Hardpressed By Meredith Wild

I'll admit that my interest was piqued, especially to the end, as I love a good competition and I see where the end of this novel lines us up for a potential battle of wills, despite the once again abrupt and untimely ending. She really needs to find a better way to transition through her novels.

I was a little more interested in this story line than before as the characters found themselves and their places within the business and the story. There was more background and a clearer path and priorities sheet. Though the cliches were still present, with the addition of a few more, an effort was made to resolve some leaving us with less story lines. The sex is also becoming more BDSM and I wouldn't be surprised if by the end of this series they have a playroom. I have also found another character to love and that's James.

We were introduced to James in the last novel but now we have a background and present day situations that make him the best character to coax  Erica out of her shell and make her seem more vulnerable.  Yes, she was hung up on Blake, but we saw human nature at play with her interaction and reactions to James.

I have always loved Erica's fortitude when it came to her business but I think she now needs to adapt some of it into her personal life. She spent most of the novel wallowing or conceding and it was good to see her step up to the plate in the end.

I don't think I took stock of their relationship before but there is something there waiting to be ignited. I saw a spark and I like it; They are comfortable with each other, which in turn makes you comfortable with them as a couple.

I even found myself warming to Heath, while Alli became a new character to me. It was good to get some background on Daniel, as well as, Mark and I actually had looked forward to finding out about that relationship.

We are introduced to some new characters and resolved or tempered some issues of the past and present, but this story has still not given me a memorable moment. Yes, there is the death but that hardly counts because of it's delivery and the person.

Grammatical and editing errors are few if any and I truly believe that this story flows but it still remains a little timid in it's delivery. I don't know if it's waiting on the final novel but this story needs a shake to make us stop and look. It's too comfortable right now and I just wanna add some spice and shake!

- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22457201-hardpressed

Reasonable Doubt: Volume 2 By Whitney Gracia Williams

It pains me to say this because I am a big fan of Whitney Williams but I fear that this story might turn into another 'Arrangement' series, where we get really small moments in time before breaking to the next volume. Books cost money, yes, 99¢ is still money, so it's really not fair the amount of content we get but we buy these books anyway because we love the authors and their work.

Volume 1 was an introduction and I am fine with that because it was a powerful and memorable introduction that lined you up for so much more that I couldn't wait to get my hands on the next copy. Therefore, I genuinely expected more than I got from Volume 2. I like that Andrew kept his blunt personality and we even got some more information about his character from New York with not only one this time but two flash backs to before Durham.

It's all the same issues though with a new variable in the form of his ex-wife that was mentioned at the end of volume 1. It was average sex and a blow job lesson that was quite crass but that's fine.

There is no real growth in their relationship, because even though he is out of his comfort zone for a majority of the second half of this novel which we are not privy to details, by the end he is right there again and I don't feel like I know them well enough as individuals or a couple. They have great chemistry when it comes to arguing and I find that I like that and Andrew's blunt, conceited personality more than I did the story line. Those and the length of this novella were the saving points for me.

Personally and professionally Andrew almost remains the same with the exception of getting his real name and a look into his relationship with his ex-wife. Some might say this is progress and should be enough and it could be but it's how it was delivered. I can remove so many unnecessary scenes and conversations that could make way for more or better timed reveals.

Aubrey seems stuck in a rut also because nothing has changed on her front. She did 1 ... I repeat 1 ballet duo in the entirety of this novella so the cover kind of stump me now because I was looking for a full on ballet themed performance. Call me crazy!

It's the same old characters doing the same old things with the introduction of Andrew's ex-wife. The editing and writing is fine but I just think the delivery was weak and I really expected more growth in the content than what we got.

For another author, this could be a work of art, but Whitney has set the bar ridiculously high and I just don't think this is her best. She strives on packing the most intense feelings, emotions and stories in the smallest of packages so I don't know what went wrong here.

I wouldn't not recommend this novella nor skip out on reading the next but I didn't get much from this volume and I am hoping for a better volume 3. If that will be the end then I expect her to pull out every trick she has in her bag because she is gonna need it to not fall on a loop again.

- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22175981-reasonable-doubt

Mid Life Love By Whitney Gracia Williams

Whitney Williams is the queen of "life after the life altering break ups". Her characters believe in stability and their relationships and sacrifices are no joke. She tackles every day issues with her own twist and this one was no different. There were layers and stages without stating the obvious. Even though this wasn't as constant as her previous novellas, on account of this being a full length novel, they were many spurts and I love that every one had to work for what they got. It was a struggle from beginning to end and I had to cover my face a few times at the end, because I was mortified for Claire!

Due to a statement in Whitney's acknowledgement, I don't know what Johnathan's character was like before, but he was perfect in this interpretation. He was determined, witty, sarcastic and quite the romantic. He didn't mince is words, regardless of the individual and he set the bar so high I can't see anyone crossing it.

Women's fiction sometimes bring the hot and heavy issues, that not most young readers can relate. It's of a different nature and the cat and mouse is mostly out the window, after all, they are grown! This novel though had just the right balance between NA romance and Women's fiction.

Claire doesn't look or act her age. There are moments where her maturity shine, especially in work related and parental atmospheres, but other times, she's just a woman dating a man with the insecurities of most. Then again, there is no manual on the behavior of a 40 year old divorcee. She is also determined, motivated, witty, sarcastic and romantic. They complemented each other well as a couple and still held their separate personalities as individuals.

The story line is done in stages and span a quality amount of time. There is major conflict but with a lighter note, banter and every day relationship issues. I didn't expect the person behind the roadblocks and insecurities in Claire's life, but being a female myself, I can understand your motivations and dilemmas at that age. You don't have to be 40 to have Claire's problems, but add to that dating a younger guy and there were enough every day qualities to relate. Claire's personality and approach to issues varied from a 40 year old, divorcee with two kids, to a fresh out of college girl looking for fun. She was dynamic and didn't fit any mold I give.

We fluttered between past and present frequently and they were incorporated beautifully, other than an identifiable mark needed to show a break of scenes and a constant way to instantly let us that we were being brought to the past, this novel was edited and presented well.

I will say that there were some major unrealistic topics, like the Golden Gate bridge scene and the emphasis on his company's position in his chosen profession. The tech issues came off as far fetched and I wished that she had decided to take his importance from another POV. There is nothing wrong with the industry, but it's a small, well known one and the fact that the world knows the major players, it was kind of hard to not see this book as cheesy when it name dropped and gave a product more hype than it could possibly currently garner.

The sex scenes weren't explosive, but they were passionate and believeable. Even with the corny one liners, he came off genuine and I loved the conversations. I believe Whitney G has a knack for giving some really good, filling conversations as oppose to space holders for the point of having a chat going.

Whitney G is also the queen of second chance romance and I love what she can do with two strangers in a matter of days. She writes about sarcastic, strong willed characters who aren't afraid to get what they want. They are confident to the point of cocky and each one is memorable by their skills and personalities. I can even tell the twins apart!

The characters will entertain from beginning to end and this novel balances a line with readers that few novels of this genre is able to maintain.

I never heard of this author before last week, but I am glad I did. She writes nothing but borderline flawless pieces about every day relationship problems and personal insecurities. Join this journey as she tries to contain the ego of a young billionaire and the esteem of an established but self conscious divorcee. It makes you believe, even when you don't wanna.

- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17403101-mid-life-love

*** For access to an unpublished Epilogue***

http://twocrazygirlswithapassionforbooks.blogspot.com/2013/07/mid-life-love-epilogue-by-whitney.html?zx=3ece45b18efa6fbc

Reasonable Doubt: Volume 1 By Whitney Gracia Williams

I have never heard of or read a book by this author before, but I can say that I am now a fan of her work. No offence to those published authors out there, living their dream and feeding their families, but sometimes self-published novels have an air and quality about them that published ones can't measure to. I always say, that "starving" artiste (I mean that in a good way), normally produce some of the best works.

Without a reasonable doubt, I can say that I enjoyed this story. I love the characters, detail, story line and development. For the first time, I could actually manage them throwing each other up against walls, without rolling my eyes to the sky. The thing that has me weary, is her wanted career path. I am one of those persons who ALWAYS have a plan B and thoroughly believe in stability. Therefore, I kind of want her to be committed to being a lawyer.

I like all the characters so far and even the cliches are tolerable. There isn't much spin or twist to the story line from others of it's genre and subject matter, but there is something about Aubrey and Andrew that makes you fall in love with them and exclude them from the group some people would say they are firmly apart of.

Andrew is a douche to everyone but Alyssa; He is witty, intelligent, sarcastic, sexy, possibly and introvert and quite the dirty talker. I don't mind that this novel has two POVs, but I currently slightly prefer Andrew to Aubrey's POV. He got me from the first page and I just kept on yearning for him right down to the last.

Aubrey is quite the hellcat when provoked and I love her "honesty", I say this tentatively. She adds fire and intensity, she is outspoken, confident and it completely baffles me, as to her lack of friends. I loved her instantly and her banters with Andrew are hilarious, spicy and always end with some arousing kink free sex. It's raw, gritty, passionate, unexpected and in just the right amount of doses.

This novel is all about pace; You have to pace yourself for Andrew's, past and the demons he are trying to outrun. You also have to pace yourself with regards to their future, because Andrew's past is unknown and the present is murky at best.

I love the details and time placed in each conversation and scene. I am actually shocked that this is novella length, because so much is packed in there without you paying attention to the length. I have learnt so much about and from both, while still waiting on the superglue to tie everything together. Maybe Andrew will lend me some off his office floor :)

The ending is unfortunately firmly in cliffhanger territory. I'm not gonna front like I'm not disappointed, as his secrets are crawling from their holes and his reaction after Aubrey's last revelation is definitely on my mind. I am thinking up all sort of scenarios at this point and dying to meet the new addition, as well as, to figure out what took the hot shot New York lawyer to North Carolina.

There is many more to learn and experience with Andrew and Aubrey. I love them as individuals and as a couple, which I believe is important in romance novels of this nature. If the characters don't know themselves, how will we know?

Their story flows while it brings heat, sexiness, mystery and joy. There is always something happening or being revealed and the main relationship dynamic, has me excited in a way I haven't been in awhile with new stories.

I hope the continuation will keep this momentum and I can't wait to see what book 2 brings. Hopefully, it's a little longer, because I have fallen in love with fire and fire; It can make the biggest blaze we have ever seen or it can burn until it fizzles. I personally am voting for the first option, so I shall cross my fingers and toes until the next installment.

- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20761374-reasonable-doubt

The Plan By Qwen Salsbury

I love Emma. I love Alaric. I love Emma and Alaric. This story and it's characters were quirky, funny and full of wit!

I was a little apprehensive in the beginning, with the format, but I grew to love it and it eventually had me laughing as we moved through the chapters. This is definitely an office romance to talk about! I enjoyed this story for the most part, until they actually got together and I felt the fire in Emma and the coldness in Alaric both fade and thaw respectively. That seems to be the theme of most stories these day, or maybe it's just the excitement that accompanies the build up.

There was a lot of reverse therapy within this novel. Your usual romance novel roles were reversed and the pineapple nods got hilarious as we progressed. I loved that Emma got control in the bedroom and I love the role of Alaric Cannon outside of the bedroom. I believed him and felt that connection when he got to not think about anything and just relax in the arms of Emma.

He wasn't your usual billionaire playboy. He was just another, but well off and respected, member of staff. He never strayed from his character even when he was "courting" of sorts Emma. He is so good at being aloof and sterile that  I can't seem to see him as anything else. He wears douche well! I never expect his reactions and he surely knows how to keep me guessing. At every turn he makes a right instead of the obvious left.

Emma is your usual sarcastic, take no prisoners female  and I adore her inner monologues and narration. The only thing that could have made the flow of this story better was to have more POVs from Alaric. I was never bored and couldn't wait for the next interaction between Alaric and Emma.

I never understood the point of the initial "plan" of this novel but I am glad for the recon work and the outcome. The build up and result was hilarious and fun to experience. I must commend the detail and time taken to explain and navigate the world of business, office relations, mergers and law. I was never confused and was actually interested in the business side of this novel more than I was with the bedroom scenes.

Speaking of, I feel like too much comedy was taken in the bedroom. Due to the writing style, it came off as comedy than passionate bedroom scenes. The heat was missing for me. It all seemed mechanical.

Where conflict is concerned, there wasn't much. This is a novel of comedic proportions and so even the serious moments were lightened with levity. I would have liked more back story from Alaric and Emma, as well as, to see them interact as a couple in the work place. I was actually waiting on the cliche romance novel ending. Baby, house, marriage ... in other words, I wasn't ready for it to end. Take out the sex scenes or make them better and I would surely read double the current pages. (260 pages)

This is a one read novel that will have you laughing and hanging on to every page. Even filled with a few cliche romance novel technicalities, this novel is more than an office romance. It's funny, interesting and highlights some real instances of office romance and camaraderie. The revolving door of assistants? Maybe not so much.

For what it lacked, it made up for in banter, sarcasm and a really well spent business trip. I was hooked to the pages of this novel and loved every minute I spent with Emma and Alaric. I really hope we get a continuation novella or something more on these two, because I probably miss them already :)

- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20554511-the-plan