Category Archives: Random House Publishing Group

January 1, 2013 · 3:58 am

Review: Release Me by J. Kenner

Title: Release Me by J. Kenner
Stark Trilogy Book One
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Imprint: Bantam
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, Romance, BDSM
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

For fans of Fifty Shades of Grey and Bared to You comes an erotic, emotionally charged romance between a powerful man who’s never heard “no” and a fiery woman who says “yes” on her own terms.

He was the one man I couldn’t avoid. And the one man I couldn’t resist.

Damien Stark could have his way with any woman. He was sexy, confident, and commanding: Anything he wanted, he got. And what he wanted was me.

Our attraction was unmistakable, almost beyond control, but as much as I ached to be his, I feared the pressures of his demands. Submitting to Damien meant I had to bare the darkest truth about my past—and risk breaking us apart.

But Damien was haunted, too. And as our passion came to obsess us both, his secrets threatened to destroy him—and us—forever.

Release Me is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

The Review:

If you are a fan of erotic novels with BDSM elements, then you are going to LOVE Release Me by J. Kenner. It is a well-executed, deliciously sensual romance between two emotionally wounded yet surprisingly well-adjusted protagonists. While there are some similarities to the Fifty Shades and Crossfire series, Release Me is much less angsty and the characters and their relationship are MUCH more realistic.

Nikki Fairchild and Damien Stark are wonderfully developed protagonists with dysfunctional pasts. Damien is a former tennis star turned bazillionaire entrepreneur. He is intense and domineering but he is also quite charming. Damien is a very private person who goes to great lengths to keep his personal life out of the limelight but he does reveal certain aspects of his past in order to maintain his relationship with Nikki.

Nikki is a delightful breath of fresh air. She is a strong character that is self-sufficient and independent. While she does have submissive tendencies, Nikki is no shrinking violet. She stands up for herself and she does not allow her relationship with Damien to interfere with her career goals.

Although the story takes place over just a few days, Nikki and Damien’s relationship never feels forced or rushed. They take the time to get to know one another outside of the bedroom and there is not a creepy obsessive quality to their burgeoning relationship.

The sexual relationship between Nikki and Damien is slow growing and full of exquisite anticipation. While Damien takes the dominant role he is willing to relinquish control to Nikki. The BDSM aspect is fairly light and consists of bondage, role playing, phone sex and spanking.

Release Me by J. Kenner is an entertaining romance that is quite captivating. Nikki and Damien have their share of flaws and insecurities, but their characters are three dimensional and fully fleshed out. Not all of Damien’s secrets are revealed and an intriguing and vaguely threatening exchange at the end of the novel sets the stage for Claim Me, the next installment in the series.

2 Comments

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

August 13, 2012 · 3:55 am

The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber

Title: The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber
Rose Harbor Series Book One
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Imprint: Ballantine Books
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Summary:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber comes a heartwarming new series based in the Pacific Northwest town of Cedar Cove, where a charming cast of characters finds love, forgiveness, and renewal behind the doors of the cozy Rose Harbor Inn.

Jo Marie Rose first arrives in Cedar Cove seeking a sense of peace and a fresh start. Coping with the death of her husband, she purchases a local bed-and-breakfast—the newly christened Rose Harbor Inn—ready to begin her life anew. Yet the inn holds more surprises than Jo Marie can imagine.

Her first guest is Joshua Weaver, who has come home to care for his ailing stepfather. The two have never seen eye to eye, and Joshua has little hope that they can reconcile their differences. But a long-lost acquaintance from Joshua’s high school days proves to him that forgiveness is never out of reach and love can bloom even where it’s least expected.

The other guest is Abby Kincaid, who has returned to Cedar Cove to attend her brother’s wedding. Back for the first time in twenty years, she almost wishes she hadn’t come, the picturesque town harboring painful memories from her past. And while Abby reconnects with family and old friends, she realizes she can only move on if she truly allows herself to let go.

A touching novel of life’s grand possibilities and the heart’s ability to heal, The Inn at Rose Harbor is a welcome introduction to an unforgettable set of friends.

The Review:

Debbie Macomber’s latest release The Inn at Rose Harbor is a beautiful novel about new beginnings, forgiveness, and healing. A weekend at the Rose Harbor Inn proves to be an emotional journey for B&B owner Jo Marie Rose, and two of her guests Joshua Weaver and Abby Kincaid.

Jo Marie Rose, the Rose Harbor Inn, and the B&B guests are the heart and soul of this delightful new series set in the fictional town of Cedar Cove. Jo Marie is a widow struggling with the grief over her husband’s death in Afghanistan. With this fresh start in her life, Jo Marie is slowly coming to terms with her loss and moving on with her life.

Jo Marie’s B&B guests both have painful histories in Cedar Cove. Their return to Cedar Cove provides them an opportunity to gain new perspectives on events from their respective pasts. Both of them renew old friendships and find new hope for their futures as they work through their emotional baggage.

The Inn at Rose Harbor is told from each of the three main characters points of view. The chapters alternate with each of their stories and their paths cross occasionally at the B&B. The individual stories are quite compelling and emotional. The resolutions to their story lines are wonderfully optimistic and realistic. Josh and Abby leave Rose Harbor Inn with much lighter hearts and promising new relationships.

The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber is an uplifting story of redemption, forgiveness and love. The story is heartfelt and the characters are three-dimensional and well-developed. It is a wonderful first installment to what promises to be an outstanding new series and I am looking forward to my next visit at the Rose Harbor Inn.

1 Comment

Filed under Ballantine Books, Contemporary, Debbie Macomber, Fiction, Random House Publishing Group, Rated B+, Rose Harbor Series, The Inn at Rose Harbor

July 31, 2012 · 3:57 am

Can’t Hurry Love by Molly O’Keefe

Title: Can’t Hurry Love by Molly O’Keefe
Crooked Creek Ranch Book Two
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Imprint: Bantam
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From award-winning author Molly O’Keefe comes a wonderfully written contemporary romance about second chances at life and at love.

Victoria Baker, the penniless widow of a disgraced financier, is ready to stand up, be counted, and make a new life for herself and her beloved son in Texas. She’s taking over Crooked Creek ranch, her birthright, and turning it into something special. All that stands in her way is Eli Turnbull, a rugged, too-handsome cowboy who wants the land just as badly.

If Victoria wants a fight, Eli will give her one. He’s devoted his life to Crooked Creek, and he’s not about to let some pampered city girl-even one as brave and beautiful as Victoria-turn it into some silly spa. But Victoria’s and Eli’s burning anger and frustration only fuel heat of another kind: uncontrollable passion. And soon they each realize that the person standing in their way is the one they can never do without.

The Review:

Molly O’Keefe’s Can’t Hurry Love is a wonderfully messy and incredibly passionate love story between two emotionally wounded people. Victoria Baker and Eli Turnbull will have to make peace with their pasts and each other if they have any chance of a future together.

For part of Can’t Hurry Love, Victoria and Eli are difficult characters to like. They are both hurting and terribly wounded by their pasts. They are each trying their hardest to hurt one another as they fight over the Crooked Creek ranch. Their behavior is appalling and deliberately destructive. It is just a matter of time before the situation between them explodes and when it finally does, neither will emerge unscathed. Their antagonism ends in a shocking display of passion that forces Victoria to take drastic measures.

And that is finally the turning point for both Victoria and Eli. Victoria finally finds her backbone, gets off her butt and makes some decisions about what to do with her life. It is a slow process and she occasionally stumbles. But she is finally making progress dealing with her guilt and shame over her husband’s misdeeds and she is slowly regaining her sense of self and her confidence.

While Eli is starting over, all of his secrets are revealed. He is emotionally stunted and up until now, incapable of having a normal relationship. He is finally leaving the bitterness of his past behind and concentrating on the future. And in embracing his future, he is relieved of the burdens of his past. We begin to see the warm and caring man that is hidden beneath all the anger he feels toward the Baker family.

Eli and Victoria’s relationship is an emotional landmine, but the passion between them is explosive. Their sex scenes are raw, gritty and intense. But underneath all the hurt feelings and anger, are two people who are perfect for one another if they would just have the courage to give love a chance.

The one person that everyone has a healthy relationship with is Victoria’s son Jacob. Jacob is a typical little boy. He loves horses and he has a serious case of hero worship for Eli. Eli is wonderful with Jacob, and it is through this relationship that readers see the gentler and caring side of Eli. Victoria is a mother bear and a bit on the overprotective side, but she is a good mom. For all the uncertainty and turmoil going on in her life, she is on solid ground with her son.

One of the most enjoyable storylines revolves around Celeste Baker. Celeste is the ex-wife of Victoria’s father and an aging supermodel. Her relationship with Victoria is complicated and they tend to tiptoe around one another. It is nice to see them finally resolve their issues and work toward a common goal. Celeste eventually provides Victoria unwavering support and dispenses some pretty sound (and much needed) advice.

One of the most interesting story arcs is the older woman/younger man romance between Celeste and one of the contractors helping with the ranch renovations. It provides a great deal of insight into Celeste and explains a lot about her character. It is fascinating watching the sparks fly and passion simmer between these two unlikely lovers.

In Can’t Hurry Love Molly O’Keefe delivers a powerful story about redemption, forgiveness and love. It is full of heartache and it is almost painful watching the damage that Eli and Victoria inflict on one another. But watching them emerge from their darkest days stronger than they ever imagined makes the sometimes difficult but incredibly emotional journey worthwhile.

Read my review of Can’t Buy Me Love HERE.

2 Comments

Filed under Bantam, Can't Hurry Love, Contemporary, Crooked Creek Series, Molly O'Keefe, Random House Publishing Group, Rated B, Romance

June 25, 2012 · 3:58 am

Can’t Buy Me Love by Molly O’Keefe

Title: Can’t Buy Me Love by Molly O’Keefe
Crooked Creek Series Book One
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Imprint: Bantam
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

A beautifully written contemporary romance about second chances at life and at love, set on a booming cattle ranch in Texas-perfect for readers of Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Susan Mallery, and Rachel Gibson.

Tara Jean Sweet knows who she is-white trash, through and through-and she also knows she’ll never let any man steal her heart. So when elderly Lyle Baker takes her under his wing, giving her a stake in his leather business, she agrees to help the dying man out by playing the part of his fiance. He’s putting on the act in an effort to drive his grown-up children back to his ranch in Texas; he knows they want his fortune, and won’t let him marry the buxom blonde. His plan works, and soon Luc, a ridiculously handsome hockey star, shows up, along with his half-sister Victoria. When Luc and Tara meet, the sparks are immediate and blinding, and their fates are further tied together by the strange terms of Lyle’s will. But can their connection survive the truth about Tara Jean’s past?

The Review:

Can’t Buy Me Love by Molly O’Keefe is a funny, poignant, and emotional romance. Tara Jean Sweet is not proud of her past but with Lyle Baker’s friendship, she has finally turned her life around. Now a successful hockey player, Luc Baker has left his father, abusive childhood and Texas behind. But as Tara and Luc quickly discover, the past does not always stay in the past.

Can’t Buy Me Love is a well-written contemporary novel with a delightful cast of characters. The main protagonists are beautifully developed with realistic flaws and imperfections. Tara Jean and Luc are complex characters with complicated pasts. They have more than their fair share of emotional baggage and although their obstacles sometimes seem insurmountable, together they overcome the serious issues facing them.

The sparks fly between this wonderful couple from their very first meeting. The sexual chemistry between Luc and Tara Jean is sizzling hot. Their sex scenes are tremendously sexy and exceedingly passionate.

Can’t Buy Me Love is a fast paced romance with an exceptionally well-developed plot. The characters are multi-faceted with believable problems to conquer. With an incredible amount of emotional depth and substance, Molly O’Keefe brings her readers a captivating and intensely sensual love story.

10 Comments

Filed under Bantam, Can't Buy Me Love, Contemporary, Crooked Creek Series, Molly O'Keefe, Random House Publishing Group, Rated B+, Romance

June 4, 2012 · 3:57 am

Summer Breeze by Nancy Thayer

Title: Summer Breeze by Nancy Thayer
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Imprint: Ballantine Books
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s, Fiction
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

New York Times bestselling author Nancy Thayer never fails to imbue her novels with warmth and wisdom. In Summer Breeze, the author of Beachcombers and Heat Wave tells the wonderfully moving story of three women who forge a unique bond one sun-drenched summer on New England’s Dragonfly Lake.

Morgan O’Keefe feels trapped in a gilded cage. True, the thirty-year-old mother agreed to put her science career on hold to raise her young son while her husband pursued his high-powered job. But though Morgan loves many things about staying home with her child, she misses the thrill of working with her colleagues in the lab. She’s restless and in dire need of a change.

Fed up with New York City’s hectic pace, Natalie Reynolds takes up her aunt’s offer to move to the Berkshires and house-sit her fabulous lakeside house for a year. Passionate about applying brush to canvas, Natalie is poised to become the artist she has forever longed to be. But life on Dragonfly Lake is never without surprises, and for a novice swimmer like Natalie, the most welcome surprise proves to be the arms of a handsome neighbor pulling her up from the water for a gulp of air.

When her mother breaks her leg, Bella Barnaby quits her job in Austin and returns home to help out her large, boisterous family. Among her new duties: manning the counter at the family business, Barnaby’s Barn, an outdated shop sorely in need of a makeover. While attractive architect Aaron has designs on her, Bella harbors long held secret dreams of her own.

Summer on Dragonfly Lake is ripe for romance, temptation, and self-discovery as the lives of these three women unexpectedly intertwine. Summer Breeze illustrates how the best of friends can offer comfort, infuriate, or even—sometimes—open one’s eyes to the astonishing possibilities of life lived in a different way. This captivating novel displays a prestigiously gifted writer at the height of her storytelling powers.

The Review:

Nancy Thayer’s Summer Breeze is a light, breezy summer read. Despite their varied backgrounds, neighbors Morgan O’Keefe, Natalie Reynolds and Bella Barnaby’s quickly form a close friendship. The three women are at different places in their lives and as the summer progresses, they are all confronted with life-altering decisions.

Morgan O’Keefe is a stay at home mom who loves her son but desperately misses her career. She also feels disconnected from her husband Josh whose high paying and demanding job keeps him away from his family. She finds it difficult to articulate her discontent and her resentment of Josh’s career leads her down an unexpected path. Of the three women, I found her the most difficult to relate to but I did like her character.

Bella Barnaby’s return home makes her realize how much she has missed her family. While she enjoys her teaching career, she discovers her true passion while working in her mother’s shop. With her soon to be fiancé Aaron entertaining a job offer in California, Bella finds herself torn between the man she loves and her desire to stay in Dragonfly Lake.

Natalie Reynolds returns to Dragonfly Lake to concentrate on her career as an artist. She is definitely not looking for love but she is undeniably attracted to Bella’s brother Ben. Natalie’s childhood was rather dysfunctional and she has a difficult relationship with her mom. Her character undergoes the most growth as she comes terms with her past and gains a new perspective and appreciation of her mother.

Natalie’s brother Slade is an unexpected delight. He is super sexy with a love ’em and leave ’em reputation. Very enigmatic and utterly charming, he shakes up and complicates both Morgan and Bella’s lives.

Summer Breeze by Nancy Thayer is a refreshing, multi-layered, angst free novel. The characters are engaging and the plot is distinctive with unexpected twists and turns. An appealing story about friendship, love and self-discovery that I enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.

5 Comments

Filed under Ballantine Books, Contemporary, Nancy Thayer, Random House Publishing Group, Rated B, Summer Breeze, Women's Fiction