Tag: NetGalley (Page 26 of 37)

How I Met Your Father by LB Gregg

December 13, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I’m a big fan of this author’s work so it was a lovely surprise to see a new release.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) The man of your dreams could be sitting right next to you.

Former boy band member Justin Hayes isn’t looking for a man. He just wants a quiet, scandal-free Christmas at home in Chicago, out of the public eye. But his best friend and bandmate is subjecting everyone to his destination wedding, and Justin can’t dodge the “best man” bullet. All he has to do is get to the island on time, survive the reunion, and get Chuck to the altar with as little drama as possible. What could possibly go wrong?

Jack Bassinger’s own plans for a quiet Christmas have been dashed by the summons to his daughter’s hasty wedding with a man Jack has hardly met. On the bumpy flight to the island, he finds himself comforting a nervous—and extremely attractive—young man. One hasty sexual encounter in an airport bathroom later, they both feel much better. No one ever has to know, after all.

Now Justin and Jack must find a way to explore their attraction, despite the distractions of disapproving family members, unexpected announcements, an impromptu concert, and an island paradise that proves there’s no place like home.

20% of all proceeds from this title are donated to the Ali Forney Center in New York, whose mission “is to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) youth from the harm of homelessness, and to support them in becoming safe and independent as they move from adolescence to adulthood.” To learn more about this charity or to donate directly, please visit http://www.aliforneycenter.org/.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): At first I wondered if Justin was a bit of a jerk – his behaviour as he left the plane at the start of the book wasn’t great. But what happened next revealed a slightly different take than my iniital one so I went into the rest of the story a bit more open-minded about him.

Justin and Jack meet on a flight to San Juan – unknown to both, they are connecting to Nevis where they are attending the same wedding – of Jack’s daughter to Justin’s best friend and fellow former-boy-band member, Chuck. An airport hookup leads to Justin feeling pretty embarrassed when he realises who Jack is. Jack is more assured and seemingly not at all phased by it – I admit I would have enjoyed more of him in the story; as it is told in first person by Justin, we don’t get any of his point of view. He is a slightly older man (44 to Justin’s 29) and he certainly comes across as being very self-assured and confident in what he wants and in his homosexuality. Justin and his friends Matt, TJ and Chuck were all members of a boy-band, Rhythm Method when they were teens and they grew up in the spotlight. Their image was very carefully crafted and Justin coming out would have had a significant negative impact on his friends, their careers and finances. So he has remained in the closet and paranoid about the media finding out. The band split some six years prior to the events of the novella but Justin is still hiding in his closet for the same reasons – although, do they really hold true any longer?

Ripped by Sarah Morgan

December 4, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I was provided with a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) “Wardrobe malfunction” doesn’t begin to cover it.

With a rip louder than the “I dos,” Hayley’s hideous bile-yellow bridesmaid dress explodes. She’s always had enviable curves, but nearly naked wasn’t quite the look she’d been going for at her ex’s wedding.

She’s rushed from the altar under the best man’s designer tux jacket. Hayley’s expecting a blast of icy disapproval from sexy, sophisticated Niccolò Rossi—his usual reaction to anything she does. What she gets is a kiss that nearly melts what’s left of her polyester nightmare gown.

It’s impossible on a million levels. Exuberant engineer Hayley and buttoned-up lawyer Nico have never seen eye to eye—but skin to skin? Oh, mio… So when Nico shows up at her flat on Christmas Day to give her a fabulous gift—himself—Hayley’s delighted to do the unwrapping. But it’s just a holiday fling. By New Year’s Day, she’ll come back to her senses…unless Nico’s sensual skills tear away all her resolve.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): Oh, this book was a lot of fun. We’re into the action straight away as Hayley (from whose 1st person point of view the story is told) is giving snarky internal commentary at the wedding of her ex-boyfriend and a former gal pal. She’s a bridesmaid for pride’s sake. If she had refused, it would have looked like she had a broken heart and was home moping and lonely. So, she stuffed herself into a hideous puke-yellow “condom” dress, too small for her and way too small for her breasts and ovaried up to the wedding. The best man is Nico Rossi, a man who is sex on legs but Hayley is convinced he doesn’t like her.

Dragos Takes a Holiday by Thea Harrison

November 26, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I received a copy from the author via NetGalley and I’m a fan of the series.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) The Bermuda Triangle. Pirates. The Peanut. What could possibly go wrong?

Dragos Cuelebre needs a vacation. So does Pia, his mate. When the First Family of the Wyr head to Bermuda for some much needed R&R, it’s no ordinary undertaking – and no ordinary weekend in the sun. Between hunting for ancient treasure buried beneath the waves and keeping track of their son, Liam—a.k.a. Peanut, whose Wyr abilities are manifesting far ahead of schedule—it’s a miracle that Pia and Dragos can get any time together.

They’re determined to make the most of each moment, no matter who tries to get in their way.

And did we mention pirates?

What worked for me (and what didn’t): This little delight is like a gift to fans of the series. I don’t think it would work as a stand alone – all the joy comes from knowing the characters and seeing how far Dragos (in particular) has come. Liam (aka the Peanut) is just gorgeous and readers will be dying of teh cute from him alone. It’s about 90 pages long and doesn’t take long to read, so it’s a great choice if you have a) read the other books (or at least the Dragon Bound and Lord’s Fall) b), don’t have a lot of time but want to get maximum bang for your buck. Because the characters are familiar, the it’s easy to settle into the story quickly and there is a story – it’s not an extended epilogue – which is partly about pirates (!) and partly about Dragos and Pia settling into life as parents and all the changes which come along with that.

Gifts of Honor by Stacy Gail and Rebecca Crowley

November 18, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley. Gifts of Honor releases on November 21.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) I’ll be home for Christmas…

A batch of special Christmas cookies helps a wounded ex-Ranger remember the love of his life. A surprise phone call reunites a woman with the soldier who once broke her heart. There’s no place like home for the holidays, and there’s no better way to spend them than with the one you love.

Starting from Scratch

Christmas is the perfect time to start from scratch

Lieutenant Sully Jax saved his unit during an IED attack, but he couldn’t save his marriage. He can’t even remember it. Recovered from his injuries, he’s come home to the family and friends he knows—and an ex-wife who’s a stranger to him.

Lucy Crabtree was heartbroken last Christmas when Sully announced his plan to go on one last tour of duty, and devastated when he asked for a divorce after he awoke in the hospital with no memory of her. She’s finally moving on from her hurt and from losing the man she loved more than anything, and her cookie-baking business is taking off just in time for the holidays. But now Sully’s back, and she can’t deny she still loves him. But how can she trust her heart to someone who breaks it every time she sees him?

Sully might not remember Lucy, but something inside won’t let her go. With every bite of her cookies, he finds a new love for Lucy, and he soon realizes he wants to rebuild his life with her by his side.

Hero’s Homecoming

Six months ago, being snowed in at Christmas with the amazing woman he met on R & R at Fort Riley would have been a dream come true, yet now, as a blizzard swirls outside Beth Tate’s house, Captain Chris Walker knows he shouldn’t be there. Blinded in combat and emotionally scarred, he never wanted Beth to know the man he’s become—but stranded by the storm, he had no one else to call.

Hurt and bewildered when Chris abruptly ended his faithful contact from Afghanistan, Beth tried to put him and their whirlwind romance out of her mind and prepared for a quiet holiday alone—until the phone rang. Now that he’s here, she’s more confused than ever, torn between love for the man she once knew and anger at the one who broke her heart.

A life with Beth was everything Chris wanted, but the wounds of battle are nothing compared to the agony of heartbreak. It will take more than mistletoe, but perhaps this holiday season Chris will find his way home.

What worked for me (and what didn’t):

Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail

I do like second chance at love stories and I think they often work well in a novella, as I can more easily accept a HEA when the characters know each other already. Except… – well Lucy knows Sullivan but Sullivan can’t remember Lucy. After he woke up in hospital Stateside to a woman at his bedside he didn’t recognise and didn’t remember, Sullivan asked Lucy for a divorce, thinking to release her from a marriage of strangers. When the story begins, Sullivan has been released from hospital/rehabilitation and has returned home to Bitterthorn Texas, where Lucy works in a local bakery. Lucy has always and still loves Jax but she is crushed that he cannot remember her – in fact, it seems that she is the only one he doesn’t remember. The previous Christmas relations were very strained between them, as Sullivan had re-enlisted for another year without discussing it with his wife (which is a SHITTY thing to do). This Christmas, it’s even harder for Lucy because Sullivan is back home safe, but she’s lost the love of her life nonetheless. Even though Sullivan can’t remember Lucy, he is nevertheless drawn to her and he has an inexplicable craving for cookies.

Jagged by Kristen Ashley

November 13, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley. Also I have read and enjoyed, to one degree or another, the other books in this series.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) An old flame rekindled . . .

Zara Cinders always knew Ham Reece was the one, but he wasn’t interested in settling down. When she found someone who was, Ham walked out of her life. Three years later, Zara’s lost her business, her marriage, and she’s barely getting by in a tiny apartment on the wrong side of the tracks. As soon as Ham hears about Zara’s plight, he’s on her doorstep offering her a lifeline. Now, it will take every ounce of will power she possesses to resist all that he offers.

Ham was always a traveling man, never one to settle down in one town, with one woman, for more time than absolutely necessary. But Ham’s faced his own demons, and he’s learned a lot. About himself, and about the life he knows he’s meant to live. So when he hears that Zara’s having a rough time, he wants to be the one to help. In fact, he wants to do more than that for Zara. A lot more. But first, he must prove to Zara that he’s a changed man.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): Those who follow me on Twitter, will know I’ve been under a bit of stress lately, with my stepdad coming toward the end of his life in fairly sad circumstances. Maybe that’s why I am a reverse-outlier here. Maybe I just needed some ridonkulous in my life. I haven’t read any Kristen Ashley books since I read Fire Inside (which I enjoyed – Hop!) and I was out of the habit of reading Kristen Ashley-ese. There is a somewhat unique syntax to her books. Her publication by Forever has cleansed it in some ways but there were still sentences which only made sense after I read them a few times and some which made no sense at all (how does colour radiate OUT to the pupil from the iris?) – and this included the time after the babel fish was returned to my ear. The traditionally published books are shorter and there is less of the female friendships which (to my surprise) I adore but Ashley still sounds and feels like Ashley so I’m glad the editing hand is fairly light.

Snowbound with the CEO by Shannon Stacey

November 4, 2013 / Kaetrin

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

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Adrian Blackstone built a million-dollar business with hard work and determination—and by remaining professional at all times. Denying his longtime attraction to his beautiful executive assistant hasn’t been easy but it’s necessary. She’s indispensable, and he can’t stand the thought of losing her if things didn’t work out.

For more than a year, Rachel Carter has been quietly dreaming of all the ways she’ll never seduce her sexy, buttoned-up boss. She’s worked too hard to get where she is to cross that line, no matter how badly she’d like to act on her fantasies. But then a wicked snowstorm leaves them stranded in a romantic winter wonderland…

What begins as a single kiss and a few bad Santa jokes turns into a weekend full of breathless passion and hopes for something more. But with Monday comes a return to their complicated reality—and Adrian must prove that promises made are promises kept, especially at Christmastime.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): This fairly short novella starts with the trademark easy style I’ve come to expect from Shannon Stacey’s contemporaries. The set up of a CEO and his executive assistant each having the hots for one another but afraid to do anything about because of the potential damage to their professional relationship (which each values very highly) was believable and I could see how eventually the sexual tension was going to have to be resolved somehow. Snowed in in a romantic resort seemed the perfect place. There was certainly a lot of chemistry as the steamy scenes demonstrated. But they also liked each other, and that was clear too.