Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 349

WITCH MYTH by Alexandria Clarke (Book 1)

Morgan Summers is back! Except now, after solving the last murder, she is a paranormal police detective.

She’s working on a new, unusual case. A former abused wife claims that she is being stalked by her dead husband. She says that he’s still trying to kill her. Is this lady really being haunted or is she just crazy?
I love the Summer witches and how they each add a biting wit to the story!
Fun and inquisitive! Witty and hilarious! I love Morgan!

The only thing that kept me from giving this 5 stars was the annoying cliffhanger in the end. But, I guess that just means I have to get the next installment in the series.
 
My rating: 4 stars

Review: A NEGOTIATED MARRIAGE by Noelle Adams

Molly is in a negotiated marriage with businessman Luke. She got him away from the “undesirables” (women flaunting and fawning over him, only using him for his wealth) and he gave her a means to get over her cheating ex.

The marriage is a business deal. Everything was going fine until Luke changes the terms, wanting to include sex. Sex wasn’t part of the agreement. But they try it anyway, and the two become absolutely obsessed with it, resulting in them renegotiating for a higher frequency.

Story was good, but, to be honest, all the sex becomes tiring. The sex was hot, sure, and the story of a negotiated marriage was interesting, but, eh, this book was just okay.
 
My rating: 3 stars

Review: HIRED BRIDE by Noelle Adams

At 26, Deanna does everything she can to preserve her family and what’s left of the Beaufort mansion, fortune, and name. But the money is tight, and her granny feels if her granddaughters could marry rich guys, then it would take care of everything. But Deanna doesn’t want to be sold, but, still, she reluctantly attends the ball. What is this, Cinderella? And that’s where she meets Mitchell, a rich, arrogant jackass, who only wants to acquire this restaurant for his business deal. He’s willing to do anything for it, even fake a marriage to do it. So he hires a bride—Deanna.

Like A Negotiated Marriage, this had a marriage of business. It’s not real, but then it becomes real. It was only supposed to be for 6 months, but then the plans suddenly change. Yes, there was sex, but not as overbearing as the last book. It was nice that Deanna was being taken care of for once, after spending her entire life looking after others.
 This was a better story.
My rating: 4 stars

Review: HOLIDAY HEAT by Noelle Adams (novella)

Carrie is in a survival’s therapy group (her boyfriend died in a plane crash,) and that’s where she meets Matt, another survivor who is traumatized and can’t move on. They both don’t want to get in another relationship, they don’t want to get close to anyone. So the two have a one-night stand that turns into a lusty affair. I agree that the sex they’re having is a crutch, a meaningless distraction to keep them from moving on. But it turns out that it’s not just sex anymore. During the Christmas season, the two bond on a more emotional, intimate level.
A typical holiday romance.
My rating: 3 stars

Review: ONE NIGHT WITH HER ROOMMATE by Noelle Adams

Meg and East are roommates. She knows that he’s a ladies’ man and a player, but she can’t fight her attraction to him.

East is such a flirt. Who names their erection South? As you can see, it’s a constant struggle for Meg, who wants to strange him and rip his clothes off at the same time. East is the slacker you love to hate, but then you find him endearing when you learn that there’s more to him than meets the eye.

This is a love story of smart and sensible vs. aloof and reckless.
 My rating: 4 stars

Review: ONE NIGHT WITH HER BODYGUARD by Noelle Adams

After receiving a threat, Clair is being guarded around the clock at her father’s orders. Her bodyguard, Michael, is a hard, stoic, and honorable man, who will do anything to protect Clair.

Just like the title states, this is one night with her bodyguard.
Story was okay. It had one threat, one love scene, and a happily ever after.
 
My rating: 3 stars

Review: A PRINCESS NEXT DOOR by Noelle Adams

Amalie Rothman was born with a crown on her head. At 18, she escapes her European hometown to attend college in the states, where she lives next door to hunky Jack. Bound by an arranged marriage and royal duties, she must return to the Alps one day, but, still, she can’t help but be captivated by Jack. So she opts to spend as much time with him as possible.

This is mainly the story of a princess fling to a laid-back American guy. Personally, I thought Jack was a bad influence on Amalie, who shouldn’t abandon her family and country if she was a princess. I thought he was being too pushy.
 My rating: 3 stars

Review: BITTERSWEET by Noelle Adams

5 years earlier, Zoe and Adam were two geeky friends that met up for coffee. I’d be in awe of a smart guy too, and Adam is as smart as they come. I mean, reading Greek history in Greek? Wow! There’s never been any romantic interest between the two (at least not forthright), but could Adam’s cousin, Josh, be suitable for Zoe?
Now, years later, Josh, Zoe’s husband, is dead and she’s left to care for their infant son. This is sad and the reader will surely sympathize. She’ll need all the help she can get. Adam has suddenly turned from lovable geek to corporate snob. Nonetheless, he’s willing to do everything he can to help her. A friendship is rekindled in the wake of a loved one’s death.
Suddenly, Zoe starts to get an attraction to Adam. And who can blame her? And then the friendship turns into something more.
Story was sensitive and lovely, but lengthy and daunting at times.
Well-written and speaks to the heart. It’s about healing and mending. A beautiful story.  A sweet, yet bittersweet, romance.
 
My rating: 4 stars

Review: ENGAGING THE BOSS by Noelle Adams

Sarah is in love with her boss, Jonathan. Of course, you knew that judging from the title. But, of course, she can’t act on her feelings because he’s her boss. Now she has to pretend to be his fiancé  as a ruse for his rich family. The setting is at a family wedding, which I thought was a bit too cliché.
Jonathan is brilliant, quiet, studious, and focused. But I thought it was cold that he left Sarah to fend for herself with his family for a wedding for one of his relatives. But, suddenly, they stop pretending and give in to their desires. Their growing attraction is stalled by the fact that he’s her boss. Well, duh!
I could understand Sarah’s frustration at Jonathan for his moodiness and bad attitude. At times, I wonder why she would want him.
Story had some steamy love scenes (of course.) Well-written for the most part, but I just wasn’t too keen on the whole fake fiancé gimmick. I feel like it’s been overdone. But, at least, this story had the twist of falling for the boss, which doesn’t happen too often in real life.
 
My rating: 3.5 stars

Review: ONE NIGHT IN THE ICE STORM by Noelle Adams (a novella)

This novella story is pretty self-explanatory. Rachel is stuck with David, a guy who broke her heart 8 years ago, for one night in an ice storm. At first, there’s tension in the cabin, then sparks are renewed and the two spend one hot night.
David is handsome, capable, and good with his hands. I’d love to be stuck with him for a night.
Short, sweet, and hot.
 
My rating: 4 stars