Posts

Loving Jake (Almost Perfect Series Book 1) by Lisa Lanay – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

/0 Comments/in /by

Loving JakeLoving Jake by Lisa Lanay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loving Jake is the first book in the Almost Perfect Series by Lisa Lanay. It is the first I have read by her, but I am anxiously awaiting book 2. The book is well written, with strong fun characters. I was upset by the direction the book was heading, but I am happy the way it ended. It wrapped up nicely, while leaving an opening for the second book in the series.
Kimberly has been in love with Jake since she was a kid. He is a friend of her brother’s and has thus been off limits. When Jake comes back to town, and shows up at a party, Kimberly’s sister decides to start the wheels turning. She lies and says Kimberly has a room for rent, when Jake mentions he will be in town for a while and needs a place to stay. At first Kimberly is shocked, embarrassed, star struck… but then she decides it could be perfect. It’s easier for someone to fall in love with you, when they are under the same roof and spending hours with you. But sometimes things don’t work out as you want them to. Buckle your seat belt and prepare for a roller coaster ride.

View all my reviews

Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

Pigs by Daniel James – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

/0 Comments/in /by

PigsPigs by Daniel James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The description of Pigs, by Daniel James instantly drew me in and I knew it was a must read. I was not disappointed! The prologue was frightening and I feared the book would be too much. It is super disturbing, but the story had me hooked. It is a chilling story of revenge. The characters are very complex and we can see their emotions through their actions. It is a fine line between being good or evil, and its not always clear where the line is drawn. There is suspense and mystery throughout this crime thriller, and I loved it.
Isaac Reid has just been released from prison, where he has been for 10 years. He worries about acclimating to life in the real world with his wife and son, who only has seen him through a plexiglass window. However his focus shifts, when his family is murdered within hours of his release. He is now torn between keeping his promise to stay on the straight an narrow, and his urge for revenge. Despite trying to put his past behind him, he is thrown right back in. All the key players in the job that went bad, are soon back together and not to reminiscence.

View all my reviews

 

Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

Fire & Ice (Spicetopia #3) by Phoebe Alexander – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

/0 Comments/in /by

Fire & Ice (Spicetopia #3)Fire & Ice by Phoebe Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fire & Ice is the 3rd book in the Spicetopia series by Phoebe Alexander. This book is not for the faint of heart, as it does have quite a few BDSM scenes in it. Typically I don’t like those types of books, but I am enjoying this series. This was probably my favorite book so far in the series, because it deals with the evolving relationship, but also some drama and mystery, which I don’t want to reveal and ruin any surprises. This story focuses on Neve Romano, the Director of Security and Enya Moore, the Director of Public Relations of Spicetopia. They don’t really get along, but find themselves on a promotions tour alone, and are forced to work closely together. During a soft opening of the park, for the employees, they discover they may have more in common than they thought. Crisis arises and they band together to try to save the park. I don’t want any spoilers, so I wont say much more. Just read it. And the whole series, to get a better understanding of the park and how it and the employees came to be.

View all my reviews

 

Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

Stars Fall From the Sky (Reigning Hearts Book Two) by KG Fletcher – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

/0 Comments/in /by

Stars Fall From the Sky (Reigning Hearts #2)Stars Fall From the Sky by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stars Fall From the Sky is the 2nd book in the Reigning Hearts series by K.G. Fletcher. While it does follow Run to the Sea, it could be a stand alone book. The characters overlap, but this is a full story, with enough detail that you would still enjoy it. It is a beautiful story of second chances and finding love again after loss. The story follows Ginger McCormick after the loss of her high school sweetheart husband. If it weren’t for her newborn daughter, she probably wouldn’t even get out of bed in the morning. She slowly finds her way out of grief, and back into living her life. Much from the help of Jonathan Walden, the town doctor. He too is grieving the loss of his wife earlier in the year. They lean on each other to cope and mend their broken hearts. They hit it off straight away, and developed a quick friendship. But it seemed fate kept bringing them together. Perhaps each other are just what they need to move on and love again. Highly recommend this story. It was really sweet and I didn’t want to put it down. There is a shocker toward the end, but without giving it away, I’ll just say, I did NOT see that one coming!

View all my reviews

Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

Matt’s Swirly World: Children’s Book by Madeleine Matthews – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

/0 Comments/in /by

Matt's swirly worldMatt’s swirly world by Madeleine Matthews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read Matt’s Swirly World to my 3.5 year old, and he seemed to enjoy it. It was a little over his head, but he liked the pictures. He loved pointing out the dragon and his emotions on each page. I can see it would be a good book to help slightly older kids identify their emotions. Matt feels disappointment and anger when he has to leave the park. But his mother tells a story of a dragon and fairy to help him understand his feelings. In a fun way, she teaches him ways to cope with the feelings to let them pass. It also helps explain that emotions come and go, like a wave. The pictures were colorful and capturing, but the words were a little lengthy for young children. I would recommend this for maybe 5-8 year olds.

View all my reviews

Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

Virtue & Vice (Spicetopia #2) by Phoebe Alexander – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

/0 Comments/in /by

Virtue & Vice (Spicetopia #2)Virtue & Vice by Phoebe Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Virtue & Vice is the next book in the Spicetopia series. In this book we follow Katja and Moon, primarily, but Cy and Jolie are still part of the story. It picks up shortly after they are introduced at the end of book 1. Cy and Jolie have decided to take a drunken idea and turn it into a reality, with the help of Katja and Moon. An island housing a kinky theme park for adults. This book is pretty spicy, so mature audience only. I love that the book is not just a romance, but houses a pretty good story line. The characters are great, and we get to see both sides of the story and their personal feelings and emotions. I love that its a continuation of the same story, but the character focus has shifted. I haven’t read a book series like that before, but I like it. Continuing on to book 3.

View all my reviews

 

Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

Sugar & Spice (Spicetopia #1) by Phoebe Alexander – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

/0 Comments/in /by

Sugar & Spice (Spicetopia #1)Sugar & Spice by Phoebe Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sugar & Spice is the first book in the Spicetopia series by Phoebe Alexander. I should have known what I was getting myself into by the title alone, but some of the scenes caught me off guard. I love romance books as much as the next girl, but found this one a little too graphic. I’m not saying its a bad book, because I really enjoyed the story itself and plan to continue the series. Just readers be warned, it is not… should we say PG. Very hot scenes unfold a couple times. Some love that, but not my thing.
I enjoyed the characters, as they have depth. Jolie is a single mother, who dresses up cosplay for a theme park. However, she has her secrets, and isn’t as innocent as she appears. Cy on the other hand is a spoiled brat, being the youngest in his family, and will inherit millions. While he can get any girl he wants, and often has, he surprises himself by lusting after Jolie. But will their lust and physical connection morph into something more? Once they find out the whole truth about each other, will they bail? Read to find out!

View all my reviews

Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

Run from Love (Bowser Belles Book 2) by Teddy Cat Hester – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

/0 Comments/in /by

Run from Love: A Bowser Belles Sweet Contemporary RomanceRun from Love: A Bowser Belles Sweet Contemporary Romance by Teddy Cat Hester
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Run From Love is a Bowser Belles book by Teddy Cat Hester. It is the second book in the collection, but the first I have read. It can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone book. I would love to read about the other supporting characters from the book, but don’t feel like I missed anything by starting with book 2. It is a quick romantic book about Scarlett and Nick. Scarlett has a 6 month rule for dating, she cuts them loose at the 6 month point. She makes that clear from the beginning, so the guys know what they are getting into. Nick is no exception. He knew he was on a time limit, but thought he could charm his way into buying more time.
The two are complete opposites in every aspect, but it makes them work. Scarlett wears bright colored clothes, dyes her hair wild colors on a rotating basis, loves her dogs, and puts on skits at elementary schools for a living. Nick is commonly seen in dark suits, and works at a prestigious firm where he is trying to make partner. He has a son, and wants a family again. Can the spark between them be enough to make Scarlett break her own rules? Can Nick charm his way into Scarlett’s life for the long term? Read to find out! Its a quick fun book, you won’t regret it.

View all my reviews

Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

My Life Series: Prequel to The Brothers of Camelot by Necie Navone – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

/0 Comments/in /by

My Life Series: Box Set: Prequel to Brothers of CamelotMy Life Series: Box Set: Prequel to Brothers of Camelot by Necie Navone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My Life Series by Necie Navone is quite possibly one of the best series I have ever read. They are a prequel to the Brother of Camelot series, but I loved it more than those. It tells the story of Alessandra Canzano, daughter to a mob boss. She was almost murdered as a child, on the 6th birthday. Since then, she was trained to protect herself and her family, training to take over as the boss of the Family. Its hard enough being born into the Mafia, not being able to even choose your own friends or clothes. Add on to that being trained to be tougher than even your bodyguards, and its safe to say she didn’t have a normal childhood. She is practically raised by her uncle and body guard, and is closer to them than her own father. When she is a teenager she gets a taste of freedom, when she visits the US for her birthday. She has trained her whole life to be a strong leader, but she just wants to be a normal teenager.
My Hidden Life is the first book of the trilogy. It is a coming of age story, about Alessandra, the Princess of the Canzano Family. Her family is part of the Italian mob, and her dad decided, when she was just 6 years old, she will be the one to take over as the boss of the Family. Her uncle Louie has dedicated his life to protect her, as well as train her. Due to the target on her back, her father decides she must be trained to protect herself in any situation, regardless of being a child. She thinks it is fun as a young girl, but soon tires of it and wishes for a normal teenage life. These feelings intensify after she meets a boy, who doesn’t know her past or story, and sparks fly.
My Tragic Life is the second book in the series. The story is written mostly in the perspective of Aless, but with an occasional chapter from the supporting characters. It continues her story, as she gets older, following the responsibilities she carries as the Princess of her Family, essentially a Mafia Princess. With this position comes power, fear, respect, money, but Aless would give it all up to be a normal teenage, who could make her own destiny and choose her own partner. I love the balance the book has, with a little bit of longing and dreams, alongside drama and intense scenes, with a small dash of romance.
My Free Life is the last book in the My Life Series by Necie Navone. It continues telling the story of Alessandra, in her path to freedom. It must be read following My Hidden Life and My Tragic Life, in order to get the full story. This book, like the previous 2, was amazing and full of twists and turns keeping me hooked from start to finish. However, I was left hanging, and now need to move onto the Brother of Camelot series, so I can know if Aless gets her happily ever after.
While these books are listed as part of a prequel, I believe they are strong enough to be a series of its own. The characters are written so well, with emotions and relationships you can feel. I developed feelings for the characters and felt anger, love, loss, fear right along with them. The story and background are solid and realistic. I honestly enjoyed this series so much, and would love to see it turn into a movie! So highly recommend to everyone.

View all my reviews

 

Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

The Fisher Men On the X (Fisher Men Book III) by Rebel Nicks O’Dey – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

/0 Comments/in /by

Fisher Men On the X (Book III)Fisher Men On the X by Rebel Nicks O’Dey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Fisher Men on the X is the 3rd book in the Fisher Men series by Rebel Nicks O’Dey. It is advertised as a stand alone book, but I think it would be hard to read individually. There is a lot going on in these books, and even having read all 3, its hard for me to grasp it all and make the links. Over all, its a wonderful story, but an emotional one. The characters have a lot of dimension, and the relationships between them are enjoyable to read. This book focuses on Rebecca and Zack. They met when they were children, in the Seh, and it changed both their lives forever. They remain best friends and help each other heal and come to terms with who they have become. I love all the Fisher Men books, but this one was more serious and less lovey dovey. I can’t wait to read the next one.

View all my reviews

 

reviewed by @way2gosmartguy