C.J. Butcher's Blog, page 125
January 17, 2017
Giving it all...My time!
*****5 STAR REVIEW*****
Christi Barth’s smoking-hot contemporary romance series continues as the five best friends who survived a tragedy as teenagers take to their Naked Men podcast to open up about women. In Giving It All, the group’s globe-trotting hunk discovers that you need to go home to find love.
Logan Marsh never stays in one place for long. Through his family’s foundation, Logan spends his days traveling to the world’s most dangerous places to deliver disaster relief, which really puts a damper on his sex life—until he reconnects with his high-school crush. Stranded together in the Caribbean, they enjoy a steamy fling that awakens feelings Logan has ignored for too long. But family drama calls him away from her sweet embrace . . . or so he thinks.
Brooke Gallagher loved being a home economics teacher and cheerleading coach. Then an unexpected tragedy forced her to take some time off. Now she’s back in D.C. and despite the intensity of her tropical encounter with Logan, she’s shocked to bump into him again. Logan’s dealing with his own issues (including a newly discovered half-sister) and he’s itching to get back on the road. More than anything, Brooke wants to be there for him. But first, he has to decide if love is enough to keep him in one place.
I want to just say I love this series soooooo much that I want to be in it Christi Barth. Seriously, name one of your characters Janeen and have her work in Mental Health!!! This was the greatest book that I read out of the 4 I had this weekend. You made me laugh, cry and want to throw the kindle at the wall because Logan was acting like an oaf! I wanted to be Brooke's best friend, best friend. If that makes sense.
I have an affinity for the Naked Guys as I call them. Each one is different but they each have their strengths and weaknesses. I love them all. In my head, I was singing "Another one bites the Dust" and I loved that it wasn't instalove. These two had known each other a long time.
I felt incredibly sorry for Brooke and her situation. It broke my heart because anyone that has been close to someone who has committed suicide knows it's a resounding gong that ripples through not just one life but the lives of many other people. I think this book tackled many subjects that many authors might not tackle and that to me was one of the highlights. She wasn't afraid to tackle the taboo. Was this a book that had sex in it? Yes, but it wasn't the central theme and I liked that!!! It kind of took back seat to the real root of the issues of the book!!
Logan is wonderful hero who has flaws, beautiful, relatable flaws. Brooke is a woman who has been left or abandoned by every man she's ever dated for one reason or another. She's smart, dependable, she's not a whiner, she doesn't complain. She's strong and self-reliant. I just liked her. She meets Logan while she's vacationing to get away from tragedy and he's trying to get back to the US to meet a half-sister he's never met. They have one steamy night and it's on...like he can't seem to shake her and she can't shake him. He can't seem to say the right things because lets face it....guys don't and she takes it the way he says it. What I liked here is that the writer didn't prolong the misunderstanding for chapters! I hate when authors do that for angst. It just irritates the reader to some extent. She gave the reader some angst and then pulled back for some steam. Brooke didn't take any junk and I liked that. She held her ground and folded when she needed to fold. Logan held his ground and did the same. It was real to life. Not all this "it was so fake, I can't read that bull." Loved it!!!
Author's Writing- A++++
Plot of Story - A+
Character Development - A+++
Language - B (Has Cussing that isn't suitable for anyone under 18)
Sexually Explicit Scenes - A (Again, not suitable for anyone under 18)
This is definitely a book that I will be recommending to everyone I know!! I have loved all of this author's books and this is no exception. She is talented and knows how to tell a story from start to finish without it getting bogged down in details that don't really matter or angst. Kudos and will be reading all the others that follow!!
I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on Netgalley for a honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.
Christi Barth’s smoking-hot contemporary romance series continues as the five best friends who survived a tragedy as teenagers take to their Naked Men podcast to open up about women. In Giving It All, the group’s globe-trotting hunk discovers that you need to go home to find love.
Logan Marsh never stays in one place for long. Through his family’s foundation, Logan spends his days traveling to the world’s most dangerous places to deliver disaster relief, which really puts a damper on his sex life—until he reconnects with his high-school crush. Stranded together in the Caribbean, they enjoy a steamy fling that awakens feelings Logan has ignored for too long. But family drama calls him away from her sweet embrace . . . or so he thinks.
Brooke Gallagher loved being a home economics teacher and cheerleading coach. Then an unexpected tragedy forced her to take some time off. Now she’s back in D.C. and despite the intensity of her tropical encounter with Logan, she’s shocked to bump into him again. Logan’s dealing with his own issues (including a newly discovered half-sister) and he’s itching to get back on the road. More than anything, Brooke wants to be there for him. But first, he has to decide if love is enough to keep him in one place.
I want to just say I love this series soooooo much that I want to be in it Christi Barth. Seriously, name one of your characters Janeen and have her work in Mental Health!!! This was the greatest book that I read out of the 4 I had this weekend. You made me laugh, cry and want to throw the kindle at the wall because Logan was acting like an oaf! I wanted to be Brooke's best friend, best friend. If that makes sense.
I have an affinity for the Naked Guys as I call them. Each one is different but they each have their strengths and weaknesses. I love them all. In my head, I was singing "Another one bites the Dust" and I loved that it wasn't instalove. These two had known each other a long time.
I felt incredibly sorry for Brooke and her situation. It broke my heart because anyone that has been close to someone who has committed suicide knows it's a resounding gong that ripples through not just one life but the lives of many other people. I think this book tackled many subjects that many authors might not tackle and that to me was one of the highlights. She wasn't afraid to tackle the taboo. Was this a book that had sex in it? Yes, but it wasn't the central theme and I liked that!!! It kind of took back seat to the real root of the issues of the book!!
Logan is wonderful hero who has flaws, beautiful, relatable flaws. Brooke is a woman who has been left or abandoned by every man she's ever dated for one reason or another. She's smart, dependable, she's not a whiner, she doesn't complain. She's strong and self-reliant. I just liked her. She meets Logan while she's vacationing to get away from tragedy and he's trying to get back to the US to meet a half-sister he's never met. They have one steamy night and it's on...like he can't seem to shake her and she can't shake him. He can't seem to say the right things because lets face it....guys don't and she takes it the way he says it. What I liked here is that the writer didn't prolong the misunderstanding for chapters! I hate when authors do that for angst. It just irritates the reader to some extent. She gave the reader some angst and then pulled back for some steam. Brooke didn't take any junk and I liked that. She held her ground and folded when she needed to fold. Logan held his ground and did the same. It was real to life. Not all this "it was so fake, I can't read that bull." Loved it!!!
Author's Writing- A++++
Plot of Story - A+
Character Development - A+++
Language - B (Has Cussing that isn't suitable for anyone under 18)
Sexually Explicit Scenes - A (Again, not suitable for anyone under 18)
This is definitely a book that I will be recommending to everyone I know!! I have loved all of this author's books and this is no exception. She is talented and knows how to tell a story from start to finish without it getting bogged down in details that don't really matter or angst. Kudos and will be reading all the others that follow!!
I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on Netgalley for a honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.
Hotness is Flawed!!
****4 Star
When Tori Reed loses everything, he sets her free.
I told myself I'd never trust Miles Girard, no matter how brilliant or sexy he may be. His sister, Chloe—Ethan Frost's wife—is my best friend, but I know just how low Miles will stoop to get what he wants. Now he's the last thing I want: my boss.
Growing up, I had it all—except for the sense that I belonged. And when a mistake from my past surfaces in the press, my parents don't hesitate to cut me off. But surprisingly, Miles offers me a helping hand.
Before I know it, our relationship turns unprofessional in the hottest ways. Of course, he still drives me crazy. But when I'm dealt the ultimate blow, Miles is there for me. And maybe he's the one I've been looking for all along.
First off, I have not read any of the other books so I was not familiar with any of the characters. What I liked about this book was the depth of the characters and their interactions. What I didn't like was all the sex. I know that I'm probably gonna get hazed because of that but...My gosh! Could we not have some real emotion other than, I hate you, no I like you, no I love you...I'm gonna bang you everywhere. I can't in good conscience recommend this to anyone under the age of 18 and I just felt that I kept putting it down and picking up another book. Was the author a good writer? Yes, she was. She wrote from a place of passion, lots and lots of it but it took place in 48 hours. If you like instalove and all that...this is the book for you.
I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on Netgalley for a honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.
When Tori Reed loses everything, he sets her free.
I told myself I'd never trust Miles Girard, no matter how brilliant or sexy he may be. His sister, Chloe—Ethan Frost's wife—is my best friend, but I know just how low Miles will stoop to get what he wants. Now he's the last thing I want: my boss.
Growing up, I had it all—except for the sense that I belonged. And when a mistake from my past surfaces in the press, my parents don't hesitate to cut me off. But surprisingly, Miles offers me a helping hand.
Before I know it, our relationship turns unprofessional in the hottest ways. Of course, he still drives me crazy. But when I'm dealt the ultimate blow, Miles is there for me. And maybe he's the one I've been looking for all along.
First off, I have not read any of the other books so I was not familiar with any of the characters. What I liked about this book was the depth of the characters and their interactions. What I didn't like was all the sex. I know that I'm probably gonna get hazed because of that but...My gosh! Could we not have some real emotion other than, I hate you, no I like you, no I love you...I'm gonna bang you everywhere. I can't in good conscience recommend this to anyone under the age of 18 and I just felt that I kept putting it down and picking up another book. Was the author a good writer? Yes, she was. She wrote from a place of passion, lots and lots of it but it took place in 48 hours. If you like instalove and all that...this is the book for you.
I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on Netgalley for a honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.
January 12, 2017
OMG!!! It's a Book Unicorn!!
5 of 5 stars
Cam DeSantis’ life is a hot, steaming pile. How else would you describe losing your husband, your job, and your money all at once? Desperate times call for desperate measures, so when salvation comes in the form of one intolerable a-hole, who just happens to be the starting quarterback for the vaunted NY Titans, she has no choice but to accept his offer as a live-in nanny slash teacher for his eight year old nephew. Now all she has to do is find a safe place in her mind to hide whenever she feels the need to throat punch him into tomorrow…which is often.
Calvin Shaw has zero interest in women. Wait, wait––let me rephrase that. He loves women, he just doesn’t want anything to do with ‘um. Not since his wife, presently ex-wife, got knocked up by the guy she was cheating on him with. Problem is––there’s one living in his house. And he doesn’t know what’s worse, that he promised to be civil, or that he’s attracted to her.
OMG this book had me laughing from the get go. I wanted to be in this book, I wanted to be their third friend. I can't tell you how much I wanted to crawl into the writing and be like "hey y'all know me and I'm just tagging along cause I'm a freak like that." I wanted to inhale it but yet I wanted to savor it and I'm basing everyone's book I read after by Ms. Dangelico. That's not fair but that's just life y'all!! Seriously, I loved Cam, but I loved her best friend Amber even more. When Amber offered to cut the hero up into tiny pieces and put him into several Coleman coolers and spread him throughout the river...I just about peed my pants. How many times have we thought this about our friends, husbands, boyfriends or people we just don't like? I have...it's disturbing, I know. Some of the things that she said - I admit that at one time or another I've thought it or I might have said it. I'm really hoping that Amber has a story because Gawd she needs one.
Cam, bless her heart she is one of those characters who is funny in her own right. She takes no crap and if she's having that crap thrown at her - you best believe she's going to chuck it at the person who is dishing it. I love she was a strong person even after her deceased husband totally decimated her life by bringing her down in a Ponzi scheme. She doesn't give up, she eats her Ben and Jerry's and gets back up on the proverbial horse and keeps going. Her charge, Sam, is Calvin Shaw's nephew and God Bless that boy.
Calvin is a complicated character, he doesn't trust people and he makes it quite known. He tries to make himself not recognizable to people so women won't approach him. I love how at one part his own fellow players ask him if his stylist is the "grand wizard of the klan" because he looks like a reject from Duck Dynasty with his beard growing out his face. Your heart breaks for him though when you find out why he is the way he is. Why he doesn't want kids or why he doesn't want to be in the spotlight. He just wants to play football and be the best at what he does but he didn't plan on Cam coming in and wrecking that with her snarky comments and the way she treats his nephew.
There is a big surprise that I didn't see coming. Usually, it's used so frequently that you're like whatever but in this it totally worked for me and I loved it!! I didn't want this book to end....I wanted to savor it and I would read a chapter instead of speed reading, set the kindle down, do something and then go back to it. It was that good.
It had alot of unnecessary language in it that I thought it could do without, but it's quite known that I'm not a fan of using the Lords name in vain. I think that it's something that doesn't have to be used. If not for that, I would say that this was an absolute unicorn of a book. The sex scenes weren't all that explicit. They were real to life and the slow burn and build up were awesome. Like I said....Big pink Unicorn!! I would recommend this to all of my girl posse and buy it for them to read:) I laughed so hard at one point and I'm not even going to say where that I had my mother asking me if I needed help. Seriously, everyone woman and guy who likes sports/romance needs to get this book when it comes out. If you don't - you will never see the unicorn that is P. Dangelico's greatest book yet. I am hoping that she writes a book on Amber's character and Ethan's character (who is Cal's lawyer) that I am so there!! Ethan is one of those characters who could have his own review in itself. He's just that yummified and glorious. Pre-Order this book, buy some Ben and Jerry's, get rid of distractions for the day and settle in to have an awesome read fest!! Like Nike...just do it. You will not be sorry.
I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on Netgalley for a honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.
Cam DeSantis’ life is a hot, steaming pile. How else would you describe losing your husband, your job, and your money all at once? Desperate times call for desperate measures, so when salvation comes in the form of one intolerable a-hole, who just happens to be the starting quarterback for the vaunted NY Titans, she has no choice but to accept his offer as a live-in nanny slash teacher for his eight year old nephew. Now all she has to do is find a safe place in her mind to hide whenever she feels the need to throat punch him into tomorrow…which is often.
Calvin Shaw has zero interest in women. Wait, wait––let me rephrase that. He loves women, he just doesn’t want anything to do with ‘um. Not since his wife, presently ex-wife, got knocked up by the guy she was cheating on him with. Problem is––there’s one living in his house. And he doesn’t know what’s worse, that he promised to be civil, or that he’s attracted to her.
OMG this book had me laughing from the get go. I wanted to be in this book, I wanted to be their third friend. I can't tell you how much I wanted to crawl into the writing and be like "hey y'all know me and I'm just tagging along cause I'm a freak like that." I wanted to inhale it but yet I wanted to savor it and I'm basing everyone's book I read after by Ms. Dangelico. That's not fair but that's just life y'all!! Seriously, I loved Cam, but I loved her best friend Amber even more. When Amber offered to cut the hero up into tiny pieces and put him into several Coleman coolers and spread him throughout the river...I just about peed my pants. How many times have we thought this about our friends, husbands, boyfriends or people we just don't like? I have...it's disturbing, I know. Some of the things that she said - I admit that at one time or another I've thought it or I might have said it. I'm really hoping that Amber has a story because Gawd she needs one.
Cam, bless her heart she is one of those characters who is funny in her own right. She takes no crap and if she's having that crap thrown at her - you best believe she's going to chuck it at the person who is dishing it. I love she was a strong person even after her deceased husband totally decimated her life by bringing her down in a Ponzi scheme. She doesn't give up, she eats her Ben and Jerry's and gets back up on the proverbial horse and keeps going. Her charge, Sam, is Calvin Shaw's nephew and God Bless that boy.
Calvin is a complicated character, he doesn't trust people and he makes it quite known. He tries to make himself not recognizable to people so women won't approach him. I love how at one part his own fellow players ask him if his stylist is the "grand wizard of the klan" because he looks like a reject from Duck Dynasty with his beard growing out his face. Your heart breaks for him though when you find out why he is the way he is. Why he doesn't want kids or why he doesn't want to be in the spotlight. He just wants to play football and be the best at what he does but he didn't plan on Cam coming in and wrecking that with her snarky comments and the way she treats his nephew.
There is a big surprise that I didn't see coming. Usually, it's used so frequently that you're like whatever but in this it totally worked for me and I loved it!! I didn't want this book to end....I wanted to savor it and I would read a chapter instead of speed reading, set the kindle down, do something and then go back to it. It was that good.
It had alot of unnecessary language in it that I thought it could do without, but it's quite known that I'm not a fan of using the Lords name in vain. I think that it's something that doesn't have to be used. If not for that, I would say that this was an absolute unicorn of a book. The sex scenes weren't all that explicit. They were real to life and the slow burn and build up were awesome. Like I said....Big pink Unicorn!! I would recommend this to all of my girl posse and buy it for them to read:) I laughed so hard at one point and I'm not even going to say where that I had my mother asking me if I needed help. Seriously, everyone woman and guy who likes sports/romance needs to get this book when it comes out. If you don't - you will never see the unicorn that is P. Dangelico's greatest book yet. I am hoping that she writes a book on Amber's character and Ethan's character (who is Cal's lawyer) that I am so there!! Ethan is one of those characters who could have his own review in itself. He's just that yummified and glorious. Pre-Order this book, buy some Ben and Jerry's, get rid of distractions for the day and settle in to have an awesome read fest!! Like Nike...just do it. You will not be sorry.
I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on Netgalley for a honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.
OMG It's a Book Unicorn!!!
Wrecking Ball by P. DangelicoMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Cam DeSantis’ life is a hot, steaming pile. How else would you describe losing your husband, your job, and your money all at once? Desperate times call for desperate measures, so when salvation comes in the form of one intolerable a-hole, who just happens to be the starting quarterback for the vaunted NY Titans, she has no choice but to accept his offer as a live-in nanny slash teacher for his eight year old nephew. Now all she has to do is find a safe place in her mind to hide whenever she feels the need to throat punch him into tomorrow…which is often.
Calvin Shaw has zero interest in women. Wait, wait––let me rephrase that. He loves women, he just doesn’t want anything to do with ‘um. Not since his wife, presently ex-wife, got knocked up by the guy she was cheating on him with. Problem is––there’s one living in his house. And he doesn’t know what’s worse, that he promised to be civil, or that he’s attracted to her.
OMG this book had me laughing from the get go. I wanted to be in this book, I wanted to be their third friend. I can't tell you how much I wanted to crawl into the writing and be like "hey y'all know me and I'm just tagging along cause I'm a freak like that." I wanted to inhale it but yet I wanted to savor it and I'm basing everyone's book I read after by Ms. Dangelico. That's not fair but that's just life y'all!! Seriously, I loved Cam, but I loved her best friend Amber even more. When Amber offered to cut the hero up into tiny pieces and put him into several Coleman coolers and spread him throughout the river...I just about peed my pants. How many times have we thought this about our friends, husbands, boyfriends or people we just don't like? I have...it's disturbing, I know. Some of the things that she said - I admit that at one time or another I've thought it or I might have said it. I'm really hoping that Amber has a story because Gawd she needs one.
Cam, bless her heart she is one of those characters who is funny in her own right. She takes no crap and if she's having that crap thrown at her - you best believe she's going to chuck it at the person who is dishing it. I love she was a strong person even after her deceased husband totally decimated her life by bringing her down in a Ponzi scheme. She doesn't give up, she eats her Ben and Jerry's and gets back up on the proverbial horse and keeps going. Her charge, Sam, is Calvin Shaw's nephew and God Bless that boy.
Calvin is a complicated character, he doesn't trust people and he makes it quite known. He tries to make himself not recognizable to people so women won't approach him. I love how at one part his own fellow players ask him if his stylist is the "grand wizard of the klan" because he looks like a reject from Duck Dynasty with his beard growing out his face. Your heart breaks for him though when you find out why he is the way he is. Why he doesn't want kids or why he doesn't want to be in the spotlight. He just wants to play football and be the best at what he does but he didn't plan on Cam coming in and wrecking that with her snarky comments and the way she treats his nephew.
There is a big surprise that I didn't see coming. Usually, it's used so frequently that you're like whatever but in this it totally worked for me and I loved it!! I didn't want this book to end....I wanted to savor it and I would read a chapter instead of speed reading, set the kindle down, do something and then go back to it. It was that good.
It had alot of unnecessary language in it that I thought it could do without, but it's quite known that I'm not a fan of using the Lords name in vain. I think that it's something that doesn't have to be used. If not for that, I would say that this was an absolute unicorn of a book. The sex scenes weren't all that explicit. They were real to life and the slow burn and build up were awesome. Like I said....Big pink Unicorn!! I would recommend this to all of my girl posse and buy it for them to read:) I laughed so hard at one point and I'm not even going to say where that I had my mother asking me if I needed help. Seriously, everyone woman and guy who likes sports/romance needs to get this book when it comes out. If you don't - you will never see the unicorn that is P. Dangelico's greatest book yet. I am hoping that she writes a book on Amber's character and Ethan's character (who is Cal's lawyer) that I am so there!! Ethan is one of those characters who could have his own review in itself. He's just that yummified and glorious. Pre-Order this book, buy some Ben and Jerry's, get rid of distractions for the day and settle in to have an awesome read fest!! Like Nike...just do it. You will not be sorry.
I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on Netgalley for a honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.
View all my reviews
January 10, 2017
Hockey is Where it's At...
****Four Star Goodness
The so-bad-they’re-good alphas of hockey’s Chicago Aces are back in this emotionally charged novel of sex, love, and second chances from the bestselling author of Top Shelf and the Heller Brothers series.
Tanner Bennet hates weddings. They just remind him that he simply isn’t cut out for any kind of healthy, committed relationship—never has been, never will be. After getting rejected by the girl he thought was “the one” all those years ago, he made a huge mistake and married the wrong person. Now that the divorced heartbreaker has reluctantly agreed to be a groomsman for one of his NHL teammates, the last thing he expects is a chance at redemption with the one that got away.
After Marc Dupuis of the Chicago Aces hires wedding planner Katelyn Medford, she discovers that her big break comes with a twist: a reunion with her college sweetheart. The way she dumped Tanner still haunts her. Eight years—and three broken engagements—later, Katelyn knows she’ll never have that kind of innocent, wide-eyed passion again. Still, she and Tanner soon generate enough body heat to burn up the sheets. And even with Tanner’s career with the Aces up in the air, Katelyn’s wondering whether the time is right to let him in for real.
Okay so first thing about this book is that I love hockey and it's probably unhealthy that I love it as much as I do. Kelly Jamieson is one of those writers that if I want to read a good hockey novel then I'm going to read one of hers. That's why it's so hard writing this review. While I liked this book, I didn't love it like some of her other ones. It just didn't have as much hockey intensity that I've come to be spoiled with. Tanner was a good alpha character but he seemed almost mopey. If he was one of the seven dwarfs, he'd be Mopey Dwarf and I mean that in the nicest way. I kept hearing him in my head saying "Nobody likes me, everybody is better than me." I just wanted to kick him in the booty. There's a particularly disturbing part of the book that I found, well disturbing and that was Tanner using Katelyn as his personal "forget sex doll." That's basically where he gets on, gets off and rolls over. I found it a turn off and even the heroine in the book had "where is this relationship going" moment. I'm not saying that every relationship doesn't have that happen, but I thought that the way it was handled was tacky. There was no apology and there wasn't any cuddling. After the book I read before this one...it just left me like the ice storm we just had - Cold.
So, you're probably wondering why the 4 stars? It had plot, grammar was spot on and it was real to life. Which are the three things I look for when I'm reading. I know we read to escape but I like for my books to also be based in reality. I also like for my supporting characters to have some depth and all the supporting characters knocked it out of the park, except for Tanner's father - he's a tool. You can quote me on that.
Age appropriateness of this is definitely 18+ and with all the GD and F words, I wouldn't let my 16 year-old read it if I had one. The sex was explicit and really not necessary at some points. I think sometimes less is more and not the other way around. Also, sometimes I wonder if authors actually try out what they write because some of it almost sounds acrobatic.
If you want a book to spend on a weekend when you have nothing to do and you just want to relax, then this is the book you want to read. I skipped over some of the sex scenes but you might enjoy those. Happy Reading to those who want hot hockey players!!
I received this book for free from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The so-bad-they’re-good alphas of hockey’s Chicago Aces are back in this emotionally charged novel of sex, love, and second chances from the bestselling author of Top Shelf and the Heller Brothers series.Tanner Bennet hates weddings. They just remind him that he simply isn’t cut out for any kind of healthy, committed relationship—never has been, never will be. After getting rejected by the girl he thought was “the one” all those years ago, he made a huge mistake and married the wrong person. Now that the divorced heartbreaker has reluctantly agreed to be a groomsman for one of his NHL teammates, the last thing he expects is a chance at redemption with the one that got away.
After Marc Dupuis of the Chicago Aces hires wedding planner Katelyn Medford, she discovers that her big break comes with a twist: a reunion with her college sweetheart. The way she dumped Tanner still haunts her. Eight years—and three broken engagements—later, Katelyn knows she’ll never have that kind of innocent, wide-eyed passion again. Still, she and Tanner soon generate enough body heat to burn up the sheets. And even with Tanner’s career with the Aces up in the air, Katelyn’s wondering whether the time is right to let him in for real.
Okay so first thing about this book is that I love hockey and it's probably unhealthy that I love it as much as I do. Kelly Jamieson is one of those writers that if I want to read a good hockey novel then I'm going to read one of hers. That's why it's so hard writing this review. While I liked this book, I didn't love it like some of her other ones. It just didn't have as much hockey intensity that I've come to be spoiled with. Tanner was a good alpha character but he seemed almost mopey. If he was one of the seven dwarfs, he'd be Mopey Dwarf and I mean that in the nicest way. I kept hearing him in my head saying "Nobody likes me, everybody is better than me." I just wanted to kick him in the booty. There's a particularly disturbing part of the book that I found, well disturbing and that was Tanner using Katelyn as his personal "forget sex doll." That's basically where he gets on, gets off and rolls over. I found it a turn off and even the heroine in the book had "where is this relationship going" moment. I'm not saying that every relationship doesn't have that happen, but I thought that the way it was handled was tacky. There was no apology and there wasn't any cuddling. After the book I read before this one...it just left me like the ice storm we just had - Cold.
So, you're probably wondering why the 4 stars? It had plot, grammar was spot on and it was real to life. Which are the three things I look for when I'm reading. I know we read to escape but I like for my books to also be based in reality. I also like for my supporting characters to have some depth and all the supporting characters knocked it out of the park, except for Tanner's father - he's a tool. You can quote me on that.
Age appropriateness of this is definitely 18+ and with all the GD and F words, I wouldn't let my 16 year-old read it if I had one. The sex was explicit and really not necessary at some points. I think sometimes less is more and not the other way around. Also, sometimes I wonder if authors actually try out what they write because some of it almost sounds acrobatic.
If you want a book to spend on a weekend when you have nothing to do and you just want to relax, then this is the book you want to read. I skipped over some of the sex scenes but you might enjoy those. Happy Reading to those who want hot hockey players!!
I received this book for free from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
So Many Books to Read and Review and So Little Time
*****FIVE STAR READ
Description
Three years ago, Alec McClane and Raegan Devereaux lived every parent’s worst nightmare: their one-year-old daughter, Emma, was abducted from a park when Alec turned his back for just a moment. Emma was never found, and presumed dead. The crushing trauma, plus Alec’s unbearable guilt, ended the couple’s marriage.
Now a four-year-old girl matching Emma’s profile is found wandering a local park. Alec and Raegan are heartbroken to discover she’s not their daughter but are newly motivated to find closure…and each secretly feels desperate to be in the other’s presence again.
Alec suspects his vengeful biological father is behind Emma’s disappearance. But as Raegan investigates other abductions in the area, she sees a pattern—and begins to wonder if Emma’s kidnapping is actually linked to something more sinister.
As Alec and Raegan race to uncover the truth, a long-burning spark rekindles into smoldering passion, and they realize they need each other now more than ever.
A few thoughts about this book going into it was that I wasn't going to like it. I just had that vibe that it was going to be like Adam Walsh all over again with some romance thrown in and I'd hate it but I was surprised. I loved it. It was fast paced and the characters had depth. You hurt for them and you felt what they were feeling. It's a hard task to take on something about child abduction and how it tears a family apart but I felt like the author did an awesome job tapping into the family dynamics of it. It doesn't just affect the parents but everyone involved.
The sexual content had some heat to it but it wasn't so intense that you needed keep flipping pages cause it was excessive and unnecessary. It was enough without being over the top. You have a very flawed hero who knows he's got his flaws and owns up to it - which to me, I found way sexier than the alpha male persona that is so over done nowadays. The heroine is strong but she isn't afraid to show that she wants a second chance...I just like the fact that it wasn't angst with these two. Yes, there was sorrow but there wasn't the angst that you see so much in books today that just make you want to throw your kindle at the wall and scream "why are you doing this to me?" So, yes this was a book that was finished in 5 hours because I wouldn't allow my family to bother me and when they did, I just ignored them. Is it worth the time and money? Yes, it is. It's worth spending an evening with some cocoa and kicking back on the chaise lounge and blocking out the rest of the world.
I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on Netgalley for a honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions.
If you want to see more reviews, please go to Goodreads.com and see some of my reviews there and check out some fabulous books!!https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7023577.C_J_Butcher/blog
Description
Three years ago, Alec McClane and Raegan Devereaux lived every parent’s worst nightmare: their one-year-old daughter, Emma, was abducted from a park when Alec turned his back for just a moment. Emma was never found, and presumed dead. The crushing trauma, plus Alec’s unbearable guilt, ended the couple’s marriage.
Now a four-year-old girl matching Emma’s profile is found wandering a local park. Alec and Raegan are heartbroken to discover she’s not their daughter but are newly motivated to find closure…and each secretly feels desperate to be in the other’s presence again.
Alec suspects his vengeful biological father is behind Emma’s disappearance. But as Raegan investigates other abductions in the area, she sees a pattern—and begins to wonder if Emma’s kidnapping is actually linked to something more sinister.
As Alec and Raegan race to uncover the truth, a long-burning spark rekindles into smoldering passion, and they realize they need each other now more than ever.
A few thoughts about this book going into it was that I wasn't going to like it. I just had that vibe that it was going to be like Adam Walsh all over again with some romance thrown in and I'd hate it but I was surprised. I loved it. It was fast paced and the characters had depth. You hurt for them and you felt what they were feeling. It's a hard task to take on something about child abduction and how it tears a family apart but I felt like the author did an awesome job tapping into the family dynamics of it. It doesn't just affect the parents but everyone involved.
The sexual content had some heat to it but it wasn't so intense that you needed keep flipping pages cause it was excessive and unnecessary. It was enough without being over the top. You have a very flawed hero who knows he's got his flaws and owns up to it - which to me, I found way sexier than the alpha male persona that is so over done nowadays. The heroine is strong but she isn't afraid to show that she wants a second chance...I just like the fact that it wasn't angst with these two. Yes, there was sorrow but there wasn't the angst that you see so much in books today that just make you want to throw your kindle at the wall and scream "why are you doing this to me?" So, yes this was a book that was finished in 5 hours because I wouldn't allow my family to bother me and when they did, I just ignored them. Is it worth the time and money? Yes, it is. It's worth spending an evening with some cocoa and kicking back on the chaise lounge and blocking out the rest of the world.
I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on Netgalley for a honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions.
If you want to see more reviews, please go to Goodreads.com and see some of my reviews there and check out some fabulous books!!https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7023577.C_J_Butcher/blog
January 9, 2017
Get on with the Secret Already
Lord Sebastian's Secret by Jane AshfordMy rating: 2 of 5 stars
He's hidden this shameful secret all his life...
Lord Sebastian Gresham is a battle tested soldier and brilliant strategist. Yet all his life he's had to hide his complete failure to decipher letters. In his own mind, he's just stupid. What a miracle it is that he's found the perfect bride. Lady Georgina Stane is beautiful, witty, and brilliantly intelligent. Sebastian is head over heels in love, proud as a peacock, and terrified. If she finds out, he'll lose her love forever.
This book was a tough read for me. I kept putting it down and picking up another book for inspiration to finish this one. The sex scenes were hard to read and not because they were steamy and inviting. It's because they're just so odd....like the author has never had sex. For example: A country upbringing had shown her a bit about mating. She could see clear evidence of Sebastian's unsated arousal. "I should do something for you," she said. She had some ideas on that score. She reached up.
A country upbringing? Like watching cows mate? Really? I hate giving criticism on a book because I know how much time and effort goes into it but that's just wrong on so many counts. Also, the formatting is a tiny bit distracting for me especially with all the paragraphs.
There are so many different characters in this book that you really need to keep a journal. There's an Indian, a priest, an eastern magician, a couple dogs, a couple brothers, some sisters in law. I expect that there's going to be a clown at some point. I mean I keep waiting for this guy to grow a pair and he doesn't, he's stuck on his big secret.
At one point, I almost thought the author took a vacation and let a ghostwriter finish a couple chapters. The heroines (Georgina) father was eccentric and over the top and now he's a major bully. I won't let any spoilers go as to what he's taunting the hero about but it's a total DNF move. I would put the book down if I wasn't writing a review. I didn't really like Sebastian's one brother and I'm not sure I'd even read his book. I did like Randolph. I just didn't see the big deal with the humongous "secret" and I wouldn't have spent almost 400 pages keeping it a secret. I'd say at 25% it would have been great to just reveal it. All the drama of keeping the secret was enough to make me have heartburn and take some tums. I read to relax and this book made me take 2 Xanax and follow it up with chocolate. I'm gonna have to hit the gym after this book.
There are a few grammatical errors with sentence structure. For example: "Well, if we want run papa through with a saber, that might be helpful," There should be a "to" in there.
The book had some funny parts because it seems like all the people are crazy...Seriously, all of them are crazy. There's not a sane one in the lot.
Would I read this again? Or gift it to my friends? No, I don't think so. For the price of this book, I'd say save your money and buy a Lisa Kleypas or Susan Elizabeth Phillips novel and save your Xanax for another day.
I received this book for free from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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Loved this book!!!
Wild Kisses by Skye JordanMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wild Kisses
by Skye Jordan
Description
Newly divorced, Avery Hart returns home to Wildwood eager to take on her dream opportunity and transform her family’s dive bar into her own bakery. The contractor for hire isn’t just a master with his hands—he’s big, built, and wears a tool belt like nobody’s business. Despite being an ex-con, Trace Hutton is irresistible. Too bad he’d never go for someone as inexperienced as Avery.
Trace needs to focus on the job at hand, not daydream about smearing icing all over the sexy baker…and licking it off. This job is the key to getting his construction company back on its feet after his time in prison. Besides, no one deserves a fresh start more than Avery, and she certainly won’t get that with him.
After a delectable night of passion (and pie), Trace craves something more. But he’ll be damned if he’ll let his checkered past crush her dreams. And as Avery starts to realize how Trace fulfills more than just her physical needs, she struggles with whether to let her history decide her future, or explore the wild new possibilities of forever…
Skye Jordan is a must read for me. I absolutely love her Hockey series and this series is no exception. I fell in book boyfriend love with Trace. He's got issues and insecurities and that just makes him all the more attractive in my opinion. He's been to jail and served his time but the townspeople will not let him forget that. He's paying his penance and trying to make it in this world when he falls for Avery. Avery is the BEST heroine ever!!! She's kind to everyone and you just fall in love with her. She's been hurt by everybody. Everybody's left her at one time or another. Her ex-husband, her sisters, her mother, her father and she's tired of having that happen. Now she just wants to have a fling with Trace. She's opening a bakery and he's helping her renovate it and get everything ready to get it open. I was rooting for this couple at about 20% and I read it in one sitting. I loved the secondary characters and was glad we got to see them again. They were awesome. I'm gonna have to go back and read it again. I fell in love with Zach, Traces brother and you get to see that it's not Trace that was the wildchild but Zach. I won't give spoilers but Trace and Zach's dad is just sad and it breaks your heart when you find out what Trace gave up.
I did not like Austin who is one of the cops...he was such a little abusive snots. He gives all cops a bad name and I was so hoping that he would get his in the end. Then there was J.T., the guy that Trace knew in prison. I know that books have to have a bad guy but this guy made me want to shank him. That makes for a great book!! When you feel so much that you want to beat your Kindle just hoping it reaches your bad guy...you've read a great book from a great writer.
I didn't find alot of grammar issues and I didn't have any paragraph problems. It was refreshing. Her editor obviously does her job and does it well.
Now, my one critical issue was the language...it's not for the faint of heart. You can't let your teenager read this. There were so many GD'S that I lost count and felt it unnecessary and Jesus' name in vain that it was redundant. The sex scenes were also abundant and left absolutely NOTHING to the imagination...and I mean nothing. Sometimes, I thought it was over the top. Like, having sex on the counter with acidic mango juice and then using it as lubricate? Everyone knows that this will cause some irritation or a yeast infection. No one wants that!!! Plus, I imagine it would burn a little.
Overall, I will definitely put this on my "I will read this again shelf." I found it to be heartbreaking at times and I felt what Ms. Jordan was trying to convey to the bottom of my soul. I will be gifting this to my friends when it comes out.
I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on Netgalley for a honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions.
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I want a Dallas
Wait for It by Mariana ZapataMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
liked this book although not as good as The Wall of Winnipeg. I just felt like it went on and on waiting for the hero to get a divorce and by the time it was finalized the heroine was going out with another guy. Even though, it was a good and funny book it took way too long for Dallas to fall for Diana. It definitely wasn't instalove which I hate. I loved her book Kulti and it rated up there with that."
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Jester be still my heart!!
Jester by Lilly AtlasMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Thrust into a world of danger and fear, first grade teacher, Emily, is forced to comply with a terrifying MC president’s demands in order to save her brother’s life. Her only port in the storm is Jester, a member of a rival MC she’s supposed to use and betray. Jester proves to be the opposite of everything Emily expects, and before long she’s in his bed, and he’s in her heart.
Jester would give life and limb for the No Prisoners Motorcycle Club. His sole focus needs to be on the impending attack against their enemies, the Grimm Brothers. Meeting sweet and innocent Emily wasn’t part of his plan, and falling for her is out of the question.
Can Emily save her brother’s life without destroying the man who opens her eyes and heart to an amazing world of pleasure? She’ll do anything in her power to help her brother while protecting Jester, but when Jester finds out she was sent by his enemy, she may lose everything she’s trying to preserve.
I really LOVE anything by Lilly Atlas!!! I will walk through the desert just to read one of her books. I waited on pins and needles for this and it didn't disappoint. Was it as good as Striker? I don't think it was. However, it was still a 5-star read! It had twist and turns and it had violence and sex. It had everything that we have come to know and love with Lilly. I'm not giving any spoilers for those who haven't read it but I will say that she rocks when it comes to her editing style. She goes over her books with a fine tooth comb and makes sure that there isn't any mistakes and I love that. There isn't anything more distracting than bad grammar, sentence structure and out of place comma's.
This isn't what you would call your "hard-core" MC romance. I'd say it's more of your romance with the MC vibe thrown in and I like that. I don't like the brains flying everywhere and sex galore. Sometimes classy is better and Lilly pulls it off outstandingly. We see our characters from the previous books and some setup to the book coming up. I think this is going to be a series that will stick around for awhile.
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