"I Own But Have Never Read" 2015 Challenge; LOVE ME FOREVER by Johanna Lindsey

I know, I know.  I put on this big deal about breaking out of my comfort zone and reading different genres of literature.  Then the first book I read for my 2015 reading challenge is a romance.  I can already see the eyes rolling.  I promise though, I will.  I’m not going to lie so I’ll tell you that a lot of the books will be of the romantic nature, but there will be others.  Take the one I’m reading now.  It’s for the category, “a book I was supposed to read in school but didn’t.”  The one I chose, I was supposed to read in high school.  Do you think they would have assigned erotic romance in high school?  I think not.  Fear not, they are coming. 

In the meantime…  The book “I own but have never read” is one I got years ago, from a friend's mom no less.  I am a big fan of Johanna Lindsey’s older book, but hadn’t gotten around to reading this one.  Now I have.  Check! Without further ado…

LOVE ME FOREVER by Johanna Lindsey

 

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

 

Still mourning her mother's death, Kimberly Richards is incensed by the determination of her father, the Earl of Amburough, to marry her off as quickly as possible—just to please the jealous lover he plans to wed. And since Kimberly harbors a deep-seated dislike of gold-diggers and the whole distasteful state of affairs, the feisty young heiress already despises the "worthy suitor" she encounters at Sherring Cross Estate: Lachlan MacGregor, the dashing, newly impoverished Laird of Clan MacGregor.

A tryst with the handsome, haughty Lachlan seems dubious at best—especially since the rogue has designs on the married Duchess of Wrothston. But strange turns and outrageous circumstances promise to lead a woefully mismatched pair to a wildly unexpected destination—where a hard, resisting heart can open to the true glories of love.

 

MY REVIEW

3.5 out of 5 *Stars*

 

I’m always a sucker for a good Scotsman romance.  There’s just something about their brogue that I can hear through the words and it turns me to mush.  Maybe it’s my obsession with the alpha male, because every time I think of a Highlander, I thing of a big, strong, veritable man.  This book portrayed that well.  The main hero, Lachlan, knew what he wanted and took it no matter the cost.  It got him a few black eyes and split lips along the way, but that’s just a small price to pay at times.  The heroine is independent and not afraid to voice her opinion.  It was great to read the two’s verbal sparring, and even better to feel the chemistry right along with the two.  That is something I have never had a problem with when reading Johanna Lindsey.  She has always been able to suck me in emotionally to the story.

Overall, I thought this was a great first book to my reading challenge.  It made me read a book I probably would have put off even longer.  There is also one more positive about reading old romance books.  A lot of them have an inside cover picture.  These are great for a good laugh. 

 

Check out the inside to this one…

Anyways... 1 book down, 51 more to go!

 

HAPPY READING, EVERYONE!!!

 

2015 READING CHALLENGE

As I mentioned on Facebook, my friend “threw down the gauntlet”, so to speak.  She presented me with a reading challenge for 2015.  Going through the list, my competitive nature kicked in.  Not to compete with her, but to compete with the side of myself that has doubts I can get it done.  The fact that I’m doing it with my best friend is an added bonus that I know will make it so I don’t give up on the list. 

I mostly read the same genre.  I love romances, not the “holding hands, whispered kisses” romance, but the “stop your breath, sometimes even dirty” romance.  Even when I read thrillers, if there is a background love story, all the better.  This list, for that reason, and size in general, it is a little terrifying.  Amongst the trepidation though, is an underline excitement.  I’m excited for the challenge, the unlimited options, and being force to break out of my comfort zone. 

I’m a very opinionated person and I love to voice my opinion to whoever will listen.  Therefore, there is no way I could do this without getting you all involved.  You are going to help me keep track of the books I read for the list.  This is going to last all year, so strap in and get comfortable.  Every book I read, I’ll tell you what I’m checking off the list, and tell you what I thought about it.  Maybe we can even get a discussion started on some of them.  That being said… Let’s get started! 

 

SILVER SHADOWS by Richelle Mead

Bloodlines Book #5

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

MY REVIEW

2.5 OUT OF 5 *Stars*

This is one of those reviews that I’m sitting here, staring at the screen, wondering how to formulate helpful words around what I thought of the book.  Maybe my anti-excitement over this review stems from the utter lack of excitement in the book.  It took me five days to finish this book, and that is saying a lot.  If I’m reading a good book, it will take me a day because I will read while cooking dinner, doing dishes, going to the bathroom, or I’ll sneak off when no ones looking to get five more minutes in.  I had no problem putting this book down to get things done, and once it was all finished, I shrugged my shoulder with an, “Ehh.” 

After reading and finishing The Fiery Heart, I was ecstatic when I got this one.  It started with Sydney and Adrian apart, just like The Fiery Heart ended.  The book was about them doing everything they could to get back to each other and the pitfalls in between.  The first 60% of the book was okay, nothing to write home about, but still okay.  A monumental event happened and I figured the book could have ended there.  Unfortunately, it didn’t.  I understand what Mead wanted to happen by the end of the book, but it felt too much like filler nonsense, stuff with no purpose to tack on and make the book longer.

Will I read the next on?  That’s the question.  Of course I will, are you nuts? I’ve invested my precious time into five books from this series, and seven books from the previous one.  It would be like stopping a movie ¾ of the way through because you weren’t a fan of a small chunk.  I just hope the next one will be able to hold my interest.  Till next time…

HAPPY READING, EVERYONE!!

THE DIVINE WHISPER by Rebekah Daniels (ME)

Thank you for being so patient in my absence!!  Second book is out and available on Amazon.  Take a look!

THE DIVINE WHISPER <~~ press to buy... only $2.99
2nd Full Length Novel in the hit Nephilim Series

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Women, fighting demons, good food, and more women! That’s all Nephilim enforcer, Gemariah Slater cares about. That is until he meets a feisty little blonde that turns his world upside down. Like him, she has an unsavory past. Like him, she fights for those that can’t defend themselves. But when the similarities end, the claws come out. 

Social worker, Nicole Summers, is trying to help the world one child at a time, NOT be swept off her feet by a tall, gorgeous yet overbearing, and conceited jerk. Conflicted with what her heart and her head tell her, she tries to keep her distance, but Gemariah won’t let her. 

Drawn to each other by a bond neither can explain and kept together by circumstance, they are not prepared for how their bodies or their hearts react to one another. As the two battle their desire, little do they know that unforeseen forces are resigned to see them suffer and fail. Will the two be able to protect what is theirs, or will they eventually succumb to the vengeful voice inside them? 

Warning: Contains adult language and mature situations.

SOME OF THE MANY 5 *STAR* REVIEWS...

"Daniels is a talented author and a rising star and I look forward to the day when the series is much longer, in hardback, and she's on the best seller list. Her characters have touched my heart, and I love them."

"Celestial Beginnings was a fantastic read, and this book was just as good, if not better. The Divine Whisper is the second book in the series and proved to be a fast paced and very entertaining read that will have you turning pages until the end."

"All in all this is one tremendously excellent paranormal romance that will wring alot of emotions but worth every one. This author will leave you more than satisfied with the end result hunting a bit of chocolate."

"This was a beautifully written and captivating book"

"Her books just keep getting better and better! Nicci and G's story was full of twists and turns and surprisingly unpredictable! I pride myself in being able to call a story before hand but not this time and I loved that!"

HAPPY READING, EVERYONE!!

Don't Hate Me!!

Don't hate me!

I am so sorry, but I have been working so hard at getting my next book completed and out there that I haven't had a lot of time to write on here.

I promise that once everything gets settled down, I will be back to posting reviews and being my opinionated self once again!

I hope you understand.  Thanks!

Rebekah Daniels