Sunday, September 25, 2011

Review & Giveaway - Forever Texas Blog Tour





Title: Heartstrings and Diamond Rings
Series: No
Author: Jane Graves | Website
Available: 9/27
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reading Level: Adult










Description from Goodreads:


HE'S THE MAN OF HER DREAMS . . . 

In a world full of frogs, Alison Carter is determined to find her prince. Maybe her dating past is more Titanic than Love Boat, but she's seen enough happy marriages to know that true love is possible. No matter what, she won't give up on happily-ever-after. If she can't find Mr. Right, she'll simply hire someone who can. 

SHE JUST DOESN'T KNOW IT YET 

When Brandon Scott inherits a successful matchmaking business, he thinks his prayers have been answered. Set up a few lonely ladies, collect the fee, how hard can it be? No one needs to know he's not really a professional matchmaker-especially not his first client, the beautiful, spirited Alison. Soon he's falling for her-and her dreams of kids and carpools. But Alison is getting close to figuring out his secret, and if she learns he's deceived her too, she'll walk right out the door, taking Brandon's heart with her.



My thoughts:


Heartstrings and Diamond Rings was such a cute book! While I did find Alison’s desperation to meet Mr. Right made me slightly uncomfortable at times, the crazy dates she went on over the course of the book had me laughing out loud despite the uncomfortable moments. Brandon played the role of hunky love interest perfectly. I loved how much chemistry they had. I did really like Alison, but at times she was a little overwhelming. She was just so hard on herself. When she finally relaxed and we got a glimpse of the real Alison, I quickly discovered what an amazing and genuine character she is. Bonus points for Alison owning multiple cats even though I discovered in this novel I’ve reached the quantity of cats that classify me as “crazy” ;)



This novel also stars a fab cast of secondary characters. I especially loved Alison’s dad, Charlie. The interaction between the two was so sweet and heartwarming. I really loved all the quirky characters in Alison’s life. It had that small town, close knit vibe I just can’t get enough of.

The dialogue in Heartstrings and Diamond Rings was so much fun. I adore Jane Graves’s sense of humor and how it shines in her novels. This is only the second book of hers I have read, and it will definitely not be the last.

Cover thoughts: Alison was especially obsessed with the size of her derrière. It would have been nice to see a cover model with a little more junk in the trunk. Just saying ;)


My Rating:









Title: Don't Mess With Texas
Series: Debut!
Author: Christie Craig | Website
Available: Now
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reading Level: Adult












Description from Goodreads:


Nikki Hunt thought her night couldn't get worse when her no-good, cheating ex ditched her at dinner, sticking her with the bill. Then she found his body stuffed in the trunk of her car and lost her two-hundred-dollar meal all over his three-thousand-dollar suit. Now not only is Nikki nearly broke, she's a murder suspect.


Former cop turned PI, Dallas O'Connor knows what it's like to be unjustly accused. But one look at the sexy-though skittish-suspect tells him she couldn't hurt anyone. The lead detective, Dallas's own brother, has the wrong woman and Dallas hopes a little late-night "undercover" work will help him prove it . . .




My thoughts:



Loved it! Don’t Mess With Texas was my first Christie Craig adult novel. I read the first book in her YA series, Born at Midnight, and found I loved the style of writing she displayed. I was eager to check out some of her romance novels aimed at adults. 



Don’t Mess With Texas showcases a perfect combination of humor, wit, and tender moments that actually had me in tears. The POV shifts between numerous characters. While the primary focus is on Dallas and Nikki, we also get to know Dallas’s brother who is trying to win back his wife. Their story will break your heart. Then there is Nikki’s grandmother. I love books with eccentric old folks! I knew she was my kind of character from the moment she showed up in her Annie Oakley costume.

Dallas and Nikki’s relationship actually starts when she barfs on him in a parking lot after she discovers her ex-husband’s body in her trunk. The craziness doesn’t stop there. This novel was so not like any other romance I’ve ever read. How could I not love it? Dallas was smoking hot and Nikki was so sweet, but a little naïve. At times I couldn’t understand why she wasn’t more upset about what was happening to her. It isn’t everyday she was accused of murder. I think that was just part of her personality though. She is the kind of character who worries more about other people than herself. I really liked both of them and the chemistry was sizzling!

This was a fantastic series debut. The character development was some of the best I’ve ever seen and the plot progressed at a nicely moving pace. I’m always impressed when an author can introduce us to so many characters and still produce a book that doesn’t feel overwhelming and manage to wrap up all the loose ends. Christie Craig did just that. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!






Giveaway Details:

I have 3 sets of Heartstrings and Diamond Rings & Don't Mess With Texas up for grabs courtesy of Hachette.
Open to residents of the U.S & Canada
No P.O Boxes please
Leave a comment with a way to contact you to enter (email, Twitter, etc.)
+1 for tweeting - leave a link :)
Ends 10/10

26 comments:

  1. Would love to win. Thanks for the opportunity!

    littleone AT shaw doT ca

    ReplyDelete
  2. Both these books sound delightful and I'm looking forward to reading them. I especially want to read Don't Mess with Texas after all the flack from Texas about using their slogan.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. They both sound like fun reads, thanks for the giveaway!

    myra0502 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the giveaway. I'm a fan of Christie's books.

    janie1215 AT excite DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I loved Don't Mess with Texas. I've also had a chance to read book 2 in the Hotter in Texas trilogy and, damn, is it ever hot. Not to mention laugh-out-loud funny and heart-tugging.

    I haven't read any of Jane Graves' books but I'm definitely rectifying that as soon as possible.

    Great reviews.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey, y'all! Just thought I'd drop by to say hi. Great blog! Thanks for a lovely review.

    Best of luck with the giveaway to all who entered!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I had no idea Christie Craig had written YA books. I'm so glad to hear her book is good b/c I read "Shut up and Kiss Me" and I loved it!

    I wiould love enter the contest!!

    inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I tweeted here :)

    http://twitter.com/#!/in_the_hammock/status/118121392481894400

    inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Would love to read these. Thank you for the giveaway.

    littleredride.nhood {at} yahoo {dot} com

    Tweeted:

    http://twitter.com/#!/JRabbitsCorner/status/118137874993528832

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for the great giveaway. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read these books. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Both sound like great reads. Thanks for the chance to win them.
    Jennifer
    jennifer(@)fictitiousmusings(dot)com

    Tweeted

    http://twitter.com/#!/Jen_FicMusings/status/118149624509894656

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sounds good. Thanks for the chance!

    tweet - http://twitter.com/#!/DonnaS1/status/118152931974459392

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. They look like great stories!
    mce1011 AT aol DOT ocm

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for the great giveaway! Twitter: @rensrambles

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great giveaway!
    email: lgm52@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I can't wait to read both of these books! They sound wonderful!

    justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for sharing your views on these books and for the great giveaway!

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am in LOVE with the cover of Don't Mess with Texas! AHHH so cute!

    That is a crazy way to meet someone! WOW!

    jacindahinten(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. These look cute. Thanks for the revi giveaway!

    geoarchs(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh I want to read both of these!!

    book-obsessed[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  21. CUTE COVER!!! And the books sound amazing! I would love to read both. :D
    thunter_5@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. These sound like so much fun!! Can't wait to read them!
    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/rlawrence110/status/120331207362875392
    rlawrence110 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I would so love to read these books, they both sound like fun reads! Thanks for the chance=)
    Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net

    ReplyDelete
  24. I tweeted=)
    https://twitter.com/#!/Luvdaylilies/status/120907470376943616
    Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net

    ReplyDelete
  25. I would love to try another Christie Craig book. I enjoyed Shut Up and Kiss Me.

    https://twitter.com/#!/forever913/status/123194969883295744

    tiredwkids at live dot com

    ReplyDelete