Review: All About Passion

All About Passion by Stephanie Laurens

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Loved, loved, loved this book!! Francesca was a fantastic heroine; assertive without being pushy, and she doesn't hold a grudge. She still has a temper, but she's not a bitch. And I also loved how she was able to separate the passionate side of their relationship from the emotional side. This is a historical lady who likes sex, and even when she's mad at Gyles, is happy to get herself some. Woot Woot! She made this book a pleasure for me.
Gyles was too angsty, to the point where I thought it was all over-done, but I have liked this book a lot more than the last couple in the series.



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Review: Together Again

Together Again by Peggy Bird

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



3.5 stars
Margo Keyes, a Portland D.A., double purposes a trip back to her native Philadelphia for a school reunion and work presentation. She's not looking forward to being back there for a whole week, until she bumps into her old high-school buddy, Detective Tony Alessandro. They had some past chemistry she was keen to rekindle...

[b:Together Again|16300521|Together Again (Second Chance, #3)|Peggy Bird|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355105920s/16300521.jpg|22429937] was my first read by Ms Bird, and I came into the story with no previous knowledge or expectations of Margo and Tony’s characters. I enjoyed the pacing immensely, Ms Bird manages to pack quite a story in a seemingly short eBook length (170 pages estimated on Amazon) and at no point does the story lag. The writing is succinct, which may take a little while to get used to, but ultimately helps to move the story along well.

Right from the first we are introduced to a suspense subplot that runs concurrently to the romance and manages to weave through until it all comes together at the end. This was done very cleverly, the reader is left wondering not only who did it, but how and when it will all tie in.

I found Tony so likeable! He was sweet and sexy and charming, oh my! He likes to takes things as they come and has eyes only for Margo. Margo is the over-thinker, which is very much in keeping with her job and her independent streak. I had two gripes with this story and they both involve Margo. First, I felt like the conflict created between Margo and Tony had no purpose and went against both their characters... everything was going along swimmingly and then all of a sudden, BAM!, there are issues and they’re not even willing to talk about it. Huh? She negotiates for a living and yet seems unable to confront and all too willing to let go of, Tony. That made no sense for me. Also, not a big fan of a character who was supposed to be intelligent, putting herself in danger.

All in all, this was a fantastic book to while away a few rainy hours. I'll definitely be reading more of this author’s work!



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Review: Living with Temptation

Living with Temptation by Melinda Hale

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



This review was originally posted at Hearts On Fire Reviews where I received the book as a free reviewing copy.

Recently separated from her cheating husband, Chelsea needs a place to stay for a few days. Playboy millionaire Dean needs some help to keep the media at bay, and change his image. A mutual friend connects them to solve both their problems. What starts out as a helpful offer becomes a lot more when their attraction sizzles with their continued close proximity.

I wanted to like this book. Who doesn't like a second-chance at love story? And the cover promised me smexy times and some fine lingerie. I was in!

To the author's credit, I liked the way the bedroom scenes were written. The story is based on the passion the characters feel, and the culmination of that was infrequent, but effective. There was little demonstrated sexual tension between Chelsea and Dean, but when they were on, they were on fire!

Apart from the smexy time, what ensued was confusion, mostly mine, brought about by the inconsistencies in the story. The characters can't seem to make up their minds about how they feel or what they want; not that unusual in a romance story, I hear you say, and right you are! But when it happens continuously, within the space of a page or two, then a reader might start to wonder what they'd missed. The characters would think one thing, and then say and do something completely different, leaving the reader adrift. and it didn't only happen with the two main characters. At one stage the friend who introduced them and pushed Chelsea to accept Dean's offer, telling her he was a good guy, was also the friend who ended up warning her not to trust Dean completely. Say what?

Adding to the frustration, the author employed the tactic of telling, not showing. I wanted to read more of the interaction between Chelsea and Dean, to see for myself through their communication and actions how much chemistry there was and how those feelings evolved to reach the satisfying conclusion at the end of the book. Instead, the characters were portrayed often in scenes where they were thinking about each other and working through those feelings in their head. The reader is able to see first hand how the characters feel from the narration, rather than from the scene descriptions of when Chelsea and Dean are together. Other readers might not mind this as much as I did.

I would be interested to see what improvements this author could make when they start describing the story, rather than narrating it, but I understand that this type of storytelling is very much a personal preference. Lovers of Harlequin category reads might get a real kick out of this one.




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Review: Skin Deep

Skin Deep by Pamela Clare

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I really enjoy this author's writing style usually, but didn't enjoy this as much as I was hoping for. This is a wonderful premise for a book, but the relationship between Megan and Nate felt so forced, so rushed and so predictable, that it lost it's charm. I was captivated by Nate's backstory, the effect his scars had on his life and his confidence. I was equally intrigued Megan's past and her constant struggle to be who she is today, and her love for her little girl. I didn't really feel like a lot of their issues were resolved satisfactorily, but I enjoyed the way the tale was told.



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Review: Fixer-Uppers

Fixer-Uppers by Cynthianna (Appel)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



This review was originally posted at Hearts On Fire Reviews where I received the book as a free reviewing copy.

Mike is hard on his luck after a relationship which left him with a mountain of debt - most of which wasn't his. Cassie is a struggling single mother with big dreams and a husband who isn't paying child support. When their friends set them up on a reluctant blind date, the fireworks are nowhere to be found. What ensues is a sweet story of two people facing realistic hardships, who find a friendship and connection with each other.

This book was my first by this author. I found the story held a lot of promise; the characters faced realistic financial challenges, and unlike so many other romances, this story deals with them in an every-day way that is believable and familiar to most people.

What I loved was how relatable this story was to the average reader. I really appreciated the way the main characters fell in love, a slow steady build that felt all the stronger for the time getting to know each other. The friendship was well-developed, and the doubts Cassie had about wanting to take it further were understandable. The two boys were a real feature in showcasing Mike's character, and the love that was shared in the family, despite the hard-times was evident. Yes, this has a HEA, never fear. But the characters worked hard for their own happy ending, and take nothing for granted.

Where this story lacked for me, was in direction. I felt the plot was a little ambiguous, more a meandering of scenes, especially towards the end, where it started to drag. The dialogue was wooden at times.
All in all, I look forward to seeing some future works by this author, to see if she can deliver on the sweet romance promise so evident at the beginning of this book.



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Review: How the Marquess Was Won by Julie Anne Long

Title: How the Marquess Was Won
Author: Julie Anne Long
Graded: A+

This story was my first by this author and I am absolutely charmed! The dialogue between the H/h simply sizzles and burns. It seduces the reader with witty banter, tongue-in-cheek innuendo and soul-baring emotion, set in a time when language was used as a weapon as well as cloak.

I haven't been in the mood for a historical for a little while now, but this book has rekindled my interest in them by celebrating everything I love about the good ones... the way language is used with such meaning, and so many meanings. The way strong women were forged in the fires of social limitations, expectations and hypocrisies. The way the fashion is described in tactile detail and the nuances of good breeding. Plus I've always enjoyed the contrast in the historical heroine's lady-in-the-ballroom, harlot-in-the-bedroom characterisation. ;-)

Another thing I appreciated about this book is that the only time I felt that I didn't have the whole story were the snippets regarding Olivia and Lyonn. Otherwise, all the characters were explained well and I'm not suffering from any spoilers due to this being a #6 in the series and me having just jumped in. I'm usually loathe to read books out of order, but this has been very well done as an almost stand-alone.

Quite simply: fanbloodytastic!

Review: Pride Mates by Jennifer Ashley

Title: Pride Mates
Author: Jennifer Ashley
Graded: C+


B rating for the world building, C rating for the romance/ character interaction = C+ for this book.

I think this is the first shifter book I've read where the world has them as the underdogs, not super-humans with special powers; they are segregated and discriminated against by the human world, in a way that to me seems reminiscent of the African-American communities of the 1950's and 60's. This premise, as awful as it is, made a strange sort of sense to me in this scenario, because most humans fear and attempt to control/ belittle that which they do not understand. Worse, the shifters are collared to try to restrain their violent animal instincts. The introduction to this world is an original one in the paranormal / shifter sub-genre, and certainly piqued my interest to continue with the series.

The writing is good, the story well-paced and the plot is weaved expertly around the mystery of Brian's innocence, and the pride politics that are uncovered. I liked Kim's character from the first, her passion for her client and her beleif in him... her willingness to do what it takes and fight the law on his behalf shows her strength, and appeals to the reader. Liam also is a likeable hero, protective and affectionate, easy-going but strong. Perfect hero material.

There were certain details that tied in well with the shifters' animal instincts, but for all of that, I felt there was something a little two dimensional about the main characters' interaction. The author has gone to a lot of trouble with the world-building, but then seems to take the easy way for the H/h relationship. It all happens very quickly, and the ending seemed a little too convenient to me.

I'm hopeful for more from the next book.

Review: Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Title: Slammed
Author: Colleen Hoover
Graded: B


I'm not usually a big fan of Young Adult fiction, but I'll read those books that have been highly recommended by friends. Such was the case here.

I found Laiken to be a typical late-teenager, though having just come out of tragic circumstances after the death of her father. The star in this story was Will, the sensitive, responsible guy next door with a penchant for poetry. The drama and conflict of "I want you but I can't have you, come closer, NO, stay away!!" was very well done, though it did remind me a little of the angst in Twilight, which was a bit of a turn-off. The poetry won me over completely.
I did get qwuite frustrated by Laiken, by her tendency to stick her head in the sand and try to hide from her problems or shift the blame. I kept hoping to see more growth in her than I felt the reader got. Nevertheless, as soon as I finished this book, I started it's sequel, Point of Retreat. Surely the mark of a good story, that keeps you going back for more!

Review: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Title: Me Before You
Author: Jojo Moyes
Graded: A+

I'm sitting here with tears running down my face having just finished this book. I know I should probably let my emotions settle before reviewing but I want to get all the feelings down...

Firstly I want to say that the cover does not do this book justice. It gives the impression of a bland and fluffy read when in reality this is a heartbreaking story, with subject matter that may be difficult for a lot of readers.

The characters begin as likeable, yet maddeningly realistic in all their egocentricities and self-absorptions. As their fears and insights are exposed, they develop in strength and purpose to reveal rich individuals who are all irrevocably changed through the events which unfold. I enjoyed the first person POV, and the odd change in character thrown in stirred the narrative nicely for me. I would have liked to have had at least a chapter from Will's perspective, but can understand how challenging that may have been for the author. Glad for the final letter, though!

I commend the author for producing a book which I found extremely readable; the language was straight forward, no purple prose or a whole bunch of medical jargon. The plot is relatively simple yet not uncomplicated; for all that it raises some controversial or ethical questions. How can you read this and not ask yourself what you might do in similar circumstances, how you would feel if it was your friend? Could you be what they needed, and the moral impact of that. The writing is seems smooth and effortless and yet the result is a story which is invested with so much emotion. I'm left feeling so mad, sad and even, oddly, happily resigned about the ending. I can't remember when I last finished a story that had tied me up in so many emotional knots and still left me completely satisfied with having read it.

I'll be chasing down more of Ms Moyes' works.

Quickie Review: One Night in Scotland by Karen Hawkins

Title: One Night in Scotland
Author: Karen Hawkins
Graded: C+

A good book, an enjoyable read, but I found the romance slightly unbelievable. Why would you fall in love with someone who treats you this way? Reminiscent of the bad points of old-school type historical romance where the men were asshats and the women saw the "good guy" underneath even with no actual proof. The mystery was easy to predict. Having said that, I did like the writing. I plan to read the next in this series to see whether it was just this story or this author in general that I wasn't loving.