Rock King, by Tara Leigh

Rock King, by Tara Leigh

Genre: Romance

I’m a sucker for rock/film star romance, and Kristen Callihan and Kylie Scott are top of the genre for me….so this was an easy request.
How did it stand up to those two paragons of fame books, the Queens of rock romance though?

Well, to begin I struggled. Its a great start in that Delaney is the kind of heroine I love, broke, hard working and honest – well, apart from that one big thing of course…..
She’s busy at work when someone comes in who she knew from their school days, not a friend but someone who recognised her, and she’s with her boss, who thinks Delaney is perfect for his latest brief. Find a “girlfriend” for his client, rock star Shane Hawthorne. He needs someone stable in his life while touting to keep him off the alcohol/drugs fiasco. So far a serious of temporary girlfriends, NDAs and cash/chance at fame for them have done the trick. It has to be the right person though, and Travis thinks Delaney is perfect.
I loved Delaney, understood why she did what she did, and why that decision haunted her. Its a hard thing to live with, and she’s desperate to make reparations, but of course with no money, in a poor paid job how can she?
Shane too, I thought he was great. He knew his weaknesses and wasn’t going back, and so far the paid girlfriend has worked out. Travis his manager has come through every time. Delaney isn’t the usual actress, would be singer though, hoping for some of his fame gloss to rub off on her, she’s very different. There’s something about her though that Shane can’t let go, something that calls to him, makes his life brighter.

There’s so much going on in the first half and yet it felt like nothing was happening once the initial story started. Its seemed to be Will She Stay or Will She Go….over and over. So many inner musings and monologues that I felt every bit of life in the story was being dragged out, chewed over, spit up and spoiled. A really danger of me not finishing this. That’s a personal view though of course, others love it as is.
Then we moved forward and…I was hooked. Some great drama, some very real scenes, some tears, heartache, secrets laid bare and wow – that point where it all falls apart, the drama that I love. That was superb, and had the whole book been like the second half it would have been a five for me, but that slow, dull start pulled it down. I needed more action, more of the day to day things actually happening and less musing, questioning decisions, less of the whole should I or not stuff.
I certainly enjoyed Tara’s writing style though once things moved forward, and I look forward to more from the series.

Stars: four, a really slow first half for me, but a fabulous finish.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

Starstruck, Sariah Wilson

Starstruck,  Sariah Wilson

Genre: General Fiction (Adult) , Romance

I’d enjoyed Sariah’s first Monterra novel, didn’t like the second much, so I had mixed feelings about this read. I enjoyed it pretty much as the first Monterra one, funny dialogue but a few issues with plot.

Zoe’s a great girl, I loved her younger siblings, when she was with them there were some great times, typical kid centred humour, and when Chase joined them, that day at the beach for instance, I really had fun reading about them and it tightened the connection between him and Zoe.
I did think given the * star * Chase is there would be more fan issues and more of the paparazzi out to photo him. Usually a Mystery Woman sighting would send them into a frenzy, but it seemed very muted.
Chase too is a great guy, he’s very genuine, been in the business sometime, and is jaded from the usual people who surround him. Apart from a couple of close friends he feels everyone wants something from him, tells him what they think he wants to hear and not what they really feel. That must happen a lot, its the nature of fame sadly. He makes a change too from the usual I Am Important film star/rock star type. Its good to see someone who can see through the fakers, and who values his good friends.
When That Event comes, the Big Split drama, I understood how he felt even as I felt so sad for Zoe. We are shaped by our pasts, what happens back then does influence how we act, speak, feel now, and this was a perfect example from both sides.

The things that stopped this from being five star were those issues, plus the huge one of Zoe and her friend. Would she really have been like that with a friend she’d had since childhood? I know she was making excuses to herself, but its something that we could see was going to cause huge issues when revealed. I didn’t think she would have acted that way, it wasn’t in her nature. It just felt wrong to me, jarred from the very first and was such a major part of the book.
Still, it does provide for some fabulous drama, and I adore all that and the angst that comes with it. The fallout was perfect, gave me all the sadness and grief I love to wallow in…. but I so wish the catalyst had been different.
I didn’t see the other big trigger event, noted it when it happened but it was slid in so deftly that I’d forgotten about it until the big bang so to speak. That was perfect, exactly how I love drama, when things come up that either I’d forgotten or didn’t know so it comes as a surprise.

Stars: 4, a really fun read, full terrific characters, and with the exceptions I’ve mentioned, felt very real.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and publishers

 

Heart on Fire, Amanda Bouchet

Heart on Fire, Amanda Bouchet

Genre: Sci-fi and fantasy, Romance

The final stretch, and what a fantastic trilogy this has been. A mesh of traditional legends, Gods, Goddesses, fantastical creatures and imagined kingdoms. Amanda has taken bits of stories we all grew up with and shaped them into an amazing story that had me gripped right from the start.

The characters, a real mix, and finding out some of the ones Cat has known for years were actually more then just magical humans came as a shock to her. Griffins family, she wishes she’d been brought up that way, secure in her parents love, but her upbringing was very far from that. Griffin and his siblings and parents support each other at every turn, Cat’s siblings were forced to fight each other and their mother for their lives, and killing her sister scarred Cat’s psyche in unimaginable ways.
When she ran, aided by Thanos, and found the circus they became her family for many years, but she kept secret inside her talents, her magical skills. Then Griffin came into her life.

Griffin has been incredible, he’s ambitious, but not for power, for peace. He wants to reunite the fractured kindoms and stop all the fighting, the abouse by those in power, the cruelty and murders, but he’s happy to stand behind Cat, to take second place as he knows she’s meant to be the figurehead.
Turns out much of what he feels is real, that he and Cat were shaped for each other, given the skills to get this done but that doesn’t mean its plain sailing. They’ve come so far but still have a big battle in store, Cat’s mother won’t give up her kingdom easily, and Cat knows just how powerful she is.

I love the way this plays out, as with the other two books there are battles, both on a large scale, and small with just Cat, Griffin and sometimes some of the others from Elpis team.
There’s a backstabbing betrayal that comes as a shock, there are multiple times they face death and scrape by aided by one of the Gods, or by a talent they’ve gifted them in the past – nothing was ever free though, they had to prove they had the skills, they were right to hold that gift.

I love the way Amanda has dealt with my pet hate, when characters are right on the edge of losing and one of them gets a new power and miraculously is skilled and wins the day. Mostly she has them use powers we already know they have, having worked hard to refine the use of them. There are times when they are almost in the situation I’ve described, but they have to really think about, understand the consequences of using what they have, and often it doesn’t go right first time, or even fourth time, and they need a quick Godly rescue 😉
I want my characters to have to work to win, to have to make tough choices, to really understand what it is their asking, doing, wanting.
I need them to practice to get the skills they need, not just whip them out of a hat at the tough moment, and Griffin ensures Cat and the rest of the team do all that.
There’s lots to understand to about him and Cat, why and how they are who they are, the consequences of their actions, their pasts and how that has affected them.

Of course it culminates in an amazing battle bringing in so much of whats gone down earlier in this book, and in the previous two.
I love stories that do that, build on events and characters, let them play a full role in how the story ends, not just a bit part along the way.

Way back when I read the first part of Charlie N. Holmberg’s  Magician trilogy, I wrote that I thought it would make a fantastic family film – and a couple of years later Disney picked it up.
I really think this trilogy would be a terrific film too, but more for new adults upwards. There are scenes between Cat and Griffin that are very sensual, which belong to the story, show their connection, but which would probably get toned down too much or disappear if this became a family film, and that would be a real loss IMO.

Stars: five, a fantastic trilogy, gripping, entertaining and one to keep.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

Love on the Tracks, Tamsen Parker

Love on the Tracks, Tamsen Parker

Genre:  Romance

Well, I adore Tamsen’s Compass series so when I saw this was keen to read. Its a very different style though, and felt very much more NA to me.
That’s fine, I do read and enjoy some NA, but somehow this one never really hooked me.

It was a Good read, Tamsen’s usual impeccable writing style where characters and scenes feel so real, but for me it wasn’t a Great read, and that’s what I was expecting. A case more of reader wrong expectations more than anything wrong with the story.

I did like both characters, enjoyed Zane’s songwriting, the way he and the band wanted to move forward but the label wants to keep on with the current successful format. I reckon that’s pretty true to life, those in charge of expenses are risk averse, they want to stay with a sure thing regardless of how bands/individuals feel.
Rowan was a good lead, loved the way her and her father had become such a close unit, enjoyed seeing how she came into Luge, a niche sport. On that note the whole SIG was really interesting, and unusual slant and one that worked well.

Having said all that somehow though the book failed to gel into a story that kept me hooked, I read it, enjoyed it but could have put it aside, and when a story is a great read that’s something I struggle with. When I find I can put it aside and read something else I know that for me its not a winner.

As ever though this is just my opinion, you decide for yourself if its one you’ll like. Its well written, no plot holes, good characters so will have many who love it as it is, just not me 😦

Stars: Three, a good start to a new series, but wasn’t a must-keep-reading novel for me.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

Hooking Up, Helena Hunting

Hooking Up, Helena Hunting

Genre:  Romance

This was a fun, spicy read, but not my favourite of Helena’s books. I really enjoyed reading it, its a worthy 4 stars for me but not the spark that makes a five.

One of the reasons for that I guess is that its a very sensual read, and much of that spice covers a huge chunk of the story but only a couple of weeks in time, meaning the rest of the story tended to get a bit crammed. It’d be hot car encounter – very steamy and then…its several weeks later.
Though those gaps were covered it left me thinking did they really have no contact? what else went on? It just left me feeling a bit disconnected.

The characters were great, Amie, perfect girl, but her past has lead her to try to save her family any more embarrassment and take the safe route.
She thinks Armstrong loves her, they will be happy and if he doesn’t set her on fire, well, his respectability makes up for that.And then at the wedding reception all that goes so very wrong, and she faces what she knew in her heart, Armstrong isn’t the good guy, the one for her, she deserves better.
She knew it really but wanted to please her family, and ignored all the little clues, started moulding herself with Armstrong’s not so subtle hints into a stepford wife type lady.

Armstrong, he really was a prig, so self assured, so much belief that his way was the only way. He doesn’t regard blow jobs as cheating, tries to spin it that he was doing it for Amie, so that he could last longer with her later…WTF, the man’s incapable of seeing his actions are ever wrong.He even says in their sphere its accepted that a man have a couple of mistresses and they don’t count, that Amie is making a fuss over nothing, bringing bad publicity to the family. she’s had a lucky escape.

Hottie hook-up – I think that’s what Amie’s best friend Ruby calls him, ( as requested by author I’m avoiding naming him!!) – is gorgeous, a great man but there are things he’s keeping quiet about for reasons that are clear later . I loved him, so kind, genuinely so, and so sensual. He knows what he’s doing when it comes to sex, and he’s happy to explore further, to have fun. He was perfect for Amie, but she needed to get rid of Armstrong first and that guy’s not going easily….

There are some funny moments here, bits that made me smile, ( the luggage inspection) and some sad ones too.
The sex, wow, hot and steamy and fitted the story so well, its just that at times it took the place of possible plot expansion, filled the time when the story could have been moving forward.
Its not a hugely long book, 4373 kindle locations – and the sex does take up a disproportionate amount of time I feel, making that actual story a bit rushed. I would have liked parts to be more expanded. Still, that’s just me, others are happy to have less story and more sex…you can’t please everyone.

Stars: four, a fun and sensual read.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

The Proposition, Elizabeth Hayley

The Proposition, Elizabeth Hayley

Genre:  romance

A fun read, but a one off for me.

I loved Ben, couldn’t understand why he wanted to go to these lengths though just to fool his family. It seemed a bit nut and sledgehammer, and I couldn’t see why he just didn’t say No to them.
When more about his past came out it was a bit easier but it still sat a bit weird with me. He’s a nice guy though, very honest and straightforward – apart from the whole lying to his family thing 😉

Ryan, I really thought I’d like her – I didn’t dislike her, but there were times when I wanted to give her a shake….I understand independence, and she had a horrible background,  but she a long time past that now.
” What does your mother do?” “Let’s just say she works in pharmaceuticals”
Reminded me of when I was working, we had to get the staff to fill in a police check as they were working with kids. One guy said he had a traffic offence – yep, traffic(ing) heroin…..Words are easy to mislead.

The chemistry between them was great, but for someone so allegedly famous, who’s career was at risk if this all came out I was surprised he never got Papped when out with a lady, never got followed by those who wanted a story. That usually follows fame, but he seemed to live a pretty sheltered, private life.

You know at some point the secret will come out but I didn’t expect it to get done that way, caught me by surprise and I love it when that happens. I like to be kept on my toes when reading, for the unpredictable to happen.

I loved the other guys (and girls) too, made for a good cast of characters. I did find the ending and the family issues a little quick to get resolved, they felt a bit rushed and too much too soon but….

Stars: three and a half, a fun read, but not a re-reader for me.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

@SMPRomance

London, Can You Wait?, Jacquelyn Middleton

London, Can You Wait?, Jacquelyn Middleton

Genre: New Adult, Romance

When I was approved for this ARC I bought book one, London belongs to me.
I love the fame trope, the rock star, film, theatre settings and personalities so wanted to read Alex and Marks early story. TBH though I was underwhelmed, it was OK but not great for me, a bit …err…average, mundane. If this hadn’t been an ARC I wouldn’t have read it.
What a shame that would be though, its a Fabulous read, packed with drama, emotion, heartbreak, betrayals, love, lust and some incredible characters, all the things I love about this genre. I’d hate to have missed it and its definitely one for my keepers/re-reader files!

So we begin with Alex and Mark living together, both striving to build their respective careers, and finding it hard to make time for each other.
Mark has been successful in getting a TV role and now has become a household name, and the little bit of time they do get together gets broken into by fans, by his agent, by last minute opportunities he can’t turn down.
Alex feels like she’s last down the list but doesn’t want to be That Girl. You know, the one that can’t cope, gets needy, ruins his career. she knows how much this means to him, he’s been so supportive of her career, even when she was thinking of giving up she just can’t complain now his is taking off. things have to improve surely?
But they don’t and the time spent apart gets longer and longer, visits get put off, holidays cancelled and Alex panic attacks which had been pretty stable get worse.

And then, just over a third of the way in crisis hits – I really didn’t see that coming, and its heartbreaking, shocking, unbelievable.
Getting that so early made the story for me, I adore drama and heartbreak – so long as I know there’s a HEA of course! So often its there and done with in just a few pages, so to have it covering a huge section of the book was perfect for me.  I was wondering, nail biting, could they survive this, get past it? How would things work out?
The surprises just keep coming too. We were there as both Alex and Mark grew as a result of what happened, how they needed to change, needed to sort out their lives and both became stronger people for it. We’re all a product of our pasts, what happens to us shapes us, and there are some big secrets from the past here to come out.

Its not all Alex and Mark though, but Harry,Tom, Lucy, Freddie, Si, a great supporting cast who’s stories played their own part in building this wonderful second part of the novel.
It had everything part one lacked for me, and more. I’m so glad I didn’t stop at LBTM, and read more from these guys, it had me laughing, crying, heartbroken, angry, furious, well…you name the emotion and this book brought it out.
A terrific read and clearly writing LBTM has helped Jacquelyn hone her writing skills for this genre. I look forward to what she does next.

Stars: five, a fantastic second half, a story so much more than part one.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

All Right Now, Black Halo 3, Madelynne Ellis. Falling For You, Charlotte Blake

All Right Now, Black Halo 3, Madelynne Ellis

Genre:  New Adult, Romance

I’ve been following Black Halo since the beginning, and loved all the books so far. I was so keen to read this one but….it lacked the magic the rest have for me.

I know Ash had been through so much but he was so angry, so whiny, so – well, downright unpleasant much of the time. It felt like everyone was pandering to him, and that isn’t the Ash I thought I knew.
I know serious illness/injury has some different effects on people but i just didn’t like this ash, he felt very selfish, self centred.

Then Ginny, always so happy-go-lucky but hiding That?? I kind of understand why she didn’t tell Ash at first, you don’t spill your guts to someone on first meeting after all, but they’ve gone way way beyond that. To not tell Dani either? Her best friend, when they’ve been through so much together. It just didn’t feel right.

Xane, Luther and Dani felt a bit off here too, I was unsettled that their relationship seems to be having issues, and though I’ve loved Xane in other books he seemed to be saying to both “I want you both, so tough if neither of you like it” and that didn’t match with the guy I thought he was either.

Its a good book of course, Madelynne excels at creating great characters and settings, but for me this one fell short of the others. It didn’t have that magic spark and it was a bit of a chore to get through. That’s something I never thought I’d write but it is how I felt. I can see though that others love it so each to their own.
I’ll still be keen to read more of Madelynne’s stories, this is just a blip for me.

Stars: Three, a sad hiccup in a five star series for me.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

Falling For You, Charlotte Blake

Genre: General Fiction (adult), Romance

I loved the synopsis, I really thought I’d enjoy this read but…while I didn’t dislike it, it just didn’t really appeal.

Its hard to say why this wasn’t a great read for me. Its a well written novel, the characters are like-able and the story was very genuine and sad, but it was just one where I found myself skipping ahead- even those steamy, sensual bits – to get to a part with some “meat” in, something for me to really get engrossed in. And sadly I just didn’t find it 😦

Its a perfect light romance with some serious heat, and the backstory is very sad, but somehow there was never that magic Must-Keep-Reading moment for me, nothing that made it a book I couldn’t put aside for something that held my interest more. It doesn’t/won’t put me off trying more from Charlotte, its a well written story – just that this story didn’t work for me.

It could be perfect for you, will be perfect for many readers. Horses for courses and all that….

 

Stars: 2.5/3. Its a well written story but one where the content just didn’t fit me and my taste.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

 

Tarnished City, Vic James

Tarnished City, Vic James

Genre:General Fiction (Adult),Sci Fi & Fantasy

I thought Gilded Cage was incredible but this has that one blown away. Its an incredible read.
I see some reviewers suggest its a YA, but for me its one that would appeal to older teens and anyone upwards. Its pretty dark in parts and there are some graphic murders and accounts here which I think make it unsuitable for the lower end of YA.

I had ideas about certain people after GC, but they’re turned upside down here. New characters come in, secondary ones from GC move up and Silyen – oh I love his character!! So full of mystery and secrets, so talented and very, very, very un-forthcoming. You simply never know what’s in his head, what he’s thinking and whether he sees people as real, as having feelings or just pawns in some secret game he’s playing. He always seems to be ten steps ahead of what’s happening and yet he says he doesn’t make plans….

Abi is keen to free Luke, but how? She needs help so has to plan carefully how to get that.
Luke is desperate to break out of the strange place he’s in, but as with Millwood he wants to learn more about the people here, the reasons why one in particular is treated differently, he seems to have an effect on people, and he’s clearly a key to what Vic has planned for the grand finale.
Well, that’s how it seems to me. All the things that happen to any of the characters have reasons behind them, some not instantly obvious, as in events from GC that now become clearer here. There are murders, revenges, historical grudges, and over it all the Jardine’s grasping for power – or are they?

Some of the Club from Millwood are back here and working hard for freedom, William Jardine is cementing his place in power by reviving some old and horrific customs, controlling what news leaks out and how its presented. We see how easy it is to manipulate a mob, and sadly that part is so very, very realistic.
Gavar is reluctantly being led to the alter by his power hungry bride, who sees him as a stepping stone, while he’s trying to keep his daughter’s place in Society secure, much to the disgust of his father.
Jenner isn’t so prominent here, but still the quite guy from book one, who seems to have strong feelings for Abi, and she’s busy building alliances to free Luke.
Silyen, well I wrote about him earlier, he’s a character that’s fascinated me from the outset. He feels so much older that his years, connected to this world and to others, searching for long forgotten answers.

Within all that maelstrom of events things are changing, key characters die or get killed, people who we thought were one thing turn out to be something else, and one in particular seems to have undergone a huge change in how they feel.
That came as a huge shock to me and I wonder if perhaps things aren’t as they seem? With this story anything seems possible and its a gripping read. and of course ends on a huge cliffhanger!!
Gah, I so need the final book.

I know this is a trilogy I’ll love to reread, back to back to really get the most from the story.
There’s so much I want to say about this story but I don’t want to give away the surprises, shocks and suspense in it. hopefully I’ve got the balance, if anyone feels its too close to what happens please let me know – I’d hate to spoil it for others.

Stars: five, cracking read, totally absorbing and one to get lost in a world of Skill, suspense and subterfuge.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers
 

Blackmail, Anna James Watson

Blackmail, Anna James Watson

Genre: erotica

A dip outside my norm, but I was pointed in this direction, and the book is free for KU subscribers. I love KU!
I do like erotica when it has a solid story attached. This was fun and certainly very steamy and sensual! I was a bit surprised to find it continues in further books, though look forward to reading more from the three main characters. Its labelled skeleton Key part 1 but there’s also a series called Skeleton Key, where different authors have written stories that are unconnected except for the title, so I mistakenly thought it was part of that, and not part 1 of a series by this author. My bad…but just in case you have that thought too 😉

I liked – and disliked in the case of Tristan – the characters here. They’re all in their 20’s and studying at school/uni?
As a UK reader sometimes the terminology can be confusing, and I found a few words here that even kindle look up couldn’t help, but context gives me a rough idea. One big issue for me was this Tap thing, its a big part of the story, involving people being selected for secret(ish) groups, and TBH I hadn’t a clue exactly what it was at first, but it became clear as the story went on.
American colleges/schools/universities seem to have a great emphasis on these lifelong clubs, which are often difficult to join. We don’t really do that so much in UK. Same with frat/sorority houses etc.

Anyway, Mia gets caught out, and caught up in some hot and sexy times with Tristan and Julian. The background connecting the trio, the story and the sex scenes is the clubs, and what happens and who can join.
There’s day to day stuff that makes the story feel real, and gives a sense of grounding to the characters, its not just a sex fest but a sexy story and I was disappointed when I came to the end and found…it wasn’t the end ;-0. I’d been watching the % bar waiting for some crisis as usually happens at about 70-80%  and thinking “what’s going on?” and then  realised around that, yep, there’s more to come.
I’m kind of sad as I want to know now whats going to come next, and pleased because it means the story gets longer to evolve, and that way we can really get to know the characters well.
Already I can see that Tristan is so much more than the jerk I first thought, but don’t yet know why he acts that way. I like Julian, he’s very self assured and composed, and Mia is learning a lot about herself. I think this has got the potential to develop into quite a complex series ( I hope), something that’s not often found in erotica, a genre that’s dominated IMO by the short’n’hot reads, where the story come last in priority. Its fun to get an erotic series with a solid and interesting, something I’ve not found very often so far, and something I’m looking forward to continuing. M.Q. Barber’s Neighbourly Affection series is one I really enjoy, though thats very BDSM orientated in comparison to this. Who knows how this one will develop though 😉 .
I did feel the story was a little overtaken by the sex, and that’s why its a four for me not a five, but as always sex is what many readers want, and they’re happy for story to come second. Its a very personal thing.

Stars: four, a good intro to a sensual and steamy series.