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

Christmas In Venice by Joanne Walsh - A Book Review

Christmas In Venice, by Joanne Walsh

I love second chance type stories and this one delivered.  This story is about Lorenzo di Grechi and his ex-wife, Ashlynne.  

Ashlynne is traveling, on her way back home to spend the holidays with her parents in England when the weather causes a delay in Venice, Italy.  Stranded at the airport, Ashlynne is surprised to see Lorenzo also at the airport.  He invites her to spend the layover with him instead of being stranded at the airport until it reopens.  This is where the story begins to get really good for me.

Lorenzo and Ashlynne find quite quickly that the chemistry between them hasn't grown cold.  The problem is, Ashlynne is not ready to let go of the past.  Their divorce was brought on by a tragic event in their lives and she has never set it all to rest.  Enter into the mix is the past scheming of Lorenzo's former personal assistant and you have a toxic mix.

Claire, who was working as Lorenzo's personal assistant at the time of the divorce, was an instrumental part of the break-up.  She came to Ashlynne in a time of personal tragedy and set about to bring doubts into Ashlynne's mind of Lorenzo's commitment to the marriage.  

The divorce and it's aftermath brought on a moment of epiphany for Lorenzo.  He was a workaholic to the extreme and was faced with his obsessions with work being a large part of his marriage failing.  Finding Ashlynne at the airport is a gift to Lorenzo.  He now has the chance to make things right between them again.

But, can Lorenzo convince Ashlynne that he has changed?  Or will the ghosts of the past threaten to destroy any chance for a reconciliation between them?

I loved this story.  The characters have a depth that held my interest.  I loved the humor and tender moments of the relationship between Lorenzo and Ashlynne just as much as the snarky side.  The struggle that each goes through as they try to make peace with each other is painful to read due to the raw feelings they experience.  Yet, it is also a time of wanting to cheer them on as they gently make their way through the emotional mine field to find each other.

The book is relatively short which makes it a great read is you are wanting something that is light fare.  Christmas in Venice is book number 4 in the Christmas Around the World series.

Cowboys for Christmas - by Liz Talley, Kim Law, and Terri Osburn - A Book Review

Cowboys for Christmas

Typically, I have always been leery of reading anthology books that are based in the same location and time period.  This book was a pleasant surprise.

Cowboys for Christmas is a compilation of 3 separate stories.  Three friends, Claire, Georgia, and Mary Catherine, have come together for Mary Catherine's wedding.  Each of these women will be faced with choices that are life altering.  

Claire has always felt love for Mary Catherine's brother, Tyler.  When they were teenagers, they had a drunken one night stand.  Each remembered the event but never faced it in the light of day.  Claire was over weight at that time and couldn't believe that Tyler would want to sleep with her except that he had taken part in a bet with his friends.  Tyler, always was attracted to Claire.  Her weight was never an issue.  When she left him after their time together, he never understood why she had gone.  Now, she is back in Holly Hills, Texas, and he is not about to let her get away again.  

Georgia is a volleyball coach at an ivy league school.  She left Holly Hills after to get away from her horrible childhood.  Growing up in poverty, she set goals for herself that did not include ever returning to Holly Hills.  Taking part in her friend's wedding, Georgia makes the journey back to Holly Hills and meets the local veterinarian.  The fireworks between these two start firing off right away.  Can this small town vet convince Georgia that she can find a new life in Holly Hills, despite the past?

Mary Catherine is getting married to a man she went to school with.  At a time when she should be glowing with happiness, Mary Catherine is miserable.  Her overbearing stepmom has taken over her wedding, turning it into a 3-ring circus that she hates.  Her stepmom has her convinced however that this spectacle is exactly what a young woman of her breeding should do, especially when marrying a young doctor.  As Mary Catherine slowly sees pieces of her life being chipped away from her by the expectations of her fiance and stepmom, Mary Catherine is falling apart.  What makes things worse is that she has never gotten over her first love who owns on the ranch next door.  As her wedding day draws near, she has to face the decision of whether to marry her fiance as planned, or take a chance on recapturing the past with her first love.

The three stories, while each could hold it's own separately, blend well together.  There is just enough overlap to tie them together yet enough original material in each to make the stories interesting.  One story in the set, Georgia's story, was a harder read for me.  While it followed the timeline of the stories really well, the writing was hard to stay with.  I found myself skipping ahead a few times to get through it.  Over all though, the stories worked together and I found myself enjoying the book for the most part.

The Navy SEAL's Christmas Bride by Cora Seton - Book Review

The Navy SEAL's Christmas Bride by Cora Seton

This was a book that kept me laughing.  Former Navy SEAL, Dan Hemmins, goes to a friend's home for the Christmas holiday only to meet his match.  Typical of many Navy SEAL stories, he is a very alpha male type character with an ego that is off the charts.  He is competitive by nature and is a bit sexist in his opinions about women.  

Another guest at the holiday celebrations is Army soldier, Sarah Metlin.  Sarah is nearing the end of her time in the Army and is trying to decide whether or not to sign up for another tour or go ahead and get discharged.  She is a very frustrated soldier.  Sarah comes from a military family of males who are condescending over her not being more than a regular soldier.  It frustrates her to no end that because she is a woman, she cannot train to become a SEAL.  

When Dan and Sarah meet, it is instant chemistry.  The snarky comments abound as they diss each other's choice of military branch and service.  Underneath the jokes however is the beginnings of attraction.

Dan is planning to start a training program for civilians who want to experience the training SEALs go through.  Looking for investors and others to help launch the program, Dan completely overlooks the option of inviting Sarah to consider taking part.  Besides, what would a female have to offer such an endeavor, right?  Dan quickly finds out that Sarah can more than keep up with him.

Having his competitive side sparked by Sarah, Dan begins challenging her to a series of exercises.  Each one ends up with bets being made.  Dan learns fast that Sarah is not the dainty little lady he sees, but is a well trained soldier who can hold her own.  

I loved the competitive side to each of the characters.  Dan had to learn to accept that woman can be just as well trained as a man.  Sarah had to learn to accept that she will never be a SEAL, but can offer much just being who she is.....a top notch soldier.

There are ups and downs in their budding relationship.  Each has to work through their own emotional baggage.  The worst being Sarah's feelings of being held back and put down by the men in her life.  She comes to terms with it and finds out that she can command respect without the job title of being a SEAL.  

Throughout the book, there is much humor.  As the bets become more outlandish, the hilarity ensues.  At times, you wonder what a character is thinking when they act or say something totally boneheaded, but then you next cheering them on as they finally get things right.

Overall, the book is one that I thoroughly loved.  It makes for a fun read that has me now looking for more titles by Cora Seton to add to my reading list.

Rocky Mountain Miracle, by Christine Feehan - A Book Review

Rocky Mountain Miracle is a story that tugs at your heart.  It is a story of healing.

Cole Steele is a loner.  He is a man with a past that has haunted him for decades.  Rumors and gossip in the small town near his ranch make the old wounds fester causing him to become even more isolated.  After the death of his estranged father, Cole has returned to his father's ranch to keep it running and be a guardian to his teenage brother, Jase.  Like Cole, Jase is also dealing with a painful torment of memories.  Both were deeply abused and tortured in their past by the very person who should have kept them safe.

Maia Armstrong is the local vet who cares for the animals of the ranches in the area.  When we met her, I was silently cheering her on.  Cole and his brother had gone to a diner and before they even got fully into the diner, they heard the local gossips spouting off.  Maia stood up to the locals and defended Cole.  In her quiet way, she was able to silence the gossips with an ease that had me admiring her.

Cole and Jase ask Maia to help them with a seriously injured horse whom Jase has been bonding to.  They drive through a blizzard to reach the ranch in time to save the poor creature.  Due to the blizzard and needing to be close to tend to the horse, Maia ends up spending an extended time with the two brothers.

During her stay, accidents are happening on the ranch.  In one event, Maia is injured.  We learn through the events that Cole is not who the townspeople believe him to be.  The pain of his past has brought about a lifestyle that has helped him to cope with the nightmares from his youth.

Cole and Maia are drawn to one another.  Her gentle nature is calming to the brothers and she serves as a bridge bringing them closer together.  As with Ms Feehan's other books, this one contains both intrigue and a bit of the paranormal. Someone is working against the brothers, but who?  What do they have to gain?

Overall, the focus of the story is the healing that both brothers experience in the gentle nature of Maia.  Christmas has always had a darkness to it in the brothers' lives.  Through Maia, they are able to learn to shed that darkness and enjoy the beauty and love of the Christmas season.