On the Record By K.A. Linde

First, let me start off by saying what a sexy cover this is and I think that even if this story turned out to be crap, atleast the cover was good eye candy. Now on to the story ...

Why must K.A. Linde write these realistic, fairy tales and then drop us like a hot patty at the end? I will admit I had my moments where I wondered where the hell is she going now but just as I am literally standing in the kitchen, unable to go and have a shower because my kindle reads 98%, she drops a bomb and exits until November?! Do you know how far November is?? Sighz.

It's safe to say that I loved it. I'll get angry, disagree and swear off reading another K.A. Linde novel but I never do. I believe she writes some of the most controversial stories and she does it in a way that feels all too real and relateable, while still giving you as happy as an ending, that she can muster out of the mess she creates.

Hayden dominated this novel but it was hard to lose yourself in their love because I kept having the lingering feeling that it wouldn't last. Though he was made to look like a monster at one point, for the most part, he was the perfect replacement and it was good to see that he was human, as he did what anyone else in his position, who was angry and hurting would do. We are jealous and vindictive creatures, so his actions, though harsh, is no surprise. It made me respect the author for being able to comfortably take this step and knowing the outcome.

There were moments when I couldn't understand or tolerate Liz. She annoyed me to no end and had me wondering what every one saw in her but the girl has spirit and drive. Ply her with alcohol and she's your #1! She is strange but relateable. Her reservations came off as a fairy tale but when she broke out of her shell she made me laugh until I snort and she is the only person in this novel who can make you see Brady Maxwell the man and not Brady Maxwell the politician. I really don't think anyone sees him the way she does and his last chapter moments at the end of these novels always take off that edge that his character carries.

There is sex but it's pretty tame and so much was going on that I preferred conversations as oppose to the bedroom actions. The politics was once again done tastefully and reflected someone who understood politics and wasn't just basing a story around the regular affairs. I love a well thought out and executed novel and K.A. Linde didn't disappoint.

'On the record' is split into two parts and you will have to read both to appreciate and understand this novel. I know there will be another Hayden vs Brady battle after this one but I find that the further we go, the more our perceptions of the characters change. This novel is more than Liz and Brady as a couple and I like that everyone is growing and getting their time in the sun.

It took some time and a few good scenes to develop some mystery and intrigue but in the end, it left me yearning for more and jonesing for an ARC for 'For the Record'. This was a brilliantly written and executed political drama and I can't wait for it's conclusion.

- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20816084-on-the-record

A Song For Us By Teresa Mummert

I think I took too long to finish reading this novel and now I am paying for it. I have an array of emotions to accompany this novel, based on the chapters I got through each day. Therefore, by the end, I have no one set emotional evaluation of this novel. It just is.

The beginning was tentative. Nothing much happened but we got updates and reconnected with old characters. No offence Dorris :)

Before, I saw Eric's character as an angry douche, but I wasn't sure what to expect this go. I was thoroughly surprised to see that Eric through his and Sarah's eyes is a completely different man. Even Cass and Tucker seemed grown and more confident and secure than when we first met them.

Eric is more sensitive than you'd expect and his cynical words did not match his deep actions. I liked his character from beginning to end and I actually wish that he ended up with Donna. I like them together and I think they could have helped each other out of their funk.

Yes, after that last statement, you might find me crazy but I actually think that Derek and Sarah make a good couple. I think he really loves her, he's just as messed up in the head as the rest of them. It's just that no one bothered to talk to him and Sarah was unable to be the support he needed because she could barely hold herself up. If not for that major, appalling wrench thrown in at the climax of this novel, Derek could have become a better person and Donna could have enhanced not only 'Damaged' but the Eric we got to know in this installment.

Sarah annoyed me a lot throughout this novel. I will admit it now, I am bias. I like novels about the guys that are crazy but I resent when it's a female. Irrespective of what we like to think, men are the stronger sex physically, so to see a man vulnerable is welcomed. Women are always placed in a category of being weaklings, so I hate when one free falls into said category, especially through cutting. I hate that most of all.

I started reading this novel after clearly stating to myself that I didn't want to read a love triangle. The irony? Yes, I saw it too. This was a love square! However, I had hopes that maybe Sarah would stick with Derek and Eric and Donna would be the real outcome. Eventually though, I had to get over that dream and try to navigate the murky waters of tainted and unrequited love. Eric had to fight both literally and figuratively for this one. I hope she's worth it.

The resolution in this novel baffled me because all it took was showing up to start mending the problems that plagued and stunted these characters for most of their adult life. I liked the blast into their past because I was interested in the conversations between Eric and his dad. Those were some vulnerable moments.

Even though this was a rock and roll novel it gave us an aspect that we rarely see with this genre. They weren't touring and getting in trouble with groupies , they were on a break. It was good to see them in a different element, removed from the celebrity scene and it assisted in highlighting the struggles for artiste to acclimate back to every day life when the touring ends.

The twins were more interactive in this novel and I like the time spent with Terry and Chris. They are the life of the party! The camaraderie only got better with the return of Tucker as he helped create ways for Eric and Sarah's relationship to grow. Side note, if you haven't noticed, I refuse to call him 'E'. It's a letter and quite retarded of a nick name -_-

This can be a quick read if your in the mood and have the time. It's interesting enough to keep you engaged but get ready to be annoyed at some point with the back and forth between Donna, Eric, Sarah and Derek.

I liked Eric and Derek the most from this novel and their constant competition and deception kept this story interesting and moving more than the actual romance. Truthfully, I was over it when the final couple dynamics were revealed. I didn't hate the romance but I was more a fan of the road to the romance.

- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16138461-a-song-for-us

Then Came Alexandra By E.L. Todd

First off, I don't know in which world Blaise was and can be a playboy. He is too sensitive and too much of a push over to the point where his behavior disgust. Maybe it's a Southern thing but this man was more sentimental than all the women of this novel combined. Grow a spine man!

Gabe was ridiculously annoying and I continued to roll my eyes at the intensity with which these men fought for Alexandra. It was like answering to a siren's call with how they behaved. I actually think that Blaise needs some anger management classes and is one upset away from being a woman beater, even if Danielle is infuriating and deserves it.

Speaking of which, why does Danielle have so much power in this story? I believe the conflict of this story can easily be solved with a good ol' fashion conversation between all parties involved. Her secret isn't much of a secret and at the price of my happiness? Sorry, can't do it! Especially if I loathe you the way he "claims" he loathes Danielle. At this point, he doesn't deserve Alexandra because he isn't man enough to put Danielle in her place and give Alexandra a reason to forgive him and see past this betrayal.

Then in comes Paul. He is a douche. I say this, because he is. There is no justification for cheating and emotional cheating is way worse than physical cheating. Still, there is something about him I like. He shows up at the literal beginning and end of this novel but I'd give him a chance over Blaise because he is honest and man enough to clear the air and try to make it work. Right now, he is the better candidate.

Martha is hilarious and I think she adds that wise, parental aspect to this novel, without any one feeling like a disappointment. She seems to be the glue that ties every one together and I love her blunt one on one conversations with both Blaise and Alexandra.

This was my first real Southern novel. I didn't know what to expect, so I expected nothing. It's kind of sweet and it's not the culture shock I assumed it to be. Their ideologies and time frame was quick but it worked for them. They don't beat around the bush or waste time. Except for the very irresponsible Blaise -_-

I am comfortably with them as a couple, for however long it was, but I am not crazy about them either. As I said, Blaise needs to grow a pair! Dual POVs can have their advantage but every time I switched to Blaise I just wanted to pummel him. The wording of his POVs from most conversations, outside of the ones with Martha and Alexandra, came of rather feminine and left me rolling my eyes with their delivery. It was so melodramatic and sappy. I wanted a strong country male perspective, not this whiny, ungrateful, sap of a man.

You might be thinking that I hate him but I don't. I just think that his behaviour, after his major screw up that could be seen a mile away, knocked him down a notch in my book. His confidence in his sexual prowess baffles me, because it was also very sweet and tame sex. You are not a sex God Blaise. Please repeat this to yourself!

The more time Alexandra spent in Savannah, the more she started to seem less mature than the raging NYC girl who showed up in the middle of the night with issues a mile long. She was strong, independent and witty in the opening of this novel and to the end I saw some more of that. Maybe it's Paul who brings out the rugged in her.

We only had one interaction with Abby but I love it! She is hilarious and I can see how Alexandra could have all those tough city chick traits because her sister and aunt is no different. Lana and Hannah are the epitome of Southern girls and all the cotton rearing was done in just the right amount as to not overwhelm this story. It's a short read and I got it done in a couple hours while doing the laundry.

I think this was a good, solid story that carries just the right Southern sway. I am not a fan of cheating novels, as my last was 'Thoughtless' by S.C. Stephens, over a year ago, so I am tentative to read the next novel in this series.

Despite all the grammatical, spelling and editing errors, as well as, the lack of balls on Blaise, I enjoyed this installment and would read the next in the series.

- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21472825-then-came-alexandra