Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Review of THE DIVORCE PARTY by Jennifer Hayward




THE DIVORCE PARTY

“You threw your fifty-thousand-dollar engagement ring off the Brooklyn Bridge?”


Lilly shows up to her lavish divorce party with one goal in mind—to leave as quickly as possible minus a husband! Except he has other plans…and Riccardo De Campo isn’t easy to say “no” to.

Forced back into Riccardo’s glittering, gossip-fueled world, the price of perfection is still too high and Lilly’s old insecurities resurface. An unexpected consequence of their reunion raises the stakes even higher, and the media’s golden couple must finally confront the truth behind the headlines.

*****

THE DIVORCE PARTY's  storyline and writing wasn't bad and I'm a complete sucker for the over-the-top Harlequin Presents plots that I can fit into a quick evening read. Unfortunately though, I found it incredibly hard to like Lilly and Riccardo, these are two of the most selfish characters that I've ever read. I guess in that aspect they are perfect for each other.

The idea of THE DIVORCE PARTY had a lot of merit--I could see this being a good twist of a theme that has been tackled before--and I usually like the uber-Alpha heroes and the heroines that struggle to find independence and not be totally overtaken by these guys. BUT on that note, it was Lilly and Riccardo's selfishness that I couldn't connect with. Each of them were so wrapped up in themselves and their own problems it's no wonder their marriage was failing. Both Lilly and Riccardo expected the other to read their mind, I found myself rolling my eyes at their misunderstandings instead of feeling sympathy for one or the other.

Because I was so miffed at their character flaws, I found it difficult to focus on the other aspects of the story. Such as, how they were going to recreate their marriage, forgive each other, and find their HEA. I know they found it at the end of the story, but I felt kind of meh about it all.


Monday, August 19, 2013

Tracy Wolff DOUBLE cover reveal FULL EXPOSURE & RUIN



FULL EXPOSURE
Written by Tracy Wolff
Loveswept Contemporary Erotic Romance | 978080417764
On sale October 28, 2013

In Tracy Wolff’s sizzling novel of erotic tension—perfect for fans of Sylvia Day, E. L. James, and J. Kenner—sex and suspense steam up the sultry bayou.
 
Desperate to leave a traumatic past behind, photographer Serena Macafee prefers sex with no strings attached—no commitment, just pure pleasure. Her new subject, sculptor Kevin Riley, seems like the perfect man to fulfill her hottest fantasies. And where better than the torrid wetlands of Baton Rouge, where Kevin works—and plays? But as their sessions heat up, so do Serena’s feelings for Kevin.
 
As she opens herself up to emotions she never wanted, Serena leaves herself vulnerable to everything she thought she’d escaped. As her guard breaks down, her fears are aroused. Something has followed her to the sweltering southern bayou, exposing her to the twisted fantasies of someone in the shadows—and to dangers beyond her wildest dreams.

 
 
**********************************************************************
 
 
RUINED
Written by Tracy Wolff
Loveswept Original | 9780804179263
On Sale January 7, 2014

He was the last man I should love … but the first I ever could.

Ethan Frost was a visionary.  A genius. Every woman’s deepest, darkest fantasy—even mine.  And, somehow, I was his.
He stole into my life like a dream.  Turned my reality upside down and made my every desire come true—especially those I never knew I had.   He demanded everything I had to give.  Gave me everything of himself in return. 
But dreams don’t last forever, and ours was no exception.  Because my nightmares were darker, and my wounds deeper, than I could ever reveal.  And much as Ethan wanted to protect me, the secrets we didn’t know we shared could only tear us apart.  




About Tracy Wolff:
Tracy Wolff lives in Texas and teaches writing at her local community college. She is married and the mother of three young sons.

Find Tracy:  Twitter | Website
 
Connect with Loveswept: Facebook | Twitter | Online Street Team

HEATING UP THE HOLIDAYS cover reveal!



HEATING UP THE HOLIDAYS
3-Story Bundle (Play with Me, Snowfall, After Midnight)
Lisa Renee Jones, Mary Ann Rivers, Serena Bell
Published by Loveswept
On Sale October 28, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-8041-7840-2

HEATING UP THE HOLIDAYS features three sexy holiday novellas, each one centered on a different holiday: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. With stories from bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones, the popular Mary Ann Rivers, and Loveswept debut author Serena Bell, HEATING UP THE HOLIDAYS is the perfect anthology to keep the romance going throughout the holiday season! 


Pre-order HEATING UP THE HOLIDAYS from your favorite retailers!
 

ABOUT LISA RENEE JONES (Play with Me): 
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT SERIES which has sold to more than twelve countries for translation with negotiations in process for more, and has now been optioned by STARZ Network for a cable television show, to be produced by Suzanne Todd (Alice in Wonderland).

Since beginning her publishing career in 2007, Lisa has published more than 30 books with publishers such as Simon and Schuster, Avon, Kensington, Harlequin, NAL, Berkley and Elloras Cave, as well as crafting a successful indie career. Booklist says that Jones suspense truly sizzles with an energy similar to FBI tales with a paranormal twist by Julie Garwood or Suzanne Brockmann.

Prior to publishing, Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by Dallas Women Magazine. In 1998 LRJ was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

ABOUT MARY ANN RIVERS (Snowfall)
Mary Ann Rivers was an English and music major and went on to earn her MFA in creative writing, publishing poetry in journals and leading creative-writing workshops for at-risk youth. While training for her day job as a nurse practitioner, she rediscovered romance on the bedside tables of her favorite patients. Now she writes smart and emotional contemporary romance, imagining stories featuring the heroes and heroines just ahead of her in the coffee line. Mary Ann Rivers lives in the Midwest with her handsome professor husband and their imaginative school-aged son.

ABOUT SERENA BELL (After Midnight)
Serena Bell writes stories about how sex messes with your head, why smart people do stupid things sometimes, and how love can make it all better. She wrote her first steamy romance before she was old enough to understand what all the words meant and has been perfecting the art of hiding pages and screens from curious eyes ever since—a skill that’s particularly useful now that she’s the mother of two school-age children.

Connect with Loveswept: Facebook | Twitter | Website

Monday, July 22, 2013

Spotlight Tour and Giveaway for Shiloh Walker's THE UNWANTED

The Unwanted
Release date: July 30, 2013

Amazon | BN  | Indiebound | iBooks | Kobo | Samhain
Sizzling, suspenseful, and very, very dark—THE UNWANTED is a sexy, fast-paced thriller that will leave you breathless!-Alyssa Day, New York Times bestselling author 

A Novella of the FBI Psychics, #3.5

Destin Mortin’s psychic gift comes with an ugly twist—she excels at tracking down violent rapists. But it’s rough on relationships. Once, her partner Caleb was her everything: filter, shield, rescuer, lover. The only man who didn’t think her a freak. Then he walked away.

 Destin turned her back on the FBI to work for a private agency, but now a particularly horrendous case has come up, and her boss wants her paired with only the best.
 

For Caleb Durand, leaving Destin was an act of self-preservation. Every time she flung herself headlong into dangerous situations, every time he nursed her through soul-crushing visions, he’d died a little more inside. 

Now they are forced to work together one last time. Tragedy has changed them both, but Caleb knows if he lowers his shields for an instant, he won’t have an icicle’s chance in hell of resisting the temptation to lose himself in her wild power.

But to catch the rapist, it’s exactly what he’ll have to do.

Read an excerpt HERE


Tour Stops
7-21 I am a Book Addict…and proud of it http://romanceinthehighlands.blogspot.com/
7-22 Rambling Reads trustme2forget.blogspot.com
7-24 Fiction Vixen www.fictionvixen.com
7-25 Book Loving Pixie http://tracymeighan13.wordpress.com/
7-27 Smile Someone Loves You http://SSLYblog.wordpress.com
7-28 Wicked Reads by Tawania http://wickedreadingsbytawania.blogspot.com
7-29 Storm Goddess Book Reviews & More www.stormgoddessbookreviews.blogspot.com
7-30 That’s what I am talking about http://www.twimom227.com/
7-31 Enchantress of Books http://vivianaenchantressofbooks.com
8-1 Salacious Reads www.salaciousreads.com
8-2 Harlie’s Books http://www.harliesbooks.com
8-3 Queen of the Night Reviews http://queenofthenightreviews.blogspot.com/

A little about Shiloh:
Shiloh Walker has been writing since she was a kid. She fell in love with vampires with the book Bunnicula and has worked her way up to the more…ah…serious works of fiction. She loves reading and writing just about every kind of romance. Once upon a time she worked as a nurse, but now she writes full time and lives with her family in the Midwest.  She writes romantic suspense and paranormal romance, and urban fantasy under the name J.C. Daniels.



Sunday, July 21, 2013

Review: A ROSE IN THE STORM by Brenda Joyce

Margaret Comyn was determined to save her legacy, Castle Fyne, and retain her loyalty to her family.  Her country is in great turmoil fighting for its independence from the English. While her family acknowledges Edward I as King, many of her countrymen are fighting for Robert the Bruce to be the true king of Scotland.

Alexander “The Wolf of Lochaber” MacDonald is not only enemy to Margaret's clan, but is also refusing to accept a English ruler. Castle Fyne is and excellent stronghold that many wish to own, boarding along the clan MacDonald lands makes it that more enticing to Alexander.

When Alexander attacks the castle, Margaret is in a quandary, she's never had to make such a tough decision, yet she chooses not to surrender. Alexander places the castle under siege, expecting not to have to hold it long, and he's correct, as Margaret soon learns her mistake in challenging such a strong force. What she is surprised by is the just and fair nature of Alexander. She finds herself drawn to him, but knows that he's fighting for her enemy. How can she betray her family for a man and a cause that she is unsure of? 

*****

A ROSE IN THE STORM is written along the lines of the epic historical romances of the 1980's without the 'old skool' forced seduction/rape scenes (THANKFULLY).  I'm a HUGE fan of historical sagas, I like a romance that takes place over months and years rather than a short span of a few days or weeks.  I think it leads to a more realistic feel for the characters HEA.  There is no need for our heroes and heroines to rush to fall in love.


I like that Margaret could enjoy her desires and not feel the unnecessary doom and gloom of actually liking her new-found experiences in this modern twist of a historical saga. What she struggled with, was the choices she was forced to make between choosing Alexander or her family. The chemistry between Alexander and Margaret didn't have any real snap and pop. I felt that it was more of a fizzle rather than a sizzle. Which really disappointed me. I've always been drawn emotionally to Brenda Joyce's characters. Margaret was too indecisive, she didn't want to hurt her family and she wasn't sure if Edward 1 or Robert the Bruce would be the right leader. Finally, she let her love for Alexander make the choice for her.


Alexander was a sexy character, yet I think that he was almost too willing to let Margaret make her own choices...yes, I know that sounds silly. What I mean to say is that I don't think he fought hard enough to entice Margaret into following him over her family.


There wasn't enough angst or emotional pull in this book to make me fall in love or even hate these characters. I felt myself becoming apathetic about them, as any sort of conflict seemed to be quickly snubbed out.


I enjoyed most of the story, but without the emotional connection to the characters I'm giving this a 3.5 Rambling Hearts rating.



*Note: I received an ARC of this book through the publisher via NetGalley