Tag: NetGalley (Page 25 of 37)

My Sweetest Escape by Chelsea M. Cameron

February 13, 2014 / Kaetrin

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

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) The past will always find you.

Jos Archer was the girl with the perfect life; until the night it all came crashing down around her. Now, nine months later, she still hasn’t begun to pick up the pieces. Even transferring to a new college and living under the watchful eye of her older sister, Renee, isn’t enough to help her feel normal again.

And then she meets Dusty Sharp. For reasons Jos can’t begin to fathom, the newly reformed campus bad boy seems determined to draw her out of her shell. And if she’s not careful, his knowing green eyes and wicked smile will make her feel things she’s no longer sure she deserves.

But even as Dusty coaxes Jos to open up about the past, he’s hiding secrets of his own. Secrets about the night her old life fell apart. When the truth is finally revealed, will it bring them closer together;or tear them apart for good?

What worked for me (and what didn’t): I enjoy this author’s style very much – even when the plot was frustrating me, the story was always easy to read. Props to Harlequin for showing an interracial couple on the cover too.

The reader knows, from the blurb and in any event, it is apparent very very early in the story that “something” happened nine months earlier (dont’ worry, it’s not baby related) and this changed Jos’s life. I felt the reveal of the “something” was drawn out too long and when it was finally revealed, it felt anti-climactic to me. I admit I had some difficulty in understanding why Jos felt so responsible. Perhaps I am just a hardass.

Do or Die by Suzanne Brockmann

February 8, 2014 / Kaetrin

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

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Navy SEAL Ian Dunn went rogue in a big way when he turned his talents to a lawless life of jewel heists and con jobs. Or so the world has been led to believe. In reality, the former Special Ops warrior is still fighting for good, leading a small band of freelance covert operatives who take care of high-stakes business in highly unofficial ways. That makes Ian the hands-down choice when the U.S. government must breach a heavily guarded embassy and rescue a pair of children kidnapped by their own father, a sinister foreign national willing to turn his own kids into casualties. Shockingly, Ian passes on the mission… for reasons he will not–or cannot–reveal.

But saying no is not an option. Especially not to Phoebe Kruger, Ian’s bespectacled, beautiful, and unexpectedly brash new attorney. Determined to see the abducted children set free, she not only gets Ian on board but insists on riding shotgun on his Mission: Impossible-style operation, whether he likes it or not.

Though Phoebe has a valuable knack for getting out of tight spots, there’s no denying the intensely intimate feelings growing between Ian and Phoebe as the team gears up for combat. But these are feelings they both must fight to control as they face an array of cold-blooded adversaries, including a vindictive mob boss who’s got Ian at the top of his hit list and a wealthy psychopath who loves murder as much as money. As they dodge death squads and play lethal games of deception, Ian and Phoebe will do whatever it takes to save the innocent and vanquish the guilty.

Or die trying.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): I have missed Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooters books. This isn’t a Troubleshooters book but it is a kind of offshoot of them. Regular Brockmann readers will recognise Deb Erlanger and Joe (“Yashi”) Hirabayashi from the FBI and Martell Griffin from Force of Nature (he is a friend of Ric Alvarado’s). Jules Cassidy even gets a mention or two but he didn’t actually appear on page (sadly). It’s set in the same world where the Troubleshooters are and I gather that future books in this series may incorporate other TS characters in some way.

Live by Mary Ann Rivers

January 31, 2014 / Kaetrin

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

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) If there’s an upside to unemployment, Destiny Burnside may have found it. Job searching at her local library in Lakefield, Ohio, gives her plenty of time to ogle the hottest man she has ever laid eyes on: the sexy wood-carver who’s restoring the building. But as the rejection letters pile up, Destiny finds an unexpected shoulder to cry on. With his rich Welsh accent, Hefin Thomas stirs Destiny so completely that, even though he’s leaving soon, she lets herself believe the memory of his scorching kisses will be enough.

Hefin can’t help but notice the slender, confident woman with ginger hair who returns each day, so hopeful and determined. So when the tears start to fall, his silence—penance for a failed marriage—finally cracks. Once he’s touched her, what Hefin wants is to take her back to Wales and hold her forever. But Destiny’s roots run too deep. What they both need is each other—to learn how to live and love again.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): Immediately before I opened this book, I’d read Unraveled by Jen Frederick and Reaper’s Legacy by Joanna Wylde. They don’t have much in common with each other or with Live, beyond the fact that they are all contemporary romances. There is something in the writing style of the former two books which I would describe as “easy, effortless and engaging”. They were both the sort of books I could read very quickly – not that they didn’t have serious moments or didn’t pack an emotional punch – they did, but the style was something I find easy to tap into.

Rivers’ style is something else again. There’s a denseness to it. It is heavily descriptive and long on metaphor. There is an effort required to read it. It’s not the sort of writing one can easily skim. Sometimes the sentences don’t make sense unless you kind of roll them around on your tongue a bit. It takes me longer to read a book like this. I have to concentrate more and if I get distracted I lose the rhythm of the language. There is a reward for effort. Uncovered in some of the beautiful language are some word pictures which are just right – a book like Unraveled has it’s own joys but so does a book like Live.

Castle Hill by Samantha Young

January 17, 2014 / Kaetrin

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

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Braden Carmichael never imagined he’d fall as hard and as fast as he did for Jocelyn Butler. He also could not have anticipated how difficult it would be to convince her to give in to love. But now that he has her, he’s never letting go. He’s got it all planned—the passionate proposal, the dream wedding, the sexy Hawaiian honeymoon—even the perfect family they’ll start.

After trying to flee from her painful past, Joss is finally allowing herself to embrace the future. But when things start moving faster than she anticipated, she finds herself panicking over something Braden can’t understand. After everything they’ve been through, Joss is sure that their love can survive even her worst fears. But, this time, she may push Braden too far—and risk losing everything all over again…

What worked for me (and what didn’t): I enjoyed this novella but I think the dedication is right – it’s very much for the Braden and Joss fans. It won’t make a lot of sense if a reader hasn’t previously read On Dublin Street and even though there is a story arc, it felt to me like nothing much happened in terms of character development. It was an opportunity to spend more time with a couple many people love but I don’t think I was better informed as to their characters by the end. Sure, things happen during the novella – they get married and have a sexy honeymoon and then their relationship is tested and this time, Braden pulls away. But I didn’t feel like anything was revealed in this novella that I didn’t already know about both Braden and Joss in the first book.

The Changeup by Rhonda Shaw

January 9, 2014 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley. Also, it’s a younger man/older woman (she’s only 34, but still) story and I love them. The Changeup is out on now.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Playing for keeps

After nine years of striking out in the dating department, Maddie Hamlin is throwing in the towel. But just as this mom resolves to remain single, she meets sweet and sexy pitching phenom Chase Patton at a family dinner. He’s perfect for her and aside from the fact he’s only twenty-two.

Chase knows he should be focusing on his rookie year with the Detroit Rockets, but he can’t stop thinking about Maddie. He doesn’t care that the beautiful school counselor is twelve years older, and he’s already lost his heart to her adorable daughter. When an incredible date leads to an incredible night of passion, he knows he never wants to let her go.

But dating in the media spotlight is a whole new ball game. Maddie quickly discovers that not everyone accepts their unconventional relationship and that finding love may mean losing everything else.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): My reaction to this book is complicated. I wanted to like it more than I did. There were some things I liked about it very much – enough that I am looking forward to the next book (which I hope features my favourite character, Karen). The premise attracted me so much that I bumped it to the top of my TBR and read it almost as soon as I downloaded it. However, I felt a lot of things were under-developed and I wasn’t entirely sure I liked either Maddie or Chase sufficiently well to root for their HEA.

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.