Review: I Saw Her Standing There by Marie Force

I Saw Her Standing There (Green Mountain #3) by Marie Force
Publisher: Berkley
Publication date: November 4th 2014
My rating:  4.5 stars 
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There’s a budding romance on Butler Mountain, but in the hornets’ nest known as the Abbott family, keeping a secret is no easy feat…

Colton Abbott and Lucy Mulvaney have a secret. Colton’s nosy siblings have begun to put the pieces together, but it’s not like Lucy to keep things from those closest to her—especially her best friend, Cameron, who recently moved to Vermont to live with her true love, Will. But Lucy isn’t about to tell Cam she’s having a fling…with Will’s brother.

Flitting between New York and Vermont is exhausting, so Lucy is looking forward to a long weekend with Colton at the Abbott family lake house in Burlington. Too bad Will and Cameron have the same idea, and once Colton and Lucy are caught red-handed (and red-faced), will their clandestine romance lose its appeal or will their secret beginnings be the start of something lasting?

Contains an exclusive Green Mountain short story!

My Thoughts:

If you haven’t had a chance to pick up the Green Mountain series by Marie Force you are definitely missing out.  It’s one of the most charming and heartwarming small town romance series that I’ve read.  I was giddy to dive in again with the Abbott family and all their quirky, but lovable members.  Lincoln Abbott, the patriarch, and Elmer, the grandfather have been busy in the last two novels matchmaking and this time Colton, Lincoln’s son, was their target in I Saw Her Standing There.

Colton Abbott is the mountain man of the siblings, running the maple sugaring operation pretty much on his own.  He lives without running water and electricity staying close to the family’s original way of producing maple syrup.  Colton’s used to a solitary life mostly just on his own with his two dogs, and only coming down once a week for family dinner with the Abbott brood. That is until he catches sight of Lucy, Cameron’s best friend.  They live six hours away with Lucy in New York City and Colton in Vermont, but they’ve been stealing every available second together.  They’ve spent six lusty weekends together and what’s started off as just a good time has turned into something important to Colton, and he wants more.

Lucy has never felt the way she does about Colton, but she’s scared to go all in with their distance and reluctance to move between them. She can’t imagine the romance ending in anything other than heartbreak so she tries to guard her heart.  However, Colton makes it impossible to keep the walls up with his sweet ways, and assurances that they will find a way to make things work.  One of the things I enjoy so much about the Green Mountain series is the support and advice these characters get from family and friends. Lucy’s fears were put into perspective by several sources, and she begins to hope for a future with Colton.

Colton was oh-so-charming, sexy as hell, and pretty much insatiable!  

“What is the deal with the Abbott men and their magic…wands?”

But he was also incredibly sweet and patient.  I just loved him so hard! He cracked me up with his little temper tantrum at the lake house when his plans to have some precious alone time with Lucy were foiled. He’s just so smitten with Lucy and the fact they live so far apart makes him determined to relish every moment he has with her.  I dare you not to completely swoon after you read about his visit to Lucy in New York!

I Saw Her Standing There is the third book in the Green Mountain series and it’s tied for my favorite along with the first in the series All You Need is Love which featured Will, one of the Abbott men, and Cameron. It was a big bonus to get a lot of couple time with Will and Cameron in this installment and to “see” them going strong.  Both these couples could barely keep their hands off each other and let me tell you Marie Force knows how to write some sizzling scenes!

The bonus novella, Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, at the end was hilarious and even better than an epilogue, and featured Colton and Lucy, and Will and Cameron going on a backpacking trip.  Also at the end was a peek into the next installment, And I Love Her, which will feature Hunter Abbott and Megan.  To be honest, Megan didn’t leave the best impression on me before. She was an absolute witch to Cameron, but after this story and reading the teaser, my heart has softened toward her and I hope she opens her eyes to Hunter. He’s pined away for her for so long.  Aww…

 

 

Connect with Marie Force:

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Review: Don't Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski

Don't Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski
Publisher: Orchard Books
Publication date: 1st May 2014
My rating: 3.5 stars

This is the story of how we became freaks. It's how a group of I's became a we. When Class 10B got their flu shots, they expected some side effects. Maybe a sore arm. Maybe a headache. They definitely didn't expect to get telepathy. But suddenly they could hear what everyone was thinking. Their friends. Their teachers. Their parents. Now they all know that Tess has a crush on her best friend, Teddy. That Mackenzie cheated on Cooper. That Nurse Carmichael used to be a stripper. Some of them will thrive. Some of them will break. None of them will ever be the same.

Don’t Even Think About it, was a super surprising read. For me it had started off as if it was suitable for a much younger reading audience, but I’m glad that after seeing Mlynowski’s name on the book I decide to give it a go.

Classmates in class 10B were scheduled to get their flu shots like normal, however they didn’t expect to end up with telepathic skills, some students develop in a day or two, whereas others take much longer, but what is meant to be a really scary situation ends up bringing a whole class who never knew each other together. Don’t Even Think About it, was an unusual book to get into at first, as you don’t know who was actually telling the story, as I started to get to know the characters a bit more though things started settling down for me. Overall there were around over five different perspectives in this book. On top of this add all of the other opinions coming through the telepathy, it could sound slightly overwhelming. But this wasn’t the case at all once you get to know the characters. Of course as the story progressed I ended up finding a few favourites and did prefer reading what was going on in their life. (Tess and Oliver). But I didn’t mind reading about the characters when they were all together either, with so many different personalities, they were able to bring a lot of quirkiness and fun to whenever they hit a hurdle in their situation. And I loved it when they had to deal with so many situations with their new found ability, secrets were no longer secrets any more, they had to consider how they could continue to progress without giving away their ability and also develop some techniques of not getting totally overwhelmed with everyone’s thoughts. Some of these kids despite showing some classes didn’t talk to each other much, so it was fun seeing this ability break some bridges that had stood in the way before. Yes this ability wasn’t always peachy especially when what you were actually thinking about one of your friends everyone knew about in a matter of seconds including your friend. But I liked how most of these characters tried to be there for each other.

I also liked how this ability was able to give a lot of confidence to those who had been lacking before, but also a lot were able to realise that the person they thought they were meant to be with wasn’t actually the one. Some of the scenes could be heartbreaking at times (imagine you thinking the guy you like likes you back, but then you hear him pinning over someone else) but overall I think some of the relationships we ended up with were much better, (highlight to view spoiler) I was a huge fan of Tess and BJ.

Overall Don’t Even Think About it, was a super fun read, even though it’s not one of the books I would normally go for, the wide range of characters certainly made this book a worthwhile read.

Review: Only Enchanting by Mary Balogh

Only Enchanting (The Survivors' Club #4) by Mary Balogh
Publisher: Signet
Publication date: October 28th 2014
My rating:  4.5 stars 
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The Survivors' Club: Six men and one woman, all wounded in the Napoleonic Wars, their friendship forged during their recovery at Penderris Hall in Cornwall. Now, in the fourth novel of the Survivors' Club series, Flavian, Viscount Ponsonby, has left this refuge to find his own salvation—in the love of a most unsuspecting woman…

Flavian, Viscount Ponsonby, was devastated by his fiancée’s desertion after his return home. Now the woman who broke his heart is back—and everyone is eager to revive their engagement. Except Flavian, who, in a panic, runs straight into the arms of a most sensible yet enchanting young woman.

Agnes Keeping has never been in love—and never wishes to be. But then she meets the charismatic Flavian, and suddenly Agnes falls so foolishly and so deeply that she agrees to his impetuous proposal of marriage.

When Agnes discovers that the proposal is only to avenge his former love, she’s determined to flee. But Flavian has no intention of letting his new bride go, especially now that he too has fallen so passionately and so unexpectedly in love. 

My Thoughts:

Flavian, Viscount Ponsonby is one six friends that call themselves “The Survivors Club” after recovering together from grave injuries suffered during the Napoleonic War.  It took Flavian some time to recover from being shot in the head, and still he suffers the effects of his injury.  As if that wasn’t bad enough, when he finally became lucid he found out his betrothed, Velma, ended their engagement so she could marry his best friend, Len, after thinking Flavian would never fully recover.  Now years later, Len dies leaving Velma a widow and the way open for them to be together. Both of their family’s pressure to put these two together again, but Flavian wants nothing to do that.

In the present, meeting the young widow Agnes Keeping and pursuing her is a pull Flavian can’t resist. 

It’s not that Agnes is stunningly beautiful, but there’s something about her that becomes more enchanting every time they meet.  It’s as if his unconscious mind knows exactly what he needs.

He wanted to claim her body for his own.

And he would be safe.

Strange thought—and it was not the first time that it had popped into his head like an alien thing.

Safe.

Safe from whom?

And from what?

Agnes has avoided passion and falling in love since it brought hurt and ruin to her family. When she married Mr. Keeping it was for companionship and because he was a logical match, but she was hardly overcome with desire.  Five short years later she was widowed at the age of twenty-three.  Now Agnes lives with her beloved sister, contented in life even if she is a little lonely at times.  When Viscount Ponsonby comes to Agnes’ little town to visit with his Survivors Club friends, her attempts at avoiding passion and love go out the window.  After a whirlwind of stolen meetings and steamy encounters, Flavian proposes and Agnes, in spite of her hesitancy, can’t help herself and so they marry. 

To outward appearances Flavian’s intention when he chose to marry Agnes was an avoidance tactic at best, and at worst a means of revenge on Velma for leaving him after his injuries all those years ago.  At first this is what it seems to poor Agnes when she discovers the history, and it was a knife to her heart! I ached for her and wanted to smack Flavian for a bit!  But things are not as they seem, and there is much more at play here that Flavian doesn’t immediately clue into because of holes in his memory. But all along his subconscious registered what his conscious mind didn’t recall.  AND it becomes obvious that Flavian really cares for Agnes and he wanted to marry her just as she wanted to marry him.

I loved that even when the situation felt so very hurtful to Agnes she didn’t throw everything away by running, but rather she thought things through. She was a truly sensible, understanding and kind woman, perfect for an injured soul like Flavian.  He more than redeems himself as the story plays out and my heart swelled with happiness for these two. They had an immediate attraction that was at first fueled by passion and longing, but then grew into a beautiful bond of love.

I don’t read many historical romances but I loved this story so much! I felt like I was transported into a time something like what’s portrayed in Sense and Sensibility, one of my all-time favorite period movies!  Ms. Balogh’s compelling writing had me high on emotions ranging from despair and anger for Agnes and Flavian to joy and happiness over how it all turned out! 

I definitely want to check out the rest of this series, and I hope there will be a romance written for Dora, Agnes’ sister. There were hints of one stirring.

 Connect with Mary Balogh:

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Monthly Recap: October

Hi all, I can't believe we're already doing a recap of October, seriously this month just flew buy! With things being super crazy, I (Jasprit) was still able to get through quite a few books, I hoping this will be the same for November, I seem to be wanting to read all the books lately, which is a good thing with the slump I had been in. So here's how October was for us!

Number of Books read:

Jasprit: 10

Rachel: 14

Highest rating:

Jasprit: 4 stars

Rachel: 5 stars

 
Lowest rating:

Jasprit: 2 stars

Rachel: DNF

Books reviewed:

Jasprit: 

(click on titles for review link)

Rachel: 

(click on titles for review link)


 

Best read of last month:

Jasprit: This is a tough one as I read three great books which really stood out for me, On the Fence by Kasie West, Ashes to Ashes by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian and The Secret of Lily Graves by Sarah Strohmeyer. But if I just had to choose one it would have to be On the Fence by Kasie West, it was such a cute contemporary read, it made me want to binge read all the happy, funny contemporary books in one sitting.

Rachel: 

Mean Streak by Sandra Brown. Sandra Brown is a veteran mystery writer but she's new to me. Mean Streak had everything I love in a mystery/romance: Danger, surprising plot twists, fast paced plot, and a searing romance!

Book which surprised me the most: 

Jasprit: Ashes to Ashes by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivien. Only because there were surprises literally around every single corner and at times it could be really heartbreaking to watch.

Rachel: 

Carolina Blues by Virginia Kantra. The writing as beautiful and moving, and the romance was very steamy! I just love a man in uniform!

Fictional crush of the month:

Jasprit: There were so many cutie pies in the anthology book I read My True Love Gave to me, this book featured 12 stories, but at least 3 guys were able to leave great impressions on me. One of my favourites had to be Noel from Rainbow Rowell's short story, this guy certainly needs his own book and soon!

Rachel:

It's a tie for "the guy" in Mean Streak, (I say "guy" because we're not given his name for much of the novel and I don't want to spoil things) and Jack in Carolina Blues. Both were realistically portrayed, mature and very much male! Like the rescue-me-keep-me-safe type of men, but not afraid to love a strong woman and let them shine in their own right. *Sigh and swoon*!

Three books I'm most looking forward to this month:

Jasprit:
 (Click on titles for Goodreads link)

Rashika and I will be reading Top Ten Clues You're Clueless and I can't wait! I read and loved Ask Again Later and being in the mood for something cute and adorable, I think this book will be something I'll certainly enjoy. I was given one month free of Kindle Unlimited through Amazon, so was able to grab the first four copies in the Amour et Chocolat series by Laura Florand, I know that Rachel has loved these books, so can't wait to curl up with these. And I also have the first two books in the Fox and O'Hare series, I read one of first short stories which I really ended up enjoying because of the great mix of mystery and laugh out loud moments.

Rachel:

(Click on titles for Goodreads link)

I have loved Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels so I can't wait to read Burn For Me! I've heard great things so far. Made for You sounds delightfully creepy. Razed sounds wonderful: Keelie's got a crush on Zane's younger brother, but he's determined to make her see him instead.

Bookish Photo: 

 

There were some very cool Books About Town Benches over the last few months in London. I was finally able to spot one at Tower Bridge: Katie's in Town by James Mayhew!

How was your month of October?

Spotlight & Giveaway: Caged in Winter by Brighton Walsh

I'm thrilled to be part of the blog tour for Caged in Winter by Brighton Walsh because Cade sounds HOT! I hope to pick this up soon, but in the meantime you can check out the details of the book and as part of this tour you have a chance to win a SIGNED copy of Caged In Winter! Just fill in the rafflecopter below!

Caged in Winter by Brighton Walsh

Publication Date: November 4th 2014 

Publisher: Berkley

 Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

In this emotional and sexy New Adult debut from Brighton Walsh, the only thing more frightening than commitment is hope…

Aspiring chef Cade Maxwell is immediately, viscerally attracted to Winter Jacobson. But it’s not her mouthwatering curves he’s drawn to—it’s the strange emptiness in her eyes. When Cade saves her from a drunken customer with grabby hands, he’s shocked at her response…

Winter doesn’t need Cade’s help. After a lifetime of getting by on her own, she’s happy to rely on herself. She’s exactly seventy-six days away from graduating college, and if she can hold it together that long, she’ll finally be able to rise above the crappy hand she was dealt.

But now, every time she turns around, Cade is there, ready to push her, smile at her, distract her from her plans. Winter knows she can’t afford to open up—especially to a man she’s terrified to actually want…

About the author:

Brighton Walsh spent nearly a decade as a professional photographer before deciding to take her storytelling in a different direction and reconnect with writing. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and two children. 

Connect with Brighton Walsh

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