Wednesday, August 22, 2012

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.

18 comments:

Kyra Lennon said...

Mina, you are wonderful! Thank you so much for the shoutout!

I've heard a lot of good things about Beautiful Disaster, and I will be checking out the other books on your list too! :D

mshatch said...

Excellent reviews. I love a good romance and haven't read one in a while. Thanks!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Yeah, I heard that last one rocks!

Elise Fallson said...

Thanks for the reviews. These look great and some I already have on my to read list!

Unknown said...

Great books and great reviews. Makes me want to read some of them. I love your blog. I'm following! :D

Jackie said...

Read BD by Jamie McGuire courtesy of Netgalley, along with it and What I Didn't Say by Keary Taylor, have had some good reading and like you hope Walking Disaster is as compelling!

Need to check out Marie Force and Lyra Lennon's books, thanks for the recommendations.

DonnaGalanti said...

Ooh, Mina, love how you hype these! You get my adrenalin going. A Beautiful Disaster is calling to me and Truly.Madly.Deeply. has that tormented character I love but sounds so endearing! thanks

Jackie said...

Auto correct struck again, I typed Kyra 3 times and saved name and it still changed when it posted my comment.:-(

Morgan said...

I only ever read books that are recommended, so thanks for this! There's such a huge part of me that wishes I could write contemp, but I'm such a fantasy girl! Maybe someday...

And go Kyra! ;)

Unknown said...

Thanks a lot, Mina. Like someone said to me on another blog this week, my virtual TBR pile is in danger of collapsing and now you've added to the list!

Beautiful Disaster sounds fantastic.
I've seen Kyra's book around too. So much to read so little time! Many thanks for giving me a plug. Looking forward to visiting with you.

Christine Rains said...

I need to read Beautiful Disaster. I've heard so many good things about it! And Kyra's book is fabulous. I just finished it the other day.

Anonymous said...

These all look great. I've read Distraction and I'd like to read the rest.

Mina Lobo said...

You've intrigued me with Beautiful Disaster and it's on my Amazon wish list! Thanks for the tip! :-)
Some Dark Romantic

michelle said...

I've already heard and read lots of great things about Game On and Distraction. So those two are definites...
Beautiful Disaster sounds intriguing... will check it out...

Nick Wilford said...

I've read Game On and Distraction and really enjoyed them both. I'm glad I'm blogging because I probably wouldn't pick up romance type books otherwise... but I know the authors and my horizons have been broadened. I'm also hosting J.L. Campbell soon. Should be fun!

Cynthia said...

I think I've heard of Beautiful Disaster before, or maybe that's the name of a song too...Game On sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for your recommendations!

Arlee Bird said...

I've got Distraction in my TBR pile. Not my normal genre, but guess I'll give it a shot since I have it.


Lee
Wrote By Rote

Cecilia Robert said...

Thanks for the shoout out Mina. :)
thanks for the wonderful recommendations as well. Oh, I have my kindle copy of Beautiful Disaster. Defintely adding Game On, Distraction and Maid for Love on my wishlist in Amazon. :)
My Summer reads: The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst. I'd recommend Slammed by Colleen Hoover as well. Both are 'wow' books for me.