Chasin' Eight (Rough Rider's #11) by Lorelei James

Title: Chasin’ Eight
Author: Lorelei James
Series: Rough Rider’s #11
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Erotica
Release Date: June 28, 2011
Source: Personal e-book purchase

Rating:  B+

Synopsis:

She wants it…he’s got it…and the chase is on…
Bull rider Chase McKay has finally landed in a pile too big to charm his way out of. Caught with his pants down, he finds himself bucked right off the PBR tour until he can get his act together.
Hollywood actress Ava Cooper became the tabloids’ favorite target when her longtime boyfriend was outed as gay. She needs a place to lay low and a chance to prove to herself that she can satisfy a red-blooded man between the sheets. The sexy, rugged cowboy she finds holed up in her Wyoming hideaway seems like the answer to her every fantasy.
But Chase has sworn off women. Forever. Or at least a month. Whichever comes first.
When they take to the road to get Chase more hands-on bull riding experience, they have every intention of keeping their hands off each other. But the two headstrong stars quickly end up riding a hot and heady rodeo circuit all their own—until the press gets wind of their affair. When the dust clears and the lights of the paparazzi fade, are they ready to give up chasing the dream for a chance of finding forever?

Warning: Strap in, another hot McKay is about to bust out of the gate and this bull rider knows a thing or two about riding hard…

Why I read this book: My mom introduced me to this series and I’ve really enjoyed it very much. I can hardly wait until the next installment is released in May. This is one series that’s VERY easy to keep going with.

What I Liked: I really liked how this story was written from a more psyhcological side of the characters. Chase and Ava each have their own set of demons to conqure and slowly but surely as the book progresses they do conqure those demons…Together. Another thing that I really liked was that the main characters though madly attracted to one another started off as friends and the actual romance/relationship gradually built. I also really liked how there wasn’t instant sexy times. Your actually a good chunk of the way through the book before there is any of that at all. I also really enjoyed the host of secondary characters and the inclusion of characters from previous stories.

What I didn’t care for: I was lukewarm on the way that Chase and Ava were written at times. I get that they are supposed to come off as spoiled and bratty at times but there were a few moments when it was just a bit too much. The scene in Wichita where a camera man tries to exploit an injured bull rider. I also didn’t really care for the amount of lying that Chase did.

Overall Impression: I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to just about anyone. It had it’s flaws but it was still a really good read. Though Chase and Ava aren’t my favorite couple in this series they are near the top of the list.

Taking a Shot (Play by Play #3) by Jaci Burton

Taking a Shot by Jaci Burton

Book Stats:
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format Reviewed: E-Book (251 pages)
Publisher: Penguin Group
Release Date: March 6, 2012

Series: Play by Play #3
Source: Personal Purchase

If you want to score, you have to get in the game…
The last thing Jenna Riley needs is more sports in her life. While her brothers are off being athletic superstars, she’s stuck running the family’s sports bar, whether she likes it or not. Then in walks pro hockey stud Tyler Anderson. As much as Jenna would like to go to the boards with him, she’s vowed to never fall for a jock—even one as hot as Ty.
Ty, intrigued by the beautiful bar owner, becomes a regular. He senses that Jenna wants to do something more with her life. And as he gains her trust, the passion between them grows, as does Ty’s insistence that Jenna should start living for herself. With his encouragement, Jenna starts to believe it, too…
But first, Jenna has to figure out what she wants, what she needs, who she loves, and if she has the passion and pride to take a shot at having it all—including Ty…

Why I read this book?: I read the two books prior in this series and enjoyed them immensely. This series has become an Automatic Purchase for me.

What I liked about this book?: I really liked Tyler Anderson. He’s a professional Hockey player but he’s so down to Earth it’s almost unreal. He’s been hanging around the Riley families bar for months and is VERY attracted to Jenna Riley. Mainly because Jenna is the type of woman that he is usually attracted to. Jenna is also attracted to Tyler but because she has spent her whole life around sports, she doesn’t want to be with someone who is into sports or plays sports. Good thing Tyler doesn’t take “No” for an answer! I really enjoyed the connection between Ty and Jenna. They each have there own demons to vanquish and it made this particular book that much better in my opinion. I also enjoyed that there was a fair amount of humor as well. I enjoy a good giggle every now and then when I’m reading. The characters from the 2 prior books all made appearances in this book as well as the introduction of Cole, the Riley’s cousin who is the main character of the next book in the series. The love scenes in this book were scorching hot (the sex on ice skates scene is a personal favorite) and plenty abundant as well.

What I didn’t like about this book?: There were times I had a hard time connecting with Jenna. She’d go into these “dark moments” and go from a like able character and transform into a character that I just couldn’t stand. Everyone has insecurities but I don’t know many people who turn into a mean person intentionally. Another thing that I didn’t really care for in this book was the over abundance (for me personally anyway) of sex in the book. It started to feel like that was all that Ty and Jenna’s relationship was based on for the most part.

Overall Impression?: While not my favorite book in the series, it’s still a really good book. This is definitely a series that I will continue on with.

 

Rating: B-

Recommendations: The Perfect Play (Play by Play #1)

Changing the Game (Play by Play #2)

Against the Wind (Raines of Wind Canyon #1) by Kat Martin

Against the Wind by Kat Martin

Book Stats:
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance
Format Reviewed: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Mira
Release Date: December 28, 2010

Series: Raines of Wind Canyon #1
Source: Swap

They were known as the “no-account Raines boys” but they’ve grown into successful, honorable men and everything they have, they’ve fought for tooth and nail. Now each of the three brothers has one last obstacle to overcome to claim what’s eluding them: love.

Secrets don’t stay buried long in cattle country. Sarah Allen, the beautiful girl who humiliated Jackson Raines in high school, is back in town. Not so long ago, she couldn’t wait to leave Wind Canyon, Wyoming, in her dust. But, recently widowed, she has nowhere else to go and finds herself on Jackson’s ranch. And despite everything, Jackson’s finding himself reluctant to get rid of her.

Why I read this book?: I got this book in a swap on the former bookswap on Goodreads. I wanted to read this series when it first came out and was able to get a copy of the first 3 books in the series.
What I liked?: I really liked all the suspense that was in this book. It starts right away, basically on the first page and continues on full speed ahead through the course of the book. I really liked Sarah and Jackson as a couple. They have history and it was nice to see them grow past their troubling pasts. I also really enjoyed Jackson’s little brothers, while they don’t play a huge part in the first book the little bit that they were in the book they made things interesting. Sarah’s little girl Holly was so cute too. What I really liked about this book was that the REAL bad guy wasn’t obvious. You think you know but then something happends that makes your assumption completely wrong. LOVED that part.
What I disliked?: At times I felt that some of the things that Jackson and Sarah took part in were borderline vigliante. I also disliked Detectiver Mercer AND Sarah’s deceased husband Andrew.
Overall Impression: I think that this book was really good beginning to this series. I wish Jackson’s brothers were in it a little more but they get their own stories, which I can hardly wait to read.

Rating: B

Recommendation: I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romantic suspense novel or anyone who enjoys a good Western romance.

Virgin River (Virgin River #1) by Robyn Carr

Title: Virgin River
Author: Robyn Carr
Series: Virgin River #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Personal Purchase
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Sexual Meter: sex scenes, acts of sensuality

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Synopsis

“Wanted: Midwife/nurse practitioner in Virgin River, population six hundred. Make a difference against the backdrop of towering California redwoods and crystal-clear rivers. Rent-free cabin included.”

When the recently widowed Melinda Monroe sees this ad she quickly decides that the remote mountain town of Virgin River might be the perfect place to escape her heartache, and to reenergize the nursing career she loves. But her high hopes are dashed within an hour of arriving: the cabin is a dump, the roads are treacherous and the local doctor wants nothing to do with her. Realizing she’s made a huge mistake, Mel decides to leave town the following morning.
But a tiny baby, abandoned on a front porch, changes her plans…and a former marine cements them into place.
Melinda Monroe may have come to Virgin River looking for escape, but instead she finds her home.
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Review

I downloaded the first 4 books of the Virgin River series onto my Nook a long time ago. I just hadn’t gotten around to reading them until just recently. Then I’ve been in a reading/reviewing dry spell. So now here is my review, better late than never

Mel Monroe moves to Virgin River after the death of her husband to help out the aging town doctor. When she get’s there she finds that the Doc wants nothing to do with her and is trying to force her out. She also meets Jack Sheridan, bar owner, former Marine and overall good guy. Just watching Jack and Mel fall in love is so much fun. Add in all the secondary characters that make Virgin River what it is and you are in for an endearing and sometimes comical read.

The drama that is added to this story and the authenticity of the midwife scene’s really made me enjoy this book even more. I guess my only quirk with the book was that at some points I just felt that there was a little bit too much information being provided. I also thought that in some of the scenes with Jack and Mel there was a tich to much “cheese” added.

Overall, Virgin River is a great start to this series and I’ve already continued on. I’m on the 6th book in the series and I’ve only found 1 book in the 6 I’ve been through that I didn’t care for at all. Please check out this series. It’s way worth the investment

Rating: B

Skin Deep (I-Team 5.5) by Pamela Clare

Title: Skin Deep
Author: Pamela Clare
Series: I-Team 5.5
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Source: Personal E-book purchase
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Sexual Meter: Sex scenes, acts of sensuality
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Broken on the inside
Megan Hunter has worked hard to get back on her feet, leaving the nightmare of her teenage years behind. The last thing she wants or needs in her life is a man. But when she is attacked by someone from her past, a scarred stranger intervenes, saving her life and that of her little girl. Looks can be deceiving, for despite the man’s rough appearance, she feels safe with him. And for the first time in her life, she knows the stirrings of desire.
Broken on the outside
Nathaniel West paid a high price serving with the Marines in Afghanistan. He returned to his family’s ranch in the Colorado mountains to heal—and be alone. Disfigured as he is, he has put all thoughts of sex and romance aside. But something about Megan brings him back to life, heats his blood, makes him feel like a man again. As danger pursues her, and the truth about her past is revealed, he vows to protect her—and to heal her wounded spirit.
But confronting the past is never easy—especially when it’s carrying a gun. Megan will have to learn to trust Nate to survive and to claim a passion that is much more than … Skin Deep.
Includes a Bonus Story, Marc & Julian Make a Beer Run
Ride along with Marc, Julian, Zach, Gabe, Reece, Nate, and Joaquin as a beer run turns out to be more than they bargained for.

I saw this book as I checking out the lendable books that were available from my Nook Friends. The premise of the story sounded so good that I just had to have it. I’ve read one other book in the I-Team series and I really enjoyed it very much. If you haven’t checked out this series I highly recommend it.

We actually meet Megan in an earlier book in the series, one that I haven’t read yet and I actually didn’t know this until I was reading reviews for this book on Goodreads. Megan has her own set of demons that she’s dealing with most of them stem from events that happened to her when she was younger. Megan is also a single mother who is trying to do right by her little girl Emily. But Megan does have 1 big problem and his name is Donny.

Nate West is a former Marine who is dealing with the burns that came from an IED. He has always admired Megan from afar but when Megan is attacked in the parking lot on her way to pick up Emily from pre-school he steps in and rescues her. After reading a little bit about Nate you learn that he’s been “burned” by women before and he really wasn’t ready to through his hat in the ring yet when it came to dating but Megan saw past his burns and he eventually gets over himself.

The romance between Nate and Megan starts off pretty slowly and escalates pretty quickly once Megan takes Nate up on his open invitation. I really enjoyed all the secondary characters that are in the book very much. Every character adds a little something extra to the book to make it just that much more appealing. The drama and suspense kept building through out the story as well. The only issue that I had with the book was you know at the beginning of the book who the bad guy is. That slightly detracted from the story for me.

Rating: B