LIFE, ROMANCE AND ALL THOSE OTHER THINGS

Share,Talk, Read and Write about Life, Romance, Flying and other things.....

Tuesday 6 September 2016

Review: Bridal Jitters (Harmony #0.5) by Jayne Castle (Goodreads Author)

Bridal Jitters (Harmony #0.5)Bridal Jitters by Jayne Castle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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A quick read novella that introduces the reader to Jayne Castle's futuristic world of Harmony, a planet inhabited by descents of colonists from Earth, 200 years before when an energy field in space opened allowing travel between Earth and other planets. However, when the energy curtain closed down, humans were left stranded in Harmony and had to build a new society, which have given their descendants paranormal abilities.

Previous inhabitants of Harmony have left behind signs of their civilization. Abandoned cities, underground tunnels, catacombs composed of glowing green quart. So far, no one knows who built these cities, why and when they left the planet.

This story deals with Sam, a ghost hunter and Virginia, a tangler, who have created a business venture together and working on their first case.

We get a glimpse of the world that the author is building and this shows promise to becoming quite an interesting series.

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Saturday 3 September 2016

Review: Driven by Fire (Fire, #2) by Anne Stuart

Driven by Fire (Fire, #2)Driven by Fire by Anne Stuart
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The Fire Series, starting with the 1st book, Consumed by Fire, which was a bit of a disappointment....see my review here https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... , continues with the 2nd book, Driven by Fire.

This was even more of a let-down!!!

Whilst I kind of liked the hero, Mathew Ryder, secret superspy/agent for the committee is your typical dark, sexy snarky guy......tracking down the bad guys, this time a gang of dangerous human traffickers - it was the heroine, Jenny Parker, pro bono lawyer, goody two shoes, who drove me absolutely insane!!!!
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Listen up, this is a girl, whose family is into organized crime and she finds it hard to believe that her little brother could be a baddie!! Really!!! All that crying and moaning....bah bah bah..........
 photo tumblr_nxti6hIArU1uz6kwjo1_500_zpskdengryl.gif... just got more and more on my nerves. She spent more time sulking and drooling over the hero......feeling sorry for herself!!! She just plain ANNYOED me to no end.

Again there's lot of action, suspense...and sex...........but no really believable connection between the hero and heroine. Romance.........what romance!!!! Was there any?????

Read the Ice Series instead...........it's so much better than this one.
Check out my reviews here..............
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

PS...........WISHING THAT THE NEXT BOOK IN THE FIRE SERIES WILL BLOW ME AWAY!!!!!!

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Review: Consumed by Fire (Fire, #1) by Anne Stuart

Consumed by Fire (Fire, #1)Consumed by Fire by Anne Stuart
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Consumed by Fire by Anne Stuart is the 1st book in her new Fire Series, a spin-off from her Ice Series.

James Bishop is an agent working for the American branch of the very secretive Committee.
He had married American academic, Evangeline Morissey and during their honeymoon disappeared without a word.

Five years later, he resurfaces in her life, after discovering that her life is in danger because of her links to him.

Evangeline is reluctant to trust him again but is soon on the run with him trying to evade the killers on their heels.

This was not one of my favourite books by this author. Whilst there's a lot of suspense and action, I found the lack of romance between the two main characters made me not engage totally with the story. The hero spent most of the time being totally nasty and snarky to the heroine and the plot relied more heavily on too much violence that I was not crazy about.

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Review: Bossman by Vi Keeland (Goodreads Author)

BossmanBossman by Vi Keeland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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Yes...Yes....Finally!!!! At Last!!!! A book that I LOVED reading.
BOSSMAN, the 1st book in Vi Keeland's newest erotic contemporary Dirty Office romance series is an absolute STUNNER!!!!! Yes, that's why I am doing this right now............................
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Meet millionaire businessman, Chase Parker aka Bossman and advertising executive, Reese Annesley aka Buttercup!!!

Let me say it again! I loved this book!!!!! Absolutely gorgeous, stunning and beyond FABULOUS!!!

As I am still totally dazzled by Chase....and yes Reese too....and finding it difficult to think coherently enough to write a detailed review.....rather, I am just going to "jot" down some of my thoughts on my Bossman fascination!!!!

I LOVED....I LIKED.....I LOVED......

Chase Parker - yes, cool name and even more cool man!!! This is the kind of man I want to meet. He's smart, sexy, funny, caring, loving........okay...I'll stop right here....but you get the picture, right?
Lord have mercy. The man truly had the full package. And by that, I didn’t mean good looks, charm, and money… No, Chase had a damn full package.

Reese Annesley - just as cool.......just as endearing. In fact, she's the kind of woman I want as a BFF

The relationship - loved how their relationship developed over time instead of the isnta-love kind of thing. The sexual tension and chemistry between the two was really so incredibly written. Totally believable. Never mind the sex between Chase and Reese.........
“Chase…”
He buried his face in my hair from behind, inhaling deeply, then wrapped it around his hand and tugged my head back. “You’re soaked. How long will you stay mad at me for bending you over this desk and fucking you, Buttercup?”

The characters - Well developed including the secondary ones. Very relatable and engaging.

The plot- Fantastic. Told dual first person perspectives (Chase and Reese) using present day and back flashes from past memories with a bit of mystery thrown in. Well-paced. Funny. Heart-warming.

Writing/Dialogue - I love this author's writing.
“You’re right. I do want what I don’t have. That’s part of it. But not in the way you think. Don’t ask me to explain it, but when I’m around you, I’m happy. That’s all I’m after.”
Smooth with good flow making reading so easy and enjoyable.
The dialogue is totally fabulous.
“I saw her first,” the man whined.
“I don’t think so, buddy. I sucked her face in middle school. Take a hike.”

Some of my fav quotes:
“Sometimes you don’t know what you’re missing until you find it.”

Don’t focus on the what ifs. Focus on what is.
Let me just say.........don't miss this one!! Bossman will make you smile for days!!!

And hey.............please can I have Chase for myself????
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Review: Darkness by Karen Robards (Goodreads Author)

DarknessDarkness by Karen Robards
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I've read quite a few books by this author and I found her latest book, Darkness a bit of a disappointment...yes, still on the "disappointing" reading stage right now!!!

The plot was interesting and I found the setting really great...but hell.........all that detailed info about the setting....all the flowers and birds and animals....and the storm and the "furious" sea waves....on and on!!!! All that telling drove me absolutely nuts!!!
And worse..........it was all about the characters thoughts and inner dialogues...........I prefer more dialogue than what was offered here. And then adding further to my disappointment - the romance just lacked something............

All in all.............not jumping over the moon - should you go out there quickly to pick this one up? Not exactly!!!!

Now, let me just put my hands together in the "plea" formation.............
 photo giphy_zpsdlwb2pka.gifIs the next book that I'm picking up going to be a great one or just a meh one!!!!!!!

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Review: Insidious by Catherine Coulter (Goodreads Author)

InsidiousInsidious by Catherine Coulter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Insidious (FBI Thriller Series #20) by Catherine Coulter is an okay read. I liked it but just felt it could have been so much better.

There are two mysteries happening at the same time......Savich and Sherlock are looking into the possible poisoning of one of his grandmother's old friends and FBI Agent Cam Wittier and Detective Daniel are working together in California trying to track down a vicious serial killer that is killing young and beautiful movie stars.

There are some good parts.....loved the interaction between Savich, Sherlock and their cute little son!!!! Brought a smile to my face.

The plot is well paced and keeps you guessing most of the time. What I do miss in this series is the lack of romance between the characters. It's become more of a mystery/suspense genre than romantic suspense.
But saying that....I still enjoy the series.

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Review: Extreme Prey (Lucas Davenport, #26) by John Sandford

Extreme Prey (Lucas Davenport, #26)Extreme Prey by John Sandford
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

1,5 stars

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I'm having a really bad "run" with my latest reading binge!!!

And it continues with Extreme Prey, the latest book in the Lucas Davenport Series by John Sandford. What a let-down!!! After reading this series from the very beginning.....to come to this!!!! It was the least liked book of Lucas... of all time! One could say that I was beyond...

By chapter 2....I knew I was going to so not like this story!!!! By the last chapter, I was as grumpy as anything.....
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My favourite characters - Lucas and Weather and Lettie....hardly see them together! Lucas is off on some case out in the "boondocks".....chasing after the most stupid...not, let me make that out the STUPIDEST bad guys EVER!!!! Believe me, I kept rolling my eyes loads of times as I "watched" these idiotic guys go about their daily lives and business!!!!

Flat, boring, a total drag!!!! Sorry, can't recommend this one ....even to those LUCAS DAVENPORT lovers out there!!!!

So, let me just go off somewhere and drown in my sorrows....or better yet...
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Review: Dragonmark (Dark-Hunter, #26; Dragons Rising, #1; Lords of Avalon, #5) by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Goodreads Author)

Dragonmark (Dark-Hunter, #26; Dragons Rising, #1; Lords of Avalon, #5)Dragonmark by Sherrilyn Kenyon
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

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What is going on with this series?????
Dragonmark, 26th book in the Dark-Hunter Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon, is in my honest opinion, a total rip-off ---in many ways!!!
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Most of the story is a rehash of some of the previous books!!! This was supposed to be the story of Illarion and Edilyn..........really!!!! Wow, 2 or 3 chapters with these two and we get their story!!!!

Repeat....Repeat....Repeat!! And more Rehash....Rehash....Rehash!!!
Why bother making this a full-length book....it was more like a novella!!!
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Even the on and off appearances of Acheron, Styx, Simi , etc. couldn't get me to even remotely like this latest epistle!!!

Think I may be just ...........MOVING ALONG...MOVING ON....MOVING AWAY....from any future books in this series!!!!

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Review: Night and Day: An Eve Duncan Novel by Iris Johansen (Goodreads Author)

Night and Day: An Eve Duncan NovelNight and Day: An Eve Duncan Novel by Iris Johansen
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

1,5 stars
I have read the entire Eve Duncan Series by Iris Johansen since the 1st book and Eve Duncan, forensic sculptor extraordinaire has become one of my all time favorite characters.

Hide Away is the 20th book in the series and to be truthful….a somewhat boring and disappointing offering!!!

I am really struggling with this series. I have been reading Eve Duncan series from the very beginning and it's become one of my favorites but lately...........I can't understand where the author is taking the series to next!!

Night and Day is the 21st book in the series and the 3rd in some kind of trilogy that deals with Eve and the young girl, Cara. I debated reading this book after the disappointing previous two books... https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... and
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... but I can't resist Eve Duncan.

No, No, No!
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Now we have the Russian mafia....yes, the Colombian drug cartel has been "bumped" off by some evil beings - running around trying to "bump" off Eve and her family and friends!!! Hell, can we give poor Eve a break and get her to have some fun and good times!!!!
Anyway - Jane is on and off with Caleb..........can we get these two to make up their bloody minds for a change!!! Carla, the 11 year old but an old soul is still trying to save everyone around her.........are you sure that she's only 11??? Because let me tell you, I haven't met any 11 year old like her........and PLEASE how many times do we have to be told that everyone and I mean everyone wants to SAVE and PROTECT Eve!!!!! Give me a break!!!
The dialogue is so boring and repetitive rules here again...let's rehash the entire two books here again please!!!!
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Ms Johansen, can you get Eve back to working with her skulls and getting closure for dead people instead of dealing with all this hocus pocus!!!!!
And yes, after the HUGE cliffhanger here.............I see no other option but to read book #22!!!!
So here I am...going to wait patiently for Eve and Joe's next ADVENTURE!!!
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Review: Hide Away (Eve Duncan, #20) by Iris Johansen (Goodreads Author)

Hide Away (Eve Duncan, #20)Hide Away by Iris Johansen
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Hide Away by Iris Johansen picks up where Shadow Play ended.........not that you have to read the previous book.........why??? Because you get LOADS and I mean LOADS of rehash about what happened before!!!! And that rehashing is just one of the things that made this book a beyond DISAPPOINTING read!!!!
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Yes, that's me......as I "plodded" along....skimming and skipping pages and more pages....talk about MONOTOMOUS!!!
Shadow Play was okay..... https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... I kept hoping that after that cliffhanger....I would be surprised!! But no, I was not!!

So, we have Jane still searching for lost treasures for the English lord at his castle. Still blowing hot and cold with Caleb. Throw in a drug cartel from somewhere in South America, a young girl who wants to protect Eve Duncan, Eve Duncan who wants to save and protect young said girl named Cara. Add in a bit of paranormal thingies...............and end the story with yet another cliffhanger..............
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Hell, I want the old Eve Duncan back!!!!
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Am I going to read next book? Yes......just please let it be a stunner!!!!

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