Review: Where There’s A Will by Karen Kelley

by ⋅ Leave a Comment

Where There’s A Will
Series: Good Girl #2
Author: Karen Kelley
Genre: Paranormal Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

When good girl Haley Tillman is stood up (again), she prays for a dating miracle— and then slams the front door in its face when it appears! Ryder is half angel, half mortal, with powers to do whatever the hell he wants. When he hears Haley’s prayers, he is bound and determined to answer every single one of them.

MY THOUGHTS

Where There’s A Will is the second book in the Good Girl series by author Karen Kelley.  What girl hasn’t wished for the perfect man?  When Haley wishes for a man, she gets a half angel with sexiness in spades.  Ryder is determined to act out Haley’s fantasies and show her how beautiful she is.

I have to say that this book caught me by surprise.  I didn’t think it was going to be so great because everyone kept saying that Haley considers herself fat, ugly and unappealing.  Women deal with this every day in real life, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to read about it.  Granted, I am tired of the perfect size 0 women in romance, but why did she have to feel that average was a bad thing to start with?  Ryder was some hubba-hubba with some ooh-la-la thrown in.  He was every bit as sexy as the cover model on the front of this book.

The writing was good and I really didn’t have any more problems with this book.  It wasn’t blow me away great, but it was definitely one to keep you warm on a cold night of reading.  Even though this is part of series, I considered it to be okay as a stand alone read as well.  This is one series that I will continue reading and enjoying.

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!

Review: The Proposal by Katie Ashley

by ⋅ Leave a Comment

The Proposal
Series: The Proposition #2
Author: Katie Ashley
Genre: Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

In the weeks following Aidan’s betrayal, Emma has tried her best to move on. Ignoring his countless texts, voice mails, and flowers, she isn’t sure she wants to be won back by him. But Aidan isn’t going down without a fight—especially not until Emma lets him reveal the secret of his past that caused him to be so commitment phobic.

But fate intervenes when premature labor forces Emma on strict bed rest for two weeks. Aidan steps forward with a shocking proposal. To prove his love and commitment for her and their unborn son, he will take a leave of absence from work to care for her around the clock. Vowing to guard her heart, Emma reluctantly agrees.

While she is touched by Aidan’s attentiveness and tender loving care, Emma is thrown for a loop by the amorous attentions of ER doctor, Alpesh “Pesh” Nadeen. Pesh is everything Emma could ever want—successful, stable, and ready to settle down and be a husband and father. Pesh wants nothing more than to win Emma’s heart, but she is not sure she’s able to give it.

Her heart may still belong to the very man who broke it—the one who is so desperately trying to win her back.

MY THOUGHTS

After the way the previous book in this series ended, I honestly didn’t know how Aidan was going to fix his big mistake.  Even though he screwed the relationship up,  I still was cheering him on and hoped the author could fix it.

Aidan is desperate to win Emma back.  He knows he messed things up when he got scared with his feelings, but in this book it is Emma’s turn to throw it back in his face.  When Emma must take Aidan’s father to the hospital after a health scare, she meets the young and sexy Dr. Alpesh Nadeen.  Aidan recognizes him as competition for Emma and knows he is going to have to fight twice as hard.  Can I just say that Aidan has some serious groveling to do in this book and he goes all out.  Then throw in the McHottie doctor and we have some hard decisions for Emma.

Now for the parts I didn’t like too much.  I didn’t like the pace of the book this time around.  We start at one time, then it jumps two weeks, then two months, then just a few days, months again, then and epilogue 8 months later.  It would have been so much better sticking to just a monthly jump to have flowed better.  Also, after Emma makes her decision on which man she will be with, it is drawn out in sappy moments for few chapters.  When the climax is reached in the story you expect it to end, but with this one you get a series of small climaxes that took away from the best parts of the book.

While I did enjoy the book,  I found this one lacking compared to The Proposition. Overall a good book, but it does fall in the dreaded sequel trap of not being as good as the first.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

Review: The Proposition by Katie Ashley

by ⋅ Leave a Comment

The Proposition
Series: The Proposition #1
Author: Katie Ashley
Genre: Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

With her thirtieth birthday looming, Emma Harrison finds her biological clock clanging and the elusive knight in shining armor yet to appear. She’s running out of options, especially after her gay best friend backs out from being her sperm donor. Of course, there’s always a sperm bank, but Emma fears a donor mix-up might impregnate her with the spawn of Satan.

Resident company womanizer, Aidan Fitzgerald, is used to always getting what he wants, especially in the bedroom. When Emma spurns his advances at the company Christmas party, he’s determined to have her no matter what it takes. After Aidan learns of Emma’s predicament, he is quick to offer a proposition that will benefit them both. He will father Emma’s child, but she must conceive it with him naturally. Not one for hook-ups or casual sex, Emma is reluctant to take him up on his offer, but his charm, coupled with her intense desire for motherhood, wins out.

Soon their baby-making sessions become more than just physical. Aidan can’t seem to walk away from her while Emma begins to wonder if Aidan could be the one. But can Aidan leave his past behind to become the man Emma needs him to be?

MY THOUGHTS

Why hasn’t this author or book received more attention?  This book was addictive, frustrating, sexy and one I couldn’t put down.  Author Katie Ashley had a great voice in her writing.

I admit, there were times I wanted to quit reading it out of frustration and moments of eye-rolling.  Even with those moments though, I am so glad I read this book.  It was a perfect read for my reading slump.  It features Aidan who is not only sexy as hell, but he can be…..well an ass. Some of the things he did were enough to make me want to punch him if he were real.  Then he would have tender moments with his family that would just make me swoon like an infatuated little girl.  Emma was okay for a character.  At times she was weak, but overall a strong character.

Be prepared though, the ending is left in a cliffhanger and wanting the sequel.  Some people don’t like the cliffhanger endings, but I think the author did it at the right time in the story.  I can’t wait to start the next book in the series so I can get my Aidan fix!

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!

Review: Escorted by Claire Kent

by ⋅ Leave a Comment

Escorted
Author: Claire Kent
Genre: Erotica/Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

She hired him to take her virginity…but now she wants even more.

Lori might be a popular romance writer, but she’s never been anything but a flop with sex and love in her personal life. Still a virgin at twenty-six and increasingly frustrated by her inexperience, she decides to take matters into her own hands. She hires a talented, sexy male escort to take care of her inconvenient virginity.

She assumes one time with Ander will be enough, but she never dreams how much pleasure he can make her feel. Once isn’t nearly enough. Twice isn’t enough either. Soon, she becomes one of his regular clients.

Lori knows that nothing would be as foolish as falling in love with her paid escort, but she’s never been wise with her heart. And, despite his professionalism, he doesn’t seem entirely immune either.

MY THOUGHTS

When I first started reading this book, I honestly didn’t think I was going to make it to the last page.  There were plenty of moments that had me giggling, rolling my eyes and wanting to shake my head from some of the to-stupid-to-live moments of the characters.

Lori is in her late twenties, writes romance novels, and it still a virgin.  After her cousin refer’s her to Ander – a male escort/gigolo – she decides to hire him to take her virginity.  I am a sucker for this type of story.  Ander was patient, sexy, and very skilled in his profession.

While I enjoyed the book, there were many things that I didn’t like.  First of all, the sex in the beginning was way too clinical in my opinion.  Ander is always explaining things to Lori and describing every little detail for Lori.  If this woman is suppose to be a best selling author of romance — which her pen name is the actual author of the books name — she should be able to at least have some understanding of the act.  I mean Google can be your friend even in this area of description.  Another thing I didn’t like was some of the over the top dialogue with a repetitive theme.  Each time these characters had sex, it was the same phrases and mannerisms.

Now, with all that being said, this book still was pretty good.  If you can make it to at least the 25 percent mark of the story, then you will enjoy getting to the 100 percent mark.  Yes the ending is slightly corny and cliched, but it does give you a fun ride in between those two points.  A guilty pleasure book that will become addictive without you even realizing it.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

Review: Cut & Run by Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban

by ⋅ Leave a Comment

Cut & Run
Series: Cut & Run #1
Author(s): Abigail Roux & Madeleine Urban
M/M Romance/Suspense

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

A series of murders in New York City has stymied the police and FBI alike, and they suspect the culprit is a single killer sending an indecipherable message. But when the two federal agents assigned to the investigation are taken out, the FBI takes a more personal interest in the case.

Special Agent Ty Grady is pulled out of undercover work after his case blows up in his face. He’s cocky, abrasive, and indisputably the best at what he does. But when he’s paired with Special Agent Zane Garrett, it’s hate at first sight. Garrett is the perfect image of an agent: serious, sober, and focused, which makes their partnership a classic clich: total opposites, good cop-bad cop, the odd couple. They both know immediately that their partnership will pose more of an obstacle than the lack of evidence left by the murderer.

Practically before their special assignment starts, the murderer strikes again this time at them. Now on the run, trying to track down a man who has focused on killing his pursuers, Grady and Garrett will have to figure out how to work together before they become two more notches in the murderer’s knife.

MY THOUGHTS

Somebody slap my upside the head please! Why have I waited so long for this series?

After hearing about this series throughout the entire year, I had added it to my wishlist in the hopes of starting it some day.  When the later books in the series appeared on numerous Top Reads of 2012, I moved it up in the count to get to sooner.  When I finally got to it and started reading it, I couldn’t stop!  I needed this fix as badly as Zane needed his.

I am having a hard time picking which character was the best.  Ty started out my clear favorite with his don’t-give-a-hell attitude and demeanor.  I loved his banter with fellow agents and his new partner at work.  Zane was more business in appearance, but slowly came around to be like Ty.  Then the roles would reverse in personality and my heart would flip the switch to being in love with Zane.  Just when I would fall for one, the authors would do something to tie me in knots for the other Alpha man.
Ty or Zane?
Zane or Ty?
I think I choose Ty.
No wait! Zane.
No, I changed my mind. Ty.
Yes, Ty.
For now.

Oh there was a mystery involved in this story as well.  I almost forgot since I was dreaming of Ty and Zane again.  The two are assigned to go undercover to solve numerous murders from a serial killer who is leaving a trail of tokens behind.  Several agents have been murdered already and Zane and Ty needs to figure it out if it is someone on the inside.  There is tons of action and nail biting scenes in this scene.  I thought I figured out who the murderer was early on, but I was wrong.  I am not a good person to have on your side when playing Clue.

This book is definitely one I loved.  I want to devour each book in the series now! I can’t wait to get my next fix of Ty and Zane!

MY RATING

Outstanding book that will stay on my bookshelf for rereading!