All Summer Long by Susan Mallery

Review of All Summer Long by Susan Mallery

Published: July 31, 2012

6 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "Can a summer fling turn into love that lasts a lifetime?

Former underwear model turned entrepreneur Clay Stryker has loved, tragically lost and vowed that he’ll never risk his heart again. After making his fortune, the youngest of the rugged Stryker brothers returns to Fool’s Gold, California, to put down roots on a ranch of his own. But he’s frustrated to discover that even in his hometown, people see him only for his world-famous…assets.

Firefighter Chantal (Charlie) Dixon grew up an ugly duckling beside her delicately beautiful mother, a feeling reinforced long ago by a man who left soul-deep scars. Now she has good friends, a solid job and the itch to start a family—yet she can’t move toward the future while she’s haunted by painful memories.

Clay finds an unexpected ally, and unexpected temptation, in tomboyish Charlie, the only person who sees beyond his dazzling good looks to the real man beneath. But when Charlie comes to him with an indecent proposal, will they be able to overcome their pasts and find a love that lasts beyond one incredible summer?"

Since the Fool's Gold Series has started, I have always favored at least one book each summer.  This summer I favor Clay and Charlie's story.  All Summer Long is essentially a story about healing and love finding you when you least expect it. Clay is a genuine, honest, and intelligent character who often gets looked over based on his chosen career he has when he was young.  He's learning to deal with how to stand up for himself as a person rather than a mannequin. While Clay is also healing from tragedy, he believes that love is suppose to be instantaneous and believe he could never love another ever again. Charlie who is a strong, beautiful and blunt person only shows her feminineness to those she is closest to and often holds herself apart from being a female in general. Due to her own tragedy she doesn't trust anyone, but especially men so when she meets Clay it is frightening for her to know she does trust him.  I love this story because it is remarkable and brave to a point it really touches readers hearts and makes readers believe in the happily ever after.  I enjoyed how Clay and Charlie both go into their arrangement with their eyes open and how even then surprises still happen.  I love that Charlie gets a chance to reconcile with her mom and try to find a path to a familial relationship with her.  I also love that as readers we get another glimpse into the Stryker family with the infamous sister and can see how the dynamic changes the brothers into realizing the truth of their actions towards her over the years.  In short this is my favorite Fool's Gold story to date because Clay and Charlie are two characters you can't help but fall in love with.  I give All Summer Long by Susan Mallery 6 smirks because you can't help but be affected by this story.

Guarding Jess by Shannon Curtis

Review of Guarding Jess by Shannon Curtis

Published: May 14, 2012

5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "Jessica Pennington's work as an etiquette coach requires her to be polite and proper at all times, especially now that she has a book coming out. The only thing that rattles her reserve is the increasingly violent emails and texts from her persistent stalker. With the book launch in jeopardy, she reluctantly hires a bodyguard.

Noah Samuels hates stuck-up, prim people like Jessica. He's more the blunt, straightforward type. But to advance up the ranks at McCormack Security, he has to take the high-profile assignment. After a near miss on his first day on the job, Noah realizes that the stalker isn't just hype cooked up to sell books-the threat is real.

As the stalker escalates from letters to letter bombs, Noah sees a vulnerable side of Jessica that rouses more than just his protective instincts. But can she let down her guard long enough to trust Noah before it's too late?"

Guarding Jess by Shannon Curtis is a story about wrong impressions and having the conviction and strength to protect those you love.  First off, the sexy Noah is a very amazingly hot draw to this book, as a woman I'm just saying I could read about him all day and not get bored. What really brings this story together though is how Jess and Noah work together and how their impressions of one another are quickly dissolved into false advertising.  I love how Jess is so cautious of everyone she meets because of her history, it makes her seem standoffish, but in reality just makes her a stronger character with a presence. The thing I love about Noah is how intelligent he is with everything else in life, but as soon as he gets near Jess he becomes a hot mess.  These two characters have undeniable chemistry which will spark readers hearts and leave it impossible for them to put this story down.  The story itself is such a roller coaster of the unknown, I believe readers will be thrown once or twice and fairly surprised by the ending.  I give Guarding Jess by Shannon Curtis 5 smirks because it is a must read, must own book which will leave readers wanting more.

Against The Sun by Kat Martin

Review of Against The Sun by Kat Martin

Published: May 29, 2012

5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "It’s not in bodyguard Jake Cantrell’s job description to share his suspicions with his assignments. Beautiful executive Sage Dumont may be in charge, but Jake’s not on her payroll. As a former special forces marine, Jake trusts his gut, and it’s telling him there’s something off about a shipment arriving at Marine Drilling International. His instinct is aroused…in more ways than one.

A savvy businesswoman, Sage knows better than to take some hired gun’s “hunch” as gospel. And yet she is learning not to underestimate the man her grandfather hired to protect her. Determined to prove Jake wrong, Sage does some digging of her own and turns up deadly details she was never meant to see.

Drawn into a terrifying web of lies and deceit—and into feelings they can’t afford to explore—what Jake and Sage uncover may be frighteningly worse than they ever imagined."

Kat Martin is quickly becoming one of my top favorite authors, with her excitingly adventurous stories and her heart throbbing, head spinning main characters I would highly suggest any of her books to fellow readers. Against the Sun tells Jake and Sage's story about conflict and resolution that leads both characters to an ending they will never regret.  What I loved the most about this book, besides the sassy wit of Sage and Jake's amazing attributes (no I'm not just talking about his hunkyness), is the unique and relevant storyline.  I love how the story involves current events associated with the chaos of the Middle East and how violent it can become.  I also really loved getting to see different side characters and where their story may lead in the future.  I found I could not put this book down and I feel it had a lot to do with Jake and Sage.  I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what would happen in the end of this book: would the problems within the company resolve, what would happen to Jake and Sage if they finally did resolve, would Jake be willing to tie himself to a place forever, would Sage finally give in to her own happiness, would more sinister things be uncovered as a result of Atlas Securities investigation?  I give Against The Sun by Kat Martin 5 smirks because it is a must read, must recommend, and must own.

Rules of the Game by Sandy James

Review of Rules of The Game by Sandy James

Published: April 2, 2012

5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "Kathryn West has it all-she's a confident, bestselling author living it up in New York City. Too bad she doesn't actually exist, and is only timid Maddie Sawyer's pseudonym. Determined to attend her high school reunion with a man right out of one of her racy romance novels, she plots to find a sexy bad boy who's up to Kathryn's standards.

She finds Mr. Perfect shooting pool in a biker bar. He's a blue-collar hunk who just happens to look great in leather. But the mysterious Scott Brady has some rules of his own: he won't agree to her deal unless she poses as his girlfriend in front of his family and friends first.

As the reunion nears, Maddie tries to maintain her carefree façade, knowing she'll soon face some old ghosts. She's torn between her growing attraction to Scott and the nagging feeling that he's hiding something important. Will she still want him when she finds out his secret? What about when he discovers hers?"

Rules of The Game by Sandy James is a story about how when it rain it pours.  I really enjoyed the air of not everyone is perfect this story seemed to give off in vibes. I loved how in this story readers can find that love can be perfect if you find the person who is perfect for you.  Maddie is a refreshing character who seems to not have control over what she thinks to what she says.  It's Maddie's personality that will have readers glued to this book, not being able to put it down.  I also found Scott to be the perfect embodiment of how a partner is suppose to be in a relationship, someone solid and constant.  Together these two characters hash out, work out, and all around complement each other until the very end.  What made this story so intriguing was the skeletons not in Scott's closet, but in Maddie's.  I don't want to give anything away because this book is truly one of a kind.  Rules of The Game by Sandy James, 5 smirks, must read, own, recommend.

A Touch Of Greek (Out of Olympus) by Tina Folsom

Review of A Touch of Greek (Out of Olympus) by Tina Folsom

Published: September 30, 2012

6 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "Selfish and gorgeous Greek God Triton is cast out of Olympus after seducing Zeus' mistress and can only gain reentry if he finds a woman who loves him for his kindness and selflessness, not his beauty. When the mortal Sophia - recovering from an eye operation and virtually blind - needs a home healthcare worker, he takes on the role, hoping she will be his ticket home.

While defending Sophia from an unknown adversary, Triton's protective instinct emerges. At the same time rival Gods do everything to doom him to failure. And even if Triton can win Sophia's love, will he throw it away to return home, or will he lose his own heart to the only woman who truly sees him?

A Touch of Greek is the first book in the humorous paranormal romance series Out of Olympus following the romantic adventures of four Gods: Triton, Dionysus, Eros, and Hermes."

A Touch Of Greek Out Of Olympus by Tina Folsom is a story that will make readers believe in possibility. I love Greek mythology and learning about all the Gods/Goddesses, Demi-Gods, and Heroes. This book takes readers on a journey of Greek mythology and reality which blend together in perfect harmony between Triton and Sophia. What I love most about this story is the lesson that Triton learns which leads him too his full potential. Sophia is a characters who is hardcore on the outside and fragile on the inside which makes for an interesting combination. And Triton is, well a spoiled God who is hard to turn away from. Getting to see all the Gods/Goddesses interact with one another and mortals is a truly unique experience. I also really love how readers get to know the Gods/Goddesses mythology and what is true (at least for this story) and what is false. A Touch Of Greek Out Of Olympus by Tina Folsom is a must read, must own book, 6 smirks.