Alana AlbertsonCritiques

Digital audiobook narrated by Alexandro Amado and Vanessa Vasquez.

This is a retelling of Shakespeare’s most famous couple, set in San Diego’s thriving Mexican-American community. Ramón Montez is the scion of a family fast-food empire. Julieta Campos is a celebrity chef who is determined to save her sea-to-table taqueria from closing. But her new landlord is none other than the charming mariachi she met at the Dia de los Muertos celebration. And worse, his father is the man who stole her mother’s taco recipe decades ago.

Of course, these star-crossed lovers will find a way to join forces despite the bad blood between their families.

I really liked Julieta; she’s intelligent, determined and fiercely loyal to her family and her community. I was not a fan of Ramón’s at first, but he eventually grew on me. I did think that the way Albertson chose to “fix” the central conflict was unrealistic and rushed, but it was still a fast, fun read. And it sure made me hungry for Mexican food (thank heavens I’m about to head to Texas to visit family).

The audiobook is perfectly performed by Alexandro Amado and Venessa Vasquez. Dual narrators was a great choice for this work.

Erotica with thin plot.

I REALLY ENJOYED ANNIE AND PAT'S STORY AND I CRIED WITH EVERY WORD WRITTEN!! I loved that Pat, a SEAL, had rescued Annie along with his SEAL buddies. I loved that Annie had kept the faith for someone to rescue her and I can't wait to read Kyle's story!!

Rating: 3.5

DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW: I no longer believe in fairy tales. But without her love, I'll forever remain a BEAST.

Isabella—Grady Williams is a national treasure, the youngest living Medal of Honor recipient, America’s scarred superhero. With tattooed arms sculpted from carrying M-16s, this bad boy has girls begging from sea to shining sea to get a piece of his action.

When my father squanders away my college fund, I make a deal with this dirty-talking Devil Dog—I will pretend to be Grady’s girlfriend for the Marine Corps Ball, and my dad will write Grady’s war memoir.

Grady is fearless. Hell, this badass jumped on a grenade to save his fellow Marines! As much as I crave him, I refuse to allow myself to become addicted to a dangerous man who will detonate my heart.

Grady—Isabella Cuesta is an angel who can see beyond my mangled skin, a pawn used to repay her father’s debt, a woman who makes me feel like a man instead of a monster.

But I no longer believe in fairy tales.

She’s mine until our contract ends. I’ll take her hard and rough, listen to all her hopes and fears, lay down my life to protect her.

This beauty will never let herself love a dangerous man like me—a man who has killed, a man who runs towards gunfire, a man who never backs down from a fight.

But without her love, I’m not a man—I’ll remain forever a beast.

Ryan Shelton is a Navy SEAL on leave in France. He's been on his own since his mother lost custody and he was turned over to foster care. The abuse he endured while in foster care drove him to become a SEAL where he could protect and serve those in need. He's all alone in this world and he feels his lack of entanglements makes him a better soldier. His plans for a week of debauchery change after he rescues a woman being robbed.

Princess Giselle Katherine Garabaldi of Santa Carinña is to be married in a month and escaped to France for a week of freedom, before the wedding. Only nothing goes as planned. She's mugged and allows an American SEAL to take her in rather than face her daddy. A SEAL she becomes very attracted to but can't have.

It's difficult to like Giselle and her character is not very believable. She's twenty-two and the author would have us believe that her being pampered and spoiled all her life, wouldn't have included necessary safety and protection protocols training?

They both serve their countries in different ways. She's promised to another man and he's to his country making their relationship doomed from the start, but it doesn't seem to stop them.
There's little believability in this romance, but if you want a whimsical, fairytale romance with a hot, lonely SEAL and a virginal princess this is the book for you.

I received a free e-book in exchange for an honest review. If you like my reviews I hope you will follow my blog. https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/

What an adorable book - easy read - sweet, funny, sad, emotional, cute, all of the things .. I cannot wait for more in the series

This is the first book I've read by Alana Albertson. It was a good read, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, military style. I will definitely read more from this author.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is reverse harem and loosely based on the wizard of Oz.
Being a bit of an addict when it comes to anything fairytale retelling I had to read this.
I know that Wizard of Oz isn't technically a fairytale but I thought it close enough you would have to be living under a rock not to have heard of it.
This didn't work for me how I was originally expecting.
Reverse harem can be a bit hit or miss for me and I struggled to feel a connection here with two of the males involved Tin and Lev.
I had no issues with Crow and he redeemed things here slightly for me without him I may have thrown the towel in.
As it was I did finish and if I had to describe this it was a bit like a mad runaway train.
On the plus side, this was very different and unusual.
It's really going to come down to what type of reverse harem you like.
I prefer mine with a tad more emotional connection than what we are given here
This being the first in a new series it may be that emotional connection just needs some further developing.
This is most definitely hot and heavy that I can not fault it on.
Finally, that finish was certainly unexpected.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Desiring Dorothy (Men of Oz #1).



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com

This is reverse harem and loosely based on the wizard of Oz.
Being a bit of an addict when it comes to anything fairytale retelling I had to read this.
I know that Wizard of Oz isn't technically a fairytale but I thought it close enough you would have to be living under a rock not to have heard of it.
This didn't work for me how I was originally expecting.
Reverse harem can be a bit hit or miss for me and I struggled to feel a connection here with two of the males involved Tin and Lev.
I had no issues with Crow and he redeemed things here slightly for me without him I may have thrown the towel in.
As it was I did finish and if I had to describe this it was a bit like a mad runaway train.
On the plus side, this was very different and unusual.
It's really going to come down to what type of reverse harem you like.
I prefer mine with a tad more emotional connection than what we are given here
This being the first in a new series it may be that emotional connection just needs some further developing.
This is most definitely hot and heavy that I can not fault it on.
Finally, that finish was certainly unexpected.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Desiring Dorothy (Men of Oz #1).



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com

I have to say I was a little disappointed with the ending. It left me with a lot of questions and the characters pissed me off something fierce, but I loved it. I want more but not they have it on Radish. I want more from Mia and Grant. I just hope they get what they are looking for.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Love Waltzes In is a beautiful story about finding your way. Selena and Bret are two lost souls searching for something. The backdrop of ballroom dancing is an interesting addition to the story. To me sometimes it serves as a hindrance and slows down the story. Overall a heartwarming story about love, compromise and finding the way back home. Recommendable read.

REVIEW: “My life has always been anything but simple. Chaotic, busy, uncertain, and heartbreaking. Definitely not simple.” Yessi may be a little over the top in her methods to save shelter dogs. Her life is further complicated with Preston, the sexy owner of a puppy store. A good part of this book is about the plight of shelter dogs. It was a serious message delivered in a cute, fun book. This is my voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW: Preston Evans is a legend in and out of the bedroom. He’s six feet two, gorgeous, and famous because his celebrity ex leaked a video of him doing her doggy style. Even worse, to capitalize on his infamy, he opened a puppy store called Doggy Style. I don’t care if his abs are chiseled, his arms are tattooed, and his face belongs on the cover of a magazine. Every dog sold and bred means a shelter dog dead!

I chained myself to his store in protest, but instead of calling the cops, he threw me a bone.
If I help him open his puppy store, he’ll transform it into a shelter dog adoption center, saving the lives of potentially thousands of dogs. And then I will never have to see this sexy, dirty-talking jerk again. How hard can he—uh, I mean, it—be?
Sex is off the table. So why do I want him to bend me over one?

REVIEW: Media and fame rarely combine in a way to portray the authentic person. Battered Grady is struggling in all ways while everyone else calls him a hero. He longs for someone to love him just for himself. As a dancer, Isa spent her life in the public’s eye also. “The show destroyed my life, devastated my soul, and detonated my family.” The intensity and steamy scenes make this an entertaining read while still shedding light on the plight of our wounded vets. This is my voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW: Can Beauty tame her BEAST?

Isabella—Grady Williams is a national treasure, the youngest living Medal of Honor recipient, America’s scarred superhero. With tattooed arms sculpted from carrying M-16s, this bad boy has girls begging from sea to shining sea to get a piece of his action.

When my father squanders away my college fund, I make a deal with this dirty-talking Devil Dog—I will pretend to be Grady’s girlfriend for the Marine Corps Ball, and my dad will write Grady’s war memoir.

Grady is fearless. Hell, this badass jumped on a grenade to save his fellow Marines! As much as I crave him, I refuse to allow myself to become addicted to a dangerous man who will detonate my heart.

Grady—Isabella Cuesta is an angel who can see beyond my mangled skin, a pawn used to repay her father’s debt, a woman who makes me feel like a man instead of a monster.

But I no longer believe in fairy tales.

She’s mine until our contract ends. I’ll take her hard and rough, listen to all her hopes and fears, lay down my life to protect her.

This beauty will never let herself love a dangerous man like me—a man who has killed, a man who runs towards gunfire, a man who never backs down from a fight.

But without her love, I’m not a man—I’ll remain forever a beast.½

REVIEW: “She had wasted enough of my life - I refused to allow her to ruin my career.” Erik trained warriors. He was a Triton, a god of the sea. Months ago, his heart was stolen by Olympic gold-medalist Aria. She disappeared only to show up as his student in Erik’s first Navy SEAL BUD/S class. His anger swirled around her deception and his belief that women should not be allowed into combat. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that Aria was the one for him. Aria struggles with her attraction to Erik and her commitment to become the first woman to complete the torturous training. Sometimes, her shyness and lack of assertiveness seemed at odds with her strength. This was still a great story of dedication and triumph. I voluntarily provided this review of an Advanced Reader Copy.

DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW: Aria—I teach mermaid fitness at a ritzy hotel next to the Naval Amphibious Base. I know better than to let one of those famous frogmen chase my tail. But in a moment of weakness, I submit to Erik, a tattooed badass Navy SEAL. After one night of incredible passion, I can’t stop thinking about his cocky ways and his dirty mouth.
But I am about to train to be the first female Navy SEAL.
When I show up on the first day of training, I’m horrified to realize that Erik is my BUD/S instructor. He’s the only person who stands in the way of me achieving my dream.
I’m not a quitter. He can taunt me, tease me, and run me ragged, but I’ll never ring that bell.
Erik—Aria is the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. She won the gold medal for synchronized swimming, and she looks like a little mermaid the way she moves underwater. Once I find out that the sexy redhead is teaching aquatic classes next to my base, I vow to do anything to make her mine.
After a mind-blowing month together, she tells me she needs to go away to train. I assume it’s for another synchro competition.
I’m dead wrong.
She shows up in BUD/S as a member of the first class to let in women. And I’m her instructor.
There’s no way in hell I will lower the standards of my Team to please the brass and make a political statement.
It doesn’t matter how much I want her because she’s forbidden to me now. She will obey my every command.
She can try to pass hell week, but she will fail.
I’m a Navy SEAL, a Triton, a god of the sea.
And she will never be part of my world.

REVIEW: A football player and a cheerleader…sounds cliché. But don’t be put off by the beginning. With Navy SEALS, kidnapping and terrorists, this story breaks out in a hurry. Kyle and Sara are both driven by private goals and burned out on what fame brings. A charming read with plenty of suspense. Maybe a little fuzzy as to why Sara would risk all of her ambitions for a second one-night stand. I received an Advance Reader Copy and voluntarily provided this review.
DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW: I’ll be honest with you—I’m no saint.
Sure, I turned down my 9.6-million-dollar football contract to join the Teams but I’ll never tell you the real reason why. The media has anointed me a selfless, patriotic American hero. But it isn’t that deep—I just want some action. A one-night stand with a San Diego coed. I picked her out of a steamy nightclub—sexy blonde hair, full breasts, nice ass. I savored her warm touch, the scent of her perfume, and the sound of her laughter. After she rode me all night, I took in the ocean view from my condo, thankful for the blissful memories she gave me to get me through my long deployment. I cross paths with Miss San Diego again halfway across the world in Afghanistan. Turns out she is a professional cheerleader on a patriotic tour sent to entertain my Team. I gaze into her beautiful blue eyes and give her my word that she’s safe with me. And my word is my bond. Then she is kidnapped. Whoever took her, took the wrong girl. Because I will tear this country apart to find her.
I’ll never win MVP, never get a championship ring, but some heroes don’t play games.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Where to start, where to start well let's start by saying ends in cliffhanger and you have to wait til February and we are in October, yeah. Then they would have you believe that main character changes her self not be recognized by her ex boyfriend and a group of navy seals while naked (stripper) hmm??? 😯take your own risk.

REVIEW: “Mia was the only woman I’d ever loved, and when she left, I’d closed my heart to anyone else.” Grant wanted nothing to do with Mia but she is willing to do anything to clear her brother’s name. I loved Mia’s focus and drive. The action is right, the heat and emotions are captivating. But I hated that this ends in a cliffhanger! Especially when I couldn’t find the next episodes for my Kindle! I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW: Badass Navy SEALs
Se7en deadly Navy SEALs bound to secrecy about a night that ended in tragedy

6ix months my brother Joaquín has spent in jail for murder

5ive hours a day I've trained to go undercover to learn the truth

4our plastic surgeries to transform into a pinup to gain access to their world

Thre3 shots of tequila I knock back before I strip and dance for the SEALs

2wo years since I'd left my soul mate Grant, the only man who can help me now

1ne dead stripper found strangled and drugged

Zer0 room for error

I'm Joaquín's only hope for freedom. No sin is too depraved, no challenge is too great. Even if it means destroying my soul.½

Received an ARC for my voluntary review for Hidden Gems. I enjoyed book. I almost wanted to knock both of them out at one point, her for not telling him that she planned to join the Seal's but she did know that he was so dead set against it, and she did prove him wrong, so I was proud of her, however I wished she would have stuck up for herself more when he was being mean to her, I know she was in love with him, and that she felt that she did him wrong, but that did not give him the right to treat her that way, yes he was her instructor and could not give her a break, but he was just being an ass. Now I wanted to knock him out, when he was being an ass to her, and when he held that grudge for so long, but I am glad that he finally admitted to himself and her that she was right all along. I do hope that we get to find out what happens next with them.

This is the story of Pat and Annie.

Annie was a wealthy socialite of sorts, a college soccer star, a clueless young girl. She was stolen from a cruise ship and sold as a sex slave.

Pat is a career soldier, a Navy SEAL. His whole life is his job and his teammates. He never messes with relationships after finding out how bleak they can be when you're gone most of the year.

While Pat is on leave for a couple of days in a country where prostitution is legal, he visits a brothel. This is breaking the rules for US military personnel, but he prefers to pay women so it's straight sex with no chance of feelings involved. SEALs don't look like regular soldiers because they try to blend while doing undercover work so his unkept beard and rugged appearance doesn't alert anyone to his status.

After receiving oral sex in exchange for cash, the girl, who can tell something is different about him, whispers her real name and that she is not there of her own free will hoping that he will save her. Subsequently he leaves and researches her background to make sure the story is true, that she is the American girl that went missing and was presumed dead. Now, he must make a decision about what to do. There isn't time to go through the proper channels and get permission to help her so he will loose his job if caught going rogue. He must decide to act or ignore and be ready to face the consequences either way.

I am not an expert in SEALs or any branch of the military or field of the government, but the author seems to know a lot about SEALs. Rules, quotes, mantras, explanations, codes of conduct etc are intermingled throughout the story. It helped to bring the point home in certain situations. I liked this bit, when it was flat laid-out for us readers—

The SEALs in those books had little resemblance to real Team guys. First off, most SEALs never ever told people what we did for a living. I would've never told Annie I was a SEAL, but I needed to make her understand I was capable of saving her. I always told everyone I met that I worked at the airport in baggage claim. Another thing, we never gave details about our missions to civilians, whether we were fucking them or not. And we sure as hell didn't leave our careers to chase women across the world. Most of the authors who wrote that crap had never even met a SEAL, let alone been fucked by one.

We also met Pat's best friends and fellow SEALs. I think the series will continue with their stories. I did enjoy reading this book. It has hot military men, danger, epiphany moments (for both Pat and Annie about the way they had been living before) and acceptance. Often I don't like one or more of the main characters in book, but I did like them both, and I appreciated watching them grow emotionally and change fundamentally.

***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***





toni





FangirlMoments and My Two Cents

Before I start about the book, I just want to drool over the cover for a few more seconds. SO PRETTY! But we all know that the best covers in the world can hide a multitude of grammar errors and plot kerfuffles. I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. I don't watch DWS, but my mother does and I grew up watching dancing competitions with her whenever they came on TV.

I loved the chapter intros that described each dance. If you have any knowledge at all of the tones and emotions of the various dances (swing, samba, waltz, etc) then you will really appreciate the amazing job Ms Albertson did of conveying the impact of these dances in just a few sentences.

As for the main plot itself, one of my favorite tropes was in use and I was prepared to love the hell out of this story. Unfortunately, about halfway through the book the romance took a backseat to the other drama that was going on. So in the end, their HEA feels extremely rushed. There are also several plot points that are not cleared up at all by the end that I don't feel will get a resolution in further books. Like how Dima and Selena resolved their property and money issues. Or how Bret handled not having the military wife he really wanted. At the end, he and Selena are together but it never deals with that particular issue which seemed like a really big deal to him in the beginning. When they first get together, it also seems rather rushed, as if it was just something that needed to get out of the way so the rest of the plot could unfold.

So I was a bit disappointed by all of that, but I still really enjoyed the characters and story. Selena is just adorable, and the way she is described (bouncing around on stage waiting for announcements, dancing hip hop with Benny, etc) just made me love her. Bret is more reserved, but I can still see a HEA for them. I read some of the next book, which is about Vika, and I'm not sure I am interested in her story, but I might revisit this series in the future. Especially if the next cover draws me in like this one did!

ARC courtesy of Bolero Books, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. Great book. The depth of the characters this author created touched my soul. The way you read each point of view made the people so real. She nails the complex emotions of the couple. It's been a long time since a book gripped me so. Amazing author!

This was a really fast read for me, I actually read it in one day! Initially I found some parts to be slightly repetitive but then the pace picked up and the story moved on pretty quickly after that.

The book caught my attention for several reasons. First of all, the storyline was unique and I was intrigued by it. Second of all, I liked the fact that Patrick was a Navy SEAL. In my opinion, he was the perfect hero. I personally have a lot of admiration for our military and I loved his patriotism and his commitment throughout the book. I also found him to be very real and down-to-earth.

As far as Annie went, I didn't warm up to her until about halfway through the book. I had expected to feel sympathy for her from the start but somehow I didn't quite get there until she had recovered a bit.

Patrick and Annie's story was beautiful and inspiring, and a very entertaining read!

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

This was better than horrible, but not enough to call it okay.

The plus side is it was one of the most well-edited books I have read in quite awhile. It had a good premise.

The bad is, the ending was pretty much telegraphed from the very start. There was little to keep my interest through it.

The ugly. It was just too, emotionless. Nothing about the main character made me want to care what happened to her. She could not, or would not see what was so clear due to her infatuation with the antagonist of the story...

I wanted to like it so much. The cover was beautiful, I love The Nutcracker Ballet...but alas, it was not enough.

I received a copy from Net Galley to review.

I recieved this copy via netgalley.

After reading the blurb, I thought to myself this was going to be an excellent read.

Whilst I did like the book I didn't love it, it was a short read with a HEA ending, but I feel that it could if been more developed in a lot of places and made a bit more true to life.

I know that we all like to escape into books but I feel this could of been made a bit more realistic in some places