#Review: Off the Record by @AuthorKALinde 4 Stars

Off the Record by K.A. Linde
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I should’ve known this wasn’t going to be tied up neatly in one book! I have read books by K.A. Linde before and these relationships are too complex for one book, but for some reason I wasn’t expecting that ending and now I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in this series.

Liz Doherty is a reporter for her college newspaper and when given the opportunity to ask a question of the handsome senator, Brady Maxwell III, she doesn’t hesitate to nail him to the wall because of her dislike of his education policies. While that one question puts her on the path to a successful journalism career, it also puts her front and center of the senator’s sexual ambitions. Their secret affair works for both of them for a while. Liz wouldn’t exactly be an unbiased reporter for a political article while sleeping with a candidate and has no desire to ruin her burgeoning career.

“How could she feel like this for him? He wasn’t a bad guy, but he was the guy she was sharpening her pitchfork over in the paper! And the guy she was spreading her legs for in the bedroom. It didn’t make any sense. How could she have such a duality about him?”

When she can’t handle the secrecy anymore and their relationship turns into more than a booty call, she has to decide if she can continue her arrangement with Brady while her heart is being stomped on.

As much as I wanted to hate Brady for his treatment of Liz, it was hard to miss how much he cared. He really tried to balance his political career with his secret relationship with Liz, but his career always won. She found herself lonely and wanting to spend time with Brady and all she did was wait until he could see her in private. It isn’t hard to see how she could be confused about Hayden, who may be more than a friend, when he can take her out in public and introduce her to all his friends without fear of fallout. I should say I was torn, but I am team Brady all the way!

I was a huge fan of the AVOIDING series, also written by K.A. Linde. There is something about her writing and the relationships that resonates with me in a deep way. I have related to her female characters in some way that tied me emotionally to the story. OFF THE RECORD is no exception. I think the majority of women can say that they waited around for a man to call. We have all needed a good shaking at least once when it came to a man. Well, this story about Liz and Brady has all kinds of, “Girl, what are you thinking?!” moments, but you need to hear more about sexy Brady before you judge the poor girl.

OFF THE RECORD drew me into this complicated relationship from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down and now I can’t wait to find out what’s going to happen to Liz and Brady next.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink

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Review: Sparks

Sparks by Cathryn Louis

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



I was so excited when I read the summary for SPARKS. I really thought I was in for a wild story full of deception and corruption and hot sex, but I was sorely disappointed.

Gabrielle Winston has created a financial analysis application that could corner the market and change the way businesses are run called Sparks. She shouldn’t have used her software for work-related business, but she did and now she can’t hide the impending financial doom that everyone will encounter from her bosses and the rest of the public. While uncovering this upcoming crisis, she also unravels the plots of enemies and creates a few enemies of her own. Now she must keep quiet and keep safe and hope the inner turmoil doesn’t ruin her. Jarin San Chapelle is a successful businessman and artist from a wealthy family with ties to Gabrielle’s company. He wants her application and he wants her too. He can have both if he can keep them safe.

First, let me tell you Cathryn Louis is obviously one smart cookie. She is a self-proclaimed techie with the resume to back it up and you can see that there is no shortage of information in her writing. I’m not dumb, but most of the plot revolves around industry terms that those in the business know and it’s another language for those who don’t do this for a living, like me. So I ended up skimming a lot of material with detailed instructions on how Gabrielle does her analyst job. (Pages upon pages of information on corporate networks and financial analysis apps. Blah.) Luckily, I understand enough about the market crash to follow that part of the plot, but its not something I desire to read about in a novel in such extreme detail. Let me repeat, DETAIL. I would’ve stopped reading if not for the fact I was reading for review. The plot of corporate espionage and hostile takeovers during an impeding market crash could have been interesting, but its not well executed. I was bored and lost for the majority of book.

That being said, I was also expecting romance. Where is the sexy time?? Gabrielle and Jarin don’t even meet until the second half of the story and then all of sudden - BAM! - they’re in love. Uh, what did I miss? It was so out of the blue it seemed that it may have been thrown in afterwards. Gabrielle hates Jarin for being a jackass then the next day he grabs her to say sorry and that’s their love story. I’m not exaggerating. That’s it. Stolen glances and possessive feelings are mixed into the remainder of the story to convey their relationship. Unbelievable and boring.

Unless you’re an IT techie genius or an investment banker I would not read SPARKS. Even people with those specific backgrounds may not find this interesting, because who wants to read about work when you’re not at work? I read for entertainment and to escape real life and this book failed me on both counts.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink





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#Review: Searching for Tomorrow - 5 Stars @KCrane_katiemac

Searching for Tomorrow by Kathryn M. Crane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sometimes books are so emotionally draining for me that they will have me blubbering and upset for days. SEARCHING FOR TOMORROW was one of those stories. It was beautiful and sad, ugly and hopeful all at the same time, but the roller coaster of emotions was completely worth it.

Wrynn and Tripp’s fairytale life comes to a screeching halt when Tripp is killed in the line of duty. She knew his job as an Army Ranger was dangerous, but nothing could prepare Wrynn for life without Tripp. Now she has three little girls to raise on her own and the painful grief that she can only hope will eventually give so she can do better for her family. She has an awful mother-in-law who is determined to make her life miserable and makes it impossible to grasp onto any happiness. Her wonderful parents and brother make life tolerable, but there’s only so much they can do when her other half is gone. Tomorrow is something she can’t even begin to worry about because she can only focus on making it through the day.

“I always promise myself that I will be resilient enough to deal with all of his stuff tomorrow. I keep searching for that tomorrow, and it never seems to come, so each day I just keep trudging along.”

If this story sounds like its full of sadness and despair; that’s because it is, but there are also the small moments Wrynn is able to carve out each day for her girls, family, and friends that are beautiful and happy. When you lose the love of your life so young, it makes you appreciate life so much more and I thought Wrynn did an amazing job of grasping onto those small moments that make life wonderful. I couldn’t even imagine being able to find the happiness in everyday life if I had been in her shoes, but she does and it’s inspiring.

SEARCHING FOR TOMORROW is a truly deep and powerful story that will have you re-evaluating life and priorities. I would rate it 4.5 stars, because the story was slow at times and caused me to lose interest, but it was overall enjoyable, so I rounded it up to 5 stars. It is written completely from Wrynn’s point of view and we learn about her past life with her husband, in between chapters set in the present. It was a great way to learn about their past and appreciate what Wrynn is really going through without Tripp in her life. There are a few curves thrown in to keep things interesting, but I really can’t talk about those without ruining the surprises.

SEARCHING FOR TOMORROW did not have a cliffhanger, although we are left wondering what happened to Wrynn’s brother, Liam. FINDING HOPE FOR TOMORROW will be Liam’s story and I really can’t wait to find out what happens with this sweet and loving guy. I really recommend this series for those looking for an emotional love story that is good for all ages.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink

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Blog Tour Review and #Giveaway - Switch by Janelle Stalder

Switch by Janelle Stalder

Description:

All’s fair in love and war.

Two thirds of the world's population has been wiped out, devastated by the worst war earth has ever seen. Still standing amongst the ruins is a mind reader who finds herself on the wrong side of the war. Everyone does what they must to survive. When the rebels bent on bringing down the New World leader start to rise up, it is her job to make sure they stay down where they belong. That is, until one rebel sneaks past her defenses and into her heart. Love will blossom from the ashes, but will it be enough to save them, or will it mean the end of them both?




Review:

My Rating: 4 of 5 stars

SWITCH is one badass action dystopian romance. If you are a fan of this genre, do not miss this one!

Survival is at the forefront for most in the New World, which is the outcome of the worst war the world has ever seen and only a third of the population is still alive. Charlotte Hatcher finds a way to survive and that means becoming the secret “Weapon X” of the New World army and using her mind-reading abilities to fight the rebels.

“Had she seriously just joined the New World army? It’s just to stay alive, she told herself. She could handle being around them for now. She’d been forcing herself to deal with shitty circumstances all her life. This was simply new surroundings and different people.”

Five years after leaving her old life behind, she’s now Dinah, a kick-ass emotionless robot who doesn’t think outside daily activities until she meets Pete McCay, who happens to be the second in command for the rebels.

I love dystopian, romance and new adult and SWITCH is all three rolled up into one perfect package. Charlotte, or “Weapon X”, and Pete have a seemingly lost cause of a romance that is super hot, but these are people who are fighting to survive and some who are fighting a war for a better life. If I were stuck in this crappy New World, I would want to be sexy and fearless Charlotte. It’s the reason Pete is so intrigued because how many other girls fight, shoot and scare the shit out of everyone in their way. You gotta love a heroine who people are so scared of they can’t even look at her and she thinks its funny. Charlotte and Pete are on opposite sides of this war, which makes their relationship difficult, but they keep each others secrets even though it could mean an advantage for their side. Their connection is intense and confusing. There seems to be no way for them to be together, yet they continue to find a way.

“Whatever they were doing was stupid. It’s not like it could go anywhere, even if they were just friends. It was just the way the world worked. Who was he kidding? He’d meet her there for the same reason he had invited her in the first place. It didn’t matter how many times he told himself it was stupid, he couldn’t fight the desire to see her again.”

Enthralled would be the word I would use to describe my feelings with SWITCH. I was completely lost in this world and was upset when finished because I just wanted to read more of this amazing story!

Janelle Stalder weaves a tangled web of connections between the characters and provides several different points of view, which is done so well that the story captured amazingly different emotions and situations and created a wonderfully complex plot. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the bomb to drop about the character’s connections and the action made SWITCH a definite page-turner. Luckily, SWITCH is only the first in the New World series and the second book, MASKED, is due December 2013 because the war is far from over and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink

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About the Author:

Janelle Stalder was born and raised in Brampton, Ontario. At an early age she developed a love for literature. Her debut novel, Eden, was the first book in a series of four, released in September of 2011. The second book, Eden-West, was released in July of 2012, and the third book, Eden-South was released in March of 2013. The fourth book of the Eden Series, Eden-East, will be release at the end of 2013. She is a strong supporter of other independent authors, and loves to interact with her readers. When she's not writing, Janelle is at home with her husband, two children, Aiden and Elora, and her two furry children, Alice and Lily. She now resides in the small town in Ontario in her old, possibly haunted, century home.

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#Review: The Fight for Us by @ElizabethFinn77 - 5 STARS

The Fight for Us by Elizabeth Finn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am a huge fan of Elizabeth Finn’s and THE FIGHT FOR US is just another reason to love her!!

Isaiah and Joss do not meet under the best circumstances. They meet in the principal’s office of their teenage daughters’ high school to discuss the bullying that Natalie, Isaiah’s daughter, has had to endure from Joss’ daughter, Harper. Joss is convinced this could not really be happening because her daughter is not a bully; which only further enrages Isaiah, who moved his daughter to this small island town to escape the horrors of their past. These two parents instantly despise each other, but there’s a fine line between love and hate. The passion between them is undeniable and when they must deal with the demons from their past in order to be together, they must also decide how hard they will fight for each other.

When I first read the blurb for THE FIGHT FOR US, I was convinced that Isaiah was going to be the one with all the baggage. He is definitely damaged, but nothing can compare to the disaster that is the divorce between Joss and her ex-husband, Todd. There are bad divorces and then there’s the relationship between Joss and Todd. He is a NIGHTMARE!! In true Elizabeth Finn fashion, I was left reeling from the revelations and events that take place in this truly gut-wrenching tale of two single parents doing absolutely everything they can to take care of their kids, while realizing their personal lives need some attention for life to be worth living.

Joss has an uncontrollable urge to say whatever pops into her head and it is very entertaining. She usually regrets these outbursts, but they are completely endearing and sometimes comical; especially when you realize her daughter has picked up this trait. This is the first romance novel I’ve read where the leads have teenage kids. Obviously, I need to branch out because this added a unique element to the storyline that I really enjoyed. The teenage girls have plenty of issues themselves and it added to the complexity of the storyline.

The truth about Joss and her ex-husband was really hard to digest (I’m not giving anything away!) and Isaiah had his own problems to worry about. There couldn’t have been two more damaged people to get together.

“I’m not strong enough for you. It takes everything I have to be strong enough for Nat, and most of the time, I don’t think that I am.” He looked at the floor for a moment, swallowing over a lump, and then looked back at her again. “I just don’t have it in me anymore. I’m sorry.”

It really doesn’t seem like they can make it. But then again, when they’re together it doesn’t seem like they could be any more perfect for each other.

“Do you really think we can’t get this right?” He placed his hands on top of hers, pinning them to the ledge, and he leaned down to her, letting his cheek touch and taunt her own. He was nuzzling against her ear with his lips - not touching her any more than the lightest caress against her skin. It was tormenting. 

“I thought we’d both decided that. You just don’t have it in you, remember?” Her voice trailed off as his lips brushed her skin again. 

His response was a warm humming sound that vibrated against her skin. “It feels that was sometimes, but other times…” He hummed again as goose bumps sprang up on her neck. “...well, other times I see you, and I’m suddenly calm and my world feels exceptionally and perfectly simple. I regret that conversation. Half of what I said didn’t even make sense to me. Or, at least I can’t seem to put anything into words correctly.”

There couldn’t be a more perfect title for the story than, THE FIGHT FOR US. It describes exactly what Joss and Isaiah go through for each other. This is a beautifully painful love story that had me hooked from the prologue. Fans of Elizabeth Finn will understand the level of complexity in her stories and if you’ve never read one of her novels, THE FIGHT FOR US is a good place to start.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink

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Review: Forgiven

Forgiven by Rebecca Brooke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Sometimes bad things happen to good people.”

A horrific event two years ago changed Caleb Jacobs and now he lives a secluded quiet life where no one really knows him. He doesn’t want anyone to know him or his past. Then Angie is paired with him for a school project and she starts to break down his walls, but he feels like he must fight his feelings to protect her. Angie Powers is damaged from a horrible childhood with an abusive, alcoholic father. She focuses on school and hopes that one day her knight will rescue her from the loneliness.

“What could have happened to her? She said earlier that she wanted to get away from home. Why, I wondered. Did that have anything to do with what Josh mentioned before? What could she be running from? She deserved to be protected and loved---things I would’ve loved to do for her. I wanted to be her knight in shining armor. The only problem was I wasn’t a knight---I was more like a demon trying to steal her soul.”

The tension and fighting between these two was palpable. You could feel the hatred, attraction, madness, and love flowing from the pages. From their first meeting to their admission of feelings, I couldn’t even begin to predict what would happen between them. It was a constant emotional tug of war and its unbelievable! Each character had their own demons, but essentially bad things have happened to them and they must realize that it doesn’t make them bad people. They each have a hard time believing that they deserve happiness. I cried for their turmoil and journeys. I’m talking the ugly, messy crying too. FORGIVEN affected me in a big way. The characters were lovable and the secondary characters were perfect compliments.

When I first read the title of this book, my first thought was either the main male or female character had to be forgiven for doing something awful to the other. Typical. I was wrong. I really wasn’t expecting the story to go the route it did and have such deep, meaningful themes. The twists and turns kept it exciting and there was no lack of heat between Angie and Caleb. Rebecca Brooke wrote a beautiful and thoughtful story that not only includes a complicated love story, but the journey two young people must travel to heal from traumatic emotional wounds.

“I spent my whole life hiding what my father said to me, and I never dealt with it, properly. I always talked about forgiveness, when I really should have focused on forgiving myself. The abuse wasn’t my fault, but not giving myself the release I needed was. It felt like he held me forever while I cried. I cried for the childhood I deserved, but never had. I cried for the parents I should have had. I cried for me.”

FORGIVEN was a great story that I recommend to those who generally read the happy-ending love story with a little extra complication. I was surprised and thought about the story for days after, definitely a sign of a good book.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink

#Review: Love Rehab: A Novel in Twelve Steps

Love Rehab: A Novel in Twelve Steps by Jo Piazza
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I know I messed up pretty bad as a young adult and acted like a lovesick idiot more than once, but Sophie and her gang of lovelorn ladies could win awards with their brand of crazy.

Sophie starts a twelve-step program for love addicts after she catches her boyfriend of two years sexting with his secretary. She leaves Manhattan for her hometown in New Jersey and proceeds to turn into a crazy, stalker person who calls her ex boyfriend until he threatens to get the police involved. She realizes that she can’t be the only woman to make these mistakes; wanting love more than wanting the right guy, so together they form a support group and learn to love themselves and correct their behavior towards men. Hint: Do not start planning the wedding immediately after he asks you out for drinks!

Sophie’s house becomes a place for all these women to stay while they work on their lives and it seems like a sorority house. This story follows these women as they conduct their own program and make up the twelve steps as they go. It reminded me of the movie HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS, which is pretty ironic because these women come to the conclusion that romantic comedies are the downfall for expectations in relationships.

I found LOVE REHAB: A NOVEL IN TWELVE STEPS to be cute, funny, and pretty cheesy at times, but overall a light and entertaining read. Most women will be able to relate to the mistakes that these single ladies have made. (Even if you do not want to admit it, you have.) I found myself having a good laugh at their antics and even wishing I had thought of their evil retaliations while I was dating. I am now also VERY glad there was no Facebook while I was dating! Jo Piazza did a wonderful job creating lovable, flawed characters and her writing style flowed seamlessly. I had just finished reading a very dark book and this was seriously needed to lift my mood, but there wasn’t much to the story besides the silly and funny and the romantic coupling fell a little flat.

I think single ladies would find LOVE REHAB: A NOVEL IN TWELVE STEPS funny and maybe even helpful and for all others, you could laugh at the misguided things you used to do. I recommend if you are ever in the mood for the book version of the romantic comedy.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink

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#REVIEW: Far Shore by @tracilslatton 5 STARS

Far Shore by Traci L. Slatton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“The heart wants what it wants.”

This statement is proving to be too true for Emma. She made her decision to stand by her husband, Haywood, despite her love for Arthur. She got Beth and Haywood out of Alexei’s camp and was resolute in her decision to remain with her family. Only a month later, Haywood is tired of hearing Emma dream of Arthur and their marriage is just a shell of a relationship. When her friends arrive at her home to ask her to help pregnant Jeannie and rescue Arthur from Alexei’s camp, not even Haywood’s ultimatum can keep her from going to help. This journey will bring unexpected twists and the ever-evolving mists will require new plans, but hopefully Emma’s choice to leave Haywood will bring her the fulfillment she craves.

The mists are evolving and becoming more dangerous than ever, but so are the psychic powers so many survivors possess in the After. Reading this series has been exciting and awakening. I have never asked myself so many of life’s big questions due to a book, but the AFTER TRILOGY was clearly written with that experience in mind. In FAR SHORE, we learn much more to the workings of the mists, but more questions arise as well. Arthur is not the only piece of the puzzle and as usual, the secondary characters are so important to the complexity of this story.

I couldn’t believe Haywood finally gave the ultimatum. I mean, I could believe it because it probably should’ve been done before, but that was hard to hear. There are so many awesome twists and turns in this series and FAR SHORE does not disappoint. I loved the issues surrounding Emma and Arthur’s relationship. I know that sound ridiculous, but Emma is a strong woman who can deal with a lot on her own and Arthur needs to learn that she is a partner. The loneliness Emma encounters is almost too much to even read. And maybe I’m crazy, but I have a soft spot for Alexei. The charisma of his that is spoken of so much during this trilogy becomes much clearer to Emma and I couldn’t help but like him despite all the wrong he has done.

Here’s the best news yet. IT’S NOT OVER! At the end of the FAR SHORE, I freaked out a little because I thought, “Oh no! That can’t be it, but it’s a trilogy so it must be!” I was more than a little upset so I went a little stalkerish on Ms. Slatton and searched her website and blog and finally just emailed her asking if there would be another book. Her answer was there would be a book four and maybe five! YAY!! I really want to hear about the group’s next journey and the plan to eradicate the mists forever.

THE AFTER SERIES has been an amazing rollercoaster ride for me and FAR SHORE was an excellent installment. Even if this is all I hear of Emma, Arthur and the rest of this world again, I will have been so glad I read this series; but I am ecstatic that there will be a fourth book. Traci L. Slatton has created a world that excites and makes you think deeply at every turn.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink

BUY IT NOW! - Amazon

Read the previous books in this trilogy first!!

Review: Community Service

Community Service by Dakota Madison

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



A love triangle which seems to have a clear choice, but when the “perfect” guy is in a wheelchair you are bound to have second thoughts.

Maggie Mitchell is stunned when her high school crush, Sawyer Reed, is her new lab partner and he’s still as hot as she remembers; only now he’s in a wheelchair and seems to have a crush on her too. When she is assigned to do community service at the local theater she meets Jude Marino, the sexy playboy actor from an influential family. He’s cocky and arrogant and to make things a little more complicated he has a past with Sawyer.

“What I felt for Jude permeated my body but what I felt for Sawyer permeated my heart and soul.”

Sawyer is clearly the choice for Maggie. Maybe that’s my biased opinion, but Jude is transparent in his motives and will only use her and break her. The pressure from others gets to Maggie. Her own mother calls Sawyer a half of a man and others are entirely uncomfortable in his presence. Maggie is disgusted with her mother’s feelings towards Sawyer and rightfully so, but when Maggie is defending Sawyer she realizes how she feels for him. I loved Sawyer! He was cute and sincere and obviously became a better person due to his accident. Though I thought Sawyer was perfect for Maggie, I can honestly say I don’t know how I would deal with having feelings with someone in a wheelchair. I have never in my adult life known someone who couldn’t walk and I could understand if there was hesitation. It’s the fear of the unknown. Maggie knew right away she was still attracted to Sawyer despite the wheelchair and only when others began to question her relationship with him did she really think about the possibilities.

COMMUNITY SERVICE made me consider situations I have never thought about before. I found myself seriously questioning what I would have done had I been in Maggie’s shoes. When you throw Jude into the mix, I can see how she was confused. Even though Jude was completely wrong for her, physically she was attracted to him in a way she couldn’t even control. Ugh, Jude. Couldn’t she see what he was about? It was fun to hate him though.

There were some things about the story that didn’t play out for me. I wish I could have read more about the evolution of relationships between Maggie, Jude, and Sawyer. There was something missing in the conflict between characters. I would’ve loved to delve deeper into the characters and felt more about each relationship, especially the relationship between Sawyer and Jude. Those two have a lot of emotions to work through and more of their drama would have really added depth to the characters and story.

COMMUNITY SERVICE is a good, light read for someone just looking for a feel good story. Though there is not much depth, Dakota Madison wrote a lovely story for those looking for the happy ending.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink



BUY IT NOW! - Amazon

Review: Stranded with a Billionaire

Stranded with a Billionaire by Jessica Clare
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have a new fantasy and it includes being stuck on a beautiful, deserted island with a hot billionaire.

Brontë Dawson is a waitress from the Midwest who wins a radio station contest for a free trip to the Caribbean. Her philosophy degree isn’t getting her anywhere and she’s always strapped for cash, but she can finally have a great vacation. When a hurricane hits the island, all the guests are evacuated; only Brontë gets trapped in an elevator with a man whom she believes to be the hotel manager. The man in the elevator is actually Logan Hawkings, the new billionaire owner of the island and resort. Together, they survive the hurricane and wait for a rescue. Stranded together on a deserted island. It’s as fun as it sounds.

“This little episode had made her feel somewhat close to him, and it would’ve been disturbing to think that she’d been cozying up to a married man. “Thank God.”
“I’m also not looking for a relationship.”
Arrogant ass. She nudged him with her elbow. Okay, more like shoved. “I wasn’t asking because of that. This would just be...weird...if you had a wife.”
“We’re not sleeping together, Brontë.”
“Well, technically, we just did.” It just wasn’t all that exciting, if you didn’t factor in the hurricane.
He stopped in front of her so abruptly that she bumped into his back and stepped backward with a splash of her feet. She could barely make out his expression in the low light of the stairwell.
“Why all the questions?”
“I was just curious. You know. If I’d touched single junk or married junk. I think it’s a reasonable thing to ask.”
His face was tilted as if he were staring down at her, and she could barely feel the hot fan of his breath against her skin. She wished the stairwell were better lit so she could see his expression.
“It only matters if you’re planning on grabbing it again, Brontë.”
Now there was a mental image she’d never be able to get out of her head. “Ah. Well. No, I wasn’t making plans to do that again.”
His chest rumbled in a low laugh. “Well, now I’m disappointed.”

Logan is controlling and a total alpha male. In real life I can see that being really annoying, but I love my book men in domineering. It is totally sexy and Logan has this in spades. He can be temperamental though and this makes it difficult for Brontë to understand him at times. Their relationship definitely has its ups and downs. Brontë is funny and easy-going, which is something serious Logan needs more of in is life. She is also fiercely independent due to childhood events and this doesn’t go over well with Logan. Their personalities make for an interesting love connection and as they discover how to navigate a life together, there is no shortage of conflicts.

My issue with the story was that I didn’t understand why Brontë was so mad at Logan when she found out he was a billionaire. Yes, he lied, but couldn’t she see that he liked knowing she wanted him even when he was just a hotel manager? She blows up and doesn’t think about his point of view. This part of the story didn’t seem believable to me. At least have a discussion with the man! I also felt at times that Brontë’s emotions were all over the place. Her issues with Logan change from time to time. I would’ve liked to see more definition to the story. These are minor problems though and can be overlooked for an enjoyable story.

STRANDED WITH A BILLIONAIRE is a light, fun read. If it sounds good to you, then Jessica Clare has five more billionaires for you to discover in the BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB series.


✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink


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#Review & #Giveaway: Layers by @Sigal_Ehrlich 4 Stars

Layers by Sigal Ehrlich

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Independent and sassy meets moody alpha male, cue the fireworks.

Hayley doesn’t do relationships. She’s more of a love ‘em and lose ‘em kinda girl, but she has vowed to put that lifestyle behind her and stop the one night stands. When she runs into Daniel while on a company tour her roommate dragged her into, she is completely caught off guard by her instant attraction to this sexy man. She doesn’t even know right away that he’s the CEO of this company and a billionaire. Daniel doesn’t do relationships either, although he can’t stay away from Hayley and doesn’t know how to handle the way he feels for her. His domineering and moody personality clashes with Hayley’s opinionated sassiness, but they keep each other on their toes. Hayley can’t keep her emotions out of it this time and neither can Daniel. There’s more to Daniel than we first know and the layers to his personality may get in the way of their happily ever after.

“Wham bam thank you ma’am, is what comes to mind as I put my shoes back on. Isn’t this exactly what I wanted, planned? Emotions aside…“Me neither, don’t stop,” ring a bell? But why does it feel so different with him, so confusing and upsetting? I feel so empty inside all of a sudden. I should be amused by this. I don’t feel. I mustn’t. That’s how it always was and yet with him it’s different somehow.

We climb back down in chilled silence, only the sound of our steps echoing through the stillness. He opens the car door for me, avoiding any eye contact. Bringing the car to life, he sends a quick glimpse my way. There is a bothered look in his eyes that I find hard to interpret. He appears to be slightly confused. So am I.”

I really enjoyed this story and all the characters. Daniel and Hayley have a rough start thanks to his mood swings, but ultimately we learn there’s a hard exterior hiding a broken man and the chemistry between the two is undeniable. Hayley’s best friends, Natasha and Ian, are insanely funny and their friendship is enviable. I could find myself truly understanding everyone’s feelings, which just made it all more real to me and I couldn’t put the book down once I started. Daniel does have some serious issues, but I don’t even think we’ve scratched the surface. There is so much more to learn about him and I really want to read more from his point of view. LAYERS is solely Hayley’s POV; except for the epilogue, which is from Daniel. That one chapter was just enough to tease me for more and looking up the second book in the series for more information. 

Sometimes cliffhangers kind of piss me off, but this just made me excited for the next part of Daniel and Hayley’s story. LAYERS pulled me into Daniel and Hayley’s world completely. I can not get enough of the characters and I can’t wait to read INNER CORE (STARK #2).

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink

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Review: White Trash Beautiful

White Trash Beautiful by Teresa Mummert

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Life for Cass sucks beyond belief. She doesn't believe in happy endings, but Tucker shows her that maybe she should.

Cass lives a depressing life in a run down trailer with her addict mother and abusive boyfriend. She dreams of leaving and building a new life, but there's not much hope. One day Tucker walks into the diner she works at and tries to show her there is an escape. He's a hot rocker looking to save this girl from a hard life she's become accustomed to, but she's developed a hard exterior and is going to be tough to crack.

Tucker is super sweet. Rode right in on the white horse...or motorcycle as it may be. He didn't have a flaw I could see. (A little unlikely) He puts up with a moody Cass and seeing that her tough girl exterior hides a painful life comes back for more. I just didn't know much about Tucker. The character needed more depth.

This book started out strong. The imagery the author paints of this life is very powerful. You feel like you are in this shithole town, living this horrible existence. I felt Cass's hellish pain and hopelessness. The author did a fantastic job of creating a scene, but not so much with the development of the characters. The reason I gave this book two stars is because I couldn't get the emotional connection between Cass and Tucker. How did it happen? Why did he feel that way for her after one brief meeting? It just didn't seem real to me. I like understanding where the feelings come from, not just being told to believe them. I couldn't invest myself in their relationship.

There was an overload of pity parties for Cass. I mean I get it, I FEEL it. Your life sucks a big one. Move on!! I need a stronger lead. I'm not one for patience of the crybaby, do-nothing-to-change-life people. It's a little exhausting. Less Cass, more Tucker could have provided the insight I needed to fully commit to the story. Also, love at first sight and nothing else, eh, no thanks.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink




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Review: Take My Hand by @NicolaHaken

Take My Hand by Nicola Haken

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dexter Michaels - motorcycle, piercings (yes, THOSE kind of piercings), and a bad attitude; what’s not to like?

When Dexter goes to London to start over and make his Aunt Sarah proud he knows he should stick to easy women with no substance. A good one would only try to dig in and fix him and he’s not willing to hurt anyone else in his life. Emily Barton has moved to London to attend university away from her parents and learn much needed social skills. Beautiful, shy and innocent Emily is everything Dexter should stay away from and everything he needs to live again.

Dexter has some deep, dark secrets and doesn’t want anyone to know so he keeps everyone at a distance. Lacking social skills he knows well and he recognizes this in Emily. Emily has her own dark past she hides along with a dysfunctional family. They really are two peas in a pod and together they can overcome the terrifying secrets that keep them from truly living life. Guilt is a powerful feeling and both are crippled beneath it. Their lives are completely changed by events in their life and it’s so incredibly sad.

“It’s a form of cancer. It starts small - just a twinge deep inside your stomach. But then it multiplies. It spreads. It starts eating you alive until it’s claimed every part of you and your entire being begins the process of shutting down. It’s a selfish motherfucking disease that won’t ever rest until it’s left you alone and broken with only the pain it causes you for company.”

Dexter knows this about Emily because he feels the same. They need each other’s friendship, but they have undeniable chemistry and finally give in to their attraction. The sex is hot, but more than that it heals them and they finally see they are more than their dysfunctional pasts. By the way, dysfunctional is an understatement. These two have some seriously messed up pasts. I had that gut-punched feeling when the truth comes out. Their relationship is slow building and really feels genuine, which for me is a big deal. I’m not a fan of the love-at-first-sight. It’s rarely believable. Emily and Dex develop a real relationship that totally sucked me in. I loved it!

TAKE MY HAND is beautifully written and deep story about two broken individuals who feel they are doomed to be alone, until they find each other. I enjoyed being able to read a story that takes place in London and all the funny cultural differences Americans notice amongst the Brits. Emily has one friend, Rachel, who is bold and hilarious. The humor is wonderful and pure and a great addition to the story.

There is not so subtle foreshadowing of troubles ahead for Dex and Emily, but the ending is a great leeway into the follow-up story, HOLD ON TIGHT. Can’t wait to continue their story.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink

About the Author:

Nicola lives in Rochdale, England with her husband and four children (six if you include the dogs!) She is the author of New Adult/Contemporary romance novels Inevitable, Saving Amy and the Take My Hand series. When she is not busy playing with her imaginary book friends (or talking about them with real life friends!) she can usually be found carrying out her ordinary mum/housewife/all round slave duties. Oh, and if the kids ever ask, she moonlights as the Pink Power Ranger while they’re sleeping…

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