Tag: Penny Reid

I didn’t want this book to end.  Isn’t that endorsement enough for you?  Ha!  While reading Truth or Beard, my husband thought I was crazy, due to all of the “laughing out loud” I was doing.  I also read out loud to him several times- I could not help myself!  The Winston men are completely addictive, every single one of them.

Now that Jessica is back in town, Duane decides that he is going to make his move on her.  Jessica has had a massive crush on his twin brother, Beau for YEARS.  Beau is the sweet one, while Duane has always been the one to drive her nuts by teasing her and giving her a hard time.  In fact, Jessica has always believed that Duane just plain ole didn’t like her.  Well, you know what they say about the little boy that was constantly teasing you on the playground?

“See? This is what I’m talking about.  I don’t know if we can call a truce.  All we know how to do is argue.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“Isn’t it?”

“Jessica,” he whispered, “arguing with you is one of my favorite things to do.”

Yep, he’s got a crush on you.  Once he decides that he and Jessica need to be together, he vows to make it happen honorably and properly.  Unfortunately, Jessica cannot keep her hands to herself and she makes it very hard for Duane to take things slowly.  Ms. Reid throws in a little bit of suspense plot involving a local MC that several characters have ties to.  I thought this was a great addition to the overall plot because it shed some light on the depth of several characters like Claire (I cannot wait for her book).

I loved the longtime connection that Jessica and Duane have with each other. Even though they’ve given each other a hard time all of their lives, they have incredible chemistry that screams relationship.  Is the path to a relationship like this one ever smooth?  Not so much.  Duane knows that Jessica wants to travel and he is firmly entrenched in Green Valley with no intention of ever leaving.  He has family and a business and a little bit of trouble that pops up (see MC plot) that he feels ties him to home.  Of course, he does not want to hold her back in any way because he truly does care for her deeply.  I have to say that Duane is completely swoon-worthy.

I’m a little bit of a newcomer to Ms. Reid’s books but every one I read, I fall deeper in love with her writing.  I absolutely cannot wait for more from this series!  As if I couldn’t have fallen more in love with the whole family, Cletus was one of the most entertaining characters ever written. Ever.

If you love a book with romance and humor with a nice bit of sexytimes thrown in, you’ll LOVE Truth or Beard!

“You look tense,” Duane remarked between spoonfuls of chili.

I realized I’d been frowning at the line of cars revving their engines. I glanced at Duane and lifted my chin toward the starting lineup.

“I’ve heard stories about cars smashing into the rock walls, and head-on collisions causing broken bones and leaving people unconscious.”

“Those rumors are true.”

I felt my frown deepen. “Why would anyone do it, then? If it’s so dangerous?”

He shrugged. “Because it isn’t easy, it takes patience and skill. Because it is dangerous and it’s fun to be a little scared sometimes.”

“A little scared?”

He gave me a crooked grin, his eyes on my mouth. “That’s right. Just a little.”

I snorted my disbelief. If dirt racing made Duane a little scared and sky diving wasn’t all that dangerous, I wondered what could possibly frighten Duane.

At the same moment a shot went off. The cars lurched forward and sped out of the starting line like demons from hell, the engines drowning all other sound. My eyes were glued to the action in front of me, how the cars—some old, some new, all souped-up—slipped and skidded all over the dirt track. Two of the seven spun out at the first turn, one of them bouncing off the rock wall.

I sucked in a startled breath and felt Duane’s hand close over mine. “He’ll be fine. He wasn’t going that fast.”

I leaned against his solid frame and watched the remainder of the race with rapt attention. Only three of the cars made it to the finish line and it was sickeningly close. The whole affair was irresponsible and dangerous, and I thought I’d disdain it.

I was wrong. I loved it. My heart was beating fast and yet I was sitting still.

I loved the sound of revving engines, the smell of engine oil mingled with smoke and earth. I loved the general air of excitement, comrade, adventure. I loved how these people loved their cars and raced them hard, used them, risked them. When the cars sped by I felt the rush of wind, the vibration in my chest.

Of course it helped seeing the people who crashed walk away from their cars with no assistance, looking more upset about losing the race and what had befallen their automobiles than about their cuts and bruises.

It was thrilling and everything seemed larger, brighter, clearer—likely a byproduct of the adrenaline pumping through my veins.

I surmised the turns were by far the most dangerous part of the race. Maintaining control of over a thousand pounds of steel, around a sharp corner, while traveling in excess of ninety miles per hour, on a dirt track basically sounded impossible to me. But some of the cars managed it beautifully, artfully.

By the end of fourth race I’d basically crawled into Duane’s lap, and I squealed unthinkingly each time the cars rounded a curve. My squeals made Duane laugh and he held me tighter.

As soon as the—five this time—remaining competitors crossed the finish line, Duane peeled my fingers from where I’d dug them into his legs.

“Having a good time?” He nuzzled my neck, kissing it, then set me away and stood.

I turned to him and I’m sure my eyes were huge, as was my smile. “Yes, I’m having the best time. I never thought I’d enjoy all this craziness, but it’s amazing and I’m so glad you brought me.”

He gave me and my run-on sentence a distracted half smile as he pulled out a pair of leather gloves from his jacket. “Good. That’s good.”

I glanced between him and the gloves he was pulling on, felt my own smile wane. He took off his jacket and handed it to me.

“Where are you…?” My mouth couldn’t quite form the question because I already knew the answer. Abruptly, my heart thudded in my chest quite painfully, jumping around like it was trying to break free.

“Oh my God, Duane. Don’t you dare.”

Mandy

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I’m going to admit that there was a fair amount of whimpering when I read the last page of this book.  Yes, it ends in a cliffhanger and once again, I’m okay with that.

In Heat, we really get some HEAT.  Holy moly, Martin and Kaitlyn really light up the pages with their chemistry and sexytimes!!! But do not assume that all this one is about is the physical aspect of their relationship.  One could assume that Martin is nothing but a smart rich guy but Heat fills in the holes where his background is concerned.  His family is nothing to brag about and are nothing if not extremely callous and horrible people.  Martin does everything he can to keep his life separate from his messed up family.

Kaitlyn experiences a new part of herself during the week she spends with Martin.  She certainly discovers herself sexually, I mean, who wouldn’t with a guy like Martin?  Good googly moogly.  I think a woman could lose her virginity just standing in the same room with him, much less removing clothing.  I digress.  Kaitlyn begins to explore the possibility of doing more with her life than going into science.  Going into the sciences is what she feels like to expected of her, not necessarily what she really wants to do or is passionate about. During her week with Martin, she realizes that music is her true passion but how can she actually pursue her true passion without disappointing her family and their expectations.

I truly enjoyed the time that Kaitlyn and Martin spent together.  They have an easy going connection with each and their banter is hilarious and entertaining.  I loved book 2 in this series and I cannot wait to see how Ms. Reid winds up the “saga” of Kaitlyn and Martin.

“What are you doing?”

I lifted my eyes at the sound of Martin’s voice, but not immediately. I finished the paragraph I was reading, then I looked up, holding my place in the book with my thumb.

He was dressed in swim trunks and he was wet, with beads of water dripping down his chest. As such, he looked super hot. However, only the right side of his body was visible as the door blocked the other side. His hand was still on the doorknob and he leaned a tad to one side, into the room.

My eyes wandered over his form and I allowed myself to appreciate the beauty of Martin Sandeke like I might admire the beauty of a cold, soulless statue. Physically, he was a magnificent male specimen: corded muscle, long limbs, and rigid angles. Even his temples were drool worthy, especially since I knew his head housed a giant—albeit mismanaged—brain. Truly, he was one of our finest. His ancestors should really give themselves a big pat on the back.

A little pool of water had gathered at his feet, which made me wonder how long he’d been standing in the doorway. My eyes traveled upward again and I noticed he wore an angry expression. He looked livid.

I started a little at the heated annoyance in his stare. Then I glanced around the laundry room, searching for the source of his anger. I found that I was still alone. Therefore, I surmised his fury must be directed at me.

But, just to be sure, I said, “Who? Me?”

“Yes. You,” he growled, then stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. “What are you doing in here?”

I raised the book and tipped my head toward it. “I’m reading.”

Martin exhaled loudly, another growl. “I can see that, Parker. But why the fuck are you in here reading?”

I frowned at his use of profanity, my shoulders bunching with tension. I realized I’d gotten used to it, how often he cussed; I’d accepted it as part of him. But that was before he’d left me standing at the entrance to a party I didn’t want to attend, and that was before I’d seen him kissing a random girl.

“It’s the first sequel to The Three Musketeers. I’ve been meaning to read it. I found it on the shelf in the library—or living room, or whatever room. There are too many rooms in this house, so I don’t know what half of them are called.”

Martin gritted his teeth, and I got the distinct impression he wanted to strangle me. “Parker. This is a party. And you’re in the laundry room? Reading?”

I paused a beat to make sure this wasn’t a trick question. When I could find nothing amiss with his interrogation, I nodded slowly. “Yes. This is a party. I am in the laundry room reading.”

“Why? What is wrong with you?”

My mouth opened and closed but no words arrived, because his questions continued to confuse me. Finally, I admitted, “Martin, I don’t know what you want me to say or why you appear to be upset. I found the book when I was in one of the several rooms with lots of books. I’ve been meaning to read it. So I picked it up and found a quiet place. Why are you so angry?”

He charged at me and I ineffectually scrambled backward on the washing machine. In less than two seconds he’d pulled the book from my hands, slapped it on the counter at my left, and braced his arms on either side of my legs, leaning forward.

I realized he’d made me lose my page in the book. I decided to ignore my urge to vocalize this complaint, because his eyes were beyond heated.

They were incensed blue flames. I braced myself, my gaze wide and watchful, and flinched when he lifted a hand. I relaxed a smidge when he used it to push my hair off my shoulder.

When he spoke, his voice was low, strained, like he was trying very hard to control his temper. “I brought you here as my date. That was our agreement.”

I nodded once. “Yes. I know.”

“And, instead of talking to people or having fun, you’re in here reading a book.”

I kept my voice even and calm, tried to sound soothing. “I am having fun. I’m reading a book.”

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This year, several of my favorite authors have thrown their hat in the New Adult genre ring.  Upon hearing this, I always get nervous. Then I have to remind myself that I trust those authors and that I’ll be a big girl and try it out anyway.  It’s not that I dislike the genre, in fact, I’ve read some really great NA books.  But some of the worst and most annoying ones I’ve read have come from that genre.  Over the top angst seems to be the dominating factor in many NA books and frankly, I tire of that easily.

Luckily, Attraction is not annoying in any way.  In fact, it’s interesting, sexy and highly entertaining.  Kaitlyn is highly intelligent, funny and honest.  Martin is also highly intelligent and ridiculously wealthy, popular and he is ROWER.  Hello!  Their banter is hilarious and I thoroughly enjoyed their back and forth.  Attraction is the KEY word because Martin and Kaitlyn are very much attracted to each other!! OMG, the sparks fly!!!

As much as I love Martin, Kaitlyn is a pretty amazing character.  She is completely guileless and doesn’t play games.  In fact, she does not want to be in the spotlight at all.  She doesn’t realize how beautiful she is or if she does, she doesn’t draw attention to herself in that way.  She finds it hard to believe that someone like Martin would be interested in her and she puts him through the wringer.  She doesn’t trust him at all.

There is a cliffhanger. But don’t get your panties in a twist because Ms. Reid gives you part of the next book immediately. Personally, I’m ok with cliffhangers as long as I don’t have to wait too long.

I adore Penny Reid and her brand of humor and passion and I’m really looking forward to seeing how Kaitlyn and Martin’s relationship progresses.

 

Parties?” I may have curled my lip in a miniature sneer.

“Yeah, on the island, at some of the other houses, friends of mine. You know, the usual college scene stuff.”

Usual college scene… just a bunch of billionaires’ kids and their friends. It sounded delightful.

“Yeah, no thanks.” I pulled my eyes from his, inspected the rocks. “I don’t like parties. But don’t let that stop you from going.”

“Parker.”

I sighed, then met his gaze.

“I want you to come.”

“No thank you.”

He ground his teeth. “Kaitlyn, you promised you were going to give this a try.”

“I will…”

Once again he was giving me the severe stare down, likely because my weakly delivered I will didn’t even sound convincing to me.

Managing to swallow around the sudden thickness in my throat, I squared my shoulders so that I was facing him. “Here’s the thing, Sandeke. I am. I am going to give this a try. Despite my worries-”

“What worries?” He sounded exasperated.

I ignored his question, “Despite my worries and reservations, I’m going to give this the good college try. But I don’t even know how to dance. I can tango like a pro, but I don’t do the body wiggle weird thing. And isn’t that what the kids do these days at parties? Dance?”

He lifted an eyebrow at my excuse—obviously unimpressed—and with two fluid strokes moved to join me.

I stiffened, my eyes wide, and backed up a step at his advance. “What- what are you doing?”

“I’m going to teach you how to dance,” he said simply, already on me, reaching for my body.

I stiffened further, feeling unaccountably breathless as his big hands slipped around my waist and settled on my hips and lower back.

“But there- but we- but-”

“Shhh…” he said, pulling me closer. “Relax.”

“Create cold fusion,” I murmured in response, unable to relax and placing my hands nowhere, because placing them anywhere on Martin felt perilous to my wellbeing.

He glanced down at me, his eyebrows in a perplexed V. “What does cold fusion have to do with anything.”

“You tell me to relax, which is impossible. I tell you to create cold fusion, which is impossible.”

His answering smile was crooked. “You can’t relax?”

“No.”

“Why not.”

“You know why not.”

“Well, it might help if you touched me.”

“That will not help.”

“It might.”

“It won’t.”

“Touch me.”

I scowled at his chest, my hands still in the air at my sides. Stupid perfect chest.

“Parker, if we’re going to dance you have to touch me.” He sounded amused and his fingers flexed on my bare skin. I felt the roughened calluses of his palms just before he released my body to grab my hands. He brought them to his shoulders, pressed them there, then returned his own to my hips. I didn’t miss the fact that his hand-placement was now a bit more daring than it had been a moment ago, lower, closer to my bottom.

I swallowed thickly, glaring at my fingers where they touched his perfectly sculpted shoulder.

“Don’t you want to touch me?” he asked, his inflection daring, teasing, but also something else. Something hesitant and uncertain.

I lifted my eyes to his; they were guarded, his smile looked bracing, almost like a grimace, like he was preparing himself for bad news.

I sighed and I knew I sounded resigned and a little pitiful, “Yes…”

His gaze thawed as it dropped to my lips. “Then you should… because I want you to.”

Elements of Chemistry: ATTRACTION is the first part in a three-part series; it is 45k words, and it ends with a cliffhanger.
Part 1 (ATTRACTION) released April 9, 2015
Part 2 (HEAT) will be released April 30, 2015.
Part 3 (CAPTURE) will be released May 16, 2015.

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