Review : When You Dare by Lori Foster

When You Dare

By

Lori Foster

Rated :

Recommend : If you enjoy books about Military Men saving the damsel in distress than give this a try.

Dare goes on a "trip" to find and retrieve his best friends' sister. Our first look into his world would be his recounting of the rescue mission. He managed to free Alani, Trace's sister, and all the other women kept locked up in the trailer in Tijuana Mexico. He also brought home a ... complication. The complications name is Molly and his protective nature seems to be in overdrive with her.

Review : Mystery Man by Kristen Ashley

Mystery Man by Kristen Ashley

Rated: 5/5 Stars *****

Welcome Cabe "Hawk" Delgado to Bad*ss Hall of Fame! 

 

Simply put this book is Smokin' & Dangerously Addictive. 

Recommend: If you enjoy books about an Ex-Military Man who meets his match in a most unlikely woman then give this a try. This book is action packed with plenty of romance tossed in. 

Gwendolyn has her Mystery Man who has been "visiting" her at night for a year and a half. Now I know, we would all scream stalker and phone 911 if someone habitually broke into our home that often, but this is literature and for shits and giggles lets just say we let the man keep coming. That is exactly what Gwen does in hopes of their relationship going further. Like any good chemical reaction this relationship needed a catalyst and that come in the form of Ginger, Gwen's f'd up step sister. 

Gwen finds herself confronting not only Bad*ss number 2 Tack but MM (Mystery Man) comes into the light of day! The minute Gwen starts showing up in the world of "Bad Men"/Gangstas Hawk steps in to save his women. Enter Bad*ss number 3, Mitch Lawson who happens to be the Detective on several cases involving Ginger. Hawk makes his move and lays his claim on Gwen. Their relationship road needs to be torn up and repaved, not to mention the many detours Gwen takes along the way. Don't worry in the end true love wins out and Gwen and Cabe heal each other's wounds. 

*I enjoyed Gwen's friends Cam and Tracy. Cam the ever reasonable and Tracy the hopeless romantic. It was a nice balance throughout the book. 

*Elvira was just plain hilarious. Seriously, the women was crazy but the crap coming out of that mouth... how could you not laugh at it. 

*I honest to goodness loved Maria, Cabe's mother. The women was fearless but protective of those she loves. 


Quote: 

“About five seconds after I left you today, things between you and 
me, they changed,” he informed me in a quiet voice. 
I felt my brows draw together as my mind processed the fact that 
this was not good. 
“Changed?” I asked. “How?” 
“You got attitude, the kind I like. So I decided I’m gonna ride that 
attitude wave of yours, see how things work out.”

I loved it! I thought it was a great Contemporary, Ex-Military Man Romance. 

-Amanda

Review : Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James

Rated : 5/5 Stars *****

How do you do it E.L. James? Seriously, I have no idea how you keep me turning those pages and bringing my heart into every chapter. My emotions went crazy from crying to laughing to being pissed off in zero to 60 seconds. It was an awesome ride! 

Recommend: If you enjoyed the first book you will love this one. If you haven't tried the first book then just give it a try. You might just fall in love with Fifty shades and his shining light Ana. 
 

If you have not read 'Fifty Shades of Grey' then you might want to stop reading there will be lots of spoilers. 

We start off with Ana drifting away lost in her world. She only wants her Fifty Shades back and realizes maybe his needs are not as bad as being without him. Fifty Shades or Christian Grey is also in a funk. Christian is able to finagle his way into still taking Ana to Jose's art gallery. Sparks fly yet again the minute they are in each others presence. Thanks goodness they are able to try again and their relationship becomes beautifully complicated. Now I know that sounds crazy, but without these complications they would never grow together and it beautiful to watch.

An Ex-Sub shows up and threatens/creeps Ana out and Christian goes off the deep end. Mrs. Robinson and Dr. Flynn make appearances throughout the book. It all boils down to where the lines are drawn in the sand and are they both brave enough to step over them to be with each other. 

Extras 
My Favorite Parts 
*I loved how Christian asks Ana to live with him and she does ! It left me all warm and fuzzy inside. 

*The auction scene had me rolling on the ground laughing and then trying to fan my face from the heat those two create. I loved how Ana spent Christian's money to buy his property . Let's not forget about the $100,000 price tag for Ana's first dance, naughty Mia. 

 

*I was so glad that someone B*tch slapped Mrs. Robinson. I was shouting for joy when Grace did it and Ana stood her ground. Not to mention that Christian gave her the what for! 

 

*They got engaged! I loved how Ana accepted. 

*I also continued to enjoy Ana and Christian's emails back and forth with twitching-palms. Let's not forget the term Kinky Fuckery. 
“His words make me squirm. He wouldn’t dare! He and his twitchy palm.” 

Favorite Quotes 

“This is me, Ana. All of me...and I'm all yours. What do I have to do to make you realize that? To make you see that I want you any way I can get you. That I love you.” 

“Let me ask you something first. Do you want a regular vanilla relationship with no kinky fuckery at all?" 
My mouth drops open. "Kinky fuckery?" I squeak. 
"Kinky fuckery." 
"I can't believe you said that.' 
"Well, I did. Answer me," he says calmly. 
I flush. My inner goddess is down on bended knee with her hands clasped in supplication begging me. 
"I like your kinky fuckery," I whisper.” 

“I don't know whether to worship at your feet or spank the living shit out of you.” 

“I wasn't aware we were fighting. I thought we were communicating,” 

“Let me love you," he says hoarsely. 
"Yes," I answer, and turning, he hauls me into his arms, his lips seeking mine, beseeching me, worshipping me, cherishing me...loving me.” 

“There's a joy in my helplessness, joy in my surrender to him, and to know that he can lose himself in me the way he wants to. I can do this. He takes me to these dark places, places I didn't know existed, and together we fill them with blinding light. Oh yes...blazing, blinding light." 

“I thought I'd broken you." 
"Broken? Me? Oh no, Ana. Just the opposite." 
He reaches out and takes my hand. "You're my lifeline'" he whispers.” 


Loved it! I had tons more quotes, but I will let you enjoy reading it yourself, can't put the whole book in my review.

-Amanda

Review : Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

Rated : 5/5 Stars *****

This is a great down to earth, real life story. If you don't want to read about the hard knocks of life then this probably isn't a book for you. But I find it refreshing to take a walk on the other side of the tracks. How can you not feel for Fifty Shades? The poor man was basically kicked when he was down and then tied up and left for dead. Okay not literally, but you get the idea. 

You have been warned that this book is not for the faint of heart! 

Recommend: I thought at first it would be like Cherise Sinclair's Masters of the Shadowlands, but it turned out more like Stacia Kane's Downside Ghosts. 

It is gritty and deeply emotional with the hope of a better tomorrow. 

Moving on... 
The scene that unfolds in the beginning still makes me laugh and turn red from embarrassment for Ana. Ana gets roped into an interview with a local tycoon by her sick roommate Kate. She shows up and right away she doesn't fit in. The place is all types of black, white and shades of gray not to mention all the female blondes working for Christian Grey. Ana gets the surprise of her life when she stumbles head first into his office. Christian helps her up and she is faced with a 27 year old drool worthy man. They proceed on to the interview and she ends up asking him if he is "gay" to all number of personal questions thanks to Kate. However a spark is there the whole time between them and the pull was more then they bargained for.

Christian shows up in her neck of the woods specifically her job and then one things leads to another and they end up seeing much more of each other. But Christian comes with a past and has very odd tendencies. They are on either end of the spectrum. Can Ana and Christian compromise enough to make it work or will the pull not be enough to let go of their past and insecurities? 

Extras 

Things I loved: 
*I loved how Christian was real. I mean he came from a horrible background and has risen above it. I love his nickname Ana gives him as well... Fifty Shades, her Fifty Shades. He did however remind me of Edward from 'Twilight' with his self-loathing. 
 


*I usually love strong female characters who are tough as nails and Ana is but she has an innocents about her. We get to see her stretch and grow. 

*Jose annoyed me, but just like Jacob in 'Twilight' I wanted to smack him around and say "The girl said No! Get it No! <sigh> I don't know what else I can say about that. 

*Throughout this book I kept hearing the song 'Moves Like Jagger' by Maroon 5 Click here to listen and watch Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 


Warning: The ending has a major Cliff hanger. I am not joking when I say, I cried and ranted at my nook till I was able to purchase the next book. You have been warned! 

Favorite Quotes 

"Why don't you like to be touched?" 
"Because I'm fifty shades of fucked-up, Anastasia” 

“You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince” 

“He's naked except for those soft ripped jeans, top button casually undone. Jeez, he looks so freaking hot. My subconscious is frantically fanning herself, and my inner goddess is swaying and writhing to some primal carnal rhythm.”

“This is a man in need. His fear is naked and obvious, but he's lost. . . Somewhere in his darkness. 
His eyes wide and bleak and tortured. I can soothe him. Join him briefly in the darkness and bring him into the light.” 

“What is it about elevators?” 

Overall it was an excellent book. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a story on how to survive and thrive when faced with insurmountable obstacles. 

-Amanda

Review : Kiss Me, I'm Irish by Roxanne St. Claire, Jill Shalvis, Maureen Child

Kiss Me, I'm Irish

by Roxanne St.Claire, Jill Shalvis, Maureen Child

Rated : 4.5 / 5 Stars ****

Whether you want a hot sports celebrity-once boy next door, bad boy with a Rockin bod and a dark past or the local heart throb with a bet to win this book has it all. Three sexy, drool worthy men meet their match in three equally determined women who tame their wild ways. 

Recommend: You want Steamy Men and sexy wild scenes then this book is for you. Don't forget about the Happily Ever After's! 

1. The Sins of His Past by Roxanne St. Claire 5 ***** 
This story pulled at my heart and made me hoot with laughter. Nothing like a good competition of wills that ends up turning toward their hearts.
Deuce Monroe decided to come home to run his family's bar since he "retired" from his Baseball career with the Nevada Snake Eyes. The minute he shows up he realizes that this was not the home he left. Things have drastically changed and the biggest change was the co-owner of Monroe's, Kendra Locke. Kendra has big dreams for Monroe's turning it into a "cyber salon," as Deuce puts it. Seamus,Deuce's father, decides that Kendra and Deuce need to work out what will happen with Monroe's."Let's Play Ball!" Kendra is given days to run her cyber cafe and Deuce has nights to run his bar and the game begins. Can Kendra hit it out of the park while keeping her secret? 

Extra's : Poor Kendra, when Deuce walked in to the bar and throughout their story I had 'Why ya Wanna' by Jana Kramer running through my head. Thought I would share : Click here to watch and listen to Why ya Wanna by Jana Kramer 
Sexy Deuce Monroe -Curling up in bed with him, Yum! 
 


2. Tangling with Ty by Jill Shalvis 4 **** 
I enjoyed this one, but I felt more like and observer then a participant. Bad boy Ty Patrick O'Grady is a man with a very dark past who stays one step ahead of his haunting memories by wandering. The sexy Architect makes an appearance when Nicole, a tenant, finds him cursing up a storm in a thick Irish accent.(Oh Yeah!) Nicole is a very young, smart Doctor who doesn't take crap from anyone and lives to save lives. Taylor, the landlord and matchmaker, hires Ty to fix the building and he can't help but want to take care of Nicole in more than one way. Just when their relationship starts to take off Ty's secret is about to unravel and Nicole shields herself with her job. With a little luck,or bad luck, from a ceiling Ty and Nicole come to know each other. Can they reconcile what they dreamed their lives would be to what they could be together? 

Extra's :
Ty O'Grady




3. Whatever Reilly Wants by Maureen Child 4.5 ****
Started out with a bet, turned into his loss but ultimately their gain! Connor was determined to win Liam's bet(celibate for 90 days = $10,000), until he offended his best friend Emma. She decided to seek revenge by throwing a wrench in his plan to win. She showed him that she wasn't just a female,but one Hot woman! Poor Connor had not idea what hit him when he walked into the local bar and spotted one sexy women who ends up being Emma. Tongue-tied and temperature rising he doesn't know if he wants to make her his or stay friends. Emma is underhanded in her attempt to get Connor to lose, by going out of her way to tempt him. Her attempt bites her in the butt when the tables are turned on her. Lots of steamy sex and plenty of wit. Can they save their friendship or will they have to part ways?

Extra's : I loved that Liam's housekeeper makes horrible tea and him and Emma had to drink it. Hilarious. Also loved what Connor did for Em in the end! But I can't tell you have to pick up the book and read it for yourself!
Connor Reilly
: 

Overall I enjoyed these stories. I haven't read much in the way of contemporary romance area, but found that I enjoyed these authors and will be reading more of their books.

Thank you to netgalley who provided me with a copy of this book. 

-Amanda

Review : To the Moon and Back by Jill Mansell

To The Moon and Back by Jill Mansell

Rated : 4/5 Stars ****

I really, really enjoyed this book even though I spent most of it crying my eyes out. 

Recommend: Anyone who loved the movie 'Ps. I Love You, will love this book. It is along the same lines and happy endings for all. 
 

Keep tissues close 
 

My Background and why the book hit home for me: 
I know I have mentioned in other reviews that my Hubby had almost died 3 weeks after we are married, but I think that once you know that here it makes sense why this book caused so many tears for me. I will never forget when he grabbed my hand (his eyes were swollen shut and he could barely breathe) and told me he loved me and to tell his mom that he loved her. He went on to flat-line and they about put a trachea in him. Finally he started breathing 8 epi pens later and lots of work from the Doctor's and Nurses. I didn't lose him as Ellie did her husband in this book, but I have been in a hospital in the ICU feeling shaken and wondering why me, why him. Those who haven't I am sure are still touched by this book, but those who have will have those images resurface during this book. 

Now on to better things: 
*I loved the opening scene with Ellie and Jamie. I mean you had 4 pages to fall in love with Jamie and wow did I ever,Sweet man.You could not help but feel the love Ellie had for him. 
 

*I loved how Ellie was able to see and talk to Jamie throughout the whole book. I thought it was just as cute as in the movie P.S. I love you when she gets letters from her husband that has passed away. 
 

*I absoluetly adored Tony. Really, he was an essential character. The book would not have been the same without him exactly as he was. He is the Father-in-law every girl would love to have. I was so happy to see that he and Martha finally got together at the end. 

*I can't forget Zack and his dog Elmo. Although, the whole time I kept picturing the Elmo from Sesame Street character instead of a dog. Zack was the perfect man. <sigh> 

Things I had to skim: 
*I don't like reading about cheating husbands. I know Niall got what was coming to him at the end, but I had to skim a lot of his part because I just can't stomach it. That was sad for me because even though I wanted to shake Roo I did love her character. 

*I know it's not a skim, but I wanted Todd and Roo's relationship to hurry up. They were so sweet together. I loved their ending!!! 

Favorite Quotes: 
“It was starting to concern her, just slightly, that it wasn’t quite normal to be doing what she’d been doing for the last year. Because Jamie wasn’t here anymore. And he wasn’t a ghost either. All she did was conjure up a mental image of him in her mind, talk to him and have him talk back as if he were real.” 

“I haven't been able to stop thinking of you. One way or another you were always out of reach... I think I'm in love with you... Actually no, that's not true. I know I am.” 

Overall, it was a great read. I did cry a lot but I loved how everything worked out for the best in the end for all parties. 

Let's not forget: 
 

-Amanda