Review: Game On by Tracy Solheim

Title: Game On (Out of Bounds #1)

Author: Tracy Solheim
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Sports Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Purchased

The only way to win is to score…

With a reputation for fast moves on the gridiron and even faster moves off the field, Shane Devlin was a player in every sense of the word. Unfortunately, his bad-boy persona has made him a risky prospect as a quarterback, and only the Baltimore Blaze are willing to give him a chance. And he’s about to take a hit he never expected.

Working for the Blaze, Carly March knows too well how jocks think—and what they think with—so she’s always made a point of keeping them at arm’s length. But when she shares a kiss with the devilishly handsome Shane, she finds it hard to play by her own rules—and even harder to resist him.

Can a football hero and a business-minded beauty take it all the way? Or will their mutual attraction cost them the big game?

What do you do with a story where you actually like both the hero and heroine but you want to still knock them upside of the head? This was my dilemma with Game On by Tracy Solheim. First, let me say, I gave it 4 stars because overall, I enjoyed it. When I read a book nearly straight through with only necessary life breaks, I have to give it at least 4 stars for grabbing my attention. Additionally, Solheim made me want to see what would transpire between the two main characters.

In Game On, Solheim has given readers a sexy, hot, bad boy of football in her hero, Shane Devlin. Devlin is a talented athlete but has a few flaws that resulted in teams not wanting to touch him thanks to his reputation. However, the Baltimore Blaze is giving Devlin a last chance to play when their starting quarterback is out with an injury for the season. Despite being offered a contract, Devlin recognizes that he still needs to prove he should be the starting quarterback while being monitored by the conservative Blaze owner.

Our heroine, Carly March works for the Blaze and just happens to be the sister-in-law of the Head Coach. Carly’s past history comes quickly to light. Her mother, a famous reporter, died when she was a child, which landed Carly in the eye of the media. Additionally, Carly’s recent relationship with a European soccer player ended up in a very public break-up. Consequently, she isn't interested in dating another athlete or dealing with the paparazzi.

Most romance writers would stop with just the challenges two characters would face given working for the same organization and some past history. However, Solheim does not shy away from adding in some additional issues. On one level, I truly appreciate Solheim's desire to create a more complex story than just a hot and steamy romance. However, at times, I was left wondering if there were too many issues.

In addition to the conflict of Carly working for the Blaze and Shane's need to focus on making the team as starting quarterback and  that it's probably best to stay away from the Head Coach's  attractive sister-in-law, Solheim brings in a few more threads. Both Shane and Carly lost their mothers when they were children. Though this gives them a common ground, their reactions to this significant life event has shaped them both in different ways. Shane struggles with issues with his father and feeling abandoned by him as a child. When his father and stepmother die in an accident, Shane needs to confront issues related to his father, general commitment issues, and the pressing need of caring for his 12 year old half-brother. Throw in another thread where Carly is dealing with a stalker and the book becomes weighted down at times.

As a result, I felt Solheim was ambitious in drawing in so many levels of conflict for her main characters. When I did find myself “eye-rolling” over certain actions by Shane or Carly, or my annoyance with Shane’s resisting change or Carly’s being too kind, I wondered if I was being fair in my judgement. How much of their actions were justified because of what they were dealing with? Together they were good even if both were afraid to commit -Shane more so than Carly. And Carly was good for Shane, though I wasn't always so sure Shane was good for Carly other than she had great chemistry with him, coupled with passion, hot sex, and a sense of security.

Since this was Solheim’s first book, I decided to rate this with four stars. I have high hopes for Solheim and I look forward to seeing her grow as a writer, and I would love to see her continue with complex stories without things feeling like there is a little too much going on. I do like her characters and plan to pick up Foolish Games (Out of Bounds #2) and read about Carly's friend Julianne.

---

Visit the author online at tracysolheim.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @tracyksolheim

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here. 

Review: Long After by Cheryl McIntyre

Title: Long After (Sometimes Never #3)

Author: Cheryl McIntyre
Publication Date: October 14, 2013
Publisher: Cheryl McIntyre
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Purchased

For Annie Phillips, there is a right way to do things and everything has a place. College and her flawless GPA are top priority, as is planning her perfect future. Anything less than perfection is unacceptable. So when she meets Loden Guiles, she believes she has finally found her perfect happily-ever-after.

Chase Malloy is funny, loyal, and an all around nice guy. He’s also sloppy, tattooed, and undirected. All Chase wants to do is survive college, hang out with friends, and make music. Knowing his best friend’s step-sister since they were fourteen, Annie and he have always had a love-hate relationship. The last thing Chase expects is to fall for Annie, but he knows he’ll never live up to her idea of the perfect man.

On the outside, Annie and Loden’s relationship appears picture perfect. But behind closed doors, Annie quickly realizes Loden isn’t the man he pretends to be. Every time her not so well laid plans crumble, and Loden proves to be not so Mr. Right, Chase is there to pick her up and brush her off. Will she realize the perfection she’s been searching for has been in front of her all this time?

*Long After is a companion novel to Sometimes Never and Before Now. Many of the same characters appear in Chase and Annie's story. However, it can be read as a stand-alone book.

**This is a new adult novel. Due to harsh language, sexual situations, and violence, this book is recommended for 17+.

Chase and Annie - *sigh* I reviewed Before Now by Cheryl McIntyre at the beginning of January. I expected to complete the review for Long After at the same time, but I find that when I love a book it takes me forever to write up the review. I loved Before Now but Long After touched me at an even deeper level. How do I write anything that makes sense when all I want to do is re-read the book and shower it with lots of love?!

Readers are introduced to Chase and Annie in McIntyre's earlier books, and their relationship is hinted at in Before Now. Unlike many romance stories, there is no insta-love in this book. Chase and Annie have known each other for seven years. Quintessential opposites, they have had a non-romantic relationship characterized by on-going verbal sparing and snark.

Annie is bright, driven, and often a bit rigid with her compulsion to do well and be perfect. Chase is still figuring out where life is taking him but along the way, he proves himself to be a great friend. Though Annie is an intelligent young woman, she is desperate to escape what she sees as the mistakes her mother has made. When she catches the attention of Loden, attractive and goal-oriented, she begins dreaming of her perfect future. However not all is what it appears to be. Shame and fear cause Annie to hide what is happening in her relationship, but eventually Chase discovers what is happening and attempts to help as much as Annie will allow.

At times, it was hard to watch the struggles Annie must go through and the decisions she makes. Chase proves to be the caring and patient friend that Annie needs. Readers quickly learn that Chase obviously loves Annie, and as a result is willing to give her time and space she needs to recognize her feelings towards him. It is their friendship and the safety that Chase provides for Annie that helps her finally confront what is happening between her and Loden. Unfortunately, this doesn't spare the couple from also dealing with additional consequences that arise.

I loved Chase and Annie. I loved the snarky banter between the two, and how Chase dealt with Annie's insecurities and other concerns. There were so many special scenes between the two that I found myself re-reading. And as a fan of sticky notes, I liked their inclusion in several scenes. As a result, Chase is my new fictional boyfriend crush.

In Long After, McIntyre takes on the difficult issue of being in an abusive relationship. It isn't an easy topic, and she doesn't treat it lightly. For many young women, college is a time to explore various dating relationships, but even when they think they are smart enough or strong enough not to be caught in an unhealthy, controlling relationship, they may find themselves in one. McIntyre does not preach, but does handle the situation realistically. One thing I would have liked at the end of the book would have been some tips/resources similar to what Tammara Webber includes at the end of her book, Easy.  

****Spoiler if you haven't read Before Now*** On a lighter note, readers do get an opportunity to re-connect with Park and Lucy from Before Now including seeing their wedding from Chase and Annie's eyes.
I love updates on previous characters from earlier books.

My love for Cheryl McIntyre's characters and stories continue, though I wonder if I could love anyone more than Chase and Annie.

---

Visit the author online at www.cherylmcintyrebooks.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @cherylhmcintyre

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here. 

Liv's Current Obsession: Why I Love Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries

Frequently, I find myself thanking Alethea (@frootjoos) over at Read Now, Sleep Later for introducing me to new television series.  Two of my favorites are Murdoch Mysteries from Canada and Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries from Australia.  I seriously think she has everyone watching these.

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries takes place in Melbourne in the later 1920's, one of my favorite time periods.  It features actress, Essie Davis as the Honourable Miss Phryne Fisher, who fights injustice and solves murders with the help of a great cast of characters, a gold-plated pistol, and a dagger hidden under her skirt.  Shouldn't all heroines have a little something tucked away in case of a dangerous situation?

Miss Fisher is a great character, and far ahead of her time. She is glamorous, and fashionable, and yes, saucy. Here are some of the reasons I love Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries....

1.  Miss Fisher has an incredible wardrobe.  While I love the dresses the women wear on Downton Abbey, Miss Fisher puts them all to shame.  She has such a great sense of style and the confidence to pull it all off.  Plus, I love all of her hats and hair accessories.    
 

2.  Miss Fisher often ignores what is socially acceptable. - In the first episode, you come to meet Miss Fisher's friend Doctor Mac.  There are certain behaviors that are socially acceptable in every time period, and one of the things that I appreciate about Miss Fisher is that she stands by her friends regardless of how society views them. 

Review: Accidental Cowgirl by Maggie McGinnis

Title: Accidental Cowgirl

Author: Maggie McGinnis
Publication Date: October 8, 2013
Publisher: Loveswept
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Purchased

After being betrayed by her con man ex-fiancé, Kyla Bennett nurses a broken heart. But Kyla's friends have other ideas and when they whisk her off to Whisper Creek, a dude ranch staffed by cowboys so hot they dim the Montana sunset, all Kyla wants to do is hide under a quilt. Then in rides Decker Driscoll. He’s hauling about as much emotional baggage as Kyla, but when he stands close by, both of them want to stay close—and begin to succumb to an undeniable attraction.

After experiencing personal tragedy, Decker never thought he’d see Big Sky country again. But now that his family's Whisper Creek property is in deep with a Vegas gambler, Decker’s back for the summer—and spending all his time running from “cowgirls” who come to the dude ranch to score some dudes. Then he meets Kyla, a kindred spirit who brings on a stampede of protective feelings . . . and a powerful hankering to sear her with a new brand of love.

My first foray into romance novels was through urban fantasy and paranormal romance. Then came sports romances while looking for some recommendations for my sister. I followed this up with a string of contemporary romances. However, I realized that I had been avoiding romance stories with a cowboy twist. So I started searching for titles to read and came across the Accidental Cowgirl by Maggie McGinnis which looked like a good place to start. The story takes place on a ranch in Montana but Decker Driscoll (the hero) is more than what I had conjured up as a typical cowboy.

Accidental Cowgirl is one of those fun, fast reads.  It is easy to sit down, fall into escape mode, and finish this one in a couple of hours.  The characters are likable and there is a great small town feel.  Kyla (the heroine) has had a heck of a year and comes out to Montana for a vacation along with two friends.  Decker is back home helping his mother and brother after his father's death.  Both have emotional baggage that they are struggling with throughout the story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.  I recognize that in most romance stories there will be insta-love.  It seems to be a standard ingredient, and there is no surprise here with the insta-love element.  Right from the start, Kyla's rental car gets a flat tire and who of course comes to the rescue but Decker.  She doesn't know that he is from the ranch, but she sees him again on the first night when she attends the evening reception. Decker is also attracted to Kyla.  Despite the no dating guests rule, which Decker never worried about before, he finds it difficult to stay away from her.

Whether it is emotional baggage or secrets or some combination of the two, conflict is needed for the couple to struggle with before finding their HEA.  This book has plenty of secrets, past history, and emotional scarring to satisfy readers.  No spoilers, but Marcy is one of those issues in this book. She is stereotypical and over the top, and you will just love to hate her.

One element of the story that produced mixed results for me had to do with Kyla and her penchant for finding or getting into trouble or accidents.  Initially, it added some humor to the book.  However, towards the end, I almost wanted to say "enough is enough".  The poor girl can't take any more and still be alive.

A part of the story that I enjoyed was all of the secondary characters.  Readers will find themselves liking Decker's mother and younger brother.  There is also the retired sheriff, Kyla's two friends, and some of the others who come and go in the book. Even the beauty of Montana can almost be considered a character in the book since it plays such a significant role.

If you like your romance stories with quite a bit of detail and heat, then Accidental Cowgirl will disappoint. Yes, there is chemistry between Decker and Kyla and they do share intimate moments but the descriptive elements really are the fade to black kind.  This one is more PG-13, and I was okay with this.

I look forward to additional stories from McGinnis and in checking out some of the other Loveswept titles.

---

Visit the author online at www.maggiemcginnis.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @maggie_mcginnis

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here. 

Review: In Bed With Mr. Wrong by Katee Robert

Title: In Bed With Mr. Wrong

Author: Katee Robert
Publication Date: January 13, 2014
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Purchased

The blind date from hell is about to get hotter…

Brianne Nave is never doing her friends a favor again. When they begged her to go on a blind date, she didn’t expect someone so perfectly gorgeous. She’s a mousy librarian—totally not in this man’s league. And judging by his odd reaction when she opens the door, he knows it, too.

Air Force Pararescuer Ryan Flannery avoids his hometown at all costs. He’s not thrilled about the date until he’s shocked silent by the prickly little librarian’s sweet curves and kissable lips…and her smart mouth. But then an argument leads to a kiss that spirals out of control. How can two people have so little chemistry outside the bedroom when they fit together so perfectly in it?

When their friends strand them in a cabin to "work things out," Bri’s not sure whether to kill him or put the industrial-sized box of condoms they find to use. Bottom line—Ryan’s career military and hates the tiny town she loves. He’ll leave, just like everyone else in her life. And if she’s foolish enough to give him her heart, he’ll take it with him.

One of the things I like about the Entangled Brazen line is that I can usually find some fun, fast reads. Katee Robert's In Bed With Mr. Wrong fits this description to a tee. This was my first book by Katee Robert and the first in her new Out of Uniform Series. I discovered it while I was browsing either GoodReads or Amazon, and something in one of the reviews made me give it a shot.

In the story, Ryan (the hero) is home from the military for a visit. His brother Drew and his girlfriend, Avery, set him up on a blind date with Bri (the heroine). Ryan is soldier, and very good looking. However, Bri sees herself as a "plain" or "mousy" librarian. When they meet for the first time, Bri misinterprets Ryan's silence to mean that he is underwhelmed by her or not interested. This initial communication breakdown triggers verbal sniping and misunderstanding between the two of them. It also leads to some hot sex. Though Bri is convinced that Ryan is not the man for her, Drew and Avery have other plans which include stranding Ryan and Bri at a cabin in the woods. The couple can either argue their way through the weekend or see if there is something more.

In Bed With Mr. Wrong is truly a fun, fast read. I think I read it in nearly one sitting. I liked Ryan a lot and liked how he cared for Bri. Though Bri had moments where I wanted to shake her, overall I liked her, too. They may have seemed mismatched but the story reveals that the two may be more alike than different. Some of the verbal sparing was hysterical and I found myself laughing so hard that I had to keep wiping the tears from my eyes. However, there were also tender moments as Ryan realizes that Bri is trying to hide behind her walls and avoid the pain that comes with getting too close. It was touching to see how Ryan attempts to provide Bri with some of the experiences she had missed out in her childhood. As a reader, you do understand Bri's background and what causes her to behave in the way she does. It takes her a bit longer than Ryan to come to the realization that he really cares. The epilogue at the end provides readers with a sweet HEA.

I am looking forward to checking out some of Robert's other books and hoping for another fun read such as this one.

---

Visit the author online at www.kateerobert.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @katee_robert

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here. 

Happy Book Release Day!

New books are always coming out, and for the most part, I do not pre-order books.  However, there are always a few that are either next up in a series and a must have or highly anticipated and I am compelled to pre-order them.  As I think about it, I am pretty sure I have never had a day with four pre-orders.  I thought I would give everyone a sneak-peek at what I am looking forward to reading.  Happy Book Birthdays to all of the authors!!!

Here are some of the books I have been eagerly looking forward to coming out...

Melting the Ice (A Play by Play Novel) by Jaci Burton

Publisher: Berkley/Penguin Group

Description from GoodReads: Carolina Preston has only one goal in mind—launching her new fashion line. She needs only one last thing to make it perfect—hockey phenom Drew Hogan. But Carolina and Drew have a history that goes back to their college days, and Carolina doesn’t want the embarrassment of her past to cloud the brightness of her future. 

Drew is eager for the chance to show Carolina he isn’t the boy who hurt her back then, but a man now, with the skills necessary to melt the icy exterior of her cold heart.

Why I want to read it: I have read all but one book in this series, and I am almost always happy to see a new title come out.

All You Need is Love: Green Mountain Book One by Marie Force

Publisher: Berkley/Penguin Group

Description from GoodReads: Hoping to take the magic of the island and move it to the mountains with the Abbot family, purveyors of the odd and hard to find relics of a time long gone by in small-town Vermont. Hope you'll come with me to the Green Mountains! Watch for the first book in the series in early 2014!

The family-run Green Mountain Country Store is cherished by locals as a reminder of simpler times. The Abbott children are determined to keep it that way—but their father has different plans…

When Cameron Murphy heads to Vermont to build a website for a new client, she imagines a more relaxing trip than she gets. After wrecking her car by colliding with the town moose, she meets the most handsome hero she’s ever seen. Unfortunately, her savior, Will Abbott, is also the son of her client—and he wants nothing to do with the new website or the city girl creating it.

For all Will cares, Cameron can march her fancy boots right out of town and out of his family’s business. But he can’t seem to get her out of his head. As his family’s dispute heats up, so does the chemistry between the two, leaving them wondering if simple is better after all—especially when it comes to matters of the heart.

Why I want to read it:  About a year ago, I read one of Marie Force's stand alone stories and loved it. I have been keeping my eyes-open for another one by Force that I might want to read.  Since this is a new book in a series, and the blurb sounded like something I would enjoy, I decided to take a chance on it. I have been looking forward to this since November.

The Cowboy's Mail Order Bride (Cowboys & Brides) by Carolyn Brown

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Description from GoodReads: With a bundle of letters in a boot box, Emily Cooper doesn't know what to expect when she arrives on Clarice Barton's Ravenna, Texas, ranch. Clarice is stunned to meet the great granddaughter of a man she hadn't heard from in decades and insists that Emily stay on the ranch to tell her all about him.

Greg Adams isn't thrilled with the idea of a strange, if beautiful, woman in his grandmother's company. But when this stubborn cowboy sets out to uncover her lies, he finds the truth staring him in the face: it's not an explanation he wants, it's just her.

Why I want to read it: I am currently on a cowboy kick and this was another series I discovered and just had to have.  Since I was afraid I would forget the release date, I pre-ordered the book.

Bound: The Mastered Series by Lorilei James 

Publisher: NAL/Penguin Group

Description from GoodReads: FIRST IN A NEW SERIES

In the new Mastered series by New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James, a woman’s desire to shatter her inhibitions leaves her unprepared for where that erotic journey will take her….

Former small-town girl Amery Hardwick is living her dream as a graphic designer in Denver, Colorado. She’s focused on building her business, which leaves little time for dating—not that she needs a romantic entanglement to fulfill her. When her friend signs up for a self-defense class as part of her recovery after an attack, Amery joins her for support. That’s where she meets him.

Ronin Black, owner of the dojo, is so drawn to Amery that he takes over her training—in public and in private. The enigmatic Ronin pushes Amery’s boundaries from the start, and with each new tryst, Amery becomes addicted to the pleasure and to him. But when Amery senses Ronin is hiding something, she questions her total trust in him, despite the undeniable thrill of his possession….

Why I want to read it:  Since I was thinking about reading a book from Lorelei James and I saw a few good reviews on this one, I added it to my books to anticipate on February 4th. Now to keep my fingers crossed.

What new or upcoming releases are you celebrating?

---

Review: Hope Flames by Jaci Burton

Title: Hope Flames (Hope #1)

Author: Jaci Burton
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Purchased

Thirty-two and finally setting up her veterinary practice in the town she once called home, Emma Burnett is on her own and loving it. Independent and driven, she's not letting any man get in the way of her dreams. Not again.

That's fine with Luke McCormack. Divorced and hardly lacking in female company when he needs it, he's devoted to the only faithful companion in his life--his police dog. Still, there's something about Emma he can't shake.

When a series of local break-ins leaves Emma vulnerable, she seeks help from the first man to spark her desire in years. And now they're giving each other something they thought they'd lost forever...hope.

This time last year, I began reading Jaci Burton's Play by Play series, which for the most part I really liked. I also recently read and enjoyed her Christmas series with the Kent Brothers. When I saw that she was going to be starting a new series, I pre-ordered the first book. When it arrived, I was eager to start reading it.  Since I was already comfortable with Burton's writing style, I settled in fairly quickly.  Unfortunately, as I was reading, something felt missing, which is why I gave this book 3 stars rather than four.

In the story, you have two likable characters - Luke (the hero) and Emma (the heroine). One thing they have in common is their love of animals, especially dogs.  Luke is a cop with a canine partner and Emma is a vet. As with many romance novels,  both of the main characters come with emotional baggage.  Readers learn fairly early that Luke experienced a terrible first marriage.  It takes longer to discover Emma's past, though it is easy to guess at some of it. As a result, they are both hesitant to get involved in a relationship again. This is fairly standard fare for a romance story and something that usually Burton delivers on pretty well. Unfortunately, there seems to be something missing with the romance in Hope Flames.  I wonder if the characters' indecision on the whole relationship thing put a little fizzle on the passion for me?! The whole "we are not in a relationship" thing, when they  are obviously in a relationship became slightly grating and, though I can see that it was supposed to be part of the build-up and conflict, it was mostly frustrating. 

One of my issues is that it took 60% of the book for Burton to reveal what Emma's issue was with men. Not that I hadn't suspected it, but it felt dragged it out.  I suspect that was a plan to keep readers in suspense, but in this case, it was more frustrating for me.   We knew Luke's issue from the beginning of the book, why couldn't we know Emma's issue? Seriously, Burton could have told the readers much earlier even if she didn't want to reveal it to Luke until later on. I think it takes exceptional skill to reveal a secret very slowly without it just becoming annoying for the reader. When you do finally find out, it feels like a bit of a let down. Additionally, Burton uses this as the issue that is central to the conflict.  It did not feel like it was developed properly nor did it have the level of suspense that was needed.  In order to remain spoiler free, I am trying to limit what I say about this part.   

Another issue with the book - why do women always apologize when it's the men who should be doing the apologizing?! Early in the book, Luke says something that Emma finds annoying/irritating/insulting.  In a later scene, you learn that Luke knows on some level that he has insulted her. He admits he needs to fix it but doesn't until after she apologizes. For the most part, Luke is a great guy but I found myself fuming with this part.

What I did like in the story were Emma's friends Jane and Chelsea and her parents. There are books that frequently isolate the couple from friends and family and I particularly like how Burton always builds family and friends into the story.  I liked Luke's older brother Logan and am interested in reading Hope Ignites and learning more about him. There is also a prequel novella with Jane and Will coming in February which I am interested in reading. 

Despite some of my frustration with Hope Flames (which may not be things that bother other readers), I will stick around and see where the series goes.  

---

Visit the author online at jaciburton.com,  Facebook and follow her on Twitter @jaciburton

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here. 

Review: Before Now by Cheryl McIntyre

Title: Before Now

Author: Cheryl McIntyre
Publication Date: June 2, 2013
Publisher: Cheryl McIntyre
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Purchased

Park Reed is a bastard in every sense of the word. He hasn't always been this way. But after his heart was broken by the only girl he ever loved, being heartless gets him through the day and allows him to fill his nights with the nameless girls he has no intentions of seeing again. He now lives his life following his ever-growing list of “life lessons.”

Lucy Braden is everything Park is not. She’s sweet, caring, and an all-around nice person. She tries to follow Lucy's Rules to Live By everyday.
When Park moves in with Jessie, which happens to be the floor below Lucy, Jessie's one stipulation: Lucy is off limits to Park. The problem with that is Lucy is determined to be a good friend to Park and see past the drinking and random girls to find the man beneath it all. The other problem: Park follows his own rules.

*This is a New Adult novel. Recommended for 17+ due to sexual situations, harsh language, and drug and alcohol use.

Before Now is a companion novel to Sometimes Never, and many of its characters are in Park’s story. However, it can be read as a stand-alone book.

Confession - I have no idea how I found out about this book.  Another confession, I have no idea why I downloaded it.  Typically, I avoid angsty stories featuring arrogant bad boys.  Also, I normally begin with the first book in a series and this is the second.  The only thing I do remember is reading the reviews before deciding to start this one.  They were all exceptionally strong reviews, which is not typical for Amazon. Guess what? I fell in love with the characters and the book turned out to be one of my favorite reads of 2013.

Park Reed's life is full of angst.  His heart was broken by a girl at the end of high school and, in an effort to deal with the pain, he anesthetizes himself with alcohol, chain smoking, and nameless sex. Every rule, every action is done to protect himself from any further pain or disappointment.  Lucy Braden embraces life, cares about her friends, and can see the good in everyone. On the day Park is moving into a new apartment with his friend Jessie, Lucy mistakenly squirts him in the face with a water gun. Not long after, Jessie makes it clear to Park that Lucy is off limits - not because he is interested in her but because she is the best friend of his girlfriend, Bree.

At this point, McIntyre had me completely hooked.  I already liked Lucy and maybe there was another side to Park?!  I kept reading and reading and would have stayed up all night to finish the book but I had to get to work early the next morning.  Park proves that he is truly damaged goods with a lot of baggage.  However, he does try to respect Jessie's rule.  Lucy is the best friend you wish you had and you understand why Bree and Jessie are protective of her.

With Park's life lessons and Lucy's Rules to Live By, readers learn more about Park and Lucy. Each chapter is told in alternating point of views.  And though readers know that there is going to be a point where everything will come together and bottom out, you can't look away from the pending train wreck.

Interestingly enough, McIntyre has this moment appear much earlier in the book than I normally expect.  This allows McIntyre to re-develop the relationship with Park and Lucy moving from the initial insta-attraction to a gradual reconnecting and growth of their feelings for one another complete with the consequences of earlier actions and decisions.  The book concludes with a special gift in the form of the epilogue.

Cheryl McIntyre scored on so many levels with this book.  I loved her characters.  She did a great job of making Park both irritating and lovable.  With Lucy, you wanted to hug her one moment and then protect her from some of her choices.  She lives life consistently with her beliefs though.  There is great chemistry between Park and Lucy and the sex scenes are hot but not over the top.  The secondary characters were all nicely developed and essential.  I was sad when the story came to the end, but excited that I could move onto the story of Chase and Annie (Long After).  I will definitely finish all of the books in this series and will keep an eye out for any future books by McIntyre.

---

Visit the author online at www.cherylmcintyre.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @cherylhmcintyre

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here. 

Hallmark Countdown to Christmas 2013

Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas

Just a few more days until Christmas and I am spending the day cleaning and watching a marathon of Hallmark Holiday Movies.  There are some that I tape and watch over and over again and others that I delete after one viewing and maybe watch again if they show up on one of the marathon movie days.  I realize that each of these movies will touch different people in different ways, but here are my thoughts on the 2013 Hallmark Original Holiday movies....

The Thanksgiving House (Premiered November 2, 2013)

Blurb from Hallmark Website:
A woman buys a house in Plymouth, only to discover that the very first Thanksgiving took place on the property. As a result, she finds herself in a battle with a local handsome historian who wants to tear down her house to study the site. Stars Cerina Vincent and Lindsay Wagner. 

What I liked about it:  I almost missed this movie.  I was out of town for Thanksgiving and had to go online to set up my DVR. When I finally got to see this one, I was glad I didn't miss it.  I really liked the main characters, Mary Ross and Everett Mather.  I just kept rooting for Mary and Everett to get together. Everett embodies small town hope and good will, while Mary has been hurt in the past due to her parents' divorce.  Also, viewers will love to hate Mary's arrogant city boyfriend and the local community gossip blogger.

Watch it again: Yes! I was glad I recorded this to my DVR.  Since it was a Thanksgiving-theme movie, it did not receive the same replay as other movies.

Pete’s Christmas (Premiered November 8, 2013)

Blurb from Hallmark Website:
A young 14-year-old boy named Pete has the worst Christmas Day ever, only to find that he must repeat the day again and again until he gets it right. Stars Bruce Dern, Zachary Gordon, Bailee Madison, Molly Parker and Rick Roberts. 

What I liked about it:  Repeating the day over again until you get it right is a frequent plot device.  It can be done well or it can be really annoying.  Pete's Christmas is an enjoyable and humorous version.  Pete's a great kid and, as he tries to figure out how to make it all come together, there are a lot of mistakes but also a lot of laughs.  Pete and his family grow throughout the movie, and of course, there is the mandatory happy ending.

Watch it again: Yes, if you can find it.  This one didn't seem to run as frequently as others and unfortunately I didn't tape it.

Snow Bride (Premiered November 9, 2013)

Blurb from Hallmark Website:
When a reporter encounters the eldest son of a famous political family at a mountain retreat, she winds up pretending to be his girlfriend over Christmas so he can save face with his family. Should she secretly expose newsworthy scoops about the famous family in order to save her job, or trust that she's falling in love for real? Stars Patricia Richardson and Katrina Law. 

What I liked about it:  I had to watch this one in parts.  I am not fond of certain deception plots and if I don't really connect with the characters, then I tend to lose interest.  The movie was super predictable, which I expected.  It was easy to see what would be the big conflict standing in the way of the two characters getting together.  However, about halfway through, I found myself really liking Greta (the undercover gossip reporter) and Ben (the rich son of a politician) and wanted to see them together.  I was surprised by how much I liked Ben's family, who were nothing like I expected. I did find myself wanting to see Ben's mother (who is now a widow) to find her own happy ever after ending, too.

Watch it again:  This is probably a one timer for me, but if it is on, I may tune in again.

A Very Merry Mix-Up (Premiered November 10, 2013)

Blurb from Hallmark Website:
Alice thinks she is heading to her fiancé’s hometown to meet his parents and spend the holidays, but a mix-up at the airport lands her at the wrong home. However this “wrong” family is just her sort of people and she quickly forms a bond with them, especially with the handsome son, Matt. When she visits the "right" house, will her destiny take a detour? Stars Alicia Witt. 

What I liked about it:  This movie had all of the makings for a potentially great romantic comedy in theory.  The main character accidentally finds herself in the wrong home for the holidays after a series of mix ups.  Of course, the family she meets is her ideal family.  There is also a tie in with time, fate, and a romantic story tied into a special clock. I usually like movies like A Very Merry Mix-Up, but for some reason this one did not grab me.

Watch it again:  Maybe. I liked it but I found myself skipping it to watch others.

Review: Fury of Desire by Coreene Callahan

Title: Fury of Desire (Dragon Fury Series #4)

Author: Coreene Callhan
Publication Date: October 15, 2013
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Purchased

No warrior of the Nightfury pack is more complicated or damaged than Wick.

Scarred from a childhood of slavery and torture, Wick cannot bear the touch of another person. But all bets are off when he meets J.J. Solares. When she is unjustly imprisoned, Wick agrees to help rescue and keep her from harm. But Wick lives a life of self-imposed isolation and venturing into the world to seek justice for J.J. may be more than he can bear.

Brutalized by the harsh reality of prison, J.J thinks she is hallucinating when a majestic dark-haired god sweeps in to save her—and Wick is shaken to his core by the attraction he feels for J.J. But neither is out of harm's way yet. When they find themselves at the center of a Dragonkind war, they are forced to make the ultimate choice—surrender to their fears or accept each other’s love.

FURY OF DESIRE is the fourth book in the Dragon Fury series by Coreene Callahan. It is a story of dragon shifters who live in packs.  The Nightfuries (the good guys) are at war with the Razorbacks (the bad guys).  Each book to date has focused on one of the guys in the pack and the female that he ends up falling in love with and mating.  In addition to the relationship between the hero and heroine, there is a continuing conflict arc that has been going on since the first book.  I do not way to say to much in case someone still hasn't read the earlier books.

So...I have mixed feelings about this book.

What I loved about the book:

Readers are introduced to the hero, Wick in the first book (Fury of Fire) and we learn that he does not typically communicate in more than a few word sentences, and consistently he is described as one scary dude.  He also has a very tight relationship with Venom (another member of the Nightfuries).  I have always been intrigued by Wick and wanted to learn more, especially since he seems to have a ton of secrets.  In the third book (Fury of Seduction), we are introduced to the heroine, Jamison Jordan Solares or J.J.  I was not surprised to see them paired together in this book and for me the relationship made sense, even if it was truly insta-love.  Additionally, I liked seeing the other guys from the previous books, and their mates.

What I wasn't so happy about:

In Fury of Seduction (book 3), I noticed a change in Callahan's writing.  Despite her books having approximately 400+ pages, there seemed to be an increasing dependence on descriptive vernacular that went on and on.  A similar style was used in the first two books but not to the same lengthy extent. Unfortunately, this made me want to skim through parts of nearly every paragraph in both Fury of Seduction and Fury of Desire.  It also resulted in Callahan not really developing her story as effectively as she could.  The side story with Ivar and the Razorbacks (which continues throughout each book) feels more diluted and less focused.  Additionally, important pieces of the story are never developed, such as how Wick's relationship with J.J. results in a significant change for Wick and Venom.  It is alluded to but never really explored.

Fans of the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J.R. Ward will see striking similarities between the two series. I didn't realize this at first since I started the Dragon Fury series before reading the Black Dagger Brotherhood series (BDB). The Dragon Fury Series, even more so than the BDB series is extremely formulaic so if you enjoy predictability - you get it here.

Since the price of the e-book is reasonable, I will probably continue to "read" (skimming the sentences that aren't needed) the series but I wish the author had a stronger editor that could help her really develop this series.

Check out the official book trailer:

---

Visit the author online at www.coreenecallahan.com, her , like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter @coreenecallahan

Please note that this post contains affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here. 

Review: Tiger Magic by Jennifer Ashley

Title: Tiger Magic (Shifters Unbound #3)

Author: Jennifer Ashley
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Purchased

He was once a captive, but his urges were never caged. Now he’ll release them on a beautiful stranger whose own secret desires are longing to be sated…

He doesn’t have a name. He doesn’t have a clan. The humans who held him prisoner for forty years have taken them away. He knew nothing but captivity until nearly a year ago, when he was released into the light. Now Tiger lives in the Austin Shiftertown, where he struggles to belong and searches for an identity.

Carly Randal thinks her fabulous life is complete—until her car breaks down on the side of the road, and a wild-looking Shifter is the only one to help her. Tiger takes one look at Carly and knows instantly—she will be his mate. As Carly is drawn into his Shifter world, she risks everything she has for that forbidden something she still wants: passionate love.

With the introduction of Tiger in Tiger Magic, Jennifer Ashley veers slightly in a new direction with her Shifters Unbound series.  Though I haven't always read all of the books in this series in the correct order, if you want to know more about Shifters Unbound, I would begin with Pride Mates (Shifters Unbound #1).  Additionally, though you can read Tiger Magic without reading Mate Claimed (Shifters Unbound #4), readers who would like more of Tiger's backstory might want to add that one to their list as well.

In Tiger Magic, Ashley's main character is a tiger shifter named Tiger for his obvious similarities to his animal self.  Unlike the other shifters, Tiger was created and not born from parents who were shifters.  His abilities are significantly different than other shifters and he is considerably more unpredictable and, in some ways, wilder.  This makes other shifters uncomfortable around Tiger.

The story begins with Carly Randal, on the side of the road with a car that has broken down.  Tiger senses an immediate connection or bond and believes her to be his mate.  He approaches her and helps get her car working again.  Shortly after this the fun begins.  Carly is engaged to an arrogant and very rich man, who she discovers having an affair in their kitchen. When Tiger goes into protector mode, he nearly gets killed and winds up in the hospital, where it turns out that Carly is one of the only ones who can control him.

Carly recognizes that there is also a connection with Tiger, but isn't all that certain about this "mate bond" that Tiger keeps talking about.  I don't know about other readers, but I was immediately drawn to Tiger (who is an ultimate alpha male) and Carly.  Carly is a strong female and was a really nice balance for Tiger.  Their connection felt real even if it did contain quite a bit of "insta-love".  I felt that the introduction of Tiger has brought some new life to Ashley's series.

In addition to the romance aspect of the book, which definitely plays a large role in the story line, there is also a mystery about Tiger's abilities and what his purpose is. Why was he created?  There are some federal agent types that are after Tiger and it takes awhile to figure out who is good and who is just plain trouble. This story line adds another layer of interest for readers beyond just the romance.  Finally, I enjoyed catching up with previously introduced characters who live in the Austin Shifter town.  Readers, new and old, to Ashley's Shifter Unbound will want to pick up Tiger Magic and read it as soon as possible.

   

---

Visit the author online at www.jennifersromances.com, her blog, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter @jennallyson

Please note that this post contains affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here.