Review of Only Yours by Susan Mallery
To Be Released: August 30, 2011
6 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “Montana Hendrix has found her calling—working with therapy dogs. With a career she loves in a hometown she adores, she’s finally ready to look for her own happily ever after. Could one of her dogs help her find Mr. Right…or maybe Dr. Right?
Surgeon Simon Bradley prefers the sterility of the hospital to the messiness of real life, especially when real life includes an accident-prone mutt and a woman whose kisses make him want what he knows he can’t have. Scarred since childhood, he avoids emotional entanglement by moving from place to place to heal children who need his skillful touch. Can his growing feelings for Montana lead him to find a home in Fool’s Gold, or will he walk away, taking her broken heart with him?”
Only Yours by Susan Mallery is an extraordinary story about accepting yourself before accepting love. As most of you know, I am a huge Susan Mallery fan and find all her books to be at least 4 or 5 smirks. Only Yours is about another one of the Hendrix triplets, Montana and her journey to not being afraid to be who she is. I am currently enrolled in three upper division summer school classes at the University I attend and I had a midterm today. I told myself if I finish this midterm and do some extra work, my reward would be to read Only Yours by Susan Mallery. I am so glad I finished all my work because Only Yours by Susan Mallery is a must buy book that readers will want to read over and over again.
Things I Love About Only Yours by Susan Mallery:
Simon’s smile and laugh which are a rare treat
Montana’s job (because who doesn’t love adorable puppies and dogs?)
The way Simon sees Montana
The way Montana sees Simon
The misunderstandings and arguments
Finally finding out who the “Max” is tattooed on Denise
The whole Hendrix Family dynamic
Meeting other members of the Hendrix Family
Seeing characters from past Fool’s Gold Books
Simon dealing with unknown emotions and feelings
Montana’s personality and how she always seems on the verge of smiling
And Simon realizing for the first time he can actually be happy
I gave Only Yours by Susan Mallery 6 smirks because it is a story I truly enjoyed reading and one I would read over and over again. I highly recommend Only Yours by Susan Mallery, it is a book you won’t be able to put down and a book you will want to read over and over again.
Review of The Game of Love by Jeanette Murray
To Be Released: August 29, 2011
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “Chris St. James is ready for normal. After walking away from her pro tennis career and a toxic relationship with a star hockey player, she's starting a new life as a teacher and tennis coach in a small town. Now all she needs is an average guy to share it with.
Brett Wallace is no average guy. Forced to retire from the NFL after an injury-and suddenly single after being dumped by his status-conscious wife-he's returned to his hometown to coach the varsity football team. Wary of women interested only in his celebrity, Brett finds Chris's indifference to his former career refreshing.
The last thing Chris needs is to get involved with another pro athlete, but she can't deny the sparks that fly between them. So she agrees to a purely physical, no-strings-attached affair. But the rules of the game change when she falls for him...”
The Game of Love by Jeanette Murray is one of the most original romance stories I have read this summer. It was unique and captivating in the story itself and the characters. I instantly fell in love with Brett and Chris as a couple because they are so much alike and yet so different. I loved how they danced around each other for the longest time and found ways without even realizing it to become a part of each other’s everyday lives. I also loved the fact that we as readers got to see three points of view in this story and that Chris remained as much as a mystery to readers as she did to Brett. I give The Game of Love by Jeanette Murray 5 smirks because the characters were not only relatable, but loveable and I couldn’t stop reading it. I also loved the fact that this story made me laugh which is something I value when reading a book.
Review of Motor City Wolf by Cindy Spencer Pape
To Be Released: August 29, 2011
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “Less than a year ago, Fianna Meadows was a pampered noble in the Faerie court. Then she was exiled, turned mortal and forced to work for a living-in a werewolf bar in Detroit, no less! Still, Fianna has to admit her new life isn't so bad...particularly when it comes to Greg Novak, the bar's sexy owner.
For Greg, keeping his hands off Fianna has been a challenge. But his sense of honor won't let him get involved with a woman put in his care, even if Fianna is eager to explore her new feelings of lust. Resisting the temptation to claim her gets even harder when Greg's grandfather, the region's Alpha, orders him to marry and Fianna agrees to pretend to be his chosen mate.
Fighting his attraction to Fianna isn't Greg's only problem. Someone is killing werewolves and attacking other paranormal beings in Detroit. He vows to do whatever it takes protect both his pack and Fianna-even if that means giving her up…”
Motor City Wolf by Cindy Spencer Pape is a thrilling story. I found myself on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. I adored Fianna and Greg; their uncertainties, their ability to read one another, and the love and respect they have for each other. I found Motor City Wolf by Cindy Spencer Pape to make me laugh, cry, and be outraged (a good book will always make you feel the emotion the characters are going through). My only regret is that I wish I could have read the first two books in this series before I read Motor City Wolf because then I would have had the full background on the rest of the characters. That being said however, I still give Motor City Wolf by Cindy Spencer Pape 5 smirks because it is a book readers will love and can be a part of.
As many of you know, I am a college student who just re-discovered reading about 2 years ago. And I mainly write reviews for books, but there are rare occasions such as today that I also write about TV shows. I am going into my last semester of college this coming semester, but in order to do that I had to take 3 upper division courses in summer school. When I signed up I thought I might die just thinking about how much work I had to get done. The first month I was a mess and stressed out to the point I would break down almost every day. Then something truly amazing happened. I discovered while avoiding thinking about summer school and the work I had to do, a TV show that I wasn’t sure I would like but wanted to give a chance. Smallville.
After watching 2 seasons of Smallville, I was more relaxed and carefree about my classes and getting my work done on time. Smallville saved my life this summer and I thought it would only be right to write about this amazing show on my blog. Smallville is a show people can relate to and even re-watching an episode gives me thrills. I love all the characters, the concept, the storylines, how the show progresses, and takes viewers on this roller coaster ride that you don’t want to end. Without Smallville, I would still be a basket case and be worrying about my upcoming final semester. It is very rare that I find a show to be everything I need it to be in order to make me committed to it and so emotionally involved that I do a cheerleader dance every time I decide to re-watch it. Most of you know what the show is about and if not go to your local library and check out a season or two because it is worth it. 8 smirks to Smallville, the show that saved my life and helped me survive summer school.
Review of Learning Curves by Elyse Mady
Published: June 20, 2011
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “Leanne Galloway has no time for dating; her focus is on launching her academic career. Dragged along to her childhood frenemy Gillian's bachelorette party at a male strip club, she just wants to get through the evening-but she can't help interfering when Gillian sends a note to a sexy dancer proposing a hot hookup.
Brandon Myles is working backstage at the Foxe's Den to fund his post-graduate studies in dance, but he's forced onstage when the headliner fails to show up. He feels a surprisingly strong connection with a quiet woman watching from a table full of tipsy bridesmaids, and he's delighted when she appears backstage after his set.
After a scorching spontaneous encounter, Leanne and Brandon agree to go their separate ways. But they're both grad students on a small campus, and avoiding each other and denying their attraction won't work for long, especially when a jealous rival appears, determined to ruin both their academic careers.”
Learning Curves by Elyse Mady is a very sensual story about finding out what you really want out of life. Leanne and Brandon are two characters that readers will discover are more alike than they are different. What I love most about Learning Curves is the instant connection Leanne and Brandon have with each other. That connection pulls readers into the book more and more as each page turns. I give Learning Curves by Elyse Mady 5 smirks because the story is unique, the characters are relatable in a way that will leave readers feeling vulnerable and Leanne and Brandon’s chemistry is palpable.
Review of Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter
To Be Released: August 30, 2011
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out…
Nicolai the Vampire was renowned for his virility, but in a twist of fate “The Dark Seducer” had become a sex slave in the kingdom of Delfina—stripped of his precious timepiece and his memory. All that remained was a primal need for freedom, revenge—and the only woman who could help him.
In her dreams, a wanton vampire called to Jane Parker, drawing her to his dark sexuality and his magical realm. But for a human, all was not a fairy tale in Delfina. Jane was the key to Nicolai’s memory…but exploiting her meant dooming the only mortal he craved.”
Hot. Sizzling. Magical. Steamy. Dreamy. Hot. Wait I already said hot, didn’t I? Oh well Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter is an amazing read! I loved it so much I couldn’t stop reading until there was nothing left. Now I am anxiously waiting to read the next book in this series because I have a feeling I’m going to love it just as much. Lord of the Vampires is a modern day magical story with a twist, that doesn’t end. The hero and heroine of the story, Nicolai and Jane, are so alike and so different readers will have the time of their lives reading about the two of them, together and a part. I give Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter 5 smirks because it is not only a book that sizzles with romance, but it is also a book with a true story behind it to go with all those very hot scenes. Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter is a must read and must own book because readers will simply be unsatisfied with only reading it once.
Review of No One to Trust by Julie Moffett
Published: June 13, 2011
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “SWFG: Single, White, Female, Geek.
That's me, Lexi Carmichael, a reformed hacker who was gainfully employed by the National Security Agency. But a series of extraordinary events led me to leave government life behind for a fresh start with a brand-new company and an incredibly sexy boss, Finn Shaughnessy. It may not be kosher to have the hots for your boss, but he seems to have the hots for me, too. If only things didn't get so complicated... Darren Greening, a genius researcher from Flow Technologies (our first client!) is missing, and his bosses think I'm involved. And they aren't the only ones-the man who nearly snapped my neck in the parking garage thinks so, too.
Now I'm caught in the middle of a complex and dangerous case. I'll have to use all my geek skills and a little help from my friends to solve the mystery of Darren's disappearance before Neck-Snapping-Man makes a return visit…”
I am so in love with this series already. No One to Trust by Julie Moffett is spectacularly funny, witty, adventurous, and sexy. I adore Lexi Carmichael! She is amazingly relatable and just reading about her one adventure has this geek girl looking forward to having an alternate identity. What I loved most about this story was the mystery behind it all. Readers will feel like they are unraveling the clues alongside Lexi which is a really great feeling. I also loved how we as readers get to see Lexi transform herself in order to start living in the real world. As readers I think we are more perceptive of all the guys in Lexi’s life and can see the unlimited possibilities, which is really exciting. I give No One to Trust by Julie Moffett 5 smirks because I just LOVE this book so much and cannot wait until the next book to come out!!
Review of Irresistible? by Stephanie Bond
Re-Released: July 26, 2011
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “Ellie Sutherland isn't exactly desperate--yet. But she's getting pretty close. So when she has a chance to take part in a four-week clinical study that involves a pill that makes the taker attractive to the opposite sex, Ellie doesn't waste any time signing up. After all, she has nowhere to go but up, right?”
Irresistible? by Stephanie Bond is perhaps one of the most fun loving romance stories I have ever heard. I loved how Ellie and Mark were so different and yet complimented each other. I also loved how truly crazy Ellie was and how she can turn anything into a laughing situation. Mark, of course, is a gorgeous man who has untold depths and the ability to make readers hearts stop as he realizes what he truly wants out of life. Irresistible? by Stephanie Bond is easily 5 smirks because the characters were lovable, the story had depth, and it made me laugh and wish for happy endings.
Review of Good Girls Don’t by Victoria Dahl
To Be Released: August 30, 2011
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “With her sun-kissed hair and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donovan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman—or a heartbreaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break-in at her family’s brewery. He’s got his own problems—starting with the fact that his partner, Simone, is pregnant and everyone thinks he’s the father.
Tessa has her hands full, too. Her brother’s playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tension could tear her tight-knit family apart. In fact, the only thing that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their baby” sister. Especially a man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath. He’s not who people think he is—and neither is she.”
Good Girls Don’t by Victoria Dahl is a surprisingly intense story about letting go and opening up to new possibilities. What really made this story pop for me was the mix of mystery, romance, betrayal, and love. It was the perfect combination book that left me wanting to re-read it over and over again. I couldn’t get enough of the characters Tessa and Luke because they have this amazing chemistry that almost seems to burn each page of this book. I also really loved Eric and Jamie and the whole Donovan family dynamic. I gave Good Girls Don’t by Victoria Dahl 5 smirks because it is a must own book that has bright chemistry and will leave readers wanting more.
