Audio Review ~ American Prince ~ Sierra Simone #2017NewRelease #AudioChallenge

American Prince by Sierra Simone
New Camelot Trilogy #2
Narrated by: Stephanie Rose and Guy Locke
Release Date: June 27, 2017
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Audio. This did not affect my rating and my review is voluntarily provided. 
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017NewReleasee, #AudioChallenge
Goodreads

Synopsis
I've been many things.

I've been a son and a stepbrother. An Army captain and a Vice President.

But only with Him and I a prince. His little prince.

Only with Maxen and Greer does my world make sense, only between them can I find peace from the demons that haunt me. But men like me aren't made to be happy. We don't deserve it. And I should have known a love as sharp as ours could cut both ways.

My name is Embry Moore and I serve at the pleasure of the President of the United States...for now.

This is the story of an American Prince.

I started listening to American Prince immediately after finishing American Queen and found myself swallowed by Greer, Ash, and Embry once again.

American Prince is told mostly from Embry's POV and once again, Simone delivered the story via past and present timelines. This format was an excellent way to get Embry and Ash's backstory and their history was gut-wrenching, heartwarming, and riveting. The present timeline was also suspense-filled with Ash, Embry, and Greer dealing with the fallout over the consequences from the event that ended American Queen. The way Simone handled that was so well done and felt authentic. The feelings and emotions of Embry, Ash, and Greer as well as the public backlash over what was leaked - it all felt so real. The political intrigue and conniving and plotting against the trio kept me tied in knots as well. Especially considering who was behind most of it. Once again, I was shocked at how much emotion - HATRED - Simone made me feel towards a certain character.

And then...and then...AND THEN! I absolutely could not believe the choices Embry made and the repercussions from those choices. These choices and their repercussions impacted the rest of the book and even with all the revelations made at the end of the book, I'm still reeling. STILL. Seriously.

Needless to say, I pre-ordered American King in ebook format because I couldn't wait for audio...BECAUSE I HAVE TO KNOW HOW IT ALL ENDS!!! (I'm currently reading it)

The narrators, Stephanie Rose and Guy Locke, did well for the most part. Locke's range seemed limited and he did have some inconsistencies with pronunciations which bothered me but I enjoyed Rose's delivery once again.

Audio Review ~ American Queen ~ Sierra Simone #2017NewRelease #AudioChallenge

American Queen by Sierra Simone
New Camelot Trilogy #1
Narrated by: Stephanie Rose
Release Date: April 30, 2017
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Audio. This did not affect my rating and my review is voluntarily provided. 
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017NewReleasee, #AudioChallenge
Goodreads

Synopsis
It starts with a stolen kiss under an English sky, and it ends with a walk down the aisle. It starts with the President sending his best friend to woo me on his behalf, and it ends with my heart split in two. It starts with buried secrets and dangerous desires...and ends with the three of us bound together with a hateful love sharper than any barbed wire.

My name is Greer Galloway, and I serve at the pleasure of the President of the United States.

This is the story of an American Queen.

First thing, I want to give a BIG thank you to an author who shall go unnamed (*cough* Jana Aston *cough*) for waxing poetic about this book to the point where I almost immediately went and dug it out of the pile of audiobooks I have hiding. Jana, you were so right!

Oh my! What to say about this book. Captivating. Stunning. Compelling. I started this book after Ms. Aston discussed, on her Facebook page, how affected she was by it. I don't typically listen to audiobooks very quickly but American Queen? I finished it in two days! Yeah.

Highlights

• Political Drama
  Greer Galloway is the granddaughter of a former Vice President. She grew up around politics, even being used by her grandpa as a spy of sorts. She's beautiful, intelligent, reserved, and reads people well. All qualities that serve nicely in politics.
  Maxen "Ash" Colchester grew up to become a war hero and eventually the President. He's compassionate yet demanding, brave, skilled on a battlefield and a congressional floor.
  Greer and Ash met when Greer was only sixteen. The meeting made quite an impression and neither forgot the other. Ten years later, Ash re-enters Greer's life and what follows is one effed up fairytale.
• Characters
  The main characters, Greer, Ash, and Embry, are all so well drawn and charismatic. I rather hung on every word any of them said. Greer is a strong, independent, and very intelligent woman who has shunned romantic entanglements after essentially having her heart broken twice. Ash is a widower, having lost his wife very young. He's a force to reckon with in his position and he's set his sights on Greer. Embry was a fellow officer in the military and fought alongside Ash, is Ash's best friend, and is the Vice President. Both men are handsome but Embry is a bit softer than Ash. The secondary cast is well developed as well. What would a political drama be without conniving, calculating cousins, sisters, and political advisors as well as heads of state conspiring against you?
• Format
  The way Simone doled out information about the past and present kept me riveted as I learned more about the characters, who they could and couldn't trust, what they wanted from each other, and how they'd all become involved in each others' lives.
• Layers
  Not only is this a political drama, it's also a romance - an erotic romance at that - plus it incorporates suspense via political intrigue. Simone adeptly wove it all together to create a story I was loathe to press "stop" on.

The narration was also well done. Stephanie Rose has a nice range and did well with both male and female voices as well as creating accents for certain characters. She's a new-to-me narrator but one I won't hesitate to listen to again.

I started American Prince, the second installment, immediately. :)

#TravelingtoTerminus Review ~ For the Record ~ KA Linde ~ #ShelfLove

For the Record by K.A. Linde
Record Series #3
Release Date: November 18, 2014
Genre: Adult, New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased paperback
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
With Congressman Brady Maxwell up for reelection and journalist Liz Dougherty about to graduate into a promising career, the ambitious couple's future is brighter than ever. They share a passion for their work...and for each other. But when Brady holds a press conference to officially introduce Liz as his girlfriend, reporters hungry for a scandal bombard her. Now, her every move is under a vicious magnifying glass, and her life feels like it's falling apart.

On the road to reelection, the passionate bond between the congressman and the journalist gets tested at every stop. Threatened by shameless media sensationalism and jealous exes, Brady and Liz now have to learn to trust each other despite what they read in the papers.

In the finale to USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde's sexy Record trilogy, Liz and Brady may be setting off fireworks along the campaign trail, but can their love transcend politics as usual?

This was a very satisfying ending for a couple that captivated my heart.

Things that made me smile:

• Seeing Liz 'stand up' and be noticed. I really felt Liz came into her won in this one. She didn't give up her dreams, they simply readjusted. She showed maturity and intelligence - she proved she could be an equal partner with Brady in their personal and political lives.
• Brady never makes promises he can't keep so seeing his commitment and dedication in both areas of his life was thrilling. He proved he was in it for the long haul.
• I enjoyed the campaigning - seeing Liz be a part of it this time cast things in a whole new light. And I liked seeing how they worked together as a couple.
• Clay - for all his bluster, he's a good guy. I think I always knew it but it was nice to have it confirmed.
• I enjoyed that Linde kept the supporting cast together. Getting glimpses of Justin and Massey, and spending time with Chris, Clay, and Savannah added a certain depth to the story.

Things that made me frown:

• Hayden - even though I suppose he redeemed himself I still felt like there was something off with him.
• Calleigh - her revenge plot seemed over-the-top. Of course, I'm not in politics, so maybe it's not.

Overall, I loved how Linde tied up everything for Brady and Liz.

#COYER Review ~ On the Record ~ KA Linde

On the Record by KA Linde
Record Series #2
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased Paperback
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
For political reporter Liz Dougherty, election day--a day of looking toward the future and saying goodbye to the past--seems like a fitting time to start a new relationship. But feelings for her former flame still linger...

The sexy second book in bestselling author K.A. Linde's Record series decides whether it's better to pick up the pieces and move on...or to pick up right where you left off.

On the Record didn't trip my trigger quite as well as Off the Record did, but it was still a great read. Why, you ask? I'll tell you. It's mostly to do with the lack of Brady. I compared this to Stephenie Meyer's New Moon, where I did something I'd never done before...I went to the end of the book and skimmed to make sure Edward returned. :) Since all the books in the Record series had already been released, I knew I'd see Brady again. But I felt his absence acutely. ;)

Liz made me want to shake her in this installment. Her decisions weren't the right ones, and deep down she knew it. I felt she was acting somewhat immaturely but upon reflecting, I remembered that she is only 21. So I cut her some slack and took into consideration that she did have growing to do.

Hayden...there was always something about him that didn't sit well with me. He's too slick or something. And Liz was always saying he's perfect and well, no one is that perfect. So while I wasn't surprised when his facade cracked, I did NOT expect what happened to happen.

Brady's absence was glaring for me. The few early appearances he made and his interactions with Liz, reinforced my belief in him being the one for her. And when he reappeared for good, he solidified that belief, and made me swoon - A LOT.

So overall, On the Record isn't my favorite in the series. But it has it's place. Liz needed to go through all she did in order to grow, mature, and come out of her experiences a stronger, more confident young woman. On to the final installment, For the Record. :)

#2015HW Review ~ Off the Record ~ K.A. Linde

Off the Record
Record #1
Release Date: March 11, 2014
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased from Amazon for Kindle
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
Liz Dougherty has no idea a single question is about to change her life.

Her first big reporting assignment for her North Caroline college newspaper has her covering a state senator's impromptu press conference. Brady Maxwell may have everything it takes to be a politician - a winning pedigree, devastating good looks, a body made to wear suits - but his politics rub Liz the wrong way. When Liz's hard-hitting question catches the upstart senator off-guard, it impresses Hayden Lane, Liz's editor who feels she's headed for a promising career as a reporter.

But Liz is also headed into a secret romance with Brady that could destroy both their ambitions. Though he's a bachelor, potential voters might frown on Brady cozying up to a reporter. And Liz isn't sure sneaking around is enough for her--especially when things between her and Hayden might be less platonic than she thought.

Sleek, sexy, and smart, Off the Record ventures into a high-stakes campaign and an even higher-stakes affair to answer the question: When politics and love collide, can there ever be a winner?

Wow! This book was rather stunning. I had a feeling it was going to be a worthwhile read but I had no idea how much I'd enjoy it or how much it'd affect me. This book is a romance but it's set around politics. That it takes place as a candidate is campaigning for a primary was fitting as it's relevant to our current political clime. The political environment - what a candidate endures and sacrifices - particularly one that is young and idealistic - made for stimulating reading.

The stage is set for sparks to fly when Liz Dougherty, a UNC journalism student with specific political ideals, covers the press conference where State Senator Brady Maxwell announces his intention to run for the US House of Representatives. See, Liz doesn't agree with Brady's voting record - on education, specifically - and fires a pretty scathing question at the Senator. It sets him off-balance and, of course, that's attractive to him.

What I loved about Liz and Brady:

1) Their chemistry was sizzlingly palpable

2) At the beginning, they were honest with one another - almost brutally so

3) They each gave up something of themselves in order to be with one another - it seemed like Brady didn't give up much but imagine having to hurt the one person you don't want to hurt in order to achieve a dream you aren't willing to give up

What I didn't like so much about Liz and Brady:

1) Brady expected more honesty from Liz than he was willing to give her - because he didn't want to upset her

2) Liz was always so brazen about sharing her political opinions with Brady but as her feelings grew, she became timid about sharing her emotions

3) Brady asked a lot of Liz by keeping their relationship secret - he set all the rules and everything was mostly done on his terms

4) They were each risking their careers to be together and they each believed it was worth keeping their relationship on the down-low

Linde did an excellent job in character development. Even though both Liz and Brady made decisions that had me shaking my head, I was in their corner, rooting for them. I can't imagine living in a world where the person I chose to date, or love, could threaten my career. But I know the ramifications for Brady and Liz - what they're risking. There are side characters who added drama, humor, and tension. I'm anxious to see the roles they play throughout Liz and Brady's story.

I'm thrilled to have read Off the Record! My dilemma now is that I want to finish their story. NOW. Hmm, good thing I have some birthday cash handy. *wink*