Captured Heart by Savanna Grey

 

 

If you're in the need for a low angst type book, with a little heartbreak, but definite happy ending, then this book will definitely be the book for you.

 

Emma is a kindergarten teacher, living in her hometown, enjoying the quiet life that she's made for herself over the years with a lot of good friends.  Suddenly, through tragic events, her life is turned upside down when she is thrown into position of taking care of her god-daughter, Olivia.

 

Caring for Olivia is never the issue or the problem - the problem is Jack, her uncle, who is also sharing joint custody.  The uncle that Emma has secretly had a crush on for the past 8 years.  The Uncle that, even though she only sees on occasion at holidays - she can't stop lusting after.

 

Jack is your typical career-oriented, lawyer and ladies man.  No long term relationships, only a good time - and work is the most important thing.  The problems with this start when Jack starts spending time with Olivia and Emma after he becomes Olivia's joint guardian.  He's always found Emma attractive, but knew she was off limits because she was not a "one night stand" type of girl.  But, being in the same house together - dealing with their grief, learning how to care for Olivia - is pulling them towards each other.  They find it impossible to deny their attraction - but Jack still is not sure he wants to change his ways altogether.

 

 

It was beautiful to see how Emma handled Olivia and her grief - always putting her and her feelings first, and taking great care for her.  Jack also did his share of trying to heal Olivia, even if his experience with children was limited.  Putting aside their troubles with each other together their main goal was to give Olivia the best life she deserved, regardless of the tragedy she experienced.

 

 

 

 

Even though the story mainly revolved around Emma, Jack and Olivia, there were quite a few other characters and townspeople that were quite charming and memorable, especially Emma's three friends.  I look forward to reading about them in the future and discovering more about their lives.  After reading Captured Heart you'll really feel like you want to visit Garrett's Point and maybe stay awhile.

 

 

Vital Sign by J.L. Mac

Ok - now that I think all my tears have dried, I think I can finally manage to write out my review.  After reading the synopsis for this book, I have to admit I was scared going in to this book, just knowing that there were going to be parts that would break me down and make me cry.  This would be the kind of book that would speak to me, make me face things that I have pushed down, bring up old memories and feelings - but I dove right in, realizing those aren't bad things at all.

My heart broke so many times for Sadie.  Even two years after the death of her husband, she was still stuck deep in the grief of his loss.  This book was written so well I could really feel her loss, the unfairness, the emptiness, the anger – all the feelings she continued to experience, yet never quite moving past and on with her life. 

Luckily Sadie had a family that helped keep her going when she didn’t have the strength to care about things.  Support to keep her moving – giving her encouragement, that wasn’t always welcomed by her.  She had a mother with the most incredible wisdom and love for her daughter that even now, a week later after reading this book, still brings tears to my eyes.

Her family believes that if she met some of the people who got her husband’s organs, it may help her heal.

“My inner circle’s theory on things don’t seem to add up anyway.  They want me to move on with grieving by meeting some people who I hate simply because they exist and Jake doesn’t   Let me reiterate:  they want to send their emotionally unstable family member to meet some strangers who she feels an irrational hatred towards.  I may come by my insanity honestly.”     ----Sadie

But in the end, Sadie does decide to meet three of the recipients.  The last on her list to meet is Alexander/Zander, and this is when her healing from the grief starts. 

“The connection I feel to this woman was so instant.  I’ve never felt anything like it.  Something about her, about me, about the situation that we find ourselves in – if I believed in fate, I’d say exactly what it is.  If fate exists, if it’s real.  I would say that somehow our journeys are the same.”    ---Zander

 

Zander is dealing with his own past issues - as he's isolated himself the past two years, after receiving his heart transplant.  He doesn't feel worthy or deserving of the second chance he was given - and he's sure that Sadie will feel the same way in the end.  But, he can't stay away from Sadie, he's drawn to her in an unexplainable way - and Sadie is feeling things towards Zander that she never thought she would feel again towards another man besides Jake, and it terrifies her.

There’s so much to more that Zander and Sadie need to face as they both get to know each other.  Sadie is still so unsure of so much more now that Zander has come in to her life.  She has to face even more feelings – and this time she can’t sit back and go through the motions – this time she has to make a decision.  With the advice from a new friend, Dawn, and the determination of her mother – Sadie will finally decide where she needs to be and where her life needs to go, whether Zander is a part of it or not.

Death is never a subject we like to talk or even think about, yet we all experience.  This book shows a beautiful journey of a young woman finally moving past her grief to truly experience all that life still has to offer her.  This will definitely be a story that stays with me for a long time – absolutely loved it.



The Will (Magdalene #1) by Kristen Ashley

I can't do reviews for Kristen Ashley books.  Why??? Well, it's simple as this - they are KRISTEN ASHLEY BOOKS!!! - You can NEVER go wrong with reading one of them.  If you have read one her books before - you know exactly what I'm talking about.  If you've never read one of her books - STOP EVERYTHING you are doing - and sit down and start with this book.  This book was amazing - and left me wishing it would never end, as most of her books usually do leave me feeling.  So many people to love in this book - and a new town and state to look for Alpha men!  One of my all time favorites for sure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfixable by Tessa Bailey

Irish men are a complicated sort.  They'll knock you on your arse when you're not looking.

 

 

 Willa is on her way to Dublin, Ireland after winning the trip through a photography contest.  The trip comes at a perfect time - as she just broke it off with her "perfect" boyfriend of two years - and she feels the need to get away from all the reminders of him, and her feelings of not being ever what he really wanted or needed.  She wants to find her "old self" instead of the person she has been pretending to be for the past two years.

 

 

Shane is helping his mother and sister run his family's Inn and Bar after his father passed away six months ago.  It's not where he wants to be - he has other dreams he needs to chase, and is battling with his decision of how to handle the situation he's been put in.  Being trapped at the bar which reminds him too much of his father, is really not where he wants to end up.

 

I knew I was going to love Willa right from the beginning - especially with how she totally "sassed" Shane right back within minutes of meeting him at the airport - and then left him at the airport and got her own cab to the Inn.  Right from the start - there is the constant battle of wills and attitudes with these two - not to mention the sexual tension that radiates off of them.

"It's inevitable, Willa.  We are inevitable.  When you stop fooling yourself, come and find me."

 

Both are struggling with their life and decisions they have made that led them to where they are.  Both are trying to figure out who they are and where they actually belong.  Both are made for each other - but Willa feels guilty for having feelings for Shane so soon after her breakup with Evan, not to mention the fact that she's only in Dublin for a month.
 

Shane is just too irresistible and charming to resist - even though she tries her hardest to avoid him at all costs.  She finally gives in to her feelings - but there's still the question hanging in the background, of what will happen to them once it's time for her to go home.



 

Dammit, Willa.  I didn't see you coming.

 

 

I loved watching as Willa finally let go, and opens up herself to Shane - finally realizing that she wasn't "Unfixable" at all.  Loved this story.
 

 

 

Captured in Croatia by Christine Edwards

 

It just keeps getting better and better with Christine Edward's books.  This book had me hooked from the beginning - especially once Zoran, in his incredibly sexy Croatian accent,  uttered the words...

"You're mine now, princeza."

 

After Zoran frees her out of her crashed car that she's trapped in, Carew can't decide if he is her captor or rescuer.  No way is Zoran returning her to his boss - he knows what Juric will do to her and Zoran has no intention of any more harm coming to her.  At the bar he was immediately attracted to her, she's exactly what he's been waiting for.  So he takes her back to his home - where no woman has been invited before.

 

Zoran doesn't mess around either - he's all sexy Dom and he's straight with Carew right from the beginning.  If she doesn't do what he asks.....well, there are consequences.  Consequences that bring both pain and pleasure.  Carew doesn't want to give in, she's stubborn as hell - and she'll gladly pay the consequences for her defiance, and along the way she starts to fall for Zoran and all that he can give her.  But the future is unclear, as to whether he'll let her go home or he'll keep her for himself - or will either be an option.

 

I totally fell in love with Zoran.  Even with all his dominating ways - he continually showed how much he truly cared for Carew.  The best part is always when a kick-ass, strong-willed heroine like Carew, finally submits to a Dom like Zoran, who will treasure what she is giving to them by submitting.  I absolutely loved the romantic suspense storyline of this book - and as always I'll be anticipating the next book from Christine Edwards!

 

 

The Infamous Ellen James (Infamous #1) by N.A. Alcorn

 

OMG - where has this book been hiding - and why am I now just finding out about it???  I absolutely LOVED this book!  I have never laughed, chuckled, smirked and smiled while reading a book - like I have during this book.  Ellie and Amy are freaking nuts - crazy hilarious best friends.  Not only that, they are nurses - and the situations these two face together, had me shaking my head - laughing at their responses and comments. They are so much fun - it made me jealous that I wasn't part of their friendship, because they would be so awesome to hang around with.

 

Then there's Dr. Thrust Me - or was it Dr. Hammer - or you could call him Trent.  How can I describe him...well he's basically a "superhero" - or parts of him are - but basically he's "Perfection".  Why? - because he wants Ellie, he goes after her - and he shows how much he's into her - and the best part is that he loves her personality and her craziness.  He laughs at her, with her - and even encourages her to be even crazier.

 

If you need a read to lighten things up from those darker, angsty books you've been reading - you definitely need to read this book - and get ready for your cheeks to hurt from all the smiling and laughing you're about to experience - you won't be disappointed!!

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Perfect (Limelight #2) by Elisabeth Grace

After their first brief, scorching meeting in a bar - both are shocked, to say the least to find out that Skye has been hired to be Landon's personal assistant.  Skye doesn't want to do anything to ruin her new job and possibly damage her father's name as he runs for Senate.  She's also trying to prove she's independent and doesn't need her parents money to get by.  Landon is worried about crossing the line as her boss, and as the owner of the Public Relations firm, he has a reputation to uphold - but he can't get the way she felt against him when they kissed at the bar out of his mind.

 

Wow!  There is definitely a ton of chemistry between Landon and Skye - and the sexual tension as they try not to cross the line between boss and employee becomes a serious challenge that is impossible to overcome.  Taking a business trip together puts them in more situations together and things definitely heat up between the two of them.

 This is definitely a lighter read, with some seriously hot scenes (Landon has figured out the very best way to drink Champagne for sure!) - with a few twists and turns along the way - as they get to know each other, while hiding the fact from everyone that they are together - not to mention other outside forces that seem to make their relationship difficult to work out.  I'm really enjoying reading this series - and definitely look forward to the next book with Katie - because she is going to be something else!