Book Review: Flirting With Fire, by Kate Meader

Flirting With Fire, by Kate Meader

Book Summary:

The first installment in Hot in Chicago, a brand-new, sizzling series from Kate Meader that follows a group of firefighting foster siblings and their blazing hot love interests!

Savvy PR guru Kinsey Taylor has always defined herself by her career, not her gender. That is, until she moved from San Francisco to Chicago to be with her fiancé who thought she wasn’t taking her “job” of supporting him in his high-powered career seriously enough—and promptly dumped her for a more supportive and “feminine” nurse. Now, as the new assistant press secretary to Chicago’s dynamic mayor, she’s determined to keep her eye on the prize: no time to feel inferior because she’s a strong, kick-ass woman, and certainly no time for men.

But that all changes when she meets Luke Almeida, a firefighter as searingly sexy as he is quick-tempered. He’s also the second oldest of the Firefightin’ Dempseys, a family of foster siblings who have committed their lives to the service—if Luke’s antics don’t get him fired first. When Luke goes one step too far and gets into a bar brawl with the Chicago Police Department, Kinsey marches into Luke’s firehouse and lays down the law on orders from the mayor. But at Engine Co. 6, Luke Almeida is the law. And he’s not about to let Kinsey make the rules.

My Review:

This book was hard to put down.  I love stories where the couple don't get along at first and have to work their way into a relationship.  For me, it just seems more believable if the story isn't all puppies and posies from the beginning.  

Luke Almeida is a walking, talking, in your face alpha-male.  Short tempered, he uses his fists more often than diplomacy in tough situations.  A bar room fight gets Luke in major trouble with the city mayor.  His job threatened, as well as the possibility that his foster siblings will be split up into other engine companies, Luke has to get with the program and follow the suggestions of Kinsey Taylor, a PR worker from the city offices.  Not an easy task since Kinsey has a way with pushing Luke's limits.

Kinsey Taylor at first comes off as an "I am woman, hear me roar" personality but we soon learn that she has her reasons.  Her take-charge attitude goes against the grain with Luke and sparks fly immediately.  The verbal sparring between these two keeps you entertained.  Typically, I will connect with one character over the other in the sparring situations.  In this book however, I found myself changing sides quite often.

From the beginning, Luke and Kinsey feel an attraction for each other but fight it. Because of past relationships, each of them has trust issues and must work through them.  Eventually, they do and then the real sparks start flying.

There is a secondary story started in this book.  Gage, who is one of Luke's foster siblings, begins to lay the foundations of a relationship with a chef.  I am looking forward to reading that story later in the series.

This is the second title by Kate Meader that I have read and before finishing, I had already purchased two more of her titles for my Kindle.  That doesn't happen often for me.  It is a rare thing for me to enjoy a book so much that I start loading up my Kindle with more of that author's work.  Ms. Meader's writing does it for me.  The character development is spot on and she doesn't fill in gaps in a storyline with sex just to get her daily word count.  The intimacy between Luke and Kinsey is something that seems to come in a natural timing for the story and isn't awkward. 

I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series, Playing With Fire, due out in late September, 2015.

*Complimentary copy received for honest review.

Falling for Jillian, by Kristen Proby - A Book Review

Falling for Jillian, by Kristen Proby

This title is book #3 in the Love Under the Big Sky series.  I haven't read the first two titles, so was thrilled that this book is a stand alone.  

The story is about Jillian Sullivan has returned to Cunningham Falls, Montana, after a bad divorce.  She is dealing with a personal humiliation stemming from her ex-husband's cheating during the marriage, along with other issues from the marriage.

Jillian faces another heartbreak in Cunningham Falls.  Her best friend is related to a man whom Jillian had a one night stand with, Zack King.  Zack, an Army veteran, is a divorced, single Dad with a preteen age son, Seth.  Zack and Seth are working through some issues of their own past when we meet them in the story.  Seeing Zack again has brought to the surface feelings which she has tried to keep hidden ever since their night together.  

The chemistry between Jillian and Zack leaps off the pages from the word go.  The interplay and verbal sparring in the beginning has you alternately cheering for them and wanting to knock their heads together.  I loved watching the progression as they face their own history and deal with the miscommunications that lead to their parting after their one night stand.

Once they are able to sort through their feelings and deal with their past, you see them helping each other to face their own private demons.  I loved how they also brought Seth into the picture by making him such an integral part of their relationship.  They made sure that Seth was okay about their relationship before letting it go too far.

I loved the "real" factor of this book.  I was able to connect to the characters and looked forward to reading more.  It was a hard book to put down, in spite of daily tasks that I needed to be doing.  After reading this, I sought out the previous two titles in the series.  As always, it is a complete joy to find a new series to read.  Especially when the series hits you right in the "feels" and makes a connection with you.

Viper Game by Christine Feehan, A Review

Viper Game, by Christine Feehan

Viper Game is book #11 in Ms Feehan's Ghostwalker series.  It takes place in the Louisiana bayou and introduces us to a new team lead by Wyatt Fontenot.  We first learned of Wyatt when he was a supporting character in book #3, Night Game, which is the story of Wyatt's brother, Raoul "Gator" Fontenot.

In this story, Wyatt has come back home to the bayou at the request of his beloved Grandmere, Nonny.  There are strange happenings taking place in their bayou and Wyatt has come to help.  Upon his return, Wyatt learns that a new manufacturing business, with shady dealings, has set up next to Nonny's medicinal herb field.  When she was gathering herbs, the guards assault her.  Wyatt is enraged that anyone would torment his 80 year old Grandmere.  So, along with a few members of his team, he goes out to investigate and teach some manners to the guards.......Cajun style.

Early in the book, we learn of a new ghostwalker character,  Pepper is a young woman who was taken and adopted by Dr Whitney when she was a toddler.  She was taken to France and along with others there, she was used for experimentation.  The ending results is that she is as lethal as any ghostwalker but lacks the desire to be a soldier.  She is sent to the bayou, along with a set of triplet baby girls who share her animalistic enhancements.  When she refuses the demands of her handler, the order is placed that the babies will be terminated.

This story is one of discoveries and was a pleasure to read.  My heart broke for Pepper's plight as she had to deal with the painful aspects of the enhancements that Whitney forced upon her physiology.  The emotional torment she also went through over her inability to rescue all three babies was a palatable one that you could feel through the telling of the story.  Most heartbreaking was the complete lack of knowledge that she had in how to live in the world outside of the lab.  As Wyatt helps her through these challenges, he faces many of his own.  The enhancements that he went through from Whitney have brought upon him an emotional state that is raw in that he has to tame the animal side of his nature.  Already a hot-headed Cajun, Wyatt now faces the territorial and possessive nature of his cat physiology.  

One of the major climaxes of the story is the attempt to rescue the babies still in the lab facility.  They are out numbered but these ghostwalkers have a deep conviction that the babies will not remain in the lab to be treated as lab rats in the schemes of a man who has lost all sense of humanity.

By the end of the story, we have learned new things about the elusive Dr Whitney.  There are other revelations as well that were a surprise that I enjoyed learning about.  In the end, we are introduced to another female who is now on her own.  She is a ghostwalker as well and will certainly have her own story in an upcoming book.  I cannot wait to read more about her.

As always, Ms Feehan has scored high on my list of favorite authors.  I am always amazed at how she can have long running series that never lose their attraction.  With Viper Game, she has come through again in a big way.  

Darker Than Desire, by Shiloh Walker - Book Review

Darker Than Desire, by Shiloh Walker

This book was a very difficult read for me.  I got the book without any description or summary to give me a clue what it was about.  That was my first mistake.  Never, ever, EVER, again will I read for review a book without a description.  Had I been given any indication what the book was about, I would never have read it for review.

This story is dark from page one.  It begins with a funeral and a wounded soul.  The main character, David, is a man who has been hiding within the Amish community for 20 years,  Known as Caine to the Amish, he is able to avoid the outside world's horrors.  Caine/David was severely traumatized as a young man and is dealing with the emotional aftermath.  With the death of his mentor in the first pages of the book, Caine's world is turned upside down.

He returns to the world outside the Amish community to face the demons of his past.  It is a horrid place that he must travel through to eventually find peace.  A major portion of the book is about the grizzly murders that are taking place in the small town.  Someone who knows of Caine's past is systematically killing everyone involved in his trauma.  No one is safe from this retribution.

As I read this book, there were parts that just made me want to puke.  The graphic nature of one murder scene in particular was far too graphic and detailed for me.  While others might not be bothered by it, I seriously had to put the book down for a few days before I could stomach reading further.

The sex scenes in the story between Caine/David and his lady were no more than a booty call.  There was nothing loving or tender about it.  This is one area that bothered me as well.  Caine/David and this lady had a long history of these booty calls.  She had feelings for him, but he denied his feelings for her up until the very end of the book.  There was no developing of a true relationship between them.  Their relationship screamed of the "friends with benefits" status and never went further, even though at the end the author tried to make it all sweet and nice.

I have not been familiar enough with Ms Walker's books, so have no idea if this book is typical of her writing style.  Unfortunately for me, this book hasn't left me feeling inspired to seek out more of her books.  Others who are not bothered by the graphic violence may enjoy the book.  It just wasn't something that I enjoyed nor could recommend.

Back in Routine

What a crazy few weeks it has been!  Started off with my hubby taking a fall and breaking his shoulder blade.  Yikes!  Lot's of shuttling him and the kids around has caused me to fall behind in my blog posts. But, I am back to reading again and will be posting a review very soon.

The reading bug has caught up to our daughter.  Her only request for her upcoming 9th birthday is a Kindle.  So, looks like a new generation of avid readers is on the horizon.  She absolutely devours books.

One thing that I love about reviewing is that I am trying out new-to-me authors.  I am definitely a creature of habit.  Typically, I will find a few authors whose work I love.  I then buy and read everything they publish.  One librarian once told me that I am a difficult person to recommend books to.  I definitely have a set idea of what I like.  Doing the reviews, I am finding that there are a lot of authors out there who write books that I thoroughly enjoy.

Something that has been mentioned to me is the lack of negative reviews on my blog.  There is a reason for that.  If I really don't like a book, I will send the review directly to the publisher through a review site.  I have often read bad reviews for books that I totally loved.   I have also had the experience of reading a review of an author I was unfamiliar with, then not purchasing the book based upon that review.  I would not want to have someone possibly not purchase a book based upon something that I wrote.  What I will be doing in the future however is make a suggestion for books I haven't liked.  If in doubt on whether you would like a book, rent it from the library first,  Then, if you like it, buy the book to add to your home library or eReader.

Below the Belt by Sidney Halston, a Review

Below the Belt, by Sidney Halston

Below the Belt is the 3rd book in Sidney Halston's Worth the Fight series.  It is the story of Antonio "Scarface" Marino and Francesca Silva.  On Amazon, there is the following book description.

Once one of the most sought-after names on the mixed martial arts circuit, Antonio “Scarface” Marino watched his career go down for the count as he chased skirts and made tabloid headlines. Now he’s finally making a comeback, and it’s all thanks to Francesca Silva, a Brazilian bombshell as tough as any of her fighters. But who’s the real Francesca: the trash-talking trainer who rides him hard, or the vulnerable woman who blushes at his touch?
 
Francesca went to the mat to sign Tony because she believes he still has the potential to bring big success to her gym—if she can keep his head in the cage and out of her personal life. After a short-lived marriage soured her on love, a one-night stand is all she can handle. Now Tony’s kisses are stirring up complicated feelings—especially when he agrees to face her ex in the ring. Francesca’s used to freezing guys out. But Tony’s tempting her to give in to the heat.

I read this story after having first read the book, Full Contact.  It was a new series to me and I wanted to give it a try.  Now, just a word of caution.  If you are easily embarrassed by stories that are very carnal in nature, you need to know that your comfort zone may be stretched in this series.  Unlike Full Contact, which was highly sexual in nature, this story focuses even more on the relationship outside of the intimacies.

I loved getting to know the characters better.  We learn about them in Full Contact and are able to see the beginnings of the dynamics between  Antonio and Francesca.  In this book, their story is one of overcoming the obstacles that we often place upon ourselves.  Each had struggles within their own hearts to overcome.  Francesca had to face the past and her failed first marriage.  We learn just how deeply that experience had affected her outlook on life.  Antonio, on the other hand, had to face the demons of his own heart.  He had to come to terms with his choices in his MMA career and face the fact that he had some decisions to make about his future with MMA.

Together, these two characters are an entertaining mix.  The sarcasm and snarky wordplay between them was fun.  Each being determined in their own mindset.  One wanting to have a relationship and the other running from it.  After reading so many stories where the man is the reluctant party, it was refreshing to read a story where the man has to really chase after the woman.  

This couple has you guessing all the way through to the end.  

Book Spotlight and Giveaway: Full Throttle, by Julie Ann Walker

I am so honored to have the opportunity to spotlight Julie Ann's newest book in her Black Knights series, Full Throttle, which is being released today.  Enjoy the teaser below.  Then, scroll down to enter for a giveaway of a Rafflecopter giveaway for a $50 gift card and a giveaway for the entire Black Knights series.

Author Biography

Julie Ann Walker is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of award-winning romantic suspense. She has won the Book Buyers Best Award, been nominated for the National Readers Choice Award, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, and the Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA award. Her latest release was named a Top Ten Romance of 2014 by Booklist. Her books have been described as "alpha, edgy, and downright hot." Most days you can find her on her bicycle along the lake shore in Chicago or blasting away at her keyboard, trying to wrangle her capricious imagination into submission.

Social Networking Links

Website: http://julieannwalker.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/JAWalkerAuthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jawalkerauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JAWalkerAuthor

Here is the summary information and a teaser excerpt from the book:

Summary

She Needs a Hero...

Abby Thompson didn't sign up to be the daughter of the President of the United States. The position was forced on her by the small matter of her birth. Preferring a quiet life of study, she's content to leave the politics and the international intrigue to her father. Unfortunately, the most powerful man on the planet is sure to make enemies. When a group of armed thugs takes her hostage half a world away, demanding the U.S. government release prisoners in exchange for her safe return, she fears her father's policy of "not negotiating with terrorists" means she'll never see the shores of the Potomac again. Luckily, there's one glimmer of hope. His name is Carlos Soto. And though she abruptly ended things with him years ago, she knows now he's the only man who can save her…

Black Knights, Inc. to the Rescue...

Carlos "Steady" Soto has taken part in his fair share of dangerous missions working at the covert government defense firm of Black Knights Inc. But nothing prepared him for the emotional rollercoaster he faces when he's tasked with rescuing the only woman he ever loved-who also broke his heart. Racing against time and outmaneuvering a group of trained terrorists will take everything he's got. Plus there's the heat simmering between them which is threatening to ignite into an inferno. While ruthless enemies stalk them, they must learn to trust each other again. Even if they do make it out alive, will Abby turn her back on him... for the second time?

Excerpt

So far, so good…

The hum of the Ducati was reassuring, as was Abby’s tightened grip around Steady’s waist. They were riding down the devil’s own washed--out, rutted, rock--filled hell of a rubber tree logging road, and for the first ten minutes of the harrowing journey, while she’d still been suffering the lingering effects of the sedative, it was just as difficult to keep her on the bike as it was to navigate the frackin’ jungle track.

But now they were clipping along at a steady, if decidedly slow, pace. No JI goons could be seen in his rearview mirrors—-though it was hard to tell exactly, given the fact that the forest encroached from both sides and above. And if his calculations were correct, a half hour or so more should see them entering the lovely kingdom of Thailand.

See, he wished he could call and tell Dan, sometimes it’s better to Lone Wolf McQuade things…

Abby squirmed against his back, interrupting his thoughts and alerting him to the feel of her supple thighs pressed against the outsides of his hips and legs. Which, in turn, immediately focused his attention on her soft breasts—-and distended nipples?—-grazing his back.

Okay, so who was he kidding? Like he hadn’t been keenly aware of each of those things since the first moment. Even while worming his way through the dense undergrowth of ferns and vines after escaping the encampment and hiking back to the Ducati, he’d been hard--pressed to concentrate on anything other than the feel of Abby squeezed all nice and tight against him. Abby’s soft skin touching his. Abby’s sweet smell—-even sweaty and bedraggled, she still emanated a soft cloud of dryer sheets and cocoa butter lotion—-filling his nose and making his head spin.

Goodreads Link

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18837484-full-throttle

Buy Links

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1xbDt6l

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1vO67sN

iTunes: http://bit.ly/Z7gY3o

a Rafflecopter giveaway