What You Do to Me

Book Review of What You Do To Me  (The Haneys Series)

Title: What You Do To Me

Series: The Haneys Series

Author: Barbara Longley

Date Published: November 1st

Date Read:   October 24th, 2016

The Blurb:

Whether it’s repairing a home or taking care of clients’ otherneeds, Twin Cities handyman Sam Haney is in demand from his mostly female clientele. Despite Sam’s lothario reputation, love isn’t part of his portfolio. He’s built a lot of walls in his time, but the one that’s surrounded his heart ever since the death of his parents is his most solid yet.

Haley Cooper has had enough heartache for a lifetime. Her high school sweetheart up and moved to Indonesia—alone—just two weeks before their wedding. Her mother thinks it’s time for Haley to move on and contracts Sam to work on Haley’s wreck of a house—and anything else, if he’s got the notion.

Sparks fly and passion ignites. But Haley isn’t into Sam’s love-’em-and-leave-’em act. She wants something more. Fixing a house is one thing, but for this handyman, building a relationship will need a whole different set of skills.

My Review

4 The Handsiest Handyman in the Twin Cities Stars

Some Spoilers and sexy construction worker gifs

What You Do To Me, the 1st book in The Haneys series was a lovely read. Barbara Longley did an amazing job at grabbing my attention and getting me invested not only in the main couple but in the lovable secondary characters as well. Everyone in this book felt so realistic and down to earth. The plot was very sweet and at times funny. Sam the sexy handyman, was a hot mess of a hero but he was so charming and endearing at the same time. I loved the whole sexy handyman/construction worker theme going on in this book. I just keep hearing the Fifth Harmony song Work playing in my head as I read. 

Sam had deep emotional issues because his parents died on his 15th birthday. So now Sam won't let new people in his heart. He doesn't want to lose someone else he loves. His commitment issues made him look like a playboy, but he really was sweet, caring, and an all around great guy. His fear of loss and vulnerability made me want to cuddle him and make it all better. Haley's ex did her so dirty. He up and left her 2 weeks before their wedding without telling her why. So it was understandable that Haley would be standoffish with Sam the commitment phobe, player. At first Haley came off a little snobbish and prissy, but I warmed up to her right away. Once Haley opened up she was a very playful and sweet.

Sam and Haley had a slow burn love. They both fought their attraction to each other for fear of being hurt. There was a nice relationship build up and some really sweet moments between Sam and Haley. They made a cute couple. Let me just say that I loved Sam's brother Wyatt. Wyatt grabbed my heart and I fell in love with his shy sweet self. I have a thing for scarred men so the fact that Wyatt has burns that made him super shy just melted my heart and made me long for his story! I also liked Sam's sister, and Haley's two best friends too. There was a little drama from Sam's fear of losing another person he loves, but for the most part his book was a lighthearted, easy going, low angst read. The epilogue was sweet and I liked the little peek at Wyatt's upcoming book. I can't wait to get my hands on Wyatt's book!

A Sure Thing

Book Review of A Sure Thing (The Donnigans Series)

Title: A Sure Thing

Series: The Donnigans Series

Author:Marie Harte

Date Published: November 1st

Date Read:   October 22th, 2016

The Blurb:

Meet the Donnigans
With the eldest Donnigan brothers adjusting to civilian life, their younger sister constantly in trouble, and their little brother clueless about life in general, falling in love is the last thing on anyone's mind...

Can this Bossy Badass Marine...
The Marine Corps was everything Landon Donnigan ever wanted in life...until a bullet sent him home with a medical discharge. Teaching a self-defense class at the gym is old-hat for a marine, but when he meets sexy Ava Rosenthal, his combat skills are useless for protecting his heart.

Be her Mr. Right? 
Ava can take care of herself and likes quiet, bookish men-not muscular warriors who think women need to be coddled. But Landon is more than he seems, and when they come together, the results are explosive.

My Review

4 Major Hottie Stars

A Sure Thing, the 1st book in The Donnigans Series was a funny, sweet read. I really enjoyed every moment of it. And can I just say that cover is hot. It's one of the reasons I requested this book. Mr sexy ex Marine Landon Donnigan was just so yummy. I loved everything about him. He was just so charming, funny, protective and sexy did I mention sexy.. Damn he was sexy and a dirty talker. The filthy things he would say had me melting. I found Ava really endearing. She was so prissy, conservative and uptight, but still funny and sassy. She was always up in her own head thinking things to death. I thought Landon and Ava great chemistry together and tons of heat! I loved that Landon made her lose her control. Landon dragged her out of her comfort zone. I also loved that Ava made Landon work for it. She was no easy catch. They had a really cute,and playful relationship. I felt the author did a great job of building up their relationship and showing the growth in their feelings for each other. I felt really connected to Ava and Landon as a couple and I was rooting for their love. 

The whole Donnigan family was a big part of this book. They were all very endearing in their own way. I got invested in each of them. I really liked getting to know Gavin, Theo, and Hope. The relationship between all the Donnigans was so funny and cute. I laughed so hard over the sibling prank wars. I am really hoping they all get their own book especially Hope's. I can't wait to see little sister get her HEA! A Sure Thing made me smile and laugh a lot. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in this series! Below I will leave one of my favorite moments from this book:

"Get a room, you two," Gavin said. She could hear his smirk. Landon quickly disengaged and stood, glaring down at her. "Seriously, Ava. My family is here. Hands to yourself." Seeing Gavin's wide eyes, she blushed. "Oh pleases. He was all over me and I-" Gavin yelled for Theo and Hope, who soon appeared. "Hey, guys, Ava's mauling Landon. Come see." "Gavin, you are an ass," she seconded Landon's opinion of his brother, who laughed like a loon. "What? What did we miss?" Theo asked, breathless. His hair was askew, his sweatshirt rumpled, while Hope didn't seem to have a hair out of place. "Nothing but your brother's bothering me," Ava growled, torn between embarrassment and laughter. "With his mouth," Gavin emphasized. "No funny business here, people. This is a family party." "Yeah, Ava. Really." Landon looked horrified. "I mean, not in front of my brothers and sister. Oh, the shame."- Gavin, Landon, Ava, and Theo 

Wind River Wrangler

Book Review of Wind River Wrangler (Wind River Valley Series)

Title: Wind River Wrangler 

Series: Wind River Valley Series

Author:Lindsay Mckenna

Date Published: October 25th 

Date Read:   October 21th, 2016

The Blurb:

From the moment  Roan Taggart picked up the pretty redhead at the Jackson Hole airport, his training and experience told him she was spooked. She’s left New York City to visit the Wind River Ranch, where Roan is a wrangler, and just as he can pick up a horse’s mood, he can feel the tension coming off her body.  And that vulnerability is triggering all his protective instincts...

 
Shiloh Gallagher likes the gray-eyed cowboy’s dry humor—and the Special Forces background that lends him a stoic, powerful presence. But she’s been scarred by trauma and her mother’s murder . . . and knows a strong man can be dangerous. She came to wide-open Wyoming to flee a threat that’s left her unable to write her novels. Now, as she rides horses with Roan and helps him build an isolated cabin, she’s slowly letting down her guard. But danger has followed her west, and they won’t have a future together unless they defeat a killer from her past…

My Review

2.5 Wow that's descriptive Stars

Wind River Wrangler was an okay read but just wasn't my jam. I had two problems with this book that really kept me from connecting with the story. For one it was slow moving. I mean slowwwwww. I am good with a slow burn as long as it doesn't get boring and at times I got bored. It moved so slow I felt like I was standing still. For 2 this book was so overly descriptive it bogged down the book and caused some of the slow pace. Everything in this book was described in such over the top detail that it got repetitive and tedious. Roan and Shiloh were both likeable characters. They had good character development, but them, their relationship and the story plot got lost in the abundance of details dumped on the reader. At least for me. To give an example their first kiss went on for paragraphs just a kiss ......paragraphs. Or here is a little quote of their lunch.

She spooned the potato salad, the three-bean salad onto her plate. Roan had brought thinly sliced beef sandwiches with horseradish mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomato on them for their main course.

Did we really need to know it was "thinly" slice beef with "horseradish mayonnaise", lettuce and tomato really? Here is other example of detail dumping when Shiloh sees a chandelier Roan made.

Roan had twined two different types of wood around the main center post of the chandelier. One wood was reddish colored. The other, a deeper gold color, even more so than the cedar wood itself. They twined like vines, perhaps, four of them around each arm, to the end of it, so that there was a red and gold color on every other arm. And within the twined pieces of wood were highly faceted colored glass in blue, crystal clear, and green colors placed tastefully here and there. As the sunlight shot through the area, the crystals sparkled, creating a breathtaking collage of color. A the end of each arm of the chandelier was a light hanging down from it. And surrounding the top of the light was a tent like wooden roof with the twine of the colorful wood flowing around it. She pressed her hands against her heart as she absorbed all that Roan had done to create this piece of incredible art that was fully functional. How long had it taken him to carve and make it? The details were so intricate and delicate. So feminine, as if honoring the beauty of women. Shiloh was sure he didn't consciously realize that, but as she looked around, there was decided balance between the hard angles of the masculine and the curves of the feminine.

Come on it's just too much. And the whole book reads like that. I can't even tell you how many times it was mentioned that she was a writer and him a member of the black ops. I felt my eyes start to glaze over a few times. So while I did like Roan and Shiloh. And I did like the plot the pace and the detail dumping caused me to disconnect from the story and lose interest. 

Going the Distance

Book Review of Going The Distance (No Excuses Series)

Title: Going The Distance

Series: No Excuses Series

Author: Mila Rossi

Date Published: September 9th 2016

Date Read:   October 20th, 2016

The Blurb:

Once you slap the hell out of the light heavyweight champion of the world on the night of his first loss, how do you convince him to give you an interview? That’s the dilemma Samantha Wellington finds herself in after turning down the most desirable yet foul-mouthed athlete she’s come across. Unfortunately for her, her job depends on getting his interview and this boxer’s not talking.

When Trent “The Punisher” Page is humiliated by the spunky reporter, then cornered for an interview, he does what he does best: he plays dirty. He didn’t earn his nickname for being nice, after all. If the little minx wants to know more about him, she’ll have to pay with the one thing she’s not willing to give - herself.

Her elements of surprise meet their match in his determination to succeed. With vastly different motivations, can they break down the enemy without jeopardizing themselves? 

My Review

3.5 Getting Punished by The Punisher Stars

*May have Spoilers*

"Are you turning me down?" "Yes," she said seriously. "I have no interest in your bed." He stepped closer, almost touching her body. "I'm not called The Punisher for no reason." "Well, baby, then go find yourself someone else to punish," she said, staring into his eyes. "I can fuck any girl here," he said, staring at her lips. She was taken aback at the crude comment. "Then I suggest you better get to work."-Trent and Sam

Going the Distance was a pretty good read for me. I enjoyed Trent. He was sexy, totally arrogant, dominate, and had a very filthy mouth. Sam was cute. She was so sassy. I love me some sassy heroines. I liked that Sam came from a bad background but she didn't let that define her or hold her back! The problem I had with the book the reason this book was just a pretty good read for me and not a great read was because I didn't connect to Sam and Trent as a couple. 

"I've waited long enough," he said against her lips. "Tonight, you're mine. I'm gonna fuck you until you scream my goddamn name." The declaration should have alarmed her, but instead, she pressed her hips against him eagerly, wanting so badly what he promised. "We'll see if you live up to your name,"-Trent and Sam
Don't get me wrong the sexy time was there and it was hot. And I liked Sam and Trent as individual characters but I didn't feel their relationship. Or more like I didn't think they really had one. They had like 3 dates, some sexy time, lots of time apart then at the end they are together. I didn't even get an I love you from either! I just felt like I needed more. More relationship development, more time together so I could understand why they even chose each other. 

"I gave you a glimpse into the life you missed out on, Trent, but I don't know why I bothered. I was right the first time we met. You really are an asshole." He thought he'd been stunned before, but now her really didn't know what to say. She stared up at him with hardened eyes and he wondered how he could have been such an ass, "With each day and night we spent together, I got to know and like you more. You restored my faith in humanity again, but what the fuck do I know?"-Sam

All that being said it was still an enjoyable read. It was fast pace, had some hot sexy time, a yummy boxer, a sassy reporter, besties girl time, and some sweet dates. I just would have liked more and maybe an epilogue. I would read more from this author and this series!

Andromeda's Fall

Book Review of Andromeda's Fall (Shadowcat Nation Series)

Title: Andromeda's Fall

Series: Shadowcat Nation Series

Author: Abigail Owen

Date Published: December 10th 2014

Date Read:   October 15th, 2016

The Blurb:

Andromeda Reynolds is being hunted. After witnessing her mother's violent death at the hands of a pack of wolf shifters, Andie has devoted her life to protecting her community of cougar shifters from a similar fate. But now, a greater threat lies within her own pack, and she must run. If she stays, Kyle Carstairs will force their mating, seeking the added political power their union would provide. 

Andie would rather chew off her own foot than end up with Kyle. Though, knowing him, she won't live long either way. Andie's only hope of survival is to mate Jaxon Keller, the Alpha of the Keller Dare with which she is seeking asylum. But before she can get to him, Andie must first go through A.J., one of the Alpha's Protectors. What Andie doesn't realize is that A.J. has secrets of his own. All Andie knows is that the incredibly frustrating shifter insists on challenging her story, her skills, her trust… and her heart.

My Review

4 Fated Stars

Andromenda's fall was an awesome shifter book. I really enjoy Shifter reads but I have not read many cougar shifter books so this one has a bit of a different feel to it. I liked the paranormal world layout. Andromeda was awesome. She was sassy, totally badass, strong, and stubborn. She could hang with the big boys no problem. Andie made a great mate for Jaxon. Jaxon was great too. He was sexy, sweet, loyal, and the alpha for his dare. This book was a clean book as in no detailed sex, but there was plenty of passion and relationship build up. So it lacked nothing in the romance department. Jaxon and Andie made a great alpha pair and couple. I loved Andie's friend Zac. He intrigued me. I would love to see Zac get his own HEA. Especially after the little vision Sarai got at the end of the book. It totally whet my appetite and now I'm dying to know what is going to happen. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves sexy shifter books with lots of action and sassy heroines!

Hard to Fall

Book Review of Hard To Fall (Take The Fall Series)

Title: Hard To Fall

Series: Take The Fall Series

Author:  Marquita Valentin

Date Published: October 18th 2016

Date Read:   October 13th, 2016

The Blurb:

As a hardworking, hard-partying firefighter, Hayden Walker values his career and his freedom. But as the eldest son of a U.S. senator, he agreed long ago to follow in his father’s footsteps and run for office, and that means settling down and marrying the picture-perfect wife. Hayden just isn’t ready for that sort of commitment . . . not with women like beautiful, curvy Saylor Dean—the naughty bridesmaid he recognizes the morning after his buddy’s wedding—tempting Hayden to stay single forever.

 
The unwanted love child of a well-known politician, Saylor has always felt isolated and alone, her only solace the animal shelter she runs in Forrestville. Then she meets Hayden at her best friend’s wedding. During their impulsive and unforgettable night together, Saylor feels desired like never before—only to wake up and find that Hayden doesn’t remember his drunken proposal, or their hasty marriage, or her. But when the truth comes out, Saylor finds it’s a lot harder to fall out of love than in love.

My Review

4 Love me some Hayden Stars

Hard to Fall was the 4th book in the Take the Fall series, and can be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed this book. Hayden was sexy, over the top protective, sweet, all alpha and a fireman. God I have a weakness for yummy firemen and Hayden was very yummy! I adored Saylor. She was so quirky, smart, and a total star wars geek. Saylor was funny and made me smile many times throughout the book. I loved Hayden and Saylor together. Every minute they were together. Their relationship was very sweet, high on passion, and lower in drama. Hayden was just so supportive. He just loved, and cherished her. He was all in no doubts or push/ pull. I loved that! I also really enjoyed how supportive Hayden's parents and Saylor's mom was. I swooned all over the ending. I love books that make me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside, and that was this book all the way. This book was a lighthearted, very sweet read and I enjoy every minute!