Showing posts with label Romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romance. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Book Review: The Christmas Gift (J. Dietrich)

The Christmas Gift
By: J Dietrich
Genres: Romance, Holiday, Christmas Poetry



Filled with simple and amusing illustrations, this charming story of a man looking for the perfect Christmas present for his wife will immerse the reader in the spirit and romance of the season. After missing out on the “must have” gift of the year, battling unruly mall crowds, and bartering with a riddling elf, he is left with nothing but a mysterious gift wrapped box he can’t get open. But with the help of some Christmas magic he realizes he’s had the perfect gift all along. The same gift that is within us all:

“The best gift to give; the best give to receive."




I know it's a bit after Christmas, but we're going straight down our list, and this one was next, so here we are! I would also like to take a second to let everyone know that we're working our way back to daily reviews.

The Christmas Gift was, for lack of other words, sweet. It perfectly represented the true meaning of Christmas; that gifts aren't important as long as you're loved.

I really liked the way it was written, almost like it was a poem...and the illustrations were adorable. It'd be a really fun book to pull out during the holidays to remind everyone that it's not about how much money you spend on someone. The blurb definitely does the book justice.



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Tuesday, January 03, 2017

Book Review: Player (M L Sparrow)

Player
by: M L Sparrow

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Let the game begin…
After a tragic accident which leaves her tormented by guilt, Chloe Newman accepts a scholarship to study a St. Joseph’s University. Traveling from England to Texas, the last thing she expects is to meet the schools charming quarterback on her first night. However, Parker Mitchell is a player both on and off the field.  
Parker is immediately fascinated by Chloe and, after a rocky start, they manage to find a way to make their relationship work despite interference from others on campus, including Parker's jealous ex, and the ghosts that haunt Chloe’s conscience. But, the real test comes when they visit Parker’s family over Christmas break and he finds himself being pulled back into their lifestyle...  
**WE WERE GIVEN A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR THE FOLLOWING HONEST REVIEW**

M L  Sparrow easily ranks in our “Top 5 Authors to Review” list, so writing this review is going to be more difficult than I would like.  Don’t go jumping to conclusions just yet…..let me do a little explaining.

Player was a fast-paced read, which made it virtually impossible to put this book down.  The characters were relatable and the storyline was believable, but it’s one that has been beaten to death. Bad boy (player) meets emotionally scarred girl needing rescue, resulting in a little bit of drama…then bad boy reforms into the perfect boyfriend; thus, healing traumatized damsel in distress in the process.  I’d like to say that there was potential for Player to be great, but I don’t really believe that. The book was good, so I guess some could say that it met its potential, but me being a (self-proclaimed) expert in M L  Sparrow’s books calls bullshit.  Bullshit.  This story lacked uniqueness, and because of that I am disappointed.  Now, would I be disappointed if this was my first M L book? Nope, but it isn’t... and so I am.

My advice, to those of you wondering if this is the book for you, is to read it.  It isn’t a book that you’ll regret reading.  You also won’t be left searching for a shank, to gouge your eyeballs out, while you ask yourself wtf you just read.  Just don’t expect it to be something that will change your life, touch your soul, or leave you wanting more.

As you can see, we're back and I can promise that 2017 will be an amazing year for CommonBookSense!


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Wednesday, September 07, 2016

Book Review: The Way We Fall (Cassia Leo)

The Way We Fall 
by Cassia Leo
Genres: New Adult, Romance

Five pages. A letter holding a secret buried for more than five years. A secret neither of them wanted to know. Will the truth tear them apart... again?

Five years after their messy breakup, Houston and Rory are forced to work together opening up a new wine bar. Despite their tragic past, they find themselves once again drawn to each other, unable to deny their potent attraction. 

But the secret of the letter hangs like a guillotine over their heads. And soon, Houston finds himself in the same position he was in five years ago, choosing between the truth and the only woman he’s ever loved. 



This book was beautifully executed. You learn about their past as you venture into their future.  It takes a lot to make a book like that work.

The Way We Fall was an amazing story. I really liked how they didn't really ignore their feelings. Even though Rory was scared of getting heartbroken again, she still trusted Houston and her heart.
--
I'm never one who supports cheating. I have a very firm belief that if you're unhappy enough  to cheat on your significant other that you should just be with the person you're cheating with! Why stay when you're not happy! This is where you say "Wow, if a sixteen year old can see it, why can't adults?"...My point exactly!
Anyway, he was going to do the right thing, so that's what counts, I guess. It's not like he loved her, really, I mean, she'd threatened him into staying.

Back on topic, this book was really good. There were a few bouts of mature content, but nothing that made me queasy. I liked it! I'm reading the third book now, so really, I must have enjoyed the first one.

As always, links can be located below. Feel free to use them!

Keep your noses in the pages, my loves. I'll blog you later!!


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Tuesday, September 06, 2016

Book Review: Demons From My Past (J.L. Leslie)

Demons From My Past
by: J.L. Leslie

Genre: Romance

Everyone has a past. Kingsley Huxton is trying to move on from hers and repair her estranged relationship with her father. When her mother helps her get a job at her father’s hotel business, she knows she finally has a shot. She can make him see she’s changed. Earn his love and trust again. Easier said than done. Especially when she meets her sexy new co-worker, Paxton Rowe, and realizes he’s the man who just kissed her senseless! Completely senseless. In fact, she’s thought of his lips for days. When she walks into her father’s office and finds out he’s the CFO, it throws her for a loop. How can she focus on fixing things with her father when she can’t get Paxton off her mind? Then Paxton seems to run hot and cold…playing mind games with her. They definitely have chemistry, but he’s holding back. Kingsley realizes he has a few demons of his own. She must determine if he’s worth the fight. Then when tragedy strikes, Kingsley has to battle the demons from her past and find out if she’s strong enough win!
**WE RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR THE FOLLOWING HONEST REVIEW**

J.L. Leslie did it again.

Demons From My Past was everything that I was hoping it'd be. Kingsley, Paxton, and the rest of the characters were the complete package. Sometimes authors put so much emphasis on the story line that they neglect to ensure that the characters are fully developed, so it's refreshing when an author gifts us with characters which are as developed as these.

This ended up being another one of those books that I purposely put down...in order to prolong the inevitable.

Demons From My Past is yet another example of J.L. Leslie's amazing talent as a writer. I haven't a doubt that what ever she writes will go above and beyond your expectations.

















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Thursday, September 01, 2016

Book Review: The Knight's Grace (DJ Goldsmith)

The Knight's Grace
by DJ Goldsmith
Genres: Romance, New Adult (Romance), Fiction

Finishing college should be an exciting prospect but with having just lost her dad and the strange nightmares she's been having Rachael is crippled with uncertainty. When her friend Janice offers her a place to stay until she gets back on her feet, it is just too good of an offer to refuse. 

Agreeing to stay with Janice means her older brother Jason comes with the deal. Jason Knight is a delicious piece of man candy that Rachael can’t stop undressing with her eyes. His well-built construction worker body, piercing blue eyes, and panty-dropping arm tattoo has Rachael licking her lips and searching for her favorite B.O.B. 

Join Rachael as she starts this hilarious misadventure full of twists and turns which will have you laughing out loud, fill you with hope, and completely catch you off guard. 

WARNING: This is not your typical love story. The story has been known to cause bursts of random laughter, jaw dropping twists, heart filling hope, and scenes so steamy we cannot discuss them here but also contains some trigger worthy content.

*We were provided a copy of this book in exchange for the following honest review**

Oh, where to begin?! In case you missed it, The Knight's Grace is a New Adult romance, which means that there was some mature content.

'The Knight's Grace' was...different, to say the least. It was something that I had yet to come across in my new-adult genre bookventures. I laughed, I was embarrassed for Rachael (if you read you'll know what I mean), and I fell in love. I fell in love with not only the characters, but the story, their story, their love. I never wanted the pages to end. I sped through this book in half a day and I stared at the words "The End" for several minutes, trying to come to terms with the fact that my time with Jason, Rachael, and the Knight family was over.

It was a bit predictable for me, but it so worked. Toward the middle, I did see where the book was headed, but I still read through the pages as if I had no idea. I liked what was being worked toward. It wasn't really only about their relationship. In 'typical' new adult/young adult/all romance books you go through half the book with the main characters denying their love for each other, or dealing with a love triangle (even though it's OBVIOUS who they'll end up with), having pointless arguments, and so on. The Knight's Grace wasn't about two people avoiding their feelings, but rather dealing with things that normal people do and don't have to deal with. There were a few petty misunderstandings, but to quote Hannah: "Nobody's perfect".... and it's incredibly important for characters to have flaws if they're to be related to, or associated with humans.


The ending was horribly perfect. I wanted more of Jason and Rachael's story, but where DJ ended it was justified. I literally said, and I quote, "What?! No way that's the end. Noooooooooooooooooo!" It left it up to your imagination, but I have some hopes that I'll get to see how their story continues.

The title played into the book! That's such a huge thing for me, and I always, ALWAYS notice when that happens. It makes my heart smile! Titles should have weight and meaning; they're the first and last thing you see when you look at a book. They're important.

My one, and only, complaint would have to be the names. I understand that some families do the whole "let's all have names that start with the same first letter" thing...I mean, my mom's parents had that exact idea, but it makes it really, really hard to keep up with the characters. It's a small thing, but it's for sure one of my biggest book turn-offs.

I think that it's safe to say that I really enjoyed DJ Goldsmith's writing. I'll be following her future works closely. This one is  gonna be big, I can feel it. I'll scroll past The Knight's Grace on my Kindle, and save a little smile for Rachael and Jason.

Until next time, keep your noses in the pages! I've been up all night, so I'm going to sleep after this! I'll blog you lovelies later!! <3

P.S. I'm still majorly sick, so if there are any spelling/grammar errors, blame that. Also, blame it for the fact that there isn't a QOTR...not that really anyone bothers to answer it anyway haha!
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Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Book Review: Filthy Beautiful Lies

Filthy Beautiful Lies
by Kendall Ryan
Genres: Romance, Erotica
 I have no idea why she auctioned off her virginity for a cool mill. Regardless, I'm now the proud new owner of a perfectly intact hymen. A lot of good that will do me. I have certain tastes, certain sexual proclivities. My cock is a bit more discriminatory than most. And training a virgin takes finesse and patience - both of which I lack.
Sophie Evans has been backed into a corner. With her sister's life hanging in the balance, the only choice is to claw her way out, even if that means selling her virginity to the highest bidder at an exclusive erotic club. When Colton Drake takes her home, she quickly learns nothing is as it seems with this beautifully troubled man. Being with him poses challenges she never expected, and pushes her to want things she never anticipated.
A sinfully seductive erotic romance where everything has a price and the cost of love is the highest of all from New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, Kendall Ryan.
When I picked up this book, it was originally because I just wanted to read something different. Something that was just simple and easy -- thoughtless. When I opened Filthy Beautiful Lies I never thought I would care about the characters, or wonder where they'll end up. Walking into this, I never imagined that I would be leaving with another amazing story to add to the countless others I hope to encounter.
If you're looking for an erotica book that doesn't drop off as soon as the sex happens, if you're looking for an erotica book that has a decent plot, intriguing characters, and makes you wonder why all books aren't written like that, here you go. 

As always, links can be located below.








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Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Book Review: The Devious Debutante (Ursula LeCoeur)

The Devious Debutante
by: Ursula LeCoeur

Genres: Historical, Romance

Beneath the glittering façade of historic mansions and gaslit restaurants, no one tells Maureen Collins what to do. Not her father. Not the old society families of New Orleans. Not even her dead mother, who chose her groom the day her daughter was born. Refusing the husband selected for her, Maureen ventures into a world of lies, disguises and midnight rendezvous—to win the love of Ben Merritt, an intriguing stranger with something to hide. 
Merritt leads a double life. By day he’s a priggish attorney; when the moon rises, he prowls the docks tracking opium smugglers. When he meets Maureen, he suppresses his desire and thinks of her as a useful tool to aid his investigation of her father—his prime suspect.
Each tries to make sense of the other’s peculiar behavior. Maureen concludes Merritt is an opium addict, while Merritt deduces that Maureen and her father are cohorts in a vast smuggling operation. 
As the deceptions multiply, the stakes grow higher. When Maureen’s desperate plan to learn the truth turns deadly, only one man can identify the threads of conspiracy to save her life.
**WE WERE GIVEN A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR THE FOLLOWING HONEST REVIEW**

The Devious Debutante is a very good book. The writers (they are a mother/daughter team) did their research, so the  moments in the story were accurate to the time period. It was a mystery and a love story. The story was easy to read and the mystery in trying to figure out who the good guys were kept me interested through the book.

The problems with opium smugglers were real in that time, and the way Ben, one of the main characters, investigated it kept you wondering if he was a good guy. The way everyone in the story was looped together in the end was amazing. These writers are very talented.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good love story. I look forward to reading more books by Ursula LeCoeur.

All of the necessary links can be found below.





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Monday, August 15, 2016

Book Review: Tease Me (J.L. Leslie)

Tease Me
by: J.L. Leslie

Genre: Romance, Adult
**contains explicit sexual content**

Lennon Zane has never been one to shy away from men. A fact that her two older brothers despise. But ever since her tragic childhood spent in a foster home was exposed to the media, she’s sworn off dating for a while. Until she meets him… 

Swift Cole is not the type of man Lennon normally dates. He doesn’t wear a suit and tie. He’s not clean-cut. He’s a construction worker with tattoos and he plays the drums in a band. But she can’t deny she’s attracted to him… 

Lennon is under scrutiny from everyone. Her brothers. Her company. The media. She wants something just for her. Better yet, someone just for her. No one needs to know. And she knows who she wants… 

But will Swift agree to her rules or will he want more than she’s willing to offer? Can she abide by her own rules? Or will she break them? 

Find out in Tease Me. The final installment in the Zane Series. 
**WE RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR THE FOLLOWING HONEST REVIEW**

Tease Me, the third book in the Zane Series, was worth the wait. As you can read, in my review of Tame Me (found here), romance novels are one of my many weaknesses.

Lennon Zane was introduced within the first couple pages, of book number one, and I instantly knew that reading her story would be added to my "must do" list. I obviously had no idea if J.L. Leslie planned on allowing us to explore the life of the willful, elusive Lennon, but a girl can dream, right?

Lennon's past was tragic, and as her story unfolded my my heart broke for the little girl who she once was. She was written is such a way that I could honestly feel her pain as I flipped the pages.

I don't want to give anything away, so I'm simply going to end this review by saying that if a man and women are truly made for each other, Lennon Zane and Swift Cole could be the poster couple for soulmates. I was happy to get all of my questions answered, but I was sorry to see this story end.








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Friday, August 05, 2016

Book Review: The Slave Planet (Seven Steps)

The Slave Planet
by Seven Steps
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance

Love is the ultimate crime.
On a planet where women are born to rule, Empress Nadira's secret affair with her slave threatens to rip her family apart. When she joins the highest council in the land, her secret is revealed. Will Nadira
go against everything she believes in to protect her family, or will she choose her heart and doom everyone she loves to death?
Empress Eva thinks she has it all: wealth, power and a mother who adores her. That is, until she meets Lex, a handsome alien imprisoned in a slave market. His red hair and crimson eyes intrigue her. His touch sets her on fire. When the beautiful alien captures her heart, Eva is forced to make a life changing decision: pursue the career of her dreams, or give it all up for the love of a slave?
The Slave Planet is a science fiction, interracial (black woman white man) romance. It is a thrilling journey into an alternate history where women rule the world.
This is the first book in THE SLAVE PLANET trilogy.



When I originally began reading this book, I was quite skeptical. The whole 'man-slave' thing made me slightly uncomfortable, to be honest. Slavery is a very touchy subject, so I think that Seven Steps is very brave for using it as the main theme of this book. I actually almost quit reading, I wanted to, but for some reason I just kept turning the page. I don't know what kind of voodoo magic is in the pages of this book, but it's the real deal. I didn't close the book until I had to sleep/charge my device. I snuck away during the day to read. That really says a lot about the quality of this book. (Why isn't snuck a word?  What world do we live in?! I'm leaving it because that's how I talk...I will NOT say 'sneaked'.)


I feel like Empress Nadira's outlook really leveled out uncomfortableness of the idea of a slave planet. ('Uncomfortableness' isn't either, but I do not care. I even used it again below. Take that, English!"

Other than the minor uncomfortableness, this book was beautifully executed. It was very, very well written, and I honestly can't wait to see what happens. I really want to see where they go!

I can't say much, for fear of giving something away, but if you're as into sci-fi books as I am, pick up The Slave Planet. It was soooooooo good!

As always, you can see all the links below. If you have noticed, suddenly all the broken image graphics should be actual pictures now! If they're not, please let us know in the comments. You can find our post that explains what happened (titled "Something Almost Ruined CommonBookSense") *here*.
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