Nicole R. Locker's Blog, page 15

Book Review - Hart Broken by Annie Arcane

Book Title: Hart BrokenIndie Author: Annie ArcaneGenre: New Adult/ Contemporary RomanceLength: 331 page full-length novelPrice: $3.99 (Kindle Edition)
Book Synopsis: This book begins in an upscale, top-floor condo where Mackensington "Mickey" Hart is waking up in a strange bed, thinking she had a one-night-stand with a stranger after drinking a little too much the night before.  Enter the hot, rich, totally swoon-worthy guy with a heart of gold, Cale Windermere, who of course does not take advantage of unconscious women.  Did I mention that he happens to also be paralyzed from the waist down?
Mickey isn't sure about Cale, especially after a break-up with a cheating ex-fiance, and a misunderstanding about his identity or possible serial-killer status, but after a few run-ins and a push in his direction from her closest friends, Mickey finally gives in and lets herself get closer to Mister Fabulous on wheels.  
Mickey is also fighting some inner battles of her own, and when things start heating up between her and Cale, enter the  remorseful and able-bodied ex-fiance who wants another chance.  Will Mickey be able to look past Cale's disability, or will it drive a wedge between them that is insurmountable?
My Review4.5 STARS
What worked: The idea of a "paraplegic" main character in a romance novel was unique and refreshing.  Not to mention, he was described in a way that had me totally drooling over him, myself.  Plain and simple, he sounded hot, atrophied legs and all.
I felt like the first chapter of Hart Broken had a really good "hook" to draw me in, and I was really interested in the story right from the beginning.  I also like how the story begins in the middle of a scene, putting us right in the middle of everything.  Then moving along, I'd say up to about Chapter 12 it builds up the story, the characters, and the relationship that's being established between Mickey and Cale.  From about Chapter 12 and on is when the story really just gets to where you don't want to put the book down. 
There were parts in this book that I felt such strong emotions, I was either verbally yelling at the characters or crying because I was just so heartbroken over what was going on.  There was also some mystery sprinkled in, and it was done in such a way that you almost didn't see it coming until it hits you.  
I like the realism of this book, getting a glimpse of what it's like day-to-day for a person who can't use his legs and is confined to a wheelchair.  I also love the parts of this book that are written in Cale's perspective. 
There are several other things I loved about this book that would be spoilers if I wrote about, so I'll let you find those out for yourself.  (wink-wink)

What could use some work:I think a couple of things in this book that could be improved upon might be some of the dialogue.  There were a few parts when the characters were talking, and I got confused at times on who was saying what.  There were also some minor grammatical errors here and there, but nothing major enough to detract from the story.
One other thing might be to see more of Cale in his professional life.  I feel like the book hints at him being this sort of bad ass at what he does, and I'm not sure if he's just really humble about it, or if it's just something he doesn't talk about much when Mickey is around.
Overall, I highly recommend this book.  It's a fresh spin, something you don't see every day.  I expect to see more great things from Ms. Arcane!  (I'll beta-read for her any day.)

Book Review - Pleasantwick by M.L. Stoughton

Book Title: PleasantwickIndie Author: M.L. StoughtonGenre: Young Adult/ Urban Fantasy/ Coming of AgeLength: 316 page full-length novelPrice: $2.99 (Kindle Edition) or FREE on Kindle Unlimited
Book Synopsis: Pleasantwick is a Young Adult/Coming of Age story that centers on 16-year old Melinda Richardson.  Melinda's father has recently invested in a piece of land which holds the ancient Sotheby House, est 1710.  Melinda is instantly drawn to the house and spends a lot of her time there, especially wandering the woods nearby and swimming in a water hole.  It is there that she meets the mysterious yet charming Luke Sotheby, who she is instantly drawn to.
Luke Sotheby comes from a long line of witches, each with common and unique, magical gifts, who live in a secret world called Pleasantwick.  One of the portals to this secret community exists right there in Sotheby House, which Melinda happens to find one day while exploring the seemingly empty and deserted home.
Luke comes to Melinda's rescue one day when her boyfriend, Jason, starts acting strange and begins threatening her in the woods.  Melinda begins noticing a change in Jason since he's been hanging out with a questionable crowd of people.  This group also happens to be residents of Pleasantwick, a group of witches called Lythanons, who feel that Pleasantwick is not a community made to keep them safe from the common world, but instead serves as a prison of sorts that they must escape from and destroy.  They've set out to recruit people in the common world to aid them in their battle.
Luke finds himself torn between his growing feelings for Melinda and his family and home when the war begins between Wickers and Lythanons, which not only threatens to destroy Pleasantwick, but also spills out into the common world.
My Review3.5 STARS (Rounded up to 4)
What worked: This was a fun story with some interesting aspects.  I liked that there was a lot of action scenes in this book that I could really picture as they were happening.  The action was awesome!  I also liked how, while the book was mostly focused around Melinda and Luke, we also got to follow the story line with some of the other characters from time to time.  One scene, in particular, reminded me of a scene out of Cassandra Clare's City of Bones (you know the scene, when the Shadow Hunters go into Pandemonium in pursuit of a demon, which Clary happens to witness as they kill).  This scene followed a group of Wickers, including Luke, as they went undercover to track down and kill a group of  Lythanons.
I also liked the back story we got of how Pleasantwick was created, following the story of the four witch sisters several hundred years ago.  Switching back and forth between different timelines for a while was a good way to alternate the story, and I was able to clearly tell when it was about one time versus the other.  
I appreciated the slow building of the relationship between Melinda and Luke.  It wasn't "insta-love" which was much more realistic.  It built in some conflict as Luke warred with his feelings and his sense of duty to his family and world.
I loved the part in the story about one of the characters in Pleasantwick, Cora, and her amethyst.  I could see how the author could write another book with Cora and the elders who made appearances in this book.  That would be a fascinating read, I think.
I also liked how we got a few little snippets here and there with the antagonist, Devaris, and his mother.  It went a long way in building his credibility as a worthy opponent for the Wickers.
What could use some work:What I would have really liked to see more of in this book was more character development.  Now that I'm done reading it, I find that I still know very little about the characters themselves.  
I would have also liked to see a little more info at the end of the book.  I felt like there were some loose-ends that did not get tied up, for example the character of Cora.  Where did she go during a certain point in the book, and what was her reasoning for Melinda coming into possession of the amethyst?  
I would also like to know what Melinda eventually did with the knowledge of her past that came to light at the end of the book, and how that will affect her future.  An epilogue set maybe a couple of years in the future could have really sealed things up nicely, I think, and as I mentioned, maybe another book focusing on Cora and the elders who made appearances in this book.
Overall, it was a good read.  The action and the feelings between Melinda and Luke are what made this book work for me.

#FreebieFriday - Get Both Books Today On Amazon

Today only, just in time for the weekend!

Get both books in my First Impressions Series free, today only, in the Kindle store.

Book 1: First Impressions
(Zia's POV)

Book 2: Second Thoughts
(Dylan's POV)

Don't forget to leave a review!  I hope you all enjoy.

Nicky

Second Thoughts Now Available on Kindle

I am pleased to announce that Second Thoughts (First Impressions Series, Book 2) is now available for purchase in the Kindle store.  You can take a look HERE!



There are two sides to every story.
Dylan Porter is a playboy athlete from a wealthy family.  He has always gotten by on his devilish good looks, money, and family reputation to get what he wants, and dating is no exception.  Girls have never been a challenge to Dylan.That is, until he meets Zia.
Dylan and Zia strike a deal after a chance meeting when Dylan admits that, although he can admittedly get any girl he wants, the girls he has dated all seem the same.  Zia offers to employ her psychology skills to teach Dylan how to find the right girl, not realizing that it's her he is hoping to win over.
Being who he is, Dylan has to play it cool and not give too much away until he knows that Zia might return his feelings for her.  When all the signs point to saying otherwise, will Dylan give up or risk it all for an unlikely chance?
Second Thoughts is the story as told by Dylan.  It can be read as a standalone book or as a part of a series.  Read Zia's side of the story, First Impressions, also available in Paperback and Kindle Editions.

Second Thoughts In Editing Stage

Happy Monday!

I am pleased to announce that I have now finished writing Second Thoughts (First Impressions Series - Book 2).  I completed my preliminary edits and have sent it to my beta-reader/proofreader/editor for fine-tuning (shout out to Swati Hedge!).

Click below to find the listing on GoodReads and to add this book to one of your GR Bookshelves!

 
          
 
I'm hoping to have some reviews for this book upon its release, so if you are interested in an Advanced Read Copy (ARC) of Second Thoughts, please message me below with your email address or use the Contact form with your request.  I will send the ARC to the first 20 people.

Thanks, and happy reading!

Nicky
 

Book Review - The Reluctant Socialite by L.M Halloran

Book Title: The Reluctant SocialiteIndie Author: L. M. HalloranGenre: New Adult/Contemporary Romance (adult content)Length: 277 page full-length novelPrice: $2.99 (Kindle Edition) or FREE on Kindle Unlimited
Book Synopsis: Althea "Thea" Sands is somewhat of a tortured soul, trying to find her place in a world she doesn't feel connected to.   Born to wealth and raised in wealth, her family is what the rich call "New Money," which Thea herself disinherited from when she was 18.  A strained relationship with her catty, socialite mother and a near-nonexistent relationship with her father, Thea lives a somewhat reclusive life with a few close friends including roommate and best friend, Lillian (also an heiress of sorts).  On the inside, Thea is a bit of a neurotic, obsessing over the way she conducts herself around others.  This is a mastered skill from the years of etiquette training, most of which was imparted on her by a family friend, Margaret.  A "lifetime of carefully constructed armor," she calls it.
It's been a couple of years since Thea's brutal break-up with former fiance, the now (not then) Grammy winning musician, Damien Young.  Thea is mostly over him and has made a name for herself as a talented young interior designer for an architectural firm in California.  Luck strikes in more ways than one when billionaire restaurateur (old money), Alexander "Alex" Hughes, hires the firm to design the newest of his line of restaurants after attending Lillian's art display one night and purchasing a life-sized portrait of Thea depicting the intricate tattoo covering her entire, naked back.
As the author writes, "fate is determined to put us on a collision course.  Dominant, demanding, and disarmingly kind, Alex is an emotional hurricane I can't outrun.  All I can do is try."  And with Alex residing in Boston, Thea knows there is an expiration date on this love affair so try, she does!

My ReviewFIVE STARS
What worked: The writing of this book was exquisite.  Considering it was self-published, this book had the quality right up there with any professionally published writing I have seen, and I've read quite a few books!  
The story of this book was also exceptionally interesting to me.  Thea's character was very relatable, probably because I find myself to be a little on the neurotic side inside my head a lot of the time, too.  There were also lots of parts of this book that made my heart just ache, and parts where I thought to myself that I would be quite literally angry if things didn't start getting a little happier.  But even then, it was all very realistic, and I think we all know that conflict is what makes a story good.  This book had plenty.
I do feel like the main characters were really well-developed and complex in this book, especially Thea's character.  I also liked how it was not too mushy-gushy with the lovey-dovey feelings, which tends to make a story unrealistic for me or making the character seem naive.
What could use some work: Quite frankly, the only thing this book could really use is a sequel.  
I will say that when I initially began reading the first chapter of this book, I felt like it was a little on the choppy side, and maybe even a little awkward as far as how the wording was put together right at the very beginning.  At that point, there were a lot of things introduced that had not been explained yet, and these were all explained well as I got further in.  Because of this, I almost decided against reading the whole book.  Thank goodness I persisted!  The book was amazing. 
There were a few, very minor wording errors here and there, but these were easy to overlook as I could tell what the word either should have been or where the word should have been placed.  I would say I may have saw 2 or 3 of these total, and they were not distracting enough to detract from the story.
Overall, I think this book will probably be added to my favorites list.  It was a great read, and I definitely recommend it.

Book Review - Bourne to Love Emma by MacKenzie K. Paxton

Book Title: Bourne to Love EmmaIndie Author: MacKenzie K. PaxtonGenre: New Adult/Contemporary Romance/Military RomanceLength: 71K+ words, a standalone novelPrice: $2.99 (Kindle Edition) or FREE on Kindle Unlimited
Book Synopsis: Emma Parsons is a single mother of a feisty little two-year old, Mia.  The father is no longer in the picture after an unexpected divorce a year prior to the current setting.  Emma was able to pick up the pieces like a champ and move on without the selfish  bastard who wasn't interested in having kids and made damn sure he didn't even have to support Emma or his child, financially or otherwise.  
A year after the divorce, in true moving-on fashion, Emma has a new life, new apartment, a hilarious best friend/moral support, and a job that allows her to work from home most of the time to be with little Mia.  A new man wasn't high on the priority list, but when the ridiculously hot guy in Apartment 6B comes knocking one day, that all begins to change.
To the outside world, Jason Davies is just an average I.T. guy who works out. A. LOT.  In reality, he's been out of the Navy SEALs for three years and now works for a private security company that takes on missions the government can't or won't approve.  In his line of work in the military, relationships just didn't work out in the long-term, and that thinking stuck with him until he met Emma.
Just when things start heating up between Jason and Emma, her past comes back to haunt her. Jason and his team at R.E.D. get pulled in to offer protection to Emma and Mia, and Jason won't rest until they are safe, but doing his job proves to be a little more difficult when his heart is involved.
Author's note: "This book contains graphic language, sex, and violence.  Mature readers only.MacKenzie K. Paxton believes in true love, fidelity, and Happily Ever After, and these beliefs are apparent in her novels."
My ReviewFOUR STARS
What worked: This book had me hooked right from the prologue.  I already hated the scumbag of a husband who was asking for a divorce, and already felt a connection to Emma, the protagonist.  In Chapter 1 and throughout the book, I was literally laughing out loud at the dialogue between Emma and her friend Heather.  In fact, Heather was hilarious, and further on in the book, I thought she was kind of a bad ass.  I was also hysterically laughing when Jason Davies was introduced to the story, bringing the "accidentally opened package" to Emma's door and knowing exactly what was in that box and knowing he had seen what was in it.  
The overall premise of this story was really interesting to me, and I thought the details about R.E.D. were really intriguing as well.  I quite literally could not put this book down and read the entire novel in a single Sunday. 
What could use some work: There were only a couple of things I thought could use some work on this book.  The first thing is, it was a little bit distracting how the verb tense continuously changed between present and past tense, within the same paragraphs and even within the same sentences, throughout the book.  I know that would be a tedious fix for a 71K word novel, but I think if that was done, this book would be a huge seller.  
The other thing is, I would have liked to see something a little more concrete in the transition from the point when Emma and Jason went from being not together yet to suddenly being together.  If there was maybe one more scene somewhere in between there to really define, THIS is the moment it changed and this is exactly what happened to push it from the former to the latter, I think it would really set this book apart.
I think if these two things were changed, this book would get a hands-down Five Star Review.I also look forward to reading the next book, Fighting for Heather.

Book Review - One With You by Sylvia Day

 Sad to see this series end, June 5, 2016By Nicole R. Locker
Verified Purchase(What's this?)This review is from: One with You: A Crossfire Novel (Crossfire Series Book 5) (Kindle Edition)The final book in the Crossfire series was much anticipated. I love this series, and the fourth book was no exception; although, I have to admit that this last installment was my least favorite of the series. I was expecting a lot more "steamy" scenes than what we got in One With You, but there were some very unexpected twists toward the end of this book/series that I thought were really good in the development of the overall story. Sylvia Day is an extraordinary writer, and if you enjoy erotic romance/contemporary romance/new adult romance books, I have no doubt you will love this series.

Book Review - Sterling by Dannika Dark

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful So SO Good!, February 3, 2014By Nicole R. LockerVerified Purchase(What's this?)This review is from: Sterling (Mageri Series Book 1) (Kindle Edition)I have to admit I was skeptical when I first started reading the Mageri Series. It didn't take long before I was so far beyond hooked on this storyline. The characters are really well developed with all this history, and it's amazing how many things somehow end up tying in together. This is a very well-written, very well developed story. I love how there is such a level of detail that you can really imagine how the characters are moving and interacting together, yet it moves along at a great pace. It really hooked me in right from the start, too. I didn't have to keep reading to finally get interested, and there were parts of these books that made me literally laugh out loud. I also enjoyed being able to get different perspectives now and then from the various characters' points of view. Awesome read!

Indie Author Book Reviews

As an Indie Author, I believe it is important to give back to a community that I am proud to now be a part of.  With that being said, I am dedicating a portion of my blog to reviewing or beta-reading new books for Indie Authors.  This service is free of charge in exchange for an honest review of at least one of my books.

Note: I cannot guarantee I will be able to read and review every submission.  I will reach out to you if your book is selected for review.

Submission RequirementsBook Genres I Am Willing to Review:ChicklitContemporary RomanceErotic RomanceFantasyNew Adult & College RomanceParanormal RomanceRomantic SuspenseTeen & Young AdultUrban FantasyBook Formats I Will Accept:PDFWebsites I Will Post Reviews To:My blogAmazonBarnes & NobleGoodReadsFacebookTwitter
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