Audiobook Review: Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

A few months ago I finally watched the movie Crazy Rich Asians which I absolutely love. Seriously, the movie was so much fun that I wanted to give the book that it was based a try. Normally, I would say that the book would be better than the movie, but I didn't feel this way. I actually felt overwhelmed by the book. I might do a comparative with the movie and the book. However, I haven't completely decided. I'm glad I did an audio version, because this wouldn't have been too much to handle as a reading.

Where do I go with my thoughts. There is a lot that is happening in the story, that a person can feel overwhelm with the story. You also have about five parts to the story, which you are trying to keep track of all that is going on. We have Nick and Rachel relationship and how it's being question. We have his mother and her personal feelings toward this Rachel. We have Goh Peik Lin who happens to be Rachel's friend. So many characters to keep track, that I felt overwhelm. I get that this was supposed to be light and fun, but with all the family members it's hard to keep track of these things. 

Now if you wanted to read this book, because you saw the movie and absolutely loved it, I would stop you right there. It's different from the movie. I mean they kept a good portion of the elements from the book to film, but it's different. If you get overwhelmed by so many characters, you might want to find another read. 

Copy provided by local library.

Rating: 2 1/2 Stars

Audiobook Review: How to Seduce a Vampire (Without Really Trying) by Kerrelyn Sparks

Let me start by saying it's probably a good thing that I listened to How to Seduce a Vampire (Without Really Trying), because I would probably would have stopped. I was so close to the end of the series. The story had a lot of potential with Zoltan Czakvar. Zoltan could talk to animals, and he was funny about it in previous story. There is still some humor, but we didn't see that as much. Then he stumbles upon a secret association of women, which they are trying to protect the dragons. He meets Neona, she's daughter of the queen of their group.

I struggled with this story, and I was listening to it too. There were points I had to stop go, "Okay, I'm done for today." I would get frustrated with Neona basically saying there are to be no men in Beyul-La. I felt that book was there to give Zoltan a love interest, and it kind of moved the plot forward. However, I probably could have skipped this one. There are some things that helped with some situations in the story, but I would have survived without them. Now its time to get to the end of the series.

Copy provided by local library

Rating:
2 Stars

Audiobook Review: Vamps and the City by Kerrelyn Sparks

Where do I go with Vamps and the City by Kerrelyn Sparks. I tried to like this story. I was willing to go a little higher, but the ending pissed me off. I get that Darcy missed being a human, and she couldn't hack it as a vampire. Spoiler ahead: However, it really chaps my hide that she decided to become a human again, because she wanted to be with a guy. I don't understand why he couldn't change for her. She gave the ex-harem a purpose to live without a master.

I was mad at the ending last night, and I'm still pretty upset. I guess I have to move on to the next story. We are done with Darcy, and I'm okay with that. The Harem was a bit annoying in the story, but when they were working together to find a new master they weren't so annoying. I'm okay with Austin, because eventually changes his tune about Vampires. By the way he works for Shana's father, so that's a big step for him.

Like I said, I wasn't a big fan of the story, and I'm going to stop before I nitpick this to death. I know that the series has to get better, because I absolutely loved Grigori's story. There is hope.

Copy provided by my local library

Rating:
2 Stars

Audiobook Review: Sweet Tea and Sympathy by Molly Harper

I feel like I'm in minority when it comes to my thoughts on Sweet Tea and Sympathy. I can't really say that I liked it, but more like I tolerated. It kind of saddens me that I can't say I loved this story, because I had the dynamic duo of Harper and Ronconi; alas, this story fell short for me.

There are usually a lot of characters in Molly's book, which I'm totally fine. However it was the main character I couldn't stand. I was hoping that after the second time of re-listen I would grow to like her. Nope. I still wanted to throat puncher. She comes off so arrogant and snobby that I couldn't stand her. Yes, she had Big City oozing off her, but she wasn't likable. She had an ultimate goal of getting the heck out of dodge when the first opportunity came available. Everyone knew that she was leaving, because she let everyone know. That grated on my nerves a bit. The next issue I had with the story was her relationship was with her father. I get that she had daddy issues, but she wasn't willing to talk with the man for most of the book. Can't solve the issue if you don't talk to the man. However, my main issue was with Margot Cary.

The things I liked were the family, Kyle Archer's children (they were adorable), and the rest of the dynamic of the story. However, my sore spot was Margot, and she didn't even become tolerable until the end. Sweet Tea and Sympathy was a rough listen, even the second go around. I seriously thought I find some nuance that make me enjoy the story more, nope. So, wrong. I got to a point where I was like I need stop before I want to throw my phone. Yes, I was in the minority about not enjoying the story. Maybe I should go back and re-listen to the Nice Girls books or the Half-Moon Hallow. This is totally up to you if you want to pursue. I might try the next book, because I absolutely thought Frankie was a hoot in the story. This is my thoughts on Sweet Tea & Sympathy. I couldn't mustered sympathy for Margot when her life hit the bottom. Didn't happen. Maybe if she was a little nicer I could have.

Rating;
2 1/2 Stars

The Duke by Katharine Ashe (Review)

I'm seriously in the minority here, but I wasn't a fan of The Duke. Yes, I know. It's rough even admitting this fact. I totally struggled with the story. Honestly, I struggled with Amarantha. At the beginning of the story she's extremely naïve about life and love. She has high hopes about her marriage to Reverend Paul Garland. Pompous jerk in my opinion, and we don't see a lot of him. Even after she meets Gabriel Hume, she still set on her course to married Garland. Seriously, Gabe was a better match for Amarantha. However, she's extremely stubborn. She's stubborn throughout the story. She's a hard person to like, because she's unwilling to bend to anyone. Which is fine, but when it's not working towards her favor it's time to give in a little.

LOVE GABE! Seriously, this guy was willing to take Amarantha even after rejecting him. He saw something special about her. He even tried to get her to married him. Then his cousin was being an idiot and thought he was doing the guy a solid with his lies. Nope. Not one bit. Anyway, Gabe is willing to help Amarantha out no matter what. He even tries to convince her to marry him again. However, she's stubborn.

I struggled with Amarantha's stubbornness through most of the book. I think we had an inkling of what her marriage was like with the good Reverend I might have been a little more forgiving on her stubbornness when it came to Gabe. I truly struggle with this story. I got to a point that I probably should have stopped reading the story and DFN. However, I kept going with the pursuit that it was bound to improve. So, I wanted to strangle Amarantha, totally wanted to take Gabe in my arms and tell him to move on. Yet, the heart wants what the heart wants. He's a strong man for that. Of course the cover is absolutely amazing. It was a miss for me, but I'm part of the minority. I hope that it works for you.

Copy provided by Avon via Edelweiss

Rating:
2 1/2 Stars

The Bad Luck Bride by Janna MacGregor (Review)

All right I was super excited to get a chance to read The Bad Luck Bride, I mean it sounded like it be fun. Here's the blurb:

All were shocked at the announcement of the “cursed” Lady Claire Cavensham to Lord Alexander Hallworth, the Marquess of Pembrooke, especially since she is already engaged to another unfortunate Lord. Perhaps she will make it to the altar this time with one of these fine gentlemen! —Midnight Cryer

No one is left breathless at the imperious pronouncement of her engagement to Lord Pembrooke more than Claire. She hardly knows the dangerously outrageous man! But after three engagements gone awry and a fourth going up in glorious flames, she isn’t in a position to refuse...

Alexander requires the hand of his enemy’s fiancée in marriage in order to complete his plans for revenge. It’s his good fortune that the “cursed” woman is desperate. However, what begins as a sham turns into something scandalously deeper...

By all means the story sounds pretty good, I mean we have a curse and revenge. However, The Bad Luck Bride wasn't what I was expecting. I honestly thought it would play up more of the revenge plot, but the more I read the revenge thing kind of disappear. By the way, it had to because of the circumstances of the story. What boils down about this story is a lack of communication and being honest, which is a horrible way to start a marriage. I had a hard time with Lady Claire for most of the book. A lot of that has to deal with the fact she couldn't open up with what causes her panic attacks. This is one the things she should have told her husband from the get go. Oh well. Pembrooke should have told Claire after they were marry why he did what he did. However, he never did. We find both of them afraid to communicate. There's a lot of miscommunication. Other than that issue, the writing was pretty good, and actually Claire's cousins sounds quite interesting. So, I'm curious about them.

Overall, I struggled with The Bad Luck Bride. I liked the beginning, and I thought the ending was sweet. The middle was a little rough. Am I willing try the next book, sure. You never know I might be surprised with the next one. Anyway, the story didn't work for me, but there are others who absolutely loved it.

Copy provided by St. Martin via NetGalley

Rating:
2 1/2 Stars

Snowed In by Jenna Bayley-Burke (Review)

In truth I probably should have DNF Snowed In, but I pressed forward. What caught my attention was the title, who doesn't love a good snowed in story. However, a lot of my trouble laid with Marissa. She pissed me off so much. She extremely rude to Scott. All Scott was trying to do was be a decent guy and try to explain to her what went down in the past. She didn't want anything to do with the information. The only good times were when they were having sex. That was perfectly fine, no talking. When the talking began again it annoyed me, because she didn't want to listen. A lot of the reason I didn't like her was someone had to call her out on it, she played the victim practically the whole story.

So, the things I liked Scott. He wanted to be with Marissa, I don't know why. However, he loved her more power to him. The other thing was the sex. It wasn't great, average, but it beat listening Marissa and Scott talk in circles. I also liked Tanya, because she had to put Marissa in her place. She needed that. Anyway, people loved this book, but this one didn't work for me. I enjoyed Just Married and I was hoping for the same level of fun in Snowed In, but missed the mark for me.

Copy provided by St. Martin via NetGalley

Rating
2 1/2 Stars

Just One Week by Alice Gaines (Review)

Just One Week had the promising of being a fun story. You have Michelle Dennis who is going to go home and her goal is to avoid the one guy. However, Alex Stafford has other plans. He wants to make amends for the hurtful things he said to her all those years ago. Basically Michelle decides to change her plans and make Alex suffer by seducing him. Very promising.

However, the more I read Just One Week I couldn't get into the story. I think I would have been fine had there been only issue in the story that they had to overcome, but there was another issue. I felt that it was too much for me to handle. Others loved this story, but this isn't one that caught me. There were a couple of cute things like the matchmaking mother, but it wasn't for me. The reason I want to read this one was the cover. If this is something that might interest you go for it, but this wasn't my story.

Copy provided by Entangled via NetGalley

Rating:
2 Stars

Patriot's Pride by Penelope Marzec (Review)

It's always hard to find a balance when it comes inspirational reads, because they tend to come off a little too preachy. This tends to turn off people who like mainstream romance novels. Yes, there are some out there that have the perfect balance. Patriot's Pride wouldn't be for those how like a little mainstream in their romance. However, those who love inspirational and deep messages might enjoy this particular title.

However, I struggled with Margaret and Derrick's story. There were a few good parts, but I really did struggle with the beginning. We have Margaret who is very spiritual, then we have Derrick who is a man of science. Both are on extreme spectrum and you wonder how on earth are they going to get together. Is Derrick going to have an epiphany that makes him see the light. Plus, he's a doctor there are somethings that better explain with science that believing that it's a higher power. Don't get me wrong, I do have religious beliefs, but it makes this story a little hard to grasp. So, the boat ride over to England is a little rough. When they touchdown on English so the story does pickup and I did start to like the story. Yet, there were a couple issues I had with the story. At times it felt a bit rushed. Eventually these two get their happy ending.

Overall, Patriot's Pride is probably not the book for me. I had a few issues with the story. However, there were a few things I like. For instance, I really liked Margaret's traveling companion, Mrs. Ulery. Now she had a salty personality that kind help Margaret see things in perspective. I love that she wasn't perfect and never proclaim she was. Mrs. Ulery was human with flaws like everyone else. So, if you are a person who loves inspirational reads, Patriot's Pride might be the story for you. It works for others, but not me.

Copy provided

Rating:
2 Stars

Midnight Heat By Cat Johnson (Review)

Midnight Heat by Cat Johnson was a nice read. There wasn't too much drama, which there could have been more. Here's why:

We have Phoenix Montago who grew knowing she was adopted, and doesn't wonder about her birth mother. She was okay knowing the fact that she was adopted, but when she requests a copy of her birth certificate cause she lost her original, she finds out who her mother is and starts to wonder. She sets out to find her mother to get answers to questions never had before this moment. All right, I have no problems with this. Everyone eventually wonders where they come from when they have been adopted. Phoenix sets out for this adventure. However, there are few bumps in the road, like the fact her mother moved to Oklahoma, and there is some guy taking back the stuff to there. Poses a challenge on meeting the lady who gave birth to you.

Now Justin Skaggs is picking up the stuff for Bonnie Martin to take back to Oklahoma when he stumbles upon Phoenix. He doesn't know if could trust or if she's some weird person who wants to hurt Bonnie. Understandable. He ends up getting to know Phoenix and likes being around her. However, Justin comes with his own set of problems. Him and his mother are still grieving the lost of Jeremy (his brother). Now his mother hasn't been handling it all that well, and I think she needs grief counseling. Hey, everyone handles grief differently, and there is reason for her behavior. My issue about this situation is how it was handle in the story. By the end she was starting to be social and working towards being human again. I have no problems with it, but I would have liked to see how it was handled not poof she's starting to feel better. How did she overcome this debilitating depression? One minute she's down, next she's working her way being healthy again.

My other issue was Phoenix finding out birthing family, then telling her adopted parents what she did after the fact. Her adopt parents were happy to see her and willing to bring her into the family. Cool. Works for me. What didn't work for me was it was glossed over when she decided to be truthful her adopted parents. How did they handle the news, were they hurt by her actions? I don't know. Someone was hurt by this, but it's glossed over.

The romance between Phoenix and Justin was super quick and everything was starting to fall into place. Yes, there could have been a little more drama. It wasn't a bad read, but it wasn't a great read. There were some gaps that bothered me. Some people loved this book. It was an okay read.

Copy provided by Zebra via NetGalley

Rating:
2 Stars

Edge of Obsession by Megan Crane (Review)

I don't know where to begin with Megan Crane's Edge of Obsession. Truth be told I didn't read the blurb, because all could focus on was the tats, chest, and abs. You could say I was blinded by the cover. Since I didn't read the blurb, and jumped into the story without any knowledge of the story, I was surprise to find out it was a futuristic dystopia. So, we have us a dystopia with a lot of sex.

Basically, we have two societies in the story. One is the mainland, while the other was on island. However, in both societies woman are view as a commodity to serve men. In the mainland they view the woman as broodmares and if they can't produce they are cast out. While in the raiders land woman are viewed more as sex slaves. The societies seem advance and at the same time primitive. You get the feeling that it's a bit barbaric. For the first 75% of the book is establishing the society, and this is where we meet Tyr and Helena.

Tyr and Helena are both strong characters. I think you all need to know that Tyr basically takes Helena as her captive, so I start to wonder if Stockholm Syndrome starts to set in Helena. She starts to lose some of her strong character and become passive, and willing to do Tyr's bidding. At the beginning the story, Helena needs to accomplish her mission that her parents tried to do before they died. So, Helena mission becomes something the raiders are going to work on together. Yes, the series will continue.

I'm hopeful that we will get more of the plot than the culture of Edge of Obsession. Things I did like about the story, I liked how Helena and Tyr are both strong characters. I wish Helena kept her strong attitude as the story progress. I guess we had her submit to Tyr. She was willing to sacrifice herself for her sister even though she's kind of selfish. A lot of Alpha-holes, and hoping that we might have more character development. Not a big fan of the sex scenes overshadowing the plot. Don't get me wrong I don't mind sex scenes, but I do like a strong plot to coincide. I'm hopeful that it will tone down and develop plot and get to see more of the reestablish so it's not so primitive. I understand that this is a dystopia and all, but where did all the diseases go. Had they all been eradicated, because in said sex scenes there is no condoms. This is something I'm curious on, and I'm probably the only one.

Overall, I'm not sure what I was expecting on Edge of Obsession. I'm hopeful that it we will see more of a plot. This story didn't quite work for me, but it work for others. I think this depends on the person.

Copy provided by St. Martin via NetGalley

Rating:
2 Stars

Audiobook: An Invitation to Seduction by Lorraine Heath (Review)

I struggled with An Invitation to Seduction by Lorraine Heath. Don't get me wrong, I love her writing and she's able to make impossible situations work. However, this one didn't work for me. You know it's not working for you when it takes you two weeks to listen to the story.

Lets start with the positives. Her writing is still amazing and the narrator they had selected to read the part did an excellent job at reading. She did a marvelous job between switching between an English and Texan accent. There were a couple of times that she didn't switch properly, but other than that a decent job.

Now my struggles. I struggled between Kitty, Richard, and Nicky, and their relationship. All them were pretty selfish in their own ways. We have Kitty who wanted to marry to feel safe, and she felt safe with Nicky. Truth be told, Nicky kind of regarded Kitty like sister, but she was a convenient person to marry. I had a problem with Kitty protesting she was in love with Nicky and try to force herself to believe it. At the same time she felt passion for Richard, but she was afraid of her passion which stems from her mother being a saloon girl. She has strong feelings for Richard, but willing to marry Nicky because he was safe. Think of England. Richard was selfish cause he wanted Kitty, because he thought she would make the perfect duchess. Basically, he pursued her when she was Nicky's girl. Richard had information that no one else had.

It wasn't bad, but it definitely wasn't my favorite. Kitty grated on my nerves and I just wanted to shake her and tell her it's okay to feel passion and safe choices aren't always the best choice. I did like how Richard was understanding during her time of need. He wasn't without flaws, but I did like him the most in the story. He was always trying to think of ways to keep Kitty comfortable. Like I said it wasn't my favorite, but it's not going to make me stop reading other Lorraine Heath books. I do love her books, just not this one. I know the next one will be more to my liken. Yes, this story has worked for others, just not me.

Rating:
2 1/2 Stars

The House on the Dunes by Nancy Sweetland (Review)

I guess I should start with the positives on The House on the Dunes by Nancy Sweetland. First off, the story is well written, and the transitions between Catherine's journal entries and Olivia present day (1984) are flawless. The story is beautiful, but I have a few hangups, and I guess it's time to share them. So, if you don't want spoilers you might want to stop right here, but if you are curious proceed with caution.

At the beginning of The House on the Dunes, we find Olivia finding out she has inherited a home and some emeralds from her mother who just passed away. However, she finds out that she never quite knew her mother and the story is reveal. At the same time, Olivia is rediscovering herself while on the journey to figure out her mother.

I have huge problem with Catherine. At first I didn't, I did like her and she made some poor decisions. However, my perspective of her changed when she decided to sleep with a married man Oliver Houle. She ended up getting pregnant, and decides to sleep with Levi Sommers and pass it off as his child. Yes, I do have a problem with this, and it might be the normal of the years in past, I still have issues with it. Levi was an incredible man to put up with the crap Catherine did. Cause twice a year she would meet up with her lover, while Levi stayed behind. He knew that she need to be with Oliver, but didn't say anything. What gets me is, she didn't feel remorse until Oliver's wife died and she started to feel that it wasn't right, because she had Levi waiting at home for her. Seriously, fucked up. They were carrying on this affair for almost 30 years.

So, we basically watch the love affair of Catherine and Oliver. Catherine didn't realize that she loved Levi until many years later, while he sat their in love with her. That was heartbreaking to watch him be faithful to wife that wasn't evening really trying in my eyes.

Then we have Olivia who is trying to find herself while discovery the stuff about her mother. I would been fine with her, but she also sleeps with another guy while at the dunes. What the fuck! Yes, her marriage sucked, but just cause a guy is kind doesn't mean you jump in bed with him while you're still married. It was the 80s, people got divorces. Granted Olivia and Bert has been rocky since the birth of their daughter. By the way, that was tragic on what happen to her. Pam was truly innocent through this story and it was heartbreaking to see what happens to her.

Ugh! Even the story was beautifully written I just struggle. It's probably a good thing that I calm down a bit and reflect before I wrote this review. Yes, there were some good parts and sad ones. However, I was angry about halfway through The House on the Dunes, because Catherine and Oliver "love". The end left me dissatisfy, because there was no clear happy ending. It was Olivia start her life over. So, this story wasn't for me, and others might find enjoyment in this read.

Copy provided.

Rating:
2 Stars

The Daring Exploits of a Runaway Heiress by Victoria Alexander (Review)

Oh boy, where to begin. I have been dreading to write my thoughts for sometime. First off, I do love Victoria Alexander writing. She tends to have fun plots and characters, but I just couldn't get into this story. I tried, and I hoped it would get better. However, it fell flat from my expectations. So, here we go.

If you have been reading Millworth Manor books you would remember Lucy The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding. She use to be engaged to Jackson, but he ended up finding love. Now Lucy is all alone in London and she's going to make the most of this adventure. Okay, I'm all for that. You sense a but, and there is. Here we go. If you remember Lucy, she was the perfect heiress and didn't do anything wrong. She was calm and collective. Part of the reason she was like that was cause she grew up in a strict environment. What happens to a person when they have been given freedom? Yep, she goes wild, and with the help of a great-aunt's diary. Basically Lucy decides to do everything her aunt never got a chance to do. Some of the things were quite scandalous and others kind of tame. However, she's doing this in LONDON and in a way touting societal rules. She doesn't do this on purpose, but it has caught the ton attention. On some level I felt that she was acting like a spoiled child. I don't think I would have had a problem her doing the list that was created if she felt that it was more for her than her dead aunt.

Then we have Cameron. He was okay. However, he was looking for his big story to prove to his father that he was a good writer. So, he happens to hear about Lucy's exploits and feels that he should check them out. He gets mistaken as a detective to keep an eye on her. He kind comes off a bit pompous, but he's trying to keep an eye out on Lucy in a cagey way. Yes, it's wrong what he does, but he admires her spirit for doing the things she does. Slowly he develops a crush on her.

I thought story was a bit meh. It just didn't wow me like other stories. However, it's bound to happen. I felt a little bored at times while I was reading, and I didn't feel that Cameron and Lucy really connected romantically until the very end. Some will love this, and I just found the story okay. Will I stop reading Victoria's books? No, I still enjoy her writing. I look forward to other books. The writing was good, but I just didn't feel connected to the story.

Copy provided by Zebra via NetGalley

Rating:
2 Stars

The Husband Games by Jamie Farrell (Review)

Let me just say that I adore chick-lit, because they are just fun, quirky, and entertaining. I did find this story quirky, but the fun and entertaining kind had me itching for more. There might be spoilers, because I don't know how to go around what bothered me in the story without the explanations. Here we go with my thoughts:

All right, the story takes place in a town called Bliss, and everyone is blissfully happy and wedding is there game. Okay, I'm fine with that, every town has to have a niche. However, Natalie is like the black sheep of the town, because he got a divorce. Oh dear god, she's a divorcee living in a town where everyone is like happily married. If that wasn't the biggest sin, being a bridal shop owner is like the devil incarnated. We need to pray for this child. Anyway, I actually have no problem with her sin, but one of town members does. Throughout the town she's know as Queen General (Marilyn Elias), but I thought of her more like the Queen Bitch. Honestly, I saw her more like a bully. She treated Natalie abdominally, and basically picked on her because Natalie was living in a town where everyone is blissfully happily married. I think I would have had more respect for Natalie if she had a backbone at the beginning, and slowly was chipped away. However, she just let QG pick on her. There were a couple of moments where she did decide to get a backbone, but it never lasted long. Another problem I had was her father. Her father was kind of seeing the enemy. I don't know, but my family that is big no-no. Granted my family doesn't get together all that often, but we know we have their backs. Then he had the audacity to say to try to work it out with Marilyn. Are you kidding me, that woman wouldn't listen to Natalie if her life depended on it. Plus, Marilyn even warned Natalie to stay away from CJ (the golden boy of husbands).

I guess I should mention this CJ and Natalie had a past. They were never together, but she kind of blamed CJ for the end of her marriage. First off, no one can ruined your marriage unless you let them. What happen to CJ and Natalie was an accident that happen at the Husband Games a few years back, but Natalie's marriage was already rocky she just used CJ as a scapegoat. Poor guy didn't know he was the blame of her faulty marriage. However, CJ and Natalie have an instant chemistry, because of the past and Marilyn basically calling her damage goods they weren't meant to be. Please.

Through most of the story, I was angry. A lot has to do with QG being a bully to Natalie. Seriously, Marilyn undermined what Natalie was trying to do for the Husband Games. Had Marilyn not been a complete bitch I would have enjoyed the story. It wasn't until we got to actual games that it started to get better and seeing CJ and Natalie working together. I know others who absolutely loved this story, but it made me angry. I don't take kindly to bullying, I have my reasoning. It just didn't work me. However, it could just this story and I might like something else written by this author. This is just my thoughts on The Husband Games.

Rating:
2 Stars

Heating up the Holidays (Anthology) (Review)

Okay, I know it's been a while since I should have posted this review. Oh well, better late than never, right? Now all these stories can be purchase individually. Whoops.

First up is Play With Me by Lisa Renee Jones. I actually did a review for this one and was posted on Thanksgiving Blog Review Hop (from Heating Up the Holidays) back in November 2013. So, here are my original thoughts:

I really enjoyed Play With Me, and I thought it to be well thought out story. I enjoyed seeing the chemistry between Kali and Damion. They seriously heated up the pages. Not only did they have their interoffice romance, there was a lot of things going down. Even though it was a quick read I love the fact the story had more than the romance. My only gripe was I felt the ending a bit rushed, other than that the story was fantastic. So, if you are looking something that will heat up your holiday's, I know Play With Me will do that. 

The next story was Snowfall by Mary Ann Rivers. Okay this wasn't my favorite story. I felt the story drag, and I noticed that I myself stopping often. Snowfall was a well written story, but I just wasn't loving the story. 

Finally, After Midnight by Serena Bell. I liked this story, because it was an interesting New Year's Eve story. You have Miles who is down on his luck with a bad year with things not looking to up and Nora who has a pretty crappy year, but is willing to try to let it go. Plus, it seems like they miss their opportunity, but it seems fate has aligned sorted of. Yes, they have their issues that needed to be worked out before things can work.

Overall, I liked the anthology. I liked how it wasn't all about Christmas, but the holidays during Christmas time. We got a side of Thanksgiving and New Years. 

Copy provided by Random House via NetGalley (but I did purchase this book, because of Lisa Renee Jones). 

Rating:
3 1/2 Stars

No Apologies by Sybil Bartel

First let me say why I wanted to read No Apologies by Sybil Bartel, it was mainly cause of the cover. The cover is amazing and the is yummy. I mean look at those abs. Yes, I wanted to read this for a superficial reason. Now I need to share my thoughts.

Honestly, I struggle with No Apologies. I really didn't have a problem with Graham being a manwhore. I mean it's his prerogative to be one, after all he's a musician and he's living up the benefits. However, I he was moody and an a-hole. I think if he was more charming, I would be more forgiving for his manwhore behavior. He's not, and he's a hard character to love and he has no qualms being an a-hole.

You kind of get to know Carly. Yes, she's a bartender at a bar that Graham frequents, and likes to see her. Graham has these lusty feelings for her, but senses that he should stay away from. I guess that's one of Graham's good quality, but he can't seem to stay way. As you read the story, you learn that Carly is a wounded character, so I can understand  her skittish nature.

No Apologies is written from Graham POV. I do like when it's from a male POV. However, the story is not a cheery one, it's pretty dark and gritty. Graham outlook on life is pretty grim. All he focuses on is tapping whatever chick crosses his path and shoving them out the door when he's done. If you don't mind an a-hole guy who's a bit of a manwhore with a chip on his shoulder, this is a book for you. Yes,  he does develop some redeeming qualities, but just not enough to balance a-hole persona at the beginning of the book. This is just my thoughts on the story, and it just didn't work for me. I know it has worked for the others and I'm glad they enjoyed it.

Favorite Quote:

"His life was jeopardized when he was born, all our lives were. That's what life is. It's fragile and short and full of pain. You reach for the joy when you can and accept the rest."

Copy provided by author via InkSlinger

Rating:

Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard by Vanessa Kelly

I started Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard in January and to tell the truth I had a hard time getting into the story. So, I decided to put the story on hold. Well, I kind of dragged the hold out long enough and decided I needed to finished the story. The main reason was book 2 of the The Renegade Royals comes out next month. Anyway, let me dive into my thoughts.

A quick little sum up the story. Lady Vivien Shaw gets kidnapped and Captain Aden St. George is sent to save her. Once he rescues her his mission isn't done, now he needs to keep a close eye on her so it doesn't happen again.

Overall, it sounds exciting. A daring rescue is always a great way to start the book. However, once the rescue is over I kind of lost interested. Prince Ivan Khovansky wants to marry to Vivien, but Vivien has shut him down a couple of times. However, he's persistent and willing to stop at nothing to get what he wants. Here's my issue with him as a bad guy, he doesn't really make a splash until we get closer to the end and even that he kind of fell flat. I mean I think I would liked him a little more ruthless and slimy. Vivien's family was another issue. Her brother could have taken control of the situation before it got out of hand instead of selling Vivien to the highest bidder (Khovansky), he just inflated the problem. Vivien basically enable her mother and her younger brother. Sometimes you need to tell your family this isn't helping or lock them up for their own safety. Aden's a good guy. He wants to rescue Vivien, but Vivien makes that a challenge for him.

Honestly, the characters didn't really appealed to me and I struggle to read the book up until the last 100 pages. That's when Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard picked up the speed and everything started to go. So, Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard didn't work for me and I'm hoping the next book with be great. After all, I did enjoy the novella to this series. Here's hoping.

Copy provided by author

Rating:
1/2

Kissed by Kim Knox

So, I finished Kissed by Kim Knox. Basically it's a novella about a princess, Beatrice, who's about to marry some other guy, but she really loves someone she's not suppose to, Farris Turner. However, the guy disappears and she's hopping around different time and space before she does her duty. She runs into a guy that reminds her of Turner.

So, you got the gist of the story. Honestly, it was okay. I thought the premise of the story was interesting, but once I started reading it didn't catch my attention. I guess if there was more to the story, I might feel differently about it. I don't know. I'm not sure if this is a positive or a negative, but the story was a quick read. Here's the bottom line: Yes, there is sex, it's kind of sci-fi, and it's short. So, if these are the things that appeal to you, you might give Kissed a try.

Copy provided by the publisher



Rating:

A Heartless Design by Elizabeth Cole

Yesterday I started A Heartless Design by Elizabeth Cole and was able to finished early this morning. Let's just dive into my thoughts.

Basically the story is about eccentric young lady by the name of Cordelia Bering. Cordelia isn't your typical young lady. Oh no, she actually likes to design ships like her father did. That's not the only thing that makes her eccentric, but the fact she employes former criminals in her home and help them to better themselves. Then you have Sebastian Thorne who is still a spy even though he just inherited the titled of earl. However, old habits are hard to break, especially when you are still under assignment. Now Sebastian is in charge of finding out what secrets Cordelia is keeping and to see if it's for nefarious plot.

All right, A Heartless Design wasn't bad. It just started out a bit slow for my taste. It's so hard when it comes to suspense stories, because you want to build the story and captivate the audience. Yet, sometimes that can get muddle in all things. I think I would have liked to feel that there was more urgency and danger. However, you I didn't really felt like that happen until we got closer to the end. Another thing I had issues with was the hero and heroine. I just didn't feel like there was any sexual tension that would pull them together. So, when they finally got together and had sex it lacked finesse. I just felt that she did it to get it out of her system, kind of like making a check mark in a box. Those were the things that I had issue with.

The things I did like:

I liked that it was about spies in during the time when England was at war with France. I think that kind of set the story apart. I liked Cordelia and how she didn't follow societies standards. She was willing to be herself in a mans world. I also like Sebastian and I liked that he was a spy and a Lord. I thought they did work well together.

Overall, it was so-so story. It wasn't really bad, but it wasn't really great. It just kind of stuck in the middle. I believe the series does have potential to be a great read, because you have the war going on and everyone is trying to win the battle. Will I continue the series, I'm not sure.

Copy provided by publisher

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