ALL DRESSED IN WHITE

ALL DRESSED IN WHITE                    MARY HIGGINS CLARK, ALAFAIR BURKE

The second thrilling novel in the New York Times bestselling Under Suspicion series following The Cinderella Murder, featuring intrepid television producer Laurie Moran as she investigates the case of a missing bride.

Five years ago Amanda Pierce was excitedly preparing to marry her college sweetheart in a lavish ceremony at The Grand Victoria Hotel in Palm Beach. Then, with their guests and families on site, Amanda disappeared.

In present-day New York City, Laurie Moran realizes a missing bride is the perfect cold case for her investigative television series, Under Suspicion. She and her team set out to recreate the night of the disappearance at the Florida resort with Amanda’s friends and family in attendance, hoping to shed new light on the mystery as the series has done in past episodes. With a jealous sister, playboy groomsmen, Amanda’s former fiancĂ© now married to a bridesmaid, and rumors about the “beloved” bride herself, Laurie and Under Suspicion host Alex Buckley quickly realize everyone has a theory about why Amanda vanished into thin air.

One thing is certain: whoever was behind Amanda’s disappearance plans to keep the truth hidden “until death do they part…”

HUBBY'S REVIEW:
This is a mystery that actually began 5 years ago, when a bride disappeared the day before her wedding before her. The mother never believes that she just upped and ran off. Now after five years she has decided to go to a TV host that solves crimes, she is hoping that after talking with her that she will take her case and look into this case. Laurie Moran remembers the story of Amanda Pierce, getting ready to marry her college sweetheart in Palm Beach only to disappear. Her team is all for it and then the story takes off. You are given the cast of suspects and who each one had something to gain from Amanda not being around anymore. The only two that did not are her parents and they ended up in divorce but they still talk and get along with one another. This story the way it is written reminds me of the old fashion mystery novels and it took me a while to get back into that mode. Everything now a days is dark and gruesome that a story like this takes a while to develop it is still a very good book with good characters and with just enough twists and turns to keep you turning to the next page so you don’t miss a clue. A very good book. I got this book from netgalley.  I give this 5 stars.   Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com 

SOLITUDE CREEK

SOLITUDE CREEK                                  JEFFERY DEAVER

A tragedy occurs at a small concert venue on the Monterey Peninsula. Cries of "fire" are raised and, panicked, people run for the doors, only to find them blocked. A half dozen people die and others are seriously injured. But it's the panic and the stampede that killed; there was no fire.

Kathryn Dance--a brilliant California Bureau of Investigation agent and body language expert--discovers that the stampede was caused intentionally and that the perpetrator, a man obsessed with turning people's own fears and greed into weapons, has more attacks planned. She and her team must race against the clock to find where he will strike next before more innocents die.
 

HUBBY'S REVIEW:
I enjoy Mr. Deaver’s books, but I had not read the other ones in this particular story line. Kathryn Dance is an investigator with the CBI and is called in to an investigation at a club that at first looked like arson, but upon further investigation they did not know what the person who started the panic and closed off the exits except for was all about. They did know that someone died and people were hurt. This type of scene would be repeated a few more times through the book while she and her team are trying to come up with leads. This is going on and she is still wanting to work on a case that she was ordered off before this one. So she is doing this without letting her boss know. She is also dealing with two children at home and working on moving on with her life from the death of her husband from two years ago. Sounds like a lot going on and there is but by the time you are about half way through the book it becomes easier. At least for me it was. You also get a look into the person who is doing the crimes which is a unique perspective. Overall a good story and the ending was good also. I got this book from netgalley. I give this 4 stars.
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Tony Oliva: The Life and Times of a Minnesota Twins Legend

TONY OLIVA: THE LIFE AND TIMES                 THOM HENNINGER, PATRICK REUSSE
OF A MINNESOTA TWINS LEGEND

If not for the botched Bay of Pigs invasion, Minnesota might never have known one of its most popular baseball players, Twins three-time batting champion and eight-time All-Star Tony Oliva. In April 1961, the twenty-two-year-old Cuban prospect failed to impress the Twins in a tryout, but the sudden rupture in U.S.–Cuba relations made a return visa all but impossible. The story of how Oliva’s unexpected stay led to a second chance and success with the Twins—as well as decades of personal and cultural isolation—is told for the first time in this full-scale biography of the man the fans affectionately call “Tony O.”

With unprecedented access to the very private Oliva, baseball writer Thom Henninger captures what life was like for the Cuban newcomer as he adjusted to major league play and American culture—and at the same time managed to earn Rookie of the Year honors and win the American League batting title in his first two seasons, all while playing with a knuckle injury. Packed with never-before-published photographs, the book follows Oliva through the 1965 season, all the way to the World Series, and then, with repaired knuckle and knee, into one of the most dramatic pennant races in baseball history in 1967. Through the voices of Oliva, his family, and his teammates—including the Cuban players who shared his cultural challenges and the future Hall of Famers he mentored, Rod Carew and Kirby Puckett—the personal and professional highs and lows of the years come alive: the Gold Glove Award in 1966, a third batting title in 1971, the devastating injury that curtailed his career, and, through it all, the struggle to build a family and recover the large and close-knit one he had left behind in Cuba.

Nearly forty years after Oliva’s retirement, the debate continues over whether his injury-shortened career was Hall of Fame caliber—a question that gets a measured and resounding answer here.

HUBBY'S REVIEW:
This was a fantastic book about a ball player Tony Olivia. He made his way to America from Cuba and playing with a minor league team affiliated with the Twins in Charlotte, and there with the help of the manger and others he learned English, and the ways of American life. That help him on the field and that lead to the big leagues. Once on the Twins he would win the Rookie of the year, 3 batting titles, a golden glove, was an 8 time all-star and retired with a lifetime batting average of .304. The Twins retired his #6, and I thought he was in the Hall of Fame, but I was wrong he is not. That is a shame, I know if it was not for a couple of knee injuries that shorten his career and took away some of his playing time during his prime and I think he would be in. this is a good book not just about his playing days but also about his family in Cuba and once he got married. A very good book about a very good baseball player and from the sound of it a good person as well. I got this book from netgalley. I give this 5 stars.  Follow us at 
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THE 50 GREATEST DODGERS GAMES OF ALL TIMES

THE 50 GREATEST DODGERS GAMES OF ALL TIMES     J.P. HOORNSTRA

The Dodgers have played more than 10,000 games as a franchise. Their 50 greatest games span two coasts and three centuries worth of baseball. They include:

• A doubleheader that lasted six and a half innings combined
• A single game that featured three teams on the field
• A game in which the Dodgers didn’t record a hit – and won
• The games in which the single-season and career home run records were broken
• Three perfect games and two no-hitters
• The longest game in major league history
• The first major league game ever televised
• A game in which the Dodgers’ pitcher lost consciousness on the field
• An exhibition game that drew 93,103 spectators
• The first integrated game in major league history

The 50 Greatest Dodgers Games features all the best players to don the uniform: Sandy Koufax, Jackie Robinson, Kirk Gibson, Zack Wheat, Fernando Valenzuela, Orel Hershiser, Duke Snider, Roy Campanella, Clayton Kershaw, Steve Garvey, Don Drysdale, Pee Wee Reese and more. It also features some of the unsung heroes of baseball history, like Cookie Lavagetto, Vic Davalillo, Sandy Amoros, Al Gionfriddo and Joe McGinnity.

For the first time, their performances are laid side-by-side in this account of the greatest Dodgers games ever played. Which game ranks number one.

HUBBY'S REVIEW:
The author is the one who picked the fifty games and I cannot disagree with the games. I may not have picked the one he put at #1. I would have switched #’s 1 & 2, but that is just me. A true Dodger fan like my father in-law actually picked the authors choice for # 1. Me I am a baseball fan but also someone who appreciates the history of the game. Other the Dodgers won or lose they were as a team involved in a lot of historic games. From World Series, to no hitters, and perfect games, to games that did not have any hit’s but they still won, and the longest game. Overall I enjoyed this book and for anyone who likes baseball regardless of their favorite team they will enjoy reading this book as well. Fantastic! I got this book from netgalley.   I give this 5 stars.  Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

FIXED IN FEAR

FIXED IN FEAR                                   T. E. WOODS

The Fixer returns in the pulse-pounding Justice series—perfect for fans of Lisa Gardner, Karin Slaughter, and Jeff Lindsay’s Dexter thrillers—as worlds collide in an inferno of bloodshed, revenge, and holy terror.

I’ll probably never see my daughter again. And if I do, she’ll either be dead or in a jail cell.

Seattle Chief of Detectives Mort Grant cannot reconcile the memories of his vibrant, headstrong young daughter with the cold, deadly woman she has become. The head of one of the largest criminal enterprises in the world, Allie Grant seized power by wrenching it away from her lover, a notorious Russian gangster. How she maintains her control, Mort doesn’t even want to imagine.

Only two other people know the truth about Allie: the vigilante known as The Fixer, and Mort’s best friend, Larry, who’s undergoing a crisis of his own. Someone close to Larry, his last real connection to his beloved late wife, has been slain in a mass murder at a sweat lodge deep in the woods of Washington State. When word gets out, Mort immediately takes on the gruesome case.

But as Mort hunts down a pair of methodical killers, The Fixer does some deep digging of her own. And what she unearths will rock Mort’s family forever. Because The Fixer has set her sights on Allie Grant—and nothing will ever be the same again.

HUBBY'S REVIEW:
This has to be the best book so far in the series and I must say each book gets better and better. Mort is working on tracking down some ruthless killers and at same time trying to figure out what happen with his daughter Allie. How can he be Chief of Detectives in Seattle and his daughter be in charge of one the most ruthless criminal organizations in the world? Where did he go wrong, or was she born that way? He also is working on fixing his different relationships while working a case with a police chief from another county that involved his friend Larry. The murders took place in a sweat lodge and this adds to the story. Also having Mort working with someone new and who is another strong female just adds to the story. Chief Rita Willer lets Mort know that this is her case and she is the person in charge. I must say the author does have very strong female characters whether they are good or bad. A very good book and very good characters. I don’t want to get to much into it or I will give away the story, but I am already looking forward to the next book and this book does end with a cliff hanger. I got this book from netgalley.  I give it 5 stars.  Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

ALL I NEED IS YOU #2

ALL I NEED IS YOU #2                          WENDY S. MARCUS

As a dancer who creates mesmerizing visions onstage, Neve James is looking for the same kind of stability in her love life. Her pen pal, Rory McRoy, is on leave from deployment in Afghanistan, so she heads to Boston to surprise him. After corresponding for months as part of a “Support Our Troops” initiative—and exchanging dozens of “Read When You’re Alone” letters—Neve knows what Rory likes, and she intends to fulfill his every fantasy. But all they get are a few blissful moments together before they’re interrupted by a woman claiming to be Rory’s fiancĂ©e.

Rory has fallen hard for Neve’s letters. When he finally meets her in person, he has to have her, right then and there—until Neve takes off in a fit of anger. Forced to return to Afghanistan before he can fix things between them, Rory waits four agonizing months to prove that he’s not the man Neve thinks he is. But by the time he arrives in New York, she’s already made up her mind. Luckily, Rory never backs down from a challenge, and he’s prepared to put everything on the line for love.

HUBBY'S REVIEW:
This story starts out as a women Neve James writing a letter to a soldier Rory McRoy who is stationed in Afghanistan. The pen pal starts with if he wants him to keep writing him letters. When she receives letters back saying yes they are not your typical pen pal letters. Neve is a very sexual women and she uses her words to describe scenes for him. The letters go back and forth for a year and they decide to meet when he comes home to Boston. That weekend everything is going good until they get caught in the storeroom of the families bar. The girl who caught them screams at Rory how he could because they were to be married. This was not true, but Neve takes off and returns back to Chicago. After not hearing from her for weeks he decides to go to Chicago and try to talk to her. Once their he finds out that she must have an operation and she cannot dance or get around for a while. He decides to stay to help her and though she does not what his help she takes it. After a week or so they finally start talking and he tells why that girl was misunderstood about a relationship that did not exist. They are becoming friends again and back to the way it was when they were writing each other and when everything is starting to go good. A old acceptance of hers comes back into the picture and she lets Rory leave. He decides to come back and catches the guy along with another guy attacking her and though he helped her she is upset at him. He leaves to Boston and her dance career over she leaves Chicago. He works on his PTSD, and she is working on her self-esteem and getting to know herself and want she really wants. When she realizes that she is in love with Rory she comes up with a plan to get him back and asks his mother for her help. This is a very good book with good characters and a very good story line. I got this book from netgalley.  I give this 5 stars.  Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

PERFECT STRANGER

PERFECT STRANGER                         KB ALAN

Dana goes into the BDSM club not quite sure what she needs in order to move forward with her life. When she discovers the club is hosting a charity auction, she makes a desperate plan. If she can secure one of the men being auctioned, maybe she can find the peace that she's been looking for. A stranger with no expectations—it just might work.

Eric agrees to be part of the club's annual charity auction because he's between subs at the moment, and it's for a good cause. He's a Dom used to knowing what a sub needs in a scene with him and how best to provide it. But what happens when the thing a sub needs most is for Eric to drop to his knees at her feet?

This is a SHORT story (approximately 13k word

HUBBY'S REVIEW:
In this story Dana is getting over someone and goes to a BDSM club with the hopes of with the auction this one night that she can have sex, and move on with her life. That is her plan. Eric agrees to the auction and for this one night subs get to be in charge. The thing is no one know who they are auctioning on. This is exactly what Dana needs and when she wins Eric they actually are a good match and he feels that she needs to take things slow and that is what happens. This is a good story and though there is sex scenes the story is just not about sex it is a person dealing with losing a loved one and her way of working through the grief that it has caused her. This goes deeper than just what I am describing. A very good book and a short story with emotion. I got this book from netgalley.  I give this 4 stars. Follow us atwww.1rad-readerreviews.com 

WORTH THE TROUBLE

WORTH THE TROUBLE #2                   JAMIE BECK

Cover girl Cat St. James’s picture-perfect life is anything but flawless. Luckily, she’s a master of hiding the truth from the camera. Relying on that skill, she conceals her latest secret from her family while attending her brother’s wedding. Her only trouble now is Hank Mitchell—the soft-spoken carpenter she’d once brushed aside. Seeing him at the reception underscores her private heartache and ignites unwelcome longing, which she promptly drowns in champagne.

Hank is no stranger to sacrifice, having set aside his own ambitions to take care of his family. One thing he won’t forsake is his pride, which Cat already wounded once. But when the maddening beauty’s reckless behavior forces him to rush to her rescue, he sets in motion a series of events that leads Cat to make a business proposal granting him his dream job.

When Cat and Hank mix business with pleasure, promises and secrets unravel, and each must decide if and what they’ll surrender for love.

MY REVIEW:
     One failed attempt at trying to get to know one another that for both of them truly meant something.  But it happened at a time in Catalina (Cat) St. James’ life when she was in a insecure place.  Which are we ever in a really secure place?
     You see she was in an on again off again relationship with a guy who had money enough to follow her all over the world.  To even photo shoots. To which she stopped telling him about when he started becoming overly possessive and micromanaging her life.
     So, when she was broken up with him that weekend she had gone to her brother Jackson’s for a BBQ and some much needed rest and relaxation.  She was excited to meet a guy like Hank Mitchell.  Meeting this handsomely, sexy, and soft spoken man who is a friend and employee of her brother was refreshing for Cat. They talked, joked, and just enjoyed each other’s company.  When Jackson went to take his then girlfriend home Hank and Cat had a small make out session that may have gone even further if Jackson had not come back so soon.
     When over the course of the next week when he tried calling and texting like said he would she blew him off. His pride was hurt figuring her jet set fly girl life just had no time for a carpenter from nowhere.  Later finding out that her ex had put Vivi in the hospital and had manhandled her after she hand gone back to him out of his jealousy issues.  He just couldn’t understand why women rather have the bad boy over kindness.
     With him taking over the household after his dad passed after his heart attack, women are precious and are to be treated that way you see he has been caring for his terminally ill mom, and 4 sisters through college.  He gave up his dreams but he would never change a thing.  That’s just Hank.
     Cat is facing new hurdles in her life and it is going to mean a new career future at the time her personal life as in mind, body, and spirit are going through a change.  But she is being watched and that is unsettling.  Can she and Hank find a way to make their dreams work and their infatuation for each other work too?  With no parental guidance for either of them to bounce things off, they are an island.  With medical issues she feels she needs to shoulder on alone and push romance away.  Will Hank be a casualty?

     OMG!  The first story in the series was really good.  Yet, this one is fantastically off the charts!!!  It was an emotional roller coaster that at times you will for sure need tissues.  What a great cast of characters in this family saga!  It is well rounded and so full of life.  Absolutely loved it can’t wait for Jackson’s story.  I give this 5++++ stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  Follow us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com.



A SEAL'S TOUCH

A SEAL'S TOUCH                                  TAWNY WEBER

Subject: Navy SEAL Taylor Powell

Mission: Find a sexy fake girlfriend…with even sexier benefits!

Lieutenant Taylor "The Wizard" Powell has a reputation for getting out of tricky situations. Bad guys, bombs, weapons—no problem. Finding a girlfriend in order to evade matchmaking friends? Not so easy. He's banking on contractor Cat Peres to help him out…not realizing his tomboy friend has a whole lot of sexy surprises hidden in her tool belt.

Cat can't remember a time when Taylor wasn't the object of her hottest dreams—so she can't help but agree to his plan. Their only rule? Friends, no matter what. Except the deliciously hot chemistry that ignites between them takes them both by surprise…and having nothing between them might just ruin everything.
 

MY REVIEW:
     Taking a friendship to the next level is never easy because there is so much to lose.  When one has more invested like their heart, while the other is at still the “score” stage.  How do you know when all the promises say, “Nothing will change no matter what?”
     That is where trust comes in and true friendship along with love.  You see Cat Peres has had a crush as well as love with Taylor Powell since she knew what it all meant.  Their families lived across the street from one another and their moms are best friends. 
     Cat has been hanging around his house or events as long as he can remember.  She wasn’t like her sisters all girly girl at all.  And since Taylor was an only child and enjoyed the same things she did the hung out.  Which was cool since his was four years older.  He even had a pet name for her “Kitty Cat” which she hated.
     She even helped him rebuild him rebuild his engine on his first car an old Nova.  She was there when he got through SEAL training.  In fact she teased him all when he came home to his mom’s, “What you home to wash your cape and tights superhero?”  Never allowing him to get a big head just because he was a big bad SEAL.
     Living so close she also noticed that Taylor had a “type” of girl he dated, in fact the whole neighborhood did.  Yes, girls not women.  Because women have brains the usual ones he dates don’t.  Just blonde, big Hooter boobs, petite, curves, and giggly girl types.  So over the years her fantasies took on more and more exciting adventures.  So this weekend while both Taylor and Cat’s moms were away in Vegas being that she was part owner in a family construction company she would work on Taylor’s mom’s house.  So she planned on that today.  When she was under the bathroom sink cursing at it she is startled by a male voice which she knows all too well.  It is her long time crush and friend himself, Taylor.
     After some jabs and teasing Taylor asked for a favor but in a way he didn’t know he had hurt her feelings by calling her one of the guys.  But he asked her to be his date to a bonfire party at the beach with the SEAL’s and families.  She would be his fake date.  The reason being that the wives and such are trying to fix him up and that’s not what he wants.  She says yes to him but doesn’t really like it for she will have to be lying to good people.
     Like Cat, Taylor has his own fears and shadows lurking in his brain.  Yet, at the same time see that one of his best friends, outside of the SEAL brotherhood, has grown up into a beautiful woman while he wasn’t looking and not only is it playing with his body but now his fantasies, mind, and heart.  How did that happen he’s a trained professional?  How did he not see how beautiful she was?  All questions he found himself struggling with along with a mission, and a pup he brought in who was now second guessing himself and the program.  His brain was on overload and he needed to figure it all out and soon.  Yet he noticed just being around Cat had a calming effect.

     This was a cute story.  It was a Cinderella story if she was Punky Brewster.  A girl in love with a boy who only goes out with the princess and in this case is a tomboy maid.  Yet, one day the tomboy maid is all grown up and the prince can see no one else but her.  The author really gives Cat a voice in the limo finally which was good.  I give this 4 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  Follow us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com

WORTH THE WAIT

WORTH THE WAIT                               JAMIE BECK

Thirteen years ago, Vivi LeBrun was sketching a rooster and eating Oreos when she first met—and fell for—her friend’s brother, David St. James. Since then, her love for David has only intensified thanks to years of friendship with his family, who rescued her from a lonely, tumultuous childhood. As she travels to Block Island to vacation with the St. James siblings, Vivi daydreams about reuniting with David, hoping he’ll finally see her as his soul mate.

After his mother’s death, David distanced himself from his siblings, determined to hide a devastating family secret. Now, he’s brought a new girlfriend along to his homecoming—one who’s pushing for a serious commitment. The last thing he needs on his growing list of problems is his budding attraction to Vivi.

With tensions running high, David’s behavior triggers a series of events that might cost him the love he’s always taken for granted and Vivi the only real family she’s ever known.
 

MY REVIEW:
     Our first crushes are sometimes the hardest on our hearts.  Especially if you are in constant contact with the person of your affection.  Growing up is hard enough but when you feel mixed messages on top of friendship it’s hard to gauge what is real.  When the person you are crushing on is your best friends older brother who has always defended you against all the bullies. 
     Vivi LeBrun lost her mother and brother in the car accident the three of them were in when she was six years old.  She was left to be raised by a father who could not handle the grief well and turned to drinking instead of being a responsible loving parent.  Leaving Vivi to manage on her own.  Caring along and fending for her own well-being most of the time.  Which is why she had either cheap mismatched clothes or old clothes on and was teased so very much.
     Vivi also became a parent to her own father.  Cleaning up his messes when he got drunk.  Putting up with his embarrassing moments when he got his drunk on.  Cat St. James her best friend in the world knew what she was up against and invited her over to her house.  A few things became very clear to Vivi when she was there.  One, that she missed her family terribly.  Two that the St. James home was so homey, even with all the things going on there.  There was true love, respect, and true sense of family.
     Mrs. St. James saw a wounded soul but yet a beauty within who could heal and love also.  She knew in the future she would come to only embrace these traits and nurture them but look forward to how they could heal, help, and embrace her family one day.  She love Vivi a great deal.  Like one of her own.  She taught her, her ways.
     The object of her affections is David who is the oldest son of the St. James family.  He is 5 years older than Vivi is.  He has always just looked at her as just a good friend.  Yet, in some ways more than that also.  Which was hard because as it was his younger brother Jackson teased him about the crush Vivi had on him all the time.
     To him Vivi was one of the bravest girls he ever met.  She never backed down from anything she never showed fear.  In fact when he went off to college he found a love letter she sneaked into his computer bag.  Which took guts.  Even if he did ever want to move to a different level with Vivi, Cat and Jackson would have a problem with it.  They did have a lot in common museums, exhibits, secondhand stores, and other things to spend time together.
     But when their mother passed away things blew up with David and his father.  You see he held a very hurtful secret about their father that their mother asked him to keep from his siblings.  Before she passed.  Being so angry with their father he knew he couldn’t keep quiet so he accepted a job in Hong Kong for the past year in order to not tell but it caused a huge gap in the closeness that they all had and bad feelings that may take a very long time to heal even between him and Vivi.  Pretty much dropping all contact will all of them.  Causing great pain to all of them but especially Vivi.  So, when Cat invited her to the sibling vacation at the beach house she was so excited.  Because Cat has known about her mad crush on David and tells her not to get her hopes up but that David is back and is going to be there but he is still not talking all that much and is still angry. 
     When the ferry docks they look around to finally find David.  As they all get to see him it is what they hope all smiles and kiss on the cheek and excitement.  Until…they start to get to the car and Cat asks where Jackson is and he says back at the house with Hank and Laney.  Then Cat is like Laney like from Hong Kong Laney?  Vivi freezes to her spot right before she reaches the car and all the blood rushes to her feet.  Her heart gets the message last when it hears, “Once again he did not pick you and he will never pick you.”  So, it was time to get in the game of cutting David loose from her heart.
     When they get to the house Jackson comes out to greet them.  He grabs Vivi like he always does gives her his full body bear hug and big sloppy kiss.  From that moment on Vivi decides to work it with Jackson and Hank be flirty and relaxed with them.  And to avoid eye contact or any contact with David for the whole week if possible.  David is dumbfounded.  What happened what did he do?  What did he say?  Something wrong?  Let’s just say life becomes interesting…
     This book was a coming of age, a first love, and family saga all in one.  I really enjoyed it.  I can’t wait for the next one.  I loved the characters and all their antics.  I love how the author takes Vivi’s character full circle.  I give this 5++++ stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  Follow us at:

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MOVING ON

MOVING ON                                             KATE L. MARY

After a year with her dying aunt, Bette knows what she wants from life.

1. Keep Aunt Missy’s House 
Chris Pressley is the perfect roommate—uptight and damaged and hung up on his ex. And hot. Bette doesn’t date, but she definitely likes looking.
2. Get Her Dream Job 
Chris just needs to get away from the happiest couple on campus: the sweet, shy girl he loves and his former best friend. Watching Bette rock her tattoos and her curves even as she builds her own business is an education. That’s probably why he can’t keep his mind off her…
3. Never Compromise 
Bette isn’t interested in changing for anyone. But the heat rising between her and Chris won’t leave her the same…

MY REVIEW:

     Sometimes when you want it the least it finds you faster and all too unsuspecting.  You can tell yourself no all you want and run even.  Somehow it will always find you again right where you left it in your heart.  Let’s you know all those others you thought you loved were only to prepare you to open you to the real thing right there in front of you and to know that right here right now it is the real thing.
     Imagine how surprised Bette and Chris are when they figure out they have become the most unwilling hostages of the heart.  Yet disguised as a friendship/roommates.  The one the most unaware is Chris because his best friend had taken his ex from under his nose the same way.  No bro code there.  Never once coming to him to explain if for no other reason but out of respect or the bro code.  Even after he knew Chris was angry with him.  Basically Chris’s feelings were hurt and he was very disappointed in his childhood friend.
     So he ends up moving off campus since he lived 2 doors down from his ex-Annie which meant the chance of running into her and Ryan were greater.  What he really couldn’t get out of his head was walking in on his best friend and his ex-having sex.  That this had been going on the whole time he had been dating her is what got him the betrayal of the friend hurt more really.
     When he moves he ends up in the best section of downtown Charleston.  In the Victorian home area where the homes are at least 100 years old.  He moves in with the most unlikely person you could ever see Chris with.  Why?  Well, Bette has a rather large tattoo that starts on her arm and runs along her shoulder and ends on her back.
     She also has several piercings one on her mouth, her hair is a bright red and she enjoys vintage sexy 1950’s clothing.  Oh let’s not forget the red lipstick.  Although he was telling himself he was still in love with Annie and Bette was not his type.  He had to admit she was Sexy as Hell!  She show him around and agrees to have him as a roommate.
     He starts a new job as a waiter and tries to get back into the swing of things at school but all the time trying to avoid Ryan, Annie, and friends.  In the meantime Bette and he start becoming acquainted and start to like each other as people.  He learns that she comes from a very judgmental family and background, mainly her mother, which he unfortunately gets to meet.  He seems to become her defender in many ways after that bad experience in many ways.  In how to give her support in not allowing others to degrade her because of her choices of style of dress, tats, or piercings.  For she is a good person.
     I totally enjoyed this books and the message if instills in how we need to show kindness, tolerance, and love to others.  How we have to have respect for our friendships and respect boundaries and remember betrayal can cut, sometimes forever.  Sometimes “I’m sorry can’t fix everything” if your actions say something else.  This is a book all women should read or any person being bullied into being different.  For it hurts your mind, body, and spirit of who you are too.

I give this 5 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  Follow us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com

EMERGENCY ENGAGEMENT

EMERGENCY ENGAGEMENT             SAMANTHE BECK

A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint...

He needs the kind of rescue only she can provide…

Glass artist Savannah Smith expected a marriage proposal for Thanksgiving—just not from her strong, silent, super-hot neighbor. But when misplaced mail and a wayward can of paint lands them in a compromising position right as her family arrives for dinner, they assume he’s “The One” she’s been talking about.

Then his family shows up.

Fate dealt a crippling blow to paramedic Beau Montgomery’s heart, and he isn’t about to put it at risk again. Except, with his mother crying tears of joy over his surprise engagement to the sexy little blonde next door, he can’t bring himself to ruin her “Christmas miracle.”

Somewhere between the paint can to the head and the chaotic family trip to the ER, Beau manages to talk Savannah into being his fake fiancée long enough to survive the holidays.

If, of course, they don’t fall in love first…
 

MY REVIEW:
     Two hearts were destine to become one long before either of them thought of a fake engagement…
     Beau Montgomery and Savannah Smith are neighbors across the hall. Beau has lusted over Savannah from afar.  Mainly because Savannah had herself a well to do suit she was dating.  Although Beau call him the “1 for 3” guy.  Why you ask?
     Well, you see both Beau and Savannah’s bedroom walls but up against each other.  On those nights when “1 for 3” would stay the night, with the walls being so thin Beau could hear everything and I do mean-everything.  So those big “O’s” girls hope for she was only getting them 1 for every 3 times up to bat not great odds would you say?
     Even though Savannah had her well-dressed lawyer man that she had been dating six months she did notice Beau.  How could she not?  The man was a gift to the gods.  She even loved him in his EMT uniform.  Plus he was in such great shape boy did he give her food for thought.  But she and Mitchell Prescott III were good on paper and it looked like he might be ready to ask her to marry him.  She even told her sister, Sinclair, that he was taking her out to dinner to tell her something important.
     On Thanksgiving morning Beau and Savannah’s lives would intersect and forever be changed.  You see they were both serving a turkey dinner for their families.  For Beau it would be the first time in at least three years.  But Savannah who was not used to having him home on a holiday he was sure.  Since he almost always took the shift so the guys with kids could be home with them.  Well, she was playing the “cheating man” playlist at a plus 10 so he needed to ask her to turn it down so that he and his parents could have a nice relaxed dinner.
     So he found a piece of mail that was delivered to him by mistake that was hers and headed over.  When he opens his door it’s louder even more because her door is open with a post-a-note saying “come in.”  Not good.  He remembers that last night after her date no boyfriend came over and she was taking a lot of trips to the dumpster that he heard.  So he follows her singing, which was off tune, to a door ajar down the hall.   He pushes it open and gets a little resistance.  So he pushes harder and knocks Savannah of a ladder and she tosses a can of paint at his head knocking him out!  He wakes to her trying to stop the blood flowing and then trying to get him off the floor.  The wet paint causes slipping hands in paint on each of their hands and bodies and awkward places.  And they stumble onto the bed.
     Then parents arrive just as they fall on the bed.  Sinclair mistakes him for the fiancĂ©e to be and all craziness breaks out and parents start hugging and crying starts flowing.  And Beau tell Savannah to go with it.  In shock that Beau her stand offish neighbor would say such a thing does.  Yup! She does. 

     I totally enjoyed this hilarious family drama.  The characters were well rounded and tooo funny for words.  The emotion was intense at the right times too. I give this 5++++ stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  Follow us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com

THE TYCOON'S FORCED BRIDE

THE TYCOON'S FORCED BRIDE            JANE PORTER

Malcolm McKenzie will never forget that night in New York when he put Ava Galvan in a taxi following a heated argument, and the Argentine beauty was involved in an horrific accident—one that ended her career as an acclaimed soloist with the Manhattan Ballet, and impaired her memory and ability to live an independent life.

The Scottish tycoon and philanthropist lives with his guilt, and another consequence: Ava was pregnant with his child the night of the accident. Ever since that night, Malcom has raised Jack as a single father.

But Ava is stronger now, and Jack wants his mommy to come home. Malcolm has never stopped wanting her and he’s determined to do whatever it takes to claim Ava—with or without her consent.
 

MY REVIEW:
     What would it be like if you woke up one day like any other day and one freak event caused your mind and body to no longer work the same?  That is exactly what happened to Ava Galvan a prima ballerina.
     You see Ava and Malcolm (Colm) McKenzie a wealthy real estate, internet startup, and investment tycoon had been an item.  On this fateful night they had gotten into an argument.  He put her into a cab, the next thing he knew she was severally injured.  Never to dance again, and in constant pain, and brain damaged causing memory loss.  Long term as well as short term with some improvement.  Every day was a new day of trying to remember fact or fiction.
     One being the truths of the day of the accident.  She knew they fought because Colm thought she got pregnant to trap him into a relationship that was only to be fun and games.  He wanted her to abort their child.  To him they were just lovers.  For Ava she they were more she was in love with him every part of him even all the things that everyone else hated about him.  And there was a lot.  She never planned to get pregnant but once she was she was excited and keeping it.  She was extremely hurt when Colm reacted the way he did but knew she could do it alone and left hence getting into that cab that caused her injuries.  Life that night had not just changed for Ava it changed for Colm.  He got a huge reality check and several months later a newborn to care for while its mother laid fighting for her life.
     Colm’s reaction to Ava when he was told about the pregnancy was like deja’vu.  His reactions seemed to be on an angry loop for which he regretted so much now with no way to take it back.  All he could do was raise their son and live from this day forward and provide the best care money could provide for Ava.
     See how these two struggle once they are on the other side of the accident.  Are they a couple?  Can she manage on her own?  Does she remember him?  Does he want her?  You’ll have to read to find out.

     Enjoyed this but somewhat hard to get into for me.  It seemed to drag at the beginning but then it picked up once Colm entered the scene.  I give this 4 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  Follow us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com

DARING THE BAD BOY

DARING THE BAD BOY                         HEIDI RICE

Daring the Bad Boy by Heidi RiceWhat happens on Valentine’s Night, stays on Valentine’s Night… That’s the rule.

After a trip home to bury his father, US photographer in London Caleb Landry finds himself stranded in a Soho bar full of boozy women brooding his way through his least favourite night of the year.

But when college art teacher Rosie Smith tries out the cheesiest pick-up line ever on him, Cal becomes captivated by this good girl with a filthy mind – especially when he discovers she has a V-Day allergy of her own. So he dares her to one smokin’ hot Valentine’s night hook-up with no questions asked, satisfaction guaranteed…

But when Valentine’s Night turns into the morning after, suddenly Rosie’s asking questions she shouldn’t, and putting Cal in danger of breaking his number one rule.
 
MY REVIEW:
     Things from your past have a way of sometimes shaping your future if you don’t know it.  Or aren’t lucky enough to find someone to help you change the course.
     Luckily for Rosie Smith and Caleb (Cal) Landry they find each other ever intending to soothe each other’s pains for one night.  When we meet Rosie it is at a bar on Valentine’s Day with penis wearing jeweled women.  There are bachelorettes, to begrudged scorned women out there ready to have fun and drink all kinds of mixed pink drinks.  Rosie is there nursing her one year old dumping from her ex-Vince who made her feel less than.  She was there with her friends Tash and Imo also teachers at the college.
     Tash and Imo being who they are the overly sexed of the three decided Vince needed to be banned from Rosie’s memory and she needed a new Valentine memory to take its place.  Rosie thinking they were nuts and drank her pink daiquiris, as they scoped out the place and told her, “She needed a hot shag against a wall guy-not a cheating asshole who moves in with you guy.”  Which a one night stand scared her she always got emotionally invested.
     Meet Cal Landry just flew in from the States and didn’t want to go home to his empty apartment.  He had moved to Europe 11 years ago from his small town near Buffalo in Upstate New York.  In fact that is where he just came in from after spending the last six days taking care of his father’s affairs.  Not to mention things that have haunted him.  Well, at least he tried to set those ghost to rest.  Now he just wanted his drunk on.  But he just walked into Valentine Penis Hell!
     When the most curvaceous beautiful woman comes over to talk.  Just her touch on his arm sends chills over his spin.  She gives him the dare her friends presented her with.  Meets it and challenges her with one of his own.
     These two have a sexual chemistry that can light a street lamp.  Is it enough to bring one night stand to something more?  Or did she have too much to drink that the gentleman in him let’s her off the hook?
     I enjoyed this story a lot.  Just when you wanted to feel sorry for the one dumped it gets turned around.  I give this 5 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  Follow us at:

www.1rad-readerreviews.com

COMING ON FRIDAY THE AUTHOR OF: "FIRST" M.A. GRANT SEE THIS EXCERPT INCLUDED HERE NOW

Guess Who is Coming on Friday?
Author of:
First
M.A. Grant


Best friends do everything together—including falling in love…
Maya and Cat have been there for each other through thick and thin, the good and the bad, the laughter and the heartache. But with college graduation on the horizon and real life looming, they find themselves facing an uncertain future: one where not even friendship can save them from confusing choices, bad decisions, and the risks of falling in love.
Maya knows that love only leads to pain, and the best relationships are short—one night short. But after waking up with Jake, her best friend’s older brother, in her bed, suddenly things aren’t as cut and dry. Cat and Jake are close, a tight unit since their parents’ death, and Cat will never forgive her if Jake gets hurt. Jake is a firefighter, and is used to running into flames—not away from them, and Maya can’t seem to resist. But she’s already decided her future, and it’s far away from here. The only way to get what she’s always wanted is to burn every bridge behind her, and destroy the possibility of a future with the one man she may be willing to love.
When Cat Jacobs’s parents died while she was in high school, her brother’s best friend Dallas Miller was there to help pick up the pieces. Several years and a looming college graduation later, Cat’s motorcycle-riding, tattooed knight is about to ride off into the sunset—and leave her in his dust. She only has six days to convince him to fulfil her secret fantasy of having him for her first before he’s gone forever. She’s stubborn and he’s tempted, but this is a battle for more than just some time in the bedroom—it’s a fight for both their futures.

‘So did you ask him?’ she asks as she sits down. She knows about my plan. In fact, she’s tried to talk me out of it. It was only when she realised how serious I was that she gave in and agreed to help. She called it risk mitigation and I told her to stop trying to use big words she found in my business textbooks. Even if she used it correctly.
          I sip my iced coffee. ‘A big fat no. Technically a hell no.’
          Maya frowns. ‘What’s wrong with him? Can’t he see you’re freaking gorgeous?’
          ‘Says the woman scouted for modelling jobs,’ I retort.
          Maya and I are studies in contrast. I’m thin and small breasted, with nearly white-blonde hair and a swath of freckles over my nose. Maya’s nothing but curves, with rich bronze skin and the thickest, most luxurious tight curls I’ve ever seen. Seriously, when Maya walks into a room, heads turn. Add those killer looks to her sharp wit and free-spirited personality and any man is a goner. Too bad for the general population she seems to have found the one.
          Maybe I should try her methods …
          She must be thinking the same thing because she asks delicately, ‘How’d you ask him?’
          ‘We were having a normal conversation,’ I say. ‘We were joking around and I asked him if he wanted to help de-virginise me and–’
          Maya chokes on a sip of her latte. ‘De-virginise? That’s not even a real word!’
          ‘He understood it fine.’
          ‘And he said no?’
          I nod. She taps her finger on the side of her cup.
‘I didn’t expect that. I mean, he’s so …’
          ‘Yeah. Trust me, I know.’
          And I do, since I know exactly where her mind has drifted. Maya’s first meeting with Dally had occurred our freshmen year when he came to the mall to help us get Old Blue started. He’d come directly over from work, so when he hopped off his motorcycle, he was still in his dirty, greasy mechanic’s jumpsuit. The sun was high and the pavement hot and he swore and muttered under his breath the entire time he laboured over the engine. About an hour in, he’d given up on propriety and unzipped the jumpsuit partway, exposing his white tank top, and tied the sleeves into a makeshift belt around his waist.
          At that point, Maya made the excuse we were going to go buy him some water and dragged me away to grill me about whether or not Dally and I had done it. Thus, she learned about my virginity and my brother’s hot roommate in one fell swoop and was not at all surprised when a few days ago I brought up my plan.
          Maya is still thinking. ‘Did he say why?’
          I sigh and lean back in my chair. ‘Apparently he’s worried Jake will get upset.’
          ‘That’s the understatement of the century,’ she mutters as she takes another sip.
          I glare at her. ‘This isn’t about Jake, okay? This is about me and what I want.’
          ‘And what you want is …’
          Dally. I push that thought down quickly. ‘To lose it before commencement.’
          Maya sees through me in an instant. Her eyes go all gooey and sad. ‘Oh honey, I know how much you like Dallas–’
          ‘It’s fine. He said no. Whatever. I’ll find someone else.’
          One of Maya’s greatest gifts is her expressive face, part of the reason she’s an acting major. However, in moments like this when her disapproval radiates over me, I really wish she wasn’t so good. ‘Catherine, you only get one chance for this–’
          I snort into my drink.
          Maya’s frown deepens. ‘Ha ha. My point is this isn’t something you want to rush.’
          ‘How do you know that?’ I gripe. ‘I have no religious objections or a strong guilt complex. And I don’t have some strong emotional attachment to my hymen–’
          ‘Ugh. That is such an ugly word.’ Maya shakes her head. ‘Hy-men. Seriously, who came up with that? Some drunken gynaecologist?’
          ‘Actually, it’s Latin, stolen from the Greek. And how did we get off topic?’ She tries to explain, but I ignore her commentary and forge ahead. ‘I want the experience, Maya. Why can’t that just be enough?’
 

                                                                      Back to You #1 Hard Crush HARD CRUSH                                  ...