Nick Sebring has issues. Born feeling like an outsider in his own family, growing up under the shadow of a brother who could do anything, Nick isn’t that great of a guy. But when this culminates with Nick lashing out … Continue reading
Its been few years since I write for this blog. Hiatus I might called. But rest assured not for my reading habit. I read. A lot. Just not in the mood to write some review (gee, such a mood). Let’s … Continue reading
Series In Order :
Book Description :
FATAL series, is about a female Washington, D.C. police detective named Sam Holland, to be precisely Metropolitan Police Department. Over the course of the book, a department began to take shape. There’s a chief, deputy chief, detective captain, detective lieutenant, detectives, patrol officers, a medical examiner, etc. The Fatal Series is also about crony friend of Sam’s dad, a a disabled former deputy chief, plays a big role in this series. Sam’s struggles to contend with being the daughter of a fallen hero while working for men she used to call “Uncle” (the captain) is a central theme of the series.
The story also building of Sam’s fellow officers context in their relationship with her. Within Sam’s closest group of coworkers, her partner serves as a kid brother of sorts, while other colleagues fill a variety of roles in her personal and professional life. And the most important relationship in this whole series is Sam’s with later then senator Nick Cappuano. They first met 6 years ago, have a night stand and connected deeply but alas fate interrupted. Over the course of the story, Sam and Nick life intertwined, either personally or professionally. We follow Nick role in Sam’s life from acquaintance, suspect, witness, friends, lover, fiancee, and then husband. How they struggled to make their worlds, create balance from how intense Sam’s works demand and Nick popularity and famous on public attention.
Review :
I’ve had this book in my shelves for a very looong time. Yet just week ago I read it. And couldn’t stop until 4 days later I finished all the books in the series (8 books total). So simply said : LOVED IT!!!!!
Read Fatal series was like step into JD Robb’s In Death series but a one notch down. More romance and less angst. Right package to enjoy romantic suspense. The suspense was very good, which surprising as my first experience of Force’s works was her contemporary, which too fluffy and too sweet. I enjoy the insight of Political world and homicide MPD.
Nick and Sam. I adore both of them. Though I love Nick more and sometimes Sam’s stubbornness and selfishness getting on my nerve. It was refreshing to read about alpha heroine (Sam was definitely a top dog) and not so badass hero ( Nick not as alpha as I hope for. He was more softer and very compromising).
The secondary characters was built as a very strong foundation into the story. Sam’s and Nick’s colleagues and family was big part of the story. As the case revolve around them. Must said that ghe groove between Sam and her partner, Freddie, remind me of Peabody-Eve partnership.
Last words :I was hooked. ‘nough said.
Title : Frenched
By : Melanie Harlow
Publication Date : March 16 2014
Book Description :
When Tucker Branch, playboy heir to Branch Bolt and Screw, screws and bolts a week before their wedding, Mia Devine wants nothing more than to crawl under her newly monogrammed sheets and plan a funeral for her dignity. But her friends convince her that bitter tastes better when it’s drowned in Bordeaux, so Mia grits her teeth and packs her bags, determined to make the best of her luxurious Paris honeymoon—alone.
She never planned on meeting Lucas Fournier.
The easygoing bartender’s scruffy good looks and less-than-sympathetic ear annoy her at first, but when she takes him up on his offer to show her around the city, she discovers that the romance of Paris isn’t just a myth.
Nor is the simultaneous O.
The last thing Mia needs is another doomed love affair, but since she only has a week, she figures she might as well enjoy la vie en O with Lucas while she can. But each day—and night—with Lucas is better than the last, and suddenly her heart is telling her this is more than a rebound fling.
Is it just the seduction of Paris…or could this be the real thing?
Review :
Frenched was a wonderful, fun, sexy, getaway romance in Paris.
It’s about Mia, who was ditched by her fiancee a week before the wedding, and decide to take the supposedly honeymoon trip to Paris by herself. She met Lucas and the rest is history.
The story was perfect. It was sweet, funny, and worth mention twice : SEXY. The insta-love was quite believable and the ending was fit as it is, it gave the reader space to wonder their relationship. I wouldn’t say it was HEA, but it was HFN. Who knows when they face with everyday reality the LDR would sustain.
Things I loved about this book :
1. The List. It was hilarious.
2. Paris duh.
3. Mia and Lucas. They were so sweet and yes the honesty was refreshing.
4. The sexy time (but I must admit the BDSM scene threw me of. Why why why???? Not fit to the story, in fact so totally out of character of the supposedly sweet Lucas. No alpha vibe whatsoever and yet there was tie and spanking include. Really? I cut one star just for that. Should put it in hate list I guess)
5. No angst and drama. Thank you very much.
“Time is a strange thing when you’re in love.”
Title : Broken Dove ( Fantasyland, #4)
Author : Krsiten Ashley
Publication Date : December 27th 2014
Far too young, Apollo Ulfr lost Ilsa, his wife, the love of his life and the mother of his two children. The grief of her loss does not settle in his soul, it solders to it. But when he discovers there is a parallel universe where his wife may have a twin, he feels there’s hope and sets about bringing her to his world so he can have her back.
But Ilsa Ulfr of our world is married to the parallel universe’s twin, Pol, who is not a good man. Not in any way. She’s on the run from him and the last thing she wants is to be transported to a fantastical world and be forced to take his side as his wife, even if he is not Pol. And Apollo finds the broken, bitter Ilsa nothing like his beloved and he further wants nothing to do with her.
But darkness is looming and evil is amassing. Apollo must protect his land and keep his family safe, including the new Ilsa.
Review :
Finished reading Broken Dove on midnight January 1st was like New Year gift (yes, I spent my New Year eve on home, babysit my baby nephew, haha lucky me I have Broken Dove to accompany me). And after couple of disappointment, finally Kristen Ashley back to the game. Bow for you Ms. Ashley. Proudly present : 5 freaking stars!!!!!!
Love love love love the book. Superb storyline, amazing characters, epic romance, and HOT HOT HOT scenes, also must be said : wonderful epilogue, just like Ms. Ashley signature, queen of Epi.
KA bring her greatness again with the fourth installment of Fantasyland series. Please noted that you recommended to read the previous books, as all of the h/H of the series made appearance, and it would give the reader deep insight to our H/h and all secondary characters.
Won’t get much to the story. But it was about two parallel universe, where you could found your identical self in the other world. As we could found the same faces in other world, our Hero, Apollo (Lo), after years of grieving for his wife, Ilsa, was asking (well paying actually) a witch, Valentine, to bring Ilsa from the other world (latter on Ilsa from modern world called herself Maddy). It was story of how the couple overcome the hurdles, how Lo treating Maddy and redeem himself to win her love and trust, how to work it out with his two children, how Maddy adapt to the new world and found herself then put the pieces together after broken by abusive husband for years, and also how they will fighting the enemy and win the war.
In this amazing story you could found the suspense, the action where sword, arrow, and pistol involve, the scenes where blood splattered, the queen-princess-and prince with their castle, do not forget the dragon and fairy, also the witches with their magic spell. Adding with spice of hot romance.
When I written hot, I mean HOT. Ms. Ashley always known for her sizzling romance, even she write under erotica by her Unfinished Hero series. But this book way out in sensuality. The bed scenes were panty melting, body squirming, and self fanning. Yes, prepare a fan and ice for the ride.
“I tell you now, my poppy, for years, I never thought I would again be happy. Never again.” He tucked me closer and finished on a rough whisper. “So I never imagined I could be happier.” – Lo
“So this is what it feels like not to be broken.” – Maddy
Title : Behold The Stars (Signal Bend #2)
Author : Susan Fanetti
Publication Date : December 7th 2013
Lawrence Ellis, with vast wealth and power, has made it known that he wants control of Signal Bend, Missouri. He is a man who always gets what he wants; there are no limits to the lengths he’ll go, and he has the means to pay all manner of people to do his dirty work for him. The Night Horde MC, led by its President, Isaac Lunden, is wildly outmatched but prepared nonetheless to defend their hometown to the last man, and they are willing to do whatever they must to protect their home. Lilli Accardo, Isaac’s old lady, with her own special skills and resources, stands with them, rebelling against Isaac’s need to shield her.
After toying with them for months, Ellis loses patience for the game and rains down destruction on the Horde, their families, and the town itself. Tested to their very limits, beyond anything they could have imagined, forced to travel dark roads, the citizens of Signal Bend fight a war no one—not even they themselves—thinks they can win.
Challenged constantly from without, beset by their own inner demons, Isaac and Lilli must find the true strength within their bond. Isaac needs to protect what is his; Lilli needs to stand on her own; but they are stronger side by side.
Even in the deepest darkness, love brings hope.
Review :
4.5 stars
Behold The Stars picks up after where Move The Sun ended. The story focused not only about Lily and Isaac romance but more on the threat from Lawrence Ellis and MC business. Please noted that it highly recommended that you should read the first book.
If the first book is raw, this second installment went beyond. It was gritty of the grittiest, very very real, absolutely gut wrenching and simply epic. Do not expect warm, fuzzy, sweet, and nice romance. A lot of OMG moment, unbelievable act, gruesome scenes, and tragedy (es). Such heinous act being done in this story, by both side, the villain and the hero. Yup, it was about outlaw and biker, and the hero is the president, the writer does not sugar coat the life-much- alas it was real (as far my knowledge of their life).
Speaking of the romance, we see how the H/h building their relationship, growing together, handling their problems and issues because there were always stories behind every HEA. Lilli and Isaac stand still and strong because they were in love and believe with their love. The love scenes are hot and sexy, very satisfying (not repetitive and still make me squirm, LOL).
The characters were develop beautifully. And it was nice getting to know other members, escpecially Show. As this book was the turning point of his story in the third installment.
There were little thing that felt off to me, Isaac characterization. Isaac seem overly change, not as badass as the first, tid a bit sappy few times. I also felt way way off with the club act of seeking retribution toward the traitor. Yes, I know they were an outlaw, dealing with drugs, and not your white collar type. But still it was too far for me (Geez I almost hate Isaac for his decision).
The most devastating and heart wrenching from this book are the tragedies (plural guys). Such abuse and torture were beyond me. Weirdly, I mostly heartbroken that it happen to the girls rather than Lilli, because I knew she could held her own.
Behold The Stars was a very satisfying read and a very memorable one. Mix of emotion roll into one and made me want more of them when I finished the last page. As a book with great storyline, deep characters, and written wonderfully, kudos to Ms. Fanetti.
Link to short story of Isaac and Lily
tfcpress.wordpress.com/2013/12/19/pri…
Move The Sun (Signal Bend, #1)
By Susan Fanetti
Publication Date : October 27th 2o13
Source : Freebie Amazon
Lilli Accardo moves to the dying town of Signal Bend, Missouri, where the citizens have made a devil’s bargain to stay afloat. Lilli quickly garners the attention of the whole town, particularly Isaac Lunden, President of the Night Horde Motorcycle Club and de facto protector of the town and its citizens. When it turns out that Lilli is there under murky circumstances, Isaac decides to get close and try to figure out what she’s hiding. Their chemistry is instantaneous and electric, but each is a potential danger to the other. Action, sex, and drama ensue as Isaac and Lilli try to navigate the rocky terrain between trust and threat.
Review :
A GEM!!!!
5 STARS!!!
Whew… what a wonderful journey I had with this book.
It’s not eye dreamy Cinderella story with flower and candy, but it was definitely REAL.
I dunno a whit of any MC real life, an outlaw, or even government agent but the story and characters are believable. And it make the whole book loveable.
Didn’t expect much when I take a chance on this new author, but Ms. Fanetti succeed entrap me to the Horde world.
Speak of the romance, the instant-lust between Lilli and Isaac was described rightfully, and their relationship thorough the story simply beautiful.
Off course, the sex scene was extra hot, out of the world hot. Not sweet but raw, gritty, and kind of dirty (in a good way).
Can not wait to read the next installment.
Jagged (Colorado Mountain #5)
By Kristen Ashley
Publication Date : November 5th 2013
Source : Forever via NetGalley
Rating : 2.75 stars
An old flame rekindled . . .
Zara Cinders always knew Ham Reece was the one, but he wasn’t interested in settling down. When she found someone who was, Ham walked out of her life. Three years later, Zara’s lost her business, her marriage, and she’s barely getting by in a tiny apartment on the wrong side of the tracks. As soon as Ham hears about Zara’s plight, he’s on her doorstep offering her a lifeline. Now, it will take every ounce of will power she possesses to resist all that he offers.
Ham was always a traveling man, never one to settle down in one town, with one woman, for more time than absolutely necessary. But Ham’s faced his own demons, and he’s learned a lot. About himself, and about the life he knows he’s meant to live. So when he hears that Zara’s having a rough time, he wants to be the one to help. In fact, he wants to do more than that for Zara. A lot more. But first, he must prove to Zara that he’s a changed man.
Review :
I’ve waited so long for this book and when the publisher provide the ARC via NetGallet I was like deliriously happy. If you are KA’s addict you must know what I’m talking about.
So yeah, after such emotionally excited feeling, I expecting that the story will blown my mind away, just like KA did with the previous book in the series, Breath. Did it? Sadly no.
It was Meh. Beyond Meh honestly. I was sooo disappointed that it not great, almost not good, just quite good. The disappointment much worse because it was KA’s. And beyond worse because her latest book, Fire Inside, also lack of greatness which means that it wasn’t just a lapse but there was something going on here with KA. It was strike two to me and I pray-wish-beg it won’t goes to strike three.
Enough of my rant, lets cut to the review.
Many readers said that KA books are starting to sound very much alike, badass alpha hero and damsel in distress who plays way too hard to gets. But I like her premise, so it wasn’t about the lack of diversity which made this book not awesome but lack of feeling. I didn’t get the love between Ham and Zara (Cookie). I never felt those lack of love before from KA, but this book somehow made it. I didn’t mean love in the sexual terms, but in the romance and feeling department. The non existing grovelling scene didn’t help it either.
Talk about the hero, Graham Reece a.k.a Ham (weird name btw), he was a jerk, manwhore, and not a loveable character at all from the beginning till the end. And the heroine, Zara Cinders (I love her name), feel like a shallow woman. Must said that it was bugging the hell out of me that KA portraying her ex-husband, Greg, as someone who thought that night well spent is watching a subtitled film at home rather than getting sloshed in the bar as something less cool. Was it wrong to enjoy your solitude? Was it not cool if people didn’t went to bar every night?
Okay… so what the good points from this book? Good storyline, hot scene here and there, nice epi, and better execution about Zara insecurity as second best.
I didn’t said that I hate the book, but absolutely didn’t love it. Just quite like it.
Teaser Tuesday is weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Just Grab your current read, pick a random page, and share 2 sentences.
My Teaser :
“This is important to me,” I whispered.
“And it’s important to me to be with the woman I love, the woman with
whom I intend to have a family, and do that without the possibility of her
getting riddled with bullets or comin’ back from getting ice cream with the
kids and finding our home has been leveled.”(pg.169)
The teaser is from Rock Chick Revolution, 8th installment of Rock Chick series written by Kristen Ashley.
As few peoples knew that I was/is/always be addicted to the amazing Kristen Ashley, this is the second time I re-read this book after it published on August 13th 2013.
Being the last book in the series I was bit (liar, more than a bit actually) sad when I read this book. Definitely crying. It was like saying goodbye to our beloved friends.
Well, just let me share that the Heroine, Ally Nightingale, and the hero, Ren Zano. were not the standard contemporary romance where the badass is the hero. In this awesome story, Ally was the badass of the good side – daughter and sister of a cop, and Ren was a businessman who handle the legitimate side of his Shady Business Big Family (just call it simply MAFIA).
Read it , Enjoy it, Love it, and ROCK ON!!!!
Judul : Holding The Dream (Dream Trilogy, #2)
Pengarang : Nora Roberts
Format : Mass Market Paperback
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Bahasa : Inggris
Review :
Akhirnya setelah hiatus dari reading challange Nora Roberts/J.D Robb milik Ren, hari ini aku hatam baca satu bukunya Tante Nora.
First,buku ini ke-dua kalinya aku baca . Pertama baca waktu jaman SMA dulu edisi bahasa Indonesia, dan berhubung lupa my first impression of this book, kecuali bahwa aku suka banget sama trilogy dream ini.
Pilih buku ini gara pas mau beresin lemari si buku ini ktinggalan masuk, dan berhubung merasa bersalah sudah dianaktirikan ya sudah aku baca saja.
Ini seri ke-2 dari Dream Trilogy. Menceritakan tentang Katherine, perempuan yang obsesif terhadap karir dan kesuksesan. Me-map-ing segala detail masa depannya. No emotion. She only trust the fact, the number, the order.
Si Kate ini sebenernya yatim piatu, waktu umurnya 8 tahun ortunya meninggal, kemudian diadopsi sama kerabatnya yaitu keluarga Templeton. Dari kecil hobinya belajar, tidak ada kata gagal dalam kamusnya. She’s taken life seriously. Too seriously.
Cerita dimulai ketika Kate sudah hampir mencapai target hidupnya (catet bukan mimpi, tapi target), menjadi bagian dalam firma akuntan terkenal dan prestigius. Dan tiba-tiba dia dikejutkan bahwa ayahnya adalah seorang pencuri. Dan dia mencuri uang dari Hotal millik keluarga Templeton. Tapi Templeton ini baik banget, Susan dan Thomas bahkan menebus uang yang dicuri itu, dan tetap menyambut Kate bak anak-nya sendiri.
Singkat cerita si Kate ini dituduh mencuri uang klien sama firma tempat dia bekerja. History repeated again. Malu, syok, stress, intinya dunia dia runtuh.
Romance-nya mana nih? Hadirlah sang Hero kita, Bryon de Witt. Manajer di hotel Templeton. Perfecto lah orangnya. Nah awalnya mereka ini tidak saling menyukai.
Inti cerita sih tentang opposite attraction, dan bagaimana si Bryon meluluhkan dan menebus dinding Kate, si wanita dengan logika.
Oke, so my rambling thought abou this one are :
Well this is my rambling thoughts. Maaf karena ngaco reviewnya. Bahasa campur-campur. Buku dalam bahasa inggris, review dalam indonesia campur2.
*Next to the third installment*
My Romancelandia 