Review: Wednesday ~ Kendall Ryan

Wednesday
Kendall Ryan
Contemporary Romance
Novella
Kendall Ryan Books/May 23, 2016

Hard-core fucking.

It’s not what I really want, but it’s all he has to offer. He’s filled with turmoil and heartache and regrets, but for two hours every Wednesday all he feels is me. How much I desire him, how desperate he makes me, how much I’d like things to be different between us. Real.

He used to be my best friend back before he got married. And now? Now, he’s a young widower. It would be wrong on so many levels to expect something more from him, so I give him what he needs. Dark, delicious fucking.

But I know I can’t keep this up. I’ve already given him my body, my soul. I want him to have my heart. It might drive him away forever, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take. 

Wednesday is an angsty romp told from dual points of view. If you’re in the mood for something quick and dirty, you’ve found it. Proceed at your own risk.

Wednesday is a quick read, 107 pages according to Goodreads. The hero and heroine have known each other since they were children so they have a long, established history. Calling Shaw a hero is a stretch. Three times in my notes I used derogatory language when referring to him. It was ass, asshat and asshole. I was not a Shaw fan.

Chloe is Shaw's best friend and wants to be there for him. I totally get that. But he uses her. There's no other way to put it. He knows it. She knows it. He shows up at her place every Wednesday and they fuck. There's no other way to put it. They fuck, he dresses and leaves. It's physical for him. When we get Shaw's point of view, he tries to explain why he does this. He knows he is using her and he even agrees with my opinion of him being an ass. He says he needs her to fill the emptiness. As if he doesn't have her, he might fall apart and their physical connection is all he has to hold on to. It does make sense, in a way. He has so many emotions to deal with from his wife's death that he doesn't want to deal with any more. Instead, he only wants a physical release. But the fact that he knows he is only using Chloe, that is what bothered me. This is his best friend, someone he cares about. Even after he admits his mistakes and does some groveling, I'm still not a Shaw fan.

Chloe has been in love with Shaw for years. She doesn't think he reciprocates until he makes it very clear he wants to have sex with her. But that's all it is. I think she convinced herself that she was okay with that because she wanted to help him in any way she could. It took months of sex before she finally realizes she can't stand having the physical without the emotional. It had become too painful to be so close physically to Shaw but have him so distant emotionally. So I will give her points for trying to break off their destructive relationship.

I'm still not sure how I feel about this novella. I didn't like Shaw, obviously, and I wasn't a huge Chloe fan either. I liked her but thought she should have treated herself better. Rather than letting the sex go on with Shaw for so long when it was hurting her so much, she should have put a stop to it much sooner. She deserved better than his treatment of her.

The book did make me think. I wonder if this happens more often than we think. You have a group of friends, some closer than others. Some single, some married and suddenly one of them finds themselves a widower/widow. How do you help them through it? We all would probably say by being there for them. But what if they need something more physical and you want to give in but are conflicted with the situation? There was certainly the feeling of guilt for both Shaw and Chloe. Would we feel guilty for giving in and then wanting more? This actually sounds like a movie.

This novella did elicit a few strong emotions from me but in the end, I found the frustration with the hero and heroine too much of a roadblock to enjoying their story.

Rating: C

30 Day Challenge

What a month! I now realize it was the 30 Day Challenge, not the Month of May Challenge. Which is why I apparently got it in my head I needed to post every day in May. Still, it was incredible! It was also difficult and truly lived up to the word "challenge". I can see why blogs/sites that post daily need more than one contributor. It is not only hard to come up with something to post every day but to also find the time. I shocked myself that I was able to keep up, except for one missed post but ended up with 32 posts for the month.

My feelings about the challenge are over-the-top positive! It was a fantastic experience and I must give a huge Thank You to Ames for starting the challenge. It made me realize how much I not only missed blogging but also the interaction and support of other bloggers. I will admit that when my blogging tapered off to next to nothing a few years ago, I would tell myself that no one would really miss my posts since there are so many other blogs out there. I would literally talk myself out of writing reviews and posts which only made it that much more difficult to get back into the habit of blogging.

This past month has proven to me that we are all important, no matter how often we blog. Our love of books is what binds us together into this wonderful community.

But would I do it again? I may be crazy but I'm not insane! LOL  I might do it again but not for a while. A break is sorely needed. I do need to find that balance between blogging, reading and commenting on other blogs as well as replying to the comments on my blog. In order to do that, I will have to cut back just a little on blogging. Maybe to every other day?

Challenge Accepted!

New Releases

Ending the month of May with a lovely group of historical romance. Anyone have other genres on their list?

Lisa Kleypas is a long time favorite of many a romance reader. According to Goodreads, I read the first book in this series but I don't remember it. Hopefully, reading Marrying Winterborne will jog my memory.

Marrying Winterborne
Lisa Kleypas
Historical Romance
The Ravenels/Book 2

A Ruthless Tycoon

Savage ambition has brought common-born Rhys Winterborne vast wealth and success. In business and beyond, Rhys gets exactly what he wants. And from the moment he meets the shy, aristocratic Lady Helen Ravenel, he is determined to possess her. If he must take her virtue to ensure she marries him, so much the better…

A Sheltered Beauty

Helen has had little contact with the glittering, cynical world of London society. Yet Rhys’s determined seduction awakens an intense mutual passion. Helen’s gentle upbringing belies a stubborn conviction that only she can tame her unruly husband. As Rhys’s enemies conspire against them, Helen must trust him with her darkest secret. The risks are unthinkable…the reward, a lifetime of incomparable bliss. And it all begins with…

Marrying Mr. Winterborne.

The twelfth and final book in an incredible series. This is the final book in the series. Which is sad for those of us who have reveled in the wonders of the Highland Guard. For those who have not experienced Monica McCarty's wonderful world, you have twelve books to look forward to!

The Ghost
Monica McCarty
Historical Romance
The Highland Guard/Book 12

Joan Comyn swore allegiance to Robert the Bruce the day she witnessed England’s barbarous king torturing her famous mother, Scot patriot Bella MacDuff. Now the mysterious beauty slips into men’s hearts like a specter and entices England’s most illustrious barons to unwittingly divulge their secrets, then shares them with her king. Known only as the Ghost even among her Highland Guard brethren, Joan has become the most wanted spy in England.

The man determined to uncover her identity poses her biggest threat yet. Alex Seton once stood with Bruce but now fights for the enemy. Though Joan knows she must avoid the handsome warrior or risk discovery, his knightly chivalry touches a place in her long since buried. When his suspicions grow apparent, Joan realizes she must do everything in her power to stop Alex from revealing her mission and convince the powerful fighter to join forces with the Highland Guard once more. But as the ultimate battle in the great war approaches, will Alex chose love or honor?

Finally! I feel like I've been waiting for Montgomery's books forever! Here's hoping he lives up to his reputation. He's a very bad man. The good kind of bad. :)

Duke of Sin
Elizabeth Hoyt
Historical Romance
Maiden Lane/Book 10

A MAN OF SIN

Devastatingly handsome. Vain. Unscrupulous. Valentine Napier, the Duke of Montgomery, is the man London whispers about in boudoirs and back alleys. A notorious rake and blackmailer, Montgomery has returned from exile, intent on seeking revenge on those who have wronged him. But what he finds in his own bedroom may lay waste to all his plans.

A WOMAN OF HONOR

Born a bastard, housekeeper Bridget Crumb is clever, bold, and fiercely loyal. When her aristocratic mother becomes the target of extortion, Bridget joins the Duke of Montgomery's household to search for the incriminating evidence-and uncovers something far more dangerous.

A SECRET THAT THREATENS TO DESTROY THEM BOTH

Astonished by the deceptively prim-and surprisingly witty-domestic spy in his chambers, Montgomery is intrigued. And try as she might, Bridget can't resist the slyly charming duke. Now as the two begin their treacherous game of cat and mouse, they soon realize that they both have secrets-and neither may be as nefarious-or as innocent-as they appear . . .

I'm not usually big into anthologies, partly because there are usually only a couple of authors I read. In the case of Gambled Away, there is Joanna Bourne and Molly O'Keefe. The variety of time periods and locations, make this worth a look.

Gambled Away

Anthology

Historical Romance

Get revenge. Pay a debt. Save a soul. Lose your heart.

Spanning centuries and continents, five brand-new novellas from beloved historical romance authors tell the stories of men and women who find themselves wagered in a game of chance and are forced to play for the highest stakes of all: love.

Gideon and the Den of Thieves by Joanna Bourne

London, 1793 - Soldier of fortune Gideon Gage has come home from halfway around the world, fully prepared to face down a ruthless gang to save his sister. But there's one member of the gang he could never have been prepared for: fascinating Aimée, driven from her own home by the French Revolution and desperately in need of his help.

Raising The Stakes by Isabel Cooper

California, 1938 - When the flute she won in last night's poker game unexpectedly summons an elven warrior bound to her service, two-bit con artist Sam takes quick advantage. With Talathan's fairy powers at her command, her shakedown of a crooked preacher is a sure thing...but would she rather take a gamble on love?

All or Nothing by Rose Lerner

England, 1819 - Architect Simon Radcliffe-Gould needs someone to pose as his mistress so he can actually get some work done at a scandalous house party. Irrepressible gambling den hostess Maggie da Silva would rather be his mistress, but she'll take what she can get...

The Liar's Dice by Jeannie Lin

Tang Dynasty China, 849 A.D. - Lady Bai's first taste of freedom brings her face to face with murder. A dangerous and enigmatic stranger becomes her closest ally as she investigates the crime, but can she trust her heart or her instincts when everyone is playing a game of liar's dice?

Redeemed by Molly O’Keefe

Denver, 1868 - After agonizing years in the Civil War’s surgical tents, Union doctor James Madison has nothing left to lose. But when beautiful, tortured Helen Winters is the prize in a high-stakes game of poker, he goes all in to save her—and maybe his own soul.

Memorial Day...

Bless all of those who have gone before us.

Give them the peace they have rightly earned.

May their journey be painless, 

their passing swift. 

Let those left behind remember...

always. 

Keeper Shelf Sunday ~ Patricia Briggs

This week on Keeper Shelf Sunday ~

Werewolves

Vampires

And Shapeshifters

 OH, MY!


Patricia Briggs is well known for her Mercy Thompson series about shape-shifter Mercy and her pack of werewolves. Then there is the popular spin-off series, Alpha & Omega about Charles and Anna Cornick, two werewolves who travel around the country, solving problems for the Marrok, Charles' father and the Alpha of the North American Packs. Both series are well written, highly entertaining urban fantasy/paranormal romances. They can be categorized as either, it depends on whom you ask.

I've read nearly everything Ms. Briggs has written, missing a few novellas and short stories. Her early works are classified as high fantasy and fantasy and should not be missed if you enjoy those genres.

A while ago I lucked into finding Homecoming, a graphic novel set in the Mercy universe. I'm not much for graphic novels but I couldn't pass this up.

Homecoming is a prequel which tells, in graphic novel format, how Mercy came to be in the Tri-Cities area of Washington. The characters are not exactly how I pictured them from reading the novels. There is some nudity of Mercy and she is very well built, like a weightlifter. Where as I've pictured her as fit but not with huge muscles. Perhaps it this is typical in graphic novels?

Stefan is not at all how I see him. I expect him to be thinner, looking deceptively weak. And I'm not sure about the "bandana" on his head. What's with that? Does he wear one in the books?

The werewolves look far more fierce and scary than what is described in the novels. In the novels, they are depicted as looking like wolves but generally larger than a typical wolf. Here. one look and you would be soiling yourself. No compulsion to pet them, that's for sure!

If you savor alpha werewolves, smart heroines and magical worlds give Patricia Briggs a try. I'll bet she ends up on your keeper shelf.

The Art of Dan Dos Santos

Sky so bright.

Moon so full.

Old metal carcass doesn't run anymore.

But that's okay,

I need no wheels.

Not when I have wings. 

Blue light bleeds from me.

Lighting the desolate space of my existence.

Try to escape, to leave it behind. 

It's like trying to obliterate the past.

While it dwells in you, feeds you.

It is my companion, always within reach.

It is the instrument of death,

or the instrument of salvation.

It is crucial to survival.

It will cause my destruction. 

But it is mine. 

The art is from the amazing Dan Dos Santos. You can see more of his work here. You might see some familiar book covers.

1st Picture ~ It's Up to Charlie Hardin by Dean Ing
2nd Picture ~ Trailer Park Fae by Lilith Saintcrow
3rd Picture ~ The Questing Road by Lyn McConchie

The poems are my humble attempts at capturing what the art said to me. I thank you for your indulgence.

Friday Video - Warcraft Movie

I don't play this video game but who hasn't heard of it? I knew a little about it from friends who play and from The Big Bang Theory because of course the guys on there play it. Remember the episode where Sheldon's account was hacked? If you've seen that episode, you know about as much as I do about the game. When I first saw the trailer, I couldn't help but think this would be an exciting movie to see on the big screen. Everything is absolutely epic!

Two words - Travis Fimmel. Oh, I know who he is. Any Vikings fans?

Review: Blurred Lines ~ Lauren Layne

Blurred Lines
Lauren Layne
Contemporary Romance
Love Unexpectedly/Book 1
Loveswept/August 25, 2015

When Parker Blanton meets Ben Olsen during her freshman year of college, the connection is immediate—and platonic. Six years later, they're still best friends, sharing an apartment in Portland's trendy Northwest District as they happily settle into adult life. But when Parker's boyfriend dumps her out of the blue, she starts to wonder about Ben's no-strings-attached approach to dating. The trouble is, even with Ben as her wingman, Parker can't seem to get the hang of casual sex—until she tries it with him.

The arrangement works perfectly . . . at first. The sex is mind-blowing, and their friendship remains as solid as ever, without any of the usual messy romantic entanglements. But when Parker's ex decides he wants her back, Ben is shocked by a fierce stab of possessiveness. And when Ben starts seeing a girl from work, Parker finds herself plagued by unfamiliar jealousy. With their friendship on the rocks for the first time, Parker and Ben face an alarming truth: Maybe they can't go back. And maybe, deep down, they never want to.

My first Lauren Layne and it won't be my last! Don't you just love it when you find a new author whose voice flows so well from the page? And Blurred Lines is a friends-to-lovers romance which is one of my favorite tropes!

From the first, it's obvious Parker and Ben should be more than roommates. There is a deep, lasting love based on friendship but neither of them seem inclined to take it further. It's as if their subconscious minds are afraid becoming romantically involved might break their friendship, which is important to both of them. People will go from friends to lovers, pledging if it doesn't work out, they'll stay friends. We all know it's not true and you can never go back to how things were. Parker and Ben make that vow and then break it.

Parker is all about control. She likes to control her environment and her relationships. She likes lists and predictability in her life. It's cute and I can totally relate. I felt sorry for Parker when she gets blindsided by her boyfriend. I was angry for her, for what he did and how he made her feel. It was heartbreaking but necessary for Parker to get out of her rut and get into something different with Ben.

Ben is such a good guy. He's a good friend to both his male friends and to Parker whom he treats like one of the guys - to a certain point. He's there to comfort her when she gets dump. A very broad shoulder to cry on. It was awesome to see Ben start to notice Parker as more than a best friend and roommate. When he starts to notice how sexy and attractive she is, it's satisfying to see him struggle with his attraction to Parker. His brain tells him one thing but he's not always thinking with his brain.

I could easily see this as a romantic comedy. It has two wonderfully engaging main characters complete with passion, wit, and flaws. We get both Parker and Ben's point of views which makes getting into their heads that much easier. Neither are perfect and both make mistakes when it comes to their arrangement of casual sex. The mistakes are not about their physical side, that's smoking hot, but the messy emotions that always seem to creep in, even when you tell yourself it's just sex.

What complicates matters is the six year history that Parker and Ben have. Casual sex would be far easier if they didn't care so deeply about each other. We see the pain they go through when they realize the arrangement has become more than sex but they're both afraid to tell the other how they feel. It's frustrating because as the reader, you know what is in both of their hearts and you want to tell them both to "Wake up! You're screwing up the best thing either of you will ever have." I did yell at them but it took them awhile to listen to me. Kind of like my kids. ;)

Blurred Lines is a charming friends to lovers romance. There are a couple of bumps in the road which could have been avoid if only Parker and Ben had talked. The estrangement between Parker and Ben went on a bit too long but in the end, they found their Happily Ever After.

Rating: B+

Love Unexpectedly Series ~

Blurred Lines
Good Girl

Blogger, You're Messing Up My Challenge

A couple of weeks ago, I missed posting one day. I thought I had written a review and posted it but it wasn't there so I thought I must have forgotten to post. Yesterday, I posted a review and thought everything was going fine. Then I noticed the review is not there. I checked my posts in blogger and the review shows as posted. I search and find it posted on the day two weeks ago! I can only guess the review got scheduled to post that day, May 12, which is odd because I rarely schedule posts, I just post when I'm done writing them. And then I never hit "publish" which is why it was still listed under draft posts. So now it looks like I missed another day, yesterday.

So if you're interested in reading a review on Sarina Bowen's The Shameless Hour, hop over to the May 12th post. It's a good book and wonderful series.

Okay, off to write a review to post for today, May 26. :)

Review: The Fifteenth Minute ~ Sarina Bowen

The Fifteenth Minute
Sarina Bowen
New Adult/Contemporary
The Ivy Series/Book 5
Rennie Roads Books/October 13, 2015

Freshman Lianne Challice is known to millions of fans as Princess Vindi. But sometimes a silver screen sorceress just wants to hang up her wand, tell her manager to shove it, and become a normal college student. Too bad that’s harder than it looks.

She’s never lived a normal life. She hasn’t been to school since kindergarten. And getting close to anyone is just too risky — the last boy she kissed sold the story to a British tabloid.

But she can’t resist trying to get close to Daniel "DJ" Trevi, the hot, broody guy who spins tunes for hockey games in the arena. Something's haunting his dark eyes, and she needs to know more.

DJ's genius is for expressing the mood of the crowd with a ten second song snippet. With just a click and a fade, he can spread hope, pathos or elation among six thousand screaming fans.

Too bad his college career is about to experience the same quick fade-out as one of his songs. He can't get close to Lianne, and he can't tell her why. And the fact that she seems to like him at all? Incredible.

The final book in the Ivy Series was an excellent installment and the best news - there will be a spin-off series! I've enjoyed this series from the start and look forward to seeing some of these characters in the future.

The character of Lianne Challice made me think of what it would be like for Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies, to go to college. To drop the celebrity and try to be a student like everyone else. As Lianne proved, it's not easy. She tries to be as inconspicuous as possible but she is recognized and whispered about. I felt sorry for her when she would hide away in her dorm room, not wanting to deal with the whispers and teasing. She is desperate to shed her Princess Vindi reputation and take more mature roles. Meanwhile, she must deal with a serious attraction to a guy who doesn't seem too phased by her fame.

DJ has had some serious trouble in recent months and while he's attracted to Lianne, he doesn't feel like he's in the right place to start a relationship. Still, it doesn't stop him from spending time with her and getting to know the real Lianne. DJ was such a good guy! He was considerate, funny and tries to do the right thing, especially when it comes to Lianne. They made a superb couple.

Between DJ's troubles with the school and Lianne's trouble with her career, these two have plenty to keep them stressed over. They do, at times, come across as far more mature than their ages. (Lianne-19/DJ-20). One of the best ways they de-stress is sharing their love of music. DJ aka Daniel, provides the music for the college hockey games. Prior to reading The Fifteenth Minute, I had no idea how detailed and critical the selection and playing of music was to a game.  I appreciated the details Ms. Bowen applied to the story and found myself looking up quite a few songs to listen to as I read.

The resolution of both DJ and Lianne's difficulties was almost too perfect. Still, the ending was appropriate for them both with the combination of both of their passions. I'll miss spending time at Harkness College but look forward to reading the spin-off series.

Rating: B+

The Ivy Series ~

The Year We Fell Down
The Year We Ran Away
Blonde Date (novella)
The Understatement of the Year
The Shameless Hour
The Fifteenth Minute