Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Tara Sivec--Futures and Frosting (Chocolate Lovers #2)

Contemporary Adult Romance-Humor-Chic lit

Carter, Claire and Gavin have formed the perfect little family. Their friends are getting married and everyone is growing up, maturing and ready to face the future. Or are they?

From bachelorette party hell, porn addictions, dinner roll baseball and botched wedding proposals to finding out everyone's extended family is chock full of crazy, Carter and Claire begin to question the strength of the ties that bind them. Unfortunately, these ties have nothing to do with fuzzy handcuffs and everything to do with the mounting differences between them.

Will their friends make a mess of things with their inappropriate comments and need to know everything, or will they convince the couple that happily-ever-after sometimes really can start with beer pong?


{4.5 stars}
Have you ever laughed so hard you start snorting and hiccuping while trying not to pee your pants? You take that risk when reading this series. It is completely inappropriate humor, (which is the best kind right?) that keeps you in stitches throughout. Claire and Carter take us on another ride with "wing man" Gavin stepping in for the best punch lines at just the right time. Not as overwhelmingly funny as the first, but still absolutely hilarious!!! Was hoping this would be more than a trilogy, but i guess I would be too dehydrated from cry-laughing if it did!

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Tara Sivec--Seduction and Snacks (Chocolate Lovers #1)

Adult Romance-Humor-Chick Lit

Claire is a twenty-something, single mom that grudgingly helps her best friend sell sex toys while she attempts to make enough money to start her own business to give her foul-mouthed, but extremely loveable (when he's asleep) toddler a better life.

When Carter, the one-night-stand from her past that changed her life forever, shows up in her hometown bar without any recollection of her besides her unique chocolate scent, Claire will make it a point that he remembers her this time.

With Carter's undisguised shock at suddenly finding out he has a four-year-old son and Claire's panic that her stretch marks and slim to none bedroom experience will send the man of her dreams heading for the hills, the pair will do whatever they can to get their happily ever after.

Warning: contains explicit sex, profanity and enough sarcasm to choke a horse.


{5 stars}

"Can you buy wheelchair ramps at Walmart?"

Absolutely one of the funniest books I have ever read. It gives a whole new meaning to ROFLMAO. I actually feel a little dehydrated from laughing myself into tears. And if I could ramp up my rating system, I would give it more than 5 stars. I think that anyone that reads this will find aspects of their own lives somewhere in the mix. We all think these things (well, at least I do), but this book just kinda says it out loud for us. And in the middle of all this reality based, sarcastic humor is a really sweet love story. It's charming and innocent in a first love kind of way (they just did it out of order). And Gavin being the comedic "wing man" adds just enough to make this book a real wiener...oops! I meant winner! (after you read this book you will get my joke). Moving on to the next one after I rehydrate with a gallon of water ;) !!!

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Kristen Ashley--Breathe (Colorado Mountain #4)

Contermporary Adult Romance

In order to protect a father he does not respect, in Lady Luck, we learned that good cop Chace Keaton went bad, sacrificing his career and his future. But when the local police department's secrets are revealed and the wife he's forced to marry is murdered, Chace finds himself the town of Carnal's hero. Knowing how deep in the mud he was forced to sink, Chace feels he'll never get clean. The quiet, content future he envisioned of the love a good woman with whom he could build a family was now beyond his reach. The only thing he can do is find his wife's murderer.

But he isn't the only one looking.

While searching for new leads, he runs into Faye Goodknight, the town's quiet, shy, pretty librarian. Chace has long since had his eye on what could possibly be the town's last remaining virgin but he has also long since given up hope he could make her his. Faye is pure and clean and Chace refuses to dirty her with his sordid past.

Pure and clean Faye may be, but when the shy librarian is forced to go head to head with the man who she's had a crush on since he hit her hometown, Chace finds Faye is full of surprises. And he doesn't know what to do with her.


{4 stars}
There is a lot you can say about Kristen Ashley's writing style. She really puts you in the scene, she tries her best to get you into the visual/emotional moment of the book. And sometimes, that kinda drags for me. My only complaint about this one is that it was too long. It took me awhile to get thru it. With that being said, I really loved Chace's story. He is the poster boy for the all american alpha hero, but with a truly compassionate emotional side to him. Chase and Faye are great together, their love story is a true "fairy tale" kinda story. Faye has loved him from afar for years, and Chase has always wanted her, but couldn't reach her with all the "filth" clinging to his life. Not as much life and death action in this one, but it still has it's nail-biting drama. We do get a few surprises and we get to see our favorite Carnal bunch. And the one thing I really love about KA, is that she gives us closure. We always get to find out what happens down the road after we get our HEA. Love them!

Sunday, February 17, 2013

R. K. Lilley--In Flight (Up in the Air #1)

Contemporary Adult Romance

When reserved flight attendant Bianca gets one look at billionaire hotel owner James Cavendish, she loses all of her hard-won composure. For a girl who can easily juggle a tray of champagne flutes at 35,000 feet in three inch heels, she finds herself shockingly weak-kneed from their first encounter. The normally unruffled Bianca can't seem to look away from his electrifying turquoise gaze. They hold a challenge, and a promise, that she finds impossible to resist, and she is a girl who is used to saying no and meaning it.

Bianca is accustomed to dealing with supermodels and movie stars in her job as a first class flight attendant, but James Cavendish puts them all to shame in the looks department. If only it were just his looks that she found so irresistible about the intimidating man, Bianca could have ignored his attentions. But what tempts her like never before is the dominant pull he seems to have over her from the moment they meet, and the promise of pleasure, and pain, that she reads in his eyes.

This book is intended for ages 18 and up.


{3 stars}
I am still on the fence with this one. I liked it ok, but didn't really like it or love it. It didn't bring me emotionally into the story. I enjoyed Stephan and James' characters, they were fun. But Bianca was flat to me, one dimensional. And that's what brought the book down for me. She didn't have any emotion, she just felt robotic at times. Until the last 2 chapters and the epilogue, then she showed that she could "feel" something. And even though it was pain and hurt, she at least showed some kind of emotion. If it wasn't for the last 2 chapters, I probably wouldn't continue on with this series, but now I am interested to see what will happen.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Kristen Ashley--Lady Luck (Colorado Mountain #3)

Contemporary Adult Romance

Ty Walker was wrongly imprisoned and for the five years he was inside, he honed his plan so when he gets out, he has nothing but vengeance on his mind.

But then he walks straight to stylish, leggy, beautiful, goofy Lexie Berry and he suddenly has something else to think about. He knows within seconds he wants her and within days he can love her but with the filth that was flung at him clinging; he also knows he can’t have her.

Since birth, Lexie Berry has been Lady Luck’s favorite toy and because of that, Lexie is cautious. But within a day, she senses Ty is something special. With her luck, however, she can’t trust it. Then she finds out what was done to Ty and she’s willing to do anything to make it right.

Even what Ty will never forgive her for doing.

Ty clings to vengeance and Lexie goes all out to give him back the time he lost. But Ty is battling demons within and they’re up against dirty cops and criminals who will stop at nothing to sway Lady Luck against them. All Ty and Lexie have is hope Lady Luck will finally swing their way.


{5 stars}
Even though you know...KNOW.....there is a happily ever after. (That's why we read these, right?)You don't know what kind of HEA you are going to get. And the journey to get to that HEA can be like a rollercoaster of anxiety. I was completely in love with Ty, even when he was being an ass. He pushes Lexie away to protect himself from anymore heartache. And Lexie was just trying to protect him from himself. They both grew up in a less than happy environment, and all they ever wanted was the family they both wished they could have had. But Lady Luck likes to kick them both over and over throughout life, not letting either one get a "win". Until fate puts them in each others path. What started out as a simple plan of vengeance, takes a sharp left turn when Ty falls for Lexie. Lexie knows only days into it that she wants Ty. But watching the two of them work through their own personal drama is painful. But you don't appreciate what comes to you easily right?

A lot of authors cannot pull off an almost 500 page book, but somehow Kristen Ashley keeps you turning the page again and again. Completely obsessed in finding out what's next. Will he go after her? Will she forgive him? Who is behind all the drama? Lets just say I read until my kindle battery died. Then when I woke up at 3 am and I had to fight the urge to pick it back up. I just had to get to their HEA. And I loved every bit of it.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Madeline Sheehan--Undeniable (Undeniable #1)

Adult Romance

Warning: This is not a typical love story. This is an all-consuming, soul-crushing, tear-your-heart-into-pieces story. It’s intense, gritty and raw, dark and disturbing, and it doesn’t happen overnight. This is an epic love story that knows no boundaries and has no time limits. It grows and develops—with hurt, sacrifice, and heartache—over the span of a lifetime.

Eva Fox is the princess of the Silver Demons Motorcycle Club. Growing up with bikers in the club lifestyle is all that she knows. When she’s a young girl, Eva meets the reason for her existence. Deuce West is the sexy, biker bad-ass of the Hell’s Horsemen Motorcycle Club. Like Eva, he was born and raised in the club—but that’s where the similarities end. Their first meeting is innocent, but as Eva matures into a woman, their chance reunions evolve into a fit of lust and love. Fate continues to bring them together time and time again, but their twisted journey is filled with pain, betrayal, and bloodshed that could tear them apart. Eva sees in Deuce what he cannot see in himself—a man worthy of love—and Eva spends her lifetime proving to him that her undeniable love is the one thing he can’t live without.

This is Eva and Deuce’s story.

It wasn’t easy.
Nothing worth doing ever is.
And love is worth everything.


{5 stars}
I have never read a story written quite like this one. It spans 20 years of 2 people. And it is not a fluffy, happy, cutie romance. It is raw, overwhelming, dark, passionate, hurtful, dangerous, and...it is epic. There are parts that will make you want to look away and cringe. But each dark part is what makes and breaks 2 people who are destined to love each other. A love that can consume a soul. Eva met Deuce when she was 5 years old and he never forgot her spunk. She grew up in the MC world, the daughter of the President of the Silver Demons MC. Her life has never been normal, but she embraced all of it and lived her life with fire and energy, charming everyone in her wake. Deuce and Eva are soul mates who can't quite find each other at the right time. Their journey is one I couldn't put down, couldn't look away no matter how hard it was to get through some parts. Once I started it, I couldn't stop, and read it in one day.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Chloe Neill--House Rules (Chicagoland Vampires #7)

Paranormal Romance

In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps.

At the tender age of 27, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal —tested like never before.

It started with two . . . Two rogues vanishing without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their house in peril, Merit and her Master, the centuries old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined.


{5 stars}
Another hit for our Sentinel Merit!

Cadogan House is starting a new era. One free from the GP and it's unrelenting rules. But adding to the drama of Merit's life, there is someone murdering vampires. With everything imploding around their ears, Merit and Ethan hit another rough patch. Can't Merit ever catch a break? And as always the truth always comes back to Merit's first enemy. Fast paced as always, this book does not disappoint.

Chicagoland Vampires has become one of my "go to" series that I just really enjoy. The characters are well written, compassionate, and as with Ethan, totally hot. What more could a girl want? Definitely a top 10 series for me. If you haven't given this one a try, start at the beginning and fall in love with Ethan and Merit. Full of humor, mystery, great Chicago food, and even greater friends who surround them.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Joanna Wylde--Reaper's Property (Reapers MC #1)

Adult Contemporary Romance 18+

Marie doesn’t need a complication like Horse. The massive, tattooed, badass biker who shows up at her brother’s house one afternoon doesn’t agree. He wants Marie on his bike and in his bed. Now.

But Marie just left her abusive jerk of an ex-husband and she’s not looking for a new man. Especially one like Horse—she doesn’t know his real name or where he lives, she’s ninety percent certain he’s a criminal and that the “business” he talks with her brother isn’t website design. She needs him out of her life, which would be a snap if he’d just stop giving her mind-blowing orgasms.

Horse is part of the Reapers Motorcycle Club, and when he wants something, he takes it. What he wants is Marie, but she’s not interested in becoming “property of”.

Then her brother steals from the club. Marie can save him by giving Horse what he wants—at home, in public, on his bike… If she’s a very, very good girl, she’ll get lots more of those orgasms only he can offer, and he’ll let her brother live.
Maybe.


{5 stars}
I kept looking at this book trying to decide if it was something worth reading. When another GR reader said "If you love Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley, you'll love this". And she was right! I absolutely loved it. It has a little more of an edge than Motorcycle Man, but the passion and romance (yes romance in the biker world) is all there. You have to look beyond the surface to see what's truly at the heart of Horse, but when you do, his hot alpha bad ass bikerness sweeps you away. The biker world of Reaper MC is complicated and very dangerous. And is not what Maire expected. They are dangerous, crude, and often times sexist pigs. But they are also a family, loyal to the very end. Lots of action, lots of drama, lots of verbal sparring between Horse and Marie. And LOTS of hot passion. Loved it! Can't wait to see what's next.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

M. Leighton--Down to You (The Bad Boys #1)

Contemporary Romance

The scorching tale of one girl, two brothers and a love triangle…that’s not. Olivia Townsend is nothing special. She’s just a girl working her way through college so she can return home to help her father run his business. She’s determined not to be the second woman in his life to abandon him, even if it means putting her own life on hold. To Olivia, it’s clear what she must do. Plain and simple. Black and white. But clear becomes complicated when she meets Cash and Nash Davenport. They’re brothers. Twins.

Cash is everything she’s always wanted in a guy. He’s a dangerous, sexy bad boy who wants her in his bed at any cost. He turns her insides to mush and, with just one kiss, makes her forget why he’s no good for her. Nash is everything she’s ever needed in a guy. He’s successful, responsible and intensely passionate. But he’s taken. Very taken, by none other than Marissa, Liv’s rich, beautiful cousin. That doesn’t stop Olivia from melting every time he looks at her, though. With just one touch, he makes her forget why they can never be together.

Black and white turns to shades of gray when Olivia discovers the boys are hiding something, something that should make her run as far and as fast as she can. But it’s too late to run. Olivia’s already involved. And in love. With both of them. Both brothers make her heart tremble. Both brothers set her body on fire. She wants them both. And they want her. How will she ever choose between them.


{4 star}
I went into this story thinking it was just another love triangle romance. No surprises, nothing different, but hoping for a HOT Sunday afternoon read. Wow, was I wrong. The story starts out like any other romance, boy meets girl, wants girl, etc. etc. Then girl meets twin brother and it all repeats. But nothing is what it seems. The story moves along like most romance stories, and I enjoyed it. Cash is very HOT, and Olivia is a smart, intelligent woman who is used to getting stomped on by the bad boys she always picks. But Cash is determined to change her mind. The story follows the typical romance novel storyline for the most part. But then the twist kicks in and I'm hooked. I wasn't thinking this was going to be a story that would start a series, but I was wrong about that too. I was very pleasantly surprised and very happy how this story turns out. Looking forward to the next one.