Book Review: That Fatal Kiss by Mina Lobo

Mina Lobo, a.k.a. Goth Mom Lite, launched her debut novel, That Fatal Kiss recently and WOW what a story. Take everything you think you know about Greek mythology and throw it out the window.  Lobo's takes Hades and Persephone's story to whole new level.

That Fatal Kiss was fanciful, romantic and heart-stopping good.  And I don't say this lightly because I'm not normally a fan of Greek mythology.  Besides the wonderful writing, Lobo's story is enchanting.  It begins with Hades arising from the depths of the Underworld to seize his chosen bride, Persephone.  Hades is arrogant, sensitive and an impenetrable force in the Underworld and the realm of gods. Once Hades captures Persephone, it's much like the epic tale of the clash of the titans—where two mythical gods literally go at each other.  In truth, they have much to learn about each other.  Hades has to learn romance  doesn't mean taking what he wants, and Persephone has to learn that submitting to Hades  isn't necessarily a bad thing.  The chemistry between these two is catching and in a word dazzling. But don't take my word for it, if you missed the excerpt, I posted a few months back, click here.

As the story unfolds, Persephone must make a choice, stay with Hades and be his eternal wife in the Underworld or lose her destined love forever. That Fatal Kiss also features a slew of mythical gods with robust personalities who erupt right off the page. Towards the end of the novel, these gods convene in a spectacular showdown—all in the name of Hades and Persephone. Trying to have a relationship is one thing but having some mythical deities scheming for your demise—well that makes for some great storytelling.

What I loved most about this book were the two classic characters: Hades and Persephone. Their love story was epic and the way Mina Lobo tells it; you can understand why.  That Fatal Kiss was an intense, wild mystical ride filled with seduction. I gave it a 4.5 because it was simply awesome.

If you’re looking for a refreshing take on paranormal romance, try That Fatal Kiss and be prepared to be seduced.

Mina B..

Book Review: Abel by Elizabeth Reyes

Get your ringside tickets to Abel, USA Today Best Selling Author, Elizabeth Reyes' fourth book in the 5th Street Series.  Reyes is by far one of the hottest new adult contemporary romance novelists right now.  She seriously is one of my top ten favorite authors.  Want to know what I think about, Abel?  In short...it's an absolute knockout!

Abel's Back Cover:  
Coming off the worst divorce in the history of marriages, Nellie Gamboa’s looking to let loose and make up for years of neglect. When months of building sexual tension between her and the young hot boxing stud, Abel Ayala, finally peak, she makes him an offer no man would refuse.

No promises. No demands. Just pure unrestrained passion.

Abel’s training for the biggest fight of his career. He has no time for a social life, much less a relationship. So this arrangement couldn't be more perfect. A beautiful woman asking him to help her alleviate her neglected desires—no strings attached. What more can he ask for?

As the lines between lust and something much deeper, begin to blur, Abel finds himself in an even bigger fight.

The fight to regain control of his now demanding heart.

Click here for an excerpt of Abel on GoodReads!  

My thoughts:  Abel Ayala is the rising boxing star, poised to take his heavyweight career to super stardom. All he needs to do is slake his lust for an older, sexy divorcee, Nellie Gamboa and bide his time before he can claim his heavyweight title. He's known as Aweless Ayala for his bold and unshakable demeanor and at this point, nothing will stop his rise to the top. Well a few things shake him, but nothing as much as the lovable Nellie.

If you know anything about the series, then you know by the time Abel and Nellie finally hooked up, it was like we all needed a cigarette. LOL! Interesting enough their "no-strings" relationship continues and goes from the intense hot affair to a budding relationship, broaching topics like trust, love, age and of course the relentless paparazzi. I've always been a fan of Reyes Moreno Brothers series. ALWAYS. So when she started the 5th Street Series, it wasn't a stretch for me to enjoy this series as well. But I have to be honest...Abel just might be my new favorite. It's that good.

Reyes opens a window into these character's lives that keeps you begging for more. If you like your new adult romance lit spiced with hot men, undying friendship, love and a whole lotta sexy, then bet all your money on Abel! Abel was a 5 for me.

Get your copy here:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DVP0UBA

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/abel-elizabeth-reyes/1116240988?ean=2940045154055
iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/abel-5th-street-4/id679748966?mt=11

Reyes will be here on August 21st for a Q&A with me.  *squeals with excitement*  Want to know more about the Abel and the 5th Street series...come back and bring your friends!

TOUR WIDE GIVEAWAY

Elizabeth is offering up (10) winners, signed copies of their choice of book, from her backlist which includes Abel as well. The giveaway is open internationally. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM CST 08/25/2013.  

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Whew! *fanning myself* Even blogging about Abel gets me hot! ;)

Mina B.

Book Review: The Eternity Cure (The Immortal Rules #2) by Julie Kagawa

I just finished The Eternity Cure (The Immortal Rules #2) by Julie Kagawa.  WOW!  What a great book!  If you missed my review of book 1, The Immortal Rules, click here.  I can't believe I read book 1 over a year ago.  Time flies,huh?

Last year, I  gave book this new vamp seres a 4 because it hooked me from the beginning.  I love when an author brings a fresh take on vamp lit.  And Julie did just that and then some.  The Eternity Cure, thankfully, continues the path that Immortal Rules started and then explodes into a frenzy of epic proportions.  I have to admit, I read a few reviews that dissuaded my interest at first with book 2.  The overall comment was the beginning was a bit slow.  I have to agree.  It was a tad slow, but still highly entertaining nonetheless.  

We left our heroine, Allison, a bad-ass vampire babe, who after being expunged from the safety of Eden--the city of the living(humans)--is beckoned by the cries of her sire, Kanin.  Kanin's imprisoned by, Sarren, another vampire, who is the epitome of evil.  As Sarren psychotically abuses Kanin for his crimes against the vampire community, Kanin's calls of distress send a signal to his sired children to come to his aid. One of Kanin's children, if you recall from book 1, is Jackal.  You remember the sadistic vampire who ruled one of the vampire cities?  Well, he's back and I must say, what a pleasure it was to have him in book 2.  He breathed life into Allison's somber existence.  Thank God!  Don't get me wrong.  I loved Allison, but she's such a new vampire in a truly dystopian/vamp world that she's still trying to find her way.  Jackal brings a colorful take on being a vampire and does it with such hilarity.  What a riot!  As a reader, I had a visual image of the true character of Jackal. but I couldn't find a match for holiday, until I saw this post from the Bloody Bookoholic! This emphatic reader/blogger went nuts with her Hollywood pics for a movie since the rights to the series were recently purchased.  And let me tell you she hit the mark with Russell Brand as the Jackal.  

In book 2, Ezekiel is back (Zeke), and at first I was stunned.  After all Allison when through in The Immortal Rules, he honestly was the last person I expected to return.  I know.  I know.  That's incredibly dense on my part since he is the love interest.  Still, he arrives, along with a whole cast of entertaining characters.  I didn't burn to read this one until I hit about page 200, but wow...those last 230+ pages were on fire for me.  I'm totally hooked on this series.  So much is at stake now.  So much... I won't give you any spoilers other than despite Allison being a vampire and Eziekiel being a human, they may just have a future.

This was a 4.5 for me!  Hot damn.  Cant's wait for book 3!

Mina B.

Book Review & Giveaway: THE DARK INSIDE by Donna Galanti

Today I'm reviewing Donna Galanti's The Dark Inside, a series of short stories that are dark, seductive and incredibly disturbing ...just the way I like it.  Donna released The Dark Inside not too long ago and  the second I read it, I was immediately sucked into her wicked and imaginative mind.  Last year, I had the pleasure of reviewing  A HUMAN ELEMENT  and I was instantly a fan.  Galanti is an amazing descriptive writer who can easily create suspenseful tales that are page turners.  I love that about her.  There were so many times when I read these tales where I thought, Oh I wonder if she will create an entire novel on that tale.  Who knows?  According to Donna, she's planning a sequel to A HUMAN ELEMENT and THE DARK INSIDE is for fans like me who need a filler of her dark tales.  The book is available via Kindle for only $.99 so that's an insane bargain for such an awesome book.  See the book description below for more details:

ABOUT THE DARK INSIDE:  Heartbreak, danger, lust, and betrayal blaze to life in this collection of stories that reveal the dark places hidden within us. When what you most desire is on the line how far will you go to get it, and what will you give up?
- A young man desperate to leave a world that doesn’t accept him–and a father who hates him.
- A tormented man imprisoned as a science experiment experiences love for the first time.
- A secret agent gives in to his carnal desires and risks exposing the one secret he wants to keep.
- A college freshman betrayed by her lover takes matters into her own hands.
- A young girl is determined not to suffer at the hands of her molester anymore.
- A sadistic leader who thrives on mind control leads his people into a new life.
- A teen seeks escape from his abusive foster father and faces a life-or-death situation to survive.

They must either fight the dark inside or embrace it.  Which will they choose?

Bio:  Donna Galanti writes adult suspense and middle grade fiction. She is an International Thriller Writers Debut Author of the paranormal suspense novel A HUMAN ELEMENT. She’s lived from England as a child, to Hawaii as a U.S. Navy photographer. Donna dreamed of being a writer when she fell in love with the worlds of Narnia and Roald Dahl attending school in a magical English castle where her imagination ran wild in an itchy uniform (bowling hat and tie included). She now lives in Pennsylvania with her family in an old farmhouse. It has lots of writing nooks, fireplaces and stink bugs, but she’s still wishing for a castle again. Visit her at www.donnagalanti.com.

Author of the paranormal suspense novel A HUMAN ELEMENT. She’s lived from England as a child, to Hawaii as a U.S. Navy photographer.

You can also find Donna on FaceBook, Twitter and GoodReads

And a GIVEAWAY too!  Wahoo!

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How awesome is that?  Enter to win today and share the news with your friends too!

Mina B.

Book Review: Neverlove by Angela Brown

I just finished reading Angela Brown's Neverlove and wow what a story.  I wasn't sure what to expect for this YA paranormal romance so when I read the jacket flap I thought, cool.  Before I get into the review, I thought I'd post the synopsis.

For seventeen-year-old Abigail, one rash decision leads to an unexpected chance for redemption. At V'Salicus Academy, a unique institute where she trains to become an agent of heaven, she struggles with the pain of her past, the changes of the present and accepts a loveless future until her path – and heart – crosses with Basil’s.

Basil's off-chance slip of the tongue binds him to a life of servitude to the Devourer, the master of hell. His existence has no upside until a chance meeting with Abigail brings new perspective.

Keeping the truth of their present lives from each other brings disaster when secrets are brought to light and the life of Abigail’s mentor is put on the line.

Can Abigail and Basil save her mentor and salvage their love amid the chaos? Or will they lose it all, destined forever to NEVERLOVE?

My thoughts:
When I began reading the first part I thought WOW...that's some powerful stuff.  However disturbing it set the tone for the main character, Abigail (Abby).  She's been marred by her father (of all people) and in return attempts to end her life.  Fate intervenes, prompting her mother to save Abby and enrolling her in V'Salicus Academy.  Like Abby, the Academy was an equally intense organization.

Since Abby is new, Father Quanon agrees to mentor her through the academy and many of his colleagues and superiors start to doubt his motives.  The book at first weaves in and out, describing the lives of first Abby and then her love interest, Basil.  I liked the dark worlds that Brown created, depicting the depth of hell with the sinister dealings of Devourer and then the intricate faculties of heaven.  There were many times when I wondered how the MC's persevere.   I want to tell you in the end love trumps all, but eh, eh, eh...that wouldn't be right, now would it?

If you like books with wicked characters, a ton of twists and a fine dose of romance, then NeverLove is just the book for you.  Find out more about the author, Angela Brown, by visiting her website.  And...I just saw on Angela's website that she offering the e-book FREE for a limited time via Amazon! Go get it today! 

So, are you a fan of Angela Brown?  I am.  Have you read NeverLove?

Mina B.

ARC Review: Lara Adrian’s Edge of Dawn

Right before the holidays I received an ARC copy of Lara Adrian’s upcoming, coveted and next installment in her New York Times bestselling Midnight Breed Series, Edge of Dawn. *squeals with joy*  First, I have to say a big THANK YOU to Lara for sending me the ARC.  I can’t tell you how excited I was to read this book.  If you know nothing about me, know that I am a HUGE fan of anything Adrian, and all things breed.  Don’t believe me? Check out this feed of my blog posts.

In the previous installment, Darker After Midnight, the series almost felt like it was coming to an end.  If you missed this book, check out my review here. In this book, Sterling Chase and the rest of the order defeated Dragos and in doing so, exposed themselves as vampires to the world.  In Edge of Dawn, its twenty years later and humans and the vampires are struggling with co-existing.  I remember when I read the back cover of this book, I was more excited about the characters featured than the plot.  Adrian has such a talent for writing intriguing characters.  If you recall, Mira was the young breedmate and adopted daughter of Nikolai and Renata from Veil of Midnight.  She had these wicked eyes that reflected the future when a person glanced into them—like pools of visions. Pretty cool, huh?  That pesky little talent always caused trouble for Mira and twenty years hasn't changed that.  Now that she's older and wiser with deadly skills and stunning looks, her visions reveal the worst fate imaginable—the death of the love of her life, Kellan.

Without revealing too much, Edge of Dawn was the perfect extension to the series. Adrian immediately entranced me with the new world of breed and humans. Mira, a captain with the Order, is all grown up now (along with other kid characters), and she is bad a**!  But as an adult, she’s angry and still grieving over the loss of her childhood friend and love interest, Kellan.  Believed to be dead for eight years, Kellan has been in hiding, living among the rebel humans. These two were the perfect couple to segue the series into a new era.  Of course there’s a new enemy revealed too, one with ancient ties to both Breed and their mates. I won’t tell you what happens, minions. It wouldn’t be right. 

Edge of Dawn was a 4 for me—no surprise there, huh?  Edge of Dawn releases February 26, 2013 so pre-order your copy today.  If you haven't read the series, you really need to catch up since we're already at book 11. Coincidentally, book 1, Kiss of Midnight (ebook) is on sale on Kindle for 99 cents so download that one too while you can. 

Oh, I almost forgot.  Stay tuned in the coming week.  Along with the ARC, Lara also sent me some swag so it appears I'll be doing a special giveaway, which is perfect timing since I missed my blogoversary.  Wahoo!  

Who doesn't love free sh**?

Mina B.

Book Review: Fireseed One by Catherine Stine

Today I'm super excited to review my latest read, Catherine Stine's Fireseed One. This book was so in-depth and fantastic, I felt the need to feature the book description. I remember reading it when I first read Catherine's blurb and recall being instantly hooked.

Book Description:
Fireseed One is a futuristic thriller that can be enjoyed by teens and adults. The year is 2089. Temperate climate has replaced Arctic ice, and much of what is now the United States is a lethal Hotzone, cut off by an insurmountable border from its northern, luckier neighbors, Ocean and Land Dominion. It is rumored that roving Hotzone nomads will kill for a water pellet or a slice of insect loaf, and that the ZWC, a dangerous Hotzone activist group, has infiltrated the border to the northern Dominions.

Up in Ocean Dominion, all eighteen year-old Varik Teitur wants is to party on Snowangel Island with his friend Audun and flirt with college girls he dreams of joining next year in his quest to become a doctor. Instead, he inherits a vast sea farm, following the death of his father, famous marine biologist Professor Teitur. Five weeks later, ZWC member Marisa Baron breaks into the farm’s secret seed vault and a fellow activist poisons the farm’s agar crops, the world’s food source. In order to save the last agar seedlings Varik is forced to journey to the Hotzone in search of Fireseed, a plant his father supposedly developed with magical hybridization properties.

Varik takes Marisa along. Aside from being a terrorist, she’s the daughter of Melvyn Baron, the biggest real estate mogul in Land Dominion, and the professor’s old rival. Oddly, she knows lots about Fireseed, and what Hotzone land Professor Teitur bought to test the crop, before becoming embittered and trashing the project. No one except Varik knows whether Fireseed once existed off the drawing board. Might the refugees in Vegas-by-the-Sea have answers, or the bizarre Fireseed cult in the Chihuahua desert? Varik, the reluctant hero, must risk burning in the Hotzone, as his mother did, to save the ailing agar, and the world.

My thoughts:

Fireseed One is a riveting futuristic fantasy tale that is classic YA with more than enough to sustain the die-hard adult sci-fi fans. I found the world Stine created reminiscent of best-selling, middle-grade Dark Life series by Kat Falls. However, in FireseedOne, Stine takes the global warming fantasy tale to a whole new level. In the beginning, we meet a reluctant hero, Varik, a young man who's forced to run his family farm after the passing of his father. Straight away, Varik is thrust into unfamiliar territory as he discovers his farm vaults were robbed. Those vaults secured most of the world's food supply in a form of seeds. Harvesting, protecting and engineering these seeds had been his dead father's life's work including his radical creation, Fireseed One.

Besides creating an amazing fantasy world, Stine did a wonderful job at creating such a likable hero who throughout the novel showed incredible depth and courage. Marisa, Varik's counterpart, was equally intriguing. I'll admit I didn't like her at first, but it just goes to show you how when great plotting happens, characters evolve, which make for enjoyable reading experience. The journey Varik and Marisa take along with Audun, Varik's childhood friend, is filled with suspense and bizarre sci-fi imagery that after awhile becomes addicting.  If you're looking for something sci-fi/dark fantasy with elements of dystopian YA genre, then Fireseed One is just the book for you.

Find out more information about Fireseed One and Catherine Stine by visiting her Idea City Blog. Like or follow her on Facebook or Twitter too!

What about you?  Have you read Fireseed One?  

Mina B.

Book Review: Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas

Are you a Lisa Kleypas fan?  If not, you should be.  I initially found out about her when she did a Q&A on GoodReads.  Since I have an uncontrollable need to read historical romance novels, I immediately picked up one of Lisa's novels and have been a fan since.  I believe I've read almost all of her historical romance books.  I probably should seek therapy, but the truth is, they are ridiculously good.  Anyway, fast-forward to the summer and I found Rainshadow Road—Lisa Kleypas Friday Harbor series—while trolling on Amazon.  Here's the back cover:  

 

Lucy Marinn is a glass artist living in mystical, beautiful, Friday Harbor, Washington. She is stunned and blindsided by the most bitter kind of betrayal: her fiancé Kevin has left her. His new lover is Lucy's own sister. Lucy's bitterness over being dumped is multiplied by the fact that she has constantly made the wrong choices in her romantic life. Facing the severe disapproval of Lucy's parents, Kevin asks his friend Sam Nolan, a local vineyard owner on San Juan Island, to "romance" Lucy and hopefully loosen her up and get her over her anger. Complications ensue when Sam and Lucy begin to fall in love, Kevin has second thoughts, and Lucy discovers that the new relationship in her life began under false pretenses. Questions about love, loyalty, old patterns, mistakes, and new beginnings are explored as Lucy learns that some things in life--even after being broken--can be made into something new and beautiful.

My thoughts:

I read this over the summer and instantly adored the series.  It's a modern-day romance spiced with the perfect amount of family drama and to my surprise, elemental magic.  The book opened up to Luci getting crushed by her ex-boyfriend and sister.  Wow, Kleypas cut straight to the heart with that one.  What I loved best about Luci was her resilience.  Yes, her life sucked, but that didn't stop her from moving on.  I loved the way Luci stood up for herself, despite be railroaded by her conniving sister, her worthless ex and her annoying parents.  Thankfully, she met Sam, the unlikely love interest, Sam.  Their relationship began slowly at first which I thought made it more believable.  Sam owned a vineyard and struggled over the years to cultivate it into his life-long dream.  He obviously couldn't predict the whimsical touch that local glass artist like Luci would wield.  Rainshadow Road is more of a contemporary romance than paranormal, so if you're in the mood to little your paranormal reading, give this one a try.   

Have you read Lisa Kleypas’ steamy historical romance novels?  Suddenly You is one of my all-time favorites.  What about the Friday Harbor series?

Mina B.

Book Review: Richelle Mead's The Golden Lilly

Book 2 in Richelle Mead’s best-selling Bloodlines series is The Golden Lily. If you haven’t read Book 1, Bloodlines, check out my review here. Bloodlines is the spin off of Mead's international best-selling Vampire Academy series, featuring Sydney the Alchemist— a young member of a secret group of humans sworn to protect humans from the unearthly creatures like Moroi, Strigoi or anything mystically unnatural.

The Golden Lily starts off revealing part of the mystery behind the alchemist world. It gave me the creeps—which I loved!   Mead's a master at world-building in the urban fantasy genre. Her take alone on the Strigoi vampires is chilling indeed. Sydney is a brilliant young alchemist who has spent her whole-life learning that unnatural beings are mostly evil. Getting too close can reap heinous consequences. Now that she's deep in the Moroi, Dhampir and Strigoi world, is she strong enough to fight the allure of what the Alchemist's deem the dark side?

The Golden Lily was a wicked read.  Sydney was pushed to uncomfortable limits, including dating and her first kiss.  I loved that her potential romance was equally intelligent as her—which led to some hilarious situations and dialogue.  In the beginning, Sydney is reminded what it means to be an Alchemist and the horrific consequences that are at stake if she screws up.  Since being on assignment as a political ally to the Royal Moroi and Dhampirs, she’s tested all sorts of boundaries, including magic, friendship and love.  I remember in the Vampire Academy series thinking Sydney was such a nerd. And as I’m reading on in the spin-off Bloodlines series, I realize she’s still a nerd, and extremely cautious, but also incredibly loyal.  Ironically, that loyalty extends not to just her Alchemy roots, but to her new friends—the ones she’s been taught her whole life to fear.

This book was an excellent addition to the series and a 4.5.  And the way it ended with Adrian (swoon) all I can say is I can’t wait to read Book 3, The Indigo Spell.   For those interested, Mead recently posted Chapter 1.  Check it out below.
THE INDIGO SPELL by Richelle Mead (Bloodlines 3) - First Chapter

Have you read the Vampire Academy?  What about Bloodlines or The Golden Lily?  What are your favorites?

Mina B.

Book Review: J.L. Campbell's Distraction

I mentioned last week I would be posting my book review for Distraction by J.L. Campbell.  I'm unbelievably excited to discuss this incredible, all-consuming tale about friendship, love and betrayal.  Distraction features three Jamaican females who go through their adulthood, dealing with their own personal trials and tribulations.  It wonderfully intertwines the lives of  Justine, Dionne and Kyra so that the reader gets a front seat into their distracted lives.

There were three aspects to this novel that kept me pondering it for weeks if not a month after I read it.  Those aspects were friendship, real-life drama and consequences and perseverance!  

Friendship    

Justine, Dionne and Kyra are close-knit friends who meet often to bond and even vent about their lives.  Their unconditional friendship was the first aspect I enjoyed.  In life, it's often challenging to find friends that will accept you despite your faults.  And trust me, these women had their faults, but was most refreshing was their willingness to support each other regardless of their life choices.  And isn't that what friends are for?     

Real-life Drama & Consequences

All three of these women are uniquely flawed not only by their circumstances, but their decision-making.  As the reader, we get the birds-eye view how their situations evolved due to lying, infidelity and sadly physical and emotional abuse.  Not everyone deals with these issues in their everyday life, but unfortunately most of us know someone that is dealing with it right now.  There were somber moments within this book that were griping.  Justine, Dionne and Kyra like TNT know drama and WOW was it intense.  

Perseverance

There's something to be said for the three heroines that persevered during adverse times.  They each had to find strength to deal with their personal lives and eventually move forward.  Justine was locked in a loveless marriage and between her and her husband, they both had far too many secrets to hide.  Dionne and Kyra let their finances rule them which in return left for some incredible drama.  All three were distracted by something that led them astray, albeit loneliness or financial reasons or just plain stupidity.  In the end, their perseverance prevailed.

If your looking for something different to add to your book shelf or Kindle this summer, check out J.L. Campbell's Distraction.  It was easily a 4 for me.  For those that don't know Book 2 in the series is called Retribution and I got a sneak peak at it too.  And boy was it goooooood!  Can't wait!    

Stay tuned tomorrow as the Distraction tour stops here at my blog!  Woot!  

Mina B.

Buzzworthy Contemporary Romance Novels

I typically don’t post reviews or ramblings about contemporary lit on my blog, but there are a few books that are currently available that are just too incredible not to recognize.  Some of the authors I know and others I don’t, but they all have one thing in common; they’ve seduced with their real-life characters and unique romantic plots.  If you need a break from the supernatural side of books, and you adore romance, check these outs. 

Contemporary Romance Lit for Summer of 2012

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Beautiful Disaster. I'll repeat it again for those who aren't familiar with the novel. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire!  This book was my all-time favorite this summer. I’ll start by saying it was a complete obsession for me. In fact, as far as ratings go it was a 5. Yes, that’s how much I loved it. It’s not very often, we readers find a male character that we adore or better yet cleave to. Travis Maddox is that character. He’s perfectly flawed and extremely likable. No wonder all the chicks are whipping off their panties for him. All except for Abby Abernathy. She’s a reformed good girl and as much as she’s attracted to the elusive bad boy, she won’t succumb to his charm. Putting these two together made for some spectacular reading. Abby & Travis are the quintessential disaster couple, and Beautiful Disaster is about their wild roller-coaster relationship, which began as a friendship and ends up with love.  I adored this book, and I can't rave about it enough.  Move over Fifty Shades and make way for Beautiful Disaster.  And for those of you that don't know,  Jamie McGuire has just finalized Walking Disaster which is Beautiful Disaster told from Travis's perspective.  OH MY GOD!!!  I can't wait to read that one.  God, I hope she writes a story for each of the brothers.  Love you Jamie McGuire.  You rock!

 
Marie Force’s McCarthys of Gansett Island 

Like most book addicts, I got hooked on Marie Force's McCarthys of Gansett Island series from Book 1, McCarthys of Gansett Island, Book 1: Maid for Love, It’s FREE on Kindle/Amazon, so if you haven’t read this yet, check it out. I’ll admit, I thought it was going to be cheesy.  Instead, it was surprisingly good.  This series is filled with true-to-life female characters—which I love— and die hard men who at times were pretty darn funny. Marie Force’s bestselling McCarthy’s of Gansett Island series suck you in, making you want to explore the Island and uncover every nook and cranny about the characters that live there.  I’m telling you…if I could take a one-way fairy boat ride to that place, I would in a heart beat.  I’m betting you would too. There are six books total in the series and at just under $4, they are easy on your wallet.  Again, the first one is free for a limited time, so download it while you can.

Cecilia Robert’s Truly.Madly.Deeply.You 

I recently read Cecilia Robert’s novella, Truly.Madly.Deeply.You and totally enjoyed it. Liese Hansfeld is determined to spend Valentine’s day and the four days leading up to it alone, reliving her tragic past. She is a lovely, kindhearted woman who has a past that suffocates her future. But her best friend, Freytag Meier, refuses to have Liese give up on love. And he won’t let another year go by with Liese torturing herself. This Valentine's Day, he’s determined to spend every waking moment with Liese. Could it be that she’s the woman of his dreams? Or is it the other way around?  I won’t tell you want happens, but it was truly different.  Aside from its uniqueness, what I loved best about this novella was its sweet nature. There were so many romantic gestures that I found it incredibly endearing. If you’re looking for a quick novella filled with romance, give Truly.Madly.Deeply.You  a try. It’s only $1.99 on Amazon which is a total deal, right? Go get a copy.

Distraction by J.L. Campbell 

I won’t go into too much detail about J.L. Campbell's Distraction since I'm planning on writing a full review next week when the Distraction tour makes its blog stop here.  I will say I loved it and wanted to include it in my contemporary lit list.  Distraction's only $2.99 on Amazon so get it while the price is right.  Woot!  In the meantime, here’s a synopsis of the book.   

Three Jamaican women walk a tightrope of decisions when their lives are derailed by blackmail, deceit and infidelity. JUSTINE CHARLES, sensible and self-contained, battles an addiction which could destroy her marriage, reputation, and relationship with her daughter. DIONNE JONES, an aggressive go-getter, takes risks that cut a trail of devastation through her family and business. KYRA MILLS, struggling single mother, is crippled by debt, bad judgment and destructive choices. Can two of the long-time friends survive startling revelations involving their partners? And will the other push her obsession to the point of danger?

Game On by Kyra Lennon

Kyra Lennon recently released Game On this month and it's getting fantastic reviews.  Go Kyra!  This is actually one I'm reading now and so far I'm thoroughly enjoying it.  I think this book had me at the beginning with all the men and soccer.  Anyway, it's on sale now too for a low $2.99 so get your copy quick before the price goes up.  Here's the synopsis:

After swapping her small town life to work for one of the top soccer teams in the U.S, Leah Walker thought she could finally leave the ghosts of her past behind. However, when she meets serial womanizer, Radleigh McCoy, the memories of her old life come swarming back, and she is forced to ask herself whether she has really changed at all.

That's it.  That's my Buzzworthy Contemporary Romance Lit for Summer of 2012.  Have you read any of these? Have any contemp lit books you'd recommend to finish off this summer?

Mina B.