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 ~ Spend the Night Volume 3 ~ Elizabeth Lee

Spend the Night Volume 3
The Hotel Collection
Release Date: February 17, 2015
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4 Bookworms

Synopsis
All games must eventually come to an end...
Hannah's new reality is that someone is stalking her. Aggressively. The only question is who. Fingers are pointed and accusations are made as every clue leads her down another twisted path of questions without answers. Her feelings for both Carter and Trent cloud her judgment as the investigation delves deeper into her personal life and into her heart. Carter's past is a mystery and Trent has every reason to try and make her seem crazy. Her loos would be his gain after all.
Hanna will have to choose, but making the wrong choice will cost much more than a broken heart.
Everyone has a motive.
But only one of them has a plan.

Oh, Ms. Lee, you're sneaky!

Spend the Night wrapped up neatly. The mystery was solved -- I must say I should've listened to my gut but Ms. Lee still had me wondering, and there was even a bit of hair-raising suspense. I enjoyed the return of he logical, driven Hannah - seeing her think quickly on her felt to resolve a few sticky situations. And I was satisfied with how things shook out.

It might have been a bit too neat in its wrap-up but it was a compelling sotry. This was my first read from Ms. Lee and it won't be the last. I'm particularly eager to check out the next in the Hotel Collection. 

Review ~ Spend the Night Episode 2 ~ Elizabeth Lee

Spend the Night Episode 2
The Hotel Collection 
Release Date: February 3, 2015
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3.5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
This is the second episode of the Spend the Night serial.

Someone's playing a deadly game...

Two men vying for your attention--seems like every girl's dream come true. For Hannah Wellesley, the dream has become a nightmare. As she continues to navigate her feelings to determine which man she truly belongs with--the first love who's become her current business rival or the enticing new chef who's testing her sexual limits at every turn--a new set of problems presents itself. One that includes a breach in hotel security that has her fearing for her own safety and the reputation of the Wellesley-Crawford.

Soon she finds herself playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse that might just cost her everything she's worked for--and maybe even her life.

If you missed me review of Spend the Night Episode 1, you can read it here.

***

And the mystery continues...

Lee kept me in the dark in this second installment. The story continues to be told in dual POV between Hannah and 'Him'. Here we see how Hannah has slipped from being driven and organized to being consumed by the confusion she feels over Trent and Carter as well as the fear over whoever is stalking her. Through the POV of 'Him' we get little clues as to who might be Hannah's stalker, but I readily admit that I vacillated between thinking 'it's him"... "no, it's him". And honestly, I can't figure it out.

I love a story that keeps me guessing and Spend the Night delivers on that point. I do wish I knew each character a bit better but with the guys, I'm sure that's intentional. The background we get on Hannah makes her more relatable but I do think that what we've seen of her in this installment doesn't reconcile with how she was originally described. Of course, all she's had thrown at her recently is probably enough to knock any career-minded women off her game.

The mystery and suspense are the real draw. And I'm anxious to put the puzzle together.

#COYER Review ~ Spend the Night Episode 1 ~ Elizabeth Lee

Spend the Night Episode 1
The Hotel Collection
Release Date: January 20, 2015
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Source: I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 3.5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
Welcome to The Wellesley-Crawford...

Hannah Wellesley has spent her entire life running the halls of her family-owned hotel, the infamous and opulent Wellesley-Crawford. Notes as one of the city's richest, most luxurious hotels in Chicago, the WC is what Hanna has devoted her life and career to.

The hotel's Annual Masquerade Gala is the event of the year, but this year Hannah's evening involves more than just handing out masks. After a mysterious rendezvous in a secluded stairwell with an irresistible and unidentifiable man, Hannah becomes consumed with discovering the identity of her masked lover. Just as she's about to give up the search, two men blow back into her life with drastically different intentions. They both have secrets and uncovering them will lead Hannah down a darkly dangerous path.

Drawn to both of the intriguing bachelors, she'll have to determine which one is after her heart and which one plans to do her deadly harm before it's too late.

Wow - I'm captivated and confused. And since this is suspense, I think confusion is the point! :)

Spend the Night is told through two or possibly three POVs - Hannah Wellesley's and 'HIM'. There are two possible prospects for the male POV - but then again, it could be both. I'm however, am clueless. And that just adds to the suspense.

The setup - Hannah is heir to a posh hotel in Chicago. She's lived her whole life preparing to run the WC. She's very organized - a planner - and is rarely spontaneous. One night, though, she steps outside her comfort zone. It's an experience she'll never forget. Problem is, he was masked and fled afterwards. Eight months later, she's still pining.

The mystery is well played and I admit, a little creepy. I'm just not sure where this story is going. Hanna is a strong, confident young woman. Both men vying for her attention are handsome, successful, and gentlemanly. Trenton Crawford - yep, heir to the Crawford half of the WC - has the benefit of having history with Hannah. I don't like his hot and cold manner with Hannah but I assume this plays into the mystery. Carter Delevan, the new chef at the hotel seems sweet - yet if he's the mystery 'HIM', he's a bit scary.

I'm intrigued with this story. I am still trying to unravel the mystery with the little I know so far. I need to know who the creepy 'HIM' is and I also need to know what both these men want from Hannah. I'm very anxious for Episode 2, which promises to turn up the tension.

**Release Teaser Blitz ~ Sugar & Spice Anthology**

Join us in celebrating the 
SUGAR & SPICE Anthology 
with a Teaser Blitz!

Sugar & Spice and everything nice. Or is it...? 

This collection of sweet and sexy romances is sure to warm your heart *and* get it racing.

Beautiful Collision by T.G. Ayer
Life on the run is hard enough. Gray doesn't need love to complicate her world. And the last thing she needs is to fall for the wrong guy.

Maverick by Anna Cruise

International surf sensation Kellen Handler has it all – fame and fortune and more women than he can count – but he's riding his own personal wave toward disaster.

Can PR genius Gina Bellori rescue his reputation...and his heart?

Fever by Melissa Pearl

Two showers and one song that will change their lives forever...singing in the shower will never be the same.

Escaping Me by Elizabeth Lee

The last thing Cole was looking for was a girl like Whitney, and she sure didn't expect anything serious with the town's bad seed. Sometimes the one you think isn't for you turns out to be just the person you need.

Finding My Forever by Heidi McLaughlin
Women find me. I don't chase. I know what they want and they know I'll deliver. But after one look, one touch, one night...Now I'm the one doing the chasing.

Girl With Guitar by Caisey Quinn
Touring with Country Music superstar Trace Corbin is hardly a dream come true since he’s pretty much drinking his career down the drain. If Kylie can’t pull Trace out of his rut, he’ll pull her and her dreams down with him.

Draw Me In by Megan Squires

We meet. We fall in love. But it's not that story.

Begin with Goodbye by Kelly Walker
Justice is a myth, and true love is a lie. In Begin With Goodbye, Sam will go home to confront her sister's rapist, but she might find more than she bargained for.