Power Play by Sophia Henry

Book Description

Beneath her innocent facade, Gabriella Bertucci has her reasons to be standoffish with guys. Especially guys like Landon Taylor, a star defenseman on the minor-league Detroit Pilots and the object of a serious crush since he first walked into her family's market. But when Landon comes through for her in a moment of crisis, Gaby starts to wonder if there might be more to Landon than hard muscles and fast skates.

Landon isn't afraid of telling Gaby that he's got it for her bad. The problem is, she seems unwilling to believe it. And though Landon enjoys his reputation as a cool-headed athlete, he hates losing—both on the rink and off. It's his competitiveness that makes him so damn good at what he does . . . but it also makes him just a little bit complicated.

One minute Gaby's tempted to give in; the next, she's getting cold feet. How can she trust a guy who's destined for bigger and better things to stick around? Then again, when Landon pulls her close with those powerful arms, the only thing that matters is right now.

AVAILABLE: February 16, 2016

PILOTS HOCKEY 

Delayed Penalty (Book 1)

Power Play (Book 2)

Interference (Book 3) *Available June 2016

 Power Play is the second book in Sophia Henry's Pilots Hockey series.  Each book can be considered a stand alone since each focuses on a different couple.  That being said, this was my first book by Sophia Henry and I'm not sure I'll read anymore from her.  

This is going to be somewhat of a rant-y review... (just FYI if I say some "spoilers")

I don't think I've disliked a WHOLE book of characters as much in Power Play.  I mean, usually there are one or two that I find uber annoying, but this was a WHOLE BOOK OF THEM!!! I didn't like ANYONE. ANYONE!!!!  I thought Gaby's parent's were cruel in an unusual way and blamed her for being raped three years ago.  They were condescending/patronizing towards her with her meds and acted like she was going to go on a killing spree without them.  It was obnoxious how they treated her, and as a reader, I didn't appreciate it.  

You can definitely tell these main characters are young... They were immature, selfish, whiny, and very, very (IMO) annoying.  Landon is an ADULT man-child jealous of the fact that his parents adopted two orphan twins... This twenty-something is jealous that his parents don't pay enough attention to him... REALLY?!?!?!?!?  I would understand being jealous if he was a) an only child AND b) A CHILD!!  As for Gaby, I am sympathetic about what she has gone through, but I found her to be an incredibly WEAK person.  It takes a lot of strength to make it through what she did and come out of it, but she had no faith/confidence in herself.  She NEVER stood up to her parents for treating her like an invalid. 

It was just overall a hard to read.  I'm actually surprised I bothered finishing it. 

Rating: 1.5 out of 5

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

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Nothing Like Love by Abigail Strom

Book Description

Simone Oliver prides herself on being a realist and a cynic. A brilliant set designer for a Manhattan theater company, she thrives in the background and is perfectly comfortable in jeans, Chuck Taylors, and a paint-smeared T-shirt. That is, until Zach Hammond, the award-winning (and sexy-as-hell) British director, turns the spotlight on her. He’s clearly captivated by her and won’t take no for an answer—but Simone is determined to maintain her position that love’s not worth the risk.

A hopeless romantic who can quote Shakespeare on a whim, Zach has spent his life center stage, surrounded by world-famous actors and royalty. But nothing he’s seen can compare to what Simone can create. Before long, he finds himself as mesmerized by her brash beauty as he is by her work, and he’s determined to seduce her stubborn heart.

But while the two may have been successful at relegating romance to the wings in New York, when their production moves to a centuries-old Irish castle in County Clare, there may be just enough magic to give true love the curtain call it deserves.

AVAILABLE: February 16, 2016

Set designer Simone Oliver doesn't believe in Happily-ever-afters, White-knights, Prince Charmings, or love conquering all.  Nope.  It's not for her and she is okay with that.  She is okay having a lifetime of friendships and (hopefully) hot sex well into the retirement home.  She's never even been tempted for more...

...until she meets her theater's temporary director (and her Hollywood crush) Zach Hammond.

Zach Hammond is the exact opposite of Simone in that he DOES believe in romance and all that it involves.  He just never thought in-your-face Simone Oliver would be it for him.  But what can he do when the one woman he wants to ROMANCE wants nothing to do with it??  

One a side note, I didn't partially like the ending of this book.  I thought it made Simone look bad.  Which wasn't something that I appreciated about the Heroine of a book.   

Nothing Like Love is a quick, short (kinda slow), sweet read about two people with opposing views on love and relationships coming together.  I found it lacking in the "hotness" factor between Zach and Simone.  But if you are looking for a sweet read, then you might be interested in Zach and Simone's story.

Rating: 3 out of 5

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

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Emergency Engagement by Samanthe Beck

Book Description

Glass artist Savannah Smith expected a marriage proposal for Thanksgiving—just not from her strong, silent, super-hot neighbor. But when misplaced mail and a wayward can of paint lands them in a compromising position right as her family arrives for dinner, they assume he’s “The One” she’s been talking about.

Then his family shows up.

Fate dealt a crippling blow to paramedic Beau Montgomery’s heart, and he isn’t about to put it at risk again. Except, with his mother crying tears of joy over his surprise engagement to the sexy little blonde next door, he can’t bring himself to ruin her “Christmas miracle.”

Somewhere between the paint can to the head and the chaotic family trip to the ER, Beau manages to talk Savannah into being his fake fiancée long enough to survive the holidays.

If, of course, they don’t fall in love first…

AVAILABLE: February 15, 2016

Emergency Engagement is the first book in Samanthe Beck's new Love Emergency series.  

Savannah Smith is excepting a proposal this Thanksgiving... only she didn't get it from the man she was excepting it from.  A misunderstanding with her parents extends to her neighbor's parents, has Beau Montgomery asking her to play along until after the holidays so he stops disappointing his parents. 

I don't want to get to much into the detail's of this book, because most of it is dealing with issues Beau has from his past, but I found once you find out the why's of Beau's desire to fake this engagement, the book became kind of dull and predictable for me.  I didn't feel any "heat" or intensity between Savannah and Beau.  I also didn't like the lengths they went to to make their parent's really believe in their lie...

This book was just below "okay" for me. 

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

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

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A Friendly Flirtation by Christine Warner

Book Description

Allison Hall is fed up with being a social outcast. Even at the tech company where she works for her brother and his best friend, Jared, she's the invisible nerdy girl. What she needs is confidence—and that requires a makeover and dating tips. And she knows just the man to help…

Jared Esterly is shocked when Allison asks for his assistance and turns her down, knowing that her brother—his business partner and best friend, Nick—would kill him if he dated her, even if it is just for practice. But when Al’s attempt to make changes on her own fails spectacularly, Jared reluctantly steps in. Things heat up quickly, and soon lessons move from the salon to the bedroom.

When overprotective big-brother Nick discovers Jared is dating Allison, their friendship and business partnership sour. Allison, consumed by guilt, must make a choice: stay with Jared, even though that means ruining his friendship with Nick and possibly his career, or leave the one man who sets her on fire.

AVAILABLE: February 15, 2016

Trying to become seen as more than the nerdy/geeky invisible girl, Allison Hall asks her brother's best friend, Jared Esterly (and her boss), to help her with a makeover and some dating tips.   Big brother doesn't like finding out that his best friend is "dating" his baby sister and it causes a rift between the best friends and business partners.  Allison feels guilty about causing said rift and ends her "friendship" with Jared and resigns from her job.  Jared sees Allison on a date with another man (two weeks later...) and SUDDENLY realizes that he is madly in love with her and can't live without her.  So he "fights" for her with her brother, her "date", and her job.  Yay.... =/

Blah, Blah, Blah.....

I feel like I've read this book a million times before, but just better... Everything felt forced and awkward in this book so, in turn, that made me fell awkward reading it.  I skimmed through a lot of this book without much care.

Rating: 2 out of 5

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

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Rescuing Rayne by Susan Stoker

Book Description

As a flight attendant, Rayne Jackson is used to cancellations, but she never dreamed her latest would lead to a whirlwind tour of London with a handsome stranger…or a life-altering night in his bed. One evening is all the enigmatic man can give her, and Rayne greedily takes it, despite suspecting it will never be enough. 

Heading home after another extreme mission, Keane "Ghost" Bryson hadn't planned to seduce someone during his layover, but Rayne is too sweet to resist. Being a Delta Force member means lying to protect his identity, which is unfortunate, considering Rayne seems made for Ghost, right down to the tattoo on her back. For the first time in his life, regret fills him as he slips away the following morning. 

Both are shocked when, months later, they meet again—under the worst possible circumstances. Seems fate has given them a second chance…if they can survive the terrorist situation they're in. If Rayne can forgive Ghost his lies. And if Ghost can trust Rayne to be strong enough to endure the secrets and uncertainty that come with loving a Delta Force soldier. 

** Rescuing Rayne is the 1st book in the Delta Force Heroes Series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings.

AVAILABLE: February 9, 2016

DELTA FORCE HEROES

Rescuing Rayne (Book 1)

Rescuing Rayne is the first book in Susan Stoker's new Delta Force Heroes Series.  Each book will be a stand-alone and doesn't have to be read in order.

Keane "Ghost" Bryson is heading back to Texas after completing another mission with his team.  He doesn't expect to meet the one woman that seems to be made for him during his layover in London.  But when his flight home gets delayed until the next day, Ghost and Rayne spend the day exploring the city.  Unfortunally Ghost's job dictates that he "lies" about who and what he is, so when their day is done, they MUST go their separate ways.  And for the first time in his life, Ghost doesn't want to leave in the morning. 

Rayne Jackson is used to flight delays/cancellations.  After all, they come with the job as a flight attendant.  When she meets "John (call me Ghost) Benbrook" she agrees to spend the day exploring London with him.  She isn't the "one-night-stand" kinda girl, but something about Ghost just calls to her, but she knows only one day/night is all they can share together.  

Six months later, tragedy bring Rayne back into Ghost's radar and this time he isn't willing to let her go.  But will Rayne be able to forgive Ghost for lying to her?          

Rescuing Rayne introduces us to this Delta Force Team and sets us up for future books!! 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

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

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Leaving Yesterday by Zoe Dawson

Book Description

Rafferty Hamilton doesn't plan on putting down roots anytime soon. With her divorce final, the hotel heiress has left Manhattan behind to scout new locations for her family's chain of resorts. Which is why it's so frustrating to be stranded in Laurel Falls while a good-looking, slow-talking, Stetson-wearing mechanic takes his sweet time with her overheated coupe.
 
A decorated vet who paid his dues in Afghanistan, Trace Black can fix anything with an engine and get it revving—even Rafferty's ridiculous sports car. He's couldn't say the same for the knockout driver, who looks like she's never gripped a gear shaft in her life. Women like Rafferty don't usually stick around in Laurel Falls, but Trace finds himself showing her everything his hometown has to offer before she cruises on down the road.
 
As the days pass, Rafferty finds herself charmed by the pace of life and the openhearted warmth of the residents. She's even tempted to trust again—and it's all thanks to Trace. He's not the kind of guy she's used to falling for, but he just might be the man she needs.

AVAILABLE: February 9, 2016

A Laurel Falls Novel
Leaving Yesterday (Book 1)
Maybe Tomorrow (Book 2) *coming October 2016

Leaving Yesterday is the first book in Zoe Dawson's new Laurel Falls series.  This series is set in a little, run-down town in Montana where their residents are warm, friendly, and trying to save their dying hometown.  This is my first book by Zoe Dawson and I'm excited to read more from her!

Rafferty Hamilton needed to get away after signing her divorce papers from her cheating husband.  She needs to regroup and discover herself again.  So rather than fly, she decided to drive cross-country to scope out possible new locations for her family's chain of luxury resorts.  When her custom car breaks down right outside Laurel Falls, she meets sexy ex-Marine/town mechanic Trace Black.  But Mr. Fix-it doesn't have the parts needed to fix her car and they won't arrive for a couple of weeks, so Rafferty is stuck in town until then. 

Trace Black is dedicated to his family.  He knows Laurel Falls is just a stop for city-girl Rafferty.  And he also knows better than to fall for someone that is wealthly, thanks to his mother's desertion.  But that doesn't stop him from trying to show this city-girl what a small town like Laurel Falls has to offer and getting to know her in the process.

Rafferty is quickly charmed by this little town and the residents there.  But she isn't in Montana to make friends OR fall in love with a certain man.  So what will happen when her "real" life catches up with her in Laurel Falls...

...and will Trace forgive her for keeping it from him?           

Rating: 4 out of 5

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

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His Light in the Dark by L.A. Fiore

Book Description

My first memory was of a slap, hard across the face: the sting on my cheek and the jarring of my bones as I slammed back into my bed. It was my dad who had hit me.

I had been four.

Most of my memories were much of the same and no one ever saw, no one ever fought to help, no one ever cared.

Then we moved.

My new neighbor cared, rescued the twelve-year-old I had been from a beating. Always thought I'd suffer the nightmare alone, I was wrong.

Mace Donati saved me that day in all the ways a person could be saved.

And his daughter, Mia, she became the friend I had always wanted, my conscience when my own faltered, the light that led me home when I had lost my way.

The girl who grew into the only woman I would ever love.

But when you realize you're more like your father than the good people who took you in and gave you a home, the only way to return their kindness is to let them go.

I let them go, got so far lost in the shadows I couldn't remember who I was anymore. Mia never gave up on me. She fought for me, kept the light on so I'd find my way back.

And when I did, life threw us a curveball. I had to hurt Mia in order to save her.

But when my past comes back to haunt me and I almost lose her, I'm ready to fight for her...fight to find a way back into her heart while keeping the demons from my past from finishing what they started.

Cole Campbell

AVAILABLE: February 9, 2016

L.A. Fiore is fast becoming one of my ALL-TIME FAVORITE AUTHORS!!! Omg.  Her writing takes you on a journey through her book.  Her books make you laugh, cry, angry, broken-hearted, and in the end, grateful for her writing.  Everytime.  His Light in the Darkness left me with a MAJOR book hangover in the best possible way.  

When we first meet Mia is seven and Cole is twelve.  It is during these years that sets the foundation for the book and their growing relationship.  Both of them only have their father's; their mother's abandoning them YEARS ago.  But that is where their similarities end.  

Cole's father is a nasty, abusive drunk.  While Mia's father is everything a child could want in a father, man, and role model.  Mace Donati.  Mia's father.  Ugh.  LOVED THAT MAN!! The way he took in a broken Cole and showed him how a MAN treats a child (and people in general) made me want to give this man a Nobel Peace Prize.  No joke.  I thought his relationship with Cole was just as important and as big as a part as Cole and Mia's relationship.

While there are times where you literally want to slap the crap out of Cole, you (at least I did) fully understand his motives for keeping his distance from Mia.  And poor Mia, she just didn't understand how and why Cole kept his distance when she KNEW he had feelings for her.  But she doesn't want to give up on the damaged boy that stole her heart all those years ago.

There is no easy way to review this book (for me).  You HAVE to read it to understand that this book is SO MUCH MORE than what the book description tells you.  So. Much. MORE.

Rating: 5+++ out of 5

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

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