Review: Weighting for Mr. Right by Patricia W. Fischer

Weighting for Mr. Right

By Patricia W. Fischer

In Weighting #1

The set up
When the time comes for Megan Sayla to say "I do," she said no, abandoning her groom, Travis Carter at the altar. She winds up in a men's bathroom stall at a car wash (don't ask) giving sort of a confessional to a total stranger named Jacob Dante who just happened to be there. She didn't know it right at that moment but Megan had just taken her first step in gaining control of her life.


I wasn't certain if this was going to be a funny or tragic story and in some ways it was a bit of both and a whole lot more. While Megan is very talented (she speaks seven languages and is a nurse), she's overweight and has been for most of her life. Marrying Travis was just another decision in her life being orchestrated by others with her going along because "a girl like her should be grateful." In that moment at the altar she just couldn't see herself settling for something "less" in a marriage. She wanted more.


The issues
Fortunately for Megan, the handsome bathroom stranger and her bridesmaid cousin were there to provide much needed encouragement for her to leverage the momentum, take control of her life and make big changes. Losing weight isn't just about dieting and exercising, it's a complete re-examination of your life and deciding what you want for yourself. Much in Megan's life is designed for her to fail, including many people she's surrounded by that don't want her to win. Her journey of self discovery and reinvention involves some painful decisions she has to make about people she cares about.

 Jacob's relationship with Megan is quite complicated, given that he became fascinated with her from the first moments in that bathroom. He hides his true feelings, knowing that Megan needs time for herself before thinking about becoming involved with someone again. He owns a gym, which she's maneuvered to join, so it's the way they continue to connect. He has no idea that she's been lusting after him since the car wash.


What works
I love Megan's journey and could identify with so many of her experiences. From the enabling friend, Lydia, who enjoys having a partner in her misery eating to the loving family members whose own identities are wrapped up in feeding her to excess (picture the Italian and Danish grandmothers expressing their love), you will no doubt get the sense that you've walked, or maybe even ARE walking, in Megan's workout shoes.


I couldn't help empathizing with Megan's struggles with the realities of making significant life changes. While weight loss presents wonderful new possibilities, it can also bring new challenges as not everyone in your life is committed to your change in perspective. It's often painful to acknowledge that some relationships won't survive and Megan has to make some tough choices.


What was a challenge
There's a lot of dialogue in this story, sometimes reading more like a screenplay, which wasn't the issue.  Keeping up with the many shifts in points of view was.  It wasn't always clear who was talking and sometimes it was third person narrative and sometimes first.  I don't mind the shift but the transitions weren't always clear. It just slowed me down.


The bottom line
This is a wonderful story that's much more than one about weight loss. It's the triumph of a wonderfully talented and caring woman who emerges from the suffocating control of family, friends, career and food. Jacob was worth "weighting" for and his ability to see the real Megan even before her physical transformation made their romance even more special. There were many hilarious moments to balance the more serious. I'm reinvigorated as her experience is a reminder of what I say is most important in my life. It's a great story that I'm glad I got a chance to read and I'm looking forward to continuing the series.

Award-winning writer and Texan, Patricia W. Fischer, is an avid San Antonio Spurs and Texas Longhorns fan. After ten years as a critical care and trauma nurse, Patricia traded her stethoscope in for a life behind a keyboard. There she's written articles multiple publications and websites as well as an erotic romance and her first romantic comedy, Weighting for Mr. Right. When she's not writing, she keeps plenty busy with her husband, children, and dogs.

Contact Patricia: Facebook/Website

Review: Tin God by Stacy Green

Tin God

By Stacy Green

Delta Crossroads #1

 

Tin God:  Idol worshippers in Biblical times often prayed to idols made of metal. Christians–worshippers of the one true God–believed these to be false gods, an idol who’s worshipped by those too ignorant to understand.

The set up
Jaymee Ballard has had a pretty tough life already to be only 25 years old. Yet she's resolved to find her daughter who she was forced to give up seven years ago in what she now knows was an illegal adoption. Her luck seems to continue south when she discovers her friend and employer, Rebecca Newton, murdered in her home. It's even more troubling as friend, Lana, was murdered in a similar way four years ago...and both women looked so much alike it was remarkable. Nick Samuels, Lana's husband, doesn't think it's a coincidence, either.



The mystery
First Lana is murdered, then Rebecca and the only common link aside from their similar appearance is Jaymee. Nick is convinced that the secrets Jaymee refuses to share with him are critical to solving the murders and she's too frightened of the repercussions to say much more. It's clear that her baby's adoption is key but can't be the only thing driving the killer. Lana and Rebecca's connection to Jaymee doesn't explain their murders...and those that follow.


The suspects
There are enough lowlifes in this story to keep you brain zinging as well as a ton of secrets to knock you off balance. There's Jaymee's cruel and hypocritical father, Rebecca's aloof husband, and a smarmy pastor just to name a few.


What works
Everything about this story works like a beautifully composed symphony, with the crescendos in the right place and in perfect tempo. The hot, humid Mississippi setting made it even more intriguing. This mystery meanders around the town and it's characters who live duplicitous lives, twisting and turning through the truths, lies and secrets, which reveal themselves at just the right moments. Underlying the mystery is the slowly developed relationship between Jaymee and Nick that sneaks up on you just like it did them, in tandem with the pace of the story. Clues unfold naturally, leading to the tension-filled climax.


Bottom line
This story is masterfully written with the right attention paid to the elements that create a good mystery. The characters are well developed with motivations and behaviors carefully woven in the fabric of the plot. The romance was not too much nor too little, just enough to add another level of interest. There are more than a few surprises and twists but you were set up to receive them given the players. I loved this story that kept me more than a little off balance and unwilling to put it down.

 

Born in Indiana and raised in Iowa, Stacy Green earned degrees in journalism and sociology from Drake University. After a successful advertising career, Stacy became a proud stay-at-home mom to her miracle child. Now a full-time author, Stacy juggles her time between her demanding characters and supportive family. She loves reading, cooking, and the occasional gardening excursion. Stacy lives in Marion, Iowa with her husband Rob, their daughter Grace, and the family’s three obnoxious but lovable canine children.

Connect with Stacy: Facebook/Twitter/Goodreads



Review: SEAL of Honor by Tonya Burrows

SEAL of Honor

By Tonya Burrows

HORNET #1

Lt. Commander Gabriel Bristow is not looking forward to his forced medical retirement. A year ago, he was involved in a car accident and suffered a serious injury to his foot, leaving him unfit to return to duty as a Navy SEAL. He's all set to begin his boring Pentagon job when he's approached by his best friend and former SEAL teammate, Travis Quinn, to sign on to a private hostage rescue and negotiation team as the commanding officer. It didn't take much for him to cave. 
 

The set up
The first covert assignment is the rescue of wealthy businessman Bryson Van Amee who was kidnapped in Bogotá, Columbia. They're racing against time as the FBI special agent in charge of the official negotiation wants to pay the ransom. Gabe is convinced that Bryson will be murdered if they do.


The issues
There were LOTS of issues, the first being Gabe's team. Individually, they represent the best at what they do but this isn't a SEAL team working in tandem. They're an indisciplined group and Gabe hasn't the time to properly train them. When they visit Bryson's apartment, they unexpectedly run into his sister, Audrey, and end up having to bring her back to their safe house and she's unwilling to leave. To make matters worse, they're not even sure who they're dealing with or where the kidnappers might be located, nor do they have the most ideal equipment to be operating in the jungles of Columbia.


The romance
Audrey and Gabe get thrown into a situation where they're isolated from the rest of the team and are repeatedly trying not to get killed. While they definitely had an initial attraction, these circumstances just turned the heat up beyond boiling. She's a free spirit but no air head. He's a SEAL and a commander, used to be obeyed, so Audrey's tendency to apply her own logic and reason made for some tense situations. Gabe's hard to resist and Audrey's a good match for this alpha.


What works
At first I was frustrated by all the mishaps due to the team's inexperience and lack of discipline but then found this to be the strength of the story. Their imperfections set them apart from being just another military-like op team. There are some unique members I definitely want to know more about and this team will never behave in an ordinary way. Gabe and Audrey work as a couple and they suffered some harsh situations. The story was unpredictable and I was never prepared for most of the things that happened.


Bottom line
I like this story and what this series promises to be, and like it a lot. Gabe is excellent as a leader and he's going to have his hands full with this team and Audrey. There's lots of action, twists and surprises. I enjoyed it from start to finish and am ready for the next one. If you like a lot of heat, both in the action and the romance, this book delivers. I really didn't want it to end.

Tonya Burrows | Writing has always been my one true love. I wrote my first novel-length story in 8th grade and haven't stopped since. I received a B.A. in creative writing from SUNY Oswego and I'm now working on a MFA in popular fiction at Seton Hill University.

When I'm not writing, I spend my time reading, painting (badly), exploring new places, and enjoying time with my family. Give me a good horror movie over a chick flick any day. (And, let's be honest, I'll take a bad horror movie too!) I'm a geek at heart and pledge my avid TV fandom to Supernatural and Doctor Who. I'm also a big fan of The Voice. What can I say? Guilty pleasure.​​

I share my life with two dogs and a ginormous cat. We live in a small town in PA, but I suffer from a bad case of wanderlust and usually end up moving someplace new every few years. Luckily, my animals are all excellent travel buddies.

Author Website: http://www.tonyaburrows.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hornetseries | http://www.facebook.com/tonyaburrows
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TonyaBurrows

Review: A Fresh Set of Eyes by Liz Strange

A Fresh Set of Eyes

By Liz Strange

David Lloyd Investigations #2

Things have changed for David Lloyd since his last case left him recovering from a gunshot wound and showered with the respect and admiration of law enforcement for bringing down a major crime ring (see my review of the first book). His relationship with his partner couldn't be better now that Jamie was living openly as a gay man and acknowledged David to his family and coworkers. All was looking pretty great until his next client walked in the door with a complex and somewhat futile assignment.

The set up

Ten years ago, three young teenagers were given life sentences for the brutal murders of two young boys. The mother of one of the convicted, Sandra Klassen, hired David to reinvestigate the case to find evidence that would exonerate her son. The notoriety David received from the last case convinced her that he was up to the job. Talk about pressure.

The issues

Although it's been ten years, the memory of the case is still fresh for many who were involved or impacted because they believed the teens were wrongly convicted. While David finds plenty to support that point of view, one he shares, it's all pretty circumstantial and he's going to also need to find out the identity of the real murderer. But, not everyone is willing to cooperate, including the murdered children's mother, and there were a lot of lies told the first go round.

What I liked about the story

This is one of those procedural style mysteries that you get caught up in as the investigation progresses. You get to use your own deductive reasoning as David solidly works the investigation, providing a lot of clues to work through simultaneously and independently. Some of the characters were murky and others who seemed to be an open book had more angles. An added bonus is his relationship with Jamie. Their evolution as an openly gay couple made such a difference for them and the impact on family, friends and co-workers was sensitively portrayed without overdramatizing the reactions. David is pretty special and Jamie is a hottie.

The bottom line

This is an interesting story, inspired by the West Memphis Three. There are a lot of characters to weed out and that made it even more enjoyable, especially as I was able to figure out whodunit before the end. I like these characters, the light element of romance, the strong elements of unconventional family and relationships, and the meaty and interesting case that anchor the story. I'm hoping this series continues and if you like thorny murder/crime investigations, I highly recommend you read both books.

About the author

Liz was born and raised in Kingston, Ontario where she still resides with her family and a menagerie of pets. When not working, writing or spending time with her family she enjoys reading, watching scary movies, spicy food and hitting the gym.

 Liz is a self-confessed sci-fi nerd, loving Star Trek, X-Files, and Torchwood. She also loves anything to do with mythology, history and anthropology, and has a long-standing fascination with ancient Greece and Easter Island.

She has been an avid reader from childhood, and has always been attracted to stories that deal with the darker side of human nature, mysteries, crime, and things that go bump in the night. Her true (and undying) love for vampires was born when she got her hands on a copy of Stephen King's 'Salem's Lot.

Liz loves to hear from her readers and will answer any questions sent her way. 
And yes this is her real name!

Review: A Taste of You by Sorcha Grace

A Taste of You

By Sorcha Grace

The Epicurean #1

 

 

 

The promotion for this book compares it to Fifty Shades of Gray and Bared to You, which had me reluctant to read it. In fact, I agreed to do so before I knew about the comparison.

While there are certainly some common themes, the story has a very different vibe that sets it apart in my opinion.


Similarities to 50 Shades and Bared
William Lambourne is über wealthy, is somewhat secretive and is gorgeous. That's about it as he's has none of Christian's cruelty or Gideon's stalker-like behaviors. He's pretty normal in most aspects and any over the top behaviors would fit someone in his lifestyle. Catherine Kelly is about the same age of Ana and Eva but has a successful career independent of William's life.


The Set Up
Catherine and William meet when she shows up as the replacement for another injured photographer at a food shoot for a new restaurant scheduled for opening in Chicago. Their connection and attraction is immediate and he seeks her out.  She's fairly new to the city, escaping the heartache of a tragic past in Santa Cruz. She's not sure she's ready to be in a relationship, especially with someone as complicated and puzzling as William.

The Issues
William runs hot and cold, keeping Catherine off balance at a time when it's the last thing she needs. Catherine has a tendency to bail whenever his commitment to her appears questionable. They have an amazing sexual attraction and it gets in the way of their communication.

What Works Well
Both Catherine's best friend, Beckett, and William are amazing cooks and some really

delectable dishes are served up regularly, stimulating your appetite often. I had never heard of an Aga stove and now I want one!!! The difference, though, is William incorporates his epicurean talents into his bedroom (or kitchen floor!) romps and it is erotic!  William has some really creative moves and it was definitely a highlight. Catherine's young and her reactions sometimes are fitting for her level of experience. She's not naive and brings out better behavior from William. You get that he cares deeply for her but can be insensitive to how he comes across. The story is interesting and so is Catherine. She's the one with a complicated past. And, this book has the best, most sexy cover!


What Doesn't Work Quite as Well
Catherine has a really great best friend that is interesting in his own right but is really made to be a sidekick for the story. Beckett certainly could have shown up with more of a life while being the dutiful best friend. He's pretty amazing and the relationship wasn't balanced. Catherine's frequent pronouncements that she and William were over got a little old after awhile.


The Bottom Line
I enjoyed the story, Catherine's interesting backstory and William's talent in combining food and sex.  They've done most of the hard work in creating relationship and the shocker at the end seems to pivot the story in a different (and intriguing) direction. The characters are really likeable and both are on equal footing in the relationship, even though William's used to getting his way but Catherine holds her own capably. I like where the series seems to be heading and am along for the ride.

 

 

 


About the Author

Sorcha Grace is an adventurous eater, beach lover and author of scorching contemporary erotic romance. She is also the nom de plume of a nationally bestselling author who publishes in another romance genre. Visit her website or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

www.sorchagrace.com
www.facebook.com/SorchaGrace
Twitter: @SorchaGrace

Review: Damaged Goods by Lainey Reese

Damaged Goods

By Lainey Reese

Romantic Suspense, Erotica

New York #2

The second story in this series involves Brice Marshall, cousin of Cade Marshall who was introduced in the first book. Brice is a New York police detective and is also a Dom. He meets Terryn Keller at Cade’s BDSM club but soon figures out that she’s new to the scene and is just beginning her exploration. Meanwhile, Brice and his partner, Brandon Kent, are investigating the brutal murders of two young women by what appears to be a serial killer. As Brice becomes more deeply involved with Terryn, he also has to deal with the realization that she might be in the path of the killer.

The suspense aspect of the story was high, equally balanced with the erotica and adding to the sexual tension, as if that needed any help. While the whodunit wasn’t too hard to figure out, it wasn’t so clear cut either as I went through three suspects until I circled back to my original way of thinking. The erotica was excellent, enhanced somewhat because of Terryn’s inexperience, which kept the sexual scenes fresh and interesting. It allowed me to explore the BDSM world through her perspective as Brice helped her understand the roles and behaviors. There’s also a ménage scene that was just crazy!




I really liked that Trevor, Cade and Riley, the ménage relationship from the first book, A Table for Three, have substantive (and steamy) roles in this story. And, the main character for the next book, Gage Hollister, makes an appearance here that left me breathless. I’m not sure I can handle his story!






Reese does a really good job of weaving mystery, suspense, romance and erotica into a solid and interesting story. I liked the characters, even though Doms are not necessarily my favorite hero choices. You can’t help but like Brice and Terryn was refreshing. I enjoyed the book and am anxiously waiting for the next one in the series.

  

(I received an ARC from the author for an honest review)