contemporary

Taking Shots by Toni Aleo

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Taking Shots (Assassins, #1)
Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-Assassins #1
Reviewed by Kay

Shea Adler is a hockey pro at the top of his game. He loves hockey, his team, family, especially his twin sister and women. The first four of the above things he loves with some staying power but women, not so much. He’s kind of a love ’em and leave ’em sort of guy. He’s cocky, self assured and has never had to wait on or chase anyone he has wanted.

Eleanor “Elli” Fisher is a rich girl. She’s a photographer with a thriving business. She has a father that adores her. A best friend she loves and a great support staff of other close friends. But she is very insecure about a lot of things: men, family, weight and self worth.

These two see each other at a sports photo shoot and the sparks fly. This is an emotional read in regards to a woman who is almost broken but desperately wants to be loved and a man that never saw her coming. Elli is a character that is easy to like. She’s kind, shy and cares about people. Shea is absolutely precious. I love his character so much I can’t even tell you! He starts off wanting Elli and his pursuit is patient but persistent. When he fell,….sigh, he fell big time. Head over heels and so did I, with him.

I liked this book so much. Even through the “big misunderstanding” I loved Elli. She had been hurt before and she wasn’t taking any chances. I cried a couple of different times in the book: when he had dinner with her family and when he realized he was in love with her. This is a great new series for me and can’t wait to read the next one! Toni Aleo has gained a fan in me!

Her Bad Boy Billionaire Lover by Barbara Bretton

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Her Bad Boy Billionaire Lover
Grade: D
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary
Reviewed by Kate

Note: originally published in 1993 as Renegade Lover

19 year old spoiled, little rich girl Megan falls madly in love with poor Aussie Jake. They marry and get divorced a year later. Jake heads off to the tropics to lick his wounds while Megan runs home to Daddy (and his money). But wait…Daddy is out of money and when he dies, he leaves Megan with nothing but bill collectors knocking on her door. Oh, and did I mention she’s pregnant with Jake’s baby and he doesn’t know?

Flash forward six years. Jake is now a millionaire who owns multiple yachts and houses around the globe. He is currently holding a week-long competition among a select number of catering companies for a contract to cater his newest exclusive cruise ship (the competition takes place aboard the ship). Megan is struggling to advance her catering business and secure a future for her daughter. Winning the cruise ship contract will achieve both goals.

Jake, as owner of the ship, has arranged for Megan to compete. He has never quit lusting after her and figures one last time together should get her out of his system. Megan has never forgotten Jake either. She mistakenly assumes he is on board to play the piano and the two indulge in a week-long affair.

Throughout the book I found myself screaming at Jake and Megan (internally of course…I don’t like the strange looks I get from my husband when I yell out loud at book). Neither of them tells the truth…ever. Jake assumes Megan is still rich, Megan assumes Jake is still poor. Jake assumes Megan is still childless (I guess she’s one of those lucky stretch mark-less gals). She doesn’t bother to correct the assumption. I found it hard to respect either of the characters. In fact, in my notes I actually awarded Jake an “ass of the year” award. I kept waiting for some redeeming aspect of the story to come along. Sadly, it never did.

Fatal Heat by Lisa Marie Rice

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Fatal Heat: A Navy SEAL Novella
Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Genre-Military Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay

Max Wright is an ex-Navy SEAL. He was injured in battle very badly. After leaving the hospital, he stays at CO’s beach property to finish rehab.

Paige Waring is a plant geneticist and neighbor to where Max is staying. His CO is her godfather. She has a supper hyper but lovable dog named Max. Confusing, huh?

This is a novella that is about healing physically, mentally and emotionally. The characters are engaging, including the dog, Max. The love scenes were hot but it was the suspense that didn’t gel for me. Then, there was the dog as a helper that I couldn’t buy into.  I love Lisa Marie Rice. I think if the mystery/suspense would have been better, I would’ve loved the novella