Showing posts with label Berkley Publishing Group. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Berkley Publishing Group. Show all posts

Monday, February 1, 2016

Book Review: Alone In the Dark by Karen Rose

Alone In the Dark (Romantic Suspense Series #17/Cincinnati Series #2) 
by Karen Rose

Blurb: 
Homicide Detective Scarlett Bishop has seen enough bad guys slip through the cracks and innocent victims go unavenged to know that good doesn't always prevail. So far she’s been able to lock away her rage and her vigilante fantasies. That lock is about to break.

Former Army Ranger Marcus O'Bannion is a fierce champion of victims’ rights. His secret past gives him good reason. He believes he’s seen the depths of human depravity, but then his investigation into the murder of a young girl who once asked for his help lures him and Scarlett down a dark, dark road—and straight into the crosshairs of a dangerous, powerful underground ring that deals in human trafficking. To stop them, Scarlett and Marcus have to be just as cunning and just as ruthless. But first they have to make it out alive.




   

Nina's Review:
Great Read! The first thing that stands out to me is the time tracking. I LOVE  the ability to follow the story knowing how much long it passed between scenes. The book is laid out almost like a diary, which makes you really see what's happening and when it's happening. Such a fabulous way to enjoy the read!

This is the second book I read by Karen Rose (I started with the first one in the series (Closer than you think) and I must say, I'm so infatuated with her style. She has a talent for description that is organic and fresh. Certain passages I couldn't help but to put the book down for a while to really feel that moment before I could resume the read. Alone in the Dark had good amount of "aww" moments, and definitely more than a fair share of heart-breaking ones. I love when an author describes an emotion or feeling so perfectly that it paints an image in my head while I'm reading. KR does that and it's SO freaking cool!

Alone in the dark was fast paced, intriguing, and exciting. The mystery part revolved around a human-trafficking case and it was so enthralling. I enjoy it so much when I think I'm on to something and then everything gets turned around making me reevaluate the whole theory, that's what happened here up to almost the end. The romance part was fun, deliciously sexy, and sweet (sometimes almost too sweet - but that was okay too, it seemed appropriate for the main characters). Scarlet and Marcus were delightful together and with their flaws and all they were just perfect for each other. The secondary characters were also fascinating. Made me think whose story I'd like to read next. Adored learning more about Stone, Diesel, and seeing some of the characters from "Closer than you think" again. It gave a glimpse of what those characters were up to since the last book, so I HIGHLY recommend that you start from the beginning of the series, it will feel so much more satisfying.

There were a few loose ends that left me wondering if there will be a follow up to those topics on the next book, but probably unlikely, since this series seems to focus on a different couple's story at a time. It's just a hair below 4 stars for me, so I rated 4 stars.



Rating: 4 Stars - I Loved It


Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Book Review: The Billionaire Takes a Bride by Jessica Clare

The Billionaire Takes a Bride
(Billionaires and Bridesmaids Series, #3)
By Jessica Clare

Blurb: 
A lie turns to love in the latest novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Taming of the Billionaire.

Billionaire Sebastian Cabral loves his family, he just doesn’t love their reality TV show, The Cabral Empire. So when his ex-girlfriend tries to rekindle their relationship on camera, Sebastian decides that drastic measures are in order.

By day, Chelsea Hall is a happy-go-lucky, rough and tumble roller derby skater. By night, she’s still living in fear of her past. Most of all, she just doesn’t want to be alone. And she really, really doesn’t want to date.

So when their mutual friends’ upcoming wedding turns Chelsea and Sebastian into fast friends, they realize they can solve both of their problems with one life-changing lie: a quick trip down the aisle.

But with one kiss, Chelsea and Sebastian suddenly realize that their pretend relationship is more real than either of them expected…



Available for purchase at 

   

Viviana's Review: 
OMG - Love Jessica Clare’s books.  They are witty and full of awesome bantering between the hero and heroine.  While this is the third book in the “Billionaires and Bridesmaids” series it can be read as a standalone.

Both Sebastian and Chelsea have one thing in common, they do not like parties, but it is for very different reasons.  Upon meeting under very interesting and rather hysterical circumstances, they both hit it off as friends.  I loved seeing the friendship blossom.  You could tell they both really meant it when they said they were friends.  I read the entire book in one sitting.  Couldn’t and didn’t want to put it down.

Sebastian’s family is funny.  Sad, but funny.  He has dealt with them and the situation the best way he knows how until this point.  Chelsea provides him with the perfect end-all solution!  He is super sweet and funny and you can’t help but fall for him.  And he is extremely talented even if he keeps it hidden from everyone.

Chelsea is fun-loving and sweet as well.  However, it’s obvious from the beginning of the story that something bad has happened to her and we hope she can allow Sebastian in.

While they may have started out as friends with the intent to remain only friends there is definitely more there and Sebastian is willing to put his heart on the line and he hopes she will as well.

Jessica continues to write stories with characters readers can relate to and will fall in love with!




 Rating: 4.5 Stars - I Really Loved It!



Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group InterMix via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.