Disappointmentville: Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos

Format: Paperback | Pages: 307 | Release Date: December 2006 | Publisher: Plume | Obtained: Friends of the Pasquotank-Camden Library - Fall Book Sale

"Love Walked In" by Marisa de los Santos

My Book Summary : When Martin walked into the cafe that Cornelia managed she didn't realize but her life was about to change forever. Cornelia definitely is smitten with him; especially since he's exactly her, type and looks just like Cary Grant (whom she has a crush on for years). Nevertheless, their relationship isn't an easy one especially when Martin takes a while to open up and he has a few secrets, Clare being one of them.

Clare is Martin's eleven-year-old daughter who is dealing with her own issues that seem to be getting out of control. She and her mother (Viviana) used to be a duo that always worked together. Yet recently Viviana has been acting strangely, not her normal-self, and not being a very good mother either.

Soon Cornelia, Clare, & Martin's lives will change in ways that none of them expect and in some ways that make them better people. If only everything else could work out the way, they want it to.

My Book Review : 2.5 out of 5 stars, this is a moving story about what happens when love comes to you in unexpected ways. I really did not enjoy this story, mostly because I hated Clare's parents (Martin & Viviana). They were both too self-involved for my liking. Plus, even though the ending was sweet and I liked who Cornelia ended up with, it still didn't end the way it should have.

I don't recommend this book but it you decide to read it then I say I hope you'll enjoy it more than I did.

On a side note -- I loved Cornelia and the way she was described. Since she's described as being quirky, a small woman, with dark short hair, and all I kept thinking about was how she was just like Kristan Higgins' Cordelia from "Until There Was You."

Author's Novel Extras : Acclaim | Excerpts | Reading Group Guide

Book Teaser(s) :

I brought up the previous tweaked quotation mainly to discuss how it's only partly accurate because, as far as I can tell, no matter what the circumstances, parenthood is thrust upon a parent. No one is ever quite ready; everyone is always caught off guard. Parenthood chooses you. And you open your eyes, look at what you've got, say "Oh, my gosh," and recognize that of all the balls there ever were, this is the one you should not drop. It's not a question of choice. ~ within Chapter 11

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

Made the Grade: Take a Chance Series, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 217 KB | Expected Release Date: May 23, 2012 | Publisher: Entangled Publishing | Obtained: Entangled Publishing

"Try Me" [Take a Chance Series, Book 1] by Diane Alberts

My Book Summary : It's been seven years since that terrible night when Jeremy lost the friendship of not only his best friend, but also the girl he has always loved (Erica) his best friend's little sister. All because of one lie that he didn't even tell.

However, when he thought about the day when he would see Erica again he never envisioned himself being dirty, bruised, and dehydrated on the side of the road outside of Las Vegas. He had hoped if they ever did see each other again he'd be painted in a better light then looking like he was following in his old man's footsteps. Nevertheless, here they are hanging out again and he's soon realizing that he is still completely in love with her, while she still seems unattainable to him.

Yet Erica has her own secrets .... one is that she has always loved Jeremy too! Also, her love for him hasn't seemed to lesson over the years. But her other secret might just scare him away for good if they ever get closer, like every other man, so she has to keep Jeremy at arms length no matter the cost. The only thing is will Jeremy allow her to do that??

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars, this intense novel deals with two stubborn main characters that have loved each other for years but haven't had the best of luck. Follow how they work through their troubled pasts while creating the life they want to have with each other.

I loved Jeremy!! He has this intensity that I think would be wonderful in a spouse!! My only problem was how both Erica and Jeremy deal with bring up their issues which is they either accuse each other or hide out of fear from what the other would do. Yet, even though I say that, I don't know how I'd rather have it written since it seemed to work out for them. I like them as the characters they were so I wouldn't have changed them, even their insecurities...I guess. =0)

I recommend this novel to anyone who likes to read about hot military men finding the love of their lives. Or to those who enjoy contemporary romance novels!!

Author's Novel Extras : Sell Sheet | Six Sentence Sunday- TRY ME | #SixSunday– #TryMe from @entangledpub | #SixSunday– #TryMe #3 @entangledpub

Book Teaser(s) :

Teaser #1 ~ within Chapter 1

Erica took a more cautious bite, then closed her eyes with a blissful sound. Not only was he gorgeous, but he cooked like a damned rock star.
So not fair.
"Wow. You really know your way around the kitchen. I thought you were just showing off."
"Me? Show off? Please. I'm just so naturally attractive to members of the opposite sex that it just seems like I'm showing off. This is all me, baby."
"Call me 'baby' one more time, jerk."
He grinned. "Anything you want, baby." ~ within Chapter 3

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

"Waiting On" Wednesday: The Booby Trap

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

"The Booby Trap" by Anne Browning Walker
Expected Publication Released Date: September 1, 2012

Author's Book Description:

Welcome to The Booby Trap, a seedy bar where waitresses’ skirts are high, necklines are low, and customers show up for the eye candy.

When brainy, beautiful, Harvard Ph.D. candidate Bambi Benson wants to study the women of the Booby Trap for her dissertation, she goes undercover and joins them. All is going well for Bambi until handsome local celebrity Trip Whitley enters the scene.

Hoping to shock his high-society family by dating a bimbo, Trip offers to pay Bambi to pretend to be his girlfriend. She accepts his offer and bides her time, waiting for the right moment to reveal her true identity and teach Trip not to judge based on appearances.

After a series of dates carefully orchestrated for their publicity value, Bambi’s trap is set. But there’s one problem: the predator might have fallen in love with her prey.

Teaser Tuesdays: Try Me

Today's Teaser Tuesdays by MizB - click here

"Try Me" [Take a Chance Series, Book 1] by Diane Alberts

Book Teaser:

With a snort, he ducked his head against the sunlight and trudged along the road. At least he'd get to work on his tan.
That tan was turning into the beginning of a sunburn before he finally heard a car engine rumbling behind him. It was the first sign of life he'd seen since he stumbled out of the desert. Finally. He'd started to think he'd slept through the end of the world. Zombies optional. ~ within Chapter 1

Feasted On: Sharing Hailey by Samantha Ann King

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 436 KB | Expected Release Date: July 9, 2012 | Publisher: Carina Press | Obtained: NetGalley

"Sharing Hailey" by Samantha Ann King

My Book Summary : Hailey just got out of a very bad relationship. She knew for a while now that she should have broken up with Daniel sooner then she did but for some reason she always thought their relationship would get better. That was until the emotional abuse for Daniel escalated to physical abuse.

Now she's going on her family/friends annual trip to Hawaii with hopes to enjoy the sun while putting Daniel and their broken relationship out of her mind.

However, the one thing she never thought would happen .... her older brother's two best friends, Mark & Tony--whom she has had crushes on for years now, would declare their love for her and propose getting into a monogamous ménage à trois. It's all so tempting especially when they all agree to give it a try and start steaming up their sheets/bathrooms/lounge chairs.

Nevertheless, their newfound happiness is put to the test when Daniel decides he won't let her go .... no matter what the cost!

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars, this sexually charged romantic thriller is sweet, exciting, and mysterious as you follow the ramifications that Hailey goes through after breaking up with her ex. I loved the relationship and love that Hailey shares with Mark & Tony! Especially since, they've found a way to make them all happy without hurting their friendships. However, even though all relationships have their own trials and tribulations, the ones that these three deal with are harder then usual since Daniel turns out to be a psychopath! It definitely puts a different spin on what happens to their relationship, while keeping the reader entertained enough to see what is going to happen between them!

The only problem I had with this novel was Hailey towards the end of the novel. I mean I loved that the guys understood her worries and concerns, and I loved how the novel turns out at the end, but some of her complaints and worries really annoyed me. And had me wishing she had made some different decisions along the way.

With that being said....I still would recommend this novel to anyone who likes to read ménage romances!

Book Teaser(s) :

“Think about it, Hailey. We’ve been sharing you for years.”
She blushed and tightened her fingers on the mug, trying not to squirm. “Not like that.”
“The only thing that’s changing is that we’ve told you how we feel about you.”
She raised her eyebrows in disbelief.
His crooked grin was a little sheepish. “Well, that and the sex.”
Hailey’s glanced to the crotch of his khaki cargo shorts, and her face got hotter. Her ears were actually burning. Forget that. Her whole body was burning.
“Yeah,” he said. “I’m hoping to do something about that too. Do you have any idea how uncomfortable it is to have a constant hard-on when I’m around you?” ~ within Chapter 4

“But I don’t believe for one second that you two have been celibate for a whole year.”
“You’re right. It’s been fifteen months for me.” Mark shrugged. “I know it sounds pathetic.”
“Bullshit,” she said.
Mark blinked. “Huh?”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Why would he lie?” Tony asked.
“I don’t believe you either,” she replied.
“Why would we lie?”
“I don’t know. But there’s not a snowball’s chance in hell that the women of Albuquerque have allowed you two to remain celibate for the last twelve—” She stared hard at Mark, “—to fifteen months.”
“Are you saying we’re easy?” Mark asked indignantly.
Hailey laughed. “I’m saying you’re hot and women throw themselves at you and you’d have to be a saint not to succumb.”
“Then call the pope and start the paperwork,” Mark replied smugly. ~ within Chapter 12

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