Where I share my love of books with reviews, features, giveaways and memes. Family and needlepoint are thrown in from time to time.
Showing posts with label Simply Irresistible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Simply Irresistible. Show all posts

Friday, December 9, 2011

Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis (Book Review and Giveaway!)

Title: Head Over Heels (A Lucky Harbor Novel)
Author: Jill Shalvis
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

About the book: Free-spirited Chloe lives life on the edge.  Unlike her soon-to-be married sisters, she isn't ready to settle into a quiet life running their family's newly renovated inn.  But her love of trouble -- and trouble with love -- quickly draws the attention of the very stern, very sexy sheriff who'd like nothing better than to tame her wild ways.

Suddenly Chloe can't take a misstep without the sheriff hot on her heels.  His rugged swagger and his enigmatic smile are enough to make a girl beg to be handcuffed.  For the first time, instead of avoiding the law, Chloe dreams of surrender.  Can this rebel find a way to keep the peace with the straitlaced sheriff?  Or will Chloe's colorful past keep her from a love that lasts. . . and the safe haven she truly wants in a town called Lucky Harbor. 

My thoughts: I was in the mood for a good romance and I found it with Head Over Heels.  I was lucky enough to get to read the first Lucky Harbor novel Simply Irresistible last fall, so I was somewhat familiar with the three sisters, Maddie, Tara and Chloe.  But you definitely do not have to read the previous novels to enjoy this one.  It stands very well on its own.

I really liked Chloe and could relate to her a little bit because of her asthma.  (I don't have asthma, but I do have a respiratory disorder that has caused me to stop breathing a couple of times.)  But despite the asthma, or maybe because of it, Chloe likes to push life to it's fullest.  She is usually the one that is caught doing something that doesn't toe the line, regardless of the goodness of her intentions.  Being raised as somewhat of a wandering nomad by the half-sisters mom has also taught Chloe to always be ready to move and never put down roots.  So when she begins to feel something different coming from Sawyer than irritation, it can only mean trouble. 

Sawyer, on the other hand, was born and raised - mainly by his father - in Lucky Harbor. In his youth, he was also a wild child, but has been sheriff for so many years that he has chained in those impulses.  He has been trying to redeem himself for something that he has felt responsible for from his youth. Combine that with a father who also can't seem to get over his son's shortcomings as a teenager and you have a man who keeps his feelings close to his vest - until Chloe starts to wiggle her way in.

I loved the attraction between these two.  Jill Shalvis definitely knows how to turn up the heat between these two unlikely lovers. There is nothing like a little sexual tension to  leave you feeling a little breathless. We had met Chloe in the previous book, but it was nice to learn more about her here and see some of her vulnerabilites and strength come out and round her out as a person.

I haven't read the second book, The Sweetest Thing, but when I am once again looking for a good romance that I can read fairly quickly, Jill Shalvis will be one author that I will be looking for.

~ I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hachette in exchange for my unbiased review. ~



Time for the giveaway!

Use the rafflecopter form to enter.  If an old form (or no form) shows up, please refresh your screen.  If you still do not see it, or can't use it for whatever reason, please email me at kherbrand@comcast.net  and I will see that you get entered in the contest.  I have 1 copy of Head over Heels to giveaway to one of my reads.  




Friday, October 8, 2010

Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis - Book Review and Giveaway!

Title: Simply Irresistible
Author: Jill Shalvis
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing/Hachette

My synopsis: Maddie and her two half-sisters, Tara and Chloe, have inherited an old inn from their mother in Lucky Harbor, Washington.  For Maddie, it has come at a perfect time as she has just broken up with her abusive boyfriend, which has also left her jobless and homeless.  She is looking for a fresh start and is hoping to make a home at the inn.  Unfortunately, her sisters aren't of the same mindset.  It soon becomes apparent that they want to sell the inn as quickly as possible and get back to their lives.

Maddie pulls into town while almost plowing down a man on a motorcycle.  He turns out to be Jax Cullen, master carpenter, town mayor, and resident hottie.  Of course Maddie finds this out in small doses, and as she has sworn off of men, tries her best to stay away from him.  Jax has some baggage of his own that he has been carrying around for five years, and is surprised at the power of attraction that he feels for Maddie.

In the weeks before Christmas, Maddie, Tara, and Chloe spend more time together than they have in their entire lives.  An affection develops that can only be found among sisters, and as much as Tara and Chloe continue to resist the idea of running the inn together, they grudgingly agree to give Maddie a temporary stay in selling it.

My thoughts:  I really enjoyed reading this book.  It is the first in a new series and of course, is Maddie's story.  I can't wait to find out more about the sisters and see how they are going to fit into the big picture.  I enjoyed seeing the change come about in Maddie and how she learned to stand on her own two feet.  Something I believe she probably did all along and just had not been aware of how much.  The chemistry between her and Jax is palpable and brought to mind the memory and excitement of those first days of attraction that one feels in a new romance. Seeing as how it is set before Christmas, this would be a fun holiday read.

~I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hachette in exchange for my review.~


GIVEAWAY

I have 3 copies of Simply Irresistible to giveaway courtesy of Hachette books. There are a few ways to enter:



1. Sign up to be a follower of this blog - just let me know how you follow. (1 entry)

2. Follow me on twitter (@kherbrand) and tweet or use tweet button below. (1 entry)

3. Comment on any non-giveaway post and let me know. (1 entry)

All entries can be left in one comment, but must leave email address also! Giveaway open to US/Canada only - no PO boxes. Giveaway will end on Oct 29. Winners will have 48 hours to respond. Any unclaimed books will be given away on twitter at that time.

Publisher/Publication Date: Grand Central Publishing, Oct 2010
ISBN: 978-0-446-57161-6
311 pages

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis Blog Tour (9/27 - 10/8)

Simply Irresistible
by Jill Shalvis
Touring Sept 27 - Oct 8

Maddy Moore's whole life needs a makeover.

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.




About the author: 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 www.jillshalvis.com for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountain adventures.

Follow Jill Shalvis on Twitter
Find Jill on Facebook
Visit JillShalvis.com






Simply Irresistible
Publisher/Publication Date: Grand Central Publishing, Oct 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-446-57161-6
311 pages

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...