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1036111873
| 9781036111878
| B0DJBB3T7K
| 4.50
| 4
| unknown
| Dec 31, 2024
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My long love affair with Jane Austen’s works led to my curiosity about the author who wrote such fabulous works including what I could find about her
My long love affair with Jane Austen’s works led to my curiosity about the author who wrote such fabulous works including what I could find about her family. In my earlier reading, I learned of Austen’s aunt, Philadelphia and her exciting cousin Eliza, but I am always eager to read more about Jane Austen’s Remarkable Aunt, Philadelphia Hancock. My full review will post at The Quill Ink TBA. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 17, 2024
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Nov 26, 2024
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Nov 17, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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B0DM4SZRTX
| unknown
| 4.39
| 61
| Oct 01, 2024
| Oct 01, 2024
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really liked it
|
Simple, helpful, and quickly read! I've appreciated the recent releases NetGalley has made of Handbooks and Journals that give good tips on several bo Simple, helpful, and quickly read! I've appreciated the recent releases NetGalley has made of Handbooks and Journals that give good tips on several book and review-related subject matter. This latest is the help book lovers develop their social media presence. Mostly, this handbook addresses the getting started process so existing social media account holders might not find much in the form of new ideas and information. While I'm not new at it, I don't consider myself completely proficient so I was glad to read through and spot a couple items for consideration. Mostly, I was given a sense of confidence because I saw support that I was doing all right with the approach I've taken so far with my various accounts (most was common sense and getting helpful support from the generous book community out there). All in all, I'm glad there are these helpful guides and I hope they keep making them. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 30, 2024
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Oct 30, 2024
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Oct 30, 2024
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ebook
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1619230062
| 9781619230064
| B012CEIPPS
| 3.92
| 151
| Oct 13, 2015
| Oct 13, 2015
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really liked it
|
A medical student discovers the latest body he obtained illegally for study was murdered and he feels compelled to bring the killer to justice. This i
A medical student discovers the latest body he obtained illegally for study was murdered and he feels compelled to bring the killer to justice. This is all complicated by his own very real danger of being arrested and hung for snatching the body in the first place by the coldly, capable policeman hot on his trail. Yep, had to read it. There was no saying no after I saw that situation. I had to know how it all turned out. And bonus, I got to try a new to me author. The story begins when medical student, Cadell Meredith, nearly gets caught graverobbing by a dangerous gray-eyed policeman. He gets the body home and uses it to further his studies, but then makes the gruesome discover that his body was murdered. He is in a quandary. He feels compelled to seek out the truth and give the dead man justice, but he can't just go to the police or it will be him who dangles from a rope. He must seek the truth on his own. Between classes, his work at the apothecary, and dodging Officer Blaine Breton's suspicions, he slowly follows the trail of the killer. He has to learn all he can about the dead man to do it so uses the underhanded means of impersonating a policeman and breaking and entering to further his quest. A troubling former lover and a rare friend from his present also help aid him. Cadell has more motives and suspects than he can count on one hand. Those he tracks are ruthless and cunning and some are from the nearly untouchable upper class. One false step and it will end badly. During the course of his investigation, he is forced to face his past when the lover who betrayed him wants a chance at forgiveness and maybe something more, when a new man shows an interest, and his own doomed interest in the very man who wants to arrest him and see him hanged. The roguish Cadell deftly makes his way through it all. Alright, Cadell is a brilliant creation. That is all. Okay, no, that is not all, but it is the salient point about this book. The character of Cadell and his subsequent detecting and romantic adventures are good stuff. Well, maybe I overstate the romance since its more him sorting through his feelings for what he wants and having the courage to not settle for less. The focus of the story is definitely more on the suspense element, but the character and relationship plots are right there to lend depth and emotion, too. I enjoyed the attention to historical authenticity. It was the early days of the police force and things were still very rudimentary when it came to the art of detection. I liked that the story spanned all stratas of society and that Cadell was not from the upper classes. He had an education and he had a small inheritance, but he was working class. The author reveals Cadell's backstory slowly so that his present situation is known, but the rest is slowly revealed. He is a complex man. He is tenacious, hard-working, loyal, compassionate, passionate, pragmatic, but there is a touch of larceny, too. He is very much a Lone Ranger even when he is with others. He was hurt and betrayed by his family and others not accepting him so the aloofness is his protection. Cadell is the narrator and everyone else is made known through the filter of his observations and dialogue. I liked that the others around him were left deliberately mysterious. Breton is probably the most intriguing and I loved the antagonism and attraction between the two men. Nothing is easy, simple, or quick with these two. The story resolved completely, but I would really love for it just to be the first of many mysteries in which Cadell and Blaine work together to solve even as they work on a more personal relationship. I think those who enjoy m/m historical mysteries or romantic suspense should clear your weekend and settle in for a good one. I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. Merged review: A medical student discovers the latest body he obtained illegally for study was murdered and he feels compelled to bring the killer to justice. This is all complicated by his own very real danger of being arrested and hung for snatching the body in the first place by the coldly, capable policeman hot on his trail. Yep, had to read it. There was no saying no after I saw that situation. I had to know how it all turned out. And bonus, I got to try a new to me author. The story begins when medical student, Cadell Meredith, nearly gets caught graverobbing by a dangerous gray-eyed policeman. He gets the body home and uses it to further his studies, but then makes the gruesome discover that his body was murdered. He is in a quandary. He feels compelled to seek out the truth and give the dead man justice, but he can't just go to the police or it will be him who dangles from a rope. He must seek the truth on his own. Between classes, his work at the apothecary, and dodging Officer Blaine Breton's suspicions, he slowly follows the trail of the killer. He has to learn all he can about the dead man to do it so uses the underhanded means of impersonating a policeman and breaking and entering to further his quest. A troubling former lover and a rare friend from his present also help aid him. Cadell has more motives and suspects than he can count on one hand. Those he tracks are ruthless and cunning and some are from the nearly untouchable upper class. One false step and it will end badly. During the course of his investigation, he is forced to face his past when the lover who betrayed him wants a chance at forgiveness and maybe something more, when a new man shows an interest, and his own doomed interest in the very man who wants to arrest him and see him hanged. The roguish Cadell deftly makes his way through it all. Alright, Cadell is a brilliant creation. That is all. Okay, no, that is not all, but it is the salient point about this book. The character of Cadell and his subsequent detecting and romantic adventures are good stuff. Well, maybe I overstate the romance since its more him sorting through his feelings for what he wants and having the courage to not settle for less. The focus of the story is definitely more on the suspense element, but the character and relationship plots are right there to lend depth and emotion, too. I enjoyed the attention to historical authenticity. It was the early days of the police force and things were still very rudimentary when it came to the art of detection. I liked that the story spanned all stratas of society and that Cadell was not from the upper classes. He had an education and he had a small inheritance, but he was working class. The author reveals Cadell's backstory slowly so that his present situation is known, but the rest is slowly revealed. He is a complex man. He is tenacious, hard-working, loyal, compassionate, passionate, pragmatic, but there is a touch of larceny, too. He is very much a Lone Ranger even when he is with others. He was hurt and betrayed by his family and others not accepting him so the aloofness is his protection. Cadell is the narrator and everyone else is made known through the filter of his observations and dialogue. I liked that the others around him were left deliberately mysterious. Breton is probably the most intriguing and I loved the antagonism and attraction between the two men. Nothing is easy, simple, or quick with these two. The story resolved completely, but I would really love for it just to be the first of many mysteries in which Cadell and Blaine work together to solve even as they work on a more personal relationship. I think those who enjoy m/m historical mysteries or romantic suspense should clear your weekend and settle in for a good one. I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
|
Oct 08, 2015
not set
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Oct 09, 2015
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
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ebook
| |||||||||||||||
1489251006
| 9781489251008
| B07428F5ZZ
| 3.72
| 25
| unknown
| Sep 12, 2017
|
really liked it
|
Office romance, office politics, and complications bring two people together who needed to find each other. It’s been a while since I read a book set
Office romance, office politics, and complications bring two people together who needed to find each other. It’s been a while since I read a book set in the office and I enjoyed the Australian city setting. It was heartwarming, humorous, and engaging. The story jumped in with the heroine and her co-workers anticipating the change when a new boss is brought in and he's cleaning things up and not taking excuses. Ellen Kennedy and Alex Broadhurst experienced sparks from the beginning even when she was quick to leap to conclusions and lead with her emotions rather than get the facts and he was slow to open up about his personal life and kept people at a distance. At first, the issues seem pretty cut and dry with the office issues and the pair of them circling warily, but then I enjoyed how the author revealed a secondary layer of personal growth needed for both Ellen and Alex. They have to fix themselves even while attempting their first real relationship. I found the story parts engaging and parts frustrating like a good romance with conflict will supply. It wasn't a particularly exciting story, but it had some great internal tension built-in as the pair struggled together, separately, and, the big game-changer, the work issue. It was my first time reading the author's work and I did love reading a contemporary set in another country by a native. I can definitely recommend this one for those who enjoy a steamy office romance with good character development. My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Merged review: Office romance, office politics, and complications bring two people together who needed to find each other. It’s been a while since I read a book set in the office and I enjoyed the Australian city setting. It was heartwarming, humorous, and engaging. The story jumped in with the heroine and her co-workers anticipating the change when a new boss is brought in and he's cleaning things up and not taking excuses. Ellen Kennedy and Alex Broadhurst experienced sparks from the beginning even when she was quick to leap to conclusions and lead with her emotions rather than get the facts and he was slow to open up about his personal life and kept people at a distance. At first, the issues seem pretty cut and dry with the office issues and the pair of them circling warily, but then I enjoyed how the author revealed a secondary layer of personal growth needed for both Ellen and Alex. They have to fix themselves even while attempting their first real relationship. I found the story parts engaging and parts frustrating like a good romance with conflict will supply. It wasn't a particularly exciting story, but it had some great internal tension built-in as the pair struggled together, separately, and, the big game-changer, the work issue. It was my first time reading the author's work and I did love reading a contemporary set in another country by a native. I can definitely recommend this one for those who enjoy a steamy office romance with good character development. My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
|
Sep 18, 2017
not set
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Sep 23, 2017
not set
|
Sep 28, 2024
|
ebook
| |||||||||||||||
1101623373
| 9781101623374
| B009KUXH1K
| 3.80
| 199
| Apr 15, 2014
| Apr 15, 2014
|
really liked it
|
One of my favorite blended genres is history and romantic suspense so when I spotted this book, I had to give it a go. The historical backdrop is Vict
One of my favorite blended genres is history and romantic suspense so when I spotted this book, I had to give it a go. The historical backdrop is Victorian London with Jack the Ripper on the loose. The engaging and unusual pair of lovers are the detecting team trying to stop him. I really enjoyed this one from cover to cover. This is the second book in a series and the couple from the first book do make their appearance, but it can be read as a standalone like I did. That being said, I plan to go back and get the first book when I get the chance. Drew Foster is being released from prison after being incarcerated as the prime suspect for the Jack the Ripper crimes. His reputation is shot and many in London Society are still convinced that he did the crime. Drew knows his reputation for drunken behavior and other vices is what got him into trouble in the first place. He discovered that instead of being a legitimate son of a Duke that he was the man's bastard so set out to drown the pain in drink. His stint in prison sobered him up and gave him the scare needed to pull himself together. His friend, Simon, the detective who made the arrest, was never really convinced that he was the culprit. Now Simon wants Drew to come to work for Scotland Yard to help catch the real killer. Simon believes that the Ripper is someone who Drew knows that set him up for the crime. Drew is eager to help. Anna Jacobs is studying to become a doctor much to her mother's frustration and disappointment. Her mother wants her to follow the dictates of Society by becoming a quiet, unassuming woman to tempt a man into marriage. Anna gently refuses. Not that she's opposed to marriage, but she is who she is. To spare her mother, she stays over at her brother Simon's house to do her studying. It is there she is called upon to stitch up and dress the wounds of Lord Drew Foster, younger brother of the Duke of Carrington. She isn't impressed with his arrogance and snappish attitude about her doctoring, but later he shocks her when he apologizes and makes it clear that he is impressed with her chosen studies. When Simon gets sent away on assignment, Drew even comes to her with help looking over the medical evidence for the Ripper case. Anna slowly is charmed by this new Drew Foster who struggles to stay sober and not doubt his abilities as a detective. He seems to also struggle with their mutual attraction. Meanwhile, the Ripper is licking his wounds far from his London hunting grounds plotting his next rash of slayings when he learns of the new killings. He has an apprentice to train it seems. The plot was good and I enjoyed the dual focus of the romance and the murder mystery that were fairly equally balanced. The story is told from three perspectives: Drew, Anna and the unknown Jack the Ripper (shudder, I know). The crimes are gruesome to be sure, but the details are given with a certain amount of detachment for the most part. The detecting adventures of Drew and Anna were exciting to be right there with them and I loved the slow build of a romantic relationship and passionate tension. Drew fights the attraction because he doesn't think he's good enough, but Anna makes it clear that his acceptance her just as she is and his very nature are what she wants and needs. She is also what he needs because Anna is no typical Society debutante worried about appearances and correct behavior. She can match Drew's adventuresome side and partner him in intelligence as well as passion. My only niggle for the story was that I felt the ending of the romance was rushed. None of this really brought on dislike, but I would have loved to spend a bit more time on the denouement with Drew and Anna. There is a type of closure for them, but some stuff is left to conjecture. All in all, this was an engaging and spicy historical romance that offered up a strong dose of suspense too. Those who enjoy that blend in their romance genres should pick this one up. My thanks to Penguin Group and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this one in exchange for my honest review. Merged review: One of my favorite blended genres is history and romantic suspense so when I spotted this book, I had to give it a go. The historical backdrop is Victorian London with Jack the Ripper on the loose. The engaging and unusual pair of lovers are the detecting team trying to stop him. I really enjoyed this one from cover to cover. This is the second book in a series and the couple from the first book do make their appearance, but it can be read as a standalone like I did. That being said, I plan to go back and get the first book when I get the chance. Drew Foster is being released from prison after being incarcerated as the prime suspect for the Jack the Ripper crimes. His reputation is shot and many in London Society are still convinced that he did the crime. Drew knows his reputation for drunken behavior and other vices is what got him into trouble in the first place. He discovered that instead of being a legitimate son of a Duke that he was the man's bastard so set out to drown the pain in drink. His stint in prison sobered him up and gave him the scare needed to pull himself together. His friend, Simon, the detective who made the arrest, was never really convinced that he was the culprit. Now Simon wants Drew to come to work for Scotland Yard to help catch the real killer. Simon believes that the Ripper is someone who Drew knows that set him up for the crime. Drew is eager to help. Anna Jacobs is studying to become a doctor much to her mother's frustration and disappointment. Her mother wants her to follow the dictates of Society by becoming a quiet, unassuming woman to tempt a man into marriage. Anna gently refuses. Not that she's opposed to marriage, but she is who she is. To spare her mother, she stays over at her brother Simon's house to do her studying. It is there she is called upon to stitch up and dress the wounds of Lord Drew Foster, younger brother of the Duke of Carrington. She isn't impressed with his arrogance and snappish attitude about her doctoring, but later he shocks her when he apologizes and makes it clear that he is impressed with her chosen studies. When Simon gets sent away on assignment, Drew even comes to her with help looking over the medical evidence for the Ripper case. Anna slowly is charmed by this new Drew Foster who struggles to stay sober and not doubt his abilities as a detective. He seems to also struggle with their mutual attraction. Meanwhile, the Ripper is licking his wounds far from his London hunting grounds plotting his next rash of slayings when he learns of the new killings. He has an apprentice to train it seems. The plot was good and I enjoyed the dual focus of the romance and the murder mystery that were fairly equally balanced. The story is told from three perspectives: Drew, Anna and the unknown Jack the Ripper (shudder, I know). The crimes are gruesome to be sure, but the details are given with a certain amount of detachment for the most part. The detecting adventures of Drew and Anna were exciting to be right there with them and I loved the slow build of a romantic relationship and passionate tension. Drew fights the attraction because he doesn't think he's good enough, but Anna makes it clear that his acceptance her just as she is and his very nature are what she wants and needs. She is also what he needs because Anna is no typical Society debutante worried about appearances and correct behavior. She can match Drew's adventuresome side and partner him in intelligence as well as passion. My only niggle for the story was that I felt the ending of the romance was rushed. None of this really brought on dislike, but I would have loved to spend a bit more time on the denouement with Drew and Anna. There is a type of closure for them, but some stuff is left to conjecture. All in all, this was an engaging and spicy historical romance that offered up a strong dose of suspense too. Those who enjoy that blend in their romance genres should pick this one up. My thanks to Penguin Group and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this one in exchange for my honest review. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
2
|
May 05, 2014
not set
|
May 09, 2014
not set
|
Sep 28, 2024
|
ebook
| |||||||||||||||
1488063087
| 9781488063084
| B082WHMVCQ
| 3.89
| 161
| Aug 01, 2020
| Aug 01, 2020
|
really liked it
|
When an interior designer architect scores the commission for her company that can launch her to where she wants to be, she is determined not to mix b
When an interior designer architect scores the commission for her company that can launch her to where she wants to be, she is determined not to mix business with the pleasure of a certain debonair Indian hotel owner who could use this sort of distraction from the cares of life. A delicious work place romance is layered with the spices of family, tradition, and past pain. Marriage by Arrangement, the first of the Nights at the Mahal series, opens when Rani Gupta, a junior at her firm and passed over for promotion more than once scores the winning design proposal to refurbish India's hottest businessman bachelor, Arjun Singh. She made the mistake of letting herself get tangled in a traditional Indian marriage and then a colossal workplace dating disaster. Her career is all she has left and she intends to prove her ability and her professionalism by making a smash hit of Arjun Singh's new jewel of a hotel. The hotelier is charismatic, but getting to know the man himself is her downfall into a temporary arrangement which starts to feel all too real and the complications pile up fast. Arjun is as taken with the designer as the designs for his new hotel. Rani gets exactly what he wants. Traditional and high class quality India motif in Vegas. He can respect her need to keep things all business. He himself refuses to do relationships and must eventually go back home to fulfill an arranged marriage agreement, but a few months with Rani couldn't hurt and would be a great escape from the demands of his family with parents touting tradition and his younger siblings wanting a bit of modern independence. Rani gets all that and the struggle to balance the two. She gets it all too well and he struggles not to fall for this vibrant, intelligent, and talented woman. At first, Marriage by Arrangement has the tug and pull of a secret romance set in the business world, whether they can keep it short term and cut ties, and whether they can be discreet and not get Rani in trouble with her bosses. There is no stinting on the flavor of India whether it is Rani's Indian-American background or Arjun's Indian background. Just as I expected from the blurb. But, then the author takes things deeper letting the reader get to know the struggles they face because of their backgrounds and their histories. I went from moderately interested to totally vested in this pair, their stories, their families, and their relationship. Arjun kept his engagement to Hema a secret from Rani and I just knew it was a ticking time bomb. Just like the confrontations between Rani's fierce need for independence and the restrictive traditions of Arjun's family back home was looming over things. I love when a book takes me by surprise like this and goes well and beyond expectation. I can't wait to read more of the series and the author's books. Those who enjoy spicy romance with well-developed characters, a bit of business, and a lavish cultural backdrop should give this one a go. My thanks to Harlequin for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Merged review: When an interior designer architect scores the commission for her company that can launch her to where she wants to be, she is determined not to mix business with the pleasure of a certain debonair Indian hotel owner who could use this sort of distraction from the cares of life. A delicious work place romance is layered with the spices of family, tradition, and past pain. Marriage by Arrangement, the first of the Nights at the Mahal series, opens when Rani Gupta, a junior at her firm and passed over for promotion more than once scores the winning design proposal to refurbish India's hottest businessman bachelor, Arjun Singh. She made the mistake of letting herself get tangled in a traditional Indian marriage and then a colossal workplace dating disaster. Her career is all she has left and she intends to prove her ability and her professionalism by making a smash hit of Arjun Singh's new jewel of a hotel. The hotelier is charismatic, but getting to know the man himself is her downfall into a temporary arrangement which starts to feel all too real and the complications pile up fast. Arjun is as taken with the designer as the designs for his new hotel. Rani gets exactly what he wants. Traditional and high class quality India motif in Vegas. He can respect her need to keep things all business. He himself refuses to do relationships and must eventually go back home to fulfill an arranged marriage agreement, but a few months with Rani couldn't hurt and would be a great escape from the demands of his family with parents touting tradition and his younger siblings wanting a bit of modern independence. Rani gets all that and the struggle to balance the two. She gets it all too well and he struggles not to fall for this vibrant, intelligent, and talented woman. At first, Marriage by Arrangement has the tug and pull of a secret romance set in the business world, whether they can keep it short term and cut ties, and whether they can be discreet and not get Rani in trouble with her bosses. There is no stinting on the flavor of India whether it is Rani's Indian-American background or Arjun's Indian background. Just as I expected from the blurb. But, then the author takes things deeper letting the reader get to know the struggles they face because of their backgrounds and their histories. I went from moderately interested to totally vested in this pair, their stories, their families, and their relationship. Arjun kept his engagement to Hema a secret from Rani and I just knew it was a ticking time bomb. Just like the confrontations between Rani's fierce need for independence and the restrictive traditions of Arjun's family back home was looming over things. I love when a book takes me by surprise like this and goes well and beyond expectation. I can't wait to read more of the series and the author's books. Those who enjoy spicy romance with well-developed characters, a bit of business, and a lavish cultural backdrop should give this one a go. My thanks to Harlequin for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
2
|
Jul 18, 2020
not set
|
Jul 21, 2020
not set
|
Sep 28, 2024
|
Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||
9780698408951
| B00S75RYBS
| 3.89
| 1,475
| Apr 21, 2015
| Apr 21, 2015
|
it was amazing
|
This series just knocks my socks off with each new installment and this one is no exception. Emotional, intense, suspenseful and passionate cover to c
This series just knocks my socks off with each new installment and this one is no exception. Emotional, intense, suspenseful and passionate cover to cover. And if that doesn't sell it then throw in a tatted up skater and tattoo artist that both ride bikes and own some adorable dogs. Can't honestly think of a downside to this one and I willingly let it tie me up in knots over these two broken souls who can't do love the easy way. This is part of the Between Breaths series, but like the others it could be read out of order or as a standalone if necessary. Characters from the previous book are very present, but the story lines are all separate. Cory is one of the artists at Raw Ink and he loves the people he works with, but lately it has been hard watching them start to find their special someones and pair off. He had that once and lost it, but the pain is still there. Lately, his interest has perked up again for a guy totally off limits- the much whispered about, mysterious and silent skater, Jude York. Cory encounters him around town and knows the intense guy works at the skate shop next to the biker bar where Cory goes to relax and talk bikes with the hard biker group that hang out there. Oh he knows the local MC owns the bar, but it beats all the gay bars where he would just be hooking up or the other bars where all the college crowd hangs. But Jude, Cory wants to know him and get past all the rumors that he doesn't quite believe though the ties to the local biker club and the need to stay below radar make him wonder. Fortunately, his rascally new adopted dog helps him out there by tangling him up with Jude every chances the dog gets. Cory's attempts to talk to Jude are repulsed and then Jude asks for Cory to do a special tattoo for him. Slowly Jude let's Cory in even as Cory opens up his own painful secrets to Jude. It is tentative and slow and doesn't stand a really good chance of happening because Jude's secrets are big. Cory's biggest fear is that Jude will be like so many others and leave him after Cory has opened his heart again. And because of the trouble in Jude's life, he just might have to. The story is told entirely from Cory's perspective and I thought that was a brilliant move on the author's part. It leaves Jude shadowy and mysterious so that the reader, like Cory, can only guess at what he's thinking until he speaks. Unlike previous books, this one has a lot of suspense and a danger element to it. Jude's near silence and the uncertainty about his sexual orientation make the romantic connection and development an interesting one. And just as an aside, may I say that the author did a bang up good job of writing a same sex romance that rivals her usual fair. These were two guys and they acted like two guys. Some authors can't pull that off, but this was nicely done. As to the characters, it felt like these two were on a hostile, then parallel and then finally a journey together as they grew in their own rights before growing closer together. I loved all the settings that they moved through from the camaraderie at the tattoo shop, to the park where Jude skated and Cory ran, to the lakeside where Jude fished, to bikes, to MC biker bar, to time with Cory's grandma. It was fun flitting from scene to scene with them. So much more than a romance, but a very powerful romance. Before I could clamp it down, the irritation boiled deep in my gut. "Why is talking so damn hard for you?" His eyebrows shot together. I'd gotten a reaction from him. Good. His gaze soldered to mine, and I nearly lost myself in its intensity. "Why is silence so bloody hard for you?" I nearly swallowed my tongue. Not only had he been paying attention, but now he sounded annoyed. Well that made two of us. Loc 480 Cory and Jude from There You Stand All in all, an absolutely fabulous story that will be one of my favorites for the year and affirms the strength of this series. This individual book I would recommend for those who like deeply moving, heartwarming M/M New Adult Contemporary Romance (the rest of the series is m/f NA CR). My thanks to Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Merged review: This series just knocks my socks off with each new installment and this one is no exception. Emotional, intense, suspenseful and passionate cover to cover. And if that doesn't sell it then throw in a tatted up skater and tattoo artist that both ride bikes and own some adorable dogs. Can't honestly think of a downside to this one and I willingly let it tie me up in knots over these two broken souls who can't do love the easy way. This is part of the Between Breaths series, but like the others it could be read out of order or as a standalone if necessary. Characters from the previous book are very present, but the story lines are all separate. Cory is one of the artists at Raw Ink and he loves the people he works with, but lately it has been hard watching them start to find their special someones and pair off. He had that once and lost it, but the pain is still there. Lately, his interest has perked up again for a guy totally off limits- the much whispered about, mysterious and silent skater, Jude York. Cory encounters him around town and knows the intense guy works at the skate shop next to the biker bar where Cory goes to relax and talk bikes with the hard biker group that hang out there. Oh he knows the local MC owns the bar, but it beats all the gay bars where he would just be hooking up or the other bars where all the college crowd hangs. But Jude, Cory wants to know him and get past all the rumors that he doesn't quite believe though the ties to the local biker club and the need to stay below radar make him wonder. Fortunately, his rascally new adopted dog helps him out there by tangling him up with Jude every chances the dog gets. Cory's attempts to talk to Jude are repulsed and then Jude asks for Cory to do a special tattoo for him. Slowly Jude let's Cory in even as Cory opens up his own painful secrets to Jude. It is tentative and slow and doesn't stand a really good chance of happening because Jude's secrets are big. Cory's biggest fear is that Jude will be like so many others and leave him after Cory has opened his heart again. And because of the trouble in Jude's life, he just might have to. The story is told entirely from Cory's perspective and I thought that was a brilliant move on the author's part. It leaves Jude shadowy and mysterious so that the reader, like Cory, can only guess at what he's thinking until he speaks. Unlike previous books, this one has a lot of suspense and a danger element to it. Jude's near silence and the uncertainty about his sexual orientation make the romantic connection and development an interesting one. And just as an aside, may I say that the author did a bang up good job of writing a same sex romance that rivals her usual fair. These were two guys and they acted like two guys. Some authors can't pull that off, but this was nicely done. As to the characters, it felt like these two were on a hostile, then parallel and then finally a journey together as they grew in their own rights before growing closer together. I loved all the settings that they moved through from the camaraderie at the tattoo shop, to the park where Jude skated and Cory ran, to the lakeside where Jude fished, to bikes, to MC biker bar, to time with Cory's grandma. It was fun flitting from scene to scene with them. So much more than a romance, but a very powerful romance. Before I could clamp it down, the irritation boiled deep in my gut. "Why is talking so damn hard for you?" His eyebrows shot together. I'd gotten a reaction from him. Good. His gaze soldered to mine, and I nearly lost myself in its intensity. "Why is silence so bloody hard for you?" I nearly swallowed my tongue. Not only had he been paying attention, but now he sounded annoyed. Well that made two of us. Loc 480 Cory and Jude from There You Stand All in all, an absolutely fabulous story that will be one of my favorites for the year and affirms the strength of this series. This individual book I would recommend for those who like deeply moving, heartwarming M/M New Adult Contemporary Romance (the rest of the series is m/f NA CR). My thanks to Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
2
|
Apr 18, 2015
not set
|
Apr 20, 2015
not set
|
Sep 27, 2024
|
ebook
| ||||||||||||||||
1626498709
| 9781626498709
| B07MW7QH1Q
| 4.04
| 1,112
| Jan 21, 2019
| Jan 21, 2019
|
it was amazing
|
Five years ago, I finished the last entry in this series to date and was left with lots of questions and that delicious kind of dread one gets for the
Five years ago, I finished the last entry in this series to date and was left with lots of questions and that delicious kind of dread one gets for the book that will culminate a fantastic series. As life often does, the author had a hitch in her plans and this grand finale had to wait. But, like a trooper, she came through and here we have the last in a series story arc for Prophet and Tom and a transition for what is to come for Mal and Cillian. It was emotionally tough, gritty with action, and a twisting plot that kept peeling back further reveals delivering a superb high-adrenaline story to finish off the series on a high note. If I Ever is the fourth and final book in the Hell or High Water series, but is a transition book in the Extreme Escapes world. It is not a place to start and will spoil earlier books if one was to pick up here. At the end of of Daylight Again, things are left in a precarious place for Tom, Prophet, and the rest of Proph's special ops team who are all wanted for a traitorous action they did not commit. They have all been working together to find the true traitor who is like a ghost in the shadows hunting them as much as they hunt him. In If I Ever, Proph's onsetting blindness, his deep relationship with Tom, and his coming adoption of Remy, have him determined that enough is enough. He will not let the danger from his past continue to touch what he loves. He might privately have his doubts that Tom will stand by him when he knows all his secrets, but those doubts don't match up with the fact that Tom is standing fast through everything. So, he turns the tables and forces the prey to become the hunter. And, he's not the only one with dark secrets. The book focuses on Proph and Tom as they come to a crisis point in their relationship. Proph has to trust Tom with some pretty brutal facts that might break them apart and Tom has to be strong enough to accept those facts. Their volatile way of handling things and each other is back and as hot and sizzling as ever. But, behind Proph and Tom's story are the secondary stories of Mal and Cillian, the rest of Proph's team, Doc and Nico, and Dean. There are a lot of important players in this one and its like a huge chessboard moving people about. There are conflicts that cause an ever increasing tension in the plot to a series of crescendos. There is a trigger warning for a rape scene. I found it fit within the context of what was going on, but I bring it out so those who are not in a place to read something like that can avoid it. I liked how the author stayed true to the earlier tone and pacing of the series even though this one came later. There is a strong emphasis on the relationships both romantic and familial. These men are not birth family, but have come together as a brotherhood against villains who stack up against them. Everyone is some sort of top-level operative so the action and suspense is believable. All in all, this was a sensational finish to Proph and Tom's story and I don't have to mourn because there is still Mal and Cillian's story already begun in Dirty Deeds with anticipation toward the second installment in that series. If I Ever and the Hell or High Water series is one I'd recommend toward those who want hot and spicy m/m romance and gritty spec ops suspense action. My thanks to Riptide Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Merged review: Five years ago, I finished the last entry in this series to date and was left with lots of questions and that delicious kind of dread one gets for the book that will culminate a fantastic series. As life often does, the author had a hitch in her plans and this grand finale had to wait. But, like a trooper, she came through and here we have the last in a series story arc for Prophet and Tom and a transition for what is to come for Mal and Cillian. It was emotionally tough, gritty with action, and a twisting plot that kept peeling back further reveals delivering a superb high-adrenaline story to finish off the series on a high note. If I Ever is the fourth and final book in the Hell or High Water series, but is a transition book in the Extreme Escapes world. It is not a place to start and will spoil earlier books if one was to pick up here. At the end of of Daylight Again, things are left in a precarious place for Tom, Prophet, and the rest of Proph's special ops team who are all wanted for a traitorous action they did not commit. They have all been working together to find the true traitor who is like a ghost in the shadows hunting them as much as they hunt him. In If I Ever, Proph's onsetting blindness, his deep relationship with Tom, and his coming adoption of Remy, have him determined that enough is enough. He will not let the danger from his past continue to touch what he loves. He might privately have his doubts that Tom will stand by him when he knows all his secrets, but those doubts don't match up with the fact that Tom is standing fast through everything. So, he turns the tables and forces the prey to become the hunter. And, he's not the only one with dark secrets. The book focuses on Proph and Tom as they come to a crisis point in their relationship. Proph has to trust Tom with some pretty brutal facts that might break them apart and Tom has to be strong enough to accept those facts. Their volatile way of handling things and each other is back and as hot and sizzling as ever. But, behind Proph and Tom's story are the secondary stories of Mal and Cillian, the rest of Proph's team, Doc and Nico, and Dean. There are a lot of important players in this one and its like a huge chessboard moving people about. There are conflicts that cause an ever increasing tension in the plot to a series of crescendos. There is a trigger warning for a rape scene. I found it fit within the context of what was going on, but I bring it out so those who are not in a place to read something like that can avoid it. I liked how the author stayed true to the earlier tone and pacing of the series even though this one came later. There is a strong emphasis on the relationships both romantic and familial. These men are not birth family, but have come together as a brotherhood against villains who stack up against them. Everyone is some sort of top-level operative so the action and suspense is believable. All in all, this was a sensational finish to Proph and Tom's story and I don't have to mourn because there is still Mal and Cillian's story already begun in Dirty Deeds with anticipation toward the second installment in that series. If I Ever and the Hell or High Water series is one I'd recommend toward those who want hot and spicy m/m romance and gritty spec ops suspense action. My thanks to Riptide Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
2
|
Jan 30, 2019
not set
|
Feb 2019
not set
|
Sep 27, 2024
|
Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||
1601834101
| 9781601834102
| B00WPRBMGC
| 3.82
| 139
| Jan 19, 2016
| Jan 19, 2016
|
really liked it
|
Tighten that cinch and settle carefully into that saddle because this is going to be one wild ride. Vegas, rodeo, ball-busting city gal, independent s
Tighten that cinch and settle carefully into that saddle because this is going to be one wild ride. Vegas, rodeo, ball-busting city gal, independent sexy cowboy, business with a whole lot of hot pleasure greets the reader in this latest series opener by an author I have enjoyed for some time. I eagerly picked this one up hoping for a fiery opposites attract romance. It was that and more. The story opens with Ty Morgan sitting down with his old friend and business partner to discuss the future of Hotel Rodeo. Ty wants to go a fresh, new direction, but he needs capital for that. No sooner does Tom agree than Tom has a stroke and Ty is stuck dealing with Tom's estranged ice-cold hardnosed business savvy daughter who sees Ty as the reason for her father's collapse and the guy who is taking advantage of him. Sparks fly and they go head to head, but in the end, he can't deny the attraction or feelings of respect for Monica Brandt. Monica is a Manhattan businesswoman and has finally reached the place she wants with the prize of NYC bachelors for her fiance' and boss. But one call from Vegas, puts it all in a tailspin. Nate makes ugly statements and demands when she needs to get to her father's side so she walks away not sure of what will happen on her return. Tom might not have been in her life for the first eighteen years, but he is the only one who ever wanted her so she will be there for him now. That's why this casual cowboy who seems to want Tom's money to finance his loser of a hotel deal will be kicked to the curb the first chance she gets. But then as she settles in, Monica realizes she might have made a grave mistake about Ty. Not only is he genuine and genuinely concerned, but she is fighting hard not to fall for him. She needs to sell the hotel and get out. So, this book was explosive from the beginning. Monica comes in guns blazing and preconceived notions strong and both Ty and Monica have some deep past hurts so while it's amusing to watch them tangle; there is some deeper stuff going on, too. The story slowly builds their backstories as they get to know each other. Ty is a no-commitment guy who needs his independence and slowly Monica learns why. Just as Monica has to have control and particularly over her emotions which Ty figures out better than anyone else ever has. They have good chemistry and they have a few sizzling scenes, but this story set things up for some real conflict in their personal lives and their business together as they seem to want and need very different things. With two exes circling, the situation of the hotel in doubt, Tom's health, and their own backstories, this was shaping up for a huge storm of events. And that was where this segment of the story ended. Yep, full-stop. Wasn't expecting that. So fair warning this will be one that doesn't stand alone. I didn't do any research on this series so I was caught with my britches down, but now the rest of you know. These are an engaging pair and I am very caught up in their story so I do plan to proceed ahead with part two as soon as I can. I recommend this to those who enjoy western contemporary romances with some fireworks and those who flat out enjoy a good city girl/country guy romance. My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Merged review: Tighten that cinch and settle carefully into that saddle because this is going to be one wild ride. Vegas, rodeo, ball-busting city gal, independent sexy cowboy, business with a whole lot of hot pleasure greets the reader in this latest series opener by an author I have enjoyed for some time. I eagerly picked this one up hoping for a fiery opposites attract romance. It was that and more. The story opens with Ty Morgan sitting down with his old friend and business partner to discuss the future of Hotel Rodeo. Ty wants to go a fresh, new direction, but he needs capital for that. No sooner does Tom agree than Tom has a stroke and Ty is stuck dealing with Tom's estranged ice-cold hardnosed business savvy daughter who sees Ty as the reason for her father's collapse and the guy who is taking advantage of him. Sparks fly and they go head to head, but in the end, he can't deny the attraction or feelings of respect for Monica Brandt. Monica is a Manhattan businesswoman and has finally reached the place she wants with the prize of NYC bachelors for her fiance' and boss. But one call from Vegas, puts it all in a tailspin. Nate makes ugly statements and demands when she needs to get to her father's side so she walks away not sure of what will happen on her return. Tom might not have been in her life for the first eighteen years, but he is the only one who ever wanted her so she will be there for him now. That's why this casual cowboy who seems to want Tom's money to finance his loser of a hotel deal will be kicked to the curb the first chance she gets. But then as she settles in, Monica realizes she might have made a grave mistake about Ty. Not only is he genuine and genuinely concerned, but she is fighting hard not to fall for him. She needs to sell the hotel and get out. So, this book was explosive from the beginning. Monica comes in guns blazing and preconceived notions strong and both Ty and Monica have some deep past hurts so while it's amusing to watch them tangle; there is some deeper stuff going on, too. The story slowly builds their backstories as they get to know each other. Ty is a no-commitment guy who needs his independence and slowly Monica learns why. Just as Monica has to have control and particularly over her emotions which Ty figures out better than anyone else ever has. They have good chemistry and they have a few sizzling scenes, but this story set things up for some real conflict in their personal lives and their business together as they seem to want and need very different things. With two exes circling, the situation of the hotel in doubt, Tom's health, and their own backstories, this was shaping up for a huge storm of events. And that was where this segment of the story ended. Yep, full-stop. Wasn't expecting that. So fair warning this will be one that doesn't stand alone. I didn't do any research on this series so I was caught with my britches down, but now the rest of you know. These are an engaging pair and I am very caught up in their story so I do plan to proceed ahead with part two as soon as I can. I recommend this to those who enjoy western contemporary romances with some fireworks and those who flat out enjoy a good city girl/country guy romance. My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
2
|
not set
not set
|
Jan 18, 2016
not set
|
Sep 26, 2024
|
Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||
0698175034
| 9780698175037
| B00H87RM9K
| 3.83
| 444
| Jun 16, 2015
| Jun 16, 2015
|
really liked it
|
This series is heartwarming and down-home country goodness, but it also offers a little something different with each installment. As every person and
This series is heartwarming and down-home country goodness, but it also offers a little something different with each installment. As every person and their circumstances are unique so are their relationships. I like how this author brings that out. In this story, there is a young guy doing the best he can to keep his family and maybe try for some happiness along the way. Ryder Dent, to all appearances, is a young guy with a young wife and child that he supports on his job managing his dad's store. People talk about how they had to get married and both lost their chance for college on his part and a big marriage to a wealthy rancher like her daddy on hers. People also talk about the fact that Ryder isn't Jonas' daddy and that he was duped by Andi. What they don't know is that Ryder and Andi are best friends and they married so he could protect her and her unborn baby and so that nobody would ever learn that he was not into women. Over the years, they have become a strong, affectionate family. Andi might wish for a career in music and Ryder might wonder what it would be like not to hide, but they are both content. That is until a new doctor comes to town who Ryder can't keep his eyes off and Andi is given her break by an opening act band. Things are a changing and Ryder has to decide if it is time for everything to come out in the open and if it does, what that will do to all of them. The story is gently paced and character-driven. Ryder was a teenager when he made the decision to protect Andi and her unborn baby. He never had a chance to fulfill high school dreams of college and football and other guys. He shouldered a family and stood strong in the face of Andi's rich rancher controlling father and even takes her emotional outbursts when she wants someone else to feel misery with her. He's just this amazing guy who does the best he can. Unfortunately, he is also naive and innocent. His growing need to be honest and restlessness when he encounters the handsome Declan are the catalysts that motivate him to set things in motion by telling Jonas the truth about Ryder not being his birth father and telling the truth about being gay. His world as he knows it goes up in flames all at once. It was quite the emotional read as a result. Much of the story is a personal journey of growth for Ryder and he is the narrator and central figure. As such, the romance is a secondary plot that unwinds slowly. Ryder doesn't communicate well and doesn't know what he is doing much of the time since he's never kissed a guy let alone explored what it would mean to be with one so he hurts Declan and causes them to stutter step through things. Declan is as amazing as Ryder. He was hurt in the past, but he is willing to try again with Ryder. He is confused by the situation, but he is accepting as he learns to understand as Ryder slowly opens up to him. They explore the beginnings of a relationship. If I have any complaints about this story, it would be that I wanted more. The story ended more on a happy for now with a lot left unsettled. On a side note, Trip and Lucho have a few scenes as secondary characters. I enjoyed their spotlight appearances as brief as it was. All in all, this was another strong segment of the series and works fine as a standalone. I enjoyed being along for Ryder's awakening and steps toward being the man he was meant to be. I would recommend this one to those who enjoy M/M Cowboy or Small Town Romances. My thanks to Penguin Group and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Merged review: This series is heartwarming and down-home country goodness, but it also offers a little something different with each installment. As every person and their circumstances are unique so are their relationships. I like how this author brings that out. In this story, there is a young guy doing the best he can to keep his family and maybe try for some happiness along the way. Ryder Dent, to all appearances, is a young guy with a young wife and child that he supports on his job managing his dad's store. People talk about how they had to get married and both lost their chance for college on his part and a big marriage to a wealthy rancher like her daddy on hers. People also talk about the fact that Ryder isn't Jonas' daddy and that he was duped by Andi. What they don't know is that Ryder and Andi are best friends and they married so he could protect her and her unborn baby and so that nobody would ever learn that he was not into women. Over the years, they have become a strong, affectionate family. Andi might wish for a career in music and Ryder might wonder what it would be like not to hide, but they are both content. That is until a new doctor comes to town who Ryder can't keep his eyes off and Andi is given her break by an opening act band. Things are a changing and Ryder has to decide if it is time for everything to come out in the open and if it does, what that will do to all of them. The story is gently paced and character-driven. Ryder was a teenager when he made the decision to protect Andi and her unborn baby. He never had a chance to fulfill high school dreams of college and football and other guys. He shouldered a family and stood strong in the face of Andi's rich rancher controlling father and even takes her emotional outbursts when she wants someone else to feel misery with her. He's just this amazing guy who does the best he can. Unfortunately, he is also naive and innocent. His growing need to be honest and restlessness when he encounters the handsome Declan are the catalysts that motivate him to set things in motion by telling Jonas the truth about Ryder not being his birth father and telling the truth about being gay. His world as he knows it goes up in flames all at once. It was quite the emotional read as a result. Much of the story is a personal journey of growth for Ryder and he is the narrator and central figure. As such, the romance is a secondary plot that unwinds slowly. Ryder doesn't communicate well and doesn't know what he is doing much of the time since he's never kissed a guy let alone explored what it would mean to be with one so he hurts Declan and causes them to stutter step through things. Declan is as amazing as Ryder. He was hurt in the past, but he is willing to try again with Ryder. He is confused by the situation, but he is accepting as he learns to understand as Ryder slowly opens up to him. They explore the beginnings of a relationship. If I have any complaints about this story, it would be that I wanted more. The story ended more on a happy for now with a lot left unsettled. On a side note, Trip and Lucho have a few scenes as secondary characters. I enjoyed their spotlight appearances as brief as it was. All in all, this was another strong segment of the series and works fine as a standalone. I enjoyed being along for Ryder's awakening and steps toward being the man he was meant to be. I would recommend this one to those who enjoy M/M Cowboy or Small Town Romances. My thanks to Penguin Group and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
2
|
Jun 13, 2015
not set
|
Jun 15, 2015
not set
|
Sep 26, 2024
|
ebook
| |||||||||||||||
1626498903
| 9781626498907
| B082H2WWTP
| 3.36
| 25
| Dec 07, 2019
| Dec 09, 2019
|
really liked it
|
Being true to yourself can sometimes be deadly. This thoughtful, tension-building romantic suspense grabbed my eye when I read the blurb and kept my a
Being true to yourself can sometimes be deadly. This thoughtful, tension-building romantic suspense grabbed my eye when I read the blurb and kept my attention for nearly a one-sitting read. Anyone But You is a standalone and explores the world of office romance, drag queens, finding and acknowledging the truth about one's self, and standing up for belief and happiness in the face of acute danger. Jack Kieza is successful in the eyes of his family and the disinterested public as he establishes himself at a good legal firm and is quite attractive. But, Jack has a problem. He's hiding his true self for fear of losing his family and this constant tug o' war inside him has led to problems in the bedroom. He's attracted, he's ready, and its all systems go... until its not and he can finish. He's determined that he will fulfill a private need before he turns thirty and that is to be with a man. He's bi and is attracted to women, but its a man he really wants to share his life with. One night at a night club where drag queens perform and one performer in particular show him just the missing piece in his life. If only he didn't fear losing everything to be with Sheila and didn't fear losing Sheila because he's afraid to let her take the wig and make-up off. Ryan Swift, partner in a law firm and one of the best lawyers in the city by day, is Sheila Saltue by night. He is afraid of losing his steady career if anyone discovers this, but also wishes that the side of him who is Ryan were as brave and brazen as Sheila. Then the man he is secretly crushing on at work wants to be with Sheila. Ryan is Jack's boss. He can't, no, not even.... and he does. What is he to do with this new situation of wanting to be with Jack, but wanting Jack to want and acknowledge both sides of him. He wants to give Jack time, but how long will it take if ever, and besides, its downright dangerous to dress in drag as a serial killer is loose and taking out drag queens left and right. I was attracted to this story because it offered a complex romance with character-driven issues that were challenging on the romance front while it also offered some action and suspense with the serial killer element. The coming out part to obnoxious family is, unfortunately, nothing new, but the added layer of just how much harder it becomes when the gay person is like Ryan and not a 'man's man' so to speak is what made this thought-provoking and, for my part, an educational talking piece. This is not a long story and trots along at a goodly pace, but it doesn't shirk on building the world, the characters, and the relationship brick by brick. I liked that it had split narration so both Ryan and Jack's perspectives gave me more access to what was going on with them as they felt their way through this beginning relationship. There was also short interludes with the killer. This heightened suspense and curiosity and gave nothing away until the big reveal at the end. Honestly, I felt there were several nasty customers within easy reach of both of them that could have done the deed because their vitriol toward both men made me cringe. While this had a strong suspense element, the romance and personal needs of the lead pair drove the story rather than equal or more toward the other. The focus at first for Jack is on his sexual frustration of needing a man, but feeling so wracked with guilt that he needed to visualize a woman when he was with a man. His anguish came through and he was not demanding that Ryan like it or lump it which was what kept me rooting for him even as I really wanted him to give Ryan the dignity and respect of being accepted wholly as himself and the joy of a real, open relationship. Now, granted, Ryan wanted to be open as a gay man, but was terrified to let people see further that he was a gay man who liked to dress up and perform as a girly-girl woman. For all their struggles, this pair were sizzling hot and my heart broke with theirs when the inevitable happened and I anguished until all was good. All in all, I thought this first-time read by the author was abso-fab and I want to read more of his work in future. Those who enjoy m/m romance with a thoughtful focus about gender and a strong suspense element should give this one a go. My thanks to Riptide Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Merged review: Being true to yourself can sometimes be deadly. This thoughtful, tension-building romantic suspense grabbed my eye when I read the blurb and kept my attention for nearly a one-sitting read. Anyone But You is a standalone and explores the world of office romance, drag queens, finding and acknowledging the truth about one's self, and standing up for belief and happiness in the face of acute danger. Jack Kieza is successful in the eyes of his family and the disinterested public as he establishes himself at a good legal firm and is quite attractive. But, Jack has a problem. He's hiding his true self for fear of losing his family and this constant tug o' war inside him has led to problems in the bedroom. He's attracted, he's ready, and its all systems go... until its not and he can finish. He's determined that he will fulfill a private need before he turns thirty and that is to be with a man. He's bi and is attracted to women, but its a man he really wants to share his life with. One night at a night club where drag queens perform and one performer in particular show him just the missing piece in his life. If only he didn't fear losing everything to be with Sheila and didn't fear losing Sheila because he's afraid to let her take the wig and make-up off. Ryan Swift, partner in a law firm and one of the best lawyers in the city by day, is Sheila Saltue by night. He is afraid of losing his steady career if anyone discovers this, but also wishes that the side of him who is Ryan were as brave and brazen as Sheila. Then the man he is secretly crushing on at work wants to be with Sheila. Ryan is Jack's boss. He can't, no, not even.... and he does. What is he to do with this new situation of wanting to be with Jack, but wanting Jack to want and acknowledge both sides of him. He wants to give Jack time, but how long will it take if ever, and besides, its downright dangerous to dress in drag as a serial killer is loose and taking out drag queens left and right. I was attracted to this story because it offered a complex romance with character-driven issues that were challenging on the romance front while it also offered some action and suspense with the serial killer element. The coming out part to obnoxious family is, unfortunately, nothing new, but the added layer of just how much harder it becomes when the gay person is like Ryan and not a 'man's man' so to speak is what made this thought-provoking and, for my part, an educational talking piece. This is not a long story and trots along at a goodly pace, but it doesn't shirk on building the world, the characters, and the relationship brick by brick. I liked that it had split narration so both Ryan and Jack's perspectives gave me more access to what was going on with them as they felt their way through this beginning relationship. There was also short interludes with the killer. This heightened suspense and curiosity and gave nothing away until the big reveal at the end. Honestly, I felt there were several nasty customers within easy reach of both of them that could have done the deed because their vitriol toward both men made me cringe. While this had a strong suspense element, the romance and personal needs of the lead pair drove the story rather than equal or more toward the other. The focus at first for Jack is on his sexual frustration of needing a man, but feeling so wracked with guilt that he needed to visualize a woman when he was with a man. His anguish came through and he was not demanding that Ryan like it or lump it which was what kept me rooting for him even as I really wanted him to give Ryan the dignity and respect of being accepted wholly as himself and the joy of a real, open relationship. Now, granted, Ryan wanted to be open as a gay man, but was terrified to let people see further that he was a gay man who liked to dress up and perform as a girly-girl woman. For all their struggles, this pair were sizzling hot and my heart broke with theirs when the inevitable happened and I anguished until all was good. All in all, I thought this first-time read by the author was abso-fab and I want to read more of his work in future. Those who enjoy m/m romance with a thoughtful focus about gender and a strong suspense element should give this one a go. My thanks to Riptide Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
2
|
Dec 28, 2019
not set
|
Jan 02, 2020
not set
|
Sep 26, 2024
|
ebook
| |||||||||||||||
0997772905
| 9780997772906
| B01IJAR0IW
| 3.80
| 486
| Mar 26, 2015
| Aug 16, 2016
|
liked it
|
I enjoy romances that explore Asian history and give me a glimpse into another time and place and culture. While The Geisha With the Green Eyes is not
I enjoy romances that explore Asian history and give me a glimpse into another time and place and culture. While The Geisha With the Green Eyes is not heavy on authenticity when it comes to her heroine's situation and the whole idea of the Hidden Palace of women- which the author clearly states in her opening that she planned to deviate- the overall events and tone did give a glimpse of the entertainment and pleasure community of 1850s Edo (Tokyo) just as the Shogun era is ending. The colorful and restricted world for a Geisha-style woman coming into her own was a captivating read. The story opens with young Midori No Me (Green Eyes) begins her rite of passage as a pleasure worker of the Floating World of Edo when her virginity is sold to the highest bidder. Her experience is painful and leaves her miserable that now she will be forced to entertain more men like the one who purchased her virginity. Midori is not a slave in the traditional sense as she can buy her freedom and her debt is for her upkeep and provisions, but the likelihood of anything short of a rich benefactor making her his personal mistress and buying her debt, is slim. Midori is not a traditional Geisha like those who live across the courtyard. She and the other women of the Hidden House all possess some sort of difference and are thought of as freaks in some way and cater to men of diverse taste. Midori is half-barbarian and has the hair color and eyes of her barbarian father. She knows this is why her parents abandoned her to auntie and the Hidden House. Her very differences are what make her fascinating to the men who come and she must cater to their every kinky whim. But then her life is changed when the greatest actor of the kabuki theater sees her and he is interested for more than one appointment. Envy comes from others and the unwelcoming attentions of a crime lord work to destroy her hope and happiness. She had dared to dream of freedom, but she should have known that freedom was not for the likes of her. Alright, as I said, this one is set in historic Japan of the 1850s. Women of any class and caste are considered less than men. The Geisha Houses are where the artists, musicians, and poets congregate as well as men of power and enterprise. But this story is somewhat different in that the author invents a hybrid geisha-courtesan group where Midori and the others are called Geishas, but they also take the entertainment into the bedroom. And whew boy, does it ever take it into the bedroom. This story is erotic and descriptive where pretty much anything goes though not all happens to Midori herself. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but after a while, the erotic scenes got boring and I was skimming. Some of the sexual descriptions made me cringe (not b/c they were explicit, but b/c 'bursting his fruit' and others leave me with the wrong visual). I didn't need several scenes of Midori and her johns to get the idea and I just wanted the plot to move forward. Midori herself is an interesting character full of depth and growth. She is relatively ignorant as her experiences have never extended to much of an education or beyond the walls of the Hidden House. The women and men who share her fate are the only family she has, but only one earns her trust as friend. She has to learn about the world beyond the Hidden House and how the events from outside begin the change to her situation. While she learns about events and affairs beyond her home, she also gets quite the education about men. She is intuitive which makes her good at what she does, but being good at pleasing men and possessing an inquisitive and sometimes fiery nature also brings its own mishaps and sorrows as well as triumphs. The romance in this one is on the back shelf compared to Midori's individual story. It was developed, but also not developed enough though it has a fairy tale quality to it. I was actually confused at one point who she was in a romance with or if there was to be a love triangle, but that didn't last long. Other than some pacing issues, I did feel a little disappointment that at the end some things were left open leaving me to wonder what happened with those situations. But overall, this was a bittersweet, but ultimately triumphant historical erotic romance that I would recommend to those who like heat with their history. I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. Merged review: I enjoy romances that explore Asian history and give me a glimpse into another time and place and culture. While The Geisha With the Green Eyes is not heavy on authenticity when it comes to her heroine's situation and the whole idea of the Hidden Palace of women- which the author clearly states in her opening that she planned to deviate- the overall events and tone did give a glimpse of the entertainment and pleasure community of 1850s Edo (Tokyo) just as the Shogun era is ending. The colorful and restricted world for a Geisha-style woman coming into her own was a captivating read. The story opens with young Midori No Me (Green Eyes) begins her rite of passage as a pleasure worker of the Floating World of Edo when her virginity is sold to the highest bidder. Her experience is painful and leaves her miserable that now she will be forced to entertain more men like the one who purchased her virginity. Midori is not a slave in the traditional sense as she can buy her freedom and her debt is for her upkeep and provisions, but the likelihood of anything short of a rich benefactor making her his personal mistress and buying her debt, is slim. Midori is not a traditional Geisha like those who live across the courtyard. She and the other women of the Hidden House all possess some sort of difference and are thought of as freaks in some way and cater to men of diverse taste. Midori is half-barbarian and has the hair color and eyes of her barbarian father. She knows this is why her parents abandoned her to auntie and the Hidden House. Her very differences are what make her fascinating to the men who come and she must cater to their every kinky whim. But then her life is changed when the greatest actor of the kabuki theater sees her and he is interested for more than one appointment. Envy comes from others and the unwelcoming attentions of a crime lord work to destroy her hope and happiness. She had dared to dream of freedom, but she should have known that freedom was not for the likes of her. Alright, as I said, this one is set in historic Japan of the 1850s. Women of any class and caste are considered less than men. The Geisha Houses are where the artists, musicians, and poets congregate as well as men of power and enterprise. But this story is somewhat different in that the author invents a hybrid geisha-courtesan group where Midori and the others are called Geishas, but they also take the entertainment into the bedroom. And whew boy, does it ever take it into the bedroom. This story is erotic and descriptive where pretty much anything goes though not all happens to Midori herself. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but after a while, the erotic scenes got boring and I was skimming. Some of the sexual descriptions made me cringe (not b/c they were explicit, but b/c 'bursting his fruit' and others leave me with the wrong visual). I didn't need several scenes of Midori and her johns to get the idea and I just wanted the plot to move forward. Midori herself is an interesting character full of depth and growth. She is relatively ignorant as her experiences have never extended to much of an education or beyond the walls of the Hidden House. The women and men who share her fate are the only family she has, but only one earns her trust as friend. She has to learn about the world beyond the Hidden House and how the events from outside begin the change to her situation. While she learns about events and affairs beyond her home, she also gets quite the education about men. She is intuitive which makes her good at what she does, but being good at pleasing men and possessing an inquisitive and sometimes fiery nature also brings its own mishaps and sorrows as well as triumphs. The romance in this one is on the back shelf compared to Midori's individual story. It was developed, but also not developed enough though it has a fairy tale quality to it. I was actually confused at one point who she was in a romance with or if there was to be a love triangle, but that didn't last long. Other than some pacing issues, I did feel a little disappointment that at the end some things were left open leaving me to wonder what happened with those situations. But overall, this was a bittersweet, but ultimately triumphant historical erotic romance that I would recommend to those who like heat with their history. I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
2
|
Nov 16, 2016
not set
|
Nov 21, 2016
not set
|
Sep 26, 2024
|
Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||
1620076551
| 9781620076552
| B01M5KGN5H
| 3.75
| 1,047
| Jan 19, 2017
| Jan 19, 2017
|
really liked it
|
I was eager to return to The Extraordinaries world of elegant Regency London, an ongoing war with France, and oh yes, people born with magical gifts t
I was eager to return to The Extraordinaries world of elegant Regency London, an ongoing war with France, and oh yes, people born with magical gifts that made them a bit of something extra. Wondering Sight shifts the spotlight to a new intrepid heroine, Sophia Westlake, who possesses a different magical gift and a new adventure of her own. Wondering Sight is book two in The Extraordinaries series, but it is written in such a way that it can be read out of order or standalone though I would encourage the reader not to miss the first and exciting book, Burning Bright. The story opens with Sophia Westlake dismissed from her work for the Army in disgrace. Only a select few know about her disgrace- a dream that did not turn out true implicating one of the army's weapon's suppliers in a crime. Sophia is a Seer and an Extraordinaire at that. Her gift is powerful and never wrong. She can't fathom how Lord Endicott got away with his scheme and made her look bad. Now back in London and forced to meet Endicott in society, Sophia is determined to prove she was right and take down Endicott. She is convinced that a slippery character like him would have more than one scheme afoot. Her friends, Cecy and Daphne worry about her entering her Dream state too much and Endicott is aware of her pursuit of him and taking steps. A mysterious and interesting man wants to hire her for Seer work and just happens to be around each time she needs rescuing. Driven harder each time she is thwarted, Sophia is so determined to catch Endicott that her pursuit of justice just might slip into revenge. Only, the hunter might turn into the prey if she isn't careful. Alright, Wondering Sight was vastly different from the earlier book, Burning Bright. The two stories occupy the same world of Regency times blended with magic, but this one takes place mostly against the backdrop of the London Season and the war that was prevalent before is distant background here. There is some excitement, but this one is more of a mystery than adventure. Sophia's gift was mentioned in the first book, but now the details about how the Seer magic works is detailed out. Sophia is a powerful Seer and can slip into dreams to gain present or future scenes. She can also touch an object to see visions. Sophia is an impulsive and emotional type who leaps into thought, words, and actions which gets her into trouble more often than not. She is written with deep flaws and much of the story she is oblivious, but slowly she is forced to see them and grow though it is only near the end when she teeters over a real abyss of trouble that she finally listens to her friends and the man she loves. This one had a cunning plot. The villain and even his scheme is known, but this leads to a cat and mouse game that gets deadly. And the story that was evenly paced really started picking up speed near the end for the exciting finish. Like the first book, I loved the world of magic users and the camaraderie of friends and a little romance. Sophia is a Seer, but her best friend Cecy has the magical ability to connect with others through mindspeak and her new friend Daphne is a Bounder who can teleport from place to place or 'skip' to longer distances. There are also Movers who use telekinesis, fire magic wielders, shapers who can alter their appearances, and more. I had a good time with this second outing in the series and can't wait for the next installment hopefully involving the precocious Daphne. Those who enjoy their historicals blended with some magic, some romance, and a cunning adventure should give this book/series a try. My thanks to Curiosity Quills for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Merged review: I was eager to return to The Extraordinaries world of elegant Regency London, an ongoing war with France, and oh yes, people born with magical gifts that made them a bit of something extra. Wondering Sight shifts the spotlight to a new intrepid heroine, Sophia Westlake, who possesses a different magical gift and a new adventure of her own. Wondering Sight is book two in The Extraordinaries series, but it is written in such a way that it can be read out of order or standalone though I would encourage the reader not to miss the first and exciting book, Burning Bright. The story opens with Sophia Westlake dismissed from her work for the Army in disgrace. Only a select few know about her disgrace- a dream that did not turn out true implicating one of the army's weapon's suppliers in a crime. Sophia is a Seer and an Extraordinaire at that. Her gift is powerful and never wrong. She can't fathom how Lord Endicott got away with his scheme and made her look bad. Now back in London and forced to meet Endicott in society, Sophia is determined to prove she was right and take down Endicott. She is convinced that a slippery character like him would have more than one scheme afoot. Her friends, Cecy and Daphne worry about her entering her Dream state too much and Endicott is aware of her pursuit of him and taking steps. A mysterious and interesting man wants to hire her for Seer work and just happens to be around each time she needs rescuing. Driven harder each time she is thwarted, Sophia is so determined to catch Endicott that her pursuit of justice just might slip into revenge. Only, the hunter might turn into the prey if she isn't careful. Alright, Wondering Sight was vastly different from the earlier book, Burning Bright. The two stories occupy the same world of Regency times blended with magic, but this one takes place mostly against the backdrop of the London Season and the war that was prevalent before is distant background here. There is some excitement, but this one is more of a mystery than adventure. Sophia's gift was mentioned in the first book, but now the details about how the Seer magic works is detailed out. Sophia is a powerful Seer and can slip into dreams to gain present or future scenes. She can also touch an object to see visions. Sophia is an impulsive and emotional type who leaps into thought, words, and actions which gets her into trouble more often than not. She is written with deep flaws and much of the story she is oblivious, but slowly she is forced to see them and grow though it is only near the end when she teeters over a real abyss of trouble that she finally listens to her friends and the man she loves. This one had a cunning plot. The villain and even his scheme is known, but this leads to a cat and mouse game that gets deadly. And the story that was evenly paced really started picking up speed near the end for the exciting finish. Like the first book, I loved the world of magic users and the camaraderie of friends and a little romance. Sophia is a Seer, but her best friend Cecy has the magical ability to connect with others through mindspeak and her new friend Daphne is a Bounder who can teleport from place to place or 'skip' to longer distances. There are also Movers who use telekinesis, fire magic wielders, shapers who can alter their appearances, and more. I had a good time with this second outing in the series and can't wait for the next installment hopefully involving the precocious Daphne. Those who enjoy their historicals blended with some magic, some romance, and a cunning adventure should give this book/series a try. My thanks to Curiosity Quills for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
|
Jan 16, 2017
not set
|
Jan 16, 2017
not set
|
Sep 24, 2024
|
ebook
| |||||||||||||||
LaQuette
*
| 0369724232
| 9780369724236
| B09TWK21G2
| 4.07
| 108
| Oct 25, 2022
| Oct 25, 2022
|
really liked it
|
A serious-minded doctor of psychology dons mask and gown for one evening to be someone she’s not and captivates an easy going wealthy rancher who is d
A serious-minded doctor of psychology dons mask and gown for one evening to be someone she’s not and captivates an easy going wealthy rancher who is determined to know the woman behind the mask. LaQuette is steadily becoming a go-to author for me when it comes to contemporary romance with her heart-felt situations, engaging characters, and romantic relationships. Cinderella Masquerade is a standalone romance attached to a series written by various authors. There is a connection to setting and a loose connection to past characters. Dr. Zanai James is persuaded to let go just for one night when a sexy red gown and mask allow her to show more of herself than she feels comfortable showing to anyone besides her best friend. Between her oppressive family and past experiences of people not appreciating her quiet, studious, and serious side and using her hidden exciting nature against her when they did, she keeps to herself and hides behind a book to avoid being hurt. Then Jayden Lattimore is captivated by the mysterious Red Queen on the dance floor and like a true prince charming uses her piece of lost jewelry to hunt down the woman who wore it. He has no idea why one night with the lady got to him, but the easygoing man who sweetly flirts, has a good time, and moves on is suddenly intent on showing Zanai that she’s something special and he wants to explore their attraction. As can be presumed from the title and the blurb, this was a Cinderella retelling. But, in true LaQuette fashion, it digs a little deeper and introduces a bright, intelligent, and emerging sexy powerful woman who has a fab bestie and an abhorrent family. Zanai knows her stuff when it comes to her career, but it takes Jayden’s patient and consistent work on their relationship to believe there is more and that a woman like her can capture the interest of a man like him. This is a light and easy romance for the most part and I liked the surround of friends and romantic encounters. The conflict was mostly Zanai believing in herself and the relationship. I was cheering for her and appreciated the charming Jayden being a nice romantic opposite for her and loved seeing her confront her awful dad and family finally. All in all, this hit the spot and I enjoyed the light drama, sexiness, and quick read of it. Look forward to seeing their best friends have their story maybe next. Recommended to those who want a contemporary romance to relax to maybe for a free fall afternoon. I rec’d an eARC through Netgalley to read in exchange for an honest review. My full review will post at Books of My Heart on Nov 9th. Merged review: A serious-minded doctor of psychology dons mask and gown for one evening to be someone she’s not and captivates an easy going wealthy rancher who is determined to know the woman behind the mask. LaQuette is steadily becoming a go-to author for me when it comes to contemporary romance with her heart-felt situations, engaging characters, and romantic relationships. Cinderella Masquerade is a standalone romance attached to a series written by various authors. There is a connection to setting and a loose connection to past characters. Dr. Zanai James is persuaded to let go just for one night when a sexy red gown and mask allow her to show more of herself than she feels comfortable showing to anyone besides her best friend. Between her oppressive family and past experiences of people not appreciating her quiet, studious, and serious side and using her hidden exciting nature against her when they did, she keeps to herself and hides behind a book to avoid being hurt. Then Jayden Lattimore is captivated by the mysterious Red Queen on the dance floor and like a true prince charming uses her piece of lost jewelry to hunt down the woman who wore it. He has no idea why one night with the lady got to him, but the easygoing man who sweetly flirts, has a good time, and moves on is suddenly intent on showing Zanai that she’s something special and he wants to explore their attraction. As can be presumed from the title and the blurb, this was a Cinderella retelling. But, in true LaQuette fashion, it digs a little deeper and introduces a bright, intelligent, and emerging sexy powerful woman who has a fab bestie and an abhorrent family. Zanai knows her stuff when it comes to her career, but it takes Jayden’s patient and consistent work on their relationship to believe there is more and that a woman like her can capture the interest of a man like him. This is a light and easy romance for the most part and I liked the surround of friends and romantic encounters. The conflict was mostly Zanai believing in herself and the relationship. I was cheering for her and appreciated the charming Jayden being a nice romantic opposite for her and loved seeing her confront her awful dad and family finally. All in all, this hit the spot and I enjoyed the light drama, sexiness, and quick read of it. Look forward to seeing their best friends have their story maybe next. Recommended to those who want a contemporary romance to relax to maybe for a free fall afternoon. I rec’d an eARC through Netgalley to read in exchange for an honest review. My full review will post at Books of My Heart on Nov 9th. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
2
|
Sep 22, 2022
not set
|
Sep 25, 2022
not set
|
Sep 24, 2024
|
Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
1626498482
| 9781626498488
| B07HZ4VJBD
| 3.45
| 176
| Oct 08, 2018
| Oct 08, 2018
|
really liked it
|
A serial arsonist brings two men together. One's a firefighter with hero issues and the other a man with laughing eyes and secrets. I couldn't resist
A serial arsonist brings two men together. One's a firefighter with hero issues and the other a man with laughing eyes and secrets. I couldn't resist a firefighter romantic suspense and it was a good call. Too Hot! is a light romantic suspense where firefighter, Eli Johnson, meets an attractive man at his latest fire call. Charlie rescued a small child, but oddly, wants no recognition for it, but he does want Eli's phone number. Eli hesitates because he isn't sure if Charlie's interested because of some misplaced hero complex or if he's interested in Eli who isn't just his uniform. Slowly they start dating, but then Eli is faced with a growing suspicion that Charlie is keeping secrets and coincidentally appears at each of the arson fires. Will Eli's self-sabotaging suspicions and Charlie's secrets put a permanent wedge between them? I enjoyed the blend of a cute pair of guys fumbling their way into a relationship with both having issues that might blow up in their face at any time along with the arson case and the setting of firehouse, firefighting, and cute cat cuddling at Eli's place (he's a cat guy!). This was not a complicated story and I liked that. It was quite obvious at some point that things in that hesitant romance were going to blow up and I was ready for it. Eli is looking for a reason to pull back and Charlie is determined to hold his secrets longer than he should. Fun twist there, by the way. They are hotter than the fires the arsonist lights, but they are also sweet and cuddly and enjoy laughter together. I was really rooting for them to get past their struggles and suspicions. In summary, this was heartwarming and hot, exciting and fun. I can definitely recommend it to m/m light romantic suspense fans. My thanks to Riptide Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Merged review: A serial arsonist brings two men together. One's a firefighter with hero issues and the other a man with laughing eyes and secrets. I couldn't resist a firefighter romantic suspense and it was a good call. Too Hot! is a light romantic suspense where firefighter, Eli Johnson, meets an attractive man at his latest fire call. Charlie rescued a small child, but oddly, wants no recognition for it, but he does want Eli's phone number. Eli hesitates because he isn't sure if Charlie's interested because of some misplaced hero complex or if he's interested in Eli who isn't just his uniform. Slowly they start dating, but then Eli is faced with a growing suspicion that Charlie is keeping secrets and coincidentally appears at each of the arson fires. Will Eli's self-sabotaging suspicions and Charlie's secrets put a permanent wedge between them? I enjoyed the blend of a cute pair of guys fumbling their way into a relationship with both having issues that might blow up in their face at any time along with the arson case and the setting of firehouse, firefighting, and cute cat cuddling at Eli's place (he's a cat guy!). This was not a complicated story and I liked that. It was quite obvious at some point that things in that hesitant romance were going to blow up and I was ready for it. Eli is looking for a reason to pull back and Charlie is determined to hold his secrets longer than he should. Fun twist there, by the way. They are hotter than the fires the arsonist lights, but they are also sweet and cuddly and enjoy laughter together. I was really rooting for them to get past their struggles and suspicions. In summary, this was heartwarming and hot, exciting and fun. I can definitely recommend it to m/m light romantic suspense fans. My thanks to Riptide Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
|
Sep 23, 2018
not set
|
Sep 25, 2018
not set
|
Sep 23, 2024
|
ebook
| |||||||||||||||
0698191447
| 9780698191440
| B00NUMIGNI
| 3.23
| 105
| Jan 20, 2015
| Jan 20, 2015
|
really liked it
|
This book united two of my favorite types of characters- a rocker and a military vet. Had my name on it. Then I started reading and discovered that wh
This book united two of my favorite types of characters- a rocker and a military vet. Had my name on it. Then I started reading and discovered that whew-boy, this was most definitely a match made in reader-girl land. I enjoy when an author puts a twist in the ordinary order of things and explores so rarely ventured into territory with me. In this case, I was given a submissive bi-sexual hero fighting addictions and a dominant ex-combat medic with a case of survivor's guilt and a wound that knocked her out of the service. Lots to keep me occupied there even before we toss in a rock tour, a stalker, an ex, and a whole lotta opposites attracts razzle dazzle. Seriously? This was a debut book? Keep 'em coming, sister! The story opens with Gwen Tennison camped out on her sister's couch mourning the loss of her career due to an injury to her shoulder, mourning the loss of her friend and fellow soldier with a heap of guilt feeling and scared to think of what the future has in store for her since being a combat medic was what she lived for. Sam is done coddling her and knows just what Gwen needs to get her back in the game. Gwen is going to take over as tour manager for a rocker who likes his fun and is tough on his long string of managers. Oh and he's recently out of detox and he's on a short leash with his record company. No pressure there especially for a person who knows nothing about the music industry. However, she does know a little something about organization, logistics, motivating her men and pushing through adversity. It all seemed tough and improbable for success until she meets Lucas Wheeler. Okay move things from improbable to impossible. He's now her charge and it would be all sorts of wrong to start something up with him as enticing as he is. Lucas doesn't know what to make of the woman he has been saddled with for his new tour manager. That one night at the club when she didn't know who he was and she danced with such fire and sensuality showed that there is something more than the tough no-nonsense creature in the suit who is unmoved by his brattiness or his come-ons. No one has resisted him before. Guys and women both rush to have him so why not Gwen? He knows she isn't indifferent. His attraction and need grows even more powerful when she restrains him and barks orders at him. He wants her to have control and has images in his mind of her doing so. His overbearing, powerful and perfect twin, Lee, enters the picture and for the first time he worries that his stuffy brother might hold more appeal to the woman he wants. Then he acquires a stalker and Gwen is more babysitting bodyguard than potential lover. But that is hot too in its way. Lucas will wear her down and convince her that he's changed and is ready for something new- he's ready for Gwen. This story kept me buried in the pages from the beginning and I read it rapidly through to the end. It wasn't perfect, but my issues were small. There were a few things I wanted to see teased out better after they were introduced and maybe they will be since I noticed that Lucas' brother, Lee, gets his own book. I felt that Lucas leaving home and not coming back, trouble with the dad and mom and the antagonism toward Lee were left hanging. And on a lesser scale, Gwen's thing about her folks was the same way. There was some explanation, but I just wanted more. The focus stays right on the present and on the two main players for the most part though dynamics within the tour company are written with depth and I loved the secondary romance for two others. This was hot and sensual in its build up for the romance and a wonderful tension-filled twisting plot for the suspense caused by the stalker. I had my suspicions and I was right about who it was, but that didn't lessen the excitement. The story switches back and forth between Gwen and Lucas' perspectives and I enjoyed getting both of their thoughts. Gwen feels older and more mature- confident and sure of herself while Lucas is working through his issues and finding his way. He is practiced in the sexual side and knows how to live it up in true rocker style. Lucas is supremely talented as a musician, but ignorant of relationships and responsibilities. It was fascinating to see the gender bending in their relationship as a result. Lucas willingly hands over the control to Gwen, but he's no doormat. He trusts her and respects her, but he has no trouble making it clear that he is capable and strong too in spite of his struggle with addiction and to embrace a relationship. As to that power exchange aspect, Gwen is dominant and Lucas is submissive. Gwen has charge of Lucas as his manager so its part of their daily public life and it seeps into their growing private life. They explore it a bit in a few bedroom scenes, but its mild kink at the most. It left the door open for more in their future. I liked how the author explored the dynamic of having Lucas be bi-sexual and Gwen be mono-sexual. It wasn't a huge issue in the story. Lucas is attracted to men and women and has been with both and sometimes at the same time. Gwen fears that she won't be enough even though she is a strong, sexual woman. Being Bi can be tough on that individual and the person/s with them. I loved that it was there and not glossed over, but didn't turn into some overblown angst-fest. To wrap this up, this story was abso-fab in all its components and facets. I really enjoyed the intro to a new to me author and look forward to what is to come with Lee's story. I would recommend this one for those who enjoy a hot romance, behind the scenes rock tour-style setting, engaging suspense and intriguing characters. New Adult, Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense lovers should take a look. My thanks to Penguin Group and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Merged review: This book united two of my favorite types of characters- a rocker and a military vet. Had my name on it. Then I started reading and discovered that whew-boy, this was most definitely a match made in reader-girl land. I enjoy when an author puts a twist in the ordinary order of things and explores so rarely ventured into territory with me. In this case, I was given a submissive bi-sexual hero fighting addictions and a dominant ex-combat medic with a case of survivor's guilt and a wound that knocked her out of the service. Lots to keep me occupied there even before we toss in a rock tour, a stalker, an ex, and a whole lotta opposites attracts razzle dazzle. Seriously? This was a debut book? Keep 'em coming, sister! The story opens with Gwen Tennison camped out on her sister's couch mourning the loss of her career due to an injury to her shoulder, mourning the loss of her friend and fellow soldier with a heap of guilt feeling and scared to think of what the future has in store for her since being a combat medic was what she lived for. Sam is done coddling her and knows just what Gwen needs to get her back in the game. Gwen is going to take over as tour manager for a rocker who likes his fun and is tough on his long string of managers. Oh and he's recently out of detox and he's on a short leash with his record company. No pressure there especially for a person who knows nothing about the music industry. However, she does know a little something about organization, logistics, motivating her men and pushing through adversity. It all seemed tough and improbable for success until she meets Lucas Wheeler. Okay move things from improbable to impossible. He's now her charge and it would be all sorts of wrong to start something up with him as enticing as he is. Lucas doesn't know what to make of the woman he has been saddled with for his new tour manager. That one night at the club when she didn't know who he was and she danced with such fire and sensuality showed that there is something more than the tough no-nonsense creature in the suit who is unmoved by his brattiness or his come-ons. No one has resisted him before. Guys and women both rush to have him so why not Gwen? He knows she isn't indifferent. His attraction and need grows even more powerful when she restrains him and barks orders at him. He wants her to have control and has images in his mind of her doing so. His overbearing, powerful and perfect twin, Lee, enters the picture and for the first time he worries that his stuffy brother might hold more appeal to the woman he wants. Then he acquires a stalker and Gwen is more babysitting bodyguard than potential lover. But that is hot too in its way. Lucas will wear her down and convince her that he's changed and is ready for something new- he's ready for Gwen. This story kept me buried in the pages from the beginning and I read it rapidly through to the end. It wasn't perfect, but my issues were small. There were a few things I wanted to see teased out better after they were introduced and maybe they will be since I noticed that Lucas' brother, Lee, gets his own book. I felt that Lucas leaving home and not coming back, trouble with the dad and mom and the antagonism toward Lee were left hanging. And on a lesser scale, Gwen's thing about her folks was the same way. There was some explanation, but I just wanted more. The focus stays right on the present and on the two main players for the most part though dynamics within the tour company are written with depth and I loved the secondary romance for two others. This was hot and sensual in its build up for the romance and a wonderful tension-filled twisting plot for the suspense caused by the stalker. I had my suspicions and I was right about who it was, but that didn't lessen the excitement. The story switches back and forth between Gwen and Lucas' perspectives and I enjoyed getting both of their thoughts. Gwen feels older and more mature- confident and sure of herself while Lucas is working through his issues and finding his way. He is practiced in the sexual side and knows how to live it up in true rocker style. Lucas is supremely talented as a musician, but ignorant of relationships and responsibilities. It was fascinating to see the gender bending in their relationship as a result. Lucas willingly hands over the control to Gwen, but he's no doormat. He trusts her and respects her, but he has no trouble making it clear that he is capable and strong too in spite of his struggle with addiction and to embrace a relationship. As to that power exchange aspect, Gwen is dominant and Lucas is submissive. Gwen has charge of Lucas as his manager so its part of their daily public life and it seeps into their growing private life. They explore it a bit in a few bedroom scenes, but its mild kink at the most. It left the door open for more in their future. I liked how the author explored the dynamic of having Lucas be bi-sexual and Gwen be mono-sexual. It wasn't a huge issue in the story. Lucas is attracted to men and women and has been with both and sometimes at the same time. Gwen fears that she won't be enough even though she is a strong, sexual woman. Being Bi can be tough on that individual and the person/s with them. I loved that it was there and not glossed over, but didn't turn into some overblown angst-fest. To wrap this up, this story was abso-fab in all its components and facets. I really enjoyed the intro to a new to me author and look forward to what is to come with Lee's story. I would recommend this one for those who enjoy a hot romance, behind the scenes rock tour-style setting, engaging suspense and intriguing characters. New Adult, Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense lovers should take a look. My thanks to Penguin Group and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
|
Feb 22, 2015
not set
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Feb 26, 2015
not set
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Sep 23, 2024
|
ebook
| |||||||||||||||
1939661463
| 9781939661463
| B077PKJN8N
| 4.36
| 3,200
| Nov 25, 2017
| Nov 25, 2017
|
really liked it
|
In a fun tribute to Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, the author places her lovable heroine, Verity Long, irascible gangster ghost hero,
In a fun tribute to Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, the author places her lovable heroine, Verity Long, irascible gangster ghost hero, Frankie, and Verity's stalwart boyfriend Ellis on a restored old steam train on which an unsolved murder occurred many years before. I enjoyed how Verity has really come into her own when it comes to the existence of ghosts and her talent for solving crimes, ghostly or otherwise. She's grown confident and independent though still a softy for helping others. And, in this installment, she and Ellis prove that they are a solid couple when his brother who is also her ex was attempting to stir up trouble for them and Frankie is up to his antics that disrupt the couple's vacation. Adults in a relationship acting mature? Oh yes! The mystery had echoes of the famous Christie story, but only so far as the murder happened on an isolated old train with all the suspects trapped together, no obvious motive, and a locked door mystery. Most of the story was just a great Southern Ghost Hunter adventure with some good twists to keep the reader guessing. How could I resist a mystery set on an elegant steam train journey through the mountains? All in all, this latest installment of the series was a delight from cover to cover that was a light and easy read that I quickly devoured. Paranormal cozy mystery fans should not miss this series. I rec'd this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Merged review: In a fun tribute to Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, the author places her lovable heroine, Verity Long, irascible gangster ghost hero, Frankie, and Verity's stalwart boyfriend Ellis on a restored old steam train on which an unsolved murder occurred many years before. I enjoyed how Verity has really come into her own when it comes to the existence of ghosts and her talent for solving crimes, ghostly or otherwise. She's grown confident and independent though still a softy for helping others. And, in this installment, she and Ellis prove that they are a solid couple when his brother who is also her ex was attempting to stir up trouble for them and Frankie is up to his antics that disrupt the couple's vacation. Adults in a relationship acting mature? Oh yes! The mystery had echoes of the famous Christie story, but only so far as the murder happened on an isolated old train with all the suspects trapped together, no obvious motive, and a locked door mystery. Most of the story was just a great Southern Ghost Hunter adventure with some good twists to keep the reader guessing. How could I resist a mystery set on an elegant steam train journey through the mountains? All in all, this latest installment of the series was a delight from cover to cover that was a light and easy read that I quickly devoured. Paranormal cozy mystery fans should not miss this series. I rec'd this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Nov 22, 2017
not set
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Nov 25, 2017
not set
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Sep 21, 2024
|
ebook
| |||||||||||||||
0008270317
| 9780008270315
| B072TVZR5L
| 3.40
| 397
| Jul 18, 2017
| Jul 18, 2017
|
liked it
|
A modern retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion set against the world of the British Period Drama and the production of Pride & Prejudice sounded like
A modern retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion set against the world of the British Period Drama and the production of Pride & Prejudice sounded like all sorts of fun so this was an easy sell for me after reading the blurb and wanting to try a new to me author. With modern retellings, I am always keen to discover how Austen's original characters will translate into the modern world and what the author will choose for the modern setting. I thought it was clever to cast the Persuasion characters as actors and actresses and at the same time offer a fun wink at the more popular Austen novel, Pride & Prejudice. I was all set to love this one to death, but I ended up settling for milder feelings of like. Maybe my expectations were too high, but for certain, I was anticipating something different. I noticed afterward when I started working on my review that on a couple book sites that this was listed as Women's Fiction rather than Contemporary Romance (which was what I thought I was getting). This was me not paying attention not the fault of others. It makes a great deal of difference in expectation obviously to get the genre straight. However, even if I hadn't tangled up which genre I was reading, I would have still struggled with the main character. Jane Austen's Anne Elliot's character had more quiet strength and her reasons for her youthful choice was more understandable to me set in the time period when things were different for women. Whereas this didn't come across with modern Annie because the times have changed for women when it comes to status, class, and women's careers. She is a doormat and just under 75% of this story was evidence of that. She spends her time inner monologuing about her dreary personal and family life, being resentful, and jealous, but she will not speak or act to change it. But... All hope is not lost. That last quarter of the book began with her epiphany moment and then growth and inner strength happened. Now this Annie, I could get behind and cheer on. Oh, the change was not overnight. She still was uncertain and timid, but at least she was making an effort. The very end came in a rush, but it was definitely sweet and romantic. The story was easily recognizable as a retelling with several key scenes paralleling the original and works fine for those who are unfamiliar or less familiar with the original story it is based on. Spoiler-non spoiler... there is a 'letter' moment (just putting that out there for those who need to know that important detail). What was a delightful surprise was the humor. The humor was a great balance for the other emotions. There were a few laugh out loud moments like when Annie discovers a few family secrets and her oblivious sister Marie the TV personality being a personality off-screen, too. In summary, this was one I had to be patient with and wait for the paydirt moment nearer the end. I do love a good underdog story and this is indeed that. I also enjoyed my first time encounter with the author's writing and have my eye on a few books on her backlist. This will be for those who enjoy Women's Fiction and Modern Retellings. I rec'd this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. Merged review: A modern retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion set against the world of the British Period Drama and the production of Pride & Prejudice sounded like all sorts of fun so this was an easy sell for me after reading the blurb and wanting to try a new to me author. With modern retellings, I am always keen to discover how Austen's original characters will translate into the modern world and what the author will choose for the modern setting. I thought it was clever to cast the Persuasion characters as actors and actresses and at the same time offer a fun wink at the more popular Austen novel, Pride & Prejudice. I was all set to love this one to death, but I ended up settling for milder feelings of like. Maybe my expectations were too high, but for certain, I was anticipating something different. I noticed afterward when I started working on my review that on a couple book sites that this was listed as Women's Fiction rather than Contemporary Romance (which was what I thought I was getting). This was me not paying attention not the fault of others. It makes a great deal of difference in expectation obviously to get the genre straight. However, even if I hadn't tangled up which genre I was reading, I would have still struggled with the main character. Jane Austen's Anne Elliot's character had more quiet strength and her reasons for her youthful choice was more understandable to me set in the time period when things were different for women. Whereas this didn't come across with modern Annie because the times have changed for women when it comes to status, class, and women's careers. She is a doormat and just under 75% of this story was evidence of that. She spends her time inner monologuing about her dreary personal and family life, being resentful, and jealous, but she will not speak or act to change it. But... All hope is not lost. That last quarter of the book began with her epiphany moment and then growth and inner strength happened. Now this Annie, I could get behind and cheer on. Oh, the change was not overnight. She still was uncertain and timid, but at least she was making an effort. The very end came in a rush, but it was definitely sweet and romantic. The story was easily recognizable as a retelling with several key scenes paralleling the original and works fine for those who are unfamiliar or less familiar with the original story it is based on. Spoiler-non spoiler... there is a 'letter' moment (just putting that out there for those who need to know that important detail). What was a delightful surprise was the humor. The humor was a great balance for the other emotions. There were a few laugh out loud moments like when Annie discovers a few family secrets and her oblivious sister Marie the TV personality being a personality off-screen, too. In summary, this was one I had to be patient with and wait for the paydirt moment nearer the end. I do love a good underdog story and this is indeed that. I also enjoyed my first time encounter with the author's writing and have my eye on a few books on her backlist. This will be for those who enjoy Women's Fiction and Modern Retellings. I rec'd this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
2
|
Aug 11, 2017
not set
|
Aug 12, 2017
not set
|
Sep 21, 2024
|
Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||
069841103X
| 9780698411036
| B00USMCMYW
| 3.98
| 894
| Jun 16, 2015
| Jun 16, 2015
|
really liked it
|
I pretty much have this series on 'must grab' by now and this novella was no exception. It was a second chance 'in the nick of time right before the a
I pretty much have this series on 'must grab' by now and this novella was no exception. It was a second chance 'in the nick of time right before the altar' type of affair told in present and flashbacks that had me vested for that reason alone from the get-go. The placing of the story in the series confused me until I got to the author's note at the end explaining the connection. Thank goodness, she did explain because I was racking my brains trying to figure out with whom these guys were connected to in the earlier books. And, it turns out that this is a prequel to the next story in the series, Call On Me. One of the heroes is the brother to the heroine of the next book. Curiosity satisfied! And because of that, I would say that this one can be read out of order or as a standalone just fine. The story begins with Hunter on the verge of getting married. He's a champion baseball pitcher. He comes from a wealthy and powerful political family. His fiancee was a former beauty queen and meets with his family's approval. He's got it all going for him and he seems to be living the dream. And yet his life feels empty and he feels trapped as his wedding draws near. His fiancee likes to test him and play games to make sure he's still toeing the line and her latest test involves sending him to have a reunion of sorts with his former best friend from college and get him to be Hunter's best man. Little does she knows or anyone for that matter, but Devon was so much more than Hunter's best friend. Devon can't believe who walks into his restaurant one Monday night. Hunter broke his heart and cut him off years ago, he's getting married and living the family-pleasing life he wanted, and yet now he sits there looking as lost as ever. Devon doesn't know what to make of this, but anger and hurt war inside him. Hunter and Devon share flashbacks to those happy times when they were college roommates and best friends, the awkward and confusing time as Hunter learned that he was bi and the heartbreaking moments of the end of their brief time. And then there's the present with its complications and knowledge that the old spark is still there. This one was short and moved along quickly. It spends as much time in the past as the present. I enjoyed getting what came before and really felt for both these guys. Their situation wasn't easy. I thought the handling of their early relationship was done well. Devon has been open and out about being gay all along and he is very experienced and confident sexually. Devon refused to do relationships and Hunter knew that just as Devon knew that Hunter wasn't ready for more than experimenting at this point. Hunter was experienced with girls, but being attracted with a guy made him practically a virgin. He was overwhelmed by the ramifications with family expectation, no independent income, star athlete, etc and they were both fearful of losing their friendship if things went up in smoke. One point, I want to make is that even though Hunter was engaged at the beginning. There was no cheating in this story. Truthfully, the way that gal toyed with him and played her testing his loyalty and fidelity games made me surprised that he stuck with her as long as he did. I really hated for the story to finish. In fact, it ended abruptly leaving questions that I hope get answered in the next book. This was an emotional, sensual Coming of Age and Second Chance all rolled into one. I would recommend it to those who enjoy M/M Contemporary Romance and New Adult. My thanks to Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Merged review: I pretty much have this series on 'must grab' by now and this novella was no exception. It was a second chance 'in the nick of time right before the altar' type of affair told in present and flashbacks that had me vested for that reason alone from the get-go. The placing of the story in the series confused me until I got to the author's note at the end explaining the connection. Thank goodness, she did explain because I was racking my brains trying to figure out with whom these guys were connected to in the earlier books. And, it turns out that this is a prequel to the next story in the series, Call On Me. One of the heroes is the brother to the heroine of the next book. Curiosity satisfied! And because of that, I would say that this one can be read out of order or as a standalone just fine. The story begins with Hunter on the verge of getting married. He's a champion baseball pitcher. He comes from a wealthy and powerful political family. His fiancee was a former beauty queen and meets with his family's approval. He's got it all going for him and he seems to be living the dream. And yet his life feels empty and he feels trapped as his wedding draws near. His fiancee likes to test him and play games to make sure he's still toeing the line and her latest test involves sending him to have a reunion of sorts with his former best friend from college and get him to be Hunter's best man. Little does she knows or anyone for that matter, but Devon was so much more than Hunter's best friend. Devon can't believe who walks into his restaurant one Monday night. Hunter broke his heart and cut him off years ago, he's getting married and living the family-pleasing life he wanted, and yet now he sits there looking as lost as ever. Devon doesn't know what to make of this, but anger and hurt war inside him. Hunter and Devon share flashbacks to those happy times when they were college roommates and best friends, the awkward and confusing time as Hunter learned that he was bi and the heartbreaking moments of the end of their brief time. And then there's the present with its complications and knowledge that the old spark is still there. This one was short and moved along quickly. It spends as much time in the past as the present. I enjoyed getting what came before and really felt for both these guys. Their situation wasn't easy. I thought the handling of their early relationship was done well. Devon has been open and out about being gay all along and he is very experienced and confident sexually. Devon refused to do relationships and Hunter knew that just as Devon knew that Hunter wasn't ready for more than experimenting at this point. Hunter was experienced with girls, but being attracted with a guy made him practically a virgin. He was overwhelmed by the ramifications with family expectation, no independent income, star athlete, etc and they were both fearful of losing their friendship if things went up in smoke. One point, I want to make is that even though Hunter was engaged at the beginning. There was no cheating in this story. Truthfully, the way that gal toyed with him and played her testing his loyalty and fidelity games made me surprised that he stuck with her as long as he did. I really hated for the story to finish. In fact, it ended abruptly leaving questions that I hope get answered in the next book. This was an emotional, sensual Coming of Age and Second Chance all rolled into one. I would recommend it to those who enjoy M/M Contemporary Romance and New Adult. My thanks to Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Jun 07, 2015
not set
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Jun 09, 2015
not set
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Sep 21, 2024
|
ebook
| |||||||||||||||
0369723376
| 9780369723376
| B09N1PVWVM
| 4.48
| 63
| unknown
| Aug 23, 2022
|
really liked it
|
A fashion designer with an anxiety disorder fears to start a relationship with a man who puts his life on the line in the military. Small town, friend
A fashion designer with an anxiety disorder fears to start a relationship with a man who puts his life on the line in the military. Small town, friends to lovers from a new to me author had strong appeal so I gave into temptation. Her Marine Hero is the third standalone romance in the Polk Island series. I could see that the two previous stories were about the heroine’s cousins getting their romances and that Renee and maybe Greg had been introduced earlier, but I had no trouble diving in out of series order. Greg Bowman returns after a few years. He’s been serving in the Marines and made it into MARSOC, the Marine Special Operations regiment which was his goal. But lately, he feels the pull to finish out his time and get out of the military since he never planned to retire. He is considering taking his friend up on a job offer and if that offer puts him close to the woman who turned him down and put him in the friends category? Perhaps he can persuade her to give him a chance once his job isn’t coming between them. Her fashion designs and sales are a big success now and she feels a contentment for reaching the pinnacle of her success, but then a huge temptation arrives back in her quaint, pretty small town and stirs her up. Renee Rothschild has had a thing for Greg since they met and went on a date. She put a halt to things knowing that her anxiety disorder would eat her alive dating a guy in the military gone on active duty and besides her ex did a number on her and she hasn’t come to terms with that issue. But here is Greg and he’s well-nigh irresistible. They both have different dreams and needs though so how could it possibly be a good idea? I settled into the author’s warm, tender, and gently-paced writing style right away. The setting sounds perfect- a small island community and family and friends supporting each other. The sweet time of friends who feel the sparkle of attraction and share some poignant moments made for easy reading and romantic feel throughout. It wasn’t lacking in layers and some drama, either. The heart of the romantic conflict is the heroine struggling to get past her anxiety, her belief that she can’t handle a relationship with a person with a military career, and the pair of them struggling with the possibility that one of them will have to give up their dreams. I was cheering them on and admit to getting impatient with Renee for holding them back particularly when she seems to be making Greg pay for what her ex pulled on her, but she does deal with that eventually. Also, I applaud her for seeing the hardship that a military relationship might be and her selfless desire that Greg not have to sacrifice his dream career. He doesn’t think he’s sacrificing, but there is a crisis when he needs to go back to duty for a friend and his desire to leave the Marines isn’t so cut and dry. I appreciated that she had written characters of service and duty like her cousins and the hero in civic and military service careers, but also of different abilities with the heroine’s cousin getting used to a prosthetic after military duty and the heroine dealing with mental health struggles. All around, this was touching and satisfying. I would definitely read more from the author and I was glad to see that there will be more Polk Island stories. Those who want a quick, but heartwarming sweet romance with solid character development should definitely give this book/series a try. I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review. My full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer Nov 2nd. Merged review: A fashion designer with an anxiety disorder fears to start a relationship with a man who puts his life on the line in the military. Small town, friends to lovers from a new to me author had strong appeal so I gave into temptation. Her Marine Hero is the third standalone romance in the Polk Island series. I could see that the two previous stories were about the heroine’s cousins getting their romances and that Renee and maybe Greg had been introduced earlier, but I had no trouble diving in out of series order. Greg Bowman returns after a few years. He’s been serving in the Marines and made it into MARSOC, the Marine Special Operations regiment which was his goal. But lately, he feels the pull to finish out his time and get out of the military since he never planned to retire. He is considering taking his friend up on a job offer and if that offer puts him close to the woman who turned him down and put him in the friends category? Perhaps he can persuade her to give him a chance once his job isn’t coming between them. Her fashion designs and sales are a big success now and she feels a contentment for reaching the pinnacle of her success, but then a huge temptation arrives back in her quaint, pretty small town and stirs her up. Renee Rothschild has had a thing for Greg since they met and went on a date. She put a halt to things knowing that her anxiety disorder would eat her alive dating a guy in the military gone on active duty and besides her ex did a number on her and she hasn’t come to terms with that issue. But here is Greg and he’s well-nigh irresistible. They both have different dreams and needs though so how could it possibly be a good idea? I settled into the author’s warm, tender, and gently-paced writing style right away. The setting sounds perfect- a small island community and family and friends supporting each other. The sweet time of friends who feel the sparkle of attraction and share some poignant moments made for easy reading and romantic feel throughout. It wasn’t lacking in layers and some drama, either. The heart of the romantic conflict is the heroine struggling to get past her anxiety, her belief that she can’t handle a relationship with a person with a military career, and the pair of them struggling with the possibility that one of them will have to give up their dreams. I was cheering them on and admit to getting impatient with Renee for holding them back particularly when she seems to be making Greg pay for what her ex pulled on her, but she does deal with that eventually. Also, I applaud her for seeing the hardship that a military relationship might be and her selfless desire that Greg not have to sacrifice his dream career. He doesn’t think he’s sacrificing, but there is a crisis when he needs to go back to duty for a friend and his desire to leave the Marines isn’t so cut and dry. I appreciated that she had written characters of service and duty like her cousins and the hero in civic and military service careers, but also of different abilities with the heroine’s cousin getting used to a prosthetic after military duty and the heroine dealing with mental health struggles. All around, this was touching and satisfying. I would definitely read more from the author and I was glad to see that there will be more Polk Island stories. Those who want a quick, but heartwarming sweet romance with solid character development should definitely give this book/series a try. I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review. My full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer Nov 2nd. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Sep 30, 2022
not set
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Oct 02, 2022
not set
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Sep 16, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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my rating |
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4.50
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Nov 26, 2024
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Nov 17, 2024
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4.39
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really liked it
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Oct 30, 2024
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Oct 30, 2024
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3.92
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really liked it
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Oct 09, 2015
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
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3.72
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really liked it
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Sep 23, 2017
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
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3.80
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really liked it
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May 09, 2014
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
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3.89
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really liked it
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Jul 21, 2020
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
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3.89
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it was amazing
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Apr 20, 2015
not set
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Sep 27, 2024
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4.04
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it was amazing
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Feb 2019
not set
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Sep 27, 2024
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3.82
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really liked it
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Jan 18, 2016
not set
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Sep 26, 2024
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3.83
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really liked it
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Jun 15, 2015
not set
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Sep 26, 2024
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3.36
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really liked it
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Jan 02, 2020
not set
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Sep 26, 2024
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3.80
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liked it
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Nov 21, 2016
not set
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Sep 26, 2024
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3.75
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really liked it
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Jan 16, 2017
not set
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Sep 24, 2024
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LaQuette
*
| 4.07
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really liked it
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Sep 25, 2022
not set
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Sep 24, 2024
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3.45
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really liked it
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Sep 25, 2018
not set
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Sep 23, 2024
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3.23
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really liked it
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Feb 26, 2015
not set
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Sep 23, 2024
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4.36
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really liked it
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Nov 25, 2017
not set
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Sep 21, 2024
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3.40
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liked it
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Aug 12, 2017
not set
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Sep 21, 2024
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3.98
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really liked it
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Jun 09, 2015
not set
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Sep 21, 2024
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4.48
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really liked it
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Oct 02, 2022
not set
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Sep 16, 2024
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