Category Archives: Bantam

March 3, 2014 · 11:55 pm

Review: The All You Can Dream Buffet by Barbara O’Neal

buffetTitle: The All You Can Dream Buffet by Barbara O’Neal
Publisher: Bantam
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Romance
Length: 402 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah and Susan Wiggs—Barbara O’Neal’s new novel of food, friendship, and the freedom to grow your dreams brings together four very different women longing to savor the true taste of happiness.

Popular blogger and foodie queen Lavender Wills reigns over Lavender Honey Farms, a serene slice of organic heaven nestled in Oregon wine country. Lavender is determined to keep her legacy from falling into the profit-driven hands of uncaring relatives, and she wants an heir to sustain her life’s work after she’s gone. So she invites her three closest online friends—fellow food bloggers, women of varied ages and backgrounds—out to her farm. She hopes to choose one of them to inherit it—but who?

There’s Ginny, the freckle-faced Kansas cake baker whose online writing is about to lead her out of a broken marriage and into a world of sensual delights. And Ruby, young, pregnant, devoted to the organic movement, who’s looking for roots—and the perfect recipe to heal a shattered heart. Finally, Val, smart and sophisticated, a wine enthusiast who needs a fresh start for her teenage daughter after tragedy has rocked their lives. Coming together will change the Foodie Four in ways they could never have imagined, uniting them in love and a common purpose. As they realize that life doesn’t always offer a perfect recipe for happiness, they also discover that the moments worth savoring are flavored with some tears, a few surprises, and generous helping of joy.

The Review:

The All You Can Dream Buffet by Barbara O’Neal is a beautiful novel of friendship, new beginnings and love. It is a poignant yet uplifting story about group of women bloggers (the Foodie Four) who connect on line through their different blogs and form a close friendship despite their differences in ages and locations.

The oldest of the Foodie Four, Lavender has lived a full life and returned to the family farm after living an exciting life as a stewardess. The youngest of the group, Ruby, is delighted with her unexpected pregnancy, but she is broken hearted over her recent breakup. Middle-aged Ginny revels in her newfound freedom as she breaks away from her small hometown and unhappy marriage. Val and her daughter Hannah are struggling to overcome the unrelenting grief of their tragic loss. At a turning point in each of their lives, the trip to Lavender Honey Farms becomes a life-altering journey for each of the women.

While the novel touches briefly on Lavender and Val, the story focuses mainly on Ruby and Ginny. Ruby is a vivacious young woman with a sunny disposition who has endured her fair share of difficulties. Stunned by the end of her six year relationship, she is at loose ends when she arrives at Lavender’s. Upbeat and positive, Ruby is struggling to figure out what her next step should be and she is surprised by how much she likes life on the farm. Equally surprising is the easy friendship she finds with Noah, a former soldier who now manages Lavender Honey Farms.

Ginny has let her fears and other people’s expectations control her fate up to this point but once she decides to go to Lavender’s, she does not let anything stand in her way. She discovers a whole new world outside of Kansas and although she has a few mishaps only the way, she revels in her new-found freedom. While Ginny has never considered leaving her husband, the distance from her everyday life and an unexpected attraction to a man she meets on her journey provide her with some much needed clarity and she is finally ready to take control of her life.

There is a wonderful feeling of camaraderie once everyone gathers at Lavender’s. They exchange confidences without fear of being judged for their decisions, offer advice when asked and cheer one another as they face their futures. The women are incredibly supportive of one another and their scenes are warm and cozy.

Barbara O’Neal celebrates all phases of life in The All You Can Dream Buffet. The characters are richly developed, the plot is realistic and the landscape springs vividly to life. The diversity of ages and backgrounds adds depth to the overall storyline and offers readers of all ages someone to relate to. A vibrant, engaging story with just a hint of whimsy that will delight anyone who enjoys contemporary novels.

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Filed under Bantam, Barbara O'Neal, Contemporary, Fiction, Rated B+, Review, The All You Can Dream Buffet

October 29, 2013 · 3:59 am

Review: Wild Child by Molly O’Keefe

Title: Wild Child by Molly O’Keefe
Boys of Bishop Series Book One
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Imprint: Bantam
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

Perfect for readers of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Rachel Gibson, this sizzling romance tells the story of a sexy small-town mayor and a notorious “bad girl,” who discover that home really is where the heart is.

Monica Appleby is a woman with a reputation. Once she was America’s teenage “Wild Child,” with her own reality TV show. Now she’s a successful author coming home to Bishop, Arkansas, to pen the juicy follow-up to her tell-all autobiography. Problem is, the hottest man in town wants her gone. Mayor Jackson Davies is trying to convince a cookie giant to move its headquarters to his crumbling community, and Monica’s presence is just too . . . unwholesome for business. But the desire in his eyes sends a very different message: Stay, at least for a while.

Jackson needs this cookie deal to go through. His town is dying and this may be its last shot. Monica is a distraction proving too sweet, too inviting—and completely beyond his control. With every kiss he can taste her loneliness, her regrets, and her longing. Soon their uncontrollable attraction is causing all kinds of drama. But when two lost hearts take a surprise detour onto the bumpy road of unexpected love, it can only lead someplace wonderful.

“Molly O’Keefe is a unique, not-to-be-missed voice in romantic fiction.”—New York Times bestselling author Susan Andersen

The Review:

As I have come to expect from Molly O’Keefe, Wild Child is a deliciously steamy romance that has plenty of substance. It is a light read in the sense that there is no angst but there is definitely a lot of depth to the characters and the plot.

At first glance reality star turned author Monica Appleby and small town mayor Jackson Davies share little in common. Monica’s sordid past and wild teenage exploits have been vividly detailed in her auto-biography Wild Child while Jackson leads a pretty quiet and rumor free life raising his teenage sister, Gwen. Their two very different worlds collide when Monica returns to the small town of Bishop, AR to write a tell all novel about a tragic event from her childhood. Negative publicity is the last thing Jackson needs while Bishop is participating in a nationally televised competition for a relocating factory that will resuscitate the town’s dying economy.

The similarities between Monica and Jackson are apparent at their first contentious meeting. Both are very different than their public personas and they are very good at hiding who they really are from other people. Neither of them had very little choice in the direction their lives took. Monica’s mother dragged her into the limelight while the unexpected death of Jackson’s parents left him in charge of his teenage sister.

Monica and Jackson quickly enter into a very hot and incendiary sexual relationship but their pasts soon derail their relationship. Jackson’s relationship with Gwen is distant and things between them are becoming increasingly rocky. Monica has successfully avoided her mother Simone for several years, but Simone’s unexpected arrival in Bishop lead to several unpleasant confrontations between the two.

Wild Child is a delightfully charming romance and while Jackson and Monica are flawed and imperfect, they are very appealing. Their problems are not glossed over, and the resolution of their issues is handled in a realistic manner. The secondary cast of characters adds another layer to this intricately plotted story and hopefully Molly O’Keefe has plans to bring us their stories in the future.

Another fabulous book by a very gifted author that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys contemporary romances.

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Filed under Bantam, Boys of Bishop Series, Contemporary, Molly O'Keefe, Random House Publishing Group, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Wild Child

July 23, 2013 · 3:57 am

Review: Complete Me by J. Kenner

Title: Complete Me by J. Kenner
Stark Trilogy Book Three
Publisher: Random Publishing House Group
Imprint: Bantam
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, Romance, BDSM
Length: 322 pages
Book Rating: C+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

For fans of Fifty Shades of Grey and Bared to You comes the third novel in the erotic, fast-paced trilogy including Release Me and Claim Me. This sexy, emotionally charged romance continues the story of Damien Stark, the powerful multimillionaire who’s never had to take “no” for an answer, and Nikki Fairchild, the Southern belle who only says “yes” on her own terms.

Our desire runs deep. But our secrets cut close.

Beautiful, strong, and commanding, Damien Stark fills a void in me that no other man can touch. His fierce cravings push me beyond the brink of bliss—and unleash a wild passion that utterly consumes us both.

Yet beneath his need for dominance, he carries the wounds of a painful past. Haunted by a legacy of dark secrets and broken trust, he seeks release in our shared ecstasy, the heat between us burning stronger each day.

Our attraction is undeniable, our obsession inevitable. Yet not even Damien can run from his ghosts, or shield us from the dangers yet to come.

Complete Me is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

The Review:

J. Kenner’s Complete Me, the final installment of the Stark Trilogy, ties up all of the loose ends of the various storylines. Overly dramatic and angsty, this final novel has some unexpected twists and turns but the overall story is a rehash of the themes from the previous novels.

Nikki Fairchild started out as a pretty together, independent young woman. But somewhere along the way, (ok, it was in book two) Nikki becomes so overly dependent on Damian Stark that she cannot seem to function without him. Couple that with his inability to open to her and Nikki’s emotional health continues on its downward spiral in Complete Me. With Nikki continually fighting the urge to slip back into her old destructive pattern of easing her pain, I could not help but wonder why she would stay in such an unhealthy relationship.

Lack of communication continues to be the major problem between Nikki and Damian. Damian steadfastly refuses to confide in Nikki and she continues to be devastated by his failure to open up. This becomes a vicious cycle between them and it not only undermines their relationship, but it feeds Nikki’s insecurities. I found this part of the storyline very frustrating as it happens over and over again with both characters reacting exactly the same way each time.

As with the first two novels in the trilogy, there are BDSM elements to Nikki and Damian’s relationship. They use sex to avoid their problems. They use sex to work out their individual issues. They use sex to work through their issues as a couple. This translates into whole lotta sex that literally goes on for pages and pages. Their sex scenes are hot, but in the end, they overwhelm the rest of the storyline.

J. Kenner has an enjoyable writing style and overall Complete Me is a fast paced novel. Although some of the storyline is frustrating, I do like that all of the various story arcs are resolved. While Nikki and Damian get plenty of screen time, there is more interaction between Nikki and her friends Ollie and Jamie. Nikki and Ollie work on patching up their friendship and Jamie begins to make some positive changes to her life. Damian’s secrets contain a few surprises I did not see coming. There are a few “aww, how sweet” moments that are incredibly romantic. All in all, a satisfying conclusion to the Stark trilogy.

Read my reviews of the other novels in the trilogy HERE.

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Filed under Bantam, BDSM, Complete Me, Erotic, J Kenner, Rated C+, Review, Romance

April 23, 2013 · 3:57 am

Review: Claim Me by J. Kenner

Title: Claim Me by J. Kenner
Stark Trilogy Book Two
Publisher: Random Publishing House Group
Imprint: Bantam
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, Romance, BDSM
Length: 386 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

For fans of Fifty Shades of Grey and Bared to You comes the second novel in the erotic, fast-paced trilogy that started with Release Me. This sexy, emotionally charged romance continues the story of Damien Stark, the powerful multimillionaire who’s never had to take “no” for an answer, and Nikki Fairchild, the Southern belle who only says “yes” on her own terms.

For Damien, our obsession is a game. For me, it is fiercely, blindingly, real.

Damien Stark’s need is palpable—his need for pleasure, his need for control, his need for me. Beautiful and brilliant yet tortured at his core, he is in every way my match.

I have agreed to be his alone, and now I want him to be fully mine. I want us to possess each other beyond the sweetest edge of our ecstasy, into the deepest desires of our souls. To let the fire that burns between us consume us both.

But there are dark places within Damien that not even our wildest passion can touch. I yearn to know his secrets, yearn for him to surrender to me as I have surrendered to him. But our troubled pasts will either bind us close . . . or shatter us completely.

Claim Me is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

The Review:

Claim Me is the passion-filled and intense second installment in J. Kenner’s Stark Trilogy. A little more angsty than Release Me, Damien and Nikki face many challenges once their agreement comes to an end. Intense media scrutiny, betrayals from unexpected sources and the ghosts from Damien’s past threaten their tenuous relationship.

Nikki is a lot more fragile in Claim Me. She falls back into her past destructive coping mechanisms in order to deal with her mounting anxiety. The uncertainty Nikki feels in her relationship with Damien adds to her turmoil and she is becoming increasingly insecure about their future. A close friendship also becomes a source of tension as she tries to figure out if he is trying to undermine her relationship with Damien. But the biggest problem facing Nikki and Damien is his unwavering refusal to discuss his troubled past.

Damien steadfastly maintains tight control over his life and to some extent, Nikki’s. He is very protective of her and I think this sometimes does her more harm than good as she becomes more and more dependent on him. Damien’s secretiveness keeps Nikki off balance for much of the novel and she is continually questioning her decisions. I liked that she examined her motives, but it occasionally becomes repetitive.

The BDSM element intensifies with Damien becoming more dominant. Nikki’s need for pain increases as her life spins out of control. The sex scenes between Damien and Nikki are plentiful and quite steamy.

Claim Me is full of emotion and some very unexpected twists and turns. J. Kenner’s writing style is quite dramatic and every sentence is laden with heavy meaning. The characters are multi-dimensional and exquisitely developed. The story is a little slow moving at times, but the shocking ending is well worth the wait and will leave readers eagerly anticipating Complete Me, the final installment of the Stark Trilogy.

Read my review of Release Me HERE.

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Filed under Bantam, BDSM, Claim Me, Contemporary, Erotic, J Kenner, Random House Publishing Group, Rated B, Review, Romance, Stark Trilogy

· 3:56 am

Review: Table for Seven by Whitney Gaskill

Title: Table for Seven by Whitney Gaskill
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Imprint: Bantam
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 418 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A warm and witty novel about friendship, fine dining, and learning that life doesn’t always turn out quite how we expect it to—perfect for fans of Barbara O’Neal and Nancy Thayer

On New Year’s Eve, Fran and Will Parrish host a dinner party, serving their friends a gourmet feast. The night is such a success that the group decides to form a monthly dinner party club. But what starts as an excuse to enjoy the company of fellow foodies ends up having lasting repercussions on each member of the Table for Seven Dinner Party Club.

Fran and Will face the possibility that their comfortable marriage may not be as infallible as they once thought. Audrey has to figure out how to move on and start a new life after the untimely death of her young husband. Perfectionist Jaime suspects that her husband, Mark, might be having an affair. Coop, a flirtatious bachelor who never commits to a third date, is blindsided when he falls in love for the first time. Leland, a widower, is a wise counselor and firm believer that bacon makes everything taste better.

Over the course of a year, against a backdrop of mouthwatering meals, relationships are forged, marriages are tested, and the members of the Table for Seven Dinner Party Club find their lives forever changed.

The Review:

Spanning a year in the life of seven friends, Whitney Gaskill’s Table for Seven is a heartwarming novel about the sometimes complicated relationships between husbands, wives and friends. An eclectic cast of characters brings this delightful story vibrantly to life as they go through the various ups and downs of love, marriage and friendship.

On the surface, Fran and Will have the perfect marriage. But as the story progresses, their marriage slowly crumbles under the weight of dealing with tumultuous teenagers and Fran’s growing attraction to another man. Like many long married couples, they have drifted apart and sometimes take one another granted.

Jamie and Mark Wexler’s marriage is already strained in the beginning of Table for Seven. Jaime is the primary caregiver of their two young children and stepmom to Mark’s daughter from his first marriage. Mark’s devotion to his daughter’s burgeoning tennis career is a source of frustration to Jamie as the demands of motherhood threaten to overwhelm her. As he spends more time away from home, she becomes increasingly suspicious that he is having an affair.

Audrey Dickson and Coop are two of the singles in the group. A widow of seven years, Audrey Dickinson is a Fran’s closest friend. Audrey is content with her single status and she resists Fran’s matchmaking efforts. Coop is Will’s best and oldest friend. A confirmed bachelor, he is sexy and he knows it, but he is so likable it is easy to overlook his cockiness. Coop’s interest in Audrey is piqued when she proves resistant to his to his considerable charms.

Rounding out the seven friends is octogenarian widow Leland McCullogh. A retired judge, he is a keen observer who freely dispenses insightful advice to the younger members of the group. He plays a small but essential role in the unfolding drama and I liked his character the best.

Whitney Gaskill’s monthly dinner party concept for Table for Seven provides a unique and fascinating backdrop for the various story arcs. The dynamics between the assorted characters are quite interesting and the bonds of friendship are challenged throughout the story. Revelations are met with some surprising reactions and loyalties continue to shift and change as the different storylines play out.

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Filed under Bantam, Contemporary, Fiction, Random House Publishing Group, Rated B, Review, Table for Seven, Whitney Gaskill

January 29, 2013 · 3:25 am

Review: Crazy Thing Called Love by Molly O’Keefe

Title: Crazy Thing Called Love by Molly O’Keefe
Crooked Creek Ranch Series Book Three
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Imprint: Bantam
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 370 pages
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

In this poignant and deeply sensual new contemporary romance—perfect for readers of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Rachel Gibson—Molly O’Keefe proves that lost loves don’t have to stay lost forever.

Dallas TV morning show host Madelyn Cornish is poised, perfect, and unflappable, from her glossy smile to her sleek professionalism. No one knows that her iron will guards a shattered heart and memories of a man she’s determined to lock out. Until that man shows up at a morning meeting like a bad dream: Billy Wilkins, sexy hockey superstar in a tailspin—still skating, still fighting, and still her ex-husband.

Now the producers want this poster child for bad behavior to undergo an on-air makeover, and Billy, who has nothing to lose, agrees to the project. It’s his only chance to get near Maddy again, and to fight for the right things this time around. He believes in the fire in Maddy’s whiskey eyes and the passion that ignites the air between them. This bad-boy heartbreaker wants a last shot to be redeemed by the only thing that matters: Maddy’s love.

The Review:

Crazy Thing Called Love, Molly O’Keefe’s third installment in her Crooked Creek Ranch series, is an intense romance between Madelyn “Maddy” Cornish and Billy Wilkins. The sexual chemistry between this volatile couple is hotter than hot, but their unresolved and complicated history causes Maddy to keep an emotional distance from Billy. Thrown together when Billy undergoes a makeover on Maddy’s morning show, their passion proves irresistible. But when Billy wants more than a sexual relationship, will he find a way to breach Maddy’s defenses?

Maddy and Billy’s childhood friendship eventually turned to love and they married young while Billy was in the early days of his hockey career. Their greatest downfall was a lack of maturity that eventually leads to their painful divorce. Maddy and Billy are so afraid of being hurt again, both keep everyone at arms’ length and they devote themselves to their careers. When they meet again fourteen years after they split up, they discover that their desire for one another is stronger than ever and while Billy is willing to risk his heart again, Maddy is not.

Maddy and Bill’s turbulent past is revealed through flashbacks of key events of their relationship. These glimpses offer valuable insight into their marriage and subsequent divorce. The details of Billy’s abusive childhood are heartbreaking and explain his dedication to his career. It also gives readers a greater understanding of why he reacts to certain situations the way he does.

Ms. O’Keefe does not hesitate to put her characters (or her readers) through an emotional wringer and this is certainly true in Crazy Thing Called Love. Maddy and Billy are two extremely complex and wounded characters and their past and present relationship is quite tumultuous. It is sometimes frustrating watching Maddie refuse to let go of her anger towards Billy, but I could certainly sympathize with her reasons for it. Despite his gruff exterior and bad boy behavior, there is an air of optimism surrounding Billy and I loved the tantalizing peeks of the gentle and caring side of his personality.

Out of all the novels in the Crooked Creek Ranch series, Crazy Thing Called Love is my favorite. I was intrigued by Billy since he was first introduced and it was well worth the wait for his story. It is an wild ride that is full of emotion, passion and heartache, but the growth of both Billy and Maddy personally and as a couple makes it a satisfying journey. Be prepared for laughter and tears as this dynamic couple find that love is even sweeter the second time around.

Click HERE for my reviews of the other books in the Crooked Creek Ranch series.

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Filed under Bantam, Contemporary, Crazy Thing Called Love, Crooked Creek Series, Molly O'Keefe, Random House Publishing Group, Rated B+, Review, Romance