Friday, October 17, 2014

"Rowdy" By: Jay Crownover Review

20530956
Rowdy
By: Jay Crownover


Synopsis
After the only girl he ever loved told him he would never be enough, Rowdy St. James knocked the Texas dust off his boots and decided he was going to do everything in his power to live up to his nickname. Life was all about a good time, good friends and never taking much too seriously. Rowdy learned his lesson early on, when you care that much about anything it can destroy you, and he never wants to risk feeling like that again. Only now he has a new coworker, a ghost from the past who’s making him question every lesson he ever learned.
Salem Cruz grew up in a house with too many rules, too many regulations, and no fun allowed. That never worked for her so she left it all behind as soon as she could, but she never forgot the sweet, blue-eyed boy next door who’d been in love with her little sister. Fate and good intentions from an old friend have placed her right in Rowdy’s path and she’s determined to show him he picked the wrong sister all those years ago. A mission that is going along perfectly until the one person that ties them together shows up and could very well tear them back

My Thoughts
   Rowdy St. James is used to being left by the ones he loves. His mother was murdered when he was still a child, his father was nonexistent in his life, and his best friend Salem, left town when she turned 18. So when Salem shows back up 10 years later, he is understandably unsure of how to relate to the girl he once knew. The only thing he knows for sure, he isn’t ready to connect with his former friend only to be hurt once again.
    Salem Cruz ran away at the age of 18 to escape from her tyrannical father. Independent for the first time, she never forgot her friend Rowdy or their intense connection. She hears through the grapevine that he is now working in a tattoo parlor in Denver so when she is offered a job in the very same shop, she takes it thinking she and her friend will have a good reunion. Little does she know that their relationship is about to go to the next level.
    Jay Crownover is simply wonderful. I love her writing style and the characters are always written superbly. She takes tattooed bad boys who have been on the wrong side of the law more than once and makes them someone you wanna take home to Mama.
    Rowdy and Salem have a lot of history to work through. Rowdy has led such a lonely life with everyone leaving him, it's truly heartbreaking. You can honestly feel his loneliness and understand how hesitant he is to connect with Salem again. Salem herself has been dealing with severe mental issues developed by a lifetime of abuse from her father. Definitely emotional, but finally when they connect its like fireworks!
     A tumultuous, emotional yet sexy novel, Crownover can write damaged characters unlike any other. Fantastically entertaining, I was drawn into Rowdy’s story and fell in love with Salem. The secondary characters from previous novels are featured and I loved catching up with my favorite Marked Men. Look for more Marked Men fun next year when Asa gets his own story!


Marked Men
1. Rule
2. Jet
3. Rome
4. Nash
5. Rowdy (October, 2014)
6. Asa (April 2015)

Book Details
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
ISBN: 9780062333056
Date of Publication: October 21, 2014
# of Pages: 400
Source: Edelweiss - for Review
Location: Denver, CO

Thursday, October 16, 2014

"Nash" By: Jay Crownover Review

18655937
Nash
By: Jay Crownover


Synopsis
Will their past determine their future?

Saint Ford has worked hard to achieve her childhood dream of becoming of nurse. Focused on her work and devoted to her patients, there’s no room for love. She doesn’t need a guy making waves in her calm, serene life—especially when he’s the unforgettable hottie who nearly destroyed her in high school. Dark, brooding Nash Donovan might not remember her or the terrible pain he caused. But he turned her world upside down... and now he’s trying to do it again.

Saint has no idea that Nash isn’t the cocky player he once was. Uncovering a devastating family secret has rocked his world, and now he’s struggling to figure out his future. He can’t be distracted by the pretty nurse he seems to meet everywhere. Still, he can’t ignore the sparks that fly between them —or how she seems so desperate to get away from him. But the funny, sweet, and drop-dead gorgeous Saint is far too amazing to give up on—especially since she’s the only thing in his life that seems to make sense.

When Nash discovers the truth about their past, he realizes he may have lost her heart before he could even fight for it. Now, Saint has to decide: is Nash worth risking herself for all over again?


My Thoughts
     Saint Ford is a successful nurse, working in a high pressure environment, and thrives in the Emergency Room. Imagine her surprise when her arch nemesis and former high school crush arrives in the ER needing her help. Having broken her heart without even realizing it, Nash is thrown into a situation not of his choosing but finds himself needing her comfort intensely.
     Dealing with a sudden revelation about his father, Nash is thrown for a loop. Add to that the stress of realizing his newly found Father is fighting for his life, Nash is unable to deal with life’s new stresses. Saint can’t help herself and helps bring Nash out of his booze induced depression but her own low self-esteem continues to suffer.
      Nash’s story may be the most emotional for me. Nash grows up quite a bit and you follow his emotional journey towards becoming an actual responsible adult. His moments of realizing how much he truly cares about the people in life is both enlightening and heartbreaking.
     On the other hand, Saint drove me up the freaking wall. Her insecurities at times seemed so overwhelming and I found them a bit hard to believe at times. I’m a little chubby and her comments about her weight drove me crazy, so I had a hard time connecting. Yet once I got over those aspects, I really enjoyed her caring nature and the connections she made with these rough and tumble tattooed men so outside of her normal life.
     Another fun addition to the Marked Men series, this book more than the others show how much the main characters have adjusted and how circumstances have truly changed in their world. The world Crownover has created is full and well rounded with lots of different people from a wide array of backgrounds but it all works in a strangely wonderful way. As always, Crownover can write a heck of a naughty scene and let me tell you, Nash may be the naughtiest of all. Incredibly excited to read Rowdy’s book coming out in October 2014, then hopefully Asa will get his own story!  

Favorite Quote
“That boy is sprung on you and he is a nice guy. A superhot, supersexy nice guy. Do you know how rare that is? He’s like a goddamn unicorn.” 



Marked Men
1. Rule
2. Jet
3. Rome
4. Nash
5. Rowdy (October, 2014)
6. Asa (April 2015)

Book Details
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Date of Publication: April 29, 2014
ISBN: 9780062333049
# of Pages: 302
Source: Personal Purchase
Location: Denver, CO

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

"Rome" By: Jay Crownover Review

17798233
Rome
By: Jay Crownover


Synopsis
Sometimes the wrong choice can be just right . . .

Fun and fearless, Cora Lewis knows how to keep her tattooed "bad boy" friends at the Marked in line. But beneath all that flash and sass is a broken heart. Cora won't let herself get burned again. She's waiting to fall in love with the perfect man—a baggage-free, drama-free guy ready for commitment. Then she meets Rome Archer.
Rome Archer is as far from perfect as a man can be. He's stubborn, rigid, and bossy.

And he's returned from his final tour of duty more than a little broken. Rome's used to filling many roles: big brother, doting son, supersoldier—but none of those fit anymore. Now he's just a man trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life while keeping the dark demons of war and loss at bay. He would have been glad to suffer through it alone, until Cora comes sweeping into his life and becomes a blinding flash of color in a sea of gray.Perfect may not be in the cards, but perfectly imperfect could just last forever . . .


My Thoughts
    Cora is the smart mouthed, loud, sassy manager of the Marked Men tattoo shop in Denver. Keeping the tattoo artists in line is her job and she doesn’t have time for much else. When Rome Archer (brother to the infamous Rule) arrives in town, with a bad case of PTSD, pissed off at the world and self destructive, she finds herself making time for the handsome soldier immediately.
    Rome has went to war, fought a battle for his life and his soul, and now has returned to civilian life. Lost within himself, Rome has turned to violence and alcohol to soothe his soul. When a night of drinking has him calling his brother, it’s Cora who answers the call for a sober driver. A night of passion later, Cora and Rome embark on a voracious romance that changes their lives and their fates forever.
    Perhaps my favorite to date, I knew from the very beginning that I was going to love Rome. Always so protective and by instinct the most loyal, Rome is heartbroken when he returns. He doesn't feel like he knows his family anymore and his whole world is upside down when he returns. Cora is so different from him and takes no prisoners. Strong and independent, Cora is wary of falling for Rome. She knows he needs help, but can she truly be the help he needs?
      Adorable and fun, I absolutely fell in love with Rome. Crownover does a great job of writing Cora and her interactions with the boys of the shop had me laughing out loud. Her no holds barred treatment of Rome and her sensitivity when dealing with his PTSD is handled with care and realistically related. Maybe my favorite part? Rome is dirrrrty when the times call for it and we all know Crownover rocks the dirrrty! Next up is Nash!


Favorite Quote:
“She was also damn cute. Not beautiful or stunningly pretty, but she was cuter than any girl with that much attitude had a right to be, and somehow the bouquet of flowers that colored her skin in every shape and variety seemed like it belonged there.”



Marked Men
1. Rule
2. Jet
3. Rome
4. Nash
5. Rowdy (October, 2014)
6. Asa (April 2015)

Book Details
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Date of Publication: January 7, 2014
# of Pages: 384
ISBN: 9780062302397
Location: Denver, CO
Source: Personal Purchase

Monday, October 13, 2014

"Rule" By: Jay Crownover Review

17851754
Rule
By: Jay Crownover

Synopsis
Opposites in every way . . . except the one that matters

Shaw Landon loved Rule Archer from the moment she laid eyes on him. Rule is everything a straight--A pre-med student like Shaw shouldn’t want--and the only person she’s never tried to please. She isn’t afraid of his scary piercings and tattoos or his wild attitude. Though she knows that Rule is wrong for her, her heart just won’t listen.

To a rebel like Rule Archer, Shaw Landon is a stuck-up, perfect princess-and his dead twin brother’s girl. She lives by other people’s rules; he makes his own. He doesn’t have time for a good girl like Shaw-even if she’s the only one who can see the person he truly is.

But a short skirt, too many birthday cocktails, and spilled secrets lead to a night neither can forget. Now, Shaw and Rule have to figure out how a girl like her and a guy like him are supposed to be together without destroying their love . . . or each other.


My Thoughts
    Shaw’s life has always been dominated by her family’s demands. Whether it's hanging out with the “right” people or going to the best schools, her family has always dictated when and where their daughter would go and what she will do. Until that fateful day when she becomes friends with the Archer boys and her entire world is turned upside down. Best friends with Remy and in love with Remy’s twin brother, Rule, Shaw finds herself having to navigate this new world on her own.
    Rule is so used to having Shaw around, he never even thought of her more than an annoyance. Friends with his brother, Rule seemed to just expect Shaw to pick up the pieces when life fell apart. When Shaw is unable to take anymore of the turmoil, Rule finally sees her as more than an annoyance. Tattooed and the ultimate bad boy, Rule finds himself wanting to be more than a good time guy.
     I adore the way Jay Crownover writes characters. She is able to get right to the heart of matters and deals with situations in a real manner. Messy and uncomfortable feelings, oh yeah, we have them and she writes them. Embarrassing moments you wish you didn’t have in life, she includes them. But those heart wrenching, emotionally draining moments in life that we live for...oh yeah, she can write the hell out of those!
     Rule’s book begins the Marked Men series and I’m looking forward to the rest of the boys’ books. Shaw and Rule deal with death, sorrow, and mourning but also newfound love with a fresh look at life. Intense emotional connections with the past crowd the present, but true love prevails. Who knew a tattooed bad boy would be oh so good with his hands and his heart? Super fun and uber sexy, I can’t wait to read the rest of the Marked Men series. Love it!


Favorite Quote:
“Rule if this goes bad it’s gonna be so, so bad.” Her voice was just a husky whisper against my chest.

“True, but if it’s good it’s going be so very, very good.”


Marked Men
1. Rule
2. Jet
3. Rome
4. Nash
5. Rowdy (October, 2014)
6. Asa (April 2015)


Book Details
Publisher: Jay Crownover Books
Date of Publication: December 30, 2012
ISBN: 9780062302373
# of Pages: 432
Source: Personal Purchase
Location: Denver, Colorado

Thursday, October 9, 2014

"Leaving Time" By: Jodi Picoult Review

18816603
Leaving Time
By: Jodi Picoult


Synopsis
For more than a decade, Jenna Metcalf has never stopped thinking about her mother, Alice, who mysteriously disappeared in the wake of a tragic accident. Refusing to believe that she would be abandoned as a young child, Jenna searches for her mother regularly online and pores over the pages of Alice’s old journals. A scientist who studied grief among elephants, Alice wrote mostly of her research among the animals she loved, yet Jenna hopes the entries will provide a clue to her mother’s whereabouts.

Desperate to find the truth, Jenna enlists two unlikely allies in her quest. The first is Serenity Jones, a psychic who rose to fame finding missing persons—only to later doubt her gifts. The second is Virgil Stanhope, a jaded private detective who originally investigated Alice’s case along with the strange, possibly linked death of one of her colleagues. As the three work together to uncover what happened to Alice, they realize that in asking hard questions, they’ll have to face even harder answers.

As Jenna’s memories dovetail with the events in her mother’s journals, the story races to a mesmerizing finish. A deeply moving, gripping, and intelligent page-turner, Leaving Time is Jodi Picoult at the height of her powers.


My Thoughts
    Jenna has lived most of her life, since the age of three, wondering why her Mother left one night. Jenna has spent her entire life investigating her mother’s disappearance. Saving money from her babysitting jobs, Jenna is now thirteen years old and decides to approach a local psychic for help. Told from four points of view: Picoult’s newest novel shares the story of Jenna, our abandoned and lonely child; Alice, Jenna’s mother who researches elephants and their behaviors; Serenity Jones, a has-been psychic skeptical of her own gift; and Virgil Stanhope, the original investigator in Alice’s disappearance who is now jaded and no longer believes in happy endings.
    Jenna’s search for her mother is desperate, at times a bit misguided, but she writes a teenager’s mind very well. Serenity’s lost her way, lost her psychic powers, and lost her career. She comes to view Jenna’s search for her Mother as a way to redeem all that she has lost. Virgil, our detective, sees Alice in his dreams. She’s the one case he hasn’t been able to forget, the one disappearance that still stews in his mind. Originally dismissive of Jenna’s research, he comes to view Alice almost as Abab did the great white whale. Drawn just as far in as Serenity, they join forces to help Jenna find out what truly happened that night over a decade ago. Finally, Alice, Jenna’s mother shares her story, both of her marriage to Jenna’s father and her research with her first love, the elephants she regards in such high esteem. The differing anecdotes about the elephants work perfectly in tandem with the plot points of the story and serve to reinforce various aspects of the story.
     I was shattered by Leaving Time. Absolutely, gut wrenching sorrow paired with optimism, strength, and love, I was swept away into a land of a Mother’s embrace and an elephant’s grief. Completely different than any other Picoult book I’ve read, she uses the research with elephants to reinforce the themes of motherhood, growing up, and how the world deals with grief. Utterly lovely writing, I was transported into world filled with elephants, family issues, life, love and grief in a most stunning way. As with all Picoult books, you will be stunned by the absolute brilliance of the ending.


Book Details
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Date of Publication: October 14, 2014
ISBN: 978-0345544926
# of Pages: 416
Source: Edelweiss - for Review
Location: New England

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

"Rock the Heart" By: Michelle A. Valentine Review

16047244
Rock the Heart
By: Michelle A. Valentine

Synopsis
For the last four years, good girl Lane has regretted breaking up with Noel Falcon. She thought she was sensible when she told him his dreams of being a rock star would get him nowhere, but now that he's a rock god and her career is stagnant, she realizes just how wrong she was. When Noel hires the marketing company where Lane is an intern, she’s forced to see him again. If she wants to land her dream job as executive within the company, she has to win him over and secure his account. Too bad Noel is still pissed at her for breaking his heart.

When Lane’s company flies her to a Black Falcon concert to gain Noel’s attention, emotions run high the moment she sees him and realizes she’s far from over him. But Noel’s countless trysts with groupies and his cocky attitude make Lane believe he isn’t the same guy she once loved—now he seems to only want her body. Then after Lane discloses she needs him to procure a job, Noel proves he’s a changed man by forcing her to go on the road with him in order to get it.

After Lane reluctantly takes Noel up on his offer, she becomes willing to do whatever it takes to keep him satisfied, even if it means succumbing to his seductive ways. Lane soon finds deception is a dangerous game and she’s not the only one playing


My Thoughts
    Lanie is shocked when she is assigned the Black Falcon for her new marketing campaign. Brand new at her company, she is surprised to be assigned to such a huge client as a relatively new employee. It isn’t until she realizes that she will be working closely with her ex-boyfriend, Noel, that she understands that her new client may have been assigned, not for her brain but for her past with the lead singer.
     Noel has secrets he goes to great lengths to hide from Lanie. Serious about finding his way back to her, Noel wants to guard his heart and keep things hidden while drawing Lanie closer and closer. Filled with fantastic secondary characters and a fiery main romance, the question becomes, what secrets does Noel really have and can Lanie live with the consequences.
     I really enjoyed Noel and Lanie’s adventure through Rock the Heart. Their shared pasts created a fantastic backdrop and it made an intregal part of the story blossom. Plus their scenes seemed to just burn off the pages.
    My favorite parts though included Noel’s bandmates. I enjoyed Lanie don’t get me wrong, but the scenes with his bandmates were funny, lighthearted, and realistic. You could easily see why Noel considered them family and steered clear of his own.
    All in all a really cute, creative romance with a little drama towards the end. Sweet and fun with the right amount of naughty mixed in, Rock the Heart is the first in what I can only hope is a long series featuring the Black Falcon band. Next up is Rock My Bed, featuring Aubrey and Riff.
    
Book Details
Publisher: Michelle A Valentine Books
Date of Publication: November 15, 2012
# of Pages: 330
ASIN: B00A86JP4S
Source: Personal Purchase
Location: New York, NY

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

"Breaking All the Rules" By: Cynthia Sax Review

19439218
Breaking All the Rules
By: Cynthia Sax


Synopsis
Nathan Lawford, Blaine Technologies' chief financial officer, is known as the Iceman. He conducts his personal and business affairs without emotion, never allowing himself to become involved with anyone. When Nate sees something or someone he wants, he negotiates, paying a simple, set monetary price.
Now he wants Camille, the company's green-haired intern.
Camille Joplin Trent never expected to be paid to pleasure the man of her dreams. She can't quite figure out why this is a bad thing. Nate is intelligent, handsome, sophisticated, everything she's ever wanted in a lover and never thought she could have. Their contract is for a month, thirty lust-filled days of making every sexual fantasy they've ever had come true. At the end of this month, the rules state their relationship will end.
Of course, Camille has never been good at following rules.


My Thoughts
     Camille is almost the anti-corporate executive. With bright green hair, a devil may care attitude, a hacker/hippie mentality, and multiple piercings, Camille is used to being the outsider. Yet every time she sees Nate Lawford, she can’t help but think there may be something more in his eyes than contempt. Meeting everyday in the elevator, they seem to stalk one another, as a lion would a gazelle.
    Nate proposes a unique idea to Camille after a steamy encounter...be completely his for a month. Camille is at first intrigued by the idea but once within Nate’s home and in his possession, they find out just how well they fit with one another. Nate’s entire life has been measured and metered, devoid of emotion and parental love. With Camille, he is encouraged to be emotional and isn’t bothered at all by her unconventional choices in both wardrobe and hair color.
     I loved this story so stinkin’ much. Oye. I knew I was going to love Camille when she first appeared in Flashes of Me. She’s such a flower child rebel, she’s so adorable and fun loving. Nate, I honestly didn’t like. He seemed so cold and just unapproachable. However, he is totally redeemed when you meet his wildly crazy parents and see how he treats Camille when he’s finally allowed to just be himself.
    Wonderfully sexy and witty, Breaking All the Rules, is a sweet, sensual story that finally tells the story of our favorite green haired hacker Camille and the cold but perhaps misunderstood Nate. Camille has to fight her inhibitions and self consciousness while Nate is forced out of his unemotional shell. I thoroughly enjoyed both the eroticism of the story while also telling a highly involved character driven story. Easily read as a stand alone book, if you haven’t read sort of the precurser, check out Flashes of Me also!


Book Details
Publisher: Avon Red Impulse
Date of Publication: March 4, 2014
ISBN: 978-0062328212
# of Pages: 100
Source: Edelweiss- for Review

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

"Flashes of Me" By: Cynthia Sax Review

18469087
Flashes of Me
By: Cynthia Sax


Synopsis
Henley, the head of cyber security at Blaine Technologies, is a man no one crosses. He watches employees constantly, using his network of cameras, and enforces his rules by any means possible. Rumors of his violent past, along with his scarred hands and huge size, have resulted in his being feared by everyone … almost everyone.
Katalina, the new intern, worries about the revelation of her most painful secret much more than she fears her sexy boss's wrath. She sees the loneliness in his dark eyes, feels the gentleness in his marred fingers, tastes the need in his kisses … and she knows he watches her. His silly rules about not stripping for the cameras and no sex at the office are destined to be broken.
Kat likes to be watched. Henley can't look away. Will this beauty be able to tame her beastly boss?


My Thoughts
   When Katalina begins a new job at Blaine Technologies, she is immediately transfixed by a huge, gentle giant who just happens to be the head of security. He’s handsome, intelligent, and utterly bewitched her from the first minutes of their meeting. Attempting to provoke him into approaching her, Kataline realizes he can see everything she does. So Kat proceeds to entice Henley, the head of Cyber Security, as much as possible, leading to a delightful back and forth.
    So I was a bit back and forth on this book. It gets very naughty pretty quickly, but once I got over the first two or three chapters, I was engrossed in the characters. Henley is such an enigma and I honestly could have read about him for a whole other book. Raw and emotional, Sax does a pretty darn good job of writing how these two completely opposite characters look at their lives in completely different ways...which in turn, make the book a quick read and an even better ending.


Note: I totally read this series out of order so I completely condone reading this book even if you haven’t read the previous installments.



Book Details
Publisher: Avon Red Impulse
Date of Publication: February 18, 2014
# of Pages: 208
ISBN: 9780062328182

Source: Personal Purchase