I received this book from Penguin Random House in exchange for a honest review.
Heavenly peace? No, thank you. Dorothy Parker would rather
wander the famous halls of the Algonquin Hotel, drink in hand, searching for
someone, anyone, who will keep her company on this side of
eternity.
After forty years she thinks she’s found the perfect candidate in Ted Shriver,
a brilliant literary voice of the 1970s, silenced early in a promising career
by a devastating plagiarism scandal. Now a prickly recluse, he hides away in
the old hotel slowly dying of cancer, which he refuses to treat. If she can
just convince him to sign the infamous guestbook of Percy Coates, Dorothy
Parker might be able to persuade the jaded writer to spurn the white light with
her. Ted, however, might be the only person living or dead who’s more
stubborn than Parker, and he rejects her proposal outright.
When a young, ambitious TV producer, Norah Wolfe, enters the hotel in search of
Ted Shriver, Parker sees another opportunity to get what she wants. Instead,
she and Norah manage to uncover such startling secrets about Ted’s past that
the future changes for all of them.
My Thoughts...
A story about a ghost who doesn’t follow the white light and
continues to hang out at the Algonquin Hotel where she frequently met her friends
is not my usual read. Yet, I could
not put Dorothy Parker Drank Here down.
I love that Dorothy was a quirky, mouthy, noisy ghost that could only
take form when the guestbook she signed is left open. She held her own, somehow always got her
way, and drank a ton of alcohol all while making “friends” and causing havoc at
the hotel. It is such a great
story.
I did not find this to be a quick read. It had a lot of information, a lot of deals,
and a lot of fun. There were promises
made, promises broke, and promises kept.
It seemed every character had a secret, whether they shared the secret
with the others was all part of the story.
There is so much going on in this story, so much fun.
I am anxious to check out more of the Dorothy Parker
series. While this is not the first
book in this series, they do not have to be read in order. This is not the first book that I have read
in this series and I do not feel like I was missing out on anything by not
reading the first book.
“Not even death can
keep Dorothy Parker down in this sad and funny story.” —Kirkus
Reviews
“[DOROTHY PARKER DRANK HERE] does a lovely job of
imagining the voice of Dorothy Parker with equal parts wit, heartbreak, and
practicality.” —Booklist
“...a quick, charming read that will delight Parker fans and
stoke the curiosity of those unfamiliar with her great wit.” —Library
Journal
“This is a wacky tale with hilarious cameo appearances by
some of Dorothy Parker’s favorite dead celebrities—Robert Benchley, Tallulah
Bankhead, Groucho Marx, and Lillian Hellman—and liberally sprinkled with
Parker’s signature acerbic humor, wisecracks, and put-downs.” —Publishers
Weekly
“Between the martinis and the bon mots, there’s bite and
charm in [DOROTHY PARKER DRANK HERE], which conjures the spirit of the
titular literary wit.”—Closer Magazine
“This well-written story rolls right along after drawing you
in at page one. Meister has a flare for the quips for which Dorothy Parker was
so famous, making the reader feel as if the venerable Mrs. Parker has sprung
back to life, never to leave us again.”—Dish Magazine
“Classic wit, sparkling zingers and rapid-fire one-liners .
. . park reality at the door and let this book sweep you up into a nostalgic
tale punctuated with contemporary themes.”—Lincoln Journal Star
“The writing is stellar, making it difficult to put the book
down.”—RT Book Reviews
“It’s a great comic complement to novels like THE PARIS WIFE and LOVING FRANK,
and if you’re not a fan of Parker’s or Meister’s already, you soon will be.”—Book
Reporter
“DOROTHY PARKER DRANK HERE is a wild ride, pairing the
well-researched wit of Dorothy Parker with a contemporary story of success and
failure, romance and family. Meister’s brilliant interpretation of Parker’s
ghost in the modern world keeps the novel from ever veering into the land of
cliché as she brings to life—or rather, brings to ghostliness—the spirit of one
of the most famous writers of the Algonquin Round Table.”
I received this book from St. Martin's Press in exchange for a honest review.
Bennie Rosato the founder of the Rosato & DiNunzio law
firm hides her big heart beneath her tough-as-nails exterior and she doesn't
like to fail. Now, a case from her past shows her how differently things might
have turned out. Thirteen years ago, Bennie Rosato took on Jason Leftavick, a
twelve-year-old boy who was sent to a juvenile detention center after fighting
a class bully. Bennie couldn't free Jason, and to this day it's the case that
haunts her. Jason has grown up in and out of juvenile prison, and his adulthood
hasn't been any easier. Bennie no longer represents those accused of murder,
but when Jason is indicted for killing the same bully he fought with as a kid,
she sees no choice but to represent him. She doesn't know whether or not to
believe his claims of innocence, but she knows she owes him for past
failures--of the law, of the juvenile justice system, and of herself. Forced to
relive the darkest period of her life, Bennie will do everything in her power
to get the truth, and justice.
My Thoughts…
I love a book that has a history to it. This book starts in the present, then moves
to the past, and then ends back in the present. It always amazes me how authors manage to
tie them all together. Lisa Scottoline
did this perfectly in Corrupted. While
the characters in all the parts of this book are the same, their feelings,
their lives, and their worlds are not the same. In the first present Bennie is forced to
remember the history and the pain that was caused. Then we go back to the past to learn what
exactly had happen. Ending the story
in the present lets the reader get closure by finding out what happens with
these characters and if they end up being okay. While this is a series, by letting the
reader know what happens the book is a stand-a-lone.
I have read the first two books in the Rosato series and
loved Bennie. She is a strong woman
living in a man’s world. If I needed a
lawyer I would certainly look for someone like her. She goes to the wall for every client and
doesn’t take no for an answer. I
loved how she defended Jason twice; once as a child and then again as an
adult. She does what she knows is best
for Jason in both cases and takes the cases to heart.
Whether this is your first or your 100th Lisa
Scottoline book you cannot go wrong picking up Corrupted. It is an easy read with great
characters.
Published September 29, 2015 by Smashwords Edition
I received the book from the author, Christine S. Feldman in exchange for an honest review.
Who has time for dating these days? Certainly not struggling
entrepreneur Paisley Jameson, who has way too much on her plate to pay any real
attention to her shriveling social life. And not mechanic Joe Spencer either,
who has a lot on his mind with both the family business and family in general.
But neither can say no to the beloved mutual acquaintance who wants to set them
both up on a blind date.
Which is too bad, because they both kind of wish they had said no when they
show up for the dinner date and realize they've met before--and not under happy
circumstances.
But fate seems determined to prove that they're not so wrong for each other
after all, because in spite of the intentions of both Paisley and Joe to nip
this whole unfortunate blind date thing in the bud and go their separate ways,
events transpire to keep them together for an evening involving muggers,
foot-chases, and even a high-speed trip to the ER--
And that's all before dessert.
Dating: it's not for wimps…
My Thoughts…
Quick and easy… sometimes those are the best books. Christine Feldman has this style down. In the short 75 pages of this book the
reader is able to relate to the characters, laugh at the characters, and enjoy
a great story. There was romance within
the pages but there was also humor.
I loved that everything in this book happen in such a short
time. Joe and Paisley met, got
started on the wrong foot, and then were thrown together in the craziest way
ever. Both the characters had a lot on
their plates. Joe taking over his dad’s
garage and Paisley with her failing business.
Yet, they both came together and did what had to be done and while doing
what had to be done feelings developed.
I loved closing the book and imagining what their next date could be
like.
When you close a book, especially a short book, and continue
thinking about the characters you know it was a fun book to read. I
recommend checking it out and look forward to more in the Adventures in Blind
Dating series.
Published November 24, 2015 by Evil Eye Concepts Inc.
Thank you to Melissa Foster and Beck Valley Books for a complimentary copy of Daring Her Love.
Kat Martin knows what she wants in a man—someone stable and
adoring, definitely not the type of guy who sleeps around. After all, Kat
rarely does the wrong thing—until she meets seductively enticing Eric James,
and suddenly wrong has never felt so right.
When it comes to his career, race-car driver Eric James is intense, obsessive,
and passionate, but when it comes to sex, there's only one kind—daring,
unbridled, and no-strings-attached.
One stormy night, a delayed flight and the dangerous allure of the unknown
leads Kat to throw caution to the wind, and she indulges in a rendezvous that
she vows to immediately forget—but the secret tryst stirs something possessive
in Eric, and forgetting is not an option.
My Thoughts…
This is a short story about characters that have become my
book friends. I am always anxious to
catch up with the Braden family and see what they are up to. I am also excited to learn more about their
friends and hear about them getting their happy ever afters.
Kat is a fun girl.
She’s played around, partied hard, and lived life on the wild side. It was time for her to settle down but I
didn’t want her to lose her fun side.
When Eric came into her world I could see that he could keep challenging
her and pushing her to experience more of life.
Eric was not looking for a
relationship. I love how he did not
just accept that this was a hook-up. He
pursued her but did not become that pushy obnoxious guy. He cared about what she wanted and actually
gave her the room to be herself. He is
truly a good guy.
Only Melissa Foster can write a
book that has so many amazing characters, some new and some familiar. The scenes went from sweet and loving to hot
and steamy within the same paragraph.
The best part is that this is a stand-a-lone story. You can check out the entire series (which I
recommend) or just pick up this book and still get a ton of enjoyment from the
reading.
Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance (M/F, M/M, F/F), romantic suspense, thrillers, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa also co-writes the Love on Rockwell Island series with New York Times bestselling author Bella Andre. Melissa's emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.
Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa at The World Literary Cafe or her personal website.Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.
Releasing 24th November I received this book as part of the Beck Valley Books Wild Boys After Dark tour. Thank you to Melissa Foster and Beck Valley Books.
Receiving a marriage proposal is supposed to make a women happy, but when Erica Lane receives a beautiful marriage proposal from her perfect boyfriend on the eve of her annual camping trip with her best friend, Jackson Wild, the first thing she does is jump into bed with Jackson.
Jackson’s all too happy to screw the annoyance out of Erica. After all, they’ve always screwed the hell out of each other when they were bored or angry, lonely, or too damn drunk to see straight.
But the marriage proposal changes everything, and their annual camping trip takes unexpected turns. Will a few nights in the wilderness set these friends with benefits free, or lead them on a path of destruction?
My Thoughts…
When your best friend is of the opposite sex things can get
messy. Jackson and Erica are all
friends with benefits and are all good with that until that is put on the
line. When Erica gets engaged it would
mean that their arrangement would end.
They could stay friends but no more benefits. This throws Jackson off. He believes that he is not marriage
material. He doesn’t want to commit to
anyone, but he isn’t wanting Erica to commit either.
I found it interesting that feelings can come to the surface
when push comes to shove. I believe
these two would have continued as they were if Erica did not unintentionally
give Jackson a push. It was tough to
watch him struggle and see their friendship struggle and almost fall
apart. I was praying for a happy ending
for these two.
If you are familiar with Melissa Foster you have an idea
what to expect. Beware that this
series is a little hotter and a little sexier. Things are more graphic and the men
steamier. I have said that I am in
lust with the men in this series.
Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance (M/F, M/M, F/F), romantic suspense, thrillers, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa also co-writes the Love on Rockwell Island series with New York Times bestselling author Bella Andre. Melissa's emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.
Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa at The World Literary Cafe or her personal website.Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.
Follow Elizabeth down the rabbit hole—and meet a whole new
Alice.
Elizabeth, a twenty-four-year-old interior designer living in Brooklyn, New
York, encounters a little more than mental static when she sits down for her
morning meditation, feeling disconnected from herself and her reality. As she
meditates, she forces herself to confront her inner demons head on—including
the darker parts that she would rather keep hidden from others, like her
boyfriend, Adam. Her inner conflict leads her down a rabbit hole that is far
different from the one she remembers from her favorite childhood story. When
Elizabeth reaches the bottom of the rabbit hole, she follows a shadowy figure
in a familiar blue dress who taunts her and coaxes her deeper into
Wonderland.
Unable to release herself from her meditation, Elizabeth chases Alice through
Wonderland, guided by clues left by Alice, as well as the dark and strangely
familiar characters she meets, like the Cheshire Cat, the Tweedle twins, and
the Mad Hatter. In Wonderland, Elizabeth comes face to face with her inner
light and darkness, and, finally, Alice—and discovers that Alice’s secret might
be what she has been searching for all along.
My Thoughts…
I love plays on familiar fairy tales. Alice in Wonderland is always a
favorite. There are so many ways for an
author to take liberties with the story and make it their own. That is exactly what Anna Patrick did, yet
the original story is recognizable.
Elizabeth is taking time before work to meditate and ends up
down the rabbit hole. She chases Alice
through Wonderland, meeting all of the expected Alice in Wonderland
characters. Really, she is looking
at herself. She is seeing herself and Wonderland through
her own eyes but does not realize it.
This is a story of finding one’s self,
seeing yourself through someone else’s eyes, and learning how others
perceive you. All of it told through
Elizabeth’s journey into Wonderland.
There were points where I skimmed paragraphs, the story
seemed to drag. Don’t take that as that
I did not enjoy the book. I did. I finished it two days ago and I am still
thinking about it. I will be looking
for more from Anna Patrick.
The Destined Series, a collection of 275,000 words, 5 books, surrounding life long best friends who face life as a team. Follow Mira, Skylar, Danny and Kylee through college and beyond as they learn who they truly are, where they belong and who holds their hearts. This is a COMPLETE series with resolution of every story line by the last page.
MIRAGE - This story was FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC! I highly recommend this novel. It has the potential to become a ground-breaking phenomenon. INCEPTION - I really loved how I was just sucked in by the story line and how wonderfully written it is AWAKENING - One of the best series I have ever read FACADE - I highly suggest you grab a copy of Façade!! It's HOT, touching and suspenseful. Although it is a standalone it does touch upon the other characters in her previous books. EPIPHANY - What a perfect ending to this series. I'm kind of sad because this is the end and I have fallen in love with the characters. Ashley did a wonderful job wrapping up everything for all of the characters. The story is brilliantly put together and perfectly paced. It flowed effortlessly. It starts off fantastic from page one and there was never a dull moment
Book 1 - Mirage Book 1.5 - Inception Book 2 - Awakening Book 3 - Facade Book 4 - Epiphany
"Let the games begin, Leah Parker. I'm about to make your summer very interesting."
David f**king Banducci. How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways. He was the biggest thorn in my side when we were young. Back then, he was tall, hot and dangerous--hell, he still is; more so, actually, plus an arm full of tatts. He used his popularity and charming, cocky smile for evil. He never missed a single chance to tease me, torment me, or make my life miserable. Worst of all, I never knew why he targeted me to begin with.
You'd think time would heal all wounds, but whoever said that was a lying sack of sh*t.
Because I'm an adult now, so I should be over it, right? Well that's kind of hard now that my absentminded father is married to his stripper mother. Thanks, Dad.
Now I'm stuck on the back of his motorcycle, clinging to his muscular form for dear life as we trek across the country to my dad's lakehouse. And worse yet, he's found new ways to torture me. Ways that send chills down my spine. Ways I just might not be able to resist...
And all I wanted was a nice, quiet summer to myself.
Publisher: Loveswept, a Penguin Random House imprint
Synopsis
Full of swagger and sensuality, the Caldwell Brothers series—perfect for fans of Katy Evans and Emma Chase—packs an emotional punch as the last bachelor standing fights for a woman who’s worth every ounce of trouble.Jagger Caldwell is no one’s hero. With a reputation busting heads and breaking hearts on the underground MMA circuit, he lives for easy cash and easier women. But when he stumbles upon an all-too-familiar scene, painful memories awaken Jagger’s sensitive side and compel him to act. As a kid, he stood by helplessly as his old man beat his mom. Now, Jagger won’t let seventeen-year-old Tatiana Rand suffer the same fate. Nothing matters except saving her.Tatiana is a prisoner in her own home, at the mercy of her violent father—until an unlikely savior bursts through her door and into her life. Six-feet-plus of tattooed muscle and raw power, Jagger is no prince charming—but Tatiana stopped believing in fairy tales long ago. Despite their differences in age and, well, everything else, the sexy bad boy sparks a fire that Tatiana never knew she had—and desires that only Jagger can quench.
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
Hendrix Caldwell wants nothing more than to revitalize the family bar—and tear down every last reminder of his no-good father. But business isn’t the only thing on his mind. An explosive encounter with a stranger at a charity masquerade is just the distraction he craves, with no names and no strings attached. For Hendrix, sex is casual, and love is a four-letter word. His commitment is to his brothers, his bar, and his bike. So why can’t he stop thinking about the naughty Cinderella who rocked his world, then left him—and her panties—behind?Olivia Hemmingway knows fairytales are for little girls. Drowning in debt and hiding a shameful secret, she won’t be saved by a knight in tattooed armor, no matter how mind-blowing their one-night stand may have been. Olivia never expects to meet her masked lover again. But when she takes a job at Hendrix Caldwell’s bar, her sexy new boss seems all too familiar. And once the lights go out and the music is turned up, the sparks between them burn hotter than ever.
For Morrison Caldwell, life is a game of chance. A high roller with a legendary poker face, he’s the wild card of the family, always chasing the next thrill and never staying put for long. The one place that always lures him back is Las Vegas, with its hot tables and even hotter women. He’s perfectly content to live his life as a series of one-night stands. But when a parking lot confrontation with a cocktail waitress takes a naughty turn, she leaves Morrison aching for another round. After a long losing streak in Sin City, Hailey Poe is ready to get lucky. A steamy tryst with a cocky, mysterious stranger is the kind of no-strings encounter she’s been craving . . . until Morrison Caldwell asks for more than she’s willing to offer. But when Hailey’s controlling, soon-to-be ex-husband tries to take her daughter away, she can’t afford to turn down a helping hand. In this winner-takes-all game, Morrison is gambling with Hailey’s life—and her heart.
About the Authors
USA Today bestselling author Chelsea Camaron grew up turning wrenches alongside her father, which just so happened to inspire her Love and Repair and The Hellions Ride series. When she’s not writing, you can find her playing with her kids, attending car shows, going on motorcycle rides on the back of her husband’s Harley, snuggling down with her new favorite book, or watching any movie that Vin Diesel might happen to be in. She lives in Louisiana with her husband and two children.
MJ Fields is the USA Today bestselling author of the Love series, the Wrapped series, the Burning Souls series, the Men of Steel series, and the Norfolk series. A former small-business owner who recently became a full-time writer, Fields lives in central New York, surrounded by family and friends. Her house is full of pets, friends, and noise ninety percent of the time, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Praise for Hendrix by Chelsea Camaron and MJ Fields
“This book is full of laughs, a lot of love, and will leave you feeling drained, but in a good way. If you haven’t got your copy yet, I definitely recommend it! You’ll be just as anxious as I am for another Caldwell brother.”—Book Boyfriend Hangover (five stars)
“What happens when two worlds collide not once, but twice? Wow. There are so many books I want from this series.”—Reading Renee“I loved seeing the family dynamics and bond these three brothers have.”—Twinsie Talk“I can’t wait to dive into more of the Caldwell brothers’ stories.”—The Book Enthusiast
Nia Washington is an incredibly talented ballerina. She
fought her way up from the streets and was nearing the pinnacle of her
profession when an injury and a broken heart derailed her career. Taking a
temporary job at an elite boarding school was supposed to give her time to
nurse both body and soul. It was supposed to be a safe place to launch a
triumphant comeback. It is anything but.
Shortly after she arrives at the beautiful lakeside campus, she discovers the
body of a murdered student, and her life takes a truly dark turn. It’s not long
before she is drawn into a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with a ruthless
killer. And Nia isn't the only target. She must use all of her street smarts to
protect her dancers, save a wrongfully accused student, and rescue the man she
loves.
My Thoughts…
I saw it coming… I wanted to be wrong…
The book started with a murder of a teenage girl. I was enthralled. The who done it part of the story kept me
reading. I knew who did it, I kept
guessing, I hoped I was wrong. The
drama was to be expected in a book of teenagers who lived together 24/7,
studying together, going to class together, and being in competition with each
other for everything.
What surprised me are the adults. I could not believe how clueless they
were. How could they not see what was
happening in front of them. Nia was the
one that saw the most. Yet, she did
not tell. She kept secrets until forced
to tell them. I was interested in her
relationship with Jeremy. I could
not make up my mind on whether I liked their relationship or not. I am still unsure, but I know now what their
relationship really was.
Dark Turns takes the reader into the mind of a
murderer. I loved every page. I recommend checking out the book.
Ziamara nearly died, but a distantly-related vampire put a stop to that. After
training to live safely among humans, she returns to her hometown of Delphic
Cove to settle into her afterlife. Things are as normal as can be, until a pack
of werewolves try to tear her limb from limb.
She survives the assault but returns home to find her house destroyed. Her
grandmother is missing, and the only ones who can help her are the very
werewolves who threatened her afterlife! Neither Ziamara nor the wolves are
excited to work together, but one member of the pack has caught her eye. At a
time when the new vampire needs to focus, the only thing she can think about is
him.
When Ziamara and the pack get closer to the truth about her grandmother’s
disappearance, they find something more ancient, powerful, and deadly than they
ever imagined…
Saved by a Vampire is a standalone novel in the Transformed saga, a series of
young adult paranormal romance novels. If you like feisty vampires, enchanting
werewolves, dystopian post-war settings, and pulse-pounding thrillers, then
you’ll love Stacy Claflin’s latest twist on the typical vampire and werewolf
tale.
My Thoughts…
Saved by a Vampire is the first book that I have read in The
Transformed series. I love a good
paranormal book, werewolves, vampires, trolls, and witches… what more can I ask
for? This book had it all. I devoured this book in one day and would
love to read more of these characters.
Will Ziamara and Jet be a couple?
Will Ziamara and her grandmother ever be safe? There are so many questions left
unanswered.
Maybe that is why I am unsure how I feel about this
book. I read it, loved it, yet I feel
like it is unfinished. There were some
parts that seemed information was missing.
I felt like it was rushed in some places, the story just pushed through
leaving out things that would have made the story that much better.
Yet, I want more. I
will be going back and reading more of this series. The characters were great and the storyline
moved along. The romance between
Ziamara and Jet was sweet and loving.
It felt like a teenage romance which is exactly what it was. The wolves were interesting… attacking
Ziamara at first meeting then being forced to protect her then actually wanting
to keep her safe and being friends.
Dare to Seduce (Dare to Love Book #8) by Carly Phillips
Date of Publication: November 17, 2015
Blurb
This book can be read as a standalone!
Max Savage has had a thing for Lucy Dare for as long as he can remember but he values his long standing friendship with her brothers too much to cross the line. When Lucy shows up at an engagement party on the arm of another man, Max doesn't like the changes he sees in her.
It's now or never. Max can think of one way to convince Lucy she's with the wrong guy. He'll dare to seduce her...
My Thoughts…
Their love was one they both felt for a long time, yet they could not, would not, and did not act on it. Then life got in the way….
Lucy is a tough lady. She loved Max forever then he went and broke her heart by marrying another woman. She never got over that and the Max came flying back into her life. Both guns blazing, his heart wide open, and not willing to take no as an answer.
I felt like there was a lot more that could be told in this story. There were gaps of time Max and Lucy did not interact and I wanted them to. The time they spent together was amazing and sizzling. I could not wait for more of their ah-ha moments to happen. It definitely was destiny for them to get together and I am glad that they did as adults, not letting lust and feelings get them in trouble when they were younger. I also appreciated how Lucy’s brothers did not get in the way of their relationship. They were willing to step in if they had to but understood that this was something between Lucy and Max.
I recommend this entire series. It is steamy, sexy, and wonderful.
Since finding out his father had another family on the side,
Ian Dare swore to be the upstanding, responsible man his cheating parent had
never been. When it comes to his relatives, he gives his all but in
relationships he offers the bare minimum. But one glimpse of sensual Riley
Taylor arouses his dominant and protective instincts and Ian is entranced. He
will do anything to possess her … and does. But any future with Riley must
include him extending an olive branch to the half-brother who is a constant
reminder of the pain he’d rather forget.
Independent and always in control, Riley Taylor makes no apologies for choosing
men carefully. Relationships have never been a priority and she believes
herself hardened to domineering men – until she meets charismatic Ian Dare. He
manages to turn a simple kiss into an all out assault on her senses and when he
takes control in the bedroom, she’s stunned to discover she likes it. As their
affair heats up, they soon realize they complete each other in ways neither
imagined. But Riley’s past is closer than she cares to remember, and her
struggles with Ian’s dominance might just cost her everything.
My Thoughts…
I had mixed feelings about Ian. It was definitely a love hate
relationship. There were times I felt
like he was being too tough on his “other” family, yet I could understand why
he could not just welcome them with open arms.
I hate to think how I would react if I found out my father had a whole
family that was kept a secret. The one
thing I loved from the beginning was Ian’s reaction to Riley. There was never any doubt that these two belonged
together.
Riley was interesting.
The fact that she was best friends with Alex, Ian’s half brother, and
that she was considered part of the other family made her intriguing. The attraction was there, the feelings were
there, but I kept wondering if they could bridge the other family gap. It couldn’t be easy, love never is. Luckily, Riley is an adult. She doesn’t give in to the pettiness between
the brothers and doesn’t let it get between them, or at least not much.
This is the first book in the Dare to Love series. I was lucky enough to get to read them in order
and LOVE them. Check out my thoughts on
the rest of this series.
Quarterback Alex Dare, had it all -- an all-star football
career with the Tampa Breakers and his choice of willing women -- until a
severe injury forces him into early retirement. When he is offered a
ground-breaking position with a rival team, he’s intrigued, but there’s a
catch. He’ll be working alongside the same woman he hasn’t been able to get out
of his head for too long.
Social worker Madison Evans grew up in foster homes and knows first hand what
it means to have-not. She isn't impressed by Alex Dare’s wealth or charm. Not
since she fell hard for him once before, only to discover she was just one of
his too-easy conquests. This time around Madison refuses to succumb to Alex so
easily.
But Alex wants Madison. And if there is one thing Alex does well, it’s to get
what he wants. The playboy athlete must prove he’s got game in more places than
on the field. He means to prove that he’s a changed man but no sooner does he
begin to break through Madison’s defenses when a new opportunity comes knocking
and threatens her new-found trust. Can he make Madison take a risk and dare to
love?
My Thoughts…
Alex had it all, until he didn’t. He went from a star football player living
a big life with everything he wanted being thrown at his feet to living a
depressed lonely life. Then he met
Madison and let her go. Now he wants
her back. The second time around won’t
be as easy as the first time. Alex has
a lot to prove.
I felt bad for Alex.
Whether a big star or a little no one when your world is turned upside
down it is hard to get it righted.
He had worked hard to get the life he had and wasn’t sure what to do now
that he could not live that life. The
upside…. Ian, his half brother, offered him a job. It was a small bridge to bring together two
sides of the family together. I
enjoyed watching him have to work to get his life right and make some tough
decisions.
Madison… oh Madison.
What a tough life she had.
Growing up in foster homes, falling for Alex and then him not doing
right by her…. then getting her dream job bringing Alex back into her
life. I love that she made him work. She didn’t just give in to him and fall back
into his life. She calls him on his
issues and lets him into her life.
After ending a relationship to a cheating, domineering man,
Isabelle Masters takes off in her leased Mercedes, only to be arrested for
grand theft and hauled to a local police station. To her surprise, she is
rescued by the most unlikely person possible, Gabriel Dare, a man she’s been
attracted to for far too long. Gabe offers Isabelle freedom along with an
invitation to Eden, an exclusive island resort where everything and anything is
possible.
Although Gabe yearns to possess Isabelle, he knows all too well he must fight
his primitive need to bind her to him, and instead help bring out the
independent woman she yearns to become – or risk losing her for good.
A woman who needs to run her own life. A man who needs to exert control. Can
she surrender to his erotic demands without losing her sense of self once more?
My Thoughts…
Izzy had a rough life.
She had parents who gave her no attention and went straight into a
relationship with a man who is despicable.
No wonder she was extra cautious and quick to run from Gabe. I felt like Izzy was a weak character that
became strong. She figured out how to
stand on her own two feet, how to accomplish the career that she wanted, and
how to be a woman with a strong alpha man that she loves.
Gabe knows what he wants and has no problems going after
it. With Izzy he had to figure out how
to step back, let her figure out what she wanted without the pressure from him,
and hope that he was what she ended up wanting. What I loved was that once he set his
sights on Izzy he never let her out.
He kept her safe, protected, and loved even when she didn’t know that is
what she wanted.
This is a short sexy book.
I felt like at times the story was rushed. There were some things that could have been
told more of. I still loved reading it. I devoured it quickly. I cannot wait for the rest of this
series.
Decklan Dare knows about the unexpected loss of loved ones
and for this reason, he values control in all areas of his life. Amanda Collins
enjoys the freedom she finds in casual encounters without the emotional
connection a relationship brings. They meet and their physical attraction is
mutual but both experience feelings that could run deeper – if they drop their
guard and let each other in. Decklan is first to trust, but when he discovers
the secret Amanda’s been hiding, will he forgive? Or will he rebuild every wall
before she has a chance to explain?
My Thoughts…
I am not much of a BDSM reader thus I was comprehensive when
I picked up this book, but I had to keep reading this series. Decklan and Amanda are the next Dare
family members story to be shared.
Decklan always has control. When Amanda comes to his BDSM club he is
instantly attracted to her. Unknown to
him Amanda has had eyes from him also.
After their first night together they both realize that one night will
not be enough.
I struggle with all of Amanda’s insecurities. She stayed inside herself way too much and
could not work through her past. I am
still not convinced that she has worked through it. The good news is she now has Decklan on her
side so his strength will get her through.
As with the rest of this series, I could not put this book
down. There were some points that I
skimmed and some points I re-read just
because they were so amazing. Check out
this series. I am anxious to keep
reading.
Olivia Dare, executive director of the Miami Thunder, and
team travel director Dylan Rhodes share more than just a passion for football.
Their chemistry is explosive--their feelings for each other intense. Yet Olivia
has ended things for reasons he still can’t fathom and she won’t explain.
Unwilling to let something special go so easily, Dylan has been pursuing Olivia
ever since. When the Pro-Bowl takes them to the tropical paradise of Hawaii,
Dylan is determined to make sure their time together isn’t all business. What
happens in paradise is life altering but once Olivia admits her deepest secret
and fear, will Dylan still want the forever he’s been pushing for?
My Thoughts…
Olivia Dare from the first family of Dares has kept
relationships in the no-no category.
Then she met and started working with Dylan. The feelings were there, the sparks were
flying, and she fought it tooth and
nail. Olivia is dealing with the
abandonment of her father, he was there sometimes but not when it counted. She
also has a history that she needs to share with Dylan if she wants the
relationship to work.
Dylan is not willing to let Olivia go. He pushes, he pulls, he tugs at her heart,
and he lets her have space when she needs it.
He is not willing to let go of a good thing. He knows her history, but not all of
it. He also knows that he has to share
his history.
Carly Phillips has written a series of books perfect for
those who want a happily ever after.
The stories are fast paced, erotic, and devourable. There is a common theme of hurt, lost loves,
family ties, and looking for new love.
The male characters are strong males with dominate personalities in the
bedroom and out. This is a series that
can be read one book at a time, yet are much better read in order.
Some women always get it right. Kindergarten teacher, Meg
Thompson, on the other hand, consistently makes the wrong decisions — and she
is currently single, pregnant and alone. Meg is determined to make changes in
her life, to be a better mother than her own had been. No revolving door of
men. No man, period. Just a single-minded focus on her baby. Her resolution would
be easier to keep if not for hot cop, Scott Dare. He insinuates himself in her
life, making Meg want to believe in happily ever after, even if history has
taught her to know better.
When Scott Dare hears Meg’s friends are determined she have a night of hot sex,
before her life changes forever, he decides that man must be him. Their one
night is mind blowing and life altering. And Scott, a man already burned by his
ex-wife, finds himself all in anyway. While protecting Meg from her violent ex
and becoming part of her increasingly complicated life, he’s falling hard and
he can’t seem to find distance. Not when their bodies respond to each other
with such heated intensity and he’s drawn to her unique combination of strength
and vulnerability.
But Meg’s future is one Scott has accepted he’ll never have, even if his
growing feelings say otherwise …
My Thoughts…
This is my favorite so far in this series. Meg is not a Dare but she is Dylan’s
(Olivia’s husband) ex. She has also
got the attention of Scott Dare, Olivia’s brother. Meg is pregnant, that doesn’t sound like a
perfect girlfriend but it is for Scott.
Not because she is pregnant, but because he just cannot stop thinking
about her and wanting to protect her.
The protection is part of The Dare Family, every man in the family
protects his woman except for the father.
Scott is the dream Dare man for me. He is sweet, protective, and patient. He is not a push over, but he knows when
Meg needs space and is willing to give it to her. When he does wrong he realizes it and
works to make it right. I didn’t love
Meg. I felt like she was too needy, too
quick to jump to conclusions, and I didn’t like her hanging onto Dylan. I know that Dylan is her ex and has been
there for after their relationship ended.
I liked that Scott took over
Dylan’s spot in her life. He was there
no matter what was happening, no matter where she was, and no matter who was
causing her problems.
This is another great book in the Dare to Love series by Carly
Phillips. I recommend checking them all
out.
Avery Dare lives a quiet life in Miami as an online
fashion/makeup video blogger. She has good friends, a close, large family and
if her love life is lacking, she likes it that way. But when she receives an
invitation to one of her ex's concerts along with an invitation to meet him
back stage, she decides to take the risk… and comes face to face with the
reality of his rock star lifestyle - the press, the crowds, and the half naked
groupies.
At eighteen, Grey Kingston left everything he knew and loved behind to seek
fame and fortune as a rock star, and he found it as the lead guitarist and
singer for the band, Tangled Royal. Fans adore him, women throw themselves at
him, and he can afford everything he couldn’t growing up. Yet at the height of
his career, he’s ready to walk away and return home to a simpler life… and the
woman he left behind, if he can convince her to give him another chance.
Except moving on isn’t as easy as Grey would like. When Avery is threatened by
a stalker, it becomes evident Grey’s fans not only don’t want him to retire,
they don’t want Avery in his life either. And Avery isn’t sure she wants the
pressures that are part of Grey’s life… but she doesn’t want to lose him again,
either. Can their recently renewed love survive the fallout?
But Meg’s future is one Scott has accepted he’ll never have, even if his
growing feelings say otherwise …
My Thoughts…
Avery is a great character. She is strong and faithful not only to
Grey, but to her siblings and friends also.
Even when doubt starts to set in on her she knows that she has to handle
and come to terms with whatever is going on.
It would have been easier to run away, hide, and never come out again
she manages to continue to her life her way.
Grey is, of course, the best character in the book. He is hot, sexy, and alpha male in the best
way possible. He is not the cocky
musician that a lot of other authors portray them as. What turned me on the most is just the fact
that he stood by Avery. It didn’t
matter what was happening in her life or who was telling him to back off he
just stayed there, by her side.
While the sex scenes are crazy hot, they were tasteful. There were some dirty words, but they were
exchanged in the heat of the moment, not taken to be foul. The love between Avery and Grey was evident
in everything they did.
I was not ready for this story to end. I wanted more. There could have been more about the
stalker. I wanted to know what happen
to Simon. Her brothers and sister each
have their own book, but I could have handled more about them also.
I recommend this series.
I know that I will be checking out the rest of this series.
After a successful fifteen year career with various New York publishing houses, and over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels published, N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips is now an Indie author who writes to her own expectations and that of her readers. She continues the tradition of hot men and strong women and plans to publish many more sizzling stories. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She's a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she's a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers. You can find out more about Carly at www.carlyphillips.com.
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This book can be read as a standalone!
