Review for #RARE17: Blue by Jill Patten

Title: Blue

Author: Jill Patten

Release Date: September 22nd, 2016

Synopsis: 

He is a thief.

She is his victim.

Lance King, better known as Blue, drifts through the days surfing in a vacation town using his skills to get anything he wants from women to cash, even when they don’t belong to him. Especially when they don’t. But on spring break, he takes from the wrong girl and in turn, she turns around and steals something far more valuable of his.

Phoebe McCormick is surviving on borrowed time. So when her best friends approach her for an adventurous week in Florida, she happily accepts their invite. What she thinks is going to be a time to let loose with her friends turns out to be anything but when she stumbles into the arms of a local-blue eyed surfer.

Untold secrets and unexpected love can ether pull them to the shore or drag them out into depths of the ocean. By the time it’s over…

She’ll become the thief.

He’ll end up as her victim.

**This is a standalone**

Purchase Links:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon CA 

About the Author:

Jill Patten was born a Yankee, but raised a southerner. She lives in the small town of Mayberry, North Carolina which was made famous by a popular TV show back in the sixties. (Maybe there will one day be a statue of her at the end of Main Street. Ha! A girl can dream, right?)

Jill has always loved to read, even during reading labs in middle school for reading comprehension. Judy Blume was her first author she hero-worshipped, maturing to revere the works of Stephen King. With all the fantastic authors today, she simply cannot choose a favorite. Her taste is very eclectic and she loves almost all genres. When she's not captivated by her fictional characters, she spends time with her sweet husband and two beautiful children.

Music is her muse. Jill also loves elephants, sarcasm, and anything made with sugar, especially sweet tea. She enjoys all things rude and crude and laughs at stuff she probably shouldn't. She has been accused of being bossy a time or two, but doesn't really see it herself.

All in all, Jill is just a small town girl in this great big world trying to enable your book addiction.

Oh, and if you read her book, please leave her a review - good or bad, she'll love you forever. 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

My Review:

Jill Patten is a new author to me, so I wasn't really sure what to expect from the book. But I was intrigued by the synopsis so I decided to read it. To be honest, I am not really sure how to review the book. On one hand I quite liked the idea of the story and Blue is definitely an intriguing character. But on the other hand, I had some issues with Phoebe. Somehow, I just couldn't relate to her and at times I was really frustrated with her behaviour.

The story as a whole is quite interesting. I really enjoyed getting to know Blue and seeing his transformation and growth thanks to his feelings for Phoebe. I loved his playful side and even more his alpha side. He is a little bit of a hot head and he doesn't always make the best decissions but he definitely has his redeeming qualities, especially in the bedroom :D 

As I mentioned above, I wasn't really into Phoebe. I think she was a little bit too drama prone for my liking and some of her decisions were simply not something I would do. I know she is living through something very difficult but I still think that at times she is just too self centered. The other thing that wasn't exactly to my liking is the pace of the story. A little bit to slow for me but it was still quite well written.

So, even though, this wasn't exactly the best book I've read lately. It is still a good read so you should give it a chance. If nothing else, I can guarantee you are going to fall for Blue :)

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Review for #RARE17: Catching Fireflies (Chasing Butterflies #2) by Terri E. Laine

Title: Catching Fireflies

Series: Chasing Butterflies #2

Author: Terri E. Laine

Release Date: October 27th, 2016

Synopsis: 

From USA Today bestselling author comes an all new STANDALONE second chance romance…

One night … one kiss … one touch … will change everything.

Chance Abbot is cocky.
Sexy.
Gorgeous.

A player in every sense of the word.

He broke my heart once, and I swore he’d never get a second chance.

But when he smiles at me, flashing those irresistible dimples or looks at me like I’m the best thing he’s ever seen, I forget I shouldn’t fall for his charms again.

Brie Holloway is beautiful.
Innocent.
Unforgettable.

She’s everything I’ve ever wanted and everything I don’t deserve.

But that won’t keep me from trying to win her back.

So when she starts dating her TA, I promise to keep her secret on one condition: for every time she goes out with him, she has to go out with me. I’m prepared to prove I’m right for her, one date at a time.

He’s lighting a fire in my heart and breaking down my walls, and proving he’s worthy of a second chance.

She’s everything that’s good in my world, and if she wants me to chase her I will because she’s got me catching fireflies…

Purchase Links:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon CA | B&N 

About the Author:

Terri E. Laine, USA Today bestselling author, left a lucrative career as a CPA to pursue her love for writing. Outside of her roles as a wife and mother of three, she’s always been a dreamer and as such became an avid reader at a young age.

Many years later, she got a crazy idea to write a novel and set out to try to publish it. With over a dozen titles published under various pen names, the rest is history. Her journey has been a blessing, and a dream realized. She looks forward to many more memories to come.

You can find more about her books on her website.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

My Review:

Terri E Laine is a relatively new author to me and I quite enjoy her style of writing. She is one of my go to authors when I need something somewhat lighthearted and with a happy ending :) OK, so probably lighthearted is not the correct word but my usual reads are romantic suspense, thrillers, etc. so for me, this type of read is definitely lighter :) And Catching Fireflies didn't disappoint. There is heartbreak and romance, and everything else necessary to make this story an intriguing and relaxing read. The characters are very interesting and complex, and they are so easy to relate to. I am sure they will have you rooting for them from the start.

Chance is an intriguing character. Hi past is heartbreaking and left him scarred and in a way unable to trust women with his heart. But that changes when his eyes clash with Brie's. Even though he makes mistakes, he finally realises that she is the one woman he can trust his heart to and not be scared she is going to break it. Unfortunately, due to his errors and in a way fear, he has to fight for her trust and heart and overcome the protective walls around her. I have to say that I really loved seeing Chance's innovative and romantic side. The things he did for Brie were something that will melt your heart and make every red bloodied woman to fall for him :)

Unfortunately, even when Brie and Chance find their way to each other again, there are still obstacles the have to overcome. From jealous exes to more heartbreak and stumbling into surprises that bring pain, remorse, sorrow but also a little it of hope and happiness, Chance and Brie's path is not easy but with supporting each other, they find their place in the world :)

So, if you are looking for a nice and romantic story, you should definitely check Catching Fireflies. The book is a standalone, and even though some of the characters from the previous book have appearances, this one can be read and enjoyed also on its own :) If you've read Terri E. Laine before, you all know how captivating her writing style is.And if she is a new author to you, then you shouldn't waste any more time and get introduced to her books ASAP :)

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Review for #RARE17: Hell and Back by Natasha Madison

Title: Hell and Back

Author: Natasha Madison

Release Date: October 31st, 2016

Synopsis: 

Meeting him was a fluke. Dating him was a mistake. Watching him become a drug addict put me through hell. Running was my only option.

***

I'm running from my demons and when I find out she's trying to escape her past, I know what I have to do.

One broken cop. One woman fighting for her life. A fragile love.

Sinister secrets that threaten to tear them apart.

They've been to hell. The hard part will be finding their way back together.

Purchase Links:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon CA
iBooks | B&N | Kobo

About the Author:

When her nose isn't buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she's in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It's a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn't listen to her...

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

My Review:

Natasha Madison is another new author for me and as I was intrigued by the synopsis of this story, I was all for checking her out. And I can honestly say that I loved the story. It is so heartbreakingly beautiful. It is full of pain, regret, hope and a magnificent love story. It is a story of survival and building a life after a devastating betrayal, about learning to trust and love again, about finding yourself again.

Jackson and Bella are two very complex and deep character. The both have demons chasing them and that make it difficult for them to build a life together. Bella's past has left her with scars so deep that she doubts she will be ever able to love and trust again. But the only thing she needs, is an incredible man who is ready to give his life to protect her and her little girl. And she finds that man in Jackson. The beginning of their story is difficult but step by step, Jackson manages to break through her walls and show her that he is worthy of her heart.

And let me tell you, Jackson is definitely worthy BBF. With his baby blues, incredible body an alpha persona, he will have you salivating from the start. He is a tad too pushy at times but everything comes from a good place, so it can be forgiven. One of the things I enjoyed the most in the book though was the clever banter between Jackson and Bella. It was just so much fun to read :) 

So as a whole, this was a really good read. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters and I am definitely glad I picked up the book. The only thing that made this story a 4 star read and not 5 stars for me, were the sometimes lenghty description of the surroundings. Apart from that, I really loved it. And I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series. I need to know what will happen with Mick and Marisa :)

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