Slammed by Colleen Hoover 2.5/5

Genre: Young Contemporary Romance

Sensuality: 7

Slammed was an okay read. Not great by a long shot. I always think it’s risky when authors fill pages with ‘poetry’. I love my fair share of poetry, but I also want to read a good story. 

This story is about a girl in her senior year of high school that moved to a new neighborhood and fell for her next door neighbor. Her neighbor just happens to be a teacher at her new school. This is the major conflict in the novel. This kind of conflict can only go so far though. After a while I was tired of reading about the fact that they can not be together. From her discovery of his job, it kind of needed to end. Other reviews I read prior to buying said they didn’t really see any real chemistry. I must agree now.

Hoover is a pretty decent writer, I will try some other books of hers. Slammed just didn’t do it for me.

2.5/5

Fallen Crest High by Tijan 2/5

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult

Sensuality: 9

I do not know how I feel about this book. It does not totally suck. But it is pretty bad. It centers around two privileged brothers and their soon to be stepsister. The brothers are the most popular and attractive guys in the area, and the stepsister is soon enough, the most envied and admired girl due to her connection with them.

I knew what I was getting into before I purchased this one, so I can’t even complain too much. Now, I like my fair share of teenage romance (I still watch The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, etc pretty religiously) but the book wasn’t really a romance to me. 

Fallen Crest instead seemed to focus on how you can become addicted and negatively affected by power. The chemistry was not there for me for the couple, and this trend of macho, aggressive male characters in books is getting tiring.

We don’t need to give some of these men in existence any extra ideas! In order to maintain my sanity, I have to believe that I am NOT the only adult worried about authors writing about teenagers being sooooo sexually active. I know that many are these days, but my goodness! I must be from the last conservative country in the western world. And these little kiddies getting these books with the innocent looking covers. Some parents are completely oblivious. I thought that the Baby Sitters Club was HOT back in the day.

All in all, it was not that great. There was no conflict, just drama, drama, drama!

Read it for free if you can. After reading it, I had strong appreciation for my adulthood. But if you don’t get to it its not a major loss.

2/5

Take care

Hotter After Midnight, by Cynthia Eden 4.5/5

Genre: Paranormal (Werewolves/Vampires etc) Romantic Suspense

Sensuality: 9

This has become one of my all time favorites in this genre! It has a bit of everything except adventure. Romance, chemistry, action, suspense and fantasy creatures such as vampires.

Hotter is basically about a psychiatrist/psychologist (not sure which) who gets mixed up in the investigation of a detective. I have never experienced such a vividly painted alpha male character since the detective in Dream Man. She encounters a variety of strange characters in her field, and finds herself assisting with said investigation.

The chemistry between the lead characters is wonderful. And the paranormal world painted in the book did not feel cheesy and fake. The author seemed to put a lot of thought into her plot and characters.

However, the other novels in the series are not that great in my opinion. They seem to be focused primarily on sex, sex, sex and not much plot. You may enjoy reading about the variety of featured paranormal creatures in the other books in the series, but you may be disappointed. It was kind of interesting seeing the author’s take on demons, vampires, demons and werewolves (among other creatures) though in her other books.

Enjoy!

4.5/5

My Summer Book List

I have BIG plans this summer reading wise. Can’t wait! If you have read my previous couple of posts you may have realized that I am the type to re-read books. The first five books will be re-read. The last two are spankin’ new.

This is going to be a pretty busy summer for me, but somewhow I shall manage. 

1. The Vow, Linda Lael Miller

2. The Least Likely Bride, Jane Feather

3. Another Dawn, Sandra Brown

4. Hearts Aflame, Johanna Lindsey

5. The Leopard Prince, Elizabeth Hoyt

6. The Red Tent, Anita Diamant

7. Shantaram, Gregory Roberts

Recently I have been feeling a craving for Fifty Shades of Grey, Book 3. Wish I knew why, seeing that the writing is a bit elementary. We’ll see… There are some E-books that I am contemplating as well. But it really sucks when those E-books let me down.

I look forward to reading the ones on the list above, knowing that most of them will be great. Its so funny, because I react to some of them as if I never read them before.

Happy Summer :)

Blast From the Past! The Golden List:)

The fact that I excitedly pulled up a chair and sat in front of my humble library to compile this list shows how much of a nerd I am.

Oh yes I am! Damn proud too!

I want to share a list of my all time favorite romance novels to date. I have so much respect for these books that I hide them from my relatives and friends that visit. I have been burned by borrowers that FAILED to return my stuff! 

Any hoo.

These books have been reread at least 4 times. A couple are on my summer book list as well. I hope that you find a gem in my collection. I am going to try and give a little bit of information about each. Some might not be in print now though.

Here goes….

1. The Vow, By Linda Lael Miller

Genre: Western Historical Romance

Sensuality: 7

Why I love It: It’s about a western family, love, jealously, adventure and pride.

2.  The Masquerade, By Brenda Joyce

Genre:  Regency Historical Romance

Sensuality: 8.5

Why I love It: Its set in Ireland, and is about a love that is kind of single-minded and forgiving.

3. Stealing Heaven, By Madeline Hunter

Genre:  Regency Historical Romance

Sensuality: 9

Why I love It: This is a very intense romance centered around not so perfect characters. (I love flawed characters)

4. Slightly Dangerous, Mary Balough

Genre:  Regency Historical Romance

Sensuality: 8

Why I love It: The author broke through the idea of the classic stuffy, unreachable ton. Characters are explained, imperfect, yet actually lovely.

5. The Raven Prince, By Elizabeth Hoyt

Genre:  Regency Historical Romance

Sensuality: 9

Why I love It: Authors rarely look at the middle class. And the book is H.O.T.T. (I feel bad not mentioning The Leopard Prince, please ignore The Serpent Prince)

6. Sugar Daddy, By Lisa Kleypas

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Sensuality: 8.5

Why I love It: Its based in Texas I believe, and authors can’t help but paint Texan men as manly, rich and strong. And the author simply writes a really good story

7. Dream Man, By Linda Howard

Genre:  Contemporary Suspense Romance

Sensuality: 9.5

Why I love It: Besides great chemistry of the characters, its an interesting plot involving a psychic of sorts.

8. Causing Havoc, By Lori Foster

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Sensuality: 9

Why I love It: Its about a MMA fighter, who is a very macho manly man. (what’s not to love) Good chemistry, but getting insight into the MMA world was great.

9. Triumph, By Heather Graham

Genre:  Historical War-time Romance

Sensuality: 7.5

Why I love It: I love reading about characters in the time of the American Civil War. Strong, brave characters to boot.

10. Gentle Rogue, By Johanna Lindsey

Genre:  Regency Historical Romance

Sensuality: 8

Why I love It: This novel is funny and sweet. And most of the story plays out on the sea in the time of pirates.

This was harder than I thought it would be. I feel bad leaving out some of my other all time favorites. I’ll add them in anyway!

Hearts Aflame, by Johanna Lindsey

The Least Likely Bride, By Jane Feather

Calypso Magic, By Catherine Coulter

Back in Black, by Lori Foster

Heart of Fire, By Linda Howard

The Cowboy, By Joan Johnson

When or Where, By Anita Shreve (play the soundtrack after you read it) Yes! It has an actual SOUNDTRACK

Sweet Anger, By Sandra Brown

Seduce Me at Sunrise, By Lisa Kleypas

 I think that that is more than enough. This list is all over the place. From Regency, to contemporary to western.

 Take care! :)