Review: IF I WERE YOU by Lisa Renee Jones

When Sara McMillan receives a scintillating stack of journals from an auctioned off storage unit, she is both shocked and fascinated by the content of those pages. The more she reads the more she can't help but wonder why Rebecca, the owner of the unit, left everything behind. Did something sinister befall her or did she simply decide to leave her life behind to start anew?

In her quest to discover what happened to Rebecca, Sara finds herself immersed in Rebecca's life. Taking her job, becoming involved with the people who may know Rebecca's fate. Opening herself up to new experiences, and opening herself up to danger.

The men she meets unwittingly enable her to deepen her investigation. Mark Compton, manager of Allure Gallery and Chris Merit, a famed artist, are sexy rivals that have no qualms showing their dislike for one another, but what has caused their rift? What dark secrets do they hold? Why do they want to press Sara in the middle of it all?

And most importantly, where is Rebecca?

*****

I know that this is touted as 50 Shades of Grey meets Basic Instinct, I wouldn't know. I've never read 50SoG nor have I* watched BI. What I do know is that Lisa Renee Jones has composed a captivating tale of one woman's journey to discover the fate of another, only to find her own world shaken and turned on its head, as she starts to fulfill her own dreams in the process of uncovering a mystery.

The characters in IF I WERE YOU are so captivating and well fleshed out, these are people I felt like I knew as I read their tale. Sara isn't a timid person, she's shy and has been denying her true self. Finding these journals opens her up to discovering what she gave up, when she decided to choose a stable job instead of following her dreams and her love of art. There were other factors that played with her choices, and I love how her character grew from the beginning of this story to the end. Chris is HAWT, he has some control issues, his moods can flip in a heartbeat, he has a dark secret which he uses to keep his distance from Sara, and I absolutely adored him. Sara and Chris scorched the pages with their sizzling passion, so much so that I needed to turn the air conditioning up and eat a popsicle as I read their love scenes, as I'm fairly certain I was about to melt more than once! I think that Lisa Renee Jones has done a phenomenal job developing there relationship, there is no rush to love here, though you can see it as it takes shape.

Not only were the main characters well developed, but so where the side characters, Amanda was such a sweety, Ralph is a card, Ava has some spice, and Mark is a controlling dick—though he seems to be willing to help Sara, the question is why.

I love the whole Storage Wars concept of this book. It ponders the very questions I always wonder when I see that show: Why do people let their belongings go? What circumstances make people just abandon their things? You know that there has to be a story there, sure, maybe it's a simple story, but I love the spin Lisa Renee Jones has thrown on it. 

I can't wait to see where Ms. Jones takes this series, and I can't believe I have to WAIT to see where it's going! But I will be EAGERLY awaiting the next installment, because there are so many unanswered questions I have. 

IF I WERE YOU gets a solid 5 out of 5 rating! 

*NOTE: I have started reading 50SoG and so far the only thing I can say, is that Ana and Sara are NOT that much alike, neither are Christian or Chris.  

I'm finding Ana to be whiny, immature, weak, and ridiculously naive--all traits that I find extremely annoying. Sara starts out a bit shy, but we never mistake it for weakness, she has a backbone that she isn't afraid to use, and she grows out of her shell as the story moves on.  There is no whining from her, she sets her course and is determined to follow it, and she isn't taking any crap from Chris or anyone else in her life. 

Christian and Chris are both strong alpha characters who suffer from moodiness, but that is it.  Chris wants control of Sara in the bedroom, but isn't afraid to allow her to live out her life the way she wants/needs to, while Christian isn't happy unless he can control EVERY aspect of Ana's life--FAIL.

Review: A WEEK TO BE WICKED by Tessa Dare

Minerva Highwood is quite happy being one of the spinsters of Spindle Cove. Not just because of the lack of suitors, BUT also because of the wondrous discovery she has unearthed. Now she would like to reveal her find, only to do it right, she must travel to the Royal Geological Society's symposium being held in Edinburgh, Scotland. She needs to find an escort, and she thinks she has the perfect candidate.

Colin Sandhurst, Lord Payne (oh and what a PAIN he is in Minerva's eyes) is a notorious rake, the spinsters of Spindle Cove don't hinder his escapades—some even help him along. *wink wink* When Minerva approaches him with her scheme, he at first balks...but Minerva has a persuasive way, and soon they find themselves on the road to adventure...uhm, I mean on the road to SCOTLAND, with maybe a wee bit of adventure. ;<)

*****

Tessa Dare has written a delightfully fun tale of adventure and passion in A WEEK TO BE WICKED. I really enjoyed following Colin and Minerva around the English countryside, and up through Scotland, where they met some interesting challenges and characters. There was a bit of danger thrown in to keep them from getting to lax in their travels, along with Colin's wicked sense of humor.

There were places in this book that had me giggling, and sometimes snorting with laughter, as mostly Colin's antics would rile Minerva or would backfire in an unexpected twist. Then I'd find myself sighing with pleasure as they began to learn what made each of them into the person they'd become, and as they delved into the passion that they could no longer resist.

I also enjoyed how Francine, Minerva's specimen, played into the story, who'd a thought that rock could be so interesting and entertaining. :)

I really enjoy Ms. Dare's writing and am looking forward to reading more about the citizens of Spindle's Cove.

Romance Freebies!!!!

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OMG...I'm blogging again

Well, as you see I sure the heck haven't been blogging much this summer, and my reading has really slacked off.  I've just been too busy with work and family.  My office job has been insanely busy, and I started editing in January (WOW, I'm getting paid to do what I love--READ!), that too has been busy.  I'm not complaining by any means, a year ago I was just working at the office, getting lay-off notices.  I'm still at the same office plus now I have the editing job, boy how have thinks changed in less than a year.

Then there's my kids, baseball season ended in June...with an unexpected tournament at the end of July, and now my kids are starting their football seasons (I have a senior in high school--YIKES!--and a 5th grader). So much for my free time. I still manage to squeeze a book in here and there though, and man have I found some great ones recently!

I must be one of the few people out there that have NOT read 50 Shades of Grey, which seems to have shocked all of my non-reading friends who have read it.  I mean really, this isn't the first book written that has hot sex in it with dominate ALPHA (yum) males...I just happen to like my heroines on the stronger side, not being demeaned and degraded by their men, or if they are, they are quick to stand up for themselves and tell the men to straighten up or F*ck off .  Really, if you want to read some sizzling hot romance with alpha guys, check out: Beth Kery, Bella Andre, Lacey Alexander, Maya Banks, Shiloh Walker, Olivia Cunning, Lisa Renee Jones, and that's just to name a few, really there are a lot of awesome writers out there that you should try out.

My favorite "new to me"  author is Olivia Cunning, after I discovered her Sinners on Tour series.

These books are scorching HOT, how in the hell have I missed this author?!?!.  This series has got everything I want: awesome plot lines that grab you, and suck you in; phenomenal characters that pull at you emotionally, strong men and woman who have been hurt in the past, but aren't about to let anyone walk all over them now--though they need to find the value in themselves to feel worthy of love; oh and did I forget to mention that these guys are ROCK STARS, really HOT, super SEXY rock stars? I can't wait until November when book #3 comes out.

 

I've also read Lisa Renee Jones' If I Were You, she's another one of my favorite authors of sizzling hot romance. :) I will be posting a full review of IIWY on the 23rd and Lisa will be stopping by my blog for a visit...so please come back and check out how much I enjoyed that book (OMG Chris, the hero is sooooooooo SEXY!) oh and there may be PRIZES! 

Isn't this cover fabulous? Don't you want to know what she is reading?

When Sara McMillan receives a scintillating stack of journals from an auctioned off storage unit, she is both shocked and fascinated by the content of those pages. The more she reads the more she can't help but wonder why Rebecca, the owner of the unit, left everything behind. Did something sinister befall her or did she simply decide to leave her life behind to start anew?

In her quest to discover what happened to Rebecca, Sara finds herself immersed in Rebecca's life. Taking her job, becoming involved with the people who may know Rebecca's fate. Opening herself up to new experiences, and opening herself up to danger.

The men she meet unwittingly enable her to deepen her investigation. Mark Compton, manager of Allure Gallery and Chris Merit, a famed artist, are sexy rivals that have no qualms showing their dislike for one another, but what has caused their rift? What dark secrets do they hold? Why do they want to press Sara in the middle of it all?

And most importantly, where is Rebecca?