Karen Bedore – The Bard

September 1, 2016September 1, 2016 lizellyn Books Historical Romance, More Sweet than Sensual

REVIEW

I decided to take a step outside my normal contemporary romance genre and read a little historical romance. I was drawn in by the science verses religion aspect of the story. The story fell short on any in depth discussion of the motivations of both organizations. There were a few points in the book where the author tersely touches these issues in a profound manner. But what the author failed to state made think about how life must have been during that time when science was coming to fruition. In this case, it was not necessarily the words that were written that made me enjoy the book but the overall schematics.

This book is part one of The Bard Trilogy. Perhaps, there is a more in depth approach taken in books 2 and 3.

Additionally, as a romance, it was very simplistic and predictable.

Overall, I rated this book 3 stars.

BLURB

After losing her mother and fiancé, Alcinia and her father travel west to Turin in the Duchy of Savoy to begin a new life. Getting adjusted to a new way of living in Renaissance Italy, Alcinia falls in love with a mysterious bard, and through their secret rendezvous is beginning to find happiness once again. Until…she finds out that her small-town father isn’t who she thought he was. Alcinia gets caught in a web of intrigue, and sets out to save her father from a scientific organization bent on using a biological weapon to destroy all men of the cloth. Her father’s life might be the only way to stop it… When she discovers the truth, it will change her life forever, for better and for worse.

to Karen Bedore!

Dallas Coryell – Melody’s Key

August 26, 2016August 26, 2016 lizellyn Books More Sweet than Sensual, Musician

REVIEW

A clean romance set in a small town in England. The writing is a unique blend of contemporary dialog with narrative that has a much more soulful description. The feel of the words perfectly parallels the English countryside. The verses paint a remarkable layered depth that is rarely seen in contemporary romance books.

The plot and romance reveals itself in a great fashion that provides angst, heartache, and wonderful twists.

The story contains many song lyrics. Here’s one of the songs performed by the author …

For more songs from Dallas Coryell see https://www.youtube.com/user/DallasCoryell1

BLURB

“His eyes settled on her…piercing green embers of flame that revealed the ferocity of his pain and passion, yet still shrouded him under veils of ever deepening mystery that made every ounce of her ache to unravel him.” Tegan Lockwood’s dreams were dead, sacrificed on the noble altar of duty before they ever had a chance to live. Her entire existence was disappearing into the abyss of apathy as she labored her days away keeping her family’s struggling business alive. There would be no emotion, no color, no beauty in her life. That is, until a mysterious visitor begins to draw her out of the darkness of her past towards something that will challenge the boundaries of her world, and unlock the most deeply held secrets of her heart.

to Dallas Coryell!

About The Author

Dallas Coryell is a musician and author residing deep in the untamed wilds of Michigan, USA, where he desperately attempts to assign meaning to his world through bouts of maniacal creative catharsis and pitifully doomed hopeless romantic fantasies. All of the songs written by the characters in this novel are real and can be viewed on the author’s fledgling YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/DallasCoryell1 Selfies and other assorted randomness can be found on the author’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dallascoryell

J.D. Brick – Shelter From the Storm

August 22, 2016 lizellyn Books More Sweet than Sensual

REVIEW

If you read Book 1, which I really liked, then you know why I chose to read this book. Book 1 had left the reader on a cliff.

I enjoyed the twists and turns that the story followed in Shelter From the Storm. The legal aspects of the story completely sucked me in. I found the complications and resolutions completely satisfying. Most importantly, awesome HEA!

I liked how the side characters continued to create havoc in Keegan and Blue’s lives. It definitely helped move the story line along.

BLURB

The epic love story that began in Tangled Up in Blue continues in Shelter from the Storm…

College students Keegan and Blue find themselves at the center of a storm of their own making. Blue is called to account for his actions when he was a soldier in Afghanistan. He tries to do the right thing. But almost overnight, he is enveloped in a raging controversy that threatens the well-being of everyone close to him, especially the girl he so desperately loves.

As their relationship is put to a thunderous test, Keegan and Blue take comfort in each other. Every choice they make, though, comes at a cost. Lies are exposed. Vengeance is taken. But the demands of justice and the merciless machinations of fate seem to offer no escape.

SEE RELATED:

J.D. Brick – Tangled Up in Blue

to J.D. Brick!

Molly McAdams – Taking Chances

August 12, 2016August 12, 2016 lizellyn Books More Sweet than Sensual

If you are a fan of Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire, I highly recommend this book.

REVIEW

Don’t judge a book by its cover. I chose this book based on a computer generated recommendation list and a quick glance at the cover. I admit that I didn’t even bother reading the book blurb – shame on me. Looking at the cover, I’m anticipating some type of menage story. Am I wrong? Apparently my guess was wrong.

This is a love triangle story (not menage). The story is unique and moves quickly. I was never bored. There are some serious twists to the story (not going to spoil anything). The heat level in the story is more sweet than sensual, but very heartfelt nonetheless.

BLURB

Her first year away is turning out to be nearly perfect, but one weekend of giving in to heated passion will change everything

Eighteen-year-old Harper has grown up under the thumb of her career marine father. Ready to live life her own way and to experience things she’s only ever heard of from the jarheads in her father’s unit, she’s on her way to college at San Diego State University.

Thanks to her new roommate, Harper is introduced to a world of parties, gorgeous guys, family, and emotions. She finds herself being torn in two as she quickly falls in love with both her new boyfriend, Brandon, and her roommate’s brother, Chase. Despite their dangerous looks and histories, both men adore Harper and would do anything for her, including taking a step back if it would mean she’d be happy.

to Molly McAdams!

Julie Ann Levin – Crazy For You (Divine Island Book 2)

August 12, 2016August 12, 2016 lizellyn Books More Sweet than Sensual

REVIEW

This is a sweet, clean, romance story. There’s a professional conflict with Sarah’s job intermingled with her attraction to Dylan. This provides an interesting strain on the relationship as well as the glue that binds them together.

As a whole – I really liked Sarah’s character. She’s a strong and very giving person, which are precisely the traits that make Dylan attracted to her. I should add that she also looks great in her tiny bikini.

Dylan is a nice compliment to Sarah’s character and personality. It was very easy to want to cheer for a happily ever after for this couple.

The plot is rather predictable but the verbal sparring between Sara and Dylan truly made the book. The author excels in writing dialog that is refreshingly new.

BLURB

Tropical beaches and a business trip that turns into a vacation… how did Sarah let this happen?

Dylan Hammond has one goal: convince his father that the family inn can succeed if he would just let Dylan take over. But when a sexy business executive arrives with an offer Dylan’s father can’t refuse, Dylan’s lifelong dream of running the inn could be taken away from him.

Sarah Battle believes she has her life all figured out. She has a great job, a great boyfriend, and the opportunity of a lifetime dangling right in front of her. The only problem is that opportunity – a huge promotion – will have her competing against her boyfriend. Suddenly, his gentle encouragement turns to bitterness, and Sarah is forced to do whatever it takes to win that coveted position and make the deal of a lifetime.

Things never go as planned. Dylan and Sarah find themselves reeling from the scorching chemistry between them, threatening their plans and potentially altering their future.

Forced to choose between the lives they thought they wanted and romance they never imagined for themselves, which will they choose?

See Related Post:

Julie Ann Levin – Worth The Wait

to Julie Ann Levin!

J.L. Leslie – Let the Waves Come In

June 16, 2016June 16, 2016 lizellyn Books More Sweet than Sensual

REVIEW

This is the epitome of a feel good novel. It’s an exploration in all different types of love. It’s got friendship that is as strong as unconditional love. There’re loves of the past and loves of the present.

The constant comparison in the types of love is seamlessly woven into the story.

The author keeps the reader on their toes (and turning the pages quickly) by not knowing what the eventual outcome will be. The ending left me feeling completely blissful and happy for the couple.

BLURB

I’m Aubrey Somers. I’ve landed my dream job. I have a great apartment and I still keep in touch with my best friend…even though he lives hundreds of miles away. I’ve even started dating again. I have a lot going for me.

It doesn’t matter that I have to take an anti-depressant everyday or see a therapist every other week. It doesn’t matter that I refuse to drive anywhere. The wreck that ruined everything I had is almost a distant memory. Almost.

But now I have two men in my life. Two men who want to be with me. Two men I never thought I’d have the chance to be with. And I feel like I’m drowning…

“His hungry mouth consumes everything from me. All of my emotions. When he pulls away, I don’t know what to feel. What to want. Who to want.” – Let The Waves Come In

**This book contains explicit language and sexual scenes. It is meant for adult readers only.**

to J.L. Leslie!

Rachel Strong – That Girl

June 15, 2016June 15, 2016 lizellyn Books Drama, More Sweet than Sensual

BLURB

After serving half of a three-year prison sentence, James is out and ready to try and get his life back on track, which means forgetting about the girl who sent him to prison in the first place – despite the fact he’s still in love with her!
Katie knows that she can’t see James, but that doesn’t make it any easier. If she does it could send him straight back to prison, but, she still loves him and is desperate to make things right and tell him how sorry she is for ruining his life.
After accidently bumping into each other, James and Katie can’t stay away from one another and so begin to see each other in secret. After a slight wobble on James’s part, when he decides he can’t take the risk of going back to prison, Katie decides enough is enough and it really is time to move on and put James behind her.
Heartbroken, James decides to try and get his life in order. But due to his conviction it’s not as straightforward as he would like, leaving him miserable and despairing at what his life has become.
When a job opportunity comes up hundreds of miles away he doesn’t hesitate to head south and put his troubles behind him.
Can James and Katie forget each other and move on with their lives without one another?

REVIEW

First off, I got hooked into this story immediately. I was simply dying to know what had happened to land him in jail. Things aren’t always as they seem and I couldn’t stop reading until I knew.

What an emotional ride! It was amazing how my feelings about the James changed throughout the book. The surrounding characters add their own perspectives that are quite compelling. There were times I felt so bad for James and other times where I hated him. The love-hate relationship continues throughout the entire novel.

There is no doubt in my head that this is a five star book. The range and strength of feelings the author was able to provoke makes this an amazing impassioned roller coaster. I wouldn’t dare go on a real roller coaster, but I couldn’t put down this book.

to Rachel Strong!

AUTHOR

Rachel Strong is a romance author and lives in Lancashire, England, with her husband, three children and little dog Daisy. Rachel works part time as a Health Care Assistant at her local hospital, but her real passion is writing.

Ever since she can remember Rachel has been writing stories but never really took it seriously, until summer 2012 when her husband discovered one of her stories, read it and convinced her that it was good. She loves writing and creating characters, sometimes a whole day can pass her by, just sat at her lap top, typing away.

When she’s not writing, Rachel loves to read slushy romance novels and chick-lit and when she finds a spare moment she will be found curled up on the sofa with her nose in a book.

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Elodie Nowodazkij – Love in B Minor

June 13, 2016June 13, 2016 lizellyn Books More Sweet than Sensual, Suspense

REVIEW

I love this rock star romance because of the love interest twist. I truly appreciate the originality in the story line. It’s not your typical rock star story.

Each character has more than their fair share of sadness in their pasts. The author uses their pasts to create both a connection between them as well as a conflict. The way that the author incorporates the past into the present was outstanding and made this a really good romance.

The romance part of this book was worthy of 5 stars. Unfortunately, I didn’t care for a significant twist at the end. Nonetheless, I would highly recommend the book. I won’t say anything more on that subject for fear of spoiling the ending. And hey, if you read this book you may feel completely differently about the ending.

BLURB

No promises. No fake tomorrows. That was the plan.

New city. New life. At least, that’s what nineteen-year-old Jen Harrison believes. On the surface, she’s living her dream: dancing in a prestigious dance company in Paris. But her sister’s death and the mistakes she’s tried to bury haunt her. She’s become a pro at hiding who she truly is, and she definitely doesn’t want a guy to derail her, but a one night-stand she can do. Nothing more. She definitely doesn’t plan to see the sexy stranger who made her laugh for the first time in years ever again.

Girls don’t walk away from Lucas Wills. Bad boy turned rock star, he’s got his share of groupies. Always upfront, he doesn’t promise fake tomorrows because love can destroy everything. Been there, done that. His ex not only lied to him, she stomped on his heart, used him to become famous, and almost ruined him. So, waking up alone after a night beyond his wildest imagination with a girl he just met shouldn’t upset him, shouldn’t inspire one of the saddest songs he’s ever written, shouldn’t make him want to chase after her.

When Jen, the one-night stand who got away, auditions to be a dancer in Lucas’ next music video, they can’t stop their growing attraction. But Jen’s secrets and his ex could shatter the careers they tried so hard to build and their hearts…they will have to decide what’s more important and if love is worth the fight.

to Elodie Nowodazkij!

Colleen Hoover – November 9

June 7, 2016June 7, 2016 lizellyn Books More Sweet than Sensual

Review

WHY? Why? Why? Why did I read the book so quickly? I wish I had savored it. I literally couldn’t put it down. I’m trying to calculate how long I need to wait to read the book again. I need to have enough time that when I read it again it will feel like a fresh story in my head. Unfortunately, a good story tends to stay stuck in my head for a long time.

Yes, I cried. Tears were streaming down my cheeks – a true sign of a 5 star book. I haven’t read a Colleen Hoover book where I haven’t ended up crying at some point (or many). At least I didn’t get caught reading/crying in public this time. I’ve learned that I need to read Colleen Hoover’s books in private.

Seriously, I loved how the story unfolded! It’s a wonderful book about being beautiful both inside and out, no matter what type of scars one holds.

Blurb

Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.

Can Ben’s relationship with Fallon—and simultaneously his novel—be considered a love story if it ends in heartbreak?

See Related:

Colleen Hoover – Confess

Colleen Hoover – Losing Hope

to Colleen Hoover!

Julie Ann Levin – Worth The Wait

May 20, 2016May 20, 2016 lizellyn Books More Sweet than Sensual

This is an enjoyable romantic story. Nobody forgets that first crush. Even when life takes you in different directions, that first love (even if unrequited) always remains embedded in your heart.

Natalie is recently divorced, which isn’t the ideal time to sink into a deep meaningful relationship. Can a stubborn and independent woman allow herself to let someone in, to stand by her side, and love her?

After being apart for eight years, it is difficult to change the pattern and turn a friendship into something more. Chase is patient, caring, thoughtful, and very good looking. Can Chase be brave enough to claim what he really wants?