Oh Lexxie, Lexxie – I swore no more Challenges.

Okay, one more but that’s it.  (roll eyes) Yeah.  Right.

So, there is this New Release Challenge going on that Lexxie from (un)Conventional Bookviews and Stormi from Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! are co-hosting.  Pretty simple Challenge.  Read certain levels of new novels released in 2015 – and what got me to join in was the mention of the NetGalley Challenge… what the heck, I might as well combine them, I’m going to be reading them anyway.  🙂

Here are the basic rules (from Lexxie’s page):

The rules for the 2015 New Release Challenge are simple:

• Books has to be read and reviewed in 2015, and the book has to be released in 2015
• Other challenges can be used as well, if you are participating in the Netgalley / Edelweiss challenge or in the COYER challenge, books can count towards more than one challenge, as long as the ones you use for the 2015 New Release Reading Challenge qualify to the first rule.
• The minimum length for a book to qualify is 130 pages, it can be in any format though, physical, e-book, ARC or audiobook.
• The New Book Release Challenge is open from January 1st through December 31st 2015, and sign-ups are open until March 15th.

There are four levels  in the New Release Challenge:

1. 1-15 books per year – New Release Newbie
2. 16-30 books per year – New Release Pro
3. 31-45 books per year – New Release Veteran
4. +45 books per year – New Release Enthusiast

I’m heading for New Release Veteran – I “think” I could do more, but not 100% sure so I’m hedging my bet here.  If I do more great if not… next year. Muhahahaha.

So, what are you waiting for go here now:

2015 New Release Challenge Sign-up Page

Title:  The One
Series:  The Only One
Author:  Belle Ami
Genre:  Romance
Published:  February 10, 2015
Source:  Net Galley

Story Blurb:

How well do you really know the one you love? An erotic novel full of obsessive love, dark secrets, and unquenchable lust, Belle Ami’s The One proves that no one is quite who they seem.

Adelia, a rising star in the equestrian world, is still reeling from her parents’ deaths in a tragic car accident when she meets green energy investment banker Miles Bremen and his charming yet inscrutable twin sister, Karolin. With his insatiable lust, Miles ignites a passion within Adelia she never knew existed, and the two quickly find themselves entwined in a torrid affair that knows no bounds. Little does Adelia know, however, that her meeting of the Bremen twins was no accident. Carefully selected as “the one” for her unsettling resemblance to the emotionally and physically damaged Karolin, Adelia is targeted to marry Miles and bear the children that Karolin cannot have.

The One is a razor edge mystery that enfolds on the playgrounds of the super rich, from Trump Tower to the Hamptons and Palm Beach; to the Amalfi Coast aboard Miles’s mega-yacht Green Way, The One is irresistible as the reader is drawn into Adelia’s journey through a suspenseful – and erotic world. An edge-of-your-seat thriller that will leave readers breathless in more ways than one, The One is an irresistible journey through—new territory that fans of romantic fiction are bound to love.

*I received an e-ARC of The One from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Usually at this spot I would send you on to the next page.  Trust me, we won’t be here that  long.  Normally I do not publish negative reviews… and this isn’t so much a negative one as a “what just happened” review.  There will be those readers who think this is an awesome novel.  It wasn’t – not for me.  Maybe for you, but it just didn’t do it for me.  The only reason that I’m doing this review is for what the next book might bring us that would turn this into a good series with a rocky start.  Remember, folks, this is my opinion – not a bash the author thing.

Everything you need to know is up in the story blurb.  If that blurb had been fleshed out it would have been a really sexy, interesting read.  In my opinion, it wasn’t.  We already know that the twins had planned to draw Adelia into their nasty web.  We already know that Miles is just a bit too close to his twin since he agreed to this scheme of hers.  And Karolin just comes off as a bitch in the blurb and more so in the novel.  Adelia is sweet, innocent and vulnerable – the saddest part was that this lovely woman was taken in by the twins.  The only possible save I can see for the series is bringing David in to truly save Adelia and be the hero of the entire series.  But… I’m not sure that will happen.

IF I can find and be approved for the second book through NetGalley – I’d read it, just to see if I was totally wrong in my thoughts on this one.  But I certainly won’t spend money to find out.

It could have been amazing – instead it was just, meh.

She thought her fiance was the perfect man—until he turned out to be the perfect killer…

Title:  Die For Me
Series:
Author:  Cynthia Eden
Genre:  Romance, Mystery, Suspense
Published:  February 12,2013
Source:  NetGalley

Story Blurb:

Katherine Cole is running for her life, desperate to escape the Valentine Killer—so-called because he stabs his victims through the heart and leaves them holding a telltale single red rose. Still he tracks her to New Orleans and begins carving a bloody path to her door. But this time, Katherine refuses to run any farther. This time, she’ll do anything to stop the madman she once loved, even trust the sexy cop promising to keep her safe…

Detective Dane Black never lets his emotions interfere with his job, even as the Valentine Killer surfaces in New Orleans to stalk his prey. But when Dane agrees to protect the killer’s ex-fiancee, Katherine Cole, he can’t ignore the passion kindling between them. After a single unforgettable night binds them body and soul, Dane knows he won’t rest until Katherine is safe in his arms—and the Valentine Killer is dead. Dark and intensely sexy, this romantic suspense novel from USA Today bestselling author Cynthia Eden is sure to leave readers breathless.

*I received an e-ARC of Die For Me from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange
for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

I can’t imagine how it would feel to love a man enough to be ready to marry him, only to discover that he is killing other women.

Read on for my thoughts on Die For Me.  No true spoilers, promise.

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