Tag Archives: comedy

Cold Feet Fever by Maureen Fisher (Book Review)

 

An irresistible bad boy with commitment issues, who always takes the easy way out:

For the first time, playboy Sam Jackson has no choice but to tough it out. Turns out owning Kinki, a glitzy nightclub, isn’t as easy—or as much fun—as he’d anticipated. Someone’s trying to shut him down before he opens, he’s on the verge of bankruptcy, and his matchmaking granddaddy has hired a sexy event planner with a mysterious background, bossy disposition, and criminal ties. If Sam can’t deliver a memorable grand opening, he’ll bring his granddaddy down too, and there will be no one to blame but himself.

A determined mortician-turned-event-planner with big secrets, who will do anything escape her past:

A job as event planner for Kinki, Atlantic City’s glitzy paranormal nightclub, offers single mom, Katie Deluca, her last chance to earn enough money to flee her criminal stalker. But who knew party planning was harder than organizing funerals? Plus, the gorgeous but womanizing nightclub owner, although perfect for awakening her sensual side, couldn’t be more wrong for the stability she craves.

Forced to collaborate, they overcome obstacles and fight crime:

Sam soon realizes Katie’s the one person who can salvage Kinki—and heal his emotional wounds. Fighting their growing attraction, the couple tangles with exploding trucks, ruthless thugs, an unfortunate synchronized swimming episode, a corrupt building inspector, disappearing corpses, and the very real threat of live cremation, all to wow the vampire wannabes of Atlantic City.

 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
If you’re familiar with romance books, you’ve read countless stories featuring a playboy with a heart of gold and/or a single mom who’ll do anything to ensure her child has a bright future. You’ll also recognize a theme here, which can be found in other romantic tales: Playboy doesn’t want to fall in love because love is messy – complicated. The woman vows sex without strings is what she wants because she has no interest in falling in love either. As you might’ve guessed, they fall in love. 
 
What you might not have read before is a heroine who happens to be an ex-mortician turned event planner. Different, right? 
 
“Cold Feet Fever” also featured an energetic old man, Hiram, who’s heart was as big as his appetite. A heart who had plenty of room for the ladies. Yup, he might be labeled a “senior” but he had the libido of a man half his age. 
 
Other cast members: I could discuss Katie’s family in detail but I think the food they dined on captured my interest more than the characters themselves. I’m a sucker for Italian cuisine. Lasagna, spaghetti, ravioli….. Mm, I’m with Sam, you can absolutely NOT go wrong with carbs. 
 
Speaking of Sam, you have to appreciate a man who can turn any conversation sexual and drop innuendoes without batting an eye. Well, unless you count winking. He did that on occasion. 😉
 
Katie: Her resolve to keep things professional didn’t last very long. In fact, she made good use of all her sex research she’s absorbed throughout her celibate years. 
 
Her roleplay scenario wasn’t inventive but, really, what guy would pass up the chance to have a slutty secretary ease their “tension”. 
 
If all that doesn’t wet your whistle, how about the promise of a fire, explosion, kidnapping, gun battle, crooked politician, some crazies, and a glimpse into “The Joy of Sex”. 
 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
 Score: ❤❤❤❤
 
 
 
 
 

I write sassy romance with hot heroes, kick-ass heroines, tons of humor & an animal or two.

Transplanted from Scotland to Canada at the tender age of seven, I’m a voracious reader, volunteer for an addiction family counseling program, bridge player, yoga enthusiast, seeker of personal and spiritual growth, pickleball enthusiast, and infrequent but avid gourmet cook. My husband and I love to hike, bicycle, and travel. I’ve swum with sharks in the Galapagos, walked with Bushmen in the Serengeti, sampled lamb criadillas (don’t ask!!!) in Iguazu Falls, snorkeled on the Great Barrier Reef, ridden an elephant in Thailand, watched the sun rise over Machu Picchu, and bounced from Johannesburg to Cape Town on a bus called ‘Marula’.

A quote about my books: “Maureen combines action, adventure, romance, mystery, and an often LOL sense of humor in her page-turning novels. They are the perfect additions to your electronic libraries, like da rum and da coconut in your pina coladas.”

To learn more about my books and my blog, please visit my website at http://booksbymaureen.com

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Wild Goose Chase by Jan Romes (Book Review)

 
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Olivia Pence has been a word-nerd and all-around geek forever, which didn’t exactly win her a ton of friends growing up. It did, however, snag the attention of a like-minded geek, Dezz Casey. Instead of becoming fast friends, Dezz became a competitive thorn. The rivalry continued through grade school, high school, college, and now as co-workers for Brilliance magazine. The most annoying thing – Dezz went from being a homely dork to six-feet-three-inches of hotness that infuriates Olivia to the point of madness. Their boss has had her fill of the chaos and orders a two-week cooling-off period where they’re to travel (separately) and find serendipitous situations to write about. Will the time away fix their work issues and their hearts? Or will it amount to a wild goose chase that drives them farther apart?
 
 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
Olivia and I had so much in common it was hard not to connect with the character. She was a germaphobe, OCD, named her car, writer, and a geek. It was like Jan was writing about me, in my younger years. Even Olivia not realizing Dezz’s flirtatious banter was legit hit a cord with me. 
 
Dezz, oh sweet Dezz. I can’t believe he waited and pinned for Olivia for 23 years. It took him until the age of 28 for him to finally make a play. Of course, Olivia didn’t believe his flirtiness was real because of their competitive relationship and how they goaded each other, often. 
 
All it took for her to really see him for HIM was liquor. Not the healthiest way to start a relationship, but I digress. 
 
Of course, once her eyes were open to the wonderfulness of Dezz, he still didn’t get his lady. Actually, she continued to hurt him, unintentionally.
 
However, through a mugging, flying underwear, toilet mishap, and much more, they did get their HEA. 
 
Oh I should note, Jan, even though it wasn’t my phone that landed in the public restroom, I still went and sanitized my hands. TWICE!! 
 
Even though I loved the humor, I had to give it a 3.5 rating. Why, you may ask?
 
Two reasons: A.) She’s 28, turned 29 and “intact”. It’s appearing too often in books lately and seemed unrealistic.  B.) In chapter 9, he claimed, “I don’t have sex with women I don’t love.” He wasn’t a virgin so who did he love before and why wasn’t that tidbit touched on before or after their near sexual encounter?  
 
Besides those two hiccups for me,  it was a fun – flirty – and fabulous read! 
 
 
Heart Rating System
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
 
Score: ❤❤❤1/2
 
 
 

Jan Romes is a hopeless romantic who grew up in northwest Ohio with eight zany siblings. Married to her high school sweetheart for more years than seems possible, she is also a proud mom, mother-in-law, and grandmother. She likes to read all genres, writes witty contemporary romance and women’s fiction, enjoys finding new ways to stay fit and gardens even though she doesn’t claim to have a green thumb.

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A Leap of Faith by Nell Castle (Book Review)

 
Desperate times call for desperate measures. 
 

At her core, merchandising maven Sophia Anton is an old-fashioned girl. To start a family by age 30, she’ll do what’s needed to make sparks fly with an old friend—including a crash diet. But when Sophia meets Jackson Thomas, the handsome new minister in town, she quickly finds she’s playing with fire. Sophia’s new look is working like a charm to snag the man of her dreams, so why is it Jackson’s face she sees when she closes her eyes?

Jackson, whose troubled past has led him to adopt a life of celibacy, never expects to feel hot under the collar for a woman of his own parish. How can Jackson dream of a future with Sophia after he’s shut the door on love?

 
 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
This book is a prime example illustrating how imperfect humans are. 
 
In “A Leap of Faith”, Sophia attempted  to become the perfect woman for Christopher by losing an unhealthy amount of weight by basically eating like a baby bird. Why? I didn’t see his appeal. He was a man whose needs came first. I would say ‘love is blind’ but I don’t think she truly loved him and he never loved her.
 
I understand her desire to become a mother but haven’t we all learned a marriage is doomed to fail without love and why even consider bringing a child into that situation. 
 
As for Pastor Jackson, he showed an imperfection by lying when he said, “Actually, I’ve got my eye on a couple women.” He also broke the tenth commandment, Thou Shall Not Covet.  
 
Even though there were a few things I didn’t particularly love about A Leap of Faith, there were many areas I did enjoy very much. 
 
1.) Franny and Sam: They were married 50 years before he passed away and anyone could see, feel the love they had for one another. 
2.) Jackson’s lobster picnic idea for Franny and Sam was extremely sweet and romantic. He went above and beyond the duties of a minister. 
3.) This quote: “If we can send a man to the moon, how can we still let kids go to bed hungry?” I couldn’t agree more and that’s why I believe we all should do our part to make sure no one has to wonder if they are eating today. 
 
Nell, I can tell by your book you are a key member of your community and I’m sure they appreciate everything you do and the time you devote to others. 
 
And I appreciate you writing A Leap of Faith —- a book less about romance (for me) and more about helping out your fellow ‘man’ and PAYING IT FORWARD. 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5
(highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤
 
 
 
 
 
 

Nell Castle grew up in western Pennsylvania and graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia. Since then, she’s lived in Key West and Anchorage, Virginia Beach and Sarasota. She moved back to northeastern Ohio to raise her kids closer to the family homestead but looks forward to moving to a gentler climate after her youngest graduates. Until then, she revisits white powder beaches and craggy mountain tops only in her writing. She’s submitted a new manuscript to her publisher, The Wild Rose Press, and is currently at work on a novella.

WordPress / Amazon Author Page / The Wild Rose Press

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Harley’s Little Black Book #1 by Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti (Comic Book Review)

51AZuDT6YOLIt’s the sensational debut of a bimonthly, overstuffed, oversized team-up series in which Harley meets (and almost certainly annoys) the greatest heroes and villains of the DC Universe! First up? The incredible Wonder Woman! There’s a plot to assassinate Wondy, and Harley is convinced that only she could possibly stop it! (Hey, you want to tell her about all the other options? We tried.)

 

Review

Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti had me in stitches throughout Harley’s Little Black Book, volume one. It had to be one of the funniest storylines I’ve read in a long while and the illustrations by Amanda Conner, John Timms, and Dave Johnson were nothing short of outstanding. Their artwork was spot on, beautifully drawn, and absolutely perfect. 

My favorite scenes/images had to be with the costume switcharoo. If you think Wonder Woman looked hot before, wait until you see her in Harley’s costume. Her hotness reached a whole new level. 😉

Oh and I loved how Harley snuck in an ass grab on Wonder Woman. Can’t say I blame her for the squeeze and wouldn’t expect anything less from her. Amanda, Jimmy, and John, fantastic job all around!! 

 

Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

Score: ❤❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

ReadMoreComicsMarvel_fullHarley’s Little Black Book (2015-) #1

Harleys Little Black Book #2

Harleys Little Black Book #3

Harley’s Little Black Book (2015-) #4

Harley’s Little Black Book (2015-) #5

 

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No Pants Required by Kim Karr (Book Review)

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I, Makayla Alexander, am on a mission to reinvent myself. So when a super hot guy boards the plane and flashes his rock hard abs, I pay attention. When he sits next to me and offers me his nuts, I can’t resist. But when I choke on them and he tells me I need to work on my gag reflex, I realize I might be in over my head. 

Before I know it we’re in the lavatory and attempting to join the Mile High Club. Let me just say this…anyone who tells you it’s easy to get it on at 37,000 feet isn’t telling you the truth. After the flight attendant busts us for getting frisky in the air, the only thing that can ease my total and complete mortification is the simple fact that I am never going to see him again. 
    
Hours later, I can’t help but wonder if fate will ever allow me to become a new version of myself.Because Fate, she’s a fickle bitch.Case in point…my seatmate is my new next-door neighbor.Even with the whole fate thing we have going on, we are so not meant to be together. He’s all cool and sexy in that make love not war kind of way. Guys like him are dangerous. With that bring-you-to-your-knees body, that handsome-as-hell face, and that dirty, dirty mouth, I guarantee one glance from him wets every girl’s bikini bottoms. 
    
And then there’s me…the quirky girl looking to find herself in California. All I want to do is learn to let loose. Say words like peace and groovy. Bury my toes in the sand. Who knows, maybe even have sex on the beach. 
 
Unable to get him out of my head, I entertain the thought of being more than just friends. I know the idea is absurd. And yet, I go with it. You see Camden Waters gets me. Really gets me. Like no other guy has before.On this 7-mile stretch of paradise, I decide to keep things simple and just have fun…that is until fate decides to screw with me, again
 
Can two people hell-bent on finding themselves realize the search should have ended the day they met? Find out in No Pants Required–a sexy, funny, romantic stand-alone, that will have you hurrying to grab your bathing suit and rushing to the beach to check out every lifeguard on duty.
 
 
 
 
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Our first introduction to Camden (Cam) is not flattering. Unbeknownst to Cam, Makayla is in the private room when he gets oral satisfaction from Vanessa. She’s also there to witness his rudeness before, during, and after the blow job. If you’re like me, you’ll be thinking and calling him all sorts of names… dick, douchebag, asshole. The list goes on. However, once he explains his behavior towards Vanessa, you kind of forgive him. With that said, based off what she did to him, I wonder why he allowed her to suck him off again. Oh wait, he wasn’t thinking — at least not with the head positioned squarely between his shoulder blades.
 
When Makayla and Cam’s paths cross a second time they are aboard the same flight. She doesn’t recognize him because, from her vantage point in the dark room, she never saw his face. While they are seat mates, the fun and their chemistry really heats up until they are caught trying to get some lovin’ in the sky. HOW EMBARRASSING!! 
 
Their flirtatious antics could’ve been restarted if she didn’t notice his chest tattoo (while in the bathroom) and recognized him as the bastard from the club. 
 
Now in the real world, the story would be over but this is the land of make-believe so the show must go on. 
 
They meet again and, this time, they lay all their cards on the table. He explains the club incident and what led up to it. This is the point of the story where you stop calling him a dick and start calling Vanessa a bitch.
 
This is also the point of the story where the sexiness levels goes from from eh to whoa momma!
 
There’re so many funny and sexy moments in this story. Times you laugh so hard you snort and then there’s times you’ll be so turned on you think you’re going to combust from sexual frustration. 
 
Hey, if you find yourself in this situation, do what Makyala did and grab a toy or rub one out like Cam.  😉 
 
On a final note, even though No Pants Required ended on a happy note, Cam pissed me off again towards the last third of their story. For a man who loves her so damn much, why couldn’t he let her in and explains his fears of the future, his plans for himself, and for them. Instead, his ugly side showed up again and this time, I didn’t find myself forgiving him so easily. The end goal was sweet, romantic, but he didn’t have to treat her like an acquaintance when she was supposed to be his everything. 
 
 

Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

Score: ❤❤❤❤

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