Review: "Shoot to Thrill" by Nina Bruhns

Shoot to Thrill by Nina Bruhns

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book required a huge suspension of disbelief on my part, but it worked because NB's writing is very good and the non-stop action kept me on the edge of my seat and didn't give me any time to think, LOL. What annoyed me in this read, and I can't believe I'm going to say that, was the sex: it just got in the way too many times and it didn't help to move the story along. So, 4 stars it is.

Note: I was going to write a full review, but I decided against it when I realized that the more I thought about this book, the more "critical" I became. Now that the adrenaline rush is over and I'm no longer enthralled by NB's writing, it's harder to keep my disbelief suspended. So I'd better stop before I drop my rating to 3 stars.



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Review: "Savor the Moment" by Nora Roberts

Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


3 1/2 stars



Once again, NR proves how good she is when it comes to write friendship. Unfortunately, that got in the way of the romance and I didn't connect with Del and Laurel's love story. Del was a nice guy, but too smooth and perfect to raise my temperature. Laurel was a bit harsher than him, but her bouts of temper felt forced to me because they were irrational and came out of nowhere. Okay, that is known to happen in Romancelandia, but that behavior is usually associated with a character who's also irrational - and that wasn't Laurel's case.

So, all in all, this was a slightly better than average read to me, mostly because I enjoyed watching the friends' dynamics. Del and Laurel's romance was kind of meh. I was happy with their HEA, but I wouldn't be devastated if they had decided to stay just friends.

Now I have a long wait until Happy Ever After, the last book in the series. I really hope it's worth the wait and the series ends with a bang. :)



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Review: "Full House" by Carol Lynne

Full House by Carol Lynne

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The Poker Night series features a group of 6 gay men (Zac, Bobby, Trey, Angelo, Marco and Kent) who have been friends for almost 4 years and get together to play poker, drink beer and have fun every other Saturday. As the series starts, they're all single, but it's obvious that each of them is destined to find their HEA as the series progresses.

The 5th and final book in the series, Full House, is Marco and Kent's story and picks up a short time after Different Suits ended. I'd been waiting to read this book since I started the series, as it was obvious that Marco and Kent were destined to be together - I mean, all those barbs they kept throwing at each other could only mean true love, LOL -, and I'm glad to say I wasn't disappointed.

If you haven't read the previous books in the series, you might think that the romance between Marco and Kent is too sudden. That's why I highly recommend reading this series from the start, because the relationship between them doesn't start in this book. Also, you don't fully see how strained it was and how wrong Kent was about Marco if you aren't with them all along the journey.

In an interesting way, this story follows a template that's very similar to a "classic" HQ novel (with the exception that this is a M/M relationship, of course): 37-year-old, successful construction business owner Kent is 24-year-old, down-on-his-luck Marco's boss and, due to some misconceptions, treats the younger man like crap until he finally finds out how good, responsible and worthy Marco is; then, they fall in love, work their way through some conflicts and live HEA. I'm not complaining, as that template has proven to be successful through the years and I happen to like it.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book - and the whole series, for that matter - but Marco's age and background came as a surprise to me. Not a particularly nice one, as that was inconsistent with his behavior. Let me explain:

1. If he had such a hard time making ends meet and supporting his younger brothers and sister, how could he afford losing money in the bi-weekly poker nights with his friends?

2. Poker night has been going on since he was 20 years old, which means that his brother Bruno was only 13, his brother Nicky was only 11 and his sister Maria was only 6 when he left them alone at home to hang out with his friends.

That didn't make any sense, considering how responsible and protective Marco was when it came to his family. Anyway, that wasn't bad enough to ruin the book for me, because I loved everything else about it. :)



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Review: "Mind Game" by Christine Feehan

Mind Game by Christine Feehan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The PNR aspect in this book was stronger than in the 1st book in the series, and it was better explained. Geek that I am, I just love the scientific "mumbo jumbo"! The romance aspect wasn´t too shabby either: Nicolas and Dahlia could really burn down the house - sorry, I couldn´t help the "bad" joke... ;)

I´m definitely hooked to this series and can´t wait to see all the remaining GhostWalkers finding their matches!



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Review: "Different Suits" by Carol Lynne

Different Suits by Carol Lynne

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The Poker Night series features a group of 6 gay men (Zac, Bobby, Trey, Angelo, Marco and Kent) who have been friends for almost 4 years and get together to play poker, drink beer and have fun every other Saturday. As the series starts, they're all single, but it's obvious that each of them is destined to find their HEA as the series progresses.

The 4th book in the series, Different Suits, is Angelo's story and picks up about a month after Pocket Pair ended.

Angelo Pilato is the odd man out among the selected group of poker buddies. He's a successful radio station's sales manager, he's always well-dressed in expensive clothes, drives a Mercedes, owns a beautiful house and only drinks "that flavored pussy beer" (as his friends call the Mexican beer he favors). He isn't a snob, he's just determined to live a life as different as possible from the one he had while growing up as a poor boy.

Police Detective Juan "Moody" Torrence is nothing like the type of man Angelo finds interesting, and vice versa. He grew up in the same kind of neighborhood as Angelo's, but he isn't as obsessed with financial security as the other man. Angelo and Moody met in the previous book, when Moody was assigned to Trey's rape case, and butted heads right from the start. It was obvious that there was something going on there, but neither acted on it... until a homophobic reverend starts harassing Angelo and threatening his life. Moody is called to the rescue, and the rest is history...

Angelo has never been a favorite character of mine in the previous books in the series, but that isn't why I had problems with this book. The thing is, Angelo and Moody were complete opposites and didn't fit together. I like opposites-attract stories, but I need to feel that the H/H complement each other and that didn't happen here. The sexual chemistry was there, but not the love.

That said, this was still an OK read, saved by the secondary characters. I love those guys' friendship and how they're always there for each other, no matter what. I wish they were my friends. :)



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Review: "Pocket Pair" by Carol Lynne

Pocket Pair by Carol Lynne

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The Poker Night series features a group of 6 gay men (Zac, Bobby, Trey, Angelo, Marco and Kent) who have been friends for almost 4 years and get together to play poker, drink beer and have fun every other Saturday. As the series starts, they're all single, but it's obvious that each of them is destined to find their HEA as the series progresses.

The 3rd book in the series, Pocket Pair, is Trey's story and picks up a few months after Slow-Play ended.

As the story opens, Trey Huggins is still recovering from what happened to him at the end of the previous book. Quiet, shy and very lonely, he'd agreed to have a date with a man he met on an online website. That became a nightmare when the man turned out to be a psycopath who left him to die after raping and stabbing him. Now, still trying to deal with the consequences of that event, Trey decides to act on his long-time crush on Cole Harding, the principal of the school where he and his friend Zac teach.

Cole is a handsome, confident, successful, closeted gay man. He's also had a secret crush on Trey for years, but he needs to keep his private and professional life separate. He isn't willing to risk his career for an affair with Trey, but when he learns what's happened to his favorite teacher (sorry, bad joke), he rushes to help. Soon, there's no denying their feelings for each other and what begins as a crush grows into love. But Trey is still too emotionally damaged by what happened and isn't ready to embrace a physical relationship with Cole. Will Trey ever be ready for that? Is Cole's love strong enough to endure a sexless relationship? And what about the public implications of their relationship? Is Cole ready to come out of the closet yet?

Wow, I really enjoyed this book. Despite its premise (a man recovering from a rape attack), this wasn't an overly dark and angsty story. Trey's issues weren't ignored, but they didn't took over the pages and I was glad. I loved, loved, loved Trey: he was so sweet, I wanted to cuddle him and help him get over his nighmare. Unfortunately (for me, not for him), Cole was there. ;) I liked the way they didn't jump into bed right away, as it would be too unbelievable considering Trey's situation. Cole was kind and patient, exactly what Trey needed.

Now, the "bad" part... I admit I was uncomfortable with the huge age difference between Trey and Cole: Trey was 29 years old and Cole was almost 20 years older. That was too much, especially because Trey was very inexperienced - he was a virgin, rape aside - and sometimes insecure. Theirs was not a balanced relationship, IMHO. Anyway, I'm choosing to ignore that and believe in their HEA, just because I love those guys and wish them the best. :)



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Review: "Lord Perfect" by Loretta Chase

Lord Perfect by Loretta Chase

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It was exceedingly Difficult for me to write This Review. Nonetheless, I must bow to a greater Necessity: To Express how much I loved this Book. I know I risk failing to convey my Opinion as well as I wish, but be assured that I have tried to do My Best.

Benedict Carsington, VISCOUNT RATHBOURNE, is the Heir to the EARL OF HARGATE and an acknowledged Paragon. He is always perfectly attired, his manners are impecable and his behavior is above reproach. He lives by a set of Rules that has been instilled into his mind since the Day he was Born, and he is completely devoted to fulfill his Family's and Country's Expectations. He even takes upon himself the Responsability of raising his thirteen-year-old Nephew and Godson Peregrine Dalmay, EARL OF LISLE and sole issue of Benedict's deceased wife's brother, the MARQUESS OF ATHERTON. It is an indisputable Fact that Peregrine is better off with his Esteemed Uncle. Not that the MARQUESS and the MARCHIONESS OF ATHERTON do not love their offspring. They do, but they are too ghastly Emotional to deal with him. Peregrine needs Logic, Calm and Rules to thrive. All the things that only his Esteemed Uncle can provide. Benedict Carsington, VISCOUNT RATHBOURNE, never does anything wrong. He is LORD PERFECT... until Fate places Mrs. Bathsheba Wingate in his life.

Tragic Circumstances have made Bathsheba and, by consequence, her twelve-year-old daughter Olivia Lepers and Outcasts from the Great World to which Benedict belongs. Much to her dismay, Bathsheba was Born in the ramshackle branch of the respectable DeLucey family. The Dreadful DeLuceys, as those who are born in that branch of the family are known, are thoroughly Disreputable - and Proud of it. Bathsheba has never followed in her swindling parents' footsteps, but Society always visits the the sins of the Elders upon the Children. Her status as a Leper and an Outcast did not change when she married Jack Wingate, the younger son of the EARL OF FOSBURY. His parents cut him off when they failed to call the wedding off, but that did not prevent Bathsheba and Jack from living Happilly Ever After for twelve years, until a Tragic Accident took his life. Since then, Bathsheba has been struggling to support herself and her Cunning Daughter as best as she can, working as an artist and a drawing teacher.

When Fate makes Bathsheba cross paths with Benedict, their Meeting leaves a most Forceful Impression upon both of them - and their respective Children. Until the Family Curse is lifted Bathsheba is Aware that Nothing can come out of that Forceful Impression, since Benedict is a Respectful member of the Great World and she is one of the Infamous Dreadful DeLuceys, but Sweet Olivia is full of Ideas and has the Audacity of involving Peregrine in her Schemes. When an Unexpected Event takes place and Matters Reach a Crisis, Olivia decides that there is Not a Moment to Lose: she must Depart on her Quest AT ONCE and find the Hidden Family Treasure that will bring her Mama the Happiness she deserves. Stoic and Responsible Peregrine tries to stop Stubborn Determined Olivia but ends up joining her on her Mad Quest.

Needless to say, Benedict and Bathsheba run after their Reckless Children as soon as they find out what has happened. As Circumstances force Benedict and Bathsheba to spend time together, he takes the Liberty of telling her how greatly he admires her. In response, she reveals that she admires him too. Since a gentleman never contradicts a lady, Benedict has no option but to conclude that the admiration is mutual... and act on it. One day the Family Curse'shall be lifted, and then Unfortunately, there can be no future for their Affair. He is bound to the Expectations of his Family and his Country, and she does not want to be the cause of Dissent between him and his Family. Only a Miracle could give them the HEA they deserve. Or, perhaps, one of Olivia's Ideas...

Oh, this was such a Delightful Read! Everything was PERFECT: the (main and secondary) characters, the plot, the dialogues, the ROMANCE, the (HOT) love scenes... I must say that I usually dislike the presence of Children in Romance novels, as they are either annoyingly cute or unbelievably mature, but Peregrine and Olivia were Charming, Intelligent and, most Important, Essencial to the story.

As I mentioned on the Introduction of This Review, I fear I have not the necessary skills to convey the Greatness of This Book. Merely saying "I loved it" is too simple - and yet, it is the true Expression of my Feelings. I am much obliged to Ms. Chase for writing such a vastly interesting and entertaining book, and I am truly happy to add this Treat to my Keepers shelf.

I am most curious to learn about Benedict's youngest brother Darius and WHAT IS TO BE DONE ABOUT HIM. I don't know what needs doing, as I have seen very little of him so far. Olivia thinks of him as the Elusive Uncle, for he's never about. But then, he is a Bachelor, and they lead unsettled lives.

I also look forward to the day when Olivia becomes a Bachelor, as she should like to live an unsettled life. I know she has thought about the future a great deal and has several Ideas. I wonder if the Great World is ready for them her.



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