Tag Archives: book review

by Rebecca | October 28, 2013 · 10:27 am

Can’t Go Home by Angelisa Stone

Blurb from Goodreads:

Everyone has secrets; secrets meant to be kept—hidden away where nobody can discover the truth. Adrian O’Donnell (aka: Dre Donley) is no exception. Dre spins tales and half-truths like it’s his job, keeping the reality of his past buried deep within each lie he fabricates. On the other hand, Kathryn Howell is the exception to the rule. She’s a straight-shooter, a tell-it-like-it-is, no filter kind of girl.

Kathryn’s honesty and straightforwardness is the ultimate turn on for a guy like Dre. He’s never met someone so sincere, so full of truth and innocence. Their chemistry is unavoidable, their connection, magnetic. When Dre sets out to make Kathryn fall for him, he doesn’t realize the grave mistake he’s making. Kathryn’s strength and convictions do not falter, even for an irresistible man like Dre. When his past resurfaces, and the lies come tumbling forth, Kathryn must decide if his deceit and betrayal can be forgiven or if the damage is irreparable. Will the truth ultimately destroy the relationship that neither one of them could deny or even attempt to resist?

This novel is for mature readers only, due to language and sexual content.

My Review ~

I was fortunate to be gifted a copy of the book from the author. This is a classic love story of good girl meets scarred boy with many secrets, but it is so much more than that. At the heart of the story is a lesson about being more than what you are “supposed” to be. It’s about making a choice to be better than your past despite the struggle it may take to get there.

Kathryn is definitely my kind of heroine…she’s a straight shooter who wants to make a difference in the lives that surround her and she is not afraid to tell it like it is. A witty, snarky heroine is what I look for in a book and Kathryn fits those qualities to a tee.

The dual point of view is another quality of the book that I loved. I like one-sided storytelling, don’t get me wrong, but I think the story coming from both the hero and heroine brings greater depth to the events and it provides a complete idea of what’s going on internally and externally throughout the text.

If you love strong heroines and sexy, tormented heroes, this book is for you. It has the perfect combination of angst, steam, and drama! I definitely will read further stories from this author.

4 poison apples!

Where to find Can’t Go Home:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cant-Home-Oasis-Waterfall-ebook/dp/B00FFS2U1E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382969463&sr=8-1&keywords=can%27t+go+home+angelisa+stone

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cant-go-home-angelisa-stone/1116993019?ean=2940148581772

Play by Holly S. Roberts ~ Review

Play by Holly S. Roberts ~ Review

Blurb from Goodreads

When Killian MacGregor, the hottest quarterback in the NFL, eyes the perfect pair of female legs, he spends an hour tracking the gorgeous woman in a room filled with rowdy teammates until one gets out of line.

Rebecca Cavanaugh, a long distance runner for the state team, intimidates boys and men with her quick wit and majestic height. The pre-season jock party isn’t her scene, but she’s roped into attending to provide her sister a sober ride home.

Hiding in the kitchen to avoid the athletic sex fest, a drunken thug forces Rebecca to her knees, and waves a giant ding-dong in her face. Before Rebecca can extricate herself from the hairy situation, an unknown champion saves the night. When Killian assists Rebecca off the floor, she’s stunned into silence while staring at the sexiest man alive.

Will Killian’s bad boy rep and Rebecca’s need for commitment, make this the most impossible “Play” of the season? Or, will Killian’s haunting past and need for victory destroy the most important game of his life?

“Play” is intended for readers 18+. Enjoy with caution… this book contains adult situations, erotic sex, and more balls than a girl knows what to do with.

ARC was given to Blog for an honest review

“If she’s a screamer, she’s a keeper!” Killian MacGregor

Fortunately for Killian, NFL quarterback and alpha male, finds just what he needs in Rebecca Cavanaugh. Their journey to Rebecca’s “screaming” is not an easy one regardless of all of the STEAMY sex they have to cause her impassioned outbursts.

The hero and heroine meet in the most awkward of situations at a Scorpions’ after party as Killian saves Rebecca from one of his teammates – that’s all I’m giving away about that one;) After their first encounter, they don’t see each other again until Killian leaves preseason tickets for Rebecca and two friends. From there, lust ensues and a relationship full of sex begins. As their connection progresses, Rebecca tries to make sure her heart doesn’t interfere with this “fling” she is having with Killian because she believes she doesn’t fit into his world.

“Middle of the pack.”

That’s how Rebecca describes herself to most people, but that’s not how Killian describes her.

“Beautiful.”

Killian sees Rebecca for who she really is, not what her sister or Rebecca’s own subconscious thinks of her.

All is running smoothly between Killian and Rebecca until he’s injured in one of his games and shuts her out. From there, it’s a long distance race to see if they can reach the finish line and have their happily ever after.

Play is a hot, quick read! Holly Roberts’ development of the main characters makes readers understand Rebecca’s self esteem issues as the tall, awkward girl as well as Killian’s need for control and fierce desire to win due to childhood events. At the beginning of the book, I didn’t like Killian. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some alpha male, but there was something about his words and actions that didn’t sit well with me. It might have been due to the fact that I could relate to Rebecca’s “middle of the pack” view, and I certainly wouldn’t have dealt well with Killian’s unwillingness to allow Rebecca to be tentative with him, but as the story progressed and Killian’s background with his brother and father is explored, I formed a new understanding as to why Killian acts the way he does and needs to win at all costs.

If you like sports’ stories, steamy sex scenes, alpha male heroes, a bit of drama, and a HEA, this book is for you.

Sports and sex is a great combination, so I give it 4 poison apples!

Where you can find Play

Buy on Amazon http ://www.amazon.com/Play-ebook/dp/B00FYYO4XG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF 8&qid=1382913298&sr=1-1&keywords=play+holly+roberts

Buy on Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/play-holly-s-roberts/1117174302?ean=9781492717317

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Tagged as book review, fiction, play by holly s. roberts

by Kim | October 26, 2013 · 1:16 pm

Hell’s Knights by Bella Jewel- Review

Blurb from Amazon:

Recommended for readers over 17+ Contains adult content.

A modern day biker romance.

Addison has had a hard life. Her mother is useless, and her father hasn’t been in her life for years. When her mother dies, she’s left with no money and an angry man after her. She goes to the only person she knows can take care of her right now – her father. She knows her father is the President of an MC club, but she doesn’t quite realize just how much she will come to rely on that club.

Cade is everything she knows she should stay away from, and yet she can’t seem to keep herself from wanting him. He’s the club VP, gorgeous, rugged, charming and he makes her feel again. She should be running, she should be escaping the demons of her past, but instead she finds herself falling for the gorgeous biker.

Come on this whirlwind romance with two broken people, who figure out how to put each other back together.

Story in a nutshell (as per me): Addi runs from her life. She goes to her estranged father’s, who happens to be the President of Hell’s Knights, a motorcycle club, place. (FYI- You know you’re getting old when you’re attracted to a main character’s dad. Yep, I’m old.) She meets Cade, who is the veep of the club. She gets a job in a biker bar. Dirty, hot, yummy sex happens. They fall in love. They fight. They make new (old) friends (yay for Spike!). The bad guy finds her. The bad guy ends up going buh-bye. The End. (I know, y’all are thinking that I tell stories so well, that I should write my own books. I’m flattered. 😉 )

Life isn’t always pretty. When I read, I like light, happy love stories, where you don’t have to think, & you don’t really have to feel. This was no light story, yet I loved it. Addi has had a fucked up life, completely fucked up. Your heart breaks for what she had to go through to be the person she’s become. Through flashbacks, you get to see exactly what she went through, you feel your heart crying, & you want to save her yourself. Cade’s life hasn’t been all rainbows & unicorns either. He has his own demons. You get to see some of those as well. You see why there is the animosity between him & Spike. These people have not had easy lives, but by being together, you can see them start to change for the better. I loved how towards the end how childlike Addi is when she’s trying to make Spike her friend.

Although, & this may just be me misunderstanding, there are a couple of times it contradicts itself (ok, I noticed something in the next book contradicts something in this one, but we’re not getting into that) this book was really well written,. It was also incredibly hot, or super-cold, depending on which scene you’re reading. OMG, but there are things that I would like to try, but would probably break my neck (& that’s just not sexy). I can’t say that I can’t wait to read the next one because I already have. 😉

For being a darker series, I love it, so it gets 4.5 Poison Apples .

Where you can find Hell’s Knights & Bella Jewel:

Buy on Amazon

Buy on B & N

Goodreads

Visit Bella Jewel on FB

**I bought this book with my own hard-earned money, so you know this review isn’t bullshit. Not that I’d bullshit you anyway.**