Thoughts On . . . Kitty's Christmas Hope by Sharon Kleve

Kitty's Christmas Hope
by Sharon Kleve

series: Dreams Come True
publisher: Books to Go Now
publish date: March 2014
ASIN: B00J4YMOPW
28 pages

Author's blog | Twitter | Facebook

Grade: C


Book Blurb:
Kitty Skinner meets the perfect guy, he's kind, considerate and sexy as hell. She hopes to spend her favorite holiday with him, Christmas Eve. The only problem is, Aaron treats her like his best friend, not the girlfriend she dreams of being. To make matters worse he’s found his perfect girl and wants Kitty to help plan their first date.

Aaron Tyler thinks Kitty is sweet, talented and someone he can settle down with, but believes he has to deceive her into believing he cares for someone else to win her heart.

Nothing goes as planned when one mishap after another prevents them from admitting their true feelings.


My Thoughts:
I've had the book awhile and didn't reread the blurb before starting it. Now I'm thinking poor Kitty!, she's fantasizing about the guy she's at the football game with and he thinks they need to talk after the game. Dang, she was told Aaron never dated a girl more than once but I'm thinking this isn't much of a date!

off to read . . .

This could have gone very badly! The deception could have had Kitty holding true to her phone call . . . "Her words sounded final, as though she never wanted to see him again" but fiction often demands a happy-ever-after.

There are a couple of questions but I believe one could be answered reading the previous books in the series and the other if the book itself was longer.

This could have been a quick and fun read but I had formatting problems with my review copy. The book itself was a sweet read and I'm thinking the two friends need books of their own.

 off to check to see if they do!


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this book without any obligation to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of amazon.com and is being reviewed as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2015

Thoughts on...Perfect Bait by Michael Fowlkes

I don't usually read reviews on books I'm going to review but I couldn't help but read a snippet that was posted on the book's website. "Blows Fifty Shades out of the Water..." Now I have no desire to read Fifty Shades so I'm not sure if this little snippet is a good thing or not. Time will tell.

Off to read....

I have very mixed feeling about this title. There were brilliant bits of philosophy and a heart stopping rescue even before the kidnapping. The kidnapping itself was so slick no one, except Corey of course, had an inkling something was wrong. Even when there was no radio contact and the ship was late.

Flaws: I was having trouble keeping up with the fact that the time setting of the book was not recent. For example, Seattle waterfront that "used to be a shantytown of makeshift craft...were being run off by multilevel, built-to-the-hilt, wall-to-wall floating condos" sounded current then the third of the best friends gets drafted for the Vietnam War. 

There were several places where there were no spaces... andIreallyhopethatiscorrected...

Sex: Most of the sex flowed well, just like any other mainstream novel, nothing kinky going on here. Some seems added just to have a sex scene. None of that bothered me as much as three pages of descriptive sex between between teens. Call me a prude if you want but it wasn't the sex, which was quite vanilla as far as sex goes, it was the high school freshman part!

Corey grows up in chapter one. Has sex in chapter two. He gets married in chapter three...

Gems: I absolutely loved Augie and think every child needs one in their life. Lloyd Wolf was an angel with his timing and knowledge. Also, someone I'd want in my corner. The philosophy of Jasmine and Jennifer could be made into a small inspirational book. The relationship between Jennifer and Corey shines. The teamwork of Corey's crew made me want to book a fishing trip.

The book didn't really grab me until the end of Chapter Ten. Still, it wasn't my complete attention. That didn't happen until pages 231. Was there too much back story? I don't know what could have been left out. Maybe I was focused on other stuff, I was vacationing after all and working on a deadline.

The books ending was all I was expecting before I started reading and I am glad I finished it. Would I read the author again? Yes, but it would be a library check out. Perfect Bait may have started as a D+ but it ended as a B and I feel that's a pretty good improvement.


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this book without any obligation to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of Barnes and Noble, amazon and my copy of the book.

Perfect Bait
previously released as Flawed
by Michael Fowlkes

publisher: Thunderbird Press
ISBN: 978-0974240657
Publication date: May 2012
Trade Paperback
Fiction/Erotic Romance
Mature Audiences!
392 pages
Grade: C

Book's website


Product Description:

The richly-textured settings of Seattle's commercial waterfront, San Diego's topless beaches and the breathtaking waters off Cabo San Lucas create the backdrop for a riveting story of love, romance and betrayal, as a young couple find themselves in a fight for their lives having been set up by the FBI as perfect bait.

Now, that's what it says at amazon and Barnes and Noble but the back of my book?

The richly-textured settings of Seattle's commercial waterfront, San Diego's topless beaches, and the breathtaking waters off Cabo San Lucas create the backdrop for a riveting story of kidnapping, rape, and murder.

Born and raised in Seattle, Corey Phillips is new to Southern Calfornia, but with his devoted and beautiful girlfriend Jennifer by his side, their boat "Vintage" has become one of the top charter operations in the area.

However, not all those seeking trips offshore are looking for fish. Young girls are disappearing. Local authorities hope the FBI can put the pieces together, but nothing fits-until Corey and Jennifer become the perfect bait and find themselves in a fight for their lives.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Thoughts on...Liver Let Die by Liz Lipperman

I had high hopes for this book but it took me just over a week to read it. The writing was nice and I loved the storyline. It's just that I knew a key piece of information very early (which doesn't usually happen) plus, there were places that felt like a cheesy horror movie....you know, when the actor goes to do something that you know will end up badly. I really wanted to shake some sense into Jordan.

I may be a little harsh, after all the author did engage me with a great cast of characters. There was a twist I didn't see coming and didn't feel rushed at the end. I'll still be handing this one off but will have no problem picking up the next in the series.


Disclaimer: I purchased this title for myself. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of author and publisher


Liver Let Die
A Clueless Cook Mystery
by Liz Lipperman

publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
ISBN: 978-0425244043
date published: October 2011
format: Mass Market Paperback
genre: Cozy Mystery
pages: 264 plus recipes
ages: 18+
Grade: C


Product Description:

Jordan McAllister dreams of becoming a popular sports columnist but gets stuck in a po-dunk town writing personal ads for a small time newspaper. When she's offered a chance to fill in for a local food critic off on sick leave, she jumps at the chance rationalizing that it's one step closer to her dream. However, when a dead body is found underneath her apartment stairwell with her name and number along with it, she becomes the prime suspect, as well as the main course on the murder menu.

Challenges

150+
One Million Pages
Cruisin' thru the Cozies
Mystery & Suspense
Off the Shelf
Mt. TBR
Foodies
What an Animal
Where are you Reading? (Texas)
Read & Review
Cozy Mystery

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012