Thursday, January 28, 2016

Review: The Tycoon's Forced Bride by Jane Porter






Synopsis:

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: 

When it comes to true love, one man won’t let anything get in his way.

Malcolm McKenzie wanted the best for Ava Galvan.  He set her up in an apartment and got her a job teaching ballet.  He arranged for her to be watched and taken care of every minute of her day.

Ava was Malcolm's wife and the mother of his son.  Ava remembered their son Jack, but she didn't remember marrying Malcolm.  Now Malcolm has set out to get Ava back and he will stop at nothing until she is his once again.

Ava had once been Manhattan Ballet’s principal ballerina.  She was loved and adored for her grace, talent, and beauty, until a terrible accident left her with severe pain and memory loss.  She prefers to live each day with the routines and doesn't like any changes.  When Malcolm decides he wants to take Ava to St Bart's for a weekend, she hesitates, but agrees in the end.  Will Ava finally be able to remember why they were so good together and give in to Malcolm’s request of a second chance at a life together?  Or will the change in her routine be too much for her to handle? 

I really liked Ava and my heart went out to her.  She desperately wanted to remember the past and be a good wife and mother, but her fears held her back.  The story had a lot of details that made it feel very real and it was full of passion and emotion.  It is an all-around great romance story.
 

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Review: Montana Rebel (Big Sky Mavericks Book 9) by Debra Salonen





Synopsis:

Don’t look down and don’t give up.

Justin Oberman‘s credo for living his adventurous–some might say death-defying–life to the max served him well until the unfortunate outcome of a climb made him walk away from the sport he loved. A lucrative new job offer could pave the way to a more traditional life in Marietta, Montana, where his two best friends have fallen in love with the women of their dreams. But settling down always seemed more daunting than Everest and not worth considering until a mysterious lady in red walks into his life on New Year’s Eve. Suddenly, that happily-ever-after stuff Flynn and Tucker have been raving about looks within reach.

The first fall is always the hardest.

Nikki Magnesson Richards has loved Justin Oberman most of her life. First, from the safety of her brothers’ old tree house. Later, with unrequited teen-age angst. Her poorly thought out attempt to get him to notice her cost them both dearly. Now, a dozen years later, her fairy godfather boss has orchestrated the most romantic meeting possible–the Big Sky Mavericks Masked Ball for Charity. A kiss at midnight with her very own Prince Charming isn’t too much to ask, is it? But what are two star-crossed lovers supposed to do when one kiss isn’t enough?

The Big Sky Mavericks series
Book 1: Montana Cowgirl
Book 2: Montana Cowboy
Book 3: Montana Darling
Book 4: Montana Maverick
Book 5: Her Forever Gift - Free!
Book 6: Montana Hero
Book 7: Montana Rogue
Book 8: Montana Miracle
Book 9: Montana Rebel


My Review:

A heartwarming romance not to be missed.

Do you ever wonder where you’ld be if you kissed that one person who got away but took a piece of your heart?  Nicole Richards is about to find out when she returns to Marietta after her boss decides to hire her school girl crush, Justin Oberman.  Their first meeting is at The Big Sky Mavericks’ New Year’s Eve Masked Ball. 

Justin doesn’t recognize the sexy lady in the red dress and fantastic mask as Nikki, the girl next door, who crashed his climbing party in Yosemite and fell off the side of the mountain breaking her back.  Nicole’s family still holds Justin responsible for the accident.

Does Nicole’s boss J. Angus Hooper has a plan of his own for hiring Justin for his new project?  Nicole confided in J. Angus about her feelings towards Justin.  So was Justin the real reason J Angus decided to branch out into a high-end, outward-bound-for-adults-with-impairments sort of operation or did he just want to get Nicole and Justin together? 

I enjoyed Nicole and Justin’s story a lot.  It was sweet and entertaining.  The story was written really well and the chemistry between Nicole and Justin was intense.  The friendship between Nicole and J Angus was very special.   As with the rest of the books in this series, it was hard to put down. 
 

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Review: Project Virgin by Megan Crane



Synopsis:

Maybe the worst idea she’s ever had is actually the best thing she could ever do…

Newbie lawyer Scottie Grey spent entirely too many years listening to her ex-fiancĂ©’s lies. Now that she’s finally kicked that cheater out of her life, she wants to waste no time getting rid of the albatross around her neck: her virginity.

Damon Patrick is the worst possible candidate for the project. He’s too good-looking, too experienced. He’s too well known around San Francisco—mostly for his many sexual exploits.

He’s also kinda, sorta Scottie’s boss.

Damon is the worst man for the job imaginable… which might just make him the only one Scottie can imagine giving her virginity to after all.


My Review:

One night, no strings.  Just sex.

Scottie Grey has a crush on her boss Damon Patrick, a renowned litigator and one of San Francisco’s favorite sex symbols.  After the break up with her fiancĂ©, Scottie feels drawn to Damon even more.  But there is one thing that stands in her way.  Scottie is still a virgin.  Why would Damon want to be with her after all of the experienced women he has been with? 

Scottie is taken away with Damon’s proposition and it becomes a night she will never forget. 

I read this book in one sitting.  It is very short and to the point.  But it is also an entertaining and well written story.  Sometimes I find stories this short lack character development or feel rushed.  This one was well thought out and didn’t miss a detail.
 

Friday, January 15, 2016

Review: It's Not Me, It's You by Mhairi McFarlane





Synopsis:

An achingly funny story about how to be your own hero when life pulls the rug out from under your feet. From the author of the bestselling YOU HAD ME AT HELLO

Delia Moss isn’t quite sure where she went wrong.

When she proposed and discovered her boyfriend was sleeping with someone else – she thought it was her fault.

When she realised life would never be the same again – she thought it was her fault.

And when he wanted her back like nothing had changed – Delia started to wonder if perhaps she was not to blame…

From Newcastle to London and back again, with dodgy jobs, eccentric bosses and annoyingly handsome journalists thrown in, Delia must find out where her old self went – and if she can ever get her back.


My Review:

Fun.  Witty.  And lots of laugh out loud moments.
                                                                                 
When Delia Moss discovers her boyfriend of ten years has been cheating on her it sets her in motion to make big changes in her life.  She is leaving Paul and Newcastle and moving to London to stay with her friend Emma until she can decide what she will do with her life. 

While in London, Delia finds a job and it’s not quite as she expected.  She gets caught in the middle of a battle between her boss and a competing businessman.  She finds herself involved in some unusual situations (that are often laughable after the fact) and she makes some new friends. She also starts working on her cartoon again, The Fabulous Miss Fox, which has been stored away and not thought about in years.  Will Delia find a new life and love in London or will she go back to Newcastle with her tail between her legs as Paul wants her to? 

The length of the book almost turned me off, but once I got into it, it was hard to stop reading.  I felt drawn into Delia’s life and everyone around her and just had to know the outcome.  This book is a fun adventure and well worth taking the time to read it. 
 

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Review: A Prince in Plain Sight (Happily Ever After Book 2) by LuAnn McLane







Synopsis:

After her holiday romance with handsome Nick Worth ends with his disappearance, Anna Lee Brody hopes that he will return to Daleville, Alabama, just as he promised in the love letter he left behind. Even though she wears the rose pendant Nick gave her, she wonders if he will truly return to mend her broken heart…

Royal Prince Nicholas Worthington despises having to deceive Anna Lee but, for the safety of Calloway Island, he must turn the principality over as a territory under the protection of the United States. But when his life is threatened, her remote home is the perfect place to hide him. Can he convince the sweet southern belle that, even though his name might have been fake, his love for her was, and still is, very real?


My Review:

We first met Anna Lee Brody and Prince Royal Nicholas Mackenzie Worthington in A Royal Christmas Gift.  This is the conclusion to their story.

In this book, Nick has returned to Daleville Alabama to be with Anna Lee and explains why he left abruptly and who he really is.  While he stays with Anna Lee, his identity must remain a secret as to not bring danger to Anna Lee, her family or the people of Daleville.

At first Anna Lee isn't sure what to make of him being a prince, but things quickly fall into place and the romance begins again.
As quickly as Nick arrives, he has to leave again without an explanation.

While visiting with her mother and sister, FBI agent Dylan Thompson arrives at the house and they are asked to come with him immediately.  They are whisked away to Calloway Island where Nick has a surprise for Anna Lee.

This is a very quick sweet story.  You definitely need to read A Royal Christmas Gift first as this is the conclusion to that story.  I honestly think the two books should have been combined into one.  By the short length and subject, I saw no need to split them up.  If you’re looking for something lighthearted and quick to read, I think you’ll enjoy this story.