Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 314

Review: THE DAY SHE DIED by Bill Garrison

October 9, 1992: The day she disappeared. John has found himself reliving that fateful day.

With a chance to change the fate of his first true love, he’s sprinting through the past trying to find her, trying to save her. But wait, if he saves her, does he risk changing the future, his future?
This sounded like a cool time-travel mystery until we start moving around too much in time. I mean, first, we’re reliving John’s college days (specifically the day she disappeared,) but then we back-track even further and go to his high school days. But the thing was that he’s not reliving his own history, he’s living an alternate route that could’ve been. Was he reliving his life or redoing his life?
The past certainly opens up a lot of clues, but it was much too complex and dull, especially with the baseball stuff. There was so much lag that you almost forget the mystery. And then the story takes a whole new awkward spin by fast-forwarding to the future, where John is married to the same girl that disappeared but finds himself in the middle of a murder. I mean, this certainly sounded like it could’ve been a good mystery, but I just couldn’t dive into it. We kept on traveling to-and-fro a lot and there was too much emphasis on God and baseball.

My rating: 2 stars

Review: LEGAL AFFAIRS by Sawyer Bennett

Through a drunken dare, McKayla joins “One Night Only,” an expensive escort services that promises to fulfill a night of pure ecstasy with a complete stranger…for one night only. Her first was perfectly gorgeous #134. The whole premise started off kinda fun and sexy. After a night of wild, unbridled passion, the two part ways the next morning with a promise to never see each other again.


A struggling lawyer, McKayla soon realized that her company was bought out under the umbrella of a larger firm and her new boss is none other than #134 in the sinful flesh. While flashbacks of that wild night run rampant through her mind, McKayla still manages to maintain her professional image and work for her boss, Matt.  It doesn’t take long for the two to engage in “legal affairs”—with hard slams on the desk and all. Still, this is Matt, the cold shark. He doesn’t take to feelings and always believes in professionalism. Such a dicey situation for McKayla, especially when she starts to think that there may be more between them. That’s when she realizes that she’s having “wonderfully hot sex with an emotionally closed man.” It’s so bad…yet so GOOD. 


Matt was brutally honest when he tells he that he thinks with his d#ck, not his heart, which makes him a fantastic, bulldog lawyer. The lawyer biz is a vicious battle while two headstrong characters engage in a fierce love/hate relationship, in which they hate to love and they love to f#ck. It’s certainly a rocky affair from start to finish, but what a trip it is.

Can McKayla break through his steel barriers that surround his fragile heart?
Well-written and enticing.


My rating: 4 stars

Review: DON’T TELL MEG by Paul J. Teague

Pete Bailey was happily in love with his wife, Meg—until, one day, he realized that maybe he wasn’t. Of course, trying to get pregnant would put a strain on the whole thing. All this led to was nothing but forced and resentful IVF sex, which put them in counseling. Is it any wonder why Paul was all too eager to get out of town, where he encounters a sensuous woman?


This book had an interesting premise, but it was slow. Why were we hearing about another guy’s affair? Shouldn’t this be about Pete’s affair? All this guy does is whine about Meg—how much he loved her, how he never wanted to hurt, how he regrets what he did, blah-blah-blah.


This book was really not what I thought it would be, which is why I won’t be continuing the series.


My rating: 2 stars

Review: MISS SOMEDAY by R.J. Ryker

A  secret father revealed by a mother's dying words. Could he be the answer to a girl's musical dream? How much longer will it be before can belt out her own tunes? Someday. Well, for Miss Someday, the answer might be...now.
This is the tale of a girl's musical aspiration. Story was a little slow with unappealing progress. I didn't really feel too much for Brittany or her journey.
My rating: 2 stars

Review: THE ORCHARD'S DESCENDANT by Anne Fricke

Home. Maggie May wasn't sure what the word really meant anymore. "She had lost a child, lost a home, and lost the world she knew" and now she was starting fresh. Little did she know that purchasing a house would just be her beginning.


This story struck me as a decent tale of a women's strength and journey, however, the truth was that Maggie was lost in a pity party. She didn't really evolve into a strong character, in my opinion. Her story was progressively slow and uninspiring.


My rating: 2 stars

Review: HARD FOCUS by Vic Tyler

Struggling to make ends meet, Maria eagerly accepts a job as a photographer’s assistant, even if this photographer was the devil himself. The devil is so bad, but he was too good and fine.
Everything Benji did offended Maria. But if she was so offended by him, then what’s with all the sexual fantasies? Geez, did this girl have problems.  Maria has always been known to have a good head on her shoulders, but she just turns into a smoldering mess around Benji, who is as arrogant and chauvinistic as can be.
The writing was fairly simple and not overly impressive. Readers are basically in the character’s heads as they constantly talk themselves into and out of these things. I admit it was a little annoying at times. Story was progressively slow, even though it quickly alluded to sexual implications. This was basically your typical enemies-to-lovers romance, although it didn’t really feel like a romance to me because, frankly, I didn’t think the two characters meshed well.
My rating: 2.5 stars

Review: EYE OF THE EAGLE by Sharon Buchbinder

Image Graphic designed by Sandra Lopez

One soars like an eagle. One strikes like a thunderbird. But forboth hearts, revenge can be deadly when it's nourished.
Anomaly Defense Director and shapeshifter Bert Blackfeather doesn't need a boss with no experience. So what if she's beautiful or gives him a jolt when she shakes his hand? He never plans to get seriously involved with another woman--not in this lifetime.

Phoebe Wagner, an empath with psychometric abilities and an advocate for the deaf, gets more than she bargained for with Bert. One touch and she relives his IED injuries. So what ifhe's handsome and hot? She doesn't need to add his secrets to her own. Phoebe's are bad enough.

When his niece goes missing from Hotel LaBelle, Bert goes to Montana to help--and Phoebe insists on going with him. Can these two hard-headed people share their darkest secrets in order to work together? It may be the only way to save an endangered child--and their own hearts when Bert's past rears its ugly head.  



My review: Tallulah knew something was wrong that night. Her daughter, Miriam. Something was wrong with Miriam. She was gone.
Prologue had a good start. The first chapter that proceeded, however, kind of threw me off. Complexity veils the plot, which seems to involve government officials and perhaps a conspiracy. I mean, why was it necessary to know all these political figures? It just felt out-of-place to me.
What started off as a good premise suddenly started to lag and lose focus.  There seemed to be a lot of holes in the story, which only resulted in more questions. What about Tallulah's daughter? What happened the night she went missing? And how to find her?
Although there was a race for this missing child, it was far from frantic. Still, the search was on. But will it be a search of rescue...or something worse?
This could've been a nice story of suspense and intrigue, and there certainly seemed to be a touch of paranormal activity, however, it was just too saturated with complexity and too many characters.
My rating:  2 stars
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Short Excerpt: 
His heart stuttered and heat flushed his face. “You sure you’re ready to see me—in the daylight?” 

She frowned and pursed her lips. “Do I look like someone afraid of taking on a challenge?” 

“No. You look like a kick ass heroine named Thunder Heart, and I would be honored and privileged to share your bed.” 

“You promised me flying lessons.” 

“And you shall have them. Now, where did we leave off?” 

She stood, placed her hands on the sides of his chair and leaned in for a long passionate kiss. He closed his eyes and gave her a preview, taking her with him in his memories, soaring over the hotel, and then swirling and swooping down to the river to grab a fat flopping trout in his talons. 

She pulled back, breaking the connection, blue eyes wide, her full red lips agape. “Amazing. I want more.” 

“Advanced flying lessons require both of us to be naked—and in bed, as close as two people can get.” 

Phoebe stood back. “What are you waiting for? Let’s get going.” 

He chuckled. “Well, you are my boss. I don’t want anyone to say you coerced me or I forced you. Do we need to put this in writing?” She tilted her head and gave him a puzzled look. “A legal document perhaps? I, Phoebe Wagner, hereby enter into consensual sex freely and without coercion with one Bert Blackfeather…” 

She stomped her foot. “Give me your phone.” He handed her his cell.



 
Praise:
“Sharon Buchbinder plunges readers into a high-paced tale with intriguing paranormal elements that fit perfectly into the landscape of Taken. Be prepared to read into the night because Buchbinder grabs you with characters you can’t help but love, or hate, and pulls every heartstring to the last page.” ~~Nancy C. Weeks, author of the Shadows and Light series and The D’Azzo Family series 

“Sharon Buchbinder seamlessly blends intriguing, sexy characters, and fast-paced suspense in a page-turner you won't be able to put down until the end.” ~Sharon Saracino, Author, The Earthbound Series 

“Ms. Buchbinder weaves ancient secrets and modern mysteries into a beautifully written story that will keep you turning the pages.” ~USA Today Bestselling Author, Roz Lee

Review: WILDEST DREAMS by Savannah Kade

34-year old Jenn couldn’t, for the life of her, figure out why she was still single. She was a great catch and wasn’t too picky. She even had a Booty Call on the side, even if the guy could be infuriating sometimes.


Now, good ole’ Clark is the perfect man. In fact, he seems TOO perfect. Nevertheless, it crashes and burns. At which point, her mind usually wanders to the hot Booty Call (Walker.) Still, it does nothing but hinder what she desperately wants more than anything: a family of her own.

Nonetheless, Jenn is determined, more than ever, to find her perfect someone, marry him, and have that family. She has faith that she can make her wildest dreams come true.

Jenn is a quirky and witty character. I mean, who else but a compulsive lawyer would make up a list for the perfect mate? I think she was obsessing a little too much on the whole spinster tale. But, of course, having a few sexy romps with Walker during this search n’ tirade couldn’t hurt, right?  


At first, this felt like your standard “friends-with-benefits-turned-romance” story line. There was good chemistry between Jenn and Walker, but the “dating” montage was modest and long-winded. Did we really need a whole chapter on making salad?


And what was up with Clark sending her all these reconciliation gifts? It just spurred on more superfluous gab fests about loser guys, the perfect man, and getting hitched and knocked up before the expiration date. This was a repetitive theme throughout the book.  Sometimes Jenn and Lissa were a little too much to take.  I sometimes couldn’t stand their sneer on the singles status or their crazed obsession with marriage and pregnancy. And then when Jenn realizes that she’s pregnant, she’s still bummed because she got it backwards and Walker wasn’t the father she had chosen. There was just no pleasing this broad.


Story was well-written for the most part and fun. But I must admit that the fun kind of lessened as it dove deeper into the pregnancy. If you thought Jenn was obsessive before…Hello!


My rating: 3 stars

Review: ONE NIGHT WITH HEMSWORTH by Eden Finley

One hot night. One unforgettable hook-up. Paige will never get over her night with Hemsworth, the name she came up with for the hot guy she met at a bar. Turns out that this guy ended up being her future stepmother's ex-husband. Oh dear.
So, thus, begins the complicated tale of a man with a conniving ex and son and a young college student. In the midst of all the chaos and drama, Paige and Cole manage to keep their chemistry sizzling between the sheets...until it all comes crashing down on them.
Simple and full of drama, this was a good story.
My rating: 4 stars

Review: WISH COME TRUE by Patricia Kay

The best things in life are free

What would you do if you won the lottery? For Kate, it’s a wish come true.
Struggling with bills and financial woes while raising four teenagers and contending with a bitter ex-husband, Kate was barely holding it together. Until she discovers that she won the jackpot lottery. Of course, she couldn’t have been more excited. She now had to freedom to buy whatever she wanted. No more having to worry about money EVER.
But, soon, Kate learns the dark side of the lottery like greedy relatives, reporters, and money-hungry investors. I was shocked to hear how her family reacted, as if Kate owed them more money. I mean, she was nice enough to give them each their own car, but, soon, they started asking for more stuff, like a Euro trip, a new house, a new business. Heck, even the reverend was a greedy bastard, wanting $3 million dollars to build a new church. WTF!?
That was the problem with Kate making so many promises to so many people. At this rate, she was going to lose the money faster than she could blink. What I would’ve done is, after securing a nest egg for me and the kids, I would’ve given everyone else an equal share that they could’ve spent however they pleased. If they blew through it, then that’s their problem.
This story was relatable and easy to get into. I liked that the reader engaged in each of the characters as they battled to adjust to the money and all the attention. This goes on the concept that people were never satisfied and always wants more.
A real story that beckons the question: What would you do? 

My rating: 4 stars