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Married for Christmas by Noelle Adams

December 26, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: After seeing Kati D’s glowing review over at Dear Author, I thought I’d give this one a go. It was only 99c from Amazon so I thought it was pretty low risk. Plus: Sexy pastor FTW!

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) After years of dreaming, Jessica is finally getting married, but the marriage isn’t exactly what she thought.

Daniel is her best friend, and she’s known him all her life, but he’s never gotten over losing his wife two years ago. His dream is to become the pastor of the church in their hometown, but the small-town congregation keeps balking over calling an unmarried minister. Since Daniel needs a wife and Jessica wants a husband and family, she proposes an arrangement that benefits both of them.

They can get married. They can build a life together. They can celebrate Christmas as a couple. It’s fine that he doesn’t love her. And it’s fine that she’s not exactly suited to be a small-town pastor’s wife. And it’s fine that she’s more attracted to her sexy, brooding husband every day.

Jessica can be practical about this marriage. She knows what she’s getting into, after all…

This book includes fully-developed sex scenes between a husband and wife.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): I liked the idea of a modern day marriage of convenience and here, the reasons for it make sense. I don’t go to church these days but I didn’t have any trouble buying that a small community would want a married man as its pastor rather than a young single one. Jessica is largely a loner and even though she has feelings for Daniel, she doesn’t think he could ever return them, especially given how much he loved his first wife, Lila. They are however, good friends and Jessica thinks this will be her only chance for marriage, family and children. Her mother is in a nursing home and her condition is deteriorating – it was never specified but it seemed like some kind of Altzheimer’s/dementia-related illness. Jessica has no other family. Even though she is often happy to spend time alone or with her Samoyed dog, Bear, she still wants to have a family and connection and, as Daniel needs a wife to win his dream job, it seems like a good idea.

Kaetrin’s 2013 Favourites

December 24, 2013 / Kaetrin

Up until 16 December, I read a total of 251 books for the year. Of those, 145 were books published in 2013. Last year, my 2012/all-reading ratio was a lot lower. Good for the newly released books, not so good for the books languishing on Mr. TBR.

Out of all the books I read, only 27 were rated 5 stars, but 144 were rated 4 stars. I’d have to say that’s a pretty good reading year.

Of the books released in 2013, my favourites were (click on the pics to see my reviews):

Fantasy/Urban Fantasy/Paranormal elements

New Adult/YA

Rhythm of Three by Kelly Jamieson

December 23, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I enjoyed the first book in this series and bought this one as soon as I realised it was out.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) One woman, two lovers. Double the pleasure, or double the trouble?

Rule of Three, Book 2

Former goodie-two-shoes Kassidy now has three pairs of shoes under her bed—hers, Chris’s and Dag’s. While she relishes the hot threesome that makes her friends jealous, she can’t deny things are…complicated. Namely, whom to tell about their unconventional relationship, and whom to keep in the dark.

In the dark category? Definitely Chris’s parents, which should be simple, since they live far away. Except they’ve sprung a surprise for their son’s thirtieth birthday. They’re coming for a visit. Then there’s Kassidy’s best friend Danielle, who’s home from Europe, clueless to recent events, and flirting with Dag like crazy.

Awkward!

Family, friends, coworkers and a wedding put three lovers’ best intentions to the test, making them wonder if this unique brand of love has a chance in hell of working out.

Warning: Spoilers ahoy.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): This novella starts off the day after the end of book one and the trio are still trying to find their feet and work out how their relationship is going to work – from who they will tell and when, where they will live, to communication and picking up laundry. I felt that it made a good start on some of the practical issues three people in a permanent menage might have, even if there was a tad too much melodrama for me when Chris told his parents (Dag’s reaction was a bit scary for me actually and I thought it was out of line even though Chris’ dad was a douche). Once again, there was plenty of smokin’ sex – I appreciated that there was a just Dag and Chris scene – I felt it needed to be there so show that Chris was becoming more comfortable with his heteroflexible side.

In the Clear by Tamara Morgan

December 22, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I received a review copy from the author via NetGalley.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Fletcher Owens is full of secrets.

Few people know he spends his nights volunteering for a Search and Rescue team, saving lives while risking his own. Even fewer know he’s in love with his best friend’s sister. And since he’s not willing to give up their friendship for a chance at something more, that’s exactly how things will stay.

Lexie Sinclair has nothing to hide.

The zany daughter, the wacky sister, the quirky fundraiser for a children’s charity — Lexie couldn’t hide her true self even if she wanted to. So when her brother’s best friend is revealed to be a local hero, she’s determined to stand up and prove she’s ready to be more than just friends.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): This novella was a lot of fun. It is also a good example of self publishing done well. The cover looks professional, the formatting and editing was good – tick, tick, tick.

Lexie Sinclair is a vivacious, enthusiastic young woman who is also a bit of a klutz. Her twin brother Sean makes fun of her pretty much all the time and even though she’s accomplished in her job (as a fund-raiser for a children’s charity), he’s not alone in doing so. Lexie is treated by most everyone as someone whose heart is in the right place but who screws up all the time. While it’s sort of true, it’s also unfair. She has landed in a role which is perfect for her. She can charm and manipulate money out of rich people like nobody’s business and her friendliness is genuine, which makes the wallet-loosening easier to bear.

Fletcher Owens is Sean’s best friend and has been part of Lexie’s life since they were children. He is a dear friend and she’s a little jealous that Sean seems to get most of his attention. Fletcher sees Lexie in a different way to her brother and her co-workers. He doesn’t see her as a screw-up in need of a keeper. He’s in love with her but he’s too afraid that doing anything about it will mean he won’t even have her as friend, so he says nothing.