Category: Review

Renee's Review

Landline is the second book that I've read by Rainbow Rowell. Rowell has a writing side all of her own. I'm not sure if I understand it or if I'm just not on her level of coolness. The first book I read was Fangirl, I didn't connect very well with that book and I chalked it up to it being a YA novel. This novel I would classify as woman's fiction or maybe contemporary so I thought this would be the that would pull me in and make me that loyal fan.

I really enjoyed Rowell writing style and how much nostalgia she put in this novel, I felt drew back to my teens and early twenties. Her characters were entertaining and dialog between them was really smooth and easy to follow. Her description of the setting was great, I could put myself right there along Georgie. I felt Georgie's pain that she was going through. Rowell does everything right on all of those accounts.

I just could not connect with the story itself. What I do understand is that she is a worker bee! She puts her work before her family. So, they just take off without her for Christmas vacation. She chooses to stay behind to work??? With me being a mom, there is no way in this world, I would choose to not be with my children at Christmas. I can't even phantom this. No matter the state of my job or the state my relationship with their father, I'm going to be with my children.... forget the man.

This is about saving your marriage, I get that too. So during this time of separation, Georgie has a epiphany about her relationship with her husband from the start, as in from the first time she saw him. She relives this through the book. She is not effective at work, hell she can't take care of her own basic needs. She never as she is going through this, just tells her co-workers screw you guys, or I will Skype with you guys about this! Go fix it!! So, she connects to the past in a weird way. She figures out the Why in her relationship.

To me, I just feel like something was missing, something I didn't get. Maybe over my head? I sure would hope not! I know this will not be a popular review, and haters will hate! So, go ahead and vote it down, I have a right to my opinion too.

I give Landline 3 Platypires

BAMA LOVE!!
ROLL TIDE!!
AND KEEP READING Y"ALL
RENEE

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Learning To Love by Crystal Perkins

12/8/2014

SYNOPSIS:
A good girl who’s trying not to be bad…
Olivia has never been able to please her parents, no matter how hard she tries. Getting a good job, along with her own apartment, has given her some confidence, but their approval is still important to her. She needs help to keep up her perfect image, and unfortunately, Luke Griffin’s her only option. Sure he’s hot and every girl on campus wants him, but he also terrorized her almost a year ago. She can’t forget that.

A bad boy who’s really good…
Living in his brothers’ shadows has never been easy for Luke. He’s made some bad choices in order to distance himself from the constant comparisons to them. Like sleeping his way through college, and hanging out with the wrong guys. He gave that all up almost a year ago, choosing to focus on school and the hockey league he plays in. When he’s asked to tutor Olivia, he jumps at the chance to show her that he’s not the guy she—and everyone else—thinks he is.

A love so good, it can’t be bad…
Nights of tutoring and hockey games soon lead to romance. As Olivia learns to trust in Luke, her love makes him realize that just being himself is enough. But when her parents’ dislike of Luke threatens to destroy her family, she begs him to keep their relationship a secret. When that secret’s revealed, will Olivia make the right choice or will Luke be left behind once again?

Can you learn to love yourself enough to trust someone else?

STALK CTYSTAL HERE!!!

RENEE'S REVIEW

This book was gifted to me by the author (thank you) in exchange for an honest review.

Learning to Love by Crystal Perkins is the fourth book in the Griffin Brothers series. Learning to Love is a story about just that younger adults learning what it is to be in a real relationship. Learning how to nurture a relationship, talk to each other, and honestly care for each other.

Luke is the youngest Griffin brother, he has always lived in his brothers shadows. Scott is the smartest, Ryan has the most athletic, and Owen, well he is the life of the party. He has felt like he's never lived up to the Griffin name. He doesn't want to be part of the family business, instead he wants to be a teacher.

Oliver has always tried to live up to her parents expectations. She is a good girl, she pays her own way in school, she is working, and pays for her own apartment. She does everything in her power to show them that she lives up to their high standards but they still look down on her.

About a year ago, Luke and Olivia was in an unusual situation at a bar that made Olivia think poorly of Luke. When Olivia needs help in English and gets a tutor, she isn't very happy to see that it is Luke. Luke has change his playboy ways since the last time they saw each other. He wants a chance to show her how much he has changed and thinks this tutoring gig just might do the trick.

They soon start dating, but not without communication problems. Then with her overbearing parents, things can get pretty sticky. Feeling can get hurt real fast and bad decisions make things even worst. These kind of things happen with young love, especially when you still feel like your under your parents thumb. Then when secrets come out and it still seems like decisions are being made that will hurt them both. All of these problems can be solved with communication!! If there is one thing common about these Griffin boys, besides being very loyal, is that they are stubborn and hard headed.

Tears will fall when you read this novel. The good thing with Perkins, she always promises to leave us with a happily ever after.

I give Learning to Love 5 Platypires
or 5 sweet stars, however you like to count things

BAMA LOVE!!
ROLL TIDE!!
and KEEP READING Y'ALL!

RENEE

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Whistlin' Dixie by Maggie Adams

12/7/2014

SYNOPSIS:
A man on a mission....

Mackenzie Coalson was determined to rebuild his hometown after a devastating flood left it in ruins. He has no time for a relationship and all the romantic junk that goes with it. He has a vandal to catch and no sweet smelling bundle of femininity is going to sway him.

A woman protecting her family.....

Dixie Harris charged into the county sheriff's office with a sassy sway and a smart mouth, eager to give the sheriff, and anyone else, a piece of her mind. When she locks horns with the devil himself, in the form of Mac Coalson, she quickly learns he has a temper to rival hers, even if he's the living epitome of her sexual fantasies.

When the two unite to catch a potential murderer, it's in everyone's best interest to keep it, "business only". But that's hard to do when their combined attraction is volatile enough to burn down the town.
WHISTLIN’ DIXIE

WAYS TO STALK MAGGIE!!!

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RENEE'S REVIEW

I was gifted this book from the author (thank you) in exchange for an honest review.

Whistlin' Dixie by Maggie Adams, is full of southern charm and dialect. Who doesn't love a little spit-fire?Dixie, a five foot nothing kindergarten teacher is just that. She is full of sass and she doesn't let anyone push her or her brother for that matter. Mac is determined to rebuild the town from a flood that pretty much destroyed it. You put these two together and you get "sparks" in the form of sexual tension.

I love a good southern story, with all the good sayings and dialect. I grew up in Alabama, at the foothills of Appalachian Mountains (for real no jokes!) and Dixie grew up in a small valley with the mountains surrounding her. So, reading about that in this book was really neat. Adams got all the dialect right in this book, she didn't try to over do the southern drawl.

I loved Dixie right away, just looking at the cover- I fell in love with this book. It just screams, I'm a girl full of sass and I'm not going to take any of your crap! That is very fitting of Dixie, you just can't help but love her. I love reading about strong women who doesn't let a little thing like height get in their way, she doesn't let only being 21 raising her 16 year old brother by herself either. I love her playful banter she has with her brother and with Mac sometimes too.

Mac is swoon worthy, Dixie makes sure we know that. He comes across as stubborn and headstrong at first. When you see he position you see why, He runs the family construction business and he has a job to do. His work is being hindered by a vandal. So, he doesn't have time for games or hmmm to have his mind wander like it does when she is around.

Adams opens up herself by introducing us to several secondary characters, so I forward to see a lot more from Maggie Adams in the future! This is a sweet but spicy romance story. There were a few grammatical errors but I really don't judge a book by that, I judge it by the story. (We aren't teachers grading papers psh)

I give Whistlin Dixie 4 platypires
that's 4 stars to most of you.

Bama Love!! Roll Tide!! and Keep Reading Y'all!!
~Renee

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Thrash by JC Emery

12/4/2014

SYNOPSIS:
Loneliness suffocates the heart. Acceptance breaks down walls.

As a Lost Girl to the Forsaken Motorcycle Club, Nicole Whelan knows how to party. She’s not cut-out for relationships and her life is way too complicated for anything more than casual encounters. But one night when she falls into Duke’s bed at the clubhouse, he sees something in her that he can’t let go of—no matter how many times she tries to run.

Having been left to raise her teenage brother, Jeremy, she’s already got her hands full and isn’t looking for anymore complications. But Duke’s just watched his best friend fall for the only girl he couldn’t have, and then almost lose her so shortly after, shaking him to his core. Faced with his own loneliness, he’s more determined than ever to break down Nic’s walls and show her that he can be good for her; but he’s got a bad track record and she’s got a bad temper. Changing his ways isn’t easy when he’s not sure what he’s even changing for.

The violence and turmoil are at an all-time high, and Forsaken is in a vulnerable place when a twist of fate breathes new life into the club. It’s a much-needed beacon of hope for the embattled biker family, even if everyone’s not exactly on board. With Duke and Nic’s relationship already on shaky ground, and something even more important at stake, the Forsaken Motorcycle Club will fight like hell to keep their family together and whole.

Love is never more precious than when it’s new.

HOW TO STALK JC!!

AUTHOR'S PAGE

Renee's Review

I was gifted this book from the author (thank you) in exchange for an honest review.
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Thrash by J.C. Emery is the second book in Bayonet Scares Series, it is about the Forsaken Motorcycle. This is to be read after Ride, I really don't think it can be read as a standalone book. This book mostly takes place at the same time as Ride but you get to see the "clubs" view on things.

Nicole Whelan has always been a lost girl in the Forsaken Motorcycle Club and that is the way she sees herself being forever. Her mother was a lost girl, after all Now her mother has up and left them, the only dad she has ever known, is in prison, she has been left to raise her teenage brother. This makes her life way too complicated to deal with to have any chance at a real relationship. So, been a lost girl, doing the casual hook up thing is okay with her. That is until Duke. Don't you love that name? Duke is a strong manly name!!! It just oozes sex!

There has been a lot of crap happening in the club lately, Duke is watching his best friend fall in love for the only girl he couldn't have. This made his own loneliness hit him square in the face! Being in the club these guys go about doing thing a little different than most men. They have to keep up that "front" and not let anyone see them on the inside. Nichole, has walls built up herself and Duke is determine that he is going to break through them, even if it's one brick at a time.

Their relationship is on shaky ground and with so much crap going on in the club, that Duke thinks he needs to take care of himself, Nic is feeling like he is not good for her. He is not there for her at a critical time. They have real communication issues, but doesn't a lot of couple these day! These two are stubborn and hard headed. Perfect for each other, but can they get around these issues and just see how perfect they are for each other?

I give Thrash 4 platypires
or 4 stars however you like to count things!

Bama Love!! Roll Tide!! and Keep Reading Y'all
~Renee

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Hiding Out by Nicole Andrews Moore

12/3/2014

SYNOPSIS:

Samuel Davenport runs his family's New York based advertising agency. His brother, Adam, runs from responsibility and anything remotely boring. And his temp, Haley, runs so she'll never be caught and hurt again. She moved to the city New Year's Day to hide and recover, to build a new life far from her past. In an effort to lie low, Haley never expects to be more than a temp. What begins for Sam as an excuse to get to know her better, ends up being an opportunity for advancement and excitement for Haley. When Sam tries to uncover all of Haley's mysteries, he exposes her hiding place, endangers her life, and threatens to destroy any chance of them ever having a future together.

WAYS TO STALK NICOLE

AUTHOR'S PAGE

RENEE'S REVIEW

I was gifted this book from the publisher (thank you) in exchange for a honest review.

Hiding Out by Nicole Andrews Moore, is a book about facing your fears and turning your life around. What do you do when you have hit rock bottom and you have no where else to turn? When your a loner, without a family and you have a dark secret, I know what I would do, I would do the same thing Haley did, run! Get the heck out of Dodge, as they day.

Haley is a loner, sudden noises sets her off and makes her nervous. She tries not to draw any attention to herself from guys. She dresses down, dyes her, she doesn't want to be found, she is hiding out. Using a fake name she settles herself in New York City and takes a temp. job. She is way over qualified for this job but she thinks this is her best option to hide. out.

Sam runs the family advertising business and he realizes that his temporary assistant Haley has something going on but he can't put his finger on it. He is wealthy and practically the most eligible bachelor of NYC. He comes across to be in complete control, and seems cold and always gets his way. He takes his job serious, and Hailey is really good at her job. Sam is ready to make a change in his life, a different type of woman is what he is looking for now!

I loved the flow of this book and I fell head over hills for Sam! He was really swoon worthy! Ms. Moore does an outstanding job in her character development, they were believable and lovable. This book was a page turner. I glad to see a strong woman in a book, that is what I see Haley as, even being nervous, scared, and running, she was still a strong woman. She did what she needed to do in order to protect herself, that's strong in my book! I really want book 2 now!!

I give Hiding Out by Nicole Andrews Moore 4 Platypires
or very gut wrenching stars, however you like to count things

BAMA Love! Roll Tide!! and Keep Reading Y'all
~Renee

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Ride by J. C. Emery

12/3/2014

SYNOPSIS:

Death comes in Armani. Salvation comes in leather.

Principessa to the Mancuso crime family, Alexandra knows a thing or two about living outside the bounds of the law. Suffocated by the future her father has laid out for her, she makes a choice she can't take back, changing the entire trajectory of her life.

Thrust into the dark and dangerous world of the Forsaken Motorcycle Club for her own protection, Alex finds herself faced with the last thing she needs right now: the man of her dreams. He’s sex in leather, the devil incarnate, and one hell of a kisser. But he’s also off-limits. Ryan Stone can be her friend, but he’s forbidden to be her lover.

Third-generation Forsaken, Ryan knows nothing other than life on two wheels, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. He enjoys the many privileges that come with the patch, and the only laws he recognizes are the ones set-forth by his club. That is, until who he wants more than anything isn’t allowed on the back of his bike —or in his bed. Balancing his desire for her body, and need to keep her safe, Ryan tries to keep Alex at a distance. Finally having made a choice for herself, she’s done hearing the word “no” and will push boundaries even Ryan himself doesn’t dare cross.

Love is never more tempting than when it’s forbidden.

STALK HER HERE

AUTHOR'S PAGE

RENEE'S REVIEW

I was gifted this book from the author (thank you) in exchange for an honest review.

Ride by JC Emery, wow! Why haven't I known about these books before??? Why hasn't anyone told me about JC? I went to Houston Book Rave a few weeks back, I was walking around, introducing myself to authors I didn't know yet. I walked up to Ms. Emery's table, there was three ladies sitting there. I didn't know who was the author and who the other two were. That never matters to me, I treat everyone the same anyway. So, I sign up for the tour she has coming up, take a picture and go on my way. I got on the tour and got the previous books in the series and I'm hooked! I'm a new fan for life!!! Now for the review.

Ride by JC Emery was just that one wild ride. So many twist and turns happens in this book, it kept me hanging on the edge of my seat. Emery does a phenomenal job with these characters and her descriptions of the motorcycle club functions, would really make you think she is in one herself.

Alex is the daughter of a mob boss, a pampered princess but she knows a lot about "stuff". She makes a spilt minute decision that not only puts her life in danger but changes it forever. She suddenly finds herself in the middle of a dark and dangerous world of the Forsaken Motorcycle Club. She is there for her protection, and the rumble of the bikes soothe her nerves. Right away, she notices a HOT guy that only dreams are made of!! He is in leather, tatted up, oh the way he kisses her makes her melt. To bad this is between them is forbidden. Say what??

Ryan, yes he is hot and has had any "lost girl" he every wanted. He is third-generation Forsaken and being groomed to take the reigns one day from his Pa. The club life is all he has ever known and it is what he loves.
Life inside a motorcycle club is different and how they treat women is different, I think this is one of the reasons why Alex is off limits to the guys of the club. She is family and the "princess", so they didn't want her treated like one of the "lost girls". Ryan is a total ass to her, I believe he is this way so he doesn't get to close to her. He knows if he shows her how he truly feels, it will only bring them trouble.

There are some secrets going on here and some twist, things you don't know that is going on. I was surprised anyway. I highly recommend this book for anyone who like MC novels but also who likes spicy hot romances! Mafia Vs. MC! Who couldn't love that?

I give Ride 5 Platypires
or flaming hot stars however you like to count things!

Bama love! Roll Tide! and Keep Reading Y'all!
~Renee

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Saving Grace by Scarlett Jade

12/3/2014

SYNOPSIS:

The rule was simple—don't fall in love with a student. Drake had never had that problem—not until he met the buxom brunette in the bar. Grace was one of a kind, virginal but far from chaste. When she wanted him to teach more than history, he was left with a choice that could ruin them both.

Grace was always the good girl, until she met her wild best friend, Christina, who pushed her out of her shell. She fell head over heels for the sexy, young college professor, but when everything shattered around her, she was left with figuring out who she really was. Her journey led her somewhere she never imagined, but along the way she learned that even the wildest roses have to put down roots in a place called home.

WAYS TO STALK SCARLETT

AMAZON

RENEE'S REVIEW

This book was gifted to me by the publisher (thank you) for an honest review.

Saving Grace by Scarlett Jade is a beautiful story about coming-of-age for a young lady. A story about how precious and beautiful life can be. The character development was well written. The reader felt the pain and anguish that each of the main characters felt. Ms. Jade made you want to help, be there for them, she made me care for them and cry for them.

Grace is not so different from any girl heading off to college for the first time. At least, no different than any teenage girl who has never really lived. You know where your nervous and excited at the same time. A teenage girl who is expected to act and do and live exactly like her parents think she should. Once arriving at college and meeting her new roommate Christina, Grace decides it is time for her to make some changes in her life. A new haircut, and some new clothes work some amazing magic. Christina teaches Grace that it is ok to be different; after all, Christina is her own free spirit! (I've always told this to my children, and I think all parents should) A person does not have to fit into a little box to be likeable or considered beautiful. Why does society or the media get to dictate what is considered beautiful?

Grace goes with Christina to a bar the weekend before classes start and Grace meets a man. Things spiral quickly out of control. Is Grace really an adult? Is Grace really capable of handling herself in the situation she finds herself in? Grace finds that she has to spread her wings to find herself; not what everyone else wants her to be.

It is Drake that Grace meets that first night at the bar. Drake? thinks he is a very good looking guy!! Poor Grace,how was she to know that Drake was in fact her college professor? Talk about trouble! Can we say FORBIDDEN ROMANCE!!! Wanting something you can't have. The journey for Drake and Grace is dangerous for them; as they both quickly learn. When Grace looks to her mom for support, she learns some secrets that she never would have imagined.

Argh....cliff hanger....to be continued....? (I need book 2 please!) In the end, a happily-ever-after could still be possible.

I give Saving Grace 4 Platypires
or 4 beautiful stars, however you like to count thing!

BAMA love!! Roll Tide!! and Keep Reading Y'all!

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Crash Into Me, by Tracy Wollf

12/2/2014

SYNOPSIS:
She's totally off-limits, but this rocker wants a taste...

Jamison Matthews has lusted after Ryder Montgomery since she was a preteen. But now that Ryder and her brother's band, Shaken Dirty, has made it huge, she's just one of many pining for the brooding lead singer. Too bad Ryder still sees her as a little sister. Not that it matters. Her brother would never allow it, and the last thing Jamison wants is to be another notch on a rock star's bed post. Even if it's Ryder's.

Ryder doesn't deserve happiness. After his fame destroyed his last girlfriend, he swore he'd never fall in love again. So when Jamison, the girl he's been in danger of loving for years, joins the band on the road, he'll do anything to deny the sparks between them--even after one hot night together. But Jamison is determined to show Ryder that he's worthy of love--her love--and that she's all grown up and ready to play.

STALK HER HERE!!!

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Goodreads

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RENEE'S REVIEW

Crash Into Me by Tracy Wolff, wow who doesn't like a good rocker boy story? She give you one great Shanken Dirty tour! Oh me oh my, I'm late in the game, but I have joined the groupie bandwagon! These guy are rock gods, badass, tattooed guys that can have any woman or man that they want! Hot doesn't even start to describe these guys. Was Tracy ever a groupie herself or a member of a band? She seemed to get it right, or at least what I perceive would be right!

Jamison has always been the "mascot" of the band, Jared little sister, nothing else. She had watched the band practice in the garage when they were just starting out. She had always had a crush on Ryder but she had always been just a" little sister" to him, being Jared's best friend. Jamison is down on her luck, and with Jared being big brother always taking care of her insists that she comes on tour with the band!

Ryder has had a whole year that has been complete hell for him. When Jamison surprises the boys after a concert a day early, Ryder finds her being attacked backstage by another rock star and he basically loses his sh*t on the guy! Well Jamison has grown up very nice and she is very vulnerable right now. When Ryder bends down and scoops her up, well something clicks for both of them.

She has been ruled by big brother Jared that she is hands-off! That the band is there to watch and protect baby sister! Every time she is near Ryder the sexual tension is on high! She promises Jared she would stay away from Ryder. Ryder gives his word that he will not touch Jamison.

Wolff does an amazing job making you love these boys and Jamison. You just want more of them and to see where this band goes from here. I loved that this was told from dual point of views. Ryder's view on things just made me swoon, I love him. I love broken boys.

I give Crash Into Me 4 Platypires
or 4 stars however you like to count things!

Bama Love! Roll Tide! and Keep Reading Y'all
~Renee

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I'm Yours by Ella Maise

12/2/2014

SYNOPSIS:

Have you ever been in love?
So in love that you believed all the lies, again and again?
Because I did...
Did you manage to escape from the hurt, the heartbreak, and the tears that came with being in love?
Did you even have time to pick up the broken pieces of your heart before they shattered it all over again?
Because I didn't...

I gave Evan my heart, my trust, my everything, and in return all he gave me was pain.
Stumbling around in a new city, picking up the pieces I had lost, I found myself in a stranger's arms. Cradling me against his chest, protecting me, seeing me, promising me everything I was afraid to ask for myself again.

I'm not naive enough to mistake lust for love. Love never comes that easily; it always rips you apart before it finally gives you what each and every one of us longs for. But Noah knew what he was after, and now I know that nothing could have stopped him from taking what he wanted from me.

He became the one who gave me hope again, day after day, simply by being there.
He became the one who made me whimper in bed, while he whispered dirty words in my ear, night after night.
And then he became the one who took it all away again.

This is my story, maybe a simple one for some, yet still completely mine.

STALK HER HERE!!!

RENEE'S REVIEW

I'm Yours by Ella Maise! Yes, I just ended that with an exclamation point. I'm Yours is Ella Maise's debut novel, but it reads so much better than one. Maise had me either biting my lower lip or scrumming in my seat with her heated scenes.

Jade has been burned more than once and is determined not to let it happen again!! She moved to a new city and built up walls to protect herself. She is beautiful and sweet, so she catches guys eyes easily.
There is one guys eye she catches and she even likes what she sees back, but since she has all of those walls up, she is afraid to let him in, she is trusting anymore.

Noah can be described in as little as four words: sex on a stick. Well now that I type that it doesn't sound flattering. Whatever that is HOTTER than hell, that is what he is right there, and he has an even more impressive package to go with! How can a guy that is hot and "well gifted" be as sweet as he is anyway?? He was constantly pulling her into him and cuddling her up. Jade kept swooning in the book, so I kept putting my hand to my chest and saying ohhh!

Well you know for this to be a good page turning book there has to be a twist, there must be a little or a lot of conflict in there somewhere, right? There was some reason I stayed up ALL NIGHT to finish this book. You will not be able to put this book down.

Ella Maise, will you please give use Jake's story??
I highly recommend this one guys!! It was a lot hotter than I was expecting, GHOST PEPPER HOT! That's really hot!!

I give I'm Yours 5 Platypires
or Stars however you like to count things!

BAMA LOVE!! Roll Tide!! and Keep Reading Y'all!
~Renee

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Because Of Beckett by A.D. Ellis

12/1/2014