Review of Almost A Bride by Patricia McLinn



Welcome to a month of Lust and Love!!

I will be sharing a variety of books with you all surrounding the theme of lust, love and all that lies between. I will have some sweet romances, some childrens love books, and of course plenty of After Dark Steam for all different tastes! Hope you will all stop in and join me!

 



Synopsis: "Dave Currick was everything Matty Brennan wanted for as along as she could remember. Right up until he broke her heart six years ago. Now that she’s returned to Wyoming for good, what she wants more than anything is to save her family’s ranch. Even if that means swallowing her pride and asking Dave to marry her.

Matty’s up to something – Dave knows that much. Just as he knows that Matty needs help, so of course he’ll provide it, just as he has all her life. Doing what’s best for Matty is second nature. Even when it comes to marrying her in name only. Although he can’t resist one hot-blooded kiss after the I-dos. Maybe – just maybe – his Matty will become more to him than Almost a Bride."

My Review: Almost a Bride was a good story yet very predictable. It followed the story line of so many other romances I have read. While everything was well put together from the setting to the characters I just didn't end up getting invested in any of it. The only character I am a little curious about is Cal and he played a very minor role. It was a sweet little romance but just didn't push any boundaries or make a big impact for me.

 

My Review: So as I said this was a huge Meh for me. It was well written just over done without any surprises. I give it a rating of One Paw and a Stump Wag.

 

Review of Easy by Tammara Webber

Welcome to a month of Lust and Love!!

I will be sharing a variety of books with you all surrounding the theme of lust, love and all that lies between. I will have some sweet romances, some childrens love books, and of course plenty of After Dark Steam for all different tastes! Hope you will all stop in and join me!

Synopsis: "Rescued by a stranger.
Haunted by a secret
Sometimes, love isn’t easy…

He watched her, but never knew her. Until thanks to a chance encounter, he became her savior…

The attraction between them was undeniable. Yet the past he’d worked so hard to overcome, and the future she’d put so much faith in, threatened to tear them apart.

Only together could they fight the pain and guilt, face the truth—and find the unexpected power of love.

A groundbreaking novel in the New Adult genre, Easy faces one girl's struggle to regain the trust she's lost, find the inner strength to fight back against an attacker, and accept the peace she finds in the arms of a secretive boy."

My Review: Wow! Just Wow!! I have heard a lot of great things about Easy but kept putting it off, but am not going to encourage others to read it! This is the first offical 'New Adult' book I have read and I really enjoyed the higher level of maturity (and honestly it brought back some great memories of college). I felt that this was a fairly realistic story, no sudden or magical soul mate attraction. It deals with some tough issues and wraps them nicely in the story. The characters were amazing, I am totally in love with Lucas (and the sketch scene makes me swoon). There are a lot of emotions and experiences packed into this book, and be forewarned there are some very tough scenes to get through, but it is all worth it. I think this should be a must read!!

My Rating: As I said, WOW! I loved this book, even though it hit on some tough issues and hit home a few times, there were definitely some extremely difficult parts to get through but so worth it. I hope you will all give this one a chance! I give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

Bedtime Story: Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You

Synopsis: " . . I wanted you more than you’ll ever know,

so I sent love to follow wherever you go. . . .

Love is the greatest gift we have to give our children. It’s the one thing they can carry with them each and every day.

If love could take shape it might look something like these heartfelt words and images from the inimitable Nancy Tillman. Here is a book to share with your loved ones, no matter how near or far, young or old, they are."

My Review: I bought this book on a whim for Munchkin and love it!! It is such a heart warming story that can follow the little ones as they grow. It would actually be a perfect gift to send off to college with them or from a grandparent who lives far away. It has a lovely rhythm to it as you read and the illustrations are so whimsical. Munchkin may not get it yet but someday this will be a special book we share!

My Rating: This was such a great book, it has all the feelings of I Will Love You Forever but a little easier to read without tears.  I think this is destined to become one of me and Munchkin's favorite and go to books as he grows up! A Four Paws and a Stump Wag book for sure!!

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Review of Taking Charge by Mandy Baggot



Welcome to a month of Lust and Love!!

I will be sharing a variety of books with you all surrounding the theme of lust, love and all that lies between. I will have some sweet romances, some childrens love books, and of course plenty of After Dark Steam for all different tastes! Hope you will all stop in and join me!

 

 

 

Synopsis: "Is going back Robyn s only way forward? American-born Robyn Matthers is going home. With her dad in hospital, his roadhouse in ruins and the ice hockey team slipping down the league, she needs to take charge. But does she have the strength to do it? Cole Ryan is a hockey player on a personal mission. He s tall, dark, hot and Robyn s noticed But can she trust her feelings - or his? And what will Cole do when he finds out the truth about her? Robyn returns to Michigan and things aren t quite the same. Her best friend has grown up and is thinking about marriage and babies, the ice hockey team is no longer the life blood of the community and her father is engaged When Robyn s twin cousins drag up past events that hold painful memories for her, she and Cole are forced together. But are either of them ready to start something new? With an ill father, a trailer trash almost step-mom and ex-boyfriend Brad desperate for another chance, does Robyn have time to contemplate a relationship? Does she really want one? And is it physically possible for two people to fall in love in just three days?"

My Review: So when you start reading Taking Charge you are expecting a typical romance with all the mush and a misunderstanding followed by a reconciliation finishing with more romance, but you quickly realize that this isn't a typical and predictable romance. I completely fell in love with Robyn, being another small town girl from the northern midwest where hockey is king and everyone knows everyone elses business. Cole is completely drool worthy in all ways, even with his flaws. After a comical introduction to the characters and scene, instead of following the usual storylines we are all use to, Baggot sends us on a very emotionally charged journey and tackling some very tough issues. It took me a few days after finishing it to fully absorb the emotions and drama Taking Charge put out there.

 

My Rating: Taking Charge was a real surprise for me, which is a great thing! I really loved the characters and kind of wish they were friends of mine that I could go visit frequently. I give it a rating of Four Paws!

 

 

Taking Charge was sent to me by the Publisher, Sapphire Star Publishing as part of their In Love with Books Tour

 

You can find out more about Mandy and Taking Charge on Goodreads or on her Website.

You can also get your own digital copy on Amazon or in digital or paperback format at Barnes & Noble

 

After Dark Review of Candy Store by Belle Andre

Welcome to a month of Lust and Love!!

I will be sharing a variety of books with you all surrounding the theme of lust, love and all that lies between. I will have some sweet romances, some childrens love books, and of course plenty of After Dark Steam for all different tastes! Hope you will all stop in and join me!

I have added After Dark Reviews to my blog as a way of notifying you of a review of a book with Adult themes and scenes. From now on I will keep my reviews of all books I read that have explicit scenes in them for late night posts for those of you who prefer to avoid them or easy to find for those of you who seek them out ;)

 

 

 

 

Synopsis: "On the verge of losing her candy store, Callie Moore decides to blot out her troubles with a tall, dark, handsome stranger. Tobey Danville isn't about to turn down a cute, curvy blonde who offers sizzling-hot sex in a commercial refrigerator at his best friend's wedding reception. But the next day, when Callie discovers that Tobey is the consultant she has hired to save her store, they find it difficult to concentrate on business. Especially when giving and getting pleasure in each other's arms is so much more fun."

My Review: Well this one fell a little flat for me. It really felt like the story was just there to fill the space between the steamy scenes. I think there was a lot of potential in the story, it just needed more time to develop. I did really like the characters and loved the idea of candy business and consulting business coming together to create an amazing business and a great relationship. That said the steamy scenes were very steamy, a little against health codes but steamy.

 

 

My Rating: Unfortunately Candy Store just didn't stand up to my hopes. I give it a rating of One Paw.

Review of Dare to Love by Rosemarie Naramore

Welcome to a month of Lust and Love!!

I will be sharing a variety of books with you all surrounding the theme of lust, love and all that lies between. I will have some sweet romances, some childrens love books, and of course plenty of After Dark Steam for all different tastes! Hope you will all stop in and join me!

 

 

Synopsis: "It isn’t easy being the sheriff’s daughter. When Laura Tyler is pulled over for speeding for the third time in as many months, her father gives her an ultimatum: join the station’s explorers’ club, or lose her car for the summer. She just can’t be without her car, and joins the club, despite the fact that she has zero interest in law enforcement. She does, however, develop an interest in fellow Explorer Scout, Dare, who it happens was her arresting … adolescent.

Does Dare have feelings for her too? Or, has another explorer caught his eye?"

My Review: This was a emotion and drama filled book. After reading so many adult romances it was kind of refreshing to have the innocence of a Young Adult romance. It was interesting to watch Laura mature with a little support and guidance from Dare. I loved reading about her mending relationship with her father. Of course you can't have a teen romance without the drama of the 'other girl' and the jealousy that comes with her. A great book about facing your fears, letting go of grief and taking responsibility. It was a sweet little romance wrapped in an interesting tale.

 

My Rating: I enjoyed this book but it wasn't at the top of my list, I guess it didn't strike me as a straight up romance, more of a coming of age/finding ones self book with a touch of a crush. I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.

Monday Reading List

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!

Reviews Posted Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

Hot or Cold by ER Pierce (After Dark)
I Love you Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak (Bedtime Story)
Club Shadowlands by Cherise Sinclair (After Dark)
Dark Citadel by Cherise Sinclair (After Dark)
Breaking Free by Cherise Sinclair (After Dark)
Lean On Me by Cherise Sinclair (After Dark)
Make Me, Sir by Cherise Sinclair (After Dark)
To Command and Collar by Cherise Sinclair (After Dark)
Snuggle Puppy by Sandra Boynton (Bedtime Story)
Just A Little Crush by Tracie Puckett

Books Finished Last Week:
Reviews will be posted at a later date

 Make Me, Sir
To Command and Collar
Dare to Love
Candy Store
A Walk to Remember
Easy

Currently Reading:

Last Regress by Rachel J. Thorne - Nook - on page 118 of 212
Almost a Bride by Patricia McLinn- Kindle-
 

Next Books to be Read:

TBD

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

Well I hope all of you are enjoying my Lust and Love event! I am currently on track to have a new book for you each day but still have several more to read for the end of the month.  We have had several set backs around here lately.  As many of you know we have been having issues with little Munchkin.  He has been having to got to physical therapy every week for torticollis and then doing stretches at home (not easy to do with a fussy baby). A couple of weeks ago we also had to go get a helmet for him to correct the flat spot that resulted from the torticollis. He has to wear it 23 hours a day and is not happy about it. He will only sleep if one of us is holding him so its been a rough couple of weeks.

To top all of that off, we got hammered by winter blizzard Nemo - apparently we are naming winter storms now too :/  We lost power on Friday night and it was chilly. We put Niko's coat on him and the rest of us bundled up and climbed into bed together to stay warm. Thankfully we have a good friend who still had power and brought a generator over. It was a good thing too we just got power back late Sunday. Both me and Hubby have sore backs and arms from all the shoveling we had to do and now its time to head back to work even though our road still isn't fully plowed.

 

 

So thats enough about us and our troubles!! Like I said I hope you are enjoying my Lust and Love event.  I know I have had a lot of After Dark books but I promise there is more of a variety in store.  It took me a long time to pick which book to feature on the ever popular Valentine's Day.  I picked it specifically for my date for the night and I don't think any of you will be disappointed ;)

 

 

I hope you are all doing well and staying warm!!

 

Review of Just A Little Crush by Tracie Puckett

Welcome to a month of Lust and Love!!

I will be sharing a variety of books with you all surrounding the theme of lust, love and all that lies between. I will have some sweet romances, some childrens love books, and of course plenty of After Dark Steam for all different tastes! Hope you will all stop in and join me!



Synopsis: "When a class assignment requires seventeen-year-old Julie to shadow someone on the job, she’s overwhelmed by the decisions she’ll have to make. After all, she has no clue what she wants from life post-graduation. So when her Uncle Charlie, Oakland’s Chief of Police, suggests Julie fulfill her twenty hours of required job shadowing at the local police department, she’s thrilled at his solution. Thinking she’ll spend her days filing paperwork behind a desk, she finds herself quickly agreeing to his proposition. But Julie’s expectations are soon turned upside down when she meets Luke, the young and handsome (albeit somewhat stubborn) officer she’s assigned to shadow on patrol.

With every hour she logs with Luke at the wheel, her feelings stir deeper, and Julie can’t help but wonder if what she’s feeling has developed into more than just a little crush."

My Review: The title was well suited for the story of this one. A short little story about a teen crush. While so many Young Adult books are about love at first sight or love that works out and develops a lasting relationship, Puckett keeps it light and a little more real. Julie, like any real teenager is confused by her emotions and feelings for the cop she is shadowing. I like how everything is a lot more realistic than other romances I have read. It doesn't get all serious, both parties don't have this magical attraction, they just develop a little crush. Since this was a short story, the characters and story didn't have time to develop much or for you to really get attached to the characters, but it was still a light, fun and clean little brush with romance.

 

My Rating: This was a very short story that seemed very real to actual emotions and time frames.  I give it a rating of Three Paws.