BOOK REVIEW- Beguiling Julian :The Billionaire and the Star (Royals, Stars & Cowboys Book 1)by Nalini Warriar *

 

Book 1 in the Royals, Stars & Cowboys series.

Description

JULIAN'S HER EX-GUARDIAN AND SAM HAS HAD A CRUSH ON HIM SINCE FOREVER.

She looks like the gorgeous, sexy Bollywood superstar she is and when the chance arrives, he grabs it. He’s going to give in to his guilt, make amends and be a part of her life again.

There he is in blue jeans and a chest-baring vest and Sam’s crush roars back. Golden-haired, his steely blue eyes lock on her. He’s only there to take over her life. And she isn’t going to allow that.

Where Sam’s only purpose is to stop Julian’s meddling, she beguiles him and he prepares for the fight of his life to win Sam’s heart. Two disparate personalities clash on set and off it only to discover they’re made for each other.

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3 STARS

This book had a slow start but did develop a good background of Julian and Sam's (Samaira) life prior to current times.  It also developed the friendship between two other people important to their story. That would be Anil Kapoor (Maharaja of Ranipoor) and his sister Princess Kiara.  Their fathers (and Sam's) had started the Orion Group and it became the men's responsibility at an early age. 

There is a lot of emotions in this story as well as mixed signals between Sam and Julian.   Most of those coming from Julian.  He had a lot of guilt feelings when it comes to her.  It also felt that there was a lot of time spent going over and over those feelings.  Sam had some of those guilt feelings too along with feelings of abandonment.  A little too much time spent there for my liking.  It is a good thing that the Prince and his sister have been behind Sam all the way and provided love and support.  In fact, Kiara was Sam's best friend.  Over the years they had been a handful as they were growing up. 

I liked that Sam had so many skills and hidden depths.  While Julian was a smooth negotiator, Sam really threw him of balance.  There was a least one time when he said something that made ME want to throw something at his head. That is something that Sam does eventually get a shot at.  Julian was just going to show up and try to give Sam guidelines on how to act in public.  Really?  Are you kidding me?  How arrogant.  She's an independent woman who has been on her own as an adult for some time. 

I will say that they sure seemed to like the F word in this story. It felt a bit overloaded on that word. The story also was rich with details on different kinds of foods, costumes, locations, businesses, and places.  There was a lot of details which was well done but at times felt like it almost overtook the story of the M.C.'s.

It had a good ending but I just wish I had liked it more.

 

 "I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

 

Confident people go out to meet life rather than waiting for it to come to them." Graham Cooke

   

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 "It is important to face everything with courage, otherwise circumstances will intimidate us into giving up and not pressing through. Confident people go out to meet life rather than waiting for it to come to them." Graham Cooke 2013

BOOK REVIEW- A Rogue to Ruin (The Untouchables: The Pretenders Book 3) by Darcy Burke *

    

Description

The Pretenders

Set in the captivating world of The Untouchables, follow the saga of a trio of siblings who excel at being something they’re not. Can a dauntless Bow Street Runner, a devastated viscount, and a disillusioned Society miss unravel their secrets?

Anne Pemberton was one of the Season’s most popular young misses until her betrothed was arrested for extortion at their wedding. Now a social pariah, she can’t help but think back to the dashing gentleman she met before the Season started. Though they spent several afternoons exploring East London together, they never disclosed their names. They did, however, share a kiss, and Anne can’t forget it—or him.

Former thief Rafe Blackwell is now a respectable gentleman with one goal: to take down the man who murdered his parents. Reunited with Anne, their attraction still blazes strong, and he can’t let her get too close, for his heart is forever cold and his mission too desperate. But when Anne seeks to save him—both emotionally and physically—he’ll have to embrace the darkness or risk losing the only light he’s ever known.  AMAZON LINK

4 STARS 

I really enjoyed how Anne and Rafe met.  And their "game" of not giving their real names.  Instead Rafe became Lord Bodyguard and Anne became Mrs. Dazzling.

I totally enjoyed how interesting both Anne and Rafe were.  They were complex, had depth and kept my interest.  Rafe had it right when he later said that she was fearless.  She was also honest in what she wanted and wasn't afraid to go after it.  She constantly surprised Rafe, who becomes enthralled by her against his will.  He did NOT consider himself a good man and felt she deserved better.  Rafe had a lot of secrets but he had done what he had to in order to survive.  Not only his survival but that of his sister, Selina was always one of his main focuses.   It had been a grim life for both of them for many years.

Beatrix was almost like a sister to Selina so she became the "pretend" sister for many years.  She added to the story as did Anne's sister, Jane Pemberton.  

There were a few times where the story seemed to slow down but it didn't keep me from continuing on.  

There are several mysteries and dangers in the story.  But it all comes to a dramatic confrontation and a H.E.A.   

On a side note, I probably should mention that there were several heated love scenes that were well done.  Oh and I almost forgot to mention that there was plenty of humor even with some of the serious things that are going on. 

"I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

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BOOK REVIEW- The Devil in Her Bed by Kerrigan Byrne **

   

He lives in secret service to the Crown—a man of duty, deception, and an undeniable attraction to a woman who threatens to tear his whole world apart.

They call him the Devil of Dorset. He stands alone, a man of undeniable power. Moving in and out of shadows, back alleys and ballrooms, he is unstoppable and one of the Crown’s most dangerous weapons. However, when he sets his sights on the undeniably beautiful Countess of Mont Claire, Francesca Cavendish, he doesn’t realize that he has met a match like no other.

TRUE LOVE WEARS NO DISGUISE

Francesca is a countess by day and stalks her prey—those responsible for the death of her family—by night. What she does not expect is to be thrown into the path of the devil himself, the Earl of Devlin. She has secrets of her own and he seems determined to lay them bare. Can her heart survive finding the love of her life and losing him when all is revealed? AMAZON LINK

5 STARS

 What an outstanding, surprising, and at times emotional story.  It had a great start that pulled me in like right now.  The people were easy to like and care about.

The part about the women who made up the Red Rogues was an interesting part of the story.  They had dubbed each other to be like The Three Musketeers, for life.  Francesca was one of those bold ladies; probably the boldest of the three.  She'd also learned to be tough, shrewd and ruthless when needed.  She had to become that way with added physical skills in order to deliver the revenge she was after. She definitely developed into one fierce, little warrior.  Someone who was often underestimated because of her gender and her size.  This was no brainless "little woman".

Chandler was quite the mystery in the beginning and at other times throughout. He had so many secrets too.  None that I plan on revealing in this review.  It's too good to spoil for other readers.  One thing that did become clear as the story went on was that he was after revenge also. 

Among some of the other good secondary people was Serena, the Romani woman.  She added a lot to the story. She was there in the beginning of the story and I liked the phrase that she used about Chandler and Pippa.  She always used to say that Pippa had the soul of dragon and Declan Chandler had the soul of a tiger. 

There is plenty of action, and dangers in this story.  One of the biggest dangers comes from the "cult" leader of the Crimson Council.  He's one nasty piece of work and that leads into at least one "R" rated scene.  

The "romance" was just as unusual as the whole story.  I liked how things got worked out after a whole lot of pain and quite a few secrets get exposed.  It kept me involved every step of this intense story.

 

 "I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

BOOK REVIEW- Strong, Silent Cowboy A Moving Violations Novel by Lora Leigh; Veronica Chadwick *

    

He Will Do Anything…

Sallie Hamblen had three incredibly hot, sexy nights with Jacob Donovan, an undercover CIA agent, before he disappeared, leaving her broken hearted and forever yearning for the man she lost. Years later, Jacob doesn’t know that the beauty he’s about to seduce in a small town bar is the woman he held in his arms all those years ago… and that she’s on the run from her past.

To Keep Her Safe…

Former CIA agent turned cowboy, Jacob Donovan wants nothing more than a simple life. Just the ranch and occasionally someone warm and sweet in his bed. Until Sallie comes back into his life and all of a sudden he wants to be in her bed every night...all night. When he discovers that her life is in danger, he swears he’ll protect her. Even when secrets are revealed that threaten everything between them, he will lay everything on the line to keep her in his arms.   AMAZON LINK 

3 STARS

This story starts out HOT (sexually) and keeps on going that way for quite a bit of the story.  To be honest, it almost felt like it was taking over the story itself.  Don't get me wrong. The scenes were well written but they also were way too many for me.    And several issues kept being gone over time and again.  That I didn't care for as much either. 

By the time where the dangers were coming from was exposed, it felt a bit anti-climatic.  Although there was a surprise secret that I wasn't expecting from Sallie.  I just wished I had liked the story more. 

 

 "I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

BOOK REVIEW- The Heat Is On by Jill Shalvis *

   

Includes Bonus: Blame It On the Bikini

Catching Fire. Bella Manchelli didn't stick, not to places, or to people. Even though she liked the coastal town of Santa Rey, California, and her job as a pastry chef, she never made promises and she never got hurt. So when she signed up for Eight Dates in Eight Days, it was just for fun. And when she went home with Date Eight, she crept out of his room in the morning and never expected to see him again. Until she found a body on her doorstop. The detective on the case? None other than Mr. Date Eight-Jacob Madden. Bella was glad to see him, because there was definitely chemistry between them. She felt safe and protected with Jacob, and for the first time Bella felt at home. But he wasn't looking for forever...and they both knew the killer wasn't finished.    AMAZON LINK

4 STARS

 Bella was quite the interesting character just like the book information promised.   She came from chaos.   Although she loved her family, she needed peace and organization.  That mainly keeps her on the road with all of her travels.  In all of her travels she never found any place that was like home until she was there in Santa Rey.  And that really scared her.  She still hasn't unpacked any of her bags though because she kind of has one foot out the door. 

What's not to like about Jacob?   I liked how it was explained that he told her what was on his mind and expected her to be mature enough to deal with it.     Things were sizzling between them even when they were supposed to stay apart during the murder investigation. 

 Eight Dates in Eight Day was an intriguing idea.  It's interesting how things developed from there.  I don't want to say too much because I don't want to spoil it for other readers. 

Willow is probably the first BFF that Bella has had.  Because she let her boss/ friend in closer than she's ever let others.  Willow also brings in some humor but there is also other times that things made me smile. 

There is a definite danger and it took me quite a while to suspect a specific person and a possible motive.    But when it's revealed I went, "Aha, it was who I thought and why."  The story has a really good ending too.

Now onto-
BLAME IT ON THE BIKINI by Natalie Anderson 

This is another 4 STARS for me on this story.  Great main characters, plenty of emotions and dysfunction and some humor too. 

Mya and Brad do have a history "of sorts."  Lauren is Mya's BFF and Brad's sister.  Now that's where the "history" really is.  Those two girls  who were so different in financial backgrounds were friends of the heart.  Over the years they helped each other so much.  They survived and thrived to a certain extent. 

Brad was a horn-dog and was the first to admit it.   Mya was well aware of just how much of a playboy he was.  She tried to stay off his radar because she was attracted to him almost against her will.  He was gorgeous and charming.  Still, she didn't have to try too hard to stay hidden.  He just didn't see her.  Well, that was true until that fateful picture sent to him by mistake.  As he spends time with her, he has an opportunity to grow up.  It was interesting to watch him open up and see so much more of who he was.

Things stay interesting, intense, emotional throughout the story.  It's amazing that Mya didn't fall down from the schedule she was keeping.  

I liked how the story ended and with the followup information 2 years later.