Review- Two of Hearts by Christina Lee

Summary-

Dakota Nakos was always the resilient, strong-willed achiever. But when her father dies and she’s entrusted with the family’s casino, she feels vulnerable, scared, and more than a little emotional —not exactly the best time to see an old lover she’s never really gotten over.

Dakota once meant the world to Shane Garrity. Then suddenly he left town to train as a U.S. Marshal, and their love for each other crashed into a memory. Now he’s come home for her father’s funeral, and one look at the girl he left behind stirs up both memories and regrets, and reignites a fire he feared he’d lost forever.

Dakota may be the same driven girl she always was, but she’s also changed in ways neither could have anticipated. She’s not just a young woman searching for own identity in the Native American community in which she was raised, but one questioning her new life outside her father’s shadow. Above all she wonders if Shane can push past her weakened defenses to rekindle what they once had, or whether the intense blaze between them will ultimately reduce her heart to ashes.

Review-

I have not read any book by Christina Lee yet but I had read several really good reviews of her other new adult series. I wanted to read Two of Hearts after reading the blurb of it. I always seem to enjoy a well done second chance romance and that is exactly what Two of Hearts gave me. This was a good read.

Dakota is our heroine. She was always been strong and stubborn, standing for what she believes in in her Native American community. The one person she has never been able to get over is Shane and after the unexpected death of her father Dakota is not feeling so strong. I really liked Dakota. She was a strong woman who had a lot of responsibilty on her shoulders. She wanted to rely on Shane but her insecurities got in the way.

Shane is a U.S. Marshal. Shane has trained hard to get where he's at now but the only thing he regrets is walking away from Dakota. He wishes she would have fought for him but now he's back in town and he can't help but feel possessive over Dakota. I really liked Shane. He was completely in love with Dakota and willing to fight for her. I loved how determined he was and how he always stood by Dakota.

There was no doubting the connection Dakota and Shane shared. The tension in the room went up as soon as the two of them were in the same room with each other. I loved Shane's protectiveness. Dakota tried hard to keep her feelings at bay but she couldn't help but rely on Shane's strength. Shane and Dakota were also really hot together. 

Both Shane and Dakota had growing up to do and that is why this made such a good second chance romance. I also loved getting to know more about the Native American culture. There were also a bunch of secondary characters which added to the story. With a good romance and suspense plot Two of Hearts was a good read.

Review- Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas

Summary-

She was unmarried, untouched and almost thirty, but novelist Amanda Briars wasn′t about to greet her next birthday without making love to a man. When he appeared at her door, she believed he was her gift to herself, hired for one night of passion. Unforgettably handsome, irresistibly virile, he tempted her in ways she never thought possible...but something stopped him from completely fulfilling her dream.

Jack Delvin′s determination to possess Amanda became greater when she discovered his true identity. But gently-bred Amanda craved respectability more than she admitted, while Jack, the cast-off son of a nobleman and London′s most notorious businessman, refused to live by society′s rules. Yet when fate conspired for them to marry, their worlds collided with a passionate force neither had expected...but both soon craved.

Review-

I am not a big historical romance reader. I have read a few series but its hardly a genre I read regularly. What I am though, is a Lisa Kleypas reader. She writes beautiful, intimate romance with heroes which thoroughly make you swoon. Suddenly You was just as fabulous of a book. It is a stand alone.

Novelist Amanda Briars has her 30th birthday approaching. She doesn't want to remain a virgin so she decides to gift herself a man as there is no chance of her getting married now that she is a spinster. And so she decides to hire a prostitute. What she gets though, is handsome, irresistible Jack Devlin. I really liked Amanda. She was a very practical person who just wanted to experience all things in life.

Jack Devlin in enchanted by Amanda since the moment he lays eyes on her. He knows Amanda is too good for him. He is a cast-off son of a nobleman with a jaded view on life. He is a notorious businessman who wants to hire Amanda to write for his publication house. But when he meets Amanda he is thoroughly smitten.

Amanda and Jack decide to have an affair. Jack wants to get Amanda out of his system and Amanda just wants to enjoy the time, little as that may be with Jack. Like all of Lisa Kleypas' romances this one was just as beautiful. The intimate scenes between Jack and Amanda were flawless. Their romance burns and they have great chemistry. Their banter, their talks, everything binds them tighter. Seeing an older woman younger man romance in historical was another pleasant surprise.

Jack has no intentions of marrying or having children ever but when circumstances force Amanda and Jack together he finds unexpected fulfillment and satisfaction in their married life. I loved seeing Jack and Amanda fall head over heels in love for each other. The genre hardly matters. A true love story is a true love story and romance is romance. You have not experienced true romance till you've read a Lisa Kleypas one.

Waiting on Wednesday #125

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Cut Both Ways by Carrie Mesrobian

Publication Date- September 1st 2015

Goodreads Summary:

Will Caynes never has been good with girls. At seventeen, he’s still waiting for his first kiss. He’s certainly not expecting it to happen in a drunken make-out session with his best friend, Angus. But it does and now Will’s conflicted—he knows he likes girls, but he didn’t exactly hate kissing a guy.

Then Will meets Brandy, a cute and easy-to-talk-to sophomore. He’s totally into her too—which proves, for sure, that he’s not gay. So why does he keep hooking up with Angus on the sly?

Will knows he can’t keep seeing both of them, but besides his new job in a diner, being with Brandy and Angus are the best parts of his whole messed-up life. His divorced parents just complicate everything. His father, after many half-baked business ventures and endless house renovations, has started drinking again. And his mom is no help—unless loading him up with a bunch of stuff he doesn’t need plus sticking him with his twin half-sisters counts as parenting. He’s been bouncing between both of them for years, and neither one feels like home.

Deciding who to love, who to choose, where to live. Whichever way Will goes, someone will get hurt. Himself, probably the most. 

Glass, over at Ja Citam, a ti?, told me this book left her speechless. Plus, it's LGBT. I don't see any reason why I shouldn't read it. 

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Top Ten Tuesday #54

Top Ten Tuesday is a bookish meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic is: 

Top Ten Books that I Plan to Have in my Beach Bags this Summer 

I plan to have these books on my kindle. Here is my list in no particular order-

  

  

  

  

  

What are your picks? :)

Review- Bad For You by Abbi Glines

Goodreads Summary:

Innocence was never meant for the addictive… 

Addiction was something Krit Corbin accepted as part of his nature a long time ago. He decided to embrace it and flip his finger at the rules. Women had always been the number one thing on his list of addictions. He couldn’t get enough. Being the lead singer in a rock band had only made access to his favorite addiction that much easier.

Being alone was the only thing Blythe Denton understood. The small town minister’s family that raised her hadn’t accepted her as their own. The minister’s wife had always made sure Blythe understood just how unworthy she was of love. When Blythe is sent away to college and given a chance to finally be free of living as an unwanted burden, she looks forward to having peace in her life. Being alone isn’t something that bothers her. She escapes reality in the stories she writes.

However, the ridiculously sexy tattooed guy who keeps throwing parties in the apartment above hers is driving her crazy. For starters, he doesn’t treat her like she would expect a guy with a different woman always hanging on his arm to treat someone as uninteresting as her. She looks nothing like the gorgeous women she sees parading in and out of his apartment, but for some strange reason he keeps showing up at her door.

During a party at his apartment, Krit’s new neighbor comes to the door with her long brown hair pulled up in a messy knot and a pair of glasses perched on her cute little nose. She wants him to turn down the music, but he convinces her to stay.

Krit Corbin may have just found his biggest addiction yet. And Blythe Denton realizes too late that she’s finally been claimed.

REVIEW:

I had decided some time ago that I wouldn't begin my reviews with the following three words, but let me just break my own rules and go ahead and say it- oh my God! What a book! I absolutely adore Abbi Glines' Sea Breeze series. It's one of the few New Adult Contemporary series that I actually follow and look forward to. Although the previous book was a major disappointment, I loved Bad For You so much. The story of Blythe and Krit, Bad For You is an adorable and lovely twist to and take on the regular bad boy meets good girl romance. 

The nicest aspect of Bad For You was that the romance didn't begin till some 50%. Till that point, the protagonists were just friends and even though they were attracted to one another, they knew their boundaries and limits. It's not everyday that we meet New Adult main characters who don't kiss each other and get under the sheets as soon as they meet or within a few days of when they meet. It's also not everyday that these same characters actually indulge in some meaningful conversation and try to genuinely get to know each other. Oh, and another one, it's also not everyday that these characters give each other and their potential relationship all the time that it takes to make it work. 

Krit. Krit, Krit, Krit. I don't know how she does it every time, but Abbi Glines has made me fall in love with yet another one of her bad boys. I hate how these boys have sex with many girls and throw them away left, right and centre but when their girl even as much as talks to another guy, all hell breaks loose. It annoys me to no end and yet, I can't really help but admire how the guy changes from this bad ass dude to a caring and sensible man. I had nothing but pure disgust towards Krit in the previous books of the series, but after giving him a chance and getting to know him in Bad For You, I have to admit that I adore him. He was adorable in his psychotic ways. He was a great friend with an addictive and sparkling personality. And if that isn't enough, to top it all of, the dude's a singer. 

Blythe was perfect for Krit. She was the exact opposite of him. He craves attention. She tries to blend in. He practically knows the whole town. She barely talks to people. He's experienced. Everything is new for her. Sometimes, I thought that for a girl who loves to read and write, Blythe was way too innocent but then again, her side of the story strongly proves the whys of it. I would have ideally liked to know more about her past, but she herself is willing to let it all go and start afresh. She was a really nice person who needed Krit to show her just how nice she was. 

My most favourite books in the Sea Breeze series have been While It Lasts and Sometimes It Lasts and I am loyal to our male protagonist in these stories, Cage York. But Bad For You has been such an unexpectedly and exceptionally well done story that I can easily say that it's my new favourite. I am very stingy with my ratings these days and it's only because of that that I'm giving this book four very bright, shiny, sparkly and glittery stars. I haven't stopped smiling since I put the book down. 

RATING:

Feature & Follow Friday #60

Feature and Follow is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read.

Today's question is: 

How do you write your reviews?

 via bluebooksandbutterflies.blogspot.com

I procrastinate. But when I actually do get to writing my reviews I have most, if not all my thoughts gathered and then I just try to summarize everything I liked and disliked.

  

What's your answer?

Follow us and we'll follow back!

Happy Friday everybody :)

Review- Black Rainbow by J.J.McAvoy

Summary-

After an erotic one-week fling with a musician she meets in a bar, Thea Cunning never expects to see Levi Black again. Then Monday morning comes around, and she discovers that her former lover is not only her professor, but he’s also one of the top criminal lawyers in the state of Massachusetts. 

With everyone in class vying to be one of the twelve disciples—a group of twelve students that Professor Black takes under his wing—tensions run high. Thea considers dropping his class, given their passionate week together and their undeniable chemistry. After all, there are other (less infuriatingly sexy) law professors on campus. 

But to accomplish her goal and get her father out of prison, Thea knows she needs to learn under the best of the best—and that’s Levi Black. 

But can she learn under the best, without being under the best?

Review-

Black Rainbow was such a random read I stumbled across while surfing goodreads. I liked the way the summary sounded and was curious to see how the story would go. I am SO glad I read Black Rainbow because I ended up loving it. I loved Thea and Levi and the romance was super satisying!

Let's start with Thea. Thea has a one week fling with Levi and after that she discovers that he is her professor. Things are so very complicated between them but that is the gist of it. I really liked Thea as a heroine. She was strong and capable and hard working. She wanted to get through law school so she could get out her wrongly imprisoned father.

Then we have Levi. Levi was possibly the most perfect man I have ever read about. He was a hard ass teacher and a lawyer with an untarnished reputation. Levi was definitely attracted to Thea but it was amazing how he got under her skin and discovered all her secrets. Levi was very swoon worthy and god, the man made me melt.

Levi and Thea shared amazing chemistry. I loved the witty banter between them. It was sexy yet sweet and the fourteen year old age difference between them disappeared into thin air. They were so in sync with each other. J.J.McAvoy definitely knows how to write steamy scenes. Levi and Thea were combustible together.

I also loved all the law related stuff and the cases which happened in the book. I cannot vouch for how authentic it was but I enjoyed the part of the plot none the less. I can't believe I haven't read many inter racial romances yet but Black Rainbow has definitely changed my mind about it. If you are looking for a great romance pick this one up!

Waiting on Wednesday #124

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Beautiful Sacrifice by Jamie McGuire

Publication Date- May 31st 2015

Goodreads Summary:

Falyn Fairchild can walk away from anything. Having already left her car, her education, and even her parents, the daughter of the next governor of Colorado is back in her hometown, broke and waiting tables for the Bucksaw Café. After every shift, Falyn adds to her shoebox of cash, hoping to one day save enough to buy her a plane ticket to the only place she can find forgiveness: Eakins, Illinois.

The moment Taylor Maddox is seated in Falyn’s section at the Bucksaw, she knows he’s trouble. Taylor is charming, breaks promises, and gorgeous even when covered in filth—making him everything Falyn believes a hotshot firefighter to be. Falyn isn’t interested in becoming another statistic, and for a Maddox boy, a disinterested girl is the ultimate challenge.

Once Falyn learns where Taylor calls home, everything changes. In the end, Maddox persistence is met with Falyn’s talent for leaving, and for the first time, Taylor may be the one to get burned. 

I am so looking forward to the next installment in the Maddox Brothers series. Hopefully, it ends up being great.And that cover!

What are you waiting on this Wednesday? Happy reading and happy waiting, everyone! 

Review- Still The One by Jill Shalvis

Summary-

Darcy Stone is game for anything — except sexy Navy veteran and physical therapist A.J. Colten, the guy who'd rejected her when she'd needed him most. Now the shoe is on the other foot and he needs her to play nice and help him secure grants for his patients. Unfortunately, Darcy can't refuse. She needs the money to fund her passion project: rescuing S&R dogs and placing them with emotionally wounded soldiers.

A.J. admits it — Darcy is irresistible. But he's already been battle-scarred by a strong-willed, vivacious, adventurous woman like Darcy, and he's not making the same mistake twice—until he and Darcy are forced to fake a relationship. Growing closer than they'd ever imagined possible, Darcy and AJ have to ask themselves: how much between them is pretend? What's the real thing? And where does it go from here?

Review-

I LOVE Jill Shalvis and her books to pieces so obviously, I got to her latest, Still the One when it came out. Still the One is the sixth book in the Animal Magnetism series. I really enjoy the Animal Magnetism series, maybe not as much as I did the Lucky Harbor one but still. Darcy and AJ were a fun couple to read about and I enjoyed Still The One.

Lets start with Darcy. Things changed in Darcy's life when she met with an accident eleven months back. Now she is recovered because of her physical therapist AJ and though she can feel the sparks between them she doesn't want another rejection. I really liked Darcy. She was always prickly towards AJ but that is only because she wanted to protect herself. I loved how we got to see Darcy's vulnerabilities and see her for who she really was.

Then we have AJ. AJ is a physical therapist who works hard for his patients. AJ has a major attraction towards Darcy but he is not willing to do anything with his best friend's little sister. I really liked AJ. He was stubborn and protective and always there for Darcy even when she pushed him away. But I would have really liked more. I can't exactly put my finger on what was missing.

AJ and Darcy have sparks flying all over the place. They have an undeniable chemistry and the tension between them is for everyone to see. Darcy and AJ had constant arguments and back and forth conversations going on. But there was always an undercurrent of attraction between them. They understand each other so well and always want the best for each other.

Darcy and AJ were both stubborn but that is what made them so perfect for each other. I loved seeing Darcy's siblings, Wyatt with his better half and Zoe whose book is next. Jill Shalvis always writes amazingly sweet and sensuous books and Still the One was no exception. I really liked Still The One.

Review- Three Little Words by Melissa Tagg

Goodreads Summary:

Ava Kingsley and Seth Walker might be the most unlikely friends ever. The only thing these two polar opposites have in common is a knack for wordsmithing. Back in college, they were known for their written sparring in the campus newspaper's popular "He Says/She Says" column.

At their ten-year college reunion, they pick up right where they left off. Except this time their squabbling leads to a surprising turn: friendship and a year-long exchange of emails. So when Ava approaches a crossroads in her athletics department career in Minnesota, Seth is quick to offer the open apartment above the restaurant he's been remodeling in Maple Valley, Iowa.

Ava doesn't know where her career will lead her next, but she's starting to suspect she might see Seth as more than a pen pal. Which would be exciting...except for the fact that he only sees her as a friend.

As Maple Valley grows on her, Ava wonders if there might be something here for her even though Seth is unavailable. And maybe, just maybe, after all the words the two of them have exchanged over the years, they'll finally be able to say the three that matter most.

Three Little Words is an e-only novella that gives an exciting introduction to Melissa Tagg's new series about the charismatic Walker family and the endearing town of Maple Valley! 

REVIEW:

Author Melissa Tagg's novella, Three Little Words, is free on Amazon. I've been digging novellas lately, that's how I came across it. And I am glad I did. Three Little Words was a very cute and enjoyable story that I devoured in spite of it being a romance, a genre I'm not the most fond of. However, I do enjoy my share of mature and thoughtful Adult Romances here and there, and this one turned out to be super sweet. 

Ava lost the love of her life in a skiing accident. A tomboy since childhood, she has always wanted to coach a football team, a passion she isn't able to follow, as a woman. She decides to stop by her school reunion with the hopes of meeting her father figure professor, but ends up bumping into Seth, her classmate and constant email bickering partner, who has opened a new restaurant in his hometown and invites Ava over for the summer. 

Ava was a very sweet and different girl. Although she seemed really simple and ordinary at first, I really liked her determination to follow her heart even when it wasn't possible. I also admired her for taking a step ahead, rather than waiting for the man to do it. Seth was just as wonderful as Ava. He was teasing her in the most enjoyable ways, and when together, Ava and Seth seemed really at ease and peace. They were totally meant for each other. Their email and face to face conversations were fun to read. 

I also really enjoyed reading about Seth's restaurant, The Red Door, that he started just below his uncle and cousins' apartment. The family was really warm and kind, and that always adds a wonderful touch to novellas. Three Little Words was a very cute read that had a bit of everything ranging from family to friendship, love to hate, bickering to normal discussions, emails to real talk and so much more. The end was super sweet, and I really liked it. I hope to read more books from the Walker Family series sometime. 

RATING:

Blog Tour Kick Off- Glorious Uncertainties by PeeKay

Hi, guys! Welcome to the Glorious Uncertainties blog tour that we are hosting and that kicks off today. Starting next week, a few of our fellow bloggers will have some posts up on the book, so you can get to know it better. 

Before we get on to see what the book is all about, let me introduce you to our lovely participants: 

Kalyan @ Booktica (Review)

Aayesha @ In the Classroom of Life (Review)

Infantina @ Periodical Gazette (Post)

Priyanka @ A Booklion's Hideaway (Post)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

After winning the Miss Bangalore title, Garima Pradhan is offered a lead role in a movie. She resists the temptation, preferring to complete her MBA course. She then takes up a job in a bank where one day she meets Deven Herai, a high value customer, in a most unromantic situation. The two, nevertheless, fall for each other soon and after a brief courtship, they tie the knot. Garima is soon disillusioned... she finds herself reduced to a trophy wife... Unfazed with the difficulties, she fights back and emerges victorious, and discovers the purpose and peace in life.

BOOK LINKS:

Times of India Review | Amazon | Flipkart | Infibeam | Facebook | YouTube  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

PeeKay (Prashant Kumar Singh) hails from a family of political leaders and bureaucrats. After his schooling in Kanpur, he graduated from Allahabad University in political science and philosophy. As per the family tradition, he spent a few golden years of his life attempting to get into civil services after completing his MBA from Delhi. After unsuccessful attempts in civil service exams and a couple of entrepreneurial projects, he switched to the corporate sector and became a banker. He currently manages the Wealth Management portfolio of a leading bank in India. He counsels on parenting, career and relationship issues, which has helped many and has earned him the title of 'Banker by profession but Human Behaviourlist by nature'. This is his debut novel.

CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR:

Email | Website | Facebook | Twitter 

I hope you will follow us along the tour and enjoy it just as much as we are enjoying having this up for you. Thank  you for stopping by, and happy reading! And yes, thank you to all participants who will be posting soon, so do keep an eye out for the same by checking out their blogs from the links mentioned above. 

Review- Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh

Summary-

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux and her lover, the lethally beautiful archangel Raphael, have returned home to New York only to face an uncompromising new evil… 

A vampire has attacked a girls’ school—the assault one of sheer, vicious madness—and it is only the first act. Rampant bloodlust takes vampire after vampire, threatening to make the streets run with blood. Then Raphael himself begins to show signs of an uncontrolled rage, as inexplicable storms darken the city skyline and the earth itself shudders. The omens are suddenly terrifyingly clear.

An ancient and malevolent immortal is rising. The violent winds whisper her name: Caliane. She has returned to reclaim her son, Raphael. Only one thing stands in her way: Elena, the consort who must be destroyed…

Review-

Archangel's Consort is the third book in Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series and the series is still going strong for me. I am very much immersed into the world and this was a great installment to the series. The only tiny issue I had was that this book was very similar to Archangel's Kiss which is the previous book. But I thoroughly enjoyed that one so it was not that big of an issue.

Elena has finally started feeling as if she has some control over her wings. She is still a baby immortal and still weak as compared to others but she is getting there. When a series of incidents take place where vampires are taken over by blood lust Elena has to find the culprit with the help of Raphael. The reason may very well be the most powerful ancient immortal, Raphael's mother, Caliane.

I really loved Elena and Raphael as always. Elena is holding her own against her possessive archangel. We also get to see their bond grow stronger. Raphael and Elena are one of the best couples I've read about. I love how playful their relationship is sometimes. They support each other, share their vulnerabilities with each other and stand by each other.

We also get some much needed insight into Raphael's past. Elena's relationship continues to be complicated with her father Jeffrey and we do get a few surprises. I also loved how we got to see Elena's relationship with her Guild friends. We get a tiny glimpse into Illium's past and I was super happy about that as he still remains my favorite of the Seven.

Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series is much more darker and gruesome as compared to her psy-changeling series. There are several characters with various shades of gray. I love Nalini Singh's writing style and I thoroughly enjoyed Archangel's Consort.