REVIEW: On the Run by IRIS JOHANSEN

I love Iris Johansen....

Book Info: For eight years, single mother Grace Archer has been living a picture-perfect life raising her daughter on a horse farm in the small town of Tallanville, Alabama. Watching Frankie grow into a talented and confident young girl has made Grace as happy as any mother could hope to be. Happy enough, even, to forget the past. But the past never quite goes away. Which is why a certain charismatic man also moved to Tallanville eight years ago to watch over her. 
But when violence threatens to shatter Grace and Frankie's idyllic home, the waiting is over. The ghosts of the past have returned. And they're hungry for blood. Now Grace must resume an identity she thought she had cast off forever, and match wits with an opponent as deadly as he is cunning. The prize: an extraordinary secret that only she can unfold. The forfeit: losing the thing more precious to her than life itself.

MY THOUGHTS:
This was not the best Iris Johansen book I have read but it’s not exactly the worst one either. Action-packed, fast paced thriller from the first to the last page. Spies, ruthless killers, a touch of paranormal, second chances in love, betrayals and loyalties.

Whilst there are some really likeable and engaging characters, I somehow felt I did not get to know them really well….Grace is this strong, protective woman who had been a CIA agent and when she became pregnant with one of her trainers, Jake, had to disappear because Marvot, the notorious owner of the most incredible Arabian horses known as the Pair, needs her to work with them to find a very valuable item in the Sahara desert, which men and woman will kill for. 

Her daughter Frankie is very lovable but at times I wondered how an eight-year old could be so adult and mature….although she is a child prodigy. 

Jake…so much I wanted to find out who he was exactly. How did he get here? Who is he? Not much back-story…his life kind of begins when he’s working for the CIA and training Grace.

The plot was actually interesting….some may feel a bit far-fetched but it is written in such a way that you feel it could be possible for it to happen. The settings were great…from a farm in Alabama, to Wyoming and then Morocco and finally the oasis and dunes in the Sahara Desert.

This is an enjoyable page-turner story with lots of action, romance, love, and amazing horses and holds you to your seat.
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REVIEW: Backwoods by CARA McKENNA

Another HOT series...menage, m/m and some m/f/m....SEXY MEN that just cannot resist. This is book 1....fabulicious...totally!!!

Synopsis: Shane thinks he's simply auditioning a new musician for his bar, but when Gabriel saunters into the Shivaree it becomes clear the man has more to offer than just his talent. Gabriel's got sexual charisma potent enough to make a straight man such as Shane lose his senses, lose sleep, lose himself to dark desires and not want to find his way back to reality.

What follows is not a love story. This is a story about an unforeseen attraction that brings a strong, sane man to his knees, and about lovers tangled up in each other too deep to know who's in control and who's helpless

Backwoods by Cara McKenna is one book that really got me hooked on m/m romance. Though this story is dark and deals with obsession more than romance or love and for me a real new, fresh and well-written book in this genre. 

The plot is used frequently , where the straight macho male suddenly one days finds himself attracted to a man and how much he fights this new and unknown feeling but here we find such an emotional, complex story, filled with angst, sensuality and how amazing….none of those repetitive sex scenes!!!!

I became so enthralled with the two main protagonists, Shane, the hard uber alpha male, suddenly losing it all when he meets Gabriel…omg…this is some man – dark, sexy with a hint of mystery and something you can’t exactly put your finger on….just that he’s the kind of guy a man or woman could go crazy and mad about. 

The sex scenes are explicit and burning hot….I could feel the heat myself!!!!

The backdrop is absolutely stunning….the backwoods out somewhere…and you’re telling me that this happens in those places??? What, with all these rough and ready men, comes this exotic creature like Gabriel that has all the locals – men and women – panting for him – which of course our hero just loves!!!! He doesn’t care who he does it with …he will do it if he wants…and poor old Shane just does not get it!!!! I felt for Shane at times but his total behavior – dominance, dominance… and the whole “boy” thing really got to me at times, but in the end, I felt him, his whole world exploding before his eyes and all because of this fey Gabriel!!!! This is raw and sometimes cruel sex between two men, both fighting against something that I am not sure what it was. 

The ending introduces a real surprise and I wonder where it will go in the next book.
Well written, great character development, interesting settings that had me wanting to jump right into the next book in the series. Oh yes, forgot…I loved this book!!!!

  OOH GABRIEL!!!!!!!!!

REVIEW: Crash into Me by JILL SORENSEN

New author and I loved this book.


BOOK DESCRIPTION: In this heart-stopping novel, Jill Sorenson delivers a romantic thriller featuring one too-tough female agent, one too-hot male suspect, and a head-on erotic collision.
Though he’d gone into virtual seclusion, Ben Fortune was still the world’s most famous surfer, known as much for his good looks as for his skill. He’s also a suspect in a series of brutal murders that may have begun with his late wife. Now FBI Special Agent Sonora “Sonny” Vasquez has been sent undercover to the elite beach community of La Jolla to make friends with Fortune. With her fierce beauty and take-no-prisoners attitude, she’s more than equipped for the job, and soon she and Ben have collided in an affair that is both intense and irresistible. But for the first—and worst—time in Sonny’s career, her emotions are threatening to get the better of her. Could this sensual, wounded man, who is genuinely anguished over his troubled daughter, really be a killer? And could falling in love blind Sonny to the greatest danger of all?

LOVED IT...ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!

I can’t believe I purchased this book from Amazon in 2009 and only discovered it in my TBR shelf now……….how could I have missed out reading this incredible book sooner!!!!!!!!!!
Crash into Me is one of those books that I will read again and again……..

Why is this book one of my favorites??

Once I read page 1…all I wanted to do was read and read. I entered a world so interesting and fascinating that I wanted to stay there and no way was I going to be distracted or pulled away from it.

An emotional story so well written, filled with vivid descriptions that made the characters and the settings so believable that made it all seem so real to me. The conflicts and tension between the characters was totally so believable.

Beautiful, flawed and endearing characters that you immediately connect with, feel for.
Sonny, the undercover cop is so interesting and intriguing…lots of emotional baggage but wow…so centered. Loved her strength, kick-ass attitude and her hidden sensuality………
Ben Fortune…omg…..this is some gorgeous male. Sexy, dark, mysterious, caring and not afraid to admit his failures.

The chemistry and sexual tension between Sonny & Ben is emotional, thrilling, exciting and sensual and sex scenes that are so hot and sizzling and sexy.

I thought the way the author handled the secondary plot of Carly and James and first teenage relationships was superb, so sweet and tender. James was such an incredible teen, who despite coming from such an abusive family situation, tried to rise above it and remain a good and moral person. How he handles the situation with Carly and her father is so admirable. 

A unique, so different, intense and emotional love story. A fast-paced plot with suspense, mystery, murder, with unexpected twists that have you guessing until the last page. 

I found the background of the surfing community so captivating. It felt so romantic, charming, alluring and totally spellbinding. 

Jill Sorensen has become a favorite author of mine and I can’t wait to read more of her books.

 this is so Ben.....

REVIEW: Genetic Celebrity by TARA LAIN

4th book in this so amazing series....and I am totally so hooked!!!!

Synopsis: Tommy "Tick Tock" Reilly, amateur gourmet cook, would have the perfect simple life as assistant to fashion model Roan Black if he wasn't so damned confused. Though attracted to men since he was a teenager, he's fallen in unrequited love with Angie "Booky" Edelson, an older ambitious modeling agent who only seems to love Tommy for his cooking. Then Roan brings home Shay Shaleen, the pierced and tattooed androgynous beauty who Roan and Booky turn into a top male model. Tommy is attracted to the gorgeous man too, but Shay becomes the "Muse" of a glamorous fashion designer while Booky still can't see past her next booking. Why does Tommy have to fall for two people who can't love him back? Hey, is this something a little extra whipped cream can fix?
I am simply hooked on Tara Lain’s Genetic Series, which have become my most favorite ménage books ever. Her characters are lovable, funny, warm, adorable and unforgettable, so much so that often I find them popping into my head when I read other books in this genre.

Another thing I love is meeting up again with characters from previous books and see how their lives are progressing and then there’s the whole warm interaction between them all. It’s just fabulous.

Genetic Celebrity is the 4th book in the series and we now have the story of Tommy, an incredible chef & Booky, an agent who we met in the first book and who work for Roan – that amazing gorgeous lovely supermodel now happily married…I loved his storyhttp://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11... andhttp://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10...

Tommy is bi, has been in love with Booky for ages but afraid to make a move. Booky is into Tommy but thinks he’s gay and she has no chance with him…so ..Tommy cooks these AMAZING and INCREDIBLE meals …and I mean FABULOUS meals….i kept thinking…I want that recipe Tommy!!!!!. Tries to seduce her with his heavenly food instead….whilst thinking how he can seduce her totally as she blows off to have dinner with her family……..I absolutely adored her family….her mother…..loved her “Jewish mama” thing and giving it to Tommy straight when they meet……..that dinner party…….i have to read this book again!!!!!!!!

Anyway, one night Roan saves Shay, this gorgeous homeless man, who he takes under his wing.
Needless to say more….Tommy is attracted to Shay, still wants Booky and Booky wants Tommy and Shay too!!! I’m not going to say much more and give too much away except that if you want a story filled with warmth, love, family, lovable characters and erotic sex scenes filled with love, deep feelings and not just used as fillers, then read this series.

I loved this sweet and so romantic story.

REVIEW: Genetic Attraction by TARA LAIN

My love for the series continues.............
Synopsis from Tara Lain’s Blog: In the erotic romance menage, Genetic Attraction, Emmaline Silvay, PhD, loves two things, her work as a genetic researcher for a major University, and her handsome young research partner, Dr. Jake Martin. While she's a huge success in genetics, her passion for Jake is secret because he's 11 years younger, works for her and just moved into a new house in Connecticut with his girlfriend who Em has never met. Then, at a late, after-work dinner, Em discovers that the lover she thinks is Jake's girlfriend is actually his boyfriend. When she goes to spend the weekend with this gay couple at their new home -- well, let’s just say that's when the fun, and the challenges begin. 

Genetic Attraction is Tara Lain’s debut book, which I think is absolutely amazing. It’s so much more than just a m/m/f ménage – it’s a love story between three of the most real, delightful and lovable characters ever. It had me wanting, wishing so much to be one of their close friends, having a place in their lives and hearts. They have my heart.

Since reading The Scientist and the Supermodel, where we first meet Jake, the gorgeous scientist geek and Roan, the nicest and beyond beautiful male model and share their finding each other and Emmaline, Jake’s smart and beautiful boss, I was hooked. I needed to continue sharing their lives. I cared about their happiness and just wanted all three to have their HEA. And this story gives you that and so much more.

The plot is so fresh with enough tension to keep you glued to the pages. Characters are interesting and funny and are so well developed.

What I really loved was there were no dark and tortured people, hiding painful secrets and having to overcome some emotional and painful past before getting together. Yes, there are things in their lives that they have to deal with such as prejudice, how to overcome the set ideas the world has about their unusual lifestyle – but it’s handled in such a positive manner that you know they will get past all the hurdles placed in front of them and be happy together.

The love scenes are just mind-blowing. Graphic, sexy, beautiful and so so hot and so sizzling – you feel the chemistry between them, in and out of bed. I liked the fact that the story shows us the explosive chemistry in bed and out – doing everyday things together, like looking at antiques, going on Roan’s fashion shoot, dinners, attending an awards party and even the university’s dislikeable professor’s Halloween Party. Three people who love and care for each other just having a “normal” life.

This is an incredible, tender and passionate love story that reiterates that love is all it takes.

Now, hopefully I will continue meeting Jake, Roan and Em in the future…and please can we have a baby to add to their happiness???? Please. I can’t stop thinking about this family and would love to join them again.

REVIEW: The Scientist and the Supermodel by TARA LAIN

I have discovered a new, exciting fabulous genre........erotica, menage, m/m.....wow some fabulous reads.
This is the first book in a series I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT *******
THIS IS A 5* STORY!!!

Synopsis: Geneticist Jake Martin has brilliant scientific vision, but he’s blind to his own nature. Despite his flagging interest in women and his past experience with a man, he’s convinced himself he’d be happy if he could just have his older boss, Emmaline Silvay, as his lover. Living in his closeted dream world, he’s unprepared for the powerful attraction he experiences to supermodel Roan Black, “the most beautiful man in the world.”

Jake can’t resist the gorgeous, androgynous creature. Who could? he thinks. But Roan refuses to accept him until Jake admits that it’s a man he wants and this man in particular. Jake tells himself it’s just sex, but his refusal to understand what he really needs threatens the best chance at happiness he’s ever had. 

I have just discovered m/m romance books – I am an absolute lover of romance and I had thought I would enjoy this genre as much as I do. Saying that, I have to admit that some of the books I have read so far I have loved and some not that much, reason being that a lot of them follow the same formula like:

-straight man suddenly discovers he’s attracted to me and does everything possible to fight it or hide it
-gay man acting macho to hide his gayness from the world and the guy he’s now hot for and thinks he has no chance because he’s straight
-they fight off the attraction until suddenly straight man realizes he’s now gay, discovers they guy he’s been attracted to is gay and they get it together, lots of times even in scenes that have nothing to do with that point of the story
-they have their HEA

I have been wondering if I would ever find a story where the plot, whilst having conflict, angst and obstacles, the main focus would be on the romantic journey of the two persons. And The Scientist and the Supermodel, by Tara Lain, is, for me, one of those books. And yes, it may not be a total m/m romance so some readers – there is a ménage scene between the protagonists and a woman, it’s Jake and Roan’s story of their relationship.

I could not put this book down. I was enthralled and captivated by these two men, who I fell totally in love with from the first time I met them. 
The gorgeous and brilliant Jake Martin, a scientist geek who has never come to terms about his sexuality and OMG…Roan Black, beautiful, sensitive and sweet supermodel!!!!!!!! The chemistry between the two is explosive, tender, sweet and so so romantic!!!!

I adored the side characters – Jake’s family…totally amazing parents, so accepting and loving. His brother Cal..what a hoot…loved him too. And Roan’s “family”…fabulous characterization.

Tara Lain captured it so beautifully – acceptance of who you are and finally finding the courage to go with what you feel in your heart in this warm, uplifting and sweet love story that leaves you with such a good feeling for a long long time.

I SO DID NOT WANT THIS BOOK TO END!!!!!

This is the first book I have read from this author and I cannot wait to read the next one in the series.

SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE...CAN'T WAIT

Hotting up in the city...........soon it will be covered by the purple colours of the jacaranda trees...my favourite time in Johannesburg.

Sitting on my patio, looking out into the garden...colours, more colours....blooming roses, lilies, huge ferns with the leaves moving slowly in the cool breeze, birds singing, blue pool, blue skies, dogs barking in the distance..........so relaxing....wow...a small yellow lemon on my very ancient lemon tree.......forget working....forget all your worries.....suddenly i am struck with the memory of the song SUMMERTIME.....and the living is easy...........

I feel energized.........i can't believe i haven't written any reviews on the so mamy books I have read the in past few months..........so with this new "energy".......i am going to get into it.......before having to dash off to...where else....no, not to my dream shack on a small greek island but to WORK..........yes JIMMY'S here I come...soon....

So check out some pics of summer in the city, listen to some summer music........and have fun and enjoy the moment...

  

SUMMERTIME

Love this song by Ella Fitzgerald...........

Summertime and the livin' is easy

Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good-lookin'
So hush, little baby; don't you cry

One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singing
And you'll spread your wings and you'll take to the sky
But till that morning, there ain't nothin' can harm you
With daddy and mammy standin' by

One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singing
And you'll spread your wings and you'll take to the sky
But till that morning, there ain't nothin' can harm you
With daddy and mammy standin' by