Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books/ Viking
Release Date: December 31, 2012
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 369 (Hardcover)
Source: Viking
Genre: Romance / General Fiction
Review Date: November 5, 2013
Rating: 4 bookmarks


Synopsis: Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

Disclaimer: I received this book as a courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher: Author, Prescott Lane 
Release Date: April 14, 2013
Format: PDF
Pages: 283
Source: Author
Genre: Romance
Review Date: October 21, 2013
Rating: 3 bookmarks

Synopsis: Emory faces life’s challenges at the one place that’s never failed her, the ballet barre. But even the barre can’t steady her when fate brings her face-to-face with her old college flame, Mason, who’s hoping to return to the NFL after a career-threatening injury. Before they can surrender to their sexual desires and find salvation in each other’s arms, they need to come to terms with their past. Mason must confront the demons that have set him on a path of self-destruction, while Emory must decide whether to keep her painful secrets locked away, or expose them and risk losing the love of her life. But nothing can prepare Mason for what Emory has kept hidden, or the possibility that he himself may be to blame for the very secrets she keeps – and why they continue to haunt her.

Disclaimer: I received this ebook as a courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.

Everyone knows that I'm a sucker for a pretty cover.  I found this cover appealing then add to that the synopsis and it captured my attention. I've previously enjoyed stories where sports are mixed in with romance so at first glance this was a win-win.  First Position is a story I've never read before, by that I mean that it's unique and original.  Which is always a good thing. I also liked that the story seemed more realistic than the average romance. It absolutely doesn't follow the typical reunion romance formula and I appreciated that.

Hey friends!
I have a mini review for you today!  A mini review is my short and sweet analysis of a book.  You'll know in 350 words or less if this is a book I recommend.

Publisher: Koehler Books
Release Date: July 1, 2011
Format: Kindle (borrow)
Pages: 262
Source: Amazon
Genre: Romance
Review Date: October 9, 2013
Rating: 2 bookmarks 

Synopsis: AMBER’S WORLD IS SHATTERED when her husband Jeff dies suddenly in an accident. On the day of his funeral, in the midst of her grief, she is blind-sided with divorce papers, served only hours before the service. Forced to face how flawed her marriage truly was, Amber finally begins to deal with the lies and deceit that were at the very foundation of her relationship.

When the ruggedly handsome Kentucky horse breeder Dalton loses his beloved wife shortly after the birth of their child, he thinks he will never find love again. Four years later, he knows something is missing from his life, but just can’t seem to place it. Until he meets the raven-haired beauty – the woman of his dreams.

Will Amber overcome the fear of being hurt again and find true love?

Will she be able to see clearly through her tears of betrayal?

This is another book club selection, not my choice, but I'm a good member and read all the books. :-)  There are good ones and not so good ones. Which that said, on with the review!

Publisher: Forever
Release Date: March 26, 2013
Format: Kindle
Pages: 240
Source: Amazon
Genre: Romance (New Adult)
Review Date: August 7, 2013
Rating: 3 bookmarks 

Synopsis: "I have a proposition for you." Kacey should have run the minute those words left Seattle millionaire Jake Titus's mouth. It's been years since Kacey's seen her childhood friend Jake, but the minute Jake mentions his ill grandmother, Kacey is ready to do anything for the sweet old woman. And if that means pretending they're engaged for her sake-so be it.

But Kacey wasn't counting on Jake's older brother Travis still being there. She calls him "Satan" for a reason: she's never forgotten the way he teased and taunted her. Yet when they meet again, Travis's gorgeous smile is a direct hit to her heart . . . and Kacey's more confused than ever. As the days pass, only one thing starts to become alarmingly clear-she never should have accepted Jake's deal . . .

I'm going to keep this review light and short, just like the book itself.  This was a fun, light summer read.  This was a book club pick. I wouldn't have chosen to read this book for myself, but it was a change of pace because I haven't read a cheesy romance in a very long while.  To be honest, the story is predictable, the characters are a little cheesy, but I thought they were hilarious.

Even though I didn't care for the fact that Kacey was acting so naive and "brand new" to romance and relationships, the interaction between Kacey and Travis was hilarious at times.  Van Dyken had me laughing out loud at certain points. This book follows the typical romance formula, but like I said, it's fun.  I haven't read Rachel Van Dyken in the past, since I don't prefer this type of book, it's unlikely that I will again. Regardless, you'll enjoy this book if you don't take it too seriously. Take it for what it is, a lighthearted romance.

Happy Reading,
~Tamara

Publisher: Harlequin Kimani
Release Date: January 22, 2013
Format: Kindle
Pages: 224
Source: NetGalley, Courtesy of Harlequin Kimani
Genre: Romance, AA Fiction
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Synopsis: In the wake of political defeat, former mayoral candidate Ainsley St. James does something totally out of character-she has a one-night stand with a seductive stranger. Never expecting to see him again, she accepts a job covering a breaking story in Hilton Head, South Carolina...only to discover that the island's most desirable recluse is the lover she has yet to forget. 

Winston Coltrane can't get that incredible night-or the sexy, sophisticated beauty-out of his mind. The marine biologist is developing a secret formula that could be a major medical breakthrough. But there's something Winston is keeping from Ainsley: his feelings for her have grown beyond the bedroom. Kiss by breathtaking kiss, Ainsley is transforming his oceanside sanctuary into a sensual retreat. Will they be able to turn a passionate fling into forever in each other's arms?

Disclaimer: I received this book as a galley courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

I've read a few books from Brenda Jackson in the past and she never disappoints. I'd recommend her if you're wanting a fun, light-hearted romance. There a little heat in the bedroom scenes, but the old school way. Nothing over the top or embarrassing to admit that you're reading. Haha! This book was short and sweet, which makes these type of books perfect for summer or vacation reading. If you've read any romance novels, you know that there's a formula that works for these kind of books. If the author doesn't deviate too far from it, the story is always enjoyable. Boy meets girl. Boy sleeps with girl. Boy falls in love with girl. Girl falls for boy. Girl find out boy has a secret and turns out he's a millionaire...etc...

Bachelor Unclaimed was an easy read with a good story and pretty well developed characters, given that the book is so short. I also could believe this romantic fantasy could be real enough. What I mean by that is the story wasn't so over the top that you'd be like "What the hell?!" It's just the right amount of real with the fantasy perfect man and his perfect match.

This book is actually the fourth in a series. But never fear, you don't have to read the others to read this one. They all connect through the Bachelor featured in each book, but the books can be read as a stand-alone story too. If I get some free time, I may go back and read the others in this series.

Going on a beach vacation soon? I recommend taking this along with you.

Happy Reading,
~Tamara

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Release Date: First published September 14 2010 / Audio unabridged edition September 14, 2010 by Hachette Audio
Format: Audio MP3
Pages: 340 (Mass Market Paperback) /  Audio Length: Approx 8 hours
Narrator: Rebecca Lowman
Source: Library Borrow via Overdrive
Genre: Romance
Review Date: May 15, 2013
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Synopsis:  When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.

But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo’s empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

This this book was a slow start, but it didn't take long for me to start getting into the story. For a moment, while Katie was flashing back on her time with Kevin and her experience escaping from him, the story reminded me of the movie Sleeping With the Enemy. But the similarities stopped there. There was another vibe there that is uniquely Nicholas Sparks. If you're read him, you'll know what I mean.  Katie, though is a strong woman, it's like she's needy. She has to learn to live all over again while liking this guy she meets in the small town decided to hid out in.  Of course Alex, is pretty much the perfect guy, with the perfect kids. Polar opposite from Katie's crazy husband.  

The story is somewhat predictable up until the last few pages.  What an eerie and somewhat creepy ending! I didn't expect that exactly. I always thought there was something a bit off with Jo, but I didn't know what! How clever! But it all clicked into place for me a half step before Katie revealed it for us. Well played Mr.Sparks! That is an ending that you'll remember.

Once I got adjusted to the fake Southern accents, the narration was fine. It did throw me a bit off when the narrator started speaking because even though I'm not from the South, it sounded fake. I talk to many Southerners and they sound nothing like this narrator.

After listening to Safe Haven, I really want to see the movie now. It's not in the theaters anymore, but it's not on Netflix yet either. It just came out last week for rent on On-Demand and on Google TV. I guess I'll have to pay $5 bucks to watch it on Google TV. I have a feeling just from watching the movie trailer, some changes to the story have been made. I hope it doesn't ruin the book.

Happy Reading,
~Tamara

Publisher: Atria Books
Release Date: April 2, 2013
Format: Kindle, ARC
Pages: 433 (Paperback)
Source: NetGalley, Courtesy of Atria Books
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Review Date: April 15, 2013
Rating: 3 bookmarks 

Synopsis: Finally, the highly anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Beautiful Disaster. Can you love someone too much?
Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes.

Disclaimer: I received this book as a galley courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

You know how the saying goes, there's two sides to every story? I think that's true, but It was hard for me to detect the differences. Thank God for the prologue  the last two chapters and the epilogue. Without that it felt like I was re-reading exactly the same book,  almost verbatim as beautiful disaster. To me reading the book from Travis's point of view was not very much different than reading it from Abby's point of view. The stories were so similar the quotes were identical. I actually got to the point where I would skim over a page or two just because I already knew what was going on.  The major difference, which was pretty consistent, is that the inner-monologue going on with Travis and his conversations between Shep and himself are a bit more raunchy. That's probably lending to the fact that they're college guys, hell, maybe just because they're guys period.

Publisher: Originally self published, Jamie McGuire LLC
Release Date: First published May 26, 2011, Re-releases August 14th 2012 by Atria Books
Format: Paperback
Pages:  437 (Paperback)
Source: Library Borrow
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Review Date: March 31, 2013
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Synopsis:Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

I knew from the description this relationship would be a train wreck. You know that it's horrifying  but you just can't look away. This is Abby and Travis all day.  My first impression of this book is "Wow, these are two screwed up people!". Seriously.  This book had me thinking back to the bad boys from my freshman year of college....BUT lucky me, I am NOT Abby and I surely never dated my own version of Travis! Even though this book is coined as a "romance", this book does not depict what a healthy relationship it.  Period. So with that said, take this book with a grain of salt.