Melpomene

Review: Nash(Marked Men #4), by Jay Crownover

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01nas “Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in the world.”-Lucille Ball

It’s hard to believe I waited so long to jump into this Marked Men series. But as I read the first three, I knew Nash’s story was going to be heartbreaking and emotional. And I also knew that he would need someone very special to hold on to him. I’m glad to see I was right.

Right from the start, this book got me. When I read the Dedication and Introduction, I knew I was going to love this book. And then I got to the Prologue and I was immediately thrust back into high school and then I knew how hard this book was going to be on me.

Nash was the best friend you could ever ask for. He was always giving of himself. He would do anything for those who loved him. In truth, he would do just about anything for love. After growing up, in a house that showed him no love, only cruel and hurtful words, he tried to find love in every place imaginable. He thought he was unworthy of it.

Saint Ford is a successful ER nurse who was not expecting to run into the man who, as a young teenager, destroyed her self esteem and self worth, without even knowing it. She wants nothing to do with him. He may not remember the hurt, but she does. But being a caring nurse, she can’t help wanting to be there for him, when his uncle Phil is brought into her ER.

My heart went out to Saint. The low self esteem and the teasing, as a teenager, I could totally relate with. And then when your crush is the one who causes the most damage to you, well, let’s just say, most of us have been there. So to have those feeling shape you, all the way to adulthood, it’s going to take a very strong person to make you realize how great you really are.

“All I can see is you. Why can’t you understand that? No one shines as bright as you in the sky I’m looking at. To me there is no sun, no moon, and no stars in the sky, just endless miles of storm clouds and pretty pretty grey.”

As Nash’s world, as he thought he knew it, starts changing and pushing at him from all sides, he wishes he could cling to Saint. But she still has feelings of inadequacy, and it will take a lot of patience and a very awkward moment to bring her right where he wants, and needs, her to be.

Learning to love yourself, and realizing that you are worthy of having someone love you in return, are very hard lessons. Everyone is worthy of love, no matter what their past may show.

“You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”-Buddha

~Melpomene

Buy Nash: A Marked Men Novel

Review: Darkest Flame(Dark Kings#1) by, Donna Grant

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01dark I am in love with dragons. Seriously in love. Donna Grant has shown me the light. 🙂 I mean, look at that cover!! What’s not to love?? The Dark Kinds is a spin off of the Dark Warrior and Dark Sword series. I enjoyed meeting a few of the Dragon Kings in those books. I’m glad they get their own series.

Kellan has been asleep for over 1200 years and wanted to stay sleeping. He hates humans and all the trouble they cause. But when he is woken up by Denae, in his cave, he is forced to make the decision to save her or let her die. But something about her, captivated him. He wants her, but he doesn’t want to want her.

Denae is MI5 and was on a mission, and was betrayed and is now in at the mercy of the Dragon Kings. While she tries to find out who set her up, she is forced to be around Kellan. She knows he hates her, but she is drawn to him and can’t seem to get him out of her head. It seems that the more she tries to stay away from him, the more they are brought together. She just wants to give them everything she knows so she can leave. But leaving is easier said than done.

Danger is coming from all directions, which forces her to stay and learn secrets that have been kept for thousands of years. Secrets that will bring past friends and new allies, into the picture, and have Denae thrust into a war she never saw coming. They must decide if their love is worth the danger it brings on the rest of the kings and their people. But in the midst of all of this craziness, there was one story line thrown in, that blew me away. I seriously reread the same page 5 times. I wasn’t sure I read correctly. I never saw that coming. But now I’m SUPER excited for the next book!!

I really loved the romance of this story. Kellen truly wanted her, but his hatred of humans was driving him away. Once he let it go, love beyond his wildest imagination was given to him. Now all he had to do, is protect it. And he would do anything, in his powers, to do it.

~Melpomene

Buy Darkest Flame (Dark Kings)

Review: Hope Ignites(Hope#2), by Jaci Burton

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01hope I remember when I read Hope Flames and met Logan. I knew he was going to have a good story to tell. And I was right!!

Logan is a rancher who just wants peace and to be left alone. When he decides to let a film crew invade his land, he thought he would just make some money and never see any of them. He wants nothing to do with glitz and glamour. He is a simple man, with simple needs and doesn’t want to be bothered with any Hollywood superstars. Especially not Desiree Jenkins. One the outside, she is a beautiful young star with the world in her hand, and movie roles pouring in. But what she really is a down to earth simple girl, who wants the quiet life.

When Des meets Logan, she is intrigued. She is fascinated with the simple ranch life, and with him. She basically lays it out on the table, as to her intentions for him. It was so funny to see him trip over himself, when he was around her.

I knew I was going to like Logan. Poor guy never knew what hit him, when he met Des. After growing up with a horrible mother, who complained about ranch life, and left when he was younger, he was fine living on his own. He never thought he’d find a ranch wife. And when he met Des, he figured she was the farthest thing, so there was no harm in having a bit of fun. Well, the heart wants what the heart wants, and it wanted her.

It was perfect seeing him fall and then realize that he was holding on to the past hurts and not looking at Des as a potential partner.

I am really enjoying this series! I loved seeing Luke and Emma make an appearance in the story. I can’t wait till we get Molly’s story next.

~Melpomene

Buy Hope Ignites (A Hope Novel)

Buy the first book, Hope Flames (A Hope Novel)

Review: The Face in the Mirror, by Barbara Stewart

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01face I was super excited to receive this book! After reading, and LOVING, Barbara’s Rock & Roll trilogy, I was so curious to see what else she had up her sleeve.

Synopsis from Goodreads
Loss brings things home. You reflect on what you had, and what you’ve lost.
What if you met the love of your life… Again?
What if he never fell out of love with you?
And you realized that you were still in love with him.
Could you push the past aside…
And focus on the future?
Relive what was good…
And learn from the bad?
What if you found a secret…
That revealed that everything about your family was a lie…
Changed your thoughts on love and commitment…
And turned all that you believe in upside down…
What if a mirror reflected what you loved…
And what you lost?

I am a sucker for second chance romances, especially when they happen years later. They seem to have tons of emotion and feelings. I love to see how one character always feels that is was the right decision and they think they’re happy with it. And then the past sneaks up on them, and knocks them on their butts.

Mitchell and Renee met as teenagers. They fell in love and got married. But when life got hard, she left. But as soon as tragedy strikes her, he is right there. And soon they are right where they were before. Love has a way of sneaking up and never leaving, even if you think it did.

I love the dual points of view. I like to hear what the male is thinking, in these relationships. They’re the ones that actually get my emotions all crazy. And they’re sometimes the funniest. For example, when he buys her a bathing suit, I was cracking up! I’d just die.

“I realized that I haven’t really lived these past few years. I only existed.”

“You left me broken, Renie”

I like seeing the past stories as to how they fell in love. I loved seeing the side of her mother, that she never knew about. It was very eye opening. Some parts I was just as shocked as Renie was.

By the time I reached the end of this book, I was completely satisfied. Barbara knows how to write a romance that will bring you to tears, break your heart, and then put the pieces back together. I laughed. I cried. I cheered. Beautiful story.

~Melpomene

Buy The Face In The Mirror

Review: Seeing Stars, by J. Sterling

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01 saving I don’t know why I waited so long to read this, but I’m so glad I finally did. Ever since I read J.Sterling’s The Perfect Game, I’ve been hooked. And when she came out with this shorter, non angst filled story, I wanted to give it a whirl. But I heard different people complain, so I was a bit nervous. But after reading it, I just don’t understand how someone can’t like this story.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Walker Rhodes is a hot singing sensation who never settles down, spends too much money gambling and gets in trouble on the daily- at least if you believe all the tabloids.

Madison Myers is a hard working talent agent assistant thrust into the spotlight one day after Walker pulls her on stage during one of his concerts. She tries to stay away from him, but he keeps chasing her. She is strong in her resolve and he is relentless in his pursuit. The question is… WHY?!?!

Tabloid Headline Reads: Walker Rhodes pulls woman on stage during LA concert and serenades her with stars in his eyes and we watched as the sparks flew! But just who is this mystery woman who has stolen Walker’s heart? And will she be the one to finally tie down our favorite womanizing gambler?

Our readers poll:
80% say no way!
The other 20% wish they were her!

Read more inside…

Just the description sounded perfect. It was the right amount of sweet and not all the drama. When I got to 75%, I thought there was going to be some major drama and angst, but I was totally wrong and WAY off. This story needed none of that. It made me realize that you can have stories that make you feel happy and not require you to have your heart ripped out first.

Sometimes you need a break from all the drama in your life. This was that perfect little break. Now I can’t wait until the next story!

~Melpomene

Buy Seeing Stars

Review and Giveaway: Capturing Peace, by Molly McAdams

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01capture Well now, another winner from Molly McAdams. I gotta say, this little novella was quite a shock to me. I remember reading the first few pages, as a preview, and I was dying for more. And then, when I was given and ARC, I squealed and started it right away.

Synopsis
Coen Steele has spent the last five years serving his country. Now that he’s back, he’s finally ready to leave behind the chaos of the battlefield and pursue his lifelong dream. What he wasn’t expecting was the feisty sister of one of his battle buddies—who has made it obvious that she wants nothing to do with him—to intrigue him in a way no woman has before.

Reagan Hudson’s life changed in the blink of an eye six years ago when she found out she was pregnant and on her own. Since then, Reagan has vowed never to let another man into her life so that no one can walk out on her, or her son, again. But the more she runs into her brother’s hot and mysterious friend, the more he sparks something in her that she promised herself she wouldn’t feel again.

Can two people with everything to lose allow themselves to finally capture the love they both deserve?

Right from the start, I was intrigued with these characters. I knew this was a novella, so I really thought it wasn’t going to be an in depth story, but just a glimpse. I was totally wrong. While it was a quick read, it was just what I needed today. It had angst and romance and it left me completely satisfied. The instant connection between Coen and Reagan was totally believable. Love will strike you when you least expect it.

I am very happy I read this, cuz it gave me a glimpse into the next book. And I can honestly say, I probably would not have read it, with this novella. It touches on a very rough subject for me, and I needed this novella to give me that little push. So for that, I am grateful.

Now I can’t believe I’m about to say this. But while I really enjoyed the story, the pictures, on Molly’s website, are what brought it all together. I literally sat down and wept. It was like, I was looking inside Coen and my heart just crumbled. I’m picking the pieces up, as I type. Beautiful pictures that totally made the book more real.

I think I need another hug.

~Melpomene

Buy Capturing Peace: A Novella

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Review: Four Years Later(Drew+Fable #4), by Monica Murphy

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001four Owen makes me feel like a cougar. He really does!! I should be ashamed, but I’m really not.

I knew he was going to have a great story to tell. Tragic, yes, but still great. No story is perfect after all. And since we saw what kind of life he had, growing up with Fable, are we really shocked how he behaves and lives?? Not so much.

When Owen makes one wrong choice after another, his world is turned upside down. When he is told to either stop messing up and take control, or he is done with college and football, he has only one choice to make, shape up. This is where Chelsea comes in.

“You’re not a bad seed. You’re just a flower waiting to bloom.”

Chelsea is a super shy, super smart overachiever, with a secret she wants no one to know. She wants people to just get through college without anyone knowing where she came from. She needs to tutor students in order to make ends meet. And this is where Owen comes in.

“I’m not like most girls.”
“I know. That’s what I like most about you.”

At first, their relationship is strictly tutor and student. But then soon, they find themselves wondering if they mean more to each other than that. The classic virgin and manwhore. I love how they always get thrown for a loop. Neither one sees it coming.

I felt so bad for both of them. Owen just wanted to be loved and he was willing to do some very dishonorable things, in order to produce that feeling. Chelsea was sick of her mother always choosing her deadbeat worthless father over her. She just wanted to be loved, but was to scared to go looking for it.

As they started to grow closer, you started to see bits and pieces of the broken young boy, who grew up without a mom who cared, and who tried to make every happy. He was so lost, he needed Chelsea to hold on tight and keep him together.

I loved seeing a bit of Drew and Fable sprinkled in the story. I loved seeing the way they accepted Chelsea, and knew she was perfect for Owen, even if he didn’t.

It’s sad to see these characters go. I’ve enjoyed peeking into their lives. But all good things must come to an end.

~Melpomene

Buy Four Years Later: A Novel (One Week Girlfriend Quartet)

Review: Red at Night, by Katie McGarry

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0001 red WOW. Plain and simple. I was NOT expecting to feel like this, after reading this short story. I’ve read all of Katie’s books and I’ve loved each of them, but this book is so much more.

This story is about life and how life isn’t always what it seems. It’s about people and how the littlest things turn into the biggest things. It’s about death and how we’re never ready for it, but we need to be. And last, it’s about shoes and the magical power they hold.

I will start out be saying, besides wanting to read the book, because Katie wrote it, I wanted to read it cuz the girl has purple hair. I’m silly that way. Since I saw the cover and she has the same color as my hair, I just had to read it. Who knew this short story would be such an impact on my life.

“Hope is a deadly snake with fangs of poison.”

Stella has lived such a hard life, my heart hurts when I think of it. She has been shuffled through life, knocked down, and bullied at school and basically wants to get through her senior year and get out. Being alone, with no one to catch you when you fall, has made having hope the only thing keeping her together.

Jonah has everything he possibly needs, but he is empty. After a deadly car accident, he is no longer happy in this life. He wants to live his life right, but he’s not sure how to do that.

After a chance meeting, at a cemetery, they discover that having each other, is the change they both need.

I know I cry in most books I read, but I was shocked into tears. Big crocodile tears, falling down my face. I had no idea how this message of hope would touch my heart and soul like it did.

~Melpomene

Download Red at Night (Harlequin More Than Words)

Review: Dazed(Connections 2.5), by Kim Karr

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001dazed
Yum!! I wasn’t sure if reading this would ruin the fact that I still haven’t read Torn, but it totally didn’t. I’ll eventually get to it, but this was a novella, so I decided to read this one first.

Meeting Jagger is just what Aerie needed to get her trust back. He was willing to do anything for her and she realized that not all men were like Levi. I wish I could punch that jerk.

I loved seeing the sweet side of this cupcake thief. He really gave his cousin, River, a run for his money, in the sexy department. He knew just how to make Aerie feel special and loved.

I was thrilled to see River and Dahlia in this story. I loved the way they were so perfect for each other. And also seeing the joking side of River, made me love him even more.

In the end of this little novella, Aerie and Jagger got their HEA, even if they had a bit of a detour first. 🙂

I can’t to finally read Torn and then onto Mended. 🙂

~Melpomene

Buy Dazed: A Connections Novella

Play(Stage Dive #2), by Kylie Scott

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0101

“Life is a song, Anne. Let’s play.”

I was super excited when Play released a week early!! I hurried through my current reread so I could start this one. Of course I couldn’t put it down, so that means I stayed up WAY too late. But I had to finish it!! I needed to know what was happening with Mal. While this is book 2, in the Stage Dive series, it can be read as a standalone. I love series like these.

Synopsis
Mal Ericson, drummer for the world famous rock band Stage Dive, needs to clean up his image fast—at least for a little while. Having a good girl on his arm should do the job just fine. Mal doesn’t plan on this temporary fix becoming permanent, but he didn’t count on finding the one right girl.

Anne Rollins never thought she’d ever meet the rock god who plastered her teenage bedroom walls—especially not under these circumstances. Anne has money problems. Big ones. But being paid to play the pretend girlfriend to a wild life-of-the-party drummer couldn’t end well. No matter how hot he is. Or could it?

Anne has had a crush on Mal, for years. So when she meets him, she is completely shocked at how he acts around her. He teases and pushes her buttons, but he also makes her want to tear off her clothes and jump him. This is a big problem, when decides to move in with her. When he comes up with the fake girlfriend plan, she is hesitant to go along, but she has no choice. Now if only she could tell her heart to stay out of it, everything would be fine.

But of course, that’s not going to happen, is it?

Mal seemed quite high strung and a bit crazy. I was wondering if there wasn’t an underlying cause. I seriously thought he had mental issues. He was so up and down, I was getting whiplash, just like Anne. But eventually you find out the reason behind his happy-go-lucky routine and it broke my heart. He was so sweet and kind and I never wanted him to have to go through what was happening.

I found myself cracking up half the time. I knew there was some serious issues happening, but Mal was so good at keeping the bad tucked away, you couldn’t help but chuckle at him. And while he was joking around, he very serious about Anne. He would do anything for her. I also loved the bold way he spoke to her. If he wanted her, he had a way saying plainly saying it, and yet making it come out kind of funny.

In the end, I was quite happy and sad. He deserved happiness, but I will miss his antics. Hopefully, in the next book, we’ll see a bit more of his goofiness.

~Melpomene

Buy Play (A Stage Dive Novel)