Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Love Hurts

Love Hurts by Mandi Beck
This book leads me to what might sound like a contradictory review. I enjoyed the book. I enjoyed it enough to definitely want to read the next one. While I thought Deacon and Frankie needed to grow up at times and behave more maturely, that never once made me want to stop reading or took away from the story. Yes, I asked myself, why does Frankie keep "Flashdance" around when she knows how much it drives Deacon crazy. And, she knows she loves him and he would do anything for her. But, then Deacon and his tantrums are a bit over the top. YET, it's one of those stories where you are watching two characters go through what they go threw, childish behavior and tantrums and all, but its a great story. Usually these turn out to be badly written characters in a story that had potential, but just didn't quite come together. This was just the opposite for me. Despite the fact that the characters had these flaws, the story was engaging, made you want to know what would happen next, and I was still rooting for these characters. I'm an MMA girl, so I love the fight stuff. And, I wish that Frankie had taken some of the jujitsu and other martial arts since her dad owned fighting gyms. Nothing like a girlie girl who can kick butt if she has too. Not much else to say without giving away too much. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one.
I listened to the audio of this and enjoyed Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott. I've listened to several of their audios now and have become a fan. I don't always like multiple narrators. But, these two work well together.
 

For the Win

For the Win by Brenna Aubrey
How Does she do it? Ms. Aubrey takes some of the most outlandish situations and makes them so real. This is the second of Ms. Aubrey's books I have listened to and I was stuck from the beginning. It's more of a ripped from a tabloid headline and then you get to watch the actual private aftermath. And, I'm not even a reality TV fan, yet I'm completely stuck in her books. There's so much realism within these over the top situations. I liked the little part about Jordan being homeschooled and how his father should have known he was too young to go to college at 16. I had to make that decision for my homeschooled son who graduated from HS a month after turning 16. I made him start at a Junior College for that reason. But, we struggled with it. He has always been so mature, yet there were times when we had to say, "Well, he is only 16." Ms. Aubrey deals with a lot of issues that everyone, and definitely women can relate to. But, she does it in such a fascinating way. Totally becoming one of my favorite authors. I listened to the first book in this series and had to listen to more.
And, this was a marriage made in heaven between story and narrators. Jason Clark and Kirsten Leigh are amazing!! I don't always like dual narrations. Sometimes the portrayal of the characters is so different from one narrator to the other, you feel you don't know them. But, these two are WOW! From one to the other, I felt like the characters and the feel of the story stayed consistent. I don't even know what else to say besides, I'm a fan!! I stayed up way too late and practically listened straight through, neglecting tons of things I should have been doing. And, that's what I love a book to do, completely take me away!
 

Reviewed by Marla JosephsMarla's GoodReads Reviews
The Next Great Read FB Page
https://twitter.com/marla_josephs

A Cold Dark Place

A Cold Dark Place by Toni Anderson
CREEPY!!! But in a good way. This was another, or rather the first thriller in this series. I read the latest one first. I really enjoyed this book. I loved Alex. And, the twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat. There were times I wanted to slap Mallory, but only when she was putting herself unnecessarily in harms way with no backup. I'm a martial arts enthusiast for years, and train in hand to hand combat, grappling, weapons from guns, knives, sticks, swords, and even I wouldn't be willing to do that if I had Alex as backup. It didn't seem badass just silly.
BUT, that said, the story was still wonderful and the beginning of a great series. I read book 5 first and was stuck! I can't wait to sink my teeth, or ears, into book 2. Ms. Anderson really makes you feel like you have a front row seat to the action. And, with this one, I was glad I was home or it was daylight when I was reading some of it. Definitely one of those that keeps you looking over your shoulder.
And, Eric Dove does a great job in this series. I really don't even know what else to say. Ms. Anderson gives you a ticket by writing a story that's a heck of a ride, and Dove takes you on that ride. I would highly recommend this series. 
      
Reviewed by Marla Josephs
Marla's GoodReads Reviews
The Next Great Read FB Page
https://twitter.com/marla_josephs

            

Thursday, March 24, 2016

The Domville

The Domville 8 by CJ Fallowfield
Our last night at The Domville, but I'm sure we will see this great hotel in the future. If you read the For the Night series you will recognize the main character right away. I was so happy to see this character go from someone I truly hated and grow into a character I actually wished the best for and to see her not only grow mentally but truly take responsibility for her previous actions as well. This was just a great way to end this series. Again, if you have read the For the Night series, you might even get a little surprise visit from someone we all loved.

ARC copy received for an honest review.


A Rebel Love

A Rebel Love by Glenna Maynard
God, I love these dirty bikers and yes, Glenna has gotten another cup of my tears. lol. These books just keep getting better and better. The emotions are raw, the characters are blunt and real, and the story is the ride of a lifetime!!! This is one of those stories that just stays with you. It will leave you in a daze completely wrapped up in the story. When I first finished I couldn't think of anything else and was left just in awe and speechless. Now even a day or so after I read the end I'm still thinking about it, like I said it is a story/series that just stays with you, keeps replaying in your mind and thinking about what is going to happen next. I love that in these books that you not only learn more about the main characters of that particular book but all the previous characters that I have fallen in love with are still there and can catch up with them and not just in the back ground but part of the main story. I swear no one writes a multiple POV book/story like Glenna. She definitely has mastered that craft.

ARC received for an honest review.

Uncovering Desire

Uncovering Desire by Kasey Shea
This story left me laughing, ready to smack someone, laughing again and everything in between. Definitely a great read. I actually liked this one better than the first. This time we get the POV of the two people coming together and these are great. Their banter was the best. Their story kept me completely wrapped up from page one to the last. These characters are so strong and do not give in easily, their love is one they will have to fight for and finally give in and show another side of them selves for. The writing was amazing in capturing your attention and completely holding it until the end.

Copy received for an honest review through The Next Great Read Book Reviews.

Reviewed by Michelle ThompsonMichelle's GoodReads Reviews
The Next Great Read FB Page

Test Drive

Test Drive by Avonlea Cole
OMG this was just a fun read. I loved it. This was a refreshing chance of pace for me and it was perfect. First it is told from the male POV which was great and funny. Drew has been handed everything and is finally seeing that he needs to step up to be the man that he wants to be not who other want him to be. He also wants a true relationship not someone who wants him for his money. He dates a few different women from a dating website and he truly meets all types but you never know what is right in front of you sometimes. Again, this was such a great fun read that will have you laughing and loving watching Drew grow to be the man he is meant to be.

Copy received through The Next Great Read Book Reviews for an honest review.