Friday, December 28, 2012

Review: The Fix


The Fix
The Fix by Anne Tenino

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Such a typical alpha male reaction.
They always try to fix things first instead of trying to talk about it or ask for help.
Honestly love it! Jurgen is swooooon worthy. And make up sex has never been so hot!



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Thursday, December 27, 2012

Review: FanGirl


FanGirl
FanGirl by Angel Lawson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This book didn't WOW me but it was a very entertaining read. Maybe is just that I'm too old for YA or maybe is just that Zombies are not my thing.
When you've been part of a fandom you've kind of seen it all. The drama, the tabloids, the are they/aren't they, the "He looks nothing like the MC"or any other issue.
I was, at times, having deja vu to some R/K fandom drama, hard to focus on Ruby and Andrew.
Well if you like or enjoy that type of things then you are going to love FanGirl, and even if you don't but you are a fangirl at heart you'll enjoy reading the adventures of Ruby.
Who is just your average geek girl but has her world turned upside down when she is cast as the heroine on the TV show version of her favourite comic book.
The love triangle is very interesting, I really liked the whole insight on the Hollywood lifestyle.
Like I said it was a very funny, entertaining book to read.





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Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Review: Dirty Kiss


Dirty Kiss
Dirty Kiss by Rhys Ford

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This was a great murder mystery story.
The plot was dynamic and engaging, one dead body at the time, by the end you don´t know who is next.
The romance story is almost secondary to everything else.
Cole is a great lead character, with a good background story that amazingly doesn´t get damped on you in one long and boring session. We get bits and pieces as they fit the story or we need to understand some of his actions.
Jae is adorable, as MCs goes he is the perfect boy for Cole.



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Thursday, December 20, 2012

Review: A Vintage Affair


A Vintage Affair
A Vintage Affair by Josh Lanyon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



First time reading this author and I really enjoy the style.
Good mystery, good characters.
Is not common to find a book that is not based on the MCs chemistry or their romance. So it was a good change.
Yes, like many said, the m/f/m scene took me back a bit but it's not a major issue and serves it's purpose.
I adore Jeff, confusions, insecurities and all.



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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Review: The Flesh Cartel #1: Capture


The Flesh Cartel #1: Capture
The Flesh Cartel #1: Capture by Rachel Haimowitz

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



**Please read the warnings and take them seriously**
Not everyone´s cup of tea, very graphic violent scenes, including rape.
Was as captivating as it was disturbing.
I'm still clenching my teeth, and other parts of my body to be completely honest.




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Sunday, December 16, 2012

Review: Home Again


Home Again
Home Again by Cardeno C.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



It had the potential to be an amazing book if it wasn't for the fact that I spent 3/4 of the book confuse by the change in POV and the jumping in time.
Honestly, it was confusing as hell. It took me at least a page in each chapter to figure it out even tho they are identified, still was not enough.
I read it twice, once I got all the story I went back and read it again just to be able to enjoy it.
Other than that, it was a great book. Highly recommend it.
It's a very original idea, great plot and likeable characters, with some interesting twists and surprises.
The writing, other than what I mentioned before, was flawless and engaging.
I really loved Home Again, and I will definitely look into Cardeno's other tittles.



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Thursday, December 13, 2012

Review: Steamroller


Steamroller
Steamroller by Mary Calmes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I blame Mary Calmes for my lack of sleep, I couldn´t put this book down.
I'm a sucker for geek boys getting their HEA and if it is with the hot quarterback even better!
[b:Steamroller|15807197|Steamroller|Mary Calmes|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344455398s/15807197.jpg|21531645] is sweet, sexy, funny, dynamic... I love it.
Even in a short-ish story the author gets to tell us a lot about each character, background and everything. You really get to know them.
Don´t even get me started on the make out session in the changing room...UNF ;)



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Monday, December 10, 2012

Review: Special Delivery


Special Delivery
Special Delivery by Heidi Cullinan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



this book has it all.
I am still out of words. It was amazing.
Such a great story line, the characters development. Sam´s journey was one of discovery, of coming to terms.
Mitch such a complex personality, his silences were louder than any dialogue.
And it should have more warnings!!! the relationships and the dynamics between the MCs and the addition of Randy to the mix...sexy is not enough.
Im probably not making sense here.




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Thursday, December 6, 2012

Review: How to Repair a Mechanical Heart


How to Repair a Mechanical Heart
How to Repair a Mechanical Heart by J.C. Lillis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



What an absolutely adorable book!
I probably have to say that it has a slow start, and if you don't get invested in the Castaway Planet pairing you are going to have a hard time reading it.
Once you let you inner fangirl lose, and start shipping the slash pairing all is good in the world.
If you´ve been part of a fandom you will relate to this book so easily, is amazing.
As for the "real" characters Brandon and Abel, they will own your heart.
I found the idea of the book so very original, the fandom drama, the fanfiction withing the book, the fantasies and expectations. And how everything was related to Brandon and Abel at one point or another.
Great YA book.



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Sunday, December 2, 2012

Review: Saving Sean


Saving Sean
Saving Sean by Con Riley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I din't LOVE it like I did [b:After Ben|15719572|After Ben (Seattle Stories, #1)|Con Riley|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1340510356s/15719572.jpg|21391740] but it's a great sequel to the Seattle Stories.
Being inside Peter's head was such a trip. Honestly he over thinks everything, but it was funny too.
Sean, I'm not sure I even got to fully understand Sean, with all his past, his obsessive tendencies and his insecurities.
What is clear is that Peter was what Sean needed and Sean was what Peter didn't even know he was looking for.
There is a great story line, original and not the typical angst.
I found Peter's Dad to be a total sweetheart, working hard to embrace his differences his his son, and accept him for who he is. Also Peter accepting that maybe he had some responsibility in how their relationship worked i the past.
We get to see Morgan again, and Theo. I love those two together.




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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Review: How to Raise an Honest Rabbit


How to Raise an Honest Rabbit
How to Raise an Honest Rabbit by Amy Lane

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



How to Raise an Honest Rabbit is Jeremy´s story. How he grows into and honest man, and learns that even tho he has a past that he is not proud of that doesn´r have to determine his future.
And along the way, comes Aiden. To hold him, and help him become the man Aiden knows Jeremy can be. The man that will own his heart.
Absolutely adorable, sweet, angsty.
A total bonus, we get more Rance Crawford. His "coming out" scene is a highlight.
As a whole the Knitting series is a great collection, with charming love stories for everyone to get their happy ending.



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Saturday, November 24, 2012

Review: Something Like Winter


Something Like Winter
Something Like Winter by Jay Bell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Something Like Winter is one of those books that makes me wish my English was better and I could be more articulate and eloquent about it.
As it stand, I will do my best with what I have.
When I read [b:Something Like Summer|10213367|Something Like Summer|Jay Bell|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1294956195s/10213367.jpg|15086656], it feels like a lifetime ago, was one of the first M/M books I ever read. I remember liking it, I remember Ben & Jace's love story and wanting them to be together till the end.
Ben's book was a romance, pure and simple.
Now Tim's book was so much more!
Something Like Winter is Tim's story, the same as Ben with told from a new point of new, with new eyes.
Everything Tim did makes so much sense now. Not that it didn't before but seeing it in first person was absolutely amazing.
I cried and cried. And I wanted to hug Tim, so much.
It was so easy for me to go back to these characters I loved so much.
Everything was in my mind, and it was hard at times to read because I knew what was going to happen. I didn't want their hearts to break, but I knew it was coming.
Seeing Tim's journey, his regrets, the lessons learned in the hard way, his coming out...if I didn't love Tim before I would love him now.
How life will test you to the limit, and how you have to make choices that will affect not only you but the ones around you.
Tim learns to be brave, I lesson Ben tried to teach him when he was still a teen. But I guess Tim just wasn't ready.
I have to make a separate note for Eric. This character that we never got to see in SLS, the mysterious man behind Tim's money. Getting to know Eric was without a doubt a highlight in Something Like Winter. Their relationship, their love for each other, was so strong.
And the fact that even without being intimate Eric manage to be the closest person to Tim's heart (apart from Ben of course) A love so pure, that help Tim come out of his shell and work hard to be the man Eric knew he could be.
Even Marcello is a likeable character. I despise Ryan, all over again. But he had a purpose in this story and it worked. Allison was as adorable now as she was before, and it was nice to see how they interact.
I loved the Prologue, and Im glad Jay still gave us a little glimpse into their future. Happy couples are boring (maybe) but we still want to see them live HEA.
After everything these two went trough is the least they deserved.
I am ready to read it again! Crazy, I know.
If you haven't read Something Like Summer yet, please do so before joining Tim in Something Like Winter, it will all make more sense that way.
THANK YOU, Jay! for giving us Tim's story...such an incredible journey.



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Thursday, November 22, 2012

Review: 72 Hours


72 Hours
72 Hours by Clare London

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



WOW! never s dull moment with these two amazing characters.
Tanner and Niall have some serious communication issues, that puts them is a very uncomfortable situation.
Forced to be together after months apart, they will have to talk about their past even if they don´t want to.
But, even if their attraction is a constant during the book, the main plot is not the relationship itself and is interesting and fast. It is not your typical romance.




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Friday, November 16, 2012

Review: Power Play: Awakening


Power Play: Awakening
Power Play: Awakening by Rachel Haimowitz

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



There are still a few things I didn´t like about Jonathan and the way he handle their relationship but I guess we got to a point where they both found what they needed.
The collar scene was a major WTF! moment for me, the communication issues between them, I mean talk first, collar after.
And the ending felt rushed, all the loose ends tied up together in like 2 pages.
All in all better than book 1 and more interesting to read, more complicated scenes.
The writing is so descriptive that you feel the pain in your skin.




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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Review: The Party Boy's Guide to Dating a Geek


The Party Boy's Guide to Dating a Geek
The Party Boy's Guide to Dating a Geek by Piper Vaughn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This book deserves all the stars!
I love it. The whole opposites attract theme. The geek and the party boy.
There isn´t a more perfect match than Fee and Ash.
Seeing Ash, the cute boy who´s never been turned down, struggle to understand WHY Fee was resisting him and how to work around his tactics to get Fee to go out with him.
I laugh out loud, literally.
And I want to hug Fee! So adorable in a very nerdy way...
This book has everything, is funny, is sweet, has just enough drama/angst to keep you going. But above all is about falling in love. *happy sigh*



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Monday, November 5, 2012

Review: More


More
More by T.M. Franklin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I’ve been waiting to read this book for so long!
Finally arrived and took me two evenings to read it, enjoying every bit of it.
Ava Michaels is not your typical stereotype heroine. She is the average college student, with a part time job, a scholarship and failing physics. She has this feeling sometimes that she might be special, but it´s not something that really worries her. She likes her life, her friends, and her family.
Still she has a recurrent dream, a man chasing her. She feels like someone is watching her.
Caleb is appointed as her physics tutor. In appearances he is just another nerd, but he is the one that will show Ava how special she really is and help her accept who she really is.
They have a connection, there are moments between them but the romance is not the main focus of the book and I think at one point that makes it even more interesting. Yes, you kind of hold your breath for the kiss but there is so much going on around them than the kissing can be put on hold.
Ava learns that she might be part of a superior race, one Caleb is part of.
What the superior race was not expecting was to find a very strong minded, very stubborn your woman who will fight them for her freedom. A woman who is not afraid, that will challenge their order of things.
More has the right felling to it when it comes to paranormal, the characters all well plotted and developed.
I really enjoy this book, I look forward to read more from both Ava and Caleb and see where Mrs. Franklin will take them next.




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Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Review: Within Reach


Within Reach
Within Reach by Kaje Harper

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



AMAZING!
I was holding my breath for the last third of the story.
Kaje Harper has a very unique way to write about feelings, sensations, and for this book in particular that is very important.
As I read the last paragraph my skin was cover in goosebumps, that's how good it was.
Short, sexy, angsty enough, perfect.



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Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Review: Men of Smithfield: Adam and Holden


Men of Smithfield: Adam and Holden
Men of Smithfield: Adam and Holden by L.B. Gregg

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Again, another surprise from LB Gregg.
This one is completely different from the other books in the series.
I wouldn´t call it a romance at all, even though there is a relationship between Holden and Adam, but that relationship is not the main focus of the book.
The story goes around a dead body found in Holden´s back yard by Adam, his gardener.
Holden suffers from agoraphobia, meaning he hasn´t step outside his house for several months.
He just can´t do it.
That little detail puts him out of the suspects list, but other coincidences and random people in common with the deceased make up for the mystery and the "Who did it?" question.
When it comes to the romantic relationship in the book, Adam is a great MC. HE is very different, he is unsure, maybe shy. But is that type of guy than when he speaks you have to listen because is totally insightful. When he need to step up and defend the one he loves he will do it without second thoughts.
I really enjoy the story, the drama, the murder mystery. I also liked seeing Tony again, one of my favorite characters in the series.
Holden is a very particular guy, but once you get his sense of humor you are in for some good laughs.
Enjoy!!!




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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Review: Happy Ending


Happy Ending
Happy Ending by L.B. Gregg

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I'm so glad I gave LB Gregg another chance!
Happy Ending is an amazing book.
I love the innuendo of the tittle for starts.
David is such a likeable character, so funny, smart and sweet. I really liked his sarcasm and the way he relate to the kids in this story.
He was to complete opposite from Seth, and that completely worked.
Seth life has been upside down for the last year. Losing his twin sister and being left alone to care for his 6 years old niece was not part of his plan, but it happened and he has to deal with it.
The word family takes a whole new meaning when he meets David and learns that all families are different and opposite to common believe you can chose your family too.
If I have one thing to say about Happy Ending is that is was too short, or at least it felt like that because it was all happening at once.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy from the publisher through NetGalley



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Review: The Road To Byron


The Road To Byron
The Road To Byron by Isabelle Rowan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars




This review can be found in http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?p=15746

[a:Isabelle Rowan|2457566|Isabelle Rowan|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1322528593p2/2457566.jpg] is a favourite author of mine, but I have to be honest and said that The Road to Byron left me wanting more.

The writing is flawless, just like in all her other works. Isabelle Rowan manages to transmit the characters emotions and get the reader involved with their feelings.

In The Road to Byron we have Craig and Matthew, who have been best friends since they can remember. As a “rite of passage” they decided to take road trip to Byron beach. Together with Kelly, Craig´s girlfriend, they embark on the trip of their lives.

Matthew´s background is pretty simple, his mom died a couple of years ago and he´s been living with his dad and his dog ever since, right next door to Craig´s family.

Craig´s family is a very different story. Coming from an abusive home, Craig has always counted on Matthew´s family to be his safe haven. No one knows the real extent of the abuse, not even Matthew. Some things have been left unsaid between these two friends for too long. And without them even knowing they come to an agreement not to discuss them.

So, the trip to Byron will push the secrets out of the closet, in more ways than one.

I really like the dynamic between the three characters on the first part of the road trip. Kelly is absolutely in love with Craig, and is also very sensitive to Matthew´s feelings towards his best friend. Call it female sixth sense, but she is the first one to notice that is more than just a brotherly bond what Matthew feels for Craig.

After a beach party, Matthew meets Damien on the beach. This is a boy he saw from afar the night before but couldn’t gather the courage to go talk to. Light conversation, a swim and some under the water light touches…a kiss, and things changed for Matthew in a way he wasn´t expecting.

Over the next few days, Matthew and Damien share more and more time together, stolen moments and kisses.

Matthew´s discovery of his sexuality is all done in a very sweet, intimate way. Damien is so patient with him and always very concerned about his feelings, never pushing. But there is still one thing that is always in the back of Matthew´s mind, and that is how will Craig react when he finds out.

It happens so fast, one moment Matthew is enjoying the feeling of Damien wrapped around him and the next he is trying to stop Craig from beating Damien. It all comes to the abuse Craig suffered as a child, and the memories were triggered by the image of his best friend with the other boy.

It is the moment of truth for Matthew, the moment his best friend finally knows who he really is. And even if it looks like it will be hard for Craig to accept it, it is not.

Will Matthew be able to embrace who he is and who he really loves, put his heart out there and show Damien he is ready? I really liked Matthew´s relationship with his father, and the way he finally gets to talk to him.

The angst doesn’t last long but it´s enough to have you worried for a minute.

Why did I want more? Well, this is a HFN ending and I was not ready for that.

It feels like it was too short, and a lot of things were left unsaid.

I wanted more, I wanted all the details on the HEA.

All in all a great coming out story, with a lot of potential.





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Saturday, October 13, 2012

Review: After Ben


After Ben
After Ben by Con Riley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I want more. More stars to begin with. More Theo, more Morgan, more lazy mornings in bed kissing...I just want it all.
Is not that it fall short by any means, is just that I grew so attach to this characters that is ridiculous.
I should start for the beginning, no?
Anyway, we meet Theo one of the sweetest guys I ever meet, who lost his partner for 15 years - Ben. The great thing about this book is that we don't get to directly meet Ben, but you see him through Theo's eyes, the eyes of love, and you totally fall for him.
Theo is at that point of the grieving process were you don't know if you should move on or not, his body is ready but his mind and heart are not.
In his real life he has Peter, a very cute paramedic and gym buddy who is the first one to test Theo, and kind of bring him back to the world of the living.
But Theo has a very active on line life, and here I want to comment on how much this comes close to our everyday life if you think about it, anyway Morgan is the one that challenges him on line. The thing with internet is that you can be whoever you want to be and Theo decided that Morgan was another single middle age man.
Here comes one of the main conflicts of this story, Ben was 9 years older than Theo and Theo feels that is a heavy responsibility to date someone younger and maybe leave him behind.
So when all the information he has on Morgan points to the fact that the man is younger than him by several years he feels like he can't have him and experiences another type of lost.
It is great to see how the many details of the plot get together and develop to sort out years of misconceptions and misunderstandings.
But just like Theo, Morgan has a past. Here I must say that Theo is kind of slow to notice, but I guess the important thing is that he finally sees it.
And Morgan is a AMAZING character.
Is a completely different type of relationship for Theo, the life he had with Ben was based on love, trust and companionship. Where he used to lean on Ben for almost everything now he has to step up and be the one for Morgan to lean on.
Morgan has to learn all that from start as he never had that type of love.
I could be talking here all day...and I haven't even mention Evan and Joel, who are another story completely. Young love FTW!
Go read it, enjoy it, cry over it, laugh over it - love it!






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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Review: When Love Is Not Enough


When Love Is Not Enough
When Love Is Not Enough by Wade Kelly

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I’m still heartbroken.
A difficult book to read. A harder reality to face.
I don´t tend to read books with a heavy load of religion in them, I try to stay away from the whole controversy about how God sees gay people.
In this book it took me by surprised and I hated the characters that used religion to hide their own fears and hatred.
When Love Is Not Enough...so much can happen in 6 years of life.
The story is told from 3 different POVs; Matt, Darian and Jamie, the latest being the link between them three.
When Jim decided to take his own life, he left behind a grieving father, a broken best friend and a very lonely and lost fiancée.
Over the years Jim tried so hard to keep both his worlds apart, his straight world where his best friend Matt was his rock and his gay world where he was going to marry Darian the boy he was in love with.
Along the pages of this book, the story gets together between present, past events and diary entries.
What happens is that once Jamie´s world collide the outcome is pretty different from what he ever imagined, and the pull between his best friend and his fiancée is inevitable.
Yes, sometimes is hard to keep the timeline in order, but all the characters voices are pretty clear and once you get to know them is easy to switch from one to the other.
The main question in this book is Why? Why did Jamie did it? Why wasn´t he able to face his mother and tell her the truth? Why he couldn’t say to Matt what he was feeling?
Lots of question that get answered in Jamie´s diaries pages...over 6 years of thoughts, memories, feelings that come together in one last moment.
The writing is superb, the way Wade Kelly portraits these characters emotions, makes your heart ache.
This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time.
I hope the sequel takes us to a happier place, one that does not include Jim´s mother.




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Friday, September 28, 2012

Review: Wellesley Wives


Wellesley Wives
Wellesley Wives by Suzy Duffy

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Bear with me while I get my thoughts in order here.

This is one of those books that left me with a lot to say, a lot to think about, a couple of questions and the feeling that it really doesn't matter what life has in store for you - you can still kick life's ass if you have the right girlfriend, sister, mother or daughter beside you.

I'll be honest, at first I read it as a "Gossip Girl"/ "Desperate Housewives" mash up.
I had issues with the way they view their life and money.

But then I got to listen to their voices, each of the MCs in this story has a unique voice.

Popsy, how to explain how clueless she was?! She had the perfect house, husband and daughters. Nothing was wrong in the world as long as she and her family were save. Well, she was not ready for her life to fall down in front of her eyes. And then she just proves what an strong woman she is. Something she didn't even know herself, because she relay on her husband too much.

Sandra, I love her! I see myself in her (minus the money of course!) She is a strong a determined woman. One that finds herself in a marriage at 40 years old, wanting something that her husband wont give her, a child of her own.
And just like, it sometimes happen in real life, Jack decides that enough is enough and he is in love with a new girl half his age.

Lily and Rosie are Popsy's daughters. Each with their own issues and secrets. They both have to be strong in their own way. One standing up for herself and her own child, demanding respect out of her husband, and the other one needs to let the guilt go and find her own way in life.

If there is one moment not to miss is the conversation between Sandra and Lily, OMG! I was waiting too long for it to happen.

The men in this book, serve their purpose.

Peter, Popsy's husband is the love of her life. A type of love you don't get to experience twice in your life.

Jack, it's been a long time since I hated a fictional character as much but he does have a heart, even if he hides it most of the time.

Matt, Shane and Sven are the ones totally worthy and we don't even get enough of them.

It was amazing to be in each of this woman's minds. Each character gets the space they need, so you as a reader can understand how they think, how they feel.

Thank you Ms. Duffy for a great book! I look forward to read more from you in the future.

I received a free ARC directly from the publisher.




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Monday, September 24, 2012

Review: The Druid Stone


The Druid Stone
The Druid Stone by Heidi Belleau

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Great book!
I really liked Sean as a whole. And Cormac is an amazing character too.
For someone who is such a fan of contemporary [b:The Druid Stone|13751785|The Druid Stone|Heidi Belleau|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1337208175s/13751785.jpg|19385292]is a little bit out of my comfort zone, but as soon as I saw the blurb I wanted to give it a try.
The romance and Sean's and Cormac's relationship takes a step back during the whole story.
Is an adventure, is full of magic.
Half way down the author put your imagination to a test. Honestly, you have to immerse yourself in this "world" and find a way around the new characters and names.
It was different for me, but I truly enjoyed reading it.
Is a perfect book for lovers of urban fantasy. And those who don't want the easy, cheesy romance.
The only one thing that got me upset was the fact the the HEA didn't come easy for these two, and at one point I was doubting it will have a HEA at all!



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Monday, September 10, 2012

Review: Boys of Summer


Boys of Summer
Boys of Summer by Cooper Davis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Hunter and Max are best friends but over the summer they realized that there is more to their relationship than friendship.
And it´s hard on Max, who knows he is gay but has to give time until Hunter is ready.
And is also hard on Hunter, who´s world turns upside down because he is in love with a boy.
Their first time together is so powerful, their love so pure and the connection so strong.
Those moments over the summer will finally give Hunter and Max the strength to face their friends and be open about their love.




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Saturday, September 8, 2012

Review: Breaking Cover


Breaking Cover
Breaking Cover by Kaje Harper

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



not much to say other than I need book 3 right now.
So much going on for Tony and Mac. Their relationship has to face the hardest tests yet.
I really liked how the whole situation was handle by Tony, and the way Mac got to deal with his feelings.
Is not all happy-happy in their lives but they will get trough.
I just want to have more, more from Ben and Anna, more Tony and Mac as a couple and as parents...and I want less Brenda in general.
It was a hard book to read at times, the situation with Ben's custody is not easy, specially because the author portraits Ben's grandparents like so many people in our society - calling names and being the worst type of person they can be.
But I guess it was necessary, to be crude about it, to be real. It was also the last push Mac needed to step out of the closet.
I think the one quote I will take with me is "The hardest thing about coming out, he reflected, was that it was irrevocable." Mac has so much to loose, he is just as scared as any 16yo boy would be, with the added pressure of a life full of lies and the risk of losing not only his job but his daughter too.
All in all a great sequel.
Now I'm ready for the HEA without the drama. But knowing Kaje it won't be that easy and Im really looking forward to read [b:Home Work|15706627|Home Work (Life Lessons, #3)|Kaje Harper|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1339763958s/15706627.jpg|21370466]



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Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Review: Life Lessons


Life Lessons
Life Lessons by Kaje Harper

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Amazing, amazing characters. Honestly both Mac and Tony were so lovable and easy to relate to.
The fact that Tony is willing to go into a relationship with a very closeted man, and Mac in return is willing to let his guard down and love Tony is prove enough of the powerful connection between them.
The turn from Mac being straight to Mac having sex with Tony was too abrupt, but I guess when the one you care about is in a near death situation you have to face your feelings.
I'm not complaining, the moment of truth was HOT. And I guess with all the tension surrounding them with the murders and all...the sexual tension was building up for a long time.
I love Kaje's writing, she has a way with expressing emotions and when you read her stories you get to feel them all.
Once you start reading you can't put them down.



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Thursday, August 9, 2012

Review: Lazy Sundays


Lazy Sundays
Lazy Sundays by K-lee Klein

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Great prompt, great picture...beautiful story.
Both Scott and Devon are amazing characters.
The chemistry between bad boy Devon with all his self-esteem and personality is the perfect opposite for shy, slightly OCD accountant Scott.
Opposites attract and these two are not exception.




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Monday, August 6, 2012

Review: Downtime


Downtime
Downtime by Tamara Allen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Someone needs to get me more stars for this one :)
Tamara Allen is my new favorite author in Historical Romance, without a doubt!
After being introduce to the genre by Ava March I have to day I never expected to love and enjoy historical fiction so much.
Downtime has a mix contemporary with historical introduce by the time travel.
Honestly, for an FBI cop to land in 1888 in the middle of London it was a very amusing time.
Morgan, with his 21st century American language and ways, and Ezra an average Brit gentleman - they are the perfect combination.
I cannot praise them enough.
The love story evolves between Jack the Ripper mystery, broken engagements and ghost from the past.
And Morgan, who is so blind in the 19th about love as he was in the 21st.
It´s a great book, with a lot of research done from the author to mix Downtime with the actual events going on at the time in Whitechapel.
The romance, the love is there but is a very slow burn. There is so much more the story than their relationship that you will have to embrace all the character to fully experience the book.
I shared a few tears, I felt Ezra´s pain. I wanted to scream at Tamara Allen for scaring the living crap out of me! It didn´t last but the feeling was there.
When it comes to Morgan, his sense of humor and his innuendos, in a time when decorum is the norm he totally puts everyone out of their comfort zone and it´s very funny to read.




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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Review: Frustration


Frustration
Frustration by Maddy Linehan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I love this book.
Set in HS Tyler & Conor have a give and take relationship.
But Conor is still in the closet and takes every given opportunity to bully Tyler in public.
How the story develops, we need Jackson to complete the love triangle.
Seeing Tyler and Jackson together sets something in motion inside Conor and is time to face the truth.
Conor is your typical bad boy, but once he gets over the attitude he is one of the most adorable MCs I read in a while.
What is amazing about this is that the book is free. So when I get to read this quality for free is an additional satisfaction.
You will really enjoy not just Tyler & Conor's relationship but the secondary characters are great too! Specially Tyler's best friend Josh. Their dynamic is so funny, Josh is the best friend a boy can have.



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Thursday, July 19, 2012

Review: Lessons Learned


Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned by Sydney Logan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I slept 4 hours, I was late for work this morning and I don’t regret it at all.
Lessons Learned was such an amazing book, I couldn’t put it down. I read it in a day; it was such an emotional rollercoaster.
Where to start? When I finished the book yesterday I was exhausted, I cried my eyes out. *have tissues near*
From the start it was so easy to relate to Sarah, an English teacher who returns to her hometown after a traumatic event in Memphis. Coming back to the small town of Sycamore Falls brings back all sorts of memories good ones and not so good. It also gives Sarah the chance to reconnect with his past and make pace with it.
Lucas in an outsider, also HS teacher who arrives in Sycamore Falls looking for a new, fresh start.
The romance between these two characters is not instant, there is a slow burn. First the strong bond as friends over their past experiences then move into love.
Lucas is the modern version of Prince Charming. Sarah does not need kingdoms and tiaras; she needs a strong, solid partner. Who puts her first, protects her and cherish her as if she were the only girl in the world. And she is the only one for him.
As they relationship grows, there is another story in the background. Matt´s story. One of Sarah´s student who confides in her with a secret that will turn the peaceful Sycamore Falls into a living hell for him, his family and the ones who love him.
I cried so much for Matt, his story was so moving, so real. We are faced with homophobe on daily basis and seeing how our actions can affect these young boys was heartbreaking. The way Sydney Logan shows that you do have to agree 100% with their choice but you should love and support them. Life is hard enough as it is for teenage boys without adding rejection, from parents, peers and closed ones, into the mix.
Sarah and Lucas are faced with a reality that makes them think about their own future, their own kids. Will they be happy in a place where differences are not embraced but condemned?
I honestly think that Sydney Logan manages to portrait our reality in these characters, even today we are face with these types of people.
As for the romance, I could marry Lucas in a heartbeat. When two damage people meet and fall in love, there is nothing more powerful that that bond. Because is not only about love, is about healing, is about hope.
I don’t think I have words left, I just love every bit of it and I hope to read more from Sydney Logan.




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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Review: Bear it All


Bear it All
Bear it All by Deanna Wadsworth

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Love it!
Sexy, hot, sweet at points...a great short story.
The whole may-december theme is a favourite of mine and I truly enjoyed the way the author works with it.
Travis and John are perfect for each other. John is everything Travis wanted and more, and Travis is everything John needed even if John wasn't looking for it.



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Friday, July 13, 2012

Review: Collision Course


Collision Course
Collision Course by K.A. Mitchell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



It might not be the best book ever written but it was fun, entertaining and sexy.
I love Joey´s sarcastic sense of humor and snarky remarks. The topping from the bottom concept taking to the extreme and I found it adorable.
I’m going to file it under my guilty pleasures, and I might re read it later on.
It has a great background story line with very likable characters.




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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Review: Sight Unseen


Sight Unseen
Sight Unseen by Hunter Raines

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



What a great book.
I love a good mystery and author Hunter Raines manages to provide just that, plus the romance between to amazing MCs.
When Daniel loses his sight in tragic accident he also losses his partner and muse. From that moment on the only thing he can see are ghosts.
Logan is assigned to write Daniel´s biography. A book that will hopefully disclose what a fake Daniel is. Unfortunately for Logan, once he meets Daniel he can no longer do what he is supposed to do.
Daniel character is amazing, the fact that he is blind and how the writer achieve to not only show it not as a disability but as something that is part of Daniel´s life and an obstacle that´s been overcome by him.
All the descriptions, Daniel´s behavior and the way he handles himself around people.
Logan is a bit more complicated, but you get to see where he is coming from and understand him completely.
The way their relationship grows and develops into a friendship and a partnership in and out of the bedroom. I really enjoy reading about these two becoming lovers, there is something really beautiful about seeing Daniel trust Logan with his life, even tho he feels there are other intentions in Logan´s interest.
The moment Logan realizes Daniel is not lying about his ability to see ghosts changes everything and puts Logan in a position where he is forced to face his feelings and put aside his doubts.
The mystery flows, the reasons why Daniel and Logan´s life are tied to one another, the new ghosts that are visiting Daniel, everything has a reason and all the loose ends are nicely tied up in the end.




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Friday, July 6, 2012

Review: Cleave


Cleave
Cleave by Mickie B. Ashling

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



When I saw Cleave on NetGalley, I was not aware that it was part of trilogy.
I was interested in the BDSM side of the story, and even though I haven´t read the first two books it was easy to pick up where the story was coming from.
I found Sloan very interesting, and Trent working on the mysterious side.
The Edge play/knife play well plotted and developed. I am not an expert on the subject but considering Sloan´s past I think the author did a great job working around his state of mind and getting him to a better/safer place.
And with a Dom that was able to handle the situation, taking him into that subspace and bringing him back with a positive experience instead of a hurting one.
Sloan is a character that needs reassurance, need to be told that he is worthy and beautiful and that he is loved.
That doesn´t mean he is the weakest link in the relationship, for all his strong personality Trent lacks the strength to face his own emotions and share them.
Cole, Sloan´s ex-boyfriend, has some serious issues. I want to learn more about him, he is an interesting character.
I think it is a great book, my first time reading the author and I really like her style.
Like I said I am not a BDSM expert but the story line is pretty real and has a good flow.
I will be getting the first two books in the trilogy as soon as possible to get the complete story.




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Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Review: Lies and Consequences


Lies and Consequences
Lies and Consequences by Kaje Harper

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I need more stars!
[b:Lies and Consequences|11018562|Lies and Consequences|Kaje Harper|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1302090279s/11018562.jpg|15937869] is one of those books that have been on my kindle for months, so when I started reading it I didn´t know what to expect or even what it was about.
After almost half of it, I went to check Mrs. Harper´s profile and found out more about the origins of L&C.
It´s been a while since a book consume every spare moment in my day.
I wanted to read, read & read some more.
I am in love with Ian, what an amazing character he is. He is not conflicted, very straight forward and OMG so hot and adorable.
Chris, what can I tell you about Chris? He has issues, he doesn´t trust people, he is a compulsive liar; somewhere along the line you learn to care about him and understands him.
The mix with plane crashes, kidnappings, crazy stalkers and other complications make the book interesting.
But it is all about Ian and Chris.
My words will not be enough, go read it!




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Friday, June 29, 2012

Review: Mine


Mine
Mine by Mary Calmes

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Does this book have a sequel? Because I honestly think there are a few chapters missing.
I felt in love with the author after reading [b:Acrobat|13594866|Acrobat|Mary Calmes|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1334035355s/13594866.jpg|19183334]but Mine was less than what I was expecting.
The thing with Mary Calmes writing is that is fast, there is always a lot of information and everything happens at the same time.
Here the fast moving thing was a disadvantage, the whole story got messy.
Landry, one of the main characters, I couldn't relate to him at all. He was too much for me, the bipolar, one moment up, the next down thing got tiring.
After 8 years without seeing his family, they share one breakfast and everything is forgotten and forgiven and we are all having Thanksgiving at Landry's and Trevan's house like nothing happened? Well, I don't think so.
I wish there was more about Trevan, his line of work, his relationship with Conrad and Gabriel, his new role in the betting world...those were really interesting characters.
Overall I enjoy reading it, but I was expecting a lot more.
I will most definitely read more from the author.




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Thursday, June 28, 2012

Review: Gambling Men: The Novel


Gambling Men: The Novel
Gambling Men: The Novel by Amy Lane

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Im still smiling at these two.
Very different from what we are used to with Amy Lane, no tears at all.
I lot of laughs and sexy times and sweet intimate times in bed.
Pillow talk has never been so serious, and I love every bit of it.
There is no doubt that you will enjoy this book if you decide to pick it up. Be aware that there are a lot of poker metaphors in it, if you never played pocket...you´ll be lost more than once LOL
The MC´s have been friends, colleagues and business partners for years but never, not once felt the need to talk about their feelings for each other.
Funny how one of them, Jace, has to almost molest the other one, Quent, in the locker room to finally get them to the point where they can´t ignore those feelings anymore.
What comes after that is a great love story.
The domestic side of this story was adorable, Jace´s need to be looked after matches Quent´s almost maternal instincts, the cooking, the sharing...
And the boys during poker night? Those guys are funny.




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Monday, June 18, 2012

Review: The Angel of 13th Street


The Angel of 13th Street
The Angel of 13th Street by Eden Winters

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I´m out of words, I just love it.
Noah "The Angel" has been working on rescuing lost boys from the street for 10 years. Until one of the boys caught his eye in more ways than one.
Will Noah take that second chance life is giving him and finally let himself fall in love again?
Jeremy is a young boy, who was almost caught in the street life. When the so call Angel comes into his life he knows is not just gratitude what he is feeling, but Noah is scare and the age difference is an obstacle.
One of the secondary stories involves Noah and a former lover, Bill, my heart broke for him. I´m not sure Bill was created to have this effect on readers, but I absolutely hurt for him.
The book has a great pace, things move along nicely.
The author captures those mixed feelings and fears from boys that have been abuse in a way that is real.
There are some minor edit mistakes, but those will not affect the flow of the story.
I already added book 2 to my list, can´t wait to read more of Noah and Jeremy.




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Friday, June 15, 2012

Review: Clear Water


Clear Water
Clear Water by Amy Lane

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Patrick's mind, Patrick's ADHD, Patrick's monologues...everything, every time he opens his mouth is a challenge for Wes.
But I think "Whiskey" is probably the most patient man on the face of earth.
And is exactly what Patrick need to finally stop thinking about himself as a huge fuckup and see that he is worth of Whiskey's love.
THe age difference between them is not an issue, I think is what makes the relationship work. Wes is not only patient but he is more mature and know what need to be done to take care of the one you love. He is so protective of Patrick.
I think my most favourite moment in the whole book was after Wes and Patrick's first night together Patrick going out on deck to thank God for putting Wes in his life. And Wes realizing that he was grateful too.
How sweet is that?
Be ready for a sweet, funny, irrational love story.



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Thursday, June 14, 2012

Review: Acrobat


Acrobat
Acrobat by Mary Calmes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Acrobat was without a doubt one of the best books I read in 2012.
It was like you didn´t know what was going to happen next. A surprise with every turn.
I was talking to a friend the other day and what I said was, there is always something happening. You don’t get pages full of descriptions that lead to nothing more than a pretty picture in your mind.
Nathan is everything you imagine an english professor should be. And still there is this whole other side of his geek, nerdy self that is amazing.
And I don´t think I have enough words to describe Dreo. How complicated and simple at the same time. You don´t need words, Dreo is living example of that. You just need to love and let your family, your loved ones feel it; with every touch, with every moment you worry about them. That´s who Dreo is.




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Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Review: Rules of Engagement


Rules of Engagement
Rules of Engagement by L.A. Witt

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



There was something missing here. I´m not sure if it was the connection or the love, there was something on an emotional level that was missing.
The writing is good, the story flows, the chemistry between the MCs is great & hot...but it was not enough.
I honestly hope the author is working on a second book, because there are far too many loose ends on Rules of Engagement.



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Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Review: Bewitched by Bella's Brother


Bewitched by Bella's Brother
Bewitched by Bella's Brother by Amy Lane

My rating: 3 of 5 stars




Maybe not my favorite from Amy Lane, but a great book anyway.
Honestly you can’t go wrong with her, at least that´s the way I feel.
With Bewitched, we get less angst than what we are used to from the author.
Great MCs, Sebastian is adorable in all his complexity and word vomit.
Asa *sigh* he is so mysterious, quiet and just the perfect opposite for Sebastian outgoing personality. I would have send him to get his hair cut but, other than that, he is a wet dream.
Let´s not forget the kid, Jordan, the reason why I picked up the book in the first place. I was looking for a story with kids in it. I was not disappointed.
Sebastian wants to be young forever, a student going from one University Degree to the other. Not ready to be an adult yet. Or maybe he didn´t find the right person to share his adult life with.
Bella is Sebastian´s best friend and the one that has been with him the longest. She is also Asa´s little sister.
And that is how Sebastian and Bella find themselves moving in with Asa and his little boy Jordan for the summer, after Asa´s traumatic divorce.
What comes next is a journey of self-discovery and not just for Asa who is, according to his own words, a "man virgin"; but for Sebastian too.
Is about finding you place in the world, choosing you family and finally realizing what´s really important in life.




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Saturday, June 2, 2012

Review: By Any Other Name


By Any Other Name
By Any Other Name by Tia Fielding

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



What an amazing book! I'm in love.
I've missed Tia's writing so much, and I've been waiting to get my hands on this book for ages now.
Well, I enjoyed it so much.
The writing was flawless, the MCs where so complex but easy to relate too.
The was she portraits Skye's trauma and recovery, is real, not from one day to the other by magic.
It takes time and you can see all 3 of them struggling.
And not just with Skye's recovery but with their feelings for each other.
You see that the story is heading for a threesome from the very beginning but the development of the story is slow, the author gets to the point where is actually perfect for them to be together because each of them individually are in a place where they can take that next step into the physical part of their relationship.
Their connection and love is strong.
Dru and Thom are just amazing. How they open up their home, life and love to welcome Skye, make him feel safe and loved...beautiful.
The ending, well I just hope she is working on the second book, because if there was one thing that it didnt work for me is that it felt too short!




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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Review: The Soldier


The Soldier
The Soldier by Mark Alders

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I´m glad I´m the type of reader that can´t leave a story unfinished.
After struggling with [b:The Nourisher|10300132|The Nourisher (Borders of Worlds Saga, #1)|Mark Alders|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1295818476s/10300132.jpg|15202098]I´m happy I gave [a:Mark Alders|3050099|Mark Alders|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1336261828p2/3050099.jpg]another chance.
The Soldier was so much better.
Fast, way too fast and with so much going on.
I am not going to pretend I can remember every race´s name or every character, tho Brake and Sern made an impression, I can just say that by reading the Saga you will let your imagination go wild.
It´s amazing how as a reader I get to forget Vernon is a huge 8 legged spider when he is with Drake. I mean, the intimacy these two share, I can´t get my head around it.
I´m also glad I have The Incubator ready on my kindle, because the ending of The Soldier left so many questions open, I was not going to be able to way too long to read the third book in the Saga.
Thank you Mark, for sharing The Nourisher with me back in March, I was missing out on some great sci fy.




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Sunday, May 27, 2012

Review: One Small Thing


One Small Thing
One Small Thing by Piper Vaughn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Such a happy book!
Rue, a flamboyant bartender and hairdresser wannabe, has a one night stand with a girl to confirm he is gay. According to his best friend Dusty there was no doubt but...
The girl turns up 3 months later pregnant with his baby.
What Rue was not expecting was to fall head over heels in love with a girl, his daughter Alice.
But between work and school he can't always look after her baby girl.
Erik, his neighbour, is a very shy, nerd, Star Wars fan and struggling writer.
Who is willing to get over his issues with people and babies an look after Alice while her Daddy is out and about.
What Erik was not expecting was to fall in love with the little girl and her Dad.
I love the story, they way Rue and Dusty help Erik come out of his bubble and show him that he doesn't have to be so lonely any more. That there are people that love him.
This book is about family, not in a traditional sense. One that is there when you need them, one that will stand by you and support you no matter what.
Alice, I think, is the luckiest baby ever.
I love books with children, that show the way two dads struggle to make it work.
One small Thing is about finding love when you were not expecting it. Is about finding family with the most random people in life. Is also about finding your place in the world and take chances.




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Friday, May 25, 2012

Review: Fortune Hunter


Fortune Hunter
Fortune Hunter by Ava March

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I am in absolute awe with Ava March's Brook Street trilogy.
Back in London, two gentlemen with different background.
Julian, just back from America in search of a rich wife to save him.
Oscar has everything money can but, but is still looking for someone to care for him for who he is and not his fortune.
Julian ends up as Oscar's guest finding monetary support, a new status in the society and of course love.
But he is so bind and set on his goal that makes the biggest mistake of his life, letting down the only one who really cared about him.
It takes Julian two years to be worthy of Oscar's love and he does his best to be that man.
I love the characters, the setting, the society bits we get to see.
The intimacy, I can't even.
I'm in love with these stories.



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Thursday, May 24, 2012

Vamos a empezar de a poco...
Hace bastante que tengo ganas de empezar mi propio blog, encontrar mas gente como yo que lee libros en Ingles a pesar de que no sea su idioma nativo.
Compartir los libros que me gustan, la musica y los viajes.
Va a haber de todo un poco, estén listos para mi randomness.
El primer paso está dado, el blog ya nació, bienvenidos a "A Note in the Margin."