Category Archives: Cori’s Reviews

Wife in Name Only (Entangled Indulgence) by Hayson Manning

Wife in Name Only (Entangled Indulgence) by Hayson Manning
Publication Date: April 1, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Trapped in a loveless marriage, Zoe Hughes escaped to make a new life for herself on the tiny island of Tonga. Now she runs a successful boutique honeymoon resort. Selling true love is easy. No one needs to know she’s married in name only. At least until America’s premier honeymoon magazine wants to publish a feature on her perfect marriage. Now she must convince her estranged husband to rip himself away from plotting corporate takeovers in LA to save her island paradise.

Rory agrees to come for forty-eight hours, but only because he needs the positive PR. To his surprise, the wife he finds in Tonga isn’t the same woman he married. Now she’s so much more…

When a storm strands Rory in Tonga, will he win back his wife or leave paradise empty-handed?

REVIEW:
I really enjoyed Wife in Name Only! Hayson Manning is a new author, but after reading the description of the book and reading that Entangled Publishing was releasing it, I said yes to the offer to send me a copy for review. I am so glad I did! This book caught and held my attention from page one. The writing style was really easy to read and the descriptions painted a vivid picture for the reader. This is a second chance for love romance. Rory and Zoe are married, but Zoe left after feeling neglected by Rory. After leaving Rory, Zoe starts over on an island running a resort, Honeymoon Haven and after a year a magazine approaches her with a request to interview her and her husband to promote the resort. She wants the publicity for the resort so she contacts Rory after a year of not speaking to him and separation to asked him to come to the island and pretend they are happily married and in love for the magazine. He needs the publicity for his image as well so he agrees and comes to the island. Rory and Zoe have their problems, but they have a strong connection and chemistry they can not fight for long. They get a second chance with each other and the chance to fix the mistakes they made the first time. This is a great afternoon read that will sweep the reader away to an island romance! I really enjoyed it and look forward to Hayson Manning’s next book.

*Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

20130616-091915.jpg

Buy Links:
Amazon|B&N|Kobo|iTunes

Rapture’s Edge: A Night Prowler Novel by J.T. Geissinger

Rapture’s Edge: A Night Prowler Novel by J.T. Geissinger
Publication Date: June 18, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4.5 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
SECRETS… In the hidden world that exists beside our own, a mirror world of ancient magic and elegant deceptions, a world of people who are so much more than they first appear, a war is brewing. Most of these Gifted people—the Ikati, a savage, sensual race of lethal predators—are content to hide behind human smiles, disguising their splendor in order to survive. But others are discontent. And they will hide no longer.

BETRAYALS… Eliana lives for two things only: vengeance on the man who killed her father and seeing her father’s dream of living in the open with humans come to pass. But that dream is far too dangerous for The Hunt, a group of elite Ikati assassins with one objective: eliminate her before she can expose their secrets to the world.

SEDUCTION… Demetrius is haunted by the memory of the woman he once loved. He will risk everything to save her from the killers on her tail… and convince her, before the ancient walls between two worlds crumble, that only together can they defeat their real enemy, a brilliant, cunning traitor far more deadly than either of them can guess.

REVIEW:
I loved Rapture’s Edge! I really wish I had known it was the the third book in the series. I was a little lost at times without reading the first two books. I’m going to go back and read them to fully understand the story and I recommend other readers read the series in order. J.T. Geissinger created a fascinating and unique world with her writing. I really enjoyed her writing style and the characters. Eliana and Demetrius’s interactions are hot and steamy. I was a bit frustrated with Eliana’s distrust of everyone at times and wanted to reach in the book and shake her, but I enjoy characters that stir my emotions. I also liked that Demetrius never gave up on her. Rapture’s Edge had plenty of action, intrigue, mystery, suspense and steamy romance. A great Paranormal/ Urban Fantasy Romance series!

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

20130616-083913.jpg

Buy Links:
Amazon|B&N

Undying Destiny (A Novel of the Enclave) (Entangled Edge) By Jessica Lee

Undying Destiny (A Novel of the Enclave) (Entangled Edge) By Jessica Lee
Publication Date: June 17, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4.5 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Kenric St. James is out for revenge. Over 300 years ago, an ancient female vampire turned him against his will and killed the woman he loved. He’s spent more than a century building an Enclave of warrior vampires who have sworn to defend humanity against his evil sire and her minions. But when Kenric finds a woman he finally burns to claim as his own again, Kenric knows loving her means giving his sire another target.
Emily Ross just wanted a fresh start. She’s a survivor, coming off the tail end of an abusive relationship, and craves time alone to learn who she is and to save the home that holds her heart. The last thing she needed was a controlling, alpha male calling all the shots.
Meeting Kenric might just have changed her mind, though. He is wrong for her in all the right ways. But in order to keep her heart from breaking, he first has to keep the hordes of evil vamps from stealing her very breath.

REVIEW:
I love a book with a hot, sexy vampire hero! I loved Undying Destiny! I was captivated from the fist page and it held my attention until I turned the last page. Jessica Lee is a new author for me and when I saw the hot cover for the book on NetGalley, I decided to request it after seeing the publisher was Entangled. Entangled Publishing had been publishing a lot of great books lately. I am so glad I requested it because I found another great paranormal author. The story had everything I look for in a great book. Undying Destiny was a great story with a plot that drew me in and I loved the characters. Kenric and Emily meet by chance and are instantly drawn to one another. Their adventure begins from there. Their story had plenty of action, mystery, suspense, and steamy romance. I am looking forward to the next book and I highly recommend this book for vampire lovers!

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

20130616-082804.jpg

Buy Links:
Amazon|B&N|Kobo|iTunes/ iBooks

Tiger Magic (Shifters Unbound) by Jennifer Ashley

Tiger Magic (Shifters Unbound) by Jennifer Ashley
Series: Shifters Unbound (Book 5)
Release date: June 4, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4.5 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
He was once a captive, but his urges were never caged. Now he’ll release them on a beautiful stranger whose own secret desires are longing to be sated…

He doesn’t have a name. He doesn’t have a clan. The humans who held him prisoner for forty years have taken them away. He knew nothing but captivity until nearly a year ago, when he was released into the light. Now Tiger lives in the Austin Shiftertown, where he struggles to belong and searches for an identity.

Carly Randal thinks her fabulous life is complete—until her car breaks down on the side of the road, and a wild-looking Shifter is the only one to help her. Tiger takes one look at Carly and knows instantly—she will be his mate. As Carly is drawn into his Shifter world, she risks everything she has for that forbidden something she still wants: passionate love.

REVIEW:
I loved Tiger Magic! I have been looking forward to Tiger’s book since Jennifer Ashley first introduced us to him. This is the fifth book in the Shifters Bound series and it keeps getting better and better. Jennifer Ashley’s books always have plenty of action, adventure, romance and great characters. Tiger was created in a lab and is damaged from his past captivity where he was experimented on by humans. He meets Carly on the side of the road when her car breaks down and he instantly knows she is his mate. She has a strong attraction to him as well. They seem to bring out the best in each other and be exactly what the other needed at that exact time in their lives. Tiger Magic was an action packed, hot romance that held my attention until the end. I can’t wait to see what Jennifer Ashley has in store for us next! I loved this series and recommend it to all paranormal romance lovers!

20130612-123517.jpg

Buy Links:
Amazon|B&N|Kobo|iTunes/ IBooks

Playing the Part by Robin Covington

PLAYING THE PART (Entangled Brazen) by Robin Covington
Publication Date: June 10, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 5 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
The harder they play . . . the harder they fall.

After publicly self-destructing over a heartbreak a year ago, bestselling romance writer Piper James is now making nice with her publisher by agreeing to teach Hollywood’s favorite action star how to act like he’s in love. Only playboy Mick Blackwell has no clue what love looks like.

When a seductive heat ignites between Piper and Mick, she jumps at the chance for a bit of fun between the sheets, but with two stipulations: she’s kept out of the public eye and things end when she returns to New York. Only Mick keeps changing the rules on her. Tempted by America’s favorite bad boy, Piper is wondering how far she’s willing to bend…

REVIEW:
I loved Playing the Part! I have read Robin Covington’s The Boys Are Back In Town Series and I loved them, so I was really excited to get an ARC of Playing the Part. I devoured it in a couple hours! Robin Covington knows how to write smoking hot romance! Playing the Part is one of those stories that sticks with the reader and leaves a smile on your face when you are done. I loved the plot for Playing The Part! It captured and held my attention from the first page. I also loved the characters. Robin Covington has a way of writing her characters that really draws the reader in and makes them feel the characters. Piper and Mick have instant chemistry when they meet on the set for the movie based on Piper’s book that Mick is starring in. Mick is having trouble with the love scenes and Piper has been sent in to coach him though the scenes. I loved their interactions with each other. They had smoking hot chemistry and passion. Playing the Part is a fun, steamy romance that left me wanting more when it ended. I am hoping some of the secondary characters get their own stories. You don’t want to miss this book! Robin Covington’s books are on my must read list!

*An ARC was provided by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

20130609-134928.jpg

Buy Links:
Amazon|B&N|iTunes/ iBooks|Kobo

FIRE INSIDE: A Chaos Novel by Kristen Ashley

FIRE INSIDE: A Chaos Novel by Kristen Ashley
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:
Lanie Heron isn’t looking for love-no surprise, considering her last serious relationship nearly got her killed. So when Lanie propositions Hop Kincaid, all she wants is one wild night with the hot-as-hell biker who patrols with the Chaos Motorcycle Club . . .

For Hop, Lanie has always been untouchable. She’s too polished and too classy for his taste. But when she gives Hop the once-over with her bedroom eyes and offers him a night in paradise, he can’t say no. And he doesn’t regret it when he finds that Lanie is the best thing that’s ever happened to him-in or out of bed. Now the trick will be to convince her of that.

REVIEW:
I loved Fire Inside! Kristen Ashley is one of my favorite authors. She always gives the readers hot, alpha men and lots of romance and she delivered with this book. This book is part of her Chaos Series and takes place after Motorcycle Man. Lanie is Tyra’s best friend who is married to Tack, the leader of the club, and Hop is part of the Chaos Motorcycle Club. I recommend reading Motorcycle Man before this book to understand Lanie’s story. After losing her fiancé and almost dying herself, she is not looking for a relationship, but is attracted to Hop and decides to proposition him for a night of hot sex. They have an intense attraction and passion when they come together and after that one night, Hop decides he wants to keep her. He just has to convince her she belongs with him. Hop was not what I expected and really surprised me in this book. I loved him! This book was a little different then Kristen Ashley’s usual writing style, but I still loved it. Fire Inside is a hot, sexy, explosive romance that kept me captivated from start to finish. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next one.

*Review copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

20130603-093539.jpg

Buy Links:
Amazon|B&N|Kobo|iTunes/ iBooks

PRIVATE MESSAGE by Danielle Torella

PRIVATE MESSAGE by Danielle Torella
Publication Date: May 31, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 5 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Tess has never had sex. Believe it or not, she’s never had a decent kiss.

The aspiring Seattle painter and photographer is still recovering from the trauma of being beaten and nearly raped at a rock show nearly three years before. So she keeps life simple: she goes to school, goes to work in a coffee shop, goes home, goes on living.

But then Ben’s naked body crashes—almost literally—through Tess’s wall against the world.

Ben is doing his dad’s art-teacher girlfriend a favor when he agrees to pose nude for her drawing class. But what he draws is the interest of the irresistible punk-looking girl—and it’s interest he reciprocates, with interest.

Their sexual chemistry is too much to resist. But it’s when they have their clothes on that their heat quickly slips on ice. Ben’s womanizing history is one thing, but it’s history of another kind—related to that fateful night at the rock show—that threatens to tear the young lovers apart forever.

REVIEW:
I absolutely loved this book! I requested the book to read and review after spotting the hot cover on Facebook this morning and I sat down to read it not really knowing what to expect because this is the author’s first book. I was blown away! Private Message has a unique plot, great characters, and it is a great love story. Once I picked it up I could not put it down. I loved the characters in this book! Ben, sigh! I just loved him from his winks, to his smirks, to his sexy tats. Danielle Torella gives the reader both Ben and Tess’s story told from each of their prospectives, and this really made me feel connected to the characters. I love a good romance story, and this is an incredible romance story. Ben and Tess had instant chemistry and attraction that simmered and heated the pages. I don’t often find a book I really connect with like this one. You know that special feeling you get when you read an incredible book, and it leaves you excited, giddy, and happy when you’re done reading it? This is one of those books! It had everything I look for in a great story. I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait for it to be released so the rest of you can read it!

*Review copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

20130527-182043.jpg

Buy Links:
Amazon|

A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses By Molly Harper

A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper
Publication Date: May 28, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Nola Leary would have been content to stay in Kilcairy, Ireland, healing villagers at her family’s clinic with a mix of magic and modern medicine. But a series of ill-timed omens and a deathbed promise to her grandmother have sent her on a quest to Half-Moon Hollow, Kentucky, to secure her family’s magical potency for the next generation. Her supernatural task? To unearth four artifacts hidden by her grandfather before a rival magical family beats her to it.
Complication One: Her grandfather was Mr. Wainwright and the artifacts are lost somewhere in what is now Jane Jameson’s book shop. Complication Two: her new neighbor, Jed Trudeau, who keeps turning up half naked at the strangest times, a distraction Nola doesn’t need. And teaming up with a real-life Adonis is as dangerous as it sounds, especially when he’s got the face of an angel and the abs of a washboard—can Nola complete her mission before falling completely under his spell?

REVIEW:
It is always fun to read a Molly Harper book! You can always expect to find a sexy and funny paranormal story that is sure to entertain and put the reader in a good mood. I really enjoyed the romance between Jed, the hot guy next door, and Nola, the witch with magic issues. They had instant chemistry and attraction, but the relationship was allowed to build betweem them. Their bantering kept me laughing throughout the book. A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses was a really entertaining, sexy, and funny paranormal romance. I look forward to Molly Harper’s next book in the series.

*Review copy provided by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

20130526-130853.jpg
Buy Links:
Amazon|B&N|Kobo|iTunes/ iBooks

THE LAST BOYFRIEND (Forever Love) by J. S. Cooper

THE LAST BOYFRIEND (Forever Love) by J. S. Cooper
Publication Date: May 5, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
***USA TODAY Bestseller***
Lucky Morgan has had her share of heartbreak. She is devastated when her boyfriend dumps her after sleeping with him and she vows to herself that she won’t be used again. She decides that the next guy she dates and sleeps with, will be her one true love.

Zane Beaumont is the mysterious and snooty guy that comes into her diner every Friday night with a different girl. He’s the type of guy she’s learned to avoid: carefree, fast, handsome, rich, and sarcastic. Unfortunately, she can’t stop thinking about the devilish gleam in his eyes.

When Lucky’s car breaks down one night after a party, it is Zane who comes to her rescue. As Zane attempts to sweep Lucky off of her feet, she soon realizes that nothing is as it seems and that Zane may very well be the guy for whom she changes the rules. That is until she meets Braydon.

New Adult Contemporary Romance **Mature Content** Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language.

REVIEW:
I really enjoyed The Last Boyfriend! Zane is a bit of a mystery at first and seems like a player bringing a different girl on a date every Friday night to the restaurant where Lucky works. Lucky has a lot of dating rules she came up with after her last boyfriend cheated on her and while she is really attracted to Zane she doesn’t think he fits her last boyfriend rule. She can’t deny their attraction and instant chemistry when they get together though. I loved the characters even though their back and forth decision making had me angry with both of them at times. I also really enjoyed all the mystery with Zane’s character. J.S. Cooper’s writing style was very easy to read as well. This book has a great plot with likable characters, lots of mystery, drama, and steamy romance. There is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end that left me really looking forward to the next book in the series, The Last Husband. I recommend this book for readers looking for a good New Adult Contempory Romance.

20130525-181959.jpg
Amazon|B&N |Smashwords|iTunes/ iBooks

POSSESSION (The Plus One Chronicles, Book 2) by Jennifer Lyon

POSSESSION (The Plus One Chronicles, Book 2) by Jennifer Lyon
Release Date: May 28, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:
Savagely sexy billionaire Sloane Michaels ruthlessly controls his life and everything in it. Even his sex partners are carefully negotiated plus-one arrangements, including his latest, the fiery bakery owner, Kat Thayne. But Sloane’s control is challenged when his mentor becomes seriously ill, and his need for Kat, his need to possess her at all costs, rivals only his single-minded goal of vengeance for the murder of his sister.

After surviving an attack six years ago, Kat Thayne escaped her fears in the protective world of her beloved bakery. Then Sloane Michaels storms into her life, making her feel beautiful, strong and sexy. Yet as Kat pushes her boundaries and uncovers a dangerous secret in her past, Sloane’s controlling side emerges. Worried that Sloane will possess her mind, body and soul, Kat fights to keep her hard won independence. But just as Sloane demands her complete surrender, she discovers he has a dark side that could destroy them both.

REVIEW:
I love this series! Possession is the second book in The Plus One Chronicles and picks up where the first book, The Proposition, left off. The series should be read in order. The Plus One Chronicles is full of drama, danger, mystery, and smoking hot romance. Sloane is the ultimate sexy alpha male and pushes past all Kat’s barriers in this book. I love them together. Not only do they have chemistry and passion that will leave you sweating, but Sloane helps Kat become stronger and to get past her fears while also giving her the skills to protect herself. They both have tragedies in their pasts that are coming back into their lives in this book. Most women want to use Sloane for his money, power and connections. Kat is the first plus one relationship he has had that only wants the man, and this is making him want to possess all of her. Jennifer Lyon makes you really feel and love these characters. I can’t say enough good things about this series. They have everything I look for in great books. Possession has an intriguing plot, great characters, danger, mystery and a great love story. I loved it and can not wait for the third book, Obsession, to be released in September. Jennifer Lyon is one of my favorite authors because she always delivers a great romance story and she definitely delivered with Possession. I recommend this book, and this series for anyone looking for a great story with lots of smoking hot romance.

*Review copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

20130525-130927.jpg
Buy Links:
Amazon|B&N |Kobo|Smashwords