Sacred Hart written by A.M. Johnson (242 pgs) – finished reading 6/28/16 – 5 stars - Contemporary Romance

*** POSSIBLE SPOILERS PRESENT WITHIN REVIEW***

This is the love story of Ryan and Maggie. Ryan, just recently released from a ten-year stint in prison, gets on a bus and rides as far as the driver takes him. Where he ends up is small-town USA as he is offered a job working at the local diner owned by an older gentleman who decides to give Ryan a chance to get back on his feet. Ryan suffered a horrific trauma that resulted in his serving time in prison as he totally lost control during a painful situation. While now working at the diner, a car accident occurs and Ryan unknowingly meets the love of his life, Maggie, an ER nurse. Ryan, a former EMT, helps Maggie try to save the victims of the crash and that’s how they begin their love story. Ryan, though, knows that he will never be able to give Maggie his heart. It’s broken beyond repair. And, he doesn’t want to give her false hope. He doesn’t want her waiting around for something that will just never happen. But, Maggie is relentless. She sees something in Ryan that is just peaceful. So, along with her young daughter, Beth, they visit the diner more and more.

This is a feel-good book that offered two tender-hearted and caring people a chance to begin their lives’ again. Their love story was sweet and beautiful. It showed their reslience to persevere through the toughest times. Maggie’s life was not without heartbreak either. After finding herself in a difficult position when her ex-boyfriend doesn’t want any part of her dire situation of an unplanned pregnancy, she finds herself returning home to that small town where her parents still reside. But, something tragic happens, and she once again finds herself along with a young child to raise. Ryan just happens to come along at the perfect time in her life just as she’s finding herself willing to live again. They’re perfect together, and it makes for a mere magical sort-of fairytale. There’s so much emotion and delight within the pages of this book. Cute little Beth was just joy! She was funny and a darling, and had Ryan eating right out of the palm of her hand. There were some town characters that were loyal and supportive. The diner owner, Tony was a great guy! He was not one to judge, and he gave Ryan a second chance as he ended up treating him more like a son. And, Maggie’s friend, Laurie, was also a big support system as she wanted Maggie to find that special someone.

There’s not the hot and heavy intimacy between the characters that is present in an erotic novel. But, that’s okay because there was more emotional intimacy. More about feelings than actions. It was just a beautiful affair of the heart. There was some sadness, and I did shed a tear or two, but it was very satisfying to see two deserving individuals find their soulmate. A.M. Johnson really knows how to suck the reader into the story while writing an exquisite romance!

“He was a mighty wave, and I was the fragile sandy shore being pulled into his depths.” ~ Maggie (Chap.11)

“So you think...you think you love this guy? (Laurie speaking) “He’s all I’ve ever wanted for myself. He’s chivalry and tender kisses. He’s the kind of guy that would go to hell and back for me. He’d freeze in the snow if it gave me warmth. He’d drown before he let Beth and me sink. He’s the one, Laurie...I know it...I freaking feel it, right here.” I brought my hand to my heart. ~ Maggie (Chap. 18)

“Time is a tree (this life one leaf) but love is the sky and I am for you just so long and long enough.”  e.e. cummings

Review Written, 7/13/16

The Siren (The Original Sinners, #1) written by Tiffany Reisz (432 pgs) – finished reading 7/11/16 – 4 stars - Erotica (Dark-BDSM)

So before starting this book, I read mixed reviews. Some people loved it and others despised it. You have to be a dark erotica fan to enjoy this one. Anyone borderline will find this book offensive and over-rated. I myself, am kind of in the middle. I’m not an overly religious person, but I do believe in God, and I was pretty taken back by Soren’s character. He was not what I envisioned at all. Even though he was pretty controlling when it came to Nora, he really did love the woman completely. And, he never ever hurt a child. Children seemed to embrace him physically as well as emotionally. Nora and Soren’s relationship began at a young age, and I wasn’t too thrilled with her final decision at the end of the book. The novel ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger because the reader doesn’t know what the outcome will be for Nora and Soren’s relationship. The second installment I hope will answer that question for me. While I wasn’t too happy with Soren’s character, I did love some of the side characters. Wesley was a sweetheart. His feelings for Nora were really and actually painful to read about. Was she stringing him along or were her feelings also genuine?? And, Zach, did he really feel himself falling for Nora or was it just a rebound type relationship when him and his wife were at a crossroads with theirs??

I’m not going to get into what the book is really about because so many people have read and reviewed it, and I would only be rehashing the synopsis yet again. But, I will say this book did pique my interest since it’s so popular. Plus the entire series is released so I didn’t have to deal with any cliffhangers. Did I like it?? Yes and no. I did like Nora’s feisty attitude and humor. I did like the premise of her being an erotica novel writer. And, I did like that there were some buried secrets between this cast of characters. I didn’t like it because I was a bit squimish with some of the scenes. I’m not a prude, but I was a little taken back by the abuse. The book intrigued me because I couldn’t put it down. There is some pretty graphic and explicit scenes that readers will either applaud or take offense to. So be warned!! If you find yourself interested in erotica, this one has a pretty amazing cast of characters. They’re pretty entertaining with their humor and sexual innuendos. I did find myself chuckling at some of the things said. The story is a little over-the-top, but it never slows down. Looking forward to seeing what Book 2 brings...

Review Written, 7/12/16

The Siren (The Original Sinners, #1) written by Tiffany Reisz (432 pgs) – finished reading 7/11/16 – 4 stars - Erotica (Dark)

So before starting this book, I read mixed reviews. Some people loved it and others despised it. You have to be a dark erotica fan to enjoy this one. Anyone borderline will find this book offensive and over-rated. I myself, am kind of in the middle. I’m not an overly religious person, but I do believe in God, and I was pretty taken back by Soren’s character. He was not what I envisioned at all. Even though he was pretty controlling when it came to Nora, he really did love the woman completely. And, he never ever hurt a child. Children seemed to embrace him physically as well as emotionally. Nora and Soren’s relationship began at a young age, and I wasn’t too thrilled with her final decision at the end of the book. The novel ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger because the reader doesn’t know what the outcome will be for Nora and Soren’s relationship. The second installment I hope will answer that question for me. While I wasn’t too happy with Soren’s character, I did love some of the side characters. Wesley was a sweetheart. His feelings for Nora were really and actually painful to read about. Was she stringing him along or were her feelings also genuine?? And, Zach, did he really feel himself falling for Nora or was it just a rebound type relationship when him and his wife were at a crossroads with theirs??

I’m not going to get into what the book is really about because so many people have read and reviewed it, and I would only be rehashing the synopsis yet again. But, I will say this book did pique my interest since it’s so popular. Plus the entire series is released so I didn’t have to deal with any cliffhangers. Did I like it?? Yes and no. I did like Nora’s feisty attitude and humor. I did like the premise of her being an erotica novel writer. And, I did like that there were some buried secrets between this cast of characters. I didn’t like it because I was a bit squimish with some of the scenes. I’m not a prude, but I was a little taken back by the abuse. The book intrigued me because I couldn’t put it down. There is some pretty graphic and explicit scenes that readers will either applaud or take offense to. So be warned!! If you find yourself interested in erotica, this one has a pretty amazing cast of characters. They’re pretty entertaining with their humor and sexual innuendos. I did find myself chuckling at some of the things said. The story is a little over-the-top, but it never slows down. Looking forward to seeing what Book 2 brings...

Review Written, 7/12/16

He Will Be My Ruin written by K.A. Tucker (352 pgs) – finished reading 7/8/16 – 4 stars - Romantic Suspense

One unpredictable ride! Was it suicide or murder?? This one will keep you on your toes. Who’s the good guy?? Who’s the bad guy?? Was Celine’s life really as deceitful as Maggie uncovers?? And, how could she really not know her friend?? Why didn’t she come to her for help when her life was spiraling out of control?? So many questions that Maggie had while she tries to figure out what really happened to her friend.

Totally enjoyed this one!! I couldn’t put it down until I had all the answers. And, it’s a doozie!! Not what I expected whatsoever. Ups and downs and twists and turns. Just like a thrilling roller coaster ride! Not much of a romance here, but there are some intimate moments. I was absolutely taken in by the mystery of the art world. The excitement of discovering a rare find. Just seeing how much that rare find was worth monetarily. And, was it a fake or the real deal. This book reeled me in with its intrigue and suspense. I really loved it! One book that I had been looking forward to reading! When it first was released, it was a little steep for me to pay. So, when I saw that the price dropped to $1.99 for a Kindle version, I bought it right away!! So glad that I did! Well worth it!!

Review Written, 7/12/16

Weightless written by Kandi Steiner (401 pgs) – finished reading 6/26/16 – 5 stars - Contemporary Romance (New Adult)

Just graduated from high school, Natalie doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life. Everybody is going to the local college, but Natalie really is not into that. Photography is her passion! Natalie also struggles with weight issues, and after her boyfriend dumps her for a smaller and prettier girl, she along with her parents’ encouragement, decides to work with a trainer and lose weight. What she doesn’t count on, though, is for her trainer to be a formerly known badass high school student that was always in trouble. Rhodes hasn’t had it easy while growing up in the foster care system. But, he finds a way to survive. His job at the town’s country club doesn’t come without a price. And, he finds himself submitting to some distasteful actions just to support himself financially. But, it works and he accepts what he does even though it’s not very respectable. As the two find some common ground whereby Natalie can work hard with her training, their relationship emerges into the friend-zone. Sure Natalie is attracted to Rhodes, but she’s just had her heart broken and is so not into it happening again. She needs to regain her confidence and Rhodes seems to be quite nicely helping with that.

This was my first Kandi Steiner book, and it was absolutely wonderful! All the twists and turns that I didn’t see coming just pulled me deeper into the story. Natalie was such an amazing character, and I could find myself relating to her in my younger years. So much was expected of her, and she didn’t want to let anyone down. The whole weight issue is any young girl’s downfall. At that age everyone wants to be the prettiest. The skinniest. And, the most popular. Natalie really didn’t care too much for those things until she got her heart broken and was devastated. Rhodes helped Natalie to get her confidence back and really like the young woman that stared back at her in the mirror.

Rhodes, yes he was hot and cold towards Natalie at times, but he just thought he wasn’t good enough for her. His past was not one to revel in. He was not proud of it. But, Natalie really was not one to judge. She accepted him as he was when their relationship grew into one of desire and temptation. The man was oh so broody and had a body that Natalie just could envision licking from head to toe. Oh, God, those abs!! Delicious!! This was a story of young love that had me sighing and so in love with. Ms. Steiner really knows how to write a blushing romance!!

“You’re not, Natalie. You, you’re weightless. The world hasn’t touched you yet. You’re not heavy with the weight of pain, and guilt, and selfishness. You’re light. Don’t ever lose that. Don’t let the world weigh you down like them, like me.” ~ Rhodes (Chap. 8)

“And I remember it hurt that first time he touched me. Not because it was painful, but because it was everything but. It hurt from somewhere deep inside my gut that told me I would never get to have him, to keep him, or to feel the way I felt with his hands on me with anyone else for as long as I tried.” ~ Natalie (Chap. 11)

“Just like the darkness. It was in the moonlit shadows of that night that I found myself. Rhodes wanted to inspire me, but the truth was that it was the possibility of what we could be together that inspired me most. For one night, even if that was all there could be, I lived inside a passion I never knew existed with a man I never saw coming. Rhodes was an unanticipated thunderstorm. And I danced in his rain.” ~ Natalie (Chap. 21)

“Before I met William, I hated the weight that crowded my body, making me feel inadequate in every aspect of my life. Then, when I first started training with him, he pushed me harder than anyone ever had. Whenever I thought I was finally rising to meet his standards, he would add more weight to my set, making me work harder, forcing me to find the motivation to push through. And maybe that’s the thing about weight – though it hurts when we feel its added pressure on our lives, it only makes us stronger in the end. Looking at William now, I couldn’t imagine him without the weight that had shaped him. His past made him into the man I loved – no matter how scarred. He was the man who fixed me, who changed me, and who helped me carry my own weight when it grew to heavy to handle on my own. I was beginning to realize that weight really wasn’t a bad thing, after all.” ~ Natalie (Epilogue)

Review Written, 7/7/16

A Dare Without Regret (Dare to Love Series) written by Wendy S. Marcus (97 pgs) – finished reading 7/7/16 – 5 stars - Contemporary Romance (Sports)

***POSSIBLE SPOILERS PRESENT WITHIN REVIEW***

Ryan Monighan will make your heart flutter. He’s sexy with that cocky attitude, but oh so gorgeous. I couldn’t help but fall in love with him. He just made my heart melt. And, that’s how Kiley Ivers eventually feels when she gets to know and fall for the all-star running back of the Miami Thunder football team. Kiley, though, has problems of her own. She’s lost some important people in a horrific car accident, and now her surviving nephew is all alone except for her. The boy is beyond devastated, and Kiley just knows that if she could convince the famous football player just to come see his number one fan it would mean so much and give him some hope. If only Ryan would agree to see Tyler, though. But, convincing the dazzling male might not be as easy as she thought.

Ms. Marcus writes a story that pulls you right into its fascination. It’s one that tugs at your heart. The romance is so beautiful as it grows amongst some pretty sad circumstances. But, the intimacy is pretty HOT and sweltering. Raw and passionate. It’s a novella, so it’s not a long one, but there’s just so much emotion and romance written within those pages. The reader is first introduced to Ryan with the previous release of his twin brother Ren’s story. The two brothers may look the same, but their personalities couldn’t be more different. Where Ren is more down-to-earth and low-key, Ryan is the jokester. More bold and swaggering. But, he’s a caring man. And, Kiley just steals his heart with her larger than life attitude. The two together make a flawless couple. They simply complete each other. I loved both novellas that Ms. Marcus wrote which are featured in the Dare to Love series! You will not be disappointed with Ryan and Kiley’s heartfelt love story...

          “How did I get so lucky?” Kiley asked.

          “Funny.” Ryan reached for her hand and traced the engagement ring on her finger. “I was just thinking the same thing.” They laid there in silence for a minute or two until Ryan asked, “So no regrets about getting involved with a professional athlete? I know it isn’t always easy.”

          No, all the attention wasn’t always easy to deal with. And the time he would spend away from them during the season wouldn’t be easy, either. But Ryan was worth it. “I love you without regret,” she told him. “And I always will.” (A Dare Without Regret - Epilogue)

Review Written, 7/7/16 

Scars written by Jaimie Roberts (331 pgs) – finished reading 6/26/16 – 5 stars - Contemporary Romance (New Adult/Dark)

I can’t even begin to tell you how awesome this book was! I’m not going to go into much of a story synopsis because it’s better if you go into it blind. There’s so much that goes on and so many secrets are revealed. But, the most interesting thing is how a guy can be so mysterious and come and go as he pleases. I thought it was an intriguing concept and it kept my attention through the entire book. Some reveals just blew me away, and I didn’t see them coming. Unpredictable. Intriguing. Shocking. And, Amazing! Those are just some words that I use to describe this novel. The story is mostly about high school age kids, but it’s more geared to a New Adult audience instead of Young Adult. The intimacy is pretty explicit and steamy. And, revenge has never been so sweet. This is one twisted read with motives eventually being questioned as the truth comes out. Whoever thought the game of Seven Minutes in Heaven could be so suspenseful??

“I sigh, staring down at the scars on my leg and now my arm. I trace a line from one end to the other on my arm, and all the while, Jarrod is never far from my mind. He and I are very much alike in a lot of ways now. We both have scars on the inside and out. We both were broken from tragedies and the losses that came with them.” ~ Lily (Chap. 46)

And that is one gorgeous cover!!!

Review Written, 7/6/16