A Letter for Annie - Laura Abbot

(Going Back #20)

Paperback, Harlequin SuperRomance #1555, 249 pages

Published April 2009 by Harlequin

The last time Annie Greer saw Eden Bay was in her rearview mirror. And she'd keep it that way if not for the SOS from the only family she has. While she may have come home, she has no intention of reconnecting with the town that thinks the worst of her.

Too bad fate has different plans--namely Kyle Becker. Despite her attempts to avoid him, the attraction between them grows. But can they overcome their shared history? The obstacle seems too great. Then Kyle gives her a letter--a voice from the past--that could hold the key to their future.

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5 out of 5 (via goodreads)

I am so surprised with this novel. I never knew that I would be teary eyed the whole time I was reading half of this novel. It just turned on some memories of mine. It seems that I can relate in such a way. All I can say is that is WOWed me in so many ways. Stirring up emotions from the past can be really painful yet relieving in so many ways.

Annie left Eden Bay, her friends, family and most especially Pete, her boyfriend because of some unsaid and heavy reasons. After so many years, she came back after her dying aunt, Auntie G., summoned her and join her in Eden Bay. Coming back to Eden Bay was hard for her and also for the friends and family that she left years ago. It stirred a lot of emotions since Pete died while she was away and was suffering from hurt ever since she left.

Kyle Becker. Pete's best friend. The man who saw Pete died in the war. The man who saw how hurt Pete was after Annie left. The man who holds Pete's letter to Annie if ever something happens. The man who loves Annie ever since he was a kid. 

I just loved the emotions and all the pain that was pouring out. Loving, letting go, pain, guilt, fear, and forgiveness.. All of the above was all in one novel. You better pick up some tissues to be used while reading this one.

What I like:

* Annie and Pete's love with each other

* Auntie G. and the way she lived her life

More than anything, that’s what I want for you—dreams. A good man to love and who will love you. Someone who will make you laugh, who will hold you close each night, who will give you children and grow old with you. I envy him at the same time that I pray for him to come to you. 
Live, Annie, live!

Taming Mad Max - Theresa Ragan

Kindle Edition

Published (first published April 24th 2011)

Max Dutton, a starting NFL linebacker for the Los Angeles Condors, is certain he’s going to die young since his father and grandfather both passed away at an early age. Believing his life will be cut short, Max tries to live every moment to its fullest. For this reason, Max shies away from forming close relationships. What would be the point of falling in love and starting a family only to leave them as his father left him and his sisters? When Max discovers he has a thirteen-year old daughter though, it throws all his years of planning and preparation for an early death into a tailspin.

Nutrition expert, Kari Murphy, used to think Max Dutton, aka Mad Max, was to die for, but she’s older and wiser now. The last time Kari reacted with her heart instead of her brain, she conceived the thing she loves most in life…her daughter, Molly. As much as she dislikes Max Dutton for taking her declaration of love and throwing it in her face fourteen years earlier, she knows that if it wasn’t for him her life would be meaningless. And that really ticks her off, especially when she’s hired by the NFL franchise to follow Max around for a couple of weeks and give him healthy-eating advice, foolproof facts about carbohydrates and tasteful tips on cooking and shopping smart. 

Kari doesn’t want to be anywhere near the man, but what choice does she have? Her career is on the line.

** Taming Mad Max finaled in RWA’s 2008 Golden Heart competition under the title, Better Late Than Never.

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4 out of 5 (via goodreads)

I am glad that I got hold of this really lovely ebook. The story's nice and cute in so many ways. There were lots of surprises. The characters are so unexpected. The emotions in this story might not be all okay and might frustrate you in many ways but I don't think it ruined everything. It just made it right and realistic.

Max Dutton is convinced he is going to die young because of family history so he just lived his life and became irresponsible with this health. This is why he ended up with Kari Murphy as her nutritionist to help him. The thing is, Max and Kari had history fourteen years before - a night to remember for both of them. The thing is Max didn't even remember Kari at all. The girl that night was simply Dream Girl. Oops.. And what is quite shocking is that they have a daughter Molly. Twists and turns and everything else came as Max discovered the secrets between him and his family and most especially with Kari.

I enjoyed reading this novel a lot because I am always fond with estranged couples with a child involved. It seems to me that second chances are sometimes worth the risk. 

I also liked the secondary characters. There's Lindsay and Cole, best friends of Lindsay and Max respectively. And also the kids in the daycare in which Lindsay runs. And of course, Molly and her little speech of introduction to Max. That was really cool of her to pull something like that. Here is a sneak of Molly's speech..

“As you already know, I was born in June. I’m kind of a tomboy and I’m not the most popular girl in school. But I can curl my tongue and I’m a leftie. My favorite ice cream is mint chip. Most of my friends have started their menstrual cycle, but not me.”

“I think I’m a late bloomer like my mom and you might be glad to know I made the basketball team."

"I like a boy named Grant, who you've met. I took ballet once, but I wasn’t very good at it. I like to play video games and e-mail my friends. I like pizza, but who doesn't? Well, that’s about it. If you ever want to call me and talk, you have my number.”

One thing I really want to say here is that Kari and her friend Lindsay may be quite annoying sometimes especially with their opinions with men. They can be really cruel in some ways that I really don't understand.

As a whole, I like it. The twists are so unexpected and that was pretty good. But I felt, there is something missing and it could have been better in many ways.

What I like:

* Max and Cole

* the kids in the day care

* Molly's speech

“And I suggest we all leave here today without regrets. 
Forgive those who need your forgiveness and praise those who left their mark. Pick one good memory and carry it forth from this day on."

To the Edge - Cindy Gerard

(Bodyguard #1)

Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages

Published May 3rd 2005 by St. Martin's Press 

The daughter of a wealthy businessman, Jillian Kincaid grew up with bodyguards shadowing her every move-and she hated it. Now a TV anchorwoman, she refuses to let another hired thug follow her around. Not even when she begins to receive terrifying death threats. Not even when the bodyguard is the darkly seductive Nolan Garrett... 

Trained in Special Ops, bodyguard Nolan Garrett has been hired by Jillian's father to keep her out of danger. But it's clear from the start that Jillian isn't going to make his job easy. Far from the spoiled princess he expected, Jillian is tough, independent, and totally sexy. And she's fighting him every step of the way.

As Jillian's stalker raises the stakes, Nolan must keep her close if he wants to keep her alive. But being so close can only turn up the heat that's been simmering between them-a heat that could explode into passion at any moment...

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4 out of 5 ( via goodreads )

I have been seeing a lot of positive and well, not so negative reviews from this Bodyguard Series of Cindy Gerard. I got curious and well, I'm glad that I found the time to read the first one, To The Edge. The storyline was great and in fact, I just like the hero so much that I was daydreaming of one like him. Also, the suspense in it is the one that I really admire much in the story. All the time that I have been reading it, I have been thinking of the suspect and yet, I was barking on the wrong tree.

Jillian Kincaid is a famous news anchor/reporter and she was living the life not until a death threat. Her father hired a bodyguard in the name of Nolan Garett, former Ranger and has been dead in the inside after an incident concerning one of the man in his squad that left him blaming himself. 

Jillian hates to have a bodyguard as much as Nolan hates to be a bodygaurd after being a soldier in the war. So much for hating each other, when Jillian ending up making being with Nolan is the only safe place for her and Nolan ending up needing to save her and keep her safe. And the both of them ending up needing and loving each other in the most complicated way, almost...

What I find really amusing in here is that some of the description was inappropriate. Like when Jillian describes the muscles and in ends up always with the word 'sex' like, seriously, does it have to be that necesarry. Well, I think it worked for some of us. 

Also, the progress of the relationship in the story was something that I really, really like. I like Nolan's holding back and forward-backward moves with Jillian. And the kiss was like worth the wait and of course, the 'you know what' ( I don't want to get banned here just because of that word). Everything was really worth the wait. 

What I like:

* Jillian's job

* Nolan's hard and soft attitude

* relationship's progress

“Without illusions. 

I love you because you are fallible and because your poor misguided testosterone-corrupted brain has you doing cartwheels trying not to be. 

I love you because of all you are and because of all you're not. 

And because, no matter what, you are all the man I'll ever need.” 

The Knight and Maggie's Baby - Lisa Mondello

ebook

Published August 30th 2011 by Lisa Mondello

Sometimes fate needs a little help…

Jonah Wallace knows what it’s like to grow up without love. Despite having more money than the Queen of England, his childhood was cold and stale as he grew up in boarding schools. He’s dedicated his life to helping homeless and displaced children find the love and support they need by creating the Haven House Foundation, work that resulted in him being Knighted by the Queen. 

Now that he’s living in America, his work is going along just fine…until his grandfather gives fate a little nudge by insisting he take a wife before he can inherit. 

Coffee shop owner, Maggie Bonelli, is pregnant and the baby’s dad has gone AWOL. She knows too well the pain of growing up without a daddy. So when Jonah Wallace comes into her shop proposing marriage for a year, she takes him up on his offer, even if it’s only for a year. Live in a mansion and give her baby a name and a daddy to call his/her own. But can they keep their perfect arraignment strictly business…or will fate’s helping hand bring them love at last?

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4 out of 5 (via goodreads)

A very cute and lovely read, this is! I also want to add that if you want an easy read, pick this one up. The story is light and you feel that love is one sweet thing for everyone. I can't see anything bad about it but I just felt that there is something missing in it.

Jonah Wallace is a knight appointed by the Queen of England. And despite with all the money and fame, there is still something missing in his life - love. He needs to get married for the sake of the family's estate. This is where Maggie Bonelli comes in the picture. A sudden wedding proposal from Jonah surprised her and well, after the thought that the father of the baby in her belly is now out of the picture, she needs to provide a name for it. She does not want the baby to grow up like her being bullied by other kids just because their is no father. And it was only for a year, so she thinks it won't be a problem.I  Not until the attraction they had with each other grew to something more!

The storyline is really nice. I am impressed with how it was written. So easy to read and so easy to follow. I want to read books like this, no messing with my brain and ending up with a happy sigh because of how the story went.

What I like:

* Jonah's sweetness

* Maggie's heart in helping

“So that's all it takes for a happy marriage? 

Bet we could make a killing with that book.”

Quarterback Daddy - Linda Barrett

(Suddenly a Parent #14)

Mass Market Paperback, 256 pages

Published February 9th 2010 by Harlequin

A party-loving sports figure is not an ideal parent in Alexis Brown's eyes. Too bad quarterback Dan Delito is the only parent her niece has. Alexis isn't in a position to raise the baby on her own, which means she needs Dan's help. And that means she'll have to make nice with the unsuitable man. Fine. 

Much to Alexis's surprise, however, Dan is good with his daughter. He also knows he needs help, so he convinces Alexis to act as a nanny until he gets this parenting thing down. And soon their uneasy friendship changes into an unlikely romance. But can a football player, a lawyer and a baby really make a family?

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4 out of 5 (via goodreads)

Lovely story and full of pain and heart. I am so amazed on how everything turned out in the story. The story is really nice though I have some issues with the heroine. She's kind of annoying but yeah, I think that is part of what she became in life. That just made the whole story interesting for me. 

Alexis Brown ended up with a baby in her life after the mother of the baby/her sister died in a crime. To make ends meet, she had to find the baby's father who is Dan Delito, a famous quarterback and a grieving/almost-alcoholic husband after his wife died. Everything became confusing for the both of them after Alexis was hired as a nanny for the baby and ending up staying in Dan's home. The thing is, Alexis looks like Dan's late wife. Chances are? Yup, from there, a really lovely and emotional love story was made.

Bra-vo! Really! That was fantastic for me. I like that I find the story so beautiful that it hurts. Yeah, like it really does hurt. I am really impressed with how their relationship progressed and not that like what other stories that in one blink of an eye, boom! They are together and totally in love with each other. Aw, well. That was really something. I love it. Their family is a big bundle of joy you would love to envy.

What I like:

* very heartwarming

* nice conflict between the characters

* Alexis and Dan's development

“I want you to remember this—you and I are in this life together. All the way. We don’t run just because we get sacked a few times.”