The Fall Review

The Fall by Marie Force

Book description...
Dr. Ted Duffy has finally met a woman who makes him ache with desire. Too bad she’s dating his best friend of twenty years. This simple premise has momentous consequences for Ted in “The Fall,” a story that explores the bonds of friendship, the expectations of family, and the power of love to unite and divide. Ted is a third-generation pediatric oncologist in Boston. He is thirty-seven years old, married to his work, and his patients are his kids. He and his college friends spend summer weekends in Newport, Rhode Island, which is the only break Ted gets from the grind of his job. After a devastating loss at work, he leaves for Newport where he meets his friend’s new girlfriend, Caroline. During that first weekend together, Ted and Caroline fall in love. When they later act on their feelings, shock and disbelief ricochet through his tight-knit group of friends and family. A highly respected doctor, a beloved son and grandson, a loyal friend, Ted is stunned by his sudden free fall from grace. Sometimes love is not enough...or is it?

Right.  So my reviews are my personal opinions and while I hope that when you read it, you take into consideration my thoughts on the book because well for the most part everything I read I just about love... but I also have to say that if something upsets me in a book, I pray that it doesn't prevent you from wanting to read the book.  I only say that with this review because, while I thoroughly enjoyed the book the ending just killed it for me and I'll explain why later... but just because it killed it for me doesn't mean that you'll feel the same way.  

Okay so it all starts off in Ted's POV... I really liked Ted.  He was sweet and he knew that falling for his best friends girl was horrible but he just could not shake the feelings he had for her even when he tried to date another woman.  I felt for him here because I could only imagine how hard it was to fall in love at first sight with a woman that belonged to someone else.  When I say he fell in love... I mean he fell hard, he had those possessive instincts flaring up, felt comforted just being around her, and when he realized she felt the same he knew that one day he was going to Marry her.  Romantic right?  Well maybe not so much because she was dating his best friend and obviously that is not something you do to your best friend, but when your feelings are that strong and the chemistry between the two is so undeniable how can you not see it as romantic.  There was no doubt in his mind that Caroline was meant for him and he was meant for her.


Caroline... Wow, I really liked her and that says a lot because half the time I get frustrated with heroines.. they grate on my nerves because they're indecisive, they fight tooth and nail for the relationship not to happen, or they just constantly complain.  Caroline didn't do any of this.... now I do not condone the fact that she fell in love with Ted while she was still dating his best friend, Smitty, and then continued to stay with him for two weeks after... I can't deny the sparks between her and Ted.  So when she finally made the decision that she was going to end things with Smitty so she could begin a relationship with Ted, I have to admit I was ecstatic.... I hurt for Smitty but I was so thrilled that Ted and Caroline were going to be together instead of fight the chemistry.  I knew their love would be magic and would come with a fantastic HEA... that is until everything starting to come crashing down around them.


It all started with Ted's Grandma... who was their only true supporter in this relationship because she understood there was no way they could fight the love between them... but she got sick and was on her death bed where she requested Ted and Caroline get married.  It was sweet but it was extremely painful to watch when news of Ted and Caroline being together got out to Ted's friends.  It caused long term friendships to dissolve and Ted to start pulling away emotionaly from Caroline.  She confronts him before they get married... again... and gives him an out because she wants her husband instead of a man who is pulling back emotionally for the decisions he made when choosing her over his friends and I have to hand it to him, he tried and it seemed like the magic was back..... that is until he got news that his best friend got married without so much as a word to Ted.


So how does he answer his self doubt?  He takes off... quits his job, tells his wife that he needs time away from her because looking at her will remind him that they destroyed lives, and he moves out of the state.  I was pissed and I mean I was PISSED at him.  How in the world can you give up so much for "The woman you love" only to throw it away because you're now feeling sorry for yourself?  I honestly I wanted to smack him and then tell her good riddance she deserves better than a man who is going to destroy their something special after he BEGGED her to fight for them... to move to him instead of away from him.


Here is the part where the ending just killed it for me... don't worry they get their HEA.... AFTER he is forgiven by his friends, AFTER he spent two months away from his wife with out contacting her because the pain was too much, AFTER he sees her looking just as beautiful as when he fell in love with her.... I have to give it to her she did walk away from him... the first time.  I was proud of her for that but at the same time I was so mad at him that I couldn't help but have some of that anger seep out to her as well because she sure did put up an amazing front in the company of all his friends... so they wouldn't have to explain why they're not together anymore.  So she walks away from him right?.... he heads back to their home because no one knows where she's staying and he's FINALLY realized what he had with her and he wants it back so he goes to wait for her.  When she comes home all it takes is for him to say one time that he is home for good before she's in his arms and their making up.  I wanted to shout at her.  I mean I was really liking her and then this.  I get the love was too strong not to work things out but sweet Jesus honey make him explain, make him grovel, make him BEG you to take him back because you deserve more than a "I'm sorry I was an asshole."  Whatever!

The Fall by Marie Force was a great read... at least up until the end, obviously I didn't care a whole lot for the quick forgiveness but that doesn't mean that I didn't thoroughly enjoy this book because I did.  I loved watching Ted and Caroline realize they were meant to be together, I loved that they didn't do anything until after her relationship was over, I loved how Ted's Grandma knew they were meant to be together and made sure they were married before she passed away because with out that push I don't think they would have made it.  I just wish Caroline would have made Ted do a little more fighting to get her back.  With that said.. this is still a sweet story of love, heartbreak, friendships lost, forgiveness, and happiness.  


Happy Reading!


 

At Grave's End (Night Huntress #3) Review

At Grave's End by Jeaniene Frost is another fabulous addition to the heart pounding Night Huntress Series.

                                                                         Book description...

It should be the best time of half-vampire Cat Crawfield's life. With her undead lover Bones at her side, she's successfully protected mortals from the rogue undead. But though Cat's worn disguise after disguise to keep her true identity a secret from the brazen bloodsuckers, her cover's finally been blown, placing her in terrible danger.
As if that wasn't enough, a woman from Bones's past is determined to bury him once and for all. Caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful vamp, yet determined to help Bones stop a lethal magic from being unleashed, Cat's about to learn the true meaning of bad blood. And the tricks she's learned as a special agent won't help her. She will need to fully embrace her vampire instincts in order to save herself—and Bones—from a fate worse than the grave.

I honestly wasn't sure what to expect with this book because now Cat and Bones are married... at least in the vampire way.... and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised that the only problems they seemed to have were small ones that just needed a little silent treatment here and there or actually talking it out... which is something our adorable couple had never been too good at in the past.  Their love for each other is solid.... finally after all these years.

When it comes to my review I have to admit I'm kind of at a loss of what I want to say.  I really can't go on about the love between Cat and Bones because... well this book seemed to be more of a suspenseful novel than a romantic one, now that does not mean that you don't see and feel the love between Cat and Bones... especially at one point where.... oops, so not gonna tell.... it's too much for me to give away but I will tell you I was in tears, I mean rolling down my cheeks, heart racing, breathing a little faster tears.  Fortunately there are still those amazing secondary characters... and even some awesome new ones... that Jeaniene has given us that make that pain just a little better and help shed some light on what now needs to be done... at least until that pain is healed.

As with the previous two Night Huntress books there is still that hilarious sarcastic humor throughout the book.... Cat as always is quite the smart ass and that includes in her thoughts which is even better in this book considering Bones can now read her mind as well as two other characters.

Okay so remember how much of a bitch her Mom was when it came to her relationship with Bones or any vampire for that matter?.... yeah well... let's just say that Justina is definitely putting her foot in her mouth in this book and boy was it worth it to read.... priceless definitely priceless ;)

The one thing I want to complain about is Annette... I do NOT like her, I don't care what Cat says about her and how she feels a little compassion but I do NOT like her.  I do not like how she feels she is entitled to say and do as she pleases to Bones, I do not like how she continues to confess her love for him to Cat... I just do not like her and all I can say is that Cat is a way better woman than I cause I can tell ya right now there is NO WAY I'd be putting up with any of that shit no matter what the circumstances were....

At Grave's End (Night Huntress, Book 3) was a great addition to the Night Huntress Series.  I am so engrossed in the love between Cat and Bones and can't wait to find out what happens next, not only between them but also with all the amazing secondary characters that I'm considering giving myself a weekend Night Huntress Marathon....  Make sure you check out this series... the love, the suspense, the heartbreak, the friendships.... it's all amazing and will have you wanting more!!!

Happy Reading!

Perfection (Neighbor From Hell #2) Review

Perfection (A Neighbor From Hell) by R.L. Mathewson

Book description...
Zoe is used to taking care of herself and has long ago accepted that if anything bad was going to happen, it was going to happen to her. So when she loses her job over something most bosses would probably be happy with and her life starts going down hill from there she doesn't expect it to get any better. She certainly didn't expect any help from the loud jerk next door, but then again she has nothing to lose so puts her trust in him and hopes for the best. What she didn't expect was the once in a lifetime opportunity that he offers her through an arrangement where they both benefit and no one is supposed to get hurt, but she should have known better because her luck has never been that good. 
Like most Bradfords, Trevor has a soft spot for food, but that's about all. He leads a pretty straightforward life and likes to keep things simple and that includes his relationships. He wants the perfect woman and knows exactly what she'll be like. So when he discovers much to his horror that he's thinking about his frumpy little neighbor he decides the best way to get his head straight is by working her out of his system. He'll keep her around, but only until he finds perfection.

I've said it before and I'll say it again R.L. Mathewson is hilarious.  This book cracked me up... I mean had me snorting, which may or may not be all that hard to do, but still... it was filled with humor and laughter is something everyone can use a little extra of.

Zoe is absolutely fantastic and I had a huge soft spot for her.  She is a typical woman, struggles with her weight and the diets she chooses to follow... but she's still sweet, even after having such a lonely past where she has been treated poorly.  She loses her job because her boss is an idiot and the company owners are even bigger idiots... she so needed to sue them... and she goes home to relax and have a little pity party only to have her evening turn even worse.  So she finally lets her Neighbor from Hell, Trevor, have it and boy does she give it to him.  The whole time I was cheering for her in my head chanting.... give it to him girl... and then he had to go and say the one thing a man should NEVER say to a woman... even if it wasn't exactly said it was still insinuated!

Trevor.... well, as gorgeous as he is I just didn't love him... not nearly as much as I thought I would or as much as I loved his cousin Jason (from Playing for Keeps)... he was just TOO full of himself.  Now don't get me wrong I love myself a cocky bastard every now and then but he was just TOO cocky.  His ideal perfect woman was just ridiculous, I mean I could see him thinking this way if he was a loser or some dorky looking guy that finally grew into his looks but he wasn't... he was hot, always has been, and has always known it.

So Trevor feels terrible for what he said to Zoe... as he should.  So he offers her a job doing some things for him like running errands and cleaning his house, and also puts in a word for her with his Uncle Jared who has a secretary position open at his construction company.  He LOVES the job that Zoe is doing for him and has even starting noticing that jr. twitches every time he gets a look at her fabulous behind.  He realizes how much he's been staring at her and how much he likes her body.... So when the opportunity presents itself  he decides to make an 'arrangement' to get her out of his system until his perfect woman comes along.

It's obvious how quickly Trevor begins to fall for Zoe even though he refuses to admit to anything other than they have fabulous sexual chemistry and it may take a while to work her out of his system.  With that said I have to admit as much as I rolled my eyes every single time Trevor mention his "perfect woman" it made his growing feelings for her that much sweeter, because... well she was NOTHING like his idea of perfection and quite honestly he really didn't want to have any feelings for her and I got a lot of that, had to do with what other people might think of who was on his arm.... sorry I have to say it... but what a dumbass!!!!

So for two months he wasted time not doing the things he secretly desired which was being able to touch Zoe when he pleased out in public... like hold her hand or even just take her out to dinner.  When he finally went to her with his idea of a new arrangement things don't quite go how he planned because she tries to end things.... but he doesn't plan to give up that easily and when he learns a few things about his "frumpy little tenant" at his families Thanksgiving dinner, he decides to go home, confront her, and get her back to Thanksgiving dinner before all the food is gone... don't forget my friends that he is a Bradford and we all know how those Bradford's are about their food ;).  

But this confrontation doesn't quite go how either of them planned and after their fight Trevor finds Zoe passed out in a pool of blood on the bathroom floor when he goes after her... because he's finally admitting his deep feelings for her...even if it is just to himself.  Life is about to change for both Trevor and Zoe... even though Zoe may be freaking out about this new arrangement... Trevor is finding life is going to be extremely sweet.


Perfection by R.L. Mathewson was a great read for the humor alone.... Trevor was not my favorite kind of hero only because I didn't fall madly in love with him but you know what?  That's okay, sometimes it's good to not have high expectations of a hero but with that said I did still like him, it takes him a while but he does become that sweet doting man that Zoe deserves which made my heart warm to him and his crazy ideas of what perfection really is.  I recommend this book for the humor alone... books that can make me laugh like this book did will always find a place on my TBR or Recommendation lists.

Happy Reading!

Because You Love Me Review

Because You Love Me by Mari Carr

Book description...
Safety in numbers? Depends on what you mean by safe… 
Bridget Wilder’s life is shot to hell—literally—when she witnesses the murder of her best friend, Lyle. Protective custody? What a joke. Time after time, someone has leaked her whereabouts, forcing her to run from one safe house to the next.  Tired of cold, lonely beds and living in fear, Bridget convinces her guardian cop she’s safer off the grid, following Lyle’s trail of clues to a missing flash drive that could put the killer behind bars.  It doesn’t take twins Mark and Matt James long to figure out two things. Bridget’s not only in trouble, she is trouble—they both want her. When things get a little hot and heavy one night, though, they’re stunned to discover that they don’t mind sharing. And she loves being shared. 
Between the James brothers’ hot, hard bodies, Bridget finally feels safe—and loved. When a hit man tracks her down, the last thing she wants is for them to place those bodies between her and danger. But those cowboys have other ideas. Like keeping her alive long enough to convince her she belongs with them. Forever. 

I can always count on Mari Carr to give me an erotic novel that will get my imagination moving towards the steamy zone and keep it there while I question my sanity on why in the world I would read something THIS hot when my husband isn't home.  Now this would not be something I would do because let's face it... one man is more than enough for me and even more than I can handle at times... but it sure is fun to read about two hotter than hell men wanting to show you extreme amounts of pleasure and then fall in love with you and want to spend the rest of their lives taking care of you... there's no doubt the attention you'd get as the woman in this scenario, would be amazing.

Bridget has been on the run for months and having no contact with anyone other than her bodyguard... now good friend.... Rodney, after witnessing her best friend, Lyle's murder.  Someone has been leaking the locations of the safe houses Bridget and Rodney have been staying at so together they decide to go rogue and head to Wyoming to try and crack the code in the letter Lyle had left her before he was killed.  While staying at a B&B Bridget literally falls at the feet of two unbelievably sexy cowboys.


Matt and Mark.... twins who are hotter than hell and have got the sweetest way with words they could melt anyone's heart are both instantly attracted to Bridget.  They can tell she's hiding something and end up convincing her to stay in town a little longer so they can get to know her a little better.  They've never shared a woman before but something about both of them with Bridget just feels right to both of them, there's no jealousy.. just contentment whenever they're with her.  


They all start falling for each other and after sharing an amazing night together they realize they don't want to give each other up... they want more, feel like they need more of each other.  But Bridget's troubles have found there way from New York to Wyoming and when she takes off the brothers find her before her and Rodney hit the road again.  Finally she has to come clean to Matt and Mark... tell them everything and when she does she's shocked to see that they want to help her, they want to make sure she's safe so they take her to their cabin to hide her until she's due back in New York to testify.


Their relationship is hot.... I mean like HOT, hot.  Matt and Mark are the definition of sex on a stick and enjoy sharing Bridget, enjoy giving her what they can together.  But when it's time for them to go back to Wyoming after accompanying her to New York it's obvious it's hard on all of them because unless she's willing to sacrifice everything then there's no way their relationship will work.

Because You Love Me by Mari Carr is a satisfying erotic novel that kept me hungry for more.  It's got a great storyline and a sweet love that will have you jumping for joy at Bridget's decision.  Mari Carr is one of my favorite authors when I need a good smutty book.  Check it out, I'm sure your inner goddess will cherish the steamy words and get your imagination rolling with dirty thoughts :)


Happy Reading!

Playing With Fire Review

Playing With Fire by Mia Dymond

Book description...
Liberty doesn't come cheap. In fact; she costs $200 an hour.  Dr. Liberty Prescott is trained to heal. Problem is, she can't heal herself. Fire Inspector Shane Hartwell fights demons in the dark. Desperate to end his torture, he seeks Liberty's help.  As attraction sparks between them, an arsonist burns out of control and evidence points straight to Liberty. Against his heart's denial, Shane accuses her until new evidence emerges. Now with his heart in his hands, can he reclaim hers?

So this is the second book I have read by Mia Dymond and I have to say I love her style.  This definitely will not be the last book of hers I read... Thanks again to Sheryl for recommending these wonderful books to me :)  Playing With Fire was a great read... or should I say a hot read.  

Liberty was wonderful... she didn't frustrate me because she was trying to run from the man pursuing her, she wanted him just as much but because he was a client she couldn't go there but boy did she want to.  She was sweet, smart, and absolutely adorable because she had no idea she was these things.  I felt so bad for her because she was terrified of the dark because she had been attacked in her past and I was so grateful she had a wonderful friend in Maddie, who was experiencing her own issues with being alone at night.  So they had sleep overs a lot and thank goodness too because one night it provided an alibi for Liberty... who was being framed by a total psycho.


Shane... mmm, yes he was quite wonderful himself in that uber gorgeous, man in a uniform, with a body to die for kind of way... not to mention he was sweet on top of it.  Shane was dealing with sleep issues after he lost his best friend in a fire they were trying to rescue someone from.  He's hesitant to let Liberty help him because he is attracted to her.. like heart stopping, love at first sight (even though he won't admit it) kind of way but he relents and so their professional relationship begins.  


There is so much sexual tension between these two because they both feel that undeniable attraction but Shane doesn't want to push Liberty and Liberty won't go there because... he is a client.  I did get frustrated with her here because I just wanted to say... who cares he's your client, go for it, you both want it.. just enjoy!  But when things start to get heated she finally gives in and tells Shane to fire her so they can explore what they might have together and when he does..... YOWZA... I certainly will never look at a firetruck and not think what it would be like to.... never mind.


Shane and Liberty begin an actual relationship and it's sweet but there are things coming up that shows Shane the danger that Liberty is in.  Then he starts to see how the evidence is showing that she may be behind these fires... most especially the fire that killed his best friend.  So instead of thinking with a clear head and leaving it to the police or even question her the correct way he hauls off and accuses her..... things don't go so well for Shane after he realizes what an ass he was and how she really didn't have anything to do with it... but when a fire is called in and it's Liberty's house he gets over there in fear that he's going to lose her and plans to salvage what he has with her if it's the last thing he does.


Playing with Fire by Mia Dymond was a great little read.... it was hot, it was sweet, and best of all it had a hot man in a uniform to make it that much better!  


Happy Reading!

On the Island Review

On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves is one of the most amazing novels I have read this year.... It's on my top 10... well top 5... okay so it's at a tie for #1....

Book description...
When thirty-year-old English teacher Anna Emerson is offered a job tutoring T.J. Callahan at his family's summer rental in the Maldives, she accepts without hesitation; a working vacation on a tropical island trumps the library any day.
T.J. Callahan has no desire to leave town, not that anyone asked him. He's almost seventeen and if having cancer wasn't bad enough, now he has to spend his first summer in remission with his family - and a stack of overdue assignments - instead of his friends.
Anna and T.J. are en route to join T.J.'s family in the Maldives when the pilot of their seaplane suffers a fatal heart attack and crash-lands in the Indian Ocean. Adrift in shark-infested waters, their life jackets keep them afloat until they make it to the shore of an uninhabited island. Now Anna and T.J. just want to survive and they must work together to obtain water, food, fire, and shelter. Their basic needs might be met but as the days turn to weeks, and then months, the castaways encounter plenty of other obstacles, including violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.'s cancer could return. As T.J. celebrates yet another birthday on the island, Anna begins to wonder if the biggest challenge of all might be living with a boy who is gradually becoming a man.

Before I start telling you all how amazing this book is I need to say a few Thank Yous!!!  First Thank You is to my lovely friend Jenny ♥ she recommended this book to me, raving about how touching the story is... and she did this the same day I received a package from my second Thank You !  My second Thank You, is to the amazing author of this book Tracey ♥! Your generosity and kind words touched my heart more than I can ever thank you for! You are absolutely wonderful and I am so glad to have met you!!!

Okay on with one of the most heart warming stories I have read in a while....

Can I just say how much I LOVED Anna... She was simply fantastic in every possible way... Calm, understanding, loving, caring, and most of all strong.  When I say strong, I mean she is one of the strongest heroines I have ever read about... and I have read a lot of books. She's taken as job as a tutor for the summer and as an added bonus she is going to be tutoring in a tropical paradise... but she agreed to this job for personal reasons as well, it's time she figures out what she wants to do about her relationship with her long term boyfriend and uses this opportunity as a way to get some space so she can clear her head and think.

TJ....I just adored him, absolutely loved him.  Even though he was only 16 when this book starts our he's so much more mature than a typical 16 year old... I know that has to do with fighting cancer and it breaks my heart that he had to go through that as it breaks my heart that any child has to grow up so quickly because they have to fight.  Watching him grow during this book made me love him even more.  He was so sweet and never complained.... which is saying a lot considering he is a male.... he just took everything in stride and dealt with things as they came along.  He was smart, creative, and an extremely hard worker.  TJ was not thrilled to be going on this vacation, as a 16 year old who just spent what probably felt like an eternity to him fighting for his life, just wanted to stay home and hang out with his friends.  But since he couldn't have all summer he asked his parents to let him fly out a few days later with Anna.

After the plane crash and making it to dry land, Anna and TJ work together just to survive.  They fight exhaustion, injuries, dehydration, illnesses, and growing feelings for each other for years before one night when their bond was made stronger by becoming physical.  I knew it would come but I expected it to happen before it did... Now I don't want you to take that the wrong way because yes I know he was 16 and she was 30 and quite frankly to me that's just not right and kinda gross.... but I was shocked that he was almost 19 before anything had happened.... They were close, they talked about everything, they did everything together... but they both fought it until they just couldn't anymore.  Obviously being a man TJ didn't seem to struggle with his thoughts about it like Anna did and even though I was thinking that Anna should go for it, I totally got her reasoning... I would have had them myself.  But when it finally happens their relationship becomes so sweet and when TJ confesses his feelings to Anna... on a special day at that... I knew there was something more than special between these two.... the forever kind of special!

Just as the symptoms malnutrition start to get bad... things go down hill and tragedy strikes the Island.  Anna and TJ are separated and fighting for their lives hoping the best for each other when they are finally found, finally rescued, and taken home to their families. 

This is when I lost it, when the tears came and I realized that even though I was captivated by TJ and Anna's time on the Island, they still had SO MUCH left to face.  My heart broke over and over again for these two that I felt their pain, the grief, and the uncertainty that still had to be dealt with.  I got mad at both of them for reasons you will understand once you've read the book... but then I had to remind myself of their age difference because on the island there didn't seem to be one and now that they are back home and facing reality it's a constant reminder of the different life experiences they have either already faced or should have the opportunity to face.

It took some time and it took a lot of reflecting for both of them but when the moment finally happened... It was beautiful, I mean so beautiful I lost it right along with them.  I'm only going to share one quote with you because it is my favorite quote in this book.... it had me sobbing and rushing to get a tissue because of the meaning behind it...

"On the Island, I promised that if you just held on we would spend this Christmas together, in Chicago.  I will always keep my promises to you, Anna."

On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves was one of the most heart consuming stories I have read in a long time.  I get consumed by a lot of my books because I love to lose myself in a good book but very rarely do I get so consumed that my heart is involved and is so involved that I'm not ready to let go of the Characters.  I was NOT ready to let go of TJ and Anna even though Tracey gives one heck of an amazing HEA!!!  This book was phenomenal... the writing is stellar, and when I say that I mean I felt like I was right there on that Island with TJ and Anna... I heard the waves crashing, the bats flying overhead, the chickens flapping, and the dolphins playing in the water.  I felt their fear and their pride when they completed something that seemed impossible even hours before.  Tracey has got talent, talent that I am thankful that she shared with us readers, and most of all talent that has me anxiously awaiting her next book, Covet, which is coming out in Fall of this year.... Eeek!!!  Make sure you check out One the Island, you will love it!!!

Happy Reading! 

Games of the Heart (The 'Burg #4) Review

Games of the Heart (The 'Burg Series) by Kristen Ashley was another great addition to the thrilling 'Burg Series... No need to compare it to something yummy considering that Stealth Mike it totally yummy by himself  

Book description...
From the balcony of his house, Mike Haines can see the quiet, commonplace beauty of the Holliday farm. But what he remembers is the little sister of his high school girlfriend, Dusty who grew up there. As a teen, Dusty had gone off the rails but when she was a kid, she was sweet, she was funny and she had a special bond with Mike. But after high school, she took off and Mike never saw her again.  Then tragedy strikes Dusty's family, she comes back into town and Mike thinks she hasn't changed back to the sweet, funny girl he knew but instead continued to be selfish and thoughtless, leaving her family alone to deal with their mourning. So he seeks her out and confronts her in an effort to understand what went wrong and to force her to sort herself out.
He finds out quickly he's wrong about Dusty Holliday. Very wrong. And right after Mike discovers that, the bond they had years before snaps back into place in ways he would never suspect.
But Mike Haines had a bad marriage then he played games of the heart for a good woman. And lost. In order to protect himself and his kids, he's cautious, he's careful to read the signs and he's not interested in finding a woman he has to fix.
Then he learns what happened to Dusty and he thinks she needs to be fixed. He swings, he misses and in this new game of hearts, for Dusty, Mike just got strike three.

I don't remember where I saw this and I can not take credit for these words but had to share them because they totally fit this story.... "It's started with a funeral and ended with a wedding"   I have to say the way this book started broke my heart because I know what it's like to lose a brother, I know what it's like to be the backbone of the family while everyone else deals with the loss while you hold everyone together, I know how hard it is to actually face that grief, and most of all I know what it's like to have a special man who will help you through that grief anyway you need him to....


Dusty was awesome, she was a little more of an Alpha female than what I'm used to and it took a little while for that to actually grow on me but I have to say the straight forward personality of hers is something special, something most women can not bring to the table the way she did it.  I know a lot of straight forward women but I don't know many who still held the sweet and caring vibe when giving it to you straight like Dusty does.  I really liked her and my feelings towards her grew when she stepped up to do something HUGE for her family, granted it worked out in more ways then she could have hoped but still... She's the one who made the sacrifices, took the risks for her family.  

There was just one little thing that bothered me about her... I just couldn't get over it, it bothered me every time I saw it but you know what?  No one is perfect right?  After I did a little complaining over it I asked myself..... "Lori... are you really going to be this petty to let one stupid little thing like that ruin the real image you have of Dusty?"  Then I said to myself (and yes I do converse with myself when I'm working out issues about my books, call me crazy but it helps LOL) "Nope, I'm not that petty of a person and Dusty is an awesome woman who deserves more credit than holding that one little thing over her head".... So there you go, that one little thing.... that, yes still bothers me... is NOT going to taint the wonderful character that Dusty actually is... the sweet, caring, straight forward, tell it like it is woman that captured the heart of Mike Haines.


Mike..... Stealth Mike..... sigh....  yep you got that right my lovelies, Stealth Mike from At Peace is back and hotter than ever and gives the definition of Alpha Male and even better meaning!!!!  Now it must be said that I kind of fell for Mike when he dated Violet and as much as I adored Joe because... well, he's Joe... I even cheered for Mike a little there but have to say that I'm so glad that Joe won that fight... Joe needed Vi and her girls like no one else and Mike ended up proving in this book that he was destined to be with Dusty.  She was too young for him back when they were kids but they had a bond an unbreakable bond that made their love for one another shine bright. 

 Okay... so my Mike visual, well I was on a google hunt this morning and struggled so I put my girls up to the challenge to find me a Mike that I could share with all of you and my girl Gitte (♥ ya gorgeous and Thank You for your help) found the goods but then again she has this uncanny ability to find amazing male visuals...  So back to Mike... he was amazing... like total amazeballs... except in the beginning.  He jumped to so many conclusions, which were understandable considering his past, but still... he should have given Dusty the benefit of the doubt, given her a chance to explain before he totally screwed it all up with strike three....

Don't worry my lovelies.... he redeems himself with one speech.... one speech where he confessed how he feels... one speech where I knew that there was no doubt in my mind that Dusty Holliday needed Mike Haines in her life in a big way....

"No, Dusty.  I've loved you since you were twelve and I've read your diaries, you can't deny you felt the same fuckin' thing.  You weren't old enough then for my thoughts to go there but we both know that bond started then and we both know just how it changed when it snapped tight in that hotel room."

There is a lot more to that speech but that's all I'm giving away... Stealth Mike has got a way with words that will give you shivers in all the fun places and have you breathless for more.  He moves in and grabs hold of your heart before you ever realize he has a hold of it and he has a hold of it tight.  With his stealth ways and his heart stopping speech Mike gets Dusty back and let me tell you... wow, just.... wow!  They have got a beautiful relationship, she is everything he could have ever asked for and more because she is everything he needs.  She loves his kids, she doesn't play games with him, and she gives it all to him without wanting anything in return.  

Mike and Dusty have their struggles which all come in the form of other people.... go figure.  Those struggles were mostly a big pain the behind... an ex-wife who finally decides to step up to the plate 4 years to late and a sister who tries to bring the family as low as possible at the worst possible time in their lives.  The hardest struggle.... yeah, all I'm going to say is Chapter 23... Black Day.... Keep your tissues ready!!!!

The best part of Games of the Heart was obviously Mike and Dusty and their growing relationship but we also get a huge treat in the form of a 17 year old Finley.... At times I thought... OMG Fin is totally stealing this show from Mike.  I hate to admit it but yes I was totally crushing on Fin and wondering if they made boys like him when I was 17.... but in my defense I know I wasn't the only one AND even though he was 17, he was an old soul.... he was more of a man then a lot of men I know and most of all he saw something special in Mike's daughter Reesee, knew he needed to treat her with complete care and he did... boy did he ever!  So as a bonus you not only get to see one relationship blossom into the most beautiful flower, you get to see two and instead of it being just one beautiful flower.... it's an entire field full of them.  Take my word for it, you don't want to miss it!


Games of the Heart (The 'Burg Series) by Kristen Ashley was a great book.  I had a lot on my mind while I read this book so I wasn't completely in the perfect mind frame to enjoy it to my usual KA standards but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book.... I was still consumed by these characters and not just our main characters but our second beautiful blooming relationship as well....  As usual Kristen brought her A game with this book, she is a stellar author who deserves so much credit for her creativity and even more... her amazing speed at giving us fans these books quicker than we can blink!!!


Happy Reading!

Tall, Dark, & Lonely (Pyte #1) Review

Tall, Dark & Lonely by R.L. Mathewson

Book description...
When the mother that abandoned them years ago suddenly shows up and moves them to New Hampshire Madison has no choice but to go or lose her brother and sister. Shoving her dreams aside yet again Madison tries to make a life for her siblings only to realize that nothing is going the way it should. It's really cold, her fifteen year old sister acts like a hooker in training, men act funny around her, her boss is a real jerk, she feels like an outsider, her best friend turns out to be a mouthy sixteen year old kid and the incredibly handsome guy renting the room adjoining hers not only hogs the bathroom, taking three showers a day and leaving her with cold water, but he also has a secret. A secret that she becomes a bit obsessed with and can't let go no matter how many times she's warned off.  Detective Ephraim Williams learned long ago not to show any emotion or allow himself to get attached to humans. What was the point? They came and went and he remained. This time wouldn't be any different or so he thought. When his land lady told him her grandchildren were moving in he didn't expect much, well other than to be left alone. What he didn't expect was to have to fight bloodlust every time he so much as caught a whiff of his delectable neighbor's scent or her bombarding him with questions every time she cornered him. If that's not bad enough a Master from his past has found him once again and is demanding his blood and is willing to do anything to get it, even using the beautiful irritating neighbor that makes him feel more than pain for the first time in centuries.

I think I may have found another addiction.... R.L. Mathewson!  Her books are filled with humor and a wonderful story line that sucks you in and keeps you there until the very last word.  Watch out my friends because based on the feelings I already had for R.L.'s writing style and now the feelings for this book, I may soon be confessing my love and addiction to her books like I do with Kristen Ashley's books!

Okay so Tall, Dark, & Lonely.... was awesome!  Madison, God bless her, has been taking care of herself her entire life and has been raising her younger brother and sister because her mom is... hmm, well her mom is... worthless and a total joke as a woman.  I know it happens every day and it makes me sad for the children that suffer and extremely mad at the mother but I really want to know.... How can a mother not care for her kids?  How can a mother look at her kids as a meal ticket, or a pawn, or most especially as a burden?  I had a hard time reading about Madison's mother.... she seriously should have just been shot....LOL, oh you'll get the double meaning here if and when you've read the book.  Anyway, Madison and her family move in with their Grandmother who runs a boarding house.  She gives Madison a room away from everyone else as a way for her to finally have a little bit of a life since she's spent her entire life taking care of herself and her brother and sister.  She ends up with a room next to the very private but very delicious Ephraim.

Ephraim... mmm, yes he was something else... something I wouldn't mind.... oh never mind!  Ephraim is very private but then again he has to be after all he is a Pyte.  I don't know if I just happened to miss the explanation of what exactly a Pyte was but here is what I came up with.... A born Vampire who can not be killed, he can walk around in the sun light and if another Vampire drinks... even a taste... of his blood it will kill them.  So anyway, he lives at the boarding house and gave up the second room he rents so that Madison could have it... what he doesn't expect is his reaction to her.  Her blood is pure virgin blood but that's not all... there is something about it that calls to him, screams for him to take a taste... you know kind of like the whole Twilight... Edward/Bella thing... but this is better...

"No darling, no one else, nothing else calls me the way you do.  You're my siren calling me to shore.  My beacon.  You're the only thing I desire."

So they begin the little dance of not necessarily avoiding each other but avoiding each other... I don't know how to explain it but anyway when Ephraim hears that Madison's new... I guess boyfriend?... the guy she's seen a few times is coming to dinner he decides to join everyone for the first time in the three years he's lived there and let's just say it's a damn good thing he did too.  He not only had a bad feeling about this guy but when the truth comes out Ephraim more than puts this guy in his place... What I wouldn't have given to actually been at this dinner and watch all this happen... it was hysterical, I love to watch cocky bastards who think their shit doesn't stink get put in their place or more to the point in this situation... piss themselves... oh and then kindly tells him to take a visit to the Dr... like yesterday...LOL.

I'm not sure if it's fortunately or unfortunately Madison see's the whole confrontation and ends up finding out about Ephraim and at first freaks out.... but then she wonders why her blood isn't good enough, they end up in this little argument and she assumes either something is wrong with her or he's gay.... it was pretty amusing to watch the entire scene fold out... I mean throwing bread rolls at a vampire could be pretty dangerous but instead he finds it kind of cute... then again, I think he was already in love with her before all this happened.  Ephraim and Madison's confrontation moves from the dinning room to where she follows him up to his bedroom and they end up in each others arms with his mouth on hers.

These two seriously cracked me up... he ticked her off constantly and she'd stay mad at him... boy did she stay mad at him.  At one point I was thinking there was just something downright wrong with the girl.... but everything always ended up working itself out, or I should way it worked itself out OR someone made her realize he was just trying to help her out because he genuinely cared for her and didn't want to see her struggle.  Wait until you read about the whole sex thing... O.M.G. I couldn't decide if I wanted to laugh, cringe, or cry for her... I ended up with laughing....

Tall, Dark & Lonely (Pyte Series) by R.L. Mathewson is a fantastic read... it's got some great humor, a lovely romantic story line, a little bit of action, and a heart breaking past for both hero and heroine that will have you beaming with love at their happily ever after!  I have to say it... I wasn't going to mention it but it's true... like my gorgeous friend Gitte said...

"It answers a question I've had in a lot of vamp books"

And you know... it does.  Every vampire book I have ever read I have wondered about this and this is the first book I've come across that has actually even slightly mentioned it... So here is a big huge THANK YOU to R.L. for tackling that little... question and making it seem more like a reality.  

R.L.'s books... or at least the ones I've read so far... may not consume me the same way KA's books do but they do one thing that is extremely important to me... They make me laugh, laugh out loud... like a lot and hard!  Her books are hysterical, she's got a knack for it and because of that her books will continue to be downloaded to E. Luke... there is nothing better than an author who writes a fantastic book with some great humor!!!  Okay so her books do two things... lol..... They keep me interested... I'm always wanting to know what will happen next or will there be more in this series...  Let's just say that R.L. has more than earned herself on my list of authors who get the automatic 1-click on Amazon.  

Make sure you check out Tall, Dark & Lonely (Pyte Series).... I'm not sure how much longer it will be, but right now it's free on Amazon!!!  Get your 1-click finger ready and check it out.... you won't be disappointed!

Happy Reading!

Practice Makes Perfect Review

Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James

Book description....
When it comes to the laws of attraction, there are no rules The battle between the sexes is about to make these two lawyers hot under the collar. Opposites collide when two lawyers try to make partner at the same firm. Payton Kendall is a feminist to the bone. Cocky J.D. Jameson was born privileged. But when they're asked to join forces on a major case, they gain a newfound awareness of each other's personal assets. The partnership spot will be offered to only one of them, though. The competition heats up. Sparks fly. Let the games begin.

I have to say that I really enjoyed these characters but then again I absolutely LOVE sarcastic humor and Julie James KNOWS how to write sarcastic humor.

Payton and J.D. have worked together at the same Law firm for the past 8 years and have not gotten along since their first week.  They have a way of... let's say bringing out the best in each other... that makes you want to smack both of them upside the head and say... will you just kiss already?... but it's hilarious, their quit wit had me cracking up constantly and praising Julie for her awesome sarcasm skills.

Since they're both in their eighth year they're up to either go up or get out and both have their hearts set on becoming a partner at the firm.  They're both litigators but specialize in different field areas so they've never worked together... until now.  A huge class action law suit has been filed against a large company by it's employees... therefore, both Payton and J.D. are needed to help out due to their specialties.

It was amusing to see them forced to work together because at one point the potential client wants them to talk about each other and since they don't exactly get along....  Anyway, together they do a great job of wooing this potential client and are congratulated for their big hook as well as informed that there will only be one partner named this year which means... they are now each others competition..... and this is when it gets good and I mean hilarious.... The sexual tension is so thick already but yet.... it gets even thicker.

A little accident/misunderstanding/on purpose kind thing happens and so the war begins.... Okay so I don't want to give any of this away because this is seriously what made the book for me.  I mean I was laughing so hard I had tears rolling down my face and my belly was all cramped up... What Payton does to J.D.... funny, but what made it better was what happened later that day.  Then what J.D. does to Payton... that was just mean, come on you never mess with a woman's... yep so not giving it away... but when that something 'happened' to her... well, I lost it, I mean busted up laughing and best of all was her recovery.... That. Was. Amazeballs.... I mean like totally freaking awesome!  Then J.D. finds himself in a bit of a jam and no one to help, he specifically tells his secretary NOT to mention it to Payton... but of course she finds out and ends up having to 'help out'.  Now here is where it got interesting... because J.D. flips out before he can even find out what went down and ends up having to eat his words and apologize to Payton.

Before his apology I was ready to jump in the book and shove the two of them together but after.... well let's just say I was a little satisfied and then I was rolling my eyes thinking... damn lawyers need to quit thinking for once and go with their initial feelings instead of trying to break every thing down!  Needless to say things didn't get far... at all... other than to stir up some more sexual tension and have them both questioning their feelings for each other.... and then it seems like they're back to where they started but... less.  They aren't not getting along they just aren't speaking... avoiding each other to be exact until their boss informs them of an upcoming trip he needs them to take just days before the announcement of who will be named partner.

Things get... a little, no... a lot heated while out of town and that's just at the dinner table with the client ;).  Obviously some talking and.... ummm... other stuff...ya know... fun stuff is done and they both decide to extend their stay together one more day.  Things are passionate between Payton and J.D., they're still fun because these two still throw around the sarcasm...if it's not obvious right now, I get a total kick of  sarcastic humor... Anyway, when it's time to go home both feel that dread... that kind of dread like "it's been real and I don't want it to end but I don't know how you feel about this whole situation because we never discussed what exactly we're doing here because neither of us really wants to admit what we're really feeling because we're both too scared" kind thing... wow I really just rambled on that one... So obviously things, again, end on a not so perfect note after J.D. tells Payton that he wants to be with her but she's too afraid of what how they will feel about each other when one of them is chosen and the other is left to start over again at another firm.

They have one day to wait before they find out who will be named partner and with the feelings that J.D. confessed to Payton, even though she's terrified of how she's going to feel about the partner decision she decides it's time to live her life for herself and seeks out J.D. to tell him what she wants. BUT... and here is where I had to roll my eyes at the same time I was shaking my head and thinking... Men!  Sometimes they just do not know when to keep their mouth shut.  Anyway... Payton is pissed and I mean pissed, which I don't blame her, I would have been too, I mean he seriously could have ruined..... so not gonna give it away.  So she decides she is done with him once and for all but what she doesn't know is that he is in love with her and doesn't plan to let her go.  He has a new plan.....


Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James is an awesome quick witted, humorous, easy read that has me ready for more of Julie's creative writing style.  I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it many times but there is nothing better than a book that can have me out right laughing so hard I get tears in my eyes.  I may not be able to compare my love for Julie's books like I can my addiction to Kristen Ashley books but I have to say that Julie has proven to me that I no longer need to read the synopsis before I hit the 1-click button on Amazon... with her it's an automatic now and considering I'm one of those readers who like to check out all the other reviews (mostly the 4stars and under) before I purchase a book... that is saying something huge.  There are only two... well now three authors that I will do that for.  So check out Julie's work... they're all great reads and all have that wonderful humor that keeps me coming back for more!

Happy Reading!

Rock Chick Revenge (R.C. #5) Review

Rock Chick Revenge by Kristen Ashley is my absolute favorite book... to me it's like a piece of chocolate lava cake... rich, moist cake with absolute heaven in the middle that has your taste buds screaming for more. 

Book description...
Ava hates men, she has reason and she’s vowed not only never to get involved with another one again but also to exact vengeance on her best friend’s, lying, cheating husband. Since Luke, Ava’s childhood crush, is now a private investigator, she thinks to enlist him but changes her mind at the last second.  Too late, Luke knows she’s up to something and he’s already seen many a Rock Chick try to fight her own battles without the Hot Bunch stepping in. He’s having none of it. She’s having none of him. The clash of the Rock Chick and Hot Guy begins but Luke’s got the advantage. He has handcuffs and he’s not afraid to use them.

Okay so we all know how much I love KA and her alpha men and boy do I love the absolutely hot as hell alpha in this book but there is so much more I love about this book too... Normally I like heroines but in this case I adored her because I could relate to her on so many levels, then there's the hero who reminds me so much of my husband in the things he says and the way he acts that I couldn't help but fall in love with him.  So this book means something to me, it's special to me and will always be my favorite KA book... which is hard to admit because Kristen's books ROCK... all of them!

Ava... I just adored Ava... I mean absolutely ♥'d her.  She was funny, sweet, and still managed to have a charming personality even after the terrible way her sisters and mother treated her.  She's got her mini Ava's, you know good Ava and bad Ava... and OMG where they freaking funny... like PMSL funny!!  She had a love and loyalty to her best friend, Sissy, that just makes you grateful for your friends.... or at least it made me grateful for all of my amazing friends who are there to listen to me cry, laugh with me, or cheer me up when I'm feeling down... This loyalty led Ava to Nightingale Investigations to seek out the absolutely LUSCIOUS Lucas Stark in hopes of him helping her and Sissy on finding dirt on Sissy's husband so she could divorce him.  She found Luke only it didn't quite go how she'd hoped and she didn't tell him the real reason she was there.... good Ava agreed with her but bad Ava did not....  


I guess I should go into a little of Ava and Luke's history before I start my confession of my undying love for him :)   Okay so Ava has known Luke since she was 8 when his family moved in across the street... she made him laugh, he looked out for her, and most especially she has been in love with him since she was 8.


Luke Stark... SIGH... He gets my blood boiling and gives me tingles in special places like no other fictional character.... He IS the fictional love of my life.... mmmhmmm total definition of... ☆ Absolute Male Perfection ☆....  Okay, so sorry... got myself caught up in a  Luke moment there ;) ... This is the best I could do on the whole Luke visual, it's not perfect and honestly unless I ever make it over to England to search for the guy that KA based Luke's looks off of and then stalk him, my perfect Luke visual will remain in my head... Now my girl Nikki ♥ gave me an awesome Luke visual but I'm going to keep that one to myself, because it's special to me (I love ya HT)  but this is pretty close, yummy right?  I have another that is pretty nice too and since I love Luke as much as I do, I'll share it too...  Okay so Luke is one of the Hot Bunch, he works for Lee and is kind of like his second in command... he's a total bad ass, knows what he wants and goes for it.  He's known he's always wanted Ava to be a part of his life but is a little upset with her seeing as he hasn't seen her in 5 years and is now a total bombshell that he not only wants in his life but wants in his bed......


So, Ava finds herself in a bit of a pickle which searching Sissy's bedroom.... Luke finds her and starts to question her when gunfire rings out and the room is shot to shreds.  Luke takes off with Ava in toe and to keep her safe ends up cuffing her to his bed... Yep that's right I said cuffed to his bed and honey you can cuff me to your bed any time you like.

"Well, this is a fine mess you've gotten us into," Good Ava said into my ear.

"Oo, we're in Luke's bed," Bad Ava cooed into my other one.

Yep...I'm totally with Bad Ava here, well that is until he takes off and leaves her cuffed to the bed but seriously you can't get to mad... I mean he was just trying to keep her safe after all.  But he does come back, strips, cuffs her to himself, and then gets into bed with her to sleep and boy does he know how to cuddle... Good Lord, I get shivers just thinking of his cuddling, instead of just turning over and away from her, he shifts her to where he wants her because he doesn't want her out of his arms.... How sweet is that?  Okay so they sleep together all night... all snuggled up together.  The whole time Ava is arguing with herself and trying to  figure out how she can escape Luke's company because she's sick of men and is done with them after being hurt too many times.... she has sworn fidelity to her vibrators.  Now normally I would get extremely frustrated with heroines who act like this because... well... I mean these guys are freaking hot, why not just take what he's willing to give right?  But that wasn't the case with this one... maybe it's because I feel like I can relate to her so much, maybe it's the history her and Luke have and knowing if she goes there and it ends badly it will destroy her, or maybe it's because I want Luke for myself.. lol... Who knows, all I know is I felt for her, it doesn't mean I didn't get frustrated with her avoidance because I did... I sooo did... I mean this is Luke were talking about here.. but I still understood it.  Unfortunately for her, Luke has got a way with words and actions that makes all of the previous Hot Bunch Boys look like total amateurs....

"You lick your lips while looking at my mouth one more time, you'll find that pretty pink tongue of yours in my mouth."

Ho-ly shit.... is right.  That is just one of the many Luke quotes that makes me feel special in special places... as a matter of fact I believe my girl Gitte used this exact quote to tease Jenny about Luke's perfection before she read the book :) ... 

So because Luke is now going to start sorting out the whole Sissy situation and because he saved her life he informs her that she now owes him and she is NOT going to be paying him... at least not money anyway..... so had another Luke shiver there... Anyway when he informs her of this he realizes that not only has Ava become his after she fell asleep against him she's actually been his for a long time... that she's been his since she was a young girl.  He knows that there have been men in her past that have taken pieces of her and he is determined to get those pieces back.  This realization does not make Ava happy because she knows that it's true and she is terrified that heartbreak is going to come with Luke and she does not need another heartbreak, so she keeps her defenses up... well as best as she can... that is until Luke breaks them all down.  When he finally does... WOW.... wow, just wow.  Luke may be quiet but he is sweet as can be when she finally gives herself to him.

Luke and Ava go through A LOT together and separately.... I'm talking happy moments, fear, tears, potential heart break, fist fights, horrible kidnapping/attacks, and most of all a love that is so special that has blossomed over a sweet history that I found myself in happy tears more often than not... happy tears because Ava realizing how wonderful Luke is, how Luke will do anything to keep her safe and happy, how Luke sees her for the beautiful woman she is inside and out, and how much Luke just absolutely adores her.

Rock Chick Revenge by Kristen Ashley is an absolutely beautiful book... of course all of KA's books are absolute amazeballs but this one, this one is absolute perfection to me because of my love for Ava and my love and absolute adoration of Luke.  Obviously I think you should read the Rock Chick series in order because you're slowly introduced to everyone, you get to know them personally, and I have found myself anxious to move on to the next book so I can learn more about each of these special characters.  I definitely recommend this book, I mean I recommend all of Kristen's wonderful masterpieces but this book is more than that to me!  Check it out, I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!!!

On a side note.....For those of you who don't know.... Luke is who my Kindle is named after, hence the name Electronic Luke... yeah yeah I know that name could go for numerous different things, I've heard it all and thought it all but E. Luke is the name of my Kindle :)


Kristen you are an absolute ★.... you've made my reading experiences more than amazeballs and you've touched my heart more than you could ever imagine.  Thank you, honey, for all you have done for me and most especially for giving me a little extra Luke that came with a full reminder of the cookie swipe that still has me CAM'n when I think about it ;)

Happy Reading!

Rock Chick Renegade (R.C. #4) Review

Rock Chick Renegade by Kristen Ashley.... is the forth book in the all consuming Rock Chick series and....Yes my fellow book lovers, we have yet another edge of your seat KA treat.

Book description...
Jules has got a score to settle against the drug dealers of Denver. Vance has made it his mission that Jules won’t get dead while dishing out vigilante justice. Jules doesn’t have time for romance, she’s too busy saving the world and she enlists Zip (the gunstore owner), Heavy (an ex-PI) and Frank (a mysterious recluse) to help.  The Rock Chicks of Fortnum’s Bookstore get involved to provide romantic advice and guidance, none of which Jules accepts at first. The Hot Bunch of Nightingale Investigations adopt Jules as one of their own. Even though Jules tries to hang on to her inner Head Crackin’ Mamma Jamma, the Rock Chicks; Hot Bunch; Jules’s long-suffering Uncle Nick; Jules’s friend the rotund, African-American, Jackie-O wannabe, May; and especially Vance will stop at nothing to wear her down.  But Jules makes some bad guys pretty angry and one is dedicated to taking her out. Vance and the Hot Bunch have to pull out all the stops to keep her alive. At the same time, Jules and Vance learn the true meaning of home but once they find this precious entity they’ve been searching for all their lives, will Jules’s enemies tear it away?

My KA addiction continues and since I've already taken that first step into admitting I have a problem... no wait, I don't have a problem because these books are awesome... they keep me properly entertained (just the way I like, I might add) and stimulate my brain in a very good way...  RC Renegade is a bit different from the first three RC books.... It's got a lot more action and the two main characters come with a different kind of emotional baggage... not to mention the secondary characters, as always, are amazing but there's more to some of these characters and I probably feel that way because... well... they're kids and they have a special connection with Jules.

I have to admit.... while Jules is not my favorite Rock Chick I still absolutely ♥ her and here's why... she has a heart of gold when it comes to her kids especially Roam and Sniff, I have a huge soft spot for anyone who puts forth the effort that Jules did when it came to her kids... that soft spot I have for her because of that turned into an even bigger soft spot because of how much she adored those two boys who had nothing.  She loved them and cared deeply about them... there is nothing that can take that away from her and for that Jules will always have a Rock Chick place in my heart.  Now... I also have to say that she was not like our typical Rock Chicks... she has that whole badass thing going on and personally that just doesn't do a whole lot for me because I like my heroines to be a bit on the girlie side who attract the attention of the hero because his alpha instincts take over and he feels the need to protect her... not because he chased after her because she had a face off with a drug dealer in the street while carrying a gun... Don't get me wrong, I still liked Jules, loved her even... but she is not my typical favorite kind of heroine... which makes me think back to a conversation my girls and I had about heroines and why we always want to smack them... which, yes I almost always want to smack them because... well, there's always a reason or it's just because LOL.  How often to you feel like smacking the heroine?

Sorry, sorry... I got a little off topic there but it still all goes hand in hand with how I felt for Jules.... So, Jules attracts the attention of one smokin hot Vance Crowe... This was the best I could find on the Vance visual... he's not exactly what I had in mind but close enough.  Vance is just... wow, what can I say about Vance... of course he's totally swoon worthy, he knows what he wants and goes for it, he's got an amazing use of words that will give you tingles, he's got the kind of past that makes you want to hug him and shower him with love, and most of all... the reason why Vance has a spot in my heart (yes I know again with the emotional stuff)... he has over come Alcoholism.... I lost my brother almost 3 years ago to alcoholism and because I grew up watching what he went through and watching him try to fight it my heart goes out... in a BIG way... to anyone who fights and wins that battle.  Okay back to Vance before I start crying and telling everyone my life story....  Vance knows what he wants and what he wants is Jules...

"This," he said, one hand dropping to my bottom and pulling my hips into his, one going up my back to press my torso to his chest, "is the sweetest thing I've had in my life and I  haven't even fucked you yet.  I never expected to get a chance at anything so sweet"

Like I said... he has a way with words.  They may not sound all that amazing now but once you read about his past, what he's been through... you'll totally get it and think... Oh Wow, how sweet is that!

So Jules and Vance begin the back and forth dance of him pursuing her and her trying to dodge and then break up with him, finally it seems like she got through to him.... which I can not keep my mouth shut about that... Are you kidding me??  Seriously, it's even obvious to you that the man adores you, he even admits to you being something important to him... and yet, you still push him back... What is wrong with you?... Okay... deep breaths... So, she pushes him away but what she doesn't understand is in no way is he done with her, he's just giving her the space she's not only asking for but he thinks she needs so she can work things out in her head.  Here again is where I got pissed at Jules.... I mean like PISSED!  You'll understand and I'm sure you'll get mad too... on a little side note and I will never admit to this again because well, I absolutely ♥ who he ends up with on a level that I've never felt for any character before but... you get a little taste of Luke.... the fictional love of my life... I can not wait to write my thoughts about his book... Now back to being pissed at Jules.... I also have to admit that I kind of forgave her just a tiny bit because she realized her feelings for Vance, she realized she was in love with him but had no clue what to do about it.

Fortunately for Jules, Vance came back around and they were able to talk about what happened.  Things are still intense for both Vance and Jules but not because of each other anymore... now they're just dealing with the bad guys... Some heart stopping things happen, like major heart pounding tears welled up in your eyes things and everything about Vance and Jules hangs by threads for a while.  They get their happily ever after but I am not afraid to tell you that I was worried... real worried that it wouldn't happen.

Rock Chick Renegade by Kristen Ashley was a great addiction... I mean addition (See? I really should admit to having a problem) to the Rock Chick series... granted it was different because of the extra action and the fighting skills of our lovely heroine Jules but it was still great.  The only thing about this book that I have yet to decide how I feel about is Jules works with the hot bunch... it's almost like she becomes one of them instead of a Rock Chick because she trains with them, goes on patrol with them... I just can't wrap my head around how that makes me feel, on one hand I loved it because it gave me more of the Hot Bunch... and let's just say those boys can make anyone's day... but then again I didn't like it because... well..because when I read a book I put myself in the heroines shoes, almost like I make myself become her (silly I know but it's how my crazy mind seems to work *shrugs*) and with Jules and all her training and patroling I just could not do that, I couldn't connect with her like I typically do.  I still loved this book for many different reasons and I was still entirely consumed by KA's writing style but it was just in a different way... a good way.. but different.

Make sure you read the first three books in the series first... you will not be disappointed in any of them... obviously because this is Kristen's work we're talking about here!  Now I have to ask... How long do I have to wait before I begin my confession of undying love for Luke Stark in Rock Chick Revenge?

Happy Reading!