scarlett faces her hardest decision yet: be a good, dutiful Cerulean, or be true to herself and fight for freedom.

And if she can find a way to escape, what then? Can she finally reunite with her lost sister? Can she save Sienna from the murderous Fallen? Can she evade her destiny with the Ceruleans?

Can Scarlett Blake ever reclaim her life-before-death… or must she let go of all she loves?

Review:

Wild Blue Yonder by Megan Tayte is book three in The Cerulean Series. Scarlett Blake has made it safely to Cerulea. But she is none to happy to be there. It is nothing what she expected – nor myself for that matter. Yes, it is beautiful but she arrives in winter and it just isn’t what she pictured. I found it all quite sterile and strict and in my personal opinion something is off.  Not at all what we were lead to believe. While she knows she can never return to the life she has known, she can’t stop thinking about those she has left behind. She has agreed with Jude to come to Cerulea to continue her life and do good for others. Starting over on Cerulea, with Jude, will be the hardest thing she has ever done. With Luke, her boyfriend now gone to her she only has memories to keep her going. But it seems like everything she has been told about Cerulea is masked in some kind of a lie.

She soon comes to realize what exactly she was brought there for and she is not happy about it. Nor would I be. Major revelation on exactly why she is there! Shocking even! With only one way to find out what has happened to her sister Sienna and where she is now – Scarlett decides to behave herself and go along with what is asked of her. Following the rules and committing herself to Jude. The hopes of doing all of this will please the Cerulean mother, Evangeline and with that comes the hope that she will be able to leave Cerulea, and search for her sister.

But that all comes crashing down with an overheard conversation. Scarlett soon realizes that nothing is what it seems and there isn’t a lot of room to trust anyone. But one way or another she will escape Cerulea and she will find out what has happened to her sister! Again, the writing is beautiful and defining. It draws you in and submerges you into the world of Scarlett Blake. I ran the gamut of emotions with this book. Happiness and smiling, anger and cursing, skepticism and shock, and sadness and loss. You want to believe that no matter what true love always wins out – but you just have to question if it will! It is all beautifully written into an epic story! Don’t let the pretense sway you, this series is amazing! And I couldn’t have been happier to find out there will be two more books! This series calls for a standing ovation! It’s that good! 

 

Forget me NotAmazon

Description:
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?

Death is stalking Scarlett Blake. As if the encroaching darkness in her head wasn’t enough, she’s become disturbingly accident prone. Falling off a cliff isn’t ideal when all you want is as much time as possible to live, to love.

Her fate is horrifying. Unbearable. And inescapable. No one can save Scarlett from The End that’s looming. Not Jude, the Cerulean who is intent on Claiming her. Not Luke, the boy who is intent on loving her.

The clock is ticking, louder with every heartbeat. Now Scarlett must decide how best to protect the people she loves. Will she trust in Jude and the life-after-death he promises? Will she stand against the Fallen, who have her sister captive? Will she carry the burden of her death alone – every headache, every hallucination, every wrenching, aching emotion?

And when the clock falls silent, when the darkness eclipses the light, will Scarlett fight for life? Or will she have no choice but to surrender?

Review:

Forget Me Not by Megan Tayte is book two in The Cerulean Series. This book begins right where the first book leaves off. Scarlett Blake is still dealing with the fact that she is Cerulean and soon death will take her to a place where she is told she belongs – Cerulea. Cerulea – the place where her people come from – where she must go to help the workd and do good.  She is in the struggle of her life. Fighting to stay in the here and now and knowing that soon all that she holds dear will be taken from her.

This book concentrates on the fact that Scarlet does not have much time left. Even though that’s the one thing she craves more than anything else. And all she wants to do is spend it with her boyfriend Luke, his sister Cara (who is also her best friend) and those that she has come to love in her little coastal town of Twycombe. She knows that with death comes the chance of finding out what exactly has happened to her sister Sienna since her passing and what exactly she is doing with the Fallen. And can Scarlett save her? 

This book was superbly written and did not miss a beat in continuing the story. This book brings us closer to Jude, the Cerulean that has been sent from Cerulea to claim Scarlett when the time comes. He is there to keep her safe until the time of her passing and deliver her safely to Cerulea. While the first book brought us the romance and the new love that blossomed between Scarlett and Luke, this one shows us what happens once Scarlett realizes that she is going to die and there is nothing she can do to change it. We also struggle with the fact that she is trying to keep as much from Luke as possible. She doesn’t want to cause him or bring him anymore pain. So we follow her through the final months of her life and the relationships she holds so dear and close. And the love you feel between her and Luke is breathtaking. This book is a surreal look at the life of young girl with a destiny with death. The ending was heartbreaking – even though you knew it was coming – the surprise of how it happened and the gut-wrenching pain of two in love now separated by death was pure unfiltered sadness.

Reviews by Erin

Copy provided by Author

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