Review: The Proposition by Katie Ashley

Title: The Proposition

By: Katie Ashley

My Copy: Ebook from Author

BookWhisperer Rating:

With her thirtieth birthday looming, Emma Harrison finds her biological clock clanging and the elusive knight in shining armor yet to appear. She’s running out of options, especially after her gay best friend backs out from being her sperm donor. Of course, there’s always a sperm bank, but Emma fears a donor mix-up might impregnate her with the spawn of Satan.

Resident company womanizer, Aidan Fitzgerald, is used to always getting what he wants, especially in the bedroom. When Emma spurns his advances at the company Christmas party, he's determined to have her no matter what it takes. After Aidan learns of Emma's predicament, he is quick to offer a proposition that will benefit them both. He will father Emma's child, but she must conceive it with him naturally. Not one for hook-ups or casual sex, Emma is reluctant to take him up on his offer, but his charm, coupled with her intense desire for motherhood, wins out.

Soon their baby-making sessions become more than just physical. Aidan can't seem to walk away from her while Emma begins to wonder if Aidan could be the one. But can Aidan leave his past behind to become the man Emma needs him to be?

Holy crap! What a fantastic book! This whole plot, all these characters, the love, the steaminess, everything about this book just sucked me in. What a brilliantly written book!

I loved this plot line; this story about a proposition with a handsome, bad boy and a wonderful girl. Both characters inch underneath each other’s skin and peel back a little of the façade that they have glued themselves in. This makes for such a dramatic story line of both Aidan and Emma giving a little to each other, becoming comfortable with it and giving just a little more until everything is out in the open (well, most of it.)

How Ashley writes Aidan makes the reader know who he really can be. How he really could love someone if he only let himself and it broke my heart that it is such a concept that the character Aidan cannot grasp just yet, though you as the reader knows that he can. I wondered through the whole book, “When is he going to step up to the plate and just man up?” And at times, he did and my heart soared. And at times, he didn’t and then came the depression.

I ate this book up and I think I might be having either a small heart attack or a panic attack because the next book isn’t due out until March of 2013. How is a girl supposed to sleep? Katie Ashley, if you are reading this, help a girl out! I NEED to know what is going to happen ASAP.

Review: Chasing Nikki by Lacey Weatherford

Title: Chasing Nikki

By: Lacey Weatherford

Series: Chasing Nikki #1

My Copy: Ebook from Amazon

BookWhisperer Rating:

Chase Walker used to be a good kid—charming, athletic, and with a bright future ahead, but that was before travesty struck his life, sinking him into deep despair. Caught up in a world of drugs and alcohol, he doesn’t notice time slipping away until he’s arrested for underage drinking one night.

Fed up with watching her son destroy his life, Chase’s mom relocates him to live in a small ranching community with his ex-military grandfather. Chase is far from happy about the situation until he meets, Nikki, the cute cheerleader who won’t give football players like him the time of day.

Chase enjoys a good challenge though and sets out to claim Nikki for his own. He soon discovers she’s more than a pretty face—she’s a balm to his troubled spirit also. But when tragedy strikes Nikki’s life too, suddenly Chase finds himself put to the ultimate test. Can he trust Nikki, and all that she’s taught him? Will it be enough?

I just started reading Chasing Nikki this morning and two hours later, I am writing the review. Everything is still fresh in my mind and when I say that I mean, my heart is still trying to mend itself back together.

Weatherford really took me on a spin in this book; every emotion seeped out of me. The first ¾ of the book is amazing. I loved Chase and his stupid, cocky attitude and how he was so determined to get Nikki to just say yes to one date. That was all he wanted and he worked hard to get that yes. A ‘yes’ turned into a little more and you get to see each character open up about their past. And then this whole, beautiful relationship bloomed. Weatherford picked me up and took me on a ride with their love for each other and how they were absolutely perfect for on another.

And then it happened…

It is the struggle of real life; nothing is fair. Nothing works out the way we hope it will. But with this dark turn, Weatherford had the chance to make the character Chase stronger and a better man. And in the end, that is all Nikki longed for.

I am excited about the sequel to Chasing Nikki. I have some predictions that I hope comes true.

Review: Deathscape by Dana Marton

Title: Deathscape

By: Dana Marton

My Copy: Ebook from Author

BookWhisperer Rating:

After a near-death experience, artist Ashley Price is compelled to paint visions of the dead, and fears she's gone crazy. Then she paints a man buried alive and, recognizing the surroundings, she rushes to save him.

Instead of being grateful to her for rescuing him, Detective Jack Sullivan accuses her of being in league with a serial killer. He swears he will put her behind bars. Except, the more time he spends with her, the more he falls under her spell. Can he trust her, or is he walking into another deadly trap?

After reading Dana Marton’s Agents Under Fire, I was in still in a Dana Marton kind of mood. Good news for me was that Deathscape was loaded and ready for me to read. It has been a while since I have read a thriller of this caliber, so it was nice being able to dive in and become engrossed in the plot that kept me guessing.

Jack’s obsession with the serial killer has completely skewed his mind; it seems to be the only thing he can think about. This adds a nice little twist to the story. He sees Ashley as accomplice at first and wants nothing more than to break her so that he can catch the killer. However, the more he visits her, the more he realizes that it is not going to be that easy.

Marton has thrown in tons of characters that could possibly be suspects that kept throwing me off of who was the actual killer. Along with the constant guessing, the relationship that starts between Jack and Ashley had me flipping through the pages. This was a nice little mystery to read.

Review: Awry by Chelsea Fine

Title: Awry

By: Chelsea Fine

Series: The Archers of Avalon

My Copy: Ebook from Author

BookWhisperer Rating:

Sometimes love is meant to be. But sometimes...love is the death of you....
Seventeen-year-old Scarlet has just died. Only, dying isn't unusual for a girl under a centuries old curse that left her semi-immortal.
This time, though, she comes back to her current life instead of awaking in a new one, and she realizes the curse is changing. Together with the immortal Archer brothers, Scarlet must piece together her life and try to break the curse before her impending death comes again.

This is the way to continue a series!! Awry is the second installment of The Archers of Avalon series. The story picks up immediately from were Anew left off pulling readers further into the depths of this story. Delivery of this novel varied from book one, and I found it to be a truly talented display of presentation. As the author builds the story through the alternating past and present pov's; it will seems as though the past continues building this powerful and tragic story, but all the while the present is falling apart as they run out of time and options. Scarlet and the two Archers continue their mouth watering romance triangle, but this story offered me a much more depressing view. As I watched the past unfold it is absolutely terrible that their lives played out so horrifically. Fate played all of these characters a very dirty hand, and it continues in a ceaseless rain that has no signs of stopping. This was page turner, and I believe it was even better than the first. The overall mood of this book is a majorly depressing one, and everything that we know of the story completely falls apart. With nothing left to salvage it is easy to see the end coming, but with the couple slight unexpected turn of events the entire series will spin out of continue. What remains in the couple available sentences following the conclusion left me hanging on the ledge of anticipation for the next book. The cards have been shuffled and redealt, and the future of this series is changing. Don't miss out catch up now, so that you can enjoy the ride of this thrilling series.

Review: Agents Under Fire by Dana Marton

Series: Agents Under Fire

Titles: Warrior Agent, Avenging Agent, Guardian Agent

My Copy: Ebook from Amazon

BookWhisperer Rating:

Book 1: Guardian Agent

When Gabe Cannon's commando team is tasked with bringing down a rogue soldier, he doesn't expect to come face-to-face with the target's sister at the showdown instead of the man himself.

Jasmine is trying to lead the team away from her injured brother. Recognizing one of the hunters as her teenage crush is definitely a shock to her system. To save her family, she must convince Gabe that her brother was framed. But can she stop from falling in love with him all over again?

A fast-paced, heart-pounding romantic suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Book 2: Avenging Agent

An undercover agent on a deadly mission, the last thing Jake needs is a troublesome beauty distracting him from his investigation. But something about Allison makes it impossible for him to leave her to her fate, surrounded by danger in a war-torn country.

They couldn't be more different, but soon they must rely on each other to stay alive, uncovering a diabolical plot that shakes even Jake's battle-hardened heart. Attraction grows between them as they form a tight team against their enemies. But to act on that attraction, first they have to stay alive.

Book 3: Warrior Agent

Troy Hill has been tirelessly working for months to bring down a corrupt congressman. When the man’s goons capture him and lock him up, he knows they can’t afford to leave him alive. His only chance at escape is the congressman’s new security guard, Claire Montgomery. He expects he’ll have to either manipulate her into setting him free or kill her. He doesn’t expect to fall in love with her.

Each of these three heroic but short stories all tie into each other to make a perfect trilogy of suspenseful writing. You are thrown into the first story while Gabe, a sniper, is trying to take down his target. No introduction was given and none was needed; the author makes it completely clear who this alpha male is and the truth he stands for. It is like this in all three books; military men fighting to let the wrongs be known.

The only disappointment was that while I got three books in one (yay!), I didn’t quite get full story on each character. I would have loved to be able to know about Gabe and Jasmine, Jake and Allison, and Troy and Claire in the aftermath. You do get to know a little bit about the others in the third book but not much. I felt that I was left with a really good build up for these characters but no climax.

~BookWhisperer Reviewer MC~

Review: Strength by Carrie Butler

Title: Strength

By: Carrie Butler

Series: Mark of Nexus #1

My Copy: Ebook from Author

BookWhisperer Rating:

When college student Rena Collins finds herself nose-to-chest with the campus outcast, her rumor-laced notions are shattered. Handsome, considerate, and seemingly sane, Wallace Blake doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, screaming and banging on the walls of his dorm room. Hell, he doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, period.
Too curious for her own good, Rena vows to uncover the truth behind Wallace’s madman reputation--and how two seconds of contact had left her with bruises. Of course, there are a few setbacks along the way: guilt, admiration, feelings of the warm and fuzzy variety…
Not to mention the unwanted attention of Wallace's powerful, supernaturally-gifted family.
They’re a bloodline divided by opposing ideals, two soon-to-be warring factions that live in secret among us. When Rena ends up caught in their crossfire, Wallace has no choice but to save her by using his powers. Now they’re really in trouble. With war on the horizon and Rena’s life in the balance, he needs to put some distance between them. But Rena won’t let go. If fighting is what it takes to prove her own strength and keep Wallace in her life, then that’s what she’ll do--even if it means risking a whole lot more than her heart.

Strength was a little gem to find in the row of my Kindle carousel. Amidst all of the romantic plot lines that I have been reading, this book worked in a new twist.

Although, I will warn you I felt the first part of the book to be a little uneventful. It is filled with getting to know the main characters and setting them up for the main drama to unfold. Butler does bring in some entertainment into the characters by adding a wacky and flirty roommate and a nerdy guy friend for Rena and how in the first half they are all terrified of Wallace and his unusual behavior. These two side characters really helped build Rena’s personality.

However, I feel like the book hit its stride when things started to get a little hard for Wallace, Rena, and their friendship. When an individual makes an appearance, their swaying relationship becomes very rocky and its rough waters. This part of the book really shows you who Wallace is and his dark past. Because of this revealing information, things started to make more sense for me and Strength started to take on a new feel.

Review: Not Planning on You by Sydney Landon

Title: Not Planning on You

By: Sydney Landon

Series: A Danvers Novel #2

My Copy: Ebook from Publisher through Edelweiss

BookWhisperer Rating:

Suzy Denton seems to have it all together. She loves her job as an event's planner for Danvers International, and she loves her high school sweetheart and fiance Jeff. Fast forward a month and it's all gone to hell in a hand-basket. She finds out Jeff's dentist has been doing more than drilling his teeth, and Danvers is in the process of merging with Mericom creating the largest communications company in the US and also bringing Gray Merimon, the CEO of Mericom into her life.
Gray pursues her from almost their first meeting. Even though he looks like sex on a stick, Suzy is afraid of being hurt again, and she thinks Gray is just another stuffed shirt looking for a relationship. When he calls her bluff, Suzy agrees to one night of sex, hoping that he will be terrible in bed and she can finally get him out of her system.
When circumstances throw them together for more than one night, can Gray convince Suzy that two complete opposites can be a perfect fit?

Not Planning on You jumps right into Gray and Suzy following the epilogue of Weekends Required. Although, do not worry Gray and Suzy has had plenty of past in the year not mentioned at the conclusion of Book one. We will have the pleasure of experiencing these moments through book two's journey. The potential that I recognized previously was used exceptionally well here. Suzy and Gray's story is unique and intriguing. They are not your ordinary couple which enlightens us with a wonderful story of intensity and wit. I still would have rated this a 3.5 that I rounded to 4, but I believe it surpasses the entertainment that I found in Jason's story. I am eager to check out the next book that was previewed as Beth and Nick's story. I look for the gradual progressions of talent that I seen with the past two installments.

Review: Beyond Shame by Kit Rocha

Title: Beyond Shame

By: Kit Rocha

My Copy: Ebook from Publisher through NetGalley

BookWhisperer Rating:

 

All Noelle Cunningham has ever wanted is a life beyond–beyond the walls of Eden, where only the righteous are allowed to remain, and beyond her stiflingly restrictive existence as a councilman’s daughter. But only ruins lie outside the City, remnants of a society destroyed by solar storms decades earlier.
The sectors surrounding Eden house the corrupt, the criminal–men like Jasper McCray, bootlegger and cage fighter. Jas clawed his way up from nothing to stand at the right hand of Sector Four’s ruthless leader, and he’ll defend the O’Kane gang with his life. But no fight ever prepared him for the exiled City girl who falls at his feet.
Her innocence is undeniable, but so is their intense sexual attraction, and soon they’re crossing every boundary Noelle barely knew she had. But if she wants to belong to Jas, first she’ll have to open herself to the gang, to a dangerous world of sex, lust and violence. A world where passion is power, and freedom is found in submission.

Wow!!! This is the one and only word that comes to mind when reflecting on this title. I have read some very promiscuous books, but this would definitely have to be by far the worst that I have experienced. Now I I don't want anyone to misunderstand what I mean when I say the "worst". This is purely referring to its dark and dirty sexual nature. I can no longer count the number of times that this story made me blush. It will definitely take readers for a ride down educational lane. Although, I so captivated by this storyline that I trudged through very inch craving more. Seeing as how the story jumped immediately into the heart I am not entirely sure if this story was intended to be futuristic or an alternate reality, but it was not hindering to the overall experience of the plot line. It reminds one of an adult novel similar to Divergent by Veronica Roth. The various sectors based on different values and qualities was intriguing. This was a memorable experience that will leave the author on my radar.

Review: A Table for Three by Lainey Reese

Title: A Table for Three

By: Lainey Reese

Series: New York Book #1

My Copy: Ebook from Author

BookWhisperer Rating:

 

She’s taking two bites out of the Big Apple.

New York, Book 1

Riley Ramirez knew that moving to New York would change her life. She just didn’t expect it to start on her very first night in town. Her attraction to nightclub owner Kincade Marshall is instant, mind-blowing—and mutual. When she finds he is a Dom who requires her complete surrender, even when it comes to submitting to his best friend, Trevor Wellington, she finds herself willing and eager to embrace the sexual adventure.

From their earliest days, Cade and Trevor have shared everything, including women. Yet it only takes one night with Riley to know she is their forever lady. Convincing her that this is more than a temporary fling, though, will take every tool in their sensual arsenal.

As Cade and Trevor set their sights on Riley, however, they’re unaware—until it’s almost too late—that someone is targeting their fragile relationship. Someone who’s taking deadly aim at Riley. Suddenly their struggle to keep their forever woman is a fight to keep her alive…

My town is having its first winter storm of the season; the temperatures are freezing as snow and rain pound down on the earth.  But you want to know something? I am tingling with the hotness that I just experienced after finishing this book. 

Reese has written Cade and Trevor as the ultimate sexy men that any woman would swoon over.  They have that controlling and possessive side to them that made me stole one part of my heart and then they have this caring and loving side that took the other side of my heart.  Seriously, what better men could a woman ask for?

These three characters had passionate scenes together that lets you, as the reader, know their feelings for each other without the words of “I love you” being spoken out loud.  They feel it in each caress and heated look (although, who doesn’t like to hear “I love you” everyone once and a while?)   I think that this is what drew me into the characters the most.  The fact that the three of them are meant to be together; like it was written in the stars or that they were made for each other.

This plot just wasn’t about the sexual relationship between Cade, Trevor, and Riley; it also has a slight mystery to it that includes some serious drama towards the end of the book.  Lets be honest, while sexual encounters are fun reads, a plot always needs a little something else added to it to give it the extra flare. 

Blog Tour: Forever My Girl Review

Title: Forever My Girl
By: Heidi McLaughlin
Series: The Beaumont #1
My Copy: Ebook for Tour
BookWhisperer Rating:

I was never supposed to be a rock star. I had my life all planned out for me. Play football in college. Go to the NFL. Marry my high school sweetheart and live happily ever after. 

I broke both our hearts that day when I told her I was leaving. I was young. I made the right decision for me, but the wrong decision for us. I’ve poured my soul into my music, but I’ve never forgotten her. Her smell, her smile. 

And now I’m going back. 

After ten years. 

I hope I can explain that after all this time. 

I still want her to be my forever girl.

From the beautiful cover to the intense heart stopping story this was an motivational read worth every minute. At sixteen, Noah and Josephine had everything planned. As the record breaking QB and the head cheerleader this was a believed perfect ending for the  picture perfect couple. Only perception is far from the reality of this love story. When life touches the young couple futures will stray no longer aligning them to the same future. This is the story that readers will consume at break neck speed. Alternating between the characters, and offering flashes of history that will give depth to this story. The present setting follows ten years with Liam absence. Liamhas made quite a name for himself as the world famous Singer LiamPage, but he has spent years avoiding relationships regretting every minute without the love he has left behind. When the death of a mutual close friend takes him back the small town of Beaumont the lines begin to blur, and he is forced to face the past he life behind. Unbeknownst to him he must realize he left far more behind than just the love of his life. After years of living in the limelight it is bitter sweet to follow this story of family and values. To put emphasis on the value of peace and security. The romance is captivating, but it is not only the power of these emotions that will keep readers high on adrenaline. I loved following this journey that shows light at the end of the dark tunnel. A happily every after just around the corner was the perfect set up for this wonderful read.

Check out more about this author at the links below

Goodreads; http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16119079-forever-my-girl

Website: http://heidimclaughlinauthor.blogspot.com/ - subscribe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeidiMcLaughlinAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeidiJoVT

Giveaway

 The first 200 people to purchase FOREVER MY GIRL will get a free download of the song PAINKILLERS! Just e-mail your proof of purchase to thebeaumontseries@gmail [dot] com.

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You can keep up with the tour HERE.

Review: Weekends Required by Sydney Landon

Title: Weekends Required

By: Sydney Landon

Series: Danvers #1

My Copy: Edelweiss Galley from Publisher

BookWhisperer Rating:

Claire Walters has worked for Jason Danvers as his assistant at Danvers International for three years, and he has never thought of her as a woman until the day she jumps out of a cake at his friend's bachelor party.
Claire is forced to work a second job at a party planning company to support her ailing mother. She is horrified when Jason not only finds out, but has a front-row seat to the action. With Danvers in the process of merging with another company, Claire is forced to travel with Jason as well as work weekends. Suddenly all the fantasies she has entertained for years about her boss seem to be coming true. Her outspoken best friend Suzy thinks that just getting laid will solve everything. The problem is, Claire sees much more in Jason than just sex.
Jason is determined to know how the beautiful, sexy woman in the cake could also be his Plain Jane assistant who tries her best to blend into the background from 8-5 every day. Now not only does Jason see her as a woman, he fully intends to give her the fairy-tale ending that she deserves!

For fans looking for a Happily Ever After. This starts out as a fairly simple and straight forward love story. As the plot thickens it becomes quite apparent that Claire has some serious issues. She and her Mother have had horrible lives, and while she has made a pretty good life for herself. It becomes blatantly obvious that she days of sweeping it under the rug to move on are coming to an abrupt halt. When she finds herself in her boss arms she will be forced to process and understand her past, so that she may accept and incredible future. This was a very enjoyable story. I must admit that I rounded up on my rating, and I would have rated this more a 3.5. As I said it is enjoyable, but this is one a very slow moving story. That is saying a lot when it a very small story to begin with. It is a feel good read that will leave you bright and shiny, but I feel that it would also be one that would be easily forgotten. Nothing in it stood out and made me take notice. In my mind it holds a tremendous amount of potential, but I really think it could have been more. I am intrigued enough that I will definitely be following this up with Not Planning on You (Book 2 of the Danvers series) immediately.

Review: Love Unrehearsed by Tine Reber

Title: Love Unrehearsed

By: Tina Reber

Series: Love #2

My Copy: Edelweiss Galley from Publisher

BookWhisperer Rating:

There is no rehearsal for true love.
When A-list film actor Ryan Christensen ducked into her pub to escape his screaming fans, never in a million years did Taryn Mitchell think her life was about to change forever. But now, eight months later, after a whirlwind romance, Taryn wakes up in Ryan’s Hollywood hotel room to find a diamond to die for on her left ring finger—and her face splashed across the cover of every gossip magazine.
Ryan’s very public proposal is catnip to the tabloids, his management team is worried, and Taryn must figure out how a small town girl like her fits into his glittering world. What does it take to make a relationship work amidst telephoto lenses, daily on-set temptations, and jealous fans who will stop at nothing to keep you from walking down the aisle with the man of your dreams?
With no script to follow and no chance for a dress rehearsal, Taryn and Ryan will be forced to take the plunge and risk everything to make their love last.

I have been waiting on this book for what seems like forever. After the debut of the series in Love Unscripted I knew that I absolutely had to read this sequel. These stories are active and intriguing, with a side of mouth watering romance. Ryan and Taryn have finally made it over the obstacles of book one, or so it seems until they are faced with the pressures of living this glamorous life. I loved that this book held them together. After the repetitive separation and individuality of book one I was relieved to see the couple standing together through this entire book. After so much turmoil I was relieved at the first sign of trouble Taryn keeping no secrets. The trust and unity is evident through every up and down throughout. Although, another fairly long story it seems to sail smoothly through the pages. It’s conclusion ties things up nicely; but I noticed that it is still possible for continuation to this story. I will be anxious to see if there is more to come.