SUNNY - BOOK REVIEW: "Lover Undercover" by Samanthe Beck

SUMMARY:
He’s undercover. She’s in over her head. 

Yoga instructor Kylie Roberts is the good twin. At least she was—until an accident forces Kylie to step into her twin’s sexy stilettos at a posh Hollywood “men’s club." But nothing could've prepared Kylie for the dead body in the club’s parking lot or the ridiculously hot detective who insists the killer is targeting her regulars.  

Detective Trevor McCade needs Kylie’s help to draw out the killer. It means long nights undercover and long dances where Kylie’s body tempts him with sensual promises. Dances that leave them both wanting more. But despite Kylie's hidden identity and the danger lurking in the shadows, it’s only a matter of time before Kylie and Trevor take this undercover operation under the covers…

REVIEW:
"Every step is a minor seduction." 

This is exactly how I feel about this book.  It captures the reader from the first chapter and the genuine dialogue reels you in.  The narrative begins with a hot encounter in a private room in a strip bar and moves quickly into a sizzling relationship. The question is not whether they will or they won't, but how far are they willing to go?  For although their interactions are magnetic, Kylie is holding back.  This is a story about the walls we build to avoid addressing the difficult questions and protect ourselves.  "She'd share her body with him seven ways from Sunday, but was determined to keep her heart to herself." 

I found the reasons for Kylie's resistance a little frustrating.  Why does she care so much about what people in her old town think about her?  This is a woman who stepped off a cliff to take her twin sister's place as a dancer in a strip bar!  She helps the police take down a murderer, strives for her own business and comes off the bus to make it in Los Angeles. This is a woman with courage!  

One of the best parts of the book is Trevor McCade's character.  He is honest (unless he's undercover), steadfast, open and willing to take risks with his heart.  My law enforcement friends may not like me revealing this, but Trevor embodies all their best characteristics.  

IN A NUTSHELL:
Samanthe Beck is a new author to me.  I am thrilled to have discovered her work and look forward to my next read.  If you like contemporary romance with an erotic edge, do not miss the opportunity to be seduced by this book. 

SUNNY - BOOK REVIEW "Master of Crows" by Grace Draven

SUMMARY:
What would you do to win your freedom? This is the question that sets bondwoman, Martise of Asher, on a dangerous path. In exchange for her freedom, she bargains with her masters, the mage-priests of Conclave, to spy on the renegade sorcerer, Silhara of Neith. The priests want Martise to expose the sorcerer's treachery and turn him over to Conclave justice. A risky endeavor, but one she accepts without hesitation--until she falls in love with her intended target.

Silhara of Neith, Master of Crows, is a desperate man. The god called Corruption invades his mind, seducing him with promises of limitless power if he will help it gain dominion over the world. Silhara struggles against Corruption's influence and searches for ways to destroy the god. When Conclave sends Martise as an apprentice to help him, he knows she's a spy. Now he fights a war on two fronts--against the god who would possess him and the apprentice who would betray him.

Mage and spy search together for a ritual that will annihilate Corruption, but in doing so, they discover secrets about each other that may damn them both. Silhara must decide if his fate, and the fate of nations, is worth the soul of the woman he has come to love, and Martise must choose continued enslavement or freedom at the cost of a man's life. And love.

REVIEW:
Complicated and complex, this book features some unusual main characters. The setting, the world, the conflict, the gifts are all unexpected. Silhara is an anti-hero. He's a mage that dabbles in dark magic and he is being pursued by an evil god. He receives help from the Conclave specifically from his mortal enemy, Cumbria, a bishop of the Conclave. Cumbria sets to spy on Silhara by offering Martise to help him translate ancient texts that may hold the clue to destroying this god. Martise is a surprise, a plain Jane with a voice of silk, a heart of gold, and a will of iron. Their clashes and subsequent relationship develops slowly, incrementally through daily interactions and struggles. Nice, very nice. 

The setting is fairly isolated. Much of it takes place at Neith manor. Silhara resides there with his friend/servant Gurn and his mage-finding dog, Cael. Being fairly settled in this one location, the story unfolds. The daily toil of harvesting the famously flavorful Neith Oranges from the grove to maintenance of the manor is shared between the few characters. 

The story tilts towards the dark side, but the writing is vivid and rich. I could almost smell the orange blossom and the sweet taste of the fruit. It is a book to be savored, not rushed.

IN A NUTSHELL:
When you want something that original, well-written, and provides loads of satisfaction. 

SUNNY - WRITE ON REVIEW-A-THON

Sometime you just need a kick-in-the-pants, or at least to know that someone is cheering you on (or suffering with you).  I'm joining this Write On Review-A-Thon hosted by The Book Vixen.  I'm going to concentrated on some of my favorite reads for which I've been putting off writing reviews for fearing that I would not be able to do these books justice.  Good or not, here they come! 

The Write On review-a-thon is a monthly event created and hosted by Brianna at The Book Vixen. It’s 2 days dedicated to getting reviews done, whether you have one review to write or 30+. This edition of the review-a-thon takes place all day Friday, June 27th and Saturday, June 28th. Let’s get those reviews done!

Books for Review:

Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett - Completed, to be posted on 7.1

The Professional by Kresley Cole - Completed, to be posted on 6.28

Blind Faith by Rebecca Zanetti

The Saint by Tiffany Reisz - Completed, to be posted on 6.29

Poison Promise by Jennifer Estep

 

 

 

SUNNY - ARC BOOK REVIEW "Sinful Deception" by Joan Swan

SUMMARY:
In need of fast cash to help her brother sneak into the US, Tova Sorenson takes a job as a sexcam operator, sparking an unlikely friendship with her very first customer. When Marcus Lucero's border patrol teammate suggests a sexcam site for female companionship without heartache, Marcus figures he's got nothing to lose.

While danger from Tova's dark side brings them together in the flesh where their chemistry burns hotter than hell, it also exposes their divergent loyalties which could end not only their desires, but their lives.

REVIEW:
This is the perfect little novella for its length, action, suspense, romance and creative premise.  Sinful Deception is a part of Joan Swan's Covert Affairs series.  As a fan of the previous books, I thought I might enjoy this book, but I'm pleased to say I enjoyed it a lot. 

The premise of this story is unique. Tova Sorenson is a hard working, determined, smart student attending college in the United States.  She is looking to earn as much money as she can so that she can help her family in Mexico.  A friend convinces her to try to become a sexcam operator.  In her very first outing she is contacted by Marcus Lucero, a Border Patrol agent who is just on the verge of burning out. Though the book is not erotica, it is a bit naughty.  This angle gave it a little edge. 

I don't know how much of the story is believable, but I WANT it to be believable.  It is not difficult to root for Tova.  She is a good girl finding herself in an untenable position of having to support and save her family.  It is nice to see a good-guy support and protect her. Marcus has just enough alpha to make him heroic without being over the top.  

IN A NUTSHELL:
For a romantic suspense, it has all the right ingredients and there are keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments.  What a fun, fun read. Plus extra points, for mentioning UCSD and the Tritons!

Thank you to Cygnet Books, the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. 

SUSAN - BOOK REVIEW: "Flat-Out Celeste" by Jessica Park

SUMMARY:
Whether you were charmed by Celeste in Flat-Out Love or are meeting her for the first time, this book is a joyous celebration of differences, about battling private wars that rage in our heads and in our hearts, and—very much so— this is a story about first love.

For high-school senior Celeste Watkins, every day is a brutal test of bravery. And Celeste is scared. Alienated because she’s too smart, her speech too affected, her social skills too far outside the norm, she seems to have no choice but to retreat into isolation.

But college could set her free, right? If she can make it through this grueling senior year, then maybe. If she can just find that one person to throw her a lifeline, then maybe, just maybe.

Justin Milano, a college sophomore with his own set of quirks, could be that person to pull her from a world of solitude. To rescue her—that is, if she’ll let him.

Together, they may work. Together, they may save each other. And together they may also save another couple—two people Celeste knows are absolutely, positively flat-out in love


REVIEW:
If you've read Flat-Out Love, you've met Celeste, a beyond-her-years child who's coping with the loss of someone close to her. She's an adorable and sympathetic side character.

Flat Out Celeste is her story and takes place 5 years later. Celeste is now 18, she's odd, she's friendless, and she's lonely...still trying to cope, but now with a myriad of other issues. 

I loved this book...much better than book 1. Celeste breaks my heart. Yet at the same time, she inspires me. She's different than most teens, yes. But, at her core, she wants what all 18 year old girls (shit, girls of ALL ages) want...to be loved and accepted as she is. 

Enter Justin Milano. OH to be 18 again and to have the hope of meeting someone as FANTASTIC as Justin Milano. This young man ROCKS! My younger-self crushes on him SO HARD. My older self would want my future daughter to be with someone like him. He too is quirky. But he's KIND...kind to his very core. And that's a beautiful characteristic in a young man. 

There is some emotion and angst, as expected. But, it never strays from being hopeful. And I loved that about this book. 

And, much to my delight, Matt (from book 1) has a fairly large part in the book. And considering how much I loved that dork, this made me very happy (oh yeah, Julie shows up to, but...blah blah blah...:) )

***Note to author: I will try to overlook the error, but, you have a scene where Justin & Celeste are texting...while she's in an airplane mid-flight. This, erm, isn't possible...(I've tried! *shhh*)

IN A NUTSHELL: 
This is a lovely coming-of-age, first love story...that's tender and emotional and fun at times. Recommended!  (This can be read as a stand alone, though richer if read as a series)