"Waiting On" Wednesday: All Summer Long

Today's "Waiting On" Wednesday by Jill - click here

"All Summer Long" [Fools Gold Series, Book 9] by Susan Mallery
Expected Publication Released Date: July 31, 2012

Author's Book Description:

Can a summer fling turn into love that lasts a lifetime?

Former underwear model turned entrepreneur Clay Stryker has loved, tragically lost and vowed that he’ll never risk his heart again. After making his fortune, the youngest of the rugged Stryker brothers returns to Fool’s Gold, California, to put down roots on a ranch of his own. But he’s frustrated to discover that even in his hometown, people see him only for his world-famous...assets.

Firefighter Chantal (Charlie) Dixon grew up an ugly duckling beside her delicately beautiful mother, a feeling reinforced long ago by a man who left soul-deep scars. Now she has good friends, a solid job and the itch to start a family—yet she can’t move toward the future while she’s haunted by painful memories.

Clay finds an unexpected ally, and unexpected temptation, in tomboyish Charlie, the only person who sees beyond his dazzling good looks to the real man beneath. But when Charlie comes to him with an indecent proposal, will they be able to overcome their pasts and find a love that lasts beyond one incredible summer?

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Tempting | Accidentally Yours | Falling For Gracie | Chasing Perfect | Having Her Boss's Baby | Only Mine | Only Yours | Only His | Only Us: A Fool’s Gold Holiday | Barefoot Season

Made the Grade: Midnight Justice Series, Book 3

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 308 KB | Expected Release Date: May 1, 2012 | Publisher: Samhain Publishing | Obtained: Jodi Redford

"Breaking Bad" [Midnight Justice Series, Book 3] by Jodi Redford

My Book Summary : After recently finding out about her true heritage Ruby plans to become the superhero she was always meant to be. However, she soon realizes that being a superhero is a whole lot harder than it looks, especially when she finds herself trapped by her uncle’s minions.

Teague doesn't have any plans of becoming a superhero. All he wants to do is exact his revenge on the man who murdered his mentor and friend years ago. Nevertheless, when he finds out that Ruby needs his help he can't just turn away. Therefore, he plans to use his powers to help Ruby get out of a jam then they'll be able to go their separate ways, right? Wrong! Especially if Ruby has anything to say about it!

It doesn't help that they were both caught on tape using their powers. Now Teague feels obligated to protect Ruby, even from her do-gooding-self and even if it means becoming the hero, he never wanted to be. But can they save Earth before they're caught and it's all too late?

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars, this is an electric story about two people that are coming to terms with their pasts while they're trying to save the world from an evil overlord's rule. In some ways, this novel reminded me of Marianne Mancusi's "Moongazer." Mostly in the way, that they are both novels about a heroine learning about whom they truly are while trying to protect their world from a corrupt government/overlord.

I liked the characters and definitely enjoyed the interplay between Teague and Ruby! I just wish the plot was a bit thicker so I could have gotten into it a bit more. Overall, it’s a fun, light, sex heavy novel that was easy to enjoy!

I recommend it to anyone who is fans of Jodi's other books!

My Previous Interview(s) with this Author or the Author's Characters : November 2011 | February 2012

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : That Voodoo You Do | The Naughty List | Maximum Witch | Getting Familiar With Your Demon | Cat Scratch Fever

Book Teaser(s) :

Teaser #1

Teague pressed into her, the firm, muscular planes of his chest and abdomen contouring to her back like the delicious, masculine version of memory foam. “How about now? Feeling anything?”
She gulped, not entirely certain he wasn’t referring to the thick bulge of his erection prodding the base of her spine. “Err...possibly.”
“Good.” His hands coasted along her upper arms and over her shoulders. He continued following the slope of her neck, his fingers a maddening butterfly dance along her overheated skin. She shook as he traced the shell of her ears before combing his fingers through her hair, sifting the strands over her shoulders. His deep inhalation stirred the fine hairs at her temple, and she closed her eyes on a shaky breath.
“Do you feel it, Ruby?” His hands retraced their path, this time moving beneath her arms. “Do you feel our energy weaving?”
Oh my God. She did. Teague’s power was a sensual caress along her synapses. It licked at her own energy, engaging it in an erotic tango that felt...like sex. She bit her lip to stifle a moan. ~ within Chapter 8

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Jodi, then please check out her website.

Teaser Tuesdays: Breaking Bad

Today's Teaser Tuesdays by MizB - click here

"Breaking Bad" [Midnight Justice Series, Book 3] by Jodi Redford

Book Teaser:

Teague slammed to a halt, the air gusting from him like a stabbed balloon as he stared at the skintight silver cat suit Ruby was poured into.
Holymotherfuckinggod.
If there’d ever been an outfit designed to send his mind straight into the gutter, he was looking at it. The fact that the woman of his darkest forbidden fantasies was the one wearing it only made it a million times hotter...and more tormenting. ~ within Chapter 1

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : That Voodoo You Do | The Naughty List | Maximum Witch | Getting Familiar With Your Demon | Cat Scratch Fever

Made the Grade: Made for Marriage by Helen Lacey

Format: Paperback | Pages: 216 | Release Date: January 2012 | Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition | Obtained: Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau's Book Exchange

"Made for Marriage" by Helen Lacey

My Book Summary : Calliope (Callie) has moved to Australia (the country her father was from) in hopes of escaping her past. She has started an equestrian riding school, something she has wanted to do for a long time, and settles into her new life. A life she is very happy with until a new riding student, Lily (a girl who is trying to sort out some problems of her own), and Lily's father, Noah, come barreling into it. They both make her feel things she'd rather not think about and makes her deal with her past that she really doesn't want to deal with. Can Noah, with the help of his children, breakthrough the barriers that Callie keeps around herself so they all might be able to be together for the long haul or will Callie decide that giving up what she could have be better than letting others get close?

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars, this dynamic book was one I didn't want to put down!! Callie and Noah's pasts are what keeps them from getting into any type of new relationship, but once they meet each other their chemistry flies off the page and even though Callie really doesn't want to get over her past mistakes/grievances Noah makes her do so without even trying. I really loved them as a couple! Plus, this story has such fun secondary characters! From Lily (a thirteen-year-old girl who still can't get over the mother who abandoned her four years ago) to Evie (Noah's sister who acts like a mother hen when it comes to Noah and his children) and the rest of Noah's family to their friends (Fiona and Cameron), I just couldn't get enough of everyone. Therefore, I cannot WAIT for the next books to come out by this author (Evie's story "Marriage Under The Mistletoe" in November 2012 & Fiona's story in early 2013).

I recommend this book to everyone who likes contemporary romance novels!!

Book Teaser(s) :

"Who is that?" Cameron asked.
"Fiona."
Cameron raised his eyebrows. "I meant her friend with the great legs."
"Callie Jones," Noah replied quietly.
Cameron chuckled. "The horse lady? Very nice. No wonder you've been keeping her to yourself."
"That's not what I've been doing."
"Sure it is." Cameron smiled. "Shall we go over so you can introduce me?"
"No."
"I just wanna talk to her."
Noah stood perfectly still. "Hard to talk without teeth."
Cameron laughed loudly and began walking toward them. "Okay, I get the message," he said once Noah caught up. "But introduce me anyway."
He did so begrudgingly. ~ within Chapter 4

"I'm so sorry, Fee."
Fiona managed a brittle smile. "I guess what I'm saying is that we all have things in our past that can stop us from looking for happiness or make us blind to it when it comes along. The trick is having the courage to take the chance." ~ within Chapter 7

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Helen, then please check out her website.

Disappointmentville: The Nanny Bombshell by Michelle Celmer

Format: Paperback | Pages: 185 | Release Date: January 2012 | Publisher: Harlequin Desire | Obtained: Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau's Book Exchange

"The Nanny Bombshell" [Billionaires and Babies] by Michelle Celmer

My Book Summary : Cooper's (Coop) life has just changed, since his older brother (and only living family member) and his sister-in-law recently died in a serious plane crash he now has custody of the couple's adopted five-month-old twin girls (his nieces). His partying days are numbered but he plans to take on this responsibility as well as he can. Especially since he feels like he owes it to his brother. However, he knows he can't take care of them on his own, so he plans to get a live-in nanny to help him out. He hopes he'll find someone who will just care about the girls more so then his hockey star fame.

But he might get more then he's asking for when it comes to Sierra ...

Sierra has a secret. She is the biological mother to Coop's nieces. Therefore, once she heard about what the deaths of the twins adopted parents she had to make sure they were going to be safe and loved under Coop's care in any way possible, even if that meant leaving her job as a pediatric nurse and becoming her girl's full-time nanny. She would do anything for them.

However, after a week of living under Coop's roof she realizes that he's a good person and loves her girls but will her secret stay a forever or will she be found out??

My Book Review : 2.5 out of 5 stars. I agree with what one of the Goodreads' reviewer said, "...it doesn't sugarcoat the story by making all the characters perfect. It shows that the characters are imperfect and with flaws." This book is about getting over a loss, protecting the ones you love at all costs, and learning to trust others. I thought this book had a good plot but I got too annoyed with how Sierra kept doubting Coop's motives to her and the twins for at least 3/4s of this book. Because of Sierra's attitude towards Coop, I almost stopped reading the book a few times. However, I wanted to read what happened when Sierra's secret finally came out and I'm glad I did since from that point on it was a good book but then the book was basically over.

This book wasn't one I really got into so I'm not recommending it. However, on Goodreads there are quite a few good reviews for this book so if you read it hopefully you'll like it too.

Book Teaser(s) :

It was that mind-reading thing that he did. So annoying. "To call it 'torment' is an exaggeration. They were just...pranks. And you can't tell me that she didn't deserve it. She's so mean."
"She just quit."
She gasped and slapped a hand over her heart. "She didn't!"
"She did, just now in the kitchen. This is her last day."
"Oh my gosh, Coop. I'm so sorry. I wanted to annoy her, not make her leave. This is all my fault. Do you want me to talk to her? Promise to behave from now on?"
He grinned and shook his head. ~ within Chapter 8

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Michelle, then please check out her website.