Review: One to Keep

Tuesday 15 January 2013 No comments
One to Keep One to Keep by Tia Louise
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed “One to Hold” so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this arc of “One to Keep”.

“One to Keep” is a contemporary romance and tells the story of “One to Hold” from Patrick’s side and you finally get to read about all the glorious and juicy goings on between him and Elaine while Derek and Melissa were pre-occupied in “One to Hold”.

In “One to Keep” you are introduced to Patrick from his first meeting with Derek. He has recently split from his ex-fiancĂ© and is finding life post Stacy difficult to stomach especially while he still bears the tattoo of her name on his arm. At a local tattoo parlour he arranges to remove Stacy from his life once and for all but in doing so, Patrick meets Kenny and arranges to take her on a date. After getting drunk and enjoying each other’s company, Kenny and Patrick go their separate ways but having formed a bond, decide to keep in touch.
“I’d wasted a lot of time being the nice guy, the rule-follower, and I’d had my heart punted like a damn football for it.”
Back at the office, Patrick manages to make yet another mistake after falling into the arms, or mouth, of someone who he assumes is the new office temp. Realising his mistake, Patrick decides to change his ways but first he needs to find out exactly who Star is and why she had targeted him before disappearing.

It was during a business trip to Arizona that Patrick meets Elaine Merritt. Struggling to maintain his new mantra of “all work, all work”, Patrick becomes spellbound with her and the two spend the rest of their time in the desert enjoying each others company.
“And in walked Elaine Merritt like a stealth bomb straight to the heart.”
As you can probably guess, it’s not all flowers and hearts for Patrick and Elaine and some twists and turns happen to raise the question as to whether their relationship and love will survive all that is thrown at them.
“I want your eyes on me.” She kissed my lips lightly. “I want your thoughts on me. Only me. All the time.”
I was partly expecting this book to be just a mirror image of “One to Keep” but it wasn’t. Yes there were some parts which reflected the storyline in “One to Keep” but this story is so much more. Although there are twists and turns they are not very in-depth and don’t keep you on the edge of your seat for too long.

If you like your sweet easy to read contemporary romance books with HEAs then this is definitely the book for you.

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Review: One to Hold

One to Hold One to Hold by Tia Louise
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

ARC received from the author in return for an honest review.

As soon as I saw the blurb about this book “Derek Alexander is an ex-Marine, ex-cop, and the top investigator in his field. Melissa Jones is a small-town girl trying to escape her troubled past.” I was sold!!! Who doesn’t like an ex-military hot and sexy alpha male and Derek certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Melissa comes across Derek whilst on a spa break. Unhappy with her own life, Melissa soon falls for Derek and after spending the week together they must decide whether to accept their feelings for one another or leave their relationship behind in the desert.

This is Tia Louise’s debut novel and I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed it. She is a talented writer and it was so nice to read a book without spelling and grammatical errors in it. The story was well balanced and didn’t leave the reader with any questions unanswered. The story built slowly but wasn’t in the least frustrating. The characters were straightforward and uncomplicated and, for a change, I wasn’t left shouting at them from the side-lines!

This is a standalone book (big tick) and it has a HEA (bigger tick) although I can’t wait to read Patrick and Elaine’s story.

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Review: Unexpected Angel

Thursday 10 January 2013 No comments
Unexpected Angel Unexpected Angel by Sloan Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well I, perhaps stupidly, decided to start reading this book during the night when I couldn't sleep. Big mistake!!!! From page 1 I was glued to the story and didn't put the book down until the end. I'll probably regret spending 4 hours reading when I should have been sleeping but I certainly won't regret reading this book.

I'd read reviews about this book from friends, which I don't normally do, before starting to read it and was expecting good things and I was not disappointed. Personally, I think Sloan Johnson got the balance of the book just right and the story was exciting and believable. I read that some people felt their should have been more steamy scenes in the book but I disagree and feel that the balance was perfect given Tasha's background. Dylan for me was perfect and more likeable as a Dom than some other characters you read about who appear to be artificially enhanced by the authors.

I can't wait for book 2 in the Isthmus Alliance. Well done Sloan Johnson <3

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Review: Nikolai

Nikolai Nikolai by S.L. Jennings
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love the Dark Light series and this Nikolai novella was such a delicious treat from SL Jennings. I couldn’t help but read it non-stop and it was beyond fabulous. SL Jennings portrayed Nikolai in such a perfect way. We saw both sides of his character and after initially being repulsed by his behaviour you can’t help but fall in love with him in the end. The developing relationship with Amelie was touching and simply magical.

I loved SL Jennings’ comment at the conclusion of the story, it was as if she was reading my mind. I reluctantly agreed with her rationale for the way the story ended although my pouty lips remained in place!!!!

If you haven’t experienced the Dark Light series you really should even if paranormal isn’t normally the genre for you. SL Jennings is such a talented writer and you can’t help but get swept away by her stories and the characters she creates.

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Review: Dirty Angels

Wednesday 9 January 2013 No comments
Dirty Angels Dirty Angels by Karina Halle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always said I was team Javier and this book demonstrates why this man, this bad, bad man, is just so damn loveable.

Time has moved since Ellie left Javier behind and now running his cartel without a love interest to distract him, he is back to his cold blooded ways. He is still plotting and planning in order to extend his empire and to do that he needs to control the lucrative shipping lane known as the Ephedra. This lane is currently under the control of Salvador Reyes though and Javier targets his weakness, or so he thinks, his wife, Luisa.

Luisa has been living a poor life, working to support her frail parents when she catches Salvador's attention whilst working in Cabo Cocktails. Knowing that her family would be taken care of if she accepts his marriage proposal she reluctantly agrees to become his wife but assuming that he will take care of her and protect her she is horrified when she becomes his toy as he abuses, debases and humiliates her by sharing her amongst his men. When she attempts to make a break for her freedom though and is kidnapped, little does she expect to fall into the arms, and bed, of Javier Bernal.

Salvador has 7 days to reply to Javier's ransom demands but during that time, Javier becomes enamoured by Luisa's strength and beauty.

The story continues with Javier and Luisa slowly falling for each other but knowing they can never be together, Luisa knows she will either be returned to Salvador or killed.

I loved this book so much. Having been a fan of the Artists Trilogy and pretty much everything else Karina Halle has written this for me was a perfect way to end the Christmas holidays. This was face paced and dark and brought to life the cruelties and horrors of the narcos and their lives. A brilliant book.

I can't wait to read Alana's story, Javier's sister is bound to have an exciting tale to tell!!!

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