LYNDA CHANCE - TEMPTATION IN TEXAS - LOGAN AND LAUREN

--> RESUME 

"Logan and Lauren" is a stand alone short story that doesn't have any cliffhangers!! It's the perfect length before bed or while waiting at an appointment. BUT IT IS SHORT !!!

When Logan Crenshaw comes home from work one day and finds out his wife is keeping a secret from him, he goes a little crazy. So he steals her off to the Caribbean where he finally figures out what's been troubling her. But unfortunately, not before he loses his cool and goes completely territorial.

Excerpt:

Logan tightened his hands in Lauren's hair and her eyes flew open. He could see it clearly, her arousal, the drugged look that had always fascinated him so much. He encircled her wrist, and locked it behind her back in a swift move that imprisoned her. "You like that, baby?"

"Yes." Her eyelids fluttered; he knew that she was barely able to hold them open.

He rewarded her answer, stroking into her, in and out, and in again. He stayed there, deep within her, and when her eyes closed completely, he dropped his lips to her ear and sank his teeth around her lobe. "You're mine," he said in an uncontrollable hiss. "That hasn't changed." He took another slamming stroke and then stilled inside of her again. "That will never change." He bit down on her flesh. "You understand me? Never."

MY REVIEW

How can ANYONE fit that much intensity and emotions in a short story?  Well, Lynda Chance has done it. Again!

I love, love, LOVE that book.  The story is compelling, sexy, well written (obviously) and just intense!  I will surely read it over and over again.

No one writes alpha males better than Mrs. Chance, for sure.  Logan is no exception.  He is strong, sexy, sure of himself and madly in love with his wife.  Sure, he is possessive but I will admit that’s a trade I find oh! So sexy.  No need to spoil all the fun but I will say that the love scenes will get your blood pumping.

Ok.  You may say I’m an unconditional fan of Mrs. Chance and you will be right.  Her name on the book is enough guaranty for me to buy it and I was never proven wrong.  Some titles are better than other but the emotions, the characters, the plot and the writing all together only gets better with every book!

MY CLASSIFICATION
Type: Contemporary romance

Keyword: sexy, alpha male
Intimacy: Hot (with a capital H)

MY RATING

5 stars – hard feet to accomplish for a short story.

JESSICA CLARE - BEAUTY AND THE BILLIONNAIRE

RESUME 

The Billionaire Boys Club is a secret society of six men who have vowed success—at any cost. Not all of them are old money, but all of them are incredibly wealthy. They’re just not always as successful when it comes to love…

 

Real-estate tycoon Hunter Buchanan has a dark past that’s left him scarred and living as a recluse on his family’s palatial estate. Hunter is ready to give up on love—until he spots an enigmatic red-haired beauty and comes up with an elaborate scheme to meet her.

 

Gretchen Petty is in need of a paycheck—and a change. So when a job opportunity in an upstate New York mansion pops up she accepts. And while she can overlook the oddities of her new job, she can’t ignore her new boss’s delectable body—or his barely leashed temper.

 

Hunter’s afraid his plan might be unraveling before it’s truly begun, but Gretchen is about to show him that life can be full of surprises…

MY REVIEW

I will start by saying that this book made sense.  It is a text book romance complete with the seduction, the plot, the development (sexy sex included), the fall out and, of course, the HEA.  The emotional entanglement is believable, if a little syrupy at times.  The sex scenes were hot (but without a capital H) but without being too graphic.  All in all, a satisfying read but not what I would call extraordinary.

SPOILER ALERT! Even if liked it, I must say I’m not crazy about my hero being the virgin of the bunch.  I get that he has scars but still…What I must say however is that although he was the inexperienced one in the relationship, the author still managed to portray him as an alpha male, the taking charge type that I loved, and kept a careful balance between his insecurities and his stoic demeanour.

Gretchen is outspoken, romantic and, most importantly, real.  She didn’t come across as overly emotional, which I really liked, and she is definitely the type of woman one can relate to.  The blow out is predictable but understandable and not too far-fetched, which is mostly where I get disappointed normally in the stories I read.

All in all, I liked the story and will read the next one.  However, I had no problem putting it down to be continued the next day.  It was, just like the blow out, predictable but entertaining.  A good read.

 
MY CLASSIFICATION
Type: Contemporary romance

Keyword: Classic
Intimacy: Good, without being over the top

MY RATING

3 stars for a classic but enjoyable contemporary romance

LYNDA CHANCE - THE MISTRESS MISTAKE

RESUME 

Jessica Conway is at the end of her rope. She desperately needs a few things that her moral values can't buy: food, shelter, a chance for a better life. Connor Montgomery is tortured with guilt from the past and wants only one thing from Jessica, something he's very willing to pay her for. Setting her up as his mistress seems like the perfect idea. But how long can a situation continue that was a mistake from the very beginning?

IN MY OWN WORDS

Jessica is trying to get herself through college but thanks to her mother, cannot get the money any other way then making the Dean’s list.  Unfortunately, her last semester was a disaster.  She has to find a solution and fast!  Her “solution” is shaped like Adonis himself.  Combined with the warmth on a statue to boot.  It’s her last resort so she steppes on her principles and make due with it, becoming a paid mistress.  Will Connor warm up enough to see the gem that stands right in front of him?

MY REVIEW

I will start by saying that the book comes with a warning; it is NOT a regular hot love affair, far from it.  It may even hurt the sensibility of the romantic souls out there.  Weirdly enough, when you take a step away from romance, you are walking towards reality.  Which is probably why this book really disappointed me.

Connor is cold, selfish and domineering.  Jessica tries really hard, in her own head, to stand her ground but is just a big noodle in her actions.  The story lacked warmth altogether in my opinion and the sex was really REALLY blah. 

I stood on the outside of their story like a stranger looking in the whole time, whishing there would be something, ANYTHING that would get my blood pumping.

For once, I just can’t put my finger on the reason why I just didn’t get hooked, other than the lack of passion between the characters.  Combined with inconsistency between what they are thinking and how they are acting from page to page, it lost me completely.

It’s sad really – And I’m so confused; I will normally look for a story as close to reality as possible.  I understand authors who like to deliver this kind of reality have to walk a fine line in order to keep the passion going.  Unfortunately, The Mistress Mistake is just a little too “real” for my taste. 

That being said, I look forward to Lynda Chance’s next story.  And I would really REALLY like to find her in the social media sphere!

MY CLASSIFICATION
Type: Contemporary Romance – Although, really, the romance is kinda missing.

Keyword: Domineering hero, virgin heroin
Intimacy: Blah.  Really blah. 

MY RATING

I gave it a 2 stars and I sincerely hope it will be my last one from this author whom I simply adore!

LORA LEIGH - TEMPTING SEALS SERIES

So I'm back once again with Lora Leigh.  It had been a while since I had lost myself in one of the Temping Seals' adventure when I accidentally clicked (yes, I do read on my tablet!) on Ian's story.  Fiou!  Cold shower ahead - And still Oh! So good, even after a couple (dozen) times

But before going ahead with my review, I have decided to do the same thing with the Temping Seals as I did with the Elite Ops, and list the books in their order of appearance.  The background picture of the whole series is based on Diego Fuentes' drug cartel and it's impact on the different characters of the books; DEA agent, kidnapped heroin rescued, son of the drug lord or victim of it...It all ties back one way or the other to it. Here are the stories in order:
 
1. "Reno's Chance" Featuring Raven and Reno
Originally part of the "Honk If You Love Real Men" anthology, "Reno's Chance" can also be found as a stand alone book.  It's a hot one, and gives you a glimpse of what's to expect in the other instalments of the series - Hot Alpha Male ready to claim their woman.  A little less action and a little more "romance" (read - hot encounters). It introduces Reno, the yummy alpha male seal, and Raven, Clint's sister (whom we will meet in the next book).  It's a short story that will set the tone and built the baseline of the whole series.

2. "Dangerous Games" Featuring Clint and Morganna
It's a tie for first place between "Dangerous Games" and "Killer Secrets", in my humble opinion. Love the story of Clint and Morganna.  She's Reno's sister and he's Raven's brother. The boys are brother in arms sisters are best friends.  Solid ties and hot HOT story.

3. "For Maggie's Sake" Featuring Joe and Maggie
Once again part of an anthology, "Real Men Do It Better", this story is somewhat related to the series although very loosely. Joe is not an actual Navy Seal but an ex one now working for the DEA.  It ties in well with the other one but it's the kind of story who would not be missed if it wasn't part of the series.  Good short story, mind you.  Review to follow.

4. "Hidden Agenda" Featuring Kell and Emily
He's known her half her life and saved her from a kidnapping; she's been in love with him for the longest time and now she has decided to act on it.  Not an easy feat for ether of them to let the past and all that stands between them go...Or is it?

5. "Killer Secrest" Featuring Ian and Kira
What can I say?  I have read it over and over again.  I want to be her and be taken by him.  He's the son of the Diego Fuentes and will do anything in his power to spare the life of his friends...Even if it means becoming a Drug Lord himself.  Or is it just a cover?  Kira knows.  She knows him, her soul recognizing his.  Will love conquer all?  (If not love, surely lust will!)

6. "Atlanta Heat" Featuring Mason and Emerson
Yet another short story part of the "Rescue Me" anthology.  I love Mason.  We got to meet him in different instalments of the series and his story is just yummy.  But like I said: short story.  You know my feelings about them.  It's a love/hate relationship.

There you go!  Just to let you know that Tempting Seals will tie in nicely with Elite Ops series.  Lora Leigh at it's best, really.  Stay tuned for the individual reviews of the tempting Seals' adventures! 

LORA LEIGH - ELITE OPS SERIES

I had stated my blog with the Lora Leigh's Elite Ops series.  Since there were still more books to come at the time, I have decided to pick it up where I left off.  So here is a brief resume of the series as well as the books, in their release order.  Please note that although I would recommend to read them in the order they have been published, they can as easily be read on their own.

Although her "Breeds" series is really great, I must say my all time favourite characters would have to be the man of the "Elite Ops". I love the way the characters are linked to the "Temping Seals", giving a second breath and a sense of continuity to her great leading men.

RESUME
Dead Men Don’t Talk
The world is turning into a frightening place. A place where death and destruction can visit on any street corner, within any home. And there are those that thrive on the fear and the terror they can instigate.
The Elite Operations, ELITE OPs was created to fight against that terror. A six man force working independent of government protocol or oversight, created to do what the others can’t do. They have only one directive. Success of the mission. No matter what it takes.

1. "Wild Card" - The story of Noah Blake, formerly known as U.S. Navy Seal, Nathan Malone. In "Tempting Seals", Nathan Malone was taken hostage but a powerful drug lord during a mission to save a US Senator's daughter. He comes back as Noah Blake, now an Elite Ops operative.

2. "Maverick" - The story of Micah Sloane, formerly Israeli Mossad agent, bent on revenge and caught in a web of emotional entanglement he must deal with, in order to save the woman that captured his heart.

3. "Heat Seeker"- The story of John Vincent, formerly known as Australian Secret Intelligence Trent Daylen. He has a second chance with the last woman he shared his bed with and the only woman he's ever loved. But as an ex-CIA agent herself, she's too clever for her own good; Will love win over 6 years of hurt and sorrow?

4. "Black Jack" - The story of Travis Caine, formerly known as MI-5 agent Travis Dermont. A little harder to follow, as it introduces the female of the "Elite Ops two, another branch of the super-secret agency. In my opinion, this book has to be read twice in order to fully assimilate all the twists and turns of the great plot laid page after page. One thing I must say, though: It lays the grounds of what promise to be a great new wave of stories.

5. "Renegade" - The story of Nikolai Steele known as Russian Special Forces operative Michel Valeskinov.  When an important informant calls in a favour to clear his name, as is being framed for murder by a trust worthy member of a community, Nikolai has no other choice but to show up.  When the trustworthy member happens to be a woman that gets his hear rate going, Nikolai has a hard time keeping his calm...And his hand to himself.  Will he be able to get to the bottom if the story?

6. "Live Wire" - The story of Captain Jordan Malone,  leader of the five man forming the Elite Ops Unit.  He has seen his men fall in love one after the other and still, he doesn't believe in it.  He has fought hard in the last years to forget resist the sexual pull of one hell of a woman in a sexy but deadly package.  That is, until the unit is dismantled, everyone having served their time, and that said woman will be, once again, exposed to danger.  It will be enough for Captain Malone to go after her to save her butt, but will she manage to also save his soul in the process?

That's it, folks!  Enjoy this series, as it is the one I loved the best...As a matter of fact, I keep reading one or the other every few months!

JACI BURTON - PLAY-BY-PLAY SERIES

I love a good series, as some of you may know.  However, I often stumbled upon a book who was part of one but not necessarily the first one of the bunch.  Finding a comprehensive overall look at the series and it's characters proves to be tricky in some cases, impossible in other.

So here is the overall description of the stories you will find in the Play-by-Play series.  For a more thorough review of them, please see my other posts!

Cheers!

RESUME
In the first 5 instalments of the Play-by-Play series, you will be introduce to the Riley family.  Now there's a big, loud and loving family, the kind you wish you'd be born in.  And they are all into sports.  The males are all playing in one pro sports team or another (Football, Hockey, Baseball) and the ladies are connected to the sport environment as an agent, an image consultant or a therapist, or through the family sport's bar.

The first 3 books are about 3 siblings - Mick, Gavin and Jenna  The other 2 are based on their cousins, Cole and Alicia.  So here they are:

BOOK 1 - THE PERFECT PLAY

Mick and Tara

The series opens up with Mick Riley, a professional football player.  He has it all: fame, fortune and fans.  Lots of fans.  And lady fans, if you get my drift.  In comes Tara Lincoln, event planner extraordinaire.  You could also look her up in the dictionary under "girl next door".  She is single mom who had her heart shattered in the past and will give Mick a run for his money.  We will get to meet Mick's agent as well, as a secondary character.  We will know more about Liz in the second instalment of Play-By-Play.

BOOK 2 -  CHANGING THE GAME

Gavin and Liz

Liz has made a seriously wrong move trying to butt in on Mick and Tara's relation.  As a result, she loses Mick as a client and risks loosing her brother Gavin as well.  she will have to work really hard to make sure he stays on as her client.  She will have to woo him.  It might not be a problem if she wasn't already half in live with the man and risking loosing her hart in the process.  Gavin has the hots for his agent and is all for Liz showing how much she wants him to stay on.  But when love gets in the picture, all bets are off.

BOOK 3 - TAKING A SHOT

Jenna and Ty

This is Jenna's story, Gavin and Mick's little sister.  She manages the family sports bar almost all by herself after her father's heart attack.  Between her 2 brothers and the bar, she is really fed up with everything related to sports.  She is ready for a change and will try to find it in her personal life as much as possible.  Enters Ty Anderson, pro hockey superstar.  Ty is not use to women giving him the cold shoulder, especially not one as hot as Jenna.  Admittedly, at first glance, she is not his type...At all!  But the feisty bartender is more than a little intriguing - and Ty has never stopped in face of a challenge.

BOOK 4 - PLAYING TO WIN

Cole and Savannah 

Cole is a football superstar with a hot head.  The press loves to hate him and he often makes the first page of the gossip column - all for the wrong reasons.  Needless to say, his position with the team is in jeopardy; he will have to prove he can stay out of the press and clean his image if he wants to stay on.  In comes Savannah, his new image consultant.  Southern Belle through and through, she will have a hard time taking on this particular client, for sure!  Sparks are flying, watch out!

BOOK 5 - THROWN BY A CURVE

Alicia and Garrett

Garrett is a pitcher with a bummed shoulder who resists physical therapy and is convinced he will never play again.  Alicia is a junior sports therapist who will tell him like it is.  Which is exactly what Garrett needed to hear.  As a result of her big mouth, she will be put in charge of his recovery.  They both have a lot to loose if it doesn't work, especially somewhere in the region of their hearts.

In the fifth book, we will meet Garrett's roommates from his College days.  They all turned out to by professional athletes and we will leave the Riley family alone to know more about them!  The sixth book should come out in June and features race car driver Gray Preston!

JACI BURTON - THROWN BY A CURVE

PLAY-BY-PLAY #5

RESUME
Sports medicine specialist Alicia Riley has the job of her dreams, until she's assigned to star pitcher Garrett Scott. Undergoing shoulder rehab, it's make it or break it time for Garrett, and he needs to focus to get back on the mound in time for opening day. But close proximity and combustible chemistry is a dangerous combination, and both Alicia and Garrett have a lot to lose if this doesn't work.
 
IN MY OWN WORDS
Garrett is the ultimate Golden Boy and never failed at anything...Ever.  So when an injury keeps him away from his position as a star pitcher, he doesn't know how to handle it.  Alicia is a junior physical therapist who landed her dream job with the Rivers.  After all, she is Gavin's cousin AND a Riley, so sports is in her blood.  She is also the only one who will give it straight to Garrett without sugar coating it and blowing smoke up his ass.  Sure she's about to loose her job, Alicia is the first one surprise when Garrett decides to give Alicia a chance to take over his recovery.  After all, nothing has worked so far!

Chemistry is undeniable between the two and will increase as the time goes by and they will eventually give in.  But will the circumstances stand in their way or will they be able to work past Garrett's injury and self doubt and Alicia's role in all of it?

MY REVIEW
I will start by saying I love LOVE sequels.  If you give me a choice between a self standing story or one part of a series, I will go for the series every time.  In doing so, I must face a fact: not all books are as good as the one you really REALLY loved in that series.

The Play-By-Play series is one who will allow us to be part of an amazing family, one you wish you were born in.  Not the perfect one but with just enough imperfection to  make it believable and Oh so lovable.  The author will let us spend just enough time with all the characters to see them evolve from one book to the other.  I must say it is one of the best series I have read in that regard.  I'm looking forward to see what is happening to all the characters I have meat in the previous books and how their life has evolved.  It was a little disappointing not to have any news on Tara's oldest son, hopefully we'll get to see him again down the road.

As I was saying a little earlier, not all books can be as brilliant as the one you fell in love with.  Well, I was a little deceived by "Thrown by a curve".  I felt like there was no deep emotional investment from either one of the characters.  It was an uneventful relationship, rather normal I would say, where problems were dealt with honestly and instantaneously without any big consequences.  I felt like the author wasn't really invested in her characters, almost as if she wasn't connected with their feelings and was going though the motion of writing a story following the guidelines.  Mind you, if you want to learn about alternative methods of physical therapy, go ahead and read it!  There is a ton of detailed information on the subject! Lol!

The sex was a little too sweet and - dare I say - a little too clinical for my taste.  I didn't feel the sizzle, the burn, the all consuming need I am use to.  There is some details but the dialogue felt too...inelegant! 

Keep in mind it wasn't a bad read, just not my favourite one of the bunch.

I will, however, stay tuned for the upcoming book #6 of the Play-By-Play series, coming out in June 2013!

MY CLASSIFICATION
Type: Contemporary Romance
Keyword: Sport jockey
Intimacy: Didn't get my heart rate going...

MY RATING
I will give it a 3 stars, simply because it's a good, fast and easy read but not as intense and gripping then the other 4 books of the series.