Love Struck / MisTaken (Miss Match .5 & 2) by Laurelin McGee-a review

LOVE STRUCK / MisTaken (Miss Match .5 & #2) by Laurelin McGee-a review

LOVE STRUCK
Miss Match #2
by Laurelin McGee
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance
Release Date: February 2, 2016

Love Struck

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 2, 2016

Welcome to a seductive world where two solo artists combine their talents-and their hearts-to make beautiful music together…

SHE’S GETTING INTO THE GROOVE
Lacy Dawson is a young singer-songwriter with a record deal, a studio gig, and a serious case of writer’s block. After looking for love songs in all the wrong places, she finds inspiration at an online support group called Song Writers Anonymous. Thanks to one mysterious member who motivates her and inspires her, Lacy’s career is back on track. But is she ready to meet her sexy musical muse…face to face?

HE MAKES HER HEART SKIP A BEAT
Eli is definitely interested in hooking up with Lacy, aka “LoveCoda.” But between writing her new album and his band’s success, they can’t find the time to face the music-or each other-about their burgeoning online romance. All that changes when Eli and Lucy get booked on tour together. In person, the attraction is all too real and explosive. They both should walk away, but once they are in each other’s arms, there is no turning back…

•••••••••••

REVIEW: LOVE STRUCK is the second full length installment in the contemporary adult MISS MATCH erotic, romance series co-authored by Laurelin Paige and Kayti McGee. This is twenty six year old, singer/songwriter Lacy Dawson, and thirty one year old, musician/songwriter Eli Frank’s story line. LOVE STRUCK can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Lacy and Eli) LOVE STRUCK follows two paths: the online relationship between FolxNotDead27 and LoveCoda on an anonymous writers website – SoWriAn (Song Writers Anonymous)-where music writers go to rant, commiserate or find their muse; and the building physical relationship between Lacy Dawson, a struggling singer/songwriter who lost her muse when her fiancé committed suicide one year before, and Eli Frank-a musician whose band is about to go out on tour. When the band is in need of a new opening act, Lacy is offered a once in a lifetime chance to tour. What ensues is a building romance between Lacy (aka LoveCoda) and Eli (FolxNotDead27), and Lacy’s belief that the band’s leading singer Jax is her mysterious online FolxNotDead27 muse, and the man who will be her happily ever after.

LOVE STRUCK is a storyline with several plot lines including the preparations for Lacy’s sister’s (Andrea Dawson) wedding (MisMatch #1); the virtual friendship and love match between two anonymous musicians; the romantic and sexual entanglement between Eli and Lacy; the implosion of a number one selling band; and the mistaken belief, by Lacy, that Jax is the ONE for her. Although the premise sounds very convoluted, the story line is easy to follow; the identity of the players is deduced and revealed early on; the ‘love triangle’ potential is heartbreaking and riddled with anxiety and immature choices. Lacy is a woman who has fallen in love with two men (but one in the same) although her misguided belief proves to be the final straw for the band.

Throughout the storyline we are witness to Lacy’s immature actions that leave a trail of broken hearts, heartbreaking consequences, and the dissolution of friendships-both professional and personal. Although the author(s) try to divide the blame for the conflict between Eli and Lacy, there is only one person responsible for the mess that occurs.

LOVE STRUCK is a slow build to a happily ever after. The premise is a case of mistaken identity whereby the heroine’s actions destroy one man’s faith in love. To be ‘used’ as a temporary placeholder for the ONE, is not romantic but heartbreaking and thusly the story line reads more like YA/NA than adult entertainment. The characters are colorful but immature; the romance is a broken but easily fixed.

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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MisTakenMISTAKEN
Miss Match .5
by Laurelin McGee
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Re-release February 2, 2016

In misTaken by Laurelin McGee, Jaylene Kim is a strong independent woman whose feminist values run deep. Even though attractive men are her weakness the last thing she wants is one telling her what to do. Until she meets her mysterious new neighbor. He makes her realize that you can still be strong and relinquish control . . . in the bedroom. But as their passion consumes them both Jaylene isn’t so sure he is who he says he is.

•••••••

NOTE: MisTaken was previously released in the HOT ALPHAS anthology May 2015

REVIEW: MISTAKEN is the introductory novella to Laurelin McGee (aka Laurelin Paige/ Kayti McGee) new romance series focusing on the world of modern matchmaking. This is high school English teacher Jaylene Kim and Noah Harrison’s storyline. With her rigid feminist ideals and preconceived notions Jaylene is having difficulty adjusting to other people’s (both men and women) view of life. Enter Noah Harrison, a man with too many secrets that Jaylene is dying to uncover and a man who makes Jaylene question her feminist ways.

The $ex scenes are exploratory but Jaylene has a difficult time giving up control. Throughout the storyline our heroine’s rigid feminist views leave something to be desired both in and out of the bedroom; I question the couple’s attraction to one another as I did not feel the sexual chemistry or burning need.

As this is the introductory storyline to Laurelin McGee’s new series, I am hoping with the future installments the heroines are not so uncompromising or mired in such strict feminist beliefs. The overriding premise of feminism was too much for a romance storyline. I am all for equal rights, but I don’t like the ideals of radical feminism to be pounded into me from my romance heroines. I have a degree in sociology and took several courses in women’s studies but there are times when the idealists need to consider the target of their attacks and romance readers are not the ideal targets.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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MIss Match by Laurelin McGee-a review

MISS MATCH by Laurelin McGee -a review

Miss Match

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

RELEASE DATE: June 30, 2015

Welcome to the sexy, crazy, wildly unpredictable world of modern matchmaking, where fixing up strangers is part of the job—but falling in love is an occupational hazard…
He’s The Perfect Catch.

Blake Donovan is tall, handsome, rich, and successful—so why would a guy like him need a matchmaker? Andrea Dawson has no idea, but a job is a job. After being blackballed from a career in marketing, Andrea agreed to use her unique profiling skills to play matchmaker out of pure desperation. But when she meets her highly eligible—and particular—first client face to face, she wonders what she’s gotten herself into…

Is She His Perfect Match?

Blake knows exactly the kind of woman he’s looking for—and it’s the total opposite of Andrea. Though smart and undeniably sexy, she is simply too headstrong for a man who’s used to being in charge. Still, Blake’s blood pressure rises whenever she’s near him. How can he explain the smoldering attraction that sizzles between them? And how can Andrea deny she’s feeling it, too? Maybe, just maybe, they’ve finally met their match…

••••••••••••

REVIEW: MISS MATCH is the first full length installment in Laurelin McGee’s new romance series focusing on the modern world of matchmaking co-authored by Laurelin Paige and Kayti McGee. This is Blake Donovan, and Andrea Dawson’s storyline. We were first introduced to our couple in the prequel novella-misTaken-found in the May 2015 Hot Alphas Anthology. MISS MATCH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Some of the timeline runs parallel with the events in the introductory novella.

Told from dual third person perspectives, MISS MATCH follows Andrea as she is hired to ‘find’ Blake Donovan a wife. Blake is a billionaire CEO of Donovan InfoTech, and doesn’t have time to date or go through the motions of falling in love. Our hero will place an ad for a ‘personal concierge’ who is responsible for finding the perfect woman who meets all of Blake’s ‘wife minded’ demands. Enter Andrea Dawson, a woman whose ability to ‘read’ people is the perfect person for the job. What ensues is a tempestuous relationship between Blake and Andrea when Blake first presents himself as a no nonsense, egotistical, arrogant pr*ck.

Throughout the storyline Andrea’s choices for Blake’s mate are met with negativity and rejection from our storyline male lead. Andrea believes she has found the perfect women as potential wife material but no one seems to catch Blake’s attention until he makes Andrea an offer she should have refused. While Andrea continues to hunt for a wife for Blake, she also becomes Blake’s sex with benefits friend-on the side.

The $exual attraction between our couple is palpable. There is a definite high energy push and pull between Blake and Andrea, one that does not go unnoticed by Andrea’s sister Lacy or Blake’s housekeeper. But Lacy fears heartbreak for Andrea knowing the inevitable is just around the corner.

The secondary characters include Andrea’s sister Lacy, a musician down on her luck, as well as Lacy’s boss Darrin-who may or may not have some attraction to our heroine’s younger sister. On Blake’s side, our hero’s limited number of friends finds his closest relationship with his housekeeper Ellen, who sees that her boss has fallen for the woman hired to find him a suitable mate.

MISS MATCH is a fun, fast paced, romantic storyline but some people may take offence with Blake’s ‘offer’ to Andrea of no strings attached $ex, while Andrea continues her search for a woman for Blake. As Andrea begins to fall in love with her boss, there is an unwritten expiry date on their sexual relationship. There is romance and love as our couple continue to grow with one another throughout the story but heartbreak, misunderstanding and sorrow when Andrea believes Blake has found his future wife. If you are a fan of romance stories with a little bit of romance, sex, heartbreak and a happily ever after then MISS MATCH is the perfect storyline for you.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Hot Alphas Anthology by Lora Leigh, Laurelin McGee, Shiloh Walker & Kate Douglas-a review

HOT ALPHAS anthology with Lora Leigh, Laurelin McGee, Shiloh Walker and Kate Douglas-a review

Hot Alphas

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 19, 2015

HOT ALPHAS is a four part anthology of contemporary, adult romance storylines. Each short story has a little romance, $ex, and a happily ever after while a couple stories have mystery, intrigue and suspense. Erin’s Kiss by Lora Leigh, and Burn For Me by Shiloh Walker are each part of an existing series by the respective authors, while misTaken by Laurelin McGee is the introduction to a new series co authored by Laurelin Paige and Kayti McGee.

_________________

In Erin’s Kiss by Lora Leigh, ex-Marine Turk has become Erin’s sworn protector. The consistent target of her CIA-operative brother’s deadly foes, Turk is the only port Erin has to cling to in a storm. He promised her brother long ago never to touch her—but how can he resist a woman who aches to be with him as much as he burns for her?

REVIEW: 3.75 stars–ERIN’S KISS is part of the Wound Warriors Series by Lora Leigh focusing on a group of former military operatives who work for the CIN-Covert Information Network. This is ex Marine Turk Rogan and Erin Masters romantic/suspense storyline.

The novella follows Turk and Erin as both work undercover at the Broken Bar Saloon keeping an eye on the thugs, politicians and people connected to the mob. The Broken Bar is home to a number of CIN operatives and when Erin becomes the target of an unknown assailant, the CIN and Turk move into action. The secondary and supporting characters include several CIN agents, Erin’s step brother and step father, as well as the ‘regulars’ at the bar.

ERIN’S KISS is a quick erotic read about two people who have lusted after one another for a number of months. The $ex scenes are erotic and provocative. The background and world building is limited but followers of the series may be more in tune with what has happened than new readers to the series. The novella does not end with a cliff hanger but a bit of a ‘wait and see’ what is going to happen next.

________________

In misTaken by Laurelin McGee, Jaylene Kim is a strong independent woman whose feminist values run deep. Even though attractive men are her weakness the last thing she wants is one telling her what to do. Until she meets her mysterious new neighbor. He makes her realize that you can still be strong and relinquish control . . . in the bedroom. But as their passion consumes them both Jaylene isn’t so sure he is who he says he is.

REVIEW: 3 stars–MISTAKEN is the introductory novella to Laurelin McGee (aka Laurelin Paige/ Kayti McGee) new romance series focusing on the world of modern matchmaking. This is high school English teacher Jaylene Kim and Noah Harrison’s storyline. With her rigid feminist ideals and preconceived notions Jaylene is having difficulty adjusting to other people’s (both men and women) view of life. Enter Noah Harrison, a man with too many secrets that Jaylene is dying to uncover and a man who makes Jaylene question her feminist ways.

The $ex scenes are exploratory but Jaylene has a difficult time giving up control. Throughout the storyline our heroine’s rigid feminist views leave something to be desired both in and out of the bedroom; I question the couple’s attraction to one another as I did not feel the sexual chemistry or burning need.

As this is the introductory storyline to Laurelin McGee’s new series, I am hoping with the future installments the heroines are not so uncompromising or mired in such strict feminist beliefs. The overriding premise of feminism was too much for a romance storyline. I am all for equal rights, but I don’t like the ideals of radical feminism to be pounded into me from my romance heroines. I have a degree in sociology and took several courses in women’s studies but there are times when the idealists need to consider the target of their attacks and romance readers are not the ideal targets.

________________

In Burn for Me by Shiloh Walker, Tate longs to spend his nights with Ali, a woman he’s loved for years. But while Ali’s heart pines to be with Tate, her head has reservations. Ali knows that Tate has never forgiven his father for the fight he had with his mother right before she left the house—and was never heard from again. Tate’s unresolved anger is a force to be reckoned with . . . but the heat that blazes between them is undeniable. Now both Tate and Ali are left to wonder: Can love really conquer all?

REVIEW: 4 stars–BURN FOR ME is the introductory novella in Shiloh Walker’s Secrets and Shadows romantic, suspense series (Originally released April 1, 2014) focusing on the Bell family. This is car restoration expert Tate Bell, and single mother and part owner of a pizza cafe Ali Holmes storyline- a friends with benefits relationship where Ali wants something more.

The storyline follows the back and forth between Tate and Ali; Tate’s inability to let go of the past; the disappearance of his mother fifteen years earlier; and the introduction of Tate’s younger sister Chrissie, their sister Detective Jensen Bell, as well as Noah Benningfield and Trinity Ewing. While Tate struggles with issues of betrayal and hurt, Ali makes a heartbreaking decision about her future. The novella ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-looking towards a resolution of a fifteen year mystery.

Shiloh Walker does an amazing job in a short period of time with the world and character building. I was never confused or concerned about the direction of the story; the information revealed was just enough to spark my interest in the series.

______________________

In Tangled by Kate Douglas, Nate shows up to work at Tangled Vineyards ready to do all the things he loves best—work with his hands, grow the grapes, and craft award-winning, full-bodied wines. But when something better comes along in the form of Cassie, the winemaker and former owner of the vineyard, Nate becomes completely love-drunk. Getting involved with Tangled’s number-one mixologist is a bad way to start off a new job, but with Cassie as a constant temptation, Nate doesn’t stand a chance…

REVIEW: 3.75 stars–TANGLED is a quick story of insta-love between Nate Dunagan and Cassie Phillips. Cassie’s family once owned the Tangled Vines vineyard, where Cassie and Nate now work and manage. As Cassie’s father’s increasing dementia forced the family to sell the winery, Cassie remains behind as the leading wine maker for Tangled Vines vineyard. What ensues is a building relationship between our leading couple that eventually leads to a happily ever after…but in between Cassie and Nate become the victims of someone hoping to bury the past.

TANGLED is a storyline with a little bit of romance, $ex and intrigue. As our couple struggle with the daily business of operating a vineyard, Cassie and Nate also struggle with their building attraction. The $ex scenes are intimate and romantic without the over the top erotic factor. If you like a storyline of insta-love and a promise of forever, than TANGLED is the perfect read.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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