Thursday, April 30, 2015

Sight and Sinners (Men of London #2) by Susan Mac Nicol




THE MEN OF LONDON

From Charing Cross to Waterloo, there’s no escaping love.

SEEING THROUGH…

28-year-old Draven Samuels has a tragic past, but as an investigator with a high-profile London company he now gets what he wants. Tough, sarcastic, and sceptical, he has no patience for lies and even less for people who waste his time. Even if they’re as beautiful as the wild and dark-haired Taylor Abelard. Especially when they’re talking over the body of a murder victim.

THE DARKNESS

Psychic Taylor Abelard is used to people calling him a freak. He can see past events and feel the ghostly vibrations of people close to him who've passed on. It’s why he doesn't get too close to the living. But this time, against his better judgment, despite Draven’s mocking rejoinders, Taylor will get closer than ever before. The mystery surrounding a dead friend will lead the two men down a dark and seedy trail of blackmail and lies. Add in the heartbreak of a family tragedy, and events lead them straight into each other’s arms. By the end of this night, all their demons will have risen—and been banished with the dawn.
 









I always enjoy Susan's mix of cheekiness and wit in the middle of a story filled with love, sex and delicious men.

This one had not only mysterious twists, but also paranormal activity.
No, not ghosts....
Taylor is psychic.
He sees and feels according to those that are close to him.
Those he's come in contact with.
His gift is creepy at times but very intriguing!

There were some emotional moments not only having to do with Taylor's abilities, but also with Draven, the usually tough, no nonsense investigator. His story broke my heart.

We also got to revisit with Eddie and Gideon as well as Leslie from book 1.




Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Love You Senseless (Men of London #1) by Susan Mac Nicol





  One of London’s up-and-coming chefs, Eddie Tripp has just the right recipe to drive tragedy from the mind of Gideon Kent—and leave him senseless with desire. 

THE MEN OF LONDON 
From Soho to Norwich, there’s no escaping love. 

A TASTE OF FOREVER 
An award-winning chef with his own restaurant and an inexhaustible passion, Gideon Kent once had everything. Then came tragedy. It stole more than Gideon’s home. He hasn't cooked since. 

Until Eddie Tripp. Fun-loving and vivacious, the Norfolk redhead’s a real up-and-comer in Gideon’s kitchen—and other places. Slim where Gideon’s broad, easy-going where Gideon is growly, he and Gideon seem polar opposites, and yet Eddie conjures flavors that would tempt anyone with a taste for perfection. The sauce of love is already simmering, and this pair is about to dine on the most delicious dish they've ever prepared. Because Eddie’s been Gideon’s missing ingredient all along.



SO many cooking puns in that synopsis.. I won't smother you with more! Ok, just that one.

Gideon is moody. He's got a quick temper and he's a bit of a jerk. Underneath though he's just a helpless man whose been struck with tragedy. Everything he's every wanted has been taken from him, leaving him angry, tired, resentful and unable to cook.
His story is really an emotional one and you understand why he's the moody bastard he is.. for the most part!
"I like them cute and with floppy hair, yes. But I also like them all macho and growly with amazing lips and beautiful hazel eyes. I like them moody and difficult and challenging. Sound familiar?"
Eddie is young, fresh and a chef in Gideon's restaurant. He's kind, shy and did I mention a ginger? Gingers aren't always my personal preference, but Eddie changed my mind!
He lives with his roommates Leslie and Taylor and together with all their quirks and eccentricities, they are a tight little family. 

There's laugh out loud moments, hot as hell sex and emotional teary eyed moments.


"Everyone farts in bed, sunshine. This isn't a romance novel."


Looking forward to the next in the series. Wonder who it'll be!!!

          Amazon









Tuesday, April 28, 2015

The Longest Ride The Movie


Based on the bestselling novel by master storyteller Nicholas Sparks, THE LONGEST RIDE centers on the star-crossed love affair between Luke, a former champion bull rider looking to make a comeback, and Sophia, a college student who is about to embark upon her dream job in New York City's art world. As conflicting paths and ideals test their relationship, Sophia and Luke make an unexpected and fateful connection with Ira, whose memories of his own decades-long romance with his beloved wife deeply inspire the young couple. Spanning generations and two intertwining love stories, THE LONGEST RIDE explores the challenges and infinite rewards of enduring love.
Written by 20th Century Fox




Where do I start?

Cowboy 
Cowboy boots
Cowboy hat
Belt buckle
Tight jeans
Bull rider
Scott Eastwood
Need I say more?  Not really... but I will.



I am a longtime Nicholas Sparks fan. I have read The Notebook, Dear John, Nights in Rodanthe, The Best of Me, The Lucky One, The Rescue, The Guardian, A Bend in the Road.. like I said, I'm a fan.
But this book I have not had the pleasure of reading, YET! I'm not sure if it's better to read the book first or watch the movie first. What do you think?



Sometimes when a book is made into a movie, there are scenes that don't make it onto the big screen. The actors may not be how you personally pictured them to be.
There might even be scenes that are completely unlike the way they were written in the book.... leaving you whispering "wait a minute, that didn't happen". 
But, I didn't get to experience this book thru the words of Nicholas Sparks first... so this review is NOT a comparison, it is simply my thoughts on the film alone.



The Longest Ride is two-for! Because not only do you get one love story, but you get two! This is the journey of both couples and how their lives intertwine.



Ira and Ruth's journey takes you back in time. Their story is told thru letters spanning 70 years. We're taken back to the 40s, the war, and the tragedies these two endured. 
This couple had love, laughter and passion. 
They are the reason I shed a tear. 
Alan Alda!
When he cried... I cried!


Luke and Sofia's story is told in the now. I am a sucker for cowboy stories... and to have one come to life on the big screen was mouthwatering for me!


Scott Eastwood is HOT! 
Ok, we'll come back to that.



Luke is endearing. He's a good old fashion country gentleman. He was sweet, kind and prideful.  
And HOT! 
That man, on the big screen, in those tight jeans and cowboy hat, fulfilled every fantasy I have ever had!!! ;) I don't know what Luke is like in the book... but I tell you what... he is definitely who I will be picturing in my mind when I read it!



Sofia. She is sweet, sassy and has a goal in place. She's not looking for love. When she stumbles upon Ira's letters.. a love story is exactly what she finds herself in the middle of.



There was playfulness, humor, tragedy, sexiness, chemistry and romance. 
I shed a tear or two (would have all out cried at one point, if my husband wasn't with me) and I also think I caught a quick glimpse of Eastwood's rear!! 
Did y'all catch that? I'm going to have to go back and watch it again!!



5 stars in my book!
I loved it!














Rock Solid (Rock Solid Construction #1) by Riley Hart




Trevor Dixon has made too many mistakes to count. Sober for thirteen months, he’s determined to do the right thing: rebuild his relationship with his family, and help his brother get Rock Solid Construction off the ground. Failing them again isn’t an option. Too bad the first estimate Trevor goes on alone is for an uptight doctor with a superiority complex.

A hand injury took away the only important thing in Dr. Simon Malone’s life—performing heart surgery. He doesn’t do well with people and has no family, but being a damn good surgeon? He always had that. Now, he doesn’t know who he is. The last thing he wants to deal with is the young construction worker who blows his shot at remodeling Simon’s home.

Trevor and Simon form an unlikely friendship. The more time they spend together, the more Trevor starts wondering if maybe Simon’s not as straight—or uptight—as he thought…and maybe Trevor’s new attraction for Simon runs both ways.

There are too many reasons they shouldn’t be together: they have little in common, their age difference, Trevor needing to focus on his sobriety…yet there’s something about each other that they just can’t shake. They don’t feel so lost when they’re together. But with their footing so unsteady, forming a relationship that’s rock solid seems impossible. There’s blow after blow, and the last one just might be powerful enough to crack their foundation for good.





Simon and Trevor couldn't be more different. From their age to their upbringing, to their occupations. 
But one thing they do have in common is an underlying sadness. They're both plagued with a sense of disappointment. They're both struggling to find themselves.



Trevor is young, tatted and pierced! Delicious!
He's also charismatic, blunt and outgoing.

Simon is older, refined, and okay, a bit boring and downright stuffy! 
How do these two come together?

I have loved all of Riley's men and these two are no different. I like how they form an unlikely but easygoing friendship. There's insta-atraction and connection.. but not an insta-love feel some books seem to jump to these days.
And speaking of connection... when these two 'connect' HOT!!! 




As I said earlier, there's a sadness lurking. These two are struggling with their pasts, their mistakes, their futures. There were a couple of moments when I actually slapped my hand over my mouth on a gasp! And I cried.

Solid read with a multitude of emotions. 
Rock Solid Riley Hart! 
Another amazing start to what I anticipate is going to be an amazing series. 
Oh and did I mention Trevor has a twin? 










Friday, April 24, 2015

Waiting for Rain by Susan Mac Nicol




The village of Stamford, the quintessential chocolate box English scene, seemed an impossible dream for foster kid Toby Prentiss. Now he’s found a home among the haystacks and village fairs as the general manager for the Duck and Drake Hotel. With the fears and demons from his youth hidden away in this bucolic oasis, he’s very protective of who he lets in. Until he stumbles across shirtless carpenter Rain Engel building the hotel’s new custom-designed bar. 



Working in the countryside, Rain prepared to face his biggest fear: sheep. He didn’t expect to deal with his second biggest fear: commitment. Toby’s controlled, tough guy façade coupled with his “find happiness where you can” optimism calls to Rain like nothing before. While Rain may be an exhibitionist, his romantic history forces him to hold his emotions close. As their relationship develops, secrets from their pasts drive a wedge between them: the ex-boyfriend who tore apart Rain’s trust and Toby's history with the law. But can the secrets hiding among the quirky villagers bring them together? With missing sheep, pole dancing at the winter festival, and a crippling drought, everyone is waiting for Rain. 




Loved it!!! 

As with all Susan Mac Nicol books I have read, Waiting For Rain is laugh out loud funny, witty, and sexy as hell! And although not a sad story, there was a moment of sadness that had me almost in tears!

Toby and Rain have an instant and electrifying chemistry. They also both harbor sordid pasts and secrets that if kept hidden could possibly ruin their future together. 
Love how Susan always writes about strong men having overcome adversity. 
This story is no different.

Toby and Rain are yummy! Did I mention Rain is a sexy carpenter that likes to pole dance? If only novels came with streaming video, I'd be golden! 
"You are so bloody sexy. I want to wear you."



There's also a supporting cast of friends that brought lots of humor and tenderness to the mix.
"What is it with you straight women and your fascination with gay-man sex?"

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially all the British lingo I as an American don't hear everyday! Words like bloody, git, and bollocks!

Thank you Susan Mac Nicol for another great read!  


















Worth Keeping by Susan Mac Nicol



Abused horrifically as a boy, Nick Mathers has come to terms with his existence as a man. Mostly. Other days life seems a little much. Especially when Nick knows he’ll always be alone. 

On those days his thoughts turn black. He walks the Norfolk coast and considers the frigid embrace of the waves. And then, one stormy night, he finds someone who’s tasted just that. The beautiful stranger on the beach is near death, and Nick rushes him home to slowly nurse back to health. As he does, he finds a love unlike any other. 

Owen Butler’s body is as warm as the sea was cold, his heart as big as an ocean. And Owen is a man who swears to repay the favor. Nick can yet be saved from himself, and he will see that he is indeed a man ... worth keeping.










This was a beautiful story of two broken souls who came into each other's lives right when they needed them the most.

Utterly heartbreaking moments and a horrid past that had me nearly in tears. 
Nick's story was gut-wrenching.

Although incredibly sad moments throughout, as with all Susan Mac Nicol books... there's amazing chemistry, steamy delicious scenes and funny banter with quirky characters. 

Some moments had me laughing hysterically, especially the "abortive blowjob"! 

There were also great supporting characters. 
I LOVE Socks!! 
And Don!! What a great man, father and friend... blunt and hilarious!



                Amazon










Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Art & Soul by Brittainy C. Cherry





 I had always been the invisible art student in high school. 

Passed by. Glossed over. Unnoticed. 

Now I was Aria Watson…that girl. 



After one bad decision, and being labeled a slut, I was no longer unseen. I was the whore. The ignoramus. The tramp. 



I would never be invisible again. 

Particularly to Levi Myers. He was the odd boy with the beautiful soul who accepted and understood the broken girl inside me. 



Falling in love wasn't the plan. But how could I resist his promises of hope? Of forgiveness? Of a future I had stopped dreaming of? 



We were shattered. We were scarred. We were something strange and beautiful. 

We were two lost souls holding on to the only thing that could keep us together. 



Each other. 






     


Words can not describe how much I adored this book.
Words!! 
You'll see them differently after reading this book!

I had read Brittainy's Loving Mr. Daniels and had absolutely loved it.. so when I had the opportunity for an advanced copy of her newest book, I jumped at it. 
She informed me that it was a YA, and not an NA as originally planned....
 did I still want to read it?? 
Um.. YES
If the writing was anything like what I read from her before, then absolutely yes! 
Well, it was that and so much more!

So many emotions in this story. I laughed and I cried. I laughed while I cried! 
Family bonds, heartache, friendship, pain, tragedy, hardship, love and 
sacrifice. So many obstacles and struggles for such young characters to endure.

These main characters were brilliant. Not only were Aria and Levi the most relateable and likeable characters, who were also smart, quirky, and talented... but the supporting characters were equally endearing. I loved 

Simon, with his red hair and OCD! O.G.A.A.!!! 
And also Lance and Daisy! Too funny.

I don't want to spoil the experience for you, so I'll just quote a few of my favorite lines and let you go in blindly, the way I did.

This is a story that will tug at your heartstrings. But it will also inspire you through words, music and art. 



"He looked like a whisper sounds. Sweet, gentle, and romantic. It was making me dizzy."
"She was the only one who could call me a dork and make me feel like Superman at the same time."

"One truth stings far less than a thousand lies."
"Art was everything right and wrong in the world. It understood what words couldn't say."
 "Maybe it's okay to no longer be the person we thought we were meant to be. Maybe it's okay to just be who we are now and accept that." 

"Sometimes loving someone means knowing they're better off without you."




      Amazon








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