This book was a lifeline that helped me to prepare for traversing the perilous waters of baby shopping/registerin...more5 stars – Nonfiction/Baby Preparation
This book was a lifeline that helped me to prepare for traversing the perilous waters of baby shopping/registering. A great guide for first-time, overwhelmed, expectant parents!(less)
As an expectant parent, the state of bullying in this country terrifies me. Bravo, Jeff Erno, for writing such a powerful story that resonates for its...moreAs an expectant parent, the state of bullying in this country terrifies me. Bravo, Jeff Erno, for writing such a powerful story that resonates for its frank, emotional honesty.(less)
This book was a lifeline that helped me to prepare for traversing the perilous waters of baby shopping/registerin...more5 stars – Nonfiction/Baby Preparation
This book was a lifeline that helped me to prepare for traversing the perilous waters of baby shopping/registering. A great guide for first-time, overwhelmed, expectant parents!(less)
But the five star rating is for Home for the Holidays by Sarah Mayberry.
I’m continually impressed by Sarah Mayberry’s level of character development and the realistic, honest drama that’s conveyed in her stories. And she wowed me once again with this sweet, emotive story of a hot, responsible widower with two kids trying to forge a tentative, yet hopeful friendship (and then inevitable relationship) with his sexy new neighbor.
After losing his wife 2 years ago, Joe Lawson never expected to find love and happiness again, especially with an independent younger woman who’s a bold spitfire like tomboy biker and mechanic Hannah Napier, but life is full of surprises and Hannah might be exactly what Joe and his family needs. I loved everything about this story. Joe makes such a swoon-worthy, wonderful hero, Hannah is a strong, yet vulnerable heroine, Joe’s troubled, grief-stricken 13-year-old son Ben and adorable, spirited 10-year-old daughter Ruby add depth to the story, the relationship progression between Joe and Hannah is realistically paced, and the romance is steamy, yet tender.
Home for the Holidays is a heartwarming contemporary romance that packs a real emotional wallop and had me shedding a few tears more than once. I highly recommend this engaging, touching quick read romance that’s a perfect story for the holiday season. 5 stars!
This is a total train wreck (or horrific motorcycle accident), but it’s also wildly, chocolate coated crack addictive! I...more5 stars – Contemporary Romance
This is a total train wreck (or horrific motorcycle accident), but it’s also wildly, chocolate coated crack addictive! It has a somewhat Kristen Ashley vibe but ramped up about 500% in the crazy department. Seriously, the characters in this story make the people on Jerry Springer seem tame and normal.
It’s no holds barred rough, raw, crude, brutal, and violent with crazy characters, cheating galore, a hero who gives new meaning and an A+ distinction to uber A+lpha and A+sshat, and a heroine who makes ridiculously, repeatedly stupid choices. I wanted to smack them both silly several times. (view spoiler)[Deuce’s random whore banging and the way he treated Eva when she was pregnant was appallingly, unforgivably awful. And Eva’s pathological love, forgiveness, and codependency for Frankie was creepy and disturbing, not to mention the twisted, sexual mess she got herself into with Chase. (hide spoiler)] These people should be on posters for STD screening.
Yet despite all the vulgarity and wacky chaos, I was absolutely absorbed from beginning to end and exhaustively entertained. And even though the H/h drove me batty with all their insane drama, I was still captivated and rooting for their HEA. Perhaps I shouldn’t have enjoyed this so much, but surprisingly, shamelessly, I did.
Wow, I loved this! It’s a fantastic little freebie that packs quite a wallop at only 22 pages. I...more5 stars – Erotic Victorian/Historical Romance Quickie
Wow, I loved this! It’s a fantastic little freebie that packs quite a wallop at only 22 pages. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and will read more of her work.
BDSM, voyeurism, m/m sex (observed), and of course...the use of a Riding Crop
I adore everything Julie James writes and this was another winner! With intelligent characters, witty dialogue, snappy b...more5 stars – Contemporary Romance
I adore everything Julie James writes and this was another winner! With intelligent characters, witty dialogue, snappy banter, sarcastic, sexy quips, and sizzling chemistry, her books never fail to please. And she’s definitely turned up the heat with steamier love scenes! Cade was such a yowza, yummy hero, and he and Brooke made an appealing, enjoyable couple.
I just wish she wrote more and faster, but without sacrificing the quality that marks every single one of her books; so I guess Ms. James needs a clone.(less)
I wish I had time to fully review this to give the proper notice it so richly deserves. But since I don’t, I’ll simply s...more5 stars – Contemporary Romance
I wish I had time to fully review this to give the proper notice it so richly deserves. But since I don’t, I’ll simply say that Within Reach is a powerful, poignant, bittersweet, and satisfying read that embodies what I love so much about a great romance. I highly recommend this touching gem to all my romance-loving friends. It’s another well-written, memorable read from the talented Ms. Mayberry. 5 stars!(less)
Oh, but I really enjoyed this one! There are opposites attract stories and then there are opposites ignite, combust, and...more5 stars – Contemporary Romance
Oh, but I really enjoyed this one! There are opposites attract stories and then there are opposites ignite, combust, and singe my Kindle stories and this is definitely the latter. Whew!
And the premise is one of my favorites...seemingly stodgy, stuffy, rich, straitlaced Darcy-esque hero and free-spirited, quirky, flamboyant, provocative heroine clash, battle, and then inevitably end up lusting and scorching up the sheets...and pretty much any stable surface.
But Sarah Mayberry has penned an insightful, affecting story and given depth to Martin’s and Violet’s characters that dispels clichés and stereotypes. And talk about a swoonalicious, husband-worthy hero! I absolutely loved Martin! *sigh*
Her Best Worst Mistake is a sequel/spin-off of Hot Island Nights that takes place during the same time period, and I enjoyed this much more having read Hot Island Nights first.
It’s a sexy, fun, super steamy, and emotionally gratifying romance with a memorable H/h. 5 stars!
This is Kristen Ashley’s first venture into the “erotic” romance genre, and I loved it! Knight Sebring is a serio...more5 stars – Contemporary Erotic Romance
This is Kristen Ashley’s first venture into the “erotic” romance genre, and I loved it! Knight Sebring is a seriously sexy, magnetic, dark anti-hero and all kinds of yummy “Dom”ineering alpha hotness. Anya Gage is very likeable and genuine and one of my favorite KA heroines. I really enjoyed their captivating, intense connection, dynamic relationship, emotional progression, and explosive bedroom scenes! YOWZA!
Ms. Ashley took a gamble with this, and I imagine some readers/fans will be put off by certain aspects, like the BDSM (D/s) elements and Knight’s dark side. He’s definitely an enigmatic, powerful “anti-hero”, but that’s one of the things I loved most about it. And I’ve read quite a bit of erotic and BDSM romances, so for me, this is actually on the somewhat lite/mild side, but it’s still gratifyingly steamy!
Controversy and Quibbles:
1) Spank Me Daddy
Knight had Anya answer/call him “Daddy” instead of “Master” or “Sir” in their sex play, which usually sets off my ick factor alert, but it really didn’t bother me in this. Somehow Knight mastered it, and I actually found this “Daddy” more smokin’ hot than creepy. “Come to/for Daddy?” If/when it’s Knight Sebring demanding it? Oh Hell Yeah!
2) I’m No Mr. Nice Guy...aka...Knight’s Big Secret
(view spoiler)[Knight is a pimp. WTF?!?! But hey, he treats his stable of women much better than his smarmy predecessor and he once covered Anya with a blanket while she was napping, so it’s okay. *dramatic eye roll* It just didn’t seem right to me that he would continue to profit from the world’s oldest profession, despite his reasoning and assurances that his girls are well treated and protected, especially considering his mother’s tragic past as a prostitute and how it impacted him when he was a little boy. And not to mention the fact that he’s already filthy rich. (hide spoiler)]
3) HEA But Knight Isn’t Traditional
(view spoiler)[Knight wouldn’t “officially” marry Anya or give her his last name because it’s just not him (too white picket fence and traditional). Yet he gave her a ring and very reception-like party and was excited and enthusiastic about having kids. Hmmm...isn’t that a bit ironic? (hide spoiler)]
Overall, I’m a very satisfied Kristen Ashley fangirl and sincerely hope she pens more erotic romances! 5 stars!
Favorite Knight quotes:
“Wars fought over a face like this,” he murmured like he was talking to himself, my heart stopped beating and his thumbs moved lightly across my cheeks. “A man would work himself into the ground for it, go down to his knees to beg to keep it, endure torture to protect it, take a bullet for it,” his eyes came to mine, “poison his brother to possess a face like this.”
“And I wake up happy, baby, because I possess beauty and I own that beauty in all the forms it can take and the least important of those are physical.”
“Who’s Your Daddy?”
Knight’s Hot in a Suit, Sophisticated Style:
‘Cause every girl crazy ‘bout a Sharp Dressed Man!
“A Very Sinful Valentine” indeed! You are a master of eroticism, whether using you...more5 stars – Erotic Historical Romance Quickie/Freebie
Dearest Matthew,
“A Very Sinful Valentine” indeed! You are a master of eroticism, whether using your wicked tongue for scorching dirty talk and skillful fingers to pen naughty, sensual love notes or putting them to use for far more vigorous and...ahem...pleasurable pursuits. What an utterly rakish, licentious husband you are, and Jane is one lucky wife!
Ms. Featherstone,
My deepest thanks for giving your fans a wonderful, passionate, poignant, and sinfully delicious glimpse into the married life of “Matty” and his beloved Jane, for this is truly a delectable little morsel that’s not to be missed! 5 stars!
Wow! I loved this! Kristen Ashley is an amazing author warrior queen! Seriously! At Peace is the 8th...more5 stars – Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense
Wow! I loved this! Kristen Ashley is an amazing author warrior queen! Seriously! At Peace is the 8th book of hers that I’ve read and highly enjoyed and it’s one of my favorite KA reads. Although the Colorado Mountain series and my beloved Law Man still hold a definite edge.
Joe Callahan is another extremely domineering, uber alpha asshat and lordy have mercy did he piss me off...until around the 80% mark that is! There were times I swore that even if he got down on his hands and knees and crawled through broken glass to apologize, plead, and beg for forgiveness for being such an absolute d*ck that I wouldn’t have been swayed. I mean, I wanted him to execute some serious groveling. Alas, he never did. BUT, his way of making amends was much more subtle, genuine, powerful, and affecting and therefore all the more gratifying. And in the end, he totally won me over and had me sighing and swooning along with the Winters girls.
So Joe was an arrogant jerk and Violet could be a wishy-washy wimp at times, but boy were they explosive together! The sex scenes were rough and smokin’ hot! And I was anxious for them to find their HEA. The love triangle between Joe/Violet/Mike lasted far too long, and I missed Ashley’s staple, celebrated, detailed epilogue, but otherwise this is another fabulous KA winner!
I’m looking forward to reading Mike’s story, Games of the Heart, because he’s certainly due a much deserved HEA. And I read on the author’s website that she’s planning to write Frankie and Benny’s story in an upcoming ‘Burg release. Yay! Kristen Ashley has already solidified a position as one of my top favorite keeper authors of 2012. Big 5 stars!
I had a hard time finding my perfect Joe because he’s so enigmatically, broodingly sexy and all badass, rugged alpha male with some macho Italian mixed in, but I think Italian actor Raoul Bova could fit the bill.
All the single ladies, all the single ladies All the single ladies, all the single ladies All the single ladies...
Now pack your bags up!
Considering there’s not one but four yummy heroes introduced in this first book in the Dream Man series that’s set in Denver, Colorado (all of whom get their own book...YAY!), not to mention the smokin’ hot, badass alpha heroes from Ashley’s Colorado Mountain series, and it definitely wouldn’t be surprising if all the single ladies suddenly packed up and moved to Colorado.
Mystery Man is Cabe “Hawk” Delgado’s book. Initially, I was far more fascinated and smitten with Detective Mitch Lawson and biker badass Tack (two of the aforementioned yummy Dream Men who will have leading roles in Law Man and Motorcycle Man respectively). But of course Hawk soon won me over and left me panting, daydreaming, and swooning like all of KA’s heroes.
Hawk is a growly, bossy, arrogant, brooding, domineering, and possessive uber alpha commando who could teach Tate from Sweet Dreams a thing or two about being a badass, including the correct, standard rumbling response to anything and everything...“Babe”.
There were several times I wanted to smack both Hawk and Gwen, but they eventually got their sh*t together. Kristen Ashley is a master when it comes to dreamy, gratifying epilogues, and this time was certainly no exception...just heartwarming perfection. 5 stars!
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