Read and Review #15 - At Any Price (Brenna Aubrey)

Title: At Any Price (Gaming the System #1)
Author: Brenna Aubrey
Publication date: 9 December 2013
Publisher: Silver Griffon Associates
Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Achievement Unlocked: Geek Virgin 

When Mia Strong, proud geek-girl and popular gaming blogger, auctions off her virginity online, she knows she'll make waves. But what she will not be making is a love connection. Her rules are set in stone: One night. No further contact. It's a desperate step, but it's the only way she can go to medical school and pay her mother's mounting hospital bills. 

Difficulty Level: Millionaire CEO 

Adam Drake, the enigmatic auction winner, is a software prodigy who made his first million at seventeen. Now, in his mid-twenties, he's sexy, driven and--as CEO of his own gaming company--he's used to making the rules. Before Mia knows what's happening, he's found the loophole in the rules of her auction. Every stipulation she's made to protect her heart gets tossed by the wayside. She can't tell if he's playing her...or if he's playing for keeps.

My rating:

5 out of 5 starts gaming after reading this book

My review:

PERFECTION.

I was a little hesitant about reading this book when I first saw it. I mean, auctioning your virginity to a bunch of strangers, especially online is really bizarre and risky. There are perverts out there who would do anything to get a good fuck online and that's the scariest thing about the Internet. But okay, I have to read this to see how it goes. 

And I was blown away! 

I mean, there's Mia, gamer and blogger who spends her days playing games, studying, working as an orderly and blog about her games. She's pretty normal actually (because I do that and I don't know how I stay awake most of the time without coffee). She's auctioning her virginity for a good reason and she actually took it rather seriously, going over the rules and making sure her best friend, Heath (a law student I think) deal with the bidders before approving them. 

And in comes Adam Drake, who at the first meeting looked very arrogant, cold and had a hard exterior. Not to mention extremely good looking. In other words...

He also laid down his own rules, outwitting Mia at every turn. He managed to soften up around her, protecting her even. But because of his past, he would shrink away whenever they get too close and that leads to tons of sexual frustration in this story. 

Did I even mention the amount of sexual frustration that goes on in this story!? 

There are shit tons of them and I found myself yelling 'GET IT OVER WITH ALREADY!' every time they tease each other with kisses and touches. The connection between Mia and Adam is so strong but yet I felt like it's not enough. Even to the end I still feel like there's this huge barrier between them even after all their issues are laid out and no secrets are left (at least I hope so).

I am obsessed with this book. I cannot wait for the next one. Some might read this book and think, aww shit that's a whole lot of teasing and sex! But I like the way it's written. Not too much that it becomes tacky. Also, I was frustrated half of the time because I only get to read Mia's POV and I am dying to know Adam's. Maybe in the next book?

Read and Review #14 - Talking Dirty With the Boss (Jackie Ashenden)

Title: Talking Dirty With the Boss
Author: Jackie Ashenden
Publication date: 9 December 2013
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Get a copy! Amazon | Google Play Store | Barnes and Noble


Synopsis:

Marisa Clair wants to get her artist dreams back on track after a life detour. That means no partying, no shopping…and definitely no men to distract her. Should be easy, but there’s something about her hot and exceedingly uptight boss and she can't seem to stop herself from ruffling Mr. Tall, Dark and Irritating.

Financial consultant Luke McNamara lives his life strictly by schedule – his OCD simply won't allow him to do anything else. And the very last thing he needs is a sassy blonde putting lipstick on his collar and messing with his routine. She annoys the hell out of him so why can’t he stop thinking about the color of her panties…and how free he feels when he’s with her?

Marisa and Luke’s plans to steer clear of one another are shot to hell after a hot office encounter. Now the two of them will have to learn to get along as they face a much more permanent reminder of their lack of self-control – a pregnancy.

My rating:

3 out of 5 flirt at work

My review:

*ARC was generously given by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Okay so apparently I jumped two books and got straight to this one. But I was never made aware of this series so what the hell, I'll just review this and be done with it. OCD is not something to mess around with. I am a little OCD, especially when I do sketches or do any written work. I get very uncomfortable looking at mistakes, especially visible ones and sometimes it will take me hours to get a perfect sketch or paper. I can understand how Luke deals with his OCD, everything must be in place, must be in order so his life can go on. It's excruciatingly frustrating and it can really make you look like a freak. 

But I couldn't somehow relate to him breaking out of his OCD, being so reckless at times around Marisa. Not only him, but I couldn't relate to Marisa as well. The whole situation was a little off to me but I continued on till the end because it was interesting and I wanted to know how Luke's OCD would fit into their lives.

"She was like a princess escaped from the palace, slumming it with the plebeians. And that offended his sense of order, too." 

I find the whole princess thing a little weird. He's not that very affectionate and suddenly he calls her a princess? It totally messes with my head because when I read princesses, I think of little girls in pink tutus and a golden wand! 

I gave it a 3 for the interaction between Luke and Marisa. Although I can't relate to them like I do with most couples, they are entertaining and maybe there are some people who would love them.

Read and Review #13 - Married for Christmas (Noelle Adams)

Title: Married for Christmas
Author: Noelle Adams
Publication date: 1 December 2013
Publisher: Noelle Adams
Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble


Synopsis:

After years of dreaming, Jessica is finally getting married, but the marriage isn't exactly what she thought.

Daniel is her best friend, and she's known him all her life, but he's never gotten over losing his wife two years ago. His dream is to become the pastor of the church in their hometown, but the small-town congregation keeps balking over calling an unmarried minister. Since Daniel needs a wife and Jessica wants a husband and family, she proposes an arrangement that benefits both of them.

They can get married. They can build a life together. They can celebrate Christmas as a couple. It's fine that he doesn't love her. And it's fine that she's not exactly suited to be a small-town pastor's wife. And it's fine that she's more attracted to her sexy, brooding husband every day.

Jessica can be practical about this marriage. She knows what she's getting into, after all... 

This book includes fully-developed sex scenes between a husband and wife.

My rating:

5 out of 5 women wants to marry their best friend

My review:

This book made me cry. So hard. It was emotionally painful, I don't know how but I couldn't stop crying until the end. There was just this emotional roller coaster half of the time I just want to bash Daniel in the head. 

Jessica Cameron suggested marriage to her best friend, Daniel when it was discovered that he needed a wife to be accepted as pastor at the church in their hometown. It was a marriage a convenience; Daniel being accepted into the position easily while Jessica gets the married life that she had always wanted. So what if it was a loveless marriage? At least they would have each other.  

The thing about this story is that Jessica and Daniel had known each other since they were little. She never fell in love and he had already lost his first love. His wife Lila, had been friends with Jessica and they all grew up together, although not as close friends.

"I've had a real marriage, and I know I won't be blessed that way again. But you've never been married. You need to wait for the right man—someone you can really love, someone who loves you more than anything."

From the beginning, I can already sense it was going to be one of those relationships. Daniel wouldn't be able to love Jessica fully and Jessica would eventually want more than just a convenient marriage. But Daniel, the extent of his attitude towards Jessica! It made my heart ache but I understand why he's feeling that way.

"You know that what God does is make us whole when we're nothing but broken. But you're not acting like you believe it. And if you don't believe it, then what are we doing here?"

I didn't know how intense this story would affect me. But it did. The whole premise revolves around Jessica and Daniel's life as a married couple and while he is a gamma hero, it was nice to read about this sort of marriage of convenience between a pastor and a computer geek. And it totally change my thinking that pastors don't usually indulge in sexual activities.

It's a good tear-jerker for Christmas (because I love tear-jerkers). There was a little holiday spirit weaved into the story line towards the end. If you like romance between married couples then this is the book for you!

Read and Review #12 - Catching Claire (Cindy Procter-King)

Title: Catching Claire (Love & Other Calamities #2)
Author: Cindy Procter-King
Publication date: 1 October 2013
Publisher: Blue Orchard Books
Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble


Synopsis:

When Claire Merriweather hires hunky future doctor Ridge Pederson to strip at a friend’s bachelorette party, she never imagines she’ll wake up in his bed. Well, she imagines it—but now it’s happened. 

Big problem: Claire’s memory is fuzzy. Did they do the bouncy? Or did Ridge reject her? Either way…oh-oh, her heart’s in trouble!

My rating:

3.5 out of 5 women suggest a hook-up with a stripper at least once

My review:

*A copy was given generously by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Well, this is a very short read. Like 39 pages long. Everything is fast-paced and on the verge of unrealistic. But keep in mind, it's supposed to be a sweet, short love story. 

Claire Merriweather hires Ridge Pederson, a stripper to perform at her best friend's bachelorette party. When she found herself in his bed the next day, she is mortified with the thought that they may had have sex the night before.

This is one of those love at first sight sort of thing. They are so attracted to each other that they kissed just hours into knowing each other. And then he became her date to the wedding. And basically it's a happy ever after ending. Oh look, so much spoilers. 

Not recommended to those who likes instant attraction.

Christmas Books!

Christmas is just around the corner! Only 20 more days till the big day and to celebrate, I decided to read Christmas-themed romance books courtesy of Netgally (and a few store-bought ones)! Right now I have a bunch lined up and I can't wait to tear them apart read them and get into the Christmas-sy feeling. Get a cup of cocoa (with teeny marshmallows), snuggle under a warm blanket and read a book. 

I will try to review each books and post it here and on Goodreads and since it's the holidays, there's no excuse for a short (and sadly lack of gifs) reviews! So, among the books I'm going to read are:

Title: Married for Christmas

Author: Noelle Adams

Publication date: 1 December 2013

Publisher: Noelle Adams

Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

After years of dreaming, Jessica is finally getting married, but the marriage isn't exactly what she thought. 

Daniel is her best friend, and she's known him all her life, but he's never gotten over losing his wife two years ago. His dream is to become the pastor of the church in their hometown, but the small-town congregation keeps balking over calling an unmarried minister. Since Daniel needs a wife and Jessica wants a husband and family, she proposes an arrangement that benefits both of them. 

They can get married. They can build a life together. They can celebrate Christmas as a couple. It's fine that he doesn't love her. And it's fine that she's not exactly suited to be a small-town pastor's wife. And it's fine that she's more attracted to her sexy, brooding husband every day. 

Jessica can be practical about this marriage. She knows what she's getting into, after all...

Title: A Christmas to Remember

Authors: Hope Ramsay, Molly Cannon, Marilyn Pappano, Kristen Ashley, Jill Shalvis

Publication date: 3 December 2013

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing - Forever Yours

Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Curl up with this heartwarming Christmas collection! 

Jill Shalvis, Dream a Little Dream: Melissa has kept every man at a safe distance-especially firefighter Ian, a sexy friend with sexy benefits. But Ian secretly longs for more. Luckily, 'tis the season for giving love a chance...

Kristen Ashley, Every Year: Holidays don't come easy for Shy and his brother, Landon. But with the magic of Christmas, along with a little help from Tabby and her family, the Cage brothers are about to get the gift of a lifetime...

Hope Ramsay, Silent Night: Down on her luck and evicted from her apartment, single mother Maryanne hopes to start over in Last Chance. When the snow begins to fall, it looks like her baby might literally spend Christmas Eve in a manger. And Maryanne might celebrate the holiday with a handsome stranger. 

Molly Cannon, Have Yourself a Messy Little Christmas: Lincoln is a bachelor who's set in his ways-until a professional organizer dressed up as Mrs. Claus changes his life, one tip at a time... 

Marilyn Pappano, A Family for Christmas: War widow Ilena doesn't mind spending Christmas alone. But when a new doctor blows into town with the winter wind, will she get her secret Christmas wish?

Title: Mine Under the Mistletoe

Authors: Kat Latham

Publication date: 5 December 2013

Publisher: Carina Press

Get a copy! Amazon | Google Play Store | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Thanks to a transatlantic house swap, California girl Ashley Turner is finally going to fulfill her lifelong dream of a proper English Christmas. Her holiday plans did not include a sexy stranger climbing into her borrowed bed in the middle of the night. But in the light of day, Ashley can't help but wonder if Santa has delivered early... 

Game designer Oliver Stansfeld can't wait to leave dreary London—and all its difficult holiday memories—for sunny San Diego. But a freak ice storm and a grounded plane have forced him back to his already-occupied flat. To make up for the mix-up, the least he can do is show his pretty houseguest where to get the perfect Christmas tree before he leaves. 

The more time they spend together, the more their attraction grows, and soon Ashley is tempting Oliver to give in to the spirit of the season and snuggle up for the rest of the winter. As the ice melts and flights start taking off again, he must choose between giving in to the past or risking his heart on a chance at love.

Title: Where the Heart Is

Authors: Darcy Burke

Publication date: 1 December 2013

Publisher: Intrepid Reads

Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Home is more than a place...

Breaking free from her structured life, Chloe English quits her high-powered job and moves across the country to work as an art teacher. The simple life is all she hoped it would be until her house burns down, leaving her homeless. When a handsome firefighter swoops in to save the day, she can’t believe her luck. He’s laid-back and unassuming, everything she’s looking for in a man—or so he seems. It turns out he’s as ambitious as her ex, comes with a family who could be more stifling than hers, and harbors dark secrets he may never be able to share.

Orphaned as a teenager, Derek Sumner has found a place in his best friend’s family. However, the love and support of his surrogate parents and siblings can’t erase the grief and loss he struggles every Christmas to banish. But this year he meets the fun and sexy Chloe, whose optimism and sense of joy are incredibly contagious. Can she help him face his bleak past so they can forge a happy future?

Title: Midwinter Magic

Authors: Erica Ridley

Publication date: 1 December 2013

Publisher: Intrepid Reads

Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

After an eye-opening congressional hearing, former corporate shark Jack Morgan redirects his ill-gotten gains toward charity work. However, his attempts to bring holiday cheer to a Bolivian village meet with one disaster after another: canceled flights, crumbling luggage, implacable customs officials. His plans disintegrate further when he runs into a sexy tourist with . . . wings?

As Jack's guardian angel, Sarah Phimm has her work cut out for her. When his latest volunteer mission risks his life, she's forced to reveal herself to him—but only in part. She can't risk him knowing the truth. He's everything her immortal heart desires, but can never have. She soon discovers that keeping him safe amidst death bridges and tumbling telephone poles is far easier than guarding her heart.

So there you have it! Christmas and romance, what's not to love?