Archive | October 2014

In Bed With the Highlander

Synopsis

Moirag is on a holiday to research her family history. She is staying in a castle for the night in the year 2013. When she wakes up during the night, there is a hot guy in her bed and the year is 1715.

Gavin is a highlander whose fortune is getting better and better. Yet, he does not know what to make of Moirag and her story.

Opinion

I was not prepared for the time travel aspect of the book (I missed that tidbit when reading the synopsis), but I loved it. In any event, this was a fun short story that is about 70 pages.

The back-and-forth between the two characters was entertaining. Both were trying to figure out what happened.

Gavin was definitely intrigued by Moirag because she was like no woman he had ever known. It took some time for Moirag to come to terms with the fact that she travelled through time and was not in an elaborate dream sequence. I think that would be a normal reaction if a person was mysteriously thrust back in time. And if it was a dream, no time like the present to get to know this hottie Highlander.

Since the story was short, I do not want to say too much and give anything way. However, what made this book for me was the way it ended. LOVED IT. Too cute. Perfect. Whenever time travel is involved, there could be a few different possible endings. Not everyone fits each story line. The author got it right with this one.

It may only take about an hour to read, but this book will have you wanting to sleep in an old castle to see if time travel is really possible. What would you do for the chance at meeting a sexy Highlander? 😉

Knight in shining armor is not doing anything

Oct25

***this book is not available on Amazon – I bought on iTunes***

One Knight’s Bargain – Alexandra O’Hurley

Scale of 1 – 5: ♥ ♥ ♥♥

Synopsis

Knight Eustache bought a castle plus contents. This included its inhabitants- Sybille and her brothers. When he arrived to claim his property, Sybille was understandably concerned.

Opinion

Since this is a short story, there is not a lot of character development. But there is enough to discern a little insight as to their personalities.

The best word to describe Eustache is gruff. But the important part of this story is the fact that he loved her when she did not even know he existed. For him, it was love at first sight. From the time he fell in love with her, all he did was to position himself financially in order that he might have the chance to try to woo her. He was fortunate enough that her no-good father needed money and was willing to sell house plus inhabitants. When it was time to talk to Sybille, his words did not always convey the meaning he had in mind.

For Sybille’s part, she feared she had been sold to a brute of a man who would misuse and abuse her. This was an understandable worry on her part considering that women were many times exploited and mistreated. Eustache is a big man who could use his strength to force himself on Sybille if he wanted. However, their wedding night Eustache showed his softer, tender side. In the end, Eustache gets a home and family to call his own. And Sybille gets a husband who will love, care, and protect her.

Overall I really liked this precious short story. I do not usually read books from this era, but it was such a tender sweet romance, that it changed my opinion of the genre. By the end, I was cooing and wanted my own knight.

Then I realized, my hubby is my knight in not so shiny armor 🙂

Billionaire with so much heart

Oct20

Heart Of The Billionaire: : (The Billionaire’s Obsession ~ Sam)♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Synopsis

Maddie is a doctor and the best friend of Kara from Billionaire’s Obsession. She is working a full-time job and operating a free clinic. Since Kara is marrying Sam’s brother, Simon, Maddie has to have some interaction with him. She tries to remain cordial and keep her emotional distance so he does not break her heart again. It does not help that he was her first love and she is still attracted to him.

In Billionaire’s Obsession, Sam is the older brother but the focus was on the trauma that Simon endured as a teenager. Heart Of The Billionaire, the focus is on Sam. He has his own scars and traumatic childhood stories. One thing is certain. He still has feelings for Maddie. He knows she hates him which dooms him to a life of loneliness. However, when the opportunities arises, Sam makes his move to make up for the lost time that Maddie was not in his life.

Opinion

In Kara’s story, I got glimpses of the history between Maddie and Sam, but was not sure what to make of it. Sam never said a bad word about Maddie but she called him “snake” and “man-whore”. It was easy to know who broke who’s heart.

I have not decided who I like more: Sam or Simon? After reading Kara and Simon’s story, I thought that an alpha male could not be any more infuriating. Enter Sam. He has a take-all sort of attitude. Maddie haunted Sam’s thoughts for years after they separated. During all that time, he has remained convinced that Maddie belongs with him. He gave up his chance years ago, but is not making that mistake a second time. He has a heavy-handed approach to matters that was humorous to me. On several occasions he told Maddie that they were getting married and she would remind him that he had not asked. It was funny because he could not understand why his business-like methods were not working to get her to do what he wanted her to do. Even Simon was giving him advice that he might not be using the best approach.

Sam: “I am marrying her. I already told her that.”
“Uh…did you actually ask her?” Simon inquired uneasily
Sam: “Nope…”

Maddie is more cautious. She is not going to let herself get hurt but she still has feelings for him.

She is trying to resist but he has his ways of being persuasive ***wink wink***

“Kissing Sam was like putting a flame to gasoline, the ignition was almost immediate and white-hot.“

Despite the amazing chemistry, I like that she was not head-over-heels gaga for him. The first time that Sam brought up marriage, she slapped him. Priceless. You go girl. When Sam explained everything, she did not automatically believe him either. I would have thought it was cheesy if she went from “I hate your guts” to “I love you so much” in an afternoon. Little by little, she was able to understand what was going on and why he did what he did. While she was understanding, she did not become a pushover. I love that about her character. She might love him, but she was not going to do what he said just because he demanded it. It does not matter if she really wants to do it. It’s the principle. Yea, I ~~would be~~ am that stubborn too.

At the heart of it, it is a sweet story. Sam is a lovable ultra alpha-male who has secrets that create his insecurities. He is trying to work past them and go for what he wants. Maddie has her own insecurities to battle against. They are two imperfect people who realize they are right for each other. At least they had open communication so there were only a few misunderstandings. Everything is cleared up in the end.

You probably have all sorts of questions- If he loved her so much, why did they break up? Usually I am all for spoilers, but this is one that you have read.

However, this story is VERY graphic (even more than Kara & Simon’s story) and contains explicit language. If that is not for you, then send me a message and I will explain to you how the book ends.

I wholeheartedly agree with the author’s note: This novel is the complete story of Sam and Maddie, but reading The Billionaire’s Obsession – The Complete Collection (Simon and Kara’s story) first is highly recommended to enhance your reading pleasure.

These two books that I have read by author J. S. Scott have been delightful. I am not one usually to like such obsessive heroes, but for these stories, it works! I love these characters. I cannot wait to read more from this series.

French cooking and romance in Learning Curves

Oct15

Learning Curves Bundle: French Cooking 101 – Advanced French Kissing – Detention – Graduation ♥♥

Synopsis

Ariane is a cooking instructor in Paris, France. Of her students, sparks fly with Peter, US man on vacation with his sister. His sister pairs off with another student from the class (side story which had little point to me, but any way). Ariane decides to have an affair with Peter. By the end of the first book, Peter is going to move to France to see continue the relationship.

It seemed that there would be happy-ever-after ending.

Wrong.

While Peter is in the US arranging his affairs so that he can return to France, Ariane is having conflicting emotions concerning her “friend-with-benefits” Patrick.

By the end of the second book, Peter returns, displaying disturbing behavior (red flag for the beginnings of an abusive relationship).

Opinion

The story started okay. I thought the romance was moving too fast but some harlequin-style stories are like that. By the end of French Cooking 101, I thought this was the standard novella.

In Advanced French Kissing, the storyline took a deep downward dive. It was tantamount to a car driving off of a cliff instead of into the sunset.

Yea. It was that drastic.

The person that Peter seemed to be in the first book was totally different from the jealous, controlling, borderline violent person in the second book.

Considering how hesitant Ariane was to begin the relationship, I would have thought that she would not have tolerated his behavior. She should have kicked him out and sent his packing back to the States. It seems that she is not the same person from the previous book either. She ignores the warning signs and almost appears to embrace them. The wording that sticks out in my mind is when she said she was “craving his violence”. I did not like that AT ALL. Domestic violence should in no way be romanticized.

When I finished reading Advanced French Kissing, I was confused.

I was disgusted with Peter. I felt sorry for Ariane because she obviously made an incorrect relationship choice. I wished she had kept it going with Patrick.

I think the author is trying to set up the story to have plot twists and turns so that you want to read the next installment.

I was DONE.

A military romance that needs proofreading

Oct9

Ben (Semper Fi) – Jambrea Jones ♥♥

Synopsis

Maribeth (Mari) is determined to get her man (who is also her twin brother’s best friend). She has had a crush on him for years but it seems he does not feel the same way. Her main objective is to get him to see her as a woman and not just his friend’s sister.

Ben has noticed Mari for a while and feeling guilty that his thoughts are nowhere near being pure. He does not want to make a move in case it does not work out. In his mind, he would have lost two of his best friends.

Meanwhile, there is another side plot involving an attack on Mari’s life.

Opinion

Before I can get to the review, I must say there were an annoying amount of misspelled words in the Kindle version of this book

Location 293 – defenceless

Location 1391 – kurb

Location 1430 – licence

There were more but I am not getting paid to edit and proofread. Jambrea Jones, fix those errors!

K-E-R-B?!?!? Really? Autocorrect was probably like, “Ummm I got nothing”

~~~~~Okay back to the review~~~~~~

Romance part of this book in a nutshell:

Ben: Must stay away from best friend’s sister.

Mari: I’m gonna get my man.

Ben: My big brain says “Must resist.” My little brain says “Lets bone.”

Mari: I got my man.

The end

Nothing new to see here.

Mari was pragmatic about their relationship and ready to get physical. “We’ve already wasted a few years, let’s not waste anymore.”

Cliché love story aside, there were several plot details about this story that annoyed me-

— Mari was foolish. She has someone break into her house and later beat her up, but she still goes into another situation without any caution and it nearly cost her life. Also, getting rid of the evidence that the people trying to kill want was not a smart move either.

— Fin (Mari’s brother) was not more upset with the circumstances surrounding Mari getting beaten within an inch of her life. Considering that she could have had a concussion, I would have thought he would have made her go to the doctor. Instead he takes her to her boyfriend’s house and there is the implication that she would be getting physical later. His sister gets beat up and he is not out for blood immediately?

— Ben’s injury was serious enough that he is home on leave but obviously not that bad that seeing how active as he was. How many times was Mari going to accidentally hit/knock his leg? It seemed all that abuse must have improved the healing process considering his bedroom acrobatics.

— Mari was too ditzy to put the puzzle pieces together as to the reason why her life was in danger. I do not believe for a second that she would have been able to solve why bad people were after her. We already established that she had no common sense. And she had been recently kicked in the head while face down in the gravel. Her words, “I’m sure I have a concussion or something.”

Side note: Mari’s busted up face would not have been sexy. She was trying to engage in foreplay with a black and blue, swollen face, which I imagine, looked more contorted than alluring. Ben’s thought process was “Even all beat up, she was gorgeous.” He should have been thinking “I need to get her to a hospital.” No. Let’s not be too sensible. Sleeping off a head injury after some between the sheets action is the best way to deal with that.

At first, I thought Ben (Semper Fi) was a 3 ♥♥♥ but the more I think about it, I have to give it a 2 ♥♥.

The plot foundation was an okay start: Marine romance with best friend’s sister. In an effort to make the story line different, the author added elements that did not fit together well. The villain was weak. Characters Ben and Mari did not connect with me. Some of the way that they behaved did not make sense while they were supposed to be reasonably intelligent individuals. He was a Marine colonel and she was a librarian. The story should have been better. Even the cover was mediocre to me.