Category Archives: Jeanette Murray

October 19, 2014 · 11:08 pm

Review: Loving Him Off the Field by Jeanette Murray

loving himTitle: Loving Him Off the Field by Jeanette Murray
Santa Fe Bobcats Series Book Two
Publisher: InterMix (Penguin Group)
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 255 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Sometimes the best defense is a good offense…

Aileen is a sports reporter trying to make a name for herself without relying on her looks, And what better way to do that than to break a scandal about one of the fastest rising stars on the Santa Fe Bobcats? Killian seems too good to be true, so she knows he must be hiding something…

It’s hard enough breaking into the NFL—even more so when you’re a single dad. Killian isn’t proud that he’s keeping his son a secret, but his ex has a reputation that could tarnish his squeaky clean image for good. So when Aileen starts sniffing around, Killian decides to distract her by any means necessary.

But Aileen is more than capable of giving as good as she gets…

The Review:

Loving Him Off the Field, the second installment in Jeanette Murray’s Santa Fe Bobcats series, is a very engaging love story between an up and coming journalist and a publicity shy pro football player. This wonderful novel features a slow-burning romance, a refreshing storyline and genuine, likable characters, and it is an positively delightful read.

Killian Reeves is quiet and unassuming, and he keeps his private and professional lives completely separate. Unlike the typical highly paid athlete, he does not have an over-inflated ego nor is he interested in groupies or the limelight. Instead, he leads a quiet, solitary life and although he likes his teammates, he keeps to himself. Much to Killian’s surprise, he is intrigued by reporter Aileen Rogers, but he is dismayed when she begins to dig into his background in pursuit of a story.

Aileen is an excellent reporter but she is frustrated that her boss won’t assign her to any stories except fluffy human interest pieces.  She is thrilled to finally get a serious assignment, but she soon discovers that getting Killian to consent to an interview is next to impossible.   Aileen’s tenacity quickly pays off and he agrees to co-operate with her, but their professional relationship is soon complicated by their unexpected attraction to one another.

Killian and Aileen are both wonderfully developed protagonists and neither of them are the stereotypical characters. Killian is not the typical jock with an over-inflated ego. Instead he is very humble and down to earth. Aileen has integrity and she does not use sleazy tactics to get ahead. She is upfront and honest and she is always respectful of everyone’s right to privacy.

The sparks fly between Killian and Aileen right from their very first meeting but neither of them is looking for a relationship. They try to ignore their attraction, but once Killian kisses Aileen senseless, it is difficult for them to maintain a professional distance. They give in to their passion, but he has a few skeletons in his closet that he does not want her to uncover. When Aileen does finally learn Killian’s secrets, will their relationship survive Killian’s lack of trust?

Loving Him Off the Field is a steamy, sweet and humorous romance between two delightfully charming characters and I absolutely loved watching them fall in love. The plot is well-executed and the characters are easy to like. It is a fun, flirty and sexy addition to Jeanette Murray’s Santa Fe Bobcats series that old and new fans are sure to enjoy.

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Filed under Contemporary, InterMix, Jeanette Murray, Loving Him Off the Field, Rated B, Review, Romance, Santa Fe Bobcats Series

July 1, 2013 · 3:57 am

Review: The Officer and the Secret by Jeanette Murray

Title: The Officer and the Secret by Jeanette Murray
Semper Fi Series Book Three
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

If There’s One Thing He Hates, It’s a Secret…

Coming home after a rough deployment, Captain Dwayne Robertson wants some stability in his life, and finds it in the friendship he’s forged with Veronica Gibson while he was away. But her past is a well-guarded mystery, and Dwayne doesn’t know if he can deal with a woman who has something to hide…

And She’s Filled with Them…

Veronica Gibson doesn’t want anyone to know about her bizarre upbringing. She’s finally escaped her missionary parents and would be enjoying her independence if she didn’t feel so insecure about fitting in. She can easily envision a glorious future with Dwayne—but can she build a new life on a web of lies?

The Review:

Jeanette Murray’s tantalizing glimpses of Dwayne Robertson and Veronica Gibson piqued my interest in this couple in previous installments of the Semper Fiseries and I have been impatiently waiting their story. And I have to say, it was totally worth the wait. The Officer and the Secret is hands down my favorite novel in the series and I hated to say goodbye to Dwayne and Veronica.

Coming home from his latest deployment, Dwayne is stunned when he begins experiencing symptoms of PTSD. He is proactive in seeking treatment for his nightmares and flashbacks, but Dwayne finds the peace he so desperately needs with Veronica, the young woman he has been Skyping with for months. Veronica’s friendship was his lifeline during his deployment and with her, he is finally able to open up and talk about his time in Afghanistan. Underlying their friendship is a simmering attraction that catches both Veronica and Dwayne off guard.

Veronica is an absolutely delightful breath of fresh air. Due to her extremely sheltered childhood, she is a little bit naïve and innocent but she is finally beginning to adjust to her new life. Veronica is gaining ground in her attempt to fit in with today’s society but she is still a work in progress. In the beginning she is unsure of herself and ashamed of her self-perceived shortcomings, but as she gains confidence, Veronica begins to not only stand up for herself, but she also goes after what she wants. And when she sets her sights on Dwayne, the gruff and tough Marine better watch out!

Dwayne might have a rough exterior, but this charming Southern boy is kind-hearted and caring. He is definitely attracted to Veronica but he is a leery of getting involved with anyone while he is trying to cope with his PTSD. Dwayne has also been burned in a previous relationship so he has trust issues he is dealing with.

The romance between Veronica and Dwayne is slow growing and sooo sweet. Despite their obvious desire for one another, they take the time to date and get to know one another before they begin heating up the sheets. Veronica continues to keep her secrets and when they are faced with an unexpected complication, Dwayne finds it impossible to trust her.

The Officer and the Secret by Jeanette Murray is a heartwarming and engaging romance. Veronica and Dwayne are beautifully developed characters and the issues they are struggling with are easy to relate to. The conflict between them is believable and it is resolved fairly quickly with very little angst. An entertaining addition to a captivating series that I highly recommend to fans of contemporary romances.

Read my reviews of the other novels in the Semper Fi series HERE.

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Filed under Contemporary, Jeanette Murray, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Semper Fi Series, Sourcebooks, Sourcebooks Casablanca, The Officer and the Secret

November 5, 2012 · 3:59 am

Review: No Mistletoe Required by Jeanette Murray

Title: No Mistletoe Required by Jeanette Murray
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 24,000 words
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Dan Beckins isn’t sure how he let his best friend con him into volunteering to build Santa’s Winter Wonderland at the local hospital. He’s got no problems with charity work, but anything Christmas-related is off-limits ever since he lost his parents on Christmas Day years ago. The only bright spot is working with smoking-hot Anna Smith.

Anna Smith loves Christmas and volunteering at the hospital is one of her yearly highlights. She had leukemia as a teen and then a breast cancer scare in her mid-twenties, and is now operating under a self-imposed rule that she can’t have a relationship until the doctors give her a clean bill of health.

A little fling might be permissible, though, and sexy lawyer-turned-carpenter Dan seems like the perfect candidate. But when chemistry flares and the two start forming a real connection, will Anna run away before like turns to love?

24,000 words

The Review:

No Mistletoe Required by Jeanette Murray is sweet yet steamy Christmas romance. A quick read that will definitely touch your heart and put you in a holiday frame of mind.

Ever since he lost his parents in a car accident on Christmas Day, Dan Beckins is a regular Grinch. When he is tricked by his friend Geoff into working on Santa’s Workshop at a local children’s hospital, he grumbles and complains, but he grudgingly fulfills his charitable obligation. That is until he meets the delectably sexy Anna Smith.

Full of Christmas cheer, Anna Smith happily organizes the yearly event at the children’s hospital where she was once a patient. She has a feisty attitude and runs the operation with an iron fist. Beating cancer as a teenager, she has recently undergone another cancer scare. Anna might be steering clear of relationships until she is sure her cancer is not going to recur, but she is definitely on board with a fling with Dan. At least until she begins to have feelings for the handsome lawyer.

I absolutely loved the relationship between Dan and Anna. Both are carrying the scars of their respective pasts, but together they work to overcome their fears. Neither character changes dramatically over night, rather, they undergo a gradual transformation. Anna is key in helping Dan realize Christmas should be celebrated instead of ignored. But Anna stubbornly clings to her decision to avoid a serious relationship until a discussion with her brother opens her eyes to why she continually pushes men away.

Jeanette Murray’s No Mistletoe Required is an entertaining and engaging romance. If you are looking for a fast read that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and give you the warm fuzzies, then you are going to love this fabulous holiday story.

3 Comments

Filed under Carina Press, Contemporary, Jeanette Murray, No Mistletoe Required, Rated B, Review, Romance

October 30, 2012 · 3:56 am

Review: The Game of Love by Jeanette Murray

Title: The Game of Love by Jeanette Murray
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary , Romance
Length: 85,000 words
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Chris St. James is ready for normal. After walking away from her pro tennis career and a toxic relationship with a star hockey player, she’s starting a new life as a teacher and tennis coach in a small town. Now all she needs is an average guy to share it with.

Brett Wallace is no average guy. Forced to retire from the NFL after an injury—and suddenly single after being dumped by his status-conscious wife—he’s returned to his hometown to coach the varsity football team. Wary of women interested only in his celebrity,

Brett finds Chris’s indifference to his former career refreshing.
The last thing Chris needs is to get involved with another pro athlete, but she can’t deny the sparks that fly between them. So she agrees to a purely physical, no-strings-attached affair. But the rules of the game change when she falls for him…

The Review:

In her debut novel, The Game of Love, Jeanette Murray brings her readers a romance that is sweet, playful and wickedly sexy.

The Game of Love is a fast paced novel with a delightful cast of characters. Chris St. James and Brett Wallace are vibrant and three dimensional protagonists who are flawed yet easy to relate to. The secondary cast of characters is a true joy and adds a great deal of depth and humor to this well-plotted story.

Chris and Brett’s romance unfolds at a leisurely and realistic pace which makes The Game of Love stand out from other novels in the romance genre. There are a few predictable moments when the emotional baggage from their previous romantic entanglements spills over into their current relationship. Lack of communication also comes into play at different times. These situations usually advance the plot, and Ms. Murray resolves the issues fairly quickly.

Jeanette Murray fully engages her readers in this romantic and heartwarming novel. Witty banter, close family ties and strong friendship make The Game of Love the perfect book to while away a lazy afternoon or evening. I will definitely be looking for future works from this talented new author.

My review was originally posted at The Reader’s Roundtable.

2 Comments

Filed under Carina Press, Contemporary, Jeanette Murray, Rated B, Review, Romance, The Game of Love

July 3, 2012 · 3:55 am

The Officer Says “I Do” by Jeanette Murray

Title: The Officer Says “I Do” by Jeanette Murray
Semper Fi Series Book One
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

He’s a Marine…she grew up on a commune.

He always puts duty first…she’s a free spirit with an unshakable belief in Fate.

He loves routine and order…she brings chaos and creativity wherever she goes.

They’re going to balance each other perfectly—or drive each other completely, utterly insane…

On a wild pre-deployment celebration in Las Vegas, Captain Timothy O’Shay encounters free-spirited beauty Skye McDermott, and for once lets down his guard. Now his life is about to take off in directions he never could have imagined…

The Review:

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Not if you’re a by the book Marine who impulsively marries a free thinking Bohemian who believes that Fate had a hand in their marriage. In The Officer Says “I Do”, Jeanette Murray brings her readers an entertaining, whimsical and very sweet romance that is deliciously steamy and a whole lot of fun.

Skye McDermott is a free spirit but she is well-grounded and quite responsible. She is an independent and feisty woman who has strong beliefs and a good sense of who she is. She is deeply committed to making her hasty marriage a success.

Tim O’Shay is a third generation Marine who is a bit on the uptight side. He is quite traditional, plays by the rules and looks out for his friends and family. In the bedroom, he is an alpha male and definitely the one in control. Outside of the bedroom though, he is willing to compromise with Skye on most issues and there is give and take as they struggle to make their marriage work.

Two totally opposite worlds collide in The Officer Says “I Do” and it is fascinating watching Skye and Tim combine their very different lifestyles into a happy marriage. Military life is like life on another planet to Skye and I loved seeing her reactions to some of the situations she finds herself in. Tim is quite regimented, with a clear idea of what he wants in a wife, but with Skye, he has to rethink a lifetime of very traditional beliefs. Their sex scenes are quite passionate with Tim taking the dominant role.

As a military wife, Ms. Murray provides an authentic view into the inner workings of the military and military marriages. I, too, am a military wife and I can assure you, she is spot on with this part of the novel.

The Officer Says “I Do” is a cleverly written novel with a unique but realistic storyline and delightfully developed characters. With this first installment in the Semper Fi series, Jeanette Murray sets the stage for the remaining books in the trilogy and leaves her readers eagerly anticipating The Officer Breaks the Rules which will be available January 2013.

5 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Jeanette Murray, Rated B, Romance, Semper Fi Series, Sourcebook Casablanca, Sourcebooks, The Officer Says "I Do"