Showing posts with label Contemporary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Contemporary. Show all posts

Monday, November 7, 2011

Blind Faith by Michael Schneider

Posted by Unknown at 6:01 AM 1 comments






Bravo! Very Good Debut Novel!

Blind Faith by Michael Schneider is a an intriguing romantic suspense novel about Karsyn McKenna, a young woman who has let a very sheltered life under her father’s careful eye.  At the beginning of the story, she is a naive young woman and then life throws her a few curve balls making her grow up very fast in a short amount of time.

Karsyn has the two men in her life, Gabriel Thompson and Chase Carter and she finds herself caught between them. Chase has been her friend and personal Superman for years. Aside from her father, Chase is the one person she has been able to count on to get her through the tough times. Then Gabriel shows up in her life as her father’s new right hand man in his auto mechanic shop. 

The relationship that develops between Gabriel and Karsyn threatens her friendship with Chase as Gabriel attempts to steer her away from him. She assumes Gabriel is merely jealous of Chase and she tries to hold on to her relationship with her friend. Life becomes more complicated as she gets further entrenched in her love for Gabriel. Her implacable faith in her love for Gabriel is shattered in one night and she ends up in the arms of her childhood hero even though she will never recover from her feelings for Gabriel.

Karsyn’s blind faith in Chase becomes a life-altering experience as she makes the ultimate commitment to him in marriage. She places her life and the well-being of her child in the hands of someone she believes she knows better than herself at the cost of the most important people in her life, including her father.  The web of deceptions Chase is able to create will boggle the mind, as well as Karsyn’s naiveté. The lengths he goes to ensure his wife, the lady he has been in love with since she was very young, stays in his life will have the reader gasping. 

As Karsyn becomes ensconced in a nightmare-reality in Blind Faith, the reader finds themselves emotionally wrapped up in her well-being, her happiness and rooting for the man she had to leave behind.  Michael Schneider has written a romantic suspense novel with a diabolical twist.  The reader finds themselves being hurled into a journey right along with the heroine and wanting to hold her hand while muttering “we’ll get through this, just hang in there.” This debut novel is very captivating and well worth the time.

Happy Reading!!

(This ebook was provided free of charge by TWCS in exchange for an honest review)

Sunday, August 7, 2011

The Keepers by Monique O'Connor James

Posted by Unknown at 7:40 AM 0 comments
The Keepers
The Keepers by Monique O’Connor James is story about coming to terms with doxology and a person’s standing in what life offers as a result of God’s providence. The story is imbued with Jess’s struggles to understand why everyone she has ever loved has been taken from her, especially her mother. After the death of her mother, Jess moves to New Orleans at the behest of her brother to pick up the broken pieces of her soul and move on with her life.

Jess has always had a gift of sighting the angels that guard her. Because of this gift, she becomes in involved with a group of angels who have given up their right to live in heaven to live on earth and watch over humanity and keep them safe from the the angels that have fallen and are more demonic in nature and motives. Jess quickly develops a close relationship with Justin who is the most jaded of the group when it comes to his feelings for humanity. As their relationship progresses, Jess and Justin’s attitudes fluctuate and rock the foundation of their core beliefs.

The premise of this story is a noble try a enticing the reader to stretch their own existentialism. My problem with the story was the constant struggle Jess kept heaping on herself which, in turn led her to taking it out on Justin. Jess did a lot pushing Justin away and then sucking him back into her life. I became very weary of the back and forth of their relationship and Jess’s treatment of someone she supposedly cared about very much. Her actions detracted from my complete enjoyment of the story.

There was a lot of potential for actualizing my commendation of the novel; but, it fell short of my expectations because of the lack of connection I felt towards Jess and the frustration she caused me while reading The Keepers. There are many other readers out there who found this book to be more enjoyable than I did and I recommend you read the story for yourself and come to your own conclusions on how the story affects you.

My rating: 


Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!!





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Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James

Posted by Unknown at 10:25 AM 0 comments
Just the Sexiest Man AliveJust the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Just the Sexiest Man Alive
by Julie James is a cute, clean, fun, adult romantic novel. I enjoyed the strength of Taylor Donovan’s character and her sense of humor. She had some good one-liners in this novel that had me in stitches. There were quite a few places in the book that made me laugh or giggle.


Taylor is a hot shot lawyer who temporarily has moved out to L.A. to take as case. In the midst of preparing for her case, she is forced into helping out Jason Andrews, who is the hottest ticket in Hollywood, to prepare for an upcoming role in a movie where he portrays a lawyer. The premise of the book is swoon-worthy. Who wouldn’t want to be the center of a hot Hollywood actor. Well, Taylor. She is not impressed with him at all in the beginning of the book. But, as time goes on she starts to appreciate the “real” Jason not the Jason, the actor. The twists and turns the relationship between Taylor and Jason takes is very entertaining.

The only draw back I felt this book had was that it did not invest me in Jason’s character. His character was supposed to be shallow due to his notoriety in Hollywood, especially in the beginning. However, when he started getting serious about Taylor, I did not perceive his actions and words on a deep emotional level. I just could not connect to him. This did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. I just wanted to relate why I did not give the story a higher rating. I would still recommend it for romance readers. Julie James is a talented writer. I really, really liked Something About You.

My official rating for this book is 3.5 stars.


Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!!

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Monday, June 27, 2011

Mangement Skill by January Rowe

Posted by Unknown at 3:40 PM 0 comments
Management SkillsManagement Skills by January Rowe

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


When Grant Edmonds meets his new production manager, Allie Fairfax, he is surprised to recognize her from his past as Silver, who performed in a production at a bondage bar called Vault where he produced the lighting for a show she starred in. Now he is the CEO of his own company and she is fortuitously working for him.

Allie also recognizes him as the stranger she was attracted to from her days as a dancer. Their instant recognition ignites their past attraction to each other. After a night of passion and a lot of coaxing on Grant’s behalf, they fall into a long-term Dom/sub relationship. Through this relationship, they learn to love and trust one another implicitly.


Management Skills by January Rowe is a short erotic novel. The story offers insight into the world of BDSM and its mysterious, well mysterious to me, erotic lure. This facet of the the hero and heroine’s relationship is the glue that binds their feelings for each other into something deep and meaningful. That being said/written, I did not really get into this book. I am just not a huge fan of BDSM fiction.

Happy Reading!!

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Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Something About You by Julie James

Posted by Unknown at 2:09 PM 5 comments
Something About YouSomething About You by Julie James

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Something About You by Julie James was one of the most entertaining reads I have read in a long time. I loved it! It has a little bit of everything for us romance aficionados. It offers a good plot with great secondary characters, sexual tension, magnetic passion, deep abiding friendship, love, humor, mystery, and suspense.

This story has a very humorous beginning. Cameron Lynde, is in a hotel room where her sleep is rudely disturbed by a couple in the room next her having a vigorous lovemaking session. The cause for her sleep disturbance leads the story into a plot of intrigue where Cameron is reunited with FBI Agent Jack Pallas after three years where he fortuitously assigned as the agent in charge of the investigation Cameron unwittingly has found herself in the midst of.

When Jack left the Chicago area three years earlier, he and Cameron did not part on friendly terms, although they have a grudging respect for each other professionally. So, the start of their reunion has a strong cantankerous edge to it. Agent Wilkins who is Jack’s partner in the investigation adds some much needed comic relief to the strained situation. There were several laugh out loud moments in this book that were incited by Agent Wilkins. The other secondary characters in this story add a cohesive grounding in Cameron’s life and eventually, in Jack’s life.

The interest and heat that began when Cameron and Jack worked on their first case together starts to simmer again. The sexual tension that grows is thick as they feel more and more drawn to each other on a physical level. As the mystery of the plot thickens, the two learn to trust one another again despite the hurt they have caused each other in the past.

The author definitely knows how to capture her audience with mystery, suspense, sensuality, friendship, humor and love. Adding to those elements, Julie James voice is light and snarky at times. The delivery of Cameron and Jack’s story draws the reader in with her originality and sense of humor. In addition, her ability to create characters the reader will fall in love and connect with is outstanding. The romance reader would be remiss to pass up this story and this author. I highly recommend this book.

Some of my favorite quotes from Something About You are:
- The manager gestured to the door. “Would you mind if I escorted you back into your room, Ms. Lynde?” This was Polite-Peninsula-Hotel-speak for “You might as well get comfortable because your eavesdropping ass isn’t going anywhere.”

- “Glowering”—she liked that description. It was certainly more insightful than the generic “asshole” she’d been going with for the past three years.

- ...she realized then that her mind was already so far down in the gutter she’d need an extension ladder to get it out so she might as well just give in to the whole darn fantasy.

- (He looked) More like a chocolate molten lava cake. A dessert so sinful, so luscious, so filled with inner heat it made a girl want to lick each and every crumb right off the plate. That was Jack Pallas.

Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!!
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Monday, May 2, 2011

Protective Custody by Wynter Daniels

Posted by Unknown at 3:02 PM 0 comments
Protective CustodyProtective Custody by Wynter Daniels

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In Protective Custody by Wynter Daniels, Megan Jackson sees a murder occur in the building across from her office during the evening of Halloween. When she reports the murder the police are dubious, at best, regarding her testimony of the murder. There is no body left at the scene and since there has not been a murder in the are for more than two years, the police blow off her account.

Megan turns to her ex-boyfriend, Will McCoy who was a police officer because she has no one else she turn to or trust. The killer is after her now. Even though Megan broke off their relationship six months ago, Will is more than happy to assist his former flame in hopes that he can also re-ignite their relationship while lending her his support. Aside from the tribulations of trying to keep Megan alive, they have hurdles to overcome with their respective families because of their inter-racial relationship. Along the way, they must overcome their backgrounds and the negativity to their relationship.

Winter Daniels offers a sweet, suspenseful erotic romance that keeps the reader guessing. The mystery and the downfall of the supporting characters keeps the reader engaged.

Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!!

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Monday, April 25, 2011

The Tantric Principle by Jennifer Probst

Posted by Unknown at 12:20 PM 1 comments
 The Tantric PrincipleThe Tantric Principle by Jennifer Probst

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Tantric Principle by Jennifer Probst is a contemporary romance about two soul mates finding each other. Grant Madison is a Yoga instructor who owns his own yoga school in New York. From experience, he has learned to not mix business with pleasure. Arianna Devlin, an advertising executive, is one of Grant's students and has had a crush on Grant for months. On a business trip, Arianna and Grant fall into bed together after fighting their attraction to each other for months. As their secret affair progresses, they realize the significance each one holds in their respective lives; however, they will not admit this to one another. Ultimately a sacrifice must be made in order for the importance of their feelings to be truly known to one another.

Jennifer Probst offers a touching romance with expressive love scenes in this book. Her modern romance impacts the reader with the well-crafted development of Grant and Arianna's relationship.

Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!!

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Laid Bare by Lauren Dane

Posted by Unknown at 11:40 AM 0 comments
Laid Bare (Brown Siblings, #1)Laid Bare by Lauren Dane

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Laid Bare by Lauren Dane is a novel about love, survival, and family. This is a non-traditional contemporary romance with a triad relationship. The story begins with Todd and Erin starting their relationship with a fling. Todd runs from Erin because he is not comfortable with their relationship because it because their liaison brings out a deviant sexual side in him.

Ten years later, Todd and Erin have dealt with life altering situations in their lives independent of the other. The start of their emotional healing comes from their respective families and friends. They have each learned to pick up the pieces and move on. Erin and Todd come together again and build a strong emotional relationship.

Soon Ben, Todd's best friend, is welcomed into their relationship with open arms. From there, they all three set up house together and continue to help each other heal the scars from their pasts. This story is poignant and has a lot of steamy love scenes most of which are built on complete trust and love. The sexual element of the narrative is important to the unfolding of events in this book because the lovemaking adds to the connection between Erin, Todd and Ben. For anyone who likes their romance spicy, this book is wonderful choice for you to read.

Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!!

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Friday, March 25, 2011

Friendly Fire by Megan Hart

Posted by Unknown at 10:31 PM 0 comments
Friendly FireFriendly Fire by Megan Hart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Friendly Fire by Megan Hart is a short erotic story that imparts a very sweet story. Kendall Frasier and Zane Vincent are Federal Agents who are sent away to an exotic island to get some forced R&R after a case they were working on went bad. Kendall’s partner was accidentally shot by Zane as he attempted to keep a dangerous situation from escalating into a blood bath. Kendall and Zane heal each others' emotional wounds caused by the circumstances that led them to this forced get away. The way they open up to each other emotionally and physically makes a woman crave what they have. Megan Hart does a very good job of telling a love story in a short amount of page time. I am very impressed with her talent to weave a tale that leaves you wanting more (in a very good way!)


Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!

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