Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Protection by T. Baggins (S.A. Reid)

Absolutely stunning. It's more than I couldn't find the words to write when I finished this one, it was the fact my throat was simply closed to making sounds. I could just breath in and out while my tears were drying on my face. 

Before I begin talking about the book itself, I just want to note there's a short chapter called "Coda" at the end of the book that could be seen as an Epilogue. It's a free bonus by the author. HIGHLY emotional but SO worth the closure! 

Monday, December 29, 2014

Risky Maneuvers by Aleksandr Voinov & Barbara Sheridan

This is quite different from my usual "thing". Why you ask? well, there were ALIENS! I swear! hehe I'm not usually into science fiction but this one was a really fun read and even though it was pretty short for me it was somehow enough as a full story leaving me with a happy smile.

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Swim Recruit by Jennifer Lane

I had this really short novella on my list for a long time. I wasn't sure about reading it since I'm not really into Young Adult. I have my problems with the immature behavior of teenagers.. I just don't have the patience for it. Here I had other problems actually.. mostly that half of the story was "swim talk" I didn't understand AT ALL. While I enjoy swimming I don't know anything about swimming as a sport so all the things mentioned here were just words and words that might helped Abby, a recruit for a swimming team, make her small talk and get to know people around her, but for me it meant nothing..

Coming In From The Cold (Gravity #1) [Willow Reade & Dane "Danger" Hollister] by Sarina Bowen

Beautiful, sensitive, heart clenching and yet heart warming. Quite short yet giving us a feel of a full novel. Really enjoyed both main characters - Willow and Dane. They both had a tragic life, both not knowing how to get their happily ever after even if in the separate sense and not while looking for a significant other. 

Willow is stuck running a farm that she bought with a boyfriend that soon left her with debts making it impossible for her to pursue her real interest in life - finish her training as a Psychologist. On a stormy ride home to her chickens she crushes not into but close enough to Dane, an Alpine Ski Champion on his way to visit his dying brother. Stuck in his jeep until the storm is over they make a real connection. But Dane won't allow it to become more than a one time encounter as he knows that soon he would deal with the same illness his brother has and die slowly and horribly. I"m not going to write which disease it is, I took an educated guess since I've learnt of it in my BA. 

Saturday, December 27, 2014

The Hook Up (Game On #1) by Kristen Callihan

I really wanted, and actually expected, to fall in love with this book but sadly I was mostly annoyed and finally put it down at 10%. It's not usually my style, I usually give a book at least 20-30% before I declare I'm thoroughly finished but here, both MC behavior and inner dialogue just put me off. 

Friday, December 26, 2014

Letting Go (Thatch #1) by Molly McAdams

This book is VERY hard for me to review, first because my opinion changed throughout the book and second because some things I want to "complain" about would be quite the spoiler.. 

It started as a solid 5 star read. 3 days before Ben and Grey's wedding at the age of 20 after being together from the age of 13, Ben dies of a heart attack leaving Grey broken hearted, totally shattered and not knowing how to continue her life.  Her only constant is Jagger, her childhood best friend as well as Ben's best friend. Even before Ben's death Jagger is always there for her, taking care of her, demanding nothing, and after Ben's death - the only one willing to talk about Ben with her, encouraging her to keep on going and calling her strong and capable when everyone says she looks terrible and isn't improving. He sees the little changes, he's there and he is determined to help her get better. 

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

The Darkest Touch (Lords of the Underworld #11) [Torin & Keeley] by Gena Showalter

I wanted to enjoy this one as much as I did the other books in the series. But after struggling like crazy through the first 9% of the book I decided to let it go. I might return to it when the next installment is out, but I'm not sure if I will (continue the series). 

The Darkest Facts (Lords of the Underworld Companion) by Gena Showalter

This is an awesome idea. Really happy I got my hand on it. You know how it is with these kind of Paranormal Series, after a while you kinda forgot what was "that guy's" problem, or who was his love interest, or maybe what was his special ability / curse etc. After ten (and more) books it meshes in together, especially as most of us read more that one Paranormal series and all the characters get mixed up in our head... So having this guild helps put order in our head especially when there's a new book out and you want to remind yourself of some details before or during a read (that was probably a year away from the previous one).


Personal Shopper by Tere Michaels

I'll start by saying I don't like the cover, not sure really why but I SHOULD say it has something to do with the fact that I've already read a short novella (an okay one) with this cover.. Then I discovered another one! (all 3 by MLR Press). I don't get why use the same cover several times.. After I got THAT out of my system - since I just finished the Faith, Love & Devotion series and LOVED it -it was obvious I would try more of Tere's books - this was my first try.

I had a REAL struggle with this one. I started reading it, fell asleep TWICE before I decided to put it down at 36%. Then I moved on to the next novella I had on my list and finished it (a bit disappointed) I went to sleep only to wake up at about 3 am feeling bad I didn't give it enough of a chance. I felt Tere deserved I finished before I pass my judgement and since I couldn't fall back asleep I gave it my full attention and finished it. 

New Beginnings by Kyle Adams

The idea of this short novella was nice, but I think somehow it was too sugary and sappy. I don't know.. I waited for something.. I'm not sure what, something MORE. But it stayed the same... and well, from a certain point VERY predictable so yeah, it was kind of a struggle to finish and quite disappointing with the predictability. 

Monday, December 22, 2014

Cherish (Faith, Love, & Devotion #4) [Evan & Matt] by Tere Michaels

I must say I'm not really sure what I thought about this one. I mean, I liked it, but I didn't love it. I really enjoyed getting another fix of Evan and mostly Matt who is SUCH a sweetheart. Evan as usual struggling with everything while Matt is "simply there" half the time and the other half he is fixing right about everything. 

Duty & Devotion (Faith, Love, & Devotion #3) [Evan & Matt] by Tere Michaels

Another beautiful installment of Evan and Matt. While the first installment finished with a very positive note there were things that still needed to be addressed and worked on. I guess with most novels I'd be content to be left with a positive note and not an absolute closed ending. Also I usually don't appreciate reading of a formed couple which is why in a way I was a bit worried about getting the (almost) final HEA for Matt and Evan. I'm so happy that I was proved wrong and enjoyed the HELL out of this one. 

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Love & Loyalty (Faith, Love, & Devotion #2) [Jim & Griffin] by Tere Michaels

Absolutely beautiful!!! I knew I will enjoy Jim - Homicide Detective James Shea - when we met him on the previous installment but it didn't really prepare me to utterly fall in love with him and with screenwriter Griffin Drake. Utterly beautiful and sensitive love story. Truly a joy to read!

I had about two days "off" from my readings as I was preparing for a dog show on the weekend. When I returned from the show exhausted beyond words (as were the dogs) the only reasonable thing to do was cuddle together in bed and read. This is how I sat to read this one from start to finish.

We start this book with a trial Jim is attending of a murder case he investigated. To say the least on the day of the trial things end badly and not only because of what happened that day, Jim established a friendship with Ed Kelly - the father of the girl who was murdered. Ever since the trial people have been trying to buy "the story" to produce a movie, write a book, but Ed isn't interested. Not until the famous actress (and much loved by his deceased daughter Carmen) Daisy Mae and her childhood friend and screen writer Griffin Drake makes their offer. Daisy "buys" Ed with her beauty and charm and Griffin makes an honest appeal to Ed's heart which convinces Ed to go for it! his only real condition is Jim reading the script as well, as well as giving his approval (mostly for the way the police is brought in) but that's not the only reason.. there is something Ed isn't willing to share with Daisy and Griffin. It's his and Jim's secret.

The romance start with Griffin having a writer's block deciding to "hop" on a plane to Seattle and have a light meeting with Jim just to try and kick start his script which by now has only a title with no lines.. The dinner "date" goes out of hand as their attraction for one another brings them back into Jim's apartment. But what's going on there is no anonymous sex, it's also not the kind of deal Jim or Griffin are used to, there is more there under the surface which they don't want to address.

Since Griffin didn't buy a return flight he stays the night. One night turns to a few nights and suddenly they are in a relationship without even realizing they are in one. Daisy find's it amusing, Jim's friends are ecstatic! But both Griffin and Jim are confused. They want each other's company but they are not sure about a relationship, at the moment, in general..  You might also remember Jim has a "crush" on the guy who used to be his roommate, leaving him confused as to what he actually wants. Yet when Griffin finds out Ed's "little secret" their relationship becomes a real one as he stands by Jim's side as he feels he should.

There is more drama going on with the script as well as Daisy and Griffin's relationship. As there are things that Jim hadn't told Griffin, what Griffin is hiding from Jim is pretty big and might change the way he sees Griffin, honestly he is scared to even admit his immediate problems.. and what I loved the most was the part where Griffin FINALLY tells Jim his huge problem (it escalated as time went by). Any other author would have made SUCH a big deal and a huge fight over misunderstanding, trust issues etc. Yet as the truths are revealed they both stay level headed and committed, to their promises as well as for one another.

I loved the way this one ended as well, such a beautiful and happy note. Can't wait to get my hands on the next one, getting back to Evan and Matt.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, as was the previous one. You don't need to read the previous one to understand this one as Matt appears for maybe a page.. You can totally read it as a stand alone


Additional Details: Format Kindle Ebook, 253 pages, 20 December 2014 / On GoodReads
 
 
ABOUT THIS SERIES
 
Faith, Love, & Devotion is a MM Romance series by Tere Michaels
Most of the series centers around the romance between New York City Vice Detective Evan Cerelli and former Homicide Detective Matt Haight. The second novel in the series centers around another couple - Jim (Homicide Detective James Shea) & Griffin Drake (A screenwriter) - after their novel the series continues with two more books of Evan and Matt (concluding the series after these) including a meetup with Jim & Griffin in the 3rd novel. 

This series is absolutely AMAZING. The romance between Evan and Matt was beautiful and sensitive especially because they were both in a very difficult state when they met and also because they were both "straight" and never considered they might be attracted to men. So the romance between them had a "confused feel" to it on both sides, trying to deal with life, label and stereotypes as well as the "simple romance". I loved that even though it was very heart clutching at times and very emotional I didn't feel it was stretched just for the sake of having an argument, it all felt very genuine and real. The struggles feeling very understandable. With Jim and Griffin it was different, and not only because they are both openly gay. They had a different relationship but also a very sweet one, the love building in a very easy going way. 

The 5th installment was published as a bundle with the 4th one. Better buy the bundle now since the 5th installment isn't available as a standalone (both together are about a novel's length). These two installments aren't very necessary to the general plot but I guess you mostly need to read them to understand Where Jim and Griffin are in their relationship as well as what's up with Miranda (Evan's oldest daughter). 

The 5th and 6th installment are different in the sense we get both couples together. It's a bit crowded yet having them both together is like getting a cookie and a piece of cake together :) The HEA was beautifully made in the 6th installment. 

Then we got the very last one. If you wanted a HEA a true one, I believe we've totally got it in the very last installment. It's not the usual book with a coherent story line, it's a collection of stories, of our three couples (though it's mostly Evan and Matt), the kids, growing up, getting older, getting married, having kids. Life. Family. Love. All entwined together. 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Books

1. Faith & Fidelity [Evan & Matt] (Published 23 September 2008) ★★★★★
2. Love & Loyalty [Jim & Griffin] (Published 8 September 2009) ★★★★★
3. Duty & Devotion [Evan & Matt] (Published 23 March 2010) ★★★★★
4. Cherish [Evan & Matt] (Published 20 November 2012) ★★★★
5. Cherish & Blessed [Evan & Matt/Jim & Griffin] (Published 13 February 2015) ★★★★
6. Truth & Tenderness [Evan & Matt/Jim & Griffin(Published 1 May 2015) ★★★★ 
7. Forever & Ever: A Collection of Stories [EVERYONE!] (Published 25 December 2018) ★★★★★
 
 

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Faith & Fidelity (Faith, Love, & Devotion #1) [Evan & Matt] by Tere Michaels

This one was a total emotional ride, the kind I REALLY enjoy. Both main characters felt very genuine to me, I could really understand their struggles and difficulties. This is a BEAUTIFUL love story between two men that prior to finding each other never considered they might be gay / bi. Though I think it's a bit odd, I don't hold it against them or the author I think it sort of makes sense thinking about the characters and who they are. 

Monday, December 15, 2014

The Boyfriend Mandate (The Boyfriend Chronicles #2) [Tyler & Memphis] by River Jaymes

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL! I remember when I started reading the previous one, I didn't like Tyler, well, no wonder! He dumps Alec "without a second thought". Yet as the story continue and we learn more about Tyler his reasons turn out to be different from what you'd expect and from that point I REALLY wanted to hear his story and see how he find his HEA. 

Nearing the ending of the previous one, Alec Ty and Noah talk about a fund raiser for Alec and Ty's clinic, I can't remember WHY Memphis who is a famous stuntman got elected as the best possibility for the commercial they have in mind (Noah had something to do with it FOR SURE). Tyler sounds very reluctant to go and speak with him though we don't really know why.. 

Saturday, December 13, 2014

The Best Man: A Second Service Novella [Holly & Michael] by Adrienne Bell

This is the final novella in the Second Service Series. I must say, I found this one totally by mistake as I was looking for something else by Adrienne on Amazon's website. I was surprised I didn't find it on GoodRead (and actually added it myself). I read the Second Service Series a while ago and really enjoyed it so I was happy to get the final one out and hoping it would be as good as they were (As I was a bit disappointed with the two short novellas Adrienne published).

Friday, December 12, 2014

One Lucky Night (A Snow Creek Christmas Novella) by Adrienne Bell

I've recently read the "Second Service" series by Adrienne and really enjoyed it, thought I'd give her first short novella (originally published on "Love on Main Street" Anthology) as well as a new novella - both published under this title. 

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Brad's Bachelor Party by River Jaymes

I'm freaking IN LOVE. That coming from me sounds a bit off, even to my ears, and I'm not sure what it even means except I HAVE to read everything River Jaymes writes. EVERYTHING and also the minute it's out, well, 10 minutes after I arrive from work the day it's out and to think this was River's debut novel, ach, it blows my mind.

So yeah, it's kinda obvious I LOVED this one, right? and it doesn't even make sense as right from the start I knew we will deal with things that I absolutely dislike - (a)  celebrating a bachelor party in a stripper bar and (b) infidelity as this one is taking place a few days before Brad marrying Jenny, and since this one IS a MM Romance it's quite obvious this relationship won't be continuing for long..

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Evernight (Darkest London #5) [Holly Everlight & William Thorne] by Kristen Callihan

I'm quite reluctant to write this review.. while this one started and continued on being a total and absolute JOY to read, near the ending I just felt lost, annoyed, tricked and mostly pissed off at the tricks of the Fae. The ending even made me reluctant to read the next one.. I guess it's better then that it will be published in about two months so I'll have my time to cool down and try and forgive Kristen for ruining this one for me. 

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Shadowdance (Darkest London #4) [Mary Chase & Jack Talent] by Kristen Callihan

Another amazing installment in the Darkest London series! Absolutely LOVED this one, adored Mary Chase was totally in love with Jack Talent. Both of them are much more than they seem, well, mostly Jack - there is SO MUCH we don't know about him, maybe guessed, maybe guessed wrong :P (yeah, I'm talking about myself here..). My only complaint about this one is it took a bit too long for us to really get to the part were the truths of Jack's past and why he acts the way he does with Mary. 

Friday, December 5, 2014

Entwined (Darkest London #3.5) [Luella Jane & Eamon Evernight] by Kristen Callihan

What a sweet sweet innocent story! I was totally wrong about the MC, I thought it would be of the "grand revolation" in the previous book but actually it's exactly who it proclaims to be - Eamon Everlight - whom we heard of in the previous installment as a special crafter and soon after we met his grand daughter - Holly - a weapon engineer for SOS (also the MC in the fifth installment).

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Winterblaze (Darkest London #3) [Poppy Ellis Lane & Winston Lane] by Kristen Callihan

Another GREAT installment in the Darkest London series. I have no problem admitting that the first thing that drew me to this book, and surly to this series was the cover of this one! Yet after actually reading it (and the two and a half previous installment) I'm utterly HOOKED. Though Historical Romance isn't exactly my "style" I can't wait to continue exploring London and it's unnatural and not so unnatural inhabitants. 

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Moonglow (Darkest London, #2) [Daisy Ellis Craigmore & Ian Ranulf] by Kristen Callihan

OMG. This book was IMPOSSIBLE to put down. I started one day Saturday evening, quite late, so I just managed 20%, then on Sunday I was reading non-stop until on 12:30 am I resigned myself to go to sleep but I just couldn't fall asleep! So I told myself, yeah, a little bit more and that's it. So I read for about an hour then went back to sleep but AGAIN, I just couldn't! So I just finished off the book and THEN fell asleep peacefully :)

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Ember (Darkest London 0.5) [Miranda Ellis & Benjamin Archer] by Kristen Callihan

Saturday morning, waking up lazily and reading before I get out of bed. Usually it's so lazy I fall back to sleep after a while then wake up fully and leave the comfort of my bed. Today I just kept turning and turning the pages (more pressing the Kindle screen though..) even though I know how this one will end since it's the prequel to Firelight I just finished. It CAN'T have a really happy ending as I know the state of both characters in the beginning of Firelight. They both want a happy ending, or rather a sort of adventure yet they are still each in his / her own mind and basically alone even while having people around them.

Friday, November 28, 2014

Firelight (Darkest London #1) [Miranda Ellis & Benjamin Archer] by Kristen Callihan

Such a BEAUTIFUL story! I loved every second of it! and I SHOULD say that I'm not usually into Historical Romance. But after reading Tami's review I KNEW I have to give this one a go, and as I saw that she was keeping on reading the next ones and enjoying it so much I decided to put in on my immediate list. "Lucky me" I had so many disappointments and DNF this month I had a little "free time" book wise. 

First off, this is no "regular" Historical Romance it's a Paranormal Historical Romance which is GREAT. I loved that idea. There are so many futuristic Paranormals or current Paranormals but I haven't seen any books that are of the Historical kind. I might just don't know about them for lack of real interest in this genre... (which I should probable remedy) But anyhow that's not the only thing I absolutely loved about this book - It was also a new tale of "Beauty and the Beast". I'm not sure if the other ones in the series have the same concept of "fairy tale" reinvented but if so - it's simply awesome! (I should say that the next one TOTALLY feels like a reinvented fairy tale, you'll get the hints in this one)

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Four Years Later (One Week Girlfriend #4) [Owen & Chelsea] by Monica Murphy

I'm 23% into this book and I'm just bored.. I don't feel any pull from either MC. Chelsea is a total bore, and Owen's problems are also not that interesting (mainly his mother that pushes him into ditching his commitments..). So sadly, I'm putting this one aside and in general I'll be VERY picky about trying new books by Monica.

Beyond Possession (Beyond #5.5) [Zan & Tatiana Stone] by Kit Rocha

This was good! really enjoyed it! I think I liked it even better for not being so much about the sex or maybe for not having so many sex scenes and actually being about the heroine and what she wants in / from life. 

Tatiana Stone had a good life growing up, well, others might think that as she was the daughter of the previous ruler of Section 4 before Dallas put him down. He was a ruthless tyrant and taking him out has been a good thing for the sector but not so good for her and her little sister. While she has nothing against the O'Kane's she is scared of lifting her head too high. Especially now that her sister is in a relationship with someone who opposes Dallas. It's even more complicated as she KNOWS that the guy who opposes the O'Kanes isn't really into her sister he just uses the "image" of the daughter of the previous ruler. She is scared shitless of what's going to happen but she isn't willing to bind herself to the O'Kanes and be a kept woman or side with a person she hates and endangers her sister. 

Sunday, November 23, 2014

If You Leave (Beautifully Broken #2) [Maddy & Gabe] by Courtney Cole

I was actually having a good feeling about this book as I started reading it. After the first installment "If You Stay", I thought that maybe my experience with "The Minaldi Legacy" by Courtney was some kind of a bad fluck. Yet almost right from the beginning there were a few problems that annoyed me. 

First how Maddy was described. If you go back to the first book, Maddy was the one going out a lot, going with guys home and she kept telling Mila to go out, do things, meet guys etc. Yet here, she is described just like Mila in the first book with Mila telling her she should date. Now Maddy is the one that people say she is too serious and isn't "herself" from before her parents death. Why change a character I ask? For someone like me who just finished the first book it's REALLY obvious. Second thing is the fact that Maddy "shielded" her sister from their parents' fights. I WOULD get that if we weren't talking about grown women. When Maddy was abroad and Mila stayed living at home while being in college she MUST have seen things that even if she didn't notice that much as a child are OBVIOUS to a grown woman. Yes, I agree that two people can react differently to certain situations, and it's a possibility that Maddy would be more affected by her father's violence than Mila. But saying that Mila wasn't THAT aware of it? Why? It doesn't make any sense.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

If You Stay (Beautifully Broken #1) [Pax & Mila] by Courtney Cole

I must admit I was a bit reluctant to read this series. After reading The Minaldi Legacy and being REALLY annoyed with it, I had my doubts about trying anything else by Courtney. I've heard that The Minaldi Legacy was her first Contemporary (she usually writes New Adult) but that wasn't a good enough excuse for the plot problems there. So with many doubts I opened the book and started reading anddd loved it! 

The story was beautiful, heart breaking and the twist that was revealed near the end was truly shocking and left me with a bleeding heart. 

Monday, November 17, 2014

My Haunted Blender's Gay Love Affair, and Other Twisted Tales by Abigail Roux, Andrea Speed & Anne Tenino

Anthologies are a certain bet I guess especially if you don't know the authors of most of the authors but here I felt like this is a bet I'm REALLY ready to make - two great authors - Abigail Roux of Cut & Run which was the first MM Romance series I've ever read and Anne Tenino which I just recently read two books by her (in the Romancelandia series) the other author - Andrea Speed - I didn't know. For me she was the bet I guess and yet her story was the best of the three IMO. 

I didn't bother read the synopsis of the Anthology , figured, they are short anyway.. so I totally missed the fact that this one is a Paranormal MM Romance. Was trying REAL hard to think of how to explain the weird things that were happening in the first one I picked hehe. It was a nice Anthology but not very engaging, the three stories were quite slow going. 

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Drew + Fable Forever (One Week Girlfriend #3.5) [Drew & Fable] by Monica Murphy

After the previous two books that in my eyes were kind of disappointing I didn't know what to expect but since it's a short novella and we return to Fable and Drew I decided to give it a go. 

The first four chapters (which I should say are a THIRD of this short novella) were boring as hell, soooo sappy I almost died of sugar overdose. It was all about them getting married. I kept waiting for SOMETHING to happen or intrigue me but it was like a summary of the relationship from both their views (NOT necessary) then sappiness galore of how they love each other SOOOO much and want to have sex all the god damn time. Everything was so pink and totally overdone. 

Monday, November 10, 2014

Three Broken Promises (One Week Girlfriend #3) [Jen & Colin] by Monica Murphy

Sadly, this one is a DNF at 40%. I just couldn't be bothered to keep on reading. Both MC made no sense to me, I was reading each one of their POVs and keep saying to myself "what? why? really? no.. no.." 

We met both Colin and Jen in the second installment of the series. Colin, Fable's boss was REALLY strange in the previous book, I didn't understand him AT ALL. I kept thinking he was somehow a creeper especially when we learnt he was housing Jen - a fellow waitress that works for Colin as well. But then we learn that they share a past together and here comes their story of HEA. Well, I guess they get it, where I finished reading they were being secretly stupid in love with one another but mostly just being stupid with each other or in general behaving stupidly. 

Second Chance Boyfriend (One Week Girlfriend Quartet #2) [Drew & Fable] by Monica Murphy

This one started as a great read, but somewhere around the middle I got a bit tired of both main characters so I'm not sure how to rate this one. I guess somewhere between 3.5 to 4 stars. 

Though the previous one ended with a note of hope - Drew leaving Fable yet leaving behind a note that says he loves her and wants to be with her, when Fable tries to reach out for him he doesn't respond. The plot line continues two months later with Fable getting a new job offer (which was kinda strange. Colin [her new boss] in general was really strange), it's a a waitressing job yet it's a better place with better payment and tips. Drew have been lost for the past two months yet he still somehow started working on himself, started going to therapy (I was really proud of him!) and trying to be more social but mostly trying to gather his courage to talk to Fable and bring her back to him. 

Saturday, November 8, 2014

One Week Girlfriend (One Week Girlfriend Quartet #1) [Drew & Fable] by Monica Murphy

What a ride!!! I LOVED this book. I guess I'm a sucker for those angsty New Adult stories where we have a crushed hero (I call it the "Z syndrome" ;)) and an amazing woman who is willing to stand by his side and help him deal with his demons and naturally there's a love story which is much more satisfying with all those small and big demons dancing around. 

When We Met by A.L. Jackson, Molly McAdams, Tiffany King, Christina Lee

I've been waiting for this one FOREVER, ever since I glimpsed the cover and saw Christina Lee's name on it. I LOVE her New Adult series "Between Breaths" so when I saw she is participating in this anthology (even though I didn't know the other authors) I KNEW I'm going to grab it the second it's out.

Misha, Indy, Courtney and Chloe are four roommates in college, they are very different from one another yet they became good friends while living together. These 4 short stories tell us of them getting their HEA. Each novella is about 90 pages and while the other girls (and guys) have an appearance in each of the novellas, it's pretty much minimal so you can read this one in any order that you want and they ARE stand-alone novellas. 

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Cherish (Covet, #1.5) by Tracey Gravis-Graves

This is a short novella telling us of Daniel's "whereabouts" after the ending of Covet. It'a a BEAUTIFUL story of how he and Jess (his ex-wife) get back together. 

While the ending of Covet gave us a HEA for Claire and a glimpse of Daniel and Jess we still didn't get the whole story of what happened between them after their son died of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and naturally we didn't know what happened after he was shot in the line of duty. 

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Of Blood and Bone (The Minaldi Legacy #1) by Courtney Cole

While I didn't really know what to expect from this book what I DIDN'T expect is an absolute and total disappointment! The story itself had it's potential but it was ruined by too many things. With all the hailing reviews I can't believe that I'm giving it one star but I can't say that I found this book interesting, maybe the prelude was, but the story itself and mostly the way it was written felt cold and detached to me so I couldn't feel anything during the whole ride. The mystery could have been good (even if it WAS a bit predictable) but the writing and mostly Eva the main character was just unrealistic and not even true to character. 

Friday, October 31, 2014

The Trouble With Temptation (Second Service #3) [Ty & Morgan] by Adrienne Bell

Another action pact yet sweet and romantic novella in the Second Service series which I think ends after this one (In Adrienne's website it's considered a trilogy so...). I loved both Ty and Morgan. Ty was more easy going and fun than both Alex and John (the MC in the previous installments) and Morgan was an interesting character with different kind of hobbies but mostly a strong woman who can take care of herself if she didn't tend to find more trouble that ANYONE can handle :D 

The Agent Next Door (Second Service #2) [John & Erin] by Adrienne Bell

Another sweet and action filled novella in the Second Service trilogy. We met John in the first novella as Alex's friend and a part of his Seal Team. After Alex finds his Happily Ever After John realizes he kinda wants the same. Not search for his true love as find some sort of peace. The first step is buying a house in a quite neighborhood and becoming more, well, domestic :)

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

The Wedding Trap (Second Service #1) [Alex & Beth] by Adrienne Bell

Such a sweet novella! had a great time reading this one. It was short but somehow it was a well developed love story. So much was happening you could kinda forget that the whole novella (and the love story) lasted about 3 days. 

I admit I was a bit surprised when the L word was said, after all, 3 days. But you know what? with all the action and the drama I think it was kinda fitting. 

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Losing It by Audra North

Sadly this is a DNF at 36% I just didn't get invested in the story. I didn't get neither Emery nor Ryan. Emery was kind of strange. She was really emotionally detached in a way but on the other hand she was too invested in her emotions (burst out crying for no apparent reason) which didn't make any sense. Ryan's plot was uninteresting because it wasn't moving. 

Billionaire with Benefits (Romancelandia #2) [Tierney & Dalton] by Anne Tenino

I LOVED LOVED LOVED this one - to pieces! I think I enjoyed it more than the first one. But frankly I'm not sure I can be trusted with such a question.. I'll probably like the first one better if I read it second or if I re-read it. I just LOVE Anne's writing, love her characters for being FLAWED but in a loving way not obnoxious can we kill this character already kinda way. 

Finished this one tonight, meaning this morning.. early morning, late night, well, you get the point, I just COULDN'T put it down, especially so close to the ending. Even though you know that the HEA is right around the corner, and yeah, you know they already love each other, you gotta SEE it. Feel it. Read it..