Category: Netgalley

Review: Heat

1/30/2018

Heat
Dark Kings #12
by Donna Grant

Synopsis

Nikolai is a dragon shapeshifter who knows well the meaning of loss. Orphaned and raised to be a Dragon King, he never accepts defeat. Now, Nikolai prefers his solitude . . .until a beautiful, irresistible woman calls upon him for help—and Nikola’s whole word goes up in flames.

Ever since MI5 agent Esther woke to discover her mind taken over with magic, she feels like stranger to herself. She looks to a notorious dragon, one who has the power to help her find her memory. But as she and Nikolai come closer to discovering what really happened to her, a dangerous passion ignites between them. Can this lone Dragon King help the woman he’s grown to love to uncover the truth about her past—or will a deep and fiery danger tear them both apart?

Review

This review is going to be a bit strange.

I was given the opportunity to review Heat (unsolicited), and I did because - uh, hello? DRAGONS. What I was unaware of at the time was that Heat is #12 in the Dark Kings series. I usually do not review books in a series where I have not read the previous books. What can I say? I am a completist.

With that said, I can review what I know from what I did read of this book. I enjoyed learning what I could of the dragon clans. It reminded me of J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series because of the connection each of the "brothers" has with the other.

There is definite chemistry between Esther and Nikolai that is steamy off the pages. However, there is obvious background on both of these characters that must have been discussed in the previous books. In the reviews I've read from other readers, it seems that this book is in perfect conjunction with the others in the series.

I will definitely add this series to my TBR list, but I believe that anyone wanting to take it on will definitely be pleased.

0 Comments

Review: Beauty and the Book Boyfriend

5/15/2017

0 Comments

Beauty and the Book Boyfriend
by K. M. Galvin

Synopsis

When Bellamy Strong started writing, it wasn’t with the intention of becoming the next phenomenon. It was…to be blunt she had no friends. School is rough on the anti-social. It’s even harder publishing your books and the world decides it wants a piece of you.

Now her series is ending and her publisher is demanding she show up for her fans. End her reclusive persona. A three month, worldwide book tour dressed as Makyla, the lead character in her book. As for Maxsen, the love interest, her fans pick model Caleb Pace to play the role during a casting contest. No big deal right?

What happens when your fantasy comes to life and turns out better than you imagined?

**Recommended for ages 18 and up**

Review

I'm a sucker for fairy tale re-tellings - even if they are very loosely based. Beauty and the Book Boyfriend is one of those loosely based on the story of Beauty and the Beast. What I found kind of great was that Bellamy aka Bella (aka beauty) took the traits of both Beauty AND the Beast as does Caleb.

This book was a lot longer in length than I expected, but it flowed smoothly. The reader is given enough time to really enjoy and appreciate the characters and their growth. I love when you get to see characters actually evolve.

Bellamy is an anxious and lonely girl who grew up to be an anxious and semi lonely woman who writes a best-selling series. It's finally time for her to tour and she, drunkenly, agrees to tour with a model who looks like her book's love interest. When Bellamy first meets Caleb - it's confusion at first sight (because he really looks like what she envisions her leading man to look like), and then hate at second sight. Unfortunately, Caleb seems to be an arrogant and petulant man. Bellamy has to get over it, however, because she's playing the role of Makyla, the lead character of her books. Yay.

Aside from the awesome character development, what I thought was truly the best part of this book was the care taken with Bellamy's anxiety problems. The author did not gloss over Bellamy having an anxiety problem, or didn't make it disappear easily. Bellamy's anxiety evolved just as she did. And how much did I love that Caleb tried to understand and, therefore, helped her with that anxiety? A LOT.

This is a great love story that showcases character growth - major plus for the inclusion and understanding of anxiety in the lead character's part!

0 Comments

Review: The Stubborn Billionaire

2/22/2017

0 Comments

The Stubborn Billionaire
A Muse Novel
by Lexxie Couper

Synopsis

He had a plan for her. Her getting under his skin wasn't it.

I’ll stop at nothing to get what I want. It’s the Dyson way.
Ruthless? Maybe. But it’s what’s put me on top. And it’s what’s going to help me get revenge on the woman who put my family through hell.

I’m going to ruin Sienna Roberts.

My plan has been in play for months. She has no idea I’m the mysterious benefactor commissioning her artwork, or that the downfall in store for her will be the end of her career.

But there’s something I didn’t plan for—the way her smile and touch starts to make me forget all I blame her for…

Review

I am usually a big fan of this line of romance books, but this one left me feeling nothing. Mostly, I just finished reading it because I wanted to know what happened, but not necessarily because I cared about the characters. The story was written fine, it just didn't grab me enough to care about what happened to these two. Which is a shame.

I was mostly surprised by how fast the guy (I don't even care to look up his name) ended up getting over his "anger". I'm not against reading a vengeful story, but he did not hold up to his convictions lol. The story was definitely steamy, sexy, and all that. If that is what you're looking for, look no further. I guess I just like to care about my characters AND have sexy times.

0 Comments

Review: The Billionaire's Virgin

2/21/2017

0 Comments

The Billionaire's Virgin
A Billionaire Fairytale
by Jackie Ashenden

Synopsis
Dark, tortured, and intimidating, these dominant billionaires will steal their innocent heroines' breath away. Overwhelmed by their desire to control their world, they push their heroines to explore their deepest desires. But even the most unworldly of heroines can unlock these billionaires' secrets.

Xavier De Santis: Disgraced. Ruinous. Playboy.

The headlines are always shouting about Xavier’s various excesses, and he’s everything they say he is. But now he’s gone too far, and the black sheep of the De Santis family has been ordered to clean up his image. Volunteering at a homeless shelter, he sees a bright light amidst all the bleakness. An angel whose luminous face and tragic beauty call to him in ways he can’t explain.

Mia: Vulnerable. Homeless. Virgin.

When the shelter Mia calls home closes, she is left with nowhere to go - nowhere except for the luxurious, glorious palace of a home that Xavier De Santis has invited her to stay. This too-handsome billionaire is dark, dangerous - and also too good to be true. But surely Mia can indulge in her fantasies and escape the drudges of her daily life for just one night?

As one night turns into two, Mia knows that eventually, the magic will end and she will have to return to her life of hardship. She can't keep the beautiful clothes. She can't keep the soft bed. And most of all, she can't keep the hard, handsome, brutal man who makes her crave his touch with every breath she takes. Mia doesn't belong in his world. But as Xavier tempts his rags-to-riches heroine with exquisite pleasure and heady desire, Mia doesn't stand a chance but to surrender completely to him.

Review

Caution - this may be a bit spoilery.

I'm at a little bit of a loss for this story, readers. On the one hand, I enjoyed Ashenden's writing, and felt she was able to adapt a fairy tale into modern times while also giving a voice to a population we don't get to hear about often, the homeless. On the other hand, as much as I appreciated that Xavier was supportive of Mia, I didn't enjoy the whole "virgin" aspect of the situation.

In so many stories, especially romance, The Virgin is this almost-holy being that is innocent, untouchable, and therefore still able to be saved. I found this a difficult contrast with what we had been shown already - Mia as a homeless young woman who had made decisions she thought best for herself. That is something to be appreciated, and I felt the introduction of her being a virgin made everything trickle down to that. It seemed that all of a sudden it didn't matter that Mia was a fighter, and a survivor - no, it mattered that she had never been sexually touched and oh, isn't that special.

I truly commend the author for introducing a new population to her readers. It is definitely the first time I see it in romance fiction. But I want romance authors (all authors, really) to remember is that we are shaped by our experiences, the good and the bad, and I don't mind my heroines having a background. I don't mind them knowing what they like or don't like. Don't get me wrong, I do love a good virgin trope. But when you're already doing something special (and yes, I think introducing the homeless population as ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE with WANTS, NEEDS, ETC. is special) , just go for it.

0 Comments

Book Review: One Sexy Mistake (excerpt and giveaway below!)

11/30/2016

0 Comments

One Sexy Mistake
Chase Brothers #5 (novella)
by Sarah Ballance

Synopsis

Olivia Patton’s life just imploded. One night with sexy hacker Grady Donovan seems like the perfect, ego-soothing plan—until an epic snowstorm shuts down the city and thwarts her morning-after escape. Now the only walk-of-shame she'll be taking is right back to Grady's door.

Forced to actually talk, Grady and Olivia realize they can't stand each other. Forget another round in the bedroom—if it wasn't his apartment, she'd shove Grady outside to freeze. But with all the blistering sexual tension flying around, a second night with the hacker might be exactly what she needs...if they don't kill each other first.
Each book in the Chase Brothers series is a standalone, full-length story that can be enjoyed out of order.

Series Order:
Book #1 Five Things I Love About You
Book #2 For Seven Nights Only
Book #3 The Three Week Arrangement
Book #4 The 48 Hour Hook Up
Book #5 One Sexy Mistake

Review

There is something so enticing about about reading a romance with two computer geek leads. I don't know what it is exactly: is it because they are on level ground? Because a female computer geek is portrayed as just a geek? Because there is some intelligence showing? I don't know. But I like it.

So, Olivia is looking for some sexy times since she hasn't had any prospects since her ex-boyfriend dumped her (horribly, I might add), and Grady is looking for a good time with a woman who doesn't want to stick around. Using a Tinder-ish type app, they decide to meet for a one night stand. What they weren't expecting was the winter storm that blows through, keeping them both stranded.

Olivia and Grady are both computer experts in their fields (let's call them what they are - they're hackers). Both are going into this situation looking for for something easy, and without attachments. But thanks to one of my favorite tropes/catnip, forced proximity, their situation gets a lot more complicated.

Truly enjoyed this novella. I wish there was more of it to read, honestly. It had both main character's points of view, forced proximity, and genuine feelings. It took me a few hours to read, and I really wish I could read more about Olivia and Grady.

About the Author

Sarah and her husband of what he calls “many long, long years” live on the mid-Atlantic coast with their six young children, all of whom are perfectly adorable when they’re asleep. She never dreamed of becoming an author, but as a homeschooling mom, she often jokes she writes fiction because if she wants anyone to listen to her, she has to make them up. As it turns out, her characters aren’t much better than the kids, but nevertheless, you’ll find her writing sexy contemporary romance for Entangled Publishing until they throw her out. To learn more, visit http://sarahballance.com.
Author Links
Website: http://www.sarahballance.com/
Blog: http://sarahballance.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SarahBallance
Facebook: http://facebook.com/sarah.ballance.author.news
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4103362.Sarah_Ballance
Link to the Tour Schedule:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZSxEjy7QLqY1XK7OVSA_eSQNmzw_re6dv1XCi1qpdnM/edit?usp=sharing

Rafflecopter Giveaway ($15.00 Amazon eGift Card) a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read an excerpt!

Chapter One
Grady Donovan sucked at this hookup thing.
It was 11:00 p.m., he was bored and horny, and most of his previous...assignations with women—whether a friend with benefits or an actual attempt at a relationship—had ended in way too much drama for his taste. After years of careful analysis, he’d come to the conclusion that he wasn’t built for relationships. But a one-nighter? That he could do. With bells on. If she was into that.
The trick was finding a woman who was on the same page emotionally. Tinder had a reputation as a “hookup app.” So Tinder it was.
Tinder PC, because he was not having a one-night stand with someone without viewing a photo bigger than a postage stamp.
After hours of agonizing over how to best describe himself on his bio, adding and deleting gems like please leave before breakfast and conversation not included, he’d finally nailed it: Frighteningly intelligent single male. Computer geek. No interest in romance but great in the sack. No relationships, please.
Accurate? Definitely. Odds of snagging interest? Nil, in his experience. But, he figured, don’t ask and ye shall not receive. Needless to say, he hadn’t expected a response.
Especially not the one that came through ten minutes later, prompting the mother of all double takes. Olivia’s profile picture was too good to be true.
So was the rest of her. Especially her bio. Hacker girl with a broken heart looking for a boy toy to make it all better. One night, no strings. I get to leave first. Two-minute wonders need not apply.
The irony was strong. As long as she followed through and actually left without asking for his hand in marriage, she was everything he could possibly want in a woman. Scratch that. She was all he could want from a night.
One night.
A beautiful woman who wanted to leave first.
He watched the screen, expecting her to disappear. He was no hardship to look at, but he’d said no romance or relationship, which left him floored that anyone would respond.
Let alone an anyone who was on the same, admittedly unconventional, page. Unless it was a trick.
Suspicion probably shouldn’t have been his first reaction to seeing the incredibly sexy photo pop up on the screen, but with a prank-happy extended family like his—all courtesy of his four brothers-in-law—being trolled was a distinct possibility.
Even via a random hookup app.
A muscle in his jaw jumped, and he realized he was doing this wrong. People were supposed to be all over these connections. Swipe right, get laid, problem solved.
Still there? she typed. Because if that two-minute thing is a deal-breaker, I need to know. At which point I may mock you. Mercilessly.
Grady stared at the newly arrived message, thinking the threat of mockery was the best excuse he’d ever have to bail.
But this was also probably his best chance to score.
Looking at Olivia’s picture, he really didn’t want to give up on the chance. He couldn’t believe his luck. Rich, wavy brown hair tumbled past her shoulders. Eyes sparkled in the same hue. She glowed.
She was definitely too good to be true.
I can guarantee at least three minutes, he wrote, then sat back. There was no good reason a woman like her would need an app, unless it was because she was tired of being hit on for being gorgeous.
Which, frankly, he’d believe.
For the first time in pretty much ever, he wished for more personal communication.
A new message popped up. So what do you have against relationships?
He hesitated over a response. I don’t care for the drama, he typed. Or the rituals. Or the expectations.
Ah, she replied. A girl gets three minutes one night and wants four the next.
Something like that. Actually, it was a lot like that. At one time, he hadn’t hated the idea of a relationship. In fact, all he’d ever wanted was for someone to accept him for who he was, which sounded like a schmaltzy spiel of bullshit, but it was true. He enjoyed going out every now and then, and he’d hold a woman’s purse at the mall if he had to. But having to out-do every other couple on Facebook or Instagram or whatever social media platform was the rage at the moment burned him out.
Permanently.
If being in his own goddamned relationship meant he had to compete with everyone else’s, then he’d be just fine alone.
Except for one teeny caveat.
Sex.
What about you? he asked. Not buying that you can’t get a date.
I don’t want a date. I want sex.
Well, okay then. You could get that from anyone, he responded. Why me?
You’re a mile away. It’s snowing.
You keep impossible standards, he typed back.
And you’re hot, and straightforward. And you did promise great sex.
Anyone can promise that, he noted.
Actually, she replied, I’m pretty sure no self-professed computer geek has ever promised great sex.
He rolled his eyes. And here I was thinking the self-professed hacker would appreciate my skills.
I plan to, she said. For the entire three minutes.
Well, hell. This was the part where he should promise her a few hours, but if she looked anything like her picture, he’d be better off promising her a few rounds. And he could only pray the first one lasted three minutes.
He pulled up her profile again, still suspicious. There wasn’t much there, so the repeated glances were futile.
You don’t seem worried about hooking up with someone you’ve never met, he typed. Are you crazy or just adventurous?
Her answer was immediate. Do you want to find out?
Did he? That was why he was online, though he certainly never expected he’d find anyone like her. She was too perfect—not just physically attractive but also in a field of work closely tied to his own, if there was any truth to the “hacker girl” statement in her bio. While he didn’t need to have anything in common with Olivia, if they actually had a conversation—versus creepily not speaking at all—there was something to be said for shared interests.
He’d had plenty of dates with women who lectured him about how boring computers were, that he should get out and live a little. These were, of course, the same women who couldn’t peel their eyes from their smartphones, but that point was seldom appreciated when he voiced it.
But it probably didn’t matter. People didn’t use hookup sites in search of sparkling conversation.
Especially not him. He caught himself looking over his shoulder, half-expecting to catch one of his brothers-in-law doubled over in laughter on the fire escape.
Instead, he got an eyeful of the neighbor’s yellow-eyed, helter-skelter-faced, crooked-fanged mini-wildebeest the old woman called a cat. And yes, he jumped.
Then he swore.
That thing should be in a zoo. Or a freak show.
Behind the questionably feline façade, snow fell. Grady had no idea why that woman let the cat out in this kind of weather, but he wasn’t inclined to let the thing freeze. Even if it was the ugliest, creepiest excuse for a cat he’d ever seen.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Harmon had a habit of smacking him with her purse when her precious Mortimer found his way into Grady’s apartment, which made him wary of rescuing the cat, at least immediately.
He glanced back at his computer. The cursor blinked, and he realized there might very well be an actual woman on the other end, waiting.
If there was any chance she was legit, he was in.
Way in.
He typed his next message and hit send before he could second guess the insanity of meeting a stranger for sex. Your place or mine?

0 Comments

<<Previous

Review: Heat

Review

Review: Beauty and the Book Boyfriend

Review

Review: The Stubborn Billionaire

Review: The Billionaire's Virgin

Book Review: One Sexy Mistake (excerpt and giveaway below!)

About the Author

Read an excerpt!

Want to receive monthly highlights from Book Fidelity? Sign up!

Categories

Archives