Showing posts with label Ruthie Knox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ruthie Knox. Show all posts

Friday, 20 January 2017

My Ten Most Anticipated Contemporary Romances for the First Half of 2017


The Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge is hosted by Andi's ABCS. As part of the challenge they are setting a different topic every month that participants can choose to join in with which I think is a brilliant idea so you can expect a post like this to appear at random most months throughout the year.

The January Prompt is:
Ten Most Anticipated Contemporary Romances for the First Half of 2017
(Links below will take you to the book's Goodreads Page)


  1. For 100 Nights - Lara Adrian
  2. Mastering Her Senses - Laura Kaye
  3. Madly - Ruthie Knox
  4. Crave Me - Cecy Robson
  5. Rope 'Em - Delphine Dryden
  6. Too Wilde To Tame - Tonya Burrows
  7. Accidentally On Purpose - Jill Shalvis
  8. After I Fall - Jessica Scott
  9. Love in Lingerie - Alessandra Torre
  10. It Started with a Kiss - Marina Adair

Are any of these books on your list? Which other contemporary romances should I be looking out for?

Monday, 26 September 2016

Favourite Types of Contemporary Romance Heroes


The Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge is hosted by Gone with the Words and Love at First Page. As part of the challenge they are setting a different topic every month that participants can choose to join in with which I think is a brilliant idea so you can expect a post like this to appear at random most months throughout the year.

The September Prompt is:
Favourite Types of Contemporary Romance Heroes


Medical Professionals:


  1. Forever and a Day - Jill Shalvis (Doctor)
  2. Hearts in Darkness - Laura Kaye (Paramedic)
  3. Animal Attraction - Jill Shalvis (Vet)
  4. Emergency Engagement - Samanthe Beck (Paramedic)

Builders / Mechanics:
(Guys who are good with their hands *wink wink*)


  1. Simply Irresistible - Jill Shalvis (Building Contractor)
  2. How to Misbehave - Ruthie Knox (Building Contractor)
  3. A Wild Ride - Vivian Arend (Mechanic)
  4. No Flowers Required - Cari Quinn (Handyman)
  5. BONUS BOOK: In Rides Trouble - Julie Ann Walker (This one is kind of a cheat since it's Romantic Suspense but it's really good & it's a whole series of hot ex-marines who are now undercover mechanics!)
Tattoo Artists:


  1. Wrecked - Shiloh Walker
  2. Hard as it Gets - Laura Kaye
  3. Echoes of Scotland Street - Samantha Young
  4. Sins & Needles - Karina Halle
  5. BONUS BOOK: Beyond Jealousy - Kit Rocha (Another cheat, this time for an extremely hot futuristic dystopian story with tattoo artist Ace who happens to be one of my top book boyfriends ever!)

Famous Heroes:


  1. Rock Hard - Nalini Singh (Rugby Player)
  2. Rock Addiction - Nalini Singh (Rock Star)
  3. Lick - Kylie Scott (Rock Star)
  4. Hollywood Dirt - Alessandra Torre (Actor)
Do you have any recommendations for books that fit the above categories for me? Let me know if I've missed any of your favourites, I'm always happy to add more books to my ever growing to be read mountain LOL.

There were a million other tropes I could have included in this list - I love a geeky hero, I'm still partial to the odd billionaire & I definitely enjoy a Dominant alpha male - but I figured this list is already long enough! What are your favourite types of contemporary romance heroes?

Tuesday, 28 June 2016

Favourite Romance Beach Reads


The Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge is hosted by Gone with the Words and Love at First Page. As part of the challenge they are setting a different topic every month that participants can choose to join in with which I think is a brilliant idea so you can expect a post like this to appear at random most months throughout the year.

The June Prompt is:
Favourite Romance Beach Reads
(Links below will take you to my reviews)

I tried to pick books that have a summery feel to them so most of them have a beach or holiday setting but there are a couple that are just really fun and lighthearted so make the perfect poolside read when you're on holiday!

Young Adult:


  1. Pushing the Limits - Katie McGarry
  2. Better than Perfect - Simone Elkeles
  3. The Square Root of Summer - Harriet Reuter Hapgood
  4. Forever - Judy Blume
  5. Saint Anything - Sarah Dessen

New Adult:


  1. Inseverable - Cecy Robson
  2. Come Back to Me - Mila Gray
  3. Slammed - Colleen Hoover
  4. The Secret of Ella and Micha - Jessica Sorensen
  5. While it Lasts - Abbi Glines

Adult:


  1. Simply Irresistible - Jill Shalvis
  2. Roman Holiday - Ruthie Knox
  3. Hollywood Dirt - Alessandra Torre
  4. Sun Kissed - Amanda Abbott
  5. The Pact - Karina Halle

Sunday, 29 May 2016

Underrated Contemporary Romance Books


The Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge is hosted by Gone with the Words and Love at First Page. As part of the challenge they are setting a different topic every month that participants can choose to join in with which I think is a brilliant idea so you can expect a post like this to appear at random most months throughout the year.

The May Prompt is:
Underrated Contemporary Romance Books
(Links below will take you to my reviews)

There are lots of books I want to shout to the world about and get everyone reading but in the end to try and narrow down my list a bit I decided to only include books with less than 5000 ratings on Goodreads (most of these books fall in around the 2-3K mark). I love all of these authors and would happily recommend any of their books, where stories are part of a series the book I've mentioned is the first one but more often than not I've read and loved them all. The Lara Adrian book is possibly a bit of a cheat as it was only released this week but it's still got less than 5K ratings, it's her first self published contemporary romance and I loved it so much that I really want to rave about it!

  1. Ride With Me - Ruthie Knox
  2. Before I Fall - Jessica Scott
  3. Once Perfect - Cecy Robson
  4. Rocky Ride - Vivian Arend
  5. For 100 Days - Lara Adrian
  6. Unbound - Cara McKenna
  7. Come Back to Me - Mila Gray
  8. Sexcapades - Christine d'Abo
  9. Wrecked - Shiloh Walker
  10. Cake - Lauren Dane

Have you read any of my choices? What books would be on your most underrated list?

Wednesday, 27 April 2016

My Top Ten Contemporary Romances Of All Time


The Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge is hosted by Gone with the Words and Love at First Page. As part of the challenge they are setting a different topic every month that participants can choose to join in with which I think is a brilliant idea so you can expect a post like this to appear at random most months throughout the year.

The April Prompt is:
My Top Ten Contemporary Romances Of All Time
(Links below will take you to my reviews)

I've kind of cheated a little because it was impossible to narrow it down to just 10 books! So I've picked my Top books for three different categories, Young Adult, New Adult and Adult. I read a lot less contemporary YA so I've only chosen 5 of those but I've picked my top 10 NA and Adult books.

Young Adult:

  1. Perfect Chemistry - Simone Elkeles
  2. If I Stay - Gayle Forman
  3. Pushing the Limits - Katie McGarry
  4. Saint Anything - Sarah Dessen
  5. The Square Root of Summer - Harriet Reuter Hapgood (review coming soon)
New Adult:

  1. Rock Hard - Nalini Singh
  2. Come Back To Me - Mila Gray
  3. Once Pure - Cecy Robson
  4. Losing It - Cora Carmack
  5. Before I Fall - Jessica Scott
  6. Deeper - Robin York
  7. Ugly Love - Colleen Hoover
  8. Sins & Needles - Karina Halle
  9. Easy - Tammara Webber
  10. Anything but Broken - Joelle Knox
Adult:

  1. Forever and a Day - Jill Shalvis
  2. Ride With Me - Ruthie Knox
  3. Hearts in Darkness - Laura Kaye
  4. Wrecked - Shiloh Walker
  5. The Siren - Tiffany Reisz
  6. Bared to You - Sylvia Day
  7. A Wild Ride - Vivian Arend
  8. On Dublin Street - Samantha Young
  9. 30 Days - Christine d'Abo
  10. Hollywood Dirt - Alessandra Torre (review coming soon)


So what do you think of my choices? Would you pick any of the same books as me? Have I missed off any of your favourites?

Thursday, 31 March 2016

My Favorite Contemporary Romance Tropes/Themes


The Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge is hosted by Gone with the Words and Love at First Page. As part of the challenge they are setting a different topic every month that participants can choose to join in with which I think is a brilliant idea so you can expect a post like this to appear at random most months throughout the year.

The March Prompt is:
My Favorite Contemporary Romance Tropes/Themes
(Links below will take you to my reviews)


Friends to Lovers


  1. Once Pure - Cecy Robson
  2. Before Jamaica Lane - Samantha Young
  3. Wrecked - Shiloh Walker
  4. Falling for His Best Friend - Katee Robert
  5. Let it Ride - Vivian Arend
  6. Rising Assets - Rebecca Zanetti


Brother's Best Friend / Best Friend's Brother


  1. Dare to Resist - Laura Kaye
  2. Rumour Has It - Jill Shalvis
  3. Summer in Napa - Marina Adair
  4. Come Back to Me - Mila Gray
  5. Recipe for Seduction - Gina Gordon
Reunited Lovers


  1. Once Loved - Cecy Robson
  2. Wicked Games - Samanthe Beck
  3. Tempted by the Soldier - Nicolette Day
  4. Rescue My Heart - Jill Shalvis
  5. Homefront - Jessica Scott
Reclusive / Loner Heroes


  1. Ride With Me - Ruthie Knox
  2. Unbound - Cara McKenna
Famous Heroes (Rock Star / Actor / Sportsman)


  1. Rock Hard - Nalini Singh (Rugby Player)
  2. Rock Addiction - Nalini Singh (Rock Star)
  3. Lick - Kylie Scott (Rock Star)
  4. Playing the Part - Robin Covington (Actor)
  5. Hollywood Dirt - Alessandra Torre (Actor) - I'll be posting my review for this one very soon but the story is absolutely fantastic!

Forbidden Romances


  1. Losing It - Cora Carmack (Teacher / Student)
  2. Hard Time - Cara McKenna (Prisoner / Prison Librarian)

Geeky Heroes


  1. Sexcapades - Christine d'Abo
  2. Flirting With Disaster - Ruthie Knox
  3. Playing for Her Heart - Megan Erickson
  4. The Theory of Attraction - Delphine Dryden
Fake Relationships


  1. One Night of Trouble - Elle Kennedy
  2. Falling for the Marine - Samanthe Beck

Two Strangers who meet in the dark 
(who even knew this was a trope? I HAD to include it though since this is one of my favourite contemporary romance novels EVER!)

  1. Hearts in Darkness - Laura Kaye
So those are some of my favourite romance tropes & some of my favourite contemporary romances. These are all books I've recommended to friends and most of these authors are firm favourites. Are there any books in these tropes that I've missed? I'm always looking for new books so recommendations are very welcome. Are there any tropes that you love that I've forgotten to mention?

Thursday, 3 March 2016

Contemporary Romance Recommendations for Newbies


The Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge is hosted by Gone with the Words and Love at First Page. As part of the challenge they are setting a different topic every month that participants can choose to join in with which I think is a brilliant idea so you can expect a post like this to appear at random most months throughout the year.

I know I'm a bit late posting this but it's a great topic so I still wanted to take part! Hopefully I'll get the March topic up in the correct month LOL.

The February Prompt is:
Contemporary Romance Recommendations for Newbies
(Links below will take you to my reviews)

I decided to spilt my recommendations into 3 categories, YA, NA and Adult so that hopefully there is something here for everyone. I've chosen 5 of my favourite authors for each category, more often than not I'm recommending a whole series so there are a lot more than 15 books for you to choose from!

My Young Adult Contemporary Romance Recommendations:

  1. Simone Elkeles - Perfect Chemistry Trilogy
  2. Cat Clark - A Kiss in the Dark
  3. Katie McGarry - Pushing the Limits series
  4. Morgan Matson - Amy & Roger's Epic Detour
  5. Sarah Dessen - Saint Anything
My New Adult Contemporary Romance Recommendations:

  1. Nalini Singh - Rock Kiss series
  2. Cecy Robson - Shattered Past & O'Brien Family series
  3. Mila Grey - Come Back to Me series
  4. Colleen Hoover - ANYTHING she writes!
  5. Cora Carmack - Losing It
My Adult Contemporary Romance Recommendations: 
So what do you think of my choices? Do any of these make your list? Are there any books I've not mentioned that you think are must reads?

Saturday, 27 December 2014

Review: Roman Holiday: The Complete Adventure - Ruthie Knox

The wait is over with this eBook bundle that includes all ten episodes of Ruthie Knox’s steamy, irresistible serial, Roman Holiday. Like all the greatest road trips, Ashley and Roman’s journey is full of unforgettable twists and turns. But what’s their final destination?

EPISODE 1: CHAINED
EPISODE 2: HITCHED
EPISODE 3: BLINDSIDED
EPISODE 4: RAVAGED
EPISODE 5: IGNITED
EPISODE 6: MISTAKEN
EPISODE 7: RENOUNCED
EPISODE 8: STRIPPED
EPISODE 9: TRANSFORMED
EPISODE 10: CLAIMED

Ashley Bowman has always been impetuous, but even she is a little shocked when she chains herself to a palm tree in the Florida Keys hours before a hurricane is due to blow in. It’s all with the hope of saving her childhood home from a heartless Miami developer. But the moment she meets Roman Díaz she realizes he does have a heart—it’s just encased in ice. Ashley’s determined to get Roman to crack . . . even if she has to drag him all over the eastern seaboard to do it.

Roman can hardly believe he’s been talked into driving across the country with this brazen wild child in a skimpy bikini. He tells himself he had no choice—Ashley insists he meets the elderly snowbirds whose community will be displaced by his career-making development deal. But in truth he knows that there’s something about Ashley that makes him want to get a little wild himself . . . and the closer they get, the more tempted he becomes.

Roman Holiday:
Chained (Episode 1)
Hitched (Episode 2)
Blindsided (Episode 3)
Ravaged (Episode 4)
Ignited (Episode 5)
Roman Holiday: The Adventure Begins (Bind up of episodes 1-5)
Roman Holiday: The Adventure Continues (Bind up of episodes 5-10)
Roman Holiday: The Complete Adventure (Bind up of episodes 1-10)

Visit Ruthie Knox's website for more information.

Review:
I read the first five episodes of Roman Holiday last year when they were first released as individual ebooks but even though I really enjoyed them for some reason I never quite got around to reading the second half of the story. I think it's probably because there was a gap between the ebook releases and by the time the second half of the story had published it had been dropped down on my to read pile thanks to all the new books I'd discovered during the break. I'm glad that I decided to come back to the story though because I always love Ruthie Knox's writing and this story is no exception. I actually started the story from the beginning again which is a good thing because there was so much I'd forgotten about both Roman and Ashley.

These two characters are complete opposites, Ashley is a free spirit who spends her time flitting from one job to the next, travelling the world and collecting friends along the way. She never had much of a relationship with either of her parents and her grandmother was the only person who was ever there for her so she is shocked and horrified to discover after her grandmother's death that her grandmother planned to close the apartment complex that Ashley has always considered home and that she actually sold the plot to Roman so he could develop the land. Ashley doesn't want to see her home destroyed and she will do whatever it takes to change Roman's mind.

Roman is a very buttoned up and straight laced type of guy, he likes order and routine, hates being out of control and he also has a lot of time and money riding on the development of a major new complex on the Florida Keys. Roman has spent years trying to become "respectable" and is terrified that Ashley is going to come along and ruin all his plans.

On the surface the pair are a match made in hell, they have hardly anything in common and they both have completely different hopes and dreams for their futures. However that saying "opposites attract" is perfect on this occasion. The attraction between them is pretty much instant despite the fact they're on opposite sides of a war over the apartment complex and once they start to get to know each other they realise that they aren't quite so different when it comes to the important things. I love the way this couple balance each other out. Ashley teaches Roman to loosen up a bit, he's far too serious without her and probably heading for an ulcer or a heart attack if he doesn't learn to have a bit more fun. Ashley on the other hand has a far too haphazard approach to life, she needs to settle down just a little and start planning for the future rather than just flying by the seat of her pants from one mess into the next. Together they bring out each other's best qualities and tone down some of the worst and they make a surprisingly well matched couple. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship blossom and it happened slowly enough that it was completely believable.

This is another great story from Ruthie Knox, she's an auto-buy author for me when it comes to sweet and sexy contemporary romances - her stories never fail to make me laugh out loud and she has a knack for writing about slightly unusual and messed up characters. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Source: Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Kindle:

Saturday, 26 July 2014

Review: Summer Rain - Anthology

What happens when love gets caught in the rain?

In this romance anthology, RITA-Award winning author Molly O’Keefe shows us the power of a city thunderstorm from the top of a skyscraper, while Amy Jo Cousins soaks us in a rain in Spain. New York Times bestselling author Ruthie Knox’s heroine is devastated by a winter storm, while a summer thunderstorm grants Alexandra Haughton’s hero and heroine a second chance at love. Rain sparks self-awareness in the robot in Charlotte Stein’s story and allows Mary Ann Rivers’s heroine to fall in love with her hero and her own art. Rain causes romance between the college students in Audra North’s and Shari Slade’s stories, while romance causes rain in Cecilia Tan’s myth-inspired tale of a sacrifice to a demi-god. Nine romance novelettes, edited by Sarah Frantz.

All proceeds from the volume will be donated to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (www.rainn.org), the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the United States.

Visit the Summer Rain page on Goodreads for more information

Review:
Summer Rain is a romance anthology containing nine stories from authors who are all donating 100% of the proceeds to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) which is the largest anti-sexual violence organisation in America. Personally I think it's worth buying the anthology for that fact alone and I can't applaud these authors enough for giving their time to such a worthy cause.

The anthology contains a wide selection of stories, most with a contemporary setting although there are a couple of sci-fi / fantasy stories too that were an unexpected but pleasant surprise. These stories look at all kinds of relationships - from friends with benefits, to a marriage on the rocks and even a virgin sacrifice. All of the characters have different fears, desires or needs but they are all looking for something that has been missing from their lives before. Not all of the stories contain a happily ever after but most of them at least end with a happy for now.

I wanted to read this anthology because I'm a huge fan of Ruthie Knox but I enjoyed getting the chance to try stories by Molly O'Keefe, Cecilia Tan, Charlotte Stein, Mary Ann Rivers, Amy Jo Cousins, Audra North, Shari Slade & Alexandra Haughton and have definitely discovered some new authors that I'm keen to read more from. I haven't reviewed each of the stories individually because I think one of the fun things about picking up this kind of anthology is letting it surprise you with the total variety of stories it contains. As with any anthology there were some stories that really stood out for me and a couple that I found harder to connect with but overall the quality was really high and the stories were all well written and edited.

This is the perfect kind of book to pick up when you're short on time and want to dive into a satisfying story that you can devour in one sitting. It's also a perfect way of trying some new authors and I'm pretty sure that, like me, you'll end up discovering a few new favourites. By the time you add in that in buying the book you are also donating to an incredibly worthy cause and there really is no excuse not to grab a copy now.

Source: Received from Ruthie Knox in exchange for an honest review.

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Monday, 9 December 2013

Review: Roman Holiday Part 5: Ignited - Ruthie Knox

Ruthie Knox’s eBook original serial, Roman Holiday, resumes in Episode 5. While Ashley’s home and Roman’s career hang in the balance, new temptations flash like fireflies in the night sky.

Roman Holiday:
Chained (Episode 1)
Hitched (Episode 2)
Blindsided (Episode 3)
Ravaged (Episode 4)
Ignited (Episode 5)
Roman Holiday: The Adventure Begins (Bind up of episodes 1-5)
Roman Holiday: The Adventure Continues (Bind up of episodes 5-10)
Roman Holiday: The Complete Adventure (Bind up of episodes 1-10)

Visit Ruthie Knox's website for more information.

Review:
Ignite is the fifth instalment of the Roman Holiday series and the end of the first "season" so be warned you're now going to have to wait until March for the remaining five parts to be released. I have been really enjoying this series so I have no idea how I'm going to survive the long wait to see what happens next!

We get to see Roman and Ashley make a lot of progress in this part of the story, they are getting to know each other better and starting to understand what makes each other tick and why they act the way they do. To a certain extent learning about the other person is giving them both insight into their own lives and it's really interesting to see how this changes the way they see the themselves and the world around them.

Ashley can come across as quite selfish and uncaring at times but we see a more vulnerable side to her here, we get see the unloved young girl who is doubting everything now that she's found out about her grandmother's secrets. Her grandmother was the only person who cared about her and now she is starting to question that love she is more lost and alone than ever. Roman may hate the way she has gone about things but he is starting to see just how much her past has effected her. It was great to see them both start to open up to each other a bit more and I was also really pleased with the way Roman has handled things with Carmen. I respect him a lot because of the decisions he made in that direction and can't wait to see what the future will bring for him and Ashley.

I'm a huge fan of Ruthie Knox and this series is turning out to be just as good as her other novels. I'm excited to continue Ashley and Roman's journey with them in the next set of stories even though I do wish I could have them now rather than having to wait until March!

Source: Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Kindle:

Monday, 2 December 2013

Review: Roman Holiday Part 4: Ravaged - Ruthie Knox

As the road trip up the Eastern Seaboard continues in Episode 4 of Ruthie Knox’s eBook original serial, Roman Holiday, sparks are flying—but Ashley and Roman are farther than ever from seeing eye-to-eye about what matters most.

Roman Díaz doesn’t do love. It hasn’t worked out for him. He could never survive trying to live with his heart wide open the way Ashley Bowman does. But it’s hard to keep his walls up around this woman. Every mile he spends in her power leaves him more ravaged by memories and emotions he can’t control—and drags him closer to succumbing to an attraction he can’t afford.

Roman Holiday:
Chained (Episode 1)
Hitched (Episode 2)
Blindsided (Episode 3)
Ravaged (Episode 4)
Ignited (Episode 5)
Roman Holiday: The Adventure Begins (Bind up of episodes 1-5)
Roman Holiday: The Adventure Continues (Bind up of episodes 5-10)
Roman Holiday: The Complete Adventure (Bind up of episodes 1-10)

Visit Ruthie Knox's website for more information.

Review:
Ravaged is the fourth instalment in Ruthie Knox's Roman Holiday serialised novel and once again picks up the story immediately after the previous part ended. Ashley has found a way to blackmail Roman into taking a holiday with her, she has told him that if he gives her two weeks to change his mind about tearing down her grandmother's home she will accept whatever decision he makes at the end of their trip together. Her plan is to take him to visit the people who regularly spend their winters on the Keys, sure that her friends will be on her side and will show him just how important the complex is. But when Roman starts to explain the changes he wants to make she may just find that her plan is starting to backfire.

I've been really enjoying this serial, each instalment lets us get to know Ashley and Roman a little better and gives us more insight into their backgrounds and why they act the way they do. As much as I feel bad for Ashley that her home is about to be destroyed I have to admit that I felt uncomfortable with her actions towards Roman at times. I think in the beginning because he was so cold where she is so open and honest about her feelings it was easier to want to be on her side but as we start to see Roman open up and we learn more about his past it becomes harder and harder to accept the way she treats him. I don't think Ashley realises just how childish she can be at times but she does have a tendency to throw a tantrum when things aren't going her way. I can kind of understand where she is coming from though, she has just lost the only person who has always been there for her, she has also lost the home that she thought would always be hers and worse than anything her grandmother didn't tell her what she had planned so this has all come out of nowhere as far as she is concerned. That doesn't excuse her actions but it does show why she is so prepared to fight dirty to get what she wants.

I've come to like Roman more and more with every episode of the series and the things we discover about how he was brought up just broke my heart in this one. It is impossible not to feel for the lonely little boy he was and that makes it much easier to understand why he keeps his emotions locked up so tightly now as an adult. He never had anyone who cared for him and loved him as he should have been loved so now he doesn't believe that he ever will have that connection with anyone. The only way he has to prove his worth is by becoming a successful businessman and he is determined to be the best there is. All he wants is to prove himself to the people who always treated him like he was unworthy.

One of the things I loved about this instalment was the increased chemistry between them. I've said before that although they are opposites in a lot of ways I think they'll help balance each other out as they become closer. Roman is already starting to loosen up just a tiny bit and is questioning the way he lives his life and wondering if it is really as fulfilling as he always pretended it was while Ashley is being forced to face up to some home truths about the way she is treating Roman. I think Ashley still has a way to go before she accepts her grandmother's plans but I'm hoping she will start to realise that perhaps there was a reason for her actions. I can't wait to find out what happens next in Ignited!

Source: Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Kindle:

Monday, 25 November 2013

Review: Roman Holiday Part 3: Blindsided - Ruthie Knox

In Episode 3 of Ruthie Knox’s eBook original serial, Roman Holiday, Ashley has led Roman across state lines in an attempt to save her home. And he’s about to learn just how wily this wild child can be.

With his Escalade buried up to the axles in Georgia muck, Roman Díaz will do whatever it takes to put his Florida development back on track—but it never occurred to him that Ashley Bowman would start fighting dirty. Ashley figures all’s fair in love and war—and this is war, right? It can’t be love. Love doesn’t involve blackmail. So why does blindsiding Roman and forcing him to do her bidding make her feel so wrecked?

Roman Holiday:
Chained (Episode 1)
Hitched (Episode 2)
Blindsided (Episode 3)
Ravaged (Episode 4)
Ignited (Episode 5)
Roman Holiday: The Adventure Begins (Bind up of episodes 1-5)
Roman Holiday: The Adventure Continues (Bind up of episodes 5-10)
Roman Holiday: The Complete Adventure (Bind up of episodes 1-10)

Visit Ruthie Knox's website for more information.

Review:
Blindsided is the third instalment in the Roman Holiday serial by Ruthie Knox and picks up the story immediately after Hitched ended. Ashley and Roman have arrived at the hippy commune just in time to join the drum circle and since Roman managed to get both his car and Ashley's trailer stuck in the mud escape isn't an option. The commune really is the last place on earth Roman wants to be and he couldn't get much further out of his comfort zone if he tried but Ashley is right at home and determined to use that to her advantage. She isn't above playing dirty to get what she wants no matter how guilty it might make her feel afterwards.

I have to admit I enjoyed seeing Roman at such a disadvantage in this instalment, he obviously has no idea what to expect or how to react to the people who live at the commune and it was amusing seeing him struggle. I quickly started to feel sorry for him though, it felt like people were being deliberately mean towards him and that didn't sit right with me. Even Ashley begins to feel guilty about things when she starts to think about it. I do like the fact that Roman has met his match and that he's starting to realise that he has to go along with Ashley to a certain extent if he wants to get his project back on target though. It was great to see past his cool exterior to get a glimpse of the emotional man he keeps hidden deep inside, he is finding it hard to keep his tough guy shell in place and I wanted to see him shaken up a bit.

The chemistry is definitely starting to build between them now that Roman has dropped his guard a bit. It seems like the more Ashley manages to rile him up the more attractive she finds him and the less in control he is the more he starts to see in her. They still have a long way to go before they can find any kind of compromise but it's going to be interesting an interesting journey. I'm really enjoying reading the Roman Holiday serial, as much as I usually prefer to devour a novel in one sitting I do think this has been split into well paced instalments that are a satisfying read but still leave you eager to continue the story. Each part has plenty of humour to make it a light hearted and enjoyable read perfect for when you're short on time and I'm looking forward to reading more.

Source: Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Kindle:

Monday, 18 November 2013

Review: Roman Holiday Part 2: Hitched - Ruthie Knox

Ruthie Knox’s eBook original serial, Roman Holiday, continues in Episode 2, as Ashley and Roman flee an oncoming hurricane by hitting the highway—only to encounter some outrageous bumps in the road.

Roman Díaz isn’t thrilled about being forced to evacuate Ashley Bowman from the Florida Keys—and that’s before he sees the decrepit Airstream trailer she wants to hook up to his shiny new Escalade. Ashley’s in way over her head, and the only way she knows to beat Roman is to get some help from a friend . . . in Georgia. She can put up with Roman’s fury at the unexpected detour, no problem. It’s the bizarre thrum of attraction between them that she could do without. And yet there’s something about being hitched to Roman that makes Ashley never want to let go.

Roman Holiday:
Chained (Episode 1)
Hitched (Episode 2)
Blindsided (Episode 3)
Ravaged (Episode 4)
Ignited (Episode 5)
Roman Holiday: The Adventure Begins (Bind up of episodes 1-5)
Roman Holiday: The Adventure Continues (Bind up of episodes 5-10)
Roman Holiday: The Complete Adventure (Bind up of episodes 1-10)

Visit Ruthie Knox's website for more information.

Review:
I really enjoyed the first instalment to the Roman Holiday serial Chained so I couldn't wait to start reading Hitched. The first part had introduced the main characters but hadn't given us much of a chance to get to know either of them so it was great to learn a bit more about both Roman and Ashley's backgrounds and the kind of people they are. These two really are complete opposites but they actually have more in common than you'd expect thanks to their childhoods. They both felt unwanted and unloved as children but Ashley was lucky enough to find a bond with her grandmother as a teenager and that has given her a sense of security that Roman has never had. He has always been on his own and it goes a long way to explaining why he is so driven and determined to succeed - he just wants to prove everyone who doubted him wrong and show that he is worthy of having a family.

I have to say my heart went out to them both as we learnt more about their pasts and it made me want to see them both fulfil their dreams. I'm not sure quite how Ruthie Knox is going to pull that off though because they both want totally different things. I'm sure she'll find a way though and it will be interesting to see how things play out. I enjoyed seeing how much Roman underestimates Ashley, he thinks of her as a flake who will easily give up on her goals but it doesn't take long for him to realise that there is a steel core inside her. Ashley has nothing left to lose so she isn't afraid to play dirty to get what she wants, she takes great pleasure in pushing Roman out of his comfort zone and deliberately tries to rile him up just to get a reaction. Roman is quite a stick in the mud so I think he needs someone like Ashley to teach him how to let loose and have fun but at the moment he is really fighting against it.

In some ways it's hard to see how these two are going to end up a couple, on the surface they seem so mismatched that to think of them together is almost laughable but there is definitely chemistry there. I also get a strong feeling that their very different personalities will help bring out good qualities in each other, that they'll both learn from each other and grow closer together because of their differences rather than in spite of them. Whatever happens between them it's sure to be an interesting journey, especially now they've arrived at Ashley's friends home - a hippy commune in the middle of the swamp - I can't wait to see how Roman reacts to having to spend time there!

Source: Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Kindle:

Tuesday, 12 November 2013

Review: Roman Holiday Part 1: Chained - Ruthie Knox

Meet Ashley and Roman—complete opposites who can’t hide their attraction—in Episode 1 of Ruthie Knox’s eBook original serial, Roman Holiday.

Ashley Bowman is having a bad week. Reeling from the death of her beloved grandmother, she returns to the Florida Keys only to learn that a heartless Miami developer has gotten hold of the crappy vacation rentals she calls home. Ashley has one day to clear out before Roman Díaz destroys the only place in the world that matters to her. Chaining herself to a palm tree in the bulldozers’ path seems like a good way to stop him . . . until she realizes she should've brought food and water. And pants. Also, it would help if the evil developer weren't so ridiculously hot.

The last thing Roman Díaz needs is some sun-kissed blond protester getting her picture in the newspaper and messing up his plans. He bought the property fair and square, and the resort he wants to build on the site is the key to realizing his highest ambitions. But when a hurricane blows through, Roman has to hustle Ashley to safety if he wants to protect his reputation—and that means giving in to her unreasonable demands.

Roman needs to learn a little compassion, and Ashley's decided to teach it to him . . . even if she has to drag him all over the Eastern Seaboard to do it.

Roman Holiday:
Chained (Episode 1)
Hitched (Episode 2)
Blindsided (Episode 3)
Ravaged (Episode 4)
Ignited (Episode 5)
Roman Holiday: The Adventure Begins (Bind up of episodes 1-5)
Roman Holiday: The Adventure Continues (Bind up of episodes 5-10)
Roman Holiday: The Complete Adventure (Bind up of episodes 1-10)

Visit Ruthie Knox's website for more information.

Review:
I'm a huge fan of Ruthie Knox so as soon as I found out about her Roman Holiday serialised novel it went straight to the top of my wish list and I pre-ordered the first 5 instalments the moment I saw they were available on Amazon. I'll admit that I don't have the best track record with serials (the ones I've tried to read in the past have always ended up being a disappointment) but I was sure if anyone could hook me on one it would be Ruthie. Thankfully I was right and Chained is a fabulous start to the series and one that has left me impatient to carry on reading!

Ashley is a free spirit, she didn't have the most conventional upbringing and was a bit of a wild child before her grandmother took her in and raised her. Her grandmother's holiday rental in Florida Keys is the only home she's ever really known so although she moved away a long time ago she always expected to be able to come back there when she needs to. She is still grieving for her grandmother when she finds out that the place has been sold out from underneath her and Ashley is horrified to find that a developer is planning on knocking down the house and surrounding properties to make way for a new hotel complex. Ashley is desperate to stop Roman from destroying her home but he won't listen to her. Resorting to desperate measures Ashley chains herself to a palm tree to stop the diggers from moving in.

Roman has been working towards his goal of building a successful hotel for years now and the last thing he needs is a crazy woman in chains getting in his way. He has to find a way to resolve things peacefully though because the last thing his investors want to see is the project in the papers for all the wrong reasons. Ashley is stubborn though and even the threat of an incoming hurricane doesn't seem to be convincing her to move. They need to find a way to compromise but when neither of them are willing to budge from their position it isn't going to be easy.

Ashley and Roman really are complete opposites, where Ashley is fun loving and carefree Roman is buttoned up and determined to play the respectable business man. In a lot of ways I find him too stiff and uncompromising but there are just enough hints at a kind and generous man buried deep down inside for me to be interested in getting to know him better. As this is a fairly short instalment we don't learn a huge amount about his background but I do think he has reasons for the way he behaves and even when he is acting his most standoffish he still goes out of his way to make sure Ashley is safe and unharmed by her protest. They already have some great banter going on between them and I can't wait to see how their chemistry ignites as they spend more time together. I have a feeling there are going to be a lot of arguments between them but when the sparks start flying they are going to be HOT!

The Roman Holiday serial is perfect for when you're short on time but don't want to compromise on story. It's like dipping into a TV series with a new episode becoming available every week that just builds on the background already laid out in previous parts. At around 40 pages each part is easy to read in less than an hour so they make perfect lunch break reading material. Chained had everything I've come to expect from one of Ruthie's stories - great characters, laugh out loud banter and the beginning of a strong attraction. I can't wait to see where things go from here.

Source: Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Kindle:

Monday, 23 September 2013

Read Truly by Ruthie Knox for FREE on Wattpad (for a limited time only)

If you've ever seen any of my reviews for Ruthie Knox's books you'll already know what a huge fan I am of her work. She is without a doubt one of my favourite contemporary romance authors and her stories are full of fantastic easy to relate to characters, a lot of humour and some of the sexiest heroes you'll ever come across. I would happily recommend any of her stories (in fact I think you should go out and grab them all immediately!) but I know how hard it is to decide what books to spend your hard earned money on so I thought you might like to know about the chance to try one of her novels for FREE.

Ruthie and her publisher Random House Loveswept are having a fantastic promotion for her newest novel Truly and it is currently available for fans to read for free on Wattpad. Ruthie is adding new chapters every Monday until the whole book is up and it will only remain there for a limited time before being removed so if you want to read it you need to get started ASAP. Don't worry too much if you miss out though because the book will be published as an ebook in 2014 (I'm going to be buying my copy as soon as it's available because even though I've only read the first 16 chapters I'm LOVING this story and I need it on my kindle so I can re-read it to my hearts content!).

Here is a bit more information about the book:

May Fredericks hates New York. Which is fair enough, since New York seems to hate her back. Just weeks after moving from Wisconsin to Manhattan, she receives the world’s worst marriage proposal, stabs her boyfriend with a shrimp fork in a very public venue, and accidentally becomes notorious. And that’s before she gets mugged.

At her wit’s end, May washes up at a Packers bar in Greenwich Village, where she meets a surly, unhelpful guy who hates her shoes and calls her ex a douche.

His name is Ben. He used to be a chef. Now he’s a rooftop beekeeper with anger management issues. She wouldn't even like him, but he reminds her of home … and he knows where to find all the best food in the Village.

She makes him laugh. He buys her tacos and cowboy boots. The longer they’re stuck together, the better May and Ben get along … and the harder they fall.

TRULY is a quirky, modern New York love story unlike any you've read before.

New York Series:
Truly (full version will be published in 2014)
Madly (release date to be confirmed)
Completely (release date to be confirmed)

Visit Ruthie Knox's website for more information.

Now I'm sure the bit you've all been waiting for is the link so you can actually start reading the story!

CLICK HERE TO READ TRULY ON WATTPAD NOW

Just in case you're not already curious here is a short teaser from the book:


Don't forget that Truly is only going to be available online for a limited time so don't miss out on your chance to read it.

If you've already started it then I'd love to know what you think of it. If you're already a fan of Ruthie's let me know which of her books is your favourite. I think I'd have to say mine is Ride With Me closely followed by Flirting With Disaster!

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