review: Wild Child by Molly O'Keefe

Wild Child ~ Molly O'Keefe

4 of 5 stars

Expected publication date: 10.29.2013

DRC provided by NetGalley

Perfect for readers of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Rachel Gibson, this sizzling romance tells the story of a sexy small-town mayor and a notorious “bad girl,” who discover that home really is where the heart is.

Monica Appleby is a woman with a reputation. Once she was America’s teenage “Wild Child,” with her own reality TV show. Now she’s a successful author coming home to Bishop, Arkansas, to pen the juicy follow-up to her tell-all autobiography. Problem is, the hottest man in town wants her gone. Mayor Jackson Davies is trying to convince a cookie giant to move its headquarters to his crumbling community, and Monica’s presence is just too . . . unwholesome for business. But the desire in his eyes sends a very different message: Stay, at least for a while.

Jackson needs this cookie deal to go through. His town is dying and this may be its last shot. Monica is a distraction proving too sweet, too inviting—and completely beyond his control. With every kiss he can taste her loneliness, her regrets, and her longing. Soon their uncontrollable attraction is causing all kinds of drama. But when two lost hearts take a surprise detour onto the bumpy road of unexpected love, it can only lead someplace wonderful.

“Molly O’Keefe is a unique, not-to-be-missed voice in romantic fiction.”—New York Times bestselling author Susan Andersen  (thanks GoodReads for the summary)

My Thoughts -

I thought this story was cute. And kind of fluffy. It was a fast paced easy read that I quite enjoyed. I thought the dilemma of the town was unique and something that unfortunately is happening all over our country. I thought the idea of the TV reality show to pick the town the "nasty" cookie factory goes into was a great idea - the men of Alaska....what's that website address?

Jackson and Monica are great together and have decent chemistry. I didn't feel the tension in the air though when they got together...I felt it more with the art teacher and the slimbag. You do get to care about the people of Bishop though and really have to try a piece of Cora's Pecan pie as you go along though it.

Great story...more in this series??

A Step Away - Jocelyn Stover EXCERPT!! Check it out:)

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“Time…such a cruel mistress of fate. What we do with ours can either enrich our lives or destroy them, and we mortals never seem to have enough. The right time, our time, was too little and over much too quickly.”

When Gwen turns her back on a set of smoldering amber eyes in favor of a crystal blue pair, her plan is to sever all ties with the Wanderers. Her goodbye is short lived; however, when the investigation into Preston-Ward Pharmaceuticals reveals a powerful sylph has escaped. When Gwen is drawn back into the Wanderer brotherhood for her own protection she discovers she can no longer bury her feelings for Kade or ignore the growing gulf between her and Ben. As the unrelenting hunt for their ancient enemy heats up, Gwen’s attempt to straddle two worlds becomes tedious. She must choose, but when nephilim mysteriously begin to disappear her time may be up.

A Step Away - Wanderer Series #2

by Jocelyn Stover

Expected Release Date: October 4, 2013

A Step Away on Goodreads

Find it on Amazon!!

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Out of Reach - Wanderer Series #1

Out of Reach on Goodreads

Gwen Cohen has aspired her whole life to reach her current position of project manager at Preston-Ward Pharmaceuticals, but when she stumbles upon a dirty little secret everything changes. As she struggles with the reality of evil and her own powerful legacy, she gets pulled farther from the world she knows and closer to the one she can’t deny. Eyes finally open, Gwen struggles to unlock the dormant magic within herself before it’s too late. The lines between love and desire, and duty and commitment become exceedingly blurred and the ultimate choice to be made may not be between right and wrong but the head and the heart. 

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AUTHOR BIO

I'm a thoughtful, sarcastic, work-o-holic, mother of four. I must thrive on chaos because I've certainly built enough of it into my life already! I write during the stolen mintures of the day when the children are in bed or at school. When I'm not writing you can find me up to no good with my kiddos, or outside soaking up the sunshine. 

WEBSITE/BLOG TWITTER FACEBOOK GOODREADS
 

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EXCERPT: Z and Gwen’s run

“Change your clothes, we’re going for a run,” Z states.

“What? No!”

“Just indulge me.” His clipped tone lets me know there’s no getting out of this, and I can tell he’s trying very hard to keep the usual expletives and name calling that decorate his speech to a minimum.

“Fine,” I reply, not at all thrilled by the prospect of hanging out with Z. I bang around loudly while I don appropriate attire, like a toddler throwing a fit, and it actually makes me feel a bit better. Sullenly I keep my mouth shut and follow Z outside to the pavement, at which point he starts running and I have no choice but to truck it to match his long strides. 

“What are we doing?” I huff after several minutes of soundlessly pounding the pavement.

“We’re finally going to have that chat about the chip on my shoulder.”

“Oh.”

“Surprised?” he inquires, grinning.  

“Yes,” I admit, grateful that this isn’t going to be about me.

“Don’t look so smug, we’ll get to you.” Damn it. I knew it was too good to be true. “So go on, ask me,” he continues, ignoring the sour look on my face.

“What’s your deal? Why do you let that guy get to you? I know you were close when you two were Sylph but you’re an entirely different species now.” My joke about his ilk earns me a laugh.

“I was changed, yes, but my memories are still there. The angels didn’t start me off with a blank slate.”

“You guys never really talk about that, you just allude to it now and again.”

“Do you like to talk about all your mistakes?”

“Well no,” I reply floundering, the conversation steering me more than I’m leading it. “Wait!” I blurt out as a shred of higher reasoning comes to my rescue. “You feel guilty, don’t you?” 

  “Geez, you’re dense.” Z laughs and rolls his eyes.

“Seriously Z, that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Oh really,” he says and stops running to confront me. “I’ve killed more people than I can count… many of them children.”

“That’s just it: you haven’t killed anyone. A long time ago there lived a monster, and yes he killed a lot of people, but his name wasn’t Zafir. How can you beat yourself up over something you didn’t do? That you had absolutely no control over?”  

“How can you?” he asks in return.

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review: Against the Ropes by Carly Fall

Against the Ropes by Carly Fall

My rating: 4/5

DRC provided by Author Representative for an honest review

Published: 5.29.13

Genre: New Adult/Contemporary Romance

Summary –

Winning the next fight will mean nothing . . . if he can’t win back the heart of the woman he loves.

Five years ago Dylan Gomez had it all. He was an up-and-coming boxer with a loving girlfriend, and his sights were set on the big league. Then he let the hype of the fans inflate his ego—he thought he was invincible. That all changed when an alcohol-fueled decision altered the course of his life. He lost his girlfriend and then bit-by-bit his life crumbled around him.

Physical therapist, Regan Holloway, has coasted through life for the last five years. She’s been in the same place all that time and most of her things are still in boxes. Agreeing to a “friendly” date with a co-worker, she ends up ringside and face-to-face with the man she’d fled to forget—Dylan.

Dylan’s turning his life around and working his way back up the ranks; he’s got a big fight lined up in thirty days that will be his ticket back into the pros—if he can win. The only thing holding him back is an old shoulder injury and Regan not being by his side.

When Max, Dylan’s manager, convinces Regan to come with them and work on his shoulder for the fight, she knows she needs to keep things professional so that she won’t be hurt again.

In the thirty-day countdown to the big fight, secrets are revealed, their passion is reignited, and the past threatens to haunt their future. On fight day, Dylan and Regan are truly against the ropes. (Thanks to GoodReads.com for the summary)

My Thoughts –

Where does the story take place? California and Phoenix

Is the title a good/bad choice for the story? Sure

List the top 3 characters and 1 word to describe them each. Regan – hopeless, Dylan – hopeful, Max - loving

Give the book an alternate ending…or were you happy with it? Well – someone would live of course, but I really liked how everything turned out otherwise

Did you cry, laugh, sigh, cringe, fume or feel nothing? All of the aforementioned and then some

Great fast-paced, intensely emotional read!

Regan was heartbroken after finding the love of her life in the midst of screwing some other chick. She walked away and never looked backed after she did. She thought she had moved on, but really she just closed herself off to the world. Her decision to go to Phoenix was a tough one and I think she was brave for doing so.

Dylan let fame and glory go to his head messed up big time. He lost his girl and in turn lost his freedom for a while. After getting out of prison and trying to turn his life around, he’s ready to make amends with Regan and potentially reignite their flame. I commend Dylan for taking responsibility for his actions and learning from his mistakes.

I really enjoyed this story. I started it and couldn’t put it down. I could feel the love and remorse between the two of them and both ran deep. Their passion was hot and they were so absolutely right for one another.

I liked the story a lot. I felt some of the editing could have been better and some of the timing was off – other than that, great story!!

review: Gone Wild by Ever McCormick

Gone Wild ~ Ever McCormick

My rating: 3/5

DRC provided by NetGalley for an honest review

Published: 8.15.13

Genre: New Adult Romance

Summary –

Just before college graduation, Ina--star of her senior class--made a mistake that went viral. Then, when life seemed like it couldn’t get any worse, she walked in on her boyfriend cheating with her roommate. To get away, Ina ventures to a cabin on a remote mountain, intent on some solitary time.

She doesn’t count on Adam -- the man who watches over the cabins -- being so distractingly sexy. Adam came to the mountain to get distance from anything that could cause him pain, and Ina stirs feelings in him he thought he’d left behind.

As Adam and Ina open up about their pasts, the mountain seems like the perfect setting for a second chance at love.

Until they realize they’re not alone. (Thanks to GoodReads.com for the summary)

My Thoughts –

Where does the story take place? In a secluded bit of mountains out past BFE

Is the title a good/bad choice for the story? It’s ok – I think I may have gone with SET FREE or something like that – I get that it was set in the “wild”, but I don’t think the characters were or went wild

List the top 2 characters and 1 word to describe them each. Ina – naive, Adam - hurting

Give the book an alternate ending…or were you happy with it? It all worked out good.

Did you cry, laugh, sigh, cringe, fume or feel nothing? Worried, cringed, sighed and fumed.

Cara is lost when the story starts. She really can’t handle what’s happened to her, doesn’t want to talk about it (especially with her family) and doesn’t know what lies ahead for her in her future. She’s at a point in her life where some critical decisions are needing to made – where to work, where to live and what to do about the ex. I really wanted to slap her for letting that jerk stay in her cabin and not making him leave immediately.

Adam is hurting and scared. He’s lived in the city and was successful, but can’t get over his past and has relocated/isolated himself where he can’t be hurt again. He can’t deny his attraction to Ina and thank goodness he doesn’t.

I think the pair is a great couple. They help each other grow and heal emotionally. Not to mention the wicked hot lovin’ scenes. She’s happy to stay in the mountains and he’s willing to take her out into civilization when needed – I mean he shaved his mountain man beard off for her, hello :)

Cute, steamy, quick read. I liked the premise of the story. The idea of escaping computers, cell phones and social media is appealing when something like a cheating loved one is discovered. I think it’s cool that the girl is escaping to the wilderness – that’s usually a guy thing.