Playing For Keeps - A Neighbor From Hell Novel by R.L. Mathewson

Description…

Done with being the world's biggest pushover, Haley decides that things are going to change starting with the aggravating neighbor who has too much charm and not enough restraint. What she didn't expect was to be sucked into his world, but Haley has a game plan and she won't let herself forget just what the bad boy next door is capable of.

The last thing Jason expected was for his little shy neighbor to go Rambo on him over some ruined flowers. After he decides to take her under his wing he can't help but notice that she fits very nicely in his life. Now the only thing left is to convince her that this is anything but a game.

*****

I giggled, I snickered, and fanned myself throughout the entire story!

Playing for Keeps is the first book in R.L. Mathewson’s Neighbor from Hell series and one hell of a funny story. 

My review...

I picked this up back in the days of Fictionwise and their 60% off sales but never got around to reading it because I wasn’t in the mood for a paranormal romance about demons living next door. 

**snort**

Man, oh man! I wish I had paid closer attention to what the book was about because I’ve been missing out on some seriously good times!! 

Like I said, for some reason I thought this was, literally, a story about demon neighbors. Don't bother asking why, because I haven't a clue, but yeah, I assumed this was a PNR. And although Jason is definitely a neighbor from hell, it’s not the literal kind of hell. He’s just a pain in the ass. The kind of neighbor who has you thinking of selling your home, or burning his down. Prison time starts looking good if it means ridding the world of him and his annoying, loud, friends.

After realizing that this is not a PNR, I was anticipating a light fun read and yeah, I got that, but there’s something more about Playing for Keeps; a connection between myself and the characters I can't explain and wasn't expecting. At first I thought I’d feel nothing more than ‘meh’ for Jason, but by the end of the book I adored him! He and his family are just hysterical and I laughed out loud more than a few times at their banter. And the sex scenes? Holy hell hot!

The bottom line…

This isn’t a deep or compelling novel, but it’s sexy, romantic, funny and thoroughly entertaining. Even as I sit here writing this review I’m grinning from ear to ear as I recall some of Haley and Jason’s antics, and those of Jason’s goofy friends. 

I’ve already downloaded book 2, Perfection and can’t wait to dive in!     

Captive Bride by Bonnie Dee

Description...

San Francisco, 1870

Huiann arrives in America expecting to be wed to a wealthy businessman. She no sooner disembarks from the ship than she realizes Xie is not looking for a bride: Huiann is worth more to him as a high-end prostitute. Though her fate is better than that of other Chinese women forced into the sex trade, she has no intention of waiting for Xie to sell her virginity to the highest bidder. At the first opportunity, she escapes and disappears into the city.

When a beautiful woman takes refuge in his store, Alan's life changes forever. He's spent the last five years trying to forget the horrors of war, and had almost given up hope of finding love. He hires Huiann as his housekeeper, and though they can only communicate through signs and sketches, they quickly form a bond that transcends the need for words.

But Xie is determined to recover his property, and love may not be enough to protect Huiann from his vengeance.

 My review...

Bonnie Dee writes some impressive historical romances, if for no other reason than they are unique. She takes the same old storylines and gives them a twist which makes them distinctive and definitely interesting!

Captive Bride is another mail-order-bride-disaster story, but this time we have Chua Huiann who has come to America to marry Xie Fuhua, a successful Chinese businessman. Her parents hadn’t met the man, but through Lui Dai, one of Xie’s servants/agents, they were assured that their beloved, albeit unruly daughter, would have a life of prosperity and happiness. However, when Chua Huiann arrives in San Francisco she finds that things were not at all as they had been made out to be, and her life would be anything but happy.

Alan Sommers is the owner of a successful general store. He’s an honorable, hard working man who is running from the memories and nightmares that haunt him. Having fought in the Civil War and been taken prisoner early on, he spent years in captivity, not knowing whether he’d live or die, before he was finally released. Alan headed west to start a new life, but his nightmares followed him.

This story delves into the racism so prevalent during the time period, and the hardships Asian immigrants endured while trying to make a life for themselves. I don’t want to go into detail about how Huiann and Alan meet and spoil it for you, but I enjoyed watching their relationship grow into a sweet love story. Their cultural difference and the language barrier made for some fun and touching moments.

The bottom line...

Overall, Captive Bride was another enjoyable, sweet and sexy read by Bonnie Dee, and I’m looking forward to more by this talented author.

This story was provided to me by netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

Hard as You Can (Hard Ink #2) by Laura Kaye

Happy Hunk-a-licious, Ink-tastic Release Day!!

Hard as You Can is the second installment in Laura Kaye's Hard Ink series, and just like the first, all kinds of awesome!

Description

Five dishonored soldiers.
Former Special Forces.
One last mission.
These are the men of Hard Ink.

Ever since hard-bodied, drop-dead-charming Shane McCallan strolled into the dance club where Crystal Dean works, he’s shown a knack for getting beneath her defenses. For her little sister’s sake, Crystal can’t get too close. Until her job and Shane’s mission intersect, and he reveals talents that go deeper than she could have guessed.

Shane would never turn his back on a friend in need, especially a former Special Forces teammate running a dangerous, off-the-books operation. Nor can he walk away from Crystal. The gorgeous waitress is hiding secrets she doesn't want him to uncover. Too bad. He’s exactly the man she needs to protect her sister, her life, and her heart. All he has to do is convince her that when something feels this good, you hold on as hard as you can—and never let go.

My review...

I have to admit, I'm a huge fan of stories about hot, alpha, inked males. There's just something so mysterious and sexy about them that I just can't help but swoon for them, and Hard as You Can gave me just what I was hoping for, and more!

'Why more?' you ask. Well, 'more' because these hot, alpha, inked males are also the survivors of a Special Forces team who were set-up to be fall guys, and who are out to clear their names and bring the bad guys down. Yeah... 'more' of the yummy goodness!

And, for the record, in my opinion Shane steals the show with his sexy, Southern, panty melting charm!

This installment touches on the horrific crime of human trafficking, but doesn't go into the gory details that some books do. In this case I appreciated that because there is so much happening that I believe it would have overshadowed the ongoing plot. That said, while there were not the details, we still see the emotional aftermath of being a victim.

The bottom line...

I really enjoy this world Laura Kaye has created. It's exciting, intriguing, sexy, and even at times poignant. All the men from the team are just so powerful and yet so vulnerable, and I can't wait to read each and every story!

A copy of this story was provided by Avon Books via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

Once In A Lifetime by Jill Shalvis

Happy Release Day!

Once In A Lifetime is the ninth book in Jill Shalvis’ Lucky Harbor series, a series I absolutely love! They’re fun, sexy, romantic, poignant… wonderful small town Contemporary Romances. 

Description…

Sometimes wrong is oh-so-right…

After a wrenching loss, Ben McDaniel tried to escape his grief by working in dangerous, war-torn places like Africa and the Middle East. Now he's back in his hometown and face-to-face with Aubrey Wellington, the hot-as-hell woman who is trouble with a capital T. Family and friends insist she's not the one to ease his pain, but Aubrey sparks an intense desire that gives Ben hope for the future.

Determined to right the wrongs of her past, Aubrey is working hard to make amends. But by far, the toughest challenge to her plan is sexy, brooding Ben - even though he has absolutely no idea what she's done . . .

Can this unlikely couple defy the odds and win over the little town of Lucky Harbor?

My thoughts...

I've been a fan of Jill Shalvis' stories for awhile now, each and every one a hit. There's just something about how easily her characters become people I care about and want to know better. They're real people with the same hopes and dreams we all have, and sometimes they even have demons to slay before those dreams come true, and this is the how it is for Ben and Aubrey.

I don't know when the last time was that I became so quickly attached to the heroine of a story. Usually - and I'm being honest here - the females are just a byproduct of the heroes story, filler so the hero can find his happily ever after. Trust me on this; that's not the case with Aubrey!

I'm a huge believer that if people would accept responsibilities for their actions instead of making excuses and casting blame on others, the world would be a happier, more peaceful place. With that in mind, it will come as no surprise that I adore Aubrey who decided to do just that. Making amends by facing the people she had wronged, even though some of these things were minor and took place years and years ago… well, she won me over right from the start!

Ben is such a great hero. A true hero in every sense of the word. I adored him, too, as he battled those demons that kept him from having the kind of life a man like him deserves – one filled with hope, joy, and the love of an amazing woman. I’m so glad he was able to come to grips with his own past and accept that he deserves the very best that life has to offer!

The bottom line…

Jill Shalvis’ Lucky Harbor continues to be one of my all time favorite, must read series’. If you’re a fan of Contemporary Romance and haven’t yet given her a try, come on out from under that rock and wait no longer! Story after story, the residents of Lucky Harbor make me laugh, smile, sigh, and wish that I could make my life there, too!

My thanks to Forever Romance for providing me with a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review!

The Secret by Julie Garwood - Includes review of Audio Version

Bloody brilliant, hot, hunky Highlanders!

Audio/Kindle/Paperback Review

Very rarely do I have the opportunity to read a book that isn't a review required read, but I needed something familiar, something comforting this past week, and so I chose to re-read/listen to this story.

I am so, so very glad I did!

I had read The Secret (paperback) years ago and never reviewed because I was on a Julie Garwood binge. Book after book, I didn't have time to stop and write down my thoughts because I couldn't stop reading long enough to do so. This story will always be a favorite read, but as a listen? It's amazing!

Description...

New York Times best-selling author Julie Garwood captures the Highland splendor of medieval Scotland in this breathtaking love story. The inspiration for her acclaimed bestseller Ransom, this classic tale is a passionate masterpiece from one of the best-loved storytellers of all time.

Judith Hampton was as beautiful as she was proud and loyal. Her dear Scottish friend from childhood was about to give birth, and Judith had promised to be at her side. But there was another reason for the journey from her bleak English home to the Highlands: to meet the father she had never known, the Laird Maclean. Nothing prepared her, however, for the sight of the Scottish barbarian who was to escort her into his land...Iain Maitland, laird of his clan, a man more powerfully compelling than any she had ever encountered.

In a spirited clash of wills and customs, Judith reveled in the melting bliss of Iain's searching kisses, his passionate caresses. Perplexed by her sprightly defiance, bemused by her tender nature, Iain felt his soul growing into the light and warmth of her love. Surely nothing would wrench her from the affection and trust of Iain and his clan...not even the truth about her father, a devastating secret that could shatter the boldest alliance, and the most glorious of loves!

My review...

Julie Garwood was my first venture into Historical Romance, and the genre became an instant favorite. I grabbed every single Garwood HR I could get my hands on, and wept when I learned she wasn't writing HR anymore.

Okay, maybe "wept" is a bit of an exaggeration, but not much!

When people ask what my favorite HR novel is, I always think of Garwood's books. The Prize, The Bride, The Wedding... it's hard to pick an all time favorite. But I can honestly say, The Secret is right up there on the list.

And I've fallen in love with it, all over again.

This past weekend I listened (and read along - Kindle) to Susan Duerden not just read the book, but perform it. Her incredible ability to let each character's unique personality shine through made this an absolute delight to experience.

The prologue is one of the best I had ever read, and now listening to Ms. Duerden bring the wee little girls, Judith and Frances Catherine to life... then bring them together again as grown women whose friendship passed the test of time and will inspire Lairds and clansmen... truly, I can't put into words how much I enjoyed this story. No, how much I LOVE this story! Every page, every sentence, every word...

The bottom line...

As I said, my reading time is precious to me and there isn't enough of it, but when I needed something familiar and comforting, I chose this book. That in itself should bear testament to how much I adore The Secret.

I sighed, I smiled, I laughed... the witty dialog and laugh out loud banter, the sexual chemistry... it captured my heart and made me fall in love with the obstinate Laird Iain Maitland and the adorable, equally obstinate Lady Judith, all over again.

Three Weeks With Lady X by Eloisa James

Description...

Having made a fortune, Thorn Dautry, the powerful bastard son of a duke, decides that he needs a wife. But to marry a lady, Thorn must acquire a gleaming, civilized façade, the specialty of Lady Xenobia India.

Exquisite, head-strong, and independent, India vows to make Thorn marriageable in just three weeks.

But neither Thorn nor India anticipate the forbidden passion that explodes between them.

Thorn will stop at nothing to make India his. Failure is not an option. 

But there is only one thing that will make India his—the one thing Thorn can't afford to lose...

His fierce and lawless heart.

***** 

My review….. Three Weeks With Lady X is such a charming, witty, sexy story. The way it all unfolds grabbed me from the first pages and held on to the very last. Lady Xenobia India is the perfect example of my favorite heroines. A strong, independent free thinker, she's the furthest thing from a Wallflower the ton has ever seen. She's a beautiful woman and had many opportunities to marry, but didn't want a conventional arrangement. She's worked hard to fund her own dowry so that she could choose her own husband, and this alone made me love her! Thorn Dautry, the hero of this story, is Tobias, the illegitimate son of the Duke of Villiers. There was something so powerful about him, and yet so vulnerable, too. Being labeled a bastard, even though his father found and claimed all his bastard children, was something Thorn had to live with. But it was refreshing to see how he handled it all... not accepting and assuming his role as a lesser member of society, but making himself into a force to be reckoned with, in his own rights. This alone made me adore him and hope for the kind of happily ever after only the most amazing of heroes is worthy of. The bottom line... Despite something that was, in my mind, a highly unlikely, in fact, nearly impossible event towards the end - I loved this book! Eloisa James has been a favorite historical romance author of mine from the very first book I read, A Kiss At Midnight, and has been an auto-buy author ever since. I adore the humor, the passion, and the unique stories she gives us, and the beauty of her happily ever afters. A copy of this story was provided by Avon Books in exchange for an honest review.

Confessions of a Secret Admirer, A Valentine's Day Anthology

Some secrets are meant to be revealed …

Or so you’ll discover, in three sexy, unforgettable Valentine’s Day stories from New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Ryan and contemporary romance stars Candis Terry and Jennifer Seasons.

Waiting for You by Jennifer Ryan

Rancher Grant Devane has waited for Taylor Larson’s return to Fallbrook for more than ten years. Now that the fearless beauty has come home on her terms, he’ll do anything and everything necessary to win back her heart.

Sweet Fortune by Candis Terry

Sarah Randall is tired of being invisible to the opposite sex. So when a leap of faith sends her to Sweet, Texas, and into the path of ridiculously hot Deputy Brady Bennett, she’s determined to catch his eye … even if it means staying hidden just a little bit longer.

Major League Crush by Jennifer Seasons

Professional baseball player Drake Paulson can’t help wanting to know more about his cute, shy neighbor. But when he discovers her deepest secret and she flees, it’ll be up to him to win her trust—and her love—one gift at a time.

*****

Fun, romantic and sexy!

Just in time for Valentines Day, Confessions of A Secret Admirer... Three romantic, sexy stories from three talented authors!

1. Waiting For You by Jennifer Ryan

Waiting For You is the prequel to Ms. Ryan's new series, The McBrides. It's a second chance romance with a twist, which I enjoyed. I find that this author's stories are either hit or miss with me, and I'm happy to say this one worked. Though I struggled through the beginning which read like it belonged right in the middle of the series, with a storyline that had me wondering what book I had missed, by the end everything was made clear, and I was thrilled for Grant and Taylor's happily ever after!

This has the makings of a great series!

2. Sweet Fortune by Candis Terry

In my book, Candis Terry ranks right up there with Jill Shalvis when it comes to writing charming, funny, sexy, small town contemporary romances, and stories like Sweet Fortune are why. Sweet, Texas is a close knit place where friends are like family, and family is everything. Sarah and Brady had me grinning from ear to ear with their witty banter, and fanning myself with their sexual chemistry.

Without a doubt, Sweet Fortune is an awesome addition to the Sweet, Texas series and further solidifies Candis Terry's place on my 'must read author' shelf!

3. Major League Crush by Jennifer Seasons

Jennifer Seasons' Diamonds and Dugouts series is one of my favorites. The stories are fun, romantic, very sexy, and this sweet little novella gave me the quick fix I was looking for from Colorado Rush MLB player, Drake. Bertie is a quirky woman who made me smile with her dry humor and quick wit, and I loved how she transformed from a woman who just fantasized about her happily ever after to one who went after it! The ending was a bit abrupt, but I'm hoping we'll see more of this very special couple.

My thanks to Avon Books for providing me with a copy of this Valentines Day anthology for review. It truly was a pleasure!