Review: Wild Card by Jamie Wyman

Title: Wild Card
By: Jamie Wyman
My Copy: Ebook from Netgalley for Review

BookWhisperer Rating:

It was bad enough that gods gambled with human souls, but Catherine Sharp’s soul just had to be won by the Greek goddess of Discord, Eris. As if working a dead-end tech support job didn’t suck the life out of her as it was. Now, Cat finds herself performing random tasks for the goddess in her free time.

But when Coyote, the Native American trickster himself, claims to have won her own soul in Mayhem’s weekly poker game, Cat wants in on the action. With five sneaky gods upping the ante, Cat needs to find a way to collect the winning chips that could save her soul.
Marius, a handsome yet irritating satyr with his own debt to Eris, might finally come in handy for something. If they play their cards right and work together, Cat and Marius may just get their freedom back. If they don’t kill each other—or fall in love—first.

Wild Card was given to us here at The BookWhisperer through Netgalley for an honest review. This is the first time I have encountered any works by Jamie Wyman, and it was quite a variety of supernatural. It does take the reader a bit to get up to speed. With some many different species and talents I never knew what to expect. Her writing style is quite entertaining, and the her characters were funny and intriguing. It was a pleasurable read, but quite honestly nothing that would stand up and demand notice. I like the story line of this young woman that sold her soul for love, but it was nothing that forces emotions and attention. This is an entertaining easy adventure if you are just looking for something to run away with your mind for a bit.

Blog Tour Promo: Teased by Jamie Begley

Title: Teased

By: Jamie Begley

Series: The VIP Room #1

“Here comes Trouble!” Colton took one look at the stripper on stage and knew that was exactly what Vida was, trouble. He had no desire to succumb to the young woman tantalizing men with her provocative movements and killer body with no intention of satisfying their fantasies. Fresh out of prison, his tattoo shop and getting rid of an aggravating ex were his first priorities, not a woman who should know better than to become involved in a situation that could get her killed.

Vida will do anything to save her friend’s life, even if it includes stripping on stage and doing lap dances in the VIP room under her stage name Trouble. All the sensuous moves were just an illusion to gain the information she needed, even if it meant the men who watched thought she would keep the promises her body was making.

Forced to sift through lies and betrayals, Colton discovers a woman who is as loving as she is loyal, but won’t give him a chance. Vida, who tries to ignore the escalating passion between them, learns the hard way that some men shouldn’t be teased…

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Teased-The-VIP-Room-ebook/dp/B00FMFFZIU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381376063&sr=8-1&keywords=teased+jamie+begley
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/teased-jamie-begley/1117040421?ean=2940148618799
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/364102
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/teased
Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18405928-teased (you can also read the prologue on the goodreads page)

Website Page: http://jamiebegley.net/the-vip-room-%E2%9D%A4/

About the Author:

I was born in a small town in Kentucky. My family began poor, but worked their way to owning a restaurant. My mother was one of the best cooks I have ever known, and she instilled in all her children the value of hard work, and education.

Taking after my mother, I’ve always love to cook, and became pretty good if I do say so myself. I love to experiment and my unfortunate family has suffered through many. They now have learned to steer clear of those dishes. I absolutely love the holidays and my family put up with my zany decorations.

For now, my days are spent at work and I write during the nights and weekends. I have two children who both graduate next year from college. My daughter does my book covers, and my son just tries not to blush when someone asks him about my books.

Currently I am writing three series of books- The Last Riders that is fairly popular, The Dark Souls series, which is not, and The VIP Room, which we will soon see. My favorite book I have written is Soul Of A Woman, which I am hoping to release during the summer of 2014. It took me two years to write, during which I lost my mother, and brother. It’s a book that I truly feel captures the true depths of love a woman can hold for a man. In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I am an emotional writer who wants the readers to feel the emotion of the characters they are reading. Because of this, Teased is probably the hardest thing I have written.

All my books are written for one purpose- the enjoyment others find in them, and the expectations of my fans that inspire me to give it my best. In the near future I hope to take a weekend break and visit Vegas that will hopefully be next summer. Right now I am typing away on Knox’s story and looking forward to the coming holidays. Did I mention I love the holidays?

Links:

Goodreads page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7127521.Jamie_Begley

Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJamieBegley

Website:

http://jamiebegley.net/

Teased Tour-Wide Giveaway

Prize information:

(1) $50.00 Gift Card to Amazon or B&N

(1) Signed Copy of Teased

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Tour Review: Storm by Nine Levine

Title: Storm
By: Nina Levine
Series: Storm MC #1

My Copy: Ebook for Blog Tour
BookWhisperer Rating:

Life can be a bitch but love can get you through any storm.

Madison Cole’s family is the Storm Motorcycle Club. Her father is the President and her brother is the VP. She grew up surrounded by bikers, crime and violence. Two years ago she walked away from her family and the world they live in. Her soul was shattered, her heart was broken and she had an addiction she couldn't shake. She picked up the pieces and put herself back together. Now her family wants her back. The club is being threatened and they send a club member to return her home to safety; the one person that could destroy everything she has worked so hard to build.

Jason Reilly has sacrificed a lot for the motorcycle club he calls family. Two years ago he made the biggest sacrifice of all; he gave up the woman he loved for them. Now he is being sent to bring her back and he is conflicted. He thought he was over her but discovers their connection is as strong as ever. Their love was all-consuming, passionate and fiery. It was also their undoing and he doesn't know if either of them is strong enough to battle the demons that ripped them apart, to find love again. 

Madison and Jason are brought back together by a force out of their control; one that pushes them to a breaking point. Can they overcome their past and discover a love worth fighting for or will the harsh reality of their world finally and completely break them both?

What a butthead..... J you may be hot, but seriously sometime you really are just an ass. As far as MC novels go this honestly wasn't bad. The storm motorcylce club reminds me a lot of my beloved SOA. With the clean club; no drugs or guns it some very common traits. Madison is the daughter of a Pres, so I feel that she should be quite familiar with a life of "Club Business". As an adult I would think that this would just be the way it is, but it seems in the majority of this book she is constant biting the hand for more information. Overall, I felt Storm to be enjoyable, but nothing reaches out and marks me with this splendor. I am curious to see what will come in the future, and would a book two would hold. 

Review: Jake Undone by Penelope Ward

Title: Jake Undone

By: Penelope Ward

My Copy: Ebook for Review

BookWhisperer Rating:

Nina Kennedy was alive…but not living…until she met him.
Planes, trains, heights…you name it, Nina was afraid of it and led a sheltered life ruled by irrational fears and phobias. When she moves to Brooklyn for nursing school, that life is turned upside down, as she develops an intense but unwanted attraction to her gorgeous roommate, who’s pierced, tattooed and just happens to be the smartest person she’s ever met.
Behind Jake Green’s rough exterior and devilish smile, lies a heart of gold. He makes it his mission to change Nina’s outlook on life. When he agrees to tutor her, they forge a bet and the stakes are high as Jake forces Nina to face her demons. He just wasn’t expecting to fall hard for her in the process.

What Nina doesn’t realize, is that Jake has been living his own private hell. Once he drops a bombshell, will their love survive it?
Told in two parts from both Nina and Jake’s points of view, Jake Undone is a standalone story and a companion to the novel, Gemini.

Penelope Ward blew me away with this building romance. Jake and Nina were perfect for one another. Jake’s character was so sweet and wonderful wrapped up in a hot tatted package. I was captivated by their romance, and the intensity of this budding relationship. The mystery in this story is obvious, but truthfully the direction of this story was entirely unforeseeable. Everything about this was perfect up until the truth is revealed. Alone this first three quarters of the story would have been five stars, but when the story shifts and the truth comes out the direction became a bit askew. I mean really how does a story build up so wonderfully then leave you questioning if you were even following the same characters. Jake remains the same, and I am overwhelmed with sympathy for his character. Every time you turn around like it leaving him with the short straw. This man that made some bad decisions truly does not deserve this life of servitude. Always have to take care of someone must be an incredibly difficult life to live. As his sister says in the story  he must truly have been a “Saint”. So, as I said he was pretty much the same beginning to end. Nina is not have this 3/4 mark I was faced with this high maintenance woman that had originally seemed so ground, and down to Earth. I really liked her characters, and looked at this characters as soul mates. Then when they have their big falling out; she seems almost a different person when they get back together. She is whiny and depressed when she seemed to be of complete sound mind with his assistance earlier. This was just a ninety degree right turn; when I was expecting a ninety degree left. I was left holding a story that was not the serene peaceful ending that I had expected.

Release Day: Asking for Trouble by Tessa Bailey

Want a chance to win an autographed copy of Tessa’s first two books Protecting What’s His & Officer Off Limits? It’s the first time they’ve ever been in print!

She’ll be giving away 3 sets. All you have to do is leave a comment below to enter.  Giveaway ends 12/1.  Limited to US residents only.

Increase your chances of winning by visiting the rest of the tour HERE

Connect with Tessa Bailey

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Buy Links for Asking For Trouble

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iTunes | Kobo

About Asking For Trouble

Pretending to be in love has never felt so sexy.

Brent Mason and Hayden Winstead can't stand each other. She plans exclusive parties for her rich family’s charities. He’s a rough and tumble cop who rigs explosives for a living. Could two people be any less suited for conversation? They think not and prefer to keep it that way.

Unfortunately, their two best friends are deeply, disgustingly in love. Forced together, the mutual attraction simmering beneath the surface of Brent and Hayden’s non-relationship grows with every argument until it explodes into a scintillating night of mind-blowing sex. And it won’t be the last, as far as Brent’s concerned.

Hayden has a secret, though. Her father’s company is relying on a merger to save them from financial ruin, and only Hayden’s marriage to the CEO’s wealthy son can secure the deal. If she’s to protect her family, she’ll have to forget Brent. And he has no intention of being forgotten.

Review: Asking for Trouble (Line of Duty #4) by Tessa Bailey

Title: Line of Duty

By: Tessa Bailey

Series: Line of Duty

My Copy: Ebook from Author

Book Whisperer's Rating: 

Brent Mason and Hayden Winstead can't stand each other. She plans exclusive parties for her rich familys charities. He's a rough and tumble cop who rigs explosives for a living. Could two people be any less suited for conversation? They think not and prefer to keep it that way.

Unfortunately, their two best friends are deeply, disgustingly in love. Forced together, the mutual attraction simmering beneath the surface of Brent and Hayden's non-relationship grows with every argument until it explodes into a scintillating night of mind-blowing sex. And it wont be the last, as far as Brent's concerned.

Hayden has a secret, though. Her father's company is relying on a merger to save them from financial ruin, and only Hayden's marriage to the CEOs wealthy son can secure the deal. If she's to protect her family, she'll have to forget Brent. And he has no intention of being forgotten.

I heart Tessa Bailey and everything about her writing.  She has officially ranked herself up there with Kristen Ashley and Jennifer L. Armentrout (a few of my favorite authors.)

This book was filled with hotness all the way around.  Hot guy, hot girl, hot scenes, hot everything.  I loved the hatred that Brent and Hayden had for each other at first; that hatred made their sexual chemistry light up the pages. 

I was never bored in this book, not even for a minute.  I started reading at lunch and finished before bed and I can’t say that about most books; that is how appealing the characters, plot, and feelings are. 

I can’t wait for her next book that could be the fifth in this series or something new.  I know either way, I will love it.

Oh, and Brent’s dirty talk…wowzers!

Review: Getting Rowdy (Love Undercover #3) by Lori Foster

Title: Getting Rowdy
By: Lori Foster
Series: Love Undercover #3
My Copy: Ebook from Netgalley
Book Whisperer's Rating: 

Charismatic bar owner Rowdy Yates isn’t the kind of man women say no to. So when he approaches waitress Avery Mullins, he fully expects to get her number. However, the elusive beauty has her reasons for keeping her distance—including a past that might come back to haunt them both.

Avery spends her nights working for tips… and trying to forget the secret Rowdy is determined to unearth. But when history threatens to repeat itself, Avery grows to rely on Rowdy’s protective presence. As the sparks between them ignite, she will be forced to choose between the security she’s finally found… and the passion she’s always wanted.

I haven’t read the first two installments of the “Love Undercover” series and was pleasantly surprised that I was not completely lost while reading the third book.  In fact, the third book was so good that I have decided to invest my time and read the first two (even though I know the two couples will be together in the end.)

“Getting Rowdy” appealed to me on many levels. Strong female character; check.  Trouble on the horizon; check.  A forbidden passion; check.  Moments of sparks between the two main characters; check. Sexy male character that wants to protect everyone that he loves, is good with children and dogs, and just wants to live life the best that he can; check.  See; appeal!

Rowdy is the perfect man for Avery but she is hesitant at first.  She doesn’t want to get in wrapped up into her trouble, but little does she know he wants to be wrapped up in her trouble and also in her.  It’s a pretty smexy story.

Review: Truce, The Historic Neighbor from Hell (Neighbor from Hell #4) by R.L. Mathewson

Title: Truce, The Historic Neighbor from Hell
By: R.L. Mathewson
Series: Neighbor from Hell #4
My Copy: Amazon.com
Book Whisperer's Rating: 

Elizabeth knows what’s expected of her, perfection. She’s the daughter of an Earl and expected to marry well, say and do the right things with a smile on her face when inside she’s dying for a chance to escape. Thanks to an inheritance her godmother left her years ago, her chance will come with her next birthday. Her hopes of escape abruptly end when Robert, her childhood nemesis that she hasn’t seen in over fourteen years, comes back into her life and does everything he can to drive her out of her mind even as he steals her heart.

He hated her.

At least, he tried to hate her, but it was so damn difficult to hate someone that he couldn’t live without. He tried to ignore her, tried to focus on anything but her, but nothing worked. Somehow she made her way into his heart and started to make him want things that he never though possible, made him smile and laugh even while she drove him out of his mind and started a legacy by turning him into…..

A Bradford.

I don’t think that Mathewson could write anything that wouldn’t appeal to me.  She took one of my favorite series and turned the fourth installment into a historical book with a ‘Neighbor from Hell’ twist.  How more brilliant can she be?!

What a wonderful addition to a fantastic series and I honestly loved ever minute of it.  I loved the beginning story that set up the plot for the main course.  Elizabeth and Robert hate each other with such an intense passion that you know the moment that they fall in love, it will be the best moment of the story.  Side note: Can I just say that the best passion comes from hatred. 

They hate each other as children, they don’t see each other for years and do not recognize each other when their paths cross until they are introduced to each other again.  Then more hatred starts, but it starts with a different perspective given their encounter in the orange garden. 

Ekkk, it is brilliant.  It shows the beginning of the Bradford clan and how intensely they love; what more could you ask for in a book?