MINI-REVIEWS:OFFSIDES (OFF SERIES #1) by SAWYER BENNETT, UNTOUCHED by MELODY GRACE, BROKEN by RACHEL HANNA

Series: Off Series #1
Category/Genre: Contemporary New Adult

Publisher: Big Dog Publishing

Publication Date: 2/21/13
Format: ebook
Pages:
Source: Received from author for review

 

“I'm not sure what possessed me to do it. Maybe it was the impossible expectations I faced, maybe it was my own self-loathing. But I just knew I needed something different to happen. I needed someone...something...to derail me from my current path. Otherwise, I would become lost...a hollowed out shell of a man. So I did it. I approached her, then I pursued her, then I made her mine. And my life was saved...”

Ryan Burnham is the privileged son of a U.S. Congressman and captain of his university’s hockey team. While he is on the verge of fulfilling his dreams to play in the NHL, his parents want him on a different course. One he is expected to accept for the sake of his family’s public image.

Forced her to abandon her music career after the heart breaking death of her parents, Danny Cross exists on the opposite side of the tracks from Ryan. She is struggling to make her own way, working two jobs, attending college part time and volunteering in a homeless shelter. She is on a mission to build her own success.

With a chance meeting, their vastly different worlds collide, causing each to evaluate whether they are truly on the correct path to self-fulfillment and happiness. Can their relationship survive? Particularly when others are against them every step of the way. A lot can happen in just ten short days...

Oh. My. Gosh. I loved Off Sides. LOVED IT! I adore books that involve a love story about two people, from very different worlds, who fall in love against the odds and wishes of others. Off Sides gave me this and so much more. I also got a story about a hot collegiate hockey player, a fantastic heroine whom I adored (and wish I was brave enough to be like), and a love story that made me get all kinds of choked up.

Ryan and Danny were just...sigh... I really adored these two. The author truly brought these two characters to life and made me love, wish, and cheer for them. Ryan was fantastic on so many levels. A collegiate hockey player with an eye on a pro career, the son of a wealthy politician, he could have easily been a jerk, but was so nice that I wanted to smoosh him. Danny, with her eclectic look, who is struggling to get by and without the distinguished pedigree, is the girl he should have never fallen for. But from the moment Danny opened her mouth and totally shut Ryan's horrible ex-girlfriend down, he was done for. I loved to see these two fall in love. That the recognize what they share early on, discuss, and don't fight it, made me so happy as a reader. Off Sides is their story of finding love, and discovering what they will do to fight for it.

Author Sawyer Bennett did a fabulous job with creating such a deep and affecting story in such a short book. I never felt that the story was rushed, or lacking; Off Sides felt complete to me. I only have one problem: I loved Ryan and Danny's story and never wanted it to end!

Go ahead and consider me a huge fan of the Off Series. I can't wait to read Off Limits and Off the Record.

Favorite Quote:

  "Ryan.." she whispers.
  "Sshhh...we don't have to do this tonight," I assure her.
  She gives a slight shake to her head, closing her eyes briefly. When she opens them back up, her anxiety is gone and in its place is desire. It make my heart trip over and my body harden with anticipation.
  "I was going to say that I want you so much it scares me," she murmurs as she reaches on her tip toes to place a soft kiss on my mouth. ~56%


  "Danny, I'm falling in love with you. I just...I need you to know that."
  I smile at him and I can feel my eyes misting. "I'm already there. Glad you caught up."  ~58%

Purchase Off Sides at Amazon 

 

About the author

Sawyer Bennett is the pen name for a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Connect with Sawyer at:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  GoodReads

 

Series: Cedar Cove #0.5
Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: 5/14/13
Format: eARC
Source: Received from author for review

Emerson Ray is trouble. Juliet knows it the minute she lays eyes on Cedar Cove’s resident bad boy. Forced to spend her summer before college in the sleepy beach town, she never expected to crash into the most devastating guy she’s ever met—or for Emerson’s blue eyes to strip through her dark secrets, and make her feel a desire she’s never known. Their connection is undeniable, but Juliet is torn. She knows, once she gives him everything, there’ll be no turning back.

Juliet McKenzie is dangerous. Emerson can tell from the way she blows through all his defenses, laying bare the demons he’s carried alone all his life. He’s left a trail of broken hearts and empty beds in his wake, but Juliet is different. Her innocence is intoxicating—and the passion she keeps hidden, just below the surface. He wants to be the only one to set it free, but with every kiss, he’s closer to losing control and doing the one thing he swore he never would: fall in love.
One summer. Two damaged hearts. Their story is only just beginning…
UNTOUCHED is a prequel novella to the USA Today Bestselling UNBROKEN. It also can be read as a stand-alone story. 

**may contain spoilers if you have not read Unbroken**

 

Earlier this year, I read and adored Unbroken by Melody Grace. Unbroken was dramatic and passionate and sexy, and I was thrilled to be able to see Juliet and Emerson's story from the beginning in Untouched. To truly see how that tragic love story began, and to see that their fiery reunion in Unbroken was inevitable to the passion they share.

 

Untouched was a very bittersweet story. If you've read Unbroken, you know that these two do not have a happy ending...yet. So knowing this, I was so sad because I knew these two were in for a huge heartbreak. But then again, I was also happy, because I got to experience their falling in love. To see exactly how Juliet saw through Emerson's rough exterior to the young man in torment. To see how Emerson saw through Juliet's seemingly perfect exterior, to a girl who is a kindred spirit.

 

Untouched was a beautiful prequel to Unbroken. I love that it can be read before or as a stand-alone, but I think that it is perfect to read after Unbroken, and to be able to see the events that shatter Juliet and Emerson begin to fall into place. Really, really good story! 

 

Favorite Quote:

  It's like nothing I've ever felt before, the desire breaking over us. A tidal wave, a force of nature. Every other girl, all those drunken nights, they melt away under her eager touch and the sweet taste of her mouth, taking me far away from everything. Wiping the slate clean. 
  This is what I was made for, I think through the haze. This girl. These lips. This body.
  Only her.    ~eARC, 33%

 

Purchase Untouched at:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

 

About the author:

I'm a new SoCal girl, and the author of sexy & heartfelt new adult romances. UNBROKEN coming March 13th. I love gelato, red lipstick, and laying out on the beach with a good book.

Connect with Melody Grace at:

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  GoodReads  |  Email

 

Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Amazon Digital
Publication Date: 1/17/13
Format: ebook
Pages: 140
Source: Received from author for review

This story is a contemporary romance in the New Adult genre.

When twenty-four year old Bella Clay experiences yet another major loss in her life, she is forced to come home and become a young, single mother to her seven year old nephew. No one in the small town of Madison Falls knows just how damaged she is, and they certainly don't know her dirty little secret about where's she been for the last two years.

Grant Brady is the local hunk who works as the elementary school PE and history teacher. When he takes an interest in helping Bella start over in Madison Falls, she tries to push him away afraid that he will find out her dark secrets. What she doesn't know is that Grant has a secret of his own.

Will love prevail or will one or both of them run for the hills out of fear?

This book is a novella, so you can enjoy it in just one day! :)

I am a fan of novellas, and of emotional heavy stories, so Broken seemed like a good fit for me. And it mostly was, but I never truly connected with this story. I'm not sure why, actually, except that maybe this was too much story for one short book. I think that there was so much back history for Bella that had to be put into the book to make the reader know just how truly awful her childhood was, and why she made the life choices she did.

I did like the characters in Broken. Bella was one of the most selfless, almost heroic characters I've read. Her love and unwavering devotion for her family was moving. I also really liked her love interest Grant. He was kind and understanding, more than a lot of men could ever be.

Broken wrapped up nice and neatly, made too much so. I just don't think that the fallout from Bella's big secret would be overlooked that easily. Maybe I'm wrong, I actually hope I am about that. But anyway, despite my lack of true connection, I did like and appreciate Broken.



Favorite Quote:

  "You deserve for someone to take care of you, Bella. Let me be that person for you."  ~65%

Purchase Broken: Secrets in Madison Falls at Amazon

 

About the author:

So who am I? My name is Rachel Hanna, and I am a wife, mother of three incredible kids (maybe I am a BIT biased?), two lovable doggies and one cat that lives outside and thinks he owns the world.

I started writing as a young child, and I went into the field of Journalism for many years as an adult. Now, as a romantic fiction writer, I get to live out my own daydreams every single day and share them with readers around the world!

I'm a Southern chick living near Atlanta, so I say "yes, ma'm" and "ya'll", but I wouldn't have it any other way. :)

Connect with Rachel at:
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  GoodReads