The Last Boyfriend

The Last Boyfriend                  

Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy #2

By Nora Roberts

Owen is the organizer of the Montgomery clan, running the family’s construction business with an iron fist—and an even less flexible spreadsheet. And though his brothers bust on his compulsive list-making, the Inn BoonsBoro is about to open right on schedule. The only thing Owen didn’t plan for was Avery McTavish...

Avery’s popular pizza place is right across the street from the inn, giving her a first-hand look at its amazing renovation—and a newfound appreciation for Owen. Since he was her first boyfriend when they were kids, Owen has never been far from Avery’s thoughts. But the attraction she’s feeling for him now is far from innocent.

As Avery and Owen cautiously take their relationship to another level, the opening of the inn gives the whole town of Boonsboro a reason to celebrate. But Owen’s hard work has only begun. Getting Avery to let down her guard is going to take longer than he expected—and so will getting her to realize that her first boyfriend is going to be her last…

My Thoughts

You can never, ever go wrong with a Nora Roberts story, and her trilogies and quartets are, somehow, even better. Nora has taken us into the town of BoonsBoro, into the lives of the Montgomery brothers, their business, and the unique women that these brothers are destined to fall in love with, whether it be by luck, chance, or fate.

The Last Boyfriend takes us further into the stories of Owen and Avery. Although main characters from book one, they were not featured. This time around we get to jump into their minds. Owen, more than a bit anal about his organization skills, rarely spontaneous, always even –tempered and dependable. He has been a fixture in Avery’s life forever, and is suddenly altering the dynamic of their friendship.

Avery McTavish is the local girl who grew up loving where she was knowing that there was more for her yet in her home town. She proved herself when she created and opened the local pizza parlor right on the town square. A community hot spot, it has also offered her the prime viewing spot for the renovations that the Montgomery Brothers Construction had been making on the aged Inn. Avery is quirky. Free spirited. Spontaneous. Charmingly disorganized at home, but never in her kitchens. She is everything that our straight-laced Owen is not.

We are able to enjoy the changes that Owen and Avery make together. We see their relationship, a life –long relationship, bloom, struggle, and succeed.  Of course there are obstacles that come at them; it would not be a great story without them. <grin>

Mrs. Roberts continues to out do herself! This is another one of her cant –put –down books that I know you’ll enjoy. Remember, this the second in a trilogy, and it is read best after The Next Always.  The worst part? Having to wait until November to watch Ryder fall in love, too.

Product Details

• ISBN-13: 9780425246030
• Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
• Publication date: 5/1/2012
• Edition description: Original
• Pages: 352
• Sales rank: 9
• Series: Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy, #2
• Available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, iBooks
• Available formats: Paperback, Audio book, eBook

Other books in this series:

 

The Witness by Nora Roberts

The Witness                           

By Nora Roberts

Overview

Daughter of a controlling mother, Elizabeth finally let loose one night, drinking at a nightclub and allowing a strange man’s seductive Russian accent lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive. The events that followed changed her life forever.

Twelve years later, the woman known as Abigail Lowery lives on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. A freelance programmer, she designs sophisticated security systems—and supplements her own security with a fierce dog and an assortment of firearms. She keeps to herself, saying little, revealing nothing. But Abigail’s reserve only intrigues police chief Brooks Gleason. Her logical mind, her secretive nature, and her unromantic viewpoints leave him fascinated but frustrated. He suspects that Abigail needs protection from something—and that her elaborate defenses hide a story that must be revealed.

My thoughts

Mrs. Roberts is an expert in drawing her readers into the lives that she creates with rich characters that you immediately believe in. A master craftswoman of the written word who not only introduces characters that you know, but she builds the stories with such finesse that they are tangible, living things. The Witness is no exception.

Elizabeth is a character I recognized from both my days as an awkward teen, as well as today as I see this same unhappy dynamic played out every day in my classroom and on my campus. As Elizabeth struggles to find her own identity in her house with her “perfect” mother, rebellion is guaranteed. She veers so far away from the conformity that her mother has imposed, that the consequences are prolonged and far reaching. She soon finds herself in the unimaginable position of knowing that even law enforcement is untrustworthy. Faced with an uncertain future, she begins to run for – and from- her life.

Brooks is a likeable hero. A hometown police chief who finds himself intrigued  by the reclusive and young Abigail Lowery. Certain that things are not as they seem, he finds himself time and again interrupting her seclusion, immersing himself in her life as his feelings develop from mere fascination into love; if only she would trust him with her secrets. As their “relationship” blossoms, Abigail finds herself trusting Brooks more and more, eventually revealing the truth of herself and what she is running from.

I’m not going to tell you any more because I really do not want to spoil this for you, but I can tell you that this is one story you will not be able to put down.

If you have never read a Nora Roberts story before, this one will make you an addict! Set aside a day to do nothing but enter her latest world, and loose yourself in this story of crime, families, passion, and truth.


Product Details

• ISBN-13: 9780399159121
• Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
• Publication date: 4/17/2012
• Pages: 496
• Sales rank: 22
• Available in harback, and ebook formats from Barnes and Noble, Amazon, iBooks
  
  

Danger Zone

Danger Zone                                 

By Dee J. Adams

4 out of 5 Stars

I receive a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Danger Zone is an extremely well written, high energy, high octane novel that bring you along for a fast paced ride as you cheer for the hero and heroine, laugh, cry and wonder who is behind the sabotage that they keep facing.

Quinn Reynolds is a millionaire partner in a Formula One race car design company who is ready to sell the business, if he can get his older brother and partner to agree. In a last ditch effort to convince his brother, he flies to Los Angeles to meet with his brother while in the set of a movie being filmed about his sister-in-laws career as a race car driver.

Ellie Morgan is the stuntwoman who fills in for the star of the movie. Having been a stuntwoman for ten years, she has experienced both the highs and the lows that her career offer, but it is sitting behind the wheel of the racecar that Ellie finds, what she hopes to be, the next phase of her life. Ellie is held back, however, by a secret that only a few know about, something that could affect her future, permanently.

As with every good book, there needs to be conflict and poor Ellie and Quinn seem to have it in spades. The biggest conflict actually serves to help bring them closer together, as they try to figure out who is out to kill them, and why.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes! Definitely, yes. The story never lost its momentum throughout, keeping me in the story through the very end. Would I recommend this book? YES! If you are searching for a, “can’t put down, page turner” then come to the Danger Zone.

                                                         

Product Details

• ISBN-13: 9781426893223
• Publisher: Carina Press
• Publication date: 2/20/2012
• Sold by: Barnes & Noble, Amazon
• Format: eBook
• Edition description: Original
• Sales rank: 110,116
• Series: Adrenaline Highs Series
• File size: 1 MB

SURRENDER

 

SURRENDER                    

By Pamela Clare

Book one in the MacKinnion’s Ranger Series is a beautifully written, strong story set during the Seven Year War. The story of three brothers, born of Scottish blood and spirit, unbelievable character and strengths, the series casts each brother in a featured role and sweeps you into the war that they have found themselves condemned to fighting in.

Iain MacKinnion, a man guilty of nothing more that coming to the defense of a prostitute, is suddenly faced, along with his brothers, with the choice of a hangman’s noose or fighting for the British Crown, a crown he has no love for. Choosing life, Iain finds himself commanding a group of Rangers, a unit that he has picked of Scots and Irishmen alike. A band of brothers, who have united together to become an invaluable force for the Crown.

Annie Burns, born to luxury in the Highlands of Scotland, her family supporters of the British Crown. As tragedy befalls her family, she is placed in the guardianship of her once beloved uncle who she discovers hides a terrifyingly cruel side. His actions have not only branded her for life, but have also forced her across the sea to a life of indenture for crimes she did not commit. Bought by a frontier couple, she once again survives an attack with her life, and in doing so, finds herself at the feet of the MacKinnion Rangers.

Iain and Annie are faced to work as best as they can together while fighting for their lives as they attempt to reach Fort Edward and reunite with Iain’s Rangers. Forced together, they find it more and more futile to fight the feelings that they are developing for one another.

A beautiful love story that has enough genuine emotion woven into the pages, the MacKinnions leave you wanting more of these Highlander men.


                                                       5 of 5 STARS

Overview

Unlawfully charged with a crime and now fighting for the hated British, Iain MacKinnon disobeyed orders and endangered his brothers and his mission to rescue a woman. And though he sensed Annie was hiding something from him, it was too late to hold back his heart...




INFO:

·  ISBN-13: 9781101552445

·  Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)

·  Publication date: 12/6/2011

·  Sold by: Penguin Group

·  Format: eBook & Paperback

·  Pages: 368

·  Sales rank: 22,126

·  Series: MacKinnon's Rangers Series, #1

·  File size: 409 KB

Other books in this series

UNTAMED by Pamela Clare

UNTAMED

 by Pamela Clare

A friend of mine suggested this series to several readers in preparation for a discussion group when the third in the series is released in April She gave me the titles of books one and two, and me being ever so eager to read, promptly went and purchased, downloaded, and read Untamed. Naturally, me being me, I read book two before book one… I know!  Major “Dork” status.  (But at least I know how book one turns out.)

Untamed is set early in American history, during the mid to late 1750’s.  Our hero is Morgan MacKinnion, a Scot who has been –along with his brothers, Iain and Conner- blackmailed into fighting with the British, as one of their specially trained Rangers/ Morgan has led his team of men to a fort that was controlled by the French military when he becomes wounded and captured.

Our heroine, an innocent Officer’s Daughter, Amalie Chauvent who is staying at the fort with the father is soon asked the impossible: to care for and nurse the wounded Ranger back to health so he may be tried and executed for his various crimes in battle.  Amalie takes on the responsibility reluctantly, eventually finding herself developing feelings for the Scot, who represents all that she has come to despise.

During their imposed time together at the hospital, she is asked to investigate him, hoping to use his knowledge of the British armies and their plans to the French advantage. Amalie soon discovers that there is much more to Morgan than she or the Forts Commanders thought.

Would I recommend this book to you? Absolutely! I would, however, suggest reading Pamela Clare’s Surrender (the first in this series, well- first. They do build off of one another, but I had no problem jumping into the story.  So, please, find a comfortable chair,  grab your favorite beverage and a snack, and snuggle up with a hot Highlander for a few hours.

Overview

When he awakens sweet passion in a convent-bred, French lass, Morgan MacKinnon finds himself cursing the war that's forced him to choose between upholding his honor and pledging himself to the woman he loves.

  

• ISBN-13: 9781101553886
• Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
• Publication date: 1/3/2012
• Sold by: Penguin Group
• Format: eBook& Paperback
• Pages: 368
• Sales rank: 27,306
• Series: MacKinnon's Rangers Series, #2
• File size: 480 KB

Anniversary

I can not believe it has been a year since my life made a 180 degree turn. Actually, it began to turn on December 19, 2010, one month and five days after my 40th birthday. It was this date in December that I suffered the absolute worst and horrifying headache I have ever had.  I chose to do nothing about it, I refused to be a weenie and rush to the ER because of a bad headache. I scheduled an appointment with my doctor here in town for the end of that month and I mentioned it to him. Thus, it began.

I was scheduled for a MRI and a meeting with a neurologist. The MRI came back clear, but the neurologist was still concerned with all the possibilities. He called in for another MRI and and MRA, just to be safe, along with countless blood tests.  The blood work was clear, but there, in the MRI, was a problem.

I'm interrupting myself here because there is a family history of aneurisms on my Dad's side. His Mother, my namesake, died of a brain aneurism in the 1950's, when my Daddy was 12. To say it was sudden and unexpected would be an understatement. My Dad's aunt, Lela Mae's sister, has aneurisms in her neck. Now you know.

My problem was that family trait, an aneurism sitting there behind my right eye. Neurologist sends me to the neurosurgeon.

February, 2011
 My Mom went with me to the appointments, my rock. Dr. White listens to the family history and wants to operate ASAP to clip it before it ruptures. I want to wait until May. The school year will be almost over. My students wont need me as much. I needed to see them through the state testing. The doctors and my Mom, I remember then all disbelieving my insistence that I wait. I compromised and told them I wanted to talk to my family and my principal before I schedule anything.  I will just summerize by saying that they all agreed sooner was better than later.  Surgery is scheduled for spring break.

March 2011
The week before my surgery date I am being completely dorky. It is brain surgery, so I cut and color my hair, lest my doctors see my roots. My students, my beautiful, beautiful "babies" have brought me so many cards, gifts, and chocolate! They know I will be out for six weeks, minimum. The DATE is set for Spring Break, March 17, so, me being me, I get a pedicure and have my toes painted a guacamole green color; no pinching me for no green while I am under the knife.

Mom and I stayed in Dallas at a hotel the night before and showed up bright and early for the surgery.  I don't remember much about that morning, except for making stupid, nervous jokes before I go to sleep. Needless to say, I came out fine after. still teaching middle school. still slightly nutty. But I will always celebrate St. Patrick's Day for a different reason