Tag: Author-Review-Requests • BookLikes

Search tags: Author-Review-Requests

Load new posts () and activity

Like Reblog Comment

show activity (+)

review 2014-08-26 13:15

Nobody's perfect here

Blue Mood Cafe

Originally posted on The Book Nympho

Quick summary
Duke Grayson, the third brother in this series, meets widow Faith Wilkins when her brother is caught stealing from the general store. He's immediately attracted to this beautiful woman who is understands the healing, medicinal properties of plants and, together with her three "aunts," has a murky past.

What I liked
The characters all exhibited some serious flaws and, at times, behaved pretty badly. Faith's secrets were explosive, adding intrigue and presenting what appeared to be a no-win situation. Even stalwart Radford, the oldest brother, showed some unattractive sides of himself. Even the children had some challenging moments. In spite of this, they were all very likable people who you rooted for and felt the pain of their circumstances.

The narration
Julie Motyka may not have the most distinctive voice but she's a strong storyteller and I never had issues distinguishing characters. For me, she's become synonymous with the series.

The bottom line
I really liked this story, probably my most favorite of the series so far. There are moments that will rip your heart apart and times when you'll laugh out loud. I never wanted to stop listening and loved how the issues were rough and the resolutions not always wrapped with a neat bow. Well done.

(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)

Like Reblog Comment

show activity (+)

review 2014-08-26 13:03

Red, white & definitely screwed!

Blue Mood Cafe

Originally posted on The Book Nympho

Quick summary
Glenda Nelson is a political strategist trying to manage a candidate who's now in free fall. Her politician ex-husband seems to still be up to his old cheating ways with the new wife and dragging their two teenagers into the middle of it. There's a crisis brewing with her parents and, oh, did I mention that there's a hot artist who really wants to get to know her better in the biblical way?

What I loved
Glenda. She's smart, attractive and really good at what she does...in her career. She's a lousy cook and her house wouldn't come close to getting the Good Housekeeping seal of approval. But, her daughter and son are two amazing teenagers that prove she's gotten parenting right. Glenda doesn't manage everything perfectly and that's what makes her interesting.

The romance. Chris is so different from Glenda and the contrasts provide evenness in the relationship. He's such a great guy, loves her kids and appreciates what's special about Glenda.

The humor. There are truly so many laugh-out-loud moments, which helps balance the heartbreaking ones. The ending is just priceless.

And one more thing...
Glenda's therapy. I loved how the sessions were used as a device to revisit moments in her past that gave insight to the present. They were skillfully done.

The bottom line
I loved the story, the characters, the humor and the romance. The cover and the title delivered everything they promised so there really is truth in advertising:) Here's hoping Holly turns this into a series or at least writes a sequel because I'm really not done with these people.

(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)

Contemporary Fiction Contemporary Romance Author Review Requests

Like Reblog Comment

review 2014-07-28 14:41

Marcus's journey out of hell

Blue Mood Cafe

No Chance in Hell (Lost and Found, Inc.) - Jerrie Alexander

Originally posted on The Book Nympho

Quick summary
Christine (Chris) Holland has been stalked by a murderer for two years now, ever since she surprised him at one of his grisly scenes. Running and hiding hasn't stopped him so she reaches out to Lost and Found, Inc. for help. Marcus Ricci takes the assignment, understanding that she's his until this guy is caught.

The suspense
Chris has no memory of the murderer's face and he knows it, just content to torture her and threaten anyone who becomes important to her. She's abandoned friends, has no family and lives pretty much in isolation. Marcus has his hands full in protecting her and trying to find out the identity of the killer, whose point of view is provided so WE know something about him, just not who he is exactly and why he's targeted Chris. It was chilling to know what was coming Marcus and Chris's way and waiting to see the outcomes. It kept me on the edge of my seat as this guy was ruthless and heartbreak wasn't spared.

The romance
If you've read the previous books, you know that Marcus is a widow, not having really recovered from the loss of his wife. Chris and Marcus connected because of their personal qualities, she being beyond courageous, without any of those TSTL behaviors, and in spite of her circumstances, had a great attitude towards life and he being a simply honorable man. Chris brought out the best in Marcus and their romance was grounded in the things you like to see most...genuine caring, admiration and affection. Hotness doesn't hurt, either.

The bottom line
I'm just blown away by this series as each story seems to outdo the last. It was a gnarly mystery because the motivation of this psycho was unclear, which makes it hard to find a direction to start solving. And, the guy was a serial killer! The romance was sensual and often sweet, just what I was hoping to find for Marcus. Both were wonderful designed and this had everything I look for in a romantic suspense...characters you really like and a strong romance successfully integrated into a suspenseful plot. The climax wasn't easy either. Bring on book #4!

(I received an ARC from the author)

Romantic Suspense Continuing Series Author Review Requests

Like Reblog Comment

show activity (+)

review 2014-03-18 23:39

Historical romance with contemporary relevance

Blue Mood Cafe

Lips That Touch Mine (Grayson Brothers) - Wendy Lindstrom

The setup
Claire Ashier runs a respectable boarding house located near Boyd Grayson's saloon. She's a widow trying to support herself but can't keep boarders because of the noise from her business neighbor disturbing her customers late into the night. She wants to shut down the saloon. Boyd is sympathetic and taken by the lovely Mrs. Ashier but has no plans to close down his thriving business.

The issues
There's so much more going on here than a noisy saloon. Claire's deceased husband was an alcoholic and an abuser. When a group of women from the church begin talk of a temperance movement, Claire's enrolled into leading the effort. When the campaign strengthens, she's threatened and Boyd takes steps to ensure her safety. As they grow closer, they are at an impasse on how to move forward with a relationship while Claire associates alcohol with spousal abuse and marriage as a loss of independence.

What I enjoyed
There were so many layers to this story. What starts out as a simple issue regarding the noisy saloon evolves into situations regarding spousal abuse, the inequities between men and women's rights, alcoholism and family secrets. These subplots were seamlessly interwoven, making this a rich reading experience. Claire and Boyd's romance was complicated by her past and her baggage from her marriage. While there were moments where her stubbornness was irritating, it was true to her nature and the story. Boyd has his own issues, despite his affable and charming outward nature, and they have a place in this conflict.

The bottom line
I don't often find meaty and tough issues in historical romances that have contemporary relevance. This story offered so much more than the traditional romance and it was very well presented without burdening the love story. The narration continues to be subtle and understated, not overpowering a riveting story. Each book in this series seems to best the last so I'm excited about starting the next one. The Grayson brothers keep surprising me.

(I received an ARC from the author)

AudioBooks Author Review Requests Continuing Series Historical Romance

Like Reblog Comment

show activity (+)

review 2014-03-18 23:32

Still haunted by this story

Blue Mood Cafe

Originally posted at The Book Nympho

An earlier review of this book had me a little nervous because of some of the sexual content that normally is outside of my comfort zone. But, I've come to trust Amelia because the story is always first with her and she didn't let me down with this one.

The setup
The country was decimated by a plague that was man made in origin when a virus strain, Bane Alpha, was developed to create a superhuman military force. It mutated when others were exposed to it as a blood pathogen, creating two separate, lethal strains. The only hope to combat infection was for the infected individual to have sex with as many different Juggernauts (they are the created species with the Bane Alpha strain) as possible, daily, over several weeks. When Rhys was rescued by Darius and his squadron, he had been exposed to the mutated strains.

The issues
Rhys is young, inexperienced and, having been subjected to some warped sense of values, is terribly conflicted and in need of something more when having sex. He bonds with Darius at the onset and is almost loathe to be with anyone but him. However, Darius is solely focused on the physical cure and isn't sensitive to Rhys's emotional needs.

The heart of the story
The book is aptly titled as it involves more than just the virus strains at the heart of the story. It delves into the strain associated with sexual and emotional repression experienced by Rhys before he was rescued. There was also Rhys's emotional and physical strain due to the amount of sexual activity and partners needed to save his life and the conditions he was subjected to earlier in his life. And then there's the emotional strain he and Darius both experienced as they struggled with their feelings for each other.

Rhys and Darius' relationship is incredibly complex as Darius is much older but in some ways Rhys is the wiser of the two in spite of his youth. I found the emotional construct of the story to be extraordinary. There were times I broke out in tears as I lived Rhys's humiliation vicariously. And at other times I was heartened by his strength and optimism. I was also sometimes confused by Darius' borderline sadistic needs (though they were never really manifested in the story).

There's a suspense element as Rhys's brother-in-law posed a constant threat for most of the book. While I found the conflict to be realistic, I was somewhat troubled by the Juggernauts' reactions to him. He was given the benefit of the doubt more than he merited.

The bottom line
I haven't been able to let go of this story since I finished it. I LOVED Rhys, everything about him. I admired Darius and was grateful for his points of view as he was honorable yet somewhat jaded because of his years of hopeless experience. The contrasts were intelligently presented without necessarily clear cut resolutions. Yes, some of the sexual situations are tough but they are COMPLETELY in context of the story and the dystopian world. It's thought-provoking, creative and powerfully written. If you're drawn to something "more," I highly recommend this book.

(I received an ARC from the publisher)

Author Review Requests Dystopia MM Romance Sci-Fi