Made the Grade: The Santina Crown Series, Book 2

Format: Paperback | Pages: 187 | Release Date: August 2012 | Publisher: Harlequin Presents | Obtained: The Recycled Reader -- Used Bookstore

"The Sheikh's Heir" [The Santina Crown Series, Book 2] by Sharon Kendrick

My Book Summary : Cinderella lands a Prince after all!!

Cinderella (Ella) has had to put up with people judging her all of her life because of her family, especially because of her father, but when she over hears Hassan (the Sheikh of Kashamak) saying judgmental and rude things about everyone in her family (and her by association) she gets mad. So mad that when she first notices him on the dance floor afterwards all she wants to do is punch him despite his authority and sexiness. Therefore, it's not totally surprising that not long after they meet, even though Ella does get swept away in his arms for a time, she tosses a glass of champagne in his face.

After that, all bets are off between them as their anger and sexual frustration turn to an all time high, leaving them both with a little surprise and many complications...

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars--two people deal with unexpected circumstances while overcoming personal issues of their own. I really liked how this novel went about bring these two together and then how they find ways to choose to stay together despite everything. The last chapter was great in wrapping everything up!

However, I am curious as to what happened to Hassan's brother, mostly because it was mentioned so much in the novel of Hassan wondering what happened to him yet it was never answered.

I recommend this novel to anyone who likes dramatic contemporary romances!

Author's Novel Extras : Excerpt from The Sheikh's Heir | GLORIOUS TUSCANY | SUMMER, GLITTER AND GLAMOUR | USA TODAY BESTSELLER LIST

Book Teaser(s) :

'What's your name?'
Ella wished that her breasts would stop tingling and likewise the molten throb of lust deep in her belly. She didn't want to feel like this about a man who had talked about her family in a way which had made them all sound like some sort of gutter animals. She stared at him, defying him to contradict her. 'My name is...Cinderella.'
Hassan gave a slow smile. 'Is it now?' So she wanted to play, did she? Well, that was fine by him. He liked games---particularly of the flirty, sexual nature. ~ within Chapter 1

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Sharon, then please check out her website.

Feasted On: With the Boys in the Band by Marie Medina

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 308 KB | Release Date: November 2012 | Publisher: Evernight Publishing | Obtained: Amazon.com

"With the Boys in the Band" by Marie Medina

My Book Summary : A few months ago, Alicia began her dream job by becoming an assistant for the metal band Serration. In doing so, she has gotten to know the guys in the band really well but when she finds out that Emerson, the bands keyboardist, is interested in her and has been for a while now she is very interested in getting to know him better. Therefore, when Emerson invites her to his best friend and fellow band member, Vince's, house as a special guest Alicia immediately agrees.

However, when spending one-on-one time with the band and Emerson, Alicia finds her suspicions about Emerson's relationship with Vince confirmed, they are in love with each other but don't know how to acknowledge it to each other more than just friendship. Now Alicia feels like it's her responsibility to bring these two together for good. Yet in doing so will she ruin her own growing relationships with them or will they all be thrown by the new opportunities that now present themselves to them?

My Book Review : 4.5 out of 5 stars!! Two best friends learn the depth of their friendship and love while opening up their hearts to someone else and something new. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel with its hot hard rock male leads to its unexpected paranormal twists. In addition, it keeps you on your toes with its hot, spicy, and erotic sex scenes! I loved reading about how the relationship between these three bloomed into something special for all three of them.

I just wish there was more to read about! I recommend this novel to anyone who likes ménage, M/M/F and/or M/M romances. Especially ménage romances involving werewolves.

Author's Novel Extras : Cover Reveal: With the Boys in the Band | New Release: With the Boys in the Band (MMF) | Excerpt: With the Boys in the Band (NC-17) | Excerpt: With the Boys in the Band (MMF)

Book Teaser(s) :

Gesturing toward the door, Vince said, “Go eat. Talk with Alicia. Take a walk or something.”
Incredulous, Emerson could do nothing but gape at Vince. “She seems like a good listener, but these topics might be a bit too hefty.”
Vince linked his hands behind his neck. “Do you wish I hadn’t told you?”
“No. In both cases.” He sighed in frustration as dread settled in his stomach. “I’m not sure how to put one foot in front of the other right now, let alone tell the girl I just slept with about the two big revelations that came my way a few moments ago.”
“I think she’ll be a better listener than you think.” Vince zipped his jeans and grabbed a shirt from the dresser. “Go find out.”
Emerson watched him walk away and out the door. He wanted to stop him, yet once he was gone he managed to breathe a little easier. “Go find out?” he muttered. “It’s a fucking mad tea party around here.”
But he knew she was upstairs waiting for him, so he turned his steps that way. All of her potential reactions swirled in his head as he forced himself up the stairs and back to his bedroom. ~ within Chapter 4

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Marie, then please check out her website.

Feasted On: The Rocker That Holds Me by Terri Anne Browning

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 227 KB | Release Date: January 2013 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Amazon.com

"The Rocker That Holds Me" by Terri Anne Browning

My Book Summary : Ember (Emmie) grew up in a nightmare of a life because of her drug/alcohol using and physically abusing mother. Her only hope growing up was Nikolas (Nik)--and his best friends/band mates (Jesse, Drake, & Shane)--who ever since she was five-years-old (even though they are only 10 years older than her) made sure she was taken care of and protected as best as they were able to. Even when their band finally makes it big, they keep in touch and take care of her as much as they can. Then when Emmie was 15-years-old her mother dies from an overdose, the guys step in to take care of her even more so by bringing her on the road with them for good.

Now 6 years later, Emmie does her best to return the favor by taking care of the guys the best she can by just keeping up with their schedules and making sure everything is covered for them. Yet even though she loves them all and they all take care of her too making her feel like their little sister, her feelings have grown even stronger for Nik over the years and he now owns her heart. However, will she ever be able to open up and let him know how she feels? Especially when she suddenly gets sick and it seems like something she cannot shake, will this be the perfect time to lay it all on the line...

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars--love finds a girl who never thought she could have what she truly ever wanted. The relationship between Emmie & Nik is moving, potent, intense, and very sweet. I loved reading about their shared past since it made their current struggles of being in love with each other all the better. Plus, it helped that all the guys in the band were really great characters to read about. I can't wait to see if there will be any more about these cast of characters, hopefully soon! =0)

I recommend this novel to anyone who likes contemporary romances about rock stars!

Book Teaser(s) :

Grimacing I wiped my eyes with the backs of my hands and noticed that Jesse’s shirt was soaked with tears and snot. “Oh. Sorry about your shirt.”
He pulled it over his head and used it to dry my face. “It’s only a shirt, honey. There, now that’s better. My pretty Emmie is back again.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead and moved so that I was again sitting on my own and he was standing. “I need coffee.”
Jesse went about making a huge pot of potent coffee. The smell filled the whole house and soon Drake was stumbling into the kitchen, half blind with sleep as he poured himself a cup of Jesse’s special blend. The stuff was so thick that it was like swallowing Jell-O. I only ever drank it once. My stomach had cramped for hours and I felt like I was on speed. Never touched the stuff again!
Nik was just joining us, a pair of sleep pants hanging off his lean hips, when Shane came in with two shopping bags. He seemed more out of breath now than after his run. “I bought all the grits they had, Em. One of each type. I didn’t know if we had cheese or what kind you wanted. So I got several different kinds. And I hope that’s enough bacon.”
I threw my arms around him, not caring that he was still drenched in sweat. “Thanks, Shane.” He had completely gone overboard but he was so sweet, getting me what I wanted because I had been so upset.
He kissed my cheek. “Anything as long as you are happy, sweetheart.”
“What’s that about grits?” Nik asked, adding sugar to his mug of coffee. “I’m starving.”
“Em wants some bacon and cheese grits.” Jesse said as he opened a pack of bacon and tossed it into a pan on the stove. “So Em is getting bacon and cheese grits.” He winked at me as he started putting the rest of the groceries away. ~ within Chapter 10

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Terri Anne, then please check her out on the Goodreads' website.

Made the Grade: The Farewell Season by Ann Herrick

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 1024 KB | Release Date: May 2011 | Publisher: Puddletown Publishing Group | Obtained: Amazon.com

"The Farewell Season" by Ann Herrick

My Book Summary : Eric is dealing with a lot ever since his father died about four months ago, anger, grief, and the unknown of how his life is going to be from now on. But mostly he's not really dealing with those feelings at all yet bottling them up. Therefore, now that football training has begun he's doing things he's never done before...lashing out at his coach, fighting with his best friend, and finding disenchantment with football. Things get better for him once he starts a friendship with Glynnie, a high school columnist, but can he work through some of his anger and grief before he makes decisions that will change his life...

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars. A teenage guy deals with the death of his father. I liked the way this novel shows Eric's grief and how Glynnie, unintentionally and intentionally, helps him deal with it.

I recommend this to anyone who likes dramatic YA novels that have a slight romance to them.

Author's Novel Extras : Are you living in your Soulplace? | A Weighty Romance | Cross Genre

Book Teaser(s) :

"They don't give up, do they?" Glynnie asked.
"They're relentless," I said. "They go through all the effort of swimming upstream no matter what, just so they can spawn and die."
"Too bad some fathers don't do that," Glynnie said sarcastically. She clapped her hand over her mouth. "Oh, Eric ... I didn't mean ... I was thinking of my ... oh, me and my big mouth."
"No problem," I said quickly. I knew what she meant. Still, the mood was broken and we both knew it. It was too late to go back and recapture that rare moment of feeling carefree.
"I really messed up. I'm sorry. You brought me all the way up here, for a few minutes it actually took my mind off everything, and I blow it."
I couldn't stand the way Glynnie's brief look of happiness faded into a gloomy sorrow that seemed to weigh her down. "There's only one way to deal with such incompetence." I scooped Glynnie up in my arms, carried her over to the fingerling collecting area and held her over the water.
"And now, you will swim with the fishes." I'm not sure how mob-like I sounded, but it was the best I could do on short notice. I guess my plan worked, because Glynnie's shrieks were of laughter, not terror.
I had to put her down. Her laughter was catching. I tried to hold it in, but I couldn't.
We both stopped, looked at each other, then there was another spurt of laughs and snorts. ~ within Chapter 9

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Ann, then please check out her website.

Feasted On: Play With Me by Piper Shelly

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 287 KB | Release Date: December 2012 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Amazon.com

"Play With Me" by Piper Shelly

My Book Summary : Liza & Tony have been best friends since third grade when they bonded over their mutual love for Tom & Jerry cartoons. Over the years, Liza's feelings for Tony have grown into a major infatuation. Now years later, a few weeks before Liza has to go back to high school, she finds that their relationship has changed once Tony returns from his summer soccer camp. All because Tony likes another girl--one who is into soccer as much as he is!

Therefore, as a way to get Tony's focus more on her again, Liza decides on trying out for their co-ed soccer team. However, her plans may backfire when instead of gaining Tony's focus, Liza gains the focus of Ryan the hottest guy in school and Captain of the soccer team! Nevertheless, is she willing to give up her longtime love for her best friend just for a guy who can sweep her away with a heated glance? Or will her life get even more complicated?

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars--a sweetly intense short story about a girl who thinks she's in love with her best friend but when she starts hanging out with a guy who pushes all her buttons she finds him hard to resist. This novel was passionate, intense, and charming when it came to Liza's growing relationship Ryan, along with the friendship between Liza & Tony. Ryan was a keeper from the beginning but I liked how the novel plays out the conflicts that come between the characters. The plot was a little like "Catching Jordan" except for who the heroine ends up with at the very end, and of course that the sport the guys like to play in this novel is soccer not football.

My only big issue with this novel was how rushed it all felt at times. Yet that could be because I just didn't want it to end. I can't wait to read Tony's novel!

I recommend this novel to anyone who likes reading YA romances!

Author's Novel Extras : PLAY WITH ME - Excerpt | PLAY WITH ME - Playlist | Epilogue for PLAY WITH ME | Character Interview with Ryan Hunter | Character Interview with Liza Matthews | It’s out! It’s out! OMG, it’s finally OUT!!! | A read for the holidays! | The Deal – it’s for FREE | Get another half for free! | RYAN HUNTER – exclusive interview | Epilogue for PLAY WITH ME

Author's Series Extras : Tony’s unpublished scene | PWM book II - Excerpt | There will be a sequel | Something...and a little bit

Book Teaser(s) :

Suddenly his lips twitched.
“I can feel you staring at me,” he said in the softest wake-up voice I’d ever heard. “I only hope you’re a girl and not one of the drunken guys.”
My breath caught in my chest. I jerked my hand back from him. Not taking his arm away from his face yet, he reached down with his other hand. And slowly ran his palm over my naked thigh in the direction of my bum.
“Yep, definitely female,” he purred.
In panic, I held his hand in place. “Move another inch, Hunter, and you’re a dead man.”
“Matthews?” Surprised amusement filled his chuckle. Unlike me, he seemed relaxed enough.
A strange heat rose from my gut to my head as I studied his hand on my bare skin. Wearing nothing but jeans and a black wrist watch, he looked more like a guy from the many posters on the walls of Caroline Davis’ bedroom than the boy I knew from school.
I felt awkward for not letting go of his hand on my leg, but I was too scared he’d continue the path he’d started if I did.
“Tell me, Matthews,” he said as he dropped his arm to the pillow and tilted his head to study me with warm eyes. “Why do I have you in my bed, when I’m not allowed to touch you?”
“I didn’t know there were strawberries in the soda,” I whined.
His brow furrowed, his lips pursed. “Come again?” ~ within Chapter 5

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Piper, then please check out her website.