His to Protect

Book Review of His To Protect (Fireside series)

Title:His To Protect 

Series: Fireside Series

Author: Stacey Lynn

Date Published: July 12th 2016

Date Read:    July 9th 2016

The Blurb:

Declan James lost his last ounce of trust the day his wife walked out the door, leaving him to save the restaurant they built together. Throwing himself into his work, Declan swears off women—or at least, women who expect him to stick around in the morning. But when he discovers a skittish beauty scrounging through the Fireside’s trash to feed her dog, Declan offers her a job and a place to rest her head. There’s just something about her that awakens his protective side. And soon, not even that mangy mutt can stop Declan from caring for her.

After one too many trips to the ER, Trina Wilson finally gathered the courage to leave her husband, taking only her car and hyperactive boxer. Unfortunately, life on the run proves harder than she anticipated—until Declan takes a leap of faith on her. But even as Trina starts to see beyond his gruff exterior, she can’t relax, even for a moment. Not with her husband still tracking her down. What Trina doesn’t know is that in Declan, she has a powerful ally—and, if she would only follow her heart, a devoted lover.

My Review

4.5 Feeling Safe Stars

* Mild Spoilers*

His To Protect is the first book I have ever read by Stacey Lynn and I really enjoyed her writing style! This book was an amazing read for me. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 star rating is because the epilogue was a painful cliffhanger that will drive me crazy til the next book comes out. So for the cost to my metal health I took off a 1/2 a star. Just sayin'! 

I loved this book so much it will be hard for me to gush all about the awesomeness of it without spoiling too much but I will try. Declan was so yummy. A hero in every sense of the word. From the second he met Trina he was sweet, understanding, and super alpha protective. He went out of his way to make her feel safe. And it was beautiful how she bloomed under his support. Trina was brave and strong but vulnerable, and damaged. A victim of domestic violence she tried to be the perfect wife. Because of her husband's abuse and control she had lost who she really was, but she was brave enough to leave her husband and start over. I really loved that even though both Trina and Declan had been hurt they didn't push each other away. 

Trina and Declan had a strong connection and I was rooting for them from the start. They both had endearing personalities that drew me in. I found their relationship very romantic. There is just something extremely sweet and sexy about a big strong man protecting someone that needs help, being gentle and encouraging. I really liked the secondary characters especially Tyson and Blue. Their book was the first one in the series, and I am thinking of going back and reading their story too. I think Aidan's book is the next one since the cliffy was about him and I can't freaking wait to get my hands on it. I really really want to know what is going to happen!!! This was a great read and I am really glad I came across this author. 

Sonata by Moonlight

Book Review of Sonata By Moonlight (Heroes and Half-Notes series)

Title:Sonata By Moonlight  

Series: Heroes and Half-Notes Series

Author: A.E. Easterlin

Date Published: September 9th 2015

Date Read:    July 6th 2016

The Blurb:

Concert pianist Allison Chandler values three things in her life: her brother, her career, and a man from her past who has no idea she's loved him since she was fifteen. When her beloved brother commits suicide after his last assignment in Afghanistan, her entire life changes. The stage loses its appeal and she becomes a Certified Music Therapist to honor his memory and help heal wounded veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

Her first assignment is in her hometown, and she isn't the only one who has come home. Brodie Miller is back, hot as ever but a little broken from his own tour of duty. Can the magic of music in the moonlight and a steadfast love heal his mind and heart? When he sees her as a woman and not his buddy’s little sister, Brodie could fulfill her dreams—and his own—or leave her achingly lonely forever.

My Review

3 PTSD Stars

When I read the synopsis for this book I was so excited. It sounded so good. It had some of my favorite tropes. Brother's best friend, damaged sexy ex military men, and childhood crush. It also was something a little different with Allison being a Concert pianist that became a Certified Music Therapist to help heal veterans with PTSD. But it had something that I didn't expect and it just really killed my joy of this book....... the dreaded love triangle!

God I hate love triangles. Very rarely I can read a love triangle book and love it, but this is not one of those times. Sorry just sayin'! To be honest I truly believe if the author had left the triangle out of it and focused more on the hero Brodie and the heroine Ally's relationship and built up a stronger connection this would have been a powerful 5 stars read. But instead I got 3 way drama and very little relationship development making it hard for me to feel a strong connection to the couple. It also made their love feel superficial.

I do think the author did a great job of touching on the very important subject of post traumatic stress disorder the effects it has on soldiers and their families. I was really engrossed in that part of the book. I love the way she brought awareness to it. And I loved that it wasn't carelessly brushed over or made light of. Brett's part in the book was very touching and heart breaking. Not the best read but still okay. I would give this author another chance. 

Devil and the Deep

Book Review of Devil and the Deep (Deep Six series)

Title: Devil and the Deep 

Series: Deep Six Series

Author: Julie Ann Walker

Date Published: July 5th 2016

Date Read:    July 4th 2016

The Blurb:

Cocktail parties, political fundraisers, and charity events are Maddy Powers' way of life. But the daring man who appropriated her father's yacht a couple of months ago is still out there, somewhere, and she wants to pay him back for the scorching kiss they shared.

Behind his suave smile and ladykiller eyes, Bran Palladino carries a dark secret that keeps him from pursuing Maddy… even though he can't get her out of his head. But when Maddy is kidnapped as part of a grand scheme, it's time to put up or shut up… because Bran can't live without Maddy now.

My Review

2.5 Cheesy Stars

This is the first time I've read anything by Julie Ann Walker. I have a few of her books on my TBR list so when this book came up on Netgalley I thought I'd try her out. Although parts of this book showed me she has talent and skill as a writer, this book just wasn't my jam. The first part of this book was brutally boring. It was rough I didn't think I was gonna make it. It did pick up around the 9% mark and the action kicked in making it a little better. The biggest problem I had with this book is I didn't care for the main couple Bran and Maddy. I found them kinda lame. The way they talked at times was super cheesy and threw me off. Here's a few quotes:

I might be bluffing, you miserable, vomitous mass!" Bran yelled. oh, for heaven's sake. Really? He's quotin' The Princess Bride? "But if you wanna test me," he added, "I'm your huckleberry!" And now he's quotin' Tombstone.-Bran and Maddy


"You sure you can do this?" he asked. "Does the Tin Man have a sheet-metal dick?"-Bran and Maddy


Ticktock went her internal clock. Lubdub went her thundering heart. Dripdrop went a bead of sweat from her temple to her shoulder. -Maddy


"Tit for tat, dicksmack, since I recall you pointing that SCAR-L at me on the beach."-Bran


"That being the case, let's make like a stumptailed cow at fly time, and get busy gettin' it done."-Maddy


And even though I warmed to them a little as the book went on I never full connected to them or really cared about their relationship. There was 2 saving graces about this book that helped me while reading this. 1. All the action. Livened it up and gave me the strength to carry on. 2. Mason and Alex. I loved both Alex and Mason and I hope to God they get their own book. Now that's a book I will be reading. Alex was quirky and cute and Mason was strong sexy and damaged. A man of few words. They had very little parts in this book and yet I connected to them quickly and I already feel invested in their relationship. The epilogue really ticked me off it was a history flash back and not a glimpse into the couples future. So overall not a great read for me but I will be trying this author again especially if she writes a book for Mason and Alex!