Category Archives: Romance Books

May 18, 2013 · 7:25 pm

Heart Robber

Lifestyle by Design #2. By: Miranda P. Charles. Read: May 2013.

Jessa Allen has low self-esteem and is completely thrown for a loop when the hunk of the party, Rob Granger asks her to dinner. Jessa agrees, because she knows she will never get another chance, but Rob is not looking for any long-term commitments. After one night of fun, an arrangement is made to keep things casual. Will they both keep their hearts protected or will they give in and accept their feelings?

Heart Robber is the story of how Jessa and Rob overcome their insecurities and learn to love themselves and each other. This is the second book in the Lifestyle by Design series and picks up right where the first book left off, but it can be read as a stand-alone novel. Fans of Will and Clarise will still get snippets of their inner thoughts and follow their happily-ever-after, while falling in love with Jessa and Rob. The writing is improved from the first book, while the spiciness of the romance is amped up too. This book is a must read for fans of spicy romances with sweet, relatable characters.

I found the female lead a bit more relatable in this story due to her lack of self-confidence. However, it does seem to repeat the basic storyline from the first book. I do enjoy the fact that it picks up right where the first one left off, at Megan’s party and I appreciate a book in the middle of the series that focuses on the couple in the book, like this one does. Unfortunately there some “middle” books can focus too much on the past and too much on setting up the future. Have you noticed any “middle” books that remain focused on its characters’ story, like this one?

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Note:
The author provided a copy of this book for me to review. To learn more about this author and her books, please visit her website.

About these ads

Leave a Comment

Filed under Fiction Books, Romance Books

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , ,

May 6, 2013 · 10:37 pm

Will to Love

Lifestyle by Design #1. By: Miranda P. Charles. Format: eBook. Read: May 2013.

Clarise Carson was desperate not to be set-up by her meddling family, so she takes drastic measures to avoid the awkward introduction at her sister’s party. Too bad she didn’t know who the guy was ahead of time, because the only single male at the party was making her wounded heart flutter back to life. Will Matthews hated it when his friends tried to set him up. Yet he agrees to go to the party because he intends to be introduced to a woman who could help his successful business grow larger. Will intends to keep his life strictly business, in order to care for his parents, yet Clarise opens his heart to things he never thought possible. Will these two be able to put their pain aside and help each other heal or will they both avoid love out of fear?

This is a sweet, contemporary romance book to start a promising series. Miranda P. Charles does a great job with writing relatable characters whose past hurts will affect reader’s emotions. She also establishes the secondary characters, that will take on leading roles in future books, without distracting readers from Clarise and Will. Though the excessive use of endearing terms, such as Darling and Baby, will be a bit much for some readers to handle, the overall meanings of overcoming fear and going after what your heart desires are sure to soften even the hardest of hearts. This is an easy-to-read book, with a few grammatical errors. Adult readers who enjoy reading sentimental love stories, will thoroughly enjoy this book.

This book is a great way to start a series. I am looking forward to reading how the other characters find love and hopefully getting to see how Clarise and Will continue their relationship. This book will definitely have you grinning while you read.

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Note:
The author provided a copy of this book for me to review. To learn more about this author and her books, please visit her website.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Fiction Books, Romance Books

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

April 25, 2013 · 10:51 am

Jessica Bowers Review #3

Kiss Me, Chloe
By Linda George
Book 1 of the Kiss Me Series

“Kiss Me, Chloe” is a sweet story about finding true love when you least expect it. When the lives of Chloe Llewellyn and Kyle Stanton fall apart they decide to go out and search for the things they want in their lives. Chloe from Houston, Texas is done waiting for her high school sweetheart Greg to get his “big promotion” at work and finally decide to marry her and make a family. Greg is too busy, working long hours and not spending any time with Chloe, to even think about marriage. After he has pushed back their engagement more times than a woman should allow she decides to pack her bags and hit the road. She finds herself headed towards the mountains of Colorado. She meets Kyle Stanton on her trip while in a restaurant having dinner. Kyle is a trucker from Colorado, on his way to Ouray, Colorado for his monthly stay with his aunt Byrdie. He invites Chloe to come stay at his aunt Byrdie’s B&B for the Fourth of July weekend. When she arrives she is in awe of the beauty of Ouray. Everything is so perfect, too perfect, even Kyle the handsome trucker who has offered to make her stay the best weekend of her life. Kyle has also been pushed aside by his ex-girlfriend choosing her career over having a family. When Kyle and Chloe go out on the town to see the sights they begin to realize that there may be a reason they were brought together. Chloe tries to fight the feelings she is developing for the trucker, while Kyle grabs life by the horns and goes for the ride. Not afraid of anything, Kyle is ready to show Chloe there is someone for everyone you just have to look in the right direction.
This book was so enchanting the way these two are brought together and the trials they are put through to show them it is meant to be. The author really depicted a picture with her words, describing the wonderful views of Ouray, and the wonderful people that the characters came to know. It is a romantic story with realistic views on true love and how two people can be brought together by destiny. This book had me pulled in from the first page. The story is silly at the right moment and will have you rooting for Kyle to win Chloe’s heart. “Kiss Me, Chloe” is a must read for anyone who believes in true love.

This book was free on Amazon.com

~Jessica Bowers

Leave a Comment

Filed under Fiction Books, Guest Reviews, Romance Books

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , ,

April 20, 2013 · 7:00 pm

Jessica Bowers Review #2

The Other Side of Us

By Sarah Mayberry

Oliver Garrett is a successful music producer that finds out his wife has been unfaithful for the 6 years they have been married. He decides to take a trip to Melbourne, Australia and clean up his deceased Aunt’s house to be sold. Next door he meets a young petite woman, Mackenzie Williams, a TV producer. Mackenzie has been staying in Melbourne for her recovery from a tragic car accident. Their first few meetings are not very pleasant to say the least. Though nature has its own way it pulls them together. They soon realize this has become a great opportunity to open up to someone with no judgments about their miss comings. Both Oliver and Mackenzie, afraid of the feelings they are developing for each other, try to keep their feelings hidden from the other. Until Mackenzie lets her need to conquer get the best of her and she sets out to get what she wants.
The sexual chemistry between the two characters is breath taking. It is the type of “love at first sight” fantasy that all women dream of. The author gives an excellent description of the scenery and the lives of Oliver and Mackenzie. With a full back story of the characters you feel as though you are pulled right into their lives. This story is sweet and funny, while holding your attention through every page turn. It is truly hard to stop at the end of each chapter, when it leaves you wondering what they will do next.

This book was free for Kindle at Amazon.com

~Jessica Bowers

Leave a Comment

Filed under Fiction Books, Guest Reviews, Romance Books

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

April 9, 2013 · 11:10 am

Blindsided

Countermeasure: Bytes of Life #5. By Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey. Format: eBook. Read: April 2013.

This is the fifth installment in the Bytes of Life portion of the Countermeasure Series. This short story is told from the points-of-view of Nathan Nelson and Nikol Petrovna. This is their story that took place in the morning, while everyone was in Russia. Even though the story only covers a few short hours of time, it dives deeper into the Nathan’s past and Nikol’s future.

Written with the same excellent style, that fans have thoroughly enjoyed, Blindsided takes a slight detour away from the hectic romantic suspense filled plot that consumes Trevor’s and Cassie’s lives. Nathan is a character that fans will either love-to-hate or hate-to-love and this is the story where his inner turmoil begins to shine through. Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey are an incredible writing duo. They keep the readers craving more. This is yet another must-read in an overall captivating series.

Out of all of the short stories, this was probably my least favorite, only because Nathan hasn’t fully redeemed himself in my eyes. However, I am excited and hopeful that Nikol returns. I see a lot of potential for this always-kicking-butt character. So if you have read this series, please feel free to share your thoughts about Nathan with me.

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Note: The author provided a copy of this book for me to review. To learn more about these authors and their series, please visit their website.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Fiction Books, Mystery Books, Romance Books

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

April 8, 2013 · 9:57 pm

To Russia With Love

Countermeasure Series #2. By: Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey. Format: eBook. Read: April 2013.

Trevor Bauer’s best friend, George Miller, may have just found some vital information that could help Trevor find his missing parents. Cassandra Bauer is missing her best friend, Jessica Forrester, and is determined to help Trevor find answers to his parents disappearance. Jessica jumps at the chance to work with Cassie again, so she immediately packs up everything and moves to Ireland. As Trevor and Cassie work a dangerous case in Russia, Jessica has time to explore her relationship with Stephen Connelan. Trevor risks everything, including his life and his love, in this latest chapter in the Countermeasure Series.

Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey make a powerful writing duo. Their writing style flows with ease as though written by one author yet again. This time the action is amplified and the story is balanced with steamy love scenes from the secondary characters. Though there are a few grammar errors in this book, the chemistry and passion between the characters and the adrenaline-packed scenes are superb. Readers’ hearts will race as they turn each page. Fans of this series will be left desperately waiting for the next novel. Romantic suspense readers of a mature age need to place this series on their ‘Must-Read’ lists.

I absolutely love this series and cannot say enough good things about it. These books have everything that most movies strive for: action, suspense, intrigue and romance. I am looking forward to reading the next short story. Have you read this series? If so, which couple is your favorite: Trevor and Cassie ~or~ Jessica and Stephan?

Note: The author provided a copy of this book for me to review. To learn more about these authors and their series, please visit their website.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Fiction Books, Mystery Books, Romance Books

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

April 2, 2013 · 10:40 am

Bytes of Life Anthology

Countermeasure: Bytes of Life Volume 1. By: Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey. Format: eBook. Read: April 2013.

This anthology contains three short stories that take place in between the first full length novel, Countermeasure and the second, To Russia with Love. These short stories pickup right after Trevor and Cassandra’s wedding and progress through their first six months as newlyweds. This anthology provides a nice inside view of Trevor and Cassandra’s new life in Ireland and how they are happily married, yet they are both still haunted by the past and worried for their future. Fans of Countermeasure will want to read this anthology. These stories are not full of suspense, but they are full of romantic trysts. Recommended for mature audiences that have read Countermeasure first.

This series is amazing! I cannot wait to begin reading the next novel. This series as a whole, so far, has it all: suspense, action, intrigue and romance. Definitely a must-read series.

Have you read the Countermeasure series yet? If so, who is your favorite character?

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Note:
The author provided a copy of this book for me to review. To learn more about the authors and this series, please visit their website.

21 Comments

Filed under Fiction Books, Romance Books, Suspense Books

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

March 27, 2013 · 11:00 pm

Countermeasure

Countermeasure Series #1. By: Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey. Format: Audiobook. Read: March 2013.

Trevor Bauer, an NSA analyst, is still haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his parents, nearly four years ago. However one case of corporate espionage at a pharmaceutical company, will change Trevor’s life. Through a stroke of luck, Trevor finds himself in the middle of Cassandra James’s path. Cassandra James, an ex-CIA operative, has just been taken off her very first case at her father’s company. But that isn’t about to stop Cassandra, so she teams up with Trevor and the two of them must overcome their pasts in order to catch the culprit.

Countermeasure is jam-packed with intrigue and suspense, mixed with steamy chemistry. Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey have given geeks everywhere an exciting romance to read. Cassandra is a strong, determined woman, while Trevor is an extremely hot computer genius. The technical jargon that is mixed in throughout the book is evenly balanced between the witty banter of the two main characters. The story and characters are wonderful, whereas the narrator was decent. The narrator tended to mix Irish dialect with American dialect during the narration and then interchanged some of the tones for the individual characters. However, it was still easy to follow along and the narrator improved as the book progressed. Mature fans of romantic suspense need to mark this book as a must-read.

This was the first audiobook that I have reviewed for this blog and I was quite happy with the overall experience. The application was easy to use and downloaded quickly. The narrator demonstrated an excellent Irish dialect and read at an even pace. I did wish he paused for just a beat longer to signify the changes in points-of-view, but overall it was setup nicely. This book was excellent and I cannot wait to read the next in the series.

So tell me, are you a fan of audiobooks? They do seem to provide a nice convenience for those with busy schedules, but I can see where others wouldn’t be able to focus as much on the book. Do prefer male or female narrators, or do you prefer to ‘hear’ your own voice?

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Note:
The author provided a copy of this book for me to review. To learn more about the authors and this series, please visit their website.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Fiction Books, Mystery Books, Romance Books, Suspense Books

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

March 18, 2013 · 10:06 pm

Uncharted

Countermeasure: Bytes of Life #1. By: Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey. Format: eBook. Read: March 2013.

Conner and Maeve had been married a long time and they loved their home life in Dublin. However all of this is about to change forever. They agreed this is best for the son Trevor, but they can’t ignore the pain this decision will cause.

Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey have written a very intriguing start to their series, with this short story. Readers will be captivated and anxious to figure out what the motive is that caused such a drastic decision from the main characters. Even though it is a short story, the main characters are developed enough that the readers will relate to their inner conflicts. This is a very well written story.

I enjoyed reading this little sneak peak into what is ahead in the series. Based off this short story, I have high hopes that this series will be an exciting and suspenseful romance.

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Note:
The author provided a copy of this book for me to review. To learn more about the authors and this series, please visit their website.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Fiction Books, Mystery Books, Romance Books, Suspense Books

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

March 12, 2013 · 6:00 am

Crossing Lines

Heat Wave Series #3. By: Alannah Lynne. Format: eBook. Read: March 2013.

Kevin Mazze has finally met his match and right now she is blocking him from opening his new building. Sam Wallace may be new in town, but she is not new to the world of construction. Even though she can’t legally permit him to open the building now, she is willing to try and help him find an alternative water line plan that would allow his business to open. Sam can try all she wants to deny her physical attraction to Kevin, but after one ill-fated mishap at the boardwalk with her daughter, Michaela, Kevin comes to her rescue and she decides to give-up and indulge in a few fantasies. Kevin has a few secrets of his own, but he knows that he is attracted to this headstrong, single mother. When Kevin helps Sam home, he discovers her secret drawer filled with toys and all bets are off in his mind.

This is the third novel in the Heat Wave series. Fans of the previous two books will be excited to see the updates on some of the previous characters. Alannah Lynne’s books overflow with sizzling chemistry and passion. With each new book, the characters and storylines dive further into the land of eroticism. Crossing Lines is filled with sex toys and sexual explorations. Though this style of romance is not for everyone, most romance fans will be swept up in all of the passion. This book reunites old characters with several new ones and sets up the possibilities for future storylines. Romance readers will surely be on the lookout for what Alannah Lynne writes next.

I must say that I have only read romance novels for about three years now. So no, I have not dived into all of the various sub-genres in the romance category, but I am addicted to a story that ends in a happily ever after. I relate to characters that have real emotions and struggle with real life situations and I thrive in the fact that they can overcome their past in order to have a happy future. I know romance books are not for everyone, but neither is any other genre. But for those of you who enjoy reading romance novels and have read the Heat Wave Series, which book was your favorite?

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Note: The author provided a copy of this book for me to review. To learn more about this author and her books, please visit her website.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Fiction Books, Romance Books

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,