Showing posts with label Melissa West. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Melissa West. Show all posts

Wednesday, 20 July 2016

Review: No Falling Allowed by Melissa West

No Falling Allowed (No Kissing Allowed #2)No Falling Allowed

Series: No Kissing Allowed
Author: Melissa West
Release date: 18th July 2016
Publisher: Entangled Embrace
Source: Netgalley

Synopsis (Goodreads) My life just went South…

Twenty-four hours. That’s how long it took my life to flip upside down.

Wake up in bed alone after the best night of my life? Check.

Get fired instead of the promised promotion? Check.

Wealthy parents cut me off when I refuse to follow their path for my life? Check.

Now I’m in Cricket Creek, SC—a place where no New Yorker belongs—disowned and broke, with a new job that I can’t mess up. Oh yeah, and staring at my one-night stand, who happens to be the complete opposite of my type.

Southern.

Cocky.

Bartender.

Noah Hunter never should have made it back to my apartment in NYC, and I definitely shouldn’t be in his small town. But fate had another plan. Or a horrible sense of humor.

Who knew Mr. Wrong could feel so right…

Review: 4 ½ out of 5 stars

No Falling Allowed was a one day read for me, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment; it was a feel good, romantic read that had me hooked from the first page. Melissa West is an auto-buy, her books never fail to disappoint.

I loved our MC Grace in the previous book No Kissing Allowed so I was excited to learn that she’d have her own book and paired with smexy bartender Noah Hunter, it was a match made in heaven despite their differences.

Grace is a character that I adored, she is fiercely independent despite her family background and wanted nothing more than to follow her own dreams rather than be forced into a career in her father’s successful business.

Within a short period of time Grace has lost her job, was cut off by her parents and had the best one night stand with a guy who left her without even a note! She was on a bit of a downer until a job opportunity came her way and she ended up in the small town of Cricket Creek and in front of her one night stand, Noah Hunter.

Noah and Grace couldn’t have been more different, they were from different worlds but they connected and he understood her; his life also wasn’t easy, I won’t go into his backstory but I ended up loving their connection and his sexy southern charm.

The setting of Cricket Creek was great! I enjoyed the amazing cast of characters there; they were a nosy bunch but they were close and bought some humor to the story.

This is another fabulous book from Melissa West, her characters and story-lines always draw me in and leave me anxious for more. I am super excited for her next book.

Thank you Entangled Embrace via Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.



Melissa  WestAbout the author

Melissa West writes heartfelt Southern romance and YA sci-fi romance,all with lots of kissing. Because who doesn't like kissing?. She lives outside of Atlanta, GA with her husband and two daughters and spends most of her time writing, reading, or fueling her coffee addiction.

She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and a M.S. in Graphic Communication, both from Clemson University. 

Monday, 20 July 2015

Review: No Kissing Allowed by Melissa West

No Kissing Allowed (Entangled Embrace)No Kissing Allowed

Author: Melissa West
Series: -
Publisher: Entangled Embrace
Release date: 28th July 2015

Synopsis (Goodreads)

No kissing. No touching. And definitely no falling in love...

Armed with her besties, an embarrassing number of shots, and her list of 10 Wild Things To Do Before Adulthood, recent grad Cameron Lawson is partying it up before she starts her dream job at New York's biggest ad agency. Her last task? Hook up with a random guy. And while it's so not her style, the super-sexy guy sitting next to her is definitely game. No names. No details. 

At least, that was the plan.

On her first day of work, Cameron discovers her hook-up is none other than Aidan Truitt—her new boss's boss. Talk about failing the “no fraternizing with coworkers” policy on an epic level. Especially when Aidan makes it clear their one night was only the beginning. Falling for him could cost her everything, but sometimes the only way to get what you want is by breaking a few rules..

Review: 3 ½ out of 5 stars

I am such a huge fan of author Melissa West so I was really eager to read No Kissing allowed, I always enjoy storylines that follow a couple who get together thinking it is a one-off only to run into one another again a short time later and begin to pursue a relationship.

Our main characters are Cameron Lawson and Aidan Truitt, on a night out with her friends Cameron sets out to complete their list of 10 Wild Things To Do Before Adulthood; each of the girls are starting a new job – Cameron as an account manager at an advertising agency so when she meets a guy she knows only as UT guy she was thinking it was just a one night stand, never having done anything like this because she is a commitment girl she is shocked to discover a few days later that UT guy is her new boss.

Aidan is a one off kind of guy, not someone looking for forever because of a fear of commitment; he doesn’t want to end up like his cold-hearted father so he keeps everyone at a distance, but when he meets Cameron she makes him believe there is more to life than his ready thought out, non-negotiable plans.

Cameron was such a likeable character, she reminded me of myself! I could really relate to what she was thinking and going through. Aidan was a sweetheart, such a gorgeous, kind-hearted guy; Their road to a relationship and happiness was filled with many hidden moments as Aidan has a strict no fraternizing rule so there is a fair bit of sneaking around which was a bit of fun. It has great, witty banter, lots of sweet, endearing moments and some great characters! I am really hoping Grace gets her own book.

No Kissing Allowed is a light-hearted, feel good romance; it comes without unnecessary angst and drama which is always welcomed but in saying that there was also that needed ‘something’ to keep things interesting which didn’t eventuate.

Melissa West’s writing is crisp and engaging; she is a wonderful storyteller and writes fabulous characters; the NY and southern setting was also really enjoyable and written well, I liked the contrast of the fast pace to the more relaxed feel. Thank you to Entangled Embrace via Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review No Kissing Allowed.


Melissa  WestAbout the author: Melissa West writes heartfelt Southern romance and YA sci-fi romance,all with lots of kissing. Because who doesn't like kissing?. She lives outside of Atlanta, GA with her husband and two daughters and spends most of her time writing, reading, or fueling her coffee addiction.

She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and a M.S. in Graphic Communication, both from Clemson University. 

Connect with Melissa atwww.melissawestauthor.com or on Twitter @MB_West.


All images/blurb/author details etc. have been copied from GoodReads

Saturday, 14 February 2015

Review: Collide (The Taking #3) by Melissa West

Collide (The Taking, #3)Collide

Author: Melissa West
Series: The Taking
Pages: 320
Release date: 9th Februray 2015
Publisher: Entangled Teen

Synopsis (Goodreads): Military legacy Ari Alexander has survived alien spies, WWIV, and a changing world order. But when the new leader of Earth uses Jackson—the only boy she's ever let herself care about—to get to her, Ari has no choice but to surrender. 

To free Jackson, she agrees to travel to the national bases to train others to fight. What she discovers is a land riddled with dying people. Ari has the power to heal by turning the fighters into aliens—half-breeds like her. If she succeeds, together, they have a chance at overthrowing the alien leader, Zeus. But if she fails, everyone she holds dear will be wiped away forever.


Once again, everything Ari’s come to believe is thrown into question. In a world of uncertainty, loyalties are tested, lies are uncovered, and no one can be trusted. If Ari and Jackson have any hope at survival and at preserving a life for the future, they must fight the final war with their eyes wide open.

Review: 4/5 stars

Contains possible spoilers

I held off on reading Collide because I didn’t want it to end, it’s one of those series you anxiously anticipate because of the climactic ending of the previous book and I am pleased to say I am satisfied with how this series all came together in the end.

Collide begins on Earth, Ari is injured, drugged and disorientated about the events that took place in Hover (I won’t go into detail to avoid spoilers), she has no idea where everyone is, especially Jackson but she soon comes to learn she is being held by Kelvin Lancaster, a lead chemist and imminent war is brewing.

Ari was amazing in this book, she did take on a lot of responsibility and she was more kick butt fabulous but she always remained true to what she believed in; I have always felt she was impulsive and it didn’t change in Collide but I felt her decisions and her actions made more sense; there were many times where my heart broke for her and the forced maturity she had to take on was quite difficult.

The romance for me didn’t start off all that great in the first book but it has grown into one of my favourites! I adore Jackson and Ari together, they complement each other well; they reach out to one another for guidance and protect each other when it is needed, their relationship was wonderful.

There was a lot of action in this instalment; it was a fast paced read with many betrayals and events I didn’t anticipate at all, there is also death and destruction as well as constant questions about Zeus and his crazy evil plans – you could never predict the moves he was going to make or how it would all play out in the final battle. We also learn more about the Ancients and their capabilities which I always enjoy.

Melissa West’s writing always has me hooked, the romance she writes is always swoon-worthy and her story-lines are engaging and entertaining, I feel this series wrapped up nicely and it was great to get an epilogue at the end!  

Thank you to Entangled Teen via Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review Collide.



Melissa  WestAbout the author: Melissa West writes heartfelt Southern romance and YA sci-fi romance,all with lots of kissing. Because who doesn't like kissing?. She lives outside of Atlanta, GA with her husband and two daughters and spends most of her time writing, reading, or fueling her coffee addiction.

She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and a M.S. in Graphic Communication, both from Clemson University. 

Connect with Melissa at www.melissawestauthor.com or Twitter @MB.West 

Gravity (The Taking, #1) Hover (The Taking, #2) Collide (The Taking, #3)

Monday, 1 December 2014

Review: Miles from Kara (Charleston Haven #2) by Melissa West

Miles from Kara (Charleston Haven, #2)Miles from Kara

Author: Melissa West
Series: Charleston Haven #2
Publisher: Penguin/Signet Romance
Release date: 2nd December 2014

Synopsis: (Goodreads)

Kara Marcus is desperate to forget the past and move on. But she can’t escape her choices—especially when she finds herself falling in love… 

Since the first day she stepped into her childhood Southern Baptist church, two truths have been engrained in Kara Marcus’s head: sex before marriage is bad and murder is a sin. And that’s why Kara can never forgive herself for what she did at the age of sixteen.

Now, as second semester of freshman year comes to a close, Kara has stood by her high school boyfriend, Ethan. But as they seem to grow further and further apart every day, Kara realizes that she has feelings for someone else: Ethan’s roommate Colt.

Suddenly, Kara’s clear-cut world shifts out of focus, and she’s torn between what her head tells her is right and what her heart is desperately pushing her to do—even if it means committing another undeniable sin...

Review: 5 out of 5 stars

Miles from Kara was a wonderfully pleasant surprise, with an engaging storyline and relatable characters I was mesmerised from the very first page and finished it in one sitting.

Miles from Kara is Kara Marcus's book, a young girl struggling to move on from an incident from her past, she has regrets and she knows pain but she's also the type of person you'd love as a friend with her kindness, humour and compassion. She is also stuck in a relationship that is going nowhere and lusting after her boyfriend’s roommate Colt.

Aussie Colt was the perfect boyfriend material, smexy, understanding and accepting; I adored his kindness and patience and his devotion to Kara, she could be hard work at times but he stood by her side. The chemistry between these characters was off the charts, they couldn't have been more perfect for one another. All of the secondary characters played a pivotal role in this book, their interactions and the banter between them all was done very well.

Kara is a second year freshman and is still undecided about what she wants to do but knows she wants to help others so she accepts a role at Helping Hands as a counsellor which forces her to face her past decisions when she meets a young girl, Maggie who is 16 and pregnant; Melissa West dealt with the sensitive subjects such as teen pregnancy, abortion and adoption in a way that was believable and compassionate; this aspect was done very well. I also loved the role therapist Rose played and the way she assisted Kara as she had Olivia in the first book, she was a fabulous character.

I would honestly read Melissa West's grocery list! Her writing is brilliant and I am always drawn into her storytelling, whether it is YA Sci-Fi or new adult, it is all fantastic with amazing characterisations and attention to detail. Miles from Kara is a lovely addition to the Charleston Haven series.

Cover: I love the beautiful cover, amazing colouring and the girl is the perfect Kara! I'm not usually a fan of faces on a cover because I don't feel they reflect the characters within the book but this one worked well for me.

Thank you to Penguin/Signet Romance for the opportunity to read and review this title.



Melissa  WestAbout the author: Melissa West writes heartfelt Southern romance and YA sci-fi romance,all with lots of kissing. Because who doesn't like kissing?. She lives outside of Atlanta, GA with her husband and two daughters and spends most of her time writing, reading, or fueling her coffee addiction.

She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and a M.S. in Graphic Communication, both from Clemson University. 

Connect with Melissa at www.melissawestauthor.com or on Twitter @MB_West.

Wednesday, 9 July 2014

Waiting on Wednesday - Collide by Melissa West and Splintered by A.G Howard

 
Hi everyone!! thank-you so much for stopping by today.

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My WoW’s for this week are Collide by Melissa West which is the third book in The Taking series & Ensnared by A.G Howard, the third book in the Splintered series.

Collide (The Taking, #3)
Author: Melissa West
Series:  The Taking
Genre: Young adult
Amazon pre-order
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Release date: December 2014

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

Military legacy Ari Alexander has survived alien spies, WWIV, and a changing world order. But when the new leader of Earth uses Jackson—the only boy she's ever let herself care about—to get to her, Ari has no choice but to surrender. 

To free Jackson, she agrees to travel to the national bases to train others to fight. What she discovers is a land riddled with dying people. Ari has the power to heal by turning the fighters into aliens—half-breeds like her. If she succeeds, together, they have a chance at overthrowing the alien leader, Zeus. But if she fails, everyone she holds dear will be wiped away forever.


Once again, everything Ari’s come to believe is thrown into question. In a world of uncertainty, loyalties are tested, lies are uncovered, and no one can be trusted. If Ari and Jackson have any hope at survival and at preserving a life for the future, they must fight the final war with their eyes wide open.

Ensnared (Splintered, #3)
Author: A.G Howard
Series: Splintered
Genre: Young Adult
Amazon pre-order
Publisher: Amulet Books
Release date: January 2015

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

After surviving a disastrous battle at prom, Alyssa has embraced her madness and gained perspective. She’s determined to rescue her two worlds and the people and netherlings she loves. Even if it means challenging Queen Red to a final battle of wills and wiles... and even if the only way to Wonderland, now that the rabbit hole is closed, is through the looking-glass world—a parallel dimension filled with mutated and sadistic netherling outcasts.

In the final installment of the Splintered trilogy, Alyssa and her dad journey into the heart of magic and mayhem in search of her mom and to set right all that’s gone wrong. Together with Jeb and Morpheus, they must salvage Wonderland from the decay and destruction that has ensnared it. But even if everyone succeeds and comes out alive, can they all truly have their happily ever after?

What are most anticipating this week?

PS. If you are interested in children’s book reviews (3-12 years), I have started a new review blog (with the odd toddler snack thrown in) Here – Little Ones Read