Showing posts with label 2 Stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2 Stars. Show all posts

Monday, June 8, 2020

Melinda's Review: The Ingredients of You and Me

The Ingredients of You and Me by Nina Bocci
Publisher: Gallery Books (April 28, 2020)
Series: Hopeless Romantics, 3
Genre: Contemporary Fiction (M/F)


From the USA TODAY bestselling author of the “heartwarming and refreshingly sweet” (Lauren Layne, New York Times bestselling author) On the Corner of Love and Hate comes a sizzling and sweet small-town love story that follows a bakery store owner who decides to take her chances on a truly hopeless romantic.

After selling her successful bakery back in New York, Parker Powell decides to visit her best friend Charlotte in Hope Lake, Pennsylvania, to figure out her next steps. As she acquaints herself with the people in town, she begins to wonder why she ever loved city life in the first place. Between the Golden Girls (a.k.a. the senior citizen women who hold court), the response from the town to her sweet treats, and Nick Arthur, the ever-charming local owner of a landscaping business she spent time with during her last visit, Parker finds a community of cheerleaders who encourage her to get her baking mojo back.

At first, everything is great—she collaborates with the Golden Girls to put new twists on traditional confections, and thanks to Nick’s advice, she quickly learns the stark differences between big city and small-town business practices. Although Nick has become her friend and confidant, Parker’s determined to keep things platonic—especially since his girlfriend isn’t a fan of their friendship. But just when things fall into place so they can finally be together, Parker’s dream bakery is threatened by a major corporation who wants to take her down using the very bit of advice that Nick gave her.

With a recipe for disaster looming, Parker must cook up a new scheme, figuring out how to keep the business—and man—she’s come to love before she loses it all.

Perfect for fans of Amy E. Reichert and Jenny Colgan, The Ingredients of You and Me is a scrumptious romantic comedy that lets you have your cake and eat it too.



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Melinda's Review:

Monday, August 19, 2019

Melinda's Review: Crashing the A-List

Crashing the A-List by Summer Heacock
Publisher: MIRA (July 9, 2019)
Genre: Mainstream Fiction (aka, 'women's fiction')


After four months of unemployment, former book editor Clara Montgomery is still stuck sleeping on her little brother’s ugly couch in Queens. Determined to keep her minuscule savings account intact, she takes a job clearing out abandoned storage units, but is in no way prepared for stumbling upon dead snakes or trying to identify exactly where the perpetual stench of beets is emanating from.

When Clara comes across a unit that was once owned by an escort service, she finds the brothel “résumé” of a younger Caspian Tiddleswich… an astonishingly famous British actor. Her best friend thinks she should sell the gossip to a tabloid to fund her way off the couch from hell, but Clara instead manages to track down Caspian’s contact info, intending to reassure him that her lips are sealed.

Unfortunately, Caspian misinterprets Clara’s attempt at altruism and shows up on her doorstep, accusing her of blackmail. When the paparazzi capture a photo of them together, Caspian’s PR team sees an opportunity to promote his latest film—and if Clara wants to atone for her “crimes,” she’ll have to play along. Pretending to be Caspian’s girlfriend seems like it will be a tolerable, if somewhat daunting, penance… until their fake romance becomes something more than either of them expected. 



Where to Buy*:
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Melinda's Review:

Monday, August 12, 2019

Melinda's Mini Reviews for August

Melinda has a few mini reviews for you today, from DNF to 4 1/2 Stars.



Under Currents by Nora Roberts
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (July 9, 2019)
Genre: Romantic Suspense


For both Zane and Darby, their small town roots hold a terrible secret. Now, decades later, they've come together to build a new life. But will the past set them free or pull them under?

Zane Bigelow grew up in a beautiful, perfectly kept house in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Strangers―and even Zane’s own aunt across the lake―see his parents as a successful surgeon and his stylish wife, making appearances at their children’s ballet recitals and baseball games. Only Zane and his sister know the truth, until one brutal night finally reveals cracks in the facade, and Zane escapes for college without a thought of looking back...

Years later, Zane returns to his hometown determined to reconnect with the place and people that mean so much to him, despite the painful memories. As he resumes life in the colorful town, he meets a gifted landscape artist named Darby, who is on the run from ghosts of her own.

Together they will have to teach each other what it means to face the past, and stand up for the ones they love.



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Melinda's Review:

Friday, December 28, 2018

Melinda's Review: Luna and the Lie

Luna and the Lie by Mariana Zapata
Publisher: December 12th, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance
1st POV


The problem with secrets is that they’re too easy to keep collecting.

Luna Allen has done some things she would rather no one ever know about. She also knows that, if she could go back in time, she wouldn’t change a single thing.

With three sisters she loves, a job she (mostly) adores, and a family built up of friends she’s made over the years, Luna figures everything has worked out the way it was supposed to.

But when one of those secrets involves the man who signs her paycheck, she can’t find it in her to regret it. Despite the fact that he’s not the friendliest man in the world. Or the most patient.

Sometimes there are things you’re better off keeping to yourself.



Where to Buy*:
Kindle -- KU Title
More Info:
Author's Site
Add it on Goodreads!





Melinda's Review:

Monday, September 17, 2018

Sarah's Review: The Major's Welcome Home

The Major's Welcome Home by Tessa Bailey
Publisher: Tessa Bailey (July 15, 2018)
Genre: Contemporary Romance


When Kenna Sutton is tasked with driving home newly returned Beck “True Blue” Collier, she expects the strategic Army mastermind to be a pasty number cruncher. Never at a loss for words, Kenna is nonetheless rendered speechless by the gorgeous, hard-bodied and utterly inexperienced Army Major that lands in her passenger seat. Outraged by Beck’s lack of a welcome home after seven long years overseas, Kenna takes matters into her own hands, giving Beck something he’s only ever fantasized about in his bunk.

Beck has never shied away from a test of will and Kenna gives new meaning to the word challenge. One problem? Kenna’s father is the Lieutenant General presenting Beck with a Silver Star and Beck is determined to treat Kenna with the respect she deserves. Kenna has other ideas, however, tempting Beck’s resolve at every turn. But how long can one lonely, starving man hope to resist the woman he craves?

**The Major's Welcome Home originally appeared in the OFF BASE anthology under the title OFF BASE: BECK AND KENNA**



Where to Buy*:
Kindle -- KU Title
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Reviews for Bailey's books:








Sarah's Review:

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Kat and Melinda's Review: Kiss Me

Today Kat and Melinda review 3 stories from the Kiss Me anthology. Note: they do not review the entire anthology, but they do rate and review the stories they managed (barely...) to finish. And honestly, it's probably not a stretch to say the rest of the anthology has similar issues, too.



Kiss Me: An Asian Hero Boxed Set by Joanne Dannon + 7 others
Publisher: IndieWrites (August 12, 2018)
Genre: Contemporary Romance


Two Worlds, One Kiss, a Lifetime of Love

This set features EIGHT sweet contemporary romance novellas featuring handsome Asian heroes.

From Australia's vineyards to the bright lights of Hong Kong, these stories have something for anyone looking for a little international flair in their romance.

This set will only be available for a limited time, so don't miss out!

Joanne Dannon - An Unexpected Forever

Khardine Gray – Kisses and Blossoms

Imogene Nix – Hero of Heartbreak Hill

Aislinn Kearns - Until You

Dakota Harrison – Once Upon a K-Pop Prince

Fiona Marsden – Beautiful Stranger

Terri A. Wilson – A New Ending

Zena Oliver - Seven-Day Cruise



Where to Buy*:
Kindle (KU Title)
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Monday, August 20, 2018

Chelsea's Review: The Lady and the Thief

The Lady and the Thief by Megan Derr
Publisher: Less Than Three Press, LLC (June 27, 2018)
Series: Deceived, 5
Genre: Fantasy (Historical?) Romance -- Queer, F/F


Adeline has been at the mercy of others her entire life: the aunt and uncle who constantly remind her she should be grateful they took her in after her parents died of a tragic illness. Her guardian in the city who constantly reminds her that she should be grateful they're giving her a coming of age in the city. The suitors who make it clear she should be grateful they're lowering themselves to even consider her.

The only person who's ever made her feel wanted was Lisette, the maid she once fell in love with. The maid who fled in the night with stolen goods, including the pearls that are all Adeline has left of her mother.

Then, while at yet another ball where she feels alone, out of place, and trapped between choosing happiness or doing what’s expected of her, Adeline encounters the beautiful Lady Wisteria—whom Adeline knows better as the maid Lisette…



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Chelsea's Review:

Monday, May 28, 2018

Kat's Review: King Consort

King Consort by J.R. Gray
Publisher: J.R. Gray (May 15, 2018)
Genre: Contemporary Romance -- M/M
Dual 1st POV

Avoiding sleeping with women was my specialty, an art form even. As the future King of England I couldn’t be caught sleeping with men. My whole life played out in front of the paparazzi, and they didn’t miss a thing.

I had a carefully crafted womanizing persona to maintain. My life came with rules, all of which I broke when I couldn’t resist a one night stand with the enemy: A beautiful paparazzo with a heart of gold. He may be the only person who doesn’t want me for my title, and he can never be anything more than my secret.

But secrets have a way of coming out and not only will they scare him away, but they’ll lose me the crown.



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Kat's Review:

Friday, April 27, 2018

Kat's Review: After Hours

After Hours by Emjay Haze
Publisher: NineStar Press (April 9, 2018)
Genre: Contemporary Romance -- M/M


Alex Michaels is a successful manager for a Wall-Street financial firm and lives in a beautiful hi-rise apartment overlooking Central Park. Anyone looking in from the outside would say Alex has it made, especially his working-class parents who wanted more for their only son.

Nick is working his way through graduate school with dreams of becoming a teacher so he can help kids like himself. With his parents cutting him off and leaving him with nothing but a student apartment and low self-esteem, he’s determined to make something of himself in spite of them.

Even Nick’s club friends think Alex is too good for him, but Alex keeps showing Nick how worthy he is. Alex learns a lot from Nick, too—how not to give up on his dreams.



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Kat's Review:

Friday, April 20, 2018

Kat's Review: We Will Make Mischief Together

We Will Make Mischief Together by J. Hepburn
Publisher: Less Than Three (March 14, 2018)
Genre: Historical / Steampunk -- F/F
Novella (about 65 pages)
1st POV


Frances once had a life of her own, and a future in a world that was throwing off old shackles.

That was before she was hauled back home to be chained by convention and family, and the dearest person in the world to her went missing, presumed dead.

Then a battered wooden box arrives, bearing a cryptic message from someone she thought long dead.





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Kat's Review:

Thursday, October 5, 2017

[Throwback Review]: "Hedging His Bets"

Jen's got another Throwback Thursday Review for you. This time for a silly paranormal that's sadly not worth the (outrageous!) price.



Hedging His Bets by Celia Kyle
Publisher: Pronoun (January 26, 2017) Republished
Series: Honey and Fur, 1
Genre: Paranormal novella



Honey loves running her bar and grill, catering to humans and shifters alike. But there are two things that dim her love of the place: cocky assholes who think they own the world, and cocky assholes who think they can flex their muscles and wreck her bar when throwing a temper tantrum. Unfortunately, the drop-dead gorgeous, hotter than hot, shifter man she secretly loves is both.

Blake wants the curvaceous, gorgeous Honey in his bed. Now. He’s lusted (but not loved, let’s get that straight) after the luscious woman for months. True, he looks like a bad-boy biker mixed with a player and, yeah, he’s broken a few things in her bar… But only because the guys were hitting on his girl. With no hope of winning her over in sight, he does what any red-blooded werehedgehog would do in his position. He lies. 



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Jen's Review:

Monday, August 22, 2016

[ARC Review]: "Meant to Be Mine"

Meant to Be Mine by Lisa Marie Perry
Publisher: Forever (August 30, 2016)
Series: Guilty Pleasures, 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Loving him was hard. Wanting him was so damn easy . . .

Sofia Mercer may have been sick as a teen, but she’s no delicate flower. And she’s proven it by making it on her own and starting a new life away from the town that turned against her, away from the boy who broke her already fragile heart. But when her aunt Luz dies unexpectedly, leaving Sofia with a mountain of regrets and the keys to a quirky boutique, Sofia has no choice but to return to Cape Cod. Only, this new life in her old town comes with complications.

Burke Wolf was Sofia’s first love—a relationship that burned bright and went up in flames. Seeing him again, Sofia can’t help but get caught up in that all-too-familiar tornado of passion and pain. He’s battled his own demons—that much is clear. But Sofia can’t afford to be careless with her heart . . . and loving Burke again might just break it completely. 



Where to Buy*:
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My Review:

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

[Kame's Review]: "Stepbrother, Mine"

Stepbrother, Mine (Part 1) by Opal Carew
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (July 28, 2015)
Series: Stepbrother, Mine (#1)
Genre: Erotica

From New York Times bestselling author Opal Carew comes an erotic new serial about the lengths to which one woman will go to live the life of her dreams.

Dana's always had a clear vision of what she wanted out of life. But when her father dies during her final year of college, Dana's whole world threatens to topple down. In desperate need of money, she comes up with an idea. It's scandalous. It's HOT. And it's got everybody talking. . .Is Dana really going to auction off her own virginity? And at what cost? 



Where to Buy*:
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Kame's Review:

Thursday, March 8, 2012

[NetGalley Review]: "Assassins in Love"

Assassins in Love by Kris DeLake
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (March 6, 2012)
Series: The Assassins Guild, 1
Genre: SciFi/Fantasy Romance

Summary (Amazon.com):
When one killer falls for another

Agent: Misha
Profile: Highly trained in every method the assassins guild has to offer. Always goes by the book.
Agent: Rikki
Profile: Rogue assassin who kills only to rid the world of hardened criminals. Hates organizations. Always does it her way.

Love becomes a matter of life and death

Misha's mission is to get Rikki to join the guild or give up her guns. He completely underestimated the effect she would have on him...and what heat and chaos they could bring to each other...




Where to Buy*:
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My Review:

From page one, I had problems with Assassins in Love. Though the premise behind the story had a lot of potential (one of the reasons I was drawn to it in the first place), it fell short of those expectations, at least for me.


The story was too rushed and not fully developed in some of the areas. It seemed to suddenly head off in another direction without any reason. I felt like I was speed reading through some of the chapters due to the way the words flowed (and I don't mean that in a good way). And yet, despite the rushed feel to the story's development and writing, it was very slow to build and seemed to drag on. I kept waiting for it to get better, but instead it became more and more of a struggle for me to enjoy, and then it became almost a chore to finish reading. Neither are things that one wishes to feel while reading a book, and yet I went through both stages with this one.


To best honest, if it wasn't for the fact that I received this book to review, and therefore was expected to do so, I probably would have set it aside after the first 50 or so pages and moved on to something else.


Due to the fact that we each have differences in opinions, there will no doubt be other readers out there that love this book. And that's fine with me! But I just couldn't get into it.


The story failed to pull me in, and the characters were so annoying that I couldn't have cared less whether or not they got their HEA. And isn't that bad, when after reading a romance novel, I'm not interested in the hero? When I'm not anxious to have the heroine as my new BFF? For me, a good book, romance or otherwise, should illicit such a response from me, and Assassins in Love just didn't do it.


Misha was often described as a pretty boy type, and with some of his actions, along with the way he acted during the sex scenes (he blushes more than an innocent schoolgirl!), I kept picturing him as this very girly person. Not really who I want for a hero. And Rikki was the extreme opposite, so very hard and emotionless. I just couldn't see the connection between the two, though, apparently, she was mad for him, when, in fact, the only thing I think they had was lust, as within a handful of pages they had already banged each other, and continued to do so throughout the book. Their love scenes read more like rushed sex scenes than anything else—no connection, no real passion, and didn't get any response out of me except for the need to skim ahead.


2 STARS! For a romance novel, Assassins in Love didn't feel like one to me, nor did it read like one. The writing and storyline had enough problems that it made it down right difficult for me to enjoy it, and the characters...well, I just didn't care about them. I tried, but even after 4 days of reading this one, I couldn't muster up any response about it (positive or negative). I was simply glad when I finally finished it, knowing that I could move on to the next book I have in line. For anyone who is interested in reading this book, I say go for it—to each his own, and all that. But I won't be reading it again, and I'm not yet sure if I'll pick up another book by this author...


~*~*~*~
I received this e-book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
~*~*~*~


Enjoy!



Until Next Time,
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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

[NOR Review]: "All About Seduction"

All About Seduction by Katy Madison
Publisher: Avon (October 25, 2011)
Genre: Historical Romace
Summary (Amazon.com): 
She had never known passion like this…
Caroline Broadhurst is about to take a lover— at her husband’s command. For fifteen years, Caroline has done everything her much older husband has desired—except provide an heir. Now he has given her an ultimatum: seduce a suitable gentleman and bear a son. Caroline would never think of bowing to such a shameful order, but then she meets Jack Applegate.
Jack has longed for the beautiful, untouchable Caroline for years, but the chasm between them was too wide to ever dream of crossing. Now, fate and passion have thrown them together, but the potential scandal threatens to smother their love. And when a violent secret comes to light, only a terrible sacrifice will prevent the flame of their affection from being snuffed out forever . . .



Where to Buy*: Amazon | Kindle | BN.com | NOOK
More Info: Author's Site |


My Review:



Caroline Broadhurst gave up everything for the sake of her family. When she was just 15 years old, she was married off—to a wealthy mill owner who was old enough to be her grandfather. For years now she has suffered his attentions. And worse she's never once gotten pregnant from them, the one thing she's always wanted. Suddenly her husband's health begins to take a turn for the worse, and with his age he worries that soon he will no longer be around. He wants an heir to continue his business and his name. There is just one problem: though he won't admit it to anyone else, he's sterile, something he has had to accept after three young wives over a span of three or four decades and no children from any of them. Determined to have a child, even if it won't technically be of his blood, he forces Caroline to choose a man (out of the ones he has picked out) and seduce him, and to keep doing so until she finds herself pregnant.




Jack Applegate is just a lowly mill worker for Mr. Broadhurst. But from the first day that he saw Caroline, back when she was a new bride, he's dreamed of a life with her—if only he had more to offer her. With no money, no home, no real future, how could he hope to win her over, little loan support her? When an unfortunate mill accident lands him on his back with a crushed ankle, he never would have guessed that Caroline may secretly have some feelings for him too—why else would she fight with her husband to keep Jack up at the main house until he has recovered? But while he's there he notices her flirting with the many gentlemen that are staying for the hunt, and he begins to wonder if perhaps he was wrong about the type of woman she is...



When she finally tells him the truth, he offers to help her; he may be injured, but, as he clearly reminds her, it is only his leg that is not working properly anymore. He's been dreaming of this for years, and now he finally has it: Caroline in his bed. But it's nowhere near what he dreamed of. Disgusted by the act, as well as used to the pain that it has caused her over the years, she is determined to use him only for his seed. No touching, no exploring, no kissing. It should sound like every man's dream experience, but in reality it's almost enough to make a man lose his excitement. Can he show Caroline that what they are doing is not a sin, and that when it is with someone you love it can be enjoyable?



From page one, I had a very hard time getting into this book. I hated the storyline, the romance was completely MIA, and the secondary characters had more substance than the hero and heroine. For the first time in a while, I honestly was waiting for the book to end before it had even really begun. But I had hopes that it would improve, that it would get better. My hopes were in vain; as much as I hate to say such a thing, I truly disliked this novel.



Even though I am sure there are such husbands out there, especially during Caroline's time, who would plan such a horrible thing, forcing their wife to have sex with random men, such a storyline is not one for a romance novel. I don't know of any reader that wants such a storyline, no matter how (slightly) realistic it might be, in their love stories. No matter how talented the author, no matter the reason behind such a plot, no matter the characters in the book—it will never work, and All About Seduction proves that.



But I could have dealt with the plot line if there had been more substance to the characters. Though the story was told mainly through Caroline's point of view, I never connected with her. By the end of the novel, she was still just a woman's name that kept appearing on the page. She wasn't a strong heroine, she never once stood up for herself, and she brought nothing to the story, at least as far as helping the readers to enjoy it more. We never once gained any insight into her personal life, her thoughts and feelings and memories, the things that make her who she is. Nope, instead we just get the basics, through conversations with other people mainly: that she was married young, has other siblings, etc. The most emotion we ever get out of her is when her disgust for the martial act shows through, and even that is weak. I want a strong heroine in my romance novel, one that seems to leap off the page and into the room next to me, not one that vanishes into the ink of the book and never shows herself.



Jack wasn't much better. I had a hard time picturing him as the hero of this story. Sure, he seemed like a nice enough guy, one who wanted a better life and such, but his character was also lacking. He sounded more like the young teenager who has a crush on an older woman, even though the two are near the same age. I didn't get where his obsession with her came from, nor his sudden love for her later in the book. I wasn't rooting for him, hoping he would have his happily ever after with Caroline. In fact, due to the lack of character building and substance, I wouldn't have cared if Caroline had been stuck with Mr. Broadhurst her entire life and Jack had been forced to return to the beat up worker's cottage. That is simply not the response one wants to hear from the reader, nor is it what the reader wants to say, especially when it is a romance novel.



2 STARS! A flawed book, in my opinion, and one that confused me: how can it be listed as a romance novel when I saw no hint of such a thing in the entire book? Perhaps, for some readers out there, this book will provide an entertaining read. But not for me. I'm unsure if I will pick up future books by this author, because the writing and characters were lacking so much in this one. All About Seduction is missing all of the key elements that a good romance needs: loveable characters, an interesting plot, lively banter and, most importantly, romance. Lacking in both heat and tenderness, the “romance” in this one was unlike any I've ever read—and sadly that is not meant in a good way. This is one of those rare books I read where after turning the last page I'm not in any way upset over the fact that it is over.





~~~
Thanks to Night Owl Reviews, where I received this book for free in exchange for reviewing the book. (Free book does not equal biased review, however!) This review is the property of NOR.
~~~ 







Enjoy!





Until Next Time,

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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

"Lord of the Deep"

Synopis from B&N.com:
Accused of witchcraft and banished to the Isle of Mists, Meg is utterly alone, until the night the selkies appear for a moonlight orgy, glistening wet, proudly naked. As beautiful bodies entwine and shapes shift within the sea, a man comes forth from the waves--and what a man he is... Strong and masterful, the Lord of the Deep enchants her...and Meg must surrender. Only he can satisfy her virgin longings--and her darkest desires...
I have read Dawn Thompson's *May she Rest in Peace* work before, and I enjoyed it. So I figured, naively, that I would also enjoy Lord of the Deep. With a title and cover like that, you expect it to be steamy and sexy and a good erotica+romance read, right? That's what I thought.. boy was I wrong! I was able to read it quickly, in about a day, but I think I kept reading it so quickly, hoping, praying, that it would get better.. but it didn't. The sex, and there was plenty of it, was.. explicit, I guess you could say, but it was anything but arousing! The words she used were repeated too many times and sometimes they were the wrong words, ones that unless you knew exactly what they meant, you couldn't quite grasp what she was trying to point out. And when you are reading a 'love' scene, you shouldn't have to stop and go 'Wait, what'?. Best to leave the big words and synonyms for literature, not erotica/romance. It just doesn't fit in too well, or at least, it didn't in this book. The number of times *and there were plenty! About 20 too many!* she used the words 'mushroom-headed' and 'pearly', usually combined, ruined it. We get the picture, we know what his penis looks like, and yes, we know what you refer to as pearly. Or when Meg kept having flash backs of what it was like to watch him take the female selkie on the beach while she fondled herself.. I swear, every time the 'flashbacks' came into the story again, it was like the exact same paragraph being used! It was annoying, and anything but stimulating or interesting. I'm okay with the erotica romance books, but this one ruined both the erotica and the romance. In other words, it wasn't a flawless combination of both, like I usually read, nor could it even pull off being a 'good' porno/straight out erotica, and it was definitely not very romance-y. Their love was not very believable, and it fell flat. I figured that even if the sex and love was crappy, maybe I could connect with the paranormal/fantasy world that she had created.. I tried, but I couldn't. It was too odd, maybe too poorly written or explained, I really don't know, but I do know that it was lifeless. When I read a fantasy or paranormal book, I expect to fall into the world the author is creating, to be pulled in and enjoy the ride to the end. With this book, I couldn't even beginning to fall for it! The magic element wasn't really played on as much as I thought, I was put off by the selkie theme *I love shapeshifters, but I cannot stand the thought of a man or woman turning into a seal and then back to human... At least not when the story is suppose to be hot and steamy and full of love... It doesn't work for me!*, rape was brought in a few times, the heroine wasn't very strong.. the list goes on and on. 2/5 STARS! I tried, I really did, to like this book...I hate when I find a book that I hate *it really doesn't happen that often for me!* and I wanted to like this book, like I have a few of her other books, but I couldn't get into it. The romance fell flat, the sex was tasteless and not very imaginative. When it could have become very, very steamy and arousing, she added in too many words to 'describe' the scene, and it ruined whatever good ambiance she had managed to create. The affect was like having cold water poured on you! And don't even get me started with the whole 'tree sex'! (If you've read the book, then unfortunately you know what I mean. If you haven't, then you are fortunate enough to not know what I'm talking about, but I've probably captured your attention, haven't I? Now you're going to want to go out and grab the book off the shelves just to find out what the tree sex is all about... and No, unfortunately, it is not some new and kinky way to make love while pressed up against a tree. If only!) To make a long story short, save yourself the money and time, the laugh and embarrassment *Because if you read it, you will find the 'sex' scenes to be so poorly written, it is embarrassing...* and forgo this book. Pick up one of her other books, I'm sure you'll enjoy them more, but this one is better left on the bookstore shelf. Although, I may glance through the next book in the series, when it comes out, just to see if Gideon can get his story and if it is a vast improvement from this..But only because Gideon was interesting and secretive, the total mysterious 'bad' boy. ~TBQ~