Review: Beautiful Wreck by Kasey Lane

For savvy programmer Gabrielle Alvarez, moving to Portland, Oregon means a fresh start with a blank screen. She wants nothing more than to erase the last traces of her old life, starting with an exotic tattoo to hide an old scar. Gabby’s instantly drawn to the enigmatic artist, who also happens to be her neighbor. Lucky she has no plans to date-especially sexy, brooding men.

Last year, Bowen Landry was the king of broken promises. He made hundreds to his sister to get clean and hundreds more to his band and his boss. But Bowen’s sober now and determined to stay that way. The last thing he needs are complications, especially Gabby with her curves, dry humor, and independent spirit. Gabby spells danger to Bowen’s peace of mind, not to mention his personal promise to stay celibate for one year.

Bowen is content keeping a firewall up between them until a stalker threatens Gabby’s safety. Alone in a new city, she has no choice but to turn to Bowen for help, moving into his apartment after hers is vandalized. While the two grow closer, Bowen can’t make any promises, and Gabby’s not asking. While the inexperienced Gabby can’t deny the charming, reformed bad boy, she’s unsure she can ever trust an addict again. If Bowen can help Gabby forgive her past and his, he may learn to believe in love again.


My Review:
 
An electrifying page turner.

Gabby Alvarez's life is turned upside down when her former foster father starts stalking her. After he destroys her apartment, her friend Bowen Landry, Portland's hottest bad boy rocker, asks Gabby to stay with him until she can find another place to live.

Bowen is attracted to Gabby, but he is trying to by the rules to stay sober. That meant no relationships. But he can't help thinking of Gabby in his bed every time he looks at her. Gabby didn't want a boyfriend and doesn't understand why she is so attracted to Bowen. So when Bowen suggests friends with benefits, Gabby goes for it. Even though it wasn’t part of the plan, Gabby falls in love with Bowen. But, Gabby knows, once an addict, always an addict. And she didn't need another addict in her life when she’s been dealing with her mother’s addictions all of her life.

After seeing the cover and reading the blurb, I knew I had to read this book. I have always been a sucker for bad boys. And, a bad boy rock star covered in tattoos will always get my attention. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style. She told a tale that felt real and was filled with emotion. Both, Gabby and Bowen, were damaged people who had been through a lot and were finally getting their lives on track. They didn't need any distractions. But this distraction was worth the risk. Their happily ever after was well deserved. The only downside to this book was it wasn’t long enough for me. I needed more of Gabby and Bowen and would love to find out what happens with the rest of their friends.

Review: You Send Me by Jeannie Moon

Jordan Velsor didn’t want to need anyone. After dumping her cheating fiancé, caring for her sick dad, and nearly being crushed along with her car during a violent storm, she’s pretty much at her breaking point. If anyone needs some luck, it’s Jordan, but the last thing she wants is gorgeous Nick Rinaldi, her landlord’s grandson, hovering over her while she nurses a bad cold. The wounded Navy doctor seems too good to be true… which means he probably is.

Nick Rinaldi left the Navy broken and adrift, wondering if he would ever practice medicine again. When his grandparents’ tenant is almost killed by a falling tree during a storm, he discovers Jordan is not only in shock, but suffering from pneumonia. Not one to miss an opportunity to play white knight, Nick arrives at her cottage to take care of her during the storm… But the lovely teacher has a a fierce independent streak, and as he learns more about her, he wants to do more than merely help.

Can Jordan and Nick let go or their separate pasts and seize their future together?


My Review: 

Jordan Velsor and Nick Rinaldi couldn’t have been a better match.  They just needed a little push to get there.  Neither of them was looking for a relationship.  Jordan was still heartbroken after finding her fiancé in a compromising position, with another woman, the day before their wedding and dealing with the fact that her father’s cancer was getting worse.  Nick was still recovering from a war injury and wanting to get back to doing what he loves most, being a doctor.  But, when their friendship is mistaken as more, they decide to play along with it.  What could go wrong?

I loved this book from the very beginning.  It was easy to get attached to the characters.  I fell for Nick right off with the way he took care of Jordan when she was sick when he really didn’t know anything about her except that she rented his grandparent’s cottage.  I really liked Nick’s great big family too.  They were fun.  I really liked Jordan too and my heart hurt for her when she walked into her fiance’s office and found him fooling around with his secretary.  Jordan’s friends brought a lot to the story too.  This is the second book in a wonderful series set in a town called Compass Cove on Long Island with a long history of romance.  I can’t wait to read the rest of the books. 

 

Review: Paris Ever After by K.S.R. Burns

Can Amy’s rocky start in Paris turn into a happy ever after?

Amy didn’t realize how stale her life was until she jetted off to Paris without telling a soul—not even her husband—and had the adventure of a lifetime. Now as she tries to establish herself in the City of Light, she finds that despite a fun (and quirky) group of friends and the ability to indulge in French pastries whenever she wants, reinventing her life is much harder than she imagined.

Then on Amy’s thirtieth birthday, two unexpected visitors leave her wondering if she will soon be saying au revoir to Paris and the new life she’s struggled to build. Her estranged husband, Will, shows up—but is he interested in reconciliation or separation? And a young woman who arrives on Amy’s doorstep unleashes chaos that could push Amy out into the street.

As Amy’s Parisian dream starts to fall apart, she must decide: return to the stability of Will and Phoenix (if that’s even still an option) or forge her way forward in Paris? Amid secrets and surprises, set in enchanting gardens, cozy cafés, and glittering Parisian streets, Amy must choose between two very different worlds. And each has a claim on her heart.

My Review:  

 

Couldn’t put it down……

I really liked this book.  When I started reading it, I found it hard to put down.  In fact, there might have been a little house cleaning that got neglected (don’t tell my husband).  I didn’t have the chance to read the prior book, The Paris Effect, but the author did a great job wrapping up that part of Amy’s life.  I am still planning on going back and reading though just because of how much I liked this book.  My heart went out to Amy and all she was going through, especially when she found out the real reason her husband was in Paris.  Secrets seemed to be a running theme in the book and when they came out, they put a real twist into the story.  The book is filled with stunning visuals, interesting characters and an addictive plot.  I would definitely recommend reading it. 

Review: Kidnapped for His Royal Duty: A Royal Marriage of Convenience Romance (Stolen Brides) by Jane Porter

He needs a substitute bride…

And she will be his queen!

When desert prince Dal’s convenient bride is stolen, he must find a replacement—immediately. Suddenly shy secretary Poppy is kidnapped by her merciless boss and whisked away to his kingdom. She’s shocked to find herself willingly surrendering to his expert seduction! But when it becomes clear that Dal has more than pleasure in mind, will Poppy be persuaded to accept his royal proposal?


My Review:

Poppy Marr was secretly in love with her boss, Randall "Dal" Grant even though he was engaged to her best friend, Sophie.  Poppy knew neither of them would be happy with a marriage that was arranged by their parents, so she intervened even though she knew it wasn't the right thing to do.

Dal, the Sixth Earl of Langston made a promise to his father that he would marry before his thirty fifth birthday in order to keep his title and estates.  When Sophie ran off on their wedding day with another man, he needed a wife quick, so he decided Poppy would be his next choice.  He knew she would be a perfect wife and mother to his heirs.  He just needed to convince her of it.  So, he whisks her away to Mehkar where he could seduce her and convince her to marry him.

This book really took me away.  With the vivid descriptions, the story was easy to visualize.  I could easily picture the scenery, the home and the colorful wardrobe that Poppy would wear.  Both characters seemed a bit stubborn and set in their ways, so it was fun to watch them finally learn to love, trust and put each other first.  I especially liked the part where Dal tells Poppy he not only an Earl, but a prince too and would someday be the king of Mehkar.  Could you imagine?  This is Harlequin romance at its best.

Review: Small Town Love (Paradise Key Book 4) by Susan Meier

After her estranged father is indicted for insider trading, wealthy heiress and morning talk show personality, Evelyn Barclay, returns to Paradise Key. She takes a job with a friend, only to discover she's now in charge of Paradise Key's sexy mayor, Paxton James.

Pax wants nothing to do with the video Evie needs to produce for the town's new website. But he can't deny that every time he's around her, sparks fly. Not only is she beautiful, but when Evie steps up to help his daughter, he sees another side of her.

Just as Pax and Evie grow closer, her dad's appearance in Paradise Key threatens to send her into hiding again and ruin their budding relationship.

My Review:

The last installment of the Paradise Keys series, about four friends who come together for another friend’s funeral, is Evie’s story.  Evie is a talk show host who is on leave from her job after her father was arrested for insider trading.  She is hiding out from the press and helping her friend Lauren with Paradise Key’s website to pass time.  Her main job is filming the town’s mayor, Paxton James, while he talks about the weekly events on the island.  Evie instantly feels a pull towards Pax but she fights it.  She isn’t looking for a man and none of her relationships ever work out.

Pax lost his wife five years ago and is raising their daughter on his own, but he doesn’t know the first thing about raising a pre-teen girl.  That’s where Evie becomes handy.  She helps Sam with things like makeup and clothes and gives her someone to talk to.  Watching Sam and Evie’s friendship grow makes Pax to want more than just friendship with Evie.  They eventually give into to their attraction and start seeing each other. 

There is also another twist to this story.  Evie’s estranged father has arrived in Paradise Key to lay low until his court date.  But Finn has another reason for being there as well.  When Pax tries to bring Evie and Finn together to talk through their problems, Evie flips out.  Will Evie and Pax’s new relationship be able to stand up to Pax’s interference in Evie’s life? 

This book was the perfect ending to this series.  It was like several stories rolled into one.  I liked how Evie and Pax had more in common than they realized.  I also liked Sam.  She totally stole some of the scenes and kept things fresh.  I thought it was a little quick how Evie and Finn made up, but it made a sweet ending to their drama and helped wrap up the story. 

 

Funny Kitty Pic

Review: Resort to Love (Paradise Key Book 3) by Priscilla Oliveras

Sometimes, going back to the beginning is the only answer.

Paradise Key Resort holds the best and the worst of Sofía Vargas’s adolescent memories of love and heartbreak. Now, she hopes to wipe the slate clean and boost her career from resort manager to owner by winning a quirky town contest. But when an old flame throws his hat into the ring, Sofía realizes that protecting her heart will be the biggest challenge.

Nathan Patrick Hamilton III has played the part of the good son all his life with one exception—indulging in a secret on again-off again relationship with Sofia in high school and college, knowing that family duty would eventually tear them apart.

Years later, Nathan feels like he finally has a chance to win back the girl of his dreams and right the way he wronged her. But Sofía doesn’t trust or forgive easily and it’s going to take more than kooky town hall meetings, an emergency trip back to Key West, stolen kisses and a re-creation of their first date, for him to even be in the running. Is the ultimate prize the resort or winning back Sofía's heart?

My Review:

A new beginning for two people who more than deserve it.

Former lovers, Sofía Vargas and Nate Hamilton, are brought together once again on Paradise Key where they are both interested in buying the old Paradise Key Resort, where they first met and fell in love.  Each has their own reason wanting to buy the Resort.  For Sofia, it’s the nostalgia of it.  Paradise Key resort holds some of her best memories and she would love to bring the resort back to life again.  She has been running a B&B in Key West and is ready to own her own hotel.  Nate wants to prove to his father that he is dedicated to the family business.  Buying the resort will be the proof his father needs.  Nate and Sofia are surprised to find out they are competing bidders on the property.  Will this be the end of their friendship or the start of something new?

When Sofia is needed back in Key West for an emergency, Nate goes with her.  They put aside their differences and rediscover the passion they once had.  This changes everything. But, when they head back to Paradise Key, their relationship will face the biggest test of all time when they find out who wins the resort. 

I have never read any of this author’s books before and look forward to reading more.  I liked Sofia’s determination to get what she wanted.  Nate seemed a little wimpy at first always doing as his father told him, even getting engaged to someone he didn’t love because it was expected of him.  But in the end, I liked how he stood up to him.  The writing really brought the story to life.  I could easily picture the scenes.  The characters were fun and likable.  All around, this was a fun book to read.