Extreme Exposure (I-Team #1) by Pamela Clare

Extreme Exposure by Pamela Clare

Book Stats:

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Romantic Suspense/Contemporary Romance
Format Reviewed: E-Book, 298 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: August 2, 2005

Series: I-Team #1

Source: Personal purchase

It's been years since her child's father dumped her, and since then investigative reporter Kara McMillan has kept men at bay—although every day she aches more for a lover's touch. But to get that, the hard-boiled journalist must become vulnerable—a feeling she vowed never to have again.

With his dangerous good looks, charm, and power, Senator Reece Sheridan could have just about any woman he sets his piercing eyes on. But he’s intrigued by only one. This Kara, this gutsy investigative reporter, has a sensuality that arouses him to no end. If she’s a firebrand in print, he guesses, she must be just as fiery in bed…

But this is no fling. A sudden political scandal—and attempts on Kara's life—could very well drive them apart. Or maybe, just maybe, adversity could draw them into a bond even more intense than their steamy sexual embraces…

Why I read this book?: I downloaded this book onto my Nook many moons ago and I've decided that I'm going to try and read as many of my own books before I buy anymore.  I had read it once when I first downloaded it but I re-read it just to see if my feelings changed or not.

What I liked?: I really liked that Kara McMillian is a strong independent woman who is raising her four year old son, Connor, by herself.  She's worked her but off to earn the position that she's in on the I-Team at the Denver Independent.  She also doesn't take any crap off of anyone, especially her piggish boss Tom. Then she meets Senator Reece Sheridan at the Rio bar and what turns out to be a pretty intense relationship starts to blossom. Reece is the exact opposite of ALL politicians these days, he's your PERFECT fictional politician.  Then an employee at a local mining company blows the whistle on them to Kara and the story takes a dramatic turn.  The deeper Kara digs the more trouble she seems to find herself in.  Then she finds that the company that she is investigating has "bought" certain members of the state Senate. Is Reece included in those members?  I don't know, you'll have to read the book to find out.

What I disliked?: At times I felt that Kara was her own worst nightmare, not only in her professional life but also in her personal life.  Granted she's been abandoned by most of the men that have been in her life but I felt at times she lumped all men into the same category.

Overall Impression: I thought that this was a really good start to this series and I can hardly wait to read the other books that I have in this series.  It's chock full of romance and suspense and the timing and writing style I was really happy with overall.

Rating: Break the Bank!

Against the Wind (Raines of Wind Canyon #1) by Kat Martin

Against the Wind by Kat Martin

Book Stats:

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Format Reviewed:  Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Mira
Release Date: December 28, 2010

Series: Raines of Wind Canyon #1

Source: Swap

They were known as the "no-account Raines boys" but they've grown into successful, honorable men and everything they have, they've fought for tooth and nail. Now each of the three brothers has one last obstacle to overcome to claim what's eluding them: love.
 
Secrets don't stay buried long in cattle country. Sarah Allen, the beautiful girl who humiliated Jackson Raines in high school, is back in town. Not so long ago, she couldn't wait to leave Wind Canyon, Wyoming, in her dust. But, recently widowed, she has nowhere else to go and finds herself on Jackson's ranch. And despite everything, Jackson's finding himself reluctant to get rid of her.

Why I read this book?: I got this book in a swap on the former bookswap on Goodreads.  I wanted to read this series when it first came out and was able to get a copy of the first 3 books in the series.

What I liked?: I really liked all the suspense that was in this book.  It starts right away, basically on the first page and continues on full speed ahead through the course of the book. I really liked Sarah and Jackson as a couple.  They have history and it was nice to see them grow past their troubling pasts.  I also really enjoyed Jackson's little brothers, while they don't play a huge part in the first book the little bit that they were in the book they made things interesting. Sarah's little girl Holly was so cute too. What I really liked about this book was that the REAL bad guy wasn't obvious.  You think you know but then something happends that makes your assumption completely wrong.  LOVED that part.

What I disliked?: At times I felt that some of the things that Jackson and Sarah took part in were borderline vigliante.  I also disliked Detectiver Mercer AND Sarah's deceased husband Andrew.

Overall Impression: I think that this book was really good beginning to this series. I wish Jackson's brothers were in it a little more but they get their own stories, which I can hardly wait to read.

 

Rating: Break the Bank!

Recommendation:  I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romantic suspense novel or anyone who enjoys a good Western romance.

Taking a Shot by Jaci Burton (Play by Play #3)

Taking a Shot by Jaci Burton

Book Stats:

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format Reviewed: E-Book (251 pages)
Publisher: Penguin Group
Release Date: March 6, 2012

Series: Play by Play #3

Source: Personal Purchase

If you want to score, you have to get in the game...

The last thing Jenna Riley needs is more sports in her life. While her brothers are off being athletic superstars, she’s stuck running the family’s sports bar, whether she likes it or not. Then in walks pro hockey stud Tyler Anderson. As much as Jenna would like to go to the boards with him, she’s vowed to never fall for a jock—even one as hot as Ty.

Ty, intrigued by the beautiful bar owner, becomes a regular. He senses that Jenna wants to do something more with her life. And as he gains her trust, the passion between them grows, as does Ty’s insistence that Jenna should start living for herself. With his encouragement, Jenna starts to believe it, too…

But first, Jenna has to figure out what she wants, what she needs, who she loves, and if she has the passion and pride to take a shot at having it all—including Ty…

Why I read this book?:  I read the two books prior in this series and enjoyed them immensely.  This series has become an Automatic Purchase for me.

What I liked about this book?:  I really liked Tyler Anderson.  He's a professional Hockey player but he's so down to Earth it's almost unreal.  He's been hanging around the Riley families bar for months and is VERY attracted to Jenna Riley.  Mainly because Jenna is the type of woman that he is usually attracted to.  Jenna is also attracted to Tyler but because she has spent her whole life around sports, she doesn't want to be with someone who is into sports or plays sports.  Good thing Tyler doesn't take "No" for an answer!  I really enjoyed the connection between Ty and Jenna.  They each have there own demons to vanquish and it made this particular book that much better in my opinion.  I also enjoyed that there was a fair amount of humor as well.  I enjoy a good giggle every now and then when I'm reading. The characters from the 2 prior books all made appearances in this book as well as the introduction of Cole, the Riley's cousin who is the main character of the next book in the series.  The love scenes in this book were scorching hot (the sex on ice skates scene is a personal favorite) and plenty abundant as well.

What I didn't like about this book?: There were times I had a hard time connecting with Jenna.  She'd go into these "dark moments" and go from a like able character and transform into a character that I just couldn't stand.  Everyone has insecurities but I don't know many people who turn into a mean person intentionally. Another thing that I didn't really care for in this book was the over abundance (for me personally anyway) of sex in the book.  It started to feel like that was all that Ty and Jenna's relationship was based on for the most part.

Overall Impression?:  While not my favorite book in the series, it's still a really good book.  This is definitely a series that I will continue on with.

Rating: Wait Until Payday!

Recommendations:  The Perfect Play (Play by Play #1)

                                      Changing the Game (Play by Play #2)

Chasin' Eight by Lorelei James

Title:  Chasin' Eight
Author: Lorelei James
Series: Rough Rider's #11
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Erotica
Release Date: June 28, 2011
Source: Personal e-book purchase

Rating:  Wait until payday

Synopsis:

She wants it…he’s got it…and the chase is on…

Bull rider Chase McKay has finally landed in a pile too big to charm his way out of. Caught with his pants down, he finds himself bucked right off the PBR tour until he can get his act together.

Hollywood actress Ava Cooper became the tabloids’ favorite target when her longtime boyfriend was outed as gay. She needs a place to lay low and a chance to prove to herself that she can satisfy a red-blooded man between the sheets. The sexy, rugged cowboy she finds holed up in her Wyoming hideaway seems like the answer to her every fantasy.

But Chase has sworn off women. Forever. Or at least a month. Whichever comes first.

When they take to the road to get Chase more hands-on bull riding experience, they have every intention of keeping their hands off each other. But the two headstrong stars quickly end up riding a hot and heady rodeo circuit all their own—until the press gets wind of their affair. When the dust clears and the lights of the paparazzi fade, are they ready to give up chasing the dream for a chance of finding forever?

Warning: Strap in, another hot McKay is about to bust out of the gate and this bull rider knows a thing or two about riding hard…

Why I read this book: My mom introduced me to this series and I've really enjoyed it very much.  I can hardly wait until the next installment is released in May.  This is one series that's VERY easy to keep going with.

What I Liked:  I really liked how this story was written from a more psyhcological side of the characters.  Chase and Ava each have their own set of demons to conqure and slowly but surely as the book progresses they do conqure those demons...Together.  Another thing that I really liked was that the main characters though madly attracted to one another started off as friends and the actual romance/relationship gradually built.  I also really liked how there wasn't instant sexy times.  Your actually a good chunk of the way through the book before there is any of that at all.  I also really enjoyed the host of secondary characters and the inclusion of characters from previous stories.

What I didn't care for: I was lukewarm on the way that Chase and Ava were written at times.  I get that they are supposed to come off as spoiled and bratty at times but there were a few moments when it was just a bit too much.  The scene in Wichita where a camera man tries to exploit an injured bull rider.  I also didn't really care for the amount of lying that Chase did.

Overall Impression:  I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to just about anyone.  It had it's flaws but it was still a really good read.  Though Chase and Ava aren't my favorite couple in this series they are near the top of the list. 

Long Hard Ride by Lorelei James

Title: Long Hard Ride
Author: Lorelei James
Series: Rough Riders #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Erotica
Format Reviewed: Purchased E-Book
Release Date: February 1, 2008


Rating: Wait until Payday

Synopsis:

Channing Kinkaid itches for a wild western adventure with an untamed man. Enter Colby McKay, bull rider, saddle bronc buster and calf roper. He knows he’s found a woman who’s up to the challenge of cutting loose. Intrigued by Channing’s bold proposition to “horse around” on the road, Colby proposes sexual escapades not only in his bed, but in those of his two rodeo traveling partners. Can Channing give up total control? Especially when not all is as it seems with the sexy trio?
Review:

I love my Nook smut!  Furthermore, I LOVE this series!  I hadn’t really heard of Lorelei James until my mom told me I HAD to read this series!  Now I’m kicking myself that I waited so long to check this authors books out!

At the start of this book Channing has basically run away from the pre-planned life that her parents have set up for her.  Channing’s idea of adventure is chasing the rodeo and it turns out that Channing’s first traveling partner is a slime ball.  Enter our white knight, Colby McKay and his traveling partner’s Trevor Glanzer and Edgar Mancuso.  Colby offer’s Channing the adventure that she’s been looking for and Channing, how is completely attracted to Colby, can’t help but jump at the chance.

What really attracted me to this book was that everything wasn’t what it seemed with a couple of the characters.  That and Colby McKay is a total Alpha male with a practically insatiable sexual appetite.  As the 4 amigo’s roll along everyone learns a little something about each other. Which as the story progresses makes things very interesting.

Sexually, pretty much anything goes in Long Hard Ride.  At times Colby was a little bit TO Alpha for me but it seems that just when I wanted to write him off as an ass he did something to redeem himself to me.  I will say this, it does get a little wild at times.

Overall, this isn’t my absolute favorite book in the series but it most definitely was a great start to a fascinating series.

Infatuation by Melissa Schroeder

Title: Infatuation
Author:  Melissa Schroeder
Series: A Little Harmless Military Romance #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Erotica
Release Date: November 14, 2011
Format:  E-Book from personal library

Rating:  Break the Bank!

Synopsis:

To prove her love and save her man, she has to go above and beyond the call of duty.

Infatuation: A Little Military Harmless Romance

Francis McKade is a man in lust. He’s had a crush on his best friend’s little sister for years but he has never acted on it. Besides that fact that she’s Malachi’s sister, he’s a Seal and he learned his lesson with his ex-fiancé. Women do not like being left alone for long months at a time. Still, at a wedding in Hawaii anything can happen—and does. Unfortunately, after the best night of his life, he and Mal are called away to one of their most dangerous missions.

Shannon is blown over by Kade. She’s always had a crush on him and after their night together, it starts to feel a little like love. But, after the mission, Kade never calls or writes and she starts to wonder if it was all a dream. Until one night, her brother Mal drags him into her bar and grill and Shannon gets the shock of her life.

Kade isn’t the man Shannon knew in Hawaii, or even the last few years. Losing a friend and being injured changes a man, especially one who had never felt so vulnerable. He still can’t shake the terror that keeps him up at night. Worse, he is realizing that the career he loves just might be over.

Shannon is still mad, but she can’t help but hurt for the man she loves. He is darker, a bit more dangerous, but beneath that, he is the Kade she's known for so many years. When he pushes her to her limits in the bedroom, Shannon refuses to back down. One way or another, this military man is going to learn there is no walking away from love—not while she still has breath in her body.

Warning: This book contains two infatuated lovers, some drunken dancing, a hard-headed military man, a determined woman, some old friends, and a little taste of New Orleans. As always, ice water is suggested while reading. It might be the first military Harmless book, but the only thing that has changed is how hot our hero looks in his uniform—not to mention out of it.

Review:

This is the first book that I've read by this author and I will DEFINITELY will continue with not only this series but her other books as well.   I broke my book buying ban just for this book.  I'd read so much about it and have had people tell me that I must read it so I did.  I was BEYOND happy.  I'll admit it...I'm a sucker for a HOT man in uniform.

Kade has always had feelings for his best friends little sister and at a family wedding in Hawaii he finally gets a small taste of Paradise...Shannon Dupree.  Kade is a Seal and a man of few words but he definitely knows his way around a woman's body that's for sure.  After their night together Kade is called away on a mission.  When he returns he's different.  A shell of himself.

Shannon comes from a VERY male family.  She's fiercely independent and isn't afraid to speak her mind.  She's had feelings for Kade for just as long as he has had feelings for him but didn't act on them until her brother's wedding.  Once Kade comes back from his latest mission a shell of himself Shannon wants answers but realizes that she can't just demand them.  She has to wait on Kade.  But she isn't going to wait forever.

I found that this story flowed quiet nicely and once I started I absolutely could not stop reading.  There are "adult" situations in this book including slight BDSM, just throwing that out there.  The characters I connected with instantly.  They are a close knit group who care about each other very deeply. The scene that I use as an example of this is the scene between Kade and Shannon's mom.

I do believe that this author has made it onto my "Auto buy" list!  I can hardly wait to read more titles by this author.

Rocky Mountain Heat by Vivian Arend

Title: Rocky Mountain Heat

Author: Vivian Arend

Series: Six Pack Ranch #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Western Romance/Erotica

Format Reviewed: Personal E-book

Release Date: August 31, 2009

Rating: Break The Bank!
Synopsis:

Blake Coleman is old enough to know that acting on impulse causes nothing but a heap of trouble. But when trouble’s a blonde wearing a cowboy hat with slim legs that go on forever, what’s a man to do? Wanting the sweet girl next door is just wrong. Hell, he was the one that taught her to ride a horse and now all he can think about is riding her. The responsible thing to do is keep his hands off. Jaxi has other plans for his hands, and his heart. She may have considered Blake a big brother once but that was a long time ago. She’s all grown up now and ready to convince him that she’s just what he’s been waiting for.Add the complication of two sexy younger brothers who have suddenly noticed Jaxi and things heat up fast. Blake’s gonna have to decide if a little trouble is worth fighting for.

Review:

Jaxi has always had it bad for Blake Coleman. She’s pretty much been included in all Coleman family gatherings since she’s moved to town, which for her is a good thing now that she’s an adult. She couldn’t give a flip that there is a 10 year age difference between them at all.  But then there is Blake….
Blake is completely attracted to Jaxi and has been for a long time. But he thinks that the difference in their ages is a bad thing and is doing his damnedest to keep his attraction under wraps.  He thinks he can be a better “Big Brother” to Jaxi than a lover.  He also thinks that he’s going to be playing second fiddle to his brother Travis, who Jaxi has dated in the past.  On top of Travis, his youngest brothers Jesse and Joel are sniffing around and things are a bit tense around the ranch.

Oh how the mighty have fallen….

After a BIG fight between Jaxi and Blake and a CRAZY game of pool Jaxi FINALLY get’s what she wants…Blake. Jaxi 1 Blake 0!

What I really liked about this story was that it felt real all around. All the characters, dialogue and situations to me felt like they were real and not just thrown together.  Another thing that I really liked about this book was that the story wasn’t rushed.  I thought that the speed and the way the book flowed really worked for me.  Plus, as an added bonus the other brothers make appearances in the book as build up to future books in the series.

The issue that I had with the book was at some points in the book some of the “sexual” situations seemed a little rushed.  Not all the time just a few instances. Then there were some of the spelling differences, I’m from the States and I’m not sure where the author is from but some of the spellings for certain words where different from what I’m used to.  Though this is included in the “negative” section of the review it wasn’t a REAL “negative,” just different is all.

Overall, I think that this is a great beginning to this series.  I’ve already started the second book (Rocky Mountain Haven) and I’ve pre-ordered the third book (Rocky Mountain Desire) which is available March 13, 2012.