Book Description.....

The emotional and unforgettable new romance from the New York Times bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series.

"Alexa Holland’s father was her hero until her shocking discovery that her mother and she weren't his only family. Ever since, Alexa has worked to turn her life in a different direction and forge her own identity outside of his terrible secrets. But when she meets a man who’s as damaged by her father’s mistakes as she is, Alexa must help him.

Caine Carraway wants nothing to do with Alexa’s efforts at redemption, but it’s not so easy to push her away. Determined to make her hate him, he brings her to the edge of her patience and waits for her to walk away. But his actions only draw them together and, despite the odds, they begin an intense and explosive affair.

Only Caine knows he can never be the white knight that Alexa has always longed for. And when they’re on the precipice of danger, he finds he’ll do anything to protect either one of them from being hurt again...."

Title: Hero
Author: Samantha Young
Publisher: PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

What I liked about this novel...

"Hero" was simply a wonderful read. This author puts it out there and the story is indeed one intriguing and captivating read. Once you pick it up you will find it hard to put down because there is so much going on your attention will be kept up front and center till the very end of this story. The two main characters Alexa Holland and Caine Carraway along with several secondary characters were all well developed, defined, well portrayed and oh so very believable all giving the reader a well written storyline. The reader will be drawn into this story where we find Alexa is not only beautiful but smart and yes even strong and Caine is so well driven with some darkness and oh yes hot. Putting these two people together and you have one good story that is well told. Be ready for a emotional ride that will present love, sexy passion with such such chemistry that will definitely leave a smile on your face along with their bantering throughout this story. So, if you are looking for a good read with romance, drama, some mystery with suspense you have come to the right place for "Hero" will give it all to you and YES I would definitely recommend this novel to you!

Title: Echoes of Scotland Street
Author: Samantha Young
Publisher: NAL
Series On Dublin Street #5
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4.5
Review:

"Echoes of Scotland Street" by Samantha Young

Book Description:

"Shannon MacLeod has always gone for the wrong type of man. After she drifted from one toxic relationship to the next, her last boyfriend gave her a wakeup call in the worst possible way. With her world shattered, she’s sworn off men—especially those of the bad-boy variety.

Cole Walker is exactly the sort that Shannon wants to avoid—gorgeous, tattooed, charming, and cocky. But his rough exterior hides a good man who’s ready to find “the one.” He’s determined to pull Shannon from her self-imposed solitude and win her heart.

As Shannon opens up in the face of Cole’s steady devotion, the passion between them ignites to blazing levels. But when Shannon’s past comes back to haunt her, her fears may destroy the trust Cole has built between them—and tear them apart for good…


What I liked about this novel....

I thought this was a sweet read of how these two met while teenagers for a short time then going on a different path ending up survivors of 'cruel hands' that fate lead them. We see from the read that Coles hard life has left him a kind hearted and protective young man (with tattoos)while Shannon has horrible physical and emotional scars that she finds that even though she has moved to a new town she is still flagged with past memories. This was some read of having loved someone who constantly belittle you and making you believer you are worthless, definitely having your self esteem and confidence completely knocked out of you. What will happen when Cole and Shannon meet again? This is where I say you must pick up this well written inspiring story to find out how this author presents to so well to the reader.

This is this authors fifth series of 'On Dublin Street' and this one where Cole is now a intensed handsome tattooed man who is a tattoo artist. Now reconnecting with Shannon he knows that she is the one for him but will she be willing to take a chance with this 'bad boy' since she had been burned by a string of bad boys that almost destroyed her? But is Cole all bad? Will Shannon be willing to take a chance with this charismatic, charming, sexy and tattooed guy? This is where I say you will have to pick up this well written series to see for yourself how well this author presents it to the reader. I will say that the sex scenes were off the chart 'provocative, sensual and so very passionate.

The characters for this most part where many were from some of the series as well as this one were well defined, developed, realistic, colorful, believable and even the dysfunctional ones....all giving the reader the attention needed to keep ones interest during the read.

I found this story a good contemporary novel from where you may be brought from tears to laughter as you read through this emotional and intensed read with some rough and gritty edges. But in the end you are given a romantic read that will make you ... well I will stop here and say read it for yourself and you will see how this story focus on second chances for this hero and heroine!

On Dublin Street is a book I was wry of trying. It has many, many 5 star reviews (such as this one), so I was super afraid it will disappoint. But, oh boy it didn't. It really didn't. I enjoyed every bit of the ride, and I'm looking forward to reading more of Young's stories in the future!

It was super surprising to find out this is Young's first attempt at adult (or New Adult, based on the definition of my New Adult Challenge) from a long set of Young Adults. It was written amazingly well, with gripping plot, wonderful characters and a romance well built, well written and well executed. She should've tried this sooner, is all I'm going to say :) 

The voice of the story is our main character, Jocelyn, also known as just Joss. Joss has... issues, to put mildly. Issues that resulted mostly of her family's untimely death. And those issues married other issues and had little issue-children. And all her issues could've made her annoying... if she wasn't working on them. But she doesn't just sit around, Joss is trying to change the way things are, seeking out help, and due to that, I never found her annoying, even when she was doing things that made my heart ache. In fact, I respected her more for it. Not once did I think ....

**To read the rest of this review, click the title!!**