TAKE ME

TAKE ME                                                      DIANE ALBERTS
Posted:  Dec. 9, 2013

Take Me by Diane Alberts  Married in the morning…

Professional heartbreaker Mike Worth thrived on the chase—and dancer Morgan Collins represented the ultimate prize. But there was no way he was going to throw away his single-man status…not even for an elusive redhead with sparkling eyes and mile-long legs. So how did he let one drunken Vegas night end with I do instead of hell no?

Morgan’s life revolved around her career and she had no intention of letting a man interfere—even if Mike made her question all her rules about love. At his urging, she reluctantly agreed to give their spur-of–moment marriage a chance. But once their trial-honeymoon ended, would she choose to follow the dance and leave her unforgettable husband behind?


MY REVIEW:


   Mike and his buddies were at his soon to be best friend and future brother-in-law’s bachelor party.  They were all sitting around, of course teasing each other and talking smack to Mike about how he tries to talk all grooms out of getting married and if he was going to be trying to talk Garrett out of getting married.

     Mike said no and that he had explained to Garrett that if he didn’t show or hurt his sister Kiersten in any way he would basically pound him.  Yeah, you got it Garrett is marrying Mike’s sister.  Then, Mike sent Garrett to get drinks because he needed to talk to the other guys.  Because he had to explain his theory of how dating should be in order to not get hooked into marriage.  It is on the “STOPLIGHT” effect. 

     Then this woman sits down beside him and says he stole her booth.  They banter back and forth with Mike saying that it was empty and that is the meaning of it not being her booth and them taking it over and her saying her putting a note on her empty glass before going to the restroom.  More bantering.  Words between them and moves a little and her bra moves just right and he sees sequins and he thinks she has been hired as a stripper and tries to pay her off not to dance.  Wrong move because she is not a stripper at all and she is pissed.  She tells him off and moves to the bar.

     From the booth she eyes him giving dirty looks not knowing he is watching her too.  So, when his buddy’s leave she takes a final look and she sees that he catches her looking.  Morgan is not happy with this she is pissed that he took her booth, that he thought she was a stripper and that he has a stupid “stoplight” theory.  So, when he calls her over with a wave she goes and the game is on.  Mike has met his match and Morgan is out for blood. 

     This is one funny erotic romance.  I had read for me the first story awhile with Garrett and Kiersten’s story.  So, this is my second and I enjoyed them both.  This writer just makes me laugh the way she draws in her readers.  She has some crazy characters with crazy antics that make you laugh.  The erotic scenes a scorchers. 

A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER

A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER          SHALVIS, ASHLEY, RAMSAY, CANNON & PAPPANO
Posted:  Dec. 9, 2013

A Christmas to Remember by Jill Shalvis  Curl up with this heartwarming Christmas collection!

Jill Shalvis, Dream a Little Dream: Melissa has kept every man at a safe distance-especially firefighter Ian, a sexy friend with sexy benefits. But Ian secretly longs for more. Luckily, 'tis the season for giving love a chance . . .

Kristen Ashley, Every Year: Holidays don't come easy for Shy and his brother, Landon. But with the magic of Christmas, along with a little help from Tabby and her family, the Cage brothers are about to get the gift of a lifetime . . .

Hope Ramsay, Silent Night: Down on her luck and evicted from her apartment, single mother Maryanne hopes to start over in Last Chance. When the snow begins to fall, it looks like her baby might literally spend Christmas Eve in a manger. And Maryanne might celebrate the holiday with a handsome stranger.

Molly Cannon, Have Yourself a Messy Little Christmas: Lincoln is a bachelor who's set in his ways-until a professional organizer dressed up as Mrs. Claus changes his life, one tip at a time. . .

Marilyn Pappano, A Family for Christmas: War widow Ilena doesn't mind spending Christmas alone. But when a new doctor blows into town with the winter wind, will she get her secret Christmas wish?

Plus: Excerpts from upcoming novels!


MY REVIEWS:


A Christmas to Remember

Dream a Little Dream:  Jill Shalvis

     Ian and Melissa started out as “friends with benefits” then Melissa wanted it to be just friends because the sex was hitting to close to the heart.  She couldn’t chance that especially once she knew Ian wanted more so she broke it off.

     Then on God forsaken night there was a fire at the hell hole of an apartment that Ian had repeatedly asked Melissa to move out of do to it not being in one, not a good area, two, meeting code he was sure and three, the guys that lived above her were known parties and trouble makers.

She said she couldn’t she was too close to paying off he credit card debt and with the salon.  So, he dropped it.  Now, as he was being dispatched to all out fire there with people trapped.  The guilt…he should have tried harder.

     I really liked this story.  There was so much love and emotion in this story.  I could feel the pain in but then when Melissa was living the dream for Ian it just made the story.

 Every Year: Kristen Ashley

     This is Tabby and Shy’s first Christmas as a couple even though they have known each other for years.  They didn’t really like each other at first but boy did they ever come to an understanding that grew into a deep and abiding love.

     This story was short and oh so sweet.  One you felt all the way to your soul.  You find out that shy and his brother Landon (Lan) parents were murdered when they were 9 & 10 years old.   Now they are all grown up but the effect of losing their parents, left to an aunt who hated them, and was evil to them effected their happy meter.

     Tabby’s family which Shy has known for years since he is in the same motorcycle club with her dad and brother.  They welcomed not only him but his brother to spend with the Allen’s.  It’s hard for Shy to be happy but more so on Landon (Lan).  They hadn’t had one since their parents died.  They didn’t know how to do happy.  But they work it out by watching Rider & Cutter.

     This story is very heartwarming & sensual.  Which is amazing because it’s about 3 bikers and a soldier and 2 women.  I enjoyed this family saga so much I ordered the story that is the about this couple Tabby & Shy: “Own the Wind.”

Silent Night: Hope Ramsay

     What a truly sweet story.  A totally feel good Christmas story.  Wow, guess what on with no S-E-X! 

     This is one that runs close along the lines of Mary and the infant in a barn with nothing needing help on Christmas Eve.  You see Maryanne is a girl whose mother and father were both dead.  Her father as an infant, he was a drunk, her mother also alcohol related.  The thing was when she was the happiest ever was at the age of six.  When her mom had left her with her grandparents for a couple of days at Christmas time.  She remembers getting a doll.  She loved her Grandpa Carpenter’s farm in Last Chance, S.C.

     No one knew how to contact these grandparents when her mom died so she was in the system until she was of age.  Once she was out of it she worked as a waitress, took one class a semester, and supported herself as best she could.  Until she got pregnant.  Now she lost her job, quit school and lost her apartment.  So, she gassed up her car with what was left of her grocery money and headed to the last place that made her happy, the Carpenter Family Farm.

     This is all well and good but she runs out of gas 2 miles from the farm, with a 3 month old, and a snow storm on its way.  Time to think fast…

     I really enjoyed this book stop into Maryanne’s shoes and see where the handsome but sad Daniel Jessup comes in.

Have Yourself a Messy Little Christmas: Molly Cannon

     Lincoln was given a gift for Christmas yet he saw it as a cures.  His parents were coming home for Christmas and since he was living in their home they wanted it clean, not looking like a bachelor pad.  So, his mother was paying Dinah, an organizer, to clean and organize her home as well as decorate before they got there.  The thing is she didn’t tell Linc.

     So, let’s just say their first meeting was not a pleasant one.  Linc was rude to say the least.  He thought Dinah to peppy to be real.  He thought someone was “punking him.”  No such luck.  It was just his mother.  So, Dinah left her card and told him to call his mom and said she would be back at 9:00 a.m.  She was…her first break through with him was making a home office in his workout room instead of the dining room.  Which made things between them run more smoothly.  She thought he just didn’t like Christmas but it was more than that much more. 

     This is where their tale begins.  I enjoyed their banter, but I was still looking for more at the end.

A Family for Christmas: Marilyn Pappano

     Jared is a Pediatrician that had signed a two year contract to work in Tallgrass, OK.  Now that he was out of school and ready to work, he had to put in his two years that he committed to.

     Now, he came from a home of surgeons even a brother-in-law and a sister-in-law that are too.  All of them are in New York.  When the family hears he signed to do 2 years in OK they think he’s crazy.  To the point where his dad has offered to buy out his contract and give a sizable donation to the hospital to get him out of it.  Which he refuses.

     His first day in town for a luncheon for the Elf foundation monthly meeting where he was introduced.  He meets Llena.  She is not his type at all.  She is tiny, curvy, guirky, and everything his parents would hate.  Which is part of the appeal.  Yet, all that put together makes her unspeakably beautiful to him.  They become fast friends in fact that same night they go out for coffee.  Where he finds out she’s a widow and a mom.  Which makes her more appealing.  Which confuses him but intrigues him too.  He not wanting to invest himself in the town, in a home, or in a real relationship but Llena and John her 6 month old son are making that hard.

     I love Llena she is the Christmas Elf.  With all she has gone through she has kept the spirit alive and her heart open.  As for Jared it is all new with his family he never really had any real Christmas or true closeness of family, unconditional was not touchable.  I loved it.  Very cute.

     Overall, I love I really enjoy all of these stories.  They really put you in the Christmas spirit.  The one for me that really touched my heart the most if I had to pick would be

“Every Year.”  Something about it just touched me.

Provided by netgalley.com



SEASON OF SECOND CHANCES

SEASON OF SECOND CHANCES              BRIGHTON WALSH
Posted:  Dec. 9, 2013

Season of Second Chances by Brighton Walsh  When a storm strands Claire Hanlin in Chicago on Christmas Eve, the last person she expects to come to her rescue is Logan Dawes, the man she almost married two years ago. The chemistry between them is dangerously potent, but with nowhere else to go, Claire accepts Logan's offer to stay with him for the night.

Back in the home they shared, surrounded by reminders of Logan and his young daughter, Claire begins to realize how much she misses the family she almost had. After a few cups of Christmas cheer, she falls right back into her ex's arms-even though she knows it means setting herself up for heartbreak all over again.

The magic of the season has thrown him together with the woman he's never stopped loving, and Logan's not about to pass up this gift. He's not the workaholic he was two years ago-his family comes first. Now all he has to do is prove it to Claire, before the snow stops and she flies out of his life for good.



MY REVI
This is about a couple who have history with each other not a long history but still a romantic whirl wind one.  After two years it was over though because Logan Dawes could not seem to remember why he fell in love with Claire Hanlin for.  Claire from San Diego, California was in Chicago on business and meets Logan.  They hit it off but once she finds out he has a daughter from a past ex-girlfriend she begs off on a relationship.  Her sister’s husband’s ex was and is a bitch on wheels.

     Then Logan brings Sophie on site for a daddy and daughter lunch and it was love at first site for Claire.  When Logan sees how this woman who has no children experience to her history feels about her daughter and how they interact together, (having tea parties, dress-up, & reading together), that was it her asked her to marry him.  She said yes.

     Owning his highly successful company was a balance act Logan was not good at and it was causing a strain on their relationship.  She knew she would never be first in their relationship nor would she want to she knew Sophie came first as she should.  Yet, she wasn’t even second, the job was more and more important than she was.

     Then Claire’s grandmother becomes ill, the grandmother that was there for her and her sister when their parents died.  So, she went to be with her.  It ended up being two months.  Logan didn’t understand and was being pissy.  When she needed him the most he couldn’t do it.  So, the relationship was ended, he didn’t even come to her grandmother’s funeral he sent her flowers.  By then it was too late anyways.

     Now she is stuck in an airport in Chicago the same airport she said goodbye to him in when she went to her grandmothers and memories are killing her.  Not to mention that today is Christmas Eve and her birthday and she cannot be in Denver with her family like she had planned.

She is snowed in at the one place she would never come back to if she didn’t have to.  When all of a sudden a very familiar voice speaks to her one she would know anywhere.  You have got it Logan.  If you want to find out what happens you’ll have to read it and find out.  But let’s just say it sizzles under the Christmas tree. 

     I did enjoy this book, the turmoil that pings back and forth between these two you can feel in your gut at times all the way to your bones.  Provided by netgalley.com



MINE UNDER THE MISTLETOE

MINE UNDER THE MISTLETOE             KAT LATHAM
Posted:  Dec. 9, 2013

 
Mine Under the Mistletoe by Kat LathamThanks to a transatlantic house swap, California girl Ashley Turner is finally going to fulfill her lifelong dream of a proper English Christmas. Her holiday plans did not include a sexy stranger climbing into her borrowed bed in the middle of the night. But in the light of day, Ashley can't help but wonder if Santa has delivered early...
Game designer Oliver Stansfeld can't wait to leave dreary London—and all its difficult holiday memories—for sunny San Diego. But a freak ice storm and a grounded plane have forced him back to his already-occupied flat. To make up for the mix-up, the least he can do is show his pretty houseguest where to get the perfect Christmas tree before he leaves.
The more time they spend together, the more their attraction grows, and soon Ashley is tempting Oliver to give in to the spirit of the season and snuggle up for the rest of the winter. As the ice melts and flights start taking off again, he must choose between giving in to the past or risking his heart on a chance at love.

MY REVIEW:


   Ashley was fulfilling her life’s dream, she had saved for five years to be able to do it.  She was doing a home swap with Oliver, her to London and him to San Diego.  But…there was a bit of a problem.  Although Ashley was able to make it to London and safely to Oliver’s home.  Oliver was snowed in unable to leave all flights were grounded.  So, back home he goes to his home.

     If only he had called first.  I am sure he is rethinking that action now.  You see Ashley is a young, single woman from the United States.  Not any state but California and she is very capable of caring for herself even when she’s half asleep.  As he so harshly finds out.  Can begin to guess what happens when she wakes with a start to find a strange fully naked man in her bed?  And she acts instead of reacts…Oliver couldn’t blame her.  He thought her flight never made it in since his never made it out.  You see he was trying to leave the memories behind for Christmas.  California on the beach where it’s warm and no memories of what and who he lost was the ticket.

     The next morning though sparks something in Oliver her never thought he would ever feel again, hope.  But, it was conflicting with the memories.  So, now what you will have to do is read and see where and if it takes these two anywhere.  For me the way the book ended felt incomplete.  I liked it better before the epilogue.  Who said that?  Did I say that?  I can’t believe I did since most of the time I am the one who wants and epilogue.  For this book I think the author did it an injustice.  That’s why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com

LOST IN NEW FALLS

LOST IN NEW FALLS                       CHERIE MARKS
Posted:  Dec. 9, 2013

Lost in New Falls by Cherie Marks  Twenty-eight-year-old, former fat-girl, Kate Delaney left New Falls, Tennessee, heartbroken but determined to be a successful screenwriter. She’s spent the last ten years in Los Angeles, but is back in town, fifty pounds lighter, California hotter, and she’s written The End on a screenplay, which a Hollywood mega-producer believes is movie magic in the making. Just one problem—a nerve-nuking thief absconds with her laptop, attached USB back-up, and the contents of her underwear drawer, and just in case that wasn’t enough, the heartbreaker from ten years ago just walked through the door wearing a sheriff’s badge and looking more hormone-carbonating than ever.

Quentin Taylor likes the new and improved Kate, but to be perfectly honest, the feelings he’s always had for her aren’t new. Unfortunately, when a teenaged Kate bloomed, her older brother Reese established a no-look, no-touch, no-anything else rule. Quentin figured it was the anything else that worried him most. She’d been attractive then. Now she was near irresistible, and he wanted to know one thing. Did Reese’s dictate still stand? Besides, he has more pressing problems—a meddling, matchmaking mother, a gossiping dispatcher/receptionist with an obsession for the color orange, and a small-town burglar who steals thimble collections, garden tools, and underwear, along with the usual electronics and jewelry. Yet, he agrees to help Kate find her missing script, and the time they spend together sparks an undeniable chemistry.

Yet, once Kate’s screenplay is back in her hands, will she return to L.A, leaving Quentin behind forever, or is their romance destined to be a blockbuster?


MY REVIEW:



     Kate has had a crush on Quentin for as long as she could remember but he always thought of her as his best friends little sister.  Quentin did at first only think of Kate as his best friend’s pesky little sister.  Since their grandpa was raising them and he said to let her go with them they did what he said and he should make the best of it.  Quentin respected their grandpa a lot because of what happened to his life so they learned to accept Kate.

     Then one day he and just about every other guy they hung around with realized that Kate was a beautiful girl.  When she threw herself at him before she leaves for college he doesn’t return her affections, not knowing her brother swore all his friends but especially Quentin off his little sister.  He agreed because her brother stuck by him when he needed a friend back then.  Kate was devastated by his rejection thinking it was because she was overweight and he didn’t find her appealing enough.  Especially, later when she finds out he married another woman. 

     They meet up again, not something Kate wanted, in fact all these ten years had avoided really well.  She had successfully slipped in and out of town with only her best friend and grandpa knowing she was there.  She was home this time for two reasons one her grandfather was dying and two she had the finishing touches on her book, but there was a home invasion.  Her script has been stolen that was on her computer along with the thumb drive.  Since they have been having a ration of robberies Sheriff Quentin Taylor shows up to check it out not knowing Kate is even there.

     He shows up late to the cabin so when checking in with all the deputies about the scene he recognizes her and can’t believe it’s her.  She wants to die when she sees him.  Her worse nightmare just walked in the door.  Although, she always loved him she always felt embarrassed because he rejected her.  Yet, by the look in his face does he see it that way?

     Kate and Quentin are the hope in every couple of “that one that got away.”  You never told those things you needed to say to.  Watch as the town’s people in the efforts to see them together, aid and abet a burglar by not talking to each other, or the sheriff to know where or what is going on beside gossip.

     What a fun read.  Can you go home again?  Is it ever enough for us women in our heads when we change our weight, hair or clothes?  Or do our guys even notice or is it just us the person they love?  Makes you Think.  HMMM???

Like the guys at my husband’s old job use to say, “Be careful she is speaking “womaneeze” again.”  Basically we woman have our own thought process and speak.  Quentin just Loved Kate no matter what.  Provided by netgalley.com

SANTA WORE LEATHERS

SANTA WORE LEATHERS                   VONNIE DAVIS
Posted:  Dec. 9, 2013


  Take one man-shy reporter, a gorgeous ex-Navy SEAL turned firefighter, add in a thong-stealing dog… and Christmas will never be the same again!There’s only one thing on Becca Sinclair’s Christmas list this holiday season – her very own column in the local paper. And if she can build a huge blog following, her wish just might come true.

Enter Dan ‘Wolf’ Wolford aka the man-whore next door and the new star of Becca’s popular, post-divorce blog about men. A Navy SEAL turned commander of the Florida Marine Rescue Unit, Wolf’s the very definition of the word alpha – and with an endless rotation of women on his doorstep, this hunk on a Harley has Becca and her female followers all hot and bothered!

All Becca wants for Christmas is her newspaper column, right? But when she finds herself the target of Wolf’s irresistible attentions, her snarky comebacks become less and less convincing and, suddenly, she’s not so sure anymore…

MY REVIEW:

    Let’s just say I’ll take two Mr. Wolf’s under the tree or in my stocking from the real Santa.  This was such a cute and witty story.  One I am sure you will enjoy.

     Once again this story although short revolves around a family which you all know is my downfall.  This one with Dan Wolford as the oldest of all the children.  He is an ex-Navy S.E.A.L. that comes home to raise his 4 sisters after losing his parents in a house fire.  Something he could not expect his newly married younger brother to do while going to college.  He knew his youngest sister was taking it so hard since she felt she should have been home instead of out with her friends.  You see family has always been important to their parents therefor to them.

     One day his birthday he finally gets to meet his neighbor who he has been lusting after for a few weeks since he moved in.  It doesn’t go well because you see Becca Sinclair is a reporter & a blogger who is trying to go syndicated with her blog.  So, she starts writing about this “man whore” which just happens to be this very man.  Whose she can see from right out her window?  Yup, “Wolf” the “man whore.”  The very one who has women coming day or night-Yeah! That’s right that’s what she calls him a “man whore.”

     Becca is fearful to date and be out and the real world and expose her heart.  That is because she was newly divorced by just a year this Christmas season, her husband had started to abuse her and she had no father as a role model of what a good guy was so Wolf was not going to get past those road blocks.

     Let’s the bantering begin.  The way this author writes is just so funny that you get wrapped in the story right away.  You right away the get sense of family, the sense of loss, for husband, parents, love, & trust.  Yet, there is still hope for it all.  Please try it out I know yourself I know you will enjoy it.

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