Angela's Satin Sheets Review for Highland Hogmanay by Krystal Brookes

Thursday, February 28, 2013-Angela’s Review of
Highland Hogmanay by Krystal Brookes
Title:  Highland Hogmanay
Author:  Krystal Brookes
Author’s Website:  www.krystalbrookes.com
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 72 pages

Find It On:  http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/krystalbrookes1                                      

 https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-highlandhogmanay-1036762-149.html

http://www.amazon.com/Highland-Hogmanay-ebook/dp/B00AWJMUUW

        The week between Christmas and New Year is always dreary and for single mum of two small

children, Isla, it's doubly so. A toddler throwing a tantrum and an over-inquisitive four year old are

stressing her out. The broken carrier bag spilling her shopping out in the wet street is the final straw.

But handsome Mark Ferguson turns up out of the blue to help her.

 The New Year may be looking up, until she finds out that Mark owns one of the biggest computing firms in the USA. Can they make a long distance relationship work and can Mark stop trying to make their relationship into a business venture?

Angela’s Review:

            Highland Hogmanay is the third book to be released from Krystal Brookes’ Kilrigh Heat Series.  I have had the pleasure of reading all three books, but the individual stories can definitely stand alone.

           Once again, Ms. Brookes was able to give that warm, small town feeling on the Isle of Kilrigh. I absolutely love the Scottish setting and how the author is able to give a reader the contemporary feeling, while weaving in a bit of the past traditions.  Like the other books in the Kilrigh Heat Series the sex scenes were hot, tasteful and romantic at times.  In Highland Hogmanay it gets a bit hotter!

             I love that the author stayed away from the traditional heroine when creating Isla.  She was a character that I could identify with, as her life style wasn’t perfect. This is a novella, and things moved rather quickly, but I am a true believer in love at first sight. The author did a wonderful job of keeping this whirlwind relationship realistic.   

          Mark Ferguson could possibly be every single mom’s dream.  Sexy, rich, loves kids and wears a kilt! He’s a take charge kind of guy, but open-minded enough to realize it!  My absolute favorite scene is when he takes the girls out to make a snowman.  What a guy! 

           I enjoyed this book very much. I am actually hoping that this author will pursue Sadie’s story in this series soon. If you’re looking for a fun, sexy and romantic read, you will want to check out Highland Hogmanay by Krystal Brookes

I give this:

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Heat Rating of:

 

 

Nadene's Satin Sheets Review of Teach Me to Forget

File Size: 397 KB 
Print Length: 290 pages 
Publisher: Black Opal Books (May 9, 2012) 
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Author's Website: http://mona-karel.com

BLURB

Bethany Acton has come a long way from the day she was an abused child-bride of a dissolute jet setter. Now divorced and single, she writes for a lifestyles magazine, lives out of her motor home, and answers only to her boss—when he can find her. She has overcome her horrendous past and taken control of her own life. But when Jonathan Merritt, a rising star in wildlife photography, enters her world, she learns that control is a tenuous thing. His past was despicable, but it hasn’t affected his future...until now. Jonathan knows he has met the woman with whom he wants to spend his future, but first he must admit his role in her past. Afraid the truth will turn her against him, he tries to gain her trust and affection before confessing. But the longer he hesitates, the harder it becomes to tell her. Can Jonathan gain enough of her love and trust for her to forgive what he did—or will his past indiscretions destroy his only chance for happiness?

NADENE’S REVIEW OF TEACH ME TO FORGET

Teach me to forget is a poignant contemporary romance set in San Francisco.  The setting was appropriately described which I believed helped with the development of the story.

Bethany, the lead female character, is an accomplished writer who has been emotionally and psychologically abused by her ex-husband. After escaping the source of her abuse, she embarked on a whole new life; however the issues of her abuse had not been dealt with.  She basically isolated herself and never stayed in one place for too long.  She was nervous about getting close to anyone and she used her writing as an emotional crutch. She tried to cover up her insecurities by being overly sarcastic and acting tough.

Jonathan Merritt is a wildlife photographer. He is very arrogant and egoistical. I believe that this was a defense mechanism on his part based on the issues of his past. Both he and Bethany had a lot in common a fact which he was to eventually learn. Even though he displayed such arrogant behavior it was obvious that he was a man of compassion and was capable of genuine love. This was evident in his photographs and in the way he treated Bethany. 

I loved how the characters grew throughout the story. Bethany was able to overcome her pain and insecurities with Jonathan’s help. During this time Jonathan was able to come to terms with his past and the role he had inadvertently played in Bethany’s past. During this process of healing they fell in love. I was glad to see Bethany overcoming her past and being able to trust again. 

The plot was interesting and as result I was compelled to continue reading to see the outcome of the story.  I say this because I felt that the story was moving too slowly.  The concept was easy to follow.

The romance between the characters developed gradually and was very realistic. The love scenes were tasteful and not too graphic.  This story emphasized that the first step to overcoming emotional wounds is the forgiveness of self and of that of the person who was the initial cause. Readers can identify with Bethany and her problems and how she was able to triumph in the end.

This is the second story I am reading for this author and I would definitely recommend this book to readers who are looking for an atypical contemporary romance.

Title was awarded 4 Satin Pillows

 

Heat Rating 2 candles.

 

Nadene's Satin Sheets Review of If I Loved You (Hollywood Hearts 1) by Jean C. Joachim

AUTHOR: Jean C Joachim

TITLE:  If I Loved You (Hollywood Hearts 1)

Published January 1st 2013 by Secret Cravings Publishing

Length:  250 pages
Website: http://jeanjoachimbooks.com/hollywood-hearts/if-i-loved-you-book-1/
                                     

BLURB

Does love always mean total truth? Successfully shunning the limelight was one way for Megan Davis to keep her family secret. The press intruded on her life when her twin brother, Mark, became the star quarterback for the Delaware Demons. Disrespectful of tabloid superstars, financial advisor, Meg, was shocked when she was tapped to launch a celebrity division in the prestigious investment firm, Dillon & Weed. The biggest surprise: the charisma of her first client.

Gorgeous, magnetic movie star, Chaz Duncan, wary of women who wanted to bask in his fame or sell his secrets to the media, valued privacy above all else. Would attractive Megan Davis, his new financial advisor charm the truth from him or would he continue his high profile but lonely existence to keep his secret safe? Jealousy, deceit and scandal threaten two careers and the quest for true love and trust in this roller-coaster-ride contemporary romance.

NADENE’S REVIEW OF IF I LOVED YOU (HOLLYWOOD HEARTS 1)

This is my first time reading a book from this author and I was not disappointed.  If I Loved You is a sweet romantic read set in NYC. It's  filled with drama and depicts the ups and downs faced by persons who are in the public eye. 

The lead male character, Chaz, who is an actor, was the epitome of sexiness and confidence.  He was a very private person and tried his best to keep his personal life away from the press. He had a past that he trusted no one with, that was until he met Megan.

Megan was a brilliant financial adviser who was given the task of handling Chaz’s finances. The attraction between them was instantaneous.  Megan hated any form of publicity but being apart of Chaz’s life plunged her into a world she had tried so hard to avoid.  This had some devastating effects on their budding relationship. Megan was self-confident when it came to her career but as a person she is insecure and could not believe that someone like Chaz could be genuinely interested in her.

This story depicts that persons should live their lives the best they can for no matter what there will always be persons who are jealous of you for no reason and will try to ruin your happiness.  This story was an easy read. It flowed beautifully from beginning to end.  I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next one in the series. This is a must read for readers who enjoy a sweet and fun romantic read.

Title is awarded 4 satin pillows.

 

Heat Rating - Sweet

Kande's Satin Sheets Romance Review for A Taste of Chocolate by: Vonnie Davis

Title:  A Taste of Chocolate

Author: Vonnie Davis

Publisher:  Still Moments Publishing

Book Amazon I b&n I Manic Readers I Still Moments Publishing

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length:  31 pages

Summary:  “A man’s kiss should taste like chocolate, dark flavor melting, doing sensual things to you.” ~ Freya, the Matchmaker
 Hope Morningstar has the worst luck with men. One boyfriend wrote her a “Dear John” letter while serving overseas. Her latest romantic interest broke up with her in a text. When a traffic detour puts her in an unfamiliar neighborhood, she stops at Freya’s Coffee Shop where she gets more than directions. She gets another chance at finding love.

Declan Fleming, scarred by a cheating ex-wife, has given up searching for love. He’s taken the route of a few other men and engaged the services of Freya, the matchmaker. Still, he’s been waiting for a year and he’s just about given up hope. Then Freya sends him Hope.

When feelings of insecurity and trust issues come into play, can finding love stand a chance? Can the magical influence of this matchmaker create a happy ending? After all, finding that one special love often involves a bit of special magic, does it not?

Kande's Review:

Wow. I chose this book because of the interesting quote about men's kisses being like chocolate but I'm blown away by this book. Just reading the first chapter had me hooked and wanting to read more. By the end of the second chapter I became addicted. Seriously, if you don't own this book you need to get it like now... the links are above... go go go... now! 

*coughs* 

Anyway the author did a fantastic job of creating these characters. Hope, her character is beautiful and insecure, looking for love in all the wrong places until she meets Freya the matchmaker! In a coffee shop of all places. Everything that happens there is so detailed and thought out that it makes me feel like I'm there.  I actually felt like I was at the coffee shop having chocolate cake with Freya!  When Hope goes to meet the mystery man he has flowers and is as charming as ever. They look around the mall and become closer as they learn more and more about each other. He's charming, sexy, powerful and did I mention sexy? Hope becomes goo when he puts the move son her asking for another date on his boat... but when her ex comes back and wants her back who will she choose? 

"Does he makes you feel special?" Declan asks Hope to try and make her see the her ex isn't right for her. His passion and personality made me fall in love with Declan instantly... but she wanted to talk with her ex so he left and she hadn't spoken to him again in weeks. When she finally realizes she wants a chance with Declan she goes back to the coffee shop to ask Freya for his information but the coffee shop is nowhere to be found. I think my heart stopped beating when I read this chapter. She finally admits she wants him and there is no way to contact him. She goes online and researches the one thing she knows about him and finds his shop. 

Once inside they play it out in such a cool and fun way. "I'm looking for a man... an alpha male" He responds and they have this cute little banter and then they kiss. Kiss for the first time. The only downside to this story is it ends so suddenly! I would love to read more of Declan and Hope! I need to read more about them and their relationship!  This book is a MUST READ!! I will be reading this cute little story for a long time! I'm so happy with it! Overall a fantastic story! I give it 5 satin pillows! - Outstanding! Completely Blown Away! Not many books are this fabulous! Plot was original! Characters leapt off the page! I wish I had an autographed copy to keep on my shelf at home.