Review ~ Give Me Something ~ Elizabeth Lee

Give Me Something by Elizabeth Lee
Give Me Something #1
Release Date: March 3, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 3 Bookworms
Challenges: #BloggerShame, #CleanSweep, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
Here's the deal...I learned a long time ago that sometimes you have to use what you've got to make things happen. What I happen to have is a pretty smile, long legs and the ability to make men believe anything I say. Before you get on your high horse and start judging me, can you honestly say you've never batted your lashes at some guy for a free drink at the bar? That's what I thought.

Keep that in mind as I tell you my story of how I took it one step further. My story of lies, deceit, manipulation and love. Yeah, love. Believe me, it fits. Especially, when you factor in Nick and Tucker - one had my heart and the other one wanted it all for himself. Which one? Well, I can't tell you that. It would defeat the purpose of the story. If I'm going to fill you in about me, Lila Garrison, and my life as a con artist you're going to need to know all the facts, including the ones about the two guys who made me want to give up the life of fancy clothes, expensive jewelry, fast cars and easy money. Because sometimes, one person can give you something that's more valuable than all of that.

If you're still interested, stick around. Just remember, I'm pretty good at convincing people to do what I want, so if by the end of this whole thing you feel worked over, don't say I didn't warn you.

I think I'm a jaded NA reader. Maybe I would have enjoyed Give Me Something more 3 years ago? I don't know. I wanted to love it but in the end, it was just an okay read.

What didn't work:

• The heroine. Lila wasn't likable - at least in the beginning. I might have been forgiving of her actions but the reasons behind them boiled down to greed.
• Nick. Normally I'm just fine rooting for the bad boy but I didn't like him. He was manipulative, deceitful, and greedy.
• Predictable. Within the first few chapters, I had it all figured out. There was only one small twist I didn't already know at the reveal.

What did work:

• Lila...eventually. She eventually showed a lot of personal and emotional growth. I appreciated that she saw the error of her ways and realized a lot she'd been doing was wrong, even if there were some good intentions behind some of her actions.
• Tucker! I LOVED HIM! He's just a good guy. He was made out to be a manwhore but I never saw it. He was loyal, stable, witty, and charming - a good ol' country boy.
• Lee's writing. It flows well and is very readable. She was able to sway my opinion of Lila, and to a very small degree, Nick, and that's impressive. And even though I knew where the story was going, I wanted to see who the characters got there.

Despite not being over the moon with Give Me Something, I'd absolutely read Lee again.

Review ~ Shatter ~ Erin McCarthy

Shatter by Erin McCarthy
True Believers #4
Release Date: September 2, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received an eARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #BloggerShame, #CleanSweep, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
Kylie Warner prides herself on being optimistic, but after finding her best friend in bed with her boyfriend and flunking chemistry, her upbeat attitude has taken a dive. Even an impromptu hook-up with her sexy new chemistry tutor only brightens her mood slightly. After all, it's not like she'll ever see the tattooed scholar again...

While he's a whiz at complex equations, Jonathon Kadisch has trouble when it comes to figuring out women. So when Kylie tells him that she's pregnant after their night of passion, he's at a complete loss. He's prepared to be a good father--unlike his own deadbeat dad--but he's less prepared to fall for the genuine and alluring blonde bearing his child.

With emotions running high, Kylie wonders if Jonathon's devotion is out of growing love or looming obligation. And when heartbreak threatens to tear them apart, Jonathon will have to fight for the only girl who's ever made him feel whole...

Shatter tells Kylie's story and rounds out the series about these four girlfriends. I enjoyed getting to know Kylie on a deeper level than the superficial one I'd seen in the previous installments but more character development would have been nice. I really liked Jonathon as well but again, more character development would have pushed them both far beyond the stereotypes that defined them.

When we last saw Kylie she was struggling to deal with the betrayal Nathan and Robin had perpetrated against her. She's now living on her own and still figuring out how to cope since she misses living with her friends. Kylie has a lot of self doubt - feeling inadequate intellectually and personally after Nathan's betrayal. She's also having a hard time with her classes - particularly chemistry - which is how she meets Jonathon. He's her tutor. One night between them changes both their lives in an unexpected way.

Jonathon is a grad student in chemistry and is what you'd call an academic. His nickname is Darwin. ;) Jonathon is struggling to please/impress his father who's been less than present in his life. His attraction to Kylie is immediate but she's not what he'd have ever thought of as dating material. However, the time he spends with her proves she's so much more than just a hot girl and maybe exactly what he's looking for. 

The premise for Shatter is so good. Two students dealing with the consequences of their actions while also learning about themselves - what they really want in life. It's that I felt like McCarthy could have gone deeper, explored further Kylie's and Jonathon's introspection and revelations as well as expanding on a thread that was introduced but not followed up on very thoroughly.

McCarthy's writing, as usual, was engaging and easy to read. I didn't want to put it down even if I would have liked a deeper story. Shatter was a satisfying conclusion to the series and solidified my appreciation of McCarthy's writing style.

New Release Review ~ Awakened by the Wolf ~ Kristal Hollis

Awakened by the Wolf by Kristal Hollis
The Wahyas of Walker's Run #1
Release Date: June 1, 2016
Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Source: I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016NewRelease, #CleanSweep
Goodreads ~ Amazon

Synopsis
Who's been sleeping the the Alpha's bed?

Exiled from his pack by his father, Brice Walker has secretly come home to visit his ailing grandmother only to discover a human and very desirable female sleeping in his bed. Their attraction is instant. But his new bed buddy seems determined to resist his Southern charm and Alpha allure.

For Brice, fiercely independent Cassie not only represents a chance to build a new life in Walker's Run but is also his one true mate. Cassie's reluctance dissolves when a rogue shifter kidnaps her, and now she and Brice must work together to save his pack. But once she witnesses the savagery of wolfan justice, can Cassie accept Brice as man, beast and her true love?

Awakened by the Wolf is a fantastic debut from a promising new voice in paranormal romance. It's also an exciting introduction to a new series featuring some of my favorite supes - Wahyas. Never heard of them? Tsk-tsk. ;) They're wolf shifters - not to be confused with werewolves. And Hollis' Wayha mythos is one I'm anxious to learn more about.

Here are a few of my favorite things about Awakened by the Wolf:

• Hollis' character development. Both Cassie and Brice have been hurt emotionally (physically as well for Brice) and suffered traumatic losses. Both have their reasons for avoiding commitment. Hollis allowed me inside both their heads so I could feel their turmoil and pain, understand their logic, and sympathize with the emotions they bring out in each other. The supporting cast was also well fleshed out and I look forward to spending more time in Walker's Run.
• The Wahya mythology. Hollis put her own spin on these shifters and I liked it. There are pack dynamics, politics, etc., but my favorite was that even though a Wahya can find their 'one true mate', it doesn't equal insta-love. Cassie and Brice took the time to get to know one another and fall in love - not just give into the pull of a bond and fall into bed.
• The intrigue/mystery. Hollis did a nice job of creating tension using pack dynamics and inter-pack politics. There was some subterfuge, some well-intentioned wrongs, and some downright scary bad guys. I was honestly shocked at what all went down and was thrilled Hollis didn't shy away from the darker side of shifters.

All in all, I was delighted with Awakened by the Wolf. I think my only complaint would be the unnecessary angst caused by lack of communication. But then, with Brice's and Cassie's pasts, it was understandable and forgivable. I don't know what's up next for the Wahyas of Walker's Run but I'm more than eager to find out.

New Release Review ~ Discovering You ~ Brenda Novak

Discovering You by Brenda Novak
Whiskey Creek #10
Release Date: May 24, 2016
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Source: I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016NewRelease, #CleanSweep
Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Synopsis
Can she ever trust another "bad boy"?

India Sommers once had the perfect family--until an ex-boyfriend broke in and shot her husband. Not only did that cost her the man she loved, a respected heart surgeon and the father of her child, but she also feels responsible. Charlie died because of the people she hung out with before she had the strength to change her life.

Just after moving to Whiskey Creek with her little girl, Cassia, to start over, she's learned that her ex-boyfriend's trial ended in a hung jury. He's getting out of jail; he could try to find her again. And that's not all that scares her. She's extremely attracted to her next-door neighbor, but Rod Amos is the handsome "bad boy" type that's given her so much trouble in the past. If she got involved with him, her in-laws would sue for custody of Cassia.

India has to keep her distance from Rod--but the more she gets to know him, the more difficult that becomes.

Discovering You was another satisfying installment in the Whiskey Creek series. I quite enjoyed getting Rod Amos' story with a side of Mack Amos' story. (I can't wait for the rest of that one!)

All of the Amos brothers have wild child reputations and Rod earned his early. But you know the old adage "don't judge a book by its cover"? Well, there's certainly more to Rod than his tattoos and troubled youth would have you believe. Underneath all that, and the walls he's built to protect himself from heartbreak, is a kind, loyal, hardworking man. And once he meets his new neighbor, India, the true Rod really begins to shine through.

India's been through so much in the last year. She's working hard at rebuilding a life for her and her daughter and has come to Whiskey Creek for that fresh start. India's resilience is amazing and says a lot about her spirit. She's endured a lot of tragedy and loss and yet she's still such a bright spirit. Her immediate attraction to Rod concerns her because she's had some questionable judgement with men in her past but spending time with him - especially seeing him stand up for her in a difficult situation proves she's outgrown her had choices - Rod fits her perfectly.

The suspense element created around India's husband's killer gave Discovering You an edge. With the exception of a few decisions India and Rod made which I felt were a little too far-fetched, Novak made it all so real. One thing that bothered me though was India's lack of contact with her daughter. I understood everything she was thinking and feeling with regards to her in-laws but I felt I would have fought them harder. The side story between Mack and Natasha also added depth to the story overall. I felt for them both and the position they were in - I'm not sure I agree with Mack's thinking but I admire his commitment to making sure Natasha's future is bright - keeping all her options open.

Overall, Discovering You was a great read. I did miss my friends from Whiskey Creek since this story focused solely on the Amos' but I know I'll catch up with them soon. Getting to see Rod fall hard was wroth not spending time with them. I look forward to visiting Whiskey Creek again soon.

New Release Review ~ Derision ~ Trisha Wolfe

Derision by Trisha Wolfe
Release Date: May 21, 2016
Genre: Adult, Erotic Romance
Source: I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016NewRelease, #CleanSweep
Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Synopsis
*Dark erotic standalone that may have triggers

Here at Lark and Gannet, you'll work directly under the partners, being groomed by the most powerful, all-male partnership to handle an exclusive clientele. While within The Firm, your level of training goes deeper, requiring more...varied tasks, which you're obligated to perform to your Master's pleasing.

Are you nervous? You should be. Chase Larking has chosen you to be his submissive.

Alexis Wilde, will you submit?

All I wanted was to save my brother. Something my parents failed to do--and then, I failed him also. As an introvert, getting ahead in the cutthroat law firm required a level of ego stroking I didn't possess, and that meant my talents were overlooked. Until Chase Larkin noticed me.

My erotic fantasy come to life, Chase is all powerful, all man, all dominant. In one night, he changed my life irrevocably. Now I'm ruined, destined to crave him forever. His scent. His taste. His brutal touch...

If I never followed him to his office that night, then none of this would've happened. A stalker on the prowl. Our lives in jeapardy. And only a moment--one pivotal moment--to decide our fate. His life or mine.

*This is a full length, standalone dark romance with an antihero that may trigger uncomfortable feelings for the reader.

Wowza! TWolfe took a small departure from her dark romantic thrillers and went more towards pure erotic romance with this one but with Derision she still delivered a tight story with a suspense element. And it was riveting!

The way TWolfe intertwined The Firm with the firm was clever. When hiring Lark and Gannet for representation, no one would ever suspect all that goes on within or that the partners in the law firm are also partners in a wholly different kind of venture - The Firm. TWolfe did well in describing both - I was accompanying Alexis along the hallways of both.

Alexis is a paralegal at Lark and Gannet. She's hardworking, quiet, keeps to herself...meek, even. A true submissive. She's worked at the firm for a year now and other than performing her job, she's done little else with anyone at the firm. She has kept a close eye on Chase Lark though. In fact, he seemingly takes up some significant space in her mind.

Chase likes rules and order. He keeps all things in his life structured. So despite the fact that Alexis is being groomed for him, at his directive, he's not ready for the chaos she will bring into his life. However, a power play among the partners forces the issue.

I liked both Alexis and Chase. I could identify with Alexis and I felt her emotions acutely when others said hurtful things about her. Chase is unapologetic about who he is, and that's an attractive quality. Seeing how they mesh, how their personalities work together, and the power shift between them was fascinating. The relationship between Alexis and Chase, although it developed quickly, felt genuine. It is HOT - their chemistry is off the charts - and I loved the dynamics between them. I felt the intensity between them happened a bit fast but then these two knew a lot about the other going in - we just weren't privy to them gaining this knowledge. So despite my delight in the budding feelings, I wished for a bit more time for the development. That being said, they are clearly meant to be together...they fit perfectly. The suspense element was well done and even though I had my suspicions, I was only partly right. TWolfe managed to shock me with the reveal even if I thought things wrapped up a little too neatly.

TWolfe is proving to be a masterful storyteller. Her style makes for a smooth pace and concise execution. And her stories are captivating. Derision was her first foray into straight erotic romance and she delivered a gripping story along with smoking-hot sexy times - a *must* for me. I'd also like to not that while Derision does deal with a D/s relationship, no flogging, whipping, etc., occurred. ;) TWolfe writes complex characters in stories with depth and provocative topics - and she always delivers on the emotion.

Trisha, what's next??

Review ~ Believe ~ Erin McCarthy

Believe by Erin McCarthy
True Believers #3
Release Date: January 21, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received an eARC from the publisher (Penguin Group) via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #BloggerShame, #CleanSweep, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
Robin used to be a party girl... until she got black out drunk and woke up in bed with her best friend's boyfriend. Now she's faced with being THAT girl, and couldn't be more disgusted with herself. She can't even tell her friends the reason for her sudden sobriety and she avoids everyone until she meets Phoenix--quiet, tattooed, and different in every way that's good and oh, so bad...

Phoenix is two days out of jail when he meets Robin at his cousin's house, and he knows that he has no business talking to her, but he's drawn to her quiet demeanor, sweet smile, and artistic talent. She doesn't care that he's done time, or that he only have five bucks to his name, and she supports his goal to be a tattoo artist.

But Phoenix knows Robin has a secret, and that it's a naive dream to believe that his record won't catch up with them at some point. Though neither is prepared for the explosive result when the past collides with the present...

Believe was a nice addition to this series. McCarthy took on some heavy but relevant NA topics and even though things were tied up a little too neatly, I still enjoyed Robin and Phoenix's story.

Robin has been an integral part of Kylie's, Rory's, and Jessica's college lives. She's always been one to happily join in the party, particularly once the vodka started flowing. But one incident at the beginning of summer, one she doesn't even remember, has her withdrawn from everyone and everything she cared about and taking a long, hard look at herself.

Phoenix arrived on the scene after doing a brief stint in jail. He's cousins with Riley and Tyler and the boys and he's well versed in the life as a child of an addict. He has an issue of his own - anger - but he mostly keeps it under control.

When Robin and Phoenix meet, they're both feeling a bit embarrassed and ashamed. They both quickly realize though that there's something they're drawn to about the other. The more time they spend together, the stronger that pull becomes.

What I most enjoyed about Robin's and Phoenix's relationship was how as it developed, they each saw flaws in themselves and strove the repair them, on their own, rather than wanting the other to provide the fix. They wanted to be strong for each other but more than that, they wanted to be supportive of the other making themselves stronger. This became very important once the incident that Robin had been living with came to light.

My issue with Believe was that everything seemed to resolve itself so simply. The resolutions felt realistic but I think it would have taken more time for Robin and Phoenix to get there. For example, I didn't feel like a few minutes in the shower served as enough introspection to come to a momentous conclusion. Despite that, Believe was a moving read. McCarthy has a style that is inherently readable. I love a story with a journey and Robin and Phoenix are definitely on a journey - of self-discovery and forgiveness as well as a journey of falling in love. 

I did enjoy getting to spend time with Riley and Jessica, and Tyler and Rory, as well as Jayden and Easton. Since they're all so intertwined into each others' lives, I'd have missed them if they were absent. It's going to be interesting see what the final book, Shatter, is like with the fallout over events in Believe. But I'm diving in right now.

Clean Sweep & Mini Blog-Ahead Challenge Sign-up Post

I've decided to participate in the Clean Sweep ARC Challenge hosted by the Caffeinated Book Reviewer because...well, y'all know my Netgalley rating is in the tank, right?!? I'm not creating a list of books to read this time around - I learned my lesson and besides, I have so, so many books to choose from! LOL Honestly though, with being gone to BEA and with my daughter's graduation all in the same month, I'll consider it a win if I can get 5 books knocked off my Netgalley TBR. (yep, I have a journal with Netgalley titles I've yet to read!) I'll get that rating up this year though. I WILL!

If y'all are in need of a challenge to knock out some ARC reading too, click the button above for all the challenge details.

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I've also decided to participate in the Mini Blog-Ahead Challenge hosted by Herding Cats & Burning Soup. It's only 15 days in length (May 1-15) but I really need to get posts completed and scheduled to get me through not only the month of May but June as well. I'm going to be gone twice during the month of June and it'll be a relief to know that I have things taken care of here. :D

If y'all are interested in joining this challenge to get yourself ahead around your blog, click the button for all the details!

Clean Sweep ARC Challenge ~ I'm In, Are You?

I'm participating in the Clean Sweep ARC Challenge hosted by Kimba @Caffeinated Book Reviewer. This challenge is geared towards helping us clean off all those pesky ARCs we've let build up on our shelves. I know I have quite a few and I aim to clean at least some of them off in this challenge. 

I'm not setting my goal very high since I'll be gone for a week to RT 2015 (*squee*) and I'm busy with end-of-year events for all 3 of my children. But even a few cleaned off my shelves is an achievement in my book. :) So here's what I'm hoping to get read:

If I get these read, I'll be happy. If I get more swept off my shelves, I'll be elated. I'll keep y'all posted. ;)