Review of The Millionaire’s Ultimate Catch by Michelle Monkou
To Be Released: October 1, 2010
4 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “After a daring, headline-making rescue, basketball star Naomi Venable accepts Zack Keathley’s invitation to spend a week recuperating at his sprawling country estate. The sinfully sexy millionaire could have his pick of any woman in the world. But once he sets his sights on Naomi there’s no way she can resist this rugged alpha male’s charms…
Zack owes Naomi for coming to the aid of his baby sister. But grateful isn’t all the driven developer feels for the sleek and sultry pro athlete. And once he makes up his mind, there’s no stopping the aroused penthouse playboy! Caught in Naomi’s seductive spell, can Zack convince this fearless sorority sister that their passionate paradise is meant to last forever?”
The Millionaire’s Ultimate Catch by Michelle Monkou is a story about giving up on walling up your defenses against people and finally letting someone else in. I gave The Millionaire’s Ultimate Catch by Michelle Monkou 4 smirks because it was a great story about learning more about yourself through the eyes of others. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Naomi and Zack. These two characters were so much alike it was funny and thrilling to see how each of them always wanted to take charge in their relationship. The Millionaire’s Ultimate Catch by Michelle Monkou displayed a tug a war with courage-fear, lust-envy, love-hate, rational- irrational, which allows readers to have a tug a war within themselves about how the main characters should end up.
Review of Invincible by Joan Johnston
To Be Released: October 26, 2010
4 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “Bella Benedict’s five grown children are scattered around the world like a handful of precious jewels. Now she’s dying and she has one last, secret wish. To bring her children home. And to give them what she once had: a marriage of passion.
Wealthy playboy Max Benedict has no interest in long-term commitment. He had his heart broken once and that was enough. Instead, he travels the world, working as a sometime spy for the CIA. When he’s asked to investigate a foreign threat against the president, he doesn’t think twice about accepting—until he hears who he’ll be working with in London.
FBI Special Agent Kristin Lassiter is under investigation and on the verge of losing everything—her savings, her job, her beloved father. So when Bella Benedict approaches her with the offer to pay her mounting debts, she’s tempted to accept. But there’s a catch—a big one. Bella wants Kristin to win the heart of her son Max, the very man who destroyed Kristin years ago. A man unaware he fathered her nine-year old daughter. If Kristin succeeds, she’ll get the money she needs—and the priceless Blackthorne rubies Bella has offered to sweeten the deal.
The only problem is, can she win Max’s heart without falling back in love with him?
Some forbidden desires are invincible.”
Invincible by Joan Johnston was a surprising story about getting in touch with the person you use to be. Invincible really painted a picture of complicated relationships reaching and overcoming their breaking points. I really enjoyed the different points of view that Joan Johnston gave readers so we were able to see all the planning that went into the matchmaking. All the characters are so vital and different, as a reader it was spectacular to be a part of their world.
I love the whole idea of Bella determined to help her children get their happily ever afters is truly inspiring and imposing. I love that she is going to devote the time she has left to helping her children be happy and that she also seems to be making up for the years past. I really thought that Joan Johnston brought real relationship problems to life in Invincible. It allowed us as readers not only to see the main characters Max and Kristin relationship problems, but also other characters and their relationships. What I loved most about this story was the fact that it felt real, the problems, issues, and everything felt as though it could have happened in real life.
I gave Invincible by Joan Johnston 4 smirks because I did not want to stop reading it and was even a little disappointed that I have to wait for the next book to come out. I really am looking forward to reading about the rest of the Benedict’s love lives and am secretly hoping Emily will be a part of one of the stories in the future.
Review of Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
To Be Released: October 19, 2010
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her master’s laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?”
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer is a fantastically romantic, mysterious, soul searching story that will make you want to read and re-read it over and over again. Clearly this is a series book because what a huge cliff hanger to leave on. I don’t want to give away much about this amazing story, so I will just give you little tidbits I loved about this book.
Things I Loved About Nightshade by Andrea Cremer:
The story was elegantly written
Each chapter begins with a different phase of the moon
Shockingly, beautiful cover art (I mean seriously could you walk past this book in a bookstore and not want to pick it up?)
Ren an alluring alpha whose heart only wants one thing
Shay an adorable love struck puppy
Calla a hard ass alpha who hates dressing like a girlie girl and has only ever known duty to her pack and pack masters
Weird, eerie dynamics at the local high school
Forbidden Love
A heart being torn in two opposite directions
Magic
And a leap of faith
I gave Nightshade by Andrea Cremer 5 smirks because it really is a book everyone must own. There is something in it for everyone, adventure, mystery, romance, lust, knowledge, action. Nightshade truly touches base with every type of genre you could think of. The elegant delivery was swift and magical which is perfect for the story itself. It is the must have book of the year.
Review of Falling For Gracie by Susan Mallery
Published: February 1, 2010
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “First comes love, then comes marriage. . .
Or that was Gracie's plan, anyway, at the ripe old age of fourteen. She loved eighteen-year-old heartthrob Riley with a desperation that made her a town legend. Even now that she's all grown up, the locals in sleepy Los Lobos won't let her forget her youthful crush.
. . .but it's not as easy as it looks.
And how can she, when she's face-to-face with Riley at every turn? The onetime bad boy has come back to town seeking respectability-but the sparks that fly between them are anything but respectable! Gracie's determined to keep her distance, but when someone sets out to ruin both their reputations, the two discover that first love is sometimes better the second time around.”
All I have to say is, seriously?!?! Falling for Gracie by Susan Mallery was like being transported to the town of Los Lobos and living everything Gracie and Riley lived. Susan Mallery created this hilarious, magnificent character, Gracie, who just makes you want to laugh and root for her and the life she has always wanted. I really invested in this story because it was so easy to fall into step with Riley and be embarrassed with Gracie, it is a story that makes you believe that even at fourteen it is still possible to find the love of your life.
Things I Loved About Falling For Gracie by Susan Mallery:
Gracie re-meeting Riley via new stalker tendencies
Gracie’s stalker tendencies at fourteen
Gracie dealing with her family
Riley’s three “F” rules
Riley’s Uncle’s huge portrait
The town siding with Gracie even though, there wasn’t really a side to take
Gracie’s and Riley’s humor with each other that makes even the cynical envious
The surprising easy flow of Riley and Gracie together
Riley finally following his heart (plus he’s very handsome)
And the whole crazy town of Los Lobos in general
I gave 5 smirks to Falling For Gracie by Susan Mallery because it brightened my day. There are only a handful of books that can do that for me and I am pleased to say that the majority of them are written by Susan Mallery. Susan Mallery gives readers characters who are all so completely different in every one of her books, but there is always something uniquely special about each one that makes you fall in love with them. Gracie and Riley make an entertaining, heart throbbing couple who just pull you in with their witty dialogue.
Review of Finding Perfect by Susan Mallery
Published: August 31, 2010
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “When Pia O’Brian’s best friend dies, Pia expects to inherit her cherished cat. Instead, the woman leaves Pia three frozen embryos. With a disastrous track record in the romance department and the parenting skills of a hamster, Pia doesn’t think she’s meant for motherhood. But determined to do the right thing, Pia decides to become a single mother. Only to meet a gorgeous, sexy hunk the very same day.
A former foster-care kid now rich beyond his wildest dreams, Raoul Moreno runs a camp for needy children in Fool’s Gold, California. After his last relationship, Raoul thought he was done with women and commitment. Still, he can’t get sweet, sexy Pia out of his mind—and proposes a crazy plan. But can such an unconventional beginning really result in the perfect ending?”
Finding Perfect by Susan Mallery was a truly amazing story. I loved that this book is a part of a series but it, like the other books in this series, can stand on its own. Finding Perfect is about the untraditional paths that life takes us on and about finding out that your fantasy of perfect is something you should hold out for. Pia who has appeared in the first two books of this series is a truly loveable character whom in the previous books we were able to see not only who she is in the present, but who she was in her past.
Finding Perfect proves that people can change for the better and even if their heart had been broken before time can heal all wounds. The aspect that truly made me jump for joy about Finding Perfect was the fact Susan Mallery allowed her readers to see a character in this book from one of her other books she has written. I absolutely loved the fact Susan Mallery was able to give her readers a true painting of what Raoul did with his life after he appeared as a high school football star in the Sweet Spot. At first I missed the fact Raoul was from a different book, but then after so many looks into his past showed in Finding Perfect it was easy to put together.
I loved us as readers were able to see Raoul grown up and getting settles into his new life in Fools Gold. Pia and Raoul are so much alike that you wouldn’t think there would be chemistry between the two, but there was enough to light fireworks for an entire city. Pia is a character people just fall in love with because of how big her heart is and with Raoul she has this uncanny ability to ramble about anything and everything that is very endearing. Raoul having been through what he has, turned out to be an amazing character with a ton of charm and the ability to let people tell him like it is without getting upset. So far Pia and Raoul are my favorite couple in The Fools Gold Series. I really look forward to more books coming out in this series because it is a series that captures readers’ attention with the uniqueness of small town charisma.
This summer I had summer school classes, but that did not stop me from reading. And reading, and reading. So even though I was unable to do reviews for EVERY book I read this summer I thought I would put together a list of those books I did read and just give them whatever smirks they earned. I discovered a lot of new authors I have not read until this summer and decided to read multiple books by these multiple authors. That being said I have categorized the books I’ve read under the authors’ names shown below. I hope you all had an amazing book-filled summer!
Carly Phillips:
Love Me If You Dare-5 smirks
Simply Sensual- 4 smirks
Hot Stuff- 5 smirks
Hot Number- 5 smirks
Hot Item- 5 smirks
Hot Property- 4 smirks
Cross My Heart- 5 smirks
Simple Sinful- 5 smirks
Sealed With A Kiss- 5 smirks
Brazen- 5 smirks
The Bachelor- 5 smirks
The Playboy- 5 smirks
The Heartbreaker-5 smirks
Lucky Charm-4 smirks
For more information about Carly Phillips and more of her wonderful books please visit: http://www.carlyphillips.com/
Susan Mallery:
Sweet Talk- 5 smirks
Sweet Spot- 5 smirks
Sweet Trouble- 5 smirks
Tempting- 5 smirks
Under Her Skin- 5 smirks
Lip Service- 5 smirks
Straight From The Hip- 5 smirks
Hot On Her Heels- 5 smirks
Chasing Perfect- 5 smirks
Almost Perfect- 5 smirks
The Sparkling One- 5 smirks
The Sassy One- 5 smirks
For more information about Susan Mallery and more of her enticing books please visit: http://www.susanmallery.com/index.php
Kristan Higgins:
Fools Rush In- 4 smirks
Just One Of The Guys- 5 smirks
Too Good To Be True- 5 smirks
Catch of the Day- 4 smirks
All I Ever Wanted- 5 smirks
The Next Best Thing- 5 smirks
For more information about Kristan Higgins and more of her heartfelt books please visit: http://www.kristanhiggins.com/
Susan Andersen:
Bending The Rules- 4 smirks
Coming Undone- 4 smirks
Just For Kicks- 4 smirks
For more information about Susan Andersen and more of her sizzling books please visit: http://www.susanandersen.com/
Victoria Dahl:
Talk Me Down-5 smirks
Start Me Up- 5 smirks
Crazy For Love- 5 smirks
Lead Me On- 5 smirks
For more information about Victoria Dahl and more of her addicting books please visit: http://www.victoriadahl.com/
Gena Showalter:
Awaken Me Darkly-5 smirks
Enslave Me Sweetly- 5 smirks
The Pleasure Slave- 4 smirks
Catch A Mate- 5 smirks
Animal Instincts- 5 smirks
For more information about Gena Showalter and more of her thrilling books please visit: http://genashowalter.com/
Eve Silver:
Sins of the Heart- 5smirks
Sins of the Soul- 5 smirks
Sins of the Flesh-5 smirks
Demon’s Kiss- 5 smirks
For more information about Eve Silver and more of her enchanting books please visit: http://www.evesilver.net/
Review of White Heat by Brenda Novak
Published: July 27, 2010
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “A religious cult has moved into what was once a ghost town--Paradise, Arizona. And their actions are cause for concern. One woman who escaped from the compound was nearly stoned to death. Another has gone missing altogether.
Private security contractor Nate Ferrentino is given the assignment of infiltrating the group. It's a challenge he welcomes...until he learns that Rachel Jessop, one of his colleagues at Department 6, has been chosen to accompany him. Nate's attracted to Rachel but because of their history, he prefers to keep his distance.
Problem is, they have to pretend to be married. Only couples can participate in certain rituals, which Nate and Rachel need to do if they're going to pierce the veil of secrecy. But when they find proof that cult leader Ethan Wycliff is as twisted as they feared, they know they have to set aside their differences...or Ethan might take more lives. Maybe even theirs...”
White Heat by Brenda Novak is a fascinating story about seeking the truth and finding what you’ve always been missing. I gave White Heat by Brenda Novak 5 smirks because this story delivers the fear, honesty, betrayal, and sacrifice that comes with not only being an undercover cop but a person who has to seek something they fear they can never have. I wasn’t really sure I was going to enjoy reading White Heat so it was a real surprise that I could NOT STOP reading. I thought it was the perfect blend of accuracy, romance, action, drama, and justice.
Rachel and Nathan make this really tension filled partnership that is based on not being honest with each other about their feelings. I also found Rachel’s unwillingness to not be taken for a fool again a very real aspect of what a person might do having been in Rachel’s shoes. And Nathan is fictional crush worthy with his rugged good looks, sense of humor, and a charm that could melt snow. I also thought the different points of view Brenda Novak played in White Heat to be very helpful and descriptive in filling in the blanks of how the other characters thought.
White Heat by Brenda Novak is a book that will get your heart pumping and have you on the edge of your seat until the story is finished. Brenda Novak brings readers into her story by having the thrill and excitement of the unknown lurking about, making each reader completely invested in the outcome.
Review of Sins of the Flesh by Eve Silver
To Be Released: October 1, 2010
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “Torn between lust and loyalty...
The blood of the Underworld lord of evil runs through soul reaper Malthus Krayl’s veins.
Raised to fight for survival and to kill for victory, he can destroy anyone who poses a threat. As he searches for the one responsible for his brother’s murder, he refuses to succumb to any distraction…until his sworn enemy crosses his path and tempts him beyond all reason.
Calliope Kane, a Daughter of Aset, has a personal hatred for soul reapers. Their savage attack against her family still haunts her. But only Malthus can help her find the traitors of her kind, and only she can help him hunt the source of betrayal amongst the reapers. As they unite, the danger grows closer…and the passion between them ignites.”
Sins of the Flesh by Eve Silver continues on from the previous two books Sins of the Heart and Sins of the Soul. This series grows more and more intense with each book, in Sins of the Flesh we as readers finally get answers to the questions that have been plaguing us from the very begin, the most important being who killed Lokan. Sins of the Flesh is a deeply thrilling roller coaster ride that only stops at the very last page but still leaves you hanging in mid air. I’m anxious to know if it all ends with Sins of the Flesh or we as readers get to experience a Lokan point of view in the next book.
I love how Eve Silver takes each of these books and tailors it to a specific soul reaper (from the brothers) and tells a story of not only how to put back together Lokan but how they find love in all the wrong places. It is as if the soul reapers were destined to not find themselves and love until the very opportune time. Sins of the Flesh touches the lives of Calliope and Mal who just work so badly together it’s so right. I love the witty banter Mal displayed with Calli’s cool, calm, and collectiveness, it really worked well for them.
I gave Sins of the Flesh by Eve Silver 5 smirks because I really enjoyed unraveling the mystery alongside the soul reaper brothers and their mates. It really brought together everything we as readers experienced in the first two books. My hope as a reader is that Eve Silver finishes what she started and we finally get to see the last point of view with the last book from Lokan’s perspective and what he does now that he is whole.
