Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Tour Review: From This Moment On by Bella Andre

As part of the Summer of Love tour with BookTrib and Media Muscle each month we will be sharing a new review of Bella Andre's Sullivan series. Today I am sharing book two From This Moment On and this was bittersweet, hot and tugged at my heartstrings. Did I mention it's hot? Enjoy my review and pick up a copy today:

From This Moment On
by Bella Andre
Series: The Sullivans #2
Publisher: Harlequin/ Mira
Publication date: June 25, 2013
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Source: Tour in exchange for unbiased review
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
*purchase made through buy links support this blog

Just one night-Marcus Sullivan has always been the responsible older brother, stepping in to take care of his seven siblings when their father died. But when the perfectly ordered future he's planned turns out to be a lie, Marcus needs one reckless night to shake free from it all. Known throughout the world by only one name—Nico—pop songstress Nicola Harding is seen as the ultimate sex kitten. But it's all a lie. After a terrible betrayal she refuses to let anyone else close enough to find out who she really is or to hurt her again. Especially the gorgeous stranger at the bar. One night is all Nicola and Marcus agree to share with each other. But instead, a deeper connection than either of them could have anticipated begins.

I absolutely loved The Look of Love by Belle Andre and almost immediately began reading From this Moment On. The tale features Marcus Sullivan who impressed me in book one and made me fall in love with him in book two. Andre has created such a wonderful and interesting family with the Sullivans’ and her writing style allowed me to slip into the pages and escape. Three word review: romantic, touching, hot.

Marcus is the oldest Sullivan and has always felt responsible for his seven siblings since his father’s passing. For the past two years he has dated a woman whom he thought he would marry and create a family with. In one afternoon he discovers he had it all wrong. Wounded and needed to let loose a little he sets out to have a wild one night stand. Nicola Harding is tired of life in the spotlight and the demands of her career. She wants a little escape and sets out to have an anonymous night of fun. When these two meet the sparks fly, and they agree to share one night but sometimes one night is never enough!

Marcus is totally swoon worthy and 99% good guy with just a hint of naught in the bedroom. *swoons* He is a successful family man and a natural at making some of the best wine. Marcus is loyal, caring, intelligent and grounded but he can also be uptight while appearing to be all cool and collected. Seeing him cut loose was wonderful and I loved that he had no idea who Nicola was or any of the movers and shakers. Nicola is sweet and hides behind her public image. She appears so confident and assured on the outside but Marcus sees below the persona. I loved the banter and heat between them. Andre allows both characters to grow and I loved watching it unfold. Of course we see the other siblings and I cannot wait to read all of their stories.

I literally consumed this in a single evening as the rest of the world slipped away. I laughed, burst out giggling, blushed and fell completely for the characters. Andre gave us some twists and turns on the way to our happily ever after, and I enjoyed watching it all unfold and fall into place. Marcus took me by surprise in the bedroom, adding a little more heat with his dominating side. Ooh-la-la peeps! Even though the relationship developed rather quickly, Andre made it feel genuine. While the romance was hot, one of the things that appealed to me the most was the growth and healing we see in both characters as they lean on and learn from the other. I closed the book with a smile and cannot wait to crack open the next book.

Fans of close-knit siblings and hot little romances will enjoy From this Moment On and the entire Sullivans’ series. Can’t Help Falling in Love is the next book in the series. Look for my review in August. Bella Andre is quickly becoming one of my favorite new series authors. Fans of Robyn Carr who wouldn’t mind a little more heat will adore this series.

Four and half cups of coffee out of five

First Three Sullivan Books Now Available in Paperback

Labels: adult, Bella Andre, booktrib, contemporary romance, family, Harlequin, Mira, The Sullivans

Sunday, July 7, 2013

The Sunday Post #63~sharing blog news and book haul

The Sunday Post ~ 63rd Edition

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

For the month of June I read 30 books, to be fair a few were novellas that I gobbled up in no time. Be sure and check out the giveaway for The Lemon Orchard. The week ahead has a wide array of genres and I look forward to sharing them with you. Peace, Love and Books!

Last week on the blog we brought you

Summer of Love Read-a-Thon (goals/updates)
Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs (review)
The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian (review)
Coffee Pot Reviews: Days of Rakes and Roses by Anna Campbell & Storm Force by Susannah Sadlin
Perry Road by Emi Gayle (cover reveal)
The Lemon Orchard by Luanne Rice (review and giveaway)
Coffee Pot Reviews: Until Fountain Bridge by Samantha Young and Uncharted: An On the Island novella by Tracey Garvis-Graves
Demanding Random by Megan Squires (tour stop, excerpt and giveaway)
Coffee Pot Reviews: Sins & Needles by Karina Halle & Pretty When She Collides by Rhiannon Frater

This week on the blog look for

Once Upon A Read-a-Thon (goals/update post)
Altered Frequency by Joya Fields (review-giveaway)
Bronze Gods by A.A. Aguirre (review)
Coffee Pot Reviews: The Mad Earl's Bride by Loretta Chase and One True Love by Lori Wilde
The Outcast Prince by Shona Husk (review)
Fragments by Dan Wells (review)
Post Apocalypse Hop (giveaway)
Coffee Pot Reviews: Try Me by Diane Alberts and Faking It by Cora Carmack

Around the Blogosphere

The Apocalypse Blog Hop starts Saturday July 13th, you can still sign up HERE and get ready to hop all over the sphere- learn about some great books and win cool giveaways.
Kimberly @ Turning the Pages still has her 1500 Follower Giveaway going on go enter!
Naomi @ Nomis Paranormal Palace is celebrating her One Year Blogoversary! go congratulate her and enter to win some awesome books and prizes.
Carmel @ Rabid Reads ask the question, "Is There Such A Thing As An Older Kick Ass Chick?"
Over at Melissa's @ Mochas, Mysteries and More: Tara Interviews Tigger from Daryl Wood Gerber's Cookbook Nook Mystery Series
Melissa @Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf is having a Gigantic Goodbye to Google Reader Giveaway!
Ginny @ Gin's Book Notes is hosting a giveaway on her blog's Facebook Page, go enter to win a giftcard!
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard is celebrating her 4 yr Blogoversary, go congratulate her!

New arrivals to the Caffeinated Cafe

For Review

Tale Spins sent by author Michael Mullin

One Day by Nate Kenyon
thanks to St. Martin

The King's Deception by Steve Berry
thanks to BookTrib and Media Muscle

The Morning Star by Robin Bridges
thanks to Random House

The Cowboy's Christmas Baby by Carolyn Brown
thanks to Sourcebooks

Big Sky Wedding by Linda Lael Miller
thanks to Harlequin

Won/Gifted or Received for Review Consideration

My first Avon Addicts Box arrived

from Avon Books and I have extra books for giveaways!

Shadows by Robin McKinley
Unthinkable by Nancy Werlin
thanks to Penguin Teen

Purchased

That's my news. What's new in your world?
*leave a comment and I will stop by*

Labels: Avon, blog news, blogger community, book haul, booktrib, Harlequin, Micheal Mullin, PenguinTeen, Random HouseChildren's, Sourcebooks, St. Martin's Press, The Sunday Post

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Release Day Review: The Newcomer by Robyn Carr

The Newcomer
by Robyn Carr
Series: Thunder Point #2
Publisher: Harlequin Mira
Publication date: June 25, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Small-Town/Romance
Source: Publisher in exchange for unbiased review
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
*purchases through buy links support this blog
My review of book one: The Wanderer

Single dad and Thunder Point's deputy sheriff "Mac" McCain has worked hard to keep everyone safe and happy. Now he's found his own happiness with Gina James. The longtime friends have always shared the challenges and rewards of raising their adolescent daughters. With an unexpected romance growing between them, they're feeling like teenagers themselves-suddenly they can't get enough of one another. And just when things are really taking off, their lives are suddenly thrown into chaos. When Mac's long-lost-and not missed-ex-wife shows up in town, drama takes on a whole new meaning. They're wondering if their new feelings for each other can withstand the pressure...but they are not going down without a fight.

I was excited to return to the small town of Thunder Point in Robyn Carr’s second novel The Newcomer. Filled with fleshed-out characters, real life drama, and a touch of romance I easily consumed this and look forward to visiting again. Three word review: small-town, love, friendship

When we return to Thunder Point, Cooper is settling into his new beach front property and the bar is up and running. He is still dating Sarah and life is good till life throws them a curve-ball. Mac MacCain the deputy sheriff has started dating Gina James and the two are happily juggling their romance and the children but things are about to get rocky. With a tender romance budding can these two survive. The tale that unfolds kept me on edge as Carr touches on some sensitive subjects and opens old wounds.

One of the things I enjoy about Carr’s small-town series is the way she continues to flesh-out and mold her characters. We met Mac, Gina and their families in the previous book but this time we get inside their heads and watch them handled difficult situations. It makes them endearing. A character I loathed in the first book reveals a softer side. Sarah is at a crossroads and must make decisions and we see her struggle. Cooper’s life changes and watching how he handles things made me fall for him even more. I really want to see their relationship develop further and I am hoping we see more in the next novel. The romance this time was very PG and I missed those heated scenes. The thread concerning Gina’s daughter was gut-wrenching and realistic. I love how Carr makes me connect and experience what the characters are feeling and why.

A lot of the residents in Thunder Point are having problems and facing decisions. Carr seamlessly delivers all of these carefully woven threads. Each thread is well developed, and unravels naturally. You cannot help but become invested in the characters and this added a delightful suspense to the tale as I searched for a happy ending. I appreciated Carr’s research into some of the difficult situations her characters faced and the realistic way they were portrayed. While I haven’t yet felt the passionate connection to Thunder Point that I felt with Virgin River, I am slowly becoming caught up in the characters and cannot wait for book three.

Fans of small-town series with fleshed-out realistic characters are sure to enjoy The Newcomer and Thunder Point series. The Hero, the next book is due to release in August 2013.

Four cups of coffee from the Bill and Coopers Bar out of five

Labels: contemporary romance, Harlequin, Mira, Robyn Carr, small-towns, Thunder Point

Sunday, June 16, 2013

The Sunday Post #60 ~sharing blog news and book haul

The Sunday Post ~ 60th Edition

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there who support us! This has been a seriously crazy week and I am delighted to see it come to an end. I am working on some upcoming events for the blog which include Fraterfest#2 read-a-thon in October (10th-15th) and Things That Go Bump In the Night #2 coming in October. I am also planning our two year Blogoversary for August, so stay tuned for more news. Have a wonderful week!

Last week on the blog we brought you

Immortal Eclipse by Sherry Soule (review)
Linked by Imogen Howson (review)
The Look of Love by Bella Andrea (review-giveaway)
The Forever of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen (review)
Phoenix by Elizabeth Richards (review)
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood (review)
Updates/Results for Wicked Fire read-a-thon (see how I did)

This week on the blog look for

A Penny Saved A Murder Earned by S.G. Lee (review)
Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood (review)
Proxy by Alex London (review)
Shudder by Samantha Durante (review)
Rise of the Magi by Jocelyn Adams (guest post/giveaway)
Less Than A Gentleman by Kerrylyn Sparks (review)
Caffeinated Confessions -The Art of Letting Go and DNF

Around the Blogosphere

Bradi @Blkosiner's Book Blog is hosting a fabulous Giveaway for a Kindle Fire and has sign-ups for the next giveaway event if you want to participate. Both authors and bloggers are welcome.
Candace @ Candace's Book Blog is celebrating her favorite things all month long. Every day she has a different giveaway, go check it out!
Lark@ The Bookwyrm's Hoard shares News & Notes each Saturday that always contains interesting information pertaining to the bookish world.
Getty @Teenage Book Critic discovered my blog and I am so glad. His reviews are delightful and impressive. He shared part of his own story this week and I must say I was intrigued. Stop by and read, "The Hunter". While you are there check out this awesome blog.