One Night With You by Candace Schuler

March 7, 2016March 7, 2016Leave a comment

Hellllllllllllo readers, it’s time to dip into Lizzo’s trashy Kindle buys. I seem to always buy really trashy romance books on my Kindle. I think mainly because they;re really cheap when you buy them in the Kindle Version and I have no space for physical books so I tend to buy cheap, trashy, romances. (Don’t judge.) Anyway, I reaaaally like reviewing these so #noshame. ENJOY!

For Desi, it was a chance to make her fantasies come true. For Jake, it was a night of mind-blowing sex. It wasn’t supposed to lead to anything more.

Now Desi and Jake must decide if that one night of passion—and a baby girl—can turn into a lifetime of love.

^ that blurb is not great; don’t you hate it when the author doesn’t give you anything to really get your teeth into. It’s like picking up a cupcake and thinking its chocolatey and instead it’s carrot cake – WE NEED TO KNOW THE INGREDIENTS. So, I’ll give you a bit more of an insight. After a passionate night of well y’know (I will mention the lack of protection later,) our male protagonist Jake, leaves for a location shoot and our leading lady Desi later finds out she is expecting; what she doesn’t expect is that she ends up working on Jake’s film as a make-up artist ie MASSIVE EXPLOSIVE MEETING. We watch as they try to work around each other whilst their former past constantly gets in the way.

Right, so what did I think of this book; erm. Well you know me I love a trashy book but this was a little too stereotypical. I mean being a make-up artist and sleeping with an actor, same location that kind of thing – it felt a little obvious. Desi as a character is incredibly annoying (might be the word) I mean she keeps the baby a secret, refuses to communicate with Jake and ends up making a lot more trouble than is needed. Jake is a total hot-head and continually explodes around her, grabbing at her and being a general nightmare. The passion is obviously there and I enjoyed the push-pull of it, but I felt the characters at times were a little one-dimensional. The author makes the characters, starts to build on them and then they become monsters – Desi is irrational and exhausting and she can’t make up her mind what to do. Jake is written like a hot mess but he’s a just bit too angry to really come across in an attractive way really.

Additionally, whilst Desi is pregnant she has the chance to meet up with Jake and he accepts meeting up with her; but she never turns up. She does feel uneasy about it – but then when they do meet up on the film set you can understand his anger because one, he was stood up, and two, he doesn’t know that she’s pregnant, so her quite angry responses to him are really quite, irrational. He’s angry probably because he did want the chance to talk to her but she never allows it. Oh it’s just one big mess.

One of the really silly things, and I know it happens in books but there is a certain understanding in the time that we live that there are ways of protecting against not only the arrival of small children, but also dangerous STI’s and the like. I understand the author, using this as plot, it’s not new, but it just feels a little unnecessary. There are ways of doing it and working around it without you know, not even including the mention of it really.

So did I enjoy this? Kind of. I mean I didn’t hate it and a lot of the elements I thought could have made a good story. I thought the immediate attraction between them was good, the immediate creation of the characters was good. The lack of talk about protection and using it I still think should not be used really – it’s not clever, it’s not safe and it’s unnecessary! I think this is the perfect, cheap-ish beach read, one a towel with some wine, sunglasses on, where you don’t need a lot of concentration. It’s an okay read but no more than that.

Linnnnnks

Amazon

Goodreads

Until You by Sandra Marton

March 3, 2016March 2, 2016Leave a comment

Helllllllllllllo readers, I swear I’ve reviewed this book before but apparently I haven’t – which reminds me I must make I sure I put all of my reviews on a list somewhere. I haven’t updated my reviews list in months and months but there has to be a simpler way of doing it than the way I’m manually doing it. If anyone has any suggestions, on how I can create a list super simply of allllllllllllllll my reviews. It’s currently a Thursday so let’s make it a little more happy with a review!

Paris in the spring is a city for lovers, but for Conor O’Neil and Miranda Beckman, the city is a place where the truth is always just out of reach. Miranda’s life is in danger, and Conor will do whatever it takes to save her, even if it means not letting her know he’s working for the government. For her part, Miranda will do whatever it takes to keep Conor from learning the truth about her past. And yet, the one thing neither can lie about is the passion that blazes between them.

As the blurb kind of suggests the book follows the relationship between Conor O’Neil and Miranda Beckman. Miranda is in danger, and Connor is a special operations kind of guy who was once employed by Harry Thurston as part of the super secret group ‘The Commitee.’ (Sounds scary right.) Thurston asks O’Neil to keep an eye on Miranda who is living life to the full in Paris; there has been information that there could be a blackmail attempt if Conor doesn’t take on the role and make sure Miranda is safe; but this is definitely not going to be plain sailing with these two hot-heads.

In terms of the characters, Conor is a once divorced man who is still struggling to come to terms with the breakdown of his marriage. One to (now) keep women at arm’s length and instead keep the relationship very superficial he comes across as quite cold and difficult; although around Miranda he immediately changes and finds himself finding it difficult to stay away from her. Miranda is a famous model and also the life of the party who can’t help but enjoy herself. Often putting her life on the line, ignoring warnings that she’s in danger, oh and she’s really good at pushing Conor’s buttons.

Now I understand what you’re thinking; beautiful model, in danger, saved my broken man, but, it does get better.There are lots of moments of suspense and as the danger continues to rise we see the relationship between them falter and fall and flourish. They’re always struggling with one another which helps to increase the excitement. They are definitely hot and cold with one another and the author uses that to build the story – there’s no sudden relationship here for these two.

The only real trouble is that when the author is writing more detailed parts she really kind of goes into too much detail. Instead of making using this time to push the plot forward it slows down the pace and means that you lose a little excitement. I also thought that there were too many conversations between minor characters that weren’t really needed. Sometimes you need a bit of filler but it doesn’t need to be dragged out to the point where it feel irrelevant. There was also a little bit of a wobble with Miranda, unfortunately although she has a really interesting background she comes across very harsh and it makes her difficult to warm to, especially when Conor is such an exciting character.

Overall would I recommend this book? Yes, although it’s a 2.5/3 star book I really enjoyed the back story and the tension the author builds. The relationship between the two was very push-pull and not instant which I liked but there wasn’t really a defining moment when you thought, they definitely should be together and with the writing style at times being a little tiring it lacked something. This would be the perfect holiday read – not everything I wanted but a solid story.

Linnnnks

Goodreads

Amazon

Untouched (A Beachwood Bay Love Story Book 1) by Melody Grace

January 25, 2016January 8, 2016Leave a comment

mylittlebookblog (1)

Hellllllo readers, I know it’s Monday and Monday’s suck but I’m going to try and help you through with a beachy read! I’ve written a post for Friday on the worst reading slump of all my reading slumps, so I’ve been trailing back through my Kindle purchases and reviewing books I’ve read but not quite got round to reviewing here. Additionally, if you’re waiting for reviews on Amazon/Goodreads they will be there soon, it’s just a case that I’ve left it realllllly long and now I’ve got lots to do so I’m putting it off! Hopefully this weekend they’ll make it on there (SORRY.)

Welcome to Beachwood Bay: the small town where passion and romance are making waves…

Emerson Ray is trouble. Juliet knows it the minute she lays eyes on Beachwood Bay’s resident bad boy. Forced to spend her summer before college in the sleepy beach town, she never expected to crash into the most devastating guy she’s ever met–or for Emerson’s blue eyes to strip through her dark secrets, and make her feel a desire she’s never known. Their connection is undeniable, but Juliet is torn. She knows, once she gives him everything, there’ll be no turning back.

Juliet McKenzie is dangerous. Emerson can tell from the way she blows through all his defenses, laying bare the demons he’s carried alone all his life. He’s left a trail of broken hearts and empty beds in his wake, but Juliet is different. Her innocence is intoxicating–and the passion she keeps hidden, just below the surface. He wants to be the only one to set it free, but with every kiss, he’s closer to losing control and doing the one thing he swore he never would: fall in love.

One summer. Two damaged hearts. Their story is only just beginning…

17667474

There’s quite a lot of blurb there but I’ll do a quick re-cap. The book follows the lives of Julia, who has applied for college far away from her family to get a new start away from her alcoholic father, her sister who has no time for her and her mother who just craves attention but first she must get through the family vacation at Cedar Cove. Emmerson is the local bad boy who hasn’t had the most rosy of starts in life. Working numerous jobs to support himself and his younger siblings and struggling with his broken relationship with his mother he’s lost all hope until he crashes into our lovely female protagonist.

So a little predictable and the writing is very much sweet 16 kind of love. I must admit despite myself the first chapter did really reel me in. There is a lot of sexual tension mixed into the first scenes and the heat between the two is palpable. The first few chapters are really well-written and pack a punch and we see their personalities really shine through. Both are utterly stubborn and refuse to take help from the other. I loved Julia’s gutsy personality although at times she does come across a little whimsical and tiring but I think the target audience for this book is a little younger than me – I think sixteen-year-old Lizzy would have loved this a lot more. Emmerson is a HOT MESS – HOLLA. He’s stubborn, loving, utterly gorgeous and a total heart-throb so thumbs up.

Throughout the book a number of side-stories as woven in especially with the use of both the main characters families which helps to add interest and is impressive seeing how short the book is. This also helped to make the relationship feel like it was more than just lust but there was a connection which helped to make the book feel more genuine. There are additionally a number of incredibly steamy scenes that were written with a lot of guts and passion. These two are infatuated with each other but the use of the back-stories helps to add intrigue whether they can be together and whether it will work between them.

There are two main wobbles with this book – first it is incredibly short, and although novella’s are short it shouldn’t mean that the story is compromised. Here the story inside the book has to be squashed and that means the descriptions of the characters, how they meet, and the build up of their relationship is also squashed. The book is ninety pages long and just couldn’t help but think write in maybe just another hundred pages or so and it would have allowed a little more room for development.

I guess the way to finish up is this is the perfect, easy beachy read with a hot romance. Yes, it might not be so developed but for me it was just what I needed.

Linnnnks

Goodreads

Amazon

Masquerade (Andalucían Nights Trilogy) by Hannah Fielding

January 18, 2016July 18, 2016Leave a comment

Hellllooo readers, really need to come up with a more interesting opening line. Maybe I could do a poll? Or maybe I could just be more creative *shrugs.* In other news I’m on the search for a new laptop as with this one the space bar keeps sticking and Ikeepwritinglikethisandhavingtogobackandchangeit *JIOSDKJFSDKJSDKJ* In other happier news I have a really lovely review which I hope not to write out in one long sentence!

Summer, 1976. Luz de Rueda returns to her beloved Spain and takes a job as the biographer of a famous artist. On her first day back in Cádiz, she encounters a bewitching, passionate young gypsy, Leandro, who immediately captures her heart, even though relationships with his kind are taboo. Haunted by this forbidden love, she meets her new employer, the sophisticated Andrés de Calderón. Reserved yet darkly compelling, he is totally different to Leandro but almost the gypsy’s double. Both men stir unfamiliar and exciting feelings in Luz, although mystery and danger surround them in ways she has still to discover.

Right so first things first I have to mention that this is the second novel in the Andalucian Nights series so I’m already a little behind. However the book follows the life of Luz Maria Cervantes de Rueda, the only child of Count Salvador. Luz however is far from home and has spent many years studying abroad; however the time has come to travel back home to be with her family and start a career. However she meets two men – Leandro and Andres. Who will win her heart? Either way it’s going to be a pretty wonderful summer.

So there’s the basics of the book – a little stereotypical a little tired, maybe, but the writing style really brings this tale to life. Fielding really knows how to write a historical fiction and her descriptions of the world around her is written with skill, understanding and knowledge. The scenery, the culture springs from the pages and you find yourself wrapped in the warmth and feeling of a Spanish family. I very very rarely come across books that deal with the time period of the early 70’s in this country so it was a refreshing change to see this as the main period focus during the book.

Overall Luz is a lovely character; a strong character although a little stubborn. Not always the one to make the right decisions she lives in the moment but has a pride you would be silly to mess with. I liked the fact that she wasn’t a goodie-two-shoes type of character. She gets things wrong, she picks herself up, and she carries on. I think too often we are subjected to ‘perfect’ characters that don’t quite work for me; here getting an imperfect protagonist really worked.

This book however wasn’t without wobbles for me. Firstly our two love interests – as with a lot of romance books I’m sad to say there was a lot of instant attraction, love at first sight kind of mumbo-jumbo. Now don’t get me wrong I love a good romance but this was definitely a lust fueled romance hiding as love. It just made me angry because Luz doesn’t seem at any point to know the difference between the two. The love triangle felt a little tired and I must admit I’m not a fan of love triangles because they always leave the reader hanging and leave too much to be desired between a relationship for me. If a single relationship was worked and built better that will excite me more than a less built three-way triangle.

Additionally another wobble; Fielding paints an incredible picture of Cadiz and yet the characters lacked the same level of detail and importance for me. I think that the city almost came across as more important than our characters and although I adore good, well built up environments especially in historical fiction here I wanted more from each of the characters to mimic the authors skill writing about places.

Overall however this is a lovely little beach read that I would definitely have me wishing of sangria, beach towels and sky-blue skies. I thought that the ideas were there, the scenery was there but the lack of complete character description and at time dialogue meant that the script became a little dry and not all consuming. Definitely an author I want to read more from, just maybe this one wasn’t quite for me.

Linnnnks

Goodreads

Website

Twitter

All the romantic feels – Love a little Koomson quote!

January 4, 2016December 18, 2015Leave a comment

People think that I must be a very strange person. This is not correct. I have the heart of a small boy. It is in a glass jar on my desk..jpg

Almost Perfect (Perfect Trilogy Book 1) by Julie Ortolon

October 31, 2015October 26, 2015Leave a comment

Hellllllo readers, it’s time for another book from the depths of my kindle. I’ve been working super hard this month to make sure that allllll my reviews make it onto Amazon and Goodreads; it’s my blog resolution, but I seem to have made sure that it takes less than a month for them to go live there. I know that’s still quite a bit of time but it’s the best I can do right now, will continue to attempt weekly but, I’m human. Forgive my little bookish self. Today’s book was once I read on the train to somewhere in the UK and just needed something simple and easy for my tired mind – for that, this was pretty perfect.

A Free Spirit and a Reformed Bad Boy — a Perfect Match

Maddy was always the artistic one of the group, alive with color and mischief from her saucy red curls to her vintage hippie skirts. Her challenge, the friends decide, is to get her artwork accepted at a gallery. A job as arts director at a summer camp near Santa Fe—with its multitude of galleries—seems like a start in the right direction.

There’s just one catch: The camp is run by Maddy’s high school flame, Joe, whose heart she broke—okay, smashed—and his anger towards Maddy hasn’t cooled one bit. But neither has their attraction.

Old desires burn hotter than ever as Joe makes it clear there’s only one way back to his heart: She has to get serious about her art. But will falling in love help or hinder Maddy as she struggles to meet her challenge?

As the blurb suggest, the book (number one in the series) follows Maddy, Amy, Christine, and Jane who were roommates in college ten years ago. Jane has become a very successful TV anchor and has released a self-help book titled “How To Have The Perfect Life”. The girls are thrilled for her until they realise that they have been used as bad examples within the book. Although they are a little angry at their former friend they decide to listen to Jane and decide to face their biggest fear in an attempt to have their perfect life. This book follows Maddy who is challenged to have her work shown in a gallery in Santa Fe but to do so she signs up to be the Arts & Crafts Coordinator at Mama’s camp site, Camp Enchantment where former flame Joe is working after leaving the military. Can the two work through their differences, will Maddy have her art shown?

I’m going to throw in now that this isn’t a really new surprising idea for a book; it is predictable but I’m going to look over that for now. The characters are build well – Maddy is feisty and sure of herself but she lacks precision and the ability to choose. She has a way of not allowing herself to do what she really wants – Joe, finds this difficult to understand and is continuously pushing her and I found the sexual angry chemistry between them enjoyable to say the least. I thought Joe was particularly well written although he was a little madening; he does have that army, military vibe and I thought his dominance but his need to be with Maddy was sweet to read about. There’s quite a lot of intensity and I thought that hiding of their burgeoning relationship and the running of the camp created a mood.

In terms of negative, the book isn’t particularly deep as I mentioned and I think although the book wasn’t short that all three stories could have been woven in together because I’m not thinking of getting hold of the next two. I think books that manage a number of plotlines are a lot more sophisticated and resonate more with me because it allows for the interweaving of stories more than just the relationship we get between Maddy and Joe. I found the story between the two a little sickly; although Maddy breaks Joe’s heart (in the past) he is immediately right back to where they were when they first dated and although it’s passionate it’s just not real. I don’t think anyone would be so driven to be back in a relationship after what he goes through and although the author does discuss this, throughout it’s more him desperate to get her back.

Overall this was the perfect book for a tired train journey, it moved with pace, developed a number of characters and did interest me. Unfortunately all a little the same as to all the other romance books I’ve read recently and didn’t keep me on my toes but if you want a cute romance this may be perfect for you.

Linnnnnks

Amazon

Website

Goodreads

Tangled Up in Blue by J.D. Brick

October 8, 2015October 8, 20152 Comments

Helllllo readers, another book for you today from the wonderful J.D Brick. I read this when I was struggling with a classic reading block. Some days you just need something a little lighter and I thought a steamy romance might help. Was I right? Hella yes and today I can bring you another exciting review. I won’t go on here because the blurb is supppper long so let’s get stuck in shall we?

Blue

The last thing I need in my life is another damsel in distress. No f*ing way I’m going down that road again. All I want is someone to help pay the rent. All I want is to party like there’s no tomorrow. Get my degree. And forget the past.

But then she shows up, running through me just like a freight train. She’s definitely a distressed damsel, and all my hero instincts start kicking in. I try to play it cool; I try to resist. Somehow, though, she burrows deep under my skin, and I can’t even think straight. It’s not just that her body turns me into a walking, talking boner. The thing is, I’m wrestling with demons I can barely control. What happened in Afghanistan, what I did over there, it never really leaves my mind. Being with Keegan, though, soothes my soul. I can’t explain it any better than that.

I want this girl. I need this girl. Deep down, I know that having her could destroy us both. But I just can’t stop myself.

Keegan

I’ve got no time for the playboy party animal who has suddenly become my accidental roommate. Even if he’s hot. Even if every other girl on campus wants him. Even if he is intense and seductive and so passionate about his music that watching him play makes my heart sing.

Because he’s exactly what I don’t need. Except that, dear God, Blue turns out to be everything I’ve ever wanted. He turns out to be so much more than I could have imagined that day I moved in with him.

But then, he becomes an agonizing mistake. At least that’s what most people would say. And I’ve got one hell of a choice to make…

Pretty exciting if not, long blurb although it doesn’t give too much about the plot. The book follows Blue (gah that man is a hot mess) and Keegan. They are opposite through and through but as soon as they meet the sparks begin to fly. It’s not going to be easy though; both are hiding secrets. Blue is hiding the damage caused by the events surrounding the deaths of his best friends while serving in Afghanistan. Keegan is hiding the reason why she moved from the campus; a stalker is becoming more and more of a nightmare and their threats are becoming more dangerous. Throw in the raucous parties, a few nightmare housemates and you’ve got one hell of a story.

Apparently the genre of this book is New Adult Contemporary? Ignore that, this book is hot and heady. I hate to say this but it pulled me in from the first page and I didn’t put it down much to the annoyance of my parents who I was visiting at the weekend. I thought the idea of throwing the delicate Keegan into such a party house was a really strong idea. It helped to make her come out of her shell and develop which is what we want. In terms of character she is gutsy, sarcastic, but also delicate and easily hurt she’s a darling of a character and I loved her. Blue is just, well *sighs.* Any man who pens a song for a friend and then sings it almost exclusively for her is just, well, pretty goddamn sweet. Through he is this constant changing character; hot hunk to utterly sweet and thoughtful, I thought he was a delight.

The plot is really strong; we have a multitude of different plots. The relationship between the two main characters, the stalker storyline and the back stories of both our main characters as well as a number of supporting characters. I thought the stalker storyline was handled well although I was surprised how well Keegan dealt with it. I would have been a shivering wreck of a human being. Through all of the dilemmas we get to watch their relationship develop and it is good, really, really good.

In terms of writing it is told as a dual POV which is something I don’t normally like but here it really worked. The plot moves with pace and the author knows how to build suspense. The characters fall for each other pretty quickly but there are so many things that could cause it to all blow up so you’re constantly wondering whether it will all go to plan. The writing is evocative and descriptions deep, and the erotic scenes. Well I wouldn’t want my mother to know what I was reading. My only real wobble was that the tale ended on a cliffhanger and the second book isn’t out yet! Lkjkjfahgauhg *groans.*

It is cheesy, it is a little perfect, it is what I would normally rave about, but I loved this. Gah damn it where is that second book!

(Additionally I believe the cover has changed but I much preferred the one I was sent so that’s why I’ve included it! ^^^)

Linnnnnnks

Amazon

Goodreads

Website

Pearshaped by Stella Newman

July 16, 2015July 22, 20156 Comments

Helllllllo readers, a wonderful romantic story for you today and one that I cannot bloody wait to share with you. I’ve been on a book borrowing hype, stealing into the library to grab new books, but this one, this one I will have to buy a copy of. ‘Chick-lits,’ and me have fallen out over the years; daft females, one layer men (with a six pack obvs) who we’re supposed to swoon over and often enough tackiness to cause me to hurl the book at the nearest wall. Give me strength goddamn it. Then I read something that I fall in love with, read in one sitting and stay up till one in the morning stuck thinking about. If you want praise I waited for a bus on a Sunday evening after travelling for nearly six hours, because I knew I would have more time to read it instead of hailing a taxi. That’s book love. Seriously.

A novel about love, heartbreak and dessert.

Girl meets boy.

Girl loses boy.

Girl loses mind.

Sophie Klein walks into a bar one Friday night and her life changes. She meets James Stephens: charismatic, elusive, and with a hosiery model ex who casts a long, thin shadow over their burgeoning relationship. He’s clever, funny and shares her greatest pleasure in life – to eat and drink slightly too much and then have a little lie down. Sophie’s instinct tells her James is too good to be true – and he is. An exploration of love, heartbreak, self-image, self-deception and lots of food. Pear-Shaped is in turns smart, laugh-out-loud funny and above all, recognizable to women everywhere.

My plan here is to sell you this book in under 800 words because I have a feeling that I could talk and talk about this tale. Stella Newman’s book Pear Shaped is the stunning tale of Sophie Klein who, in early thirties falls for someone who seems to be the perfect guy. Strongly built, a little older, and with a raucous sense of humour the two fall for one another. Well she does. As the relationship continues, Sophie’s belief that James is too good to be true starts to come true, and his often bad-mannered and undermining comments about her imaginary extra weight and his need to hold her at arm’s length causes our wonderful main character to take a tumble to rock bottom. As she struggles to come to terms with her seemingly broken relationship and her broken self-esteem we see Sophie grow and flourish will her and James kiss and make-up? Gah.

What I adored most about this book and what didn’t expect is that the narrative really revolves around this unhealthy relationship and how it can cause such detrimental effects on young women. However, it doesn’t preach or rely on clichés, but instead takes a very human and honest look at characters flaws and the ways that people can grate when placed in such a close or here, a distant relationship. I thought the way that Newman dealt with the characters was terribly grown-up; James at no point is made to seem vile but instead what he is, the good and also what he isn’t, the bad. The story focuses almost wholly on Soph and I adored that. I’m not going to focus too much technically but the writing is flawless. Full of humorous anecdotes, wonderfully honest quips, delectable descriptions of food and real understanding of how to weave storylines; Sophie works as a ‘Pudding Queen,’ making chilled desserts for supermarkets and the interesting complex relationships of the office work place and a number of her friends including Pete and Laura (who was my second favourite character; everyone needs a friend as like her) were wonderful.

Sophie is a stunning character; her struggle is both uplifting and also heart-breaking and as she breaks down to such a low level I felt a serious feeling of dread. She has such spirit and yet she is terribly insecure, she’s ruthless, genuine and wholesome and yet also clueless. She’s everything you want in a character and I adored her, seriously. We need more of this writing in romantic genred books. Get rid of the dusty, clichéd characters and make more Sophie’s, please I beg you. The book focuses on the importance of knowing one’s self and appreciating that person over the qualms of love and desire. The constant underlying feeling of Sophie trying to understand her feelings and her gut helps to make it feel all the more real and I know that I definitely found myself nodding along.

I’ve got forty one words left damn it; in a sentence I laughed, I cried, I teared up a little in happiness. I found such utter happiness reading this book and I think you will to. Go, get, now.

Linnnkkks

Additionally I can fill in my first square on my Summer Reading Bingo Chart with the square ‘With food as the theme.

Unblocked: Episode One by Marni Mann

June 25, 2015November 25, 20152 Comments

Good afternoon readers and another hopefully interesting review for you. I’m currently working through my email inbox, deleting email I’ve sent myself, reviews I’ve drafted, book review requests and emails I’ve read and replied to; to say it’s a mammoth task is an understatement to say the least. Any bloggers who have any tips for keeping a clean and tidy inbox other than keeping on top of it and replying then deleting them as they come in let me know. Today’s review is one I found lingering in my inbox that I read a little while back but just never got round to typing it all up and posting it to mylittlebookblog. It’s another raunchy tale that I hope you’ll enjoy.

One taste was all it took…

Derek Block seeks revenge.

Frankie Jordan seeks professional dominance.

He wants her, she wants him.

Lines that can’t cross begin to blur.

A second erotic style book for you readers today; the blurb is a little vague so I’ll give you an idea of what’s in store. Frankie is a successful, ambitious and determined young woman working in real estate. Learning from her father, one day she hopes to take over the terribly successful Jordan International from her father. Step forward Derek Block one of the top designers in architecture he needs the best real estate agent to handle an exclusive listing of his project Timber Towers. Upon meeting the chemistry between the two begins to build but Derek has two rules: 1) not to sleep with any women he works with and 2) only sleep with the same woman once. Can the two deny their feeling for each other or will they end up breaking all the rules.

I thought that this book was a brilliant introduction to this new series from the author Mari Mann. I think it definitely set down the foundations for the oncoming books that will continue to document the relationship between our two main characters. This author really fleshes out her characters for us to discover; Derek is a to-hot-to-handle, wealthy and sumptuous character. A little rugged and coarse (checked flannel shirt and bearded kind of guy) I liked the contrast between what I expected him to be and what Mann gave to me in his character. No crisp suit here ladies.

I liked the way that he controlled his business and his aversion to mixing it with pleasure and his difficulty to stop restricting himself from the things he knows he wants. Frankie is a wonderful character confident and dynamic her focus is strong and undeniably attractive to our lovely Derek. I thought the toying from both the characters as to their feelings and whether they should control or give in to their desires was exciting and kept me strung to the authors every word. I also really liked that the author started the weaving of a number of side stories including previous relationships, family members and a little pinch of revenge.

Technically the writing is incredibly strong and impeccably put together. There is the perfect amount of description matched with witty dialogue and a real understanding of how to pull the reader in. The writing is quite obviously passionate and driven and this matched spotlessly with the controlling and powerful character profiles of the male and female protagonist. The narrative, although moves with pace, is steady and allows the reader to really understand what is going on and helps to add to the suspense. I liked that the author really played with me as a reader never quite giving enough away but leaving me wanting more. Over the years I have read a number of romance style books and it seems as though the characters fall for each other at almost first sight but here it’s moulded and worked with to give you more than a typical erotica. There are some saucy scenes that are written with vigour and desire but there’s also a story.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this first story from the Timber Towers series. As a book it gave me so much more than I thought it would and really played with the characters. My only wobble was I wonder how much can be played with within their relationship maybe it went too far in the first instalment but I for one cannot wait to see what happens next.

Links