 |
| Source: mancrushoftheday.tumblr (Colin Wayne) |
 |
| Source: mancrushoftheday.tumblr (Matt Chapman for DNA magazine) |
Monthly Archives: January 2014
Tattoo Tuesday!
Filed under Uncategorized
Review of “Holiday Heat” – Jaci Burton and Lauren Dane
Jaci’s novella Unraveled – Book Two in Unwrapped & Unraveled
Entrepreneur Mitch Magruder wants to buy old friend Greta Mason’s rundown motel. Greta loves the motel and intends to hang tight, despite the feelings between her and Mitch. Can a man afraid to commit and a woman bruised by the past find a love worth building a future on?
Sweet Charity by Lauren Dane.
Eight years after a horrible one night stand, Charity and Gabriel finally find themselves in bed again. Trouble is, he thinks she’s too nice a girl to accept his darker sexual urges, so he’ll only agree to a short term fling. Gabriel’s about to find out that even sweet girls have their limits.
If you’re looking for two novellas that back a punch of oodles, upon oodles of sex, then you won’t be disappointed. Lauren’s tale even features scenes involving BDSM. And if I know my followers, I’m sure this tidbit has peaked some interest to pick it up.
My only negative comment about “Sweet Charity” is….. I really didn’t like Charity begged Gabriel from the start to have sex with her. I know she was frustrated, sexually and emotionally, but throwing herself at him repeatedly. Yes, she’s loved him for years and knew they were meant together, but for some reason, it soured the story a bit for me. Not enough to put it down though. 😉
As for “Unraveled” – Mitch is sweet, sexy, loving, considerate, great father figure…. Hmm, he seems too perfect and after you read the love story between Mitch and Greta, you’ll understand why Jaci created him this way. Yup, no spoilers on Greta’s backstory. 🙂
Heart rating system:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Filed under Uncategorized
Rush by Maya Banks (Book Review)
When Gabe Hamilton saw Mia Crestwell walk into the ballroom for his hotel’s grand opening, he knew he was going to hell for what he had planned. After all, Mia is his best friend’s little sister. Except she’s not so little anymore. And Gabe has waited a long time to act on his desires.
Gabe has starred in Mia’s fantasies more than once, ever since she was a teenager with a huge crush on her brother’s best friend. So what if Gabe’s fourteen years older? Mia knows he’s way out of her league, but her attraction has only grown stronger with time. She’s an adult now, and there’s no reason not to act on her most secret desires.
As Gabe pulls her into his provocative world, she realizes there’s a lot she doesn’t know about him or how exacting his demands can be. Their relationship is intense and obsessive, but as they cross the line from secret sexual odyssey to something deeper, their affair runs the risk of being exposed—and vulnerable to a betrayal far more intimate than either expected.
Review with spoilers!
I wanted to state, before I posted this, I checked the publishing history for both stories I’m mentioning in this critique. Also, I want to apologize if my review upsets any readers or fans of her work but I must say what’s on my mind. With that said, I will make sure and list some positive aspects of the story because I am NOT a heartless bitch. I understand writing is time consuming and handwork so praise should be given as well.
“Rush” – Berkley trade paperback edition/ February 2013
“Fifty Shades of Grey” by E L James – First published by The Writer’s Coffee Shop Publishing House. Australia. 2011.
“Fifty Shades of Grey” by E L James – First published by The Writer’s Coffee Shop Publishing House. Australia. 2011.
“Rush” is the first and only book I’ve read by Maya Banks. I went into it with high hopes because the author was suggested to me based on my taste of erotic romances.
I’m sorry to say I was more than a little disappointed with it. (No offense to those who liked it.) But, it is way too similar to book one of 50 Shades of Grey.
Let me list a few of those similarities to you.
1.) A billionaire guy, Gabe, asks a woman, Mia, to read and sign a contract before they engage in a BDSM relationship. (contract not present. Mia, the lead role, only mentions what passages say.) The two people meet to negotiate sections she has issues with before she signs it. (Must state that unlike 50 Shades, the Dom role is a friend of the family. In fact, it’s her brother’s best friend and business partner.)
2.) Gabe’s persistent Mia eats.
3.) There is a scene where she overindulges in alcohol and he’s there taking care of her. She can’t hold her liquor either.
4.) He drops to his knees and asks her not to leave him – ever.
5.) There is a male villain who uses personal information about the couple to meet his own agenda. He (the nutso) doesn’t win either.
6.) A friend discovers their relationship and is pissed at first. But then accepts it because it makes her happy.
7.) Gabe discovered he couldn’t sleep without her in his bed.
That’s all I can think of right now.
Positive remarks!
1.) I did discover Maya can write one helluva erotic scenes. Sorry E L James, but you can’t hold a candle to Maya on this one.
2.) I loved how Gabe showed Mia he loved her. Electronic billboard message was a brilliant idea – totally different. The marriage proposal was very romantic. Having a billion dollars at your disposal does have its perks.
3.) Ash intrigues me enough to stick with the series and find out what his future holds. Plus, I want to know his backstory.
Heart rating system:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤
Purchase links
Filed under Uncategorized
Review of “First Love” – James Patterson and Emily Raymond
An extraordinary portrait of true love that will move anyone who has a first love story of their own.
Axi Moore is a “good girl”: She studies hard, stays out of the spotlight, and doesn’t tell anyone how all she really wants is to run away from it all. The only person she can tell is her best friend, Robinson—who she also happens to be madly in love with.
When Axi spontaneously invites Robinson to come with her on an impulsive cross-country road trip, she breaks the rules for the first time in her life. But the adventure quickly turns from carefree to out of control after the teens find themselves on the run from the police. And when Robinson suddenly collapses, Axi has to face the truth that this trip might be his last.
A remarkably moving tale very personal to James Patterson’s own past, FIRST LOVE is testament to the power of first love—and how it can change the rest of your life.
I usually don’t review teeny bopper books but, as a JP fan, I decided to spend a few lines telling you about it – the high and low parts for me.
First, I will say the first half of the book didn’t excite me. I’m sure it will appeal to the younger crowd though, despite the fact there are no vampires or whatever else the teenagers are raving over these days. (Over 30 so I’m not up on what’s hip anymore. People still say hip, right? *big smile*)
However, the second half reminded me of something you’d view on the Hallmark Channel – sweet in a sad sort of way. I’ll admit, I will probably be one of those people who would TIVO it. Gosh, I’m such a sap.
If you decide to read it, pass it on to a younger person, discuss your opinions on it and then come back to visit us. I’d love to hear the views on the book from different generations.
Heart rating system:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤
Filed under Uncategorized
Review of “Hope Flames” by Jaci Burton
When it comes to love, they already know the rules…by heart.
Thirty-two and finally setting up her veterinary practice in the town she once called home, Emma Burnett is on her own and loving it. Independent and driven, she’s not letting any man get in the way of her dreams. Not again.
That’s fine with Luke McCormack. Divorced and hardly lacking in female company when he needs it, he’s devoted to the only faithful companion in his life—his police dog. Still, there’s something about Emma he can’t shake.
When a series of local break-ins leaves Emma vulnerable, she seeks help from the first man to spark her desire in years. And now they’re giving each other something they thought they’d lost forever… hope.
Last year, I read my first book by Jaci and quickly became a fan. From what I’ve read of her works so far, I find all her stories highly engaging, characters – relatable.
Case in point, Emma and Luke both bring baggage to their budding relationship and who can say they can’t relate. His is an ex-wife and Emma is an ex-boyfriend. Of course, his ex didn’t turn out to be a delusional person who definitely could benefit from hardcore therapy or a frying pan to the head. Sorry, I watched “Tangled” recently with my youngster and the “weapon” seemed appropriate here. (watch the movie if you don’t get the reference)
My only gripe about the book was how Jaci wrapped up the Emma/Vaughn storyline. Based off their past (not divulging spoilers), I expected more “bang for my buck.”Read the story and let me know if you agree or disagree with me.
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤❤
Also, check out the novella that started the series!
In Jaci Burton’s “Hope Smolders,” struggling divorcee Jane has put her personal life on hold to raise her kids—until she runs into Will, her ex’s former best friend, who convinces her it’s time to start having fun again.
Filed under Uncategorized