Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf: Simply Irresistible

Showing posts with label Simply Irresistible. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Book Review: Simply Irresistible by Kristine Grayson

This is a fun story with good characters- the nice ones and the evil ones.

Simply Irresistible

by Kristine Grayson

File Size: 641 KB
Print Length: 326 pages
Publisher: WMG Publishing (March 3, 2011)
ASIN: B004QZ9XYY

Genre: Paranormal Romance
My rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: March 3, 2011
Dexter Grant, the inspiration for the greatest superhero of all time, lives in reduced circumstances. Now he runs a pet store in Portland, Oregon, and privately calls himself a Kitten Superhero because he saves stray animals. He aspires to something greater, but his magic has been restricted—by the Fates.
The Fates, three women who control the magical universe. Only they’ve lost their position, and they’re on the run. They’ve turned to an old friend for help, but that friend is dead. Her niece, Vivian Kineally, runs her estate. Vivian, who doesn’t even know magic exists. Vivian, who loves comic books. Vivian, who also happens to be psychic.
The Fates steer Vivian to Dexter Grant. They want his help. He’s not willing to give it. But now that he’s met Vivian, he’s not willing to give her up either. Dexter Grant must save the Fates—and discover his own fate, all at the same time.
Book One of the Fates Trilogy.

Review:
Vivian is a physic who has always lived a bit apart because of her ability to read the thoughts of others. She has always struggled with her ‘gift’ because most people wouldn’t believe her or they would consider her a freak. Only her beloved Aunt Euginia, assured her it was okay to be different and it would work out. Aunt Eugenia had tried to get Vivian to visit her but Vivian was too busy being independent. Suddenly Aunt Eugenia is murdered and Vivian comes to Portland to administer her estate.

Vivian has boxes of books and papers Eugenia instructed her to read but, before she has time to look at them, Vivian's life is disrupted by frantic knocking. The Fates demand entrance to her apartment claiming they are being stalked and they need Vivian’s help. The Fates are distressed to discover that Vivian doesn’t know who they are and she hasn’t been mentored or prepared for her magical abilities. The Fates have given up their own magical powers and someone really is trying to get to them. There is no time for training but they have to call on Vivian’s skills telling her what to do to protect them, at least temporarily. They send Vivian off to find Dexter Grant who they hope will help them.

Dexter is a mage who has been warned and threatened by the Fates to the point that he lives a stoic, humble life, running a pet store to save stray animals instead of saving humans from bad guys like he would like to. He doesn’t understand why it is wrong to help especially since it wasn’t his fault that some young observers wrote comic stories about his superhero good deeds.

Dexter immediately senses that Vivian is ‘the one he has waited for’. He doesn’t really want to help the Fates but he does want the chance to keep Vivian around. That means getting the Fates out of her hair and then protecting Vivian by uncovering and stopping the evil mage who is seeking to kill the Fates. Dexter has a menagerie of animals to care for as well as hidden dwellings to be revealed.

I discovered quickly that this is a tongue-in-cheek, fun story. Vivian and Dexter are lovely, kind, generous characters and it is a turn of the tables to have the Fates powerless, helpless and pretty much clueless in a modern world setting. The vengeful mage and her bumbling son make for dastardly, nasty villains.

The story has plenty of action, suspense and humor to keep the reader engaged. The writing is an easy style making for a quick read. This story reminded me that I enjoy Kristine Grayson’s light style of mixing fantasy, mythical characters with modern day, real life characters. I would like to read more in this series especially since there are a few loose ends at the conclusion of book one.

I received this title for review as part of the Romance books from StoryBundle - a great bargain based on the five books I have read so far!

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Book Review and Giveaway: Christmas in Lucky Harbor by Jill Shalvis

This is a fun package of holiday romance.
Christmas in Lucky Harbor:
Simply Irresistible/The Sweetest Thing/
Two Bonus Short Stories
by Jill Shalvis

Series: Lucky Harbor (Book 9)
Mass Market Paperback: 800 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Omnibus ed edition (September 24, 2013)
ISBN-10: 1455547530
ISBN-13: 978-1455547531

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: September 24, 2013
Love awaits you in Lucky Harbor . . .

Simply Irresistible
After losing her boyfriend and her job, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim her inheritance-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. She sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if she can give the inn the makeover it needs. Enter Jax, a tall, handsome contractor who knows exactly what Maddie needs...

The Sweetest Thing
Helping her sister set up the family inn is just the thing to make Tara forget her ex-husband and focus on her new life. Until she meets a sexy, green-eyed sailor determined to keep her hot, bothered, and in his bed. When her ex reappears, Tara must confront her past and decide what she really wants.

Kissing Santa Claus
NASCAR driver Logan Perrish returns to Lucky Harbor, Washington, with love in his heart and a ring in his pocket. But can Sandy Jansen forget the past and give him a second chance? Or will Logan be spending another Christmas alone?

Under the Mistletoe
There's no place like home for the holidays. And the Lucky Harbor Bed & Breakfast is bursting with festive lights and good cheer. But for Mia, Christmas is turning out to be anything other than merry and bright. Her recent break-up with her boyfriend Nick has made her return bittersweet. But then a surprise arrives, when Nick follows her to town bearing gifts - and asking for forgiveness.

Simply Irresistible (Previously reviewed at this link.)

The Sweetest Thing
Review:
4.25
Tara has returned to Lucky Harbor to help her sisters and to ‘find herself’ after divorcing Logan, her famous, dashing, race car driver husband. Tara tends to be the controlling, sophisticated and intense sister. She has determined that she needs to take control of her life after a rocky entrance into adulthood and then a high profile marriage where she gave all of herself until she got tired of being alone.

Her rocky teenage summer was spent in Lucky Harbor in a first romance with Ford, who went off to become a world traveling boat racer. Tara was surprised to discover that Ford had returned home and now is owner of the local bar in town. There is history between them that makes them hesitate to get together but the sexual pull still sizzles. Tara doesn’t want a hot re-run of her 17th summer and she isn’t quite ready to think that Ford could commit to something long term.

Logan comes to town to try to win back the love he lost and that gets Ford thinking he doesn’t want to lose Tara now that he has a second chance. As always in the small town of Lucky Harbor the busybodies stick their noses in. The social media buzzes with sneak images of encounters and a poll for which man will win her heart.

The story is fun and steamy. I really liked the warmth between Tara and Ford and Mia entering their lives adds extra complications. The sisters and their beaus add additional interest too. Ms. Shalvis does a nice job of providing characters a reader can root for as they push and pull their way to a happy ending.

Kissing Santa Claus
Review:
4.0
This is a quick novella that brings a happy ending for Logan. It is just short and sassy and a quick, fun read. Logan had a quick affair with Sandy after Tara chose Ford. Then Logan left town. Now he is returning six months later and Sandy isn't sure she wants to welcome him so easily even if her body responds differently than her head.

I’m not sure how I would have felt about it if I hadn’t gotten to know Logan in The Sweetest Thing. The characters are not deeply developed but there is enough there, with enough story to make it a satisfying nugget.

Under the Mistletoe
Review:
4.25
The reader meets Mia in The Sweetest Thing too. There she was a 17 year old who became infatuated with the local, all around errand boy, Carlos, a good looking young man with attitude. But Carlos stayed home in Lucky Harbor while Mia took off for the adventures of college. Now it is four years later and Mia is hoping her college boyfriend, Nick, will join her at Christmas in Lucky Harbor and meet her family and friends.

Nick grew up in foster homes and learned not to get attached or allow others to get too close. He has enjoyed his dating time with Mia but hasn’t really even acknowledged them being together as ‘a relationship.’ He hesitates when she invites him home and she determines that he isn’t ready so she leaves without him.

When he shows up in Lucky Harbor he has to face Mia’s family and old boyfriend too. Will Nick be able to get Mia to move past the hurt he caused and allow them a second chance?

This is another quick short story with two sweet characters. I like the personality that Ms. Shalvis gives to Nick as it is a good and realistic blend of lone wolf confidence and vulnerability. This one doesn’t have quite as much heat as the other books which is okay with me.

As a package of two full novels and two shorts this is a great deal. It offers fun reading for those who enjoy contemporary, sassy to sizzling, happy ending romance.

I received this book from Hachette/Grand Central for an honest review.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for my review Copy.

ENTRY FORM HERE

Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest; OR tell me about another book by this author that you enjoyed; OR comment on the review.

* This contest is open to U.S. address only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on January 3, 2014.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after January 3, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Two New Winners of Simply Irresistible

Chelsea and Marjorie had already won Simply Irresistible so

CONGRATULATIONS

to two replacement Winners of

Simply Irresistible (A Lucky Harbor Novel) by Jill Shalvis

Shannon

and

Victoria

I have emailed the new winners to complete the form.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Winners of Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

CONGRATULATIONS

to the Winners of

Simply Irresistible (A Lucky Harbor Novel) by Jill Shalvis

Thank you to everyone who entered. I enjoyed going through the comments. I wish I could see my two older brothers and older sister more often too - we all get wrapped up in our own busy lives.

I will email the form to be completed by Marjorie, LindaK, Deb, Chelsea and MelissaR within 72 hours from my sending.
I know you will enjoy this book!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Giveaway - Five Copies of Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

If you are ready for a quick, fun, happy read this book will hit the spot!
Simply Irresistible (A Lucky Harbor Novel) by Jill Shalvis

Here is a flavor of the Author's humor and YES - this means there will be more books, and hunky guys, for Tara and Chloe!

"The Dish" for Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

When I started this series about three estranged sisters who get stuck together running a beach resort, I decided I was out of my mind. I don’t have sisters. I have a brother, and we like each other just fine. Then at the dinner table that very night, my three teenage heathens started bickering and fighting, and I just stared at them in awe and wonder.
I had my fodder! “Keep fighting,” I told them -- much to their utter shock, since I’ve spent the past fifteen years begging them to get along.
After that night, it was a piece of cake to write the sisters — Maddie, Tara, and Chloe — their claws barely sheathed, with resentment and affection vying for space.
So then all that I had left to do was find the three sexy guys who could handle them.
It just so happened that, at the time, my neighbor was having an addition put on her house. For six glorious weeks, there were a bunch of guys hanging off the roof and the walls, in perfect line of sight of my office.
Which is really my deck. It’s a wonder I got any work done at all.
So I sat in the sun and wrote while in the background cute, young, sweaty guys hammered, and sawed, and in general, made my day.
And on some days, they even took off their shirts. Those were my favorite days of all. But I digress …
I was working very hard, planning out conflicts and plot pacing and trying to nail down my hero. And given what I was looking at for inspiration, it shouldn’t be any surprise at all that the hero for this first book in the Lucky Harbor series, SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE, turned out to be a master carpenter.
And a very sexy one at that.
I’m actually writing book two right now. I keep going out on the deck, sitting and patiently waiting, but my neighbor hasn’t hired any more sexy carpenters. Darn it.
Perhaps I need a new addition myself!

Author Bio:
USA Today bestselling author JILL SHALVIS lives in a small town in the Sierras also run by quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books are, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill's bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website at http://www.jillshalvis.com/ for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountain adventures.

Follow @JillShalvis on Twitter

Visit JillShalvis.com

THANK YOU TO HACHETTE FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPONSOR THIS GIVEAWAY.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. For your main entry Check out the Author's website and tell me something you found interesting.
Alternate comment: tell me how you got along with your sisters (or brothers) after you were all in your mid twenties or older.
Make sure you leave your e-mail address!

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For THREE extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

4. For THREE extra entries comment on the review post.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

(Eight total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL! Five winners!
* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on October 28, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.

Book Review: Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

This is a wonderfully charming and delightful read!

Simply Irresistible (A Lucky Harbor Novel) by Jill Shalvis

Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Forever; 1 Original edition (October 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 044657161X
ISBN-13: 978-0446571616

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.

Starting over won't be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too.

The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes-and mouth-are making it hard for her to remember that she's sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie's struggles to overcome the past, though she's about to discover that there's no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.

Review: I found this story to be a true delight and just what I needed for a lift up at the time!

This story had a light and easy tone with good humor from the very first. There is a quote to start each chapter - I think I’ve mentioned before that I really like those. The first quote is: “I chose the path less traveled, but only because I was lost. Carry a map.” It took a few pages before I realized who the author of the quotes was and later in the book you learn where the quotes came from and that is part of the fun of the story.

Maddie is a great character. Sweet and quick witted if a bit less than confident at this stage of her life. She so needs a new start and really wants to make a go of the rundown inn. But she has to convince her sisters to help her remodel enough to try to make a go of it. Sophisticated Tara claims that she has a husband and an important job to get back to so she doesn’t want to jump into renovations. Wild spirited Chloe has no money, has allergies to dust and paint (and work in general?) and tends to be footloose, so she isn’t inclined to commit to the project. However, since the place will sell easier if some basic work is done, they agree to get a quote from a local contractor.

The contractor turns out to be the hunk on the motorcycle that Maddie tried to run off the road coming into town. Then she knocked his bike over on her way to visit the local bar her first night in town. Jax doesn’t seem to mind her klutziness but rather immediately falls for her sweet charms. And I can tell you, if I didn’t have my own handy workman, sweet husband of 25 years, I would really want a Jax!!

Lucky Harbor seems to be a rather cool setting with fun establishments like The Love Shack Bar and the Eat Me Café. It may be cold in temperature but that gives cause to get cozy and warm with flirtatious romance. As much as Jax is drawn to Maddie he is keeping some secrets that are going to cause some hot trouble when revealed.

The writing has an easy flow and connections and secrets are revealed bit by bit. Also remember the quotes I mentioned in the beginning of this review? They gave me a new philosophy: "Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late." Don't I wish!

I really enjoyed this fun, light romance. I am hoping there will be more stories from Ms. Shalvis for Lucky Harbor and especially for Tara, Chloe and Jax’s friends bartender/owner, Ford and the local law officer, Sawyer. Treat yourself to a joyful read by getting this book!

xxx

Thank you to Anna and Hachette for providing the book for review and giveaway. If you are lucky maybe you can win one of five copies in the giveaway!