Review: Rev It Up by Julie Ann Walker

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Rev It Up
Author: Julie Ann Walker
Series:  Black Knights Inc. #3
Genre: Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

He Never Misses a Target

Jake “the Snake” Sommers earned his SEAL codename by striking quickly and quietly – and with lethal force. That’s how he broke Michelle Carter’s heart. It was the only way to keep her safe – from himself. Four long years later, Jake is determined to get a second chance. But to steal back into Michelle’s loving arms, Jake is going to have to prove he can take things slow. Real slow…

She Aims to Make Him Beg

Michelle Carter has never forgiven Jake for being so cliché as to “love her and leave her.” But when her brother, head of the Black Knights elite ops agency, ticks off the wrong mobster, she must do the unimaginable: place her life in Jake’s hands. No matter what they call him, this man is far from cold-blooded. And once he’s wrapped around her heart, he’ll never let her go…

MY THOUGHTS

Oh Ms. Walker, how you love to tease me and pull me back into this world.  Suspense and romance in one book is always a good thing, but when Julie Ann Walker writes it, I want to jump for joy.  I loved the first one in this series and they just keep getting better.

Even though the main character of Jake “the Snake” Sommers reminds me of watching wrestling with my father in the early years, I found myself falling for him very quickly.  He was strong, determined and sexy as all get out.  Michelle is a heroine that can hold her own as well.  In the modeling world there is one word that can describe this girl — fierce.  She gives as good as she gets with Jake and they really heated up the pages together.

With danger and suspense in most of the book, the author did a great job of including the romance on a balanced scale.  Secondary characters are back from previous books and give us a glimpse of some of our favorites.  Again, while I loved the previous books in the series, this one I think is one of my favorites.  The authors writing just keeps getting better and I can’t wait to see what will happen in the next book!

MY RATING

Outstanding book that will stay on my bookshelf for rereading!

Review: Savage Hunger by Terry Spear

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Savage Hunger
Author: Terry Spear
Series: Heart of the Jaguar #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Kathleen McKnight is on a dangerous mission to help her army team take down a drug lord. She’s a tough as nails recruit, but when she’s caught in the crossfire, she has to rely on a mysterious man to save her. She has no idea that he has big plans for her…

Connor Anderson is a jaguar shifter who is looking for his mate. When he rescues Kathleen in the jungle-twice–he can’t help but be intrigued. Will a bite or a scratch turn Kathleen into the perfect jaguar mate?

MY THOUGHTS

Author Terry Spears usually writes about wolves in the paranormal romance genre. This time in Savage Hunger, the author decided to write about jaguars and I am one reader who is glad she decided to branch out.  There is just something about this authors writing that sucks me into the story no matter what is being told on the pages.

The plot and suspense of this story was written pretty well.  I liked each of the characters in the book as well.  Kathleen held her own as the main heroine and Conner was sexy and swoon worthy many times throughout the story.  I think the only problem I have is the way the author took the story of Kathleen and her transformation.  It was kind of a let down, but one that didn’t completely stall me from reading the remainder of the book.

Suspenseful, romantic, danger, and even some quirky bring a beautiful new series from a great author I follow.

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!

Review: The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton

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The Perfect Play
Author: Jaci Burton
Series: Play by Play #1
Genre: Steamy Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Football pro Mick Riley is an all-star, both on the field and in the bedroom. But a sexy, determinedly single mom just might be the one to throw him off his game…

For years Mick has been taking full advantage of the life available to a pro athlete: fame, fortune, and a different girl in every city. But when he meets and beds confident, beautiful event planner Tara Lincoln, he wants much more than the typical one-night stand. Too bad Tara’s not interested in getting to know football’s most notorious playboy any better.

As the single mother of a teenage son, the last thing Tara needs is the jet-set lifestyle of Mick Riley; even though their steamy and passionate one-night stand was unforgettable. Tara’s life is complicated enough without being thrust into the spotlight as Mick’s latest girl du jour. Tara played the game of love once and lost big, and she doesn’t intend to put herself out there again, especially with a heartbreaker like Mick.

But when Mick sets his mind to win, nothing will stop him. And he has the perfect play in mind.

MY THOUGHTS

Why have I waited so long to read this series? Maybe the hot cover side tracked me all this time because let’s face it, that cover is smoking hot!  I kept closing the book just so I could get another peek at that hot body.  I studied it long enough that I even noticed the sweat running down his chest!

I am not a big fan of sports in my romance, but author Jaci Burton really pulled it off in this one.  I didn’t feel too overwhelmed with statistics and sport plays in this one.  There was no shoving of the play book down my throat and the players actually seemed like real people.  I loved the character of Mick!  Hot, sexy and athletic all in one glorious package.  I could certainly see that cover model being Mick.  He seemed down to Earth without letting fame go to his head.  Tara was a little annoying at times with her constant reminders of being a single mother and having to give up so much to give her son a better life, but I shelved my feelings on that because the chemistry and attraction between the two made up for it.  Nathan, Tara’s teenage son, was actually portrayed as believable.  The side characters were also something I enjoyed reading about.  While I wasn’t a fan of Elizabeth, I can’t wait to see how her story will unfold with Mick’s brother Gavin.

While I felt the beginning of Mick and Tara’s romance was rushed and not that convincing, I did like how the relationship developed after their initial meetings.  Their relationship grew with real problems, emotions and turmoil.  I am really looking forward to reading about them again in future books.  A new series for me and one I will keep reading!

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!

How To Marry A Millionaire Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks

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How To Marry A Millionaire Vampire
Series: Love At Stake #1
Author: Kerrelyn Sparks
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: Personal Purchase
ISBN: 9780060751968

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Nobody said love was perfect…

Roman Draganesti is charming, handsome, rich…he’s also a vampire. But this vampire just lost one of his fangs sinking his teeth into something he shouldn’t have. Now he has one night to find a dentist before his natural healing abilities close the wound, leaving him a lop-sided eater for all eternity.

Things aren’t going well for Shanna Whelan, either. After witnessing a gruesome murder, she’s next on the mob’s hit list. And her career as a dentist appears to be on a downward spiral, because she’s afraid of blood. When Roman rescues her from an assassination attempt, she wonders if she’s found the one man who can keep her alive. Though the attraction between them is immediate and hot, can Shanna conquer her fear of blood to fix Roman’s fang? And if she does, what will prevent Roman from using his fangs on her?

MY THOUGHTS

I admit, I must be the last person in the world to read this series.  After seeing everyone rave about them, and even hosting the author on my blog, I decided to dive into the Love At Stake series by author Kerrelyn Sparks.

The first half of this book I thought was rather cliched.  While I found it funny at times, other times I found myself rolling my eyes at some of the story.  Not only was the dialogue cheesy, but so was the plot.  Then after I got past the first half of the story, it really started to pick up and really grab my interest.  I did like the authors writing style though and the side characters were ones I can’t wait to read about — especially those kilt wearing/sexy talking Highlanders!

While I am not completely sold on the series yet, this is definitely one that I am going to continue reading.  I am interested to know how the Vampire “Civil War” is going to play out now that there has been a dramatic change in hierarchy. With the fall of one and the partnership of another, you can’t help but wonder what side is going to win.  I also like the side story of the Stake-Out Division of the CIA and the impact they will have for future stories.

For an old time paranormal romance mood, this one fits the bill on the quirky side.  Not one to take seriously, but one that will definitely leave you smiling.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

The Write Man For Her by Christie Walker Bos

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The Write Man For Her
Author: Christie Walker Bos
Genre: Romance / Contemporary
Source: Personal Purchase
ISBN: 9781419957611

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Work, work, work. That’s how Jessica Anne Singer has dealt with the loneliness since her divorce. Except for her squawky cockatiel, Merlin, Jessica hasn’t had a date in years, but all that’s about to end. Jessica’s best friend, Cath, has decided that Jessica needs to meet her dreamy online professor, Brant Wilson. Creative writing professor Brant Wilson is intrigued by one of his online students, Jessica Singer. She seems more worldly than most of his students and has a penchant for arguing with him over just about everything, which he finds oddly enjoyable. But when she asks to meet with him in person to discuss her grades he immediately refuses. He never meets with his students face-to-face. Never. Undeterred, Cath hatches a harebrained plan to find the reclusive professor. When the plan actually works, Jessica uncovers the real reason the professor doesn’t meet with his students. Stunned by her discovery, Jessica must decide if she’ll listen to her head or her heart when it comes to determining if Professor Brant Wilson is the right man for her.

MY THOUGHTS

Can I first say thank you to author Christie Walker Bos for stepping out of the box and writing a hero with a disability?  Thank you!  I was so excited to read about a sexy main character who isn’t the normal you find in books.  The author stepped out of the usual zone and made Brant Wilson a paraplegic.

Now while I enjoyed the characters of Brant and Jessica, their journey to happily ever after wasn’t one of my favorites.  I did enjoy the book, but not as much as I would have if the author would have cut some of the longer parts of narration down to half.  I wasn’t a fan of having to read how each character’s house was decorated or how much food they ate from where.  It became repetitive and unneeded.

I also liked how the author incorporated writing a novel into the story.  It was cute to read a story within a story and it seems to me that doing so was probably a challenge for any author.

While this may not be a book I would reread again, I am glad I took the chance in buying it.  It had its moments of dragging, but it also brought an experience of right in the fact that disabled can also equal a romantic lead/hero.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!