Friday, July 28, 2017

On the Chase by Katie Ruggle book review

This was the first time I read anything by Katie Ruggle and I would like to read more! I did not read the first book of this series, so I think it can be a standalone because I was not confused by the characters. On the Chase is book #2 in this series. We are introduced to Kaylee, who is at a fancy dinner with a new guy she has been dating. She feels that she is lucky to have landed such a great guy. However, Kaylee witnesses something she was not supposed to see and is now forced to flee. She lets her best friend know she is leaving, and takes off to a small Colorado town. She has some help in setting up and new identity and from that point on, she is known as Grace. Hugh, who is a K9 cop that has been injured and currently on desk duty, shows up with his friend at the house that Grace is staying at. He notices her right away and starts to question who she is and where she came from. Needless to say, Grace is quite flustered. However, as her past threatens to catch up with her, she finds that she can trust Hugh. One of the secondary characters, Lexi, Hugh's K9 partner, really likes Grace. She story has a lot of suspense, action, intrigue and definitely some scorching romance. Huge and Grace make a good couple. The story is not particularly explicit, it's more of a slow burn romance and it's sweet. Hugh is definitely an alpha male - in and out of the bedroom. There are some humorous parts that will have you laughing out loud. The dialogue flows well. The author did a nice job with the setting, characters and action. I really enjoyed it and definitely recommend it. The ending is satisfying, mystery resolved and readers can look forward to another book by Katie Ruggle.

Friday, July 7, 2017

Fit for You by Cynthia Tennent book review


This book is the 4th book the the Truhart series, but it can be read as a standalone.  I jumped into the 4th book and then proceeded to buy the previous ones. Lily Shue arrives in a small town in Michigan because of a government grant to get the town moving towards better fitness.  It is a little bit awkward because Lily arrives injured and on crutches and it feels like she is being judged because she can't exercise -- and she is supposed to run exercise classes.  Lily is from California and adjusting to live in a small Michigan town will take some getting used to.  Things are made more difficult because the terms of the grant were not completely truthful and when Edge shows up to pick her up, he puts her up as his mom's house.  She was promised her own apartment. So now Lily is stuck in a house full of strangers and a hot guy she does not want to be interested in.

Edge Callaghan is a former skier and Olympic hopeful.  His skiing career ended and he has been living in a small town doing all sorts of odd jobs.  He is close to his family, which Lily finds endearing but he also frustrates her at every turn.  The readers are introduced to Edge while he has a full on beard going, so Lily can't really tell what he looks like.  She prefers to ignore him, but as she gets to know him, his personality grows on her.

This book is more of a slow burn.  There is a lot of character development going on and the plot is quite detailed.  I think the setting is unusual, the characters don't quite hit it off right away and there is a lot of humor.  It turned out to be a pleasantly surprising, quirky book.  The romance is still there, but it just took a different path to get to the HEA.  I love the competitive nature of both of the characters.  I love the setting and I might be somewhat biased towards stories that take place in Michigan ;)  The writing is good, the plot/setting is unique, the dialogue and characters are fun and unusual. I think this book will appeal to contemporary romance readers.  Perfect to take with you "up north" and disconnect from reality for a bit.