Book Review: When Summer Comes by Brenda Novak
I received a copy of When Summer Comes by Brenda Novak in exchange for an honest review. Summary: One day, Callie Vanetta receives devastating news……
Book Review: Always On My Mind by Bella Andre
I received a copy of Always On My Mind by Bella Andre in exchange for an honest review.
Always On My Mind begins after a tragic loss that takes place three years prior. Grayson Tyler left his life in New York City behind afterward and started over in the rolling hills of the California coast. He’s convinced himself that all he’ll ever need again is the blue sky, a thousand acres of pasture, and the crashing waves of the ocean. Until one day, the beautiful and mysterious, Lori Sullivan (also appropriately nicknamed “Naughty”) barges into his life and promptly blows his emotionless and solitary world to shreds. But will Lori be able to convince him that it’s safe to love her…and that forever isn’t actually out of reach?
I have been a big fan of Bella Andre for quite some time and Always On My Mind does not disappoint. As always, I thought that Bella did a fantastic job at creating such real emotions for her characters and my heart ached for Grayson after his loss but I absolutely loved the way that he and Lori met … and I must admit that I loved the way that she really shook up his world. That’s what they say about real love right? That it comes in and crashes down hard? Well, this is no exception and as skillful as ever, Bella Andre does an amazing job at crafting such chemistry and love between these two main characters. This one is definitely a must read.
Rating: 5 stars
Future Tour: Meltdown by Tara Thompson
Tara will be on tour June 24-July 15 with her novel Meltdown NYSSA, internationally renown supermodel, is accustomed to turning heads. As a young girl,…
Book Review: Temping is Hell by Cathy Yardley
I received a copy of Temping is Hell by Cathy Yardley in exchange for an honest review. Kate O’Hara, who bounces from temp job to temp job, finally lands the ultimate of all temping assignments – hell. Well, maybe not really, but it sure feels that way to her. She hates the corporate world, and to her dismay she finds herself smack in the middle of it. Her boss, Maggie, is seemingly a psychopath and Kate’s found herself on her bad side, the clerks she works with are ex-convicts that are okay with being abused and starved, and her big boss – billionaire Thomas Kestrel – is…sexy. And arrogant. But still sexy.
But puzzle pieces come together once Kate is forced to sell her soul and she discovers Thomas’s true intent – to kill thirteen guys – DEMONS! – in one year in order to get his soul back. And now Kate’s as well. Kate’s eyes get open to a whole new world, and she is shocked to learn best friend Prue is somehow a part of it as well. Can Kate get her soul back – and keep her life – while at this job?
Loved it! This book was so fun to read and I had a lot of trouble putting it down. Kate is an awesome MC – independent, someone who will also stick up for others, and yes, a bit lost. She jumps from temp job to temp job and has found herself living with her parents, but she has a good heart and tries to do things the right way. I’m a fan of books with a bit of a magical twist, and with the addition of demons and soul-selling, I was a happy reader. I was also pleased to learn this is part of a series – and there were a few questions left at the end, so I’m excited to pick up the next book!
4.5 stars
Future Tour: Crime and Passion by Chantel Rhondeau
A decorated police officer, more intent on justice than following the letter of the law, lands in trouble when a schoolteacher finds a dead body on the beach.
Officer Donovan Andrews knows how to have a good time—ask any woman in town. But when it comes to men abusing their wives or children, Donovan takes it upon himself to make them regret it.
Madeline Scott is unlucky in love. All she wants is a quiet place to heal, away from cheating, womanizing men. However, her life is far from peaceful once she stumbles across the body and witnesses someone fleeing the scene.
Terror spreads in Pleasant View when the small community hears a killer is on the loose. All evidence points to Donovan, and he realizes someone is trying to frame him. When troubling suspicions from his past surface, even fellow officers believe he’s guilty. Madeline might be the only person who can clear his name, but first he has to win her trust.
The body count rises and no one is safe. The murderer makes it clear Madeline is next. Soon, Donovan’s whole world is focused on protecting her and keeping himself out of prison. The more time he spends with her, the harder it is to fight his growing attraction. Since she’s been burned by love, convincing Madeline he’s interested in something more than hot sex may prove harder than keeping her alive.
Book Review: Inferno by Kate Austin
InfernoI received a copy of INFERNO by Kate Austin in exchange for an honest review.
This book begins with Dante (our main character) who is living successfully abroad in Europe and then one day, he receives a phone call home from his mother who is calling in backup to save the family restaurant. Dante returns home and gives it a go. He expected the hard work and dedication but he didn’t expect to hit it off so well with Elise, the florist that his dear sweet mom hired to help out as well. Elise struggles with the attraction too. For once she is doing exactly what she wants to do, but then Dante walks in and really shakes things up. The two of them fight hard to resist the attraction but will they succumb to it finally after all? Or will they be able to resist indefinitely?
This book was sweet and saucy all rolled into one. I really enjoyed Kate’s writing and thought that she did an excellent job setting the story up. At first, you think that things are going to be a little slow and predictable, but once Dante meets Elise, you know that you couldn’t be more wrong. I loved the instant attraction between the two and I think that Kate does a fabulous job at creating realistic situations and adding in a little flair and spice to really amp things up. I was rooting for Elise and Dante since they met and secretly hoped that they would figure a way to work things out and yet do what they want to do. And, without any spoilers, I think the author does an amazing job at satisfying the readers as well as keeping true to her story. Overall, this book is a really good read and a lot of fun.
Rating: 4 stars
Book Review: The Best of Us by Sarah Pekkanen
I received a copy of The Best of Us by Sarah Pekkanen in exchange for an honest review. Let’s be serious – how can you not love Pekkanen’s books? I was so excited to start reading her latest offering, and the synopsis had me practically panting. What a juicy, juicy little read! An all-expenses trip to Jamaica is the setting and we meet four women, all struggling with something in their own way. Pauline is the hostess, wife of Dwight, who surprises him by planning a trip to Jamaica to celebrate his birthday with some old college friends. Pauline loves her husband – and yes, his money – but she hasn’t filled him in on the biggest secret she’s keeping – the true story behind her disabled sister. Tina isn’t sure about accepting the invite when she receives it – she has four young children to mother and isn’t sure being away for so long is a good idea. Allie convinces her she needs the time off, but she is struggling herself with the news that a genetic condition runs in her biological family. And Savannah accepts the trip to try to help heal the wounds of her husband’s infidelity. The women and their husbands (minus Savannah’s) head to Jamaica to spend the week basking in luxury – until secrets are revealed and betrayals are made.
It just seems fitting that a hurricane also touches down while this group is on holiday, because all the swirling turmoil in that house just calls for it! Whew, what a bunch of fab little stories woven into one. I was hooked from the beginning, and highly enjoyed reading about each and every character. I did not expect some to act like they did. I was surprised at times, delighted at others, horrified even during a few moments, but my interest was always up. This story made me think a lot about marriages, friendships, love, even motherhood. A definite must-read!
5 stars
Book Review: Strawberry Wine by Lee Adams
I received a copy of Strawberry Wine by Lee Adams in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
Ten years have passed since Tanya Smith’s last summer at Laurel Lake-the summer of Marie. Today Tanya is a confident, successful music promoter-a far cry from the naïve seventeen-year-old who showed up at the lake full of rosy notions of first love, lifelong friendships, and evenings spent sipping strawberry wine on the shore. That September changed everything, and as far as Tanya is concerned, there’s no going back. That is, until a mysterious phone call from Marie’s lawyer brings Tanya face to face with the past. Suddenly she finds herself returning to Laurel Lake and to everything she left behind there. Will the dark secret that haunts the lake break her heart all over again? Or will Marie’s legacy be the key that unlocks the future Tanya gave up on ten long years ago?
Review:
This book started off very slow for me, and unfortunately, once a book starts slow I always seem to struggle with it. I liked the premise for the story and once I got over the hump in the beginning I enjoyed reading it a lot more, but then I think I was too far removed from the story to really get involved. With the beginning, we just learn so much so fast about so many different characters, and it left my head spinning a bit. I had fun learning about the lake and the friendships Tanya had with the other summer kids. Marie’s story was really hard to read about, and I think the thing I liked most about the book is that nothing seems to be sugar-coated. Some of the characters go through incredibly difficult situations, and it made the story feel very real-life, which I like. I wish I could have gotten into the plot just a bit sooner so my attention could have been held throughout, but I still enjoyed the story and wanted to see how the ending turned out for everyone.
3 stars
Book Review: The Boy Next Door by Annabelle Costa
I received a copy of The Boy Next Door by Annabelle Costa in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
Through middle school, high school, bad dates, and an ill-advised punk phase, Tasha has always been able to count on Jason. Since the day he moved in next door, he’s gone from the weird kid in a wheelchair to Tasha’s most trusted friend. But lives change and the friends are going in different directions. When Jason and Tasha rekindle their friendship, sparks fly. After years of being a wild soul, now the ex-lead of a band turned music teacher is just looking for a relationship to last.
When none other than Jason introduces her to a man who can give her what she wants, Tasha is on the verge of throwing passion and love away just so she can forget her troubled past and settle down. But Jason isn’t ready to give her up just yet.
Review:
I had so much fun reading The Boy Next Door and thought that Annabelle did such a fantastic job crafting such fun characters that are honest, flawed and easy to relate to . I loved the romance and thought it was very light and sweet. I also really, really liked the flashback scenes and thought that Annabelle did such a great job at going back and forth between time, which isn’t easily done and many authors struggle with. Overall, this book is really good and full of details. I was very impressed with this book and will definitely check out this author in the future.
Rating: 4 stars
