Audiobook Review: 1001 Dark Nights - Sweet Rivalry by K. Bromberg

Author: K. Bromberg
Narrator: Sebastian York , Andi Arndt
Title: Sweet Rivalry
(1001 Dark Nights #54)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook 
Pages: 120 
Published: February 28th 2017
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: Ryder Rodgers had a plan.

He was going to stride into the conference room, do the required song and dance over the next five days, and win the biggest contract of his career. But when he walked in and heard the voice of one of his competitors, all his plans were shot to hell.

Harper Denton. She was always on top. In college. First in their class. Always using every advantage to edge him out to win the coveted positions. The only one who could beat him. His academic rival. More like a constant thorn in his side. And his ego’s.

When he heard her voice, he was brought back to years before. To the bitter taste of being second best. But the woman who meets his gaze is nothing like the drab wallflower he used to know. Hell no. She was all woman now: curves, confidence, and staggering sex appeal. And no doubt, still brilliant.

The fact that she’s gorgeous and bright won’t distract him. This time, Ryder’s determined to be the one on top. But not if Harper can help it.

Review:

I am TOTALLY reading these books out of the order. I am reading them as I find them hahaha. I do not think it really matters?? 

The story follows Harper and Ryder. They went to college together back in the day and were rivals but there was a chemistry there. Years later they come face to face and toe to toe again. They both want the account and each other. 

This was CUTE. I adored it. I loved Ryder and Harper. They were perfect enemies and perfect lovers. Too cute. 

I especially liked Ryder as an adult....I have a crush on him. ;) Successful...tattooed...smart....funny....sweet....ruthless....and ethical. He is fantastic. 

Harper was fun. I would want her on my side for sure!

This was quick and short and I wanted more, but it did well for being short. We got to see them overcome their rivalry and their pride to become best friends and lovers. I'm glad this was a good stand-alone. 

The narrators were perfect for the roles. 

Overall, I highly recommend this. This was really good and the narrators made it even better. I'll give this a 5. 

Challenge(s):
- #36 for Audiobook Challenge

Best of July 2020

Happy August!! 

Here are our favorites for last month. Hopefully, everyone is safe and doing okay!

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd's pick...........The rage of dragons by Ewan Winter

"Best book. Hard to put down"

Carole's pick......Expecting His Proposal by PO Dixon

"Very sweet and fun!"

Best TV show of the Month:

Carole's pick............American Dad (Season 15)

"This season is funnier than ever! :D"

Blodeuedd's pick...............Love, Death & Robots  & Norsemen (Season 3)

 

"Some good, some boring. The best one was the civilization in the freezer 😉"

"I also watched the new season of Norsemen. Funny and absurd. Not the drama the pic shows"

Best Movie of the Month:

Blodeuedd's pick...........My Spy (2020)


   

"Best movie cos it was funny"

Carole's pick........Hamilton (2020)





"I am so in love with this!!! I'm addicted!"



Best Cover of the Month:

"Best cover cos kickass"

"I'm in love with this color!"

B's Monday Review: Project Duchess by Sabrina Jeffries

Kindle Edition, 352 pages

Published June 25th 2019 by Zebra

Series Duke Dynasty #1

Historical romance

Library

Dukes! yes there is nothing like a Duke in a book, and omg, this book has 3! All with the same mother. WHaat? No way! Yes way.

First, I need her story. Her first marriage, her second, her third happy one and I sort of want her to marry a 4th Duke one day.

Right, but this is about her firstborn, Greycourt. A rocky relationship since he was sent back to England when he was 10 (not her fault.) He has some hidden anger issues, he is known asa  rake, aren't they all! But he is a really sweet guy.

Beatrice had a bad time too after her parents died and she had to live with her asshat uncle.

And how did her uncle die? And how did his brother die just months after?

Gotta find out.

They flirt, they should be together, oh uh, did someone murder anyone? And they lived happily ever after

A series of stepfathers and a difficult childhood have left Fletcher “Grey” Pryde, 5th Duke of Greycourt, with a guarded heart, enviable wealth, and the undeserved reputation of a rogue. Grey’s focus on expanding his dukedom allows him little time to find a wife. But when his mother is widowed yet again and he meets the charmingly unconventional woman managing his stepfather’s funeral, he’s shocked to discover how much they have in common. Still, Grey isn’t interested in love, no matter how pretty, or delightfully outspoken, the lady . . .

Beatrice Wolfe gave up on romance long ago, and the arrogant Duke of Greycourt with his rakish reputation isn’t exactly changing her mind. Then Grey agrees to assist his grief-stricken mother with her latest “project”: schooling spirited, unfashionable Beatrice for her debut. Now that Beatrice is seeing through Grey’s charms to his wounded heart, she’s having trouble keeping him at arm’s length. But once Grey starts digging into her family’s secrets, she must decide whether her loyalties lie with her family . . . or with the man whose lessons capture her heart . . .   

Book Review: Balanced on the Blade's Edge by Lindsay Buroker

Author: Lindsay Buroker
Title: Balanced on the Blade's Edge
(Dragon Blood #1)
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, SciFi, Steampunk
Format: ebook
Pages: 224
Published: March 27th 2014 
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)



Summary: Colonel Ridge Zirkander isn't the model of military professionalism - he has a tendency to say exactly what’s on his mind, and his record has enough demerits to wallpaper the hull of an airship - but as the best fighter pilot in the Iskandian army, he’s used to a little leniency from his superiors. Until he punches the wrong diplomat in the nose and finds himself issued new orders: take command of a remote prison mine in the inhospitable Ice Blades Mountains. Ridge has never been in charge of anything larger than a flier squadron — what’s he supposed to do with a frozen fortress full of murderers and rapists? Not to mention the strange woman who shows up right before he arrives...
Sardelle Terushan wakes from three hundred years in a mage stasis shelter, only to realize that she is the last of the Referatu, the sorcerers who once helped protect Iskandia from conquerors. Their subterranean mountain community was blown up in a treacherous sneak attack by soldiers who feared their power. Everyone Sardelle ever knew is dead, and the sentient soulblade she has been bonded to since her youth is buried in the core of the mountain. Further, what remains of her home has been infested by bloodthirsty miners commanded by the descendants of the very soldiers who destroyed her people.

Sardelle needs help to reach her soulblade — her only link to her past and her last friend in the world. Her only hope is to pretend she’s one of the prisoners while trying to gain the commander’s trust. But lying isn't her specialty, especially when the world has changed so much in the intervening centuries, and if Colonel Zirkander figures out who she truly is, he’ll be duty-bound to sentence her to the only acceptable punishment for sorcerers: death.

Review:
The cover drew me in and I was curious to know more. 

The story follows Colonel Ridge Zirkander who is very opinionated and is the best pilot in the Iskandian army. When he punches the wrong diplomat in the nose, he finds himself being sent to command the remote prison mine in the inhospitable Ice Blades Mountains. Sardelle wakes up from 300 years in a mage stasis shelter only to realize she is the last of the Referatu. Everyone she knows is dead except for the sentient soulblade she has been bonded to. Her only hope is to pretend she is one of the prisoners while trying to gain Colonel Ridge's trust. 

What an intriguing and different story. Sadly...it took 3/4 of the book for me to really get hooked. It seemed to move really slow. I liked Sardelle, but I was bored if I am being honest. The last 1/4 was fast-paced and I couldn't read it fast enough! So good! 

The romance element seemed....forced at times. I didn't feel the chemistry. Even in the ending after everything...it seemed like it would never, ever work between the two of them. There really was no trust between them. 

I am curious about book 2 and I already have it on my "shelf" so maybe someday. 

Overall...I was a little bummed that I did not like this as much as I wanted to. The last 1/4 was excellent...the rest? I felt like nothing was happening. The romance element was also a little unrealistic for me. I'll stamp this with 2 stars. Maybe I will like book 2 more if I ever read it. 






Challenge(s):

- #18 for Steampunk.