Books are like Air ...

09/16/2013 --Overall Rating = 4.5 StarsBook Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 4 / 4 / 2 = 3 StarsWriter’s Voice = 4 StarsCharacter Development = 5 StarsStory Appreciation = 5 StarsWorth the Chili = 5 Stars -- [$2.99 on Amazon]I really connected with this book. I DEVOURED it! It grabbed me from the first moment, first word and didn't let me go until ... well, it still has me ... d a m n e d cliffhanging ending. BIG TIME!This is book 2 of a series. You really should read book 1 first to get the full reading experience. Book 1 was just okay for me. Book 2 took my breath away. I loved Colton. I liked Rylee. I ADORED them together.What made this book so perfect for me?1 -- The way it made me feel. The way it made me think. Colton was a verifiable mess. He had baggage enough to fill a 747. Don't believe me? He'll tell you so himself. He connected with Ryles. In a believable way. None of that mushy first glance crap. The developing relationship between these two is realistically messed up. They had me trying to reach through my Kindle to give them advice. Rylee -- I don't care how pretty he is, dump his ass. Colton, get over it already. Unfortunately, we know it isn't that easy. Colton gives us a glimpse into how some of these abused kids survive. For Colton and Rylee, I'd like to think that eventually they figure it out, but we have our beautiful cliffhanger, so we need to wait to see.2 -- I don't know what happened between book 1 and 2, but the author greatly improved. To be fair, I noted this after about 50% of book 1. She seemed to calm down and focus. I don't even detect a bump in book 2. She seriously has come writing chops. I'm very glad she got it all worked out. This is not just another one of those NA reads. It doesn't have the choppy dialogue and the lack of contextual flow. It really is very well constructed. There are items introduced in this book that I'll be looking for in book 3. If not there, I may re-evaluate my statement, but right now, I'd pretty satisfied with the authors ability.3 -- The whole racing car theme. It didn't play a huge role, however the business of racing and the hoopla surrounding those attractive racers was front and center. I think the author did a decent job with this and I thoroughly enjoyed it.4 -- The price is perfect.There were things I didn't find so enjoyable:1 -- The damned ending. I hate reading a series not complete, but with this one, I jumped in with both feet. It just sounded good and I wanted something sports to read. So, I did. If you don't just need something to read, I'd wait until the last in the series is out. I hated the ending.2 -- Not crazy about the title. There were so many things she could have named this book. I know why she did, but really think something else would have worked as well or better.3 -- The blurb doesn't do this book justice. You think it's going to be just "another one of those NA books", but it really isn't. Or, at least I didn't think so.4 -- You really should read book 1 first and I didn't think it was so great. It got better after about 50%, just so you know.I've put this one on my favorites list I liked it so well. It isn't a 5 star read, but pretty damned close. One I know I'll read again. I really enjoyed this one. It had my emotions engaged from the first word on the first page. Now, I have to wait. And wait. And wait. Usually when my patience is employed [and I have only a very teensy tiny amount ...] happens, the books' rating suffers. A shame that.Happy Reading!!

09/13/2013 --Overall Rating = 3.5 StarsBook Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 4 / 3 / 4 = 3.5 StarsWriter’s Voice = 2.5 StarsCharacter Development = 4 StarsStory Appreciation = 3 StarsWorth the Chili = 5 Stars -- [$2.99 on Amazon]Well, this doesn't happen to me often where I get to the half point or further in book and change my mind about it and suddenly am engaged and invested. It was at this place I almost decided it would be an incomplete read for me, but something happened. I think the author finally found her groove. Up to this point, she threw elements into the story that just didn't work. Then, she focused on her characters and their individual stories and it all came together. For me, anyway.A few things I really liked about this book:1 -- The characters are was kept me in this thing from the beginning. I was puzzled by how much I didn't like them at first, but then slowly warmed to them. Their individual stories, sound cheesy and cliche' at first, but then you start to f e e l . . . them. This is key for me. It took a while and surprised me tremendously, but in the end, I'm very glad I stayed the course and gave these two a shot. They were worth it for me.2 -- The story as it unfolded. It was a bit bumpy at first, but the author eventually found her way and settled into the elements she was developing. There were a few things that she threw in that were unnecessary and not fully developed. If you can get past those places, you will probably be like me.3 -- The cover and the blurb were what sold me to begin with. I bought the book and it was on my Kindle for a few weeks, but couldn't get these things out of my mind. The whole race car driver thing pulled me. Love any book with a sports theme or element. I didn't think this was huge in this story, but enough that it satisfied me. I will say, the cover gives you an impression of that it may contain erotica. It really doesn't. Some slightly graphic sex. Sure. But nothing I'd class as erotica -- my opinion via my experience only. To each his own ...4 -- The price is exactly right.Now, for a few things I wasn’t crazy about:1 -- Can you say cliffhanger? Seriously? I won't go off on my regular tangent about his method of ending a story, but it has a HUGE cliffhanger. You really have to read this first one before the second makes sense. I'm reading #2 now and if it ends like this one did, I will be SERIOUSLY PISSED!!2 -- I don't like a book that strings me along for 50% before it settles and gets good. Normally, or I should stay very rarely [can't remember the last time it happened ... rarely], do I stick with a book I'm apathetic about at 50%. I'm reading #2 and the author seems to have improved. She jumped right in with a bang. I'm at 35% in and have been engaged from the first page. If you are like me, I encourage you to hang tight. It does get better. I promise.3 -- The cover is a bit misleading. I mentioned it before. For me, it seems like a promise of erotica. You won't find it in this book. It isn't necessary for my story enjoyment, so I'll only mention it. But, if it is for you, you won't find it here, so be aware and make your decision accordingly.I surprised myself with this one. I thought about bailing a few times. I actually started it a month or so ago and decided to give it another go. This almost never works for me, but I persevere. You just never know when you will happen on a book like this. I liked it well enough to move immediately onto #2. I'm enjoying it quite a bit.Happy Reading!

09/11/2013 --Overall Rating = 2.5 StarsBook Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 3 / 3 / 4 = 3 StarsWriter’s Voice = 2 StarsCharacter Development = 3 StarsStory Appreciation = 2 StarsWorth the Chili = 3 Stars -- [$2.99 on Amazon]Well ... maybe this is another case of everyone loved but me? Or, maybe I'm in a "reader's block" [you can have writer's block, why not reader's block?]. I'm not sure, but this one should have been a DNF for me. I just kept plowing through when I knew I really didn't like it and it didn't look like anything was going to make it better.I love the whole male escort theme. I've read some really good books with this theme and I didn't think I'd ever read one that I wouldn't like something about it ... until now. I never warmed up to the characters. The word "gigolo" was WAY overused. For me, it bordered on terrible. Not quite there, but almost. Not a good place.Enough said. It just wasn't for me. It might be for you. I will add one positive note. Mason's sister has Cerebral Palsy. I really liked this element. I enjoyed any place in the story where this element was present. I thought this pretty unique and think the author handles it very well.Happy Reading ... maybe!

09/10/2013 --Overall Rating = 2.5 StarsBook Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 3 / 3 / 1 = 2 StarsWriter’s Voice = 2 StarsCharacter Development = 3 StarsStory Appreciation = 2 StarsWorth the Chili = 3 Stars -- [$3.99 on Amazon, however, I got a loaner]I think this is a case where everyone else loved it ... me not so much. I just didn't connect with the characters. I thought the story a bit farfetched. A miss for me. I hate when that happens. I was pumped for a really good book. Oh, well ... I greatly appreciate the loaner copy from Anne.Nothing more to say really. I hope you enjoy this more than I did. A whole lot more!Happy Reading!

09/08/2013 --This was just awful. Sent it back. Enough said.

09/08/2013 --Just awful. This one went back. Enough said!

09/07/2013 --Overall Rating = 2 StarsBook Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 4 / 4 / 4 = 4 StarsWriter’s Voice = 2 StarsCharacter Development = 2.5 StarsStory Appreciation = 2 StarsWorth the Chili = 1 Star -- [$3.99 on Amazon]Okay, when I read the first in this series, I said in my review, I was pleasantly surprised. Well, when I expected to get something similar in quality, I was sorely disappointed with this one. This book was pretty bad. I'm not going to waste too much time on my review, but will say it just never got better. If you've read to 30% or so, and think, surely this will get better. It doesn't. Just give it up, let it go and call this one DONE! Save yourself some time and move on to the next one.Sorry to say it, but this is just another "one of those books".I really don't thing you will be happy reading this one!**told you so ...**

09/05/2013 --Overall Rating = 2.5 StarsBook Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 3.5 / 3 / 4 = 3.5 StarsWriter’s Voice = 2 StarsCharacter Development = 4 StarsStory Appreciation = 2 StarsWorth the Chili = 3 Stars -- [$1.99 on Amazon]Okay, I knew this was a short story. I'm not a huge fan of them, but I am a HUGE fan of this author. I've read other shorts by her and they are very good. I'm not sure what happened here...First, a few things I thought worked fairly well:1 -- I just love the way this author pulls you in. She creates these situations .. *sigh*. Then she creates these really great characters. I was hooked for the 5th page. HOOKED!!2 -- For this author, the price was good. I paid it for a short and didn't even blink.3 -- Loved the geography on this one. Louisiana, post Katrina. Very few romances in that neck of the woods. Very nicely done.Okay, now for those annoyances:1 -- What the hell did I just read?!! It was rolling along nicely and then ... I love you. I love you too. The End. WHAT?? Seriously? Did the author not know this was going to be a short story or what?? Very poor planning. Almost like they decided to cut down a full length book and make a short. Had to get the HEA in before the end. An awful shame. TERRIBLE!2 -- Ditto what I said in #1.3 -- Ditto what I said in #1 & #2!!I feel cheated. I've read shorts by this author and know, KNOW, she can do these well. This one SUCKED!! I want more and I shouldn't. I'm sad ... 8(I hope you do better with this one. I really do.Happy Reading!!

Ditto what BamaGal said.

09/04/2013 --I had an ARC provided to me. However, I can't read it. There is something wonky with the formatting so every time there is an "fi" or an "fl" at the beginning of a sentence, it is cut off. Very annoying. I've tried to play with it by deleting and resending, but doesn't fix the issue. I give up.* ARC provided by the author and publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. *

09/04/2013 --Overall Rating = 2.5 StarsBook Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 3 / 3 / 5 = 3.5 StarsWriter’s Voice = 3 StarsCharacter Development = 3 StarsStory Appreciation = 3.5 StarsWorth the Chili = 1 Star -- [$2.99 on Amazon for a debut Indie book!]I liked this book, but there were issues. Let me tell you what I liked first:1 -- This is a debut book by this author [this will come again later]. For a debut book, it was okay. There really was nothing unique here, but what we did have was an enjoyable few hours. There weren't huge editing issues and we all know that's a plus. Saying this, I'll also stress again, there was nothing unique. You could choose not to read it and not miss much.2 -- The characters were fairly well developed. A few things didn't add up, but they didn't annoy me. This is one of my personal pet peeves -- does the story make sense and once developed, do the characters act in character. For this component, I give it 3 Stars. Just okay.3 -- I loved the title of this book. It intrigued me and once I read the book, it made total sense.Okay, now for those items I wasn't crazy about:1 -- This is a debut Indie author. I think the price point is high. I used my Prime membership and got this on loan for August. I wouldn't pay $3 unless others told me there was something I was missing by not reading this. Let me say it again, if you choose not to read this book, you won't miss anything you haven't read before -- probably better.I think this is a case of putting either a motorcycle on the cover or in the blurb and watching them swarm. So, you have been WARNED!!**spoiler alert**2 -- Brenna loves her Dad. She loved people in the Ace's MC. Then, she just walked away. Without a backwards glance, she just walked away. This does not make sense to me. The author didn't do a good job with this one.3 -- Brenna was beaten severely by her husband and leave him. She runs to Dad and finds Dragon again. Dragon and she have a misunderstanding and he backhands her. She is fine with this. This so does not jive with my concept of a healthy relationship. No reason. None. I. DO. NOT. LIKE. HOW. THIS. AUTHOR. HANDLES. THIS. Not at all. Ladies! It is not okay for a man to hit you -- EVER!! NEVER!!4 -- No condoms. This guy is a whore-dog. Nope! Again. Ladies! Protect yourselves. Condoms. EVERY. Time.There are probably a few other things I could note, but won't. I did like the story, but, it is just okay.Happy Reading!

09/03/2013 --Okay, I've read a few by this author. I seemed to have liked the first one. The second one, less than the first, but still enjoyable. The third was a DNF for me.I saw the ratings for this one and read a few reviews. I decided to give her another shot. All these books sound the same. They read the same. Pick one. Read it and you've basically read the rest of them. I cry, No Fair!So, for lack of anything new, 1.5 Stars. I don't round up, so we have 1 Star.I won't be going back to this well again.If this is the Zanetti read you select, you'll probably love it. If it is the 6th book by this author you've read, you've read 5 too many, unless you don't mind repetition. I seem to have an issue with it, myself.Happy Reading ... or Not!* ARC provided by the publisher and author, care of Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. *

Re-read 09/02/2013 --Okay, I don't change ratings after a re-read. Not officially, but I will say, not sure what I saw in this to make it a 4 Star read when I read it two years ago. I was good until about 65% when it started repeating itself and taking shortcuts in the storytelling component. I do like these characters. LOVED Ty and Lexie was just perfect for him. Normally I like a long, wonderful, absorbing read, until I don't. This one was about 100 pages too long. If we cut a few pages and tightened the story up a bit, it would have been solid. IF I were to change my rating, it would be 2.5 Stars. Maybe 3 Stars. I have an agreement with myself, so I won't.I probably won't be re-reading this one again.********************************************************************************************************************************Original Read 2011 --A very nice story - good characterization. My only complaint, it was a bit long. The author drew out the same theme over and over, almost like she had some issues closing this one. Not really an issue. I really enjoyed this book.Happy Reading!

08/31/2013 --Overall Rating = 5 Stars **considered a classic**Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 5 / 5 / 3 = 4.5 StarsWriter’s Voice = 4 StarsCharacter Development = 4 StarsStory Appreciation = 4 StarsWorth the Chili = 5 Stars -- [a classic]I started reading romance novels when I was a young girl; maybe 13 or so. This was around 1974. I like to think I've read some of the very best, but had never read this one. One of those that slipped my mind. I re-discovered it again recently and searched far and wide for an eBook. I saved it for a time when I knew I would need a break and would want something really good -- back to my roots ... kind of? This one was perfect for me this week.It is an older historical romance taking place in a setting we don't hear much about. The settling of New South Wales. A man who is trying to tame the wildness of this "new country" and a women sentenced to serve out her time as a criminal indentured servant in this wild place. The stars aligned and these two came together. I loved this bit of history and the romance was sweet. Too bad we don't have more stories in settings like these. They always interest me.This was my first by this author. It's really hard to comment on style because things are so different now. They over edited back in the day. I will offer this comment ... the time lapses moving the book from today to two weeks from now happened between paragraphs, with no notice really. The reader has to figure out we have moved forward a week or two. I always think this is indicative of editing. Either that or shortcuts in writing. Either way, not terribly fond of this style, but okay, I'll go with it.I enjoyed the story and I will read more by this author, if presented with an opportunity.I probably bumped this up in my rating a bit because I consider it a "classic" historical romance. So? Shoot me. My review, therefore, my prerogative to do anything I damn well want to!!Happy Reading!***************************Older and not available Nook 01/14/2012

08/27/2013 –-Overall Rating = 5 Stars I wish the GR system allowed for more!!Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 5 / 3 / 5 = 5 StarsWriter’s Voice = ∞ Stars .P * E * R * F * E *C * TA* N * DA * M * A * Z * I * N * GI don’t know who YellowBella is, or rather who they are, but they have the most wonderful, most poetic, most profoundly touching and disturbing way with words. Like they reinvented the human language. I could read them forever -- simply the very best I’ve ever read. This story was over 1000 pages and I was enthralled. I couldn’t put it down and when I did, I couldn’t get back fast enough. I loved these people. I ached for them. I cried for them. I wanted to help them. From the bottom of my heart I wanted to tell them how this should end. I’ve lived some of this and the pain they capture is spot on. It can happen. Believe it. If I were to offer any negative comment, it would be the age of Edward and Bella when this story started and ended. But, as you get into it, you understand, only through complete innocence could this story take place. It requires it to work. It is the absolute root of this story. Their innocence is a character within this story. In the end, there is a total loss of innocence; for the characters and for the reader.For me, the very best thing about this story is the truth. It isn’t pretty. It is raw and exciting, it is devastating and painful. It is real and naïve. This is a very real picture of how far you can fall. How much you can love and be loved. How painful love can be. How much you are willing to sacrifice for this other half of your soul. ESPECIALLY when you know nothing else. You’ve lost your innocence loving this person. Your heart can’t beat without him. Without her. These authors tell the truth and give you great characters and absolute perfection in prose to drowned in. As vicious as the thickest sunshine.Hope is my last thought on this one. They left me with hope. I can write my own ending for these two. So, for me, they will always be together and will grow their love to the sun, stars, moon and back.Personal Note: Anyone who has never suffered a drug addiction or has never loved someone who has a drug addiction may read this story and find it impossible; unbelievable. It isn’t. It happens just as it did for Dusty. I call it arrogance. IT is something that happened once. IT happens again because you escaped the first time and IT was fun and dangerous. Then, IT becomes something you can do on a weekend, then every weekend for a month and then … IT GOT YOU. This MONSTER has you in ITs’ TEETH and won’t turn you lose. To get lose you have to bargain and bribe with IT. You may just crawl your way away from IT. Maybe … or not. God help you. That poor, poor boy.I want to read this again, but need time for my emotions to recover. This is a story I was very happy, grateful, I got to experience. Stories like these are why this website is KILLER! Without you, I would have never known; all my GR friends.Happy Reading!

08/20/2013 --Overall Rating = 3 StarsBook Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 1 / 3 / 3 = 2 StarsWriter’s Voice = 3 StarsCharacter Development = 3.5 StarsStory Appreciation = 3.5 StarsWorth the Chili = 3 Stars -- [$2.99 when released]Well, I'm not real sure what to say about this one. I liked it, but it is a strange one. It bored me in places, it touched me in others and it was just strange overall. One thing I liked and liked quite a bit was the second chance aspect.A few things stood out for me when reading this one:1 -- The characters were downright quirky. I couldn't decide if I liked them. I couldn't decide if they were really stupid people or in the wrong place at the wrong time. Either way, I do think I'll remember both Stella and Dane. And with the number of books I read, this is saying something.2 -- **spoiler alert** The whole prison experience. I thought the author did this very well. I also think, to put this in a romance, takes courage. In the very short time Dane and Stella were together, they fell very deeply for each other. They really couldn't think of not being together at the end of this whole mess. It seemed to work for them and I'm glad. Although, many wouldn't consider anything for these two as being an HEA.Now, onto things I had issues with:1 -- Something that didn't work so well for me with this one is the ending. I felt rushed. The middle of this story was soooo... boring. I couldn't figure out where the whole thing was headed and put it down for a few days. Then, we speed up and rush the later part of the book. I absolutely hate when authors do this. Almost like they only just realize they have a deadline. Or, even worse, she got bored with the whole thing, rather like I did [middle of this read]. Then, she turned the gas up, and it was interesting again and then *poof* it's over! What? So not good for this reader.2 -- Another not so good, the whole "small town" premise outlined in this book seemed very contrived. I was about 60% still wondering about the purpose of the story. Is there any message or are we just walking along on the road to nowhere? In the end, it really doesn't matter.3 -- The epilogue sucked! The author does warn us to read another book, the first in this series, and you'll get it. What? Seriously not happy me. Not at all. I didn't even bother to read it. She tells me I probably won't get it, so why bother? So, I didn't.Overall, a pretty strange read. I did enjoy it, but didn't realize I enjoyed it until it was over. One of those terrible coffee drinks that, once over, you want another just to see if it really was terrible or just minimally good.Happy Reading!**ARC provided by Patchwork Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!**