Imagines: Getting Some Action by Rachel Aukes; Scarlett Drake; Bella Higgin; Michelle Jo Quinn; Dmitri Ragano; Katarina E. Tonks

Fanfiction at its best, from your favorite Wattpad authors! In this collection drawn from the Imagines anthology headlined by Anna Todd (After, Nothing More) comes six stories putting “YOU” alongside your favorite action heroes—Tom Hardy (Mad Max), Nick Bateman, Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy), Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), Matt Damon (Jason Bourne), and Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shades of Grey).

A unique and daring series of imagines in which you get to uncover the real men behind the big screen hotties! Told in the second-person, “you” get to step into these swoonworthy and unpredictable adventures.

In a post-apocalyptic world, Tom Hardy appears to rescue you. During a massive blizzard, Charlie Hunnam stops into your store, and romance ensues. Norman Reedus is your loving husband. Nick Bateman runs your dojo, and soon your heart. Matt Damon and Jamie Dornan, they’re, well, up to something.

Dive into the fantasy worlds of your favorite stars now!

Publisher: Pocket Star| Release Date: June 12, 2017 | Source: Publisher

So, this was one those ‘just for fun’ reads. I wasn’t sure what to expect when the review invite arrived but the fact it featured a short about Charlie Hunnam had me saying ‘yes, please!’.  Seriously, the guy is just yummy and I’ll take him anyway I can get him!

 

The just of this one is that the stories are told in second person and each one features ‘you’ and a different celebrity. I didn’t read all the stories, Norman Reedus, Matt Damon, and Tom Hardy just don’t thrill my soul. Winter’s Kiss (featuring you and Charlie Hunnam) was cute and fun. Knockout (featuring you and Nick Bateman) was a bit grittier. An Occasional Friday (featuring you and Jamie Dornan) was, sadly a 50 Shades type. Not thrilled about that, I would much more have preferred this one to have been like his character on Once Upon A Time. While they were fun, the ones I read, the ‘you did this’, ‘you walked here’ got a bit old.

 

Overall, this was just one of those books to have a lark about. Not the best, not the worst, just something to fill in when you want a bit of fluff.

 

 

Which celebrity do you fantasize about?

 

 

 

   

Wanted: Texas Daddy by Cathy Gillen Thacker

All small towns have their secrets. No one in Laramie, Texas knows about Sage Lockhart’s friends-with-benefits relationship with the handsome cowboy, Nick Monroe. However, Sage wants something more from Nick—something that could change the very nature of their arrangement. She wants to have his baby.

Nick has always wanted to take things with Sage to the next level. Having a child wasn’t exactly what he had in mind, but it’s an adventure he can’t refuse. Of course, neither of them realized just how complicated things could get.

Now, with a baby on the way and all of their careful plans unraveling, Sage and Nick must face the one secret they’ve been hiding from themselves…and from each other.

Publisher: Western Romance | Genre: Contemporary Romance | Source: MLM Media | Rating: 3 Cups

Friends-with-benefits can get a little messy at times, especially when a baby is involved. Honestly, I found myself wanting to shake both Sage and Nick and tell them to use their words.

 

Here’s what’s going on. Sage wants a baby but she wants to know her baby’s daddy, so no trip to the sperm bank for her. In fact, she has her eye on the perfect father: her best friend Nick, who just happens to be the other half of her friends-with-benefits.  Nick’s always wanted to see where a real relationship with Sage would lead, but a baby wasn’t exactly on his mind. After a bit of convincing, Nick finally agrees but neither one of them expected just how complicated friends-with-benefits-who-have-a-baby could be.

 

Seriously, people, use your words. Especially when entering into an arrangement like this. Sage and Nick are so head-over-heels for each other it’s maddening but they just won’t admit it. It’s enough to make me want to scream at my book: USE. YOUR. BLOODY.WORDS.

 

Conflict resulting from lack of communication annoys me to no end. And Sage and Nick seem to be pros at it. From the first chapter it was obvious that Nick and Sage both wanted more from each other than just a baby but they spent the entire book keeping it under wraps, getting angry at each other, and advoiding the truth.

 

I liked Sage and Nick. They were great people with drive and heart and heat. They knew what they wanted professionally and went after it with all their might. They really should have put that type of drive into opening up to each other because they were great together, they just didn’t use their words.

 

Overall, while I liked the premise and the characters, this book was frustrating. If you’re ready to have a baby together, then you should be adult enough to have an actual conversation.  

About the Author: CATHY GILLEN THACKER is a full-time wife, mother and author who began writing stories during “nap time” when her children were toddlers. She wrote seven books as she taught herself how to be an author, and her eighth attempt was published in 1982. Since then she has written and published more than 70 novels. 

 

Chipotle Chicken Roll-Ups

From the Kitchen of Cathy Gillen Thacker

Spread flour tortillas with thin layer of chipotle mayonnaise.  Sprinkle on shredded Monterey jack, and Cheddar cheese.  Add shredded roast chicken, thinly sliced tomato, red onion, avocado, and cilantro.  Roll up, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to eat.   (Available for a quick lunch at Sage’s bistro, The Cowgirl Chef café.)

 

 

 

   

Casey by Kelly Hunter

Rowan Harper has traveled the American Extreme Bull Riders tour circuit with her stock-contractor father since she was four years old. She’s seen the best rides and the worst wrecks. And then there’s TJ who impressed her most when he didn’t ride at all.

T.J. Casey walked away from his rightful place in last year’s bull riding finals in order to bury his father. His sponsors are gone, but he’s back to stake his claim. He wants the buckle, sure, but he also wants the woman who treats her bucking bulls like lambs.

Can T.J. really score the championship and the girl? Or will he have to choose between the two..once and for all?

Series: American Extreme Bull Riders Tour #3| Publisher: Montana Born | Genre: Contemporary Romance | Source: Publisher | Rating: 4 Cups

The woman or the championship? What’s a bull rider to do?

 

Here’s what’s going on. Last year, Casey walked away from the bull riding finals to bury his father. His fans have deserted him, his sponsors left, and people are calling him a part-time cowboy so he knows he needs to keep his head on straight and cover his bulls if he wants to claim the championship. He doesn’t need a distraction but he can’t get Rowan off his mind. Rowan’s a woman in a man’s world, so she keeps her head down, focuses on her work, and leaves the cowboys alone. But Casey’s proven he’s more than just a bull rider and when he listens to her advice about how to ride one of her bulls, she knows she wants to get know him a bit better.

 

I’ve been having so much fun with this series. Each one focuses on a bull rider in the American Extreme Bull Riders circuit and, like most series book from this publisher each book in by a different author, so they all have a different flavor to them.

 

Casey could make a girl swoon. He’s independent, handsome, puts family first, and earning money to put him through veterinary school. He’s also determined and headstrong. Rowan doesn’t really know where she belongs. Her mother passed away when she was young so she raised by a father who would have preferred her to be a boy. She’s trying to figure out who is she.

 

The romance was a bit slow burn and Rowan didn’t really make it easy for Casey but he was persistent. I liked that the relationship developed as she became more comfortable in her own skin and that Casey was there for her no matter what she decided to do.

 

What I really liked about this one was how much of the bull riding aspect the book contained. I mean, it wasn’t over the top but there was enough to sink my teeth into and make things interesting.

 

Overall, I really had a fun time with this one. The writing flowed and I was hooked from the start.

 

American Extreme Bull Riders Tour Series

Tanner

Chase

Casey

Cody 

 

 

Lean more about Jett Casey, T.J.’s brother

 who makes an appearance, check out What a Bachelor Needs by Kelly Hunter

 

 

 

   

In the Cowboy’s Arms by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Matt Forrest was born to be an actor, but grew up at Thunder Mountain Ranch as a cowboy. So when things go haywire after shooting his first Hollywood movie, he retreats to his childhood home where he knows his parents and foster brothers can help him figure out what he really wants out of life.

But PR agent, Geena Lysander, isn’t about to lose one of her best new clients—so she follows him. And things get complicated because she’s attracted to Matt, and not just for his handsome, movie-star good looks. As she gets to know the man behind the cowboy, their professional relationship becomes passionately personal. Could Matt’s next big role be as Geena’s leading man?

Series: Thunder Mountain Brotherhood #9 | Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition| Release Date: | Genre: Contemporary Romance | Source: MLM Media Relations | Rating: 2 Cups

I’m a bit behind with this series but I devoured the first three books so when this one popped up, I was each to get my hands on it. Sadly, this one just didn’t hold my interest.

 

Here’s what’s going on. When Matt finds himself in a scandal, he heads back home to Thunder Mountain Ranch and to the love and support of his foster family. Not wanting to make her PR company look bad, Geena, his agent, follows him and soon the line between personal and professional become blurred.

 

I’ll admit it: this book bored me, which was a pity considering how engaging the first three books in the series were. I just couldn’t get invested in either Matt or Geena. If he’s going to be an actor, he needs a tougher skin. Seriously, it’s Hollywood, the place was built on scandal. And Geena only thinking about what looked good for her company just left a bad taste in my mouth. So, it definitely wasn’t the best introduction to the characters and it really pulled me out of the story. For me, PR agents as characters sort of fall into that same iffy category as journalist.

 

I’m sort of wondering if it had something to do with this being the first in the series printed under the Special Edition Imprint rather than Blaze (since Blaze is no more). Whatever the reason, this one just wasn’t for me.

About the Author: VICKI LEWIS THOMPSON is a New York Times bestselling author who worked as a journalist and a high school English teacher before deciding to become a romance novelist. She was the recipient of Romance Writers of America’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award, and has published more than 100 books.

 

 

Movie Star Cast: The author picks movie stars to play the characters in a movie. 

Matt Forrest: Because Matt actually is a movie star in the story, I wanted an image of a traditionally gorgeous guy. I’d picked out Henry Cavill to play Matt before I ever started writing.

Geena Lysander: Instead of a movie star, I chose Kate Middleton to play Geena. I’m hoping that Will doesn’t mind.

 

Rosie Padgett: I’d cast Kathy Bates as Rosie. Yes, she played a memorable villain in Misery, but she’s a fabulous actor and would do a great job as the matriarch of Thunder Mountain Ranch. She’s the one who worked in social services and who started the ranch’s legacy by bringing a homeless boy home with her.

 

Herb Padgett: I had to search for Herb, but I finally found him. Singer and actor James Darren is about fifteen years older than Herb would be, but he has the right face for a man who’s both a large animal vet and the devoted foster father of more than two dozen boys.

 

Cade Gallagher: I’d cast Channing Tatum as Cade, the first boy to arrive at the ranch, the one who created the Thunder Mountain Brotherhood and arguably the most memorable of the foster brothers. Because Cade is related to the Chance brothers from the Sons of Chance series, he’s the link between the two. He appears in all the Thunder Mountain books.

 

Lexi Simmons: I picked Audrey Tautou to play Lexi because she rocks the short curly brown hair look that is so Lexi. Audrey starred opposite Tom Hanks in The Da Vinci Code. Although she’s French, I’m sure she could manage an American accent for the role of Cade’s soul mate.

 

 

   

Toughest Cowboy in Texas by Carolyn Brown

Last time Lila Harris was in Happy, Texas, she was actively earning her reputation as the resident wild child. Now, a little older and wiser, she's back to run her mother's café for the summer. Except something about this town has her itching to get a little reckless and rowdy, especially when she sees her old partner-in-crime, Brody Dawson. Their chemistry is just as hot as ever. But he's still the town's golden boy-and she's still the wrong kind of girl.

Brody hasn't had much time lately for anything other than ranching. Running the biggest spread in the county and taking care of his family more than keeps him busy. All that responsibility has him longing for the carefree days of high school-and Lila. She may have grown up, but he still sees that spark of mischief in her eyes. Now he's dreaming about late-night skinny dipping and wondering how he can possibly resist the one woman he can never forget

Series: Happy, Texas #1 | Publisher: Forever |Genre: Contemporary Romance| Source: Publisher | Rating: 4 Cups

I love a good reunion romance. There’s always history, usually a bit hurt that needs to be healed, and a whole lot of love still lingering around. And that’s exactly what’s happening in this one.

 

Here’s what’s going on. Lila, the wild child, has returned to her hometown and now she’s itching to do something wild. And when Brody, the boy that broke her heart, walks into her mom’s café, the feeling to get a little rowdy amps up. Brody knows he messed up when he hurt Lila all those years ago, but now that she’s back, he plans to make things right. He just needs to prove to her he’s not the same guy he was before.

 

It’s been a while since I’ve picked up a Carolyn Brown book so, needless to say, when this one arrive, I did a little happy dance because I know reading one of her books means that I’m in for a good time.

 

I liked Lila, for the most part. In the past, she was a bit wild and now she’s having trouble living that reputation down. She’s grown up and got her act together but the residents of her hometown still see her as a troublemaker. Brody’s a solid and dependable guy. Not only does he take care of the family ranch, he also helps his sister out with her kids. He knows he made a mistake in the past and he regrets it and he’s willing to do anything to prove to Lila he’s not going to hurt her again.

 

The chemistry between them was off the charts. Years have passed, but they are still stuck on each other. There’s a deep history between them also a deep a hurt that needs to be healed. I do understand why Lila was a bit leery of Brody. But the guy was practically giving her his heart and telling her to stay, so I didn’t really get behind Lila leaving the state and making him chase after her.

 

This was book one in her new Happy, Texas series and it was fun getting to know the residents. Like most small towns, they were a bit quirky, totally nosey, and completely lovable.

 

Overall, I couldn’t put this book down. There was sass, sparks, and spirted characters and I can’t wait to get more of this series.

 

 

What’s your favorite romance trope?

 

 

   

One Taste of Angel by Violetta Rand

Eagle

I’ve bled for my club. Taken four bullets. Buried eight brothers in six years. Screwed a hundred women. And only loved one. The one I lost. But there's something about Serafina that reminds me of just exactly what was taken from me. Not just because I can't resist a damsel in distress.

Serafina

To Eagle, I’m dead. Murdered and cremated, my ashes interred at the local cemetery. Part of a past I left long ago to save his life. Seeing him now, touching him again makes me weak, even if he doesn't recognize the woman I've become. Since my escape from Holly Beach five years ago, I’ve lived by my own rules. And no matter how much I love Eagle, he’s not going to break those rules.

 

Series: Iron Norseman #1 | Publisher: SMP Swerve| Genre: Contemporary Romance| Source: Publisher | Rating: 3 Cups

Challenges Read For: Bad Boys of Romance

What happen when the president of a MC falls for the woman he thought was dead?

 

Here’s what’s going on. When Eagle rescues Serafina from a bachelor party, there’s something about her that he’s drawn to and he’s willingly to do anything to protect her. There’s a reason Eagle’s drawn to her, even though he doesn’t realize it. Serafina is Angel, the woman he loved and thought was dead. She fake her death to save them both from her brother’s MC. And now that she’s be found out, the danger is back.

 

The blurb of this one intrigued me. It offered ‘two star-crossed lovers from rival MC's, divided by their families' bloody history’. So basically, they’re supposed to be the Romeo and Juliet of the MC world.

 

And things were going good. The prologue had all the danger and grit I love in a MC romance and the first few chapters had me hooked. Then it started losing that MC feel and started turning into a bit more mainstream. Eventually it did pick up that MC feel again only to lose it after a few pages. That rival MC feel that was promised, was lacking because there was very little club business going on. Sure, it was mentioned from time to time but nothing like what I was expecting.

 

I did like Eagle. He’s been through the ringer. Angel’s ‘death’ not only crushed his soul, it caused his Iron Norseman brothers to die. So, he’s been emotionally gutted  and, at one point, he was ready to give up just to be with her. I didn’t really care for Serafina/Angel. She just seemed selfish, even when she had a chance to confess who she was, she let Eagle believe she was someone else. And what I couldn’t understand is why she faked her death rather than going to the Iron Norseman for help. The club accepted her as one of their own and would do anything to protect her. And Eagle was a big boy, if she would have told him what was going on, he could have handled things.

 

So, the romance was hot and steamy and there was an attraction between them but I couldn’t buy some of the romance, especially once he found out she was Angel.

 

A few things just didn’t make sense to me like how easy it was for Eagle and the rest of the Iron Norseman to accept Angel back into their lives. Her actions caused club members to die and nearly cost them Eagle’s life. Lives were lost and trust was broken so I just don’t see a them accepting her back into the fold. Then there’s this whole ‘we’re one percenters’ thing. Yeah, they’re totally legit, so definitely not one percenters.

 

Overall, the book promised more than it delivered. If it would have just been a modern day Romeo and Juliet story rather than a MC book, it would have made a world of difference and I would have rated it higher. As a MC book, I just couldn’t buy their actions.

 

What’s your favorite MC series?

Do you prefer them gritty or mainstream?

 

 

 

   

Physical Forces by D.D. Ayres

Macayla Burkett is no ordinary private eye. She’s a pet detective, dedicated to tracking down missing dogs and cats. When two famous racing greyhounds disappear and turn up dead, Macayla finds herself in the midst of a much more serious case. And when the thieves target her and threaten her life, she realizes she’s in grave danger—until a ridiculously handsome stranger enters the picture …

Oliver Kelly may look like a male stripper, but his muscles aren’t just for show. The gorgeous Australian is co-owner of a K-9 Search and Rescue service dedicated to saving those in danger. When he and his K-9 partner, an Australian shepherd named Jackeroo, rescue the fiery detective from trouble, the sparks begin to fly. And when they join forces to stop a widespread case of animal theft, it unleashes a torrent of passion that’s impossible to tame…

Series: K-9 Rescue #6| Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks | Genre: Romantic Suspense | Source: Publisher | Rating: 3.5 Cups

This one was a bit different from what I normally read but it has a bit of everything and a sexy Aussie.

 

Here’s what’s going on. Macayla’s a pet detective who reunites missing pets with their owners. Normally, the only hazards of her job are scratches and bites. When she discovers that the two missing greyhounds she’s been searching for are dead, her job just got a lot more dangerous. Then Oliver Kelly enters her life. As co-owner of BARKS, a K-9 Search and Rescue unit, it’s his job to save people. So, when he discovers Macayla’s in trouble, he and his dog Jackeroo are determined to do what they can to help her, although, for once, Oliver’s feelings have nothing to do with his profession and more to do with Macayla.

 

I loved how they first met: He thought she was homeless, she thought he was a male stripper in town with the Thunder from Down Under male revue. It was quirky and funny and totally worked to get my attention.

 

So, Oliver was one sexy beast. He’s co-owner of a world renowned search and rescue outfit and he’s dedicated to his work. Up until he met Macayla, he was content with just a bit of casual sex but now it seems he found the one to make him want more. He’s definitely this alpha male type but it comes on cute rather than in-your-face annoying. Macayla was interesting. She’s dedicated to her job and cares about the animals she rescues. She’s a bit naïve but she has moxie. While she’s strong, there’s also this fragile side to her. And it takes her a while to figure out she can lean on Oliver.

 

The romance started out with chemistry and lust but actual development was a bit slow going as the two revealed their secrets and helped each other through them. I really enjoyed these two on the page together. They were a bit quirky, totally snarky, and so much fun.

 

There is a bit of mystery to this one and while I had my suspensions, I was never completely sure until the end. While the main mystery was tied up, a few threads were mentioned and never really addressed. It would have been nice to have had them closed as well.

 

While I enjoyed this one and found it different from what I normally read, a few things kept me from rating it higher. There wasn’t enough of Oliver in the book. Most of the book focused on Macayla, which gave the book an uneven feel. It felt like I was having Macayla overload, but it barely scratched Oliver’s surface. I would have also liked to have seen something from Oliver’s work, given that this is a Search and Rescue book.

 

There’s also this odd little sex scene. The set up was nice and steamy—they’re having sex in the ocean—and she’s worried that she’ll lose her panties, so he puts them on her head. So, while they’re getting down and dirty in the surf, all I can think about is the fact she’s wearing a pair of lacey panties on her head.

 

Overall, everything about this one was new-to-me: author, subject, and character’s professions. And I found that interesting. There were a few hiccups for me and it, occasionally, hit a few slow spots—did we really need the scene where she’s cleaning out a saltwater fish tank? But, for the most part, I enjoyed it and I’m itching to check out the books that came before this one.

 

 

K-9 Rescue Series

Necessary Force (novella)

Irresistible Force

Force of Attraction

Primal Force

Rival Forces

Explosive Forces

Physical Forces

 

 

   

Size Matters by Alison Bliss

Leah Martin has spent her life trying to avoid temptation. But she's sick of low-fat snacks, counting calories, and her hyper-critical mom. Fortunately, her popular new bakery keeps her good and distracted. But there aren't enough éclairs in the world to distract Leah from the hotness that is Sam Cooper - or the fact that he just told her mother that they're engaged . . . which is a big, fat lie.

 

Sam sometime speaks before he thinks. So what started out as defending Leah's date-ability to her judgmental mother soon turned into having a fiancee! Now the plan is to keep up the fake engagement, stay "just friends," and make Leah's family loathe him enough to just call the whole thing off . But Sam has an insatiable sweet tooth, not only for Leah's decadent desserts but her decadent curves. Her full lips. Her bright green eyes. Yep, things aren't going quite according to plan. Now Sam has to convince Leah that he's for real . . . before their little lie turns into one big, sweet disaster.

 

Series: A Perfect Fit #1 | Publisher: Forever |Genre: | Source: Publisher| Rating: 4 Cups

Challenges Read For:  Blogger Shame

I’m such a sucker for the fake mates trope and this delivered all the yumminess. It had humor, heart, emotion, and heat and it hooked me from the start.

 

Here’s what’s going on. To save Leah from her mother’s criticism, Sam announces that they’re engaged. There’s only one little problem: it’s a lie. Leah and Sam barely know each other but now they’re stuck sharing a weekend with her parents and grandparents. To ‘fix’ his mistake, Sam agrees to use the time with her family to make them hate him so it will look real when Leah ends the fake engagement. Although the more Sam tries to make her family dislike him, the more he finds himself falling for Leah and her crazy family.

 

Sam and Leah were great together. . I really enjoyed seeing what they were going to come up with next. He’s a total alpha male, swoon worthy, good with his hands, and has a sweet tooth. Leah’s a baking genius, sweet, funny, and caring but she’s dealing some insecurities thanks to her mother

 

They both have some issues they have to work through before allowing themselves to fall, which added to the romance for me. It felt believable and I was rooting for them to finally get it together.

 

Okay, so I started this one out on audio and Violet Strong (the narrator) just didn’t work for me. Even though I liked the book, if I would have continued with the audio, I would have DNF’d it because she was just so whiney. Thankfully, I remembered I had an e-arc.

 

Overall, this was my first book from Alison Bliss and it was a great introduction to a new-to-me author. It was one of the laugh-out-loud books that also had the feels. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

 

 

A Perfect Fit Series

Size Matters

On the Plus Side