Searching For Someday. Jennifer Probst

I decided to read this book, kept an open mind and kicked skepticism behind. My sole purpose in mind is to be entertained, experienced it at my own pace at my own time. I have no high expectation. I picked the book because of its blurb and catchy book cover which I find classy and interesting. Although I have read much of its reviews from Goodreads with opposing reactions, I wanted to know for myself what the book has to offer for me. Kindle ready, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and delved into the story.

This is the gist. Kate is an entrepreneur and successful in her own way who partly owned and managed Kinnections, a match-making company set up in Verily, with her two other business partners and friends way back in college. After her 100^th date gone bad, she swore never to date again and promised herself to focus more in her business.

Slade is the hot shot divorce lawyer. Accomplished everything he had planned and had his eyes of becoming one of the partners in his law firm. He could get any woman he wanted and be gone after getting laid.

It was opposite poles attract thing. Kate believed in love with happily ever after ending. Slade thought there was no such thing. Kate wanted permanent relationship. Slade liked it temporary. She believed in love. He believed in oxytocin. Both were very aware of their attractions to each other like magnet pulling them together even if they fought it.

The plot was believable for me. Really, it was. Kate could determine if the couples were meant for each other or soul mates. Her troubles started when she was accidentally touched by Slade and that ‘spark thing’ like strong volt of electricity jolted both their bodies and knocked up their primal needs. It was like their hormones gone wild even at a slightest touch. They couldn’t keep their hands off of each other.

They had this push and pull relationship thing. Slade wanted Kate but then he wasn’t sure whether to push the relationship forward and pull out immediately if things turned rough. Kate didn’t want to push things further because Slade couldn’t give what she wanted in a relationship.

This book isn’t for skeptics and cynics because of Kate’s ability. It inspired subtle fantasy, a make believed for someone looking for her soul mate and hoping someday for a relationship with a happily ever after ending. This book is suited for individuals who deep in their hearts could still believe in magic, who could still giggle like a teenager who hadn’t touched yet by skepticism and cynicism.

The story didn’t drag me to sleep. I did finish it at the phase I set for myself. I did enjoy reading it although I didn’t feel like re-reading it again. Why? It’s an enjoyable read, predictable, funny at some point and cute. Really, it isn’t bad to give it a try.

Besides, I got what I wanted. I was entertained and it left me smiling until the last page. It made me think about my present relationship with my man. I was always wondering if he was my soul mate. I kept on thinking if I made the right decision of spending my life with him. Sometimes, we disagree or argue a lot. It was always like that especially during our first two years of being together living under one roof. Back then, giving up was the easiest way out than patching things up to make the relationship work. Now, as I see myself after we were able to pull out that disastrous two years we had, I could only laugh at it. At the end of the day, we were able to compromise our differences. We agree to disagree, patch things up and take it one day at a time. This book reminded me that, “love is a funny thing. There are no guarantees, just the day-to-day and the moment. You make vows, hope for the best, and do your damnedest to love the person you’re with.”

3/5

27 January 2014

Bone Deep. Bonnie Dee

I promised myself not to start reading a new book when I was about to go to sleep. I should have listened more to myself. But then, the ‘itch’ couldn’t stop so I promised myself I could read one more chapter then I would go back to sleep. It’s like addiction, once I started reading Bone Deep, I COULDN’T STOP. I find myself going to the other room so I won’t get caught by my man still awake in the wee hours of the morning.

This book will not make you feel the carnival setting at all. The introduction yes, but throughout the entire story it isn’t. Tom was tattooed from his shaved head down to his toes. Even his face was tattooed. Every part of his body was inked like a canvass full of colors and images each depicting different stories. He grew up in the carnival under Art Reed’s carefully laid manipulated lies, who subject him to constant abuse like starving him so that he could be turned into a human canvass, forcing him to receive ‘visitors’ so that he could be sexually abused and earn him extra food. He was uneducated and worst of all, unloved. He was part of the show where people went to his tent to pay for a quarter and then gawk at his body where only a loincloth covered his private body parts. Then he saw Sarah in front of him, their eyes met and there was this instant connection between them. There was no talking on their part but it was their eyes that do that for them.

He had this deep blue eyes gazing only at her. When he looked at Sarah, I felt like he was also looking at me. It’s like I also felt what Sarah felt when he looked at her. My belly wobbled and my toes sweat. Really, when I read that part, it was like I was with them. Maybe, if I came across a blue – eyed guy and looked at me that way, I would offer him a cup of coffee and let me stare at his eyes until he drunk the last drop of it. Seriously, I might. (So, where are they?) Lol.

It wasn’t a chance meeting. Sarah went to her barn the following morning and was surprised to see him there. She instantly recognized him because the minute she saw him inside that tent, she had never forgotten him; never forgotten his eyes. He didn’t have to talk much to convince her that he meant no harm but it was his eyes that made Sarah instantly trusted him so she offered him a job as her handyman in exchanged for food and bed.

Tom, for me, was sweet, sexy and unique even if he didn’t open his mouth. He’s a quiet man who was deeply attracted to Sarah and couldn’t verbally say what he felt but his mere presence around her and those intense eyes solemnly gazing at her which turned into different shades of blue when he got turned on were like electric current crawling into her skin. It rebounded in to her skin causing her to back away.

“His maleness and his body heat crowded her. It was too potent. He was too potent.”

Oh, man, I was like drooling for Tom the whole night I was reading this. I couldn’t blame Sarah if she fought for something that made her happy even if up to the extent of going against what their townsfolk considered unconventional and ‘sinful.’ Tom was unorthodox in different ways. He was too damaged and she was too lonely. It was year 1946 where wearing a tattoo and a single woman living alone didn’t allow a man in her home was considered taboo. Prejudice from her nosy town people hit them hard when they turned out as lovers. Should I say more about the sexy, steamy, hot scenes in the bedroom and the barn? Well, you have to read this book to find out. I didn’t know how I would describe what I felt while reading those scenes. It’s like I wanted that too for myself though. Lol.

Going back to the story. I felt for him so much my heart hurt when Tom described to Sarah the story he created from that piece of cut out magazine he always carried inside his pocket which revealed how much he loved to have that kind of family he would never have. I felt sorry for him.

I was thrilled towards the end of the book when they have both their HEA. They both deserved to be happy especially Tom considering what he went through all his life. I don’t want to give out everything in this book so I would leave you all guessing. Hahaha!

These are my two wish lists for this book. I would like to hear more from Tom’s POV aside from his short monosyllable answers to Sarah. I would have given anything just so I would know what was he thinking every time he looks into Sarah’s eyes like he is in a state of trance pulling her into his world as if only the two of them exist. It was too short, at least for me. There should be at least an epilogue but nonetheless, Bone Deep will always be one of my favorite romance books.

Lethal. Sandra Brown

I got impatient. So, I cheated. I skipped the part about the assassin’s dilemma and went to reading the last few pages.

“What the f@ck was going on?” I asked myself. I couldn’t believe what I’ve read! I didn’t get it, so I went over it again twice, no, four times.

Then, realization dawned on me.

Now, I’m stuck with this book. I don’t want to go back reading the other chapters I’ve intentionally skipped. All I want is Lee Coburn’s happy-ever-after story! Why is he such a jerk?? Why did he do that to himself?!

Now, I’m broken-hearted. I felt like cheated big time. It left me hanging and feeling incomplete. No wonder some readers loathed this book.

Coburn is lethal in every essence – masochistic, deadly and dangerous. He has to kill or be killed. No pretense, no sugar-coating of reality on his part. He’s just so damned honest to accept death as his final destiny. That’s the best part of reading this book. He made me feel his angst, frustrations and loneliness. It pains me deeply to see him leave like that. I hated him for doing it, but at some point, I realized that’s what he is and should be.

The hopeless romantic part of me hopes that if only he’s been honest with himself he wouldn’t end up alone. But he’s not like that. He’s oozing with courage but deep inside of him he’s afraid of something.

I felt like I wanted to do something for him. But… Nah. I’m so deeply rooted into his character I almost forgot this isn’t real. I couldn’t have Lee Coburn but neither Honor. Silly of me. LOL. I still like this book even if this is quite a sad story.

Dear Unfriend,

Photo courtesy of Jeff Linamen

                When Facebook was first launched I had to rely mostly to your buddy total jerk ‘Block’ to get rid of immediately some people I knew that I don’t want to mingle with intellectually, emotionally and electronically. I know it’s harsh but my account isn’t democracy and I choose pretty much those people I added as Fb friends who could read my random ramblings and witness my complicated twisted moods.

                I appreciate much those people I could read their emotions and thoughts expressing it publicly without hesitations even if those words are bordered beyond propriety. I could only say to them, “Go ahead buddy, kick their ass.” They are not afraid to cuss and be pissed. They have my 100% respect. Reading those words from them showed they are still human after all with flaws. And I like these people. Unlike those people who appeared to be perfect through and through. As my friend jerk Block would suggest, we don’t need each other buddy.

                But you my dear Unfriend, you bring out the best in me. You made me giggle every time I have a candidate and I relish every moment I clicked on you and see his/her name vanished from my list. You made me more considerate unlike your badass buddy Block. With you, I have given them tons of opportunities. But then, I got bored seeing those familiar things, words, and photos over and over again. Even those people I’ve been friends with way back in college could not even return a short ‘hi’ considering what we have shared in years that we were together. I have given them a chance to connect with me. I did not expect him/her to like every post I have. Just a simple ‘hi’ or a ‘poke’ would do. I have watched them the whole year of 2013 use Facebook as their online photo album with those same blurry annoying photos. But still, I kept them in my list.

                I got tons of patience? I know that. That’s why I wrote this. I’m fucking tired of their kind and I’m fucking tired of seeing the same thing. I think I’m fed up already. To cut this short, we will be seeing much this year my dear Unfriend.

                 Love,

                CC

                P.S. Fucking insomnia struck last night and this I’ve come up with. Sorry to those people that will be meeting my frie

nd Unfriend. I know you don’t care much but I’m doing us both a favor. And I don’t want to be a bitch to you. By the way, it’s nice knowing you.

I’ll not be surprised if the number dropped dramatically after posting this. Hahaha

The Fifth Favor. Shelby Reed

My version of Adrian

The cover didn’t do justice for this exquisitely, well written book. It deserved more considering the numerous positive reviews it received from GR reviewers and readers. I won’t elaborate more. YOU have to read this book.

This is about über gorgeous high paid escort Italian man, Adrian. Adrian is an epic seducer, a gigolo. He’s the epitome of every woman’s fantasy in terms of giving pleasure. While reading this, I’m bowled out, blown away, and swept away by Adrian. I want him for myself too! LOL

This is a roller-coaster ride of emotions, toe-curling prose of sensuality, dammit, why can’t I write like that.

My favorite quotes:

“Because of how I feel for you. I won’t cheapen it by buying what you sell to strangers. I’m not a stranger.
I’m the woman who loves you.”

“Walking away from you with a broken heart is easier to handle than selling my soul to make love with you. I’m sorry, Adrian. I might be lonely, and naïve, and all the things you think about me. But I’m also true to myself, and I won’t denigrate my feelings for you.

They’re much too precious in a world that offers so little love.”

Cheesy right? That’s the point. It’s romance. It’s fiction.