SUNNY: BOOK REVIEW - "Entice" by Ella Frank

SUMMARY From Goodreads:

What if everything you think you want isn't what you actually need...

Dr. Shelly Monroe is a woman who doesn't shy away from going after what she wants, but lately good sex has been hard to find. Shelly's become increasingly frustrated with the men she's been dating and the men she believes are the right choice.

Joshua Daniels is certainly not even close to the right choice. In fact he is exactly the wrong choice. For one thing, he's Mason Langley's best friend and best man. Second he's too much of a risky complication for Shelly to even consider.

Then why can't she stop thinking about how delicious he looked that first night she met him at Exquisite? Why is it so imperative to keep her lusty desire for a man that doesn’t meet her preconceived mold hidden from Lena and Mason, her trusted friends? 

It seems unreasonable that being with a man completely wrong in theory could somehow feel so right. Then why is it the more she sees him the more enticing he becomes?


REVIEW:
Entice is the highly anticipated sequel to Exquisite.  How anticipated?  Well, I squealed a little when I found out that it was available three days earlier than expected and of course, I purchased it on the spot and devoured it that night.  Exquisite was one of those books that I liked but I liked even better the more I thought about it and decided I liked it a lot when I saw the trailer for this book.  I couldn't believe how inordinately happy I was that this sequel was forthcoming.

Who knew Ella Frank was such a romantic? This is book is an old fashioned love story peppered with some of the hottest scenes in print. The story really belongs to Shelly - her insecurities, her broken past, her determination to not be like her mother. I loved how Ella Frank took us out of Chicago to take a little trip down South to Savannah, to experience the scenery, the pace, and another side of Shelly. Josh is warm, kind, loving, and also a little weary, but he has no defense against this man-eating Georgia girl. 

This is not a perfect book. I wanted to get to know Josh's character more. Read more interactions with his brother and friends. How did Josh become the almost perfect hunk? 

And speaking of friends, if you are a fan of the first book, you will be please to see Mason, Lena, and Rachel woven intricately into the story. We even get to "participate" in Lena and Mason's wedding - I got a little weepy during the vows.

Ms. Frank does a wonderful job of setting us up for her next book by giving us just a peak into the first contact between Rachel and Cole. The whole idea of watching too very tightly strung people unfurl is making me giddy. It is enough to whet my appetite and keep me anxiously waiting for their story. Luckily we don't have to wait too long.

IN A NUTSHELL:  If you are a fan of Exquisite, this book is NOT TO BE MISSED.  If you are jumping into the books for the first time, Welcome to the hot world of Ella Frank.  

SUNNY: BOOK REVIEW "Games of the Heart"

CHARACTERS:
Mike Haines
Dusty Holliday

SUMMARY:
Mike Haines has known Dusty Holliday since childhood.  She is the kid sister of his girlfriend.  From the start, they share a deep and abiding connection. However, after graduation, Dusty leaves the 'Burg and Mike doesn't see her again.  

Fast forward twenty year and they reconnect at the death of Dusty's brother, Darrin.  And the story begins...

REVIEW:

Kristen Ashley is in love with Mike Haines.  How do I know?  I know because only an author with deep affection for a character could have written a story to encapsulate the almost perfect man that is Mike Haines. Mike is caring, loving, giving, romantic, alpha, controlling, brave, possessive, and yummy.  Although he is wounded, he is not broken, and this book is less about redemption (there is a dash of that) but about love done the Kristen Ashley way.  Unlike some of her other works, there is less suspense - there is no serial killer, no mob boss, no sexual predator - but plenty of drama.  This book is like Mike Haines' kisses, a slow burn that elevates the reader's temperature.  It takes a deep foundation of phileo love and layers it with eros love.

The narrative is woven with stories of the next generation of Kristen Ashley characters - Fin, Reesee, No, and Kirby. With Fin, we get to see an alpha in the making - the trials that forge the character of a young man into a wise one.  It is as much their stories as it is Mike and Dusty's.  

I also loved revisiting with the other 'Burg characters - Colt, Merry, Sully, Cal and Ryker.  Through Mike's relationship with them we get a stronger understanding of Ms. Ashley's love and respect for the 'Burg - the friendships, the deep loyalties, the donuts.  As Mike loving puts it:  "Most folk think Indiana's a state to drive right through.  They took a minute to eat our food, experience our hospitality, understand the depth of our loyalty and they did it in the Fall when the trees are in color, no one would ever leave." The way she writes it, it feels like truth.

I felt completely satisfied when I finished this book.  Actually, I felt a sense of joy and contentment.  This was a beautiful read.  

IN A NUTSHELL:  
If you need a book that affirms your belief in love, you must read Games of the Heart.

SUNNY: BOOK REVIEW - "Beautiful Bastard" by Christina Lauren

SUMMMARY from Goodreads:
An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling. Discover the story that garnered more than two million reads online.

Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He’s exacting, blunt, inconsiderate—and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.

Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family’s massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who’d been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative—completely infuriating—creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he’s never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe’s so tempting he’s willing to bend the rules—or outright smash them—if it means he can have her. All over the office.

As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they’re willing to lose in order to win each other. Originally only available online as The Office by tby789—and garnering over two million reads on fan fiction sites—Beautiful Bastard has been extensively updated for re-release.

REVIEW:
Beautiful Disaster began as a Twilight fanfic - online stories written by fans of the original.  There are definitely some strong opinions by readers not only about the story but also because some have accused the writers of exploiting their fans by rewriting and selling the story.  

This story is probably written for readers like me who don't read fanfic and come to the book with an interest but no background.  

I've heard it said that in erotica genre the sex leads the story, if there is any story at all.  Clearly, whoever said that has not read authors like Sylvia Day, Anne Calhoun, or newcomer Ella Frank, all of whom write stories that are as compelling as their smokin' hot sex scenes. This story is somewhere in between.  Christina Lauren (the team of Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings) has the sex stuff down.  From the get-go this book starts off as a 10 in the hot meter.  However, the sexual obsession between Choe and Bennett is so overwhelming and numerous that it becomes almost comical.  I have to say I did laugh at inappropriate times.  Still ultimately, the story finds its way to an emotional path and it worked. 

However, I did wonder what kind of message it is implying about hooking up with (unprotected, no less) sex with someone and expect a HEA.  

IN A NUTSHELL: It is a fun read if you are looking for something hot, but a little light - you know, like an afternoon delight.  

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the ARC via Edelweiss.

SUNNY: BOOK REVIEW - "Sweet Talk" by Julie Garwood

 

CHARACTERS:
Olivia MacKenzie
Grayson Kincaid

SUMMARY:
Olivia MacKenzie is an survivor.  As a child, she participated in an experimental study to help stop the ravages of her cancer.  There she makes lifelong friends, Jane, Collin, and Samantha, whom she considers her family.  (It is a perfect set up for a series).  Her own family is MIA during her illness not wanting to be associated with weakness.  

Olivia is now grown up and an attorney who works for the IRS.  In a twist of fate, she ends up at a lunchtime interview with a CEO of a financial services company who is under scrutiny by the FBI.  The whole encounter goes haywire with Olivia being pursued by a bodyguard with a gun at which time she yells. "Do you have a permit to carry that gun?"  Oh yes, just the kind of snarkiness that I like in a heroine. The encounter may have gone wrong but she does meet handsome, FBI Agent Grayson Kincaid (hubba, hubba).  Under the guise of following up on the incident, Grayson gets close to Olivia and discovers that she in more danger than at first blush.  Turns out Olivia is going after her father, a supreme conman who is swindling people out of millions of dollars in a grand ponzi scheme (ala Bernie Madoff).  This sets off Grayson's protective instincts and gives him the opening to pursue her as well.  


REVIEW:
I chose this book because something about the cover appealed to me - a well built man in a suit with a holster.  Yup, my kinda guy.  Ok, go ahead, call me superficial.  And although I have long learned not to dismiss books because of the cover, I assert that an attractive cover will always get a second look.  

This is the first book I have read from Julie Garwood.  I will probably read more from this author, but not if I have to pay what I paid for this ebook.  This is an indulgence because I really liked the cover (did I mention that before?). 

This book starts off really strong.  Olivia is witty, funny, and smart and I looked forward to the more of it.  Unfortunately, there isn't that much more.  There is some clever banter between Olivia and Grayson, but most of her dialogue is internal and she worries a lot - worries about getting involved with Grayson, worries about the kids she rescues and represents, worries about what her family thinks about her...  She talks a lot in her head.  She is obviously witty and clever (as is set up in the Prologue), I wish we could see more of Olivia's sense of humor.  

Grayson and Olivia make a hot couple.  Grayson is just enough alpha to make Olivia push back.  Their desire for one another is uncontrollable and I can feel the energy vibrate off the page, but this book lacks the graphic sizzle of other romance novels.  Admittedly, that is not always necessary, but I think this book does a great job of setting up the action and could've benefitted from a little extra detail.  

IN A NUTSHELL:
This is a nice contemporary romance novel worth a read, but you might want to wait for it to go down in price before you pick it up. 

SUNNY: BOOK REVIEW - "Hooked" by LIz Fichera

SUMMARY:
When Native American Fredericka ‘Fred’ Oday is invited to become the only girl on the school’s golf team, she can’t say no. This is an opportunity to shine, win a scholarship and go to university, something no one in her family has done.

But Fred’s presence on the team isn’t exactly welcome — especially not to rich golden boy Ryan Berenger, whose best friend was kicked off the team to make a spot for Fred.

But there’s no denying that things are happening between the girl with the killer swing and the boy with the killer smile...


REVIEW:  

I liked it, but I really wanted to like it more!  I didn't because, though a sweet story, it is a little too familiar.  As a teen romance, Hooked channels the movie Pretty In Pink:  Girl from the other side of the tracks falling in love with the boy on the golden trail and makes him a better person.  Standing in the way is Ryan's bestfriend, Seth, the bully, bigot, and maintainer of the status quo.  I expected James Spader to come off the pages and smirk at me.  

However, I do realize that there are probably at least two generations of kids who have not had the pleasure of watching Pretty In Pink, so for them, I recommend this for it is a sweet story.  

What is excellent about this book is LIz Fichera's portrayal of the type of subtle bias experienced by young adults of color.  The type of discrimination and prejudice faced today is not the over-the-top racism.  Most people know better than to use racial slurs or promote hatred.  And for most people, this kind of vitriol is easily dismissed as extremism.  What is more problematic is the little indignities experienced daily - the assumptions, the stereotypes, the name-calling like "Pocahantes." I felt Fred's frustration and anger at the injustice.  It is disappointing at first that Ryan chooses to be a bystander rather than an ally, but it's nice to see him come through in the end. 

IN A NUTSHELL:
This is not necessarily a new story, but still, it is done well and gives insight into social issues.