Book Review: Justin

Katie April 10, 2015 0 Comments

Justin is the first book in a series.  We first meet Tara who is in dire need of a cup of coffee. She’s loaded an app she created on her GPS system in her car and while a phone call tries to come through she gets distracted and ends up hitting a guy on the side of the road. He thinks he is dead and seeing an angel.  This is Justin. He’s a firefighter and male model and he immediately thinks Tara is a beautiful angel.

Turns out, he’s not dead and he just has two broken wrists. Tara goes to the hospital to see how he is doing and Justin is falling for her.  She ends up having him stay at her house so she can help him out while he recovers and can’t really use his arms due to casts.

Meanwhile, Tara’s boss is a capital B i-t-c-h and is super demanding.  When Tara decides to send a car service to pick her up so she can take Justin to the doctor, her boss (did I mention her boss is also her mom?) fires her!

Now Tara has moved in with Justin and accompanies him to one of his photoshoots. When the photographer senses the chemistry between the two they decide to do a shoot with Justin AND Tara for the book – and their relationship takes off from there…

This was a short book, under 100 pages, but I enjoyed it.  A bit strange of a way to meet – her hitting him with his car – but I actually have heard of people meeting boyfriends that way so I guess it’s not too far fetched. The two hit it off right away and I enjoyed the story. I am looking forward to future books in the series (which are apparently called Lance and Joshua.  NSYNC theme, anyone?)

I received a free e-copy in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Justin…

Tara Malone is having one of those lives. Born to Oscar award-winning actor, Anthony Malone, and model-famous beauty, Veronica Scott, she should have it made. But her curvy figure and out-of-control frizzy red hair are just the start of her many, many issues. Now to make matters worse, she’s started out her week by running over model, Justin James, with her car. She had a lot of fantasies about the cover model, but never did any of them include vehicular assault.

Justin James doesn’t have time for two broken wrists, but neither does his over-achieving family. He can’t open up his fridge or unzip his fly without excruciating pain and no one else has the time to help him. Tara already shot him down at the accident scene, but maybe he can work this so that the curvy bombshell has a reason to hang around for a bit. He’s not above using guilt if it means he gets to know her better.

The first in a new series of novellas inspired by Shauna Kruse’s photography and her beautiful male models.

The Male Model Chronicles.

Disclaimer: The Male Model Chronicles, a new fictional series, is built around the real-life world of Kruse Images & Photography and the gorgeous male models that Shauna Kruse gets to immortalize in her photos. The heroes are real people who also happen to be male models, but every single other thing about the series is fiction.

Book Review: Road Trip

Katie April 10, 2015 0 Comments

Road Trip is about Boyd, who has been saving up for the car of his dreams for as long as he can remember.  He finally finds the ’69 Road Runner at a price he can afford and he jumps at it and decides that he will go on a road trip with the car as he’s been marking off places he’d like to visit on a map for quite some time.  He starts in California and is trying to get the car back home to Syracuse, NY while missing the least amount of work as possible.

While in Vegas, Boyd meets a “kid” named Oliver who he for some reason feels a connection to (even after Oliver says he’s not hooking up with Boyd.)  Oliver wants to get home to Maryland so Boyd decides to take him along for the ride.

Despite a few set backs, Boyd and Oliver begin falling for each other and end up making it to Maryland a couple of days behind schedule – thanks in part to a “no regrets” speech that Oliver gives Boyd when he decides to just drive by some places on his list rather than stop and check them out.  When they get to Maryland, some bad guys are waiting for Oliver.

The two end up trying to figure out a way to make everyone happy… and then try to figure out how to get the two of them to end up living happily ever after.

Boyd and Oliver at first seem like an unlikely pair – Boyd is 35, Oliver is 24, but Boyd is a bit more “old school” than most 35 year olds. He has no cell phone, he doesn’t know what skype is, and he’s content listening to eight tracks in his ’69 car.  It is interesting to see the change that the two bring about each other over the course of their 7 day road trip (and then some.  The book follows the 7 days of the trip and then a couple of chapters afterwards jump forward in time a bit to finish the story)

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

For as long as Boyd can remember, he’s been pushing pins into a map. Carson City, Las Vegas, Albuquerque—all places he wants to see, for a dozen different reasons that wouldn’t mean a thing to anyone else. When he finally gets a chance to purchase the ’69 Road Runner of his dreams, at a price that even he can manage, Boyd jumps at the opportunity.

Oliver seems like just another kid with a broken dream when their paths cross in Vegas. Against Boyd’s better judgment, he offers to let Oliver hitch along for the ride when Oliver confides the need to get out and get gone.

But it’s not long before Boyd realizes Oliver’s reasons for running are more complicated—and more dangerous—than Oliver let on. But Boyd doesn’t like people who play hardball, and he definitely doesn’t like people messing with a man who’s managed to light a fuse that Boyd forgot he had.

Book Review: There’s An App For Love

Katie April 7, 2015 0 Comments

There’s an App For Love tells the story of two people living in New York – Liam and Liz.  Liam is a sex guru and was asked by his publisher if he’d consider writing about the new app “Flame”,  so he has his assistant download the app (Liam doesn’t even have a smartphone prior to this job!) and pick out someone who he can meet up with to see what happens.  Meanwhile, Liz is leaving New York soon to move to Signapore for her job.  Her best friend Jenny thinks that she should find someone on the new “Flame” app and starts looking for guys for Liz under her own account.  Liam and Liz are a match and agree to meet later that night.

Liam is essentially in love with Liz from the moment she walks through the door.  Since he is a sex guru, Liz is quite satisfied with him but doesn’t like that he seems to have no job but a lot of money and seems to be quite secretive.  Liz gets upset with him for being so secretive so he finally fesses up that he does have a job and it is to write the sex books which he writes under a pen name.  He also keeps getting vague phone calls that takes them away from his dates with her that he promises to explain but doesn’t.  Both have had a rough go with their past relationships (Liam’s wife tragically died on their honey moon and Liz’s ex was abusive) and have had time moving on.

But now that Liz is leaving for Singapore in 3 days, Liam wants to see her every night.  But he had mentioned that  he’d never want to leave the city.  Is this just a fling or is something more going on?

This book was 39 chapters and alternated between Liam and Liz’s point of view – which clued the reader in on all the secrecy going on that the characters were not otherwise privy to.  I thought that it was a good story – a bit of a rollercoaster at times but worth the read.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review.

About the Book

Can you ever find real love in a virtual world?

Liam Connor, the world’s most famous sex guru, is asked to write a book on Flame, a dating app that’s a lot like Tinder. Liam’s surprised at his publisher’s request. He knows a lot about sex. But he’s been a failure at both love and marriage. Certain he’ll never find true love, he signs up for Flame, only to see his world turned upside down…

Liz Andrews is a curvy, beautiful and intelligent technology executive, who’s moving to Singapore to head up sales for all of Asia. She’s not even thinking of dating — until her friend convinces her to have one last fling in New York…through Flame.

Sparks fly as soon as Liz and Liam meet and their passion knows no boundaries. Liam realizes that Liz is the true love he has been waiting for all his life. But Liz is hurting from a prior relationship. She needs time to build trust. But with only three days before she leaves New York, is there enough time for both of them?

As Liam and Liz find out, going from “Like” to “Love” is more than just hard…it’s nearly impossible.

Book Review: Nashville Parts 3 and 4

Katie April 6, 2015 0 Comments

I had previously read parts 1 + 2 of the Nashville series back in 2013 and was so angry with how things were left that when I got the opportunity to read 3 and 4 I was super happy to finally find out what happened to CeCe and Holden.  Please note that this review WILL contain spoilers as some are somewhat necessary to review the full storyline.

When Part 3 begins, Holden has left Nashville to be with his girlfriend.  CeCe and Thomas have continued singing together as a group and Holden has been writing songs for them.  One of the songs that they sing, a big time singer Hart Holcomb wants to put on his new album as the title track.  Thomas says he will talk to Holden – but will Holden want to come back to Nashville?  Cece is trying to move on and is dating Beck – whose father is a big time country star.  Holden decides to come back and the three (+Beck) are asked by Beck’s father to be a foursome and open for him on his tour because his original opening act isn’t going to be working out.  At a M&G CeCe meets a guy who seem to be a little off and freaks her out – but Holden handles the situation – then the two end up kissing and Beck walks in on it.  Things get a bit rocky with all the relationships in the band and when CeCe is ready to tell Beck that she has feelings for Holden – the M&G guy that made CeCe uneasy shows up again – this time at a different concert on the tour. He ends up opening fire on everyone who is backstage.

Book 4 begins with the aftermath of the shooting. 3 of the 4 band members are recovering and one has been killed.  They are forced by the label to do media about the event because media was in their contract for the tour – even though the tour has not continued.  They’re also forced to record an album based on the contract even though no one really feels up to that. CeCe has been avoiding Holden but they end up engaged once again once they realize that they truly are in love with each other and it was not CeCe’s fault what happened to Beck.

There are 4 more books in this series and I am looking forward to reading the rest!

I received a free copy of this book in order to write this review and participate in the book tour.

About the Books

What We Feel (Nashville #3)

Hunky musicians Holden Ashford and Thomas Franklin rescue Nashville bound CeCe MacKenzie and her Walker Hound Hank Junior from the side of the road when her car catches on fire. A less determined girl might have let her dreams go up in smoke as well, but not CeCe. She’s been singing all her life, and she just wants a chance to do the thing she loves in a place where music is part of the fabric of life. As it turns out, Holden and Thomas want the same thing, and it isn’t long before they’re all chasing after the dream together.

Falling in love hasn’t figured in to CeCe’s plans, but the moment she sets eyes on Holden, her heart is asking why not? Holden is drawn to her as well, but he already has someone in his life, Sarah who still lives in Atlanta, Sarah who loves him. Who he thought he loved back until CeCe makes him realize he hadn’t really known that love could turn him inside out.

But an unexpected visit from Sarah brings to light a terrible truth and Holden is faced with a choice between doing the right thing or permanently defining himself as a guy he never thought he would be.

It is only in letting each other go that both Holden and CeCe will come to understand that in life and love, the part that’s real is what we feel.

Pleasure in the Rain (Nashville #4)
Just as Barefoot Outlook begins to hit the big time, tragedy strikes when a rage-filled Nashville musician who hasn’t found the success he’s hoped for crashes an after-concert party and begins shooting. Among the victims are band members CeCe MacKenzie, Holden Ashford, Thomas Franklin, Beck Phillips and his country music star dad, Case.

With each of them gravely injured, one will not survive, forever changing the lives of everyone involved. Will one man’s hatred and contempt demolish all of their dreams, or will they eventually reach a place where they can even take pleasure in the rain?

Book Review: Wizzywig

Katie April 3, 2015 0 Comments

Wizzywig is based on WYSIWYG – What You See Is What You Get.  It is about a kid named Kevin who is picked on a lot by his classmates but has a very clever way of thinking. He is able to outsmart adults and get free bus rides, free pizza and is pretty tech savvy too.  He and a friend figure out how to make free long distance calls and end up accidentally creating a computer virus.

This is a comic book based on stories from real life hackers.  I was only able to read an excerpt of this book in order to write this review, but as someone who is into software (though I’d rather use any skills I have for good rather than bad) I found it to be interesting and have added it to my Amazon wishlist.

Kevin eventually ends up spending time in jail – but I wasn’t able to get far enough in the book yet to figure out exactly what ended up happening that he got caught for – but the list of charges against him is plenty!

I received a free e-copy of an excerpt of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

They say “What You See Is What You Get”… but Kevin “Boingthump” Phenicle could always see more than most people. In the world of phone phreaks, hackers, and scammers, he’s a legend. His exploits are hotly debated: could he really get free long-distance calls by whistling into a pay phone? Did his video-game piracy scheme accidentally trigger the first computer virus? And did he really dodge the FBI by using their own wiretapping software against them? Is he even a real person? And if he’s ever caught, what would happen to a geek like him in federal prison?

Inspired by the incredible stories of real-life hackers, Wizzygig is the thrilling tale of a master manipulator — his journey from precocious child scammer to federally-wanted fugitive, and beyond. In a world transformed by social networks and data leaks, Ed Piskor’s debut graphic novel reminds us how much power can rest in the hands of an audacious kid with a keyboard.

Book Review: Zoo Orchestra

Katie April 3, 2015 0 Comments

Zoo Orchestra is a book made up of a series of paintings of zoo animals playing various instruments that you’d find in an orchestra.  First is the painting, then the name of the painting (typically the animal and the instrument names) and then there is a small write up about the instrument, a small write up about the animal and a song that you can listen to if you would like to hear the instrument better.  The paintings are adorable and I enjoyed the little bit of back story on the instruments and animals throughout – this easily could have been just a picture book but I liked that you could learn a lot from it as well.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Everyone is invited to the Zoo Orchestra!

Enter the delightful world of the Zoo Orchestra, where animals embody the instruments they masterfully play.

The fanciful sounds of the clarinet are played by the angelic pig, who, like his instrument, has a circular snout perfect for making all kinds of sounds.

The gravity-defying squirrel uses a piccolo to whistle out tunes; its pocket-size is very much the large bass players’ envy!

Don’t forget the gentle koala, whose rich-sounding viola is an important addition to every orchestra.

The gravity-defying squirrel uses a piccolo to whistle out tunes; its pocket-size is very much the large bass players’ envy!

Author Manuel Díaz combines his own imaginative paintings with the knowledge and experience as a concert viola player to present a world where any age of reader can learn about the world of classical music. Zoo Orchestra uses humor, imagination, and original art to create a magical symphony of animals that all audiences will enjoy!

Book Review: All Fired Up

Katie April 3, 2015 0 Comments

All Fired Up is about the band Black Halo and specifically Ash and his girlfriend Ginny who he is trying to keep a secret. This is the second book in a series. I didn’t read the first one but I didn’t find that I had any trouble because of it (the first was about bandmate Xane and his girlfriend Dani).

I love Rock Star romance novels, but this one took me a bit longer to get through than usual, but I can’t really put my finger on why.  The scenes between Ash and Ginny were great but I think I could have done without all the drama between the band members (and Ash probably could too).  It just seemed like too forced that everything was setting up for Ash and Ginny to fail.

I give it 3/5 stars. I wasn’t a fan of the lack of an end either – but that was probably because it had to set you up for the next book in the series.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

All Fired Up is the follow-up to New York Times & USA TodayBestselling Author Madelynne Ellis’ scorching rock star romance novel, All Night Long.

Ginny Walters always knew her weakness for bad boys would get her into trouble. Her one night stand with Black Halo’s lead guitarist, Ash Gore, was only supposed to be a fun, not the prelude to the sort of relationship that’d scorch holes in her heart as well as her bed sheets. She’d be the happiest woman in the world if Ash wasn’t so determined to keep their connection off radar.

Ash Gore knows girlfriends are bad news for bands, which is why he’s resolved to keep his attachment to Ginny a secret. He and the guys have enough on their stages as they try to piece themselves back together after the band’s split. But when new drummer, Iain Willows, starts taking an active interest in Ginny, tensions quickly mount. Soon, Ash is not only at risk of losing Ginny, but everything he holds dearest—including life itself.

Book Review: Sext Based Adventures

Katie April 3, 2015 0 Comments

Sext Based Adventures is about Chris – who makes a female avatar in the World of Warcraft game in an effort to mix things up. He ends up meeting another female, Jessica, and the two hit it off in the game… if you know what I mean.  They end up exchanging emails as well as meeting up each week for WOW and when one email is tagged with a location, Jessica asks Chris (or as she knows him, Christina) if he’d like to meet up.  Chris confesses he is in fact a guy, Chris, not Christina, and Jessica confesses that she is actually Jason!  The two end up meeting up and hitting it off.

This was a short book, only 34 pages, and incredibly realistic since everyone can lie about who they are online.  I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Chris thought he was done with his gaming days. He’d deleted his account, gone back to his day job, and put his fantasy world days behind him… but couldn’t resist the urge to return. This time, however, he decided to play as a woman—a persona he maintains even when he makes friends with Jessica.

When Jessica offers online sex, Chris still cannot bring himself to confess his secret. As their relationship turns serious, still he cannot admit to the ruse. Then Jessica proposes they meet offline, and Chris is finally forced to confront the questions and choices he’s been avoiding…

Book Review: John Shaw’s Guide to Digital Nature Photography

Katie April 2, 2015 0 Comments

A couple of items on my bucketlist would probably fall into the “Nature Photography” category – a cruise to Alaska and an African Safari.  I do not have a DSLR camera – but I would say if either of these trips end up happening it will be time to invest in one and learn how to use it.  Digital Nature Photography will be one of the books to help me use the camera.  In this book, John Shaw teaches you techniques on how to use your DSLR, what settings he used for shots, etc.  There are even comparison shots where he shows something he shot with and without a filter for a comparison.  This book is filled with a lot of great information, and it kind of made me wish I had a DSLR *now* so I could go out and find some things outside to practice taking shots of.

Throughout the book there are a lot of gorgeous photos that John has shot over the years – and I can only hope using his tips from this book that some day I can take photos that look half as good as his!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for this review through the blogging for books program.

About the Book

Photography legend John Shaw returns with his much-anticipated guide to digital nature photography, complete with more than 250 extraordinarily beautiful photographs.

For over four decades, John Shaw’s authentic voice and trusted advice has helped photographers achieve impressive shots in the great outdoors. In his first-ever book on digital photography, Shaw provides in-depth advice on everything from equipment and lenses to thorough coverage of digital topics including how to use the histogram. In addition, he offers inspirational and frank insight that goes far beyond the nuts and bolts of photography, explaining that successful photos come from having a vision, practicing, and then acquiring the equipment needed to accomplish the intention. Easily digestible and useful for every type of photographer, and complete with more than 250 jaw-dropping images, John Shaw’s Guide to Digital Nature Photography is the one book you’ll need to beautifully capture the world around you.

Book Review: The Next Boston Band

Katie April 1, 2015 0 Comments

The Next Boston Band is about a Battle of the Bands that happened in Boston.  I was excited to read this as I’ve been to several concerts in Boston and was familiar with some of the venues that were mentioned.  Unfortunately for me, this book seemed to fall flat.

The judges of the Battle were “Steve” Tyler from Aerosmith (I’ve never heard him called anything other than Steven) and Ric Ocasek from The Cars.  The book follows one of the band’s managers, Mekhi and the band Pistola.

There is a sub plot where Mekhi seems to have some sort of beef with the managers of another band and he seems to keep getting beat up by them and their pals.

I did like the style of writing which used the morning radio DJs to tell part of the story each morning as Mekhi woke up.  There was just something about the story overall that I wasn’t particularly a fan of.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review,  I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Mekhi Bessel was maybe the top indie promoter in all of Greater Boston.  He could get anyone to come to anything.  He could get the Saudi kids from BU to show up to a football game at BC.  He could get the cokehead finals club WASPs from Harvard to a poetry slam at Chocolate City, the Afro-theme house at MIT.  And he knew from experience he could get the Euro-Latins from Emerson to dance salsa in the freezing cold to Israeli rock music in the parking lot outside the Beanpot hockey semi-final.  He had been an indiscriminate impresario since his sophomore year in college when he produced his first play and charged for it in violation of Theater Club rules.  Now, at 24, he had a whole series of gigs under his belt: nightclubs, rock and roll bands, hockey, football, girl’s lacrosse, good seating at the Head of the Charles, poetry reading, hip-hop (battles, a-cappella, and instrumental), dj’s, album launch, magazine launch, school committee candidate (Alan Price, Democrat, victorious), class day at Lesley University, ill-fated steak-and-live-blues restaurant, not-ill-fated brunch-and-live-blues restaurant, independent movie premieres, and the highly lucrative after-hours party.  Boston shut down at 1 a.m., so the party had to go somewhere just as it was getting going.  Mekhi found the lofts, bought the liquor, paid the dj, and collected the bar and gate.

This is how he had run afoul of the Tygers brothers.  They cooked all the nightlife in Boston.  Last night was the first time they had given him such a serious beating.