Synopsis

Former Green Beret Daniel (Deck) has been the bodyguard for A-list actress Jane for the last five years. After she receives some particularly bad news regarding her ex-husband, Deck’s effort to console her end with them both in bed.

“I’ll be damned if I’m going to dry hump you on the couch” – Deck

Before they have a chance to talk about what just happened, they are discovered and derogatory things are said.

Can an actress and her bodyguard have a love life together
or
are they doomed from the start?

Opinion

This book could have been over in two chapters if this had been me. After the first love scene, I would have been like, “Deck, you and me belong together. I have been crushing on you for years. Let’s do this!”

Jane had similar thoughts, but she did not verbalize them.

“Like everything else with Deck, the reality was infinitely better” – Jane

Instead of going with what would have been a good idea, she decided to listen to people who fill her head with nonsense like she is supposed to be better than a relationship with Deck.

While Deck is a strong, alpha male, he still had feelings. He does not take to kindly to Jane playing with his emotions and trying to keep their relationship in the closet.

Should you buy? While it was the typical bodyguard romance, it was still interesting enough to keep me entertained. I got a little annoyed with Jane, but at least she came to her senses early enough. Plus it is inexpensive.

Book Details from Goodreads
ebook
Published October 24th 2012
series Private #4

Available on Amazon

O is for Overtime #atozchallenge #ABCofRomance @AprilA2Z

Apr17

Overtime Love ♥♥♥
Book sold as part of Merry Sexy Christmas: Overtime Love\Ex-mas Reunion\A Holiday Affair (Harlequin Kimani Arabesque)

Synopsis

Drew thought he would own the semi-pro football team where he is general manager. The owner died and left it to his granddaughter Tasha.

Tasha does not know much about owning a football team and is cognizant of the fact that the current general manager thought he would own the team. She knows that they have to work with each other if the team is going be a success. At the same time, she is trying to figure out why her grandfather put her in this situation.

Opinion

The story line is not very original but it was entertaining.

Drew and Tasha have preconceived notions about each other. However, these prove to be false once they get more acquainted with each other. Since they acknowledge the intense attraction, they decide to mix business with pleasure with the caveat that they are leaving their hearts out of it.

He said, “He could make love to her for the rest of his life, but he remembers their agreement – no ties, no commitment.”

She said, “She wanted this incredible man in her life but knew she had to keep the desire unspoken.”

It is obvious to the reader that they have deep emotions for each other but it is a matter of who will crack first and profess undying love and devotion.

How long will it take to communicate? Thankfully, it did not take long since this is a novella.

Should you buy? This story was not that bad once I got past the miscommunication. Considering it is part of a compilation, the price per story is cheap.

Details from Goodreads – Novella bought as part of a compilation
Paperback, 288 pages
Published October 16th 2012 by Harlequin Kimani Arabesque
Buy the compilation on Amazon

N is for Nothing #atozchallenge #ABCofRomance @AprilA2Z

Apr16

Nothing But Trouble ♥♥

Synopsis

In this cowboy romance, Melanie wants to prove to her father that she can survive in a remote area while managing her type 1 diabetes so that he will fund her expedition to Africa. She offers Stoney money to take her on a trip in the mountains in Wyoming. She neglects to tell him that she has diabetes and needs very specific care.

Stoney needs the money that Melanie is offering to fix up his family ranch in Wyoming. His father was injured in a fire and currently is in a wheelchair. He does not want to help Melanie but sees no other viable option.

Opinion

I think that Melanie is a spoiled brat who has been sheltered her whole life. When given the chance to show that she is mature to take care of herself, she botches it seriously and almost loses her life. And somewhere in the midst of everything, Stoney falls in love with Melanie.

WHY?

Melanie did not seem lovable to me. The more the story progress, the more aggravated I was with Melanie. She withheld information so that she could manipulate the situation. She knew if she told Stoney the full truth, he would not have taken her on that remote trip.

Maybe I am being too hard on Melanie, but I think she needs to grow up before she can even think about having a relationship. As it is, I think Stoney is going to have to spoil her in order for her to be happy because she will only be satisfied when things are going her way.

Should you buy? If you like infuriating, bratty female characters and reading about the men that have to deal with them, THEN you will like this book. Otherwise, you will react like I did, “Meh”.

Book details from Goodreads
Kindle Edition, 193 pages
Published September 19th 2011 by Lisa Mondello (first published September 1999)
Available on Amazon

M is for Mighty Hunter #atozchallenge #ABCofRomance @AprilA2Z

Apr15

The Mighty Hunter (Lords of the Abyss Book 1) ♥♥♥

Synopsis

Bridget is a scientist who loves the ocean. She is working on a ship to get the experience she will need to do the job she wants in deep water research.

Caderyn is a merman living in the abyss, miles below the water’s surface on ocean floor in the legendary, mythical city known above water as Atlantis. He is a hunter who rescues Bridget from drowning after a monster attacks their ship.

Opinion

Top three reasons why I liked this book:

I have yet to find a book with a merman hero that I do not like. They are near the top of my choice of mythical men list. In case you are wondering, ❤ dragon shifters ❤ are number one. But I digress…
I like all things Greek mythology. In this case, the city of people were cursed to live on the ocean floor and turned into merr people because they angered Posiden. While the ocean god does not appear in the book, he does get an honorable mention.
The chemistry between Bridget and Caderyn was hot! I am surprised the ocean water was not boiling from their heat.

“There was something about this warrior hunter man that always made her want to jump on him, straddle his waist and offer herself to him.” – Bridget

The only reason I did not rate this book higher is because Bridget got on my nerves at times. I get that she was agitated because the rescue seemed more like a death sentence if she could not return home above the water. Plus the scientist in her wanted to see proof before trying to comprehend what seemed unbelievable.

The hunky, muscular merman that wants to do delicious things to her body should have made up for it. There was no need to for her to lash out and say the hurtful things she did. She made a lot of assumptions and projected her own insecurities when she should have been less uptight and more forthcoming with communication.

Should you buy? Yes. It was an enjoyable read. This is a standalone novel and the first in the Lord of the Abyss series. After reading, I wanted to know more about the merr people in the underwater city. Yea, I bought the next two books. More on that later.

From the author: Contains graphic sexual content, adult language, and violence. Novel intended for adults only.

Book details from Goodreads
ebook, 172 pages
Published July 21st 2010 by Smashwords Edition (first published 2006)
series Lords of the Abyss #1
Available on Amazon

L is for Lucky #atozchallenge #ABCofRomance @AprilA2Z

Apr14

Lucky for Her ♥♥♥

Synopsis

Lucky was the fat kid in high school that was mercilessly bullied by Lana’s boyfriend (who went on to be her husband). He had a crush on Lana and asked her to the prom, but she turned him down. Lana was a typical immature, shallow high school girl who got caught up in appearances. She did not stand up for what was right because of fear of reprisal from the “cool kids”.

Years later, the tables have turned. Lucky is now slim, trim, and the town’s sheriff. Lana is pregnant and hiding from her abusive, alcoholic husband. Because of her current predicament, she decides to marry Lucky for the protection he can provide her and her child.

But can they fall in love with each other when they have such an unpleasant history?

Opinion

There are aspects to this story that cause me to be conflicted. On the surface, I think this is a sweet story. But the more I thought about it, the two major things that bothered me:

(1) Lucky was still very bitter from the way he was treated in high school. It seems that he had a lot to prove by marrying Lara. I was not totally convinced that he was loved her for woman she was OR was his supposed attraction a high-school-crush-turned-into-obsession of what he could not have when he was overweight.

(2) I have a problem with a woman who was in an abusive relationship jumping into another long term relationship. She has not given herself time to heal and it is likely that what she thinks is love is actual gratitude. Either way, it is not a strong enough basis to start a marriage.

I do not mind a story where the main characters knew each other in high school but never hooked up. This case is different in that Lara did not show any attraction for Lucky in high school. She pitied him but not enough to stand up for him when he was being bullied.

Should you buy? I am on the fence about this one. The story is okay. There were moments that I cringed. Like I said, Lucky was very bitter. On the other hand, this book could be used as a cautionary tale why girls should not get married right out of high school.
Book details by Goodreads
Kindle Edition, 205 pages
Published June 21st 2011 by Astraea Press
You can buy on Amazon