Echoes of the Heart

Book Review of Echoes of the Heart (Esterloch series)

Title: Echoes Of The Heart

Series: Esterloch

Author: Stacey A. Purcell

Date Published:November 8th 2015

Date Read:    April 26, 2016

The Blurb:

Stuck in upstate New York to work off a humiliating arrest, Dr. Calista Montgomery is forced to deal with the disdain of arrogant sheriff Jack Benfield—and their undeniable attraction. 


GOING UNDER 

For Dr. Calista Montgomery, losing her soldier husband was like diving into a cold dark sea, and the events at his funeral swept her farther from shore. Crushed by the lies, Cali crawls into a bottle and flees all she knows. Inebriated and drifting aimlessly, she winds up in Esterloch, New York, where she’s arrested and hits bottom. Offered a chance to expunge her record, she accepts the conditions…but the real challenge is keeping herself safe from the arrogant, gorgeous and commanding sheriff. 

FOR THE LAST TIME 

Sheriff Jack Benfield hates drunks. They’re selfish, manipulative, and they break hearts, and his is no exception. He saw the damage inflicted upon his family, so he has no patience for any of them, not even the beautiful Dr. Montgomery. His body, however, has different ideas, and soon two desperate souls will discover that some breaks make us stronger—and sometimes we must drown before we learn how to breathe.

My Review

                  2 Just not for me Stars

               

                   *There will be Spoilers* 

This book was so not for me. I almost DNF'd this book like 4 times and though OCD won out again(I have yet to DNF a book in the years I have been reading) this was the closest I've gotten to an DNF to date. I sat here for hours after finishing this book trying to think of the nicest way to write a review on a book I totally disliked while being honest. So I guess I will start by saying that my hate for this book had nothing to do with the author or her writing talent, but my personal taste. That being said. I didn't like anything about this book. I didn't like the hero Jack. I didn't like the heroine Cali. I didn't like the way the story plot played out. I didn't like their relationship and I didn't like their HEA. Not one thing did I like.

Jack was a jerk the whole book. He was vicious to the heroine Cali over her being a alcoholic. He treated her with scorn, disgust and mockery. Yes I understand that his mom and twin sister where alcoholic's that hurt him and he lost them both, but he took out all his past pain on Cali. And he didn't change his ways til the 97% mark of the book. That's right 97%. Then he sees the light. Well it was too late for me Jack. After he pushed her down on the ground cutting up her leg. Accused her of drinking, when she told him she didn't he called her a liar. Told another man he could have her that he didn't want her no more. All this when she needed him the most. A close friend had just died and she was hurting. So what did he do for the final icing on the cake? He brings his ex girlfriend to the funeral where she is touching all over him in front of Cali. Then later that night he finds Cali jogging and tells her he is leaving town. She tells him she loves him and they can work it out and he still leaves her. For 4 months.... Then he comes back at the last 2% of the book says he was an ass and all is forgiven. NOPE!!!!

Cali I didn't care for either, although I didn't hate her like I did Jack. I more felt just meh with her and a touch of pity. A widow Cali found out at her soldier husband's grave that he was cheating on her and had a baby with another woman. So she takes to drinking her pain away. I may have liked her better if she was paired with a better hero maybe. 

Another issue I had with this book was I didn't get their relationship at all. I didn't understand how they could fall in love. There wasn't any sweet moments. Just him being a jerk to her when they were around each other. Them not being around each other and then bam they kiss and have sex. How did we get from point A to point B? I didn't buy their love. Also Janie the friend that died in the book, that part of the plot(and it was a big part of the plot) was so depressing. Us readers got to read as she slowly dies scared and struggling to breathe. Which just made me have flash backs of my papa dying of lung Cancer. I was a CNA for 9 years, became one just because of my papa and wanting to take care of him. So to say that it hit close to home was a understatement. Truthfully I found almost all the book depressing. I felt like I needed antidepressants to get through the story. There was no happy moments. No fun. Just sad stuff and Jack making me mad. I do just think it was me. Me and this book just didn't Jive. I think it was more of a personal taste problem. So don't just take my word for it. What works for some doesn't work for others and vise versa . 

Savage Urges

Book Review of Savage Urges (The Phoenix Pack series)

Title: Savage Urges

Series: The Phoenix Pack

Author: Suzanne Wright

Date Published:May 3rd 2016

Date Read:    April 25, 2016

The Blurb:

She’s a lone wolf with a cause.

As a volunteer at a shelter for lone shifters—the same one that rescued her—Makenna Wray has dedicated her life to finding homes for its residents. And when she discovers that a teen in her care is related to Ryan Conner, the broody, handsome-as-sin enforcer of the Phoenix Pack, she’s eager to help connect the two. She just wasn’t prepared to feel a connection of her own.

Lone wolves are loners for a reason—and most of them bad. Or so Ryan assumes until he meets the mysterious Makenna. Quirky and sensual, she seems to enjoy riling him, especially when she refuses to discuss her past. Although there is no mating bond, he’s sure she’s the one. All he has to do is be patient and wait. But when another pack’s sinister Alpha comes sniffing around, threatening Makenna and her shelter, this enforcer is ready to let his wolf off the leash…

My Review

          3.5 Who do you belong to? stars

"No one but me will touch you." His tone was even but implacable. She cocked an impervious brow at him. "Oh? And why, pray tell, is that?" "For the same reason I asked you to be safe for me. You're my mate, Makenna."-Ryan and Makenna 

I am a huge fan girl of Suzanne Wright. I have been ever since I came across her Deep in your veins series. I love Suzanne Wright's writing style. I love her knack for writing sassy, kick ass, lovable heroines and broody, protective, sexy heroes. I love the Phoenix Pack series. I liked Ryan from the first time I read about him in Feral Sins. He was so broody, and grunted instead of talking I was just dying to know his backstory. I wanted him to find his mate and see him changed by love. Sadly his mate Makenna wasn't what I was hoping for.

"I don't care for your tone." "I don't have a tone." "Not usually," she conceded. "But you sure do have one now, White Fang." "I told you to drop that." "And I'm astonished that you thought I'd obey you."-Makenna and Ryan 
Ryan was everything I loved and more. He was broody, dominate, protective and possessive. He had this socially awkward charm that totally worked for him. A man of few words, he was honest and didn't people please. I found Ryan sexy, and I can't really think of one thing I would have changed about him. He really made the book for me. Makenna on the other hand. Well I liked her alright, but she was just bland for me. She was suppose to be quirky, fun, honest, kick ass with a heart of gold, but she just fell flat. I'm not really sure why she didn't work for me. Other than being annoyed that she jammed up the mating signal for so long with her fear I can't really name anything I didn't like about her which is why I am confused as to why I didn't connect with her. But I didn't. 

"What's wrong, Kenna? Is this too slow for you? You want it faster?" She just grunted her assent. "Tough. I'll fuck this pussy however I want. Because it belongs to me."-Ryan 

I still really enjoyed this book overall. I loved getting to catch up with past couples and seeing Kye again. And any time I can get more Trey and Taryn(my favorite couple of the series) I'm game. I thought Zac was great and I enjoyed the plot of the loner shelter. I thought Ryan was a sexy beast that made the bedroom scenes in this book. It was so funny the way Makenna would translate Ryan's grunts. At the end of the day I still love Suzanne Wright and I'm still gonna read every book she writes. I enjoyed this read just not as much as some of her others. I am really looking forward to Dominic's book. I can't wait to see what kind of mate he gets.

Compelled: A Cyn and Raphael Novella

Book Review of Compelled (Vampires in America series)

Title: Compelled

Series: Vampires in America 

Author: D.B. Reynolds

Date Published:April 29th 2016

Date Read:    April 23, 2016

The Blurb:

VAMPIRE . . . Raphael is a power like the world has never seen, the force behind the first ever alliance of North American lords, Cyn’s mate, lover, master. 

SORCERER . . . Nick Katsaros, deceptively charming, ancient and commanding, driven by vengeance and a devastating loss, Cyn’s friend and one-time lover. 

HUMAN . . . Cynthia “Cyn” Leighton, beautiful, sexy, and smart, the woman both men desire.

It was only a few months ago that Raphael lay helpless and dying, taken by treachery, while Cyn fought to save him. Unexpectedly, it was Nick who provided the key to his freedom. In exchange, he secured a promise that they would help him find and recover the same magical artifact that had been used to imprison Raphael. But when he calls on them to keep that promise, it will be Cyn who pays the price.

Torn between the two powerful men, struggling to keep them from killing each other, she undertakes a desperate search that will find her fighting for her life against a madman who wants her for himself. 

My Review

4 Vampire Sorcerer Human Stars

"Vampire," he said by way of greeting. "Sorcerer." "Human!" she sang out in disgust. -Nick, Raphael, and Cyn 

Anytime I can get my fix of Raphael and Cyn, I'm there. I love this series so much and Raphael and Cyn make this series the awesomeness that it is. In this book we not only get Raphael and Cyn we get Nick. Nick is Cyn's ex lover and friend that was in book one. Cocky, good looking and charming Nick is someone I really enjoyed learning more about. In Compelled Raphael, Cyn and Nick are teamed up to find the missing magical manacles used to hold Raphael prisoner in the book Deception. Vampires and Sorcerers have an ugly history of trying to wipe each other off the planet, so Nick and Raphael don't get along add to that, that Nick is Cyn's ex lover and you have some major tension going on. Nick and Raphael are at each others throats and driving Cyn insane. I loved that Cyn and Raphael's relationship is still going strong. No matter how possessive Raphael is he still knows, and is proud that Cyn is tough and can take care of herself. I think this book was a build up to Nick getting his own book or at least I hope it is. I would love Nick to find his love and not be so lonely. I really enjoyed this novella. Compelled is a fun quick read with my favorite couple. I can't wait for the next book. If you haven't read the Vampires in America Series and you love PNR you should check it out!! 

"I hate it when you talk to him." "I know. But I don't know why. I'm yours, fang boy. You're stuck with me." "My heart knows that, but my gut wants to kill every man who's ever touched you." "Aw, that's romantic...in a creepy, stalkerish sort of way."-Raphael and Cyn 

Sparrow

Book Review of Sparrow

Title: Sparrow

Series: Standalone  Novel

Author: L.J. Shen

Date Published:March 8th 2016 (

Date Read:    April 21, 2016

The Blurb:

Troy Brennan

Every Southie in Boston knows that name. The son of a dead mobster. The heart-throb with steel-blue eyes. "The Fixer" who can make or break you in this city. 

Oh, and my new husband. 

Sparrow Raynes 

That's me. No one seemed to remember my name up until he barged into my life. 
But then he caged me. 
Kidnapped me. 
And killed every chance I had to run away from the place where we grew up. 
Put simply, Troy Brennan clipped my wings. 

I have dreams, big ones, but I doubt he'll ever let me chase them. I have no idea why he decided to take me as his wife. But I do know this: pissing off this man will not do me any good. At all. 


Sparrow is a standalone, full-length novel. It contains graphic violence and adult situations some may find offensive.

My Review

4.5 Red Stars

Fear is a prison, and in prison you played by different rules to survive.-Sparrow 

                                  *Spoilers*

"If you think you're going to give me trouble, think again. I invented trouble. I stir it, I mix it, I fucking fix it. Don't try my patience, because you'll discover I have absolutely none."-Troy 

Oh WOW! I am kinda in shock right now. I finished this book yesterday at 3pm and I have been trying to digest my feelings ever since. I want to say that I just loved this book. Loved it! I am still kinda shocked how much I loved this book considering it has my main pet peeve deal breaker in it...... CHEATING!!! You heard that right this book has Cheating in it and I still loved it. Normally cheating ruins a book for me and gives me a case of the rants, but the way it was written and the circumstances I was able to forgive Troy. But for those of my friends that Cheating is also a deal breaker for them here is what happened so you don't get this book and get blindsided.  Troy had a mistress named Cat before he got married who he had been with for years. He gets one BJ and has sex with her once, though the whole time he is having sex with her, he was pretending it's his wife and still couldn't get off. He ends up stopping during the sex and breaks it off with Cat for good. It was after him and Sparrow were married. At this point Sparrow and him have kisses like a few times and he had went down on Sparrow once.  The reason I was able to over look this cheating is because even though they were married it was like they hadn't really started their relationship. They both hated each other and felt forced into the marriage. Even then Troy felt guilty. Sparrow didn't even feel deeply hurt by it more disrespected. That also helped had Sparrow been hurt badly by his cheating I would have had a harder time getting over it, if at all. And once he started having feelings for his wife he was faithful. 

"I don't find you attractive." My voice was hoarse. A lie. "Say that to your pussy." He wasn't offended one bit. "My briefs are soaked, Mrs. Brennan."-Sparrow and Troy 

*********************************************************************************************

"Sparrow Brennan..." He tasted the name on his tongue, clucking it in approval. "One day I'm going to fuck your brains out, until you won't be able to walk the next day."-Troy 

Troy was a complex character. I figured going into this that I would hate him for being a big asshole. But I never did. I was intrigued by him from the start. I may have hated some of the things he did but I always loved his character. He felt real. There was so many dimensions to him, that I always felt like I was learning something new. But he always stayed true to his character. He was always the mob bosses son, the fixer, the asshole. Never did he all of a sudden become this sappy pussy and I loved that. He was the perfect anti-hero. Even though he was an asshole he was a lovable asshole with charm. I could see how Sparrow fell in love with him. Sparrow was an amazing heroine. She was perfect for Troy. She didn't take Troy's or anyone else's crap. She was sassy, strong, brave, and a total fighter. She may have been in a marriage she didn't want, but she didn't let that stop her from living her life and demanding respect. I really loved Sparrow's attitude. She didn't fall apart and submit to a husband that had all the power and that everyone feared. She gave him hell at every turn. 

"I know that you think that you rule me, own me, that you can destroy me. But I'm not scared. I'm not going to be pushed around by you or your staff. And I am not going to be touched by anyone without my permission."-Sparrow 

"Come near my wife again," I said, "and I'll show the world just how much of an angry motherfucker I can really be when someone touches what's mine."-Troy 

I could totally feel Troy and Sparrows love. Their love wasn't rushed. The build up was strong and felt natural. Hate turning to love made for powerful passion. Sparrow had me hooked from the start. I didn't want to put it down, but I ended up having to. I had to leave and do something with my kids for like 4 hours and it drove me crazy. All I thought about was Troy and Sparrow. The second I got back home I had my kindle in hand to find out what happened next. This book did have some dark parts but I have read much darker books. The hardest thing to read in this book was about Paddy the man that molested Sparrow when she was 9 gloating to Troy about what he did to her. I wanted Troy to kill him almost as much as Troy wanted to kill him.  I didn't like Brock from the start. I knew something was fishy with him. And Cat(Catalina the ex and mistress) was a skanky, pathetic , tramp and I wanted to beat the shit outta her. I felt sorry for her poor son Sam. I kinda thought this book would be more of a mob read but it wasn't. Troy wasn't a mobster he was a fixer for hire. This book was a hit with me. All the characters were well developed and realistic even the ones I didn't like. I thought the ending was great. Loved the HEA although I wish it would have been a little bit longer. This is my first time reading L.J. Shen but it won't be my last!

“We didn’t make love, we made war. When she was pulling, I was biting. When she was scratching, digging her nails into my flesh, I slammed harder, faster. Our sex was furious, it was raw, untamed, wild…but it wasn't selfish”-Troy 

Cowboy Payback (A Sequel to Cowboy-Fiancé)

Book Review of Cowboy Payback (A Sequel To Cowboy-Fiance)

Title: Cowboy Payback

Series: A Sequel to Cowboy-Fiancé

Author: Donna Michaels

Date Published:September 9th 2015

Date Read:    April 19, 2016

The Blurb:

Former Marine Captain Brett Brennan loves a good practical joke—when he’s the prankster not the prankee. Unfortunately, his twin brother has learned a lesson or two from the master and springs Operation Payback on him, thrusting Brett into a fake engagement to his former corporal, Trisha Jennings, in front of her matchmaking, District Attorney father. 

Relationships are so not his thing, but realizing Trisha is struggling to come to terms with a horrific incident from their recent deployment, Brett takes matters into his own hands, using their fake relationship to keep her on his family’s resort ranch, the perfect place for her to find peace and heal. After all, he would never let one of his own men down. 

Except, Trisha is no longer a corporal under his command. Out of uniform, she is all woman, and his unexpected attraction to her soon has him forgetting their prank relationship is only for show. Who knew payback could be so sweet?

My Review

4 Captain, Cowboy, Sir Stars

May have mild spoilers

"Every time you call me sir, I get to kiss you." Oh no. Heck, no. That wasn't good. Especially since a thrill raced down her overheated body while her mind was already repeating sir in her head. Yes, sir. No, sir. Please may I have another, sir? His grin increased. "You're saying it in your head, aren't you?"-Brett and Trisha 

Cowboy Payback is the Sequel to Cowboy Fiance by Donna Michaels. It works fine as a stand alone as I didn't read Cowboy Fiance and I had no problem following the book. This is my first time reading Donna Michaels and I really enjoyed it. The plot was cute. I loved Brett. He was sexy, loyal, and he could be really sweet. He was an ex Marine and a cowboy so double yum! I loved that he didn't boss Trisha around. He respected her and treated her like his equal while still be all that is Alpha male! I loved Trisha too. She was strong and smart. An ex Marine too she could take care of herself. Trisha and Brett's relationship was built up nicely with a lot of sexual tension and chemistry. Their relationship was low drama as they were open, honest and respectful of each other. This book touches on PTSD and it's effects on our veterans. Over all this book was a sweet, lighter read that just made me happy. I liked the couple from the first book Cam and Brett's brother so much I may go and read their book too. I will be reading more books from this author. 

"No, Brett, talking is the last thing we need to do." and the last thing she wanted to do. "I don't want to talk about our deployment." Or all the crap in her head, eating at her, festering inside for months now. "I want a break from the darkness. You make me feel good. I just want to feel good."-Trisha 

Kingston 691

Book Review of Kingston 691 (Cyborgs Mankind Redefined Series)

Title: Kingston 691

Series: Cyborgs Mankind Redefined Series

Author: Donna Mcdonald

Date Published: January 26th 2015

Date Read:    April 8, 2016

The Blurb:How can he love a wife he doesn’t remember? 

Kingston West put his military service behind him much easier than most of the men he served with during the final war. As far as he was concerned, the cyborg who was Kingston 691 no longer existed. And the Cyber Husband program? He viewed it like he viewed having been a prisoner of war. Both were just service related memories he didn’t plan on recalling. The future was all he needed. 

At least he felt that way until he discovered one wife’s file had been totally erased from his Cyber Husband records. Only her name remained in data storage, though her family swore they’d had a loving relationship. 

To put the past completely behind him, King has to first find the now missing Seetha Harrington. Before he can enjoy his new beginning, he needs to find out why Norton took those seven years together away from both of them.

My Review

4 Trying to Remember Her Stars

Kingston 691 the second book in the Cyborgs-Mankind Redefined Series by Donna McDonald was better for me than the first book. I love this series plot story of evil mad scientist turning cyborg soldiers into mindless robot slaves. It's something I haven't read in a series and it kept me entertained. This book had a faster pace and more action than the last book. I loved Kingston and Seetha both and felt they had a sweet love story. Although I love Peyton more he just had that something special. I still didn't get a clear picture in my head of either character's looks, the same as the last book. I really wish there would have been more details to their looks. When I can picture what the character looks like, I connect with them more, and they feel more real. While this book didn't end with a cliffhanger it ended with some unanswered questions that will be carried out into the next book. I really enjoyed this book I sat down and was up til 4am reading it to the end. I am looking forward to more books in this series, especially Marcus's book.