Category Archives: Carina Press

March 25, 2013 · 3:57 am

Review: Girl Most Likely to Succeed by Kate Davies

Title: Most Like to Succeed by Kate Davies
Girls Most Likely to… Series Book One
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 21,000 words
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Book one in the Girls Most Likely to…

Ten years after being voted Most Likely to Succeed, Kelsey Moore is still living in her hometown, still working in her family’s flower shop, and too embarrassed to attend her high school reunion. Only the chance to reconnect with her study buddy—and secret crush—Nathan Barrow tempts her to go.

Nathan isn’t sure why he came back for the reunion after spending the past decade working abroad. But when he runs into his former lab partner, Kelsey, he’s sure glad he did. The chemistry between them is as potent as ever, and when she offers him a weekend of wild, no-strings-attached sex, Nathan knows he’d be a fool to say no.

Nathan can’t be tied to one place for long. But the more time they spend together—in and out of bed—the more Kelsey wonders if their reunion could become something more permanent. That is, if Nathan is still interested when he finds out she’s been less than honest with him about her life since graduation…

21,000 words

The Review:

In Girl Most Likely to Succeed by Kate Davies is a deliciously sexy novella that is sweet yet incredibly hot.

Kelsey Moore’s life did not exactly take the path she wanted after high school graduation so she is not exactly thrilled about attending her ten year reunion. Especially when she learns her high school guy pal and secret crush Nathan Barrow is going to be there. But Kelsey’s best friend and event coordinator Tess persuades her to attend and Nathan and Kelsey’s first meeting proves to be quite revealing…

Kelsey and Nathan are wonderfully developed characters and the sexual chemistry between them is off the charts smoking hot. Voted Most Likely to succeed in high school, Kelsey had to give up her dream of going to college to help out her mother. Still working in the family flower shop ten years later, Kelsey is dealing with self-esteem issues stemming from her lack of higher education. Nathan has a successful career that is quite satisfying. While he loves his job, the extensive traveling and lack of a home base is beginning to wear on him.

Girl Most Likely to Succeed is a short read, but Kate Davies does an excellent job building a believable relationship between Kelsey and Nathan. Their sex scenes are varied, plentiful and exquisitely sensual. An overall delightful romance and wonderful beginning to the Girls Most Likely to… series.

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Filed under Carina Press, Contemporary, Girl Most Likely to Succeed, Girls Most Likely to Series, Kate Davies, Rated B, Review, Romance

March 18, 2013 · 12:58 am

Review: Lethal Business by W. Soliman

Title: Lethal Business by W. Soliman
The Hunter Files Book Three
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 87,000 words
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Book three of The Hunter Files.

Why kill the survivors of a sinking ship?

A speeding boat rams a life raft, leaving no survivors. A man embroiled in an investigation of potential suicide bombers disappears…

Retired inspector Charlie Hunter’s belief that the two events are related leads him to accept a job working a charter between England and France. The only way to find out the truth is to be the man on the inside.

But Charlie’s life is at risk on the rough Channel. All is not as it seems on the shifting seas, and some players are holding secrets that will change the game…and the sunken life raft is the key.

Go back to the beginning with Unfinished Business, available now!

87,000 words

The Review:

In W. Soliman’s Lethal Business, Charlie Hunter finds himself entangled in yet another intriguing mystery that has many unexpected twists and turns.

Once again, Charlie is unable to resist when his girlfriend, Kara Webb, asks him to look into the disappearance of family friend Gordon Reed. He reluctantly agrees to investigate and his cursory look into the missing man catches the attention of both DCI Jillian Slater and his ex-boss Gerry Monk. Charlie’s subsequent investigation uncovers a startling plot that has far reaching political implications.

Charlie is definitely evolving with each installment of the Hunter Files series. He is on better terms with his ex-wife and his relationship with Kara is on solid ground. Charlie is still pursuing his mother’s killer and his relationships with his stepbrother and dad continue to improve.

Charlie’s investigation into Gordon’s disappearance leads him back to the accident he witnessed. He uncovers puzzling information and his instincts are telling him to distance himself from the case. But threats to his loved ones force Charlie and Kara to continue and they are soon the unwitting pawns in a political game that could cost them their lives.

Lethal Business is an intricately plotted mystery that appears simple on the surface, but is in fact, multi-layered and complex. The storyline is fresh and deals with issues relevant to today’s political climate. Even the most seasoned mystery lover will be surprised by the stunning conclusion of this third installment of W. Soliman’s Hunter Files series.

Click HERE for my review of Risky Business .

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Filed under Carina Press, Contemporary, Lethal Business, Mystery, Rated B, Review, The Hunter Files, W. Soliman

February 25, 2013 · 3:56 am

Review: Platinum by Jeffe Kennedy

Title: Platinum by Jeffe Kennedy
Facets of Passion Miniseries
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, Romance, BDSM
Length: 39,000 words
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Althea Grant’s Charleston gallery might be suffering from the bad economy, and her artistic aspirations have gone nowhere, but she’s doing just fine, thank you. When bad-boy sculptor Steel rides up on his motorcycle looking to rent studio space, his infusion of cash is more than welcome. But his art is raw, visceral, sexual–and completely inappropriate for her pastel world of watercolor landscapes.

Steel, fascinated by Althea’s rare albino coloring, sees in her the key to his next piece: a metal satyr designed for bondage games. Moving into her gallery basement is the first step; seducing the cool Southern belle into modeling for him is the second.

As Steel peels away her careful manners and tasteful outfits, Althea begins to realize her life isn’t just fine at all–it’s as pale and washed-out as the watercolor paintings she’s failing to sell. Can she transform her life and accept her most secret desires?

39,000 words

The Review:

Jeffe Kennedy’s Platinum is an über sexy journey of self-discovery for gallery owner Althea Grant. Althea explores her submissive desires with sculptor Steel and she finds herself shedding her inhibitions in both her personal and professional lives.

Althea Grant is a prim and proper Southern girl who dates the “right” man, wears the “right” clothes and showcases the “right” artists. She is definitely not one to step outside the box and she conforms every aspect of her life to her parents’ and society’s expectations. The calm, sedate, pastel watercolors she shows in her art gallery are an extension of how she thinks she ought to live her life. In many ways, she is a doormat who avoids confrontation and in the process, allows everyone to pretty much walk all over her. Until Steel roars into her life and shakes up her world.

Steel is a tattooed bad boy who is a little rough around the edges. He is comfortable in his own skin, lives life on his own terms and did I mention he is a totally hot Alpha male with dominant tendencies? Steel is instantly transfixed by Althea and he is not shy about going after what he wants. He pushes her out of her comfort zone and in doing so, gives Althea the opportunity to discover who she really is.

Althea and Steel are complete opposites who end up perfectly complimenting one another. While Althea’s first impressions of Steel are superficial, the same is not true for Steel. Steel instantly recognizes the vibrant woman shrouded in pastel and his playfulness perfectly counteracts her seriousness. Althea feels an instant attraction to Steel and she is drawn not only to him but also to the extreme sensuality she sees in his art. But she has a difficult time getting past how other people might react to getting involved with Steel, both professionally and personally.

Platinum is not a typical romance. There are genuine emotions between them, but the story is more erotic than romantic. Althea and Steel’s sex scenes are intense and Steel demands that Althea take ownership of her desires. He does push her further than she is willing to go and when he loses control, it becomes a turning point not only for their relationship but for Althea personally as well.

I am quickly becoming a big fan of Jeffe Kennedy. Her characters are unique and well-developed and they undergo a great deal of growth and transformation. Her sex scenes are exquisitely detailed with just the right amount of kink.

Platinum is a fabulous mix of sweet and dirty that fans of BDSM are sure to enjoy.

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Filed under BDSM, Carina Press, Contemporary, Erotic, Facets of Passion Miniseries, Jeffe Kennedy, Platinum, Rated B+, Review, Romance

February 7, 2013 · 1:58 am

Review: Playing the Part by Darcy Daniel

Title: Playing the Part by Darcy Daniel
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 65,000 words
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Anthea Cane is a successful actress—well, action star. Her films are mostly about how hot she looks silhouetted by fiery explosions. But Anthea is determined to prove she’s more than just a body. With the role of a lifetime up for grabs—a serious adaptation of her favorite novel—Anthea sets off to her small hometown in the name of research.

Cole Daniel is a blind farmer with no patience for divas, especially one who mercilessly teased him as a young boy. When Anthea shows up using a fake name and pestering him into letting her stay, he can’t pass up the opportunity to torment her just a little.

But Anthea won’t let the stubborn farmer deter her from her goal, even if he is hotter than any man she’s ever met. Cole finds his form of payback less than satisfying when Anthea keeps turning the tables on him, proving her mettle and gaining his respect. Will Anthea’s research land her a man, as well as the part?

65,000 words

The Review:

Playing the Part by Darcy Daniel is so much more than a sweet (and steamy) romance. It is a beautiful story about coming to terms with the past. It is also a wonderful lesson in trust and acceptance.

Anthea Cane is an actress who successfully transitioned from child star to action hero. She is now ready to take on more challenging roles and when she learns her favorite novel is being turned into a movie, Anthea goes to great lengths to secure an audition. Her research for the role takes her back to her small hometown where she comes face to face with the past she has resolutely put behind her and Cole Daniel, her long ago crush.

Playing the Part is one of those novels that I thought I knew exactly how it was going to play out, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I was wrong. My first clue? Anthea Cane. My first impression was that she is a spoiled, prissy diva who is afraid to get her hands dirty. Yes, she started out that way, but she quickly abandons her glamorous facade and dives into her research. And in doing so, Anthea becomes quite introspective and questions many of the decisions she has made. She takes a good hard look at what she has become and she is honest enough with herself to admit her past mistakes.

The next clue that I had no idea where the story was going to go was Cole Daniel. He is just as wounded by the past as Anthea and his character is so much more complex than he first appears. Despite the fact that he tries to make life difficult for Anthea, he really is just a nice guy at heart and he does wind up cutting her some slack. Of the two, Cole has so much more to come to terms with and the resolution of his issues is not easy.

There is an immediate chemistry between Anthea and Cole and their romance builds slowly. The scene with their first kiss is absolutely sizzling and so incredibly romantic! And when they finally move into their romance into a more physical direction? Delectably sensual and so unhurried that I savored every minute of their encounters.

The conflict between Anthea and Cole is another thing that took me completely by surprise. I am not a big fan of the miscommunication and big misunderstanding plot devices, but they really work in Playing the Part. Without it, I doubt Cole would have sought the counseling he needed to deal with his traumatic past. And for Anthea, it gave her the depth she needed for her audition, but it provided her with some much need perspective.

Playing the Part is a enchanting romance that is quite unique. Anthea and Cole are vivid, three-dimensional characters and they both undergo an enormous amount of growth. The setting is quite distinctive and Darcy Daniel brings it vibrantly to life. A thoroughly enjoyable novel from beginning to end that I heartily recommend.

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Filed under Carina Press, Contemporary, Darcy Daniel, Playing the Part, Rated B+, Review, Romance

February 4, 2013 · 3:57 am

Review: Getting Skinny by Monique Domovitch

Title: Getting Skinny by Monique Domovitch
A Chef Landry Mystery Book One
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 81,000 words
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Owning a restaurant is as crazy for Nicky Landry as an alcoholic owning a bar. But despite having to cram herself into a body shaper to look decent in a dress, life is pretty good. She’s throwing the party of the year for her graduating doctor boyfriend, Rob, who she’s sure is going to propose–until his new girlfriend shows up at the party.

After ordering Rob to get his stuff out of her house and get lost, Nicky finds him faceup with her expensive Chroma knife sticking right out of his cheating heart.

As the prime suspect, Nicky is in hot water. And no matter how hard she tries to clear her name, her problems only mount. She’s convinced she can solve the murder–if only she can figure out the identity of the skinny person seen walking away with Rob after the party.

Getting “Skinny” won’t be easy for Nicky, but she never imagined it would be life or death…

81,000 words

The Review:

If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, then you do not want to miss Monique Domovitch’s Getting Skinny. This first book in the Chef Landry Mystery series is a superb murder mystery and with a suspect list a mile long, it will keep you guessing the killer’s identity for a good portion of the story.

Life is going pretty well for Nicky Landry. She and her best friend Toni have just opened their dream restaurant Skinnys on Queen. To celebrate her boyfriend Rob’s graduation, Nicky is throwing him a huge party. She is convinced he is going to pop the big question after the celebration, but she instead discovers he has been cheating on her. When she discovers Rob dead in her background, Nicky becomes the chief suspect in his murder. Convinced the police are not really looking for the real killer, Nicky and Toni decide to investigate the case themselves.

The characters in Getting Skinny are fun and well developed. Nicky is charming, witty and full of self-deprecating humor. Toni is the money behind their business venture and she is a wonderfully supportive friend who has a cliché for just about any occasion. But the supporting character I enjoyed the most is Nicky’s dog Jackie Chan. She is too cute for words and Nicky’s scenes with her just cracked me up!

The mystery aspect of the story is also very well done. Ms. Domovitch’s excellent use of red herrings cast suspicion on a long list of suspects and it kept me guessing the killer’s identity for quite some time. While I did eventually figure out whodunnit, I could not quite figure out the motive. And I have to admit that when the reason behind the murder was finally revealed, I was pretty sympathetic to the murderer.

Getting Skinny by Monique Domovitch is an entertaining and fast paced mystery. The cast of characters is superb and the murder mystery is quite intriguing. It is a fabulous first installment in the Chef Landry Mystery series and I cannot wait to see what is next for Nicky, Toni and the rest of the gang at Skinnys on Queen.

1 Comment

Filed under Carina Press, Contemporary, Getting Skinny, Monique Domovitch, Mystery, Rated B, Review

January 28, 2013 · 3:57 am

Review: Trick of Time by JL Merrow

Title: Trick of Time by JL Merrow
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Time Travel, M/M, Romance, Contemporary, Historical
Length: 27,000 words
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A lover from another time

When Ted Ennis steps out the doors of the Criterion Theatre for a cigarette and finds himself in Victorian London, he begins to doubt his sanity. At first he thinks it’s all a film set, and is sure that the strikingly handsome young man leaning against a lamppost must be the leading man…

What starts as a sordid transaction with a beautiful rent boy quickly turns into something much deeper, drawing him back again and again as he gets to know Jem and craves meaningful encounters with him.

But Ted doesn’t understand the exact conditions necessary for his trips through time—and for Jem, time may actually be running out. Now Ted has one last shot to get back to Jem and save their relationship, before it’s too late…

27,000 words

The Review:

If you are a fan of time travel stories, then you are going to love JL Merrow’s Trick of Time. In this fast paced and engrossing novella, Ted Ennis takes an unexpected step back in time and discovers love with Jem Pocket, a rent boy from a bygone era.

Recovering from a tragic loss and life altering injuries, Ted is working as an assistant at the Criterion Theatre. Taking a cigarette break one evening outside the theatre, Ted finds himself inexplicably transported back to the Victorian era. His encounter with Jem awakens not only his dormant libido but long buried emotions.

Both Jem and Ted are well-developed, three dimensional protagonists. Ted is still dealing with the lingering physical and emotional effects from a car accident. Although both have an incredible impact on his life, he has not let either overtake his life and he makes some positive changes in the aftermath of tragedy.

Jem is a sympathetic and likeable character who has also had his share of loss in his life. He is definitely a product of the times and his career as a rent boy is a necessity. He is determined to make his own way and refuses to accept either pity or charity from Ted.

The time travel aspect of Trick of Time is quite mysterious but very well done. Ms. Merrow’s meticulous attention to detail brings the historical information vividly to life. She does not glamorize or ignore the harsh realities of life in the 1880s. This part of the storyline is quite interesting and provides many interesting facts.

The romance between Jem and Ted is very well done and their love scenes are sensual rather than erotic. Their easy acceptance of one another adds to their emotional connection. The time travel element gives the story a sense of urgency that makes it easy to overlook how quickly they fall for one another.

Trick of Time is a fabulously entertaining novella. JL Merrow is one of my favorite authors and I absolutely loved this unique romance.

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Filed under Carina Press, Contemporary, Historical, JL Merrow, M/M, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Time Travel, Trick of Time