Review: BLACK TIES AND LULLABIES by Jane Graves

a

Contemporary  (humor)

Forever, an imprint of Hachett Book Group

432 pages 

Bernadette Hogan can't believe what she has gotten herself into, of all the crazy situations she could imagine getting pregnant by her infuriating boss was not even a blip on her radar. This is so not like her, she already has her plate full. 

Jeremy is willing to try to make things work, even though he is still reeling from the shock of that he let things get so out of hand. But how can an independent woman and a self-made millionaire learn to compromise without chewing each other to pieces?

****

In BLACK TIES AND LULLABIES, Jane Graves had penned a delightfully entertaining tale with a fascinating cast of characters, keeping me laughing and smiling all throughout the book. I loved following Bernie and Jeremy on their journey to love and happiness.

Bernie was a great heroine! This is the first book I've read where the woman has been the muscle. Jeremy was no slouch, but Bernie definitely could handle her own in a fight. I loved that she was independent and more than capable of taking care of herself, no matter what the situation, but I also like watching her learn that it's okay to lean on someone elses shoulder.

Jeremy was an irritatingly arrogant guy, but you could sense the loneliness he kept so well hidden. I loved watching him grow emotionally, learning how to love and be loved. Bernie and Jeremy are definitely a couple I can picture living Happily Ever After, forever.

I can't wait for Ms. Graves' next book! Her characters and stories are always very humorous and well plotted.

Rating: 5

Author's Website 

Review: SUMMER AT SEASIDE COVE by Jacquie D'Alessandro

Contemporary

Penguin Group (USA)
368 pages

After a viscous betrayal by her own sister, Jamie Newman has had enough. She decides that a seaside get away is just the thing. But when she arrives at the cottage she's rented for the summer she finds that Paradise Found is not really an appropriate name, more like Paradise Lost. The landlord of the dilapidated bungalow is no where to be found, but Jamie is ready to pounce. 
Nick Trent isn't sure what hit him when his firecracker of a tenant finds him, though he must concede that the cottage has seen better days.

When Jamie's family drama follows her to Seaside Cove she isn't sure if she can take it anymore. Will her family finally drive her off an emotional cliff or can Nick help keep her grounded? Is it possible for summer love transition into happily ever after?

*****

Jacquie D'Alessandro's first contemporary is a definite WIN! Ms. D'Alessandro successfully combined drama, humor and an plethora of emotions in between into a spectacular storyline. She created realistic characters that seemed to spring from the pages, as I could feel their rolling emotions and picture the panorama of events and characters while I devoured this book in one sitting. SUMMER AT SEASIDE COVE will definitely be put on my “keeper” shelves, as I can easily envision rereading this again and again.


In Jamie and Nick I have found two new characters to add to my favorite couples list. Neither are perfect, but they both compliment each other so well. They have fantastic chemistry, that positively sizzled. I loved Nick's laid back attitude, but I could see why it was a bit nerve racking for Jamie, until she got to know and understand him better. I also loved Jamie's neighbors, they were a hoot!


It was great watching Jamie learn to live a more relaxed lifestyle, though her family still wanted to lean heavily on her. Jamie's mom was a basket case, but I liked the twist Ms. D'Alessandro added to her storyline, it was a very uncommon issue for a romance heroine have to deal with when it comes to their mother. I really liked how all things were resolved between Jamie's family and her and Nick, it was a tiny bit over-the-top, but I really liked it!


I look forward to reading more of Jacquie D'Alessandro's books whether they are historical or contemporary. She is absolutely staying on my auto-buy list, SUMMER AT SEASIDE COVE just confirmed why I love her writing so much.
 

Rating 5/5

 

Author's Website

Review: ELEVEN SCANDALS TO START TO WIN A DUKE'S HEART by Sarah MacLean

Love by the Numbers #3

Historical Romance/ Regency

Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins

384 pages

Available April 26, 2011

Juliana Fiori is no stranger to scandal, in fact you could say she was born in scandal. Upon her arrival to her half-brother's home in England, Juliana quickly learned that she provided fodder effortlessly for the Ton with her propensity for trouble. 
 

Simon Pearson, the Duke of Leighton, a/k/a the Duke of Disdain because of his spotless reputation and his contemptuous view of those who did not follow societies rules, was appalled by the shameful behavior of Miss Fiori. When he stumbles upon her hiding in his carriage, it's the last straw. 
 

Can Simon instruct the bold Juliana in the ways of being a proper lady, or will Juliana turn the tables, teaching Simon that sometimes you should let passion rule?

*****

Sarah MacLean's superb writing and characterizations has quickly thrust her onto the top of my auto-buy list. In ELEVEN SCANDALS TO START TO WIN A DUKE'S HEART, her plot and characters were beautifully interwoven into an enchantingly romantic tale, complete with the struggles of clashing personalities, as two people who can't conceive ever being together in a relationship, learn that they can't imagine a life apart. She was able to give Juliana and Simon very tangible emotions which pulled me further into their story. This is a book I didn't want to put down once I began.

Simon was so infuriatingly arrogant, I really wanted to see him knocked down a notch. While he was such an pig-headed ass, Ms. MacLean still made him likeable, which I considered to be quit the accomplishment. I could feel him fighting his emotions as he tried to be so cold. Of course being a romance I knew that he was starting to fall in love with Juliana, but I loved seeing his transformation. Ms. MacLean made it apparent why he had such highly prudish morals, which helped me to understand why Simon acted the way he did.

Juliana had a special knack for falling into bad situations. She could be doing everything right and still end up wrong. Sure there were a few times were she was deliberately mischievous, but so many of her actual scandals were not her fault. While Juliana fell into many scrapes, Ms. MacLean kept a believability to them, I have had the kind of bad luck Juliana had, where no matter how hard you try to do the right thing, you still manage to get it all screwed up, I could empathize with her. She was such a lovable character, and I liked that she was intelligent and had strong sense of independence. 
 

I was so captivated by ELEVEN SCANDALS TO START TO WIN A DUKE'S HEART that Simon's asinine behavior even had me in tears, I was so infuriated with him for causing Juliana such pain. If there was ever a hero that needed to grovel, it was Simon. One of the best scenes was when Juliana saw Simon with his niece, it opened up his personality even more. I also liked the glimpses of Juliana's half-brothers and their wives.

Rating 5/5

Author's Website

Night Owl Reviews 

Review: CHILDREN OF SCARABAEUS by Sara Creasy

Scarabaeus #2

Science Fiction Romance

EOS an imprint of Harper Collins

336 pages

Available Now

Edie Sha'nim and Finn are back, picking up shortly after we last saw them, having escaped Scarabaeus and the Crib. Edie is in a bad way as she is in desperate need of a new neuroxin implant. Still connected by the neurological tether planted by the Crib, Finn is anxious to help Edie. Though the leash isn't the only thing holding him, he truly cares for her. When the Fringe post they are on is overtaken by the Crib, Edie and Finn attempt to escape, only to be recaptured.

Being the best cypherteck, Edie is not someone the Crib is willing to let got. Liv Natesa needs Edie and has no problem using Finn once again to convince Edie to help her fix her latest project, the one she is currently using children to fix, children from Talas, children like Edie when she first started working for the Crib.

Can Edie and Finn release the children from the Crib? Can Edie and Finn's leash be broken? What will become of them if it is? Will Finn still want to stay with Edie? Why are they drawn back to Scarabaeus? Does she still sing for release or is there something more sinister holding on to the planet?

So many questions, and only one way to find out the answers... you must read CHILDREN OF SCARABAEUS!

****
Sara Creasy took me on another phenomenal trip across the universe in CHILDREN OF SCARABAEUS, as she continued to catapult me into the thrilling escapades of Edie and Finn. She did a fantastic job weaving adventure, suspense, science fiction, and romance into an captivating tale that enthralled me from start to finish.

I loved watching Edie and Finn's relationship go to the next level and continue to grow. I could understand Edie's fears and struggles, as she wasn't sure if Finn was with her only because of the leash or if he truly had feelings for her. She also knew that she was risking a lot by refusing to leave the children to the Crib. I loved that Ms. Creasy took her to the edge and didn't give her an easy out.


We were never left wondering what Finn would do, and I liked that. He was very straightforward in his feelings. It doesn't hurt that Finn is such a delicious character, he's strong, very alpha, caring and absolutely oozes sex appeal. If I had to be attached to someone, he would be a top-pick!


I liked how Scarabaeus was worked back into the story, it was a very interesting twist that I never expected. I also liked seeing Cat again, she was a fun, interesting character that I would like to see more of, she has a lot of depth and mystery that I think would be great to explore further, if Ms. Creasy ever chose to expand on this series. I really hope that she writes more about Finn and Edie, I would like to see where else their travels could take them and what other kind of trouble could they get in and out of.

Rating: 5 / 5

Author's Website



Night Owl Reviews

Review: THE EDGE OF THE NIGHT by Jill Sorenson

Romantic Suspense

Random House Publishing

432 pages

Available: April 5, 2011

 When a killer strikes close to home, April Ortiz is willing to do what she can to protect herself and her young daughter Jenny. When Police Officer, Noah Young comes asking questions, April takes a chance. She slips him some information that may help him, even at her own risk. Noah is enthralled by the sexy waitress, and willing to listen to her. Can the police catch the murder before there are more victims? Pursuing April could have consequences with his job, dare he risk his career over his emotions?

*****

THE EDGE OF THE NIGHT was a spectacular read. Jill Sorenson has created one of the sweetest, sexiest police officer hero's I've ever read. The non-stop action and the budding romance between April and Noah, made for a fast-paced tale which I was unable to put down until the very end. I highly suggest blocking off a good amount of time when you pick this book up, because you're not going to want to put it down. The suspense of who the killer was had an edge-of-your seat thrill that kept me wondering what was going to happen next, and I had difficulty pegging the villain until the end. This is a book I can't wait to share with my friends!

 Noah doesn't hold the cynicism that most police/military heroes seem to have.  There isn't the dark-grittiness of someone whose been hurt by tragedy nor the been-there-done-that-nothing-surprises-him attitude. He's so fresh and energetic still, and I absolutely loved it! It was a unique twist, keeping the romantic suspense genre from going stale.


April was no angel, yet for all her experiences and life lessons, she retained a sweetness that resounded throughout the pages. She knows that she made bad choices in her youth, but has matured to regret her actions which helped shape her into the person she is now. Jenny is her life, and she would do anything for her.


The side story of Meghan and Eric was terrific...though I really wish Eric had made a different choice in the end.  I could understand where he was coming from for most of his choices, even if I didn't like them. Both Meghan and Eric were very charismatic and I felt that their relationship kept the rest of the plot moving along, while helping shape certain outcomes of the book. I would love to see them have their own book in the future.

I loved the emotions that Ms Sorenson brought out in this book. There was the desire that sprung between Noah and April, which I couldn't wait to see fulfilled, the action of Noah's job and the gang life going on throughout the book, April's fears about where a relationship with Noah could possibly go, and the hunt for the killer who kept getting closer. Everything together kept me wrapped tightly into this tale.
I'm looking forward to whatever Ms. Sorenson has coming up next, as she is easily an auto-buy author for me.

Rating: 5/5

Author Website

Night Owl Reviews

Review: AFTERTIME by Sophie Littlefield

Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic

Luna Books, a division of Harlequin Enterprises

384 Pages

Release: March 1, 2011

In post-apocalyptic California, people are struggling with day to day survival. Bio-warfare decimated the landscape, killing off plants and animals, only the hardiest survived. Then came the blue-leaf fever, it didn't kill every one affected, yet those who survived became flesh-eaters, zombies, or more commonly referred to as Beaters.

Cass Dollar can't remember the last 2 months of her life, but that is not a terrible thing, the last she does remember is being taken away by a group of Beaters. The scars on her body tell a story that even she finds hard to believe. She has recovered from the disease, fortunately with no recollection of what she did or became. Now she has one focus, to find her daughter Ruthie

With the help of the mysterious man everyone calls Smoke, Cass hopes to find Ruthie. Knowing it would be a difficult road, she never envisions the obstacles thrown in the way of their quest. Nor is she prepared for the feelings Smoke has awakened in her .

*****

When I flipped to the last page of AFTERTIME my initial reaction was: WHAT?!? THIS is the END?!? Noooooo, I wanted MORE! I wasn't ready to let Cass, Smoke and Ruthie go yet. I felt as if I was just getting to know them. Lord knows, we barely scratched the surface of Smoke. He is so mysterious, alpha, heroic, kind and SUPER hot! This was a gripping and emotional tale of survival that will keep any reader on their toes, because you just never know what is going to happen when you turn the page.

Cass had lead a pretty lousy life in the Before, one that she strongly regrets. You can feel her yearning to be a better person. Her daughter Ruthie is the reason she keeps going on, yet as the story moved on, I understood that she was starting to care for Smoke, and wanted to be a better person for him also.

Ahh, Smoke is still a delicious mystery. I'm not really sure why he was so eager to leave with Cass and why he never wavered in his faith of her. Of course I'm happy he made the decisions he did. There were a few brief explanations, but he really stuck his neck out for a complete stranger.

AFTERTIME is the first book of a new series I canNOT wait to continue. There were a few spots in the beginning of the book that seemed a bit discombobulated, but that didn't last long, and in all honesty, it worked with the story because Cass was just coming out of her illness and was trying to work things out in her confused brain.

Rating: 5 / 5

Author's website

Purchase: Nook  /  Kindle  /  Harlequin (Luna)

*I originally posted this review at http://enchantingreviews.blogspot.com/ *