Review: Until November by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Title: Until November

By: Aurora Rose Reynolds

Series: Until Book #1

My Copy: Ebook for Review from Author

BookWhisperer Rating:

November is looking forward to getting to know her father and the safety of a small town. After leaving the Big Apple and her bad memories for Tennessee, November starts working for her dad at his strip club doing the books. The one time she’s allowed there during club hours she runs into Asher Mayson. He’s perfect until he opens his mouth and makes assumptions. November wants nothing to do with Asher but too bad for November, fate has other plans.

Asher Mayson has never had a problem getting a woman, that is until November. Now all he can think about is making November his and keeping her safe.

This is really a genuinely lovable story. The start of this story was a bit disorienting and scattered. Jumping right into the present, and trying to learn all of the back story as you go leaves readers working the story backward for almost the duration. I would say the capturing of my attention during all of the dark mysterious start was Beast and November. We quickly learn that this young woman was attacked in a alley, and the mysterious Beast ran in to save her. I actually expected for there to be alot more developement that would wrap Beast deeper into the story line, but it just did not pan out that way. Regardless, the development of the story was great. Asher, I love this name by the way, was one hell of a man. He is the full alpha character that seems to be attracting so many in the current genre, but I must honestly comment that at moments I found his character to be a bit over the top. I was captivated by the introduction to the Mayson family, and instantly fell in love with the lot of boys. I am hearing that book two will be the story of the kindling relationship between Trevor and Liz, so the it seems I will have many opportunities to fall further in love with each and every one of them. Until November is a great story, but it still has some room for improvement.
~BookWhisperer Reviewer Jax~

Blog Tour: Shaken Not Stirred by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Shaken Not Stirred

By: Alyssa Rose Ivy

Finding the perfect guy is like mixing the perfect drink. It's all about the taste and presentation.

Maddy's gone off the deep end, at least that's what her family thinks when she handles her med school rejections by moving to the Outer Banks. It doesn't help that she's paying her bills by bartending and is sharing walls with two guys, even if one of them is her childhood best friend.

Her choice of men seems more balanced on the surface—Colin is driven, sexy, and gainfully employed, but she can't help spending her Thursday nights searching for the perfect drink for Lyle, whose music captivates her with its haunting lyrics. Maddy believes everyone has a perfect drink—and finding Lyle's isn't a challenge she's willing to lose.

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a Young Adult and New Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Review: Kiss Me at Midnight by Diane Alberts

Title: Kiss Me at Midnight
By: Diane Alberts
My Copy: Ebook from Publisher
BookWhisperer's Rating: 

Her New Year’s resolution was seduction.

Doctor Ashley Hanes has one mission and one mission only—end her annoyingly long dry streak and ring in the New Year with a bang. Literally. When her long lost and oh-so-sexy ex-best friend, Ethan Pierce, shows up as if he hadn’t broken her heart all those years ago, suddenly she doesn’t want to bring home just any man. She wants Ethan.

What should have been one night of blow-your-mind make-up sex quickly turns into another. And another. Before long, Ashley thinks maybe she and Ethan should reunite for good. If only the elusive bachelor will stop running from his tortured past and trust a future in Ashley’s arms.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1ah5zg6

B&N: http://bit.ly/1hOar1s

Diane Alberts is a multi-published, bestselling contemporary romance author with Entangled Publishing. She also writes New York Times and USA Today bestselling new adult books under the name Jen McLaughlin. ON ONE CONDITION hit #18 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list, and TRY ME hit #76 on Amazon. CAPTIVATED BY YOU hit #31 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list. Diane is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency. Her goal is to write so many fantastic stories that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

Diane has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author.  Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, a cat, and a Senegal parrot. In the rare moments when she’s not writing, she can usually be found hunched over one knitting project or another.

I found both Ethan and Ashley really likable characters.  Both has some inter-turmoil spinning around in their heads but I found that when they got together, that turmoil calmed down and let us see the carefree side of Ethan and Ashley.  However, this carefreeness doesn’t last forever. 

It was wonderful to read that every time these two characters got together; you got a little more insight to what was going on in their heads.  Ethan is battling his feelings for Ashley but cannot commit to her because he hates the town he grew up in.  Everyone reminds him of his past when he was picked on as a child.   Ashley is just battling her feelings for Ethan; knowing that this was supposed to be just one night between two old, ex-friends has turned into so much more.      

Ashley finds herself in a position as the sole caretaker of her mother and leaves her job to do so.  This permanently will station Ashley in the town that she grew up in.  Whereas Ethan has stopped by for a visit, swearing that he will never stay in the town longer than he has to.  These two events create a problem for our characters because a one night hook up turns into a lot more and top that with feelings for each other, Ethan and Ashley have some decisions to make.

Review: Breaking Brandon (Fate #2) by Elizabeth Reyes

Title: Breaking Brandon
By: Elizabeth Reyes
Series: Fate #2
My Copy: Ebook from Author
BookWhisperer's Rating: 3.5

Fate is a Moreno Brothers spinoff series.

He ruled out attachments years ago. Then one day he crosses paths with a beautiful but pampered daddy's little princess. History has taught him one thing about women like her—steer clear.

She was starting over. She moved back to her home town, took a new job assignment, and left her past behind. For the first time in over eighteen months, she's even intrigued by a man—a sexy but cold and indifferent drill sergeant. Despite feeling drawn to him, she has no time to figure out his inexplicable aversion to her.

Then Fate steps in one night, forcing them together. There's a connection neither can refute, and they both consider giving into the undeniable attraction.

Fate however can also be cruel. Just when they surrender to their heart's desires, past demons resurface in the most unexpected way, threatening the happiness neither realized they so desperately needed.

We love everything Elizabeth Reyes here at BookWhisperer and are always so excited to get our book-loving hands on any of her books. Breaking Brandon was no exception; we got it and were super pumped about diving into it.

Now that you know our love for Reyes let me just say that I had a hard time getting into this book.  I don’t know if it was just me or what, but something was off (and lets be honest, it was probably just me.)  I really liked the beginning of the book where Brandon runs into Regina and she immediately reminds him of Sophie so he decides to stay away and be somewhat of a jerk to her.  That tension was fantastic to read.  You could tell that they both were attracted to each other but that Brandon’s cold demeanor made Regina coil back from him and that Brandon just didn’t want to fall for another Sophie. 

However, their love happened so fast that I didn’t feel that connection between them.  I couldn’t wrap my head around that fact that one minutes they hated each other and the next they were madly in love.  This is the only thing that threw me off.

The rest of the book was fantastic.  I loved the drama that Reyes presented when Brandon went to meet Regina’s family.  Talk about a tense “first” meeting.  And, in general, the demons that both Brandon and Regina fight throughout the book were pretty intense.  Neither have had a perfect life and they both struggle, with the help of each other, to make it better.

Review: Dare to Breathe by M. Homer

Title: Dare to Breath
By: M. Homer
My Copy: Ebook from Author for Review
BookWhisperer Rating:

Can you learn to forget?

Sam is plagued by nightmares she can’t understand with dark visions of a past she suspects may be her own. When she moves into a new co-ed house, she is drawn to the handsome but aloof Nathan. The housemates welcome in Sam but all withhold their own secrets from her which she knows she needs to unravel to truly understand Nathan. But her past is destined to torment her, can she find the strength to face her fear?

This is a truly heart breaking story to follow. Dare to Breathe test the theory, and proves that some really can choose their family. This young woman is fumbling through life just trying to make it through. Not truly knowing why she has the nightmares, or if she really had brothers must of been quite disconcerting. Sam is a powerful and courage character that never gives up. It was empowering to watch her throughout this journey, but it is nevertheless terrifying processing the reality of this situation. Nathan is wonderful male lead for this story, and it is a terrible past that we watch unfold for him as well. Young love is hard enough without the lasting scars that Kate's mental illness leaves on him. I agree wholeheartedly that this was reaching a peak of unhealthy and codependent between Nathan and Samantha. I was very supportive of the direction this story follows, and the conclusion that wraps everything up quite nicely. An overall response to this story is powerful and moving. It is perfectly crafted story that will take readers down a dark and tainted road, but shine brightly in the light of the other side. As my very first experience with works by this particular author I am very satisfied with her realistic and intensely crafted story. I will definitely be interested in reading more from her in the future. 

Review: Testing Fate by Belinda Boring

Title: Testing Fate
By: Belinda Boring
Series: Mystic Wolves #3
My Copy: Ebook for Review
BookWhisperer Rating:

Nothing burns as bright as the flames of the refiner’s fire.

Moments after hearing the Council sentence her enemy to life imprisonment for attempted murder and illegal use of magic, Darcy is whisked away by the Fates—accused of tampering with destiny. The cherished dream she shared with Mason has been called into question, placing doubt about whether they are actually true mates. To resolve it, a price must be paid—the Heart or Death—a grueling series of tests designed to reveal a person’s worth.

The stakes are high and Darcy finds herself facing the unknown in conditions that leave her more vulnerable than she’s ever been. Separated from Mason and her Pack, with Devlin as her only companion, she is pushed to her very limits. She must succeed—or lose everything. 

Will she crumble under the pressure or emerge stronger for testing fate?

FINALLY!!!!!! Finally we are getting somewhere. After the turmoil that have been a never ending roller coaster over the past two books we are finally making some headway. Mason and Darcy will sell the deal here not only with a wedding, but proving that even without the assistance of supernatural powers they are soul mates and fated to be together. I love Mason and Darcy. Darcy is courageous and daring heroine. I was exceptionally pleased to she her taking her rightful place as a powerful alpha's mate in this book. No more meek and mild Darcy, but rather a calm partner until provoked. This was a nice change. Mason on the other hand is the same amazingly hunky alpha that he has always been. Although, it was nice to see the Jasmine issue resolved. No longer hiding, and dealt with so that it will no longer hinder their future. As always the Mystic Wolves installments are never very long, but it is always well worth the time reading. I love this series, a wonderful addition to werewolf genre to say the least. It looks like I still have one more before I am caught up with this series, so be on the lookout for that review to come. 

Cover Reveal: Seducing Lauren by Kristen Proby

ABOUT SEDUCING LAUREN:

In the second book in the Love Under the Big Sky series from this USA TODAY bestselling author of the With Me in Seattle series, life in Montana gets spicy when a woman and her divorce lawyer sign off the papers—and sign on to love.

Now that his best friend, Josh, has happily settled down with his true love on a Montana ranch, small-town lawyer Ty Sullivan starts thinking that maybe single life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. And when Lauren Cunningham’s no-good ex-husband comes after her for an unexpected trust fund, Ty steps in to protect her. But soon he can’t help but think of her as more than a client. Lauren’s in no mood to jump into another relationship, so how can Ty convince her that her mistake wasn’t getting married, but marrying the wrong guy?

ABOUT KRISTEN PROBY:

KRISTEN PROBY is the USA Today bestselling author of the popular With Me in Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type—fiercely protective and a bit bossy—and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, and sunshine. And naps. Visit her at KristenProby.com.

Links:

Website: http://www.kristenproby.com/

Twitter: @handbagjunkie

Facebook: www.facebook.com/booksbykristenproby

Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/kristenproby

SEDUCING LAUREN Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18123205-seducing-lauren?ac=1

Amazon Pre-Order: http://www.amazon.com/Seducing-Lauren-Kristen-Proby-ebook/dp/B00GEEB4Y2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387464903&sr=8-1&keywords=seducing+lauren+kristen+proby

Review: Fighting Love (Love to the Extreme #2) by Abby Niles

Title: Fighting Love
By: Abby Niles
Series: Love to the Extreme #2
My Copy: Ebook from Netgalley
BookWhisperer's Rating: 

Talk about kicking a fighter while he’s down.

Former Middleweight champion and confirmed bachelor Tommy "Lightning" Sparks has lost it all: his belt, his career, and now his home. After the devastating fire, he moves in with his drama-free best friend, Julie. One encounter changes everything and Julie is no longer the girl he’s spent his life protecting but a desirable woman he wants to take to his bed. Knowing his reputation, he’s determined to protect Julie more than ever—from himself.

Veterinarian Julie Rogers has been in love with Tommy since she was ten, but would love to get over the man. She’s quiet nights at home and a glass of wine. He’s clubbing all night and shots of tequila. As friends they work great. As a couple? No way in hell. She just can’t get her heart to agree. When she starts spending time with another fighter, the man who’s always treated her like a sister is suddenly not being very brotherly and enflames her body like never before.

Can two childhood friends make a relationship work, or will they lose everything because they stopped FIGHTING LOVE.

So I just finished reading another Abby Niles book (see review below on “Britton”) and I thought, “Why not read another book by her?”  So I did…and I am so glad I did. 

Fighting Love was amazing!  I was so hooked that I started and finished it in the same day.  Niles did such an amazing job writing about characters that I really connected with and a plot line that I actually cared about where it was going.

Tommy and Julie have been best friends since they were 10 years old and he has done nothing more than love her, protect her, and be her best friend.  However, Julie wants more than a best friendship.  So when Tommy’s house burns down, he moves in with Julie and I could feel that chemistry between them.  The kind that sits and builds over years and very slowly releases every now and then but when it is the right time, it just explodes.  And that is exactly what happened!  But the best part is that it is not an easy attraction between them.  They both fight against it and then fight for it, swinging back and forth between the two.

There are parts that are going to melt you heart (see below), there are parts that are going to tear your heart out, and there are parts that are going to set your heart on fire!

Things that melted my heart but I won’t go into detail about:

Tommy’s box

Tommy’s protectiveness of Julie

Tommy’s speech after the fight

Both of their Valentines gift to each other

Read it! That is an order!