This review is for There's Only Been You (Jamison Series Book 1) by Donna Marie Rogers.
I'm going to say this book was charming, despite the fact that there were some thrilling/suspenseful moments in the book.
Sara Jamison is a single mother, raising her son, Ethan, while working in her bakery "Sara's Bakery". She is surrounded by the men in her family, who fulfill the father roll for Ethan, while making sure that Sara is getting by okay.
Mike Andrews, a detective, comes back to town when his father passes away to tie up some loose ends on the house. He is Ethan's father, but he doesn't know it.
When Sara and Mike run into each other for the first time, it's a tense moment. Sara is afraid he'll find out about Ethan, and Mike is just trying to figure out why Sara is acting so angry towards him. Throughout the book, with interactions with Sara's brothers, Mike finds out why her family hates him - and he sets out to fix the problem and the rumors that started it all.
Mike gets an assignment that makes him stay in the area, which he's happy about because it allows him the time to try to win Sara back. However, he's also distraught because his assignment is currently dating Sara.
I can't really say a lot about this book without giving major spoilers. Just know that it was riveting, charming, and romantic all in one.
4 stars, currently free for Kindle.
http://www.amazon.com/Theres-Only-Been-Jamison-Book-ebook/dp/B00DNQOOU0
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Review - The Edge of Courage
This is a review for The Edge of Courage (Red Team Book 1) by Elaine Levine.
I just want to start by saying I have mixed feelings about this book for personal reasons. One of the main characters, Rocco, suffers from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) after a 7 year undercover assignment in Afghanistan. His flashbacks set the scene of a massive explosion with humane carnage surrounding him, and the scenes where things trigger his PTSD are very intense. Had I known that was going to be a focus on this book I probably would not have picked it up - my boyfriend served in Iraq and was broke his back from an IED, and I don't really like to imagine what it's really like over there because I don't want to think about what could have happened. But with that aside, I'll do my best to review this book.
Rocco is hired to work on a ranch for Mandy, little sister of a man (Kit) that he served with. Kit felt that this would be a good place for Rocco to start his recovery process, and Mandy needs the help because someone has been trying to sabotage her dreams of opening a therapeutic riding center.
Because of his PTSD, Rocco is very reluctant to get near Mandy and he is practically starving himself. He also decides to grow his beard because he has plans of going back to Afghanistan for his son. Mandy makes it her mission to make him eat, and finds herself diffusing several situations that develop with the town and Rocco's severe PTSD. She also finds herself developing romantic feelings towards him.
Kit eventually comes home and finds out that the enemy has followed him from Afghanistan - to his sister. A team of men assembles to protect her and the ranch. If you read the book, you can find out what happens to both the ranch, and Mandy and Rocco's relationship.
I'm somewhere between rating this 3.5/4 stars. Currently free for Kindle.
http://www.amazon.com/Edge-Courage-Red-Team-Book-ebook/dp/B007WXJ0H2
I just want to start by saying I have mixed feelings about this book for personal reasons. One of the main characters, Rocco, suffers from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) after a 7 year undercover assignment in Afghanistan. His flashbacks set the scene of a massive explosion with humane carnage surrounding him, and the scenes where things trigger his PTSD are very intense. Had I known that was going to be a focus on this book I probably would not have picked it up - my boyfriend served in Iraq and was broke his back from an IED, and I don't really like to imagine what it's really like over there because I don't want to think about what could have happened. But with that aside, I'll do my best to review this book.
Rocco is hired to work on a ranch for Mandy, little sister of a man (Kit) that he served with. Kit felt that this would be a good place for Rocco to start his recovery process, and Mandy needs the help because someone has been trying to sabotage her dreams of opening a therapeutic riding center.
Because of his PTSD, Rocco is very reluctant to get near Mandy and he is practically starving himself. He also decides to grow his beard because he has plans of going back to Afghanistan for his son. Mandy makes it her mission to make him eat, and finds herself diffusing several situations that develop with the town and Rocco's severe PTSD. She also finds herself developing romantic feelings towards him.
Kit eventually comes home and finds out that the enemy has followed him from Afghanistan - to his sister. A team of men assembles to protect her and the ranch. If you read the book, you can find out what happens to both the ranch, and Mandy and Rocco's relationship.
I'm somewhere between rating this 3.5/4 stars. Currently free for Kindle.
http://www.amazon.com/Edge-Courage-Red-Team-Book-ebook/dp/B007WXJ0H2
Review - Now and Then
This review is for Now and Then by Brenda Rothert.
Emmaline (Emma) and Layla are sisters who had a sketchy relationship for a lot of their lives but are finally becoming close friends. Cole is man who used to be their neighbor (his parents still live next to their parents). Layla and Cole went out a few times in high school and now it's Layla's life mission to make him her husband, but she's having a bit of "no-strings" fun along the way.
Emma runs into Cole, literally (she gets bumped into him) at a coffee shop. This is the first time she's seen him for years. He is now a very attractive attorney who, until he ran into Emma, had a vow to stay single and put his career first.
Of course in typical romance fashion, the male sees the female and is blown away. They start to date each other, but Emma insists on keeping it a secret, both because of Layla's infatuation with Cole, and the fact that both of their parents seemed to have always wanted Cole and Layla to end up together. Cole is unhappy with this decision but agrees - for awhile.
When it eventually comes out, some drama ensues. Does Emma end up with Cole or does she throw her happiness away to ensure that she and Layla will remain on good terms? I don't know, you'll have to read for yourself!
3.5 stars, currently free for Kindle!
http://www.amazon.com/Now-Then-Brenda-Rothert-ebook/dp/B00EC197UC
Emmaline (Emma) and Layla are sisters who had a sketchy relationship for a lot of their lives but are finally becoming close friends. Cole is man who used to be their neighbor (his parents still live next to their parents). Layla and Cole went out a few times in high school and now it's Layla's life mission to make him her husband, but she's having a bit of "no-strings" fun along the way.
Emma runs into Cole, literally (she gets bumped into him) at a coffee shop. This is the first time she's seen him for years. He is now a very attractive attorney who, until he ran into Emma, had a vow to stay single and put his career first.
Of course in typical romance fashion, the male sees the female and is blown away. They start to date each other, but Emma insists on keeping it a secret, both because of Layla's infatuation with Cole, and the fact that both of their parents seemed to have always wanted Cole and Layla to end up together. Cole is unhappy with this decision but agrees - for awhile.
When it eventually comes out, some drama ensues. Does Emma end up with Cole or does she throw her happiness away to ensure that she and Layla will remain on good terms? I don't know, you'll have to read for yourself!
3.5 stars, currently free for Kindle!
http://www.amazon.com/Now-Then-Brenda-Rothert-ebook/dp/B00EC197UC
Review - Saving Grace
This is a review for the book Saving Grace (Serve and Protect series, Book 2) by Norah Wilson
First I want to start by saying that even though this is book 2, it can be read as a standalone.
Grace and Ray Morgan had a happy marriage, or so Ray though. At the start of the book we find out that Grace just dropped a bombshell on Ray - she is leaving him for another man. He starts to drink himself into oblivion when he receives a phone call that Grace was in a car accident and is now in the hospital. He's distraught because he still loves her, but he's also obviously upset about what has come out.
He makes it to the hospital and discovers that Grace has amnesia - she has no idea that she left him just hours ago. Ray feels that he is responsible for helping her with her recovery, but he refuses to get close to her, no matter how hard she tries.
This book is a gripping read, with romance and thrills (suspense) throughout. As Grace recovers her memory, she knows in her heart the real reason why she had to leave Ray, but she doesn't want to tell him why because she wants to protect him.
3.5 stars, available for free at the Amazon Kindle store.
http://www.amazon.com/Saving-Grace-Serve-Protect-Book-ebook/dp/B003ZYEXGA
First I want to start by saying that even though this is book 2, it can be read as a standalone.
Grace and Ray Morgan had a happy marriage, or so Ray though. At the start of the book we find out that Grace just dropped a bombshell on Ray - she is leaving him for another man. He starts to drink himself into oblivion when he receives a phone call that Grace was in a car accident and is now in the hospital. He's distraught because he still loves her, but he's also obviously upset about what has come out.
He makes it to the hospital and discovers that Grace has amnesia - she has no idea that she left him just hours ago. Ray feels that he is responsible for helping her with her recovery, but he refuses to get close to her, no matter how hard she tries.
This book is a gripping read, with romance and thrills (suspense) throughout. As Grace recovers her memory, she knows in her heart the real reason why she had to leave Ray, but she doesn't want to tell him why because she wants to protect him.
3.5 stars, available for free at the Amazon Kindle store.
http://www.amazon.com/Saving-Grace-Serve-Protect-Book-ebook/dp/B003ZYEXGA
Review - Come Dancing
This review is for Come Dancing by Leslie Wells.
Imagine yourself in New York City in the early 1980s. The SoHo district was just starting to thrive with artists moving in. Our main character, Julia, lives there and works as a publisher's assistant with dreams of becoming an editor.
While the book does follow along with her job, a lot of it is also focused on her personal life. This is where we meet, Jack Kipling, guitarist for a British band. Julia plays hard to get which only intrigues him more, and he eventually manages to get her to agree to come out with him and another member of the band, as well as her best friend, Vicky.
That was all it took to turn this into a whirlwind relationship, full of the typical things you would find in the band scene in the 1980s. A lot of drugs, sex, and parties. Julia does have a slight jealousy streak (which I imagine would be typical dating a famous person) when it comes to other women and Jack. Jack also has his faults, including major insecurity issues.
If you are interested in reading a story that takes part in the past, you will probably enjoy this book. It's not the type of book that I typically pick up but it was free so I decided to give it a chance and I'm glad I did.
5 stars, available for free at the Amazon Kindle store.
http://www.amazon.com/Come-Dancing-Leslie-Wells-ebook/dp/B00KVQAL98
(I just want to say how difficult it is to review books I really enjoy because I want to write so much more but I'm afraid I'll give out spoilers!)
Imagine yourself in New York City in the early 1980s. The SoHo district was just starting to thrive with artists moving in. Our main character, Julia, lives there and works as a publisher's assistant with dreams of becoming an editor.
While the book does follow along with her job, a lot of it is also focused on her personal life. This is where we meet, Jack Kipling, guitarist for a British band. Julia plays hard to get which only intrigues him more, and he eventually manages to get her to agree to come out with him and another member of the band, as well as her best friend, Vicky.
That was all it took to turn this into a whirlwind relationship, full of the typical things you would find in the band scene in the 1980s. A lot of drugs, sex, and parties. Julia does have a slight jealousy streak (which I imagine would be typical dating a famous person) when it comes to other women and Jack. Jack also has his faults, including major insecurity issues.
If you are interested in reading a story that takes part in the past, you will probably enjoy this book. It's not the type of book that I typically pick up but it was free so I decided to give it a chance and I'm glad I did.
5 stars, available for free at the Amazon Kindle store.
http://www.amazon.com/Come-Dancing-Leslie-Wells-ebook/dp/B00KVQAL98
(I just want to say how difficult it is to review books I really enjoy because I want to write so much more but I'm afraid I'll give out spoilers!)
Review - Forever Dreams
This review is for the book Forever Dreams (Montana Brides Book 1) by Leeanna Morgan
Recently, I decided to find books to read when I'm feeling stressed out that I can consider "mush for the brain". I don't mean a terrible book, I mean a book that's simple, about love, and something that I don't have to think about while I'm reading it. I discovered that a lot of the romance books, based in Montana, do just that for me. Now the sex scenes in most of these books are a little more than I like (I'm not really into Harlequin books), but the story lines are generally so likeable that I can get past that.
Gracie is a teacher from New Zealand who comes to the United States to find her father. All she knows about him is that he was part of the radio circuit that was in her country when she was conceived, and that her mother's last known address for him was in Montana. She came to Montana to work on a ranch (and she also was to spend some time teaching) for a few weeks while on the search for her father.
Enter Trent, owner of the ranch. He picks her up from the airport and the attraction is obvious to the reader at once. In typical romance fashion, she stays in the house with him (but separate bedrooms of course) and begins to fall for him, although she tries to deny it. This is where I got slightly annoyed by her character, because she tended to be a bit hotheaded, and Trent's character always seemed to give up too easily.
While she works on the ranch, she continues to follow leads to find her father and battle her feelings for Trent at the same time. I won't spoil the book for you, so you'll have to find out for yourself if she finds him and what happens with Trent. :)
4 star rating, and the book is currently FREE from the Amazon Kindle store!
http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Dreams-Montana-Brides-Book-ebook/dp/B00JNON0LU
Recently, I decided to find books to read when I'm feeling stressed out that I can consider "mush for the brain". I don't mean a terrible book, I mean a book that's simple, about love, and something that I don't have to think about while I'm reading it. I discovered that a lot of the romance books, based in Montana, do just that for me. Now the sex scenes in most of these books are a little more than I like (I'm not really into Harlequin books), but the story lines are generally so likeable that I can get past that.
Gracie is a teacher from New Zealand who comes to the United States to find her father. All she knows about him is that he was part of the radio circuit that was in her country when she was conceived, and that her mother's last known address for him was in Montana. She came to Montana to work on a ranch (and she also was to spend some time teaching) for a few weeks while on the search for her father.
Enter Trent, owner of the ranch. He picks her up from the airport and the attraction is obvious to the reader at once. In typical romance fashion, she stays in the house with him (but separate bedrooms of course) and begins to fall for him, although she tries to deny it. This is where I got slightly annoyed by her character, because she tended to be a bit hotheaded, and Trent's character always seemed to give up too easily.
While she works on the ranch, she continues to follow leads to find her father and battle her feelings for Trent at the same time. I won't spoil the book for you, so you'll have to find out for yourself if she finds him and what happens with Trent. :)
4 star rating, and the book is currently FREE from the Amazon Kindle store!
http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Dreams-Montana-Brides-Book-ebook/dp/B00JNON0LU
Review - Forever Yours
This review is for Forever Yours (Moreno Brothers 1.5) by Elizabeth Reyes.
I have to start by saying that I'm shocked this book has such a high rating on Amazon. Like, seriously shocked. I realize that this is a book meant to fit between book 1 and 2 of her series but from what I gathered by reading it, it can be read as a standalone.
The book focuses on the two main characters, Sarah and Angel. I'm not entirely sure how long they've been dating, I think the book said 3 years. What surprised me about the characters, being together as long as they have, is the jealousy throughout the book. I'm not talking about getting a little jealous once in awhile because someone is hitting on your significant other. No, I'm talking about the insane type of jealousy, where a girl who has been best friends with a male since childhood and even mentions him once is intolerable.
The entire jealousy thing turned me off of the book completely. It was literally in every single chapter and how can anybody like a character like that? Sarah wasn't innocent in the jealousy either, although she wasn't as bad about it. What bothered me about Sarah was how completely clueless she was about situations that sounded shady from the start. If there is one thing I can't stand about female characters like that is a situation would be so obviously sketchy from the start to CHILDREN and yet an adult female doesn't see the signs until it's too late. Yeah, no.
SO anyway, the jealousy issue aside, I guess the plot was okay. Sarah's father who has been absent from her life makes contact with her and tells her she also has a brother. She emails back and forth with her brother for awhile and they decide to meet but things aren't really as they seem. I'm not going to spoil the book for anyone who will still want to read this despite the childish aspect of the book. If you can get past the jealousy and follow the plotline, you might think it was an interesting read. I did not.
I would rate this book 2 stars (1.5 if I could) on Amazon. The book is currently 3.99 at the Amazon Kindle Store.
http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Yours-Moreno-Brothers-1-5-ebook/dp/B00I0BT83Q
I have to start by saying that I'm shocked this book has such a high rating on Amazon. Like, seriously shocked. I realize that this is a book meant to fit between book 1 and 2 of her series but from what I gathered by reading it, it can be read as a standalone.
The book focuses on the two main characters, Sarah and Angel. I'm not entirely sure how long they've been dating, I think the book said 3 years. What surprised me about the characters, being together as long as they have, is the jealousy throughout the book. I'm not talking about getting a little jealous once in awhile because someone is hitting on your significant other. No, I'm talking about the insane type of jealousy, where a girl who has been best friends with a male since childhood and even mentions him once is intolerable.
The entire jealousy thing turned me off of the book completely. It was literally in every single chapter and how can anybody like a character like that? Sarah wasn't innocent in the jealousy either, although she wasn't as bad about it. What bothered me about Sarah was how completely clueless she was about situations that sounded shady from the start. If there is one thing I can't stand about female characters like that is a situation would be so obviously sketchy from the start to CHILDREN and yet an adult female doesn't see the signs until it's too late. Yeah, no.
SO anyway, the jealousy issue aside, I guess the plot was okay. Sarah's father who has been absent from her life makes contact with her and tells her she also has a brother. She emails back and forth with her brother for awhile and they decide to meet but things aren't really as they seem. I'm not going to spoil the book for anyone who will still want to read this despite the childish aspect of the book. If you can get past the jealousy and follow the plotline, you might think it was an interesting read. I did not.
I would rate this book 2 stars (1.5 if I could) on Amazon. The book is currently 3.99 at the Amazon Kindle Store.
http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Yours-Moreno-Brothers-1-5-ebook/dp/B00I0BT83Q
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