Kari@ From the TBR Pile

Out of Bounds

8:00 pm 17 June 2014

Out of Bounds is definitely a very hot and steamy novel. I did like the chemistry between Tarak and Sabra. Their struggle to fight their feelings because of their work relationship made the tension between them even more intriguing. I was hoping that they would have their HEA.

The only thing I didn't like about the book was the attempted at a Dom/sub relationship. I felt like it was kind of a half attempt and was never fully developed. I think that the story would have been fine with out it. Tarak was a great alpha male and Sabra was a strong match for him. I felt like she was too strong willed to be a true sub.

Despite that, I enjoyed this book and do recommend it. I hope that she will write Nartan and Celeste's book next!

Too Much

8:00 pm 13 June 2014

Too Much is a well written novel that I really enjoyed reading. You should know that it does have BDSM scenes. But I thought they were tastefully written and definitely hot! Daly left Jeremiah a few years before and now she has been lured back because she believes his brother is in danger. The problem is that Jeremiah is too hard to resist.

I loved Daly and Jeremiah together. They have a deep love for each other, they just need to learn a little trust. Something that is a bit hard to find. I was really hoping they would find their way to trust each other. There is a little bit of a mystery and a twist at the end. I was really surprised.

This a great first book in a series! I look forward to reading Toby and Ruthie's story next!

All Day and a Night: A Novel of Suspense

8:00 pm 10 June 2014

All Day and a Night is the fourth book that I have read by this author. Ms. Burke is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. Her stand alone books as well as the Ellie Hathcer series books are always engaging, fast paced and well written. I really enjoyed All Day and a Night. As usual, I was sucked right into the mystery and couldn't put it down.

There are a few mysteries wrapped up in this story. Ellie Hatcher is just the cop to sort through all of the muck and figure it all out. I was kept guessing through most of it, although I did have my suspicions about one of the killer's identity. I was happy to see I was right. Aside from the mystery, we get to see more of Ellie and Max. They have now been living together for a few months and their jobs are testing their relationship. I loved the resolution to their conflict.

This is another fabulous book from Ms. Burke. I eagerly await her next one!

Posted on From the TBR Pile

The Hero

8:00 pm 9 June 2014

I swear this series keeps getting better and better. I have probably said ti before about this series, but the thing I am loving the most is the way the author includes many of the past characters. It's like visiting with old friends. I know I would love to live in a town like this one.

In The Hero, Devon has run from a commune with her 3 YO daughter. She has come to realize that her idealistic life is really a prison and she wants to live freely. Rawley picks her up in the highway and recognizes a lost soul in need of help. He brings her to Thunder Point where she begins to make a life for herself and Mercy. There she meets Spencer and their love story begins.

I loved Spencer and Devon together. I admired Devon's caution about their relationship and commended her for wanting to take things slow. Despite Spencer's freak-out, I thought they were great together. But, even more than Spencer and Devon's relationship, I loved the bond that Devon and Mercy formed with Rawley. We get to see more of his true personality in this book. The way he took to being a "grandpa" was super sweet.

Meant to be Mine

8:00 pm 8 June 2014

Meant to Be Mine is the second in the Porter family series. I didn't realize it was part of a series, but to be honest, I didn't feel like I had to read the first book to know what was going on. I enjoyed Ty and Celia's story. They got married on a whim in Las Vegas and after their one night together, Ty breaks Celia's heart. 5 years later, he finds out she had a child that he never knew about. I enjoyed watching these two fall in love with each other.

I loved Ty. His career has ended and now he is at loose ends. He is stumbling and trying to figure out what is next and how his daughter and "wife" fit into that next step. His family and his faith play a big role in helping him find his way. For the most part, I liked Celia. She is independent and a good mother. However, I thought that her true forgiveness for Ty came after too much time. I felt like what she did in keeping Addie from Ty was just as bad as what he did to her 5 years before. Yet, it took her so long to forgive and trust him. That got on my nerves after a while. But, I was rooting for them to finally admit they were so right for each other.

If you are looking for a sweet clean romance, this book is for you. I loved Bo and Meg and want to go back and read their story in Undeniably Yours. I hope Jake's story is next! I look forward to reading it!

Bird Box

8:00 pm 4 June 2014

I was a little hesitant to like Bird Box at first. I didn't understand why Malorie doesn't have names for her kids. Calling them "Boy" and "girl" got to me. But, as the story progressed, I found myself getting suck in more and more. This book is definitely creepy and big on tension. I liked how the story unfolded by waffling back and forth between the past and the present. One thing about the book is that it really makes you think about eyesight and what it would be like to have to survive in the dark. I'm not sure I would be that brave. This is a great debut and one I highly recommend. I think this author has a bright future and I look forward to seeing what he has in store for us next!

Moving Day: A Thriller

8:00 pm 31 May 2014

Moving Day was kind of a strange book for me. I'm not sure I really understood the direction for the story. I ended up skimming some of the book. I was expecting a thriller, but the story never became all that thrilling. Essentially, Peke and his wife are robbed. What results is a cross country fight to regain possession.

The way Peke tracks down his stuff was pretty ingenious. So, I did like that part of the plot. I would have been happy for the story to stop there. Maybe this one would have worked better as a novella. I say that because the ending was really strange. Peke kind of goes a little psycho and I'm still not sure I understand why. The book has received some great reviews. I guess I'll have to chalk this one up as being not for me.

The Marriage Pact

8:00 pm 31 May 2014

As I said before, I am a huge fan of this author. I love her books because the characters are so likable. The women are strong and independent and the men are swoon-worthy and lovable. The Marriage Pact is the beginning of a new series about three best friends who make a pact to help and support each other in their quest to find love and family.

Hadleigh and Tripp have known each other their whole lives. I think that made this story that much more satisfying. They know each other inside and out and their love came through as genuine and forever. I found myself routing for them to finally admit they belonged together. But beyond this relationship, we are treated to the wonderful bond between Tripp and his stepfather, Jim. And in Tripp's finally realizing that blood isn't always the thing that makes a family.

I definitely recommend this one! It's a great start to the series. I can't wait to rad Melody's and Bex's stories!

The Runaway Highlander (The Highland Renegades)

8:00 pm 29 May 2014

The Runaway Highlander is the second in Highland Renegades series. I hadn't read the first book,before diving into this one. The story is an exciting book with lots of adventure, bad guys and swoon-worthy Scotsman. It's definitely worth trying out. My only complaint was that I wish I had read the first book in the series. In the beginning I felt like I was missing back story. But, despite that, I enjoyed reading Aedan and Anne's story.

I felt so badly for Anne and her sister and their situation. I was really hoping that their mother and the Sheriff would get what was coming to them. I loved Aedan the most. He is just trying to do the right thing for the people he loves, even if it means selling his sword and his life to the highest bidder. What he did in the end for Anne was incredible. I urge you to give this author a try and and see if you fall in love with Aedan like I did.

The Heiresses

8:00 pm 28 May 2014

Review posted on From the TBR Pile

I was really interested in reading The Heiresses because I will admit to being a fan of Pretty Little Liars on TV. I haven't read the series, but love the show. So, when I saw that the author was coming out with an adult series, I had to give it a try. Honestly, I'm still trying to decide if I liked the book or not.

None of the characters were particularly likable. I lost respect for most of them within the first half of the book. Does no one stay faithful anymore? I was kind of put off by the amount of infidelity that ran through this crowd. I was a bit disappointed that the author felt she had to go that route with just about everyone. I think the only character that I really ended up liking was Aster. She was the most changed by the end of the book.

The other disappointment for me was the feeling throughout the book that I had spent time with these characters before. In essence, I had while watching every episode of PLL. The "heiresses" are essentially adult versions of the teens on PLLs. Oh, there are differences yes, but I really felt like at the heart they were the same women. Then there is also the similarity to Gossip Girl with the website. So, the lack of originality was a let down.

Ignoring all of the disappointments, I did like the mystery part of the book. There are several suspects and several "red herrings", so it was hard to guess all of the truths. That part was fun in trying to figure out what was important and what wasn't. The solution(s) were a surprise, so the author gets points for that.

This is supposed to be the first in a series. Honestly, I would have been happy to see this be a stand alone. I felt satisfied with the ending before the "one year later" epilogue that ended of with a cliff hanger and opening for the next book. Will I continue? Probably, if only to see whose body was found.

Montana Man (Harlequin Temptation)

8:00 pm 27 May 2014

Montana Man was just OK for me. To be honest neither of the characters were all that interesting, except maybe Nicki the 5 week old baby. Plot wise, not much happens either. Lily and Quist (what kind of name is that?) get stranded in a blizzard. They find a cabin which of course causes them to become extremely attracted to each other. Sex happens. Then they are rescued. Oh, there are a few other things in there that happen, but that is the gist.

There were so many things that I could find wrong with this book, but I should probably take the time period it was written into account. There was potential to make this a romantic suspense with Quist's pursuit of his half sister or maybe even with Lily's ex-brother-in law, but those avenues fizzled out. Ms. Delinsky has written much better books since this one. I say skip it and try a different book of hers.