By Way of Accident by Laura Miller

5 Sweet Stars

I loved By Way of Accident!!  The book and River Asher stole my heart away.  I knew from reading the synopsis that I just had to read this book and from the moment I picked up By Way of Accident I couldn’t put it down.  Laura Miller’s writing was beautiful, she really made me feel like I was right there with River throughout the entire books.

By Way of Accident is told from the point of view of River Asher.  The story starts out when River is only thirteen years old spending his summer helping his Grandfather bale hay on his farm.  After a long day of baling River finds his peace at the creek that runs behind his grandfather’s farm.  On one random day at the creek River meets Brooke Sommerfield.  River is intrigued by this girl he has never seen before; she is the most beautiful girl he has ever seen.  They both agree to meet at the creek the next day, River can’t wait to see Brooke again and spend more time with her.  Feelings for her start to swirl in him, but at the age of thirteen he doesn’t know what to make of them.  He just knows he wants to spend as much time with Brooke as he can.

River and Brooke continue to grow closer as they spend their summer together at the creek. Even at the age of thirteen they both start to realize that what they are feeling for each other is love.  I couldn’t keep the smile off my face during this time of their relationship.  River was such a sweet young boy.  He cared for Brooke and wasn’t afraid to show it.  Their relationship was so new and innocent you couldn’t help rooting for them to last.

Unfortunately, Brooke’s dad takes a job in a new state and they have to move.  River promises to visit Brooke as soon as he can and to write to her all the time. But as it does in real life, life gets in the way and things change that are out of their control.  River holds on to that summer with Brooke for as long as he can, but as River gets older he realizes it’s time to move on but the girl from the creek isn’t far from his mind, even after nine years have passed.

As I said before, I absolutely loved this story.  It was such a sweet story of first love, faith and second chances.  This was the first book I’ve read by Laura Miller and I doubt it will be my last.  Her writing style and storytelling had a way of making By Way of Accident feel so real to me.  I recommend this book to everyone, especially if you’re a hopeless romantic like myself.

 

Second Position by Melody Grace

 

4 Stars

 

This may contain spoilers if you haven’t read First Position.

Well, that was pretty damn HOT!!!  Melody Grace defiantly amped up the heat in the second book in the Dirty Dancing series Second Position. 

Second Position picks up right where First Position leaves off.  Annalise is unsure if she will be able to dance for one of the coveted solo spots with her ankle severely sprained.  Lucky events give her time to rest and heal her ankle before the big try outs. Dancing for her future, Annalise nails her audition and wins the lead in Swan Lake.  The only person she wants to celebrate her victory with is Raphael.

Raphael and Annalise relationship grows and changes in Second Position as they begin to open up more, sharing their wants and desires and not just for dance but with each other. Annalise agrees to help Raphael by dancing with him for his audition to join a dance company.  The heat and passion between them becomes almost too much for either of them to hold back on now that they are dancing together.  Let me tell you, these two have some steam!!  They both can’t seem to get enough of each other.  Now the question will be can Annalise be able to balance the lead in Swan Lake and dancing with Raphael.  Can she have her cake and eat it too?  I guess we will find out in Third Position.  I can wait!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Dirty Little Tricks by Clare James

 

 

4 Stars

I was so excited when I got a chance to read Dirty Little Tricks early. I’ve loved Stevie and Gabe since I first met them in Dirty Little Lies, I so was happy their story was continuing.

Dirty Little Tricks picks up with Stevie and Gabe more settled in their relationship. Both have been extremely busy with work that they haven’t had much time for each other. Stevie decides it's time to spice up their love life and in normal Stevie fashion things don’t work out exactly like she plans, which causes some really funny scenes. As a last resort Stevie plans for her and Gabe to return to Club Venus where everything started for them. Gabe tries to talk Stevie out of this idea because the night she wants to go is on Halloween night, which is when the club is its busiest and kinkiest. As I said before, things don’t work out as Stevie had planned, even at Club Venus.

I was a little nervous going into Dirty Little Tricks because I was worried it was just going to be full of unnecessary drama but it wasn’t. Like a lot of couples, life sometimes gets in the way of time for each other, but instead of fighting about it Stevie and Gabe find a way back to each other.

Bittersweet by Sunday James

3.5 Stars

I enjoyed Bittersweet by Sunday James. The story line was different and I really like the main character Cathy Johnson; she was a strong independent girl.  Just how I like the leading ladies to be.

Bittersweet is the story of Cathy Johnson, small town waitress working at her family's diner.  Everything in her little town changes when a teen TV show is planning to start filming their show in her town.  That’s when she meets extremely good looking Greg Moran. Cathy is very attracted to Greg but he keeps putting her at arm’s length and then bringing her back in again.  In my opinion giving the poor some hard core mixed signals. 

The reason I gave Bittersweet 3.5 stars is because I became a little annoyed with Greg, how he could be hot and cold towards Cathy and how cryptic he could be about some things.  I just thought she deserved better than what he was giving her at the times.

Bittersweet does end in a to be continued way, so I’m definitely looking forward to how Cathy and Greg’s story will continue.

After the Pain by Gia Riley

3 Stars

This review may contain spoilers if you haven’t read Before the Pain.

After the Pain continues Hallie's story from Before the Pain. This is her journey of recovering from her tragic loss and finding that there is still love out there.

I liked After the Pain but didn’t enjoy it as much as I did Before the Pain. Hallie irritated me too much throughout the book, she kind of felt like a different character to me at times. She was keeping secrets and hiding stuff from Sean that caused drama. To me what she was doing just didn’t seem worth it. I will say the steam in this book was definitely amped up from the previous book. Hallie and Sean couldn’t keep their hands off each other. Another thing that I really liked about After the Pain was the bit of mystery mixed into the story; it kept the reader guessing who could be messing with them.

After the Pain was a good story and I was happy to see Hallie get her happily ever after but for me the secrets and drama was the only thing that took the enjoyment away from the story for me.

Between the Pain by Gia Riley

4 Stars

Between the Pain was kind of an emotional read for me. I was happy, then sad and then happy again. I even shaded a tear or two, but I really enjoyed it. I was definitely sucked into the story right from the beginning. At first I was a little upset thinking this might end up being a love triangle, which I’m not a fan of but so everyone know it really isn’t.

Hallie’s Dawson love life has definitely been lacking, but when she starts a new nursing job in the ER, she catches the eye for two very delicious guys, Ryan a fellow nurse and Sean a therapist at the hospital. The connection between Ryan and Hallie is instant and strong. The two have a world win romance and fall for each other hard.

I’m not going to go much more into the story because I want other reader’s experiences Hallie story and journey for themselves. The story does wrap up nicely but there is a sequel to Between the Pain called After the Pain which continues Hallie story and really does complete her journey.

First Position by Melody Grace

4 Stars

Woo Hoo!!! Another great book by Melody Grace. First Position and the Dirty Dancing series is a retelling of another book by Melody called With Every Heartbeat. I’ve already read With Every Heartbeat and loved it, so I was super excited when I found out she had revamped the book and turned it into a three part series. For those who have read With Every Heartbeat you’ll be excited to know we now get a few chapters from leading man Raphael’s pov and the story has gotten a lot steamier!! Even though I was already familiar with the story, I really enjoyed the new additions and the extra hotness.

First Position is about American ballet dancer Annalise Taylor. Annalise has come to Rome with a traveling ballet company, she is there to prove that she can be the best ballerina and also prove that to her superstar ballerina mother. What she wasn’t expecting was to meet local street dancer Raphael. From the moment their eyes meet there is an instant connection. Annalise isn’t only extremely attracted to him, but she is also intrigued by him. Raphael starts to open her eyes and mind to things Annalise never dreamed of.

Even though I already know how the story is going to play out I can’t wait for Second Position out November 12th. I was completely sucked in again to the story and the characters and wasn’t ready for it to be over yet. I really think this series has a little bit of something for everyone, blooming romance in the Italian city of Rome, passionate dance, humor and acceptance.

A week in New York by Louise Bay

4 Stars

 

A Week in New York is part one in a new trilogy by Louise Bay.  This was a fast, fun, steamy read and I really enjoyed it. And did I say it was steamy because it was!

The story centers around Anna Kirby and Ethan Scott. Anna is on vacation with her best friend Leah in New York City.  This is her chance to get away from her latest heartbreak and just enjoy some time with her friend.  During a girls night out Anna meets super sexy stranger, Ethan.  Maybe a vacation fling is just what she needs to get over her broken heart but she has rules.  Rules she needs to keep in place so no one including herself gets attached or hurt.  That’s fine with Ethan, he has rules of his own.  He doesn’t date, no sleep overs and he doesn’t make promises of more to any of the girls he sleeps with.   Anna and Ethan agree to a week of fun, just “enjoying each other’s company” if you know what I mean. ;) Feelings or attachment shouldn’t be a problem when they only have a week to spend with each other right, wrong!

I really liked the chemistry and the easy way Anna and Ethan had with each other.  Louise did a great job of bringing humor into the book without making it feel juvenile.  She really made the characters feel real. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book.  I need to know where Anna and Ethan go after their week together.

Fractured Lines by Jen McLaughin

4 Stars

Fractured Lines by Jen McLaughlin is book 4 in the Out of Line series.  I haven’t read any of the books from this series before.  You can read this book as a stand-alone from the series.  There is some recapping as to what goes on in the other books so you’re not completely lost, but if you are wanting to read this series I would definitely start by reading book 1 Out of Line.  For those who have read this series will probably really love Fractured Lines because their favorite characters are back.  I’m not sure if they will be happy seeing their favorite characters go through more drama. 

 

Finn’s past demons come back to haunt him, causing him to slip up in a moment of weakness.  That moment of weakness might cost him the family he built and love with all his heart.  Trusts are broken along with hearts. What I love most about the story was that even though things are falling apart Finn and Carrie don’t completely just give up, even when they think they might.  They worked through it together.

Echoes Of Scotland Street by Samantha Young

4 Stars

I seriously love this series!!  I’ve been looking forward to Cole’s story since he was first introduced in the series. I was so excited to start Echoes of Scotland Street and it didn’t disappoint.  I really enjoyed Cole and Shannon’s story.  It wasn’t drama filled and there was no instant love, those are two things that can really bug me in a book. Plus all of the old favorites from the previous books were back, which made me even happier.

The story is told from the point of view of Shannon MacLeod.  Shannon has just moved to Edinburgh to get away from her family and a very bad relationship.  She might have gotten away from those things, but she still carries the baggage around from them. She starts a new job as a receptionist at INKarnate where she meets the extremely hot and dreamy Cole.  She very attracted to him, but knows she needs to stay away.  To Shannon he screams bad boy and that is the last kind of guy she needs to be around again.  Cole the charmer, instantly starts flirting with her.  Shannon does everything she can think of to keep Cole away from her, eventually it works when words are exchanged that cut pretty deep.  It takes some convincing by those who know Cole best to get Shannon to open her eyes to the man Cole really is. 

Cole and Shannon both have past issues that they bring with them in their relationship, but what I love the most is that they help each other work through those issues.  Then there is the chemistry and heat between these two and it was HOT!!!  They couldn’t keep their hands off each other.

 

As I said before the characters from the previous books are back and I was so happy to see what has happened with each couple.  To see how each relationship has grown and how their families have too.  We are also introduced to a new character, Logan.  Logan is Shannon’s older brother and has gone through a lot in his life already.  I’m very much looking forward to his story and the continuing story of the group of friends/family from on Dublin Street.

 

Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward

5 LOVED STARS!

I absolutely loved Stepbrother Dearest.  This is the third book I’ve read by Penelope Ward, I love her writing style.  Her books are so moving and the characters really touch me. I always become completely consumed with her books and never want to put them down or end.  I guess you could say I’m a big fan. J

Stepbrother Dearest centers around 17 year old stepsiblings Greta and Elec, Elec’s dad is married to Greta’s mom.  Elec comes to live with them in Boston his senior year of high school.  He is an angry young man and wants nothing more than to make his father and his new family miserable. I really didn’t like Elec at first; I thought he was mean and a jerk especially to Greta.  He was always saying or doing mean things to her trying to get a rise out of her.  I liked Greta, she didn’t take his crap.  When Elec would say or do something to Greta she would hold her tongue until she couldn’t take it anymore and then give it right back to him.  She was strong and even though Elec was a jerk to her, she never gave up  trying to find the guy that he was hiding behind all that anger.  As Elec and Greta start to grow closers their feelings and attraction for each other starts to grow as well.

The book is broken up into two parts; the first being when Elec and Greta are 17/18 years old and the second part picks up 7 years later.  A tragic event brings them back together after having no contact for the past 7 years.  Old feelings come rushing back when they both see each other for the first time in so long, trying to figure out how to handle their feelings while keeping each other at arm’s length start to becoming more and more difficult.  The second half the book really tugged at my heart.  There were so many emotions swirling around Elec and Greta, I just wanted them to be happy.
 

As I said before, I loved this book!!! I’m still thinking about it days later. I know some might find the subject of stepsiblings being involved kind of taboo, but you shouldn’t let that stop you from experiencing this story.  The writing is great and the characters are even better.  I recommend this to everyone because overall it's just a really good story.

 

Apolonia by Jamie McGuire

 

4 Stars

Apolonia is a new action packed paranormal romance by Jamie McGuire. I was super excited when I received an arc copy of Apolonia that I had to start it right away.  From page one I wasn’t able to put it down.  At first I had to keep reading to figure out what the heck was going on because I felt so lost, but after a few chapters things started to click in my head and then I just had to keep reading to know what was going to happen next.  There was nothing slow or boring about Apolonia, the story moves along at a steady pace and the characters draw you in.

I don’t really want to say much about the story itself because I want everyone to discover what the story is really about while they read Apolonia like I did.  What I will say is that Apolonia is told from the point of view of strong, independent, college student Rory Riordan.  Rory trust no one and doesn’t want to trust anyone, she prefers to be by herself.  The only person close to her is Dr. Z, college professor and old family friend she helps assists. Then there is Benji, he follows Rory around like a lost puppy, not carry that was won’t give him the time of day. When new student Cyrus or Cy shows up in Dr. Z class trying to also be his assistant, Rory is anything but happy about it.  Events start to unfold intertwining the four into some pretty crazy events.

I loved Rory, she was ballsy, strong and she could definitely take care of herself, just like a lot of Jamie’s leading ladies. Events in her past formed the person Rory was today and because of that I couldn’t blame her for not wanting to trust anyone.  Then there was Benji, I swooned over him right away. He was so sweet, funny and very insistent.  He could care less how rude or how much Rory pushed him away, he would do anything to just be around here.

Jamie McGuire is probably best known for her New Adult genre of books, but she is still just as good of a writer when it comes to paranormal/fantasy. Just like her other books she does a good job getting the reader's attention and keeping it with strong characters and creative writing.  I think people are really going to like the new fresh story from Jamie McGuire. I can’t wait everyone else to experience Apolonia and enjoy it as much as I did.

Loving Eden by T.A. Foster

 
3 Stars

Loving Eden was a good ending to Kissing Eden and Grey and Eden’s story.  I liked but didn’t love it as much as I did Kissing Eden.  There was that spark of first love in Kissing Eden that I really liked that Loving Eden didn’t have. Even with that being said I still liked Loving Eden and was very happy that we get to see were Eden, and Grey’s relationship has gone and I was really happy where it concluded. 

Loving Eden picks up a few months after were Kissing Eden ended.  Eden has packed up her life in North Carolina and is moving to South Padre, TX. Starting a new life in South Padre is going to come with a lot of surprises for Eden and Grey.  Living together, keeping the Palms hotel running and an unexpected stranger will keep them on their toes.

This is a must read for anyone who has read and loved Kissing Eden.

 

Kssing Eden by T.A. Foster

4.5 Stars

Kissing Eden was a fun romance read.  I really enjoyed it.  I had received Loving Eden to read as an ARC, when I realized that was the sequel to Kissing Eden I figured I better read that first. 

Eden Brady has just been dumped by her boyfriend right before their planned spring break trip. Instead of staying home alone, Eden decides to take her spring trip by herself.  Once Eden arrives in South Padre, TX, her trip is off to a rocky start, with no luggage, no place to stay and no friends. Checking into the only hotel with available rooms Eden meets Grey.  He’s moody, stand-offish and hot!!!  The attrition between the two was very strong and pretty steamy.

I really liked Eden, she was a strong character.  She took everything that came here way good or bad in stride and made the most out of her situation.  I don’t think I would be able to go on spring break by myself like she did; traveling alone would make me go crazy.

I’m very much looking forward to starting Loving Eden and continuing Eden and Grey story.  Kissing Eden is a fast, fun romance that would make a great beach read.

Uncivilized by Sawyer Bennett

5 HOT HOT STARS!

Uncivilized was melt your panties HOT!!!!  I’m talking need a fan nearby kind of hot.  I loved every minute of Uncivilized, I didn’t want to put it down or end.   I fell in love with the story, the writing and most important Zach. 

When Zach was a child he traveled with his missionary parents to the Amazon rainforest.  There they lived among an Indian tribe. When Zach’s parents die the tribe elder takes Zach in and raises him as his son.  Now a man, Zach loves his life in the Amazon, he loves his adopted father, there is no other place he’d rather be.  When anthropologist Dr. Moira Reed arrives in his village to bring Zach back to the States, he refuses. Zach’s adopted father insists that he goes with her and gives it a chance.  He wants Zach to have a chance to have a better life and a chance to get to know his godfather who has been looking for him for years. 

Moira was hired by Zach’s godfather to find Zach, bring him back to the States and help him adjust to the modern world.  Zach does nothing but fight Moira from the moment they leave his village. When Zach and Moira return to her home in Chicago, Zach is unwilling to conform to social normal such as wearing clothes around the house, using utensils to eat with. Even though Zach is really unhappy about being taken from his home, he is very curious and willing to learning about the modern world, especially about sex. Zach doesn’t like Moira but he is definitely attracted to her.  He wants nothing more than to have her submit to him.  Moira is also very attracted to him, but knows she can’t cross that professional line but Zach’s won’t give up until he gets what he wants.

Gosh, I loved Zach!!!  He was a total alpha male, bossy, demanding and the man has an insatiable appetite for sex. I would never be able to say no to him. In his tribe sex is not a big deal; it’s a way for the men to find a release.  Zach is used to women submitting to him, when Moira doesn’t submit, he accepts that as a challenge to get her too. Besides being an alpha male there were other sides to Zach that came out slowly as the book went along, a caring side and a vulnerable side.  Learning to care and be cared for opened Zach up to being more vulnerable, which was all new to him.  I swooned over this side of him. 

I’ve been a fan of Sawyer Bennett’s books since I read her Off series.  She does an amazing job of connecting the reader to the story, making you feel like you are part of it. Uncivilized was definitely different from her other books, a lot more intense but still so good.  For me to give a book 5 stars it needs to bring out a lot of different emotions in me and Uncivilized did that.    I laughed while Zach was learning the ways of the modern world, his curiosity about sex cracked me up. Besides there being a lot of great heat, the story also had a lot of heart and that is what made me fall in love with Uncivilized and Zach the most. J

Saddles and Sins by Jessie Evans

Saddles and Sins by Evans

3 Stars

Saddles and Sins is the first book I’ve read by Jessie Evans.  I liked the story; it moved fast and was full of heat!

Saddle and Sins is about Robert Lawson or Bubba as his friends know him and Marisol Medina.  Robert is a cowboy from Lonesome Point, he doesn’t want to spend the rest of his life on his family ranch, he wants to sing.  As a singer/song writer at heart Robert hires Marisol to help manage his career. Robert and Marisol are very attracted to each other but don’t want to cross that line and ruin their working relationship.  When the flu hits Roberts family hard, he returns home to his family ranch to help out.  Marisol goes with him to help keep him writing music and to make sure he goes back to Austin.

While at Lonesome Point the attraction between them can no longer be restrained, but Marisol is keeping secrets from her past that she is scared will ruin any chance for a future with Robert.

I liked Saddles and Sins but I just thought things between Robert and Marisol moved a little too fast.  Before they really even knew each other they were already confessing their feelings for each other.  I just felt it was a little unbelievable.  Beside that the story was good and moves along fast so there is no time to be bored.  The steam in this book is HOT!!!  Smoking Hot!

 

Unstoppable by Melody Grace

3.5 Stars 

I want to start off by thanking Melody Grace for giving me the opportunity to read Unstoppable early.  The Beachwood Bay series is one of my favorite series. I adore all the characters and love that I am able to go along with them on their journey to find love.

Unstoppable follows Ryland James and Tegan Callahan; this would be book 2 in The Callahan’s direction of the Beachwood Bay series. Ryland or Ray Jay as some might remember him as from Unbroken, is the estrange brother of Emerson (Unbroken) and Brit (Unafraid). He returns home to Beachwood Bay after being gone for many years hoping he can leave his past behind and start a new life for himself.  I felt that Ryland’s story in Unstoppable kind of made the story of the James family come full circle and complete, which made me happy.

Tegan Callahan is the baby and the only girl of the Callahan siblings. After a going through the past year in a pretty dark place, Tegan is ready for something new and that new doesn’t include anymore bad boys.  Leaving LA and her past that keeps haunting her, Tegan sets out on her own to Beachwood Bay to find that new start.

What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.  Tegan and Ryland never thought they would see again the stranger that they shared a mind blowing kiss with in Vegas that is until their paths cross again in Beachwood Bay. Tegan and Ryland share more than just their uncontrollable desire for each other, their past is a lot more similar than they can imagine. 

I liked Unstoppable, but for me it felt like it was lacking some of the magic the other books in the series had.  The reason I gave it only 3.5 stars is because the ending felt too rushed and very abrupt.  The entire story also seemed to be a little rushed, never giving the time for the characters to fully develop.  The instant attraction and need for each other seemed to be fast and repetitive since it kept being brought up.  These are just my issues and mine alone, this is still a very good story and perfect for someone looking for a fast paced read about second chances that also has some really good heat!   I still love this series and can’t wait for Unexpectedly Yours.

 Check out the others in the Beachwood Bay series.

Chasing Trouble by Joya Ryan

4 Stars 

Chasing Trouble was a sizzling friends to lover story. This is book one in a new series by Joya Ryan called Cashing Love.  I really liked Chasing Trouble, the story moved along faced, the characters were all likeable and the chemistry between the main characters Colt and Jenna was HOT!!!!

Jenna grew up in a small Kansas town called Diamond, where she has always tried to prove she is nothing like her mother, a mother who treated her badly and has a reputation for going from guy to guy.  Becoming a school teacher was one way Jenna could help the kids of Diamond but what she really wants is to run an after school program that will give kids a place to go when their home life becomes too much. Running this program is what Jenna wants more than anything, but to prove she is the person for the job she needs to stay away from any trouble or anyone that can cause her trouble.

Colt McCade or Rodeo Romeo as he’s known on the rodeo circuit because of his lady man ways. Colt has been going from city to city as a professional bull rider and making a big name for himself. Colt has never been one to settle down in one place or with one woman.  Colt and Diamond never got along great, if there was trouble Colt was involved in it. Since leaving Diamond Colt hasn’t spent much time in Diamond were his sister and friends still live.

 

 

Worrying over possibly not being able to run the after school program, Jenna decides to drown her worry in a dingy bar.  After having one too many and a stranger with some very happy hands, Jenna finds herself in a situation. Luckily for Jenna, Colt shows up to save the day. Lily, Jenna’s best friend and Colts sister sends Colt out to get her best friend. Jenna has had a crush on Colt since she was a teen and she finds herself still very attracted to him years later.  After picking Jenna up from the bar, Colt takes her back to his place for the night before she goes home in the morning. Things heat up between Colt and Jenna once they are under the same roof for the night.  They both agree that one night of heat and passion is all this can be.

When Colt gets injured by a bull, he comes back to Diamond to spend the summer at his sister’s place to recover. Jenna and Colt both can’t forget their night together. Colt can’t seem to stay away from Jenna and he’s not sure he wants to, Jenna needs to stay away from Colt but she can’t seem to.

Chasing Trouble was a hot summer read, one that is fast, fun and sexy. I’ll be looking forward to more books in this series about Colt and Jenna’s friends.