Tag Archive | brenda jackson

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!

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.

Player “Steele” giving it up for love

Feb9

A Steele for Christmas (Kimani Romance)

I must be a glutton for punishment because I read another one of these “Bad News” Steele character books. As the follow up to Hidden Pleasures, brother Eli is the next Phoenix Arizona Steele to leave his player ways and settle down for one woman.

There was not much of a plot, but at least it was better than Hidden Pleasures (with its trumped up fancily packaged prostitution). In A Steele for Christmas (Kimani Romance), Eli is attracted to Stacey, a commitment-phobe woman who left Memphis after her fiancé broke off their engagement to marry her friend. She begins a relationship with Eli knowing he is known as a player. The rules of the game change when Eli needs a wife (read the story to understand). Playacting turns to the real thing for both of them, ending with happy-ever-after.

I figured out what irks me about these male characters (i.e. Steele men). They are all unabashedly doggish. They are players who see nothing wrong with sleeping with as many women as they can. I find their supposed “respect for women” a little disingenuous considering the fact that they are pretty much objectifying women for their own gratification.

The other problem I have is that the only way the guy realizes he is in love is the fact that he slept with her but the lust and desire has not abated but intensified.

Since I am sucker for romance novels, I will probably read the rest of the Steele stories, but with lower expectations. I was confused why I did not have the level of satisfaction with these books as with the Westmoreland series by Ms Jackson. I realize that I prefer a strong silent brooder to a smooth talking player looking for more notches in his belt.

Rating Scale of 1 – 5: ♥ ♥

Click here to purchase A Steele for Christmas (Kimani Romance)

Hidden Pleasures – not so satisfying for me

Feb4

Hidden Pleasures (Kimani Romance)
by Brenda Jackson

I was disappointed with the storyline of hidden pleasures. Usually every book that I read by Mrs. Jackson is awesome, great, wonderful romance. But with this book I feel as if she might have fell a little short of her target.

Galen bought a house that Britney wanted (it belonged to her birth mother who died). Then he told her, he would give the house to her in exchange for one week living with him. I did not like this premise at all because it was plainly obvious she was sleeping with him to get her house. It seemed to me that she was prostituting herself.

Not romantic.

Granted there was a lot of attraction between the two of them, but the storyline did not sit well with me.

Galen and his brothers were players going through women like water. The house was the only game he had to use to get Brittany into his bed. Considering how he was supposed to have such a way with the ladies, there should have been another way to convince her to sleep with him.

That being said, the story was too lackluster for me. After the finishing the book, I felt blasé. Usually after reading a Brenda Jackson book, I am energized. I did not feel the heat from this book. It can be tough coming up with plots that work. Some people might find this book extremely entertaining. But as for me, sorry Mrs. B, not the home run I thought it would be.

Rating Scale of 1 – 5: ♥ ♥

You can buy Hidden Pleasures (Kimani Romance) on Amazon by clicking here

Bachelor Undone – a Kimani Romance

Jan1

Bachelor Undone (Kimani Romance)

I was looking for a Brenda Jackson book so that I could get my romance novel fix from an author who does a good job of presenting the characters in a somewhat believable way without making the story line too corny. Instead of a Westmoreland book, I chose a Kimani romance. Darcelle “Darcy” and York Ellis are the main characters. Darcy is a city planner that is taking a much needed vacation in Jamaica. York is a security consulting expert on the job working for a client shooting a film in Jamaica.

Not surprising, Darcy and York have history. Her best friend is married to one of his god-brothers.

After an unhappy first marriage, Darcy immersed herself in work. Now she is taking a vacation and looking for some fun. Her plan is to get her “groove back” and indulge in an island romance.

York is in Jamaica on business but gets sidetracked by the fact that Darcy is there. Darcy is looking for some excitement, but York seems to take issue with the attention other men are showing her. This is humorous for the reader but confusing for York since he is supposed to the ultimate bachelor that will never succumb to tying the knot. While York sorts out his feelings for Darcy, she is trying to figure out what it is about him that makes her always want to be contrary. She has to ask herself if a relationship with York really be that bad. Even if they don’t have romantic liaison, what is preventing them from being friends? When they stop being argumentative with one another, they realize that they actually like each other and have a lot of similar traits.

Bachelor Undone (Kimani Romance) is fun. I like that it is not really a love-at-first-sight novel. Since the characters have history, it allows them to draw from previous experiences to help them to understand their attraction and develop their romantic relationship. Both characters are feisty and opinionated in their own right, which makes for a lively story. If you like any of Brenda Jackson’s other novels, I recommend you read this one also.

Closing 2012 with THE Opinionated Woman awards

Dec31

Opinionated Woman Awards for 2012

As year 2012 comes to an end, I decided that as part of my reflection over the past year I will give awards based on categories that I chose. There are two main categories: Literary and Foodie awards. I know these awards have little significance, but since this is my blog I make the rules.

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Literary Awards

Favorite author of the year – Brenda Jackson

Her books have consistency and predictability in a good way. I have liked all of her books so far. The characters were alike in many ways but different enough so it was not the retelling of the same story over and over.

Favorite book of the year – The billionaire wins the game by Melody Anne

This book is super sweet. I love the story of Amy and Lucas. They are wonderful characters and their story is heartwarming. This book has become my go to novel when I went to read something pleasant and comforting.

Favorite thriller of the year – All for one by Ryne Douglas Pearson

I had so many emotions reading this book. A bully is murdered and his victims are the suspects. Even though I wanted justice to be served, I was sympathetic to his victims and part of me did not want them to be found guilty even if they were. The author did a wonderful job of weaving an engaging story.

Hottest romance of the year – The Proposal by Brenda Jackson

It is no surprise that Jackson is bringing the heat. Jason and Bella have a super steamy romance and a wonderful story to go along with it.

Creepiest book of the year – Auld Lang Sigh by Jennifer Connor

In this story Ella and Lee hook up after she misses her bus going home. He owns a copy shop in the building where she lives. To me, he comes off like a stalker because he is super observant regarding the details of Ella’s life. He is a stranger but knows a lot about her lifestyle since he has been watching her. As he recounted many of his observations, warning bells should have been ringing in Ella’s head. Instead she sleeps with him! This is very risky behavior to me even if this is a nonsensical romance novel.

Foodie Awards

Favorite restaurant of the year – Chicago Grill

What can I say? I love the chicken Philly. The bread is wonderful, there is plenty of seasoning on the meat, and the peppers and cheese are scrumptious.

Favorite food truck of the year – Asada

Everything that I have tried from Asada has been delicious. I am following them on Facebook so that I know where they will be serving lunch when I have an opportunity to be in Greenville. And as I followed them around town, I hope that they will decide to serve empanadas that day since that is my favorite dish from their food truck.

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So even though it does not mean much, I congratulate all of the 2012 award winners. I look forward to trying even more things, reading more books, and sharing more opinions in 2013.