NetGalley Review: Time Out by Jill Shalvis

Time Out
Author: Jill Shalvis
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release date: 2/21/12
Author's website: Link

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Class: How to Drive Him Crazy

Instructional program for women unexpectedly facing the totally dishy guy from their past. Everyone Welcome!

NHL coach Mark Diego’s plan to spend his off-season volunteering in his hometown goes awry when he learns that not only is he coaching teenage girls, but that the program is coordinated by energetic (and five feet two inches of trouble) coordinator Rainey Saunders, his childhood friend–and the woman he could never stand to see dating any other guy…

When their tempers flare, Mark and Rainey discover their fireworks don’t just burn angry–they burn very, very, hot! But that’ll just sweeten the victory. Because Mark always plays to win. And with Rainey, he’s planning on playing very dirty too…

Rainey Saunders grew up having a crush on Mark Diego and when she finally got the nerve to tell him how she truly felt about him it was a disaster. They've kept their distance from one another for all these years and now when the opportunity arises for the two of them to work together, Rainey tries her best to keep her emotions in check. But it's not easy to do around Mark because he is even more sexy then what he used to be.  Mark notices that Rainey has grown up to be a very attractive woman and the connection between them is electric when they see each other for the first time.  Jill Shalvis always does a great job with these types of scenes in her books because I can always sense the attraction between the characters.  The tension between the two of them can be felt by all of those around them and before you know it they have a hard time keeping their hands off of one another.  As much as Rainey wants to be with Mark she knows that he's not a relationship type of guy and doesn't want to have her feelings hurt in the end.  It's difficult for her to be around him at times because he does he does so many selfless acts to help the kids that visit the recreation center that she works at.  He truly feels for the kids and his hometown and wants to because he is able to help not only financially but by volunteering himself and some of the players from his hockey team.  Mark also gets to see how much Rainey does for the rec center by giving so much of herself to everyone.  She is extremely caring and he soon realizes that he is developing feelings for her as well.  This is a new territory for the both of them since they haven't had much luck dating others. 

What I loved most about this book is that Mark was downright irresistible! He would place himself in Rainey's way at every opportunity he could find because he just enjoyed being around her.  He doesn't realize it at first that Rainey brings out so much goodness in him that by the end of the book he is a changed man.  He pushes her buttons every chance he gets and her reactions to him were downright adorable.  She can't resist him and finds herself losing control and giving in can I just say that I'm happy that she did.  Their love scenes are extremely well written and hot!  There is a level of intimacy that is felt between them that they have not experienced with anyone else. 

I'm giving Time Out a rating of:

I love books that have two main characters that are the last ones to realize just how much they are meant to be together. I like it this way because I get to read all about their journey throughout the book from start to finish.  The reader gets the chance to be a part of the relationship as well and this is why I enjoy Jill Shalvis's books so much.  She has a great way of setting these characters up so that they have no choice but to fall in love and that exactly what happened to Rainey and Mark. Time out is one fun, hot read!

NetGalley Review: Chain Reaction by Zoe Archer

Chain Reaction
Book 2 in the 8th Wing series
Author: Zoe Archer
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre:  Sci Fi, Romance
Format: ebook
Release date:  1/9/12
Author's website: Link

Elite 8th Wing pilot Celene Jur was taken captive after a mysterious device temporarily disabled her ship's controls. Three solar months later, when Celene receives intel on the man who built the device, she's ready to get the bastard. Only problem is, the higher-ups think her mission partner should be Nils Calder, a tech-head who can understand the disabling device. The attraction between them is electric, but Celene needs a soldier who can watch her back as she exacts her revenge.

Nils knows his department is nicknamed NerdWorks. Pilots like Celene think the closest tech geeks come to combat is all-night Nifalian chess tournaments. But behind the NerdWorks insignia on his sleeve Nils is an able fighter, ready to prove himself and gain Celene's trust.

The desire between them is unexpected, but with the fate of thousands hanging in the balance, the hotshot pilot and the tech genius must succeed in their mission—no matter the cost.

In book 1 of the series Collision Course, Celene Jur was kidnapped and put at auction along with her Black Wraith ship to be sold to the highest bidder. She was rescued by her fellow pilots and wants to get revenge at the person who responsible for her capture. She finally gets her chance in Chain Reaction when intel is received about who that person is. She's not happy when she is told that she must partner up with Nils Calder a tech-head from the technology department of the 8th Wing.  She feels as if he's not capable enough since he hasn't had much experience going out on missions.  But the higher ups feel as if he is capable because of he's the best at what he does and is the only one that is able to track down who they are looking for.  She doesn't like this decision but has to deal with it.  Celene is a legend in the 8th Wing and Nils feels honored to get the opportunity to work with her.  After spending some time with him, Celene develops an attraction to him and begins to really appreciate him because he truly knows his stuff.  Together they develop a plan to try to stop the enemies of the 8th Wing from acquiring information that could put them ahead in the war. 

I liked the pairing of Celene and Nils together because they are complete opposites.  Together they are capable of doing so much more than what they would be able to achieve individually.  Nils has so much to prove to show that he and his fellow tech-heads are a very important part of 8th Wing.   I enjoyed the scenes in which they finally started to see each other differently.  Especially Celene as she begins to realize just how smart and attractive Nils is.  It's their interaction with each other that makes this story enjoyable for me.  I have to say that I enjoyed book 1 in the series a little bit more because it had much more action and the characters interacted with more people.  I do like the direction the series is headed and am looking forward to reading what happens next.

I'm giving Chain Reaction a rating of:

NetGalley Review: Demons Like It Hot by Sydney Ayers

Demons Like It Hot
Book 2 in the Demons Unleashed series
Author: Sydney Ayers
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 9781402251771
Author's website: Link

A RECIPE FOR DISASTER...

Matthias Ambrose is a demon mercenary who never took sides, until his attraction to the spunky caterer he was hired to kidnap leads him to almost botch a job for the first time in eight hundred years. Now he must protect her from his former clients, but even an ice-cold demon like Matthias struggles to resist her fiery charms.

OR THE PERFECT RECIPE FOR PASSION...

Completely engrossed with planning menus and prepping recipes for her shot at cooking show fame, star caterer Serah SanGermano refuses to believe she's on a fast track to Hades.
But how's she supposed to stick to the kitchen if she can't stand the heat of her gorgeous demonic bodyguard?

As a diabolical plot to destroy humanity unfolds and all hell breaks loose in Serah's kitchen, she and Matthias find themselves knee-deep in demons and up to their eyeballs in love...

Serah SanGermano was 1st introduced in book 1 of the series Demons Prefer Blondes and in that book the author hinted that there was much more to her character than what she seems to be.   Something's going on with Serah because things seem to heat up when she's around.  When I say heat up and I really mean that. She keeps this info to herself and isn't very happy when Matthias Ambrose is assigned to be her bodyguard because Serah is actually pretty important.  She just doesn't know it yet and is irritated when Matthias is around because not only does she not want him there but because she is extremely attracted to him.  He just screams trouble and Matthias has his eye on Serah as well.  They actually share a past, one that Serah doesn't remember and there's a good reason why.  Yes I'm being vague in this review and it's because I don't want to give anything away.  But as the story flows she learns more about herself and exactly how Matthias fits into her life. The characters from the first book in the series Demons Prefer Blondes also make appearances throughout the book.

I'm giving Demons Like It Hot a rating of:

Overall, I found the story to be entertaining at times and felt that the author's writing was great, but I had a hard time connecting with Serah and Matthias. For me there just seemed to be something missing that I just can't put my finger on. There were times where I wasn't enjoying the storyline and times when I found myself laughing at what was happening. I don't think I was able to get fully vested into the storyline because my feelings for it weren't consistent. 

NetGalley Review: Real Men Will by Victoria Dahl

Real Men Will
Book 3 in the Donovan Brothers Brewery series
Author: Victoria Dahl
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9780373776092
Release date: 10/25/11
Author's website:  Victoria Dahl

It was meant to be a one-night stand. One night of passion. Scorching hot. Then Beth Cantrell and Eric Donovan were supposed to go their separate ways. That’s the only reason he lied about his name, telling her he was really his wild younger brother. Hiding his own identity as the conservative Donovan. The “good” one.

But passion has its own logic, and Eric finds he cannot forget the sable-haired beauty with whom he shared one night of passion. When Beth discovers that Eric has lied, however, she knows he cannot be trusted. Her mind tells her to forget the blue-eyed charmer. If only every fiber of her being did not burn to call him back.

Real Men Will is my favorite book in the series because we get to learn more about the Erin Donovan.  He is the intense sibling and it was nice to see him step out of his comfort zone and enjoy himself with Beth Cantrell.  He meet her in book 2 in the series Bad Boys Do.  They had a hot tryst in that book and it spills over into this 3rd book in the series.  Their relationship does have it's problems at the beginning due to Eric letting Beth think that his name was Jaime which is his brother.  They never thought they would see each other again and when they do, she is very angry to realize that he lied to her.  In all honesty, Eric thought what he was doing would be ok, but I could see why Beth was upset.  She has always felt that she couldn't trust a man and Eric did nothing but add fuel to the fire.  But these two just can't seem to stay away from each other and I'm glad that the didn't because this was one scorching book!

I love that Beth is very proud of the work that she does.  She's the manager of a shop that sells lingerie and women sex toys.  There is nothing disgraceful about it, but at the same time Beth feels that some people will feel that she has a certain reputation because of what she does.  She vows to never tell her father about the work that she does even though she feels as if she is helping women find and discover their sexuality.  She and Eric decide to keep their ongoing sexual relationship secret as well as simple.  They don't want to enter into a relationship but as the book goes on that's exactly what happens.  They get each other and with that are able to feel completely comfortable around one another.  They haven't been able to do that with other people and realize that there is more going on that what the first agreed upon.  I liked being able to see their vulnerable sides and how they were able to let each other see those sides as well.  They were also very comfortable letting each other know what they liked sexually and let me tell you those scenes were smoking!!  I enjoyed reading those scenes as they enjoyed each others company. *wink* 

I'm giving Real Men Will a review of:

I was so happy when Eric was able to let his siblings know how he truly felt about what was going on in his life and how the past had affected that.  The truth truly set him free in a sense and he finally realized that it was necessary in order for his life to go in the direction that it wanted to. The same could be said for Beth as she was truthful to her love ones about her life and was able to admit that she was not ashamed of what she did.  Because of this they were both able to truly feel complete and whole and their relationships with their loved ones as well as with each other.

NetGalley Review: Small Town Christmas by Jill Shalvis, Hope Ramsey, Katie Lane

Small Town Christmas
Authors: Jill Shalvis, Hope Ramsey, Katie Lane
Publisher: Hachette
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: ebook
Release date: November 1, 2011

Three heartwarming holiday stories to prove that love is the greatest gift of all.

Kissing Santa Claus

Author: Jill Shalvis

NASCAR driver Logan Perrish returns to Lucky Harbor, Washington, with love in his heart and a ring in his pocket. But can Sandy Jansen forget the past and give him a second chance? Or will Logan be spending another Christmas alone?

After reading the last book in the Lucky Harbor series, I was hoping that we would get to read more about Logan and voila, the wonderful Jill Shalvis has given him his own short.  It was great to see him come back and reconnect with Sandy who I was hoping he would end up with.  Logan was touching and sincere as he tried his best to prove to Sandy how much he cared about her.  He was absolutely adorable and it was great seeing the playful side of his character.  Sandy was just as cute and I knew she couldn't stay away from his for too long.  I enjoyed this short story just as much as Jill's full length books and can't wait to visit Lucky Harbor again. 

I'll Be Home for Christmas

Author: Hope Ramsey

After ignoring the advice of Miz Miriam Randall, local matchmaker, Annie Roberts expects another hum drum holiday in Last Chance, South Carolina. But when a stray cat arrives in the arms of Army sergeant Matt Jasper, a calico named Holly just may be the best matchmaker of all.

This short didn't appeal to me like the others in the book, but I liked that Matt Jasper was able to finally find peace.  His upbringing seemed to be one that didn't have the best memories, but the town of Last Chance seemed to be exactly what he needed.  I also thought he had a great heart to deliver the present his best friend that passed away wanted to give to his grandmother that lived in the town.  Matt made it his mission to do this and the scene in which he brings the present to her was absolutely tear jerking.  Very heartfelt moment.

O Little Town of Bramble

Author: Katie Lane

All Ethan Miller wants for Christmas is to celebrate in Bramble, Texas, with family and friends. But when his childhood neighbor, Samantha Henderson, comes home for the holiday, Ethan realizes that the girl-next-door could be the girl of his dreams.

I enjoyed visiting the town of Bramble, Texas again because the characters in the town are unforgettable.  Ethan and Sam's story was a cute story about being in love with your best friend.   Ethan could never get the courage to let Sam know how he truly felt about her and I love how it was revealed throughout the story.  Of course everyone in the town has to get into the middle of it and it's always enjoyable to read those scenes.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

I'm giving Small Town Christmas a rating of:  

NetGalley Review: Serpent's Kiss by Thea Harrison

Serpent's Kiss
Book 3 in the Elder Races series
Author: Thea Harrison
Publisher: Berkeley
Genre: Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 9780425244401
Release date: October 4, 2011
Author's website: Thea Harrison

In order to save his friend's life, Wyr sentinel Rune Ainissesthai made a bargain with Vampyre Queen Carling—without knowing what she would ask from him in return. But when Rune attempts to make good on his debt, he finds a woman on the edge.

Recently, Carling's Power has become erratic, forcing her followers to flee in fear. Despite the danger, Rune is drawn to the ailing Queen and decides to help her find a cure for the serpent's kiss—the vampyric disease that's killing her.

With their desire for each other escalating just as quickly as Carling's instability spirals out of control, the sentinel and the Queen will have to rely on each other if they have any hope of surviving the serpent's kiss…

I loved reading about Rune's characters in the 1st 2 books of this series and was so happy when I learned that he was getting his own book.  After Rune makes a deal with Carling to save his friend Tiago's life in book 2 of the series Storm's Heart, I knew that Rune's book was going to be interesting.  He just didn't know what to expect from Carling and I couldn't wait to find out.  I knew that he was pretty much attracted to her since his jaw dropped to the ground the first time he saw her.  When he arrives at her place to pay his debt he realizes that Carling is a lot different than what he thought she would be.  She isn't quite the woman he thought her to be and as he spends more time with her he finds out why. Carling has many secrets and  eventually she shares with Rune exactly what she is ailing from, the Serpent's Kiss.  A disease that strikes Vampyres that have existed for so long. Eventually she begins to fade and Rune wants to help her even more as he begins to have deep feelings for her. They must seek out The Oracle for help before it's too late. 

What I enjoyed most about this story is the scenes in which the characters go back into the past.  One of the effects of the Serpent's Kiss is that Carling experiences episodes and during these episodes Rune is able to go back into her past to experience certain events through her eyes. These scenes were my favorite part of the book as they show how the past helped shape who they are in the present day. Their lives have been intertwined for a very long time and they both come to the realization just how much they are meant to be together. Another thing I loved about the flashbacks was the opportunity to read a little history.  I love learning about the past and I love how Thea Harrison is able to incorporate that into her books.  When I interviewed her back in August here on the blog, I asked her if she had to  research the different time periods of the past and I was happy to learn that she's a huge fan of it!  It is definitely reflected in her work and she did a wonderful job weaving it through the storyline.  History nerds unite!

I'm giving Serpent's Kiss a rating of:

I knew that Rune's character was going to be a great one from the first time he stepped onto the page in book 1 of the series Dragon Bound.  His concern and love for Carling really touched my heart as I was reading this book.  He did anything and everything he could do to make her life better.  From the past to the present, he always had her best interests in heart and I can see how he became Drago's 2nd in command.  He cares for the ones that he loves and I'm so happy to have gotten the chance to learn more about his character.  This series has truly become one of my favorites of the year and I am looking forward to the opportunity to read more of the characters that I have fallen in love with.

Other books in the series:
Dragon Bound

Storm's Heart

NetGalley Review: Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter

Lord of the Vampires
Book 1 in the Royal House of Shadows series

Author: Gena Showalter
Publisher: Harlequin Nocturne
Genre: Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 9780373618668
Release date: August 23, 2011

Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with a need for vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out.

Nicolai the Vampire is renowned for his virility, but in a cruel twist of fate “The Dark Seducer” has become a sex slave in the kingdom of Delfina—stripped of his precious timepiece and his memory. All that remains is a primal need for freedom, revenge—and the only woman who can help him.

When the wanton vampire summons Jane Parker, she is helpless to obey. She's drawn to his dark sexuality and into his magical realm. But for this human, all is not a fairy tale. For saving Nicolai could mean losing the only man she's ever craved...

Lord of the Vampires is the 1st book in a new series featuring 4 stories by 4 different authors.  The series is about the siblings of the Royal House of Elden that were scattered to different kingdoms by their mother to save their lives.  They have no memory as to what happened and the only thing to link them to their past is a timepiece give to them by their parents.  Nicolai was in bed seducing his next willing victim when he opened his eyes to discover that he was chained and transported to the Sex Market.  Jane Parker on the other hand has been having dreams of a man chained to a bed.  Her dreams began after she found a book sitting on her front porch.  After the chained man calls for her to come to him in another dream, she finds herself transported to to the world that Nicolai is in.  She manages to help him escape and together they try to learn more about his past as well as get Nicolai back home to where he belongs.

I liked Jane's character because not only is she an intelligent woman, but also because she is a survivor.  She was the victim of a recent car accident and had recently began walking again.  Nicolai senses the strength in her and is proud of this once he learns the truth of what happened to her. He sees her as a warrior and feels as if she has the battle scars to prove it.  She also manages to hold her ground when the two of them find themselves in the middle of a sticky situation.  What I liked about Nicolai is that he was sexy and wasn't afraid to let Jane know what was on his mind.  He said some very sexy things to her in this book and it just made him irresistible. 

I'm giving Lord of the Vampires a rating of:

This was a difficult book for me to read and it's hard for me to say that because I love Gena's work. She's my favorite writer and this book just seemed as if it was written by someone else.  The storyline also felt rushed to me and although I know that it's not a full length book that I'm used to reading, I just had a hard time getting into the storyline.  I enjoyed most of the scenes that the 2 characters were in as well as all the different creatures in the book.  But that was about it.  Although I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would, I am going to continue to read the rest of the books in the series because I'm curious to see what will happen next.