Smutty Saturdays: Star Crossed Seduction

Smut Level: MEDIUM :)

By: Jenny Brown

Publisher: Avon
Release Date:  August 30, 2011
Pages: 384
Source: Night Owl Reviews

A beautiful thief has stolen the heart of the one man in London whose secrets are as dangerous as her own . . .
Shrewd and wily, pickpocket Temperance Smith needs no man’s favor to survive on London’s unforgiving streets—even when she’s caught red-handed by an officer of the hated dragoons.

On leave from India to find a proper bride in London, Captain Miles Trevelyan is easy prey for a seasoned pickpocket like Temperance. But when the dazzling thief steals first his wallet, then his heart, his pursuit throws them into a deadly world of treason and betrayal that will force them to question everything they know about love, loyalty, and desire. For there can be no middle ground for these two stormy-tempered Scorpios entangled in the star-crossed romance that threatens to destroy them both . . .

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

Star Crossed Seduction is a historical romance unlike anything I have yet to read. This is the second book in the new astrology historical romance series by Jenny Brown and while I think the whole concept is interesting, I felt a little confused. But let me start at the beginning…

I have always been interested in astrology. No, this does not mean the stars, that’s astronomy, I get confused with the two all the time. This story has many facets, astrology being a major part of one. It’s a romance, obviously, historical between a pick-pocketer lady from noble lineage and an officer of the King’s army (screams forbidden romance) now add in the mystery of stolen item, betrayal of the worst kind, fights for freedom, and conspiracy’s galore… that’s what Star Crossed Seduction is about!

I thought everything I mentioned above was interesting enough, I liked the romance, I liked the mystery, and I loved the lack of trust that turned as desires grew. What I didn’t like as much was the astrology part, yes it pulled the story together and yes it was interesting, but towards the end it just got so cryptic and too much detail with the seventh moon rising in the Venus and blah blah. That, along with the legit historical language of the book, created a bit of confusion for me.

Still I really liked the characters and the backstory, and even the way they come together. It was cute and exactly what I needed.

My Review in a Tweet:

If you are for a different historical romance that has some mystery and conspiracy themes to it, this is the book for you! Even more so if you love horoscopes :)

Ratings:

Plot Development: 7/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Characters: 8/10 
Pace: 7/10
Uniqueness: 9/10
Ease of Reading: 5/10

 

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**commissions earned from sales are minimal and go towards giveaways!

Book Review: Playing Dirty

Smutty Saturdays!

 Book Smut Level is: LOW;)

By: Susan Andersen

Publisher: HQN Books

Release Date:  July 26, 2011

Pages: 384
Source: Netgalley

When old enemies are thrown together, all bets are off…


Way back in high school, golden boy Cade Gallari publicly revealed he'd slept with "fat girl" Ava Spencer to win a bet. Now a decade older and a head turner with her own concierge business, Ava isn't the gullible dreamer she once was— and she plans to prove it when Cade, hotter than ever, breezes back into town with an offer she can't refuse.

A documentary film producer, Cade is shooting a movie about the mysterious mansion Ava inherited. And he wants her as his personal concierge. She's certainly professional enough to be at his beck and call without giving him everything he wants. Like another shot at having her in his bed. But Ava doesn't count on Cade's determination. Because he's never gotten over her— and he's not above playing dirty to score a second chance at a red–hot future…

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

As soon as I saw the summary of the book I knew I wanted to read it. I had a similar (not really but sort of) experience in high school and funnily enough ran into the guy at a bar recently, so I really empathized with Ava's character. I thought that part of the story was really realistic, about how something like that stays with you, but eventually you really DO get over it. I really liked Cade as well, I really think he grew up and became something better than that high school jerk he once was.

This was definitely a romantic and sweet book, with some sexy mixed in. My only complaint was that the storyline felt steady, as in one level... what should have been a climax (no pun intended) fell flat. In story writing, there is the setup (executed perfectly), the confrontation (which started off well), and the resolution (which left me unsatisfied). And the sexy scenes where good, but nothing out for this world, in fact they ended rather quickly.

If you enjoy a good lighthearted, sweet, contemporary romance... this is the book for you!

My Review in a Tweet: 
Sometimes you just need to play a little dirty...The perfect revenge/love story for that 'fat' girl in all of us!

Ratings:

Plot: 3/5

Writing Style: 3/5

Uniqueness: 3/5

Characters: 5/5

Buy the book here!
**commissions earned from sales are minimal and go towards giveaways!

Book Review : The Taming of the Rake

It's time for my new meme... 

Smutty Saturdays!

Book Smut Level is: MEDIUM ;)

By: Kasey Michaels

Publisher: HQN Books (July 26th 2011)
Date Read: June 4, 2011
Pages: 384
Source: NetGalley

Meet the Blackthorn brothers— Three unrepentant scoundrels infamous for being mad, bad and perilous to love.

Charming, wealthy and wickedly handsome, Oliver "Beau" Blackthorn has it all…except revenge on the enemy he can't forget. Now the opportunity for retribution has fallen into his hands. But his success hinges on Lady Chelsea Mills–Beckman—the one woman with the power to distract him from his quest.

Desperate to escape her family's control, Lady Chelsea seizes the chance to run off with the notorious eldest Blackthorn brother, knowing she's only a pawn in his game. But as Beau draws her deep into a world of intrigue, danger and explosive passion, does she dare hope he'll choose love over vengeance?

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

Of all the romance novels, I must say the historical genre is my favorite. Thanks to Isa at BookSoulmates, I have been reading many of these lately. And yes they do all follow some general guidelines, such as: the hero is usually dashing, brooding, and opposed to marriage and there is so much tension and stolen moments until the hero and heroine REALLY get together. Still, they are all so different.

In The Taming of the Rake, our hero is dashing, brooding, and opposed to marriage (SURPRISE) but unlike other story lines, there is not as much "does he, does she love me?." It really is a ROMANCE novel, they build a friendship, a trust, a loving union. They have conversations and yes the kisses are forbidden and hot, but there are also many sweet and tender moments as well. AND there is stories and mysteries, outside of the romantic plot line, that just kept me reading it all in one sitting!

Also, can I just say YAY for independent girls! Chelsea is one fierce woman. I also really enjoyed seeing Beau, before he became a "rake," though he is really one of the tamest rakes I have read about. I loved them together, seriously one of my favorites.

This story is one of the most realistic historical fiction romances I have read, in the romance aspect and with the old language... which I will admit threw me off a little at first. But I can't describe to you how much I liked this book, so to sum it up....

My Review in a Tweet: Kasey Michael's story had me tripping, falling head over heels in love with not only Beau but the whole Blackborn family. Definitely some of my favorite rakes and I can't wait to read more about them!

Ratings:

Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 5/5


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Book Review : Yours to Keep

Book: Yours to Keep (Kowalski Family #3)
Author: Shannon Stacey

Publisher: Carina Press
Date Published: June 6, 2011
Pages: -
Source: NetGalley
Date Read: May 29, 2011

Sean Kowalski no sooner leaves the army than he’s recruited by Emma Shaw to be her fake fiancé. Emma needs to produce a husband-to-be for her grandmother’s upcoming visit, and, though Sean doesn’t like the deception, he could use the landscaping job Emma’s offering while he decides what to do with his civilian life. And, despite his attraction to Emma, there’s no chance he’ll fall for a woman with deep roots in a town he’s not planning to call home.

Emma’s not interested in a real relationship either; not with a man whose idea of home is wherever he drops his duffel bag. No matter how amazing his “pretend” kisses are…

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

Through Amazon's awesome free kindle book deals, I read the first one in the Kowalski Family series and I really enjoyed it. When I saw there was a second one, with the funnier brother, I had to read it. It wasn't what I was hoping for, but I still enjoyed it. So when I heard that there would be a third coming out in June, I added it to my to-read pile in Goodreads. Then I saw it on netgalley and requested it right away. There is something about the Kowalski family that just keeps me entertained. I wish I had a family as big as they do.

It is always nice, when you read a series, to get updates on the previous main characters and Shannon never disappoints in that aspect. This book was a little different because it was a cousin and not a brother, but the family dynamic never changed. And I think I have to say that Emma is my favorite of the lead females in this series. She is spunky, and do it herself, while still being feminine. And Sean is just so gruff, but deep down a softy. And I LOVE these type of situations with fake boyfriends/fiance in which they hero and heroine are thrown together.

Overall, I really liked this story and partly because I am invested in the family story and partly because it was so darn cute.

Ratings:

Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 5/5

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Book Review : Tender Loving Care

Book: Tender Loving Care
Author: Jennifer Greene

Publisher: Carina Press
Date Published: March 16, 2011
Pages: -
Source: NetGalley
Date Read: May 28, 2011

When tragedy strikes, Zoe Anderson finds herself in the one role she never expected to have: mother. Sharing guardianship of four-year-old twins with sexy Rafe Kirkland is a responsibility she simply cannot accept. Rafe is just going to have to take care of the boys himself.
Rafe's not prepared to be a single parent either, but deserting the children is not an option—and he's never been as attracted to a woman as he is to their godmother. He proposes a solution: Zoe and the boys will move in with him, at least until other arrangements can be made. Or until he can convince her to make their temporary family permanent.
Zoe reluctantly agrees to the plan, but even after she loses her heart to the twins, she can't possibly take that emotional risk with Rafe…

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

This was nothing like I thought it would be. I was sort of thinking something along the lines of that movie with Katherine Hiegl, Life as We Know It, and while the plot was similar, the writing just didn't sell it to me. One, it moves very fast. Its a shorter novel, which usually doesn't bother me, but when you are dealing which such an interesting topic as this, I was expecting some hijinks and funny situations that would throw the characters together.

Second, the book was just odd. The four year olds sounded like 12 year olds. The girl (can;t even remember her name now) had an interesting back story that wasn't developed the way I hoped it would be. And the death was hardly mentioned. Also, the spanking scene, just ugh.

The one redeeming part of the story was Rafe. Rugged and charming, who wouldn't fall in love with this volcanic personality. However, other than that everything just fell flat.

Ratings:

Plot: 2/5
Writing Style: 3/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 4/5

Review: Save the Date

Book: Save the Date
Author: Jenny B Jones
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: 2/01/2011
Pages: 320
Source: ARC
Date Read: 2/19/2011

Summary:


When Alex and Lucy pick out wedding invitations, they wonder if they can be printed in vanishing ink.

Former NFL star Alex Sinclair is a man who has it all--except the votes he needs to win his bid for Congress. Despite their mutual dislike, Alex makes Lucy a proposition: pose as his fiancee in return for the money she desperately needs. Bound to a man who isn't quite what he seems, Lucy will find her heart on the line--and maybe even her life. When God asks Alex and Lucy to scrap their playbook and follow his rules, will they finally say, "I do"?

Yani's Analysis:
I don't usually read christian romantic novels, they are a little too preachy for me, but I really enjoyed this book. Most adult romantic novels are passionate and erotic, sometimes losing the friendship, longing, caring part of the relationship. That is why I liked this story. Both characters where relatable and you can feel the connection from the moment they meet.

I also really like the side stories of the secondary characters. Usually I want them to go away and go back to the love birds, but this book was about more than that. It was about family and forgiveness, about caring for others, and about letting go of your doubts. While I never did forget this was a christian novel, I was still touched by it. I would even be willing to give other christian novels a shot if they are like this one.

Ratings:

Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Characters: 4/5

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Review: My One and Only

Book: My One and Only
Author: Kristan Higgins
Publisher: Harlequin Books
Release Date: 3/29/2011
Pages: 382
Source: Netgalley
Date Read: 1/22/11

Just when she thought she had life and love all figured out…

Divorce attorney Harper James can’t catch a break. Bad enough that she runs into her ex-hubby, Nick, at her sister’s destination wedding, but now, by a cruel twist of fate, she’s being forced to make a cross-country road trip with him. And her almost-fiancé back at home is not likely to be sympathetic.

Harper can’t help that Nick has come blazing back into her life in all of his frustratingly appealing, gorgeous architect glory. But in Nick’s eyes, Harper’s always been the one. If they can only get it right this time, forever might be waiting—just around the bend.