All posts by janisf2

Colors of Us (Book 1, The McAvery Brothers Series) by Sandra Bunino

Book Reviews, Series Books, ,

About this Book:

This is an amazing first story in a three book series you are absolutely going to love! This is a New Adult Contemporary Romance. (Adult 18+)

“Everything she knew to be true fell apart. Then fell apart again…Michelle Willis is running from her past. What better place to hide than in the anonymity of New York City. Finding refuge in a tiny SoHo art gallery, she rebuilds her life one painting at a time.   A wrong turn sends Hunter McAvery on a crash course with disaster. He fights his own demons by following his big brother’s lead – drinking and bed-hopping his way through Manhattan.
A glance at Michelle’s self-portrait triggers emotions Hunter can’t tamp down. Driven to meet the artist, he discovers a fiery chemistry as their lives collide. But when their past threatens to tear them apart, can their love survive?”

My Five star Review:

I read this book back in September 2014 but since I wanted to put a review on my new blog I decided I would skim the book as a refresher before I actually began typing up the review.  I skimmed the first chapter smiling the entire time but once I began chapter 2, I was reading every word.  Next thing I knew I did a complete re-read.  This book will not disappoint you!

A chance meeting at a coffee shop brings two amazing characters together in a thoroughly entertaining love story.  Michelle is an artist trying to start over in the big city.  Hunter is a born and breed New Yorker trying to get his life back under control.  They become “friends” over peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and an art project Michelle’s working on for Hunter’s older brother Alex.  The McAvery bar is one of the main focal points in this book and Sandra invites you in with each of her words making you want to take up a stool and never leave.  The secondary characters pull you in and make you beg Sandra to tell you more about them.  (So happy Alex, Miranda and Liam will have their own stories.)

The chemistry between Hunter and Michelle feels so real it’s a joy to read.  I absolutely loved Michelle’s pink gloves but you’ll need to read the story to understand what I mean.  Both characters have difficult past they’re trying to overcome and they help each other along the way.

Alex’s McAvery’s story is next and I can’t wait to get more of the bar owner and Miranda.  You are going to love the glimpse you get of the Art Gallery owner.  She is a strong, independent, no nonsense, you don’t really want to be on my bad side, kind of woman.  I loved her immediately.  So stay tuned, Passion of Us is coming soon!

For a sneak peek at Passion of Us hit the link below:

http://sandrabunino.com/2015/07/08/mid-week-tease-eyes-up-here-wip-passion-of-us/

Reading order:

Colors of Us – Hunter’s Story

Passion of Us – Alex’s Story – Coming Soon

Rhythm of Us – Liam’s Story – Coming Soon

Find Sandra Here:

https://www.facebook.com/SandraBuninoAuthor?fref=ts

Amazon:

Intimate Fear (Empire Blue Book 2) by DC Stone

Book Reviews, Series Books

About this Book:

This book in the second in The Empire Blue series by DC.  You first meet Dwayne Gonzalez in the first book Intimate Danger so I would recommend reading that book first.  (Adult 18+)

“On the heels of a crime spree in the small town of Nyack, a new threat has arrived…   Dwayne Gonzalez has always had a thing for Brooke Mason, but she married another man, had a child, and started her life without him. Now, years and a divorce later, he’s still on the sidelines. A drug investigation is about to change all that.    Dwayne suspects Brooke’s daughter, Hailey, knows more than she’s saying about the drugs being pushed in the halls of Nyack High. When the unthinkable happens and Hailey ends up missing, Dwayne will risk everything to get her back. Dwayne and Brooke set out to find her, and as the threat grows, so does a passion that’s been denied for far too long. Will they find Hailey? And can he convince Brooke that their time is now?”

My Four star Review:

Detective Dwayne Gonzalez became my obsession in the first Empire Blue Book, Intimate Danger, and I could not wait for his book to come out.  This book is based on Dwayne’s drug case.  We meet Hailey, Brooke’s daughter and someone Dwayne considers a daughter, stuck in the middle of it.  I will not lie to you, the beginning of this book was very difficult for me to read.  Things happened to 17 year old Hailey that no mother ever wants to happen to their daughter.  That being said, about 17% into the book I had to put it down and walk away for a day.  But I did pick it back up because I knew there was no way DC wasn’t going to give me a happily ever after.  The hunt was on for Hailey, Dwayne and Brooke’s relationship takes a turn and we were introduced to several Gonzalez brothers who come to assist in the hunt for Hailey.  At this point I was extremely glad I picked the book back up.

There were moments in this book I wanted to smack Dwayne in the head and shake the hell out of Brooke.  How could she not see how much Dwayne loved her over the past 17 years even with him going through woman like crazy?  Once the brothers showed up I literally could not put this book down.  Yep, the book I put down after only 17% became the book I could not get enough of!!!

DC’s characters are intriguing, a bit mysterious and sexy as hell.  Luke Gonzalez grabbed my heart from the minute he showed up and has turned into my new obsession.  Chris Gonzalez has something mysterious revolving around him and I’m looking forward to reading his book next.

So … When you pick up this book and you really should, don’t be afraid to get past the 17% read mark.  You will not be disappointed.

Reading Order:

Intimate Danger – Book 1

Intimate Fear – Book 2

Find DC Here: https://www.facebook.com/authorDCStone?fref=ts

The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon

Book Reviews, , ,

About The Law of Moses Book:

This was an emotional, inspirational, moving story that has become one of my favorite reads this year.  EVERYONE should read this story.  It’s so much more than a love story.

“Someone found him in a laundry basket at the Quick Wash, wrapped in a towel, a few hours old and close to death. They called him Baby Moses when they shared his story on the ten o’clock news – the little baby left in a basket at a dingy Laundromat, born to a crack addict and expected to have all sorts of problems. I imagined the crack baby, Moses, having a giant crack that ran down his body, like he’d been broken at birth. I knew that wasn’t what the term meant, but the image stuck in my mind. Maybe the fact that he was broken drew me to him from the start.

It all happened before I was born, and by the time I met Moses and my mom told me all about him, the story was old news and nobody wanted anything to do with him. People love babies, even sick babies. Even crack babies. But babies grow up to be kids, and kids grow up to be teenagers. Nobody wants a messed up teenager.
And Moses was messed up. Moses was a law unto himself. But he was also strange and exotic and beautiful. To be with him would change my life in ways I could never have imagined. Maybe I should have stayed away. Maybe I should have listened. My mother warned me. Even Moses warned me. But I didn’t stay away.

And so begins a story of pain and promise, of heartache and healing, of life and death. A story of before and after, of new beginnings and never-endings. But most of all . . . a love story.”

My Five Star Review:

Moses and Georgia were amazing characters to read.  Moses struggled all throughout his life and painted as a way to deal with the things he had no control over.  He didn’t have friends, he didn’t love, and he was just biding his time until he could be out on his own.  Georgia loved her horses, she loved riding them, she loved fixing troubled horses and all she wanted to do was “fix” Moses and be his friend.

This book, of course, was a love story because that’s what I love to read but it also had some mystery, a few heartbreaking emotional ups and downs and a bunch of really good lessons everyone should learn. I would encourage readers of any age to read this book.  It is well worth your time.

You meet a young man named Tag in The Law of Moses who has a different kind of troubled background.  I fell in love with this character as well and was happy to find out his book, The Song of David, is due out in June 2015.  Just a few days away.

I leave you now with the first sentence in the second paragraph of The Law of Moses:  “If I tell you right up front, right in the beginning that I lost him, it will be easier for you to bear.”  Don’t let this sentence scare you.  Jump in and enjoy Moses and Georgia’s story.  I did.

Find Amy Harmon here: Internet, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter

Pick up The Law of Moses on kindle here: http://a.co/cwUbUQN

To read more of my reviews of Amy’s books, click here: janisf Amy reviews

As Always, Keep Writing/Keep Reading ~ janisf

 

 

Wicked Ride (Realm Enforcers Book 1) by Rebecca Zanetti

Book Reviews, Series Books

About the Book:

This is the first book in Rebecca’s Realm Enforcers Series. If you like paranormal romance, then definitely pick up this book.

“Alexandra Monzelle is a hard-fighting, heat-packing Seattle vice cop, and she’s not much interested in being protected. Her short skirt and sex-kitten heels are tools to lure her suspects into talking about the deadly new drug hitting the streets. She can take care of herself and then some. Unfortunately, she can’t seem to get that through to Kellach Dunne.

Kellach is a fresh import from Dublin, and he’s landed at the heart of a vicious motorcycle club that deals in guns, narcotics, and mayhem. He’s all male, all rough power—and all interference in her damn investigation. Maybe he’s one of the good guys. Maybe not. Lex knows an affair with an immortal like him would risk everything. No matter how delicious he looks…”

 My Five Star Review:

This series is going to be amazing!!!!! I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reader copy.  Wicked Ride will be released on June 23, 2015.

This was an amazing first book in the spin off series Dark Protectors by Rebecca. The writing is spectacular, the story is well defined and the characters of course keep you engaged the entire book. I would recommend reading the Dark Protector series before you read this one.  Many of your favorites from that series show up in this one.  The King Dage, Garrett (Talen’s son), Garrett’s friend Logan (Zane’s brother) and even a visit from a Mother.  Also, there is background information in the DP series that would be very helpful to know when reading this one.

Wicked Ride is Kellach and Alexandra’s story. We first meet Kell, a witch, in the Dark Protector series. He is an enforcer and protector of the Coven Nine (as you can probable guess they are a coven of witches). He is sent to Seattle on a case and runs right into little human warrior Cop Alexandra. They butt heads quite a bit, in this action packed book and of course fall for each other.

In true Rebecca style, she leaves you with wanting more story and more characters at the end of this book. I very much look forward to the next book in this series Wicked Edge releasing on November 10, 2015.

Find Rebecca here:

https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaZanetti.Author.FanPage?fref=nf

Pre-order link here:

http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Ride-Realm-Enforcers-Book-ebook/dp/B00ONTR7I2

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Book Reviews

About the Book:

This is a Contemporary Romance written in the first person.

“When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she doesn’t think it’s love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.
Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.
Hearts get infiltrated.
Promises get broken.
Rules get shattered.
Love gets ugly.”

My Four Star Review:

I’m not a big fan of first person writing because I always feel like I’m missing out on the other characters point of view but Colleen is definitely changing my mind.  There are two main characters, Tate and Miles, and each alternating chapter is written from their point of view.  This book has intrigue, suspense and a few tears to go along with it.  At one point I wanted to smack Miles in the head but in the next second you just want to pull him into your arms and hug him.  To me, this book is Miles emotional, tortured journey and you just know it has to end with something amazing.

At the very beginning of the book Tate arrives at her brother’s apartment to find a very drunk man sitting in front of the door.  When Tate’s brother Corbin (also a pilot) says, “I kind of need you to do me a huge favor.” I was hooked and could not put the book down. Like many of Colleen’s books, the characters are in their early to middle 20’s and experiencing the “struggles” associated with life. This book is a fast easy read and definitely worth your time.

If you are a book movie person, you will be happy to know Ugly Love the Movie will be coming out in 2016.  Link to Movie teaser is below.

Find Colleen Hoover here:

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorColleenHoover?fref=ts

Amazon Link:

Marshal of Hel Dorado (Fevered Hearts) by Heather Long

Book Reviews, Series Books

About the Book:

This is the first book in Heather’s Fevered Hearts series.  To me it’s a Historical Western Romance with a little paranormal thrown in.

“In the shadows of the Old West, that untamed land, live bands of outlaws and outsiders. In a time when fevers could fell whole towns, these few survivors are marked. Marked…and forever changed.
Sam Kane is the oldest brother, the steadfast son and the confident marshal. He’s never met a problem too hot to handle until a gang behind a string of robberies across the territory set their sights on his town. Now with the bank’s gold inexplicably missing from a locked safe, the town hunting the elusive thieves and a passionate redhead with a fiery secret in his jail, Sam has his hands full.
Scarlett Morning Star lived in seclusion in the mountains of West Texas most of her life. She longs for adventure, but with seven very protective older brothers, adventure is hard to come by. When she tags along uninvited on their latest escapade, she is left behind during a bank robbery and finds herself in the custody of the very sexy town marshal.
The town wants to lynch her, the Marshal wants answers and her brothers want her back, can Scarlett keep it together or will her explosive secret burn them all?
Her life. His badge. Their fight.”

My Five Star Review:

From the very first chapter, I was drawn in hook, line and sinker.  Marshal Sam Kane is a take-charge don’t-mess-with-my-town kind of guy but then in walks, or I should say rides, fiery red haired Scarlett Morning Star.  The story around these two main characters and several secondary characters is brilliant, creative, emotional and adventurous.  It amazes me how an author’s mind can create such an engaging world.   As with a typical romance novel, there is a happily ever after but it’s not without some serious twists, turns and secrets.  This is the kind of book you can’t put down.  Each turn of the page makes you want to read faster so you can find out what’s around the next corner.

You MUST read this series in order.  Each book “ends” (and it’s in quotes because it doesn’t really end) for the main couple but the story keeps on moving forward throughout each book.  Main characters and secondary characters make a wonderful reappearance and new characters are introduced.  Take my word for it, you will ABSOLUTELY love this series!!!

Reading order:

Marshal of Hel Dorado (Book 1)

Brave are the Lonely (Book 2)

Micah and Mr. Miller (Book 3)

A Fistful of Dreams (Book 4)

Raising Kane (Book 5)

Wanted Fevered or Alive (Book 6)

Wild and Fevered (Book 6.5)

The Quick and the Fevered (Book 7)

Book 8 – Coming Soon.

Find Heather Here:  https://www.facebook.com/HeatherLongAuthor?fref=ts  

The Edge of Never/Always by J.A Redmerski

Book Reviews, Series Books, Young Adult Books,

About the Book:

This is a New Adult book, written in first person, intended for readers 17+.  It has a beautiful sex scene and some language that may not be appropriate for children under 17.  (This is per the author.) This is also the first book in a two book series.  You might as well just pick up The Edge of Always when you get this one.  You’re definitely going to want to see how it ends.

“Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart.
Determined not to dwell on the negative and push forward, Camryn is set to move in with her best friend and plans to start a new job. But after an unexpected night at the hottest club in downtown North Carolina, she makes the ultimate decision to leave the only life she’s ever known, far behind.
With a purse, a cell phone and a small bag with a few necessities, Camryn, with absolutely no direction or purpose boards a Greyhound bus alone and sets out to find herself. What she finds is a guy named Andrew Parrish, someone not so very different from her and who harbors his own dark secrets. But Camryn swore never to let down her walls again. And she vowed never to fall in love.
But with Andrew, Camryn finds herself doing a lot of things she never thought she’d do. He shows her what it’s really like to live out-of-the-box and to give in to her deepest, darkest desires. On their sporadic road-trip he becomes the center of her exciting and daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But will Andrew’s dark secret push them inseparably together, or tear them completely apart?”

My Five Star Review:

This was a full length book but a very easy and fast read.  Camryn drew me in from the very beginning and as soon as I met Andrew, I was completely hooked.  It was one of those books I could not put down and completely ignored my kids forcing them to fend for themselves.  The description above pretty much gives you the idea of the story and I don’t want to give out any spoilers but I will say these two kids go on an adventure I believe “saved” them both.

We all have a time in our lives where we have no idea what we want, who we want to be or even how to get what we want or deal with the struggles in our lives.  These two characters went on an emotional journey and come out the other end stronger than ever and completely in love.  They’re two souls absolutely meant to be together.  I hope you enjoy their journey as much as I did.  Don’t forget to pick up the book The Edge of Always to read the end of their story.

https://www.facebook.com/J.A.Redmerski?fref=ts