Author Archives: karenjvjohnson

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Score

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19275240

Score (St. Martin Family Saga: Whiskey Cove #1)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is my first book by this author and so I am pleasantly surprised to find that I have once again picked someone who speaks to me. This was a story with more than just a heat level, it had a social conscience as well and used it to perfection. When you can educate and entertain in one forum I am all for it, as long as the balance is maintained well. The characters are realistic and full of life, making them more accessible as someone you might know or be willing to hang with in your world as well as theirs.

Chloe Mills has loved/hated Caleb St. Martin since they were children and he treated her so badly with all his tricks and barbs. The last person she would expect to hook-up with would be him, even after a drunken night in Vegas, but never say never. Chloe wakes up after a night out in a seedy motel with the neighbor from hell naked next to her, and she cannot seem to remember how they got there.

Caleb/Cal has known Chloe all their lives and knows exactly how she feels about him, and she has good reason. He does not feel bad about their night together and has changed from the boy who tormented her into a man who may want to have a life with her. The problem is she has not forgotten his cruelty and may never forgive him for his boyhood stupidity.

This starts the stories of the St. Martin brothers who are gorgeous, hot, alpha males who have more women than they can handle, then the one walks into their lives. Loved this because it was also about raising awareness on ALS, a disease that does not always get enough of the spotlight. But do not think it was not also a very hot and sexy read. I would take any one of these brothers at the drop of a hat! Definitely worth the time.

“He bent his head as if meaning to kiss her, but stopped short. With his mouth hovering over hers, he said, “I want you.” Chloe gasped and her chest rose and fell rapidly. She whispered, “I want you too, but I need you to be clear on something.” Her voice was determined, and Cal was disoriented as he was yanked from the cusp of passion and thrown into stark reality. “What?” “I don’t want you making fun of me like when we were kids. I’m not a girl anymore. I enjoy sex, but I won’t ever let you touch me if you bully me like that again.” Cal was dumbfounded. He stared at her, mouth wide. Had she been harboring resentment all this time? He didn’t remember what he’d done, yet she was clearly still upset about it. He couldn’t imagine hurting her now. Had he then? He swallowed the lump that formed in his throat. “Chloe, I’m sorry. I never intended to upset you. I was a child. You’re definitely not a girl anymore. I intend to treat you as the beautiful and seductive woman you are.”
― Gina Watson, Score  Gina Watson
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Kamikaze

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22887758

Kamikaze (Last Call #1)

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I really liked this little short. The characters came into focus quickly and fully engaged me into what was happening with them. Zoe came off sweet and a little naive but with enough of an edge to make her interesting. Connor was a guy I would be more than happy to spend some time with since he is up for a night or a lifetime, I like that in my men. This is mostly sex but that is fine because you know going in that it is really what the story is about, along with maybe getting them together.

Quick read with some very hot moments and a few smiles and laughs.

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Oliver and Jumpy

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23878777

Oliver and Jumpy, Stories 13-15 (Oliver and Jumpy, the cat series)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a very nice book for young children. The illustrations are bright and vibrant giving a feeling of whimsy and fun. The stories are almost like little parables with a meaning held within it. I liked it and would definitely read it to my grand-kids when I have them.
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Release by Treaty

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25092310

Release By Treaty (Qui Treaty Collection #1)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really great entry for me! I loved both the characters, particularly Dol’ce because she has been warned about what to expect. The characters continue to be realistic and able to make me feel for them deeply. The story is about romance while at the same time being about a wider issue that is just being hinted at.

Dol’ce has been sent to collect a prisoner of war, Colonel Marcel, from the K’lahn prison in which he was being held. Dol’ce does her duty and does not at first believe what the Qui Empress has told her about interacting with human males, it sounds ridiculous. As the journey continues she finds herself more and more drawn to her passenger who does not want anything personal to do with a lizard.

Colonel Marcel has been tortured, and humiliated during his time in the K’lahn prison. He has heard his team go silent during that time and believe himself to be the last man standing. He hates the K’lahn and all those associated with them for good reason. He does not know that the war has ended but feels something for the one who rescued him, though he does not want to.

All I can say is that I really loved it! I would recommend to everyone!

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Restrain By Treaty

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25269801

Restrain By Treaty (Qui Treaty Collection #2)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great series that has captured my imagination and keeps me wanting more as each one ends. The writing is wonderful and so descriptive that I always know exactly what I am seeing as it is described. Each new character has a life that you can identify with and understand who they are instantly. The world they live in is clearly defined and seems real enough that it could be inhabited by people you would find anywhere. The flow of the narrative is perfect, with the story moving along effortlessly from situation to situation and point to point.

Captain Bea Solomon was in prison with Colonel Marcel but disappeared after a short time and was thought dead. Unknown to anyone she has been sold off to a brothel by her captors the K’lahn. She has endured unspeakable acts of abuse and torture which have left her with a fear of men and a massive hatred of the K’lahn and Surashan.

Ardant has been sent to bring Bea back so that she can be returned to Earth along with those members of her team that have survived. He does not truly expect her to still be alive because of the fact she is human and should not be able to endure the things he knows would have been done to her. He is not prepared for how she effects him but is willing to make a sacrifice in order to make her feel safe, even if he must lie to do it.

I felt more for this couple because Bea had been through so much more than any man had endured so far. Just the description of what had been done to her, though not graphic, made you understand why she acted the way she did. Ardant was forced to hide his true nature, even though voluntary, was detrimental to him as well as her.

I am very much looking forward to the next installment. Things are heating up in more than one way as these couples meet and connect. There seems another war may be brewing and new allies may have to band together. Enjoy this!

Light BDSM

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Juliette & Ryo

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25364588

Juliette & Ryo

by Peter Philipp (Goodreads Author), Johanna Dy (Illustrator)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a very nice story that I think many children will enjoy and identify with. The art is nice and clean with a feel of the ethereal. The children are transported to a magical forest. This is about imagination and that is always a good way to spend some time.

Give your young child a fun adventure.

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Taming Val

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23634964

Taming Val (The Romanovsky Brothers #1)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This author is one that I have never read before but find that she has a way of writing that I find works very well for me. The characters are very vibrant and real because of how they interact. This for me gives them a feeling of believability that is important. I like them and want to keep reading to find out how they handle the situations placed in front of them. Once I started I did not want to stop and had a couple of late nights so I could finish as soon as possible.

Valentin “Val” Romanovsky is a 28-year-old man who has led the life of a rich playboy for years and more or less enjoyed himself. Then he gets a diagnosis that could mean he will be alone for the rest of his life if he does not take matters into his hands immediately. This problem prompts him to confide in a woman who has lived with his family for years and is considered to be a sister by his brothers. He on the other hand has treated her badly all these years and she offers to help him regardless.

Zoey Black has lived with the Romanovsky’s since she was 14 years old and view them as her family, even Val who seems to hate her. What she does not see is that his aloofness hides a secret he does not want to come out. She is also hiding from something from herself that will make her decision to help much easier.

This was hot, hot, hot! The story had an air of mystery, betrayal, and family dysfunction. I loved this and am ready for book two. The Romanovsky brothers are all hot and I want to hear from each one, four books may not even be enough. Enjoy this!!

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Deadly Quicksilver Lies

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23820357

Deadly Quicksilver Lies: A Garrett, P.I. Novel (Garrett Files #7)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
I love Garrett, have ever since I read the first book and always want to read more. This time while I basically liked it I was not taken away with this particular story. Everybody seemed lackluster and the story was not very interesting. I missed the Dead Man in the overall story since he gives a kick to everything going on with Garrett. Dean was another missed figure for me since he makes Garrett so crazy by running his house like it was his own and not Garrett’s.

Bottom line, I enjoyed it because it was a Garrett tale but did not because the story was not very engaging. But I will be reading the next one because they have such interesting characters most of the time.

“Pull up a step, Ace,” I told him. He did, but he had the fidgets. He kept looking for his lucky exit. I told him, “I didn’t really want you. But I can’t get ahold of Winger.” Not that I’d tried. “What? Who?” “Your girlfriend. Big blond goof with no common sense, always has an angle, never tells the truth if a lie will do. Her.” “Part of that fits everybody in this thing,” Morley said. “Even up on the Hill, they turned the truth to quicksilver.” “Untruths, too.” “Quicksilver lies. I like that.” “Deadly quicksilver lies.” I spotted friend C.J. Carlyle. “Look who missed the slaughter at Maggie Jenn’s place.”
― Glen Cook, Deadly Quicksilver Lies: A Garrett, P.I. Novel Glen Cook
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Long Way Home

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1270615

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Long Way Home (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 #1)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Definitely worth taking the time for if you are a fan of Buffy! This is a really good way to continue the story and introduce a new dimension of the Buffyverse. It can be an introduction for those who have never seen the show or just a great way to catch up with the characters. Loved it!
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The Gifted Soul

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The Gifted Soul

by Jeannie Ingraham (Editor), Sharon Prudente (Editor), Nada Orlic (Illustrator)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Based on the blurb and cover I was thinking that I might not enjoy this a great deal. But I have to say that it was not the case at all, I was very pleasantly surprised . I found myself pulled into the story immediately because I really like the main female character from the beginning. There are some glitches with grammar, spelling, and word use in some places but nothing to severe as to draw away from the narrative for long. The main characters are very well fleshed out with the secondary characters having enough depth to still keep things moving smoothly.

Sophie Walters is a junior in high school and has been able to avoid being found out in the Sweeps since she was in the sixth grade. She is one year away from never having to worry about it ever again, then something goes wrong. Sophie can see auras, ghosts, and read minds with touch, she is sought after for these abilities like so many others around the country. Now she is going to be sent away from her home and friends to an institution for others like her.

Lyle Raider ferreted out Sophie even though her administrator could not prove she was gifted. He is the reason she is now going to a school for kids with abilities like hers. But something is not right there and soon Sophie and her new friends will find themselves going against the grain to save themselves and others.

This had a little teen angst with some good psychic abilities on display. Definitely a good read for anyone who likes stories with a paranormal theme. Recommended for all ages!