Book Review: Sweet Southern Trouble by Michele Summers

Sweet Southern Trouble by Michele Summers

Publisher & Release: Sourcebooks Casablanca, May 2, 2017

Time and setting:  Present Day, Raleigh, NC

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Length: 352 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flame

Rating: 4.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

An ambitious Southern belle 

Marabelle Fairchild knows she's a gal who can get things done. Feeling unappreciated at the exclusive private school where she's a kindergarten aide and varsity tennis coach, Marabelle determines to score with the next big fundraiser. What she doesn't expect? A smokin' hot football coach to throw her off her game...

A reclusive NFL bachelor...
NFL coach Nick Frasier is Raleigh's most eligible bachelor, but he wants to focus on his career...not his playboy status. He doesn't need a smart-mouthed, pint-sized kindergarten teacher pestering him. So he cuts Marabelle a deal—in exchange for Nick sponsoring a bachelor auction starring him and his gorgeous celebrity pals, Marabelle will pose as his fiancée to ward off unwanted advances. 

What could possibly go wrong?

Buy Link:

https://smile.amazon.com/Sweet-Southern-Trouble-Michele-Summers-ebook/dp/B01MY0NYMD

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31408165-sweet-southern-trouble

Vikki’s Musings

This is the first novel I have read by Michele Summers, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. When I received an invitation from the publisher via Net-Galley to read and review, I hesitated, because I was not sure I would like the heroine. I’m so glad the sexy hero enticed me to accept.

Marabelle Fairchild wants to be accepted by her peers and agrees to manage the upcoming fundraiser for her school. She knows she can gain their approval because she gets things done. What she does not expect is a startling attraction the coach of the NFL football team.

Nick Frasier needs to clean up his playboy image quickly. When he meets the pint-sized Marabelle, she is the perfect answer to his dilemma. Who better than a kindergarten teacher to have as a pretend fiancée?

Can he convince her to go along with his plan to redeem his reputation, and while they are playacting, will she heat up the sheets with him as well?

I thoroughly enjoyed Sweet Southern Trouble from the first page to the last. All the characters are great from the hero and heroine to the teammates on Nick’s team, even the villain of the story adds a lot of humor to this entertaining read.

Much to my surprise, I fell in love with Marabelle immediately. She’s just so darn cute! Her insecurities due to her narcissistic mother called to me in a big way. No wonder she has issues with a mother like that. It did not help that her father goes along with whatever his ex-wife wants!

Nick is a great hero. He’s a fun-loving character who truly wants to change his image, and not just so he keeps his job. He really cares for his team, and he cannot resist his little dynamo. The banter between him and the other characters had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion.

If you are looking for a light-hearted romance with surprising depth of character, then you will enjoy Sweet Southern Trouble as much as I did. While this is the first book I have read by this author, it will not be the last. Happy reading!

Not Quite Perfect (Not Quite series)

by Catherine Bybee

Publisher & Release: Montlake Romance, September 20, 2016

Time and setting: Present Day, Los Angeles, California

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length:  300 Pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Mary Kildare knows how to read people. It’s both why she makes a great therapist and why she refuses to trust the average bachelor. Staying fiercely independent has been her primary relationship strategy—until wealthy playboy pilot (and commitmentphobe) Glen Fairchild reappears in her life. After a yearlong teasing tug-of-war, Mary and Glen test the waters of attraction, only to find that their physical chemistry runs deeper than flirtation.

At first, a bicoastal romance suits them both—especially since Glen can swoop in and whisk Mary away on one of his company’s planes. But no matter how close they get, they’re still three thousand miles apart. And when Mary’s life is threatened, Glen realizes the one luxury he doesn’t have is time. Can he close the distance between them before it’s too late?

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Not-Quite-Perfect-Book-ebook/dp/B01B6E6OKI

Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Not-Quite-Perfect-Audiobook/B01JKD5EKS/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1474903723&sr=1-1

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28809728-not-quite-perfect

Vikki’s Musings

I became a huge fan of Catherine Bybee’s when I read her earlier books in the Not Quite series, which is fantastic. When I received an invitation from Ms. Bybee’s publisher, via Net-Galley, to read this book in exchange for an honest review, I eagerly accepted. I thoroughly enjoyed Not Quite Perfect. This book is in the Kindle Unlimited program, and if you’re a member you can read and listen for free!

Mary Kildare is a reserved therapist and a close friend of romance author, Dakota Laurens, the heroine of Not Quite Forever, another great book by the way. She met Glen Fairchild the year before and was attracted to the player, who just happens to be a pilot. With them living on opposite coasts, she never expected to find herself in any type of relationship, not even a bi-coastal one.

Glen has been attracted to Mary from their first meeting. He finally decides to act on that attraction. After all, being on each side of the country just might be perfect for him. It’s not like the distance will be a real problem when he can easily hop on his plane and be there in a few hours.

As they grow closer and Mary is being harassed by an unknown stalker, can Glen get there in time to save her, or will the distance prove too much?

This is another fast-paced story with great characters and a unique plot. There is a lot of chemistry between Mary and Glen from the start and it only grows stronger as the story unfolds.

Mary is somewhat of a different character. She is not out-going and enjoys spending time alone. She is independent, determined to maintain that way. Yet, when Glen starts up their flirtation, she can’t resist the temptation.

Glen is a great hero. I liked him from the start, even though he is definitely a playboy. I liked his willingness to see where this fierce attraction will lead. He’s a true romantic at heart, but just doesn’t know it.

One thing a particularly liked about this story is the suspense/mystery element. Ms. Bybee had me guessing until the end as to who the stalker actually is. If you are looking for a book that will keep you wondering and sitting on the edge of your seat, then Not Quite Perfect will be perfect for you. Happy reading!

Book & Audio Review: Taming Damian by Jessica Wood

Taming Damian by Jessica Wood

Publisher & Release: ERH Press, April 1, 2014

Time and setting: Present Day, San Francisco

Genre: Contemporary Romance/New Adult

Length:  272 pages

Heat Level: 4 Flames

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

She destroyed me. Can I still love her?

Damian Castillo is the man, the legend, the heartbreaker—the self-proclaimed man-whore that doesn’t believe in love or commitment. That is until he meets Alexis Blythe—the innocent, strong-willed small town girl who didn’t immediately give into Damian’s charm. With Alexis, Damian sees something more than just hot, no-strings-attached sex, and against his inner resistance, he gives into his feelings for her.

But just when their relationship begins to bloom, something unexpected threatens to break them apart. Will Damian leave Alexis and go back to his playboy ways and break yet another heart? Or will Damian’s love for Alexis be strong enough to convince him to stay and fight for a woman that’s like no other he’s ever met before?

New Adult Contemporary Romance **Mature Content** Recommended for 17+ due to mature language and adult situations.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://smile.amazon.com/Taming-Damian-The-Heartbreaker-2-ebook/dp/B00JFGHXPU

Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Taming-Damian-Audiobook/B00LU1QESU

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19327662-taming-damian

Vikki’s Musings

While the story pulled me in, making me unable to stop listening, I did have a few problems. There is a lot of redundancy, even in the dialogue. Some of the plot points do not fit with the first book. Nonetheless, the story is almost addictive.

Normally, I would not like Damian's character, but even though his character is disjointed I did. Now, he is full of angst much of the time, so is Alex. I usually hate stories with a lot of angst, but I must say, it did keep me involved to the point I listened without stopping until the end.

I had to look up a few things because I was not sure if they were realistic. Both issues are possible, so I learned something new. I like it when a book has me so involved, I just have to find out! I know I’m being vague, but I don’t want to include any spoilers.

After the cliff-hanger in the first story, I was not happy because I had to immediately buy Taming Damian! You will want to have this second book ready to read/listen to once you finish the first book. This one is definitely not a stand-alone, you will be totally lost if you have not read the first book.

I enjoyed the narrative by Lynn Barrington. She reads with a good deal of emotion, and truly brings the characters to life. She handls the male voice extremely well. I will definitely be looking for other books performed by Ms. Barrington.

Overall, I found the story riveting, even though it did have a few problems. If you like a book with plenty of angst and drama that will have you chewing on your nails as you wait for the story to unfold, then you will thoroughly enjoy Taming Damian. Happy reading!