Special K Vanilla Crisp Bars – you need to try it!

Mar28

In the past, I was not one to eat health food, low cal bars. But in the past, there was not much of a selection available. There were granola bars and protein bars. I do not mind eating granola bars, but a lot of them taste like cardboard to me.

That is why Special K Bars, Vanilla Crisp, 6 – .8 oz Bars , (Pack of 12) are my favorite snack food right now. They fill the need for something sweet without being too many calories. Most importantly, they are super delicious.

Special K has done a good job of creating snack flavors that are not a chore to eat. It can be discouraging when you are trying to watch your calorie intake, but all the “diet foods” are tasteless and bland. When you are discouraged, you can lose your resolve to continue.

I put one in my exercise bag to have when I am working up a sweat exercising. It boosts my energy levels and allows me to keep on moving.

On occasion, I also eat one as my dessert after dinner. I do not feel as though I am denying myself, but I am still making good dietary decisions that keep my calorie intake at a manageable level.

Hot Coco not so hot for me

Mar24

Hot Coco: An UnBridled Adventure

Scale of 1 – 5: ♥

I do not even know where to begin with this book. The book is mainly about a family that races horses. The West family. They have a stable and take care of other people’s horses and prepare those horses for races. Meanwhile, they are lucky and unlucky in the romance department.

This book was not for me. Words that come to mind when I think of this book: Frenetic. Chaotic. Disjointed.

The book introduced multiple characters. Which in itself is not necessarily a bad thing, but, it was arduous determining who was the main character. The title of the book references a female character that does not end in a relationship with (who I assume) the main male character. Although Coco played a seemingly prominent role in the beginning, by the middle of the book she seemed to be a secondary character. From what I could gather, she looked good but she was a total klutz that damaged multiple people’s properties. I was so annoyed with her especially with her clumsiness. It was as if she was trying to ruin things. The little incident where she totaled Kate’s car was NOT amusing in the least. And she did not have much of a personality either.

There were numerous characters with so many pieces of different little stories going on, that the book did not have a cohesive feel to it. There were countless times when I wanted to just stop reading the book. The only reason why I did not do that is because I wanted to see how it ended. Sometimes, I feel as if I am a glutton for punishment. I thought to myself that the author must have some sort of resolution by the end of the book. Some loose ends were tied, but not enough to satisfy me.

After the story, there was a note from the author recommending some of her other books. However, based on this book I don’t know if I would buy anymore of her books. Sorry. My advice to the author is to stick to one main male and one female character. If the book is a story about a couple following in love, then the plot and storyline should concentrate on that.

In the beginning, even with the frenetic introduction, I thought that there was some promise to the plot. There were some really worthwhile elements in the story, but I think her book lost some of its clarity when she tried to incorporate the points of view of all the characters in one book. That approach is better suited for a soap opera or other drama TV program, but the same does not come across well in a romance novel.

Bottom line: too many different stories

I cannot say that I recommend this book, but if this review peaks your interest, click Hot Coco: An UnBridled Adventure to buy on Amazon

Knocked up – Westmoreland Style

Mar20

The Durango Affair (Silhouette Desire) – Brenda Jackson

Scale of 1 – 5: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Durango Westmoreland, a park ranger, and Savannah, sister to Jessica (from The Chase Is On (Silhouette Desire)), meet at Jessica and Chase’s wedding. The instant attraction turned into a one night stand that would have been all said and done, but we know that would be too easy. The one night turns into a life commitment when Savannah ends up pregnant.

Her plan was to go to Durango’s house, tell him in person about the baby and be on the next plane out of there. She was not even considering a relationship with him since he has such an aversion to city girls. The only reason she went to see him was because she thought enough of him to think that he deserved the consideration of having the news delivered in person instead of over the telephone.

In true Westmoreland fashion, when she told him, his response was that they needed to get married for the baby’s sake (if only all real men were that noble, there would be no deadbeat dads- but I digress). In true independent, common sense woman fashion **insert my “You Go Girl” high-five here**, Savannah rejects that idea because of her commitment issues. You have to read The Chase Is On (Silhouette Desire) to get the full story of how Savannah and Jessica’s father messed them up emotionally.

Conveniently, there is a snow storm that keeps Savannah at Durango’s house instead of leaving as she planned. Considering that Durango is a confirmed bachelor with the mentality that he will never get married, it is humorous to read him trying to convince Savannah why they should get married. Throw in a dose of her morning sickness, and his protective instincts go into overdrive. Despite what they initially think about each other, close proximity with one another will ensure that their true feelings come out.

The Durango Affair (Silhouette Desire) is everything that most romances are: a little conflict, entertaining characters, and a huge dose of predictability. This is a fun, short book for a quick afternoon read.

Click The Durango Affair (Silhouette Desire) to buy on Amazon

And if you want to double your pleasure reading, you can buy Promises of Seduction: The Durango Affair\Ian’s Ultimate Gamble (Arabesque) which has another one of Brenda Jackson’s Westmoreland novels.

Ian’s Ultimate Gamble – review

Mar16

Ian’s Ultimate Gamble (Silhouette Desire)

Scale of 1 – 5: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Ian Westmoreland owns a casino and Brooke is a FBI agent. The two dated seriously years ago, but then Brooke broke Ian’s trust (in his opinion). Breaking up with him years ago broke her heart but she could not stop loving him. Brooke did not know if the same could be said about Ian.

Now she is on an unofficial assignment at his casino. She knows her heart is in a precarious situation because her body will give in to the urges by being in close proximity of her one true love.

On the other hand, Ian wants to believe that the years of pent up attraction can be sated if they get each other out of their system one last time. (How many romance novels have I read where the man “thinks” it is just a matter of getting the woman out of his system? But I digress…)

This might be one of my favorite stories because Ian’s personality reminds me of my husband (tough exterior but a softie on the inside). Plus, this is one of the more believable romances that Ms Jackson has written. I don’t believe in love at first sight or even love-after-two-weeks. Those make for entertaining afternoon or evening reading, but no time during my reading do I think “Hmmm that could happen and create a lasting relationship.” In this case, Ian and Brooke have years of history and their story is picking up in the middle of that. Ian has to deal with his trust issues and realize everything is no so black-and-white. Trusting Brooke means really treating her as his equal and trusting her judgment to have his best interest in mind and heart.

I loved the characters and loved the story line. There was a little bit of drama, suspense, but a lot of romance!

Brenda Jackson is one of my go-to authors when I want consistency in the story with characters that I can tolerate.

Go to Amazon and buy Ian’s Ultimate Gamble (Silhouette Desire)

Yes I am giving you a command. That’s how much I love this book!

Secrets? Yes. Seductive? Not sure about that

Mar12

Seductive Secrets (Secret Lives Series) by Colleen Connally

Scale of 1 – 5: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

In this romance story, Alyce is trying to find evidence to prove that her father was murdered instead of committing suicide after killing a fellow officer. If (and it is a big IF) she is able to exonerate him from this, it will also prove that her father was not guilty of espionage and treason. Julian is the grandson of Alyce’s guardian. Julian’s brother is also the man that Alyce’s father allegedly killed.

Of course, Alyce’s investigation put her life in danger. With the physical connection that she shares with Julian, he does not want her put her life at risk. He wants her to trust him while he carries out the investigation. I love stories with strong willed women and the men that try to rein them in.

While Julian is trying to keep her from the investigation, her good friend Charles is trying to help her on her fact-finding mission. When there was an introduction of what seemed to be to leading man, I thought this was going to be a love triangle. I hate to love triangles! Fortunately for me, this story has only two people in love: Alyce and Julian.

The story was so complicated, but in a good way. There were so many different people involved red herrings as it were. When the true villain is exposed, it was totally unexpected.

I like it when I’m not able to determine who did what and why. This means to me that the author has woven a complex story that keeps me engaged to the very end. Bravo. I admit that three quarters of the way through, I had to reread parts of the book to keep the story straight. Like I said, there were so many different people that I was getting confused about who was who and what role they played.

Half of the way through the book Julian and Alyce profess their love for each other. That, too, was unexpected. When I read the proclamations of love, I check how far along I am in the story. I know that will give me an indication of how soon the whole book and all of its questions would wrap up. Declaration of love halfway through the story? That does not bode well for the additional trials that the couple has to face before they get a happy ending.

In summary, this book is worth reading because it kept me hooked to the very end. I had the happy ever after ending that satisfied me as well. Additionally, there are some interesting subplots that also add to the story.

Click Seductive Secrets (Secret Lives Series) to buy on Amazon