Remind Me (Chasing Fire #1) by Ann Marie Walker & Amy K. Rogers

Publication: April 21, 2015

Publisher: InterMix / Penguin Group

Source: Publisher

First in a tantalizing new trilogy about reigniting a forbidden desire from long ago… As heiress to a media empire Alessandra Sinclair was raised to put family obligations first. But everything changes the night her first love walks back into her life and turns her whole world upside down. Haunted by the memories of a secret romance with a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, she can't seem to get Hudson Chase out of her mind. Once again torn between two worlds, Allie must decide how much she’s willing to risk to have the love she’s always longed for. Ten years is a long time to wait, but billionaire Hudson Chase didn’t become CEO of one of the country’s fastest growing companies by giving up on what he wants. Now that he’s got Allie in his sights again, he’s determined to make her regret breaking his heart. And this time, he’s going to make damn sure he’s not so easy to forget.

Alessandra and Hudson had a secret relationship when she was 17. She was the wealthy girl and he was poor boy from the wrong neighborhood. But that didn’t bother either one of them. They fell for each other hard and fast. And those moments were some of the best. Fast forward 10 years later, and they aren’t together any longer and they hadn’t seen each other until they accidentally meet at a society function. There seems to be a misunderstanding between these two as to how the relationship abruptly ended and why. And Hudson decides that this time around, he wants some answers.

Hudson is angry with Alessandra for how she treated him all of those years ago. He believes she got bored and decided to be with someone who had money. Both he and Alessandra are a little shocked to discover that they still have feelings for each other. Feelings that are coming to the surface with strong intensity. It’s pretty clear that Hudson has worked his butt off the past ten years. Trying to do more for himself. He’s developed into a very wealthy and successful man.

Alessandra is more than just a young pretty woman who attends society functions and cuts the ribbon in an opening ceremony. She is very smart and determined. She has taken a keen interest in her father’s company and works hard helping people. Her feelings for Hudson catch her by surprise. She knows she shouldn’t still have them. Especially because she is engaged. But once their feelings begin to stir and develop more, it becomes hard for either one to ignore them.

Remind Me is one of those romances that caught my attention from the synopsis and turned out to be as good I thought it would. It was a quick weekend read that satisfied my need for a little romance. And with that cliffhanger ending, it left me wanting to know what was going to happen next. If you are searching for a steamy summer romance then Remind Me should be on your list. Book two, Release Me is on sale at the moment on Amazon for $2.99!

RATING: 3 ½ out of 5.

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The Unsuitable Secretary (Ladies Unlaced #4) by Maggie Robinson

Publication: September 16, 2014

Publisher: InterMix /  Penguin

Source: Publisher

From the author of In the Heart of the Highlander, a romance proving that inappropriate desires can provide the most passionate encounters… Harriet Benson takes her work at the Evensong Agency seriously, but lately, between convalescing from an illness and tending to her father and two young brothers, she’s had to shorten her hours. So when a promising position opens up for part time work, she immediately accepts, despite the fact that her new boss is scandalously indecent—and dangerously appealing. Though his reputation paints him as a scoundrel, Sir Thomas Featherstone is more proper than anyone would guess. But Harriet’s wit and luscious curves are driving him to distraction. She’s the perfect woman to fill his office requirements, and other desperate needs he’s been ignoring… Harriet has always held firm to the rule that a secretary must never fall in love with her employer. Only Thomas is determined to win her affections—and he’s willing to risk any cost to make her his…

Harriet Benson is a bright and determined young woman (although she is considered a spinster) who lives at home with her father two 15 year old twin brothers.  Harriet wants a job, but her father is dead set against. But Harriet, being her own woman decides to go to Eversong Secretary Agency in hopes of finding something for her. Enter Sir Thomas Featherstone, who has the naughty reputation of a rake. Once he sees Harriet is is instantly attracted to her and wants her to come work for him. But what is a lady supposed to do when she begins to develop feelings for her boss?

Harriet aka Harry was such an interesting character to get to know. She is smart, brave, beautiful and is all about rules and propriety.  She went through a lot; including her father abusing her. I loved that Thomas was there for her when she needed him.

Thomas was an interesting character. He is strong, doesn’t care that much for rules, confident, and caring. For someone who has a reputation as a rake and keeps questionable company, I was surprised to learn that he wasn’t as bad as the rumors made him to be. I thought it was a unique twist to his character.

There is romance, sexual tension, and misunderstandings throughout the story.  Thomas and Harriet have a great chemistry and it was a lot of fun to watch their romance unfold. He is usually known for being a smooth talker, so it was funny to see him not be very smooth around Harry.  I had fun reading this one and it turned out to be a quick romantic weekend read.

RATING: 3½ out of 5.

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Prototype (Archetype #2) by M.D. Waters

Publication: July 24, 2014

Publisher: Dutton Adult

Source: Publisher

The stunning debut that began with Archetype— and has readers buzzing—concludes in Prototype, when a woman’s dual pasts lock onto a collision course, threatening her present and future. Emma looks forward to the day when she can let go of her past—both of them. After more than a year on the run, with clues to her parents’ whereabouts within her grasp, she may finally find a place to settle down. Start a new life. Maybe even create new memories with a new family. But the past rises to haunt her and to make sure there’s nowhere on the planet she can hide. Declan Burke wants his wife back, and with a little manipulation and a lot of reward money, he’s got the entire world on his side. Except for the one man she dreads confronting the most: Noah Tucker. Emma returns to face what she’s done but finds that the past isn’t the problem. It’s the present—and the future it represents. Noah has moved on and another woman is raising their daughter. In the shocking conclusion to M.D. Waters’s spectacular debut, Emma battles for her life and her freedom, tearing down walls and ripping off masks to reveal the truth. She’s decided to play their game and prove she isn’t the woman they thought she was. Even if it means she winds up dead. Or worse, reborn.

Prototype takes place a year and 4 months after Archetype ends. Emma finds herself now in Mexico searching for her parents who, several years ago disappeared after they escaped prison?  Her search is thwarted when Declan (Yes Declan is back and more determined than ever) sends a mass hologram message to every country with a story that Emma was kidnapped by the resistance and puts a huge price on her head. A price that would be hard for any man to resist. Which is what Declan is counting on.

Where does that lead? Well to Noah of course. But things are different know. Sonya has a bigger part in the story this time especially since she is helping Noah raise his and Emma’s daughter. I was never a big fan of Sonya, even from the beginning. There was more than one occasion were I wanted someone to slap her and put her in her place (That person being Emma of course).

I have to admit, that before things got crazy with Declan in the first book, I was hoping just a little bit that Declan would be the guy for Emma and he would turn out not to be so bad. But then came Noah. And he stole my heart and I pretty much fell in love with him just like Emma did. And I loved that we get more Emma and Noah time.

After surprisingly falling in love with Archetype, I couldn't want to get my hands on Prototype. It turned out to be every bit as good as I hoped it would be, if not better.  I was anxious to see what would unfold next for Emma, Noah, and yes even Declan. The story never really lets up. There was plenty of action, twists and turns, to keep me hooked. I devoured the book in no time. The only thing I am sad about is that the series isn’t a trilogy.

If you’re a fan of futuristic sci-fi action stories with a tough female heroine, then I would definitely recommend this book to you.

RATING: 5 out of 5.

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Archetype by M.D. Waters

Publication: February 6, 2014

Publisher: Penguin/Dutton Adult

Introducing a breathtakingly inventive futuristic suspense novel about one woman who rebels against everything she is told to believe. Emma wakes in a hospital, with no memory of what came before. Her husband, Declan, a powerful, seductive man, provides her with new memories, but her dreams contradict his stories, showing her a past life she can’t believe possible: memories of war, of a camp where girls are trained to be wives, of love for another man. Something inside her tells her not to speak of this, but she does not know why. She only knows she is at war with herself. Suppressing those dreams during daylight hours, Emma lets Declan mold her into a happily married woman and begins to fall in love with him. But the day Noah stands before her, the line between her reality and dreams shatters. In a future where women are a rare commodity, Emma fights for freedom but is held captive by the love of two men—one her husband, the other her worst enemy. If only she could remember which is which. . . . The first novel in a two-part series, Archetype heralds the arrival of a truly memorable character—and the talented author who created her.

What can I say about Archetype? The premise sounded interesting when I first read it. I mean I thought that I would like it, but I was unprepared for how much I ended up enjoying it. Even when I put the book down to go about my day, I was still thinking about the story and its characters. I loved it.

Emma is a 26 year old woman who lives in a world were roughly a hundred years ago a war erupted. Women in the west are free to live their life whereas women who live in the east like Emma are few and far between. Women are only considered worth marrying if they are fertile and men are desperate to claim and manipulate them.

Emma is such a fighter. I loved that about her. She goes along with some things, but she does ask questions and she is relentless when it comes to finding out about her past and who she is.

Just when I thought I knew what was going on or what was about to happen, turned out I was wrong. I think that is the re-occurring theme in this book. Expect the unexpected. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me on my toes. I don’t want to reveal too much, because this is a book where you will want to discover things for yourself.

Archetype is the very first futuristic science fiction suspense/thriller story-line that I have ever read. I am glad I decided to try something a little new and different. Everything flowed at a great pace. The flashbacks of Emma’s past and the goings-on of her present didn’t confuse me even a little bit and I enjoyed getting to know Emma’s life. Pieces were sprinkled in, little by little until I began to see the bigger picture.  And that ending? Left me wanting more…like now. Thankfully the second and last book in this series, Prototype releases July 24, 2014. Not too long of a wait.

Readers who enjoy Futuristic Sci-Fi Thrillers will like this one.

RATING: 5 out of 5.

**I received this book on behalf of the Publisher in exchange for nothing but my honest opinion. Thank you**

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The Silent Wife: A Novel by A.S.A. Harrison

Publication: June 25, 2013

Publisher: Penguin Books

A chilling psychological thriller about a marriage, a way of life, and how far one woman will go to keep what is rightfully hers Jodi and Todd are at a bad place in their marriage. Much is at stake, including the affluent life they lead in their beautiful waterfront condo in Chicago, as she, the killer, and he, the victim, rush haplessly toward the main event. He is a committed cheater. She lives and breathes denial. He exists in dual worlds. She likes to settle scores. He decides to play for keeps. She has nothing left to lose. Told in alternating voices, The Silent Wife is about a marriage in the throes of dissolution, a couple headed for catastrophe, concessions that can’t be made, and promises that won’t be kept. Expertly plotted and reminiscent of Gone Girl and These Things Hidden, The Silent Wife ensnares the reader from page one and does not let go.

 Jodi and Todd have been married for 20 years. They do not have what you might call a typical marriage. They do have great jobs, a gorgeous home, expensive clothes, nice things, friends, etc…By all accounts they appear to be the perfect couple with a great life. But things aren’t always what they seem. Especially in this story.  

Jodi loves the life she has. She knows it is not perfect, but she likes that to others her marriage has the appearance of being perfect. She knows that Todd cheats on her. And as long as he doesn’t embarrass her in public she allows him to continue in his dalliances. But there was something that she did not count on. Todd starting a relationship with a younger woman who just might give him something that Jodi has not.

Todd may be determined to leave his marriage, but Jodi…Jodi is equally if not more so determined to keep him in it. She craves control and she will not be made a fool of. And she sets in motion a plan to ensure that she has her way…

I liked how this story was told from not only Jodi, but Todd’s point of view as well. So I was able to understand where they both were coming from and what their motives were…for the most part.

The Silent Wife is an attention grabbing story filled with plenty of lies, manipulation, and secrets. Not to mention unlikeable/despised characters that frustrated me at times to no end and thankfully I could not relate to them at all. I can honestly say that this book was very entertaining and I was still thinking about it after I finished it.

If suspense/thriller stories with unconventional marriages and deceitful characters are your thing, then this book is right up your alley.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

 

**I received this book on behalf of Penguin Books in exchange for nothing but my honest opinion. Thank you.**

 

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