Showing posts with label Karina Halle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Karina Halle. Show all posts
I read these books a long time ago so they're not exactly new, but it was about time I shared them.
Have you read any of these?
Have you read any of these?
Three Simple Words by A.J. Pine
Contemporary Brother's Best Friend Romance, dual pov
Annie
I know where to find my happily ever after—between the pages of a romance novel. It’s why I sell books, why I blog about them, and why I’ll never get disappointed by love.
So what if my brother’s best friend from high school is now a bestselling author? Or that he just blew back into town on a Harley, filling out a pair of jeans like he never did before? Or that he’s agreed to do a signing at my bookstore on such short notice? Because despite all his adoring female fans, I kind of hated his book.
Wes
The last time I saw Annie Denning, she was a senior in high school, three years older than me and way out of my league.
Now I’m her last-minute date to a wedding, and what started as a night of pure fun has turned into something more real than either of us anticipated.
Annie is my muse. When I’m with her, my writer’s block fades away, and the words finally flow.
The only problem? She wants the fairy tale—her very own happily ever after—and anyone who’s read my book knows the truth. I just don’t believe they exist.
Rating: ★★★★★
Looking for a great, light, feel-good story? How about one that many of us can relate to? Then this is the book for you!!
I can't tell you how many times my mind and heart have been stuck in a book. Sometimes it takes a real long while for me to let the story go. And I have to admit that the female main character in this book reminded me of me. *shrugs* I love a tortured hero. Or one who truly believes that love just ain't in his cards. And I absolutely love watching him get knocked on his ass by the one woman he can't seem to resist!
Introducing Wes and Annie. Annie owns a bookstore and runs a blog titled "Happy Ever After". Her hopes, dreams and ideals about love come from romance novels and she can't find her HEA in real life. Wes is a newly successful author of a romance novel that isn't really romantic. He also happens to be Annie's younger brother's best friend. He believes that true love and HEAs ONLY belong in fiction. And yet, when these two start a mutually beneficial "arrangement", their stances on love and happy endings lose traction.
It felt surreal to read about a character that thought so much like me. I could easily put myself in Annie's shoes but it wasn't difficult to do the same with Wes. I adored both characters. They made me smile, cheer, laugh, giggle, grin, slap my forehead in frustration, but ultimately, they made me love them.
To quote the author: "Thank you, Annie and Wes, for showing us that love can conquer all and that happy endings are just the beginning."
Although part of a series, this book can definitely be read as a standalone. Fair warning: once you read it, I'm sure you'll be just as interested in the other books as I am.
Looking for a great, light, feel-good story? How about one that many of us can relate to? Then this is the book for you!!
I can't tell you how many times my mind and heart have been stuck in a book. Sometimes it takes a real long while for me to let the story go. And I have to admit that the female main character in this book reminded me of me. *shrugs* I love a tortured hero. Or one who truly believes that love just ain't in his cards. And I absolutely love watching him get knocked on his ass by the one woman he can't seem to resist!
Introducing Wes and Annie. Annie owns a bookstore and runs a blog titled "Happy Ever After". Her hopes, dreams and ideals about love come from romance novels and she can't find her HEA in real life. Wes is a newly successful author of a romance novel that isn't really romantic. He also happens to be Annie's younger brother's best friend. He believes that true love and HEAs ONLY belong in fiction. And yet, when these two start a mutually beneficial "arrangement", their stances on love and happy endings lose traction.
It felt surreal to read about a character that thought so much like me. I could easily put myself in Annie's shoes but it wasn't difficult to do the same with Wes. I adored both characters. They made me smile, cheer, laugh, giggle, grin, slap my forehead in frustration, but ultimately, they made me love them.
To quote the author: "Thank you, Annie and Wes, for showing us that love can conquer all and that happy endings are just the beginning."
Although part of a series, this book can definitely be read as a standalone. Fair warning: once you read it, I'm sure you'll be just as interested in the other books as I am.
The Pact by Karina Halle
Contemporary Friends-to-Lovers Romance, dual pov
It all started with a pinky swear…
Linden McGregor is tall, rugged, and gunslinger handsome; a helicopter pilot with a Scottish brogue and charm to spare. He’s also one of Stephanie Robson’s best friends and has fit into that box for as long as she’s known him.
But some relationships can’t be boxed, can’t be classified, can’t be tamed.
Back in their mid-twenties and tired of the competitive hit-or-miss dating scene of San Francisco, Steph and Linden made a pact to marry each other if neither one of them are in a serious relationship by the time they hit thirty.
It sounds like fun and games but as the years to thirty tick past and lovers come and go out of their lives, the pact becomes larger than life.
Sex is inevitable. Friendships are tested. Hearts are on the line.
The pact is about to change everything.
Rating: ★★★★★
Simply put, this book was awesome! I can't believe it took me so long to read it. I found a quote in it that really stuck with me throughout the entire story:
"His dick is perfect. Just f*cking perfect. I can’t stop staring at it. It’s not just that it’s massive (and in a good way, not in a spearing your uterus kind of way), but that it’s smooth and thick and long and hard and perfectly proportioned. It’s the most gorgeous penis I’ve ever seen and it makes me wish I could paint because I could have a whole gallery devoted to the beauty of his dick and I would consistently sell out of all my paintings."
Yup, that and more can be found in this great book. Linden and Stephanie were amazing characters and I'm sad to see them go. It's nice to know that they're not forgotten, however, and make future appearances in the other McGregor books. The author found a way to captivate with warmth and light-hearted fun. I read the Acknowledgements and what the author said is true. There aren't many books that tackle the dating scene of actual adults. So thanks for this refreshing, heart-warming, hilarious addition!!
Simply put, this book was awesome! I can't believe it took me so long to read it. I found a quote in it that really stuck with me throughout the entire story:
"His dick is perfect. Just f*cking perfect. I can’t stop staring at it. It’s not just that it’s massive (and in a good way, not in a spearing your uterus kind of way), but that it’s smooth and thick and long and hard and perfectly proportioned. It’s the most gorgeous penis I’ve ever seen and it makes me wish I could paint because I could have a whole gallery devoted to the beauty of his dick and I would consistently sell out of all my paintings."
Yup, that and more can be found in this great book. Linden and Stephanie were amazing characters and I'm sad to see them go. It's nice to know that they're not forgotten, however, and make future appearances in the other McGregor books. The author found a way to captivate with warmth and light-hearted fun. I read the Acknowledgements and what the author said is true. There aren't many books that tackle the dating scene of actual adults. So thanks for this refreshing, heart-warming, hilarious addition!!
Center Mass by Lani Lynn Vale
Contemporary Single Parent Romance
Luke Roberts came to the small lazy town of Kilgore, Texas with one thing on his mind: Forgetting. He wanted to forget why he left. Forget those emerald green eyes that haunted his dreams. And forget how it felt to have his heart ripped out of his chest by a woman who didn’t like the fact that he had a child. It was something he’d been doing a damn fine job of doing, too. Until Reese smashed through every one of his defenses, and made him feel again.
Reese Doherty was just trying to do the best for her little girl. So she moved to the little boomtown nearly an hour from where she grew up to be the school nurse for Kilgore’s littlest people. That’s where she met him. The SWAT officer and the man that would change her life forever. The sexy man who liked to drive fast, and live life like it should be lived. He drove her crazy, and became something she could barely live without.
But Luke was a hero. A man used to risking his life to make the world a safer place. Something Reese had to decide whether she could handle or not. Preferably before her and her daughter became too attached.
Just when she’s ready to give him her whole heart, her world takes a huge hit, and everything she thought she knew wasn’t as it seemed.
Luke
wasn’t a quitter, though. Damn far from it, and he’d prove to her that he’d be there when the dust settled. Whether she wanted him to be or not.
Character details:
Lucas "Luke" Roberts + Reese Francesca DohertyChildren:
Katerina "Katy" Roberts (Lucas's daughter) — Hide Your Crazy
Rowen Diane Roberts (Reese's daughter) — Just Kidding
Derek Roberts — Fries Before Guys
Luke's Family:
Travis (father)
Paige (mother)
Baylee (sister) — Lights to my Siren
Reese's Family:
Frank (father)
Daniella (mother)
Tru (sister) — Charge to my Line
Rating: ★★★★★
I gave this book 5 stars not because it was the greatest book of all time but because of how it made me feel in the end.
There's something about reading a book involving single parents that hits home for me. It could be because I can empathize with the characters. It could be because children in the story is always a treat! I'm not sure but the author did a fantastic job of bringing single parents Luke and Reese to life.
I liked how realistic their daily lives were. They were juggling their children, work, and attempts at a dating life. Their support systems (family & friends) were awesome. I really liked that there wasn't a huge conversation about the status of their relationship. They just kinda fell into commitment with one another and it was wonderful to watch it unfold.
I knew that Luke being SWAT and Assistant Chief would add an element of suspense. When the action came in the story, it wasn't crazy intense but it was definitely interesting. I wonder if more details concerning the aftermath will be revealed in other books in the series.
The epilogue was freaking fantastic!!
I laughed. I swooned over Luke's (and his team's) Alpha-ness. I giggled over the children. I raged at the angst caused by the exes. And I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this read.
I gave this book 5 stars not because it was the greatest book of all time but because of how it made me feel in the end.
There's something about reading a book involving single parents that hits home for me. It could be because I can empathize with the characters. It could be because children in the story is always a treat! I'm not sure but the author did a fantastic job of bringing single parents Luke and Reese to life.
I liked how realistic their daily lives were. They were juggling their children, work, and attempts at a dating life. Their support systems (family & friends) were awesome. I really liked that there wasn't a huge conversation about the status of their relationship. They just kinda fell into commitment with one another and it was wonderful to watch it unfold.
I knew that Luke being SWAT and Assistant Chief would add an element of suspense. When the action came in the story, it wasn't crazy intense but it was definitely interesting. I wonder if more details concerning the aftermath will be revealed in other books in the series.
The epilogue was freaking fantastic!!
I laughed. I swooned over Luke's (and his team's) Alpha-ness. I giggled over the children. I raged at the angst caused by the exes. And I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this read.
Three books with what appears to be nothing in common... except that they entertained me!
| In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros |
My Rating ★★★★ |
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| Type: Standalone Genre: Contemporary Romance Trope: Second Chance POV: Dual 1st person Heat: a few descriptive scenes Source: ebook purchase from Amazon Length: 348 pages |
To keep this simple, I'll just share the things I liked: ⭒ the serendipitious vibe throughout the story. Who doesn't want to meet and re-meet their one and only love time and time again? ⭒ the obvious connection between the protagonists. Even if they tried their hardest to fight what they shared in the present. ⭒ the tragic overtones and how hope couldn't help but shine through. My only real issues were the wartime backdrop (don't know how accurate it was) and Izzy's nonsense with her fiance. Girl, grow up! Overall, this was very enjoyable and I can see myself reading more from this author. |
| Time Thief by Anna Hackett |
My Rating ★★★ |
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| Type: The Anomaly #1 Genre: SciFi Romance Trope: Time Travel / Enemies to Lovers POV: Dual 3rd person Heat: vaguely descriptive Source: ebook purchase from Amazon Length: 93 pages |
This story was short, not so sweet, and full of drama. Bay was a time thief, meaning she could stop time for brief periods of time. She was also being hunted, and while Sean had her in his sights, he might be the only one able to keep her safe. I really enjoyed the idea of the various anomalies out there and how these people had to cope with their abilities and stay one step ahead of those who wanted them for their powers. The relationship between Bay and Sean was instalust at first sight, but I could see the potential for so much more in the end. I hope to see them in the following books of the series. |
| A Ship of Bones and Teeth by Karina Halle |
My Rating ★★★★ |
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| Type: Standalone Genre: Fantasy Romance Trope: Pirates / retelling POV: Dual 1st person Heat: several explicit scenes Source: Kindle Unlimited Length: 466 pages |
I love retellings and this one was quite enjoyable. It was a bit darker than The Little Mermaid tale we all know and love. For one, Princess Maren wasn't a mermaid. She was a Syren—vicious, man-eating, creature of the sea. She felt unloved and ignored and wanted more. After a glimpse above the sea, she found the sea witch and made a fool's bargain to get legs, have the prince fall in love with her, and get her happily ever after. Too bad nothing happened the way she wanted them to. Prince Aerik was abusive and after 10 years of it, Maren had practically accepted her lot in life. When they're captured by pirates, she finally had a taste of freedom. And the first person to see her, to actually see her is the captain of the ship, Ramsay. I loved Ramsay. He was hilarious, without intending to be. He was loyal, honorable, and yet he was an outcast leading a group of outcasts. There is so much more to learn about him, but I'll let you discover all of the magic of him and this story for yourself. Enjoy! |
Standalone
Release: November 16, 2016
Length: 382 pages
They say when life closes one door, another one opens.
This door happens to lead to paradise.
And a man I can never, ever have.
~~~
Still grieving the loss of her sister who died two years ago, the last thing Veronica "Ronnie" Locke needed was to lose her job at one of Chicago’s finest restaurants and have to move back in with her parents. So when a window of opportunity opens for her – running a kitchen at a small Hawaiian hotel – she’d be crazy not to take it.
The only problem is, the man running the hotel drives her crazy:
Logan Shephard.
It doesn’t matter that he’s got dark brown eyes, a tall, muscular build that’s sculpted from daily surfing sessions, and a deep Australian accent that makes your toes curl.
What does matter is that he’s a grump.
Kind of an asshole, too.
And gets under Ronnie’s skin like no one else.
But the more time Ronnie spends on the island of Kauai, falling in love with the lush land and its carefree lifestyle, the closer she gets to Logan. And the closer she gets to Logan, the more she realizes she may have pegged him all wrong. Maybe it’s the hot, steamy jungles or the invigorating ocean air, but soon their relationship becomes utterly intoxicating.
There’s just one major catch.
The two of them together would incite a scandal neither Ronnie, nor her family, would ever recover from.
Forbidden, Illicit, off-limits – sometimes the heat is worth surrendering to, even if you get burned.
Note: this is a standalone novel, unrelated to any previous books. It does NOT contain cheating of any kind.
Standalone - The McGregor Brothers #5
Release: August 29, 2016
Length: 264 pages
Her life changed in an instant.
And he's the only one who could have prevented it.
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Pact and The Lie comes a new standalone contemporary romance about those McGregor men.
Jessica Charles shouldn't have even been in London when the unthinkable happened.
She should have been back at home in Edinburgh, perhaps hanging with her boyfriend, having drinks with her sister or doing yoga with her group of friends. She should have been going on in her normal, dependable life as always.
But on that fateful day in August, when a mentally-ill ex-soldier opened fire in public, Jessica's world changed forever.
Now single and crippled from the gunshot wounds, Jessica finds herself scared and alone, losing faith in herself and humanity with each agonizing moment that passes.
That is until a stranger enters her life. A stranger who makes her live again.
Keir McGregor has always been the strong, silent type. Throw in tall, dark, and handsome and you've got pretty much the perfect Scotsman.
Except Keir is anything but perfect. He's got a past he's running away from and a guilty conscience he can't seem to shed. But the more time he spends with Jessica, the more he falls in love with her.
And the more his secret threatens to tear them apart.
He may have been a stranger to her.
But she’s never been a stranger to him.
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