Wendi's Review!
Gorgeous blonde Julie is a walking neon light sign flashing “damaged goods” who is anxiously awaiting her Christmas trip with her ‘boyfriend’ Richard to visit her parents for the first time at their lodge in Wisconsin. This is the first time she has been there since the blowup with her sister and ex-boyfriend, Danny. Despite what her friends at the retirement home or her friends at the acting agency say, Richard is finally THE ONE! He has to be the one, considering what her mother thinks of her and she has to prove her sister and her ex wrong! She is beside herself when she finds a ‘ring’ and, I use that term very loosely, under her bed. She is convinced that he will propose. When those plans go awry she must find a replacement
…enter Kayden..
Kayden, the struggling, sleeping-on- my- brother’s- couch-actor, who is desperate for his big break into acting despite what his family says, to the rescue. He also has his fair share of family issues. Kayden is a struggling actor who happens to find Julie in her time of need, after a ‘sudden’ breakup.
They decide that they could pull off being a couple in front of her family in order to help her get through her Christmas vacation with her family. Little did they know that sparks would fly and boundaries would be tested.
This is a brilliantly written book that reads like an on-screen romantic comedy. Ms. Cherry makes the reader feel as if we all are a part of these crazy families. We all have relatives like this and just because their famous doesn’t mean they aren’t crazy!
Kudos to Ms. Cherry and I wish we could get more of Kayden and Julie Ann, but this book ends on a gread HEA. Such a good short read! Well done! This book is a certified Nerd Alert Book Love A+.
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Wendi's Review of Storm Warning
I just don’t know where to start. This book was all over the
place, but in a really good way! This is one of the reasons I read. This book
is an absolute gem that deserves to be on everyone’s TBR. This book is follows
the lives of 5 teenagers, who all become connected to each other because of one
tiny town called Hope’s Grove, Oklahoma.
There is a storm brewing that none of them will be ready for.
In this book we meet Kyle Mason, the football hero, who is
getting ready to go off to college to play football for Oklahoma State
University. After and unfortunate turn of events, he now finds himself the ‘man’
of the family. He has to now juggle going to Stillwater for summer football
practice during the week and coming home on weekends to help his mom and sister,
Ella Jane run their landscaping business and do a job for a rich family in
Summit Bluffs.
Enter Ella Jane, Kyle’s innocent and gorgeous younger
sister. She is devastated by the event that happens in her family and has lost
some faith in men. She feels alone because her best friend is moving and her
brother is going off to college, despite all of that her mom needs her now more
than ever. She also has the biggest crush on her brother’s best friend Coop, or
Brantley Cooper.
Brantley Cooper, or Coop as he is referred to by everyone is
Kyle’s best friend and he secretly loves Ella Jane. He’s ready to make his move
on her since Kyle is getting ready to move away for school. Coop is the epitome
of loyal and doesn’t want to mess up with his friendship with Kyle by putting
the moves on Ella Jane. So he takes things very slow and they have a beautiful
moment that is interrupted by his own guilty feelings.
Meanwhile, in the next town Summit Bluffs…
Cameron Michelson is your typical mean girl. Filthy rich and
all set to go on a tropical vacation with her mom. She breaks up with her ‘boyfriend’
Hayden so that they can each have ‘free’ summers before they start their senior
years. She gets some unexpected news and now has to spend the summer in Summit
Bluffs. Now she must stay home and make sure the landscaper is doing his job.
Rich boy Hayden Prescott is your typical bad boy. He doesn’t
care about the consequences of his actions and does whatever he wants. His
parents finally get fed up with him and send him to Hope’s Grove to live with
his grandparents for a summer of hard work with Mason Landscaping Service. He
is devastated until he meets Ella Jane.
I really enjoyed this story. I was one of my favorite reads
of this year. I know some people don’t like love triangles, but I don’t mind
them at all. The Ella Jane, Coop and Hayden triangle will have you screaming at
your E-reader! I know I was! There were so many beautiful scenes and the making
of two great love stories. All of the characters are well developed and the
book has lots of substance but you will want to read it all.
No skimming here.
The ‘Storm Warnings’ that we read in the book are perfect
forecasts of what is to come. The last few chapters had me GLUED TO THE
BOOK!!!! This is brilliantly written book, but I must warn you….HOLY CLIFFANGER
CENTRAL BATMAN! Who..what…how..when…where…crickets..
Despite this devastating cliffhanger, this book gets a
certified Nerd Alert A+!
Wendi's Review of Christmas Past
By Susanna Fraser
I love reading all types of romance, and I'd have to say this was my first 'time travel' novel. This is certainly a genre that I will visit again.
Time traveling Sydney Dahlquist is a 21st century woman who goes back in history to study it. In this adventure she travels to 1810 where she intends to study Wellington's army in Lisbon. When she gets ready to go back to 2013 her time machine malfunctions and she is stuck in 1810. Per the rules of her job, if she cannot return back to her time she must commit suicide and destroy her time machine so that she does not influence the future. She was ready have some fun before she had to face her consequences when she is discovered by the very striking and very hot Captain Miles Griffin.
She explains to him the situation and he tries to convince her that death is not her only way out. She knows that if she doesn't follow the rules there will be some serious implications. I won't give away what her decision is but well worth the read to find out.
Very quick read, there were times where it was kind of all over the place. Also it was a bit too short for me. Some of the characters needed to be developed a bit more. But this is a great read for when you need a big novel break. This book gets a certified Nerd Alert Book Love B
Wendi's Review and Interview
All I'm Asking For: A Christmas Anthology
Our Interview with Brighton Walsh
Did
you always know that you wanted to be a writer?
No, definitely not. I wrote when I was younger, but the
thought of actually becoming a writer never entered my mind. It was until I was
in my late twenties that I started looking at it as a feasible option.
Were
you always good at writing?
Again I say, no, definitely not. I cringe when I read some
of the stuff I wrote (those journals from high school are sooooo dramatic and
emo). I think, like with anything, you get better the more you do it and the
more you learn along the way.
If
you could work with any other author who would it be and why?
These are hard-hitting questions! There are so many authors
I enjoy reading and admire, but I’m going to say Jill Shalvis. Her books are my
palette cleansers—I know, no matter what, I’ll always enjoy them. I’d love to be
able to see how she works.
Have
your personal experiences affected your writing or writing style?
Yes, absolutely. I think everything that happens in your
life shapes who you are, and thus would have to shape your writing. We all have
a unique look at everything, and that definitely translates to paper.
What
is one thing that you absolutely cannot live without?
Besides the sappy answers of my kids and husband, etc, I’m
going to say Lip Smackers.
Do
you have a writing spot that only you can work, like a writing cave? If so what
does it look like?
I can write just about anywhere, so long as A) my kids
aren’t around and B) I have headphones to block out the noise. I frequently
write at the island in my kitchen, in my bedroom, or at Panera/Starbucks/coffee
shop of my choosing.
What
gets your creative juices flowing?
Pictures. If I’m blocked, I love going through Pinterest and
seeing what I can find to spark ideas.
What
is one of your most favorite childhood memories?
Since my book is about Christmas, I’ll give you one of my
favorite Christmas memories. Every year when I was younger, we’d go to my
grandparents’ house for Christmas Eve. In the midst of all the gift opening
excitement, the doorbell upstairs would ring, and we’d hear Santa saying, “Ho,
ho ho!” and his sleigh bells. There’d be boot prints in the snow on the front
steps and one gift each for me, my sisters, and my cousins. It wasn’t until I
was in my early twenties that I ever found out how those presents got there.
(hint: it was Santa)
What
character is your favorite character to write?
Do you mean types of characters or which of my characters,
specifically, was my favorite? For the former, I’d say whichever character is
more complex. No matter if my books are dual POV, I always connect stronger
with one character, and that one is my favorite to write. As for the latter…I’d
say Winter, the heroine in my new adult contemporary romance coming from
Berkley in fall 2014.
How
do conceive plot ideas?
They come from any/everything. The most recent book I just
finished came from a song. Season of Second Chances came from a picture. Plus
One came from a prompt.
What
are your target readers?
If you like sexy stories, you’re my target reader.
Do
you use real-life facts based on true stories?
Nope, I make everything up.
Did
you ever think you’d become an author?
Not in my wildest dreams.
What
do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment?
In the writing world? Getting the two-book deal from
Berkley.
If
I became a writer, what tips would you give me?
Never give up.
What’s
your favorite thing about yourself?
I’m an excellent cook. And I’m pretty funny.
What
is the last book you read?
Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh
Why
do you like to write?
I get to escape into different worlds and lead a hundred
different lives.
Do
you have a favorite genre that you like to read? Do you limit yourself to just
one or many?
I love contemporary and paranormal romance. And I don’t
limit myself, but I definitely have preferences and genres I just don’t click
with.
What
is the craziest thing you have ever done?
Wrote a book and tried to get it published. Crazy, right?!
Our Review of All I'm Asking For: A Christmas Anthology
This book is a compilation of three separate short stories Season of Second Chances by Brighton Walsh, Mine Under the Mistletoe by Kat Latham and Tinsel My Heart by Christi Barth.
Let me tell you each one of these stories are so heart warming and steamy! This book has three well written short stories that are sure to warm more than your heart! These books show that some people can be redeemed in spite of their qualities. Another one shows that you never know what will happen when you meet a sexy stranger.
All very good books and we highly recommend this anthology or each book separately. They are each wonderful reads! This gets a Nerd Alert A.
Brighton Walsh is a
storyteller at heart. Whether through words or pictures, she's been weaving
tales for as long as she can remember. After decades of cultivating her
writing, she finally decided to give life to the voices in her head and set
forth to write her first novella.
Love is her first love, and writing about it is a dream come true. When she's not overwhelmed by the incessant chatter in her mind, she can generally be found with her nose buried in a steamy book or partaking in some retail therapy. The setting of her life story takes place in the Midwest, characters including her very own real life hero she found in her supportive and swoony husband, and her two energetic kids who (fortunately) know nothing about the naughty things she puts down on paper.
Love is her first love, and writing about it is a dream come true. When she's not overwhelmed by the incessant chatter in her mind, she can generally be found with her nose buried in a steamy book or partaking in some retail therapy. The setting of her life story takes place in the Midwest, characters including her very own real life hero she found in her supportive and swoony husband, and her two energetic kids who (fortunately) know nothing about the naughty things she puts down on paper.
Twitter: @WriteAsRain_
Website: http://www.brightonwalsh.com/
Kat Latham writes sexy
contemporary romance set all around the world. She’s a California girl who
moved to Europe the day after graduating from UCLA, ditching her tank tops for
raincoats. She spent several years teaching English in Prague followed by
several more working for a humanitarian organization in London. She now lives
with her British husband and baby girl in a small town in the rural Netherlands
surrounded by miles and miles of green pasture, canals and Shetland ponies. Kat’s
slowly adjusting to life in a place where bicycles and cows seem to outnumber
people.
With degrees in English lit and human rights, she loves stories that reflect the humor and emotion of real life. Kat’s other career involves writing and editing for charities, and she’s had the privilege of traveling to Kenya, Ethiopia and India to write about the heroic people helping their communities survive disasters.
You can usually find Kat on her blog (katlatham.com), Twitter (@KatrinaLatham), Facebook (facebook.com/KatLathamRomance) and Goodreads. She hopes you’ll hang out with her there!
With degrees in English lit and human rights, she loves stories that reflect the humor and emotion of real life. Kat’s other career involves writing and editing for charities, and she’s had the privilege of traveling to Kenya, Ethiopia and India to write about the heroic people helping their communities survive disasters.
You can usually find Kat on her blog (katlatham.com), Twitter (@KatrinaLatham), Facebook (facebook.com/KatLathamRomance) and Goodreads. She hopes you’ll hang out with her there!
Twitter: @KatrinaLatham
Christi Barth earned a Master’s degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage.
A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning.
Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes contemporary romance.
She is the award-winning author of the Aisle Bound series. Christi is President of the Maryland Romance Writers and lives in Maryland with her husband.
A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning.
Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes contemporary romance.
She is the award-winning author of the Aisle Bound series. Christi is President of the Maryland Romance Writers and lives in Maryland with her husband.
Twitter: @Christi_Barth
Website: http://www.christibarth.com
Wendi's Review
Mike's Way Back
by
Amy Gregory
This is the first book I read by Amy Gregory and it was a solid read. In this book we met ( or met again, if you read Racing to Love) Mike a very sexy detective, who is very guarded and who has kept his heart to himself since his divorce and Taryn who also has her fair shroud of mysteriousness.
This book takes us on their journey toward love. It was well written and we learn a lot about the characters. I really enjoyed Taryn's wit and how caring Mike was. Mike was determined to knock down Taryn's walls and get close to her. I will not give out anymore details, because I want you guys to enjoy it.
I give this book a B. It was very well written, but I had a hard time connecting to the characters and a hard time getting into the story. But all in all it is a very cute quick read.
Wendi's Review
Rebel
by
Elle Casey
Let me start by saying that this is the first book that I
have read by Ms. Casey and I was not in the least bit disappointed. Her writing
style is one of my favorites. How a person can use humor, heartbreak and love
so seamlessly is incredible.
In this story we meet college senior Teagan, a no-nonsense
down-to-earth rich girl, who is dreading going to her posh home for the summer.
The day she is supposed to leave she learns some very tragic news that leaves
her almost penniless and homeless in an instant. What I absolutely loved about
Teagan was she was SO strong and took on her new chapter in life head on and
without fear. She is one of the first heroines I’ve read that I didn’t want to
slap with the back of my hand. She picked herself up by her bootstraps and went
out to find a job. With the help of her“ain’t noboy got time for that” best friend
Quinn and her frenemy Perry she snaps herself back into reality.
She looks everywhere for a job with no luck. After every
humorous job inquiry (the pawn shop by far the best one!), she finds herself driving
around in ‘the beast’ with no job in sight. Miraculously she stumbles upon ‘Rebel
Wheels’. She convinces herself that she’ll be able to convince the owner that
she could do something so she wouldn’t have to live in her car.
While she is parked in her car she meets one of the
mechanics, Mick, and he introduces her to the man of few words Rebel!! Holy HOTNESS!
'Muscles? Yeah. Everywhere. Tattoos? Check…..Body Fat? None that I can
see.'
Rebel, a man with a heart of gold and a mouth filled
with..well not big on small talk. I loved Rebel because he was strong,
compassionate and dominant. He took care
of his brothers, Colin and Mick, and made sure that everyone he loves was taken care of.
Rebel and Teagan begin a very uncomfortable and angsty
friendship, while Rebel helps her get on feet (and keep crack heads out of her
apartment). Their relationship develops and it becomes a sweet passionate and
somewhat, reluctant romance. Leave it to Ms. Casey to know exactly where to
insert some humor.
'He stares down at me for a few seconds, and then runs his hands through
his short hair and shifts his gaze to the ceiling. “Ahhh…shit,” he finally
says. I sit up, suddenly going cold. Nothing like an ahhh shit to douse the
flames of desire.'
Rebel is also filled with a little unsolved suspense that only begins in this book. This book does not end on a major cliffhanger, but there are some questions that will need to be answered in the
other books. This book is one of the reasons I got back into reading. It is
witty, funny and very well written. This is one of the best books of 2013 and a
must read for anyone who loves a good book.
I thought no one could make me cheat on my all-time favorite book
boyfriend (who shall remain nameless), but forget cheat, I have moved on and
Rebel is my guy! Now if I could just find out where Rebel’s Wheels is located???
Kudos Ms. Casey on a fantastic book! This book gets a certified Nerd Alert Book
Love A+!
Buy Links
Wendi's Review
Let me start by saying I was not a big fan of Ms. McAdams previous work Forgiving Lies, so I was very apprehensive when I received this book. This is not your typical love story! This is also not your typical, leave you with the ugly cry, book by Ms. McAdams. It is filled with suspense and a beautiful love story!
From the first page it pulls you into the lives of Logan "Kash" Hendricks and Rachel Masters. This book is set in Austin, TX at the University of Texas. I love Austin so she kind of sold me right then. Rachel is your typical college student, but she harbors a secret that doesn't let her get close to many people. She lives with her bff who is as close to her as a sister. Logan "Kash" and his best friend Mason are undercover cops who end up in Austin investigating a serial killer. Both groups of friends end up living across from each other in an off campus apartment complex. Rachel and Caroline believe that the new neighbors are bartenders who just moved to town. The group grows very close with each of them keeping their secrets closer.
I love how Kash and Rachel's story evolves and he is so swoon worthy! He knew what he wanted and he went after her! I love a strong male lead!
The books takes a very serious turn that I will not give away here, but it blew me away!! I will just say that I absolutely love both Kash and Mason! They are awesome. Rachel was a very strong heroine. She drove me crazy at times with her stubbornness, but all in all she was a great character. The jury is still out on Caroline, she wasn't very friendly and was very selfish at times.
I absolutely LOVED this book! It was funny, suspense filled and romantic. But HOLY CLIFFHANGER!! This nerd gives this book a solid A. Now we must wait until the next one....Pancakes while we wait??
Purchase links:
Excellent review :)
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