THE SENATOR’S DAUGHTER by Debbie Wallace

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THE SENATOR’S DAUGHTER
Author: Debbie Wallace
Source: Contest win
  • Paperback: 188 pages
  • Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press (2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1593747136
  • ISBN-13: 978-1593747138
SYNOPSIS:
Most women kidnapped on the eve of their wedding would be devastated, but not Sophie. She’s thankful for being rescued from marrying a millionaire she doesn’t love. Besides, her abductor is a gorgeous hunk who makes her feel anything but frightened. His masterful touch sends a river of fire through her blood that releases the vixen in her. She surrenders to an afternoon of passion, only to wonder when it’s over, how will she ever be able to leave Brent for the arms of another man? 
Brent can’t believe he let Senator Adams talk him into kidnapping his daughter. Now he has a hellion on his hands, who’s as clever as she is beautiful. He tries to convince himself she’s not his type, but every time he touches her he can’t deny the rush of sensation that leads straight to his loins, then to his heart. Soon he begins to question; can he let her go when it’s over? 
MY THOUGHTS:
The author has come up with a great plot and story with characters that are great! The spark is there between them and the romance between the two is touching and hot.  I loved both of the characters and the author did a wonderful job with the details.  The story flowed very nicely, and the plot was suspenseful and romantic. Even though Brent is the kidnapper, he is still sweet and caring of Sophie. He doesn’t push her around and I was happy with the ending.
A great quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed.  I can’t wait to see what this author comes up with next!
MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

BREAKFAST IN BED by Robin Kaye

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BREAKFAST IN BED
Author: Robin Kaye
Source: Library Sale purchase
  • Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; 1 edition (December 1, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1402218958
  • ISBN-13: 978-1402218958
SYNOPSIS:
He’d be Mr. Perfect if he wasn’t a perfect mess…
Rich Ronaldi is almost the complete package-smart, sexy, great job-but when his girlfriend dumps him, Rich swears he’ll learn to cook and clean just to win her back…
She’ll be happy to make him over, but not for another woman…
Rich is the only guy Becca Larsen’s ever met who hasn’t tried to change her. She’s glad to help him master the domestic arts, but she’ll be damned if he’ll start cooking in another woman’s kitchen-or bedroom…
MY THOUGHTS:
I am so happy to find another author that writes great romance. This is third book in the series and I loved it enough to go and purchase the rest of the series.
Rich was so funny and a typical man.  He’s messy, has an ego the size of the sun, and has humor and sex appeal all in a lovely package! Becca was annoying at times, but she was his perfect match in humor and strength. I loved the dialogue between the two and I had a few laughs throughout their romance. My favorite part is when Rich tries to explain that he knows all about a woman’s language. He knows what whatever, nothing and fine mean when they come out of a woman’s mouth. He read it in an email so of course he knows a woman’s language! 
I loved how their romance blossomed, wilted and came back to life! It captured my interest from page one and left me sighing with joy at the end.  A new author for me that has opened up a great world of romance and knows how to make a woman sigh with love at the end of the story!
MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

FANG: A MAXIMUM RIDE NOVEL by James Patterson

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FANG
A Maximum Ride Novel
Book 6
Author: James Patterson
Source: Purchased at Store
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (March 15, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0316036196
  • ISBN-13: 978-0316036191
SYNOPSIS:
Being a kid with wings–constantly on the run–has never been easy, and Max and her flock are getting tenser than ever. First, on a trip to Africa, they meet a mysterious billionaire whose intense scrutiny of the flock makes her fear the worst. Then, a cryptic message from a young girl arrives, warning them “The sky will fall.” And as if an impending apocalypse weren’t bad enough, canny bird kid Angel makes a dire prophecy about Max’s soul mate:  
Fang will be the first to die.

Max’s desperate desire to protect Fang brings the two closer than ever. But can the team weather the storm, or will the turmoil rip them apart for the last time? 

MY THOUGHTS:
When I got this book at the store I was jumping for joy! I was waiting for this book to come out and I couldn’t get to the store fast enough to snatch it up!
This book was so much better than the last couple in the series. The author found his footing and did not disappoint.  We still have plenty of action and plenty of suspense. I have been waiting for the story of Fang and Max to come to a head and climax.  Their relationship seemed to be on track and then BAM! The author not only throws in a new character to put a wrench in it, but he has Angel predict that Fang will be the first to die. 
I am not going to give spoilers away, but you will need a box of tissues and you will be ready to throw this book at the wall by the time you get done. I screamed in frustration at the end and wanted to call Mr. Patterson and scream at him for doing this at the end! Even though the ending was packed full of emotion, it does leave you excited about the next book in the series!
Overall this book is by far, my favorite out of the series!  Even wtih all the crying it made me suffer through.  I can’t wait for the next book. Hopefully the author will have it coming out this year and not past that. We deserve the next book very quickly after what we have to go through in this book!
MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

(Guest Post & Review) Circle of Friends Book 5 by L. Diane Wolfe

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CIRCLE OF FRIENDS: Book 5 Heather
Source: Author submission
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 282 pages
  • Publisher: Dancing Lemur Press (March 16, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0981621058
  • ISBN-13: 978-0981621050
SYNOPSIS:
When confidence turns to frustration… A new beginning awaits Heather Jennings. The position at Clemson means she will finally realize her dream of coaching basketball. Heather is ready to focus on her duties, using sheer force if necessary to prove her independence. Sadly, her triumph is hampered as her father and greatest advocate lies dying of cancer. Battling her grief, she must also deal with a sister who appears incapable of responsibility or achievement. And once basketball season begins, a talented but cocky player who resembles her in every manner challenges all that remains of Heather’s patience. Heather’s life changes when she encounters a man capable of handling her bold and feisty attitude. Straightforward and smug, he entices her to date him, and despite his gruff nature shows a great capacity for compassion. However, the last thing Heather needs is a serious relationship with a man equally fixated on work and opposed to marriage…
MY THOUGHTS:

First of all, not only is L. Diane Wolfe a great author, she is also a great blogger! She always takes the time to review my posts and leave her thoughts on them for me. She is an author who makes you feel like a friend, not just another reviewer. So, I want to thank her for thinking of me to read and review her book! THANK YOU!
This is book five in the series, but my first book by this author that I have read.  I always have my doubts about books that are inspirational fiction.  I was think they are going to be preachy.  I was wrong in that thought process for this one.  The characters are strong and make choices based on actual thought process instead of flying off the wall with something stupid. Yes, the characters have brains! The author made sure to give Heather challenges that are true to life.  She made sure that Heather was not going to have a perfect life.  It made the character of Heather even more down to Earth for me.  

Overall, I will definitely be checking out the other books in the series.  This author has give me a new outlook on inspirational fiction. Thank you for that.

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

GUEST POST BY THE AUTHOR:

Those who’ve followed the series know that Heather is one tough customer. For those who’ve not read the other four books, never fear! Each story stands alone and you will not be lost. And just to help you understand Heather a little better, I decided to ask this feisty girl a few questions…
Tell us about your family.
I adore my parents. My father introduced me to basketball and we share a passion for the sport. My parents are strong people, and I’ve strived to be just as strong. My sister is a different story. She’s useless! Dawn couldn’t achieve anything to save her life. She tries to be just like me and that annoys me to no end…
What is your goal in life?
To coach a girl’s college basketball team. I’ll start as an assistant coach, but I intend to secure a head coaching position within five years. Or less!
Do you consider yourself an over-achiever?
No! I just excel at everything I do, from school to basketball. I mean, what’s the point of doing anything if you don’t give it one hundred percent?
Anyone special in your life?
Ugh! Are you kidding? Don’t get me wrong – I like boys a lot. Been with too many jerks though. Besides, the guy I had a crush on since we were kids went and fell in love with someone else. Jerk. At any rate, I don’t have time for a relationship right now.
Any last words?
Yeah, stay out of my way and we’ll get along just fine!
There you have it! And you thought vampires had bite…

Book Trailer:
Links to purchase:
Dancing Lemur Press L.L.C. : http://www.dancinglemurpress.com/id18.html

KISSING FROGS IN CYBERSPACE by Dianne Sweeney

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KISSING FROGS IN CYBERSPACE
Source: Author Submission
Thank you Dianne!
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Paperback: 216 pages
  • Publisher: Adelmore Press; First edition (December 11, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0578041790
  • ISBN-13: 978-0578041797
SYNOPSIS:

In today’s age of virtual hook-ups and online encounters, it is no surprise that there are thousands of web sites devoted to Internet dating. Told in a series of vignettes, Kissing Frogs in Cyberspace, Dianne Sweeney’s revealing account of dating in the 21st century takes you on a hilarious, often poignant journey of online dates, dumps, and disasters. As she discovers the world of Internet dating is blessed by those seeking true love and plagued by those just seeking. Kissing Frogs in Cyberspace uncovers the reality of online dating–its pleasures, its horrors, and all the quirky stuff in between.
MY THOUGHTS:

If you are out there looking for that certain someone, or if you already have that certain someone and just want a great hysterical laugh, then this is the book!

I don’t think I have laughed so hard in my life as I did with this book.  I finished it all in one day, and by the time I was done, my sides were sore from laughing so much.  My husband, who can sometimes get that annoyed look on his face when I read parts to him, was even laughing! 

In the book, we get to see the author taking a chance on dating again.  She decides to do the whole internet dating sites to try and find her true love.  What we get to read is her hysterical and comical horrors of embarking on internet dating and her insights on what she thinks of some men! 

If you could only buy one funny read this year, then I urge you to give this one a shot.  I KNOW I will be reading this book many more times in the future, especially when I am having a bad day. I would rate this a six flame if I had one!  If you don’t believe me, take a look at the ratings of it on Amazon.  I am not the only one who thought this book was witty and wonderful!

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

EXCERPT:
( posted with author’s permission)

A Clean, Well-lighted Place for Men
      As I walk into the bookstore, my eyes immediately glance at the “must read books” table; I start toward it and stop myself. You are here to find men, not a book.
I walk toward the middle of the store and see a tall, sleek man standing there. I take a step forward and then stop. I look at the section heading: Diseases.
Okay, maybe he’s doing research. Maybe he’s a doctor looking up information, or maybe… My mind races ahead in time; I don’t even know this man’s name, but I am imagining us at a party surrounded by our mutual friends, when a woman turns to us and says, “How did the two of you meet?”
     I cough nervously, “Well, he was in the disease section of Barnes and Noble, reading How to Stop the Spread of the Human Papilloma Virus…and it was love at first sight.”
     No, I can’t. I just can’t get that image out of my head.
     I take a step backward and move on to the Sports section. I imagine I am going to find a big burly man with muscles protruding through his jersey, reading a book about football or baseball. As I turn down that aisle, there is a man standing there, and what do you know, he has very nice forearms. I can tell he definitely works out. He is engrossed in a book, but I cannot tell what it is. He is so engrossed in it, in fact, that he doesn’t even notice I’m there. Casually, I peer over his shoulder. To my surprise, it is an Asian Biker Chick Calendar. Is that drool coming out of his mouth? I glance at the pictures; I look at their perfectly sculpted bodies. Dubiously, I glance down at my own and move on to another section.
     I decide to check out the True Crime section. Now, this could go one of two ways, but I figure, let’s just see if there is anyone there.
     I turn down the aisle, it’s empty. I stop and glance at the titles: The Real JonBenet Ramsey Story, Jack the Ripper, and Cabin 28: The Keddie Murders. My eyes are quickly scanning the titles when I come across one that sends my mind racing, Women Who Kill. Can you imagine if I were to purchase this book and have it out on my coffee table when my date comes to pick me up? Better yet, what if I left it in the guest bathroom for a little light reading? I could even highlight some passages and take notes on the sides. The notes could say, “This doesn’t work. You need a ten-inch blade, not a six- inch.”
     Placing the book back on the shelf, I turn around and leave the bookstore. I leave my Mr. Right standing there gazing at the Science Fiction novels, dreaming of a woman who looks like Princess Leia in her gold bikini.