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Goodreads Review – An Extraordinary Union

20 Thursday Apr 2017

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An Extraordinary Union (The Loyal League #1)An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole

5-stars

I’m such a history fan. I loved reading one with POCs being brave and covert and important, and based on real characters. I recommend this highly to fans of histfic AND romance. Yes, there’s a hot romance too!

Please hurry and give us the next installment in this series!

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Review > Time Out (Book 3 of the Irving University series) by Jim Cangany

28 Tuesday Jun 2016

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 Time Out by Jim Cangany
Time Out
by Jim Cangany (Goodreads Author)

4-stars

Read from June 01 to 06, 2016 — I own a copy


Time Out is the third book in the Irving University series and although I have read the previous two (see my reviews here and here), I believe this could be read as a standalone. There are characters from the other books, but the author does a great job giving enough background to catch you up to speed quickly.

The main character, Karen, is a middle-grade teacher and basketball coach, not unlike her older brother, Greg, who coaches women’s basketball at fictional Irving University. She was once a promising player until her ulcerative colitis got in her way. She isn’t bitter about it, but chooses to use her gifts however she can. She is laid off from her teaching job at the end of the term, so Greg is able to get her a temporary job at Irving running the girls basketball camp over the summer. He also secures her temporary housing. Enter her landlord and neighbor, Terry, and his energetic daughter, Hanna. Hanna, a middle-grade student who wants to play basketball, makes instant friends with Karen who becomes a big help for Terry, a single father who’s struggling to make ends meet.

I’ve mentioned before (probably in my other Irving reviews) that I’m not big on sweet romance. However when reading this series, I never feel like I’m missing out on something. The author does a great job of giving us the satisfying romance. He also shows us a different slice of life we may not be familiar with. Terry’s mom is Native American and we learn some new things in that area. He’s in building construction and a single dad – again we can feel what that likes from his perspective. Karen has a condition I’d not heard much about before, and now I know so much more. The author does not shy aware from racial issues and prejudice, however I do believe he lets Marie off the hook a little easily (you’ll have to read to know what I’m referring to).

Overall, another very solid offering from Jim Cangany which I enjoyed very much. It was a little lighter on the sports this time, but of course it was still running in the background. I would recommend to anyone who likes romance, especially on the sweet side.

Kelly Cain’s Reviews > Take Two

01 Sunday May 2016

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 Take Two by Jim Cangany
Take Two (Irving University, #2)
by Jim Cangany (Goodreads Author)

4-stars

Read from April 07 to 24, 2016


I read the first book in this series, and mistakenly thought the second book would be about the male main character’s sister (that’s book three which I’m looking forward to). When I found out it was about the female main character’s best friend, I internally groaned. I barely tolerated Ciara, and mostly disliked her because she was always listening to her mean best friend. I couldn’t imagine sitting through a whole book about this woman.

Whelp, I think I may like this one more than the first. There’s a little backstory, of course, which has shaped Marie into the woman she is and how she presents herself to the world. I think what makes her more likeable is how Cangany brilliantly gives us a nemesis we really dislike. Helen is reprehensible and sadly, believable, because I’ve personally experienced people like her.

The love interest is quite likable, attentive, hot, and everything a love interest should be. He has an interesting job and reason for being on campus which was fun to follow. Sports is truly my life, but I don’t usually follow triathlons (nor triathletes), but that angle was never boring.

And to really knock it out of the park for me… not one, but TWO Jason Mraz song references. Enough said.

Kelly Cain’s Reviews > Drawn to Her

18 Friday Mar 2016

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Drawn to Her by Jenna Harte
Drawn to Her (Southern Heat Book 1)
by Jenna Harte (Goodreads Author)

4 stars
Read from March 13 to 16, 2016


I really liked this book. I don’t often read straight romance, but I really liked it.

The heroine was petite and spunky, a nurse – not someone I can identify with at all (being super tall and introverted). However, I liked her and wanted her to have her guy even though she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted him.

As for the guy, when I read the synopsis, I wasn’t sure he’d be my type since I’m more of a beta hero type of girl. He has everything in world except the love of family, and that definitely made me want to root for him.

When they come together, it’s truly an opposites attract situation, but the attraction felt very natural. I really love them together and I hope they’re the main characters in the remaining books of this Southern Heat series. I want to read more of their story.

This was an easy read, and with summer coming soon, definitely pick this up for a beach read or to enjoy on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Review – Deadly Valentine by Jenna Harte

09 Saturday Jan 2016

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Deadly Valentine by Jenna Harte

Deadly Valentine
by Jenna Harte (Goodreads Author)

4-stars
Read from November 29 to December 03, 2015 — I own a copy


I must confess that I didn’t know what a cozy was before I picked up this title. Now I realize that I’ve read many cozies and really do like the genre. This book fits perfectly and I’m looking forward to reading the remainder of the series.

There’s a story to Tess. She leaves her affluent parents and fiance behind to move to a small town and set up a fledgling law practice. We have hints as to why and certainly the reason for leaving the boyfriend behind eventually becomes clear, but there’s still some mystery to who Tess is.

There’s even more mystery to who Jack is although he doesn’t even realize it. He’s heartbroken by the news and reacts as anyone in his situation would – although that puts Tess out a bit.

Although this is the first book in a series, it’s definitely a standalone. Thank goodness. I’m not a huge fan of cliffhangers and am happy to continue traveling along on Jack and Tess’s adventures. I’d recommend this to anyone who likes cozies, romance, or mysteries.

Review – Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

09 Saturday Jan 2016

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Carry On

23734628
by Rainbow Rowell (Goodreads Author)

4-stars

bookshelves: need-to-review, favorites

Read from November 18 to 29, 2015 — I own a copy


Admittedly, I was one of those fans who skipped over all that Simon and Baz business when reading Fangirl. So when Carry On came out, I was hesitant to buy it. But because I like anything Rainbow Rowell writes, I decided to bite the bullet and get it on my Kindle. It stayed on my Kindle unread for some time. I made excuses to read anything and everything else before finally settling on this story.

I began reading and immediately started seeing similarities to another chosen one boy wizard. I became extremely ragey so I went online to see what the deal was. There was some buzz around it being sort of a “fan fiction” type story and most were giving their blessing. I decided to power on, especially given how much I trust Rainbow.

I am so happy I kept going. The story really is quite original and fresh and just good. The friendship between Simon and Penelope is as sweet as the adversarial relationship between Simon and Baz is pernicious. Or is it? There are some surprises there. There are some surprises almost everywhere.

The characters are likable, even Baz, who has our main character in a constant state of paranoia. I saw where someone tweeted that if Carry On were ever made into a movie, Ezra Miller would make the perfect Baz. Oh my gosh, yes he would. I would watch that movie an unhealthy amount of times. I will probably give this book another read too once I catch up some on my TBR.

It was a great book and I recommend it highly, not just to specfic type of readers. There’s fantasy, but there’s mystery and sweet romance too. Oh, and magic. Yes, lots of magic. I should have never doubted Rainbow Rowell. I will not make that mistake again.

Altered is on the NetGalley review site

31 Thursday Dec 2015

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If you’re a blogger or reviewer, head over to #NetGalley at https://t.co/c6dWQPRc4u and add ALTERED to your shelf. Time is limited, so hurry over.

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At first, I saw him as everyone else did.

But then, I saw him for who he really was.

Recognized the beauty beneath the pain.

Loved the quirks disguising the insecurity.

Embraced the man who hid behind the boy.

But there was so much more…

More I didn’t know.

 

And once I did, I couldn’t let

go…

Of the boy.

The man.

The lover…

 

…even if his past is threatening

our future.

Nothing will alter what we’ve built.

Review – Pawn of the Phoenix (book 2 in the Memory Collector Series) by Jamie McLachlan

20 Sunday Dec 2015

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Pawn of the Phoenix
by Jamie McLachlan(Goodreads Author)

 

4 of 5 stars

Read from December 17 to 19, 2015

A huge perk to being published (besides all the obvious ones) is getting to know other authors you share a publisher with. In developing these relationships, and in this case, friendship, you are able to receive advanced copies of their books. Such is the case of this highly anticipated second installment of The Memory Collector Series, Pawn of the Phoenix. The book is due out in February, so at least you won’t have to wait long.

If you haven’t read the first book, Mind of the Phoenix (see my review here), what in the world are you waiting for? I mean seriously, you can get it on Amazon, Kobo, B&N, iTunes and Paperback.

The Memory Collector Series is set in the fictional city of Braxton maybe around the turn of the century, early 1900s.  Empaths are slaves to the Elite and work in one of the houses (dream, memory, or pleasure) or are privately owned. The infamous self-described Phoenix plants persuasions in select citizens’ minds that are triggered by a delivered letter.  These persuasions involve suicide or murder, usually of an Elite member.

While Mind of the Phoenix set up the story and introduced the main characters, Moira and Keenan, Pawn of the Phoenix delves more into the backstories of the main characters, furthers the plot along with a couple more murders/suicides (and even an execution), and deepens the relationship between Moira and Keenan. In case you didn’t read the first book (again why?????) or read my review of it, I will explain a little about what’s going on. Detective Keenan Edwards is leading the investigation to find the Phoenix. He’s stoic and controlled, at least until his blocked memory is released. Moira is an empath who has killed her master and has been offered a deal to get out of prison in exchange for her assistance with the investigation by using her special gifts.

The story is well-paced and interesting and although it’s the middle-child of the series, it doesn’t feel like filler. There’s more romance this time around and even some schmexy time (although relatively mild to middling), but the investigation still leads the way even though the clues are few and far between. I was a little disappointed we didn’t find out who the Phoenix was at the end of the first book, but we do get that little tidbit in the Epilogue of Pawn. I’m not a fan of cliffhangers usually, but THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE A CLIFFHANGER. I now know who the Phoenix is, but there’s so much intrigue left that I find myself in more anticipation of Rise of Phoenix (book 3) than I was for Pawn. Woe is me for having to wait.

In case you haven’t picked up what I’m putting down, I highly recommend this book (and series) to anyone who enjoys speculative fiction, historical fiction, mystery, intrigue, or even romance.

Come back Wednesday and be one of the first to see the cover for Pawn of the Phoenix.

Kelly Cain’s Reviews > Floating

10 Thursday Dec 2015

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Floating by Michelle Dare
Floating (Ray Point, #1)
by Michelle Dare (Goodreads Author)

3 of 5 stars
Read from December 04 to 06, 2015


Lucy lives on the beach with her realtor mom, but doesn’t go near it or the water because of anxiety stemming from an accident years before. She’s taking the summer off, having just finished college, before she begins looking for a teaching job.

Lucy’s ex-boyfriend is both her hero and her reminder of her traumatic past. She’s trying to keep him in the friend-zone where he has no intention of being. Enter Ellis, who has also taken the summer off to hang out with his best buds at his parents’ beach house, while waiting to take the bar exam and look for lawyer jobs.

Ellis is obsessed with Lucy from the first time he sees her and after some serious stalking with his friends, he finally has a chance to ask her out. The story is told from from both POVs through chapter exchanges, which is always an interesting way to find out how the characters each feel about unfolding events.

This was a quick, fun read other than the anxiety elements which is a pretty serious subject. It was part of the angst that a story like this has to have, but didn’t feel gratuitous. Lucy is a well thought-out character and the author does a great job conveying Lucy’s emotions.

Ellis was a good guy and he and Lucy had a sweet relationship. He was so different from her ex-boyfriend, Gabe, that it had me wondering a little how they both fit into her life. I suppose that happens though, although it wasn’t an entirely easy fit.

There were other surprises, like with her dad, and another issue with the ocean, that added positively to the overall story. This is a good read for those who like romance a little on the sweet side, but with a little steam as well.

I received an ecopy of this title through the New Adult Book Club in exchange for an honest review.

Review – On the Rebound (Book 1 of the Irving University series) by Jim Cangany

14 Saturday Nov 2015

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On The Rebound by Jim Cangany
On The Rebound (Irving University, # 1)
by Jim Cangany (Goodreads Author)

4 of 5 stars
Read from November 10 to 14, 2015

I love sports (a lot) and romance. I don’t have an opportunity to read many books with sports in the forefront and especially not a romance novel, so I had been looking forward to reading this title for some time now. And even though I’m not a “sweet” romance type of girl, I really enjoyed it and didn’t feel that I was being ‘faded-to-black’ or missing out on a deeper romantic level. I was satisfied when I finished reading.

This is a sort-of-enemies to lovers romance between Greg and Ciara. I say ‘sort-of’ because Greg really holds no animosity towards Ciara, but her preconceived notions of him based on his reputation which was actually cleansed pits them as unnecessary adversaries. She finally spends enough actual time with him to discover what an incredible guy he really is only to throw it all away without even giving him a chance to explain.

This is the second novel I’ve read by this author and he creates such wonderful main characters that by the end, I’m rooting for them to find someone worthy of their love instead of the person they’re pursuing. It’s understandable that Ciara is cautious considering a past heartbreak, but good grief, the small mistake Greg makes solicits a completely unwarranted response. It doesn’t help that her best friend has never been able to see past Greg’s, well… past. The fact that Ciara chooses this woman as her best friend already makes me question her life choices.

In end… I’ll remember Greg Miller for years to come (as I do EJ from Jim Cangany’s first series). Their love interests? Not so much. And it’s not because their love interests are terrible people, they’re flawed just as we all are, but they’re just not good enough for our fellas.

The basketball game descriptions are compelling, especially in the game against “The Machine.” I felt as though I had been dropped into the field house on the tenth row, cheering for our team to pull out the win, experiencing the action as it unfolded. I even had a few pricks in the back of my eyes when Ciara gave her pre-game speech before the big one. But the sports action does not overwhelm what this book is – a romance. That’s always what’s in the forefront when reading this novel.

I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes sweet romances. Or even if that’s not your go-to, read anyway, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.