Ramblings From This Chick

Monday, March 14, 2016

ARC Review: Chaos by C.A. Harms

Chaos is the second book in the Phoenix Undercover series from C.A. Harms. This book is not a standalone as it continues the story of Josh and Gabby from where the first book, Lies, left off. I have been waiting for this book since I finished Lies, and I couldn't wait to see what would happen after that cliffhanger! It was so good to see more of these characters and I can't wait for book three now!

Joshua Phoenix was used to being an undercover agent and had no problems living the life until he met Gabby. So when a case he is working forces him to not only go into hiding, but to let all those he loves believe that he is dead, he struggles with his life continuing on without him as though he doesn't exist. He knows that he needs to protect Gabby and those he loves, so he does what he has to do. But when Gabby's life is threatened and no one seems to be making any progress, Josh scrambles to find answers before it is too late, especially when someone they all trust could be responsible for everything. Can Josh figure out who to trust and what is going on, or will he lost the woman he loves?

I really loved Josh and Gabby in the first book, and I loved them here as well. There was so much going on in this book, and my heart broke for them! They had already been through so much, and the hits just kept coming here. Both Gabby and Josh were feeling so much, that it was easy to see how sometimes their actions were more from an emotional place than a logical one. Especially when it came to Josh. I felt so badly for them both, and yet at times I wanted to shake them, Josh especially. But the love that they shared was so strong, and I knew that if anyone could find a way through it would be these two. The chemistry between them was as strong here as it was in the first book, but there was so much more of an emotional connection here. I really enjoyed seeing that and how far these two had come.

Overall, I enjoyed this one a lot and I already can't wait for more! I loved Josh and Gabby, but I really came to love Josh's friends and Gabby's sisters here. I loved the roles they played in this book, and I honestly hope we get more of all of them! C.A. Harms is such a fantastic writer, and she always makes the reader fall in love with not only the hero and heroine, but the secondary characters as well. I know with each book I read from her that I will be drawn in right away and that I won't be able to put the book down until I have read the last word. Chaos was really great and even though there isn't a huge cliffhanger here, things are definitely left open ended. I look forward to reading more about these characters and whatever else C.A. Harms writes next. If you haven't read anything from Harms, I highly recommend her books! I have loved everything I have read from C.A. Harms, but the Phoenix Undercover series is shaping up to be one of my favorites from her yet!

**ARC Provided by More Than Words Promotions**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Review: Falling Completely by Aidan Willows

This was my first book by this author and I was really really glad I gave it a chance. I always hesitate about small town romances but this book is proof that sometimes you just have to journey outside of your comfort zone to find some gems.

This is Caleb and Liya's story and is set to be the first in a Starling Falls series, I definitely plan on returning to Starling Falls. Liya moves to Starling Falls when her sister up and decides to take over their grandaunt’s bakery. Liya plans to make her stay short enough to help her sister before she returns to London to fulfill a life long dream of hers. But wait, there's more. Liya's well laid plans of becoming a doctor did not include the smoking hotness that is Caleb. Caleb is my favorite flavor- alpha, persistent, confident and a heart to match his ego. Liya has surrounded herself in military grade defense systems but Caleb (with some help from the supporting cast of characters) is able to work through all of it. For Liya's part, she is fun to follow as a character, between her smart mouth and walls she has built, this is definitely a thrill of the chase story and that's something that I thoroughly enjoy.

So you want to know about chemistry? I'm here to tell you to have no fear. When I started the book, I was like 'aw this is really sweet but where's the heat?' Before I could get the question all the way out, the author de-livers. The interactions between Liya and Caleb crackle with tension and chemistry. The steam is really good and the connection between the characters seems totally genuine. I loved it because you got everything you wanted in this book. It was sweet, it was funny, great character banter and dialogue and then all of a sudden it was smoking hot too. So, a winner all around.

Since this was a new author for me and might be for you, I should tell you that the book is just very well written. I got the impression that the author really thought about what she wanted to do with the plot and the characters and wove it all together in a really compelling way. You won't be bored for a minute. The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars was because I did have a few moments of being annoyed at Liya. I know she had issues but after a while you're like GIRL, get a therapist, take a bubble bath, build a bridge and get over it, sheesh. That one small thing aside, this is a worthwhile read and I suggest you pick it up.

**Review Copy Provided by Author**

Purchase: | Amazon |

ARC Review: Paige in Progress by Brighton Walsh

Paige in Progress is the third book in the Reluctant Hearts series by Brighton Walsh. Each book in this series can be read as a standalone story, though the characters are interconnected. I have really enjoyed reading this series, and I would recommend reading them in order if possible though it isn't necessary. It was great to see familiar faces here, and to get to know Paige and Adam.

Though Paige has a plan for her life that is on track, her love life has always been a bit of a disaster. After a relationship went bad, she has been determined to just have fun with no plans for love. But when she has a one night stand with a friend of her friends, she can't get him out of her head months later. So when Adam shows up back in town, Paige is anything but happy. Especially when he moves into the apartment across the hall and makes it his mission to win her over. Adam has always been a relationship guy, until he met Paige and spent one night with her. So when he comes back for the summer to help his parents, he is determined to get more of the girl he can't get out of his head. But can Adam win Paige over, or will she be determined to keep him at arm's length?

I liked both Paige and Adam. It was nice to see a guy here that had always been a relationship type of guy rather than one that would sleep with any girl he came across. He was a good guy, and I loved that he would do anything for his parents even though it wasn't exactly what he was wanting to do. He dropped everything and came back to help them out, and that said a lot about his character. Paige was smart and determined, and I liked how close she was with Tessa. It was good to see Adam work his way under her skin though, and show her that it was okay to see where things could go and that not all guys were the same. These two had a lot of chemistry and I enjoyed seeing them together.

I will say that this book was a bit repetitive at times with dialogue and thoughts from these characters, and that got to be a bit old. There were also a few things that I had some issues with personally when it came to Adam and his ex-girlfriends as well as Paige and the guys she had been with as well. Though they weren't deal breakers for me, they were things that kept me from absolutely loving the story. I also didn't really understand why Paige seemed to hate Adam so bad or feel so strongly against him when she was the one who wanted them to be a one night stand to begin with, but I have a feeling it was more that she was mad at herself because she couldn't forget about him. It was a bit frustrating as a reader though to see her not liking Adam to begin with for no real reason. I still liked this story a lot though, and it was great to see more of my favorite characters from this series. If you like NA books, I definitely recommend this series. Paige in Progress was a good addition and I look forward to reading more from Brighton Walsh in the future.

**ARC Provided by Bocci PR**

Interview with Author Tracy Solheim

Meet Tracy Solheim author of All They Ever Wanted.

Author Tracy Solheim, a military brat who now makes her home near Atlanta, began her writing career as a teenager when she penned a column in her town's local newspaper. Then, it was on to journalism school and a brief stint with NBC sports. After spending nearly two decades writing reports and testimonies for Congress, she delved into fiction. She lives in the suburbs with her husband, two teenagers, an aging Labrador retriever and a pony named after a monkey. When she's not writing, she enjoys photography, cooking, and reading. A frustrated sports writer, the books she loves to read--and write--feature athletes and the women who capture their hearts.