BRENDA'S CHRISTMAS DESIRE

BRENDA'S CHRISTMAS DESIRE              SHARON KLEVE
Posted:  Dec. 16, 2013

Brenda's Christmas Desire by Sharon Kleve  Christmas approaches and Brenda has to decide if she's going to let the past hold her prisoner for another year or if she can finally enjoy what Christmas used to mean to her-love. DEA agent, John Smith knows the significance of December fifteenth to Brenda, but when the head of the Nuevo Cartel escapes federal prison he's forced to let her face the day without him, but not quite alone. Can Daisy, a golden Labrador puppy, a huge sale on decorations at the hardware store, and a gift from her aunt restore her love of Christmas?



MY REVIEW:

A very touching and sweet holiday short story.  Brenda Skinner works for her childhood friend who is not only a P.I. who finds lost and stolen pets but she can speak to them too.  What is really cute is her name is…Wait for it…Corny.  Corny is just gifted or cursed as she says.

     The book opens up with Brenda feeling gloomy because it is the holidays then you’ll find out there is more to it.  She was raised by an aunt that wouldn’t celebrate the holidays anymore.  Could that be it?

     Anyway, Brenda has an exceptional man in her life John Smith who is a DEA agent.  He is knows she’s sad but can’t get her to share.  Finally, asks Corny who says it’s from her childhood but she loves John don’t worry she’ll share when she’s ready.  Days later she does…
     Watch Brenda take the steps needed to grow into a well-rounded person and now couple as John takes these steps with her into their future. 

OWN THE WIND

OWN THE WIND                                       KRISTEN ASHLEY
Posted:  Dec. 16, 2013

Own the Wind by Kristen Ashley  Too hot to handle...

Tabitha Allen grew up in the thick of Chaos--the Chaos Motorcycle Club, that is. Her father is Chaos' leader, and the club has always had her back. But one rider was different from the start. When Tabby was running wild, Shy Cage was there. When tragedy tore her life apart, he helped her piece it back together. And now, Tabby's thinking about much more than friendship...

Tabby is everything Shy's ever wanted, but everything he thinks he can't have. She's beautiful, smart, and as his friend's daughter, untouchable. Shy never expected more than friendship, so when Tabby indicates she wants more--much more--he feels like the luckiest man alive. But even lucky men can crash and burn...



MY REVIEW:

   This is the first of Kristen Ashley’s books that I have read that is full length.  I did get a taste of this book which is why I bought this in “A Christmas to Remember” which I just reviewed like last week.  I loved Tabby and Shy so much I just had to read more about them.

     To Parker (Shy) Cage, Tabitha (Tabby) Allen was beautiful.  And every time he saw her it hit him in his chest, a burning in his gut, flaming lungs and then hard to breathe.  He had never ever felt that way.  God knows he had had his fair share of women but here was this fiery little thing that could tear you a new one but was sexy as hell doing it.  Was it all that thick dark hair and her sapphire blue eyes?  Maybe, it was her curvy petite body or the golden tanned skin of summer she still had?  Even if guys weren’t into short women they could see how pretty she was.

     He knew what it was she was just one of those girls it was nice to be around.  Her face told all it was expressive, always with a smile and quick to laugh and so animated.  Yet, when she got mad she was one feisty little thing.  She just carried a good mood wherever she went and when she was gone you were better for it, even if your day had been bad it just got better. 

     With all that being said she was off limits.  She was to young, to immature and his brother’s (in the club) daughter which is number one reason not to go there.  Yet, she rocked his world.  She was his reason to get up in the morning but he was not in her league.  But she was blowing it.

     Because she was Tack’s daughter (Head of the Club) everyone treated her with kid gloves.  Because Shy was in love with her, although he didn’t know it yet, he thought it was time for some tough love.  He was just the man for to give it.  The thing was he knew that Tabby had a crush on him but he had no idea that she was in love with him.  That this so called tough love at her tender age of 19 was going to throw her so far out of his realm that he was going to lose her.

     Well, with that came a year and a half freeze-out for him.  Her life did change he did help her but hurt himself and really her in the long run.  It did change for the better until she faced a tragic event that made her lose focus but Shy was who she called when she needed help, for that, he was grateful.  You see being a part of a bikers club is a life style you chose but for Tabby she was born into it and to love Shy she had to want to pick it twice and so see what she decides to do and if Shy even gives her that chance. 

     This is a raw gritty look at a lifestyle most of us only see in the movie and books.  I for one am okay with that.  This is such a romantic and sexually charged couple that you can’t help but love them.  You need to know that they do have graphic love scenes so beware.  But you see what they have to go through to be together and see what their lifestyle entails.  This books delves into the backgrounds of these two characters and their families and even as crazy as it is to think about living in it the family dynamics are no different than everyone wants for their families.  You see their struggles and pains and the joys and happiness.  You feel it too.  Kristen is a really gifted writer one that makes you just get deep into one of her books as if watching a movie.

    I bought this book myself and so glad I did.  I totally enjoyed it.  Because you will see the wild and bumpy ride that Tabby and Shy take in order to make their relationship into one and then into how to keep it one when the club and family find out.  You are looking at two very strong personalities and they are colorful that is for sure.  I like how Kristen allows her characters to have flaws yet be strong and endure whatever life throws at them with family and friends by their sides.  Loved this book.

HOLLY IN LOVE

HOLLY IN LOVE                                      CAROLINE B. COONEY
Posted:  Dec.  13, 2013

Holly in Love by Caroline B. Cooney  Seventeen-year-old Holly Carroll hates the cold weather—sometimes she thinks she’s going to die of winter. She lives in New Hampshire, where snow’s a staple and everyone’s gearing up for the annual Ice Sculpture Festival. What Holly wants for Christmas this year is a boyfriend. In Bermuda. Then one day, she notices Jamie Winter. He’s nice, cool, and really good looking. He’s also sixteen—her younger brother’s age.

Her friends want to know how Holly can even think about dating a junior. All Holly knows is that she and Jamie have a great time together. He’s not only fun, he’s sensitive. And whip smart. But that doesn’t stop her friends from trying to set her up. Suddenly, dateless Holly has prospects, like the twenty-one-year-old college man who drives a silver Corvette. And there’s handsome, popular Pete Stein, who suddenly seems interested. But no one can compare to Jamie. Is Holly willing to risk the scorn of her classmates—and her whole school—to be with the boy she loves?


MY REVIEW:


  This was truly geared for teens and not for adults.  This was a lot of teen interaction in her head.  Not always a good thing but at times very amusing.  I believe this author was trying to present a wholesome story and she did, yet to me there was a lot of endless babbling. (Yet, when you listen you my daughter and her friends this is what I hear.  So on the mark.) That this story could have done without like how many times can you say you don’t like winter?  What was funny, about the time I was really starting to get tired of it her friends were too?

     Holly endlessly talks, talks, and talks about how she hates winter and wants to be, live and or go to college any place tropical (Florida, LOL) to be warm.  Which is a little hard to do in New Hampshire.  There is a great deal to do surroundings with their majority of cold weather.  All of which she hates.

     Holly is a 17 year old senior who rides the bus daily and on the breezy days hides behind the body of 16 year old Junior, Jamie Winter.  Since most of the ones at the bus stop love winter especially snow they are practicing for snow sculpturing.  Since she and Jamie dislike the cold and snow they start chatting each other up.  Every one of her girlfriends makes a big deal about it saying she is robbing the cradle and things like that.  Just by talking to him.  At first she fights it, then one day she notices him for who he is a tall, strong, handsome guy.

     The more they talk the more she can’t stop thinking about him.  He starts seeing her more too at the college, school and just around.  This is perfect for my daughter.  To let you see that when your heart falls in love it does not see age when it is appropriate.  This was and it was sweet and when you take pressure from you friends and you’re honest with yourself and those things work out.  For that I give this a 5 star.  Provided by Netgalley.com

ELECT

ELECT                                                     RACHEL VAN DYKEN
Posted:  Dec. 16, 2013

Elect by Rachel Van Dyken  Would you die for the one you love?
Nixon Abandonato made his choice. And now he has to pay the price. Tracey is the love of his life, but being with him has made her a target of his family's enemies. The only way to keep Trace alive is convince the world she means nothing to him.

Trace Rooks has fallen irrevocably in love with the son of her family's sworn rival, and she knows in her bones nothing can tear them apart. Until Nix suddenly pushes her away and into the arms of his best friend... But Trace isn't ready to give up on a future with Nix--and if he won't fight for them, she will.

In the end, a sacrifice must be made. A life for a life. For what better way to cover a multitude of sins than with the blood of a sinner . . .


MY REVIEW:


     Once again Rachel has knocked it out the park.  I have to tell you I am not the mob person in my family, it is my husband, he love the genre.  I have to say though I love this storyline a lot.  I know I told my husband about this story and he has enjoyed me telling him about it.

     All of the characters just grab ahold of you with a vice grip and won’t let you go.  The thing is you don’t want them to because you just can’t get enough.

     Nixon and Chase are cousins, SEXY & YOUNG, who basically run Eagle Elite since Nixon’s family owns it.  With Nixon in charge of course.  Tex is a friend, in line after Chase, also an enforcer of all school/family rules.  Monroe (Mo), is Nixon’s twin sister, who attends the academy too.  You see their father was the head of the Abandonato Mob Family until he went to prison and Nixon took over.

     Now enter Tracy (Alfero) who wins a spot at Elite and it turns out her Grandpa is connected too, but to another crime family, The Alfero’s which he is the head of.  In fact it is her parents death years ago that everyone is up in arms about.  She like everyone else has an assumed last name.  This book goes into finding out who killed her parents before it destroys Nixon’s family because they all believe it is his dad who did it.  Not that his not a bad and evil man but did he do this?

     Tracy holds the key but doesn’t know it and many different enemies are coming for all these cast of characters to get the answers.  Or it’s a life for a life and they would start with someone Nixon loves which would mean…Tracy.

     How does Chase and Tracy feel about all this?  Nixon has been throwing them together as a couple to keep her safe since he had already had Chase guarding her it seemed natural.  Now feelings are starting to grow between them right?  With looks that are given and hand brushes.  Will this be as cut and dry as it was supposed to be? 

     This book is just so exciting I could not put it down.  I didn’t want to go to sleep that night in order to finish but could not keep my eyes open.  The twist and turns were fun and kept you guessing.  I loved it.  Great job can’t wait for the next installment.  Provided by netgalley.

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