September 2016 Wrap Up

W...W...W...Wednesday 21/09/2016

To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

 

No changes this week, my W...W...W...Wednesday is exactly the same as last week. 

My current read is Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

I recently finished reading Seed by Lisa Heathfield

I think my next read will be King of Wall Street by Louise Bay

The Protector by Jodi Ellen Malpas

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Orion (8 Sept. 2016)
ISBN-10: 1409166406
ISBN-13: 978-1409166405
A new standalone novel from Jodi Ellen Malpas, the bestselling author of the THIS MAN and ONE NIGHT trilogies

People think they have Camille Logan nailed: daddy's girl, beautiful, spoiled young woman with her father's bank balance to fund her lifestyle. But Camille is determined to have a life free from his strings. Now, after fighting so hard to be independent and happy, she finds her life threatened as a result of her father's ruthless business dealings. Caught between resentment and fear, Camille prepares herself for the measures her father will take to protect her. But nothing could prepare her for the ex-SAS sniper who crashes into her life.
Jake Sharp resides in his own personal hell. He was distracted from duty once before, and the consequences were devastating - both personally and professionally. Accepting the job of bodyguard to Camille Logan isn't the kind of distraction from his demons he should take. Women and Jake don't mix well, yet protecting the heiress seems the lesser of two evils. But Jake soon discovers that she isn't the woman she's perceived to be. She's warm, compassionate, her presence settling, and his duty to protect her soon goes deeper than a well-paid job, no matter how hard he fights it. He needs absolution. He comes to need Camille. But he knows he can't have both.

Cover: I don’t love or hate the cover- it definitely matches the story anyway.

I’ve not read any of Jodi Ellen Malpas’s books, but when I saw someone haul this book, I was intrigued.

And I was happy when I was accepted to review it via netgalley.

Typical plotline- rich girl falls for bodyguard.  But I have to say I really enjoyed it.  Jake is ex-army, suffering with a form of PTSD, he gets through life with the help of meds, alcohol and sleeping around…and taking security jobs.

When he accepts the job to guard Camille Logan, he expects her to be a spoiled little princess.  But what he finds is that she strives to be fiercely independent, a loyal friend and a shrewd business woman.

Sparks immediately fly between them, but a relationship just wouldn’t work…would it?

I really liked both characters, and the immediate chemistry between them.  I did think it was more insta-lust than anything else.  And I wish it had more of a gradual build up- instant attraction is one thing, immediately acting on it is another. 

I loved seeing the change in Jake- how he starts off as a total hard ass, but softens towards Camille.  I’m not gonna lie I love a protective, possessive alpha male.  They’re a guilty pleasure.

I also love that it was set in London.

Over all, a great stand alone contemporary romance read.  Would definitely recommend picking it up.

4/5 stars.

August 2016 Favourites

W...W...W...Wednesday 14/09/16

To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

 

My current read is Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

I recently finished reading Seed by Lisa Heathfield

I think my next read will be King of Wall Street by Louise Bay

Vlog wc 5th Sept. Sausage Party, Cheesecake, Empire of Storms & Gone With The Wind Buddy Read

#FridayReads 09/09/16 'Empire of Storms'

The One Real Thing (Hart's Boardwalk #1) by Samantha Young

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Piatkus (6 Sept. 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0349412588
• ISBN-13: 978-0349412580
• Welcome to Hartwell, a quiet seaside escape where uncovering old secrets could lead one woman to discover the meaning of a love that lasts…
  
  While Doctor Jessica Huntington engages with the inmates at the women’s correctional facility where she works, she’s always careful to avoid emotional attachments in her personal life. Loss and betrayal taught her that lesson long ago. But when she comes across a set of old love letters in the prison’s library and visits the picturesque town of Hartwell to deliver them to their intended recipient, she finds herself unable to resist the town’s charm—and her attraction to the sexy owner of a local bar proves equally hard to deny.
  
  Since his divorce from his unfaithful ex-wife, Cooper Lawson has focused on what really matters: his family and the boardwalk pub they’ve owned for generations. But the first time Jessica steps into his bar, Cooper is beyond tempted to risk his heart on her. Yet as their attraction grows hotter and Jessica remains stubbornly closed off, he begins to realize it will take more than just passion to convince her there’s only one real thing in life worth fighting for…

Cover:  I find this such a pretty cover.  The colours of it are just stunning.

I love Samantha Young's books.  She's one of my favourite contemporary romance authors.  Her On Dublin Street series is fantastic, and the stand alone novel Hero is one of my all time favourites.

So I was really excited for The One Real Thing- the first book in a new series.

And I wasn't disappointed.

Another beautiful story- with characters you can really root for, beautiful setting, and a romance with substance.

On paper Jessica and Cooper don't make sense- a doctor and a bar owner.  But they have an amazing chemistry, and more in common than anyone would think.  I loved them together, and while it wasn't always easy, and they had to overcome a fair few issues to get their HEA, I always rooted for them.

The other characters we meet along the way, the residents of Hart's Boardwalk are so charming and endearing that you just can't but love them!  I'm looking forward to seeing more of them.

Over all, I loved this book from start to finish- and highly recommend Samantha Young fans picking this one up, or anyone that enjoys a good contemporary romance.

4.5/5 stars.

W...W...W...Wednesday 07/09/16

To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

My current read is Seed by Lisa Heathfield

I recently finished reading The Protector by Jodi Ellen Malpas

I think my next read will be Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn (Bridgertons #1) by Julia Quinn

• Format: Kindle Edition
• Print Length: 437 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0062353594
• Publisher: Avon (28 April 2015)
• ASIN: B00UG8RP8Q

Can there be any greater challenge to London’s Ambitious Mamas than an unmarried duke?

—Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, April 1813

By all accounts, Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend’s sister, the lovely—and almost-on-the-shelf—Daphne Bridgerton. But the two of them know the truth—it’s all an elaborate plan to keep Simon free from marriage-minded society mothers. And as for Daphne, surely she will attract some worthy sutiors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable.

But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, it’s hard to remember that their courtship is a complete sham. Maybe it’s his devilish smile, certainly it’s the way his eyes seem to burn every time he looks at her… but somehow Daphne is falling for the dashing duke… for real! And now she must do the impossible and convince the handsome rogue that their clever little scheme deserves a slight alteration, and that nothing makes quite as much sense as falling in love…

Cover: Nothing to really like or dislike about this cover. Although I do like that this series doesn’t have models on the front so that you can actually imagine how the characters look based on the author’s descriptions and not what the publisher decided to whack on the cover (although don’t get me wrong I can sometimes love a bodice ripping cover).

I read the second book in this series first, and loved it, so was looking forward to picking up the first book. I’ve discovered a new favourite Regency author and am looking forward to devouring more books from her.

Simon was such a great character- his father was disappointed in him, because when he was small he had a stutter and so he thought he must be stupid, and unworthy of the title. But Simon beat his stutter, and the anger against his father drives him, motivating him to master control of himself. But as the ultimate revenge against his father he resolves never to marry and have the title die with him.

There’s only one problem with this plan- Daphne Bridgerton.

The chemistry between the two of them was undeniable. I found myself really rooting for them. I wanted Simon to come to his senses and see that he and Daphne were made for each other. That the ultimate revenge on his father would be to live a happy life, not being miserable.

Highly recommend picking this one up guys- I thoroughly enjoyed it!!

5/5 stars.

August 2016 Wrap Up

Booking Through Thursday 01/09/2016

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Booking Through Thursday and a different question is posted every week.

 

Readers read, it’s true, but they write? Do you? Write, that is?

 

Unfortunately I don't.  I've attempted it several times, but I just don't have the motivation or the committment to write.  I have ideas, start them and don't finish them.  I used to enjoy writing essays during my A-levels but don't have the need anymore.