I <3 Book Review: A Brother’s Honor

By Brenda Jackson

A Brother’s Honor ( Brother’s #1)

Brenda Jackson

May 28,2013

Harlequin MIRA

Romance

400 pages

5 Stars

Goodreads

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The Granger brothers left behind their family’s Virginia estate—and the bad memories it holds—years ago. But their dying grandfather’s request brings them home: to a failing business, a legacy of secrets and a deathbed promise to make things right.

As the eldest brother, attorney Jace Granger is determined to take responsibility for Granger Aeronautics, his family’s failing business. But the years of mismanagement seem impossible to untangle. As CEO, he hires a consultant to turn the company around. Smart, sexy Shana Bradford is the right person for the job—and the right woman to turn Jace’s world upside down.

But the passion between them is jeopardized when old secrets begin to emerge. A woman from Jace’s past suddenly reappears. And an explosive discovery changes everything Jace thinks he knows about his mother—and his father, who was convicted of her murder.

Jace Granger tried to leave his family history behind once before. But this time he needs to face the past…or risk losing his future.

Three brothers. One legacy. A lifetime of secrets.

MY TAKE 

I love Brenda Jackson and almost all of her books. My favorites by Brenda are her normal romance books but every once in a while she writes a story that is outside of her norm.  The last time was A Silken Thread which was a excellent book with plenty of drama, suspense and of course romance.   A Brothers Honor is Brenda’s first book from the Harlequin Mira Publisher and if this is what i have to look forward to then sign me up!

 The story is the first of three books about the Granger brothers. There’s Jace the oldest brother and  attorney, Caden the musician, and Dalton the billionaire playboy.   When the boys were teenagers their father was convicted of murdering their mother, leaving them to be raised by their grandfather and ostracized by their community.   At first chance the boys left their home in Virginia and pursue personal happiness.    After their grandfather passes away they take on the family aeronautics company not knowing the company is in serious trouble.  The company has been losing government contracts and its suspected that an employee is selling company secrets.  So the brothers hire Shana Bradford and her consulting firm to do some digging.  And whenever you look for trouble you are sure to find it.

But whats a Brenda Jackson book without romance? Boring is what.   Shana and Jace are pure fire.  And for most of the book we watch them deny each other.  Shana is great at her job and with her help we solve the mystery of who is trying to ruin the company.  She is also professional and has a rule of not engaging in affairs with her clients.  While I respect the boundaries of employee/employer I don’t like them in the books I’m reading LOL.

My recommendation is that you pick up this book.  If not for this reason there is still one mystery that hasn’t been solved;  Who killed Sylvia Granger and why doesn’t Shepparad want the boys to find out?

❤

MycheleAnjelica

I received this book free from the publisher Harlequin through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I <3 Book Review: Platinum Promises

By Zuri Day

Platinum Promises (  The Drakes of California #3)

Zuri Day

April 23,2013

Harlequin

Romance

224 pages

3 Stars

Goodreads

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Seduction in the lap of luxury… 

Award-winning wines have helped Dexter Drake turn his family’s luxury resort and spa into the most successful vineyard in Southern California. Yet Dexter has another talent—his prowess with women. He is having too much fun to settle down…until he meets Faye Buckner, a guest at the vineyard’s hotel. Her act of kindness makes it impossible for him to get the beautiful doctor out of his mind.

Faye believes in making the world a better place, and has dedicated her career to saving lives. She plans to concentrate on her work. But she soon discovers that the breathtaking playboy isn’t just gorgeous—he is intelligent and compassionate, too. Should Faye remain focused solely on her career or listen to Dexter’s passionate promises…and her own heart?

MY TAKE

I love when authors make characters relatable, don’t get me wrong I love a swoon worthy book where the woman is perfect and the man is the next Denzel or Brad Pitt but let’s be real.  Not all men have perfect manners, lots of money, looks to die for and know all the perfect words to make you fall in love.  Which is why I liked Dexter Drake, yes he’s handsome, has a good job , a nice car and he’s also a little arrogant, in that “yeah im fine, women like me and I know it” way. He’s use to women chasing him which makes him perfect for Dr. Faye Buckner.  Faye has just come back to the States from Haiti where she served as a volunteer  to open her clinic.  Her mentor gives her a week vacation at the Drake resort Dexter’s family owns.  They have a brief across the lobby stare off but its at the birthday party of Papa Dee the family patriarch that they finally meet.  Faye comes to Papa’s aid when he has a mini heart attack .  Dexter personally thanks her by asking her out on a date and from then on it…  Its ON!!

From the time they first catch each others eye you can tell there is a connection, but unlike most women Faye is a little hesitant to involve herself with Dexter for all the right reasons; he’s a playboy,she knows her time at the resort is limited and she doesn’t have time to get involved in a relationship with so much going on in her life.  So does she keep her distance? of course not and eventually they become involved.  Then reality sets in a Faye has to leave.

Faye becomes heavily involved with opening the clinic and her relationship with Dexter suffers. And it doesn’t help that an old friend who is also a doctor comes into the picture.  This makes Faye question if a relationship with Dexter will ever work.They live in separate cities, live different lifestyles and have different approaches to life.   So the question is can their relationship survive the distance and new competition? IDK (well I do know since I read it),but I want you to read it yourself then tell me what you think.

FAVE SCENES

• When Dexter meets the competition was funny as heck… Men!
• A Cute surprise at the end
• The meaning behind the book title

❤

MycheleAnjelica

I received this book free from the publisher Harlequin through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I <3 Book Review: Five Star Romance

Five Star Romance(  The Alexanders of Beverly Hills #3)

By Jacquelin Thomas

Jacquelin Thomas

February 19,2013

Harlequin

Romance

224 pages

4 Stars

Goodreads

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Can what happens in Vegas… 

Beverly Hills’ most irresistible bachelor, hotel heir Blaze Alexander, has always upheld his reputation-until the night he marries a beautiful stranger in Vegas. But then his passionate bride vanishes the next day, leaving Blaze with only tantalizing memories. Fast-forward eleven months… Blaze has finally found his runaway bride again. And this time he doesn’t intend to let her get away.

…lead to a lifetime of love? 

Desperate to forget the morning she woke up beside a gorgeous mystery man, Livi Carlyle flees without a word. Now her husband-a man she barely knows-is back in her life, seducing her with a passion that leaves her breathless. When a frenzied media storm threatens to turn their secret marriage into tabloid headlines, will Livi and Blaze transform their one-night fling into a forever love?

MY TAKE 

So far Five Star Romance is my least favorite book in the AOB series.  I found the book to be predictable and the main characters annoying.  Now, before I go into detail I do want to say that I didn’t hate the book, I really didn’t.  The book is good for passing time and if you’re a fan of romance and Kimani books you’ll love it. I’m sure there are others who love the book,my own mother being one of them.

Our hero Blaze Alexander  and his family own a hotel chain inherited from the grandfather, he is the “bad boy turned good” and while he loves his job he hates the new attention he and his family are receiving after inheriting the hotel  chain.  Livi is a buyer for the Beverly Hills hotel who has  a secret.  Blaze and a Livi met in Vegas and immediately hit it off, they spend all of their time together and of course they share an extreme attraction.  On the last day Blaze suffers from a head injury that causes him to forget the latter half of his time in Vegas including his time with Livi.  Fast forward two years and Blaze imagines he sees Livi in his family’s hotel,he hasn’t forgotten about her after all these years but he has no way of finding her.  He’s not the only one who hasn’t forgotten, Livi indeed works at the hotel as a buyer but she’s afraid of making herself known because of the secret she’s been keeping.

Throughout the book we get find out what actually happened that last day in Vegas.  Earlier that day Livi and Blaze got married without telling anyone .  After the wedding the went to a concert where Blaze fell and hit his head after performing with his Fraternity brothers. When Livi gets to the hospital  she over hears Blaze telling his everyone he didn’t run off with her and that he didn’t want to be married.  Obviously hurt and embarrassed Livi and her friends leave Vegas the next day.

And this is where I leave you to find out what else happens. The book focuses on the news of the marriage and how Dexter, Livi and his family deal with the news.

WHAT I DIDNT ❤

• It really bothered me that Livi knew she was married but did nothing for almost two years!! Really? It was very selfish of her.  What if Blaze wanted to get married? What if someone else figured out the secret.
• Blaze has an annoying habit of jumping to conclusions.
• Livi often came off as being very desperate.

❤

MycheleAnjelica

I received this book free from the publisher Harlequin through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I <3 Book Review: Always & Forever

By Farrah Rochon

Always and Forever (Bayou Dreams #2)

Farrah Rochon

December 18 2012,

Harlequin(Kimani Romance)

Romance

224 pages

3 Stars

Goodreads

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The right love can build you up… 

After a run of lousy luck, Phylicia Phillips is finally close to reclaiming her cherished girlhood home in Louisiana. But before she can buy it back, Jamal Johnson beats her to the punch. The renowned architect plans to completely renovate the old place-and he wants Phylicia to help him! She doesn’t trust Jamal, but she’s helpless to fight the passion building between them.

Hiring the home restoration specialist to help convert the stately Victorian into a B&B was a stroke of genius. Until Jamal finds out the house was in Phylicia’s family for generations. Blindsided by his desire for this alluring beauty, Jamal vows to transform their working relationship into an intimate one. But will threatening troubles from the past keep them from building a blueprint for love?

MY TAKE 

I can’t imagine how it must feel to lose your childhood home because you made irresponsible decisions.  That feeling must multiple by 500 when someone you can’t stand buys it.  And I don’t even wanna guess how it feels if the person who buys the house is someone you’re trying hard to not be attracted to.  Phylicia specializes in antique renovations and she’s been working her butt off so she can buy back her families estate.  Like alot of women (myself included) she made horrible financial decisions because of someone she was dating and she ended up with nothing.  She was almost done saving the money to by back the house when Jamal swoops in and buys it.  And not only did he buy it, he wants to turn it into a Bed & Breakfast.  But he needs help renovating it, so who does he call? Phylicia and what does she do? Say no of course.

Jamal and Phylicia have somewhat of a history their best friends are married and the night of the weeding they spent the night together.  Not in the way you would think, the stayed up talking …. all night.  And the next day Phylicia goes ghost.  Now if I found a man who care more about getting to know me more than bed me Id marry him LOL j/k.  I would however give him an opportunity.  Phylicia is down to her last and now she has to swallow her pride and work for the man who is “ruining” her home.

This was not my favorite romance novel but it was a good the time story.

❤

MycheleAnjelica

I received this book free from the publisher Harlequin through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I <3 Book Review: A Deeper Love Inside

By Sister Souljah

A Deeper Love Inside

Sister Souljah

January 29,2013

Atria/Emily Bestler Books

Fiction

432 pages

4 Stars

Goodreads

BOOK DESCRIPTION

At last, mega-bestselling author Sister Souljah delivers the stunning sequel to The Coldest Winter Ever.

Cold, raw, and filled with adventure and emotional intensity, A Deeper Love Inside tells an unforgettable coming-of-age story in the words of Porsche Santiaga, Winter’s younger sister.

Sharp-tongued, quick-witted Porsche worships her sister Winter. Cut from the same cloth as her father, Ricky, Porsche is also a natural-born hustler. Passionate and loyal to the extreme, she refuses to accept her new life in group homes, foster care, and juvenile detention after her family is torn apart. Porsche—unique, young, and beautiful—will do whatever it takes to reclaim her status and return to her wealthy, loving family.

In A Deeper Love Inside, readers will encounter their favorite characters from The Coldest Winter Ever, including Winter and Midnight. Souljah’s voice will again move your heart and soul and open your eyes to a shocking reality.

MY TAKE 

When i saw this title in the catalog of books to be reviewed i knew i had to read it.  13 years ago The Coldest Winter Ever was published.  I remember how popular the book was back then in urban society, especially among young African-American females.  The book was raw, so raw that I wasn’t allowed to read it.  My mother felt it was inappropriate for a young impressionable teenage girl to read.  I didn’t care, so everyday after school before my mother got home I would sneak and read it (how many kids do you know that sneak to read books? None).  Winter was beautiful, fly and rich. Her father, Ricky Santiaga was the biggest drug dealer in Brooklyn and every girl wanted to be Winter.  She had the clothes, the boys and she was very free with her sexuality (not a good thing).  At the end of the story there was a raid on their mansion, Ricky was arrested and the kids taken.

In A Deeper Love Inside we meet Porsche, Winters’ younger sister.  She is currently locked away in a juvenile detention center.  She hasn’t seen or heard from anyone in her family.  She easily stands out because she’s beautiful and she can dance so that makes her a target for the other girls to hate.  Shes then recruited to the Diamond Needle gang by Riot the leader, but they are not your average gang.  They are smart and all have high level jobs that give them insight into the detention center.  After Porsche joins she learns the girls have a plan to escape and escape they do.  It isn’t until after they escape that we really get to know Porsche.

Porsche wants to go home, so when she and Riot make it to the Indian reservation their next plan is a way to get her home.  But when she gets there everything isn’t as it use to be for Porsche.  Her father is still in prison, her older sister Winter is now in prison, her twin sisters have been taken and adopted and her mother is a crack head.  And because of all she’s been through she suffers from Multiple Personality Syndrome but she doesn’t know it.  It’s not until Porsche meets Elisha that she starts to finally find herself and sees that the love she was looking for was inside all along.

In this book we see what young girls are going through to often now.  They are growing up so fast and forced to be adults when they really should be living their lives as kids.  They look up to reality show drama queens and celebrities to teach them how to be anything but young respectable ladies they are.  Porsche is a representation of girls everywhere looking for love, they are so desperate for love they don’t even know how to identify it.  It was so heartbreaking to read.  I applaud Sister Souljah for this beautifully written sequel.  For showing young girls and women that it’s not about the how much things are in your closet or the best way to get and keep a man.  Those things wont make you happy, if anything they will take your to the place furthest away from it.  You have to have self-worth, and be intelligent to make it in this cold world we live in.  But unfortunately some of them wont learn this until it’s too late.

I really don’t want to spoil the book so there is some stuff that I wont even go over.  I suggest you read The Coldest Winter Ever before you even start to read this.  It was a great followup and I highly recommend it. … Oh and Midnight makes an appearance 😉

❤

MycheleAnjelica

I received this book free from the publisher Atria/Emily Bestler Books through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I <3 Book Review: Bachelor Unclaimed

By Brenda Jackson

Bachelor Unclaimed (Bachelor in Demand #4)

Brenda Jackson

January 22,2013

Harlequin

Romance

224 pages

4 Stars

Goodreads

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Are his playboy days over for good?

In the wake of political defeat, former mayoral candidate Ainsley St. James does something totally out of character—she has a one-night stand with a seductive stranger. Never expecting to see him again, she accepts a job covering a breaking story in Hilton Head, South Carolina…only to discover that the island’s most desirable recluse is the lover she has yet to forget.

Winston Coltrane can’t get that incredible night—or the sexy, sophisticated beauty—out of his mind. The marine biologist is developing a secret formula that could be a major medical breakthrough. But there’s something Winston is keeping from Ainsley: his feelings for her have grown beyond the bedroom. Kiss by breathtaking kiss, Ainsley is transforming his oceanside sanctuary into a sensual retreat. Will they be able to turn a passionate fling into forever in each other’s arms?

MY TAKE 

Whenever Brenda Jackson publishes a book my heart smiles and my iPad rejoices.  The reason I love Brenda’s books is because every time I’m done I look around and a say “That’s What I Wan”t.  Her books are so believable yet they leave you with this “I know this is a book and this is not real feeling”.  I have a connection with her books, mainly because she writes connecting series (which I love) so my favorite characters never really go away.  If you’ve never read any of her books and you like romance give her a shot.

Bachelor Unclaimed is the fourth Installment of the Bachelor in Demand series.  The men in the club of the same name are all god-brothers, their fathers went to college together where they made a pact to be god fathers to each others first child.  And each child would take a letter starting from U-Z.  In this book we have Winston or W as the brothers like to  call him.  He is a marine biologist who also a genius, he has just made an amazing discovery for the field of medicine and he lives on a private island off South Carolina.  And when he comes off of his little island he meets our heroine Ainsley (love her name). Ainsley needs a story and she needs it bad, she was forced to beg for her old journalist job back after she lost the mayoral election in her hometown.  To get away from the disappointment and embarrassment she travels to South Carolina to get away, instead she gets her next case  find and interview Dr.Chambers.  What Ainsley doesn’t know is he and Winston are one and the same.

I wouldn’t normally describe Brenda’s books as funny but this book is filled with funny moments.  From Dr.Chambers talking house Charley, to Ainsley’s 007 moment and the pair being stuck in the house during a storm. But it was the storm that brought this couple together and the storm that tore them apart.  I really enjoyed this story and I’m looking forward to the next bachelor.  Great Job Brenda!

❤

MycheleAnjelica

I received this book free from the publisher Harlequin through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I <3 Book Review: Come To the Table

By Neta Jackson

Come to the Table (A SouledOut Sisters Novel #2)

Neta Jackson

December,2012

Thomas Nelson

Christian Fiction

400 pages

2 Stars

Goodreads

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Kat Davies is suddenly wondering if her good deed was a bad idea.

Kat may be new in her faith, but she’s embraced the more radical implications of Christianity with reckless abandon. She invited Rochelle—a homeless mother—and her son to move in the apartment she shares with two other housemates. And she’s finally found a practical way to channel her passion for healthy eating by starting a food pantry at the church.

Her feelings for Nick are getting harder to ignore. The fact that he’s the interning pastor at SouledOut Community Church and one of her housemates makes it complicated enough. But with Rochelle showing interest in Nick as a father-figure for her son, their apartment is feeling way too small.

But not everyone thinks the food pantry is a good idea. When the woman she thought would be her biggest supporter just wants to “pray about it,” Kat is forced to look deeper at her own motives. Only when she begins to look past the surface does she see people who are hungry and thirsty for more than just food and drink and realizes the deeper significance of inviting them to “come to the table.”

MY TAKE 

DISCLAIMER !!! I have not read the first book in this series Stand By Me.  And that is probably where I went wrong.  I did not have an emotional attachment to any of the characters like you normally would have in a sequel  so my thoughts are purely on the book and not the overall series.

The story focuses on Kat and her roommates Nick, Bree and Rochelle. Kat,the “babe in Christ” has the extra dose of passion all new believers have.   She brought in a young mother and her toddler son to live in the apartment she shares with her two other roommates, she wants to help people living healthier lives by teaching them about nutrition, she’s secretly in love with her roommate Nick the pastoral intern and she dumpster dives for food…for her house.  I don’t know about you but if I found out my roommate was getting our food from the trash I think Id… Nick is a seminary student looking to be a pastoral intern at SouledOut the church.  Which is interesting because he shares an apartment with women and he likes one of them.  We don’t know too much about Bree except she works at a coffee shop.  And Rochelle is a single mother to a hyperactive two-year old with a secret that affects the whole house.

When Kat gets a revelation to start a food pantry at the SouledOut church instead of teaching nutrition classes we really see her struggle with “is this God or is the me”? Does she have the faith to see the vision through? Even when some of the church members are not quite sold on the idea. And that isn’t her only problem, she notices Rochelle and Nick are growing closer and she’s worried their friendship may turn into something else.  As usual you have to read to find out what happens ( I’m not in the spoiler business).

One thing i liked about Kat was her passion for helping others.  She had a very sincere heart but she didn’t know what to do with it.  Sometimes she came off as smart and determined and in the next page she could be weak and scatter brained.  It’s no secret in the book that she liked her roommate Nick but because of her immaturity I didn’t find myself rooting for the hero and heroine, which is strange for me.

I was not crazy about this book, in fact throughout most of the book I was quite annoyed.  The author was trying so hard to get you to like the book that it seems forced.  But who am I?  I suggest you read a book for yourself unless I say absolutely NOT TO.

❤

MycheleAnjelica

I received this book free from the publisher Thomas Nelson Publishing through Booksneeze. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”