Lauren Hawkeye

Prelim Review: This was a disappointed for me. I'm not sure if its because I read an advanced reader's edition and thus something got lost in the digital world, or if the stories really did just end as abruptly as they, but none felt like they had a resolution.

Of the three, Megan Hart's "Nothing Else Matters" was the most interesting, though it felt under developed due to its length. The world she created, and the character of Lira in particular, was definitely intriguing. I wanted to know what made Lira immune, what the sickness was(which sounded a lot like the Rage Virus from 28 Days/Weeks Later) and what happened after.

Lauren Hawkeye's "Pick Me Up" was confusing, uncomfortable and rather distasteful to me. I'm not sure what the point of it was. Holly was either a pathological liar, a psycho or got her jollies by being recklessly suicidal. She spins story after story--she's a high paid stripper, her and her boyfriend kill hapless morons who pick her up for sex, she's the jilted woman (twice! Two different men cheated on her WITH THE SAME WOMAN) and at the end I'm left wondering if maybe she's just insane.

Saranna DeWylde's "Little Red's Big Bad" definitely engaged me. This one falls short because of its length as well (each story is under 40pgs each) so when it got going it was almost over and then well it was over.

Were these meant to be teasers for longer works? Does anyone know? If not "Pick Me Up" in particular had to have been missing the last bit of story because it literally ends with a car pulling up, the guy Holly just screwed getting worried and Holly shrugging her shoulders and saying 'Ah that would be my boyfriend'. WTF?… (mere)

Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book in about an hour. It was quick and had a mystery behind the romance that kept me guessing. Alexa is damaged from a car accident a year ago and can't remember what happened. She leaves town to find herself and ends up finding a lot more; love, family, the truth. I will admit that I forgot the book was subtitled Florence, Arizona so when the book starts out talking about Alexa going to Florence I kept wondering why people were turning up their noses. Yeah, I was thinking Florence, Italy. I'm definitely ready for the 2nd book and I hope that we see more of Alexa and Nick in the future even with #2 being a prequel.… (mere)

With Nate and Ellie there is a history that neither wants to taint. There has always been that little undercurrent that threatens to become an electronic overload. I received an ARC of Never Say Love in exchange for an honest review. Ms. Hawkeye and Ms. Phillips worked well together and created a story that is as hot-blooded as it is dramatic. A noteworthy well crafted body of work. Made of steel and with a noticeable chip on his shoulder, Nate is a man that has to be in control in ever aspect of his life. He comes from a world of have and have nots and is determined to equal the playing field. The contrast between Nate's upbringing and Ellie's is night and day but the helplessness, the insecurities and in Nate's case fear are never far behind. Right away what pulled me in was that even at a young age Ellie saw beyond class and demeanor and into the heart of a scared young man. I look forward to seeing what happens with this series because it is one to keep an eye on.… (mere)