Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 363

Review: HIS KATE by Sue Krawitz

This is a story of a love triangle. Greg is involved with Heather, who is pushing him to marry her. Although Greg loves Heather, he can’t seem to commit to her. “He loved her, but after three years, something was missing. He no longer felt the urge to be with her twenty-four hours a day.” (13) Then in comes Kate, who fascinates Greg in unimaginable ways. In just a few short days, Greg and Kate discovered that they could talk about anything and everything that it seems as if they’ve known each other for years.
Is there such a thing as “the one?” Can one person truly be meant for one other person in the world? Can one person truly make you happy for the rest of your life? That’s what this book explores in the lives of these three characters.
I felt a real connection between Greg and Kate, which is such a rare commodity.
Simple yet captivating, this story is heartwarming and endearing.  Occasionally the story lagged every now and then, but recovers quickly with a compelling plot twist. Of course, someone would have to get pregnant, complicating everyone’s predicament and shattering foreseeable plans.  What will happen to Greg and Kate now? Will they survive the unexpected situation? Will they thrive together or will they break apart?
But now with a child on the way, “he considered three scenarios: no relationship, a relationship with Kate, or a relationship with Heather.” (96) Questions of varying degrees are flung every which way, provoking deep thought and weighing heavily on the soul. Probable scenarios filter through, filling the mind with dread and confusion. The whole thing is a mad situation of what-ifs.
Again, the pace slowed down dramatically once the babies came into play, making Greg and Heather’s life to be all about the babies. But, of course, this was real life and these characters were as real as they come. But even though Greg was apart from Kate, it was endearing to know that she would always be His Kate.
“When there is love, there is always hope.” (168)
And the ultimate question begged by the reader was: What will become of this emotionally wrought love triangle and how will it end?
A well-written and emotionally charged novel!

My rating: 4 stars

Review: TRUST ME by Margaret Watson

Connor Donovan is a no-nonsense cop who is intrigued by the alluring prowler with the impressive kick.
Story has a good pace that picks up rather quickly.
Raine sounded like a cool chick. I mean, she teaches tae-kwan-do! Her mission is to teach her girls to live life with “invincible spirit.” Awesome!
Of course, Raine has a dark quest that is admirable and courageous. She aims to bring her sister’s killer to justice, and she knows, without a shadow of a doubt, that the husband is in every way involved. That’s why she was lurking around his place, where she was chased by the hunky Detective Donovan.
Of course, Connor had a point: If Raine wanted to lure her sister’s killer into attacking her so she can claim self-defense, he wasn’t going to play by the rules of the dojo tournament. This guy would fight dirty and she would most likely lose, especially if she can’t take down a 6-foot Connor Donovan. Face it: Raine was just full of anger. Still it wouldn’t stop her from avenging her sister. It’s a good thing she has Connor by her side, even if he doesn’t want to be.
How can two people infuriate each other and still want each other at the same time?
The object standing between Connor and Raine was not just the irresistible and tangible attraction but an issue of trust. She didn’t trust cops and he didn’t trust people who might have a hidden agenda, which he believed was everyone. Both are smart, snappy characters that are quick on their feet, so naturally they make a dynamic duo in this murder investigation.
On top of that, the guy on the cover looks like Stefan Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries.  A hottie!
Well-written and enticing, Trust Me is a kick-ass romantic thriller!


My rating: 4 stars

Review: ONCE UPON A ONE NIGHT STAND by D.N. Hoxa

“One day you’ll see wrinkles when you look in the mirror and that day will mean that it’s too late.” Words that haunt London, reminding her of her sorry dating life and the fact that she hasn’t had sex in 3 years.
London is filled with different “me’s”—calm me, angry me, happy me, smart me, and horny me. Like all of us, she has different sides to her, different personalities, different views—and they all battle with each other over her life choices. Strange how she argues with herself—not out loud, of course (I hope.)
On her 27thbirthday, her four friends take her out clubbing. And, like she said, “there is nothing worse than a woman with no self-confidence.” (17) When she meets a hottie at the club, London decides to embrace this whole one-night stand idea. And, boy, do her “me’s” get really into it, overanalyzing every little aspect.
I enjoyed the character’s self-deprecating and wry humor, but the story took a little too long to get to the nitty gritty. In fact, the whole one-night stand was overly played with trivial accessories and lengthy chit-chat. Don’t get me wrong, it was quirky and sizzling, but definitely overplayed. Of course, her one-night stand would happen to be one of her company’s biggest clients. Yikes! For someone who is always in control, someone who separates the professional from the personal and always wears her heart on her sleeve, this sure turns into a whirlwind of crazy.
From then on, London will delight readers with her obsessive and neurotic ways.  Once Upon a One-Night Stand is a story of an over-cautious, over-thinking woman dealing with the comical repercussions and tangled emotions of her one-time fling. And London’s zany friends and considerate mother only push her to the furthest brink. A joy of a novel!

My rating: 4 stars

Review: VACUI MAGIA by L.S. Johnson

This book sounded interesting when I first heard about it, but I wondered what vacui magia meant. It sounded Italian or Greek.
A collection of short stories, Vacui Magia, explores myth and nightmare in a fantasy sense. 
In “Little Men with Knives,” a bored cafeteria lady that is “too old to work and too poor to quit” finds solace and envy in little dwarves that appear at night. “Like stray cats. Stray cats that do housework. My craziness in a nutshell…As nasty as they are, I doubt any of them lie away at night, hating the present, terrified of the future. I doubt they’re afraid of anything at all.” (14) I related to this character the most!
Simple and witty, these stories are uniquely relatable, written in a mix between fiction and haiku. Stories were compelling, for the most part, but they were also riddled with confusion, perplexing the reader. They almost put you in the Twilight Zone. Weird, yet oddly compelling.  Of course, once you get into this confused state and the details are strained with lengthiness, it becomes quite weary.
Nonetheless, these stories were interesting for the most part. Fantastically creepy cover though.  

My rating: 3.5 stars

Review: THE PASSION FOR JAZZ AND OTHER SHORT STORIES by Nicholas Bridgman

A couple of talented protégés study at the music academy summer program in New York and find a connection and a passion through jazz; an Arizona family camping trip ends in a deadly, ironic twist.
These are just a few of the simple yet compelling stories you’ll find in this book. Stories were unique with a crafty wit. I mean, who would want to receive ghost checks?
For the most part, stories were short and enjoyable, although the cover indicated that this was some Shakesperean romance or something—and it’s not.

My rating: 3.5 stars

Review: DRAWING IN THE DARK AND OTHER STORIES by Jeremy Baker

This is a collection of literary fiction. Baker’s words are quiet and humble, and appeal to the reader’s senses. Stories are much more historical than contemporary though.  I almost felt like I was in Braveheart. Personally, I’m not really that into historical fiction.
The writing was decent and although I didn’t find most of the stories appealing, there were a few that were worth mentioning. For instance, “Becoming the Storm” tells the story of a school janitor with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) who witnesses a child bully get hit by lightning. Could it have anything to do with that strange, little girl they were picking on? And could the janitor have known that it was coming?
One thing that had me wondering was how these tales fit together. What was the common theme? I mean, we had some Amazonian hunter lost in the woods; there was one story compiled in a single letter; and there was another having to do with an extra-terrestrial. What’s the connection? Typically shorts stories are somehow connected by a unifying object, place, or theme, even if they are eclectic.
Overall, these were okay.

My rating: 3 stars

Review: HE LOVES ME NOT by Christine Kersey

Lily is at her first day of college and meets Trevor, whom she quickly becomes smitten with. With not-so-great social skills, she would much rather stay in her room and read than go to a party. Lily soon becomes infatuated deeply with Trevor, and then the note. “Stay away from him.”
Story starts off mundane as she goes over her life, her classes, her living situation, etc. Lily is very “Felicity”—too naïve, too green, too “deer caught in the headlights.” She has unreal expectations of Trevor—he’s just a guy! 

Feelings of jealousy, possession, and eagerness consume her—not good!


I did wonder who was sending the threatening notes to her, but, unfortunately, I couldn’t keep up with all the monotony and all the lovey-dovey crap between Lily and Trevor. Seriously, Trevor didn’t sound all that great to me. I don’t know why Lily goes gaga for him.
This book is just like the title indicated, except that it really should’ve been: “He loves me, he loves me not” because all they do is break up and make up. Oh, god!


My rating: 2 stars

Review: IF I BREAK by Portia Moore

For Lauren, marriage to an insensitive jackass of a husband wasn't what she thought it would be. She can't figure out why she stays. Perhaps she's addicted to his manipulation and narcissism. She can't leave no matter how much she tries.


Throughout the book, we jump back and forth between the past and present, ping-ponging between lust at first sight to painful obsession. Of course, neither is healthy. "The Prince Charming myth is the other curse God created to punish Eve and every other woman for biting that stupid apple." (11)


The words are full of sadness, regret, and anger, which make for a captivating read.
Lauren is witty and frank; Cal is such a condescending, arrogant ass. The two have an exhausting love/hate relationship that only seems to be affecting Lauren. They're either fighting or having wild sex. The whole thing mainly centers on her obsession with Cal and how she started and ended up with him. It gets a little tiring after a while. So, basically, he pampered her with flashy cars and fancy art? Big Whoop!
I was somewhat curious to the meaning of the title. If I Break could possibly signify the end of her marriage. Will she die without Cal? Frankly, you don't know if you want her to. Although this is a long-winded novel (I mean, all you hear is Lauren pining and whining about Cal,) a tiny mystery reels the reader back in. As you get closer to the end, you can't decide if to root for the marriage or hope they end in divorce.

My rating: 3.5 stars 

Review: DEMONS FROM MY PAST by J.L. Leslie

Working for your father when you haven’t spoken to him in years? Oy! Where do you fit in a girl with tattoos in the corporate executive world?
On the eve before she begins work for her father, Kingsley shares a heart-stopping kiss with an alluring stranger. But who was he? It turns out he’s one of the suits she has to work with at her father’s company. Double Oy!
I like Kingsley’s strong will and determination. I mean, who doesn’t like a challenge, especially when you were expected to fail? Kingsley knows that she was a wild child and she made some mistakes. Her only hope is to redeem herself in the eyes of those she has wronged, namely her father, and be free from the term “junkie.” Basically, this is all about a girl facing the demons from her past as neatly and succinctly as possible. Paxton might be just the thing she needs to help her get through it, but he also demons of his own. No doubt that the two had a sizzling attraction for each other. Of course Paxton would end up being Kingsley’s new drug (I liked the metaphor, by the way.) I found it slightly bothersome that the POV kept changing. I mean, I thought it was going to be strictly in the POV of Kingsley, until we suddenly switched to Paxton.
A short, quick read. In fact, it was a little too quick—very cut-and-dry. Nonetheless, story had some sweet, endearing moments—as well as a few fun surprises—which rates it a decent read.

My rating: 3.5 stars

Review: TAME ME by J.L. Leslie

$70K for a housekeeper? More like a personal slave with all the requirements on the job. But Wren needs the money to help with her sister’s medical bills. But who would’ve thought Mr. Zane would be a gorgeous millionaire? The two are instantly captivated by one another. So what happens when boss and servant give in to their desires?
Like the previous book, this is written in he said/she said fashion; but unlike before, it has a better flow. Love scenes were sizzling, but they can be somewhat vulgar. Personally, I prefer a cleaner romance. Not that I have a problem with sex scenes, I just don’t like them too graphic. Generally, though, I enjoyed the connection between the two characters, but I felt the love between maid and boss shared the same story line as a porno flick, especially when you hear dominant phrases like “You belong to me” by Mr. Zane, a name often called out by Wren. At times, his relentless pursuit to overpower her leads to some aggressive lovemaking.  I guess “Tame Me” was more than just the title; it was pretty much the whole theme.
Short and quick, this is a simple, sensual romance.

My rating: 3 stars