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Opinion

I was gifted this book in hopes I would provide an honest review.

I was eagerly awaiting the receipt of this book because the first book in this series was so exciting to me. This series about nightmare dragons presents a different type of hero, and I am coming to terms with how much I love them.

We first meet Dare in the previous book when he kidnapped his brothers mate. Of course, we know that all of his anger and angst is just because he is misunderstood and lonely.
He has been trying to navigate the world for the last hundred years and while he does it somewhat successfully, he has something missing. It is hard not to root for a guy that has not had it easy in life. Early on I realized, that for all his bravado, he was a man who was lonely and did not want to put himself out there because he was scared of being vulnerable.

Sasha is always picking the wrong type of guy. It is because she has such a big heart and she is trying to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Most of all, she truly believes in the power of love. However, after her last horrible dating experience that ended up with her boyfriend at the time becoming nightmare dragon food, she has decided to give relationships a break. And while she knows that Dare is emotionally unavailable and totally not the person for her, she cannot help but to be drawn to him.

If you read Nathan‘s story (Midnight) , you know something about their affliction that Dare erroneously assumes for most of the book. I love it when the reader knows something that the character doesn’t.

TOW Final Word: Buy, Borrow, Pass?
BUY. Overall, I loved it. Like I said, I read it multiple times already.

Book details
Series:Nightmare Dragons
Heat Level: 🔥 🔥 🔥
Print Length: 228 pages

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Another fine Westmoreland romance!

Jul30

Canyon (The Westmorelands) – another Westmoreland romance!!! ♥♥♥♥

Canyon is an attorney that is determined to plead his case with his ex-girlfriend Keisha. She caught him in a compromising (very damning) situation with her best friend and was convinced that he was cheating on her. Canyon knows he was not cheating and he wants her to see reason.

Keisha knows what she saw and accepted her friend’s tearful apology. However, she will not tolerate being in love with a man who has been unfaithful. Her distrustful attitude towards men has a lot to do with the grudge she hold against her father for not acknowledging her when her mother told him about the pregnancy with Keisha. To her, it seems that men in her life continue to disappoint her.

Although Canyon would like to try to hate Keisha for not believing him, he cannot. He loved her then and still loves her. If only he could convince her to take him at his word. At some point in the story, I got the impression that he would probably still accept her even if she had those doubts about him. That is not the optimum way he wants the relationship to go, but he was borderline desperate to have her in his life. The attorney in him could not give up on the relationship without a giving closing arguments to wrap up his case.

All the while, Keisha is struggling with her own questions “What is truth?” “Could he be telling the truth?” “If he is, did she overreact?” “Could they have a future together anyway?”

I loved Canyon and tolerated Keisha. Canyon was an overall good guy. Keisha had so many trust issues that she was a little bitter. She is holding so many grudges that it colors her judgment. She made some bad decisions because of that but I am glad that she acknowledged her faults in the end.

Seriousness aside, there is also a lot of funny moments and conversation that add depth to the characters’ personality. The funniest part of this book to me was part where Canyon was trying to explain why following Keisha was not stalking. I was laughing out loud because he was bordering on creeper and trying to justify why it was a good idea. His brothers/cousins/friends were sure he was going to end up in jail. The only reason why I did not get annoyed (because I do not think any guy should force himself on a woman for the sake of a relationship) was that he prevented a crime from being committed and probably saved her life. But he was walking a fine line for a minute there.

I am not usually one to read so many books from the same series. Nevertheless, I have read many of the Westmoreland, Madaris, and Steele series books (15 so far) because Brenda Jackson rarely disappoints with the storyline. My favorite series is Westmoreland. The plots are variations on the same type of scenario but each has its own special twists that keep me entertained. I enjoy all of the books in this series, but I especially like it when the couple has history. The love-at-first-sight scenario can get played out. As in the case with Canyon (The Westmorelands), when the couple has history, one or both of the main characters have trust issues. Good thing there are enough Westmoreland family members around to talk logic and reason into them.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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