Book Review: Wild Card

Hey there readers, I have another book review for you guys today. Wild Card by Lora Leigh, I actually finished reading this a few days ago but needed some time to form my opinion,  so here it is.

Title: Wild Card
Author: Lora Leigh
Series: Elite Ops - #1
Publisher: St. Martins Griffin
Release Date: August 21st 2012
ISBN-13: 978-1-2500-3106-8
Source: Owned Paperback
Genre: Erotica

Synopsis

It was supposed to be simple. All Navy SEAL Nathan Malone had to do was rescue three young girls from a Colombia drug cartel, then allow himself to be captured just long enough to draw out a government spy. That was before his mission went disastrously wrong...and before his wife Bella, was told that Nathan was never coming home.

Bella's mourned her husband's death for three long years. But she has no idea he's still alive. Forced to assume a new identity, the man Nathan was is now dead. If he can get back to his wife, can he keep the secret of who he really is...even as desires threaten to consume them? And as danger threatens to tear Bella from Nathan's arms once more?

My Thoughts

My first reaction was that the novel to me was explosive. But I wish there was a lot less sexual content then there was. At least almost every chapter had some sexual content and it got very boring. I was more interested in the "sub plot" of the case the SEAL's were working on and the developing love story between Noah and Sabella.

It good foundation to be more than just a smut book, but it wasn't developed that way and was thus a smut book.

I didn't really like the fact that Noah was an abusive ass and Bella would just take it and they'd be all hunky dory, happily ever after time and time again. And what woman in their right mind would do that? or hide their true nature? Talk about a relationship and marriage built on nothing but lies.

I hope the rest of the series gets better but I would hold by breath.

My Rating: 2/5

Goodreads: Wild Card
Author: Lora Leigh

Book Review: Bitten

Title: Bitten
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Woman of the Otherworld - #1
Publisher: Plume Books
Release Date: September 7th 2004
ISBN-13: 978-0-4522-8603-0
Source: Owned E-book
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis

Elena Michaels is a werewolf. She tries to be human, but the man whose bite changed her existence forever, and his legacy, continue to haunt her. Thrown into a desperate war for survival that tests her allegiance to a secret clan of werewolves, Elena must reconsider who and what she is.

My Thoughts

I must say that I was severely disappointed with this novel. It had been on my TBR list for quite some time but I did start reading it because I became interested in the television series. The book was definitely not as good at the t.v. series and usually the circumstance in my opinion is the opposite.

I wasn't disappointed so much with the story line, the story line was great and so were the characters. It was more the author's writing and how she portrayed the story. The novel could have been more fully developed and I thought that this would have been the case. Unfortunately the t.v. series was way more developed, again in my opinion.

I have so many questions about this "Werewolf" world that have gone unanswered. Simple questions that are usually answered by the end of the novel or I at least form the answer by my own conclusions.

I am however interested in the second book, which I am under the impression is still about Elena. I will read it and I am hoping it is a bit better than this novel.

My Rating: 2.5

Goodreads: Bitten
Author: Kelley Armstrong

Book Review: Escape: Heartbreaker/Duncan's Bride

Title: Escape: Heartbreaker/Duncan's Bride
Author: Linda Howard
Series: n/a
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: January 28th 2014
ISBN-13: 978-0-3737-7840-9
Source: Purchased Paperback
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

Heartbreaker:

Michelle Cabot reluctantly returns to Central Florida, having inherited her father's cattle ranch - and the mountain of bills that go with it. But Michelle's determined to turn things around, even as she discovers she's heavily indebted to neighbouring rancher John Rafferty, a man she's spent ten years trying to forget. John has his own ideas for how the spoiled princess he remembers might pay him back - but when Michelle's secrets come to light, he'll do anything to protect her...including letting go of the past once and for all.

Duncan's Bride:

It's been seven years since rancher Reese Duncan's first wife left him high and dry, and he's been trying to rebuild his life ever since. What he needs is a dependable mate - someone uncomplicated with whom he can start a family and who will help out around the ranch. At first glance, city girl Madelyn Patterson seems all wrong. But Madelyn isn't after his money or his land. She wants the one thing Reese can't guarantee - his heart.

My Thoughts

When I first picked the book up off the shelf I didn't realize that it was two novels. In fact I didn't even read the back of the book, I was going off the cover that it would have been good, and I wasn't disappointed.

I was looking for an easy romance read and got just what I wanted. Of course I did expect a little bit more drama in the second one. There were times when this book had at one end of the emotional spectrum and then with the change of scene to the other end of the spectrum.

My only regret is that I wish they had both been longer, fuller novels as opposed to being "novellas". But the short and sweetness to them did the trick.

Linda Howard as an author was a first time read for me, I was quite happy with what I found in her writing and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of her work.

My Rating: 4.5/5

Goodreads: Escape
Author: Linda Howard
Amazon: Escape by Linda Howard

Book Review: Hell Without You

Title: Hell Without You
Author: Ranae Rose
Series: n/a
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services Inc. (self-published e-book)
Release Date: September 5th 2013
ISBN-13: 978-1-4921-6559-0
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

Time changes everything, except what's meant to be.

Seven years is a long time - long enough to transform Clementine from a small-town teenager with a broken heart into a woman ready to take on the world, but not long enough to make her forget about the man she was never suppose to see again. A temporary return to Willow Heights thrusts her back into Dononvan's life and home, unearthing heartbreak and obsession that have stood the test of time.

He left seven years ago too, for war and other things Clementine can only imagine. Coming back to town where he grew up in the shadow of poverty and drug addiction makes no sense, and neither do Clementine's feelings for him. He could never forgive her for leaving, could he? Even if she had no choice.

Now, she has the freedom to choose...and so does he. Every day in Willow Heights makes it clearer: all he ever really wanted was her, and nothing will change that. Not even a taste of hell that drove them apart in the first place.

My Thoughts

My what a short and sweet little romance this was. It really did have my heartstrings pulled from cover to cover. I never imagined that Trevor would meet his end, I mean I envisioned something happening involving Trevor, Clementine and Donovan but not his death. If anything I thought his demise would be at the hands of Donovan and not of another third party.

I'm really glad and had a teary eyed moment in the end where Clem, and her mother's friendship finally started to mend together. It's really an eye opener to how people react and how much it takes for a person to realize their wrong.

I feel Trevor fully got what he got, and that justice was fully served for Clementine and the others that weren't as lucky as Clementine to get away.

This novel highlighted the fact that true love can and will withstand the tests of time and anything that life has to throw at it. Novels like this give my big romantic sappy heart that something like this will one day happen for all of us.

I wasn't disappointed with this novel, it was a truly feel-good romance and I look forward to reading more works from Ranae Rose.

My Rating: 5/5

Goodreads: Hell Without You
Author's Website: Ranae Rose
Amazon: Hell Without You by Ranae Rose

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