Review: Requited by Melody Grace

Unrequited by Melody Grace

Published: May 21, 2014

Format: Kindle read

Rating: 3/5

Sypnosis

You can be anyone for a night...

Alicia isn't the kind of girl to kiss a total stranger up against the wall—no matter how devastatingly sexy he is. But reeling from a broken heart, she runs straight into the arms of Dex Callahan: rock star, bad boy, and the most seductive man she's ever known.

Dex is looking for distraction, at any price. The innocent redhead is just what he needs to keep his demons at bay—but one taste of her sweetness isn't enough. He needs to possess her, body and soul. Two searching hearts. One night to discover the passion of a lifetime. Dex is determined to show Alicia the pleasure she's been denied, but can she let go of her heartache and take a risk on the unknown?

My Thoughts

I love a Melody Grace novel, it’s the perfect thing when I want a break from reading fiction and thrillers. In Unrequited Alicia isn't the type of girl who has flings but tonight she is heartbroken and all she wants is to be wanted. Dex is the quintessential bad boy rocker and he isn't the one for relationships but when he meets Alicia will all that change?

These two are opposites but like they say opposites attract. Alicia after making out with Dex admits that this isn't who she is, but there is something about Dex that makes her feel things she never has. While Dex has demons he has to work out, he can't deny how Alicia makes him feel and all he wants is to show her exactly that.

I love Melody Grace’s novels because they give you a great story, awesome characters and the romance has just the right amount of steamy in them. So if you want something fun and flirty this one might be the one for you.

Day 12 of 12 Days of Christmas: Christmas in Holly Springs by R. Castro

Christmas in Holly Springs by R. Castro

Published: September 29, 2017

Format: Kindle buy

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis

Regina Blackwell didn’t know her father. At the age of sixteen, she lost her mother. There’d always been a sense of emptiness and a yearning for belonging, that she could not placate. Of course, her mother’s estranged family didn’t help. But, Stephanie, Regina’s best friend, did her best to fill the void.

College took Regina to Seattle, and her career kept her there. However, a change was in the air when her employer was forced to make drastic cuts, which resulted in her taking unexpected time off. Coincidentally, this led to a chain of events that had her packing and on her way to unravel the mystery that was her father. Soon, Regina was on her way to Holly Springs, Arkansas, a small country village in the middle of nowhere USA, at least that was how she’d perceived it.

Holly Springs held more than just the answers she’d been looking for; it held a chance encounter with one, handsome, Charles Vandermark.

My Thoughts

Christmas in Holly Springs is the enduring tale of Regina who goes on the search for the father she never knew. She doesn’t have much to go on since her mother didn’t speak of him much and her family disowned her mother when she was pregnant. Until one day when she meets up with her mother's old friend and finds some clues that might help her find what she is looking for.

Her search leads her to a small town and hopefully her father. What started out as a curious search leads to way more than Regina could ever imagine. Not only does she find her father but finally she feels that she belongs somewhere not to mention maybe even find the man of her dreams. Christmas in Holly Springs is a wonderfully written tale of family and love and of course the magic that can only happen at Christmas.

Review: First & Goal [Queen of the League #1] by Laura Chapman

First & Goal [Queen of the League #1] by Laura Chapman

Published: September 9, 2015

Format: Kindle purchase

Publisher: Marching Ink

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis

When Harper Duquaine’s no-nonsense approach to work unintentionally ruffles the wrong feathers at her new job, she joins her co-workers’ fantasy football league to prove she can hang with the guys. Only problem: she doesn’t know a sleeper from a keeper (or any of the other lingo thrown her way).

Embroiled in a world of lineups, stats, and trades, Harper’s quest to make nice topples when her competitive streak emerges. And her promise to herself that she’ll be a strong, independent woman and leave the drama and heartache behind is seriously tested when she catches the attention of her two biggest competitors: J.J., a local celebrity determined to win a fantasy championship, and Brook, the mild-mannered coach who seems too good to be true. Both threaten her resolve to remain single… and, more importantly, her chances at winning the prize pool.

With a slew of conflicting advice in her real and fantasy worlds, Harper must figure out how to play the game and come out a winner.

My Thoughts

When we met Harper she has recently moved due to some “personal issues” which we find out has to do with her ex. In her new job she is closer to home and is living with her brothers but her social skills at work aren’t helping her at all. So what is a girl to do? Well she joins her coworkers in their fantasy football league. She didn’t really want to but she figures if it helps her socially why not but once she starts she finds herself all caught up in it and not only that she might get some friendships and maybe even a little romance thrown in for good measure.

While she finds some good friends along the way she finds herself in the sights of JJ who is a ladies man and thinks every woman wants him but when Harper isn’t taken by his slick ways he makes it a mission to beat her not only at fantasy football but also unmask her secrets and reveal her past and let everyone know she isn’t so innocent as they all think she is. All the while Harper has eyes for Brook who is everything she would want in a man. He is kind, he coaches the local high school football team and looks after his sister and loves his nieces to no end. However she doesn’t know how he feels about her, he keeps his feelings close to his chest so Harper doesn’t know if what she thinks is real or if she’s getting mixed signals. As time goes by and the more they spend time together they both admit there is something there but they can’t tell anyone because if they do the other people in the league will think this was all a plan to up their chances in winning.

For those of you who don’t get football much less fantasy football it’s all about taking chances. You never know what can happen because things can change in a blink of an eye. That’s how I see life and love also. You never know what is possible if you don’t just dive in and take that chance. It’s all about the thrill of the game and cheering for that underdog or sleeper to get that win. Harper is that sleeper. She had a bad time in the past with her personal life but you never know what’s out there for you if you don’t take that chance and luckily she did.

This is one book that I fully enjoyed not just because I LOVE all things football and I’m a fantasy football junkie [what can I say I won my league last year!] but this book is funny, romantic and definitely has you cheering for Harper when things get stacked against her. Bottom line: never sleep on a sleeper you have to watch out sometimes because they are the ones you didn’t think had a chance  but are usually the ones who will surprise you and win it all in the end.

Mini Review: Loving Eden by T.A. Foster

Loving Eden [Kissing Eden #2] by T.A. Foster

Published: September 25, 2014

Format: Kindle buy

Challenges: 2015 TBR Pile

Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis

Have you ever thought of packing up everything you own and moving halfway across the country?

I’m talking about leaving your entire life behind—friends, family, school—with no turning back. No? Me either, but that was before a week of spring break changed my life forever. Before I did something I never thought I’d do at twenty-two. Before I fell in love with Grey.

Sometimes happily ever after isn’t always what you think it will be.

My Thoughts

This is the second book in the Kissing Eden series and I must say I liked this one a little better than the first book. In this read we see what happens after Grey and Eden decide what to do after their summer of fun. We see what happens when the summer ends and real life sets in. We see Eden as she moves to Texas to be with Grey and the aftermath of her decision. Just when you think life is going to give them a break someone from Grey’s past comes to throw a wrench into their plans and it will change everything.

In this read I saw more of a growth in Grey and I liked him a little more in this read than the previous one. We see a little more of his story and I came to understand why he was the way he was. And while he still wasn’t the ideal guy I wish he was I could see why Eden liked him. I saw glimpses of a guy who really does care for her and the passion he has for the people and things he loves and wants to protect.

This was a really good follow up and I actually liked this one more than the first which is rare for me. We see lots of the characters from the first and we meet some great new characters which make this book so good. This one made the series worth the read.

Mini Review: Kissing Eden by T.A. Foster

Kissing Eden by T.A. Foster

Published: March 6, 2014

Format: Kindle buy

Challenges: 2015 TBR Pile

Rating: 3/5

Synopsis

Have you ever thought of taking a vacation alone? I mean step on a plane, check into your hotel, and lie on the beach completely and utterly alone. No? Me either, but then right before senior spring break I got dumped.

Something about break ups makes you do things you didn’t want to do, and try things you didn’t know you were capable of. That’s how I ended up at the Palm Palace. That’s how I met Grey. That’s how my spring break turned into the most unforgettable week of my life.

My Thoughts

I had high hopes for this book. It looked like the perfect summer series but after I finished I was honestly just split. It was an okay series. I liked the idea of it being set on Padre Island in Texas which is a beautiful place but I just couldn’t buy into the romance between Grey and Eden.

I loved Eden and how she was determined to move on after her breakup to show some independence by going on vacation alone. But to be honest I just didn’t like Grey. He just seemed so rough and mean at times that I couldn’t see him as the romantic guy that Eden was trying to make him out to be. I wanted to like him and at times I thought my opinions would change but all I saw him as was a guy who just wanted her physically. Don’t get me wrong I love a steamy read but this one just didn’t win me over. This one was a first for me I loved the story line and some of the characters just not the male lead.

Day 19 of 25 Days of Christmas Reviews: Unexpectedly Yours by Melody Grace

Unexpectedly Yours by Melody Grace

Published: December 4, 2014

Format: Kindle purchase

Rating 4/5

Synopsis

Sophie Young has been dreaming about the perfect Christmas in New York ever since she was a kid. But when her boyfriend bails on their romantic trip for two, she finds herself stranded in the city on Christmas Eve, with only a holiday-hating smooth-talking, utterly sexy stranger for company…

Rock-star Austin Kelly is fed up with Christmas – he’s more interested in who’s going to be cozying up under the mistletoe. But when his little black book comes up empty, he finds himself on a whirlwind tour of the city with the most unlikely partner in festive fun…

The snow is falling, but things are definitely heating up inside. And by the time the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, there will be plenty to celebrate with old friends and familiar faces back in Beachwood Bay.

My Thoughts

All Sophie wants for Christmas is a real New York Christmas with her boyfriend but when he dumps her and leaves her alone what is she to do? She finds herself trying to fend off the advances of Austin who is alone and lonely on Christmas. Little does Sophie know that the guy is none other than the famous rock star Austin Kelly who is surprised and intrigued by Sophie since his charm isn’t working on her, which is a first for him. Sophie refusing to let her ex ruin her Christmas figures why not and enjoy some time with this sexy stranger. They set off for an amazing adventure in New York wandering the streets both just having fun and enjoying the now. Sophie finds herself attracted to Austin but knows he isn’t looking for something serious, while Austin who wasn’t looking for anything serious is seriously falling for her. Miscommunication ensues and both end up feeling hurt and realizing they are missing each other more than they ever imagined. Come a week later and both find themselves at the same New Year’s Eve party but will they allow themselves to fall for each other or will they simply just part and continue to their lives like they never met?

I will say this is one of my favorite recent reads, I loved everything about it. I loved how Sophie didn’t let some sorry guy ruin her Christmas and that she took a chance on Austin. Austin on the other hand had me from the start, I loved that he was confident but not too cocky as they say there is a fine line between the two and he was towing it! Sophie was so different than girls Austin had dealt with in the past and the fact that she didn’t know who he was made her more attractive to him. Plus the fact that she didn’t back down from him really got to him, he’s use to getting what he wants when he wants no excuses. I think both balanced each other so well he gave her confidence and she keeps him grounded. They are definitely one of favorite couples! This book has what it takes for a magical Christmas read: snow, NYC at Christmas time, a great couple and an awesome romance what more can you ask for?

Review: Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

Published: September 24, 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Format: Kindle purchased

Challenges: 2014 TBR Pile

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis

Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love--even with someone who seems an improbable choice--is more than just a possibility.

My Thoughts

This was my first Trish Doller experience and what an awesome one at that! It’s a story of love, starting over, and trying to find your place. Callie is a young girl who had to grow up way too soon. She is her own caretaker since her mom is either drunk, out of her mind or with a new man. Callie had to learn to manage things all by herself and simply learn to survive on her own. She has dealt with things that no child should have to go through. She learns that her mom has kidnapped her and now has to deal with the aftermath. While she is torn by her mom’s betrayal, she has to reconnect with a father she doesn’t remember. Her new life begins and she has to learn to live with her dad and his new family and find her place in it. It’s all new to her, people caring, looking out for her and of course discipline. She goes from being alone to now having this large family and it becomes too much for her. She soon starts looking for love or at least a physical companion and finds it with someone who turns out to be closer to home than she realizes.

This read is all about second chances. Trish Doller is an extraordinary writer who works a storyline like no other. She weaves a story of pain and love and how both are way more intertwined than we can imagine. Sometimes love no matter how twisted to some, is better than no love at all. Although Callie knows her mother has issues and what she has done was wrong she is still her mother. She still loves her and is afraid to be apart from her. The pain I felt for Callie was so overwhelming. This life is all she has ever known and is somewhat scared of learning anything else. In a way she feels as if she doesn’t deserve it, the love and acceptance and most important the possibility of what is out there for her. The book made me see that how we are raised or even our environment doesn’t determine ones future. We are worth so much more than what others might think, we have to know we are worthy of love and all the good things that come with it.