AMII'S ANGEL

AMII'S ANGEL                                              NATALIE-NICOLE BATES
Posted:  June 4, 2015

Amii's AngelFor years, Amii Sloan has held a burning grudge against Ryan Maine for his cutting cross examination during her sister’s murder trial. Now, a chance encounter brings Ryan back into her life, along with a very interesting proposition—to work as his personal assistant in the idyllic 
town of Unity.

Down on her luck, and supporting a mother with early onset dementia, Amii doesn’t have much of a choice but to accept the job Ryan offers. But can she overlook the past, to possibly open the door to a brighter future?


As she spends time with the handsome, successful lawyer, she realizes that maybe first impressions can be wrong, and that just maybe she and Ryan could share a whole lot more than she ever imagined.
 

MY REVIEW:
     When tragedy mars your youth and teen years it tends to shape what comes next in your life.  For Amii Sloane it was when her 15 year old sister was kidnapped and killed and she was a witness to it.  In fact she was a survivor but that was really overlooked due to the end results of her beloved sister’s death.  If only her sister could have fought as hard as she did. 
     Amii was never given the luxury of dealing with her own pain or the pain of losing her sister because right after the trial, that she helped lose no thanks to that rat bastard Ryan Maine Mr. White's lawyer, her father left her and her mother high and dry.  You see he couldn’t cope with the fact that Ian White’s lawyer got him off of the charges of murdering her sister Aunna.  What she held and festered like a Trojan Virus is the fact that when his lawyer Ryan Maine cross examined her about her account of the kidnapping he made there be enough reasonable doubt that made her look like she did not really recall what happened when in fact she did.  He just twisted her words around.  That day made her feel like she had lost her sister all over again and that Ryan Maine had stolen her soul to get this scum Ian White off.  The sad thing is Ian White walked out a free man only to kill again a month later.
     Imagine her surprise when she attends Jordon Preston’s Party at his home for his new screenplay.  When Ryan tries to use a pick up line on her.  When she shoots him down by telling him that she could never be in his company because he had cross examined her where he stole her soul and made her doubt herself.  Forever hating him.
     He was stunned and talks to Preston about her and of who she is.  Finds out that she is a new author that just wrote a book that Preston wants to get the screenplay rights to.  That night though he knew it was love at first sight for him and Amii would one day be his wife.  He just needed to figure out how he had made her lose her soul, how to get her to forgive him, and getting her to marry him.  Nothing to big you see.
     You will enjoy how this couple have to work through some of the more touchy issues of their past lives to walk through the present ones.  They both have trust issues and fears.  With fireworks, some with tears, and the best with some loving.  This is a short but fun and engaging story line. I give this 5 stars.  Provided by NetGalley. 
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JUST ONE TASTE

JUST ONE TASTE                                          KIMBERLY KINCAID
Posted:  June 4, 2015

Just One Taste by Kimberly KincaidA little home improvement can go a long way…

Jesse Oliver was a medic in Afghanistan, but back home in Pine Mountain he’s happy to switch gears as the Double Shot bar’s new sous chef. When his apartment floods and his old Army buddy offers the family’s dilapidated lake house as temporary quarters, Jesse thinks a little remodeling on the creaky duplex sounds like a fair return favor. That’s before he sets eyes on the gorgeous woman moving into the other side of the cabin—and discovers she’s his buddy’s kid sister, a.k.a totally off limits.

Kat McMarrin has fought hard for her space, and she’s not too interested in sharing it. Of course, her job as a physical therapist means she won’t see much of Jesse, even if he’s a few thin floorboards away—unless she seeks him out. And with his sculpted body and slow-burn gaze, she might be tempted. Maybe the fixer-upper projects she has planned for the cabin will keep her mind off him. Or maybe her instincts to strip the place down will get out of hand…

MY REVIEW:
     When you come from a back ground of no love or trust it makes it hard to form true friendships or relationships.  Which is exactly the case of Jesse Oliver, 27.  He had a single mom who was hooked on drugs, a father that left when he was five, and so he felt the need to care for his mom.  At the age of 20 she died of an overdose and he joined the Army.
     He was a medic.  He had done three tours and he opted to take an extra tour training and teaching combat lifesaving in his off time.  When he was on one of his tours he met Gabe McMarrin.  They became quick buddies.  After time had passed he met up with him again and he found out he and his wife had settled down in a town called Riverside the town over from Pine Mountain where he grew up.  He just hadn’t been back since he joined at 20 there was nothing there for him.  Now though he had his friend Gabe.
     One morning Jesse wakes to an off sounds so he waits to hear what the threat could be.  A little disoriented as to if he was still abroad or home.  Then, he remembers he was no longer in uniform and on alert.  He hears what sound like rain when he listens closer.  Yet, he sees that the sun is shining.  He gets up and walks toward the noise which is coming from the bathroom.  He at first thought someone had gotten in and was taking a shower.  Who knew what he would find.  What he found was an inch of water all over the flood.  He shut off the source or at least he tried.  So, he goes to the main for his unit and shuts it down.
     Then he thinks or the other three apartments with neighbors.  Especially the sexy blond above him.  When he sees the neighbor from across from him holding her baby looking frazzled.  He tells her to call the landlord, to call her husband, and the city.  They needed the water source shut down yesterday.  Then he goes and shuts off the main.  He checks on the other residents only finding the elderly couple at home.  Several hours later along with his sexy neighbor who had gotten back from a jog to this crazy mess.  They all waited for the news or their fate.  It would be 4-6 weeks to get back in once they address the main water leak.
     Of course being in need he turns to Gabe to ask for help.  He’s in luck Gabe happens to own a duplex with his sister who never uses it either and it’s by the lake.  It needs work and in exchange for staying there rent free Jesse will do the fixing up.  There was all kinds of repairs, clean up and whatever else he could do to make it nice for future use. As they were talking inside the entrance they hear a woman’s voice ask what they were doing there.
     Jesse can’t believe or even speak for a few minutes.  It is none other than the neighbor above him.  Oh, God No! Yup!  It is Gabe’s baby sister Kat McMarrin.  Jesse almost swallows his tongue.  Gabe explained the situation when Jesse cuts in saying she knows she’s my neighbor.  Kat ask to talk to Gabe in private but Jesse says, it’s okay he doesn’t have to stay there if it’s going to cause problems.  Gabe starts to protest.  Kat beats him to the next question do you have other options?  She basically asked.  He said, “Yes!”  Gabe asked, “Other than your car?” Jesse says, “No!”  Kat says sure he can stay but she wants locks on the shared front door to her part of the duplex.
     This was a fast fun read.  It gives you a short insight to the mind of a Vet returning home and the adjustments they need to make in their mind, body, and soul.  Some can be reached and others can’t.  How Kat being so out of the box as a progressive thinker that she made him feel safe.  Being an Army brat gave her insight to some of the very things he was going through.  As well as her training as a physical therapist.  I give this 5 stars.  Provided by Net Galley.
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TAMING THE LEGEND

TAMING THE LEGEND                                KAT LATHAM
Posted:  June 4, 2015

Taming the Legend by Kat LathamWhen retiring rugby star Ash Trenton considered his next career move, coaching troubled teens at his ex-girlfriend’s California camp wasn’t on the list. But when Camila Morales reappears after eighteen years, begging for his help, he can’t say no to his first and only love.

Camila was just sixteen when Ash moved on to start his rugby career, leaving her heartbroken…and on her own to make a life-changing decision. Now she needs his help to win a tournament prize and save her camp. Relying on Ash is the last thing she wants. But while it’s hard to get over being dumped for a sport, it’s even harder to ignore the rush of attraction that has only gotten stronger after so many years apart.

Coaching teens is the hardest job Ash has ever had, and the task becomes personal when he begins to fall for Camila all over again. But when he is offered his dream job, will he choose the job—or the woman whose heart he already sacrificed once?
 

MY REVIEW:
     Not knowing about rugby this was a fun way to get a taste of it.  The characters were so much fun to read about.  They right away grip you and bring you into the story line and their lives.
     Ashley (Ash) Trenton (36) from England was on vacation in Barcelona, Spain when he met her.  He was 18 and with a friend of his, Alfie (Hardy) Hardwick after just signing his first professional contract.  They had saved their earnings from Legends Academy to be there for two weeks of sunshine and let’s not lie to rid Ash of his virginity before reporting to preseason training.  Going back a virgin would be death by embarrassment.
     As they sat all day for several days looking and discussing the women walking by at the beach just one space over was HER, Camila Morales (32) at the time 16.  She was there because she was out of control at home and her father thought it best to send her to an aunt to babysit for the summer.  She went from living in Montana with her mom and twin brother, Gabriel, to L.A. with her dad, to Barcelona, Spain, the thing was when she met Ash she had already given her own virginity away.  So, when she met him and he took everything slow well… A guy who thought about her feelings and wants.  There first night together was all about just kissing.  Then their two weeks were up.  They said they would keep in contact.
     Fast forward 18 years almost to the day.  It’s his retirement day and the day they won the world cup.  He was on such a high but also realizing he was missing something as he looked around at his teammates hugging girlfriends, wives, and children that he hugged a cup.
Back at the hotel partying with his team he’s seeing a woman in the corner staring at him hard he goes to investigate.  She seems familiar when he gets to her table he is stunned it is her, Camila.  He holds out his hand as he says her nickname, “Mila” she stands up hugs him.  He holds on a little to longs she pushes him away he looks aghast she rears back and cold cocks him.  Hard enough to land him on his great ass.
     This was a fun and funny book.  The characters at times were in your face.  At others I would have liked just a little more explanation but still good.  Gabriel’s story I enjoyed much more I think it just tugged at something more for me.  But this is still worth the read for sure.  I give this 4 stars.  Provided by Net Galley. 
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CENTER ICE

CENTER ICE                                                  CATE CAMERON
Posted: June 4, 2015

Center Ice by Cate CameronThe hometown hockey hero won’t know what hit him…

Karen Webber is in small-town hell. After her mother’s death, she moved to Corrigan Falls to live with strangers—her dad and his perfect, shiny new family—and there doesn’t seem to be room for a city girl with a chip on her shoulder. The only person who makes her feel like a real human being is Tyler MacDonald.

But Karen isn’t interested in starting something with a player. And that’s all she keeps hearing about Tyler.

Corrigan Falls is a hockey town, and Tyler’s the star player. But the viselike pressure from his father and his agent are sending him dangerously close to the edge. All people see is hockey—except Karen. Now they’ve managed to find something in each other that they both desperately need. And for the first time, Tyler is playing for keeps…
MY REVIEW:
     The pressures that teens are under are beyond crazy.  But for Karen Webber her whole world had been shattered.  You see her mom was in a car accident and the lingered in the hospital till one day she expired.  Now like that wasn’t more than enough for this 16 year old to handle now she had to go live with the father she never met and his perfect family.
     Wait it gets even better because she has 3 half siblings 2 twin 18 year olds Matt and Miranda.  Then there is Sara who is 14.  So, yeah if you’re doing the math she would be one of her father’s marital oops!  But he got caught.  Right away Miranda disliked her with a passion.  You can’t really blame her because her father brings home the big city girl with a chip on her shoulders who wants to put him and as she puts it “perfect family” on the hot seat. 
     To get away from them and have private time she jogs just after the sun goes up in the morning.  One of the days she gets attacked by a crazy squirrel who thinks she’s a tree.  When Tyler MacDonald sees the squirrel attack he yells at her to stand still but the feisty woman in her wants to say, “NO!”  But when she thinks better of it… He comes over with a stick to get it off and she starts in, “Don’t kill it!”  At that moment there’s a connection.
     After that meeting he gives her a ride when she gets lost.  He takes he swimming at his favorite spot at the lake, that he has never taken any girl ever.  She hung out with him there all afternoon.  Which was good because before she got lost she had overheard some girls that were friends of Miranda’s that were in front of her in line at the store, talking about her and her family life.  They mentioned how all the parents were wondering how many other kids of her father would come out of the wood works since he is such a man-whore.  Tyler is very kind to her, open, and easy going.  When there are quiet moments they weren’t weird.
     When he drives her home that’s when it gets weird.  She told him the address.  He said he knew the street but she could point out the house when they got there.  The thing was when they got close he had a really bad feeling.  You see all her new family, except for her father was there.  Plus her step mother’s parents were there too.  Tyler was on guard and asked, “You know the Beacons?”  She just says it’s a long story but yes and that was where she needed to be dropped off.
     Karen couldn’t even make herself look more presentable if she wanted to because she had gone swimming with her clothes on.  So her dress and her hair was all wet and hanging long.  As soon as Tyler drove off Miranda decided that she to be the spokesperson.  She wanted to know what she was doing with Tyler MacDonald.  She told her hanging out and swimming.  Then Miranda yells at her saying that she was going to have a horrible rep hanging out with Tyler in his sex-wagon.  Then she started talking about how she was set a bad example at her home and that she hadn’t been living with them long enough to unlearn the “slut-washing.”
     Well, the gloves were now off.  She just spoke about her mama.  No one stepped forward to stop Miranda so then she remembered the girls at the drugstore and Miranda’s friends.  So, Karen says, “The example your father setting, you mean?  Cause from what I’ve heard, he’s the big slut around here.  At least my mother wasn’t cheating on a pregnant wife when she went slumming as you keep telling me.”
     So, the fight begins.  Not only for a relationship with Tyler that Miranda couldn’t make dirty, a relationship with her father and his family, but putting her mother’s death in a place of less pain.  I give this funny yet poignant story of coming of age and love 5 stars.  Provided by Net galley.

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