Review: Small Wars (Jack Reacher #19.5) by Lee Child (Goodreads Author)

Small Wars by Lee Child
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Okay, a bit better than the last novella ....book #16,5 ...that I read..but nothing special.

I am not going to read any more of this "in-between" little books anymore...I waste of my time and money. I can't see the reason for these novellas....

What made it a bit more interesting was that we get to meet Jack Reacher's brother again.....but again...we have someone doing some underhand things to sell US secrets to the enemy....okay..enough of this...let me just wait for the next full-length Jack Reacher book!!!!

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Review: Deep Down (Jack Reacher, #16.5) by Lee Child (Goodreads Author)

Deep Down by Lee Child
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

What's the point of this really short story??? Apart from the money-making aspect!!!!

I get so annoyed with these little short stories that authors bring out between books just to make a buck or two more...because that's what this little "story" of just over 40 pages felt like..

So we know Jack Reacher is smarter than all those military guys out there...but really...within a few hours he solves a case of someone selling arms secrets to the enemies of USA!!!! Really....

So not impressed!!!!

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Review: Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey (Goodreads Author)

Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I would like to share with you a book that has left a profound impression on me. Yes, its pure fiction and one may think ….oh it’s only a story made up in a writer’s imagination. Yes, it is that….but it will be a story that will inspire you…make you believe that Love is Timeless regardless….It’s a book I want to share with my friends…..a story that is heartbreaking but uplifting too. A love story that transcends time. Yes, you might also think that you have read similar stories…but Letters to the Lost is something special, something unforgettable, a story filled with characters that stay with you for a very long time.

I was so lucky to find this book by Ione Grey….thanks to my good GR friend, Jessica Gadziala, who commented on the review I wrote on India Grey’s Powerful Italian, Penniless Housekeeper (At His Service #1), where I mentioned that I loved this author’s books but hadn’t seen anything from her for ages…she told me that the author was now writing under the name of Ione Grey and…voila!!!! Thanks so much Jessica!!!

I was immediately drawn to the book title…Letters to the Lost…evocative, powerful, and beautiful!!!

This was a vibrant and enthralling read that grabbed me from the first page until the end. A story of love lost and found again. Heart-wrenching, compelling, tender, heart-breaking, heartening, inspiring that makes you smile through the tears that spill from your eyes.

A brief synopsis:

1943, in the ruins of Blitzed London...
Stella Thorne and Dan Rosinski meet by chance and fall in love by accident. Theirs is a reluctant, unstoppable affair in which all the odds are stacked against them: she is newly married, and he is an American bomber pilot whose chance of survival is just one in five.

...He promised to love her forever

Seventy years later Dan makes one final attempt to find the girl he has never forgotten, and sends a letter to the house where they shared a brief yet perfect happiness. But Stella has gone, and the letter is opened by Jess, a young girl hiding from problems of her own. And as Jess reads Dan's words, she is captivated by the story of a love affair that burned so bright and dimmed too soon. Can she help Dan find Stella before it is too late?

Now forever is finally running out.

The story begins in the present time, with Dan, trying to find the woman he has never forgotten since he met her almost 70 years ago….

He sends a letter to her to the last address he has of hers. The letter is discovered by Jess Moran, a homeless young woman living in secret in an abandoned house in London.
This discovery will lead to Jess finding the letters Dan wrote to Stella, the woman he has never stopped loving, and take her on a journey that will grab your heart.


The complex plot weaves between London during the Second World War and the present day and where we meet two couples, Dan & Stella and Jess & Will.

Dan & Stella’s beautiful and powerful love story that lasts despite a lifetime spent apart…a story of loss, lies, betrayal and hope.

I couldn’t put this book down….and by the end…reading the last page…I totally broke down…tears running down my cheeks…my son asking me why I was crying…..jeezzz….(view spoiler)[the last page was so poignant and beautiful….

(hide spoiler)]
So, if you have been reading and reached this line so far…I just want to share, very quickly, a story about a family member that reminded me of this book…

My husband’s uncle was an officer during the war and he was given the task to inform a woman that her husband had been shot down and disappeared in Italy. But the woman, Ina, could not accept that her husband had been killed. She got on a ship from Cape Town to London, a train to Italy – where he husband had been last seen….hired someone to drive her to all the towns and cities in the area where he was suppose to have been shot down…over a few months…but of course, she never found him. She sailed back to Johannesburg….the uncle, Nick, had in the meantime, never forgotten her and he reconnected with her when she returned. Their friendship grew during the next few years and Nick asked Ina to marry him. But she refused. However, she agreed to live with him…..because if her husband ever returned, she would go back to him….sadly, her husband never did, Nick and Ina never married, never had children. They had a good life together, but Ina always lived all those years and years in hope of her husband, which apparently she had loved beyond anything, to come back to her!!! Nick died before Ina…Ina continued waiting and hoping…finally dying when she was 93. I often wondered about the kind of love she had for her husband that kept her hopes alive all those years!!!!

So, back to this book. Please, if you love a beautiful and poignant and haunting love story that will grab your heart…get this book.

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Review: Destroyed (Lost in Oblivion, #3) by Cari Quinn (Goodreads Author), Taryn Elliott (Goodreads Author)

Destroyed by Cari Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3,5 mixed feelings stars
I am really into this series. Absolutely adore the band dynamics, the characters and the development of the story

Destroyed is the 3rd novel in the Lost in Oblivion Series and whilst it was a fun read it kind of wasn’t a dazzling one!

But before I go into why Simon, the band’s lead singer and total manwhore and groupie lover, let me just say that the one thing about this book that I LOVED LOVED LOVED!!!!!! The band is going to play one of the most unforgettable songs by one of the most unforgettable bands ever, on stage!!!! OMG!!!!

Let me jump up and down right now!!!! Let me scream and shout in happiness!!!!

And Simon…before I may have been a bit so so about you, but when you said……

I am going to forget my initial thoughts about you….you may just not be that bad at all!!!! This is what made me change my mind about you??? What, you’re calling me fickle??? Okay, I might just be a teenie weenie bit!!! But, hell, anyone mentions Led Zeppelin and I go into ORBIT!!! So, let me close my eyes and listen to you singing Kashmir…..I approve…and ………….


Okay, enough of that…let’s carry on about your story!!!
So, you’re the kind of rockstar we hear about…drink, drugs, girls, mindless sex…but hell, when it comes to music….you know your thing!!!

You’re living the ultimate life of a rockstar, the world is getting to know you and the band – but something is missing in your life…and then…wow….things may just be looking up for you Simon…no, maybe not!!!!

Look, can I just knock some sense into you? Why are you behaving like an ass@#$$%? What’s the matter with you??? Instead of seeing what’s really in front of you…what do you do instead? Behave like an absolute jerk!!! Feel sorry for yourself!!!!

But then Margo Reece, the woman of your dreams and more is not exactly behaving much better. Can I knock some sense into her as well???? Look, as a woman I may understand why she thinks you are a bit of a dick!!!! So far, it’s been not so much exciting sex between the two of your!! I mean, think about it….where’s the flowers, romance, low lights..Oh rockstars don’t do that??? You’re kidding right??? Closets, walls are okay???

Simon, Margo…you two are in serious need of what love and romance is all about!!!!! No, you think you might just get it right with each other??? Allright….I’ll leave you both to it and wait with abated breath!!!

Jeez….Simon…I knew you would come right!! And please Margo, will you clue up!!!!!!! Get with the program girl!!! This guy really feeeels for you!!!!

So, after my “little” chat with Simon and Margo, let me just tell you some of the few things that got to me in this book!!

I just didn’t feel a deep connection between Simon and Margo. I wanted to tear my and their hair out with frustration…the way they handled each other every time they’re together. Why don’t they just own up to their real feelings for each other???

I wanted to know more about Simon’s history….perhaps it would have made me connect with his character more.

I did feel that there was a hell of a lot going on in this story that took a bit of the attention off their relationship….look, I am not complaining…much…I love the inclusion of all the band members and their “family” in each book…but just saying.

And then….we get to the f@##$%^ cliffhanger!!! What the hell!!!

I wasn’t exactly unhappy about this book…but it just kind…of ended…and…..TO BE CONTINUED!!!

Okay, I will be checking out what will continue in the next installment!!!!

Gifted copy kindly provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Powerful Italian, Penniless Housekeeper by India Grey

Powerful Italian, Penniless Housekeeper by India Grey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great book by one of my favorite Mills & Boon authors (I wonder what’s happened to her? I haven’t seen any new books by her…does anyone have some info?)

From the 1st page, you are swept away into the most heartwarming and beautiful love story about two people who were destined to meet.

Sarah Halliday is such an inspirational character. She’s a caring and loving person, who does everything for the people she loves and cares for without expecting anything in return. You may think that this means that’s she’s a walkover…but she isn’t. She has a cute daughter Lottie, whose father has abandoned them both to marry someone else. What a bastard!!! Leaving Sarah to fend for herself and Lottie.

Lorenzo Cavalleri, an Italian film producer disillusioned with what he sees selling his talent and creative for money, recently divorced and some other issues, is in England scouting locations for his next movie that he’s determined to make – it means a lot to him to see it happen. I really liked Lorenzo. He’s not your typical alpha-male who just takes over a woman and that’s that…no, he’s kind, caring and damn hot and sexy!!!

The first meeting between Sarah and Lorenzo in England is totally delightful!!! Loved the imagery!!
The settings – fabulous. Tuscany & Venice!!! I’m in heaven!!!

I enjoyed how the relationship between Sarah and Lorenzo developed. There were some incredibly touching scenes. These two lonely people who have so many secrets and obstacles in their lives – but, you know what they say…….LOVE CONQUERS ALL!!!!!

I adored the ending of this story, despite a tear or two ….but really…when they get their HEA…it was more of a happy tear or two!!!!

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Review: Three, Two, One (321) by J.A. Huss

Three, Two, One by J.A. Huss
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Three, Two, One by J J Huss is the first book I have read by this author. After reading a glowing review by one of my GR’s friend, I was really eager to start Page 1….

I have to be honest and say right from the start….I couldn’t put this book down…I read throughout the night…one reading….no sleep!!!
Why did this story pull me right in despite the mixed and conflicting feelings I have about the entire book????
I kept thinking….this is really bad….I don’t like these characters…but still I kept turning the pages!!!

The first chapter or two grabbed my interest…but from then onwards….I just trying to figure out….what the hell are these three characters doing??? What is going on here?? Porn or more???

What I did not like:
The way the two men, JD & Ark treated the heroine, named Blue. Here’s this pitiful person and within seconds, she’s being photographed as she gives the guys blowjobs….yes, the men are lowlifes…porn makers…but hell, this was brutal!

What on earth was Blue on??? I cringed when I think how she behaved with the men….okay, maybe it was the drugs or whatever…but within minutes…she’s like into them!!!

The insta-love between the three…..really!!!

The sex scenes were not even so so…I thought them unsexy and they felt more like porn movie scenes than making love between three people. Look, I love ménage stories and enjoy well-written and sensual sex scenes..but here..nothing at all.

The ménage part of the story kind of felt forced to me. No, we not gay..so we will just kiss and suck each other’s cocks or touch each other’s bodies, but no penetration!!! Because we not gay…only gays do penetration!!! Really!!

Blue was so pathetic in the whole mix. I wanted her to get some backbone…but no….pathetic!!!!

I thought that JD should have had his POV….why not? We get Ark and Blue’s, so what was it about him that did not merit his viewpoint?

What made me continue:
Weird but true…I actually began liking Ark despite him being a twit most of the time. There was something underneath that entire perverted repertoire that drew me towards him…call me a twit..but hey, just being honest. In fact, the sex scenes between just him and Blue were probably the only ones that I liked!!

The last few chapters made up for most of the story and that’s probably why I continued reading – I needed to see where the whole thing was going to end…good or bad…I wanted to know. And in some way, I am happy I reached the END…because it was rather a sweet and charming HEA…yes, there is that!!! What did you expect?? But let’s just say…not exactly what one was expecting!

There are aspects in the plot that are thought provoking – slavery, illegal baby adoptions, the porn industry – the darkness in the story is something damn awful. To think such wicked and evil humans thrive on the torture and pain of others!!!


Okay, so there were things about this story that I liked but most of it disturbed me in some way. Would I say I loved it? No, but as I said, I couldn’t put the book down, so that says something!!!!!

I am interested in reading this author’s books in the future.

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Review: Sugar Baby Beautiful by J.J. McAvoy

Sugar Baby Beautiful by J.J. McAvoy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What did I think about Sugar Baby Beautiful after turning the last page?

This is the 2nd book I have read by this author – the 1st being Ruthless People, which I did not like at all…but maybe, just maybe, after this one…I may give RP another chance!!! Because right now I am pretty astounded how much Sugar Baby Beautiful grabbed me….right from Page 1 until the very end.

Before you think this is a story about a rich billionaire meeting a poor waitress, fall in love and go off into the sunset…stop right there!!! It’s much more complex than that.

Felicity Harper is a beautiful, caring, lonely and hard-working person, holding three jobs to pay the bills. This may be Hollywood, but she’s not into the material and glitter things in life – friendship and love are more important to her.

She agrees, after much persuasion by her two best friends and roommates to go with them to a Sugar Babies party! She’s a bit hesitant, especially as Tom and Cleo give her a bit of a background about these parties…

“First myth about being a sugar baby: all the people you hook up with are old, rich and white. This, my friend, is a lie we tell to keep the community small. If everyone knew there were studs looking for women and men to pamper and screw, we’d be in the hunger games.”

My first thought was….are there such things as Sugar Babies or is this something the author has dreamed up?? Boy, was I surprised when I went “googling”! Yes, there is, truly. In fact, I found an article or two about these happenings…

Masquerade Ball brings together Sugar Babies and Sugar Daddies….and their wallets. The Sugar Baby and Sugar Daddy Summit was held in Manhattan last week.

Digging deeper into my investigation…..wow…is this for real….

On the website, a sugar daddy is described as "a successful and generous man who is willing to pamper and offer financial help or gifts to a young person in return for friendship and companionship," while a sugar baby is "an attractive, ambitious and goal oriented individual who has a lot to offer."

Real indeed!!!

Anyway, Felicity decision was made primarily for the opportunity to maybe meet someone she can connect with….not that she’s interested in becoming anyone’s Sugar Baby!!!

Theodore Darcy, millionaire, movie producer, sexy, gorgeous and Hollywood’s golden boy agrees to his brother using his mansion to hold a Sugar Babies party. He’s not interested in attending.

Felicity is so not into the party and soon begins walking around the villa and on opening one door, comes across a piano. She’s mesmerized and sitting down, fills the room with the most haunting and beautiful music…..and that’s the first glimpse Theo gets of her….

You were like a vision in white, yet you only had eyes for my piano. You gravitated to it, dropped everything in your hands, stepped out of your heels, and gave yourself over to it. You played with your back arched, eyes closed, and mouth ajar. I thought, “If she’s this passionate with music, how passionate would she be in my bed? How much could I make her back arch? Would her lips part for me? Would her eyes open as I buried myself in her?”

Felicity’s first look at Theo blows her away. She feels attracted, connected….

The instant chemistry between the two grows into something more, despite both agreeing that this would be a sexual relationship and nothing else. They feel a mutual bond – so much in common and as their friendship develops they realize that they may be able to help each other overcome their demons.

I adored Theo – there was something inside him that made me want him to find happiness….and the care and patience he showed Felicity was so extraordinary…

Felicity was a character I totally engaged with….she’s the kind of woman I would love to have as a BFF. She’s fun, passionate, loving, caring and brave….what she’s endured in her life is beyond belief!!

The relationship between Theo and Felicity felt so real…there was nothing phony or weird about it. I believed in their feelings for each other.

Both have some darkness in their past…but never what I was expecting!!!! We have this twist….and I’m thinking…right, I love Theo even more…because his love for Felicity was deep and unconditional…

And just as I was wondering how everything would work out…WHAM!!! Talk about a turn after the twist!!!

I must admit that I felt pretty sad after the “turn” was revealed!! Pretty heartbreaking, gut-wrenching moments….I could feel the pain, see the tears in Felicity’s eyes…

The unconditional love Theo had for Felicity did it for me. He’s one of those men that you hope to meet someday…someone who doesn’t give up when things go wrong or when the world around you is falling apart….he doesn’t run away….

This is a story about love, loss, pain, passion, lies, betrayals, friendship and so much more….what unconditional and true love can do….


Loved the author’s voice, her writing, her character and plot development, great dialogue, beautifully written sex scenes and awesome and vivid imagery.
And I loved the book title……

"Sugar Baby Beautiful. I'd like to think it means the kind of beauty even the richest people can't buy."-Felicity

Totally stunning book!! And written by someone who is only 21 years old!! That’s incredible…that’s so beyond WOW!!!! What a talent!!!!

What are you waiting for??? Get this book right now!!! It’s a definite reread and keeper for me!!!

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Review: Untwisted (Lost in Oblivion, #2.5) by Cari Quinn (Goodreads Author), Taryn Elliott (Goodreads Author)

Untwisted by Cari Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Untwisted is the 2nd novella and fifth book in Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliott’s Lost in Oblivion series and continues just after Twisted.

Gray and Jazz are now engaged and expectant parents.

Between dealing with all her mixed up hormones and body changes, she’s surprised by a letter she received from her younger sister, who she had lost contact with when she was taken into foster care. Adding to these upheavals in her life, the arrival of Gray’s mother does nothing to ease things for Jazz.

Gray will do anything to make Jazz happy….

. Help her reconnect with Molly, her sister and in between secretly making arrangements for the wedding in San Francisco.

I loved the interaction between Gray and Jazz….the banter is funny and sweet….

They are such a sweet and adorable couple. One of my favorites in this series.

Jazz continues to be a great character in this series. The scenes with her sister, Molly, are touching and really funny……

The wedding scene was spectacular!!!! Loved that the band members and friends were in attendance….the ceremony was beautiful and rather touching……

A quick and enjoyable read and a most satisfying addition to this great rock and roll series.

My favorite quote:

Can’t wait for Lila’s book….she’s one character that has grabbed me from book 1.

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Review: Twisted (Lost in Oblivion, #2) by Cari Quinn (Goodreads Author), Taryn Elliott (Goodreads Author)

Twisted by Cari Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There’s something about rock and roll that just gets to me….the lifestyle, the music, the characters….and Lost in Oblivion series is one of those rock series that keeps me entertained and very happy.
Twisted, is 2nd book in the fascinating series by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott – and I loved it!!!

Gray Duffy,

Oblivion’s sexy lead guitarist & Jasmine Edwards, adorable, lovable, quirky, talented drummer – at last….their own story is finally here!!! And I couldn’t be happier.

Gray and Jazz have known each other since their teens, when she was a foster child in his home. They have always had an incredible connection but the first time they got together resulted in some dark and serious shit. ……the famous threesome between Nick, Gray and Jazz in the prequel book, Seduced, started Gray’s downward spiral into drugs, drink and mindless sex – he loved Jazz and believed that staying away from her would be the best thing for both of them.

Jazz realized that she loved and wanted Gray only and despite the unwise choice they had made, is determined to get her man!!!

I really liked that the story alternated between past and present, which gave us an insight into Gray and Jazz’s history and relationship.

Admired Jazz for wanting to help Gray without forcing him to clean up his act but rather doing it in a supporting and loving way.

And when Gray is finally forced to do face his demons and overcome his obstacles…wow….it was gut-wrenching…..

One of the things I most enjoy about this series is how we get to see all the band members in all the books….they form part of each story which is absolutely fantastic. You get to see their music, their friendship and their love.
Another thing I love is the writing….there are some quotes that are just incredible…funny….original!!!

Jazz & Gray have to go through a lot of hard times before having their HEA…so happy they got it. They are such a fabulous and interesting couple…and can’t wait for more!!!!

My favorite quote:

“The way you feel about her is the kind of love most women dream of. That, my friend, is some epic Titanic type shit.”

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Review: Rock, Rattle & Roll (Lost in Oblivion, #1.5) by Taryn Elliott (Goodreads Author), Cari Quinn (Goodreads Author)

Rock, Rattle & Roll by Taryn Elliott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rock, Rattle and Roll, book 1.5 in Lost in Oblivion Series, is novella about Deacon and Harper, who have spent very little time together since they got “hitched” due to their careers keeping them apart and Deacon has arranged a short break from the band to take his loved one on a belated honeymoon.

A secluded beachfront villa in Galveston, one of their favorite places in the world, is just the perfect place to be with each other.

They spend their days in bed, making love, making more love, eating and drinking and making love again…….on the beach….making love again and again….yes, they do that a lot over such a few pages!!!!

Quite a few surprises, a couple of twists.
I enjoy this quick read….just wished that Harper hadn’t behaved like she did when she made that momentous discovery….but it was a sweet story.

My favorite quote:

And yay….can’t wait for the next book, Twisted. Finally getting Jazz (my fav band drummer ever!!!) and of course Gray…story!!!

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Review: Rocked (Lost in Oblivion, #1) by Taryn Elliott (Goodreads Author), Cari Quinn (Goodreads Author)

Rocked by Taryn Elliott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We know from the previous book, Seduced how the band come about choosing their name….

“They were going to have to come up with a name for the soap opera this shit was becoming. As the Oblivion Turns? Nope—pretentious. Days of Oblivion? No…wait. Lost in Oblivion. That had a certain ring to it.”

Before I start telling you about this series…let’s just say that I think the band’s name is totally AWESOME!!!!So COOL!!!!

The first book was a prequel to the series and basically a set up to the band’s story…..how they got together and how they worked getting their music out there.

Rocked, the 1st novel in the Lost in Oblivion Series by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott Rocked, begins just after the ending of the previous book, Seduced, where the band, Oblivion was finally being noticed and heard. The story focuses on bassist Deacon McCoy, the level-headed, quiet, nice and reliable member of the band. Patient, talented and the one who keeps the band members on track to achievement their goals.

Getting booked for a 6 month tour as the opening act for a well-know band, it’s Oblivion’s chance to succeeding in being noticed and heard.

Harper has been hired as a chef on the tour and she knows all about the world of rockstars, having seen the life her parents had as “roadies”. She’s independent, funny, and quirky and has no interest in relationships and certainly not impressed by the whole rockstar lifestyle!!!

“Women are a commodity, a vice, and a temptation.”

She knows how women are seen and treated as commodities by this industry and she has no plans whatsoever to get involved with Deacon McCoy, even if he’s cute and sexy!!! But soon finds herself unable to resist this rather gorgeous and talented man!!

Deacon is totally smitten with Harper. In fact, she’s the first woman he has ever wanted more than just a one night stand. But he understands her feelings and rather than act like hard-assed alpha-male, shows her understanding and caring.

I really liked seeing their relationship evolve, and as a couple they were pretty cute.

The banter between the two was really funny and so original….

"You gotta tell me your name.”
She stuffed a hunk of potato in her mouth. “Why do you care?”
“Because food orgasms are personal, and I need to know who’s giving me one.”

I also enjoyed learning more about the band members and the daily lives of people who are working so hard in achieving success and fame. All the good and bad things…and wow…Nick & Simon…total assholes!!!!

Great characters, fantastic writing, witty and clever dialogue.

I am really looking forward to continuing reading this series.

My favorite quote:

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