I’m reviewing Chance of a Lifetime by Jodi Thomas at Smexybooks

Chance Of A Lifetime (Harmony #5) by Jodi Thomas
Romance Contemporary
December 31, 2012
Berkley

Favorite Quote: “The prize wasn’t to live a perfect life but only to survive the times between the perfect moments that come along…“

In Chance of a Lifetime, we are once again submerged into the captivating and extraordinary lives of the residents who call the fictional town of Harmony, TX. home. Dreams, hope, and second chances are all given voice in this installment as we encounter love from the past, the present, and the future.

Emily Tomlinson, the town librarian, is the survivor of a brutal attack. She unconsciously blames her former best friend, Tanner Parker, for not being there when she needed him most. Tanner, a loner, has only his business and the caring for his ill mother to fill his life but he finds himself remembering his friendship with Emily and begins to slowly work his way back into her life; hoping that the feelings they had for one another in the past are only buried and not completely gone.

Rath Matheson, a small time lawyer, is struggling to make his business a success. When a series of accidents leaves him seriously injured, Rath begins to wonder if being a lawyer is worth his life. Rath’s luck changes when Trace Adams arrives in town. Claiming to be the niece of Martha Q and needing a place to stay, Rath finds his body under her fierce protection as she begins to investigate his “accidents.” As Rath and Trace spend more time together, Rath begins to wonder who will protect his heart from breaking when she leaves.

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

Review & Giveaway: Forever My Girl by Heidi McLaughlin

Forever My Girl by Heidi McLaughlin
Romance Contemporary-New Adult
Ebook
December 27, 2012
Bandit Publishing Company

Favorite Quote: “I gave up on their dreams and the life we had all planned out. And now I was heading home to face the music.”

Liam left everything and everyone behind, without explanation, in order to pursue his own dreams. Known as the golden boy of Beaumont with a promising football career, Liam had his life all planned out by his family and girlfriend but he knew in his heart that music was his salvation and that if he didn’t leave Beaumont, he would die a slow death. Liam achieves his dreams and is now a famous rock star with the tattoos and the reputation to match…but he never forgot the town or the girl he left behind. When he receives word that his best friend has died, Liam knows that it’s time to head back to Beaumont and see if he can make his next dream come true…get the girl he left behind.

Josie knew that Liam would be coming home to Beaumont when he received news of his best friend’s death. When he left ten years ago, she was devastated. He gave her no reason why and she felt as if her heart and soul had been ripped out of her chest. She tried to call him for an explanation but he changed his number and for all intents and purposes, disappeared from her life. Josie picked up the pieces of her broken heart and eventually moved on with her life. She now has a successful business, a loving fiance, and a son whom she cherishes. She isn’t sure if she wants to see Liam or find out why he left her, but she has one very important reason that will force her to confront the man who changed her life with one single word-Goodbye.


Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.com and enter a fab giveaway for a chance to win a kindle touch.

I’m reviewing Brooke Moss’s The Carny at Smexybooks

 

The Carny by Brooke Moss
Contemporary Romance
July 7, 2012
Inkspell Publishing

Favorite Quote: “We’d only known each other for a total of seven minutes “

How important was your first kiss? How long did the feeling last? A minute? A day? A Year? When seventeen year old Charlotte Davenport received her first kiss from carnival worker Vince Youngblood, nothing came close to replicating that feeling for 10 years. Now, Vince and the carnival are back in town and Charlotte is hoping that the second kiss will be just as good.

Charlotte Davenport never forgot her first kiss from a carny. Now 10 years later, she is still living in the same small town, running the family hotel that she doesn’t want, and has been left at the altar by her fiancé. Charlotte is just barely living until she sees her carny again and life suddenly seems interesting again.

Vince Youngblood has always been part of his father’s carnival but life pulled him in a different direction until his father disappears and Vince chooses to leave a promising medical career to help run the family carnival. When he arrives back in town, he sees Charlotte again and is shocked by this feelings towards her. Older and wiser now, he wants to see where this attraction between them can go.

I’m reviewing Rescue Me by Rachel Gibson at Smexybooks

Rescue Me (Lovett, TX #3) by Rachel GibsonRomantic Contemporary
Paperback
May 29, 2012
HarperCollins
Favorite Quote: “Hooyah.“
She’s 33, unmarried, and stuffed into a Bubble Yum pink bridesmaid dress. And the whole town wants to fix her up with anyone with a dental plan… Who’s going to rescue Sadie Hollowell now? Everyone in Lovett, Texas knows Sadie has always been a ‘notional’ kind of gal. She got a notion to leave town asap , and never visit her daddy (bless his heart). Now, she’s back and got the notion to invite a good-looking, hard-muscled, total stranger to her cousin’s wedding. Better a stranger than some of the losers she’s dated. Vince Haven got his muscles the hard way—as a Navy SEAL in Afghanistan. He’s staying in Lovett to visit his crazy aunt—the proprietor of the local Gas N Go. Before he can get the heck back out of the small town, his aunt makes him an offer he can’t refuse. Maybe he’ll stick around Lovett for a while. Maybe he’ll make a ‘go’ of the Gas N Go. Maybe he’ll rescue Sadie out of that pink dress! (Goodreads)

Sadie Hollowell grew up in the small town of Lovett, TX with an inattentive father and a town full of busy bodies. Raised in the shadow of her beauty queen mother, Sadie had enough and hightailed it out of town as soon as it was legally possible. Now living in AZ, Sadie comes back home for her younger cousin’s wedding. She runs into our hero, Vince Haven, when she sees him broke down on the side of the road. She offers him a ride but it’s not love at first sight and she lets him know real quick that she isn’t helpless.

“I have a stun gun.” It was a lie, but she’d always wanted one.
He looked back down at her. “Excuse me?”
“I have a stun gun and I’ve been trained to use it.” He took a step back from the car and smiled. “I’m deadly.”

“A stun gun isn’t a deadly weapon.”

“What if I set it really high?”

“Can’t set it high enough to kill unless there is a preexisting condition. I don’t have a preexisting condition.”
“How do you know that?”

“I used to work security.”

Oh. “Well, it will hurt like hell if I have to zap you in the ass.”
“I don’t want my ass zapped, lady. I just want a tow to town.”

Vince Haven, an ex Navy Seal who we met in Crazy For You and Any Man Of Mine, has come to Lovett, TX to visit with his aunt and get away from Seattle. He’s not happy with his sister re marrying her ex husband and is dealing with a serious case of PTSD.
Even though neither Sadie nor Vince are looking for anything long term, the chemistry between them is too hot to ignore so they decide to embark on a sexual relationship; a friends with benefit relationship. Explosive sex and fun times in and out of bed should be the perfect situation for both of them but soon real life intrudes and when the relationship boundaries shift; neither of them are prepared for the feelings involved.
 
Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I’m reviewing Tempting The Best Man by J Lynn at Smexybooks

Tempting The Best Man by J Lynn (Gamble Brothers #1)
Contemporary Romance
E book
April 23, 2012
Entangled Publishing

Tempting The Best Man is a cute, albeit predictable, romantic novella about childhood friends whose attraction for one another is off the charts but miscommunication and a serious case of open mouth, insert foot from the hero has them fighting their way to their happily ever after.

Madison (Maddie) has loved Chase Gamble ever since she discovered boys, but Chase has always viewed her as his little sister. One night the barrier between love and friendship is crossed and Maddie’s fondest wish comes true. Chase decided to run rather than face his feelings; that left Maddie feeling used and their friendship was never the same. Years later, Maddie is still in love with Chase but has finally accepted he just doesn’t want her. When she finds out that she and Chase are best man and maid of honor in her brother’s wedding, she isn’t happy but figures it’s only for the weekend, what can go wrong? Plenty.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I’m reviewing Jill Mansell’s Nadia Knows Best at Smexybooks

Nadia Knows Best by Jill Mansell
Romantic Contemporary
Ebook
August 1, 2003
Headline Book Publishing

Favorite Quote: “We’re saved. We shan’t have to eat either, that’s a relief. “

First off, I’d like to lodge a small complaint. Nothing in the write up on Net Galley indicates this was a reissue. I only found out after I requested and received. I don’t mind reissues but please, let the readers know this. I’d also like to add that I really feel Ms. Mansell’s writing has matured greatly since this was first published. Okay, I’m done.

Nadia Kindale is a twenty something landscaper who is relatively happy with her life. She is dating her childhood sweetheart and surrounded by her loving, abet, crazy family. When she is stranded in a snowstorm and is saved by the handsome Jay Tiernan, she‘s attracted to him but truly love her boyfriend and regretfully chooses not to pursue the attraction. When her boyfriend, Laurie, dumps her over dinner to pursue his career, Nadia bounces back rather quickly when Jay reappears and offers her a job. As Jay and Nadia get closer, Laurie reappears, sorry over his treatment of her, and asking for a second chance. As Nadia tries to decide between an old love or a new love, she is also dealing with the return of her absent mother, her crazy, selfish sister, and a mystery surrounding her grandmother that could put her in jail. Soon, Nadia realizes that she doesn’t know best.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I’m reviewing Just Down The Road by Jodi Thomas at Smexybooks

Just Down The Road (Harmony #4) by Jodi Thomas
Romantic Contemporary
April 3, 2012
Berkley

Favorite Quote: “Your right, Sheriff, Noah’s got loose lips. It goes with his shifty eyes.“

In the 4th book of Jodi Thomas’s wonderful small town oriented series, Just Down The Road, we once again are submerged into the intricate relationships and the bonds that ties them together that make up the town of Harmony, Texas. Romance, friendship, and change all intertwine and revolve around one another as old and new friends try to live their lives in the best way they know how. Four main story lines unfold in here, each a study in the strength of the human heart and its capacity to love, learn, and forgive. While Regan still plays a dominate role in this heavy character driven series, other characters have wormed their way in to top spots and I find myself deeply vested in each and every one of them.

A heavy dose of mystery, suspense, and danger features more predominately in this installment then the previous ones, creating an addictive read that fills you with some strong emotions as you watch those you have come to love fight through the pitfalls of life. I love how human Ms. Thomas’s characters are. Not perfect or even pleasant at times, each one is a vibrant personality that takes command and dominates the scenes they are in. Each relationship is carefully cultivated and allowed to grow and bloom naturally. As with any garden, you may not see anything the first year, or maybe it will bloom hard and heavy only to die in the first frost. Either way, Ms. Thomas shows remarkable insight when she cultivates her garden and the results are a joy for all who are lucky enough to visit it.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I’m reviewing Waltz This Way by Dakota Cassidy at Smexybooks

Waltz This Way (Ex Trophy Wives #3) by Dakota Cassidy
Romantic Contemporary
Trade
March 6, 2012
Berkley Publishing

Favorite Quote:
”I don’t think pancakes can make you scream like I do.“
“You’ve never seen me eat a pancake.”

When former ballroom champion Melina Cherkasov found out that her famous husband was cheating, she was devastated, especially since she was informed by a sleazy reporter on national TV. Thanks to an ironclad prenup and a scumbag ex, Melina has to pack up her dog and her dignity and take refuge in her dad's retirement community in New Jersey.

...it's time to take the lead.

To make ends meet, Melina puts her dancing shoes to use as an instructor at Westmeyer-a private school for boy geniuses. Teaching a bunch of hormonal teenagers to waltz is trying, but the school's sexy handyman provides ample distraction. Drew McPhee is perfect, except for one thing: He doesn't like dancing. Thankfully, the finesse Drew lacks on the floor is more than made up for by his skills in the bedroom. And after one steamy night, the ballroom diva is the one getting swept off her feet... (Goodreads)

Dakota Cassidy once again leds us through the pitfalls of divorce with plenty of charm, laughter, and snark as we get to know Melina Cherkasov, the third trophy wife in her hilarious Ex-Trophy Wives series. A character driven series, it’s the fast pacing and conversational style writing that enhances the appeal of this story. Ms. Cassidy dances up a potent samba of humor and seriousness with zany one liners, reality checks, and a cast of eccentric characters tossed in that will have you laughing away tears. What I truly enjoy about this series is that she deals realistically with a serious subject. Divorce is hard enough but it’s even harder when your tossed aside for someone younger and are left to pick up the pieces of your life. Ms. Cassidy doesn’t sugar coat the ups and downs of divorce for the sake of an HEA in here. It’s a messy, heartbreaking, unfair, and all that and more is presented clearly and without apology.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I’m reviewing Taking A Shot by Jaci Burton at Smexybooks

Taking A Shot (Play By Play#3) by Jaci Burton
Contemporary Romance
March 6, 2012
Berkley Trade

Favorite Quote: “Ugh. When had she become that woman?”

Taking A Shot is the third book in Jaci Burton’s hot and oh so steamy Play By Play series that revolves around the Riley family. Before I start this review, let’s take a minute to genuflect at the cover shall we? *happy sigh* Seriously, have you ever seen anything so beautifully lickable in your life?

Jenna Riley has grown up in a family dominated by sports. She has lived, breathed, and now works in the field, since a child. Since her father’s heart attack, she has taken over the reins to the family sport’s bar, Riley’s, giving up on her own dreams and ambitions. This has resulted in her one and only non breakable rule. She doesn’t date sports figures. Ever. This attitude both intrigues and challenges Tyler (Ty) Anderson. A star pro-hockey player, he has been attracted to Jenna since the first time they met. Unsure as to why she dislikes him so much, Ty keeps coming to the bar and trying to tempt Jenna into taking a chance with him.

Taking A Shot has all the trademarks of being a Jaci Burton book. Hot male lead, sassy intelligent female, a plausible plot, and some heavy, heavy smexying everywhere in between. I enjoyed the way this story reveals itself to you. It starts out slow as Ty bids his time trying to find away to break through Jenna’s shell. Ty spends plenty of time on the seduction of Jenna. The sexual heat and playfulness in this book make it a fun read

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I’m Reviewing Jodi Thomas’s Comforts Of Home at Smexybooks

 

The Comforts Of Home (Harmony #3) By Jodi Thomas
Romantic Contemporary
E book
November 1, 2011
Berkley

Favorite Quote: “One word. His last wish. His last hope for her. Grow. “

In Harmony, Texas, twenty-year-old Reagan Truman has found her place, and found her family. But with her uncle taken ill and her friend Noah lost and disheartened with his life, Reagan is afraid of ending up alone again, and she's not the only one. When a terrible storms threatens the town, the residents of Harmony are forced to think about what they really want. Because making the connections they so desperately desire means putting their hearts at risk...(Goodreads)

Jodi Thomas's Harmony series is like receiving letters from home. Brimming with gossip, news of family, and well wishes; you find yourself waiting with anticipation for the next batch to arrive. A smoothly written romantic contemporary that goes beneath the facade of a small town and examines and reveals the love, laughter, pain, and heartbreak that resides within.

 

Read the rest of review at Smexybooks.

I’m reviewing To The Moon And Back by Jill Mansell at Smexybooks

 

Favorite Quote: “Logically you knew it wouldn’t happen, but there is always that deep down niggling feel that you might gaze into the camera and start shouting, “Fuck, fuck, bastard-bollocks, fuck!”

When Ellie Kendall lost her husband Jamie in a car accident, she thought her life was over. Her father in-law, a famous actor, moves her to a posh London neighborhood- Primrose Hills- to help her start over. She begins to slowly heal as she makes new friends and forgives old ones. Through it all she has her beloved Jamie to “talk” to. When she is hired as a personal assistant for the handsome Zach McLaren, one of the requirements is that she NOT be attracted to him. Easier said than done though and soon Elle is caught between trying to keep hold of the past and letting go to embrace her future.

 

Read the rest of my review at smexybooks.

I’m reviewing Brooke Moss’s “What If Guy” today at Smexybooks

Favorite Quote: “This town isn’t perfect, but it’s home. The people here love you, and they helped raise you, no matter what you think.”

Everyone has a “what if” guy in their past. The one person whose soul spoke to yours but fate plays with your destiny and you both go your separate ways. In Brooke Moss’s romantic contemporary, our heroine is given a chance to reconnect with her “what if” guy and have a second chance at love if she is willing to forgive and move forward from her past.

Autumn Cole left her tiny hometown of Fairfield, Washington in a cloud of dust after high school-determined to become the next Picasso. Now 13 years later, she comes back to Fairfield broke with a 12 year old son and an ailing alcoholic father. It’s easy, too easy in fact, to slip back into her role of the town drunk’s daughter. As Autumn tries to acclimate herself to to all the emotions she feels coming home, she runs into the one person she never thought she would ever see again. Henry Tobler. Her one and only love. She had her life all planned out with Henry but broke it off when she discovered she was pregnant by an ex boyfriend. She hasn’t seen him since that fateful day and seeing him now beings back all of her feelings for him that never seemed to fade.

Read the rest of my review at smexybooks.

I’m reviewing Honey Grove by Genell Dellin at Smexy Books

 

Favorite Quote: “Get out of my sight Doreen Semples, before I come around this counter and snatch you bald-headed right here in front of God and everybody.”

When Lilah Briscoe is seriously injured, her granddaughter Meredith feels compelled to save her farm, Honey Grove, despite their troubled past. Help arrives in the form of bad boy Caleb Burkett, who awakens feelings Meri didn’t know she had. Maybe now, Meri will finally find the home she always wanted… (goodreads)

When Meredith Briscoe arrives in Spring Rock Texas for her mother’s funeral, she expects to pay her respects and leave. But her grandmother, Lilah, wants her to stay so they can get to know each other. Meredith doesn’t know her grandmother. Meri’s mother took her and left Rock Springs when she was a baby; consistently moving around so Lilah could not find them. When Meri was fourteen her mother abandoned her at a neighbor’s house causing Meri to learn that you can only depend on yourself in life.

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.