Hard and Fast by Raven Scott

Book Description

A covert ops specialist, a cyber-surveillance expert, and an unmatched international security and recovery pro. These are the men of Fortis. When money is no object, discretion is essential, and the police are not an option, the wealthy and powerful call on this trio of former government agents with elite military training--not to mention charm and good looks. . .

With his tech brilliance, lethal physical abilities, and easygoing manner, Lucas Johnson is a triple threat. And that's exactly what Magnus Motorsport needs to protect their game-changing engine design, and its engineer, Alex Cotts, from hackers and saboteurs. Lucas isn't expecting any surprises--until he discovers Alex is actually a sexy, irresistible woman. . .

In a male-dominated industry, Alex has always tried to hide her alluring femininity. But Lucas has no trouble seeing her beauty--or her stubborn streak. Alex is convinced she doesn't need him to babysit her--or distract her with his sex appeal. Yet when a suspicious fire destroys Alex's work, she finds herself turning to him. In the face of increasing danger, soon Lucas must keep her alive, as his client--and as the only woman he's ever truly wanted. . .

AVAILABLE: December 29, 2015

I think this book had a lot of potential.  I thought the premise sounded good and it seemed well researched ( I only say that because I have NO NOTHING about cars, but it seemed legit lol).  

But I had two problems with this book. First, I thought it was kinda drawn out and slow.  There seemed to be long periods of time where nothing was happening in both plot and with the characters.  Which leads to my second problem with this book: the lead characters.

To me, there was no real character development with Alex and Lucas.  They seemed to be the same at the beginning that they were at the end.  Not necessarily a problem, but they didn't grow as individuals or as a "couple".  (If that makes any sense...)  I didn't feel any romance or sexual tension between these two.  It was like they were just convenient so why not!?  The "romance" of this book just fell so flat for me... but so did the "suspense". 

Also, it got rather annoying to be CONSTANTLY reminded that Alex isn't a "typical female" or "feminine" because she works with cars and has more guy friends then girl friends.  Umm... I have a lot of guy friends too but I don't define my "femininity" by my friends or anyone else's standards of what "being female/feminine" means.  It was a shame to have a strong, capable female character question that because of what a few people have said to her...

Rating: 2 out of 5

**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.**

My Kind of Wonderful by Jill Shalvis

Book Description

UNEXPECTED AND UNDENIABLE . . .

Bailey Moore has an agenda: skiing in the Rockies, exploring castles in Europe, ballroom dancing in Argentina. Now that she has a second lease on life, she's determined not to miss a thing. What she doesn't realize is that item #1 comes with a six-foot-one ski god hot enough to melt a polar ice cap. She doesn't want to miss out on him either, but Hudson Kincaid isn't the type of guy to love and let go. And as gorgeous as Cedar Ridge is, she's not planning to stick around.

As head of ski patrol at his family's resort, Hud thinks he's seen it all. But never has he run into someone like Bailey. She might look delicate, but her attitude is all firecracker. And her infectious joy touches something deep within him that he's been missing far too long. Now he'll just have to convince Bailey to take a chance on her biggest adventure yet . . . something rare and all kinds of wonderful.

AVAILABLE: December 22, 2015

Cedar Ridge Novel

Second Chance Summer (Book 1) Review Here

My Kind of Wonderful (Book 2)

In Second Chance Summer, we were introduced to the Kincaid family: Gray (and Penny), Aiden, Hudson, Jacob (mentioned), and McKenna Kincaid.  These siblings are working to save the family ski resort that their loser father left to them in a MOUNTAIN of debt.  Book 1 focuses on Aiden Kincaid and Lily Danville (for my full review on Second Chance Summer, click HERE).  My Kind of Wonderful is the second novel in Jill Shalvis' Cider Ridge series and focuses on Hudson Kincaid and Bailey Moore.  

Bailey Moore, for the first time in her life, is looking forward to the future.  She never had the opportunity to make plans for herself or even dream about what she wanted out of life.  Bailey wants to learn to live every day to the fullest and enjoy the moment.  She's even made a List of things she wanted (and now could) do: Paint a mural, explore castles in Europe, travel the Greek isles...  And that is why she is in Cedar Ridge.  To gain control of her life and start on her List by painting a mural for the Kincaid family at their resort.  

But Bailey doesn't expect to meet Hudson Kincaid.

All work and no play has made Hudson Kincaid a super-stressed boy.  Between his work as head of the ski patrol for the family ski resort and town cop, trying to SAVE the family resort, taking care of his sick mom, and looking for his twin brother (Jacob), Hud has little to no time for anything else in his life.  All he wants is a few minutes to himself before he's supposed to participate in some safety drills, but he gets a call about someone being "in trouble" at the top of Devil's Face.  He finds Bailey (patiently) waiting for help and something shifts in him when he sees her wonder-filled gaze taking in the mountain views.

Hudson finds himself looking forward to the weekends when Bailey is in Cedar Ridge working on her mural.  And soon "only one night" turns into more nights. But Hud doesn't have the time for a relationship and Bailey has had enough with temporary...

So once the mural is finished will Hudson be able to let her go?

While each book is a standalone (since it each story focuses a different sibling and their story of finding love) and doesn't have to be read in order, I would FULLY recommend reading them in order so you can get the full effect of the WONDERFUL Kincaid family.  This is probably one of my FAVORITE book families I've EVER read.  They are fiercely loyal to each other, yet they still tease and torture each other ENDLESSLY (with embarrassing underwear).

Rating: 5 out of 5

**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange of a honest review.**

Wild Cowboy Ways by Carolyn Brown

Book Description

SOMETIMES ALL LOVE NEEDS IS A LITTLE LUCK

Allie Logan isn't the type to land a hot hunk of cowboy. Truth is, she's given up on dating since shedding her no-good ex. But the new owner of the most ramshackle ranch in Texas might just change her mind about that. He's six-foot-plus of tall, dark, and charming-the kind of guy who could make a girl throw caution to the wind . . . or the kind of guy who could break her heart.

Blake Dawson hopes he can make Lucky Penny Ranch finally live up to its name, but the property needs a ton of work. Allie and her carpentry skills are his best shot at getting things in order. Besides the fact that her brown eyes and dangerous curves have him roped and tied. Now Blake only needs to convince her that a wild cowboy can be tamed by love-and she's just the one to do it . . .

AVAILABLE: December 22, 2015

Welcome to Dry Creek, Texas and the Lucky Penny Ranch where EVERYONE "knows" your business, judges you, and gossips about it.  

Blake Dawson (along with his brother and cousin) bought Lucky Penny Ranch with hopes of finally turning it into a success where everyone else has failed to do so.  When an unexpected visitor arrives at his house thinking he is a man named Walter, Blake calls the only local number he has: the local Feed Store.  The voice on the phone promises to send help, and help arrives quickly in the form of the old lady's granddaughter and Blake's new neighbor Allie Logan.  Allie leaves Lucky Penny Ranch with her grandmother and a new construction job.  Neither were looking for love, but will Lucky Penny finally live up to it's name?

There weren't many redeeming qualities about this town or the people living in it.  Everyone seems to be unhappy in their lives and are determined to make everyone else miserable with them.  Everyone cheats on their significant other then turn around and judge everyone else for doing the same thing.  This town just needs to get out of this high school behavior.  It didn't make for an enjoyable read for me.

Rating: 2 out of 5

**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.**

Wicked Reunion by Michelle A. Valentine

Book Description

College sweethearts London Uphill and Jared Kraft were inseparable. He was a rising baseball star with a promising future, and she seemed destined to become “Mrs. Kraft.” Then a tragic night and a series of devastating mistakes caused Jared to walk away from his life, leaving London without any explanation and tearing the couple apart.

Five years later, Jared has reinvented himself by putting down the bat and picking up a guitar to play for the red-hot band Wicked White. In all that time, London hasn’t gotten over her forever love—or the pain—despite seeking solace in the arms of the one man no one dreamed she’d run to.

When Wicked White’s lead singer goes MIA, Jared finds the time—and courage—to return to his hometown and face the mess he made. He’s shocked at how London’s life has changed, yet he’s determined to prove their love is worth fighting for. Is this breakup too big for any hope of a reunion tour? Or can London open her heart to Jared once again?

AVAILABLE: December 15, 2015

So... I have to be honest... I skipped most of this book.  I did NOT like these characters.  I thought Jared was a selfish immature asshole that threw his life away and London was a meek pushover that didn't/couldn't stand up for herself.  

I can't stomach bad characters even if the storyline has the potential that Wicked Reunion had.    

Rating: 1.5 out of 5

**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Hard to Forget by Bella Jewel

Book Description

Delaney, a professional bodyguard, has spent years trying to prove herself in a male dominated industry. Now she's facing her greatest challenge yet.

Bad boy billionaire Jax Shields has made plenty of enemies on his climb to the top, but being in the wrong place at the wrong time has put his life at risk. Now he's putting his life in the hands of Delaney and her team. He demands the best in everything, and he doesn't think she has what it takes to protect him. He's also made it clear he'd rather have her on her back then covering his. Will Delaney be able to prove herself to the most arrogant—and devastatingly handsome—man she's ever met?

**Hard To Forget is a full-length standalone romance with a HEA**

Alpha's Heart Series
Hard to Fight (Book 1)
Hard to Break (Book 2) Review Here
Hard to Forget (Book 3)

AVAILABLE: December 15, 2015

Delaney has been trying to prove herself to her male counterparts for years now.  Being the only woman in a world filled of alpha males can be hard, especially when those men aren't the most supportive or helpful.  She has to push past her own insecurities and those of her male co-workers daily.  And when she is FINALLY able to take down her boss, she is assigned her first full-time case.  Delaney is excited and nervous all at the same time, especially when she meets the man she is going to be protecting.

Jaxson Shields is in need of some protection.  He was in the wrong place at the wrong time and now some people are after him.  Jax is fully capable of taking care of himself in normal circumstances, but when these thugs are coming after him with guns, he knows better than to think he can do this on his own and hires protection.  What he doesn't except is a woman to be assigned to him.  He doesn't believe that a woman is capable of protecting him and continually lets Delaney know it.  That is, until Delaney shows that she is just as capable as any man. 

Delaney and Jax fight their attraction towards each other (Delaney for fear of losing her job, and Jax because he doesn't think he deserves someone like Delaney).  But they can only fight each other for so long, especially as the tension and danger surrounding Jax gets more intense.  

But will Delaney risk the career she has worked so hard for for a manwhore?  Or will Jax show her that they are worth the risk?

I wish that we could of gotten Jax's POV throughout the book too.  I think is would of added some depth to his character and made him seem like less of an ass for most of it.  Also, I DESPISED Delaney's co-workers, Kyle especially.  Couldn't stand him, and I wished that Delaney would of kicked him in the balls. 

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

** I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

The Fix Up by Tawna Fenske

Book Description

While he may look like the love child of a movie starlet and an NFL linebacker, Ben Langley has the people skills of a half-drowned porcupine. Why socialize when there are chemistry labs and bad sci-fi flicks? If he has any hope of taking the helm as CEO of the family business, Ben needs an image makeover. Pronto.

Enter Holly Colvin, owner of First Impressions public relations and branding firm, and the woman who just saved Ben from the clutches of an over-attentive sales clerk. Holly’s rebranded hundreds of companies in her career, but she’s never rebranded a person. The guy clearly needs help, though, and she’s just the woman for the job.

With the clock ticking for them both, Holly and Ben face off over wardrobe malfunctions and business jargon that sounds a lot sexier than it should. But can Holly make Ben into the man he thinks he should be without losing the man she’s starting to love?

AVAILABLE: December 14, 2015

The Fix Up a light, sexy read with two characters that have off-the-charts chemistry together and complement each other. 

Ben Langley has just been given the helm of his family's company.  Ben's problem... he'd much rather be working in the chemistry lab then dealing with people.  He can't even fully recognize when a sales clerk is hitting on him (hardcore) over some furniture pieces.  But he is rescued by a beautiful woman who pretends to be his wife.  She even has the (fake) diamond to prove it.  And when she slips him her business card, Ben believes that she can help transform him into the CEO that his father wants him to be.

Holly Colvin is used to helping businesses rebrand, but a person: never.  But she can see that Ben needs her help in the people department.  She needs to teach him about having confidence and being more "alpha" in the boardroom.  As Ben gains more confidence in his new CEO position, Holly feels that he is losing what makes him, him.

Holly has been burned once by a man completely focused on his own career at the expense of her own.  Will she be able to move past her insecurities or will she let Ben go??

Rating: 4 out of 5

**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Fighting Dirty by Sidney Halston

Book Description

With his preppy clothes and horn-rimmed glasses, Enzo Silva is the last dude anyone expects to find in a mixed martial arts gym. A wealthy Brazilian banker who never had to fight for anything, Enzo's stuck in the amateur circuit—but he burns to make the pros. Maybe that explains the heat he feels whenever he's around Jamie Lynn Calhoun. The pint-size, magenta-haired bartender with the Texas drawl is everything he's not . . . and everything he craves.
 
Tough as nails and independent to a fault, Jamie Lynn—JL to her friends—works hard to pay her bills and keep life simple. Enzo is doing his best to complicate that. Even though she likes to bust his balls, he's got some kind of a nerdy-hot vibe that makes JL wonder if she might finally be able to let her guard down. It might do the boy some good to spend some time in her world, where blood, sweat, and victory are as sweet as the first taste of real love.

AVAILABLE: November 24, 2015

Fighting Dirty was my first book by Sidney Halston.  And to be honest, I'm not all that inclined to read anymore.  

I didn't particularly like the heroine, JL.  I thought she was selfish, judgemental, and secretive.  I also didn't quite get why Enzo was described as "nerdy" some much throughout the book.  The author seemed to stress his "nerdyness" because he 1) has a job 2) wears glasses 3) wears suits to work.  Umm... I don't get it.  Then JL's nickname for Enzo is "Pretty Boy", none of this fits the sexy Brazilian MMA fighter that Enzo supposedly is...

Just wasn't a fan of the main characters in this book.

Rating: 2 out of 5

** I  received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**