Audio Book Review: Last Hope by Jessica Clare and Jen Frederick

Last Hope
(Hitman Series, #4)
by Jessica Clare and Jen Frederick
Narrators: Kasha Kensington and Iggy Toma

Blurb:
Mendoza: I grew up in the slums and lost everything I loved to poverty, illness, and death. I had only one skill to leverage myself out of my circumstances-violence. Being hired out as a mercenary hitman brought me money and built an empire. My next job: steal secret information that could bring down world governments, find my target, and destroy it. But then, I meet her.

Ava: When my best friend, Rose, is kidnapped, I have no choice but to take a job as a mule for a pair of criminals intent on selling top secret information to the highest bidder. I should have known that bad luck tends to cling, because the plane I'm on goes down. That I survived a crash-landing was a miracle. And so was being rescued by sexy mercenary Rafe Mendoza. The thing is, he wants the information that I need to free Rose. I can't let him have it, but I need his help. Rose is depending on me, and I won't let her down.

Available for purchase at 

           

Viviana's Review: 

I must start this review stating that I have enjoyed this series.  Granted, at times, the heroines could be a tad bit “too naive” for their own good.  However, overall, the series is a good one.  Great alpha males that are determined and know what they want and go after it.  They also happen to be “heroes” in one way or another.  Oh and they are HOT!!!  With Last Hope being the last book in the series, I must say that all good things must come to an end.  Also, it’s good to end things vs. drag the series on and on.

  

However, I was eternally grateful to have been listening to this book instead of reading it.  I think I would have thrown the book across the room if I was reading it instead of listening.  Why?  OMG if Rafe (hero) went googoo gaga over Ava (heroine) one more time…  The problem was that it wasn’t a moment or two… it was overly repetitive and you wanted to yell at the book and Rafe “Alright already, we get it!  She’s gorgeous!  You want her and you think you can’t have her!”  Again, Rafe’s pining over Ava was just way too overly done!  Way too repetitive.  Thank you Iggy for narrating!  I understand the character’s backstory and I could see and know the why but at 35 years old I just couldn’t see it.  His behavior was that more of a 15 year old instead of a 35 year old.  I get that this is a story, but there has to be some sense of realism and his reaction/behavior toward her/for her wasn’t believable.

Speaking of Rafe’s backstory, I had issues believing he believed part of what occurred when he was a teenager.  Again I understand inexperience but at the age of 35 he hadn’t learned the truth?  It was just too unbelievable.

If the story would have been taken down a notch or two, it would have worked so much better!  The story concept was good.  The idea of a hitman saving a woman who is currently being used as a mule for information… it works.  For this series it works.

Overall it was okay.  Again, the concept of the story is a good one.  The writing was over the top unfortunately and there were too many unbelievable moments/parts of the story.  

Narrators: They both made reading this book bearable.  They did a great job with the voices.  Love Iggy!  Could listen to him for hours.

 Rating: 2.5 - It was okay

Disclaimer:

I received a complimentary copy of this book from PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Book Review: Reaper's Fall by Joanna Wylde

Reaper's Fall 
(Reapers MC Series, #5)
by Joanna Wylde 

Blurb: 
He never meant to hurt her.

Levi “Painter” Brooks was nothing before he joined the Reapers motorcycle club. The day he patched in, they became his brothers and his life. All they asked in return was a strong arm and unconditional loyalty—a loyalty that’s tested when he’s caught and sentenced to prison for a crime committed on their behalf.

Melanie Tucker may have had a rough start, but along the way she’s learned to fight for her future. She’s escaped from hell and started a new life, yet every night she dreams of a biker whose touch she can’t forget. It all started out so innocently—just a series of letters to a lonely man in prison. Friendly. Harmless. Safe.

Now Painter Brooks is coming home… and Melanie’s about to learn that there’s no room for innocence in the Reapers MC.

Available for purchase at 

   

Viviana's Review: 

I’ve heard a lot about Painter!  I got to meet him in the previous installment “Reaper’s Stand” however he’s been a part of the series from the beginning (I still need to catch up with the previous books).  Reaper’s Fall picks up right around where the previous book ended.

This is really the story of how Painter and Melanie came to be.  There is that first struggle of “we shouldn’t” and several reasons are listed and we know eventually it’s going to happen.  And when it does it’s hot, beautiful, and dare I say “magical” in the sense that Painter truly comes alive with Mel and Mel grows in self-confidence with him.  There’s this softer side to Painter we haven’t seen or knew he was capable of, and it was so awesome to see.

However, again, events occur that put a damper on what looks like is going to be a great relationship.  People are “human” and react differently… could Mel have handled things differently in telling Painter the news and how she took what he initially said?  Sure.  Could Painter not have reacted selfishly and even a bit childish upon hearing the news?  Of course…  Stuff happened and now both have to live with consequences.  The blurb states it at the very beginning… He never meant to hurt her.  I believe Painter tried to do everything within his power to prove he had changed and would be there for Mel and their daughter.  I might even go so far as to say at times he went above to even show he still had feelings and loved Mel.  She was still holding on to her anger and fear.  I sort of don’t want to say grudge because after everything she went through, both with her own family and then with Painter, I don’t blame her for wanting to protect her heart.

I loved how they got their HEA and both worked past their hangups with each other.  I loved seeing such a different side of Painter than has normally been portrayed.

Overall a great read that keeps you wondering what the hell could happen to separate these two and then wondering how they are going to fix things and get back together.

Rating: 4 Stars - Loved It

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from PENGUIN GROUP Berkley NAL / Signet in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Book Review: Silver Bastard by Joanna Wylde

Silver Bastard 
(Silver Valley Series,  #1)
by Joanna Wylde
Narrated by: Allyson Ryan, Johnathan McClain

Blurb: 

First in the new Silver Valley series from the New York Times bestselling author of the Reapers Motorcycle Club Novels 

Fourteen months. For fourteen months, Puck Redhouse sat in a cell and kept his mouth shut, protecting the Silver Bastards MC from their enemies. Then he was free and it was time for his reward—full membership in the club, along with a party to celebrate. That’s when he saw Becca Jones for the first time and set everything in motion. Before the night ended he’d violated his parole and stolen her away from everything she knew.

Five years. It was five years ago that Puck destroyed Becca and saved her all in one night. She’s been terrified of him ever since, but she’s even more terrified of the monsters he still protects her from... But Becca refuses to let fear control her. She’s living her life and moving forward, until she gets a phone call from the past she can't ignore. She has to go back, and there’s only one man she can trust to go with her—the ex-con biker who rescued her once before.

Puck will help her again, but this time it’ll be on his terms. No more lies, no more tears, and no more holding back what he really wants...

Available for purchase at 

         

Viviana's Review: 

A spinoff series from the Reapers series, reader will enjoy Silver Valley Series just as much!  A bunch of badass hot guys who ride bikes!

Readers met the Pack in “Reaper’s Stand” but they won’t be lost if this is the first time you pick up a Joanna Wylde book.  Puck is a loyal man who is not one to be messed with.  Recently released from prison he finds himself in a situation that can send him right back.

For Becca, he may not be her knight in shining armor, but he did rescue her from a horrible situation when she was 16 years old.  Five years have passed and she can’t forget him nor the night they spent together.

Puck has spent the last five years ensuring Becca is and stays safe and in his mind that has meant away from him as well.  As with any good story, events unfold that give them no choice but to come together.

I really enjoyed this story and how Puck’s and Becca’s relationship develops!  Part of the drama/problem between them was Becca’s willingness to talk to Puck about her issues/problems with her “family” and considering her history and the fact that Puck has always had her best interest in mind is a bit messed up.  Additionally a major “issue” could have been avoided altogether.

Narrator Review:

Both did a great job with the narration and the character's tone, voices and personalities.


Overall, a great start to a new series and I can’t wait until the next book!

Rating: 4 Stars - Loved It

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from PENGUIN GROUP Berkley NAL / Signet in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Book Review: Reaper's Stand by Joanna Wylde

Reaper's Stand
(Reapers MC Series, Book #4)
by Joanna Wylde
Narrated by Tatiana Sokolov, Sean Crisden

Blurb:
As Reapers Motorcycle Club president, Reese “Picnic” Hayes has given his entire life to the club. After losing his wife, he knew he’d never love another woman. And with two daughters to raise and a club to manage, that was just fine with him. These days, Reese keeps his relationships free and easy—he definitely doesn't want to waste his time on a glorified cleaning lady like London Armstrong.

Too bad he’s completely obsessed with her.

Besides running her own business, London’s got her junkie cousin’s daughter to look after—a more reckless than average eighteen-year-old. Sure she’s attracted to the Reapers’ president, but she’s not stupid. Reese Hayes is a criminal and a thug. But when her young cousin gets caught up with a ruthless drug cartel, Reese might be the only man who can help her. Now London has to make the hardest decision of her life—how far will she go to save her family?

Available for purchase at 

      

Viviana's Review:

First time reading Joanna Wylde and loved it. Great story with great characters. I haven't read the previous books and while I wasn't lost I did feel like I was missing some of the connection so I would recommend reading the previous book. Yes, you can read this as a stand alone, but honestly, I'm guessing the previous books are just as good as this one so why would you want to?

Book Review: Quarterback Draw (Play by Play #9) by Jaci Burton

Quarterback Draw 
(Play by Play #9) 
By Jaci Burton
Narrated by Lucy Malone 

Blurb: 
Playing For Keeps

Grant Cassidy knows how to be a football star—flash that dazzling smile, throw the winning pass, get the girl. But while the hot quarterback loves the game and the lifestyle, no woman has come close to catching his heart. Then he matches wits with a smart, gorgeous model, and Grant finds himself wanting more than a fling.

Supermodel Katrina Koslova might live in a world of glitz and camera flashes, but she works hard to provide for the family that relies on her. She doesn't have time for fun—much less a boyfriend—but Grant seems determined to be the exception to Katrina’s rule.

Their explosive chemistry is undeniable, but Katrina’s afraid to let go and rely on anyone but herself. Grant intends to ease her fears and prove he’s a man of style and substance.

      

Viviana's Review: 
Let me start by saying I've always LOVED the covers of this series and they have always grabbed my attention enough to pick them up and read the blurb. The blurb have also intrigued me, but as the saying goes, too many book never enough time and I've been trying to be oh so good with not over committing myself with reviews. However, when the opportunity came up to review "Quarterback Draw", again, great cover, awesome blurb... OMG - its the 9th book in the series!!! Uhm... can I commit to a new series? How lost am I going to be if I haven't read the previous ones? Do I HAVE to read the previous ones (okay... for many us book-a-holics, if we start a new series mid-way, we WILL go back to the beginning. Its just who we are!!)?  Do I have the capacity to fall in love with a new bookboyfriend? BREATHE!!!! I PMed my fabulous friend and fellow book blogger Kelly from Books-N-Kisses and asked about the series to get her input and yup, she raved about "Quarterback Draw". You can check out her review here if you're curious.