Back At It: First book of 2015: LAW MAN

Last year was a crazy ride, with super tough bio and chem classes. But I'm back. And hopefully for good.


Any better way to start off the year than with a Kristen Ashley book? I think not.

(All ratings are out of 5)

Title: Law Man

Author: Kristen Ashley

Cliffhanger: No.

Happily Ever After?: Yes.

Overall Rating : 4

Series: Dream Man (#3)

Steam: VERY

Hero: 5

Heroine: 4

Recommend?: Yes.

Hero: Mitch Lawson

- Police Detective

Heroine: Mara Hanover

- Sells mattresses

NEIGHBORS.

Mara has had a "thing" for Mitch (who lives across from her) for a while now. 4 years to be exact. He's (obviously) attractive, has a good job, and has women hanging off him. Thinking she ranks at a 2.5 (out of 10) and Mitch is a clear 10.5, Mara stays away as much as possible (because the 10s aren't in the same league as the 2s. The 10s date other 8-10s while the 2s go out with the 1-3s). She has no self-confidence. One day, she gets a call from a pay phone saying her druggie and drunkard cousin's two kids are waiting at a market alone, she takes off to go get them. On the way out, she (literally) collides into Mitch. And Mitch, being 10.5 Mitch, helps her and drives her to the mart to pick up the kids. From there, starts the romance and the thriller in Law Man.

Altogether, I really liked this book. Sure, it's really nothing "new," but seeing the character development really made me like the book even more. The romance was great, it developed very beautifully. However, my favorite was Mara's gain in self-confidence. She'd been always put down by her poor-excuse-of-a-mom and aunt, and always saw herself as way less than she actually was. Mitch brings out the best in her and helps her see that she is worth so much more than she gives herself credit to.

Also, the kids were great. Billy and Billie (because their dad, BILL, thought it would be HILARIOUS to name his son and daughter both Billie/Billy except with different spellings) were such adorable children. I really felt terrible for the amount of responsibility 10 year old Billy had taken on so early in his life. Kids shouldn't have to worry about having food at home, keeping their sister safe from their dead-beat dad's friends, having money, etc.

The rating system Mara used in "Mara World" was a bit over exaggerated. It was mentioned too many times. Also, Mara was pretty much had no backbone the first half of the book. I think after she got her reality check in the middle about Bill and the mafia and all she grew a backbone, but she wouldn't stand up for herself and it really bothered the feminist inside me.

This wasn't my favorite KA book, I don't think any will take the place of Own The Wind (motorcycles + me = gah!), but it was a very engaging read that kept me on my toes and wondering what was going to happen next!

Favorite lines:

What kind of friend are you?” Billy asked.
“A different kind of friend,” Mitch answered.
“What kind of different?” Billy shot back.
“A good kind of different,” Mitch replied.”

LICK

LICK

BY: KYLIE SCOTT

                              First thing I think of when I think of this book is "That's what you get for waking up in vegas!"

Katy Perry's song. I think it just fits.

So.. here's how the story goes:

Evelyn Thomas wakes up after partying the night away for her 21st birthday in Vegas with a huge stone on her left hand. A diamond stone to be precise. And a really attractive, tattooed, dark haired, blue eyed guy sitting with her in the restroom. Without a shirt on. Hmm.. 

Turns out she married David Ferris, guitarist and lyricist for Stage Dive, world famous band. And he's just as world famous for his good looks as his talent. Thus the story starts.. Ev remembers nothing from the night before. David had the time of his life that night and is extremely upset that the girl he thought was his perfect match does not remember a thing. Through heartbreak, pretending, sex, lust, love, some bad lawyers, a creepy brother, bitchy parents, oh and a vengeful ex-girlfriend.. their love for one another finally beats all.

This story was such a gem. It was shorter than the usual books I read, and was a standalone (although there will be companion novels about the other band members). I love romance that takes place between a rockstar of some sort and your headstrong, intelligent girl. It's awesome!

Ev, the heroine, was so enjoyable. She was intelligent, and she didn't keep secrets or pretend to be someone she wasn't and I really appreciated that as well as admired her. I hate heroine's that give into everything a guy says or does and don't think for themselves. Ev was the complete opposite. And she always spoke her mind; she didn't leave the guys guessing or didn't speak in abstract that left you wondering what she's really saying. She was straightforward and spoke the truth even if she knew it wasn't going to benefit her. That, in itself, made me love the book so much. It made the book for me.

" If love was for fools then so be it. At least I'd be an honest one. "

The miscommunication issues were very few; most books I read lately of the NA genre all have miscommunication issues, which is basically the main reason the two love birds don't speak to one another or question one another through about 70% of the book. Not here. Though there were one or two issues, they were quickly resolved by just talking.

David Ferris was a sweetheart. I want him. Or someone like him, that works too. He plays the guitar, (and bass and the drums, of course). He writes all the lyrics for the band. And he's a closet romantic. He was so funny and always knew the right things to say. Of course I was pissed when he was being a bitch to Ev in the first couple scenes, but then I realized why he was being that way and I completely understood where he was coming from.

" 'Let me get this straight, you don't remember anything?'

'No,' I said, swallowing hard. 'What did we do last night?'

'We got fucking married,' he growled. "

How would you feel if you made an amazing connection with someone and had the time of your life with them, which ultimately led you two to get married and the next morning, your other half doesn't remember any of it and wants a divorce? Ouch.

Mal. Mal. Mal.

Malcolm is the drummer for the band, and he was such a nice breath of fresh air, sorta like the comedic relief.

My favorite convo between David and Malcolm:

" David: 'Who are you, Oprah?'

Coughing out a laugh, Mal slumped against the wall. 'Hell, yeah. Soon I'm gonna be giving out cars, so stick around.'

David: 'What did she say?'

Mal: 'Who, Oprah?' "

Love the guy!

Mal: "I feel your manpain bro. Really, I do. I mean, all you wanted was a girl that wouldn't kiss your ass for once and now you're pissed at her for the same damn reason. It's complicated, right?"

So very complicated.

And Martha; 

Overall, this one's a gem. It's one of those books you might just overlook because of all the NA series out there, but don't. It's a breath of fresh air! You won't regret it!

OOH. AND THERE'S A LOT OF THIS: