Mini Reviews: Domino Effect by Jill Elaine Hughes, Falling by Barbara Elsborg, & Reining Men by Em Petrova

Title: Domino Effect
Author: Jill Elaine Hughes
Published: December 13th 2013
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: Contemporary Romance
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Caution: May contain spoilers

Peter Rostovich is an enigmatic international artist with ties to the Russian mafia. He manipulates everyone he comes in contract with and nobody can figure him out—not even himself. More than that, he has a taste for bondage, which he infuses into his art.

Virginal Nancy Delaney is an aspiring reporter who tries to crack Peter’s shell. His work is like nothing she’s ever seen—complete with a live sculpture that gets the exhibit shut down by the police.

Peter hates reporters, but Nancy captivates him to the point where he makes her part of his exhibit within seconds of meeting her. He introduces her to the world of BDSM, but his involvement in the criminal underworld puts Nancy in the sights of his fiercest enemy.

My Thoughts:

I suppose when I was going into this, I should have expected the story to be a little over-the-top. I guess I always like to be in anticipation for something, I don't know, more worthwhile, to come from reading. This one kinda just irritated me.

The story itself was interesting, but it was the matter of Nancy and her desires. She was that girl who although she was a virgin wanted to just dive straight into the deep end of the pool and was ecstatic for it. I get that it's intriguing, what Peter has to offer her in the romance department, but, for crying out loud, it was to unrealistic for me. Not to mention Peter was larger than life... as they always seem to be in these stories.

In the end, while it may not have been something I could enjoy, because of the not quite possible story line, I can see how people who like books in this genre would enjoy it. So, I do suggest it for them, but not so much for the rest of us.

My Rating:

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Title: Falling
Author: Barbara Elsborg
Published: March 24th 2015
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: Contemporary Romance
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Caution: May contain spoilers

Falling is easy. Landing without breaking your heart? Impossible.

Harper is no longer behind bars, but it doesn’t feel like it. Ten years serving time for a crime he didn’t commit have left him shut down, numb, and a frozen wreck over the simplest of choices.

He’s acutely aware of the dark-haired young man checking him out in the supermarket, but he’s too deep in panic mode to even meet the guy’s gaze. Afraid the slightest move will trigger a fall that will never stop.

Fresh off a long-term relationship with a controlling man, Malachi is stuck living with relatives who think he’s a waste of oxygen. The tall guy in the long, gray coat is the first bright spot he’s glimpsed in a long time…though the man’s unblinking stare at a bottle of shower gel is a touch alarming.

Hard experience tells both of them to turn away before lust turns to hopeless attraction, and inevitably to disaster. But once their sparks connect, the arc of electricity is too strong to deny. Even if the cost is too much to bear.

My Thoughts:

Falling is an extremely intense story. It draws you in near the beginning and pulls you by the heartstrings until the end. The relationship between Harper and Malachi is impossible to deny. They're magnetically attracted and it doesn't stop. You know it's there as much as they do. They can feel it in their bones.

Aside from the relationship between Harper and Malachi, there are other factors at play. Harper was wrongly accused of a crime he didn't commit and sent to prison for it. Now that he's out and trying to put it all behind him, the facts behind it are coming to the surface. And you'll be surprised to find out what the whole story is.

I really enjoyed Falling. Barbara Elsborg is a wonderful writer--definitely someone to check out. I'll have to keep an eye out for others in the future.

My Rating:

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Title: Reining Men
Author: Em Petrova
Published: December 30th 2014
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: Contemporary Romance
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Caution: May contain spoilers

The Boot Knockers Ranch caters to women in all ways. And now rookie Paul is officially part of the team. He’s had six months to hone his skills with the ladies and prides himself on being a prime catch.

Jack would agree. He can’t get the rugged cowboy out of his system. He wants Paul in his bed more than anything, but his best friend has always been resistant to relations with other men. Jack’s instinct says different, but he values Paul’s friendship too highly to push it.

Then Jack takes on beautiful new client Lissy Lofton and finds himself falling hard for the confident show jumper. He’s not the only one. Lissy has caught Paul’s attention, and the attraction is mutual.

But now Jack has a problem. Lissy’s sexual appetite is so ravenous, he doubts he can last the week without backup. Which presents an irresistible opportunity to invite Paul into their bed—where the incandescent heat brings all their walls tumbling down.

My Thoughts:

The book has an intriguing premise, and the idea of it pulled me in. However, I couldn't get into the story too much. I wanted to, don't get me wrong, and I tried. I enjoyed the heat for sure, but the rest wasn't as good for me. It was interesting enough for me to keep reading, to see if something would happen to pull me in. While it wasn't completely for me, I do think a lot of people will enjoy how hot it is.

My Rating: