Cronic Bookaholic

2.75 stars

This was a nice story of friends turned to lovers. An ex-SEAL, Jake had been harboring attraction to his Commander-turned-boss's sister, Maria, for years. Unfortunately, Logan, said boss, had made it clear that his sister was off-limit - due to Jake's womanizing reputation. Yet when she stumbled into trouble - while trying to find her natural father, Jake was the one Maria called for help. Thus followed incidents that made them (more) aware of each others attractions - brother/boss' blessings otherwise.

While overall I liked the plot and the characters, there were a few niggles for me. Jake's nickname for Maria, for example - all these years he'd been calling her Chiquita without really knowing what it meant (he only found out about the last 20% pages of the story with went like this:
“Easy, Chiquita. Did you know Chiquita means baby? I didn’t until a few days ago. I just called you that because I liked the sound of it, but now it has meaning. Are you mad?..."
In the beginning he was also pretty hung up on his nickname "Romeo" and fighting his attraction to Maria because of that name and he kept saying, or I should say - talked to himself, "I am Romeo, I shouldn't do this," repeatedly. This was so not what I imagined a mature (and professional ex-SEAL) way of thinking. The fighting to get attached, I totally get - it's the reasoning that got me "Huh??"

Maria herself was a pretty cool young woman with, a computer and business wiz. Her only problem was her insecurity as a result of not so pretty childhood. There were no explanations in this book on whether the father she was looking for was Logan's father too or they were actually half siblings though (she was looking for a father with Spanish heritage. Considering Logan's and her last name, Kincaid - nothing Spanish about it, this did gave me a pause). Perhaps that could be found in #book1 of this series, [b:Crazy for Her|22813862|Crazy for Her (K2 Team, #1)|Sandra Owens|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1409135513s/22813862.jpg|40362972], which admitedly I haven't had the pleasure to read .

So. Entertaining? Somewhat. Even with the hot and cold relationship this pair had throughout the story. Although honestly, I was more curious about Jamie, Jake's friend and fellow ex-SEAL, character and Mouse, the cat. I wish there were more on these two. Alas... :)

Note: ARC was kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars
Yeah I guess this is sort of cute story of the upper and holy beings.
Thank you for recommending this, Ami! :)

2.75 stars

This story bounced ups down so many times it made me dizzy. It started on a pretty high notes for me (Scotland, highlander, that sexy burr, the humour, the banter, the heroine's sass, the crazy new boss, lynx guardian, bear-shifters and witches... yes, there's a lot about this book that I loved!) but then they started to get repetitive, cheesy, then too much. Ups and downs, over and over it went.

As the story set in Scotland with some Scottish characters, the narration and conversation put according to their accents. I had no objection to this whatsoever - I adore their accents, see. However, this was the first time I read the characters take pride of their Scot nationality the way these brothers (the Mathesons) talked - I agree on WildAboutBones account about that HERE. On a modern setting like this, their antics were too bizarre a practice IMHO.

The MCs... I loved Bryce, I did. He's this over six feet hunk of a braided ginger-haired highlander with a penchant of wearing his kilt and nothing else, anywhere - even for riding horse sans saddle (Yesss, there's that nuts and handle flashy scene); got a great sense of humour, charming, possessive, and loved his family. But gosh he's stubborn and the way he talked to Kenzie was often way too crash to my liking. I also felt he hadn't done enough groveling for Kenzie to forgive him. He shoulda grovel more!

As for Kenzie... I tried to like her character. She's a survivor of abusive marriage, monster of a da, and a supposedly talented and powerful wiccan! And I could understand her reluctant to take Bryce back - once bitten twice shy and the whole enchilada- but girl, the way that indecisiveness of yours bouncing:
I trust him. I trust him not. I trust him. I trust him not. He loves me. He won't stay faithful. I should leave the family to keep them save. I shall stay... on and on and on the repetition pawed at my patience!! Seriously? They gave me headache!!!

The love scenes between these two were also soo mouthy. I'm not a fan of vocal and loud sex scene, so I thought theirs were a tad on the cheesy side and too bawdy.

I liked humor in a story but some of the scenes were a bit over the top for me, like the one where Bryce and Kenzie shagging on the hospital bed made the alarms of Bryce's monitors went all bonkers and half a dozen medical staffs charged into the room and witnessing their climax. I also didn't think the five year old acted and talked her age - it felt too made up to be hilariously funny.

Last but not least, Fauste, the oh so powerful villain they all so feared of. Even when they bemoaning over his vile and dangerous power, I don't think they took him (Fauste) seriously. Were they any precaution made to prevent him got to Kenzie? No. They said she had to to hear her mother's account on the tape - but did Kenzie finish watching the tape? No. Even after the attack that put some of them in the hospital, they went with their lives as they were... which led to his father easily snatched Kenzie! **head-desk** And the final confrontation?? After the way Fauste being described as very powerful and difficult to defeat, the last “battle” was anticlimactic and just too damn easy.

All in all, this was an entertaining humorous read, but personally I think this story could be trimmed a bit. I always had a soft spot for Highlander story, even ranting away (privately) all the way to the end of the pages.

Note: ARC was kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for fair and honest review.

3.5 stars

I'd ante up the rating if it wasn't for the ending.
This was a surprisingly lucky pick for me, this book. I wasn't expecting to like the story, yet I did. I DO.

Imagine the fellowships of the ring went on a quest, on the verge of the Great War. Prince Cadeon and Amistan, our heroes, were part of this quest which started as a rescue mission when Amistan got bitten by vampire. Joining the rescue was Lord Kell, Amistan brother and king council, an unlikely foe turned ally vampire, a suspiciously not mortal, and a much later addition in the shape of bear-shifter.

Nothing was plain black and white, loyalties were suspicious, even within the fellowship or their closest and relatives. I believed there's more to come on the next book, as they were just beginning by the time the book ended (which I found rather annoying, really! - the not higher rating I mentioned earlier).
So. A pretty enjoyable reading. I shall look forward to more of this series. I hope it'll come soon...

2.5 stars

Pretty sure the expression shagging like rabbits was definitely put to actual use to the fullest in this story! Though not my regular cup of hot cocoa (incest, menage actions of duckling-filling rabbit-shifters sandwich... **pursed lips** sound too dishy???) I usually loved Ms. Derr's stories and this one was second installment in "Lost Shifters" series.

As entertaining as this book was, I liked the previous one better. This one felt a tad too superficial for me. Taking into account the "danger" the rabbit family had, or the flock drama ensued by Sydney's indecencies with the rabbit duo, even the trio shagging activities, I'd think I'd feel more... sparks. Excitement. Or something! Sadly, no, it left me feeling detached...

More like one night stand in a row, as until the last pages I didn't think Gabe and Lincoln ever got separated, ever. The problem with short story for me is when it tried to dump everything in such limited space; like Gabe's issues with his ex/best friend (although whether Brendan was really Gabe's best friend or not remained unclear), Lincoln's past and his (seeming) problem with his brother. The explanations on all these were a bit fuzzy and left me feeling more confused.

So what started as incidental one night stand ended up with Gabe and Lincoln wanted to give a go at a relationship. What miracle/revelation/magic happened in between... *g* sorry, I haven't got a clue.

Hm okay, while the plot was lovely somehow I failed to connect with this story.
Nothing wrong with the characters - none were too much of a prick, though I often thought Nicholas as a bit too bubbly. This was quite angst-free, slow burn, friendship center kind of story, which I usually chomp with gusto. This time though... *shrugs*

So I shall just leave it as "Read" sans rating, and who knows - someday I might reread this when the mood strike again and get lucky the second time around.

3.5 stars

Hades in modern world, playing at being PI - who could afford to hire him I've no idea. It wasn't like he actually need the pay anyway! :)
I so enjoyed this story. Didn't often get to see Hades depicted as the good guy. Charon, Hades' loyal ferryman, was no less entertaining in a creepy way of his.

I read the whole Infected series last year, being a late comer to the series. But the good thing was I didn't have to wait long for each books to read. So I still had them quite fresh in my mind - including Paris's death...
So this prequel was like talking a walk to the past, when Roan first met Paris. And I didn't shed a tear in this book, because there was a future, albeit a cautious one. :)

Did I love it? Yes (I mean; Roan and Paris! What's not to love!). It's also great to see Dee, I think he's the only surviving ex of Roan, being protective of Roan. Their relationships might have not worked out, but they were still care for one another.

What I felt like pouting at: I wish there were more scenes of Paris in this book, more of him with Roan. His name even used on the title, so why not mwaar of Paris?? Whyyyy... T__T

And beware of the many mentions of (junk) food in this book. I read it at midnight (BR with 2 of my GR pals) and we ended up desperately hungry for burgers, fries etc etc in the end!!! XD

The bears met twinkies - errr, sorry. I mean twinks - series continued with Harry, the half owner of Bronco, and Tristan story. At the beginning, I liked this one better than the previous installment (the characters actually had eyeing each other from a distance for a while, so it's not really insta-love or such things, right?). But soon the happy thought crumbled the further the story went, which rather saddened me. It became too predictable, too easy, and somewhat tacky. At this point I'm a bit wary if there's gonna be fourth book of the series...

Let's see...
- A cheeky (magic-able) guardsman
- A wizarding (errant) prince
- A meddling (kingly) brother
plus some spelling lessons, the palace, a small cottage at the edge of the wood.

What can I say, I love this story. No extensive misunderstanding (I counted only one that really matter), witty banter and budding friendships of said guardsman and errant prince, loving siblings relationships despite the years of separation. The conflict was very minimal if nothing at all.

I wish Myron could solve the problems with his parents, that there's an answer to his ever present bounded chest. Some questions remained unanswered until the last pages though. I dunno if there'd be sequel to this story (wouldn't refuse if there's one - even only a short one!). For a king, Stirling was not a convincing one to me, he's lovely as a brother though - a bit of a meddler, but I loved his last (meddling) attempt. Rather predictable. Still lovely and sweet of him. ;-)

Lastly, you won't be privy to Tamsen and Myron's smut activities. They kept it behind the scene, waaay behind... *cackles*
In fact, you won't find anything besides kissing and petting between our young lovers.

2.5 stars

Despite the rather bloody opening scene, I think this is a tame murder story. I imagined the killing were supposed to feel... scary. But no, I didn't really feel the killer's blood-thirsty rage. There's also lack of real actions here - just not what I expected from reading the blurb.

Considering the serial killer they were investigating, the lead investigator and Fed's profiler were too quick on jumping each other bones - I didn't feel their urge to catch the killer, personally I thought this was a pretty laid-back joint operations. Romance wise... well, although they seemed couldn't keep their hands off each other, I couldn't really buy their budding romance.

I might consider the next installment of the series, but... we'll see.

This is actually quite entertaining: the vampires and witches gay utopia where the male mates could get pregnant - MPREG, y'all.

However, I felt there were too many plots poured into this short story to make me really enjoy it. Perhaps if it's rather longer, with much more moderate pace and less busy plots...

This was nice though, that the author did catered to what was in the prompt. ;-)

2.5 stars
In many communities, Rumspringa is a period when some Amish youth, boys more than girls, experience greater freedom. They are no longer under the control of their parents on weekends and, because they are not baptized, they are not yet under the authority of the church. During this time, many Amish youth adhere to traditional Amish behavior. Others, however, experiment with “worldly” activities… Amish Study, Elizabethtown College
Not to being technical, but I need to get a grip on what I read so I looked the term up (I googled it! Yes, I’m not ashamed to admit it). This book was not my usual cup of tea but it was picked as Indonesian MM Readers Reading Challenge for this month, a 231 pages challenge – but who’s counting, right? – so I kinda hafta read this. *helpless grins*

It was a gloomy story for me back to back, and I struggled to understand A LOT from the story. Not to disrespect Amish community, but some of the things divulged here just… made me cringe, it was hard to connect with; and thus my focus was straying from the main characters, or the drama of their love life. Most of the time while reading I got this thought “Thank God I wasn’t the one living there” or “I wouldn’t survive with lists of things not allowed there” which were so not the point!

The characters were, like, 18 and 21 or something, so I figured them to have crush/lust at first sight instead of jumping into long lasting love. But of course(!!!) even at that age they were already being urged and asked to get married and start the family by almost everybody, even their peers or younger siblings. I guess that was the way things go there, but it just annoyed me! And as for the romance, this felt like a continued hook-up to me (that’s the foremost on our MCs mind anyway, to be together and be… intimate), I didn’t really get the chemistry.

In the end, all I felt was acute relief for having finally finished reading it. HEA, continued stories or whatever, I don’t think I would look further for David/Isaac story.

Some books are just not for me despite all the accolade and commendation this book has.

3.5 stars

I'm not much of a gamer myself but I love stories set in England with Brits characters. And I adore this story. Cute and funny - a nice light reading with touching ending (I love dogs so I'm happy for all of them and the people concern). :)

3.5 stars

What a wonderful delight this story is! Opposites attract. Will Grant was an outrageous, flamboyant and forward young man with lithe bod while Joshua was an older big hairy hunk of man who was rather conservative in term of dating style.

The story just flew charmingly from their first introduction to datings right to the end. I loved Will's parents and that Will took initiative to pursue the rather insecure big man. Also the rather old-fashioned courting - glad that Joshua insisted on third date rule, despite instant mutual attractions from their first meeting. An angst-free no drama with happy ending.

*Happy Sigh*