Pucked by Helena Hunting

With a famous NHL player for a step-brother, Violet Hall is well acquainted with the playboy reputation many hockey stars come with. She’s smart enough to steer clear of those hot, well-built boys with unparalleled stamina. That is until she meets the legendary team captain—Alex Waters.

Violet isn’t interested in his pretty, beat-up face, or his rock-hard six-pack abs. But when Alex inadvertently obliterates Violet’s previous misapprehension regarding the inferior intellect of hockey players, he becomes more than just a hot body with a face to match.

In what can only be considered a complete lapse in judgment, Violet finds out just how good Alex is with the hockey stick in his pants. But what starts out as a one-night stand, quickly turns into something more. Post-night of orgasmic magic, Alex starts to call, and text, and e-mail and send extravagant—and quirky—gifts, making him difficult to ignore, and even more difficult not to like.

The problem is, the media portrays Alex as a total player, and Violet doesn’t want to be part of the game.

REVIEW: ***

I liked this one a lot. It had a lot of funny moments and was not too serious. Not a lot of angst (although there was some). I enjoyed the characters - even the supporting characters. They were easy enough to relate to and their motivations were clear. This was a light-hearted romance...something a bit different from all the darker romances out there now.

Attraction (Elements of Chemistry #1) by Penny Reid

One week.
Private beach.
Invisible girl.
Jerk-faced bully.
What’s the worst that could happen?

Kaitlyn Parker has no problem being the invisible girl, which is why she finds herself hiding in various cabinets and closets all over her college campus. Despite her best efforts, she can’t escape the notice of Martin Sandeke—bad boy, jerkface bully, and the universe’s hottest, wealthiest, and most unobtainable bachelor—who also happens to be Kaitlyn’s chemistry lab partner.

Kaitlyn might be the only girl who isn’t interested in exploiting his stunning rower’s build, chiseled features, and family's billionaire fortune. Kaitlyn wants Martin for his brain, specifically to tabulate findings of trace elements in surface water.

When Kaitlyn saves Martin from a nefarious plot, Martin uses the opportunity to push Kaitlyn out of her comfort zone: spring break, one week, house parties, bathing suits, and suntan lotion. Can she overcome her aversion to being noticed? Will he be able grow beyond his self-centered nature? Or, despite their obvious chemistry, will Martin be the one to drive Kaitlyn into the science cabinet of obscurity for good? 

REVIEW: ***

This was an ok read. It was laugh out loud funny in some places, but I got a bit tired of the heroine and her angsty feeling towards the hero. 

I did not realize this was a serial book...I actually hate reading those. I don't see why an author needs to chop up a perfectly good book into multiple parts so you can only read the first few chapters at a time. I understand series of books, but not cutting one book into many parts. Luckily I did not start reading this until after all the parts were published. 

The entire story was good overall (after I finished all three parts) but I did not like the last two parts as well as the first. I am not sure what it was exactly about the heroine that irritated me after a while...maybe it was her total lack of understanding the guy, I really don't know, but she did irritate me in sections two and three. 

Leviathan (The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier #5) by Jack Campbell

Two Syndicate World star systems have fallen prey to a mysterious fleet of warships—a fleet controlled entirely by artificial intelligence—that is now targeting Alliance space. The warships are no mystery to Geary. They were developed by his government to ensure security, but malfunctioned. If the Syndics learn the truth, the war with the Alliance will resume with a vengeance.

As the government attempts to conceal the existence of the A.I. warships—and its role in their creation—Geary pursues them, treading a fine line between mutiny and obedience. But it soon becomes clear that his fleet is no match for the firepower of the machine-piloted armada.

With the help of the Dancer species of aliens, Geary has tracked the A.I. ships to their secret base in the supposedly mythical Unity Alternate star system where his fleet, the last hope of the Alliance’s future, will end the conflict at any cost… 

REVIEW: ****

Great Series. I liked this one a lot more since it did not go into every little detail of things like the video conference systems and every missile etc. every time they talked about it. That was the main problem with the other books in this series...way too much description (and every time it was mentioned they described it again) of every thing. There is only so many times you need to tell me about the conferencing software/program or the missiles being used before it gets way way overdone.

The characters are great though and I really enjoyed reading this series.

Her Fictional Fling: Scandals in Scotland Contemporary Romance Series Book 1 by Jo Summers

First in a brand-new sexy contemporary romance series! 

Andi McKenna knows passion—in fact, it’s her job. But the twenty-six year old self-made bestselling historical romance author wouldn’t touch the stuff herself with a ten-foot pole. 

She’s learned the hard way that it’s smarter to live vicariously through the Regency debutantes and Highland lasses of her acclaimed novels than to risk her own heart. But just as she arrives to visit the movie set of her first runaway hit, Andi discovers that her next story is short on the steamy love scenes readers have come to crave. Rather than allow her dry spell to affect her work, Andi will do anything to make sure her upcoming book pleases her fans, even if that means recruiting her own hot Viking hero as a temporary muse. 

For rising star, Colin Walker, traveling to Scotland for his latest movie will guarantee distance from the actress who publicly crushed his heart. Love is off the table, but how can he resist Andi’s offer to help him get back at his ex, in exchange for a little role-play to inspire Andi’s next book? 

When he and the sexy author can’t keep their hands off each other, will they be able to admit that it’s more than just acting?

REVIEW: **

Not one of my favorite books by far. It was too quick on the romance, too short a book to really develop any kind of lasting relationship. And the fictional fling...I did not understand the reasoning of that at all...maybe if that had been the initial intent..if he had requested that right off it would have made more sense, but he didn't and they developed a relationship prior to him asking to pretend. It just felt contrived and fake the way it was done. And there was no confrontation with the exes that would give reason for the fake relationship..especially when they were already in a real one. Just seemed backwards, awkward and not well done. 

Book Finished: 05-15-2015

Into the Dark (Alexis Carew #1) by J.A. Sutherland

At fifteen, Alexis Carew has to face an age old problem - she's a girl, and only a boy can inherit the family's vast holdings. Her options are few. She must marry and watch a stranger run the lands, or become a penniless tenant and see the lands she so dearly loves sold off. Yet there may be another option, one that involves becoming a midshipman on a shorthanded spaceship with no other women.

REVIEW: ***
This book was ok, but not great. There were times I was so bored with the story that I almost put the book down and forgot about it. I did finish it, but it took me several days. I liked the main character, a bit naive but one to stand up for herself and others. There was no real action/fighting in this book. A few times here and there, but nothing major. It felt like a set up to lead into another book...and I guess it is. 

I don't really understand the science in this one...they are using sails and have to rig them manually to get them to work...more like actual water sailing vessels than science fiction starships. Seemed archaic, not futuristic. Also the attitude toward women. It seems as though they digressed back to the 1700s with those attitudes and it threw me off. In most science fiction I have read the women are, for the most part, treated like equals and capable of doing just about anything. In this book it was like they were once more a man's property...unable to vote (ridiculous), unable to inherit/own property (again ridiculous). I understand it was a colony world they were on, but didn't the women who colonized the world object to being treated like second class citizens? It just did not make sense to me. 

Overall an ok book, but not a series I am sure I will pursue. 

Book Finished: 05-14-2015

You Really Got Me (Rock Star Romance #1) by Erika Kelly

The first irresistible novel in a hot new series about a rock star on his way up—and the woman he wants to take all the way…

Emmie Valencia has what it takes to be the music industry’s hottest band manager. She just needs to prove it. Determined to discover a killer new band, Emmie is ready to make her move. First stop: Austin, Texas.

As a sizzling-hot lead singer, Slater Vaughn has no trouble raising heart rates—but his band’s been flat-lining for years. When Emmie, his bandmate’s sister, crashes with them in exchange for some free management, her industry know-how lands them a spot in the biggest music festival in Texas. But it isn’t just her business acumen that catches Slater’s attention. Emmie is sexy and warm, and—for the first time in his life—he wants more.

But as irresistible as Slater is, Emmie is done with musicians. In her experience, a man can’t be a rock star and someone to trust with your heart—but Slater is determined to show her he’s both.

REVIEW: **

I had a hard time with this one. The story was ok, but the heroine drove me crazy. I did not like her much, she was too angsty/needy or something. How many times does someone need to prove they love you or tell you they love you or show they love you before you stop telling yourself they don't REALLY love you? And she got mad over the stupidest things. He never cheated on her but she acted like he did and I hated that. Get over yourself. If I were him I would have walked away and not looked back after about the 10th time she would not believe him or got all angry at him for doing his job. I don't want to give spoilers so what I am saying may not make sense, but its the best I can do without giving away half the story.


Book Finished: 05-09-2015

Terms of Enlistment (Frontlines #1) by Marko Kloos

The year is 2108, and the North American Commonwealth is bursting at the seams. For welfare rats like Andrew Grayson, there are only two ways out of the crime-ridden and filthy welfare tenements, where you're restricted to two thousand calories of badly flavored soy every day:

You can hope to win the lottery and draw a ticket on a colony ship settling off-world, or you can join the service.

With the colony lottery a pipe dream, Andrew chooses to enlist in the armed forces for a shot at real food, a retirement bonus, and maybe a ticket off Earth. But as he starts a career of supposed privilege, he soon learns that the good food and decent health care come at a steep price…and that the settled galaxy holds far greater dangers than military bureaucrats or the gangs that rule the slums.

The debut novel from Marko Kloos, Terms of Enlistment is a new addition to the great military sci-fi tradition of Robert Heinlein, Joe Haldeman, and John Scalzi.

REVIEW: **
So-So book. It was slow going and the main character was not anything special. There was not much action and very little to really sink your teeth into with this book. It started with his enlistment and basic training. Same old, same old for these types of books. But it never really got moving...just as he was in his first fight or two they move him into more training then stick him on a ship doing a nothing job and no excitment until the end where they are in one more fight. Nothing suspenseful, nothing emotional in this book to really make it great.

Comparing this to Robert Heinlein or John Scalzi...NO. Those writers have some great books and the characters are wonderful in those stories...this one...no, not so much. I could not have cared less about his main character...there was just nothing there to hold onto to or believe in. He was a non-entity of a character.

The Legacy of Buchanan's Crossing by Rhea Rhodan

EPIC ebook award winner!
Breaking denial’s spell takes more than magic
Cayden Sinclair: BBW—big, beautiful witch—struggling to control her power and become worthy of her legacy.
Clint MacAllen: Blinded by ambition and desperate to save his failing construction company; he’s not expecting to find redemption wrapped in goth and toting a truckload of crazy.
J Milton: Mega-developer with plans for the Crossing.
Buchanan’s Crossing: One of the last magical strongholds on earth.
Each has everything to lose. All will stop at nothing to win. 


REVIEW: ***

I did not like this book as well as the first one I read. Don't get me wrong...the writing was just as good...I just didn't like the characters as much. I thought the Hero was an ass who could not be more embarrassed about liking this girl. He was a grown man who seemed wishy-washy at the best of times. It wasn't until the end when he stood up for her that he became likable. But it was too late for me by then. I just did not like him. 

I also can't seem to really get into the books about witches. I love paranormal stuff, but witches is something I have never been able to get behind for some reason. It turns me off a book almost instantly. I would never have picked this one up to read if I had not first read her other book and loved it so much. I could have dealt with the witch aspect of the book if her characters were better. The heroine was not bad as a character, but I just could not relate to her well. 

Overall its worth a read, but I suggest reading Finding Grace first..now that was an excellent book. 


Book Finished: 05-09-2015

Finding Grace by Rhea Rhodan

Two haunted souls seeking peace find each other instead

Kidnapped by human monsters, Grace Thorne was ripped from her quiet intellectual life and left deeply scarred. She’s hidden herself for five years, but there’s no escape from the nightmares of the past, or visions of the future. When one foretells tragedy, she gambles her fragile defenses on a haunted man to prevent it—only to discover love is the biggest risk of all.

Jack Daggery doesn’t need a mirror to know why people avoid him, not that he cares. After years working deep undercover, immersed in betrayal and death, all he wants is some peace and the quiet security company he co-owns.

Dagger has no idea why the foul-mouthed little server of questionable gender bothers him. But he does know that living with the ghosts of his past was hard enough without being tormented by the mysterious thorn in his side—or finding how much he needs her.

This second edition has been lightly edited and bears a new cover from the original edition by Musa Publishing. 

REVIEW: *****

WOW! Excellent Book! I really, really adored the characters in this one. They were both damaged, but strong. It was a funny, serious, happy, sad story. The emotions ran the whole gamut and kept me reading long into the night...way past my bedtime. If this was her first book then she did an outstanding job of it. I have to assume it was since I only found one other book listed by her so far. I'm going to give that one a try as well since this one was so great. 

I loved the way she did the different viewpoints in this book. The side characters were wonderful and the way she wrote their views focused on the main characters, but also gave insight into what others were thinking. It was uniquely done and I loved it. Usually I don't much care for extraneous viewpoints from supporting characters because it always seems to detract from the main characters and sometimes even the central story line. But this author had those views focused on the main characters and it added an extra dimension to the book that I was not expecting. 

Again .... a Wonderful book that I highly recommend for anyone that loves a good, emotional romance. 


Book Finished: 05-05-2015

Hyde and Seek (Hyde #1) by Layla Frost

Piper Skye is rock ‘n’ roll. She’s party all night, sleep all day. She’s get wild and be free.

Or she would be if she had the time. 

And the energy.

And not being so awkward would probably help, too. 

As the owner of a thriving dessert business, Piper spends her days at school and her nights elbow deep in batter and frosting. She’s confident her hard work and sacrifice will pay off as long as she stays focused and sticks to the plan.

Fate, as it often does, has other ideas. Plus, a killer sense of humor.

When Piper takes her delivery van to a custom auto garage for some work, she finds herself with front row seats to an unexpected hot guy parade. And the tall badass with the gorgeous face, sexy stubble, and all-knowing green eyes? 

He’s the Grand Master of that parade.

Too bad he's also immune to the sweet, tattooed baker. 

With a new group of friends and something vaguely resembling a personal life, it isn’t long before Piper’s plans take a giant left turn. 

And they do it on the back of a Harley. 

*Warning: This book is intended for adults. It contains frequent adult language and situations.

REVIEW: ****

Excellent Book! I was amazed to find out this was her first published novel. It was a great read. The characters had real personality..it was funny, fun, the romance was great and I just adored it. It reminded me of a Kristin Ashley book with the alpha male being tough but sweet. 

The writing was excellent...tight and flowed well. No real editing errors either which is a big plus for me. 

I hope her next book is just as great as this one..looking forward to it. 



Book completed: 05-05-2015

The Martian by Andy Weir

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him & forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded & completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—& even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—& a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

REVIEW: ****

I was not expecting much from the blurb, but the book was surprisingly good. The science got a bit too much at times (I am not a science type and it was way over my head) but the book was written well and the story line was good. I had no idea that an author could take only one character in a book (there were a few others here and there, but mainly just the one character) and base a whole story on him. And make it interesting, riveting and readable. 

 I really enjoyed this one.

Expérimentation (SINDER #1) by Jane Devreaux

A rumor can make you popular and it can make you dangerous. A rumor can change everything. 

Her black, too large eyes with too much makeup have already made shudder more than one. It has been said that her parents are in jail; that she beat up to death a guy who dared to make fun of her name. She is Sandre River. 

He’s the handsome popular football player. The one going out with the gorgeous and too prude Marcy Shepard; the one who has all girls drooling over him. He is Josh Anderson. 

Sandre will never admit she likes him. 
Josh will never admit his hormones are boiling. 

A single provocation from Sandre will be enough to turn their lives upside down. “You want my advice? Get yourself a girl, whichever one, empty your balls, and turn your brain back on.” 

Who would have imagined that those words could lead to an incredible love story?

REVIEW: *

This was difficult to read. Maybe it was because it was translated from French to English, but the writing was choppy..no flow..no good transition from one scene to the next. And the characters were unbelievable. It was mainly just sex, sex, sex. No deeper emotion, although the author did try for it...it fell flat. 

Book finished: 05-03-2015