Blog Archives
Review: Want You to Want Me by Lorelei James
Want You To Want Me
Lorelei James
Want You series, Book 2
The new sexy contemporary romance in New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James’s Want You series, set in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Hockey player Gabriella “Gabi” Welk spent her life in pursuit of championships, but she has little to show for it besides dusty trophies and second-place medals. Now her career consists of several part-time jobs to make ends meet. When Gabi gets a chance at her dream job, she swallows her pride and asks her nemesis–smart, sexy and savvy Nolan Lund–for help.
Since being named future CEO of Lund Industries, Nolan has tried hard to overcome his reputation as a fun-loving playboy and ladies’ man. For the first time ever, he’s more focused on the company than his personal life. He spends his free time at the ice rink his brother owns, cheering on his niece at her hockey games…and watching Gabriella Welk, the superstar athlete and assistant coach who gets under his skin in a way he can’t ignore. He’s shocked when Gabi agrees to trade a favor for a favor.
They have little in common besides their mutual mistrust, but between family crises and sibling rivalries, Nolan and Gabi realize they want to be more than just friends–much more.
5 A sweet and sexy slow burn kind of romance that gets you in the right spots. Want You to Want Me is a fantastic read to get lost in.
Nolan Lund is the never settle down, fun loving, different woman on his arm kind of man. With a personal shopper and always dresses to the nines there is no wonder the man has gained the nickname of the Prince of LI. Nolan is honest in what he does. He may be a ladies man but he’s no player. Nolan is smart and willing yet still has a lot to learn. In many aspects of his life. I enjoyed how his romantic side emerged when he realized that everything he thought about his type was blown out the window when love smacked him in the face before he even knew what was happening.
Gabi Welk is a force. An amazing hockey player and a fantastic coach. This woman has a talent and determination to achieve anything she could possibly want. Her will is almost as strong as her compassion and heart. There is more to Gabi than meets the eye and that is just the beginning of what I loved about her. Her tough exterior hides to the world her own self doubt. At what could be one of her lowest of low an unlikely Prince in fancy pants knocks down a wall or two and allows Gabi so see someone more.
The verbal sparring and bickering between these two are worth the read alone. The back and forth, pushing each other’s buttons, showing each other both the will and stubbornness they possess. I love their slow burn and build up. They way Gabi and Nolan got to know one another and build something wanted and needed was natural and remarkable. They allowed each other to be themselves. Even if it took them both a bit to figure it out. Enemies to lovers and opposites attract, Gabi and Nolan have an emotional story but I know you will be entertained. Ms. James gives readers heart, humor and sexiness wrapped up beautifully in Want You to Want Me.
ARC Review: Silver-Tongued Devil by Lorelei James
Silver-Tongued Devil
Lorelei James
Rough Riders Series, Origin Novel
Published June 9, 2020
Their love story sparked a brushfire that grew into the legacy of Lorelei James’s Rough Riders series. This standalone historical romance is a prequel to the McKay family saga.
The West doesn’t get much wilder than Silas McKay. He’s earned his cowboy reputation not just as a rancher, but as a brawling card sharp who’s short on cash but long on charm. And just as soon as he claps eyes on the pretty new schoolteacher? Well, Dinah Thompson is about to discover what courtin’s like McKay-style—sweet, hot and passionate.
Luckily, Dinah’s got the sass and sense to stand up to Silas’s shenanigans. She relocated to rural Wyoming to teach and become a self-reliant woman, not to spend her nights dreaming about that blue-eyed rogue and his ranchwork honed-body. But Silas McKay’s powerful appeal and tempting promises convince Dinah to recklessly go all in with him.
When Silas’s long-standing rivalry with Zeke West puts Dinah, Silas and his twin brother Jonas in danger, each one is forced to make difficult decisions about taking a chance to build their legacy . . . and a love that transcends time.
5 Stars
Silas McKay was living the single cowboy life to the fullest. He’s a charmer with the ladies, knows his way around the ranch with his eyes closed and the luck of the draw seems to always be on his side. Silas is a smart man and is trying to build something lasting. Being on his ranch was his favorite place to be until he sets his eye on the new teacher, Ms. Dinah Thompson. I loved how this big strong rancher became putty anytime he was near her.
Dinah Thompson it’s a woman ahead of her time. Moving to rural Wyoming was a step for her to become independent and self-reliant. She didn’t need anyone to take care of her, she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself. As a teacher and a nurse, her doors are opened and the possibilities endless. That is until a silver tongued cowboy makes his intentions known.
Oh how I loved Dinah and Silas together. Their relationship was hard but that didn’t stop them. The distance that separated them made the time they spent together treasured and special. Silas is a true romantic and I loved how he asked Dinah to read to him. Dinah has this sassy streak that allows her to put Silas right in his place. I also love that she wasn’t afraid to get down and dirty and do what needed to be done whether it be on the ranch, with a patient or for one of her students.
And wait, we are not done yet.
Jonas McKay is the town Deputy and twin brother to Silas. A man whom everyone believes is married to his job. The reality is the job keeps him close to his brother and the one his heart wants most. Ruby Redmond is the madam of the Miss Ruby Red’s Boarding House. Knowing what people think of her, and loving Jonas as she does, Rudy stands the higher ground to avoid any harm her reputation could do to Jonas. So so loved the pairing of the law and the harlot. Jonas and Rudy were intense and their chemistry was explosive. Maybe not a conventional pairing but one that will stand the test of time.
Ms. James has given readers something truly special in the pages Silver-Tongued Devil. We get not just one but two beautiful and intense love stories. We see a family legacy at its infancy stage. We get unlikely friendships and what it truly means to be family. To see what the truth of brotherhood means. I laughed and cried. Felt the happiness and loss right along with our couples. Silver-Tongued Devil is a beautiful written historical romance that will make you feel like you have been transported to another time. Well done Ms. James, well done.
Reviewer’s note:
A few years back a dear friend introduce me to Ms. James’ Rough Rider series. I was not a fan of cowboy romance. I was told I would not be disappointed. I would also like to note that I’m not a fan of historical romance at all. So with that being said, Ms. James not only got me to like her brand of Cowboy romance, she got me to love a historical as well.
ARC Review: Spun Out by Lorelei James
Spun Out
Lorelei James
Blacktop Cowboys Series, Book 10
New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James returns for another wild ride in Wyoming with a new Blacktop Cowboys(R) novel.
Years in the Army equipped Bailey Masterson for many things: target shooting, rappelling off cliffs, dodging grenades. She’s lived through horrors that still give her nightmares. But nothing in Bailey’s life-or-death training prepared her for caring for the tiny terror that is five-year-old Olivia Hale. Or how to control her raging attraction to Olivia’s father, Streeter, the rugged, green-eyed cattle rancher who undermines her every move even when he stars in her dreams.
Streeter Hale has room for only two things in his life: his daughter and his job. He doesn’t date. He doesn’t get attached. Not anymore. So not only is Streeter stunned by Olivia’s improved behavior after just a few days with Bailey, he’s downright floored by his immediate attraction to the woman. But with secrets in her eyes and a body that doesn’t quit, Streeter begins to worry that Bailey Masterson might just be the one woman to heal his fractured family and broken heart.
One thing’s for sure–these two wrecked souls are spinning out of control as they desperately try not to fall in love…
5 Stars
Sexy, heartfelt and deep with that touch of humor that only Ms. James can deliver.
Bailey Masterson is one of those characters that I allowed myself to have preconceived ideas about who and what she was through previous books in the series. Holy crap was I wrong. Bailey has more layers than I could have guessed. She an incredibly strong woman yet carry many complexities that she’s really good at keeping on the down low. Returning to Muddy Gap to figure out the next step in her life while, Bailey hinds herself twisted in more ways than one with a bunch of out of control ranch kids and a green eyed cowboy that makes her heart skip a beat.
Four and a half years ago Streeter Hale’s life changed forever. Leaving for work like any other day and returning to find high school sweetheart wife committed suicide and his six month old baby girl screaming her head off. Questions, anger, sadness and grief leave a once stable man on shaky ground. Add in his wonderful brother and father that cut him out their family business. Streeter finds himself at the Split Rock Ranch, in the company of his younger brother and begins to build a new normal for his daughter and himself. In all accounts, Streeter should be broke beyond broken, but for his little girl he keeps on keeping on. When his hand full of a daughter makes a little commotion the Split Rock, Streeters blood starts to boil and not in the mad at sort.
Ms. James brings everything and more with Spun Out. Streeter and Bailey are both dealing with baggage on their shoulders but that does nothing to lessen the attraction and chemistry they are feeling. There’s nothing wrong with a summer fling, right? When the fling turns into something more, that’s where the story gets good. Bailey’s spunkiness and take charge attitude along with Streeter’s dirty mind yet almost innocent way to him, turns a lust filled fling into something more than either one was looking for. Spun Out is emotional, deep, heartfelt and sexy. Ms. James touches upon hard emotional and physical issues with class and elegance. Not leaving out any of the dirty details that make this not only entertaining, but an emotionally satisfying story as well. Giving the reader the smile or tear just where each was needed.
Being the tenth book in the Blacktop Cowboy Series, Spun Out is fresh, refreshing and right on point with what I want in my reading. Streeter and Bailey’s journey is a roller coaster ride of emotions. From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, and everything in between. Spun Out totally get 5 stars from me.
Review: I Want You Back by Lorelei James
I Want You Back
Lorelei James
Want You Back Series, Book 1
New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James kicks-off her Want You Series with a Lund family cousin hot enough to melt the ice and mend a broken heart.
Former NHL star Jaxson Lund has returned to the Twin Cities, but he’s at loose ends, unsure if he belongs at Lund Industries, or where he stands with Lucy, his ex-girlfriend and mother of his daughter, Mimi. Despite the signs she’d like to leave him in the penalty box, the attraction burning between them reinforces his determination to prove that he deserves a second chance…
Lucy Quade is in a good place with a steady job, a nice apartment, and a well-adjusted daughter, which is why she’s hesitant when Jax insists on co-parenting. It’s not that Lucy doesn’t trust Jax…she’s just unconvinced he can handle multiple responsibilities when he’s been singularly focused on playing hockey. But when issues arise with Mimi, Lucy’s shocked at how levelheaded and paternal he acts, giving her a glimpse of the Jax she used to know, the sexy, sweet man she fell for years ago.
Once Lucy lets her guard down, Jax goes all in to show her how good they are together, but will their past remain too large an obstacle to ever overcome?
5 Stars
Ms. Lorelei James rocked my reading world hard with I Want You Back. In a world created within written pages, Ms. James takes a fantasy like situation, enriches it with real life trials, temptations and events giving this reader her first 5 star read of the year.
Jaxson Ludd had everything any man could want. The beautiful woman at his side, the angel of a daughter, a family that loves and supports him and a career that he loves. Jaxson tossed a good bit of that out the window when his fame and excess became more important than his real life. Jaxson hit rock bottom, paid a price, got help with his addiction and is back. Ready to make amends, right some wrongs and be the man he should have been before.
Lucy Quade’s life has been shaken up once again. Basically easing her daughter as a single parent. Now with the ex back, and to stay, he’s found a way to insert himself into her everyday life. While happy that her daughter has her father in her life on a more regular basis, the emotional turmoil, both good and bad, that man creates within her, makes Lucy crazy. He all but broke her, yet he creates so much for and within her, she can hardly see straight.
There are so many things I loved about I Want You Back. Two people who came together to learn to be good parents for their child. Jaxson and Lucy are an amazing couple who worked painstaking hard to get themselves where they wanted to be. The baggage these two carry would cost a good portion of Jax’s fortune to fly. The characters are complex with layers that have layers. They grow personality and together throughout the story. I loved Jaxson stepping up to be a real father, not just the fun dad who gives and gives. While Jax royalty messed things up, Lucy was not without fault and she owned up to it. The way Ms. James places the flashbacks of the story are seamless and comes off like a daydream. While giving wonderful insight to the characters and story. I adore the solid family bonds and connections. Which if you have read Ms. James you will know is one of the pieces of the foundation of her stories.
I Want You Back is an emotional, eye opening and thought provoking read. Jaxson and Lucy will break your heart, put it back together all while dancing a slow dance of attraction and chemistry, remembering the past while trying to have a future. Ms. James gave me everything I needed, wanted and more.
Disclaimer- I’m not a sports fan in any, way, shape or form. Actually hate sports is a description for what I feel about sports. Hockey plays a huge part of I Want You Back and yet not enough to outright over power the story. There was a particular blow off some steam skating session that turned into a very humorous scene that I very much enjoyed.
Top Reads of 2014
Top Reads of 2014
Wow, where has this year gone! I can’t believe that Christmas is now over and the new year is upon us. It has been an amazing reading year for me. I read 119 books. Woot! That is a new record for me! I have found new authors that I have come to love. Had some wonderful recommendations that I would have never read otherwise.
So here are my top read for the year. Now mind you some of these book may not have been released in 2014, I did however read them this year, so they count!! LOL!
In no particular order:
Callum by Melissa Schroeder ( Cursed Clan Seires)
Claimed by Stacey Kennedy (Club Sin Series)
Forever Wicked by Shayla Black (Wicked Lovers Series)
Reaper’s Stand by Joanna Wylde (Reaper’s MC Series)
Surive To Dawn by PJ Schnyder (London Undead Series)
Hawk by Patricia A. Rasey (Sons Of Sangue Series)
Dirty Little Secret by Laramie Briscoe (Heaven Hill MC Series)
Preistress Dreaming by Yasmine Galenorn (Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon Series)
Storm by Carian Cole (Ashes and Embers Series)
A Santini in Love by Melissa Schroeder (Santini Series)
Long Hard Ride by Lorelei James (Rough Riders Series)
Hard To Come By by Laura Kaye
(names and titles in italics, are new to me in 2014 authors)
I really stepped out of my comfort zone of reading this year. Most people know me as a paranormal girl. I like the things that bite. LOL!
I started reading a lot of contemporary romance this year and have found a passion for MC romance. I also have found a love of military men with lots of tattoos that just kick ass. I am amazed that I read so many books this year but also that I branched out and read things that I normally wouldn’t have. One of my favorite reads this year was a cowboy book. I would have never read a cowboy book had it not been recommended to me. That’s the wonderful thing about reading what I do is that through all the people I’ve met I’m always going to find something new to read. I can’t wait to see what 2015 is going to bring to my world of reading!!
Coffee Books Life 