Read and Review #20 - Truce: The Historic Neighbor From Hell (R.L Mathewson)

Title: Truce: The Historic Neighbor From Hell

Author: R.L Mathewson
Publication date: 1 November 2013
Publisher: Smashwords
Get a copy! Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

This is the story before everything..

Elizabeth knows what’s expected of her, perfection. She’s the daughter of an Earl and expected to marry well, say and do the right things with a smile on her face when inside she’s dying for a chance to escape. Thanks to an inheritance her godmother left her years ago, her chance will come with her next birthday. Her hopes of escape abruptly end when Robert, her childhood nemesis that she hasn’t seen in over fourteen years, comes back into her life and does everything he can to drive her out of her mind even as he steals her heart.

He hated her.

At least, he tried to hate her, but it was so damn difficult to hate someone that he couldn’t live without. He tried to ignore her, tried to focus on anything but her, but nothing worked. Somehow she made her way into his heart and started to make him want things that he never though possible, made him smile and laugh even while she drove him out of his mind and started a legacy by turning him into…..

A Bradford.

My rating:
4 / 5

My review:

I started reading this with a friend, Stephanie who actually finished it faster than me. Sorry I took my time reading it. 

Truce is a historical romance; the beginning of the Bradford clan and tells a history of their great appetite. It tells a story of Elizabeth and Robert Bradford who were childhood enemies up till they were forced to marry out of convenience. 

So basically, like all the books in this series, the hero and heroine hate each other. Hate and love have something in common, passion. And I definitely saw passion between Elizabeth and Robert. She refused to have an arranged marriage and would rather wait to receive her inheritance. Robert would rather not marry at all. Typical hero and heroine of the 19th century British aristocracy. 

When they crossed paths again, they met as strangers. And what do you know? When they don't hate each other, they are actually good for each other. One thing led to another and well, let's just say it was pleasurable.

As the story progress, Robert and Elizabeth's relationship began to develop outside their hatred for each other. Passion was always brewing between them but instead of hating each other, they took a 180 turn in their feelings for each other. Did I ever mention that sex with a Bradford man is hot? No? Okay well, not to be disappointed because them boys got their genes (along with their love-making skills) from this man.

I give it a four star because of the writing. I read a lot of books by authors who write both contemporary and historical romances and still manage to feel the differences in their books. However, while reading this one it has that contemporary feel to it that rubbed me the wrong way because I really love how historical romances are written. Maybe 1940s-50s Western but not exactly 1800s British society. It's a good and entertaining read, fully recommended for anyone who loves the Neighbor from Hell series. A refreshing change from the contemporary ones.

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.