Book Review: Wild Man (Dream Man Series Book #2) by Kristen Ashley

Wild Man 

(Dream Man Series Book #2)

by Kristen Ashley

Series: Dream Man (Book 2)
Mass Market Paperback: 528 pages
Publisher: Forever (October 29, 2013)

Ratings: ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

I enjoyed reading Brock's and Tessa's story but no wow moments like the other three books in this series. Dream man hotness meter is just okay . One issue that annoyed me big time is the complex family drama. I read books like this because  I wanted to have relaxing 'me' time. I didn't know that drama could tire me I slept without eating. I woke up with a headache reading some more then gave up.

Purchase your copy

About the book:

She's about to walk on the wild side . . .

While filling the display case in her bakery, the bell over the door sounds and Tessa O'Hara looks up to see the man of her dreams. Within thirty seconds he asks her out for a beer. But after four months of dating, she discovers he's an undercover DEA agent-and he's investigating her possible role in her ex-husband's drug business. For Tess, this means their relationship is over.

Brock disagrees. He's committed to his anti-drug mission, but he's fallen in love with the beautiful woman who's as sweet as her cupcakes-and he'll do anything to win her back. Standing between Tess and Brock are their own exes, one of them a drug lord who's determined to get what he wants. Now as danger threatens, can Brock break the rules he's lived by and let loose his wild side to protect the woman he loves?

Book Review: I'll Take Forever by Barbara McMahon

I'll Take Forever 

by Barbara McMahon

Paperback: 180 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (February 1, 2013)

Kindle Edition
File Size: 2169 KB
Print Length: 181 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publication Date: December 21, 2011
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC


Ratings: ★ ★ ★ 


My thoughts:

Liked the first half of the story. I thought Jenny and Kyle looked a cute couple bantering from dawn til evening. Loved that part. Then it became annoying as I realize the hero is a manipulative bastard. The kind of cop you'd want to be killed in duty! He's rarely shown a soft side, always intimidating the heroine with a few 'trying to woo scenes'. I decided to stop reading when the crime story became a love and lust story. Jenny is a widow, for only a year, yet she's acting as if she never had a dead husband!

About the book:

When Jenny Warwick is asked to provide cover for a DEA agent so he can infiltrate the small town where she lives, she protests none of her neighbors would be involved with drugs. Reluctantly agreeing to provide a cover story for the agent, she soon finds the man expects more than a mere place to stay. Before long everyone in town thinks there’s a romance blooming between them. Only Jenny knows it’s part of Kyle’s cover. Or is it?

About the author:

Bestselling, award winning author Barbara McMahon has written more than 80 novels which have sold more than 16 million copies world wide in more than fifty countries in twenty-eight languages. Known for her heartwarming, emotional stories, she excels in capturing those feelings when first falling in love. She has won or been nominated for every major award in the romance genre from a double nomination in the RITA to winning the Bookseller's Best, National Readers Choice Award and the prestigious HOLT Medallion, among others. 

Barbara lives in a rural county in California's gold rush country. She loves the history of the place and is involved in the county's genealogy group and historic cemetery preservation in addition to volunteering one day a week at the local Animal Shelter. For a complete list of books or to contact Barbara, visit her website: www.barbaramcmahon.com

Book Review: Surrender of Trust by Mariel Grey

Surrender of Trust 

Surrender Series Book 1

by Mariel Grey

Series: Surrender Series
Paperback: 236 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (April 15, 2013)

Kindle Edition
File Size: 2615 KB
Print Length: 237 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1484116372
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Mariel Grey; 2 edition (December 19, 2013)
Publication Date: December 19, 2013
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ 

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Mariel Grey. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

My thoughts:

Lucy's story just didn't work for me. Having read and loved (!) Monique's story (book 2), I expected this to be in that level. Although I found this book enjoyable, I didn't get past the 3rd quarter of the story (with a little skimming). The plot moves too slow for me. The writing felt historical, but the way the characters are described or played, too modern. I found Lucy and Chalifour as two playing young teens as opposed to how I felt in book 2. Overall, I would rate this as an okay read. 

About the book:

Lucy Goodwin knows more about horse breeding than a proper young lady should. Her brother’s thoroughbred business has given her purpose and independence, but when an accident leaves her solely in charge, despair and destruction threaten her every move. Trapped in an impossible position, Lucy must do the right thing and watch their dreams crumble, or save their livelihood at a cost too great to bear.

Lord Philip Lyton, Marquess of Chalifour is a member of the prestigious Jockey Club, dedicated to eliminating cheating in horse racing. Trouble raises its ugly head when his business partner falls foul of an accident and he’s suddenly forced to deal with the man’s sister, who seems alarmingly out of her depth. Chalifour respects Lucy’s steely resolve, but knows that single-mindedness can be the most dangerous trait of all.

She might be beautiful and beguiling, but Lucy Goodwin is keeping secrets and Chalifour is determined to find out what they are.

About the author:

From the moment she could put pen to paper, Mariel Grey knew she wanted to be a writer. Like all good adventures however, it didn't happen overnight; it was after several decades of working in litigation that the desire to create dramatic worlds and characters became too great to ignore. Her first foray into historical romance, Surrender of Trust, explored the grime and glamour of regency horse racing, following the determined but impoverished Lucy Goodwin and upright Lord Chalifour. Her second novel, A Gentleman's Surrender, released in January 2016, introduced the innocent Lady Monique and tortured Mr. Stanton, both struggling to find love in a world filled with deceit. 

Though entirely at home in the ballrooms and street alleys of London past, Mariel Grey is currently working on a contemporary story set in Florida, a landscape dear to the author's heart. When she isn't conjuring words on her computer screen, Grey can be found on the water fishing, snorkeling, and enjoying the incredible natural beauty of her home. 

Mariel has a wonderful husband (the hero of her own romantic story) as well as a mischievous cat (who seems happy to play the role of villain). In addition to being a dutiful wife and animal wrangler, Mariel is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Ancient City Romance Authors chapter.

Book Review: Never a Bridesmaid by Janice Thompson

Never a Bridesmaid: A May Wedding Story

(A Year of Weddings Novella Book 6)

by Janice Thompson

Kindle Edition
File Size: 2579 KB
Print Length: 85 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Up to 5 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
Publisher: Zondervan (April 28, 2015)
Publication Date: April 28, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 2 hours and 26 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Zondervan
Audible.com Release Date: April 30, 2015

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ 

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from BookLookBloggers. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.


My thoughts:

First off, I don't think the title fits the story. Just read the synopsis!

Think I'd rate this as an OK book. The romance part was just okay, it didn't have that 'wow' feeling. The storytelling's kinda slow but some parts felt rushed. Weird? Lots of circling in the story but when people are introduced, no time to really know or connect with them. The plus in the story would be Mari's relationship with her family. Never had a sister so that was what I enjoyed exploring. 

 About the book:

Meet the people who make it all happen – the planners, the photographers, the musicians who have helped orchestrate the perfect day for countless couples as they find their own happy endings in the second Year of Weddings novella collection.

Can one bridesmaid undo the disasters caused by a poorly chosen maid of honor and save her sister’s wedding from disaster?

Mari’s older sister Crystal is getting married, and Mari is one of her bridesmaids – actually, the last in a lineup of five bridesmaids, but that doesn’t really bother her. Much. But Sienna Jameson as the maid of honor? Really? She might be Crystal’s best friend, but she’s ditzy and undependable on her best days. When the best man turns out to be hunky Derrick Richardson, the right fielder for the Houston Astros and one of Houston’s most eligible bachelors, Sienna abandons her duties as maid of honor to chase Derrick, and it’s up to Mari to make sure Crystal’s wedding day goes off without a hitch.

While Mari is wrapped up in dress fittings, bridal showers, and bachelorette nights, Derrick has taken notice of her devotion to her sister and her determination to make the wedding perfect. But between dodging Sienna’s advances and watching Mari running around like a madwoman, Derrick is left to steal moments whenever he can to get to know this beautiful bridesmaid.

When the maid of honor shows up to the ceremony late and more done up than the bride herself, Mari fears her attempts to make her sister’s wedding perfect have all been for naught. Will the bride be up-staged by the maid of honor? Will the fifth-in-line bridesmaid ever be recognized for all the work she’s done? And will Mari finally have a moment to revel in the magic of a wedding and dance in the strong arms of a man?

Purchase your copy

Book Review: Loving Ellie by Lindsey Brookes

Loving Ellie

by Lindsey Brookes

Kindle Edition
File Size: 2349 KB
Print Length: 273 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1494785072
Publication Date: May 5, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

Ratings: ★ ★ ★   

My thoughts:

Girl got pregnant by a friend.
Friend is Boy's younger brother.
Girl is broken, wants to give up baby for adoption. 
Boy wants to adopt the baby because baby is his only living relative.
Girl doesn't want Boy to adopt because she is broken. 

Too many emotions reading the story: good, sweet, intense to meh. It was good, a sweet story of finding true love the second time for  Lucas, first for Ellie. Points for Lucas for being caring, sweet, and how he loves his brother, he truly got me there. Meh, I was constantly bored and annoyed reading Ellie's struggle to accept people loving her. You know that kind of friend that's always so negative? *sigh* Her story is predictably monotonous. 

I survived 'Loving Ellie' because of Blaine and Victoria. I was deeply interested, so absorbed in their story that I actually forgot that the book is about Lucas and Ellie. I don't understand why the author can write excellent story for minor characters but not for the major ones? 


About the book:

Ellie Sanders is pregnant and alone. Carrying a child she’d conceived the one and only time she’d lain with her closest friend, Jarrett Tanner. A man she’d agreed to marry for the sake of their child. A man she’d loved, but not as he’d deserved. And now he was gone. 

Lucas Tanner returns home to settle his younger brother Jarrett’s estate only to discover his brother left behind a very pregnant fiancée. Having lost his own wife and their baby she’d been carrying years before, he’s bound and determined to stick around and make sure Ellie’s child makes it safely into the world. Even if it means facing the ghosts of his past. 

Struggling financially and emotionally, Ellie is torn between keeping her baby and giving it up for adoption. She wants to give her child the chance she never had - to be raised by two loving parents. If only she could make Lucas understand. And, if only she wasn’t falling for a man with no heart left to give. 

Lucas finds himself wanting more. Wanting Ellie. But what if he gives in to his deepening feelings and loses her, too? 

One fears abandonment. The other fears loss. Can Ellie and Lucas put their painful pasts behind them and finally find true happiness? Or are the emotional walls they’ve built up around their hearts too strong to tear down? 

About the author:

Romance author Lindsey Brookes is a four-time RWA Golden Heart finalist as well as a past American Title III finalist and winner of Harlequin's Great American Romance Novel contest. She writes for Kensington Publishing, Amazon Publishing, and has indie-pubbed several of her young adult and adult contemporary romances. She is represented by Michelle Grajkowski with 3 Seas Literary Agency. 

Check out her website: www.lindseybrookes.com

Book Review: Missing Era: The Emergence by A. O. Khalil

Missing Era: The Emergence 

by A. O. Khalil 

Kindle Edition
File Size: 3360 KB
Print Length: 259 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: A. O. Khalil (May 19, 2015)
Publication Date: May 19, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★   

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, A. O. Khalil. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

My thoughts:

While the apocalyptic plot is engaging, some things just bother me. First, the characters. There are just too many of them and it's difficult to go on reading when all I do is trying to remember who's who. Kept on flipping back the pages to check who they are and their connection to the main character, Jay. Then there's the unusual reaction of the characters to the invasion of the unknown creatures coming from the sinkholes. They tend to over analyze things, plan with a step-by-step procedure on what to do in every situation. I mean for me, in real life, everything would be spontaneous. I wouldn't have time to plan in front of those trying to kill me. So with this, I soon lost interest in reading further (DNF).

There are others who enjoyed reading the story, click here for positive reviews.

About the book:

They were just sinkholes, harmless sinkholes that were spreading like wildfire across the country. Then the disappearances started. A few people here and there then the entire army, gone in one night. Jay and Jule quickly find themselves thrown in the middle of a dangerous situation that only gets worse when something else comes that takes everyone by bloody surprise. 

As they make ready to leave to gather with the rest of the family, something comes out of the sinkholes and begins attacking and killing everyone in sight. Before they know it they are in the middle of a war with an unknown enemy and an unknown agenda. 

Will Jay and Jule survive their encounter or will they find themselves twenty-six feet under at the bottom of a sinkhole? 

About the author:

A. O. Khalil was born in the late summer of 1985 in Yemen. By the age of 16 he attended St Andrew's College Cambridge in England. After completing his studies he left Cambridge for Bath University, where he earned his degree in Sociology.

In 2010 he moved with his wife to Slovakia and decided to set up their own business. It was then he started writing whenever he had free time. By May 2015 his first book, Missing Era: The Emergence, is published for Amazon Kindle.

When not writing or working he enjoys fine dining, cooking and going to the movies with his wife, daughter, family and friends.

You can always find him on: www.missingera.com

Book Review: Kaleidoscope (Colorado Mountain Book 6) by Kristen Ashley

Kaleidoscope 

(Colorado Mountain Book 6) 

by Kristen Ashley

Series: Colorado Mountain (Book 6)
Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Forever; Reissue edition (December 16, 2014)

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 14 hours and 2 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Audible.com Release Date: December 16, 2014

Ratings: ★ ★ ★   

My thoughts:

I thought I'd be writing a fantastic 5-star book review since I loved the first half of the book. The story was as intense, engaging as Ms. Ashley's other books but it went downhill reading the second half. She did a good job in writing a plausible conflict and solution (character's relationship) just that I was expecting more, some drama/action relating to Emme's ex. I expected probably because her other books all have that (esp Tate and Lauren's story - Sweet Dreams).  

I could also have added one more star up there because I truly loved Deck but I hated Emme's character. Well, at first she seemed like a relatable and likeable character. She used to be a very strong-willed woman during the start of their relationship but eventually, it was revealed that she is weak. She's  like a teenager who doesn't really know what she wants in life.

As always, there is HEA. Not just for Emme and Deck but you'll also get to see other Colorado series characters here. I believe that's because this is the final Colorado book.


About the book:

When old friends become new lovers...anything can happen.

Sexy, gifted, and loyal, PI Jacob Decker is a tall, cool drink of perfection who had Emmanuelle Holmes at "hello." His relationship with Emme's best friend kept them apart for years, but things have changed. Now that a case has brought him to Gnaw Bone, Colorado, the road is wide open for Emme and Deck to explore something hotter and deeper than Emme dreamed possible. So why is she sabotaging the best thing that's ever happened to her? 

It isn't easy to catch Deck off guard, but Emme does just that when she walks back into his life after nine long years. The curvy brunette had her charms back in the day, but now she's a bona fide knockout . . . and she wants to rekindle their friendship. Deck, however, wants more. Emme's always been the one; she excites Deck's body and mind like no other woman can. But a dark chapter from Emme's past overshadows their future together. Now only Deck can help her turn the page-if she'll let him . 

About the author:

Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!). 

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up. 

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better. 

Book Review: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush, Hush

by Becca Fitzpatrick

Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (September 21, 2010)

Kindle Edition
File Size: 2742 KB
Print Length: 417 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (September 27, 2009)
Publication Date: October 13, 2009
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★  

My thoughts:


Hush, Hush is just an OK book for me. Patch and Nora's story seemed like an ordinary one. I was about to DNF the book but then I decided to read further because I wanted to know about Patch's history, being a fallen angel, also looking forward to that 'ancient battle' mentioned from the synopsis. Bad news, there's nothing there. The story just dragged on and on and then it abruptly ends without something more to think about. I mean, this is a series. It should give readers at least something a bit more interesting to make one anticipate the second book, right? Well, *sigh* as I said, nothing there.

Oh by the way, the story/romance felt Twilight-ish. It's probably the reason why it became popular. If you are into Twilight-ish read, pick up this book.


About the book:

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. 

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment. 

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel. 

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

About the author:  

Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush saga, including Hush, Hush; Crescendo; Silence; and Finale, all debuted as New York Times best-sellers. She graduated college with a degree in health, which she promptly abandoned for storytelling. When not writing, she's most likely prowling sale racks for reject shoes, running, or traveling.

Book Spotlight and Review: Protect Her by Ivy Sinclair

PROTECT HER 

(Parts 1-3)

by Ivy Sinclair

Kindle Edition
File Size: 803 KB
Print Length: 202 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

About the book:

Human. Angel. Demon. 

Three species that have coexisted since the beginning of time, although humankind is blissfully unaware of the predators and protectors that walk among them. But there is a new threat emerging that affects them all. 

The story begins when an innocent girl is saved from certain death by a man who straddles the worlds of darkness and light. Their relationship holds the key to saving everyone. 

PROTECT HER: PART ONE BUY LINK

Get in. Get the job done. Get out. Get paid. 

It’s a simple motto that I’ve lived by for the last five years. It’s kept me alive and made me rich. 

There’s no love lost between me and the supernatural beings who walk the world beside us. But when it comes to being able to retrieve valuable information from the dead, Necromancer Riley Stone is the only game in town. They know it. I know it too, and that’s why my services aren’t cheap. 

The archangel Benjamin hired me to find out why he has a new demon problem. Three demon interrogations in, and the only thing I know is that the demons are in hot pursuit of a nameless young woman. She’s here on Calamata Island, and the demon officials are willing to risk Benjamin’s wrath to grab her. 

But I found her first, and she’s nothing like what I expected. In my line of work, you can’t afford to let anyone get too close. But there’s something about Paige Matthews that I can’t shake, and she needs my help. I won’t turn her over to Benjamin until I help her find out why the demons are after her. 

So now I’ve got a demon problem, and I’m in way over my head. 

PROTECT HER: PART TWO BUY LINK

Want to know what happens to a human caught in the crossfire between angels and demons? I’m going to make sure that Paige Matthews doesn’t find out. 

The job that originally brought me to Calamata Island might be done, but I can’t leave Paige behind. Without me she’s defenseless against the demons that are after her. I just met her, but I feel protective of her, and I can’t walk away. Not yet. 

Paige is at the epicenter of something big, and none of it is good. It’s not just the demons that want her. The angels are in on it too being led by the archangel Benjamin. 

Paige’s past is being hidden by her amnesia. Those secrets want to be let out. It’s up to me to make sure that she stays alive long enough to find the answers that will finally reveal it all. 

Excerpt

PROTECT HER: PART THREE BUY LINK

I want Paige Matthews. The archangel Benjamin’s claim on her soul is one that cannot be easily broken, but I intend to try. Of course, that’s assuming that she would want someone like me once this is all over. 

First, we have to get off Calamata Island in one piece. I know someone who can help Paige finally unlock the memories of her past. That’s the key to gaining the upper hand against the demons who are coming for her. Among those is a familiar face; a demon official who stole something from me five years ago. Having a shot at a little vengeance in the process is all right with me. 

Everything’s coming to a head, and this is one fight that I intend to win. I just have to make sure that I don’t lose Paige in the process. 

* * *

Ratings: ★ ★ ★  

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Ivy Sinclair. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

My thoughts:

I am not the type of reader who gushes over book covers but this time I gotta say I love the cover! Looks so sweet yet intriguing and deadly. Cool!

As for the story, it was just okay. It was all good actually, the first few chapters but having read and loved Anita Blake (necromancer) by Laurell K. Hamilton and Georgina Kincaid (succubus; angels and demons) by Richelle Mead, I was expecting something more. Sorry, I blame myself for having read too many books, my mind tend to compare. I think had I not read these two series, Protect Her would have been more than okay for me. 

Characters Riley and Christopher made the story engaging, but I cannot say the same for Paige.  SPOILER!!! Trying to uncover her secret/past was, hmm tiring? My usual reason for losing interest in the book is when the secret is being kept too long. In this case, after three parts or 200 plus pages, Paige's identity is still hidden from us, readers!  Not  good. Would I keep reading? I don't know. I really like where the story is headed for Riley and Christopher. SPOILER!! Even though secrets of these two men were already revealed, felt like there are more to learn.   By the way, twists of the story were done neatly. 

To read others' positive reviews, click HERE.


About the author:

Ivy Sinclair cut her romance teeth on classics like Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, An Affair to Remember, and Sabrina. She is a firm believer in true love, a happily ever after ending, and the medicinal use of chocolate to cure any ailment of the heart. Ivy's guilty pleasures include sushi, endless Starbucks lattes, and wine. Readers of Ivy's stories can expect smoldering sweet stories of romance that tug at the heartstrings.

Book Review: Secrets of the Elusive Lover by Mike Wells

Secrets of the Elusive Lover

Book 1: The Personal Journal of a Playboy

by Mike Wells

File Size: 692 KB
Print Length: 79 pages
Publisher: For Readers of Paulo Coelho, H.M. Ward, Nora Roberts, Nicholas Sparks, Bella Andre, Charlotte Stein Publishing Co. (January 18, 2014)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Amazon Kindle Link


Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Mike Wells. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.


Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

My thoughts:

I don't really have half stars here but considering I liked some parts of the book but disliked the main characters, I decided to push my rating up to 3.5 stars.  

Adam is a typical handsome "loverboy" (the term my friends and I use to refer to a player). He has his wonderful ways of luring beautiful women to making them his fuck buddies but I just couldn't accept that this "loverboy" is into astrology... I have guy friends who are much worse than Adam but I could never imagine them into astrology. As for Bethany, I don't really dislike her. It's just that I like Cassandra more (one of Adam's fuck buddies). Frequently I was skipping because I wanted to know more about Cassandra, and actually continued reading because of her. 

Oh the ending. . . You can't end the book without resolving the first and only major issue. I don't really know how to explain it, sorry. I love trilogies/book series, and often they have cliffhanger endings, this one just didn't work for me. 

Overall, it was still an entertaining read. A lot of readers loved the book, you may want to read them HERE (Amazon / Goodreads).

About the book:

Every woman knows an Adam. He's a "player," the type who professes true love, but with eyes that never stop wandering. He always has the perfect excuse when you find that long strand of blonde hair stuck to his collar, and fidgets whenever you get near his computer.

Adam can't fool Bethany, who, despite her better judgment, falls head over heels for him. Bethany is far more intelligent and strong-willed than Adam bargains for, and he finds himself smitten, too.


Hilarious at times and poignant at others, Secrets of the Elusive Lover explores the age old challenge of obtaining the unattainable man, and the paradoxical issues surrounding monogamous relationships.

About the author:

Mike Wells is an American bestselling author of over 20 "unputdownable" thriller and suspense novels, including Lust, Money & Murder and Passion, Power & Sin. He is also known for his young adult books, such as The Mysterious Disappearance of Kurt Kramer, The Wrong Side of the Tracks, and Wild Child, which are used by English teachers in high schools and colleges worldwide. Formerly a screenwriter, Wells has a fast-paced, cinematic writing style. His work is often compared to that of the late Sidney Sheldon, with strong and inspiring female heroes, tightly-written scenes, engaging action/dialogue, and numerous plot twists. He currently lives in Europe and has taught in the Creative Writing program at the University of Oxford. 

Please follow Mike's blog at: http://mikewellsblog.blogspot.com/

Connect with Mike on Twitter and Facebook

Book and Movie Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent 

Book 1

by Veronica Roth

Hardcover: 496 pages
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books; 1st edition (May 3, 2011)
Amazon Hardcover Link

Paperback: 576 pages
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books; Reprint edition (September 30, 2014)

File Size: 1836 KB
Print Length: 501 pages

Audible Listening Length: 11 hours and 15 minutes
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Audible.com Release Date: December 6, 2012

Paperback  / Kindle / Audible 

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ 

My thoughts:

Friends told me Divergent's story is similar to Hunger Games. I didn't like HG, can't stand the violence, brutally killing teens for fun. So told them, why would I watch this one. According to their reviews, this was better. Although the story is similar to HG, this was less brutal. So I went and watched the movie last year. Surprisingly, I liked the movie, book? Not much. 

I liked Four but I haven't decided yet if I liked Tris (up until book 2). She seems like a nice person, may be a best friend material, it's just that her 'divergent' attitude and decisions annoys me. She is so unpredictable. Sometimes I compare her to Bella, a weakling and then she would be like a very smart likeable hero. If it's okay with other readers, I am not happy with that kind of character. As for Four, he is definitely a very realistic and memorable character which I think the reason why I continued reading the series up to book 2 (got free book 3 - thanks to Audible!) Other characters are fine. Villain? I much hate Eric than Jeanine. I see Jeanine as Rose Dawson, so not possible to hate her LOLs... 

Plot and writing style are both okay except I initially got confused with all the factions. Took me a lot of back reading to understand how it works. What I still don't understand is why factionless peeps are all homeless? They are the largest faction so why don't they all work together and build houses for everyone? I know it was explained in the book but really, are they all stupid to just roam around the city streets and never realized the need to have a place to live in? Romance part as you guessed is not good enough for me since I have mixed feelings about Tris. Hmm, overall, it was an okay book. 

PS
Not sure if I'm going to post my review about the second book. . . .  felt like I have nothing good to say about that book.... 

About the book:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her. 

About the author:

Veronica Roth was born in a Chicago suburb, and studied creative writing at Northwestern University. She and her husband currently live in the city that inspired the setting of the Divergent Trilogy.