Playing Dirty by Susan Andersen

Review of Playing Dirty by Susan Andersen

To Be Released: July 26, 2011

5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: “When old enemies are thrown together, all bets are off…

Way back in high school, golden boy Cade Gallari publicly revealed he’d slept with “fat girl” Ava Spencer to win a bet. Now a decade older and a head turner with her own concierge business, Ava isn’t the gullible dreamer she once was— and she plans to prove it when Cade, hotter than ever, breezes back into town with an offer she can’t refuse.

A documentary film producer, Cade is shooting a movie about the mysterious mansion Ava inherited. And he wants her as his personal concierge. She’s certainly professional enough to be at his beck and call without giving him everything he wants. Like another shot at having her in his bed. But Ava doesn’t count on Cade’s determination. Because he’s never gotten over her— and he’s not above playing dirty to score a second chance at a red-hot future…”

Playing Dirty by Susan Andersen is a fun-filled, heart stopping story about a Sisterhood being completed into a family. This story of Sisterhood continues on with Ava (we as readers have already discovered Jane’s and Poppy’s stories), who is a spunky, self assured woman who can handle anything except for Cade.

Things I Love About Playing Dirty by Susan Andersen

The different points of view of both Ava and Cade

Ava and Cade’s long and at points painful history

Cade loving challenges

Ava finally accepting a challenge

Cade’s view and opinion of Ava

Cade’s passion for people and stories

Ava’s incredible capabilities to deal with everything with grace

Ave and the champagne bottle

And the hospital scene

I give Playing Dirty by Susan Andersen 5 smirks because I just fell in love with all the characters not only from this book, but from the previous ones as well. Playing Dirty is a must read because you can’t help but relate and become emotionally involved in the outcome of the story.

Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa

Review of Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa

Published: June 1, 2011

5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "A Midsummer's Nightmare?Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Summer Court prankster, King Oberon's right hand, bane of many a faery queen's existence—and secret friend to Prince Ash of the Winter Court. Until one girl's death came between them, and another girl stole both their hearts.


Now Ash has granted one favor too many and someone's come to collect, forcing the prince to a place he cannot go without Puck's help—into the heart of the Summer Court. And Puck faces the ultimate choice—betray Ash and possibly win the girl they both love, or help his former friend turned bitter enemy pull off a deception that no true faery prankster could possibly resist."

Summer’s Crossing by Julie Kagawa is a fantastic novella in The Iron Fey Series told from Puck’s point of view.  Summer’s Crossing by Julie Kagawa is highly witty, humorous, and adventurous.  I give 5 smirks to Summer’s Crossing by Julie Kagawa because it is a novella that gives incredible insight to a character that is almost as loveable as all his pranks.  Must read and a must own.

Baby, Come Home by Stephanie Bond

Review of Baby, Come Home by Stephanie Bond

To Be Released: June 28, 2011

5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: “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…
Sensible yet sexy middle brother Kendall Armstrong penned that ad himself—but there’s just one woman he really wants to answer the call…

Civil engineer Amy Bradshaw—Kendall’s ex-fiancée—fled Sweetness years ago, taking a precious souvenir with her. She’s back now…but only on a professional level. Really. Little does she know that old flames always burn the hottest..”

Baby, Come Home by Stephanie Bond is story about long time romance and how three little words could have and can change everything. I found this book (second in this series) to be a very modern love story about how not communicating can truly affect how a person sees themselves and how they build their lives. Baby, Come Home by Stephanie Bond pulls readers in with the passionate dynamic between Amy and Kendall that sparks fire within every reader’s hearts.

Things I Love About Baby, Come Home by Stephanie Bond

Kendall’s foul mood

Marcus’s planning and executing

Amy’s homecoming

Kendall and Amy’s relationship status misunderstanding

The spicy food

Tony

The bridge

Amy’s memories both good and bad

Amy making the best life she could

Kendall and Tony’s meeting

Kendall and Amy’s fiery personalities

And Amy’s final decision about where her heart truly lies

I give Baby, Come Home by Stephanie Bond 5 smirks because it was a story I couldn’t get enough of.

Savor the Danger by Lori Foster

Review of Savor the Danger by Lori Foster

To Be Released: June 28, 2011

6 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: “She may be aloof, and more pretty than gorgeous, but Alani Rivers is the kind of woman a hot-blooded mercenary can’t forget, no matter how hard he tries. So when Jackson Savor wakes up next to the naked, sleeping beauty—with no memory of what happened— he knows he’s been drugged…even if Alani doesn’t.

After she was kidnapped, Alani vowed never to trust another man again. Still, something about this strong, sexy hero with the tender touch makes her want to believe him. As Jackson hunts down a mysterious intruder, he swears he’ll move heaven and earth to keep Alani safe. But what really happened that night? And will the truth bring them closer than they ever thought possible—or put Alani squarely in harm’s way again?”

Savor the Danger by Lori Foster is my favorite book so far in this series. I love everything about it and don’t mind gushing about it. I give Savor the Danger by Lori Foster 6 smirks because it is hard not to fall in love with characters like Alani and Jackson; their personalities speak volumes to readers who are inexplicably drawn in. This is probably one of the best mystery, action-packed, romance stories I have ever read. I am so excited about this book I’m afraid to write a full review of it because I may unintentionally give something away. I will say this to all you readers out there Alani, Jackson, Trace, Dare, and the new edition Arizona will make you want to run out and buy not only a copy of Savor the Danger, but the other books in this series as well as one that proves to follow this book. Savor the Danger by Lori Foster is exciting, adrenaline inducing, action packed, heartwarming, surprisingly enticing story about overcoming battles within yourself and battles with others you didn’t realize you had.

Should've Been A Cowboy by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Review of Should’ve Been A Cowboy by Vicki Lewis Thompson

To Be Released: May 31, 2011

4 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: “Party organizer Tyler O’Connelli is on the fast track to her dream career. She’s so close she can almost taste it. But when she returns to her family and sees her one-night stand, Alex Keller, all done up in his cowboy gear, her self-control is stretched to the breaking point....

They’re worlds apart. She’s a busy career girl, and Alex is a cowboy. But while getting together might not bode well for anything long-term, it more than makes up for it in sheer hot chemistry! Problem is, this is one wrangler she might want to get tied down—and tied up—to...indefinitely!”

Should’ve Been A Cowboy by Vicki Lewis Thompson is chemistry jammed packed romance novel about finding what you didn’t even know you were searching for. Alex and Tyler are two characters so much alike it’s hard to believe their signals could ever be crossed. Should’ve Been A Cowboy is a romance story that will keep you not only on the edge of your seats, but rooting for both Alex and Tyler to find each other even through the Chance family chaos. I give Should’ve Been A Cowboy by Vicki Lewis Thompson 4 smirks because it is not only story readers won’t be able to put down, but it is a story readers will never want to end. A must read and a must own.

Baby, Drive South by Stephanie Bond

Review of Baby, Drive South by Stephanie Bond

To Be Released: May 31, 2011

5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: “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 answer their call…

Porter, the youngest Armstrong, is all for importing women. Still, he’s so blown away by the sheer numbers; he falls off the water tower. Luckily there’s a doctor among the newcomers—sweet and sexy Dr. Nikki Salinger.

And Porter has every intention of checking out her bedside manner…”

Baby, Drive South by Stephanie Bond was an absolutely amazing story about courage and finding a home in the last place you expected to. I fell in love not only with this story, but with the characters as well.  Baby, Drive South gripped me and reeled me in with Porter’s antics and Nikki’s cautious nature.

Things I Love About Baby, Drive South by Stephanie Bond

The ad

Sweetness itself

The Armstrong Brothers

Women caravan

Nikki and Porter’s first meeting

Porter always sticking his foot in his mouth

Nikki’s emotional sensitivity which makes her unique and at the same time relatable

Atlanta Trip

The water tower

Cupid

Molly

Porter’s determination to win Nikki back even as she is driving away

And Nikki and Porter, ending up right back where they started :)

Baby, Drive South by Stephanie Bond is one of those romance books you want to own because it is a story you will never get tired of reading. I give Baby, Drive South by Stephanie Bond 5 smirks because I am invested in the outcomes of not only the characters in this book, but in the characters in the other books of this series. I find Stephanie Bond’s writing to be inventive, dramatic, and heartwarming that pulls readers into wanting more.

Beach Lane by Sherryl Woods

Review of Beach Lane by Sherryl Woods

To Be Released: May 31, 2011

5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "In the close-knit community of Chesapeake Shores,
Maryland, Susie O’Brien and Mack Franklin’s “not dating” claim befuddles everyone, especially since the two spend every spare minute together. Susie’s thrilled when their friendship finally heats up. Then, just when happily-everafter seems within reach, Mack loses the job he loves and Susie faces a devastating diagnosis.

But O’Briens always unite in a crisis. Even her cousin Jess, Susie’s rival for most of their lives, becomes her staunchest supporter—especially when Mack’s former lover comes to town. The stakes are higher than ever before, but Susie’s definitely up to the challenge…as long as Mack’s right there by her side."

Beach Lane by Sherryl Woods is a very heart breaking, heartwarming story about finally giving into your hearts desires. Beach Lane by Sherryl Woods is not a typical romance story; it delves into the lives of a couple caught in the limbo between wanting to save a friendship and giving into the evitable spark of a serious relationship.

Things I Love About Beach Lane by Sherryl Woods:

Susie and Jess finally getting out of the competitive funk

Mack finally owning up to his feelings

Mack in general, because he’s gorgeous and witty

Susie and Mack’s inability to communicate in the transition from friendship to something serious

Mack’s unexpected but romantic proposal

Laila and Matthew

Mack and Susie’s dream home

Nell and her faith

Kristen turning out to be exactly what everyone knew she was

The local paper being such a success

Susie taking charge of her life as well as her future with Mack

I give Beach Lane by Sherryl Woods 5 smirks because it is a unique story about letting go of fear and insecurities. Beach Lane by Sherryl Woods puts into perspective how each day we live our lives counts and we have to make the best of it.