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For You by Kristen Ashley, narrated by Liz Thompson

July 18, 2015 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: This is one from my personal library.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Lieutenant Alexander Colton and February Owens were high-school sweethearts. Everyone in their small town knew from the moment they met they were meant for each other. But something happened, and Feb broke Colt’s heart; then she turned wild, and tragedy struck. Colt meted out revenge against the man who brought Feb low, but even though Colt risked it all for her, Feb turned her back on him and left town.

Fifteen years later Feb comes back to help run the family bar. But there’s so much water under the bridge separating her and Colt, everyone knows they’ll never get back together – until someone starts hacking up people in Feb’s life. Colt is still Colt, and Feb is still Feb, so the town watches as Colt goes all out to find the murderer while trying to keep Feb safe. As the bodies pile up, the feds move in, and a twisting, turning story unravels, exposing a very sick man who has claimed numerous victims. Along the way Feb and Colt battle their enduring attraction and the beautiful but lost history that weaves them together.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): February Owens and Alexander “Colt” Colton grew up together – her older brother Morrie is Colt’s best friend – and they dated as teenagers. Something happened which split them up – something which Feb won’t talk about but which broke her and which Colt doesn’t understand even a little bit (although, I have to say I found his naivety in the circumstances a little surprising. Surely he at least had something of a clue.) While Colt continued his close relationship with Feb’s and Morrie’s parents and with Morrie, he and Feb had basically nothing to do with one another for 22 years. In between they both got married and divorced. In Feb’s case, she married an abusive asshole who beat her and after it became public knowledge, Feb left the ‘burg, only returning for special family occasions. Colt married Melanie and was happy with her for a while but she pulled away from him when they found out she was infertile and they divorced some years before the book begins.
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Marine for Hire by Tawna Fenske

July 16, 2015 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I bought this a while back.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) “She thought she’d sworn off military men for good…”

Sam Kercher is every inch a wickedly hot Marine. Tall. Sexy. Lethal. When his best friends call in a favor, Sam is forced to face an entirely new line of duty-playing nanny for their newly divorced sister and her squirming seven-month-old twin boys. If Sam can dissemble an M16 in his sleep, diaper duty should be a cakewalk…right?

Unfortunately, Operation Nanny isn’t quitethat simple. Sheridan has sworn off overbearing military men, so Sam must protect her from her dirtbag ex without revealing just how much he has in common with her brothers. Or that he’s been ordered not to touch her. Ever. Problem is, Sheri’s one hell of a gorgeous woman, and Sam wants her bad. Protect the girl. Care for the babies. Hide his identity. And keep his hands off. But even the most disciplined Marine has weaknesses…and Sheridan is one Sam might not be able to resist.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): One of this author’s books was a DA Daily Deal a couple weeks ago and someone mentioned in the comments that Tawna Fenske writes funny. I was in the mood for funny so I dug this one out of Mt. TBR. (I also bought the daily deal book. Are you surprised?)

The set up is over the top. Sheridan’s brothers are uber alpha males who know what’s best and are very VERY protective of their little sister. When “Lieutenant Limpdick” aka, Sheri’s husband cheats on her with a stripper from Arkansas when their twin boys were barely a month old, Sheri kicks his ass to the kerb. The divorce is now final but Limpdick is making noises about a reconciliation. MacArthur “Mac” Patton (Sheri’s eldest brother) wants to keep the douchebag away from his sister and make sure those babies (now seven months old) are safe too. Sheri is just about to start a new job and needs a nanny. The ex-husband has two weeks before he’s due to leave Hawaii for another posting. Mac asks his friend, Sam Kercher, to take the job as “manny” for two weeks, while Mac lines up an actual nanny. He’s to keep the douchebag away from Sheri and look after the babies and Mac’s little sister, all the while hiding that he’s a Marine. And, he’s got to keep his hands off Sheri. (Like that’s ever gonna happen).

Sam said. “You’re aware that this is insane, right? I don’t know how to cook or change diapers or get baby vomit out of cashmere.”

“It’s Hawaii. No cashmere needed, and baby vomit blends nicely into floral-patterned shirts.”

Review at Dear Author

July 14, 2015 / Kaetrin

I’m over at Dear Author with a review of The Hierarchy of Needs by Rebecca Grace Allen. I wasn’t sure about the hero at first but he quickly grew on me.

Review at AudioGals

July 11, 2015 / Kaetrin

I’m over at AudioGals with a review of Rock Hard by Nalini Singh, narrated by Justine O.Keef. While I like Ms. Keef’s narrations, I can’t help but think a New Zealander would have been a better fit, given the setting.

The Spring Bride by Anne Gracie

July 10, 2015 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I was provided with a review copy by the publisher. (One of the first paper books I’ve read in ages!)

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) A dog in need of rescue brings together a young debutante and a mysterious stranger in this regency charmer from the beloved Anne Gracie. For fans of Mary Balogh and Madeline Hunter.

On the eve of the London Season, Jane Chance is about to make her entrance into high society. And after a childhood riddled with poverty and hardship, Jane intends to make a good, safe, sensible marriage. All goes according to plan until a dark, dangerous vagabond helps her rescue a dog.

Zachary Black is all kinds of unsuitable—a former spy, now in disguise, he’s wanted for murder. His instructions: to lie low until his name is cleared. But Zach has never followed the rules, and he wants Jane Chance for his own.

If that means blazing his way into London society, in whatever guise suits him, that’s what he’ll do. Jane knows she shouldn’t fall in love with this unreliable, if devastatingly attractive, rogue. But Zach is determined—and he‘s a man accustomed to getting what he wants.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): I don’t read very much historical romance these days I must say. But the blurb for The Spring Bride enticed me to read – I do like a hero in pursuit. I listened to The Autumn Bride but haven’t (yet) read The Winter Bride. I don’t think it’s entirely necessary to have read the second book but I think it probably helps to have read the first. Jane Chance is the younger sister of the heroine of that first book and it contains the story of how the four Chance “sisters” came together and how they ended up in Berkeley Square with Lady Beatrice.
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