Review of Touch Me by Callie Croix
Published: January 2, 2012
4 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: "Arriving home on leave from his tour of duty, Army Captain Alex Montoya knows there's a beautiful woman waiting for him-his best friend's sister. She's always been off limits...until now. He fully intends to move them out of being "just friends" and encourage her to release the sexual needs he senses she's buried deep.
Tianna McIntyre is starting over after her marriage ended. Her ex-husband weakened her self-esteem and caused her to deny her true sexual desires. But being around Alex brings all her dormant fantasies to the surface, and now Tianna feels the stirrings of her secret, submissive wishes.
Determined to help repair the damage Tianna's ex did to her self-worth, Alex will use whatever means necessary to convince her they're meant for each other, including tying her down to make sure he has her full attention while he takes her to the heights of pleasure she's always dreamed of..."
Touch Me by Callie Croix is a short story about releasing your fear and becoming confident in what you want out of life. Tianna and Alex are two characters who can and do read each other so easily that it will make readers believe in soul mates again. I give Touch Me by Callie Croix 4 smirks because the story is to the point and we as readers get to see and fall for some amazing characters.
Sex, Lies, and Surveillance by Stephanie Julian
To Be Released: January 16, 2012
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopis: "Janey DeMarco would love to have a sex life-and she has a serious crush on the new guy in her office. As manager for her family's P.I. firm, she knows an office romance would end in disaster. Not only are her parents former spies, but her older brothers are tall, dark and overly protective. Still, a little sex would go a long way to reducing her stress levels, and the man is hot...
NSA operative Mal Laughlin has been sent undercover to find a link between the DeMarcos and the gun smugglers who killed his partner. Unfortunately, the only evidence points to the woman who's making him hot, hard and ready-Janey.
Convinced Mal is hiding something, Janey's determined to find out what. Can she do that while keeping her own secrets? Janey and Mal plot a course of seduction to uncover the truth about each other but when they're thrown together on a dangerous assignment, sensual meltdown is imminent and secrets are about to be revealed.
Sex, Lies, and Surveillance by Stephanie Julian is an intense, thrill ride about finding who you are and who you love in the most unusual circumstances. I found this book to be one I could not put down because Janey and Mal are two characters so magnetic they draw readers into their personalities. Readers will be guessing along with Janey and Mal what the other one thinks just based on the smallest hint of body language. I give Sex, Lies, and Surveillance by Stephanie Julian 5 smirks because the characters are extrodinary, yet relateable and the storyline will keep readers guessing.
Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr
To Be Released:December 27, 2011
4 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: "Sick of running into her cheery ex-husband and his new wife, Leslie Petruso accepts a job at the Virgin River branch of Haggerty Construction and takes the high road right out of town. Now she’s got Paul Haggerty’s business running like a well-oiled machine. In fact, things are so busy Paul jumps at the chance to hire an extra set of hands.
Just like Leslie, Conner Danson has been burned by love. But if Leslie was disappointed by her relationship going bad, Conner was decimated. He’s got no time for women…although he spends an awful lot of time pretending not to notice Leslie. And she’s pretty busy “ignoring” the chemistry between them.
According to Conner and Leslie, they have only one thing in common—they’re done with love. But everyone in Virgin River can see that things are heating up at Haggerty Construction. And as far as Paul Haggerty can tell, the best thing he can do is hang on to his hard hat and watch the sparks fly!"
Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr is a book with a really great storyline, but readers need to be in rhythm with the writer to fully appreciate this story. My rhythm did not match Robyn Carr's, but I will not deny the great story I knew could be found in Hidden Summit. I give Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr 4 smirks because while I could not connect with the story itself, there is no doubt these characters in this small town are amazing and drawn people in.
Review of Baby, Don’t Go by Stephanie Bond
Published: July 26, 2011
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “Southern town seeks single women. Though they're nothing but trouble...
The hardheaded Armstrong brothers are determined to rebuild their tornado-ravaged hometown in the Georgia mountains. They’ve got the means, they’ve got the manpower…what they need are women! So they place an ad in a Northern newspaper and wait for the ladies to arrive…
Eldest brother Marcus Armstrong considers the estrogen-influx an irritating distraction. He’s running a town, not a dating service!
Reporter Alicia Randall thinks the Armstrong brothers are running a scam and she intends to prove it—even if it means seducing oh-so-sexy Marcus in the process. Sizzling sex and a hot story? Win-win!
At least it is, until she falls for the guy. Will love trump betrayal when the truth comes out?”
Baby, Don’t Go by Stephanie Bond is a wonderful story about finding trust and love in the last place you ever thought you would find it. I have been waiting weeks to read this story capping out finally with the oldest Armstrong brother Marcus. Marcus is a character who is so surly and in charge that it’s hot and when he finally shows interest in a woman, readers will breathe a sigh. Alicia is a lot like Marcus himself, always working and taking care of others before taking care of herself. Once they meet they almost have an instant connection to one another because they recognize themselves in each other. Baby, Don’t Go by Stephanie Bond is a great story that will have readers laughing, crying, and rooting for an H.E.A. I give Baby, Don’t Go by Stephanie Bond 5 smirks because it is a must read and must own book with a lot of personality.
Review of A Just Deception by Adrienne Giordano
Published: September 5, 2011
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “The protector: Peter Jessup, former Navy SEAL, currently employed by Taylor Security. He likes being the hero-in charge and in control.
His client: Lawyer Isabelle DeRosa. The sexy brunette is the personification of Peter's fantasies. She's willing to get physical but nothing more serious.
The assignment: When Isabelle becomes the prime suspect in the murder of her cousin, Peter is there to protect her and help her find the real killer. Their investigation leads to a big-name charity that seems to draw cultlike followers. Isabelle manages to infiltrate the group and become close to their leader, leaving Peter both jealous and worried for her.
As their search leads to danger, Peter realizes he's falling in love with Isabelle. He wants all of her, but she's too used to guarding herself to let him in...”
A Just Deception by Adrienne Giordano is an addictive story about letting go of the past to make way for the future. I found myself unable to stop reading A Just Deception because the story takes unexpected twists and turns, I just know readers will be on the edge of their seats trying to figure out what happens. The main characters Izzy and Peter fit so right with each other, being both insane and all, I found it hard not to fall in love with them. Readers will laugh along with Izzy and brood along with Peter, they are just characters who demand to be noticed. I give A Just Deception by Adrienne Giordano 5 smirks because the story takes readers on a roller coaster ride, the characters are irresistible, and the ending is heartwarming.
Review of A Vampire For Christmas by Michele Hauf, Laurie London, Alexis Morgan & Caridad Pineiro
Published: October 25, 2011
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “’Tis the season…for these darkly sexy tales.
All they want for Christmas is you…
It’s the time of year for twinkling lights on trees and kisses under the mistletoe. Yet the passing of another year means nothing to the stunning immortals who lurk in the shadows of the new-fallen snow.
And they don’t care if you’ve been naughty or nice.
Let four fanged lovers open your eyes to a passion you never dared to imagine. After all, there’s no place like home for the holidays—and these dazzling vampires can’t wait for an invitation.”
A Vampire For Christmas is a collection of short stories by Michele Hauf, Laurie London, Alexis Morgan & Caridad Pineiro and I can tell you that each one is amazing. What I love most about these short stories are the vampires all these authors have created and how intense and instant their connections are with the other main characters. It also helps that all the vampires in this book are gorgeous and hard to resist. I found myself changing all the things on my Christmas list to something like this: Eagan, Damien, Trace, any other hunky vampire available who is honorable and broods…a lot. I give A Vampire For Christmas by Michele Hauf, Laurie London, Alexis Morgan & Caridad Pineiro 5 smirks because the vampires draw readers in, the stories are fun and romantic, and all these authors created different worlds of vampires and supernatural’s that is creative and will linger in readers minds.
Review of Second Guessing Fate by Claire Robyns
Published: September 26, 2011
4 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “Gemma is on a collision course with heartbreak. At least, according to the fortune-teller her best friend drags her to see. Gemma doesn't believe a word of it, but when other predictions start to come true, she begins to suspect that gorgeous, gray-eyed Nick is the man foretold to break her heart before she can find her soul mate. Too bad she's never met a man she's wanted more, because now she has to get him to dump her before she falls too hard.
Nick has plans of his own. He's ready to settle down with Ms. Right, and everything points to the beautiful Gemma. He's determined to prove to her that he's the perfect boyfriend-even if she does seem to be trying her best to scare him off...”
Second Guessing Fate by Claire Robyns is a story about taking your life into your own hands and following your heart (not tarot cards). I just love the way Nick and Gemma have a very simple and easy banter to their relationship which works well on the simple level they both desire. I found myself laughing along with Nick and Gemma; being pulled in by their friends’ advice and ultimately falling in love with all the characters this story has to offer. I give Second Guessing Fate by Claire Robyns 4 smirks because the characters are extreme and instantly draw you in, the story is to the point, and readers will laugh throughout the ridiculousness of it all.
