Seduce Me at Sunrise

Book Review of Seduce Me At Sunrise (The Hathaways Series)

Title: Seduce Me At Sunrise 

Series: The Hathaways Series

Author: Lisa Kleypas

Date Published:  September 30th 2008

Date Read:   April 14, 2016

The Blurb:

He has tried hard to forget her.

Kev Merripen has longed for the beautiful, well-bred Winnifred Hathaway ever since her family rescued him from the brink of death when he was just a boy. But this handsome Gypsy is a man of mysterious origins—and he fears that the darkness of his past could crush delicate, luminous Win. So Kev refuses to submit to temptation... and before long Win is torn from him by a devastating twist of fate.

Can she remember the man he once was?

Then, Win returns to England... only to find that Kev has hardened into a man who will deny love at all costs. Meantime, an attractive, seductive suitor has set his sights on Win. It’s now or never for Kev to make his move. But first, he must confront a dangerous secret about his destiny—or risk losing the only woman he has lived for...

My Review

5 All or Nothing Stars

***Spoilers***

"If you marry me, you'll never be a lady of position." "There is no better position for me than being your wife."-Kev and Win 

OMG I loved Kev and Win's book!!!! I loved everything about their story. Going into this book I knew it was going to be angsty and it was. But it wasn't so angsty that it was torture to read. The push/pull of Kev and Win's relationship was emotional and gripping and made it all the more sweet when they got together. I can see now just from reading two books that Lisa Kleypas is an amazing writer. I am now a devoted fan-girl . She has completely captivated me with this charming, quirky family. 

Kev loved her. Not in the way that novelists and poets described. Nothing so tame. He loved her beyond earth, heaven, or hell. Every moment out of her company was agony; every moment with her was the only peace he had ever known. Every touch of her hands left an imprint that ate down to his soul.-Kev 

Since my illness I have had the strength to do very little except to love [Win had written], but that I have done, and I still do, in full measure. I am sorry for the way I shocked you the morning I left, but I do not regret the sentiments I expressed. I am running after you, and life, in desperate pursuit. My dream is that someday you will both turn and let me catch you. That dream carries me through every night. I long to tell you so many things, but I am not free yet. I hope to be well enough someday to shock you again, with far more pleasing results.-Win 


Kev had a rough start in life. Abused and used for the human version of a fight dog as a child. Kev was never shown love or kindness. Rough around the edges he loved Win with a passion bordering on obsession. He would do anything for her but be with her. He was afraid he wasn't good for her. That he would hurt her. That he wouldn't be able to give her a good life. So he tortured them both by fighting their relationship. So much so that he almost lost her to another man. Kev was surly, hard working, and loyal. Though he had been with the Hathaways since he was left for dead as a child he still held himself apart from them. He loved all the Hathaways, but he was a loner and didn't feel like a part of the family. He had a vulnerable side that when shown melted me and had me forgiving all his stupid moments. I loved Kev!

"I have nothing to offer you," he finally said in a guttural voice. "Nothing." Win's lips had turned dry. She moistened them, and tried to speak through a thrill of anxious trembling. "You have yourself," she whispered. "You don't know me. You think you do, but you don't. The things I've done, the things I'm capable of- you and your family, all you know of life comes from books. If you understood anything-" "Make me understand. Tell me what is so terrible that you must keep pushing me away." He shook his head. "Then stop torturing the both of us," she said unsteadily. "Leave me, or let me go." "I can't," he snapped. "I can't, damn you."-Kev and Win 

"All the fires of hell could burn for a thousand years and it wouldn't equal what I feel for you in one minute of the day. I love you so much there is no pleasure in it. Nothing but torment. Because if I could dilute what I feel for you to the millionth part, it would still be enough to kill you. And even if it drives me mad, I would rather see you live in the arms of that cold, soulless bastard than die in mine."-Kev 

Win was amazing. I was worried going into this book that she would be a doormat character. Boy I couldn't have been more wrong. She had pride, integrity, and passion. She went for what she wanted. Spoke her feelings with a sweet honesty but she didn't let Kev break her. When he told her they couldn't be together she didn't fall to pieces. She told him, fine your loss I will live my life to the fullest. I really loved that about her. She didn't just beg after him she was going to move on. She was a fighter. She had been deathly ill and for years thought she would never have a life so even though she loved Kev she was not going to give up her second chance at life. She wasn't sassy but she had a quiet peace and strength that wasn't in your face but still stood out. One of my favorite heroines to date!!

"I've been give a rare opportunity… a second chance at life. And I intend to make the most of it. I'm not going to waste my love on a man who doesn't want or need it. I won't bother you again."-Win

"How could I touch you with these hands?" he asked, his tone shredded with anguish. "How could you stand to let me? God, if you knew all the things I've done-" "I love your hands," she murmured. "I'm not good enough for you. But no one is. And most men, good or bad, have limits to what they would do, even for someone they love. I have none. No God, no moral code, no faith in anything. Except you. You're my religion. I would do anything you asked. I would fight, steal, kill for you. I would-"-Kev and Win 

What I really loved about this book was that though it was about Kev, Win and their beautifully intense love story it was also about the whole Hathaway gang. I loved getting more Cam and Amelia. And OMG their baby news! I liked getting to see Poppy, and Bea out in society. What I really loved was Kev, Cam and Leo's brother bonding. Leo has really come a long way since the first book. He was really turning his life around in this book. I loved the bickering between Leo and the governess Miss Marks. I really can't wait to get Miss Marks back story. I was losing my shit when my poor Cam was poisoned and almost died! My favorite part of the book was when Kev kidnaps Win as part of the Roma courting and takes her away to ravish her. Talk about hot! The ending Wow it was so damn sweet. I was melting all over the epilogue. It was beautiful!!! 

"Do you believe in happy-ever-after?" she persisted, gasping a little as he gave her a playful nip. "As in the children's tales? No." "You don't?" He shook his head. "I believe in two people loving each other." A smile curved his lips. "Finding pleasure in ordinary moments. Walking together. Arguing over things like the timing of an egg, or how to manage the servants, or the size of the butcher's bill. Going to bed each night, and waking up together each morning."-Win and Kev 

Mine Till Midnight

Book Review of Mine Till Midnight (The Hathaways Series)

Title: Mine Till Midnight 

Series: The Hathaways Series

Author: Lisa Kleypas

Date Published: October 2nd 2007

Date Read:   April 11, 2016

The Blurb:

When an unexpected inheritance elevates her family to the ranks of the aristocracy, Amelia Hathaway discovers that tending to her younger sisters and wayward brother was easy compared to navigating the intricacies of the ton. Even more challenging: the attraction she feels for the tall, dark, and dangerously handsome Cam Rohan.

Wealthy beyond most men’s dreams, Cam has tired of society’s petty restrictions and longs to return to his “uncivilized” Gypsy roots. When the delectable Amelia appeals to him for help, he intends to offer only friendship—but intentions are no match for the desire that blindsides them both. But can a man who spurns tradition be tempted into that most time-honored arrangement: marriage? Life in London society is about to get a whole lot hotter...

My Review

4 Hummingbird Stars

***Spoilers***

When it comes to historical romance I am very picky. Over the years I have found that a lot of HR will have cheating and mistresses in their books. So much so that I quit reading HR books until I discovered Goodreads and was able to see spoilers and make sure there would be no cheating in that book. I was craving some HR and a friend said to try Lisa Kleypas that they loved her. So when I was out book shopping I found the whole Hathaway Series for 4.00, bought it and here we are. My first taste of Lisa Kleypas and I loved it. I really enjoyed her writing style. I connected and fell in love with all the characters including the secondary characters which just makes me want to read all their HEAs. Mine Till Midnight, the first book in the Hathaway series, was an awesome read that did a great job of hooking me. So much so that I didn't want to stop and write a review I wanted to rush and start Winnifred and Merripen's story. 

"You have a vivid imagination, Miss Hathaway." His tone was bland. But there was a flare of provoking laughter in his eyes. "I have no such thing. The rest of my family is steeped in imagination—I'm the one who clings desperately to reality." -Cam and Amelia 

"God help anyone who stands in your way. You do like to manage other people's lives, don't you?" "Only when it's obvious I can do a better job of it than they can. What are you smiling at?"-Cam and Amelia 

The heroine in this book Amelia was 26 which made her a spinster. After being burnt by her ex love ( her brother's ex bf Christopher Frost) She had no desire to get married and just wanted to take care of her sisters and brother. Her brother Leo the oldest of the Hathaways, and newly titled viscount was in self destruction mode and suicidal over the death of his fiancee Laura. Amelia being the second oldest was trying to hold the family together and save her brother. Amelia was stubborn, smart and acted like a mother hen. She tried to control things and took all the family's problems (which were many) on her shoulders. Though she really wanted Cam she held him at arms length because she was worried that he would leave her like her ex or resent her for his lost of freedom. I really liked Amelia and could understand where she was coming from. I didn't fault her for holding Cam off although at times I did get frustrated with her. I did however take a star off of my rating of this book because of something she did. After her and Cam have slept together and Cam had repeatedly asked her to marry him (at this point she was still saying no to him about marriage) Cam leaves for London to get some workers for her home. While gone a bunch of shit happens and she is super upset and stressed, her ex Christopher shows up. She talks to him in which he kisses her twice! No she doesn't kiss him back, shocked she just stands there caught off guard but and here is the part that pissed me off she didn't tell him to never touch her again or slap him. Nothing! Then she doesn't' tell Cam about the two kisses although he does find out about her talking alone with Christopher. It pissed me off so much that I took a star off. This is what she should have done.....

"Stop running from me and listen. I do want you. I want you even knowing if I marry you, I've got an instant family, complete with a suicidal brother-in-law and a Gypsy houseboy with the temperament of a poked bear." "Merripen is not a houseboy." "Call him what you like. He comes with the Hathaways. I accept that."-Cam 

Cam was amazing. I loved him so much. Cam was half Roma Gypsy /half Irish. He was an outcast in both worlds. He wanted for so long to fit in and be Roma and longed for the freedom of the Gypsy lifestyle that he was scared of his deep feelings for Amelia. Cam was really the best of both worlds civilized, hard working, loyal but he knew how to have fun he had a wild side and could be dangerous when needed. Cam was very charming. He wanted Amelia as his wife and he wasn't taking no for an answer. Cam was a rock for Amelia. Helping her with her family problems and just being there for her. He got her to live a little, to let go. 

"I find you thoroughly, deeply interesting. I want to open you like a book and read every page." A smile curled the corners of his lips as he added huskily, "Footnotes included." Feeling the stiffness of her neck muscles, he coaxed the tension out of them, kneading lightly. "I want you. I want to lie with you beneath constellations and clouds and shade trees."-Cam 

"It would be disastrous." Heat climbed in her breasts and throat and face. "You would resent me for taking away your freedom and I would resent you for taking mine. I can't promise to obey you, to accept your decisions and never again be entitled to my own opinions? "It doesn't have to be that way." "Oh? Would you swear never to command me to do anything against my will?"-Amelia and Cam 

Cam and Amelia's relationship was a passionate one. Total opposites they complemented each other nicely, but also butted heads too. Which usually ended with them in bed. I really liked all of Amelia's sisters. Each had unique personalities that made them stand out as individuals. I loved Merripen was intrigued with him and Winnifred love story which is next. Leo was a sad case. My heart broke for him and in the same breathe I wanted to choke the shit out of him. I understood that he was in so much pain over losing Laura, but the things he did, the way he was reckless made me want to shake him and yell snap the hell out of it. I loved just about everything in this book and I really can't wait to start Win and Merripen's book. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves historical romances.

"You're not like any man I've ever known," she said. "You're not even someone I could have dreamed. You're like someone from a fairy story written in a language I don't even know." "The prince, I hope." "No, you're the dragon, a beautiful wicked dragon." Her voice turned wistful. "How could anyone have a normal everyday life with you?"-Amelia and Cam 

His to Seduce

Book Review of His To Seduce (Fireside Series)

Title: His To Seduce 

Series: Fireside Series

Author: Stacey Lynn

Date Published: March 21st 2017

Date Read:   March 17th 2017

The Blurb:

Becoming an ER doctor had been David McGregor’s mission ever since he could remember. But after tragedy strikes at his hospital in Chicago, David runs away from the guilt—all the way back to Latham Hills, Michigan, where he takes a job tending bar at his childhood friend’s restaurant. That’s how he meets Camden Reed, and the way Camden refuses to give him the time of day should be a turnoff. Instead, he’s drawn to her tough, tightly wound exterior, and soon David realizes that he has a new mission: to see her tightly wound beneath him.

 
Camden’s fighting tooth and nail to resist the desire she feels for David. Growing up dirt-poor, raised by a single mother, she worked twice as hard to get where she is today, and she doesn’t have any patience for the kind of guy who’d give up a decent paycheck to sling drinks. But when the sexual tension finally combusts between the sheets, Camden discovers that people aren’t always what they seem. As David pushes her past her limits, Camden begins to loosen up—and to trust that, when she falls, there will be someone waiting to catch her.
 

My Review

3 Hiding behind Walls Stars

Some Spoilers

His to Seduce the 4th book in the Fireside series was an okay read for me, but I just couldn't connect with it like I did all the others. I never got invested in the love story and I found myself skipping through the book because I was starting to get a little bored. I don't know what it was for sure that caused such a disconnect with me and this book as I loved the other books in this series but something was just not working for me. Not that I hated this book or anything. I didn't hate it. I actually really liked David and getting to catch up with the whole gang at Fireside. The only thing I can pin point that I didn't like was Camden. She just rubbed me wrong. I didn't feel like I got to really know her. She only really showed her closed off side which made her seem bitchy and cold. Because of her past I could understand some of her actions but I think she was just too closed off and didn't open up soon enough. David was a nice balance to her. He was sweet, fun, and very understanding. I did really think the ending was very cute. Overall this read was okay but my least favorite of the series. 

Beauty of the Beast

Book Review of Beauty Of The Beast (Fairy Tale Retellings Series)

Title: Beauty Of The Beast

Series: Fairy Tale Retellings Series

Author: Rachel L. Demeter

Date Published: March 15th 2017

Date Read:   March 11th 2017

The Blurb:

Experience the world’s most enchanting and timeless love story—retold with a dark and realistic twist.

A BEAST LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF HIS PAST

Reclusive and severely scarred Prince Adam Delacroix has remained hidden inside a secluded, decrepit castle ever since he witnessed his family’s brutal massacre. Cloaked in shadow, with only the lamentations of past ghosts for company, he has abandoned all hope, allowing the world to believe he died on that tragic eve twenty-five years ago.

A BEAUTY IN PURSUIT OF A BETTER FUTURE

Caught in a fierce snowstorm, beautiful and strong-willed Isabelle Rose seeks shelter at a castle—unaware that its beastly and disfigured master is much more than he appears to be. When he imprisons her gravely ill and blind father, she bravely offers herself in his place.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Stripped of his emotional defenses, Adam’s humanity reawakens as he encounters a kindred soul in Isabelle. Together they will wade through darkness and discover beauty and passion in the most unlikely of places. But when a monster from Isabelle’s former life threatens their new love, Demrov’s forgotten prince must emerge from his shadows and face the world once more…

Perfect for fans of Beauty and the Beast and The Phantom of the Opera, Beauty of the Beast brings a familiar and well-loved fairy tale to life with a rich setting in the kingdom of Demrov and a captivating, Gothic voice.

* * *

Beauty of the Beast is the first standalone installment in a series of classic fairy tales reimagined with a dark and realistic twist.

Disclaimer: This is an edgy, historical romance retelling of the classic fairy tale. Due to strong sexual content, profanity, and dark subject matter, including an instance of sexual assault committed by the villain, Beauty of the Beast is not intended for readers under the age of 18. 

My Review

5 Little Prince Stars

This is my first time reading Rachel L. Demeter and I freaking loved it! I fell in love with Beauty and The Beast as a little girl when I seen the Walt Disney movie for the first time. I guess it was my first taste of damaged, scarred bad boys. There is just something so beautiful about seeing past the surface and finding true love no matter the flaws. Plus beast gives Belle a whole library and what woman could resist a man that gives you a whole room full of books! So I try to get my hands on every retelling I come across. 

Beauty of the Beast was a great retelling of the classic. I felt it was like a cross between Beauty and the beast, phantom of the opera, and maybe a touch of Cinderella thrown in there. I love that instead of Adam, the beast, being a magical cursed beast he was just severely scarred. Adam's backstory was a heartbreaking and dark one. Seeing what he lived through at the age of 11 got me right in the feels! My heart bled for Adam and I fell in love with him too. Isabelle was easy to love. She had such a bright spirit. She loved her father and was loyal to her step sisters even though they were worthless and didn't deserve her loyalty. She was caring and had a good heart. She was a perfect Belle. 

Adam and Isabelle were adorable together. There was such a sweet build up to their love that it felt natural and real. I loved how because there is no magic in this that Adam doesn't magically because handsome. Isabelle truly loves him scars and all. I felt Rachel L. Demeter did a great job of writing a complex and multifaceted villain. Raphael was evil but his character was so well developed that I could understand why he was evil and though I hated him I at times felt sorry for all he had lived through too. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end and I loved the epilogue. It had everything I adore about the classic Beauty and the Beast with just enough difference to still feel new. Beauty of the Beast was a wonderful read and I would recommend it to anyone who loves Beauty and the Beast!

Deep Into Trouble

Book Review of Deep Into Trouble (Unbroken Heroes Series)

Title: Deep Into Trouble

Series: Unbroken Heroes Series

Author: Dawn Ryder

Date Published: March 7th 2017

Date Read:   March 5, 2017

The Blurb:

Saxon Hale lives for the hunt--taking down the bad guys, stopping them dead in their tracks. His latest mission has him in New Orleans, where people go for the party that never ends. But fun is the last thing on Saxon's mind now that he's a breath away from closing in on a vicious overlord known only as the Raven. Until an innocent young woman unknowingly enters the very deadly game...

Ginger Boyce is a librarian who's growing tired of being so buttoned-up on the job, and when she attends a conference in the Big Easy, she decides to taste the wild side of life. But when her dance with darkness becomes lethal, she's in dire need of protection--and ends up in the embrace of a man who radiates danger and desire. Soon Saxon finds himself Ginger's shield against an enemy whose power they haven't yet begun to face. But will he be able to keep his mind on his mission while the very woman under his care drives him beyond distraction?

My Review

3.5 Getting Personal Stars

Deep Into Trouble the 3rd book in the Unbroken Heroes series and the 2nd book I have read of the series was a pretty good read. I liked our hero Saxon but not as much as I like his brother Vitus the hero from the last book. I felt I didn't get to know Saxon as well. He was very closed off and professional for most of the book. I liked Ginger a lot. I thought she was fun, spunky, and brave. I thought Saxon and Ginger had some great lust and major heat but I didn't really feel the love. I liked the action in this book and I liked getting to know the other members for the team a little better too. I loved getting to catch up a little bit with Vitus. The bad guys Tyler and Carl Gawd I really hate those two jerks and can't wait for them to get their comeuppance Overall it was an entertaining read and I will continue with the series!