Author: romancebookworm

I love to read and it is my true obsession. I would quit my job tomorrow, if I could make a living doing reviews and writing books! LOL!

When in Paris (Language of Love) by Beverley Kendall (@beverleykendall, @Season4Romance)

romancebookwormLeave a comment

Excerpt from Amazon:

Recommended for readers +17 and up
New Adult – mature content (language & sex)College freshman Olivia Montgomery is thrilled at the chance to start over, escape the rumors that plagued her in high school. And she can finally put her juvenile crush, Zachary Pearson, where he belongs–in her past. Then her unrequited love strolls into her French class, shattering Olivia’s newfound peace, and the feelings she’d thought buried for good come rushing back. Now she can’t shake her unwanted attraction to the one guy who can twist her stomach into knots with just a smile…but has never given her the time of day.Zach’s good looks may have always gotten him his pick of girls, but it’s the star quarterback’s skill on the football field that gives him his pick of the Big Ten colleges. To escape the crushing demands of his win-at-all-costs father, Zach opts for a private university in upstate New York. There his present and past collide. And the one girl he’s always wanted but can’t have–and a class trip to Paris–turn out to be the ultimate game changer that has him breaking every one of his rules.

 

I really enjoyed this book and I don’t normally read a lot of this genre!  Olivia reminded me of how I felt when I moved away from home.  You long for the chance to start over and recreate yourself.  I can only imagine how stunned she felt when Zach walked into her class.  It seems like when you think your past is in the past, it walks right in and smacks you in the face.  Feeling a strong attraction to someone that can’t even stand to look at you has to be a blow to the ego and self-esteem.

I understood completely where Zach was coming from though and the reasons that he stayed away from Olivia.  Family comes first and he did the right thing.  However, sometimes destiny intervenes and takes control.  The tension that these two exhibit and the interactions between the characters all seem like what would really go on between two college kids.  This story seems more real then a lot of college age books I have read.

When in Paris is the story of how attraction and passion can lead to finding the love that was always meant to be.

~I was given this by the author in return for my honest review.  I am not being compensated for my opinion.~

Rated 4 Bookworms

bookwormbookwormbookwormbookworm

 

 

RELEASE DAY! Beyond 10 Nights by Michelle Hughes and Karl Jones (@MichelleHughes_, @kast1j)

romancebookwormLeave a comment

beyond10coverblank

I am so excited for the release of the second book in The Forbidden Desire Series! Beyond 10 Nights is the continuing story of Leah and Rhett’s relationship. I fell in love with this series and I have recommended it to everyone I know!

Excerpt:

Beyond 10 Nights with Rhett, Leah discovers that her journey into submission has a new temptation awaiting her awakening mind. The depths of Rhett’s depravity come full circle and force her to make a decision on the path she’ll choose to walk in his dark world of sensual indulgence.

When an old friend of Rhett’s returns to Chicago, the ultimate alpha male competition ensues to win the heart, mind, and body of our heroine. Two worlds of enticement collide, and emotions are overwhelmed as the true game begins.

Beyond 10 Nights will Leah discover that desire and the heart can be the hardest checkmate of all? Passion, love, and heartbreak in the end it all takes you Beyond 10 Nights!

Check out my review of 10 Nights and see how far temptation will take you!

Vampires in America: The Vignettes-Vol 1 by D.B. Reynolds (@DBReynoldsWrite)

romancebookwormLeave a comment

I am a huge fan of this series and have already done a few reviews (more are coming!).  This volume is a look after the books to catch up on our characters.  I don’t want to include any spoilers in case you haven’t read the actual books. 

These short stories include followups to Raphael and Cyn (my faves), Duncan and Emma, and the wedding of Raj and Sarah.  I hope that you will include this in your Vampires of America collection!

Rated 4 Bookworms

bookwormbookwormbookwormbookworm

How to Marry a Duke by Vicky Dreiling (@vickydreiling)

romancebookwormLeave a comment

I originally reviewed this book when I started my blog in 2011.  My blog fizzled out and I have since revamped and expanded.  I decided to review this again and include some fun stuff from Vicky Dreiling. 

This is Vicky’s debut romance and I was hooked from the get go.  Our heroine is Tessa Mansfield who considers herself a spinster and has created her own life as a ton matchmaker.  Tristan, Duke of Shelbourne has decided that it is time to set up his nursery and hires Tessa to find him a bride.  Humor commences as Tessa creates a courtship between the Duke and twenty-four of London’s most eligible debutantes.  I find it hysterical that Tessa creates a “game show” style process to find the next Duchess of Shelbourne.  I love the friendship and chemistry that develops between the characters.  I have read all of Vicky’s books and this is one that is on my permanent keep list. 

Now on to some fun stuff!  Vicky Dreiling posted the following on her Facebook page and I thought it was so funny, I wanted to include it here!  I contacted her and she agreed to let me post it on my blog.  As a struggling author, I found it to be a lighthearted gaggle of laughs!  Enjoy.

Vicky Dreiling’s How to Survive and Thrive List for Debut Authors 

How to Celebrate your First Sale 

  1. Squee in your agent’s ear.  Apologize profusely afterward.

  2. Call your friends and insist on meeting up at your favorite Mexican food restaurant for celebratory Chambord swirl margaritas.

  3. Spend part of your first advance check on something special-you earned it!

  4. Eat lots of chocolate.  It is one of the basic food groups for writers. 

How to Prepare your First Revision Letter 

  1. Buy post-it notes in many colors.  They are your friends and make the printed pages look pretty.

  2. You will need the printed version because page numbers will change as you revise.

  3. Stock up on your caffeinated beverage of choice.

  4. Memorize the phone numbers and/or website addresses of Pizza Hut, the local Chinese delivery service and Chili’s to go,

  5. Eat lots of chocolate.  It is one of the basic food groups of authors. 

How to be a Glamorous Almost Published Author 

  1. Make an appointment with a photographer for your author photo.

  2. Try on several outfits and decide you deserve a new one for the photo.

  3. Smear mascara under your eyes.  You’re out of practice putting on makeup since you became a recluse.

  4. Ask the photographer if he can work miracles with Photo Shop.

  5. Eat lots of chocolate.  It is one of the basic food groups for authors. 

How to Write your First Dedication and Acknowledgements 

  1. Sniff a little as you dedicate your book to someone special who helped you make your dream come true.

  2. Thank your wonderful editor whose insights made your book so much better.

  3. Thank your Uber Talented agent who knew exactly how to sell your book.

  4. Sniff a little as you thank all your fabulous writing friends and family members who encouraged you along the journey.

  5. Eat lots of chocolate.  It is one of the basic food groups for authors. 

How to Stay Sane as You Realize You Didn’t Prepare Enough 

  1. Call your published friends and beg them to tell you what works for publicity.  Friends will tell you nobody knows.  Don’t freak out.  And don’t overspend (Hah!).

  2. Get a professional website.  Don’t skimp as this is your window shop to the world.

  3. Social media is not an option.  Embrace it.  You’ll make friends and gain name awareness.

  4. Admire your Advance Reader Copies.  Keep one and give the others away on blog tour.

  5. Eat lots of chocolate.  It is one of the basic food groups for authors.

 Reprinted with permission of Vicky Dreiling.

Rated 5 Bookworms

bookwormbookwormbookwormbookwormbookworm

How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire (Love at Stake series) by Kerrelyn Sparks (@KerrelynSparks, @avonbooks)

romancebookwormLeave a comment

This is the first book in the Love at Stake series.  Roman Draganesti is a vampire and a scientific genius.  He is responsible for developing synthetic blood.  With its creation, he has been able to save millions of lives and develop bagged blood for vampires.  When one of his scientists creates a “real-life” blood bag made out of a sex doll, Roman thinks they may be onto something.  Once he bites into it and loses a fang, he realizes that it is not all it is cracked up to be.  What is a vampire supposed to do in the middle of the night with a broken fang?  Call a dentist of course!

Shanna Whelan is a dentist in hiding.  After having witnessed a Russian Mafia hit that killed her best friend, Shanna was put into witness protection.  However, she has a bigger problem to contend with.  How is she supposed to continue to be a doctor when the sight of blood causes her to pass out?

Roman shows up at Shanna’s 24 hour clinic just in time to save her from another hit and in return she fixes his fang before he has to spend eternity with a deformity.  By helping Shanna, Roman falls into a confrontation with his long-time vampire nemesis.  Shanna doesn’t understand what is going on at first and the feelings that Roman inspires are confusing.  Will she be able to overlook the stereotype to find the man that lies inside?

I have read all of the series and enjoy them more everytime I read them!

Rated 4 Bookworms

bookwormbookwormbookwormbookworm

To Kill a Warlock (Book 1 of the Dulcie O’Neil Series) by H.P. Mallory (@HPMallory)

romancebookwormLeave a comment

Dulcie O’Neil is a hard-working Fairy that wants to write a novel. Working in law enforcement as a Regulator (paranormal cop) Dulcie knows she has to save up so she can stop working to write her novel. I love how this started out as Dulcie being turned into a disgusting slime creature. It showed that she had a sarcastic side to her that resonates with me. Dulcie finds herself in a pickle when a warlock that specialized in the dark arts is killed. Having been the last one to see him alive, throws a kink into her life as a Regulator. When a mysterious stranger shows up and tells her he needs her help to solve some murders, Dulcie is sure that he is involved somehow. Dulcie has trust issues due to a previous relationship and I find it hysterical that she has all these luscious men lusting after her. Bram is by far my favorite, but that could be because I tend to lust after vampires. I hope we have more interaction with him in the rest of the series!

This story brings together creatures that we don’t normally see in paranormal books. We have demons, vampires, witches, a loki, gremlins and a hobgoblin. I can’t wait to see where H.P. Mallory takes me.

Rated 4 Bookworms

bookworm

bookwormbookwormbookworm

 

 

Shattered (Donna Harp Series) by Karl Jones (@kast1j)

romancebookworm2 Comments

Ok, I will be as honest as I can be. I am not normally a crime novel fan and it is NEVER my first choice when grabbing a book. I decided to give this one a shot simply because I am fan of the novel that Mr. Jones wrote with Michelle Hughes, 10 Nights.

This is a very clever whodunit and I have to admit it intrigued me. It takes place in the sleepy English town of Greenville. Two teens are brutally murdered and the town is furious and confused. Like most places the first person they look at is the one person that was known to have seen one of the victims last. Jason Denton is an author and a former detective. He also just happened to find one of the bodies and it puts him right in the path of law enforcement looking into the case.

This is one of those books that you can not put down. The characters are well written and have a life of their own. I read this late one night and scared myself to death! That DOES not happen so that tells you how awesome this book is. This book is a murder story and very graphic. Love the change of pace from my romance novels and look forward to more Donna Harp.

Rated 5 stars

Raphael by D.B. Reynolds (Vampires in America) @DBReynoldsWrite

romancebookworm1 Comment

It is no secret that I am a fan of vampires and if you can create a series that entangles me, well then I am a fan for life.  D.B. Reynolds has created a group of vampires that I am enthralled with.  Book one starts with Raphael.  Raphael is one of eight vampire lords that rule over the North American continent.  Sexy, rich and powerful.  Does it get any better?  While Raphael is away on business, betrayal is the name of the game when one of his “children” (Alexandra) is kidnapped.  Realizing that humans are involved and knowing that they are a weakness that can lead him to the person behind this atrocity, he has his people bring in a human private investigator.

Cynthia Leighton is smart, intuitive and is able to get the job done.  Even though she knows about vampires and has done odd jobs for them, the thought of working with the powerful vampire lord is a little unsettling.  Digging deeper into the powerful world of Raphael leads her into a love that consumes them both.

I really enjoy this series and have read all of them several times.  Cynthia is a very strong heroine and I love that she knows what she wants and goes after it.  There are moments when you roll your eyes and want to tell her to suck it up though. 🙂  Raphael’s character is written so well, that you can picture him and since the power rippling off the pages.  The sex in these books is real.  What I mean is they are things that you could actually have happen to you, besides the sucking of the blood.

Don’t take my word for it though.  Pick this series up and immerse yourself in D.B Reynolds’ world of Vampires in America.

Rated 4.5 stars