Children of Ambition by JJ McAvoy.... Review by Dawn

"Show me a strong woman and I’ll show you the scars on her soul that made her so.”



Everything I’ve done, everything I will do…no remorse. The world is a vicious place for a woman. It’s even crueler to the daughter of the Ceann na Conairte—discarded, married off, left powerless…

But I am no ordinary daughter of the mafia.

Unlike every other mafia family, my mother was Melody Callahan, Bloody Mel, the Don of the Italian Mafia, and the Don didn’t raise some precious mafia princess.
Bone by bone she broke me first, so no one else could—and bone by bone, I pieced myself back together.

I am no longer just the daughter.
I am the Don.
I am Donatella Aviela Callahan, and there is only one way—my way.

Check out the link below for the COA trailer. It is EVERYTHING!!!!

Children of Ambition by JJ McAvoy Trailer

My Review Ok, this review is going to be a little hit and miss, simply because there is absolutely NO way I can spoil any of it for you.  First and for most Donatella, she is the very definition of a "Love/Hate" relationship. I was not very fond of her in Vice, she came off as an entitled brat. But in Ambition, we really get to know what makes Dona tick. She is power hungry and nothing will stand in her way... or maybe one person will. But who, Ethan; Wyatt; Evelyn; Mel and Liam? The Family is never to be betrayed, can Dona live up to The Callahan Family Rules?  You will be shocked and taken on a journey of discovery in this story. Things happen that made me have to stop and take a deep breath just to be able to finish. And the last chapter, I was not prepared for the genius that is JJ McAvoy and her gift of surprise endings. Oh and the added bonus of an epilogue or two!!! I know, I was flipping out as well. I will leave this little snippet. This is my favorite line of the entire book. I'm going to keep you guessing as to who is saying it... "Today we'd wear what she wanted us to wear. Eat what she wanted us to eat. Say what she wanted us to say. Because her message was clear... In an instant, if she wanted to, she could destroy us all." 5 Clocks!

Review based on book

provided by the author

                                           

  

Bodyguard; Hollywood A-List by CD Reiss ... Review by Dawn

Synopsis

As a world-class dancer at the height of her career, Emily enjoys all the perks of fame—the parties, the glamour, the tours—but they’ve also attracted the attention of a dangerous ex-boyfriend hell-bent on getting her back.

Enter Carter Kincaid, a bodyguard so crushingly sexy he takes her breath away.

Carter’s the best in the business, and Emily is—professionally speaking—off-limits. But when it comes to stirring his desires, she’s making all the right moves. What’s happening between them is so hot it could get both of them burned. As Emily’s past gets closer, Carter is willing to break every rule of the job to save her. But letting Emily into his life also means letting her in on the secrets of his own past. For these two, falling in love could be the greatest risk of all.

My Review

Meeting Carter and Emily is swift in this new book from CD Reiss. I did enjoy  not having to wait around before we get to see the attraction. I also really enjoyed that it was not the "star" that get's the guy.  That was a new fresh idea. 

Emily is a lovable lead who has been put through the ringer thanks to her stalker ex Vince. She lives in constant fear, fear that he is going to get to her and do only God knows what to her. She has a security system that would rival the White House. The only place she feels safe is at home or dancing. But even at home Emily, is not starting to feel boxed in, trapped like a prisoner.  Events take place that lead her to having a Bodyguard provided by her BFF Darlene. Darlene is the "star" and has the money to provide her ace choreographer the best, and the best is Carter Kincade.

Now Carter comes with a whole lot of baggage... and that is where I started to struggle with the story. Not that his story is aggravating or annoying, it was just confusing. It eventually is played out and you get all the details, but I for one, thought that his reasoning was a bit off.  I was easily distracted with Phin. I liked the kid, but thought he was over used in this book.  His story line made me feel scattered. Maybe that was the point, I'm just not sure. 
I would say the first half of this book had me hooked, but once the story of the "son" came into play, I was a little lost and that made the remainder of the story a bit of a miss for me.

4 Clocks

Honest review based on book

provided by 

NetGalley

Misadventures Of A Virgin by Meredith Wild..... review by Dawn

Synopsis

It’s been years since June Bell shared a stolen moment with her girlhood crush, Kase McCasker. It’s been just as long since Kase’s father nixed the sale of the McCasker farm to expand the grounds of the Bell’s grand hotel. Now that Kase is back home for good, June might be the only person who can persuade him to reconsider the abandoned plan. But how can she face him again after he left her without a word? 


Four years ago, unexpected news shook the foundation of Kase McCasker’s world. Escaping Falls Edge for college was the perfect excuse to chase his demons and bury his pain. Now, with a degree in hand and a void he can’t fill, he’s back in the little mountain town he thought he’d never call home again. Searching for purpose, he’s determined to put down roots and take over the struggling farm that’s been in his family for generations. 


Time and distance haven’t taken the edge off his preoccupation with June, the spitfire daughter of his father’s rival. He hasn’t forgotten their time together and all the things they did and didn’t do. One look at her has him reconsidering the future and making a dangerous deal to win risking everything else?

My Review

I am loving this Misadventures series so much, and Misadventures of a Virgin is such a great read!  I absolutely enjoyed the vivid detail of the setting. It was clear and concise,I wanted to be in Falls Edge at McCasker Farms.  
June and Kase have history and boy does it run deep for two people in their early 20's.  They shared a few stolen moments when they were in high school and then Kase was gone. No warning, no note, no call... just gone.  June was stuck on pause for 4 years, left wondering why Kase left her.  Events lead to Kase coming back to town and therefore the inevitable run in with June and her Father. 
I would love to tell you the in's and out's of why they are brought back together, but I want you to read it and understand their shared past. 
Kase and June are combustible when they give in to each other, I mean smoldering.  The spark that was once there is ignited once again and it can no longer be ignored or extinguished. 
This book has it all; it is smoking hot; it has a intriguing back story; it has characters that made you fall in love with them. I was totally vested in well being and how this book ended,. One word...EPILOGUE and it does not disappoint.

5 Clocks!

Honest review, book provided by

NetGalley

Hooking Up by Helena Hunting... review by Dawn

Amalie Whitfield is the picture of a blushing bride during her wedding reception–but for all the wrong reasons. Instead of proclaiming his undying love, her husband can be heard, by Amalie and their guests, getting off with someone else. She has every reason to freak out, and in a moment of insanity, she throws herself at the first hot-blooded male she sees. But he’s not interested in becoming her revenge screw.

Mortified and desperate to escape the post-wedding drama, Amalie decides to go on her honeymoon alone, only to find the man who rejected her also heading to the same tiny island for work. But this time he isn’t holding back. She should know better than to sleep with someone she knows, but she can’t seem to resist him.
They might agree that what happens on the island should stay on the island, but neither one can deny that their attraction is more than just physical. 

Filled with hilariously scandalous situations and enough sexual chemistry to power an airplane from New York City to the South Pacific, Hooking Up is the next standalone, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from Helena Hunting, the New York Times bestselling author of the Pucked series and Shacking Up.

                                                            ~~~~~My Review~~~~~

I needed this book! I have been in a horrible reading slump, but Hooking Up by Helena hunting, revived me. This book is so funny, but not so funny it over powers the message the author is trying to convey.  I am not allowed to reveal the leading man's identity, as per the authors request so lets just call him , "Steve."
Steve and Amalie are everything I wanted them to be. Amalie, is a reformed "bad girl" and she has JUST married the "right guy," when all hell breaks loose at the wedding reception.  I am not  going to spoil it for you, because it is hilarious  and the fall out is so good , it made yell out.
 " are you serious with this guy?"
Steve, is not looking to be the hero, but he is at the right place at the wrong time.  Amalie has always been his weakness and also a pawn in a competition between cousins. But little does she know Steve, has been watching her and wanting her for a long time.
The hilarity that ensues is perfect. Amalie and Steve'sbanter is spot on comedy gold. I  have laughed and enjoyed every word in this book. On the "sexy scale" (yes, it's a thing) Steve and Amalie are OFF the chart! It is so hot, fan yourself HOT. Steve is one smoldering hot leading man, Amalie has been pretending for so long, that when it is time to let go, Um, she does in glorious fashion!
I highly recommend this book,it is a standalone series. Meaning it does have crossover characters, but they are easy to follow and you will not be lost.

 5 Clocks!
Based on honest review
Book provided by NetGalley