Cat Among the Pigeons

Beebs' Review

This book wasn't for me. I really disliked both of the main characters, Penny came across as childish, selfish and immature and James was arrogant and self-absorbed. Both characters are lying to each other from the very beginning of their relationship but both get upset when they discover the other has been lying. Why??? They're both keeping secrets, some worse than others but both characters are doing it nonetheless. The sex scenes are hot but I struggled to find any real connection between Penny and James and then I got to the end to discover there is still no resolution, no HEA, not even a HFN. Definitely not for me.

*Received from Netgalley

Beebs' Review

Part 2 in the Hotel Rodeo series, this book took up exactly where we left off in part 1. Monica has stayed in Las Vegas to oversee Tom's funeral arrangements and finalise his business affairs. Evan the obnoxious douche is still lingering and trying to convince Monica to return to New York with him and to sell him the hotel. Tom's will puts a spanner in his manipulations because he didn't leave everything to Monica as everyone thought and this gives Ty a chance to convince Monica to stay with him and give the hotel a chance. We find out what Delaney wanted from Ty and though I wasn't all that surprised, I was surprised by what she offered in exchange. I found both exes to be selfish and manipulative but I think Delaney might get a chance at redemption in part 3, we'll see.

I enjoyed part 2 much more than part 1, probably because Ty and Monica actually talked to and listened to each other this time around. There were a couple of occasions when I wanted to slap Monica for her dithering but overall I enjoyed the story and the happy ending. Ty really pulls out all the stops when it comes to something he really wants.


*Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Astrid's review

4.5 rocky road stars


Our heroine is Chloe - a mid-twenty girl from rich parents who owns a flower shop. When we meet her she is still with her boyfriend Eric (let me say right away - there is no cheating). She's sweet, straight forward, loyal and a good girl all around.

A.J. is so fantastically multi-layered, it's hard to describe him without spoiling too much. He is an enigma and on this journey we peel back layer by layer of his personality. He is distant, bad-mouthed and rude. His brain is capable of something called chromesthesia - seeing sound in colors. Comes in handy since he's the drummer in a rock band called Bad Habit (love that name btw.).

Chloe's best friend Kat from the previous book "Sweet As Sin" is getting married and Chloe has been trusted with providing the flower arrangements. When Chloe and A.J. meet (again - they have met in the previous installment first) they clash. A.J. is aloof and whenever he looks at Chloe to her it feels like he is tasting something really nasty in his mouth. Of course the obvious dislike doesn't last long and soon they find themselves in a dance of pushing and pulling. While Chloe is quite upfront with what she wants, A.J. keeps pulling away. I love how A.J. leaves origami figures on Chloe's car's windshield - because he just can't stay away from her.




Chloe knows there are secrets he hides. He tries to stay away from her but her pull is too strong - until one day, when Chloe is hurt and his protective instinct kicks in full force. Once we see his real self he shines so bright that you're blinded by the brilliance.



The way J.T. Geissinger describes how A.J. sees colors when listening to music is almost like poetry, it's that beautiful.



We do get a happy end but until then there is a lot of drama and angst involved. And heartbreak - oh that hurt so good.




The heroine, while mostly acting mature has a moment of insanity when she screams at A.J. and demands out of pure jealousy that he never see a certain person again despite him just telling her that this person has been his only friend. The drama and angst are always strong in this story and rarely tip towards OTT.

As I've said in my review for Wicked Beautiful, J.T. Geissinger is an extremely talented writer, I love how she strings her sentences together, the wit, the charm, the heartbreak. There is a hint in the epilogue who we will get to see next and what this story will be about and I can't wait to see what J.T. Geissinger has in store for these two.

***ARC via netgalley in an exchange for an honest review***

Beebs' Review

Book 3 in the Minnesota Christmas series, Paul's story.

Having seen both his friends get their happily ever after, Paul has been actively looking for his own but there aren't many options in such a small town and everyone he meets online is just looking for a casual hook up.

Kyle has been crushing on Paul for years, ever since Paul was kind to him after a nasty incident with some bullies at school and he has decided it is time to go after his man. His method for catching Paul's attention is certainly unique and made me smile although it did lead to some awkward situations for Paul.

Kyle is a nurturer, the way he helps everyone around him, he is wonderful with his twin sister and the old people in the care home he works in. His family are wonderfully supportive and it is a shock to him when he realises just how nasty Paul's family is. He soon discovers that the reality of loving Paul is far different than the fantasy he has built up. Paul's family are hateful, they are so cruel to Paul all the time and it takes the love and support of Kyle and all his friends to help Paul break free of their cruelty.

This book could probably be read as a standalone but you'd be missing out on a lot of Paul's backstory and the stories of recurring characters. I enjoyed catching up with the three grumpy bears, it was lovely catching up with all the characters from previous books and seeing Paul finally get his own HEA.

Beebs' Review

Ethan heads off to college with his head full of plans for life with his boyfriend Blake, Blake has a different idea however and dumps him on his first day. Blake came across as a bit of an ass because he kept blowing hot and cold on Ethan, pushing him away one minute, texting and apologising the next.

Initially, Ethan plans on using Blake's room-mate for information, finding out if he knows why Blake dumped him and what he can do to get him back. But as he gets to know Wyatt, things change and their relationship soon develops from no-strings sex to love.

I really liked Ethan and Wyatt, Wyatt has had a really tough life and the relationship development between them was lovely, even though it felt a bit rushed. But, there is another book and I am looking forward to reading more about them.

*Received from Netgalley in exchange for and honest review.

Beebs' Review

Jaxson is the poster boy rich guy, used to getting what he wants when he wants it until he meets Alexia. She is the first woman to tell him no and he doesn't know what to do with that, he has no idea how to woo a woman. Alexia has her reasons for staying away from Jaxson, she wants him but is determined to stay away from him until that is no longer an option. someone has been embezzling funds from Jaxson's company and they've made it look like it was Alexia, rather than have her arrested and jailed, Jaxson has her put under house arrest, at his house.

It's all a little OTT and a bit unbelievable at times but for the most part it's a fun read. The dialogue between Alexia and her friends is hilarious as is her inner dialogue although it could have been toned down a bit. There were times when her seemingly light-hearted dialogue didn't match up with what was going on.

I had a couple of little niggles, the time-line felt off to me, she was supposed to stay in Jaxson's house for ninety days but the way I read it she was there for about 16 weeks. And as I mentioned the dialogue was a little overdone at times.

So due to those little niggles I'm going with 3.5, I will be reading the rest of the series soon because my OCD won't let me rest until I find out how it ends.

*Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Astrid's review

I feel a bit like I'm the last person on earth to read this book. I had it on my TBR since the first part of the serial was released. The weirdest thing, I saw all those rave reviews but I didn't pick it up - God knows why.

I knew early on, when I hit the end of the first of three parts, that I would be sad once I finished. After the second part I knew I'd end up having a major book hangover. This book is flawless. It is lovely to finish 2015 with this read and my only regret is that I can't revisit with Andrew and Aubrey again.

Aubrey is the type of heroine I adore. Smart, witty, courageous, passionate and she doesn't take shit. She has dreams, she wants to become a ballet dancer, yet she also studies law in order to appease her parents.

Andrew is the most swoon worthy asshole I've ever read about. He is crude, rude, he doesn't have a filter - at all - he says cruel things.

“She gasped. “You would snitch on me?”

“I would run my car over you.”

Despite all that...he is adorable.

“Is there anything else outside of my comfort zone that you’d like me to do for you tonight?”
“Not tonight, but you could make me breakfast in the morning.”
“You’re pushing it...”
“Just in case you change your mind, I would like Belgian waffles, bacon, sliced strawberries, and orange juice.”
“Unless you want to eat all of those things off of my cock, it’s not happening.”

I have no idea how Whitney Gracia Williams made it work but work it did. I LOVED Andrew's dirty mouth, he said things that made me gasp but I thought mostly "but damn, he's not wrong".

“Contrary to your unfounded and silly assumptions, I do not have a panty fetish and I do not sleep with them over my face at night. I do, however, have a new fetish for your pussy, and if you're interested in letting me sleep with that over my face at night, feel free to let me know.”

His motto when it comes to women is “One dinner. One night. No repeats.” He only dates women he meets online, he avoids relationships like the devil avoids holy water. And he despises lies.

“Do you normally talk as you get dressed?” I cut her off and took a seat on the bed. “I’m pretty sure it’s something that doesn’t require conversation.”

When Andrew meets Aubrey for the first time, after talking on the phone and emailing only, he realizes that she has been lying to him this whole time. His first reaction is rage, however, the attraction is still strong and he finds himself on the verge of breaking his own rule to fuck and walk away. The way Aubrey handled him was perfect - despite her giving in to him repeatedly there came a point when she made it clear that she wasn't a doormat.

I devoured this book. I was enthralled and I couldn't stop reading - I read until late night when reason finally set in and remembered that I would have to get up a few hours later. I needed to know what had happened that Andrew loathed intimacy and relationships. And when I found out my heart broke for him into a billion of tiny pieces. The end with the extended epilogue left me completely satisfied.

Ms. Williams was a new to me author before this book. I will definitely read her back list and hope that we'll get to read more new books by her soon!

Beebs' Review

Edwin Barlow, the Earl of Blakeborough has decided to marry and plans to look around for a sensible, rational wife. Instead he agrees to help his best friend by escorting his cousin, Lady Clarissa, to protect her from a persistent and aggressive suitor.

Due to events in her past, Clarissa has decided never to marry but when Count Durand assaults her at a ball and it becomes clear that he is not going to stop, she agrees to marry Edwin in name only until she is ready to consummate the marriage.

Edwin and Clarissa have known each other for years, his sister is her best friend, her cousin is his, and they are neighbours too. They think they know all there is to know about each other, he thinks she is impetuous and flighty, she thinks he's stuffy and delights in provoking him. It was fun watching them get to know the people behind the public facade, she uses her flighty persona to keep people at a distance and he keeps everyone at a distance but deep down is very protective of everyone he loves.

It must be difficult to bring something new to an old trope but Sabrina Jeffries kept my attention with the subplot of the Count's reasons for pursuing Clarissa. Edwin is a lovely character, he was so understanding when he found out what was holding Clarissa back and was very gentle in helping her understand that it wasn't her fault. He was a bit judgemental at times and Clarissa was great at knocking him off his high horse.

Overall, I enjoyed it, their relationship needed the page time or it would have been unrealistic but this meant the resolution of the subplot felt a little rushed, it had a lovely epilogue though.

Astrid's review

Woolf is a sexy, sensual cowboy. He's rich. He manages the family enterprise. However, he isn't completely happy. What would make him happy? Why, a sex club. You see, Woolf loves kink and he wants to provide sensual experiences for patrons without them having to deal with prejudice for their different taste in sex.

Want to have a romantic seduction by a stranger? I’ll make it happen. Want to get fucked by three well-hung cowboys? I’ll make that happen too. Want to do it all while being watched? Easy as fucking pie.

 

Callie. She is sweet, sexy, innocent in some ways, smart and all around lovely. She has been carrying a torch for Woolf what seems like forever. Alas, when she wanted to give him his virginity all those years ago he refused and walked away. Callie moves back to her hometown after discovering her cheating fiance. She wants the old Callie gone and wants to create Callie 2.0. Stronger. More daring. More everything.

When they both meet in Woolf's club after a couple of years of chance run-ins, where they said hi in passing, their chemistry explodes. Woolf doesn't want to get involved, loving his kink too much. Also, he thinks that Callie shouldn't be touched by the depravity he craves. Callie on the other hand grows a wild hair and wants a taste of the naughty.

  

That's my sweet girl. Even with my fingers in you and another man's cock on your tongue, you're still the sweetest girl I'll ever know.

I loved pretty much everything about this book. Woolf's best friend Bridger, who is an enigma and I'm sure his story will provide us with some heartbreak. Woolf, who I watched falling in love with Callie with each page. Callie, who was a beautiful heroine - she loved Woolf but she wasn't a doormat. The fantasy Woolf and Bridger gave her. The sex was scorching. If you want a low angst book this is exactly what you're looking for. Sawyer Bennett starts to become a favorite of mine.

I am usually not a menage reader, and this isn't one either really, but Callie's fantasy was written with extreme care for the three characters and I loved every word of it.

Beebs' Review

What can I say? Another winner from Rhys Ford, I loved Deacon, I loved Lang and I loved, loved, loved Zig.

Deacon is a bad boy biker until he hears that his sister is dead and her little girl is in the foster system. He immediately fights to get custody, drops everything in his life and moves them to Half Moon Bay to give her a better life. Awwwwwww!!

Lang is a very wealthy bookstore owner, he is also their neighbour at the auto-shop and their landlord. He settled in Half Moon Bay after some nasty events in his own life and because his Grandma left him a house and a lot of other property there.

Zig is an adorable little 8 year old monster, she has had a horrible life to date and is just starting to trust that she can have a stable life with Deacon.

When these three come together, it is just wonderful. Deacon and Lang are wary of getting involved with each other but they can't stay away from each other. They are open and honest with each other at all times, Deacon is not sure he's good enough for Lang because Lang came from money and he's trailer trash but Lang isn't having any of that. Having money never made him happy but being with Deacon does, he can see what a good man he is just by watching him with Zig.

I could go on all day about how good this book is, some of the scenes with Zig had me laughing out loud or sniffling at how sweet Deacon is to her. The secondary characters are great too though Lang's brother West had a moment when I wanted to slap him. There are some very tense moments when their collective past is coming back to haunt them and I loved the way they all supported each other through it. Just can't recommend this book enough.

Beebs' Review

This is a short intense read, the story is quite dark but it is lightened by the time Syn and Damien (Stripes) spend together. The book alternates between past and present showing how the relationship between them develops and how they got to this point.

Due to a very traumatic event in her childhood Syn is very wary of people and never truly lets anyone into her life. Every time she starts to make friends something happens causing her to sever all ties and leave them behind. Damien is one of those people, they meet as 12 year olds when Syn saves him from some bullies but Syn moves away shortly after and they don't see each other for several years. When they meet again they are 18 and fall hard for each other. Syn makes the decision to leave Damien because she feels that she will hold him back, Damien is devastated and wants to stay together but she makes it impossible.

They are 23 now and still very much in love, they have met up again in some very strange circumstances but that is the least of their worries. Someone is out to hurt them both and is willing to go to extreme measures to do it.

This is not something I would usually read but the blurb caught me and I decided to give it a go. I'm glad I did, I really enjoyed it. Only one little niggle, I would have liked a little more of Tanner's POV, I wanted to know what it was that prompted him to keep turning up in Syn's life.

*Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Astrid's review

I want to kiss Karina Halle on her mouth for letting us revisit with Kayla and Lachlan. This read has made my Christmas holidays all the sweeter.

We met those two first in The Play. If you haven't read this one stop reading my review and go and do it. NOW.

After the events of "The Play" Kayla and Lachlan are both dealing with their respective problems. Lachlan's darkness is still creeping up on him but with the help of Kayla he has become very good at pushing it back and letting the light back in. After her transition to Edinburgh Kayla is trying to get a job with a newspaper. Additionally, she misses her mother and the rest of her family - it's Christmas after all. Broken down to the essential - they want to belong.

"Sibhe mo clann."

"It's beautiful," I tell him breathlessly. "What does it say?"

"It says you are my clan" 

Those two are perfection. Lachlan is such a gentle beast, with a huge heart and dirty mouth. Can't say often enough how much I love him.

"And when he whispers into my ear "I've got you", I believe him. He has me - now and forever. He won't ever let go. He won't ever let me fall"

Kayla's version of a Christmas tree is so hilarious, I couldn't stop laughing. If you come across this scene and you don't laugh you should stop reading this book altogether...it shows the quality of their relationship. How deeply they care for each other, how explosive their chemistry is and that they can laugh in the face of darkness. How comfortable they are with each other.

Both of them get what they want for Christmas.

"It's a strange feeling, to actually feel part of a family, something deep and organic. I know I've felt it over the years but when you're an orphan, that longing, that search to belong, it never really leaves you. But at least now, after last night, it's abated. There is peace. There is relief. And when it's all over, I think I'll just be a wee bit sad"

Finally a quote I loved because it shows how successful Kayla is chasing Lachlan's darkness away:

"The shadows are gone. I am here. I am there. I am hers. Completely. When we've both caught our breaths we curl up into each other and pull the covers over us, tucking us in tight. Christmas may be over. But we have just begun.

Astrid's review

3 Bitchy Stars

**ARC received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review - thank you!**
I have had a hard time wrapping my mind around this one. I loved the writing. I loved the premise of this book - a woman who was wronged in her past getting her revenge. I adored parts of the books. Others annoyed the heck out of me.

But let me say right away, this wasn't a bad read by all means.

Our heroine is Victoria, a 30+ successful woman who got where she is because she has been holding on to a grudge, which she has been nursing for more than 15 years because her first love broke not only her heard but her family. She left her home town, changed her name and appearance to become a life coach. Her career is based on being a Bitch with a capital B and she has heaps and heaps of money.

"I'm not that unsophisticated country girl anymore, that girl who loved with all her heart and soul. That girl is dead. There's only one girl left, the one made of ice and vengeance."

Parker is a successful restaurant-owner. He is a womanizer of the "wham-bam-thank you ma'am" kind. He doesn't do relationships and he doesn't answer questions about his past. However, while he is all that he isn't an asshole. Parker was scarred too - he is said boy who broke Victoria's heart.

The story starts when Victoria meets Parker again. She doesn't reveal who she is and Parker doesn't recognize her. She uses this fact and starts weaving a net of lies in order to get her vengeance - Parker destroyed not only her but also her family and everything is just to get there. While getting to know each other Victoria realizes that it's not as easy to keep Parker at arms length as she thought. Parker also senses a deep connection which he can't explain.

“I want to know all the dark places in you,” he whispers vehemently, his arms like a vise. “I want to be the one who has the key that unlocks all your bolted doors and chases away all the monsters you keep hidden behind them. I want to be the light inside your darkness. I want to be your rock and your safety net, the soft place you can fall.”

Parker falls for Victoria, he is fascinated by her contradicting personality.

"I want you so fucking badly I'll do almost anything to have you, and I think you want me the same way. But I won't beg. I won't be lied to. And I won't be led around by my balls. I only want it if it's real. Yes or no." My breath is ragged. I feel as if I'm standing over rocks far below. "Parker-" "Yes or no."

Victoria keeps reminding herself of the heartbreak she endured. She doesn't want to see anything else in Parker. They have one hell of a chemistry and the sexy times in this story were scorching and panty-soaking hot.

"We'll pretend you didn't say it. Please ignore the churro in my pants, because he is not quite as good at pretending as we are."

As mentioned, I loved the writing - it is witty, sarcastic and utterly captivating. Why only a 3-star-rating you ask? The story started to deteriorate around the 50% mark when Victoria kept holding on to her bitterness and couldn't let go of her vengeance even though it became obvious that Parker was a good guy.


I hit an even lower low when everything was out there, the truth on the table for Victoria to see and all she does is...

She showed a selfish streak even in her defeat and that made me angry. The author didn't redeem her for me. She was still the selfish bitter bitch she'd been from the start.


Please don't let my opinion keep you from reading this book. It was still a great story and had the most beautiful parts in it. I will read other books by J.T. Geissinger, she's an extremely talented writer if she can let go of the OTT drama.

Beebs' Review

Book 2 in the Watcher's Kiss series

In his previous life Scorpio was an assassin for an evil demon, in order to save his younger brother and sister from torture and worse he was forced to kill on command. He is sent to kill a mage, Pennar and the consequences lead to the Bronwy coven being run off their lands and under the thumb of Damien, leader of the Vespera coven.

Scorpio is now a Lash Watcher, on a mission with his team he is suddenly ported to Bronwy to answer for the consequences. Once there, he immediately scents his mate and is confused when she doesn't recognise him as her mate too, another consequence of his actions all those years ago.

It takes a while for Tessa and the rest of her village to realise that Scorpio was as much a victim of circumstance as them but they come to trust him and believe he wants to help put things to rights. Just in the nick of time, if his plans aren't successful Tessa will suffer.

I hadn't read the first book in this series but I don't think that mattered, it reads well as a standalone. I enjoyed the world building, loved the couple and thought the relationship was realistically played out. There was no insta-love from Tessa, Scorpio had to work to make her love and trust him.

*Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Astrid's review

3.5 stars

This was a short, quick read. It also contains a MAJOR spoiler, so make sure that you have read Shadow's End before this one.

Liam is Dragos' and Pia's magical son. And you just can't help but think he's growing up so fast. Too fast. Of course it doesn't help that he's a one year old in the body of a young adult. The process and why this happens to him is explained well and - since this is a paranormal series - it's credible.

Liam is butting heads with his autocratic father - being his father's son his dragon tells him so. Being the good person that he is though he knows how to reign in his wild side. The end of this short story left me satisfied and I know that Liam can take care of himself. I can't wait to see what adventures are ahead for the Cuelebres and the sentinels.

*ARC was given by the author via netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Juliet is the village healer, as a reward for curing Lady Woodley when she was ill, she is taken to London to enjoy society and perhaps meet a husband. Juliet goes along with this plan, though she is uncomfortable with it because she can see that there is something between her father and Lady Woodley. Gabriel is the youngest Woodley son, he is an academic and has no time for society and can't understand why the thoughts of Juliet with a husband bothers him. Of course, everyone else knows they are in love even if they haven't realised it themselves yet.

I always worry when I start reading in the middle of a series that I will have missed a lot and won't know what's happening but happily that wasn't the case here. Yes, I had missed a lot by not reading the first two books but enough background information was given that I was able to keep up. Much of what I missed in the previous books revolves around the mystery of Gabriel's missing twin sister. He has been searching for her since she went missing but has had no success, Juliet offers to help him search and this leads to them spending time together and coming to realise they are in love.

Overall, I enjoyed this book more for the mystery than the romance. I'm giving it 3 stars because I had to suspend my disbelief more than I liked and because there wasn't enough information given to discern which period of history it was set in.

*Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review