Simone Beaudelaire

This book is a standalone but it is part of a series and stories for previous characters and future books in series are touched on.
I wasn't keen on the Hero at all. To me he was spineless.
At the start of the book he and the heroine have plans to marry but he is propositioned by a woman who is well known for being a slut and he learns some skills with her instead of the heroine.
The other woman gets pregnant so he marries her.
The original couple do get together later but he seems to constantly compare her to his first wife even thinking of her lack of sexual experience compared to the first wife who was cheating on him.
There are details of him being with both women.
He doesn't seem to really appreciate the second chance he's been given and treat her like gold.
The heroine just seems so grateful she gets a chance to marry the idiot, he doesn't even really have to grovel or even try too hard.
He needs a wife straight away to care for the first woman's child so it feels like she'll do.
There are several couples stories going on, plus a bank robbery plot and family issues.
I don't think I'll read the other books. He's not my sort of Hero.
HEA.

… (mais)

I was kinda all over the board with this book. Simone has written some amazing romance stories that I’ve given 5 stars too. But, sometimes she misses the mark. She likes to write weak female characters, which is fine for some, just not for me, especially when the character is supposed to be strong. Like a police detective.

Other reviewers belabored the fact there was a 12 year age difference between Selene and Brandon. And that the romance happened too fast. My husband and I were 12 years apart and we also had a fast romance. We were together 30 years before he passed away. That’s where the age difference rears its ugly head.

As for the story itself, I’ve always wanted some type of paranormal ability. But, being able to read a person’s thoughts and feelings with just a touch would suck big time. So, yes, I felt for Selene. It may be a gift but a curse as well.

There is also a mystery entwined in the story. It’s not an edge of your seat type of thriller, but it kept my attention. Selene is being stalked, harassed and threatened. Is it someone she previously put behind bars? I did understand the perp’s motivation, but I thought he was missing some depth. He felt more like an add-on.

Between the mystery, the romance, and the interaction between Selene and her fellow cops, I found it an enjoyable read. I give it 4 feathers.… (mais)

What a great collection of novellas!

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of stories about our wounded veterans, and the physical and invisible scars our soldiers sometimes bring home with them.

The three stories are all interwoven, though each individual tale revolves around one main soldier and how he comes to heal and to fall in love. I have to admit, I was not expecting the love / romance bits in each story and was definitely not expecting the ahem, detailed love scenes, but I ended up bawling at the end of each of the three stories because I was so happy at the happy endings. And if you know me, you know I hate to read romance, even small bits of it, so if I'm applauding this book, then you know it's good!

I enjoyed the middle story "Justifying Jack" the most, and "Making Mike", the last story of the collection, the least.… (mais)

I’ve read two of the Hearts In Winter books from Simone, When the Music Ends and When the Words are Spoken, and I absolutely loved them, so I was looking forward to reading Polar Heat.

The story takes place in Alaska, which is a place I’ve always wanted to visit, S that gave this tale a special appeal. Russell is a Native American who also happens to be a shapeshifting polar bear. When Russ meets Riley, the new kindergartner teacher, it’s love at first sight, or scent for him. Has he finally found his lifetime mate? Will she accept him, and his polar bear? And what about her secret past? Will she be able to overcome her previous abuser?

I really enjoyed the metaphysical elements of this story. I could tell Simone did a lot of research regarding dream walking, spiritual bonds, and herbalism. There is some action, especially toward the end, but mainly it’s a romance story, so the pace is slower as Russell and Riley do their get-to-know-each-other dance. Riley is hesitant about starting a relationship as Russ is much older than her, plus she has a dark past she’s escaping from.

I really liked Russ’ character, and I wouldn’t mind meeting a person like him myself. On the other hand, I had trouble with Riley. Most of the first half of the book is from Russ’ POV, so we’re not really introduced to Riley’s feelings or motivations other than through dialogue or dream sharing. Even knowing the abusive life she had as a child, I felt she was too weak. I think Simone tried explaining some of that by the psychic bond that her half-brother had over her, but still, she never balked at finding out about Russ. She just calmly accepted everything that happened between them, her step-brother, and Russ’ mixed family. For me, she had no heart and I found her unrelatable.

All-in-all, I did enjoy the adventure in the great state of Alaska, but I was also disappointed as I was really looking forward to an awesome love story that just wasn’t there. This book would be perfect for readers who love romantic shapeshifter stories. I give it 4 feathers.… (mais)