Act Like You Love Me

4 Stage-worthy Stars!

In the world Cindi Madsen has created in Act Like You Love Me, is what every hopeless romantic girl dreams of; getting the unattainable guy. For Brynn McAdams, as much as she dreamed of being with Mr. Popular high school football player, Sawyer Raines, she never really thought it would be a reality, especially after he moved away to New York. But fate has other things in mind when he shows up, back in their hometown to direct the play she is the lead in. “Oh woe is me” does not even begin to describe Brynn’s feelings and anxiety of Sawyer showing up and disturbing her sliver of peace in the theatre. Thankfully for Brynn, Sawyer doesn’t recognize her from high school and she desperately wants to keep it that way. She never wants him to remember her being one of the biggest “drama dorks” in high school or the one event that sealed her high school fate. But that gets difficult when Sawyer keeps pushing to be near her and the “acting” on Brynn’s part begins to crack as they spend more time together. But an act can’t continue forever and Brynn is discovering that the curtain is about to close.

Oh Brynn and Sawyer…what a wonderful contrast these two are to each other. Brynn, being weird, and bubbly, and open. A true classical literature romantic. Sawyer being immersed in the theatres on the outskirts of the stage, taking control, going after what he wants, and a complete commitment-phobe. I wanted to scream at Brynn to just be herself and not worry about what anyone thinks, especially Sawyer. And I wanted to smack Sawyer upside the head…in a good way. I adored their interactions, their relationship, and their desire for one another.

Cindi’s writing is brilliant and she really captures the differences in Brynn’s and Sawyer’s voices each time we get insight into their minds.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who ever had a crush in high school and wishes for the chance to do things differently. And for everyone else who got that chance ever.

(I received an ARC for my review and this is my honest-to-goodness, straight from the heart review!)

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Accidentally-Novel-Entangled-Bliss-ebook/dp/B00CNTSV7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372360548&sr=8-1&keywords=act+like+you+love+me

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/act-like-you-love-me-cindi-madsen/1115250847?ean=9781622660896

For Love or Money

Cathy Perkins’, For Love or Money kept me guessing the age old question “Who done it?” throughout the entire novel! Growing up reading James Patterson, that is a definite achievement. I thought I would know who it was and then some new twist would develop and I would be back to square one.

Holly Price and JC Dimitrak are what drew me into the book and from there I couldn’t seem to put it down. Having been previously engaged to each other, one walk out, one affair, and six years later, Holly and JC are thrown unwillingly back into each others lives because of murder. But not just any murder, the murder of Holly’s friend. And she is the main suspect.

Both Holly and JC are determined to find the true killer, but they have different ideas about how to do that. It is Detective Dimitrak’s job, but he can’t seem to keep Holly from poking around and trying to get answers herself. Answers that continue to put her in near-death situations.

With their emotions running high and their past wounds being ripped open, these two are on a sure-fire track to destruction unless they can figure out who the killer.

I adored Holly’s character because of her tenacity, determination, and strength to not let a man rule her life. However, I loved JC’s drive to protect Holly and they only way he knew how was to have some control over her life.

Cathy’s writing is phenomenal! Pages slipped by as I lost myself in the mind and world of Holly Price.

(I received an ARC for my review and this is my honest-to-goodness, straight from the heart review!)

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Money-Entangled-Suspense-ebook/dp/B00CK51J3U/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1372043267&sr=8-5

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/for-love-or-money-cathy-perkins/1115213927?ean=9781622660971

South of Surrender

5 Steamy Stars!!

I discovered Laura Kaye’s books two years ago when I read Her Forbidden Hero, fell in love with that story, and went on to read more of her books. South of Surrender once again proves to me how much I love Laura’s books and I can’t wait to read every single book she has and the upcoming books.

In South of Surrender, we get the inside life of Chrysander Notos and Laney Summerlyn. Laney intrigued me from the get go by her determination to be independent in spite of her near blindness. Her kind heart and willing sacrifices for those she loves really takes her above and beyond normal human compassion. Chrysander is instantly drawn to her because of her selflessness and her independence. Chrysander struggles with his own in turmoil of believing he brings devastation and destruction everywhere he goes, and especially to those he cares about.

Chrys is battling his older brother who has many crimes to account for, but he doesn’t want to kill him, only save him. Eurus makes this admirable cause an impossibility for Chrys when he goes for Laney. No matter how hard Chrys tries to stay away from her to keep her safe, he realizes that with him is the only true protection for her. But what does that mean for Chrysander and his draw to her warmth?

South of Surrender has an incredible number of layers to its story. The synopsis doesn’t even begin to cover every thing, every person, every mythological creature, and every God that makes their appearance. I couldn’t believe the amount of things that kept popping up, creating an even more in-depth story than just Chrysander and Laney’s. With Laura’s incredible writing, I never was lost in the story, other than in the sense of losing myself to this riveting tale. I recommend this book to EVERYONE! I cannot wait for the 4^th installment of this series J

Thank you Laura for Chrysander and Laney; they have found a place on my favorite characters list!

(I received an ARC for my review and this is my honest-to-goodness, straight from the heart review!)

Go Get It!!

Amazon / B&N

*The first two Hearts of Anemoi books*

North of Need

goodreads / Amazon / B&N

West of Want

goodreads / Amazon / B&N

Undying Destiny

Undying Destiny by Jessica Lee is a provocative tale filled with lust and rage and loyalty. Living as a vampire for three centuries after being unwilling turned by a vampire who will stop at nothing to get what she wants, Kenric St. James lives his life to put an end to her. Marguerite is an immensely powerful and power hungry vamp who uses blood and sex to have everyone dropping to her feet to do her bidding, except for Kenric. Kenric would give her the ultimate amount of power and she has big plans for him. That is, until Emily comes along.

Emily, the sweet human who has had a rough life and seems to have the worst luck with men. Of course Emily stumbles upon a vampire that needs her help and she cannot resist her nature to help others. Kenric and Emily find themselves on a brutal path that neither one of them knows how to navigate, where they will end up or if they should just continue to deny what lies deep inside them.

Now, Marguerite is on the war path to permanently remove Emily from the picture, but Kenric refuses to let her win again.

Undying Destiny was a fantastic read with its vivid imagery, witty dialogue, troubled characters, and the intensity between Emily and Kenric. I give 4 ½ stars and a highly recommend if you like paranormal romances that touch on secret wantings and devilishly handsome heroes.

I cannot wait to see what comes next for the Enclave!

(I received an ARC for my review and this is my honest-to-goodness, straight from the heart review!)

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Undying-Destiny-Enclave-Entangled-ebook/dp/B00CK55RJ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371738075&sr=8-1&keywords=Undying+Destiny

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/undying-destiny-jessica-lee/1112725074?ean=9781622660988

SEAL of Honor

What can I say about SEAL of Honor that would do it justice? 5 stars speak pretty highly, but it was so much more than that. I personally enjoyed Tonya Burrows’ book because of the military and government aspect of it. With my husband working towards being on the police force, I would get excited when I recognized the different guns and lingo used. But that is just a side note. Everything from the characters to the action to the outcome had me on my seat and not wanting to put this book down.

I loved Gabe and his determination to not disappoint anyone, his commanding persona and the change he undergoes. The whole HORNET team stole my heart with their drastic personality differences, their constant clashing and arguing, yet, at the end of the day, their need and desire to get the job done. But my favorite character of all was Audrey.

I aspire to be the strong, free-spirited person that she is. With her drive to save her brother, and not back down when things go to Hell, yet keeping her loving and caring nature, she is someone to be admired.

When a book involves men from different career paths (FBI, CIA, Navy SEAL) and no longer being on those paths, but desperately wishing they were, you can imagine how things would go from bad to worse when trying to rescue a hostage worth over 62 million dollars from guerilla territory. Oh, and they aren’t even supposed to be there. Gabe must lead his six men, who have never trained together on a mission to save Audrey’s brother. With his badly injured, never fully recovered foot, and the distraction of Audrey, nothing goes right for Gabe and he must figure out a way to keep all of them alive while still completing their mission.

Tonya weaves an amazing story that will keep you riveted from beginning to end. She is incredibly knowledgeable in regards to everything military and government used in her book. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next HORNET book!

(I received an ARC for my review and this is my honest-to-goodness, straight from the heart review!)

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/SEAL-of-Honor-Hornet-ebook/dp/B00B6U1728/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1371485931&sr=8-2

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seal-of-honor-tonya-burrows/1113749213?ean=9781620612583

No Strings Attached

I am not a huge fan of Novellas for several reasons. The first one being if I love the characters and their stories, I always want there to be more. Which goes right into the second reason, I always want to get closer to the characters, learning more about them. Third reason being it’s over before it seems like it even began. All of that aside, I ADORED Nicolette Day’s No Strings Attached. Most definitely 5 stars from me!

I instantly loved Hayden with her sass, her affirmation of her place in life, what she is looking for, and how strong as well as self confident that she is. An all around fun girl that I wouldn’t miss a beat being friends with.

And to the opposite spectrum is Jace, who radiates sexy, “come hither” looks, and carries himself with such confidence that every woman wants a piece of him. But his heart belongs to his best friend, but he can’t go there with her.

What happens when these two get trapped in a storage closet for who knows how long, with no more time left before Hayden leaves to a dangerous war-torn land the next morning? These two know what they want, but must decide if they act on it.

Nicolette does a wonderful job of creating their back story in such a way that makes me forget it is less than a hundred pages long while creating a full circle ending that left me speechless.

I instantly passed on the awesomeness of this book to friends who read it and couldn’t help but to pass it on to others.

This book is a prime example as to why I wish there was always more. Fantastic writing, Nicolette!

(I received an ARC for my review and this is my hones to goodness, straight from the heart review!)

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Strings-Attached-Entangled-Flirts-ebook/dp/B00CQYAVRK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1371486980&sr=1-1&keywords=no+strings+attached

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-strings-attached-nicolette-day/1115290486?ean=9781622661794

Skin in the Game

There were several things in Jackie Barbosa’s Skin in the Game that I really liked which added up to me giving it 4 stars. First, football. Second, female football coach that has all the guys drooling after her. Third, the geeky high school girl growing up into the sexy female football coach that has her high school crush setting his sights on her. What more could a hopeless romantic who loves sports, like myself, ask for? Oh yeah, a drop dead sexy leading man. Good thing Cade Reynolds fills that role completely.

Cade finds himself back in his hometown after an injury that may be the end of his NFL quarterback career. He owes his high school football coach for everything he did for him, so he is back to his old stomping ground, and taking over as Head Coach.

In walks Angie Peterson, the girl who loves football and can call strategies and plays better than most. Being the assistant female coach of the high school football team comes with its challenges, but life gets harder when her high school crush, Cade, takes an interest in her, but doesn’t remember who she is.

Their relationship becomes more complicated when Angie feels like her position and potential job as Head Coach of the team is threatened when she learns of Cade taking over.

If that isn’t enough, throw in the media and Cade’s looming career choices and these two head on a rollercoaster ride neither of them intended.

Jackie writes strong characters that bring you in right from the beginning and you never want to let them go. Cade and Angie’s tale is marvelous and I’m hoping for a second book that features Rachel and Warren!

(I received an ARC for my honest review and this is my honest-to-goodness, straight from the heart review!)

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Skin-Game-Entangled-Brazen-ebook/dp/B00CGFJ0LM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1371487063&sr=1-1&keywords=skin+in+the+game

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/skin-in-the-game-jackie-barbosa/1115161575?ean=9781622667932