Review: Forged in Steele by Maya Banks

Publish Date: June 25, 2013
Mass Market Paperback {p. 372}
Genre: Suspense
Series: KGI #7
Source: Personal Library
Maren Scofield, Jackson Steele

The Kelly Group International (KGI): A super-elite, top secret, family-run business. Qualifications: High intelligence, rock-hard body, military background. Mission: Hostage/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering. Handling jobs the U.S. government can’t…

Steele, a KGI team leader, is an enigma not even his team mates understand. His emotions are tightly locked down and nothing can break that icy exterior. Nothing except Maren Scofield, a doctor on a mission, a woman who has gotten under Steele’s skin and threatens to crack that unflappable cool he’s legendary for.

Steele is determined not to allow Maren past his carefully guarded defenses, but when she’s in danger, there’s no way he’ll allow anyone else to protect her. She’s hiding something. He’s sure of it. But he isn’t prepared for the shocking discovery her secrets reveal. Or how they will forever alter the course of his destiny. He has a decision to make. Hold tight and shut her out. Or take a chance on something more powerful than he’s ever faced. Love.

First off, I truly enjoyed Steele and Maren's story, although it had a rather sudden beginning. But what I truly enjoyed was Hancock; he totally stole the show. I truly hope Maya decides to give Hancock his own book.

Maren and Steele got off to a rather abrupt start. While on a medical layover from one of their missions, he propositions Maren and she agrees. Cue the start of a beautiful relationship. I liked them both even with their sudden "in love" storyline. With the suddenness of their love, that clears the way of there being any of that back and forth in love out love that some storylines follow. I guess my only request would have been that Maren knew Steele's name before she fell in love with him. True, people sleep together all the time without know each others name, but I would have thought you would know it before you were in love.

I rarely saw the "iceman" Steele that causes everyone to quake in his presence. This Steele was a big teddy bear, and I loved it. But don't let that fool you, Steele still continued to be a badass when it counted. There was still plenty of action to keep the storyline moving along; from the rescue of a spoiled socialite-esque to plan crashes. With the whole Kelly crew on deck there was never a dull moment.

Review: Love Overdue by Pamela Morsi

Publish Date: August 27, 2013
Kindle {p. 432}
Genre: Contemporary
Source: Publisher
Dorothy Jarrow, Scott Sanderson

Meet Dorothy Jarrow: devotedly unsexy librarian

Buttoned-up book lover DJ is all sensible shoes, drab skirts and studious glasses. After an ill-advised spring-break-fueled fling left her mortified, she's committed to her prim and proper look. When she's hired by a rural library in middle-of-nowhere Kansas, she finally has the lifestyle to match-and she can't wait to get her admin on.

But it's clear from day one that the small-town library is more interested in circulating rumors than books. DJ has to organize her unloved library, win over oddball employees and avoid her flamboyant landlady's attempts to set her up with the town pharmacist. Especially that last part-because it turns out handsome Scott Sanderson is her old vacation fling! She is not sure whether to be relieved or offended when he doesn't seem to recognize her. But with every meeting, DJ finds herself secretly wondering what it would be like to take off her glasses, unpin her bun and reveal the inner vixen she's been hiding from everyone-including herself.

The premise of the book is what drew me in. It sounded like such a fun read, but sadly it was not. It had some great moments, but they were few and far between with a whole lot of dull for the in-between. Most of the book I ended up skimming. I enjoyed DJ and Scott and all the townspeople, but it was a bit too bland.

The story took entirely to long to get off the ground. Scott and DJ had very little interaction in the start. When the did start to interact, the book was almost over. And the ending was horrendous. It was so abrupt that I literally was scrolling back pages (I read this on my iPad) to make sure I hadn't skipped any pages. I figured maybe the digital arc accidently omitted the end pages, but no that's just how the book ends. I must say, it was a good way to go out.

Maybe if the book had spent more time on the relationship building of DJ and Scott and less of the townspeople, I would have enjoyed it more. But with the way it ended, Love Overdue lost even more points with me.

In My Mailbox {136}

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I'll post what books I've received either by mailbox/library/store.

I'll try to post an entry of IMM every Sunday that I receive books by mail/library/store of that week.

Books via Half Price Books

Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren

Ours to Love by Shayla Black

 

Books via Publisher

The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo by Kerrelyn Sparks

Review: Big Sky Wedding by Linda Lael Miller

Publish Date: August 27, 2013
Mass Market Paperback {p.376}
Genre: Contemporary
Series: Parable, Montana #5
Source: Publisher
Brylee Parrish, Zane Sutton

Wedding bells are ringing in Parable, Montana, but Brylee Parrish hasn't enjoyed the sound since being jilted at the altar by Hutch Carmody. She's over Hutch now, and running a multimillion-dollar business is challenging enough for this country gal. So she should avoid falling head-over-boot-heels for A-list actor Zane Sutton. He's come home to his rodeo roots, but Hollywood lured him away once and just might again. Yet everything about him, from his easy charm to his concern for his young half brother, seems too genuine to resist....

Zane didn't come to Parable for love-but count on a spirited woman to change a jaded cowboy's mind. Problem is, Brylee's not convinced he's here to stay. Good thing he's determined to prove to her, kiss by kiss, that she's meant to be his bride.

Zane and Brylee had an instant connection. They were immediately attracted to one another upon meeting, although it took them a while before acting on that attraction.

The one thing that I did find fault with, was that Brylee upon meeting Zane was now cured of her funk/depression of previously being left at the alter. This connection with Zane seemingly brought her back to life. I felt that a another man giving her meaning in place of the other was a little off.

The secondary characters in this installment were just as good as the previous secondary characters, but Zane's little brother Nash stood out the most. I really enjoyed this character and hope to see him grow as the series progresses. Zane's other brother, Landry, was and odd character. I'm not sure how he's going to be hero material for the next installment.

The ending felt a lot rushed. It was like six months compressed into one chapter. That was a big let down because I would have liked to see more of Brylee and Zane's courtship after they starting dating. Not just them dancing around each other leading up to their dating.

Review: The Hero by Robyn Carr

Publish Date: August 27, 2013
Mass Market Paperback {p.379}
Genre: Contemporary
Series: Thunder Point #3
Source: Publisher
Devon McAllister, Spencer Lawson

In a moment of desperation, Devon McAllister takes her daughter and flees a place where they should have been safe and secure. She has no idea what is around the next bend, but she is pretty certain it can't be worse than what they've left behind. Her plan is to escape to somewhere she can be invisible. Instead, an unexpected offer of assistance leads her to Thunder Point, a tiny Oregon town with a willingness to help someone in need.

As the widowed father of a vulnerable young boy, Spencer Lawson knows something about needing friendship. But he's not looking for anything else. Instead, he's thrown his energy into his new role as Thunder Point's high school football coach. Tough and demanding to his team, off the field he's gentle and kind...just the kind of man who could heal Devon's wounded heart.

Devon thought she wanted to hide from the world. But in Thunder Point, you find bravery where you least expect it...and sometimes, you find a hero.

The Hero was a bit of a slow starter for me. The beginning was a lot of interaction between Devon and Rawley, which was a bit bland. Once I moved past the relationship building between Rawley and Devon, and got to Devon making connections to the rest of Thunder Point, that's when it started to pick up.

Spencer was slow to make his move toward Devon, but once he did, he made up for lost time. I liked Spencer upon meeting him in the previous book, but for some reason I thought he was older in the previous book. But Spencer in The Hero, had his moments. Even through his moments, he remained likeable, and I understood his hesitance.

On the flip side of that, Devon had been through some things as well, and spoke with him more than once about his unlikeliness of being ready to be in a relationship. He assured her she could trust him and that he was, but then he wasn't.

As for Thunder Point, I fall in love with the town a little more with each installment to the series. I'm looking forward to reading more about Scott, and hopefully him finding his love interest. With Devon and the situation she fled, I'm thinking it may bring a few new faces to Thunder Point. I hope to see more of at least two people from Devon's past, Reese and Laine. Hopefully they'll call Thunder Point home as well.

In My Mailbox {135}

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I'll post what books I've received either by mailbox/library/store.

I'll try to post an entry of IMM every Sunday that I receive books by mail/library/store of that week.

Books via Amazon

Hotshot by Julie Garwood

Just in Time by Addison Fox

 

Books via Reader Service

The Hero by Robyn Carr

The Lotus Palace by Jeannie Lin

Some Like it Hot by Susan Anderson

Three Little Words by Susan Mallery

 

 



In My Mailbox {134}

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I'll post what books I've received either by mailbox/library/store.

I'll try to post an entry of IMM every Sunday that I receive books by mail/library/store of that week.

Books via Amazon

 
Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han, Siobhan Vivian

The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst

 



Books via Barnes & Noble

Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs

Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews

Books via Blog Win

Beautiful Bitch by Christina Lauren
Being Me by Lisa Renee Jones
White Trash Beautiful by Teresa Mummert

 

Books via Books-a-Million

Cream Puff Murder by Joanne Fluke

Devil's Food Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke

Gingerbread Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke

Moon Spinners by Sally Goldenbaum

Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke

Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews

These Girls by Sarah Pekkanen
Weight Watchers One Pot Cookbook by Weight Watchers

 

Books via Publisher

 
Big Sky Wedding by Linda Lael Miller
The Hero by Robyn Carr
How to Lose a Bride in One Night by Sophie Jordan
Wallbanger by Alice Clayton

Who Asked You by Terry McMillan

Review: Wicked Beat by Olivia Cunning

Publish Date: August 6, 2013
Trade Paperback {p.399}
Genre: Erotica
Source: Publisher
Rebekah, Eric Sticks

From the moment he lays eyes on Sinners’ new front of house soundboard operator, drummer Eric Sticks knows he has to make Rebekah his. Unfortunately, she’s too busy trying to seduce guitarist Trey Mills to pay him much attention. Rebekah never planned to fall for the tall, goofy drummer with the weird sense of humor and a heart the size of the galaxy. But Eric makes her laugh and his constant attention makes her feel sexy and irresistible–exactly what she needs after the things her last lover said to her. A woman who gives as much as she takes, Rebekah makes Eric feel like a total stud–exactly what he needs after surviving a decade of watching the incredibly talented members of Sinners from the wings.

From the start I had a difficult time getting into this one, because once again it's set in the past and not present day. The previous book, Hot Ticket, also took place in a time before book 3, Double Time. I don't really care for books in a series to regress to a time before the last book took place. Don't make books 4 and 5 take place in a time before book 3 took place. It tends to bother me when I go into the next book thinking I'm going to revisit the couples I previously fell in love with to see them growing and evolving, only to find out they haven't even meet in this installment.

Rebekah bothered me from the start. With her only having eyes for Trey, which I struggled with because Trey is supposed to be with Ethan and Reagan, but then would get all upset when Eric didn't pay any attention to her. Eric on the other hand, was okay in this book, whereas in the previous books he was a complete ass. He did a total 180 in the book, because he didn't even seem like the same person. It was difficult to reconcile the two faces of Eric Sticks.

Rebekah came across a bit trashy upon first meeting. Sure, if you're into ménage, great, but Rebekah was just a user. She didn't care for Eric at all. Everything she did was designed to get Trey's attention. Eric was just a backup plan.

I couldn't finish the book because I had no interest whatsoever in the characters. Rebekah was sleaze, Trey was an ass, and Eric was a wimp. The only thing I enjoyed about this book was the cover.