Category Archives: Cori’s Reviews

SUGARWATER RANCH (Salt Creek Cowboys) by Stephanie Berget

SUGARWATER RANCH (Salt Creek Cowboys) by Stephanie Berget
Publication Date: April 25, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Sean O’Connell’s life is perfect, or it was until his partying lifestyle affected his bull riding. Now he’s ended the season too broke to leave the Northwest for the warm southern rodeos. When a wild night with his buddies gets out of hand, he wakes up naked, staring into the angry eyes of a strange woman. His infallible O’Connell charm gets him nowhere with the dark-haired beauty. It’s obvious she’s not his usual good-time girl, so why can’t he forget her?

Bar-manager Catherine Silvera finds a waterlogged, unconscious cowboy freezing to death in front of the Sugarwater Bar. She saves his life–then runs faster than a jackrabbit with a coyote on its tail. Any man who makes his living rodeoing is bad news, especially if he thinks partying is part of the competition. He’s everything she doesn’t want in a man, so why can’t she shake her attraction to the rugged cowboy?

REVIEW:
I really enjoyed this cowboy romance! Sugarwater Ranch was a really sweet romance about a cowboy on a downward spiral, and a woman who rescues him. Catherine comes across a freezing intoxicated man in front of her uncle’s bar, and after recognizing him as her childhood hero and crush, she takes him home with her so he doesn’t freeze in his truck. Sean is used to easy women and Catherine presents a challenge. He has to really work to convince her to let him take her on a date. She makes Sean want to be a better man. This story is a slow building romance that is really sweet and refreshing. I really enjoyed the main characters and the secondary characters in this book. I also enjoyed the ranching and rodeo details the author included. I recommend this book to any reader looking for a sweet, and heartwarming romance to curl up with this weekend. I’m looking forward to Stephanie Berget’s next book.

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

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TAKE IT LIKE A VAMP (Entangled: Covet) by Candace Havens

TAKE IT LIKE A VAMP (Entangled: Covet) by Candace Havens
Publication Date: May 20, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Vampire Nick Christos might’ve been born in the Middle Ages, but the good old days seem tame compared to the last eight years he’s spent ruling the Supernatural Council. His only respite is with his cute neighbor Casey Meyers, a woman he wants more than any undead man should. Sure, he’s forced to take a cold shower after every encounter, but there’s no way he’ll test his own strength by getting too close to a human, and he’s not willing to risk her life–not with bloodthirsty family on the prowl out to ruin Nick’s life.

When said Nick’s kin shows up, the innocent Casey is caught in the middle of a centuries old fight, and Nick’s biggest fear is realized. Now, instead of keeping his hands off his neighbor, he’ll risk everything to save the human he’s come to love.

REVIEW:
I devoured this fun, sexy, paranormal romance! This story was really refreshing and pleasantly surprised me. Take It Like A Vamp is a friends to lovers romance with some paranormal elements. It felt more like a good romantic comedy than your typical paranormal romance. I really enjoyed the characters. Nick is the hot, sexy neighbor who turns out to be a vampire and Casey is the curvy, quirky, and creative artist next door that keeps trying to find love with all the wrong guys. This book had me laughing out loud and giggling. I loved it and can’t wait for the next book. I am hoping Candace Haven will write a story for Linc, the hot vampire fashion designer and Nick’s best friend. You do not have to be a paranormal lover to enjoy this book. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a light, funny romance to curly up with this weekend.

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

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PRINCE OF SHADOWS By Nancy Gideon

PRINCE OF SHADOWS By Nancy Gideon
Publication Date: May 27, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4.5 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
The fourth original eBook in the steamy Shadows paranormal romance series features a woman forced to choose a mate, and a Shifter prince who may need to give up everything to win her.
Held hostage until she chooses a mate, Kendra Terriot must play a careful courtship game when choosing among the dangerous Shifter heirs. As a prince in the House of Terriot, Cale knows he can be the leader his clan needs with Kendra at his side, but first he must learn to become the kind of man she desires. In a treacherous race for the crown, where weakness means death, the only way to win her trust could mean surrendering his throne. But the only way to win her heart could mean letting her go…

REVIEW:
Prince of Shadows is a sexy shifter paranormal romance that had me captivated! I loved this story! This book is fourth book in the Moonlight Series. I was able to read Prince of Shadows without reading the books that came before it in the series, and understand the book. So this book can be read as a stand alone. I do plan on reading the other books though since I really enjoyed this one. Prince of Shadows has a lot of conflict, action, danger, intrigue, and plenty of steamy romance. I really loved the characters! Cale has loved Kendra since they were children, but left her in order to protect her. Now that Kendra is grown up and has to chose a mate, Cale sets out to win her heart while also having to deal with all the danger, and treachery around them. Kendra is naive and innocent, but she’s also brave and selfless. Cale is ruthless, but also has depth and feelings he hides from everyone. Nancy Gideon really transports the reader into the Moonlight series world. Prince of Shadows has a unique and intriguing plot that held my interest and kept me flipping the pages with anticipation until the the last page. I loved it and I plan on devouring the rest of the Moonlight Series as soon as possible. I highly recommend Prince of Shadows for paranormal romance lovers!

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

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A FINE ROMANCE (Aisle Bound) By Christi Barth

A FINE ROMANCE (Aisle Bound) By Christi Barth
Book Two in the Aisle Bound Series
Publication Date: March 11, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 3.5 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
They say you form your first impression of someone within thirty seconds of meeting them. Or, in Mira Parrish’s case, within thirty minutes of not meeting them, when said person is supposed to pick you up from the airport and never shows. This is not a perfect start to her new life. Her friend Ivy is depending on her to run a new romance store, and Mira can’t afford to let her down.

Sam Lyons should probably apologize. But every time he sees Mira–which is often, since his family owns the bakery next to her shop–he can’t resist antagonizing her. There’s something about the sexy, straight-laced woman that drives him crazy. He can’t get involved, though. He has too much baggage to be any good in a serious relationship.

Despite his teasing attitude, Mira finds Sam too sweet to resist. (His hot body may be a factor.) But if there’s going to be anything permanent between them, they’ll need to let go of their pasts and look to the future…

REVIEW:
Sweet, fun, and quirky romance! I enjoyed A Fine Romance! This is the second book in Christi Barth’s Aisle Bound series and can be read as a stand alone. I am going to go back and read the first book to learn more about the secondary characters. Sam is a sexy baker and Mira is starting over in a new town with a new job. Sam and Mira have an explosive first meeting and start off on the wrong foot, but have an undeniable attraction to each other. All the bantering was really entertaining and had me smiling and laughing. They both had issues they had to get past, but they were really good together and brought out the best in each other. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet romance book to curl up with. Have some chocolate on hand when reading this book because it will cause chocolate cravings!

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

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TWISTED (Dark Protectors) by Rebecca Zanetti

TWISTED (Dark Protectors) by Rebecca Zanetti
Publication Date: June 20, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4.5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:
In human form, Terrent Vilks is all male animal—dark, ripped, predatory. As wolf, he’s unforgettably dangerous, unforgettably hot. Yet Maggie can’t remember him….

Not even when she learns she once agreed to mate him. Yeah, that was years ago, before she was kidnapped and tortured, before she lost her memory. Now she knows just one thing about herself—she’ll do whatever it takes to bring down the monsters who took her, even trust her ex.

He’s got her right where he wants her…

REVIEW:
Twisted is a continuation of Rebecca Zanetti’s Dark Protector series. This book can be read as a stand alone, but I recommend reading the series in order to enjoy the full story. I absolutely loved Twisted! It is a quick novella read, but still gives you a complete story. Maggie has amnesia as a result of the testing and experimentation inflicted on her by the Kurjans. She has no memory of her life before 10 years ago and for 10 years Terrent has waited for Maggie to regain her memory and remember him. Terrent left her in the care of the Kyrs thinking it was the best thing to do for her, but he knows she belongs with him and to him as his mate. Now she is has been sent by the Kyrs to him and and he is determined to get his mate back. I loved Terrent, the sexy alpha werewolf with a brogue. I love that Maggie meets his alpha tendencies head on and stands up for herself. She also isn’t afraid to fight for what she wants. When Maggie and Terrent come together they have smoldering passion. This story has a great plot with lots of twists and turns, lots of action, great characters and plenty of steamy romance. I highly recommend this book and this series to all paranormal romance lovers!

*Received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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UNBEAUTIFULLY (Undeniable: Book Two) by Madeline Sheehan

UNBEAUTIFULLY (Undeniable: Book Two) by Madeline Sheehan
Publication Date: May 12, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 5 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Warning: This is not a story about fate or destiny. This is a story about pain, sorrow, and suffering. This is an impulsive whirlwind romance between two lovers that are not meant to be together. Theirs is not a world with sunshine and roses. Instead, their love blossoms in a secret world full of crime, violence, and death. Their story is about what can be born from nightmares.

Danielle “Danny” West is the daughter of Deuce West, President of the Hell’s Horsemen Motorcycle Club. A sweet and beautiful girl, she loses her way, searching for things that are always out of her reach. Erik “Ripper” Jacobs is the Sergeant of Arms in the Hell’s Horsemen. Once a man who always had a smile on his face, his life takes a turn for the worst when a tragedy befalls him, leaving him scarred and broken. During a midsummer night, Danny and Ripper’s paths cross, forever changing their lives. Hastily, their lust turns to love until another tragedy forces them apart. On a journey that is marred with ugliness and chaos, Danny and Ripper must discover if their unforeseen connection can find the beauty in their world.

This is Danny and Ripper’s story.

Everything has beauty. Even the ugly. Especially the ugly.
Because without ugly, there would be no beauty.

REVIEW:
It took me a while to figure out I loved the first book. I had to think about it before I decided I loved it. It was darker than any book I had read. I decided I loved it because it caused so many emotions in me while I was reading it and I thought it was ultimately a beautifully raw love story. With book two I didn’t have to work through those feelings. I loved it more! Unbeautifully was captivating! It had me laughing and crying. It was intense, full of violence, sex, and emotion. Madeline Sheehan created another unconventional, raw, and smoking hot romance. Sheehan made the characters real! It took me on a roller coaster ride from beginning to end. I think people are going to love it or hate it which is why the reviews are on one end or the other, with nothing in between. I loved it, but I read it for the story it was. I thought it was an incredible story. Raw, intense, beautiful, emotional and any book that can cause that much emotion in me while reading is an incredible story in my opinion. This is not a picture perfect romance, but it is a beautiful love story! I can not wait for the next story!

QUOTES:
“All scars tell a story, beautiful girl,” he said. “And mine,” he said softly, grabbing my hand, trailing my palm across his cheek and then his chest. “Tell the story of how I found you.”
**************************************
“Ripper,” I whispered, clinging to his neck as he carried me from the bathroom into his bedroom. “I think I love you.”
“Yeah, baby,” he whispered, sliding back inside me. “Ain’t no other explanation for what a girl like you is doin’ in bed with a man like me.”
**************************************
“Yeah beautiful girl,” he whispered. “I’m feeling you too.”
**************************************
“Babe,” he whispered. “Can’t look at me like that and expect me to be keepin’ it reeled in.”
“Baby, don’t ever keep it reeled in,” she whispered back. “Not with me.”
**************************************
“You may not be beautiful the way you were before” I whispered, cupping his ruined cheek. “ But you’re beautiful. To. Me.”

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UNDENIABLE: Book One (Volume 1) By Madeline Sheehan

UNDENIABLE: Book One (Volume 1) By Madeline Sheehan
Publication Date: December 20, 2012
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Warning: This is not a typical, sappy love story. This is an all-consuming, soul-crushing, tear-your-heart-into-pieces story. It’s intense, gritty and raw, dark and disturbing, and it doesn’t happen overnight. This is an epic love story that knows no boundaries and has no time limits. It grows and develops—with hurt, sacrifice, and heartache—over the span of a lifetime. Eva Fox is the princess of the Silver Demons Motorcycle Club. Growing up with bikers in the club lifestyle is all that she knows. When she’s a young girl, Eva meets the reason for her existence. Deuce West is the sexy, biker bad-ass of the Hell’s Horsemen Motorcycle Club. Like Eva, he was born and raised in the club—but that’s where the similarities end. Their first meeting is innocent, but as Eva matures into a woman, their chance reunions evolve into a fit of lust and love. Fate continues to bring them together time and time again, but their twisted journey is filled with pain, betrayal, and bloodshed that could tear them apart. Eva sees in Deuce what he cannot see in himself—a man worthy of love—and Eva spends her lifetime proving to him that her undeniable love is the one thing he can’t live without. This is Eva and Deuce’s story. It wasn’t easy. Nothing worth doing ever is. And love is worth everything

REVIEW:
Ummmmm….Wow! I don’t know how to write a review for this book. People who read it are going to love it or hate it. I loved it? Yes, I’m adding a question mark because I still can’t believe I loved it. This book is a raw, uncensored, gut wrenching, emotional mess and it is not a book for everyone. Eva and Deuce didn’t have a pretty romance. It was a long messed up journey to happiness. I couldn’t put the book down and it kept me on edge the entire time I was reading it. I loved and hated the characters. The whole time I was reading this book I was thinking that I couldn’t believe I was reading this book! I think any book that causes this much emotion is a great story! I don’t know how else to describe it! It was a crazy ride and I loved it! There, I said it without a question mark!

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SKIN IN THE GAME (Entangled: Brazen) by Jackie Barbosa

SKIN IN THE GAME (Entangled: Brazen) By Jackie Barbosa
Publication Date: May 27, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Angela Peterson was always the quiet, shy kid growing up in Harper Falls, crushing on the high school quarterback and honing her football strategy skills. Now grown up and coaching the high school team, she’s shocked when that same sexy quarterback returns to Harper Falls asks her back to his hotel room. And then tries to steal her job.

Injured NFL quarterback Cade Reynolds is in Harper Falls to take over as interim head coach, and he never thought the tall, blond bombshell he propositioned would offer up any resistance. Not to a repeat of the amazingly wild night they shared and certainly not to his coaching position.

But the Harper Falls High Eagles are Angie’s team, and even the hometown hero won’t take that away from her, no matter how hot he is. As the two engage in a battle of wits and wills, this is one game neither is prepared to lose.

REVIEW:
I had fun reading Skin in the Game! It’s a novella and a quick read, but it still feels like you are getting the whole story. I loved Cade and Angie together and enjoyed their dialogue. I requested this book from Netgalley when I saw the cover and after reading the description that the geeky girl gets the hot football star it really sounded like a book I would enjoy reading. I’m a geek girl myself, so I had to root for Angie! Overall this was a sweet romance that also had some steamy moments that I enjoyed. This is the first book I have read by Jackie Barbosa and she did not disappoint. I’ll be checking out the rest of her books and adding them to my ever growing TBR list. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a feel good romance read!

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

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Love On The Line by Kimberly Kincaid

Love On The Line by Kimberly Kincaid
Publication Date: February 24, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Violet Morgan puts the personal in personal chef, catering to clients who want the full cooking experience rather than a culinary drop-and-dash. But when her brother’s police detective partner is injured in the line of duty and needs help during recovery, she makes an exception. Violet lost her father to the job seven years ago, and worries for her brother’s safety every day. The last thing she wants is to get up-close with her brother’s career-cop partner…again.

For Noah Blackwell, being a detective isn’t just a lifestyle, it’s a legacy. So when he’s forced to take mandatory leave and deal with the trauma amnesia keeping him from identifying his shooter, it’s as if insult and injury have joined forces— and now he’s got to deal with an unwanted caregiver on top of it. Never mind that he and Violet shared a steamy, secret kiss last New Year’s Eve. She rejects everything related to the job, and Noah’s not about to be distracted from recovering his memory and getting back to what he does best. No matter how pretty Violet is.

Despite their differences, Violet and Noah share a surprising bond in the kitchen that grows into something neither of them expect. But as Noah heals and their feelings for each other extend from the kitchen to the bedroom, Violet knows she must make an impossible choice. She may wear her heart on her sleeve in the kitchen, but can she put love on the line?

REVIEW:
Love On The Line was a fun, humorous, delicious, romance book. I loved the added element of cooking in this story. Make sure to have some snacks on hand before you sit down to read this book. I’m glad I followed Kimberly Kincaid’s advice and had some when I curled up to read with her book. I really enjoyed the characters and their dialogue with each other. They had me smiling and giggling. I also liked that Noah and Violet didn’t play games with each other. Violet and Noah were perfect for each other. This is a fun romance to curl up with!

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

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ETERNAL DEMON: Mark of the Vampire by Laura Wright

ETERNAL DEMON: Mark of the Vampire by Laura Wright
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 5 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
When Erion’s son is kidnapped by the evil vampire Cruen, Erion vows to stop at nothing to find his hideaway—including intercepting the traveling party of Cruen’s beautiful bride-to-be. But instead of a vulnerable caravan, Erion is met by a feral band of female demons that includes Hellen, the bride—a creature of dark magic and darker passion.

Though the safety of his son is foremost, Erion can’t deny his unexpected connection to Hellen—inflaming a manic desire as primal as it is irresistible. As their bond intensifies, they move toward an inevitable and terrifying battle. With time running out, Erion realizes he must not only find and rescue his son but protect Hellen from Cruen and the underworld forces waiting to destroy her for her betrayal.

REVIEW:
Wow! I loved Eternal Demon! It kept me enthralled from beginning to end and left me wanting more. I have been hooked on The Mark of the Vampire series since Laura Wright released the first book in the series! This book had everything I look for in a great book. Eternal Demon has plenty of action, danger, intrigue and steamy romance. Erion and Hellen are made for each other and bring out the best in each other. I loved their dialogue with each other. Laura Wright created a world so vivid that the reader feels like they are right there with the characters. She has an incredible writing style that I love! I can not wait for the next book, Eternal Sin, to come out in November 2013. I recommend this book and this series for all paranormal romance lovers!

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