Review: Private Paradise by Jami Alden (Private Series #2)

Publisher - Self-published
Publication Date - 5th October 2011
Ebook - 150 pages
Genre - Erotic Romance

Source - Kindle freebie

Rating - 3.5 out of 5: I liked it.

Reviewed by - Chrissie

Book Info - After years of catering to the whims of the rich and famous at one of the Caribbean's most luxurious resorts, there isn't much that can rattle Carla DeLuca.

Until Sam O'Connell shows up.

Tall, dark, and sexy, Holley Cay's new security chief is no stranger. He's the irresistible bad boy who seduced her over a long, hot summer only to leave her heartbroken, humiliated, and determined to never again fall for a player like him. But though her heart still stings with the memory of his rejection, her body can't forget the all-consuming pleasure of his touch.

Sam never forgave himself for his too cruel rejection of Carla over a decade before. Young, reckless, and convinced it was only a matter of time before Carla regretted hooking up with a trouble maker like him, Sam pushed Carla away before she could realize her mistake. But when Sam lands a job working for Carla in paradise, he seizes the chance to finally make things right.

When a hurricane strands them alone on the island, Carla is unable to resist the passion simmering between them. She doesn't fool herself that what they have will last past the storm. But little does she know, Sam will do whatever it takes to make her his - forever this time.

My Thoughts - Last year I read Jami Alden's Gemini Men series and loved them so much I rushed through the entire trilogy in just a week because I couldn't put them down. So when I saw Private Paradise on Amazon for free, I couldn't resist it. And although I didn't enjoy it as much as her other series, this is still well worth a read.

Part of the problem for me was that it lacked the excitement and suspense of the Gemini Men series, but then they are two very different types of books. The Gemini Men series is romantic suspense (with LOTS of sexy times!) and kept me on the edge of my seat. So I was kind of expecting the same thing from this one, especially when I read about the hero being hired as the chief of security. It just put images in my head of him having to be all alpha male and protective. And that is almost there, but it isn't as obvious in this series as the extreme outside forces aren't really there. In fact, not much really happens in this story and it is very much a story of the emotional development of the two main characters. The main thing that happens is that a hurricane hits but really that is just a plot device used to force Carla and Sam together into close proximity for a while.

But, as much as that all makes it sound as though I didn't enjoy it, that's not really true. It is a good, quick read that is full of steamy sex and sizzling chemistry. I liked reading about Sam. He was a typical bad boy when he was younger who broke Carla's heart, but over the years he has pulled himself together and made something of himself. Carla on the other hand, although I did like her independent spirit and strength, at times she came across as a little cold and heartless which affected the way that I saw her as a character. I know that Sam broke her heart but there were a few times I found myself cringing at things she said in her attempt to get back at him. But then there were also a lot of times when she was soft and caring towards him too, so I found that I had mixed feelings about her.

Summary - A very hot quick read that is perfect for warming up the cold evenings. Fans of erotic romance will enjoy Private Paradise a lot.

Other books in the series:
1. Private Party
2. Private Paradise
3. Private Pleasures
4. Private Passions

Review: Unleashed by Jami Alden (Gemini Men #3)

Publisher - Kensington Books
Publication Date - 2nd November 2009
Paperback - 320 pages
Genre - Romantic Suspense

Source - Purchased

Rating - 4.5 out of 5: I really liked it.

Reviewed by - Chrissie

Book Info - Danny Taggart is the biggest badass of all the Gemini Men. And there's only one thing a woman can do with a man this hot, hard, and ready for action...

He's the oldest of the three Taggart brothers. And the boldest. Tall, dark, and rippling with muscle, Danny Taggart takes no prisoners. But when his latest case puts him up close and personal with the woman who once left him raw and aching, he's shell shocked. Caroline Medford is stilll hotter than hell. But she's also got her pretty grip on the thruths that have shaped him into the soul-ravaged warrior he is today. Burned once, Danny's plan is to satisfy his craving for Caroline and walk away. Yet once he has her warm and willing beneath him, he can't get deep enough - or close enough. Not even when danger threatens to destroy everything he's ever fought for. Including the only woman he's ever loved...

My Thoughts - What I love about this book is how it so beautifully wraps up the series for the reader. Throughout the first two books there is an underlying story about how the Taggart boys' mother up and left them at an early age and how this has affected them and their attitude towards relationships. Their father has never given up his search for his wife and has therefore never really been there for them either as they were growing up. In this book, Danny (the eldest Taggart brother) manages to find out exactly what happened to his mother, whilst getting closer to the woman that he had been in love with at the time of her disappearance.

This is a story about second chance love, which I always think is interesting to read about. At first Danny thinks that he can keep Caroline at arms length but as it becomes more obvious that her now dead ex-husband may have had something to do with his mother's disappearance and that her life is now in danger, he must do all he can to keep her safe. While they are together 24/7 it gives them time to work out where they went wrong so many years ago, and although they both have very different views on what happened between them some truths eventually come out that makes Danny question everything he ever believed - about his relationship with Caroline and why his mother ran away from him and his brothers.

Like his brother Derek in the previous book in the series, Danny has trouble dealing with his emotions and so he never really allows himself to feel anything for anybody. I have to say that I do find this slightly irritating. I don't mind it for a little while at the beginning of the book, but I feel that it hampers the romance if it goes on for too long. But on the whole I did like the character of Danny - he's sexy, charming and he never walks away from his responsibilities.

Caroline is a great character too. She is currently being investigated as the main suspect in her ex-husband's murder, although she knows she didn't do it, and that she is next on their hitlist. She is very tough and independent and she really knows how to keep Danny in line. The romance between them is hot as hell and has some tender and heartbreaking moments, especially as the truth about why she left Danny in the past comes to light.

Once again, the author also manages to write a brilliant suspense storyline to accompany the romance and I finished this book in just one day as I just couldn't bring myself to put it down.

Summary - A brilliant ending to the series that wraps up all the loose ends very nicely. I must admit that I became obsessed with this series whilst reading it and am very sad that it's now over. I will definitely be checking out more of Ms. Alden's work.

Other books in the series:
1. Caught
2. Kept
3. Unleashed

Other reviews of this book:
Book Junkie / Genre Go Round Reviews

Review: Kept by Jami Alden (Gemini Men #2)

Publisher - Kensington Books
Publication Date - 1st March 2009
Paperback - 369 pages
Genre -  Romantic Suspense

Source - Purchased

Rating - 4 out of 5: I really liked it.

Reviewed by - Chrissie

Book Info - Ethan and Derek Taggart: they're the men of Gemini, and when it comes to sheet-scorching undercover work, nobody does it better. The only one they answer to is big brother Danny - that is, until the right women come along to grab the reins and crack the whip as hard as the Taggart men like it...

Security is Derek Taggart's game, and he plays it straight - no margin for error, no time to fool around... except with one hot little number who changes everything. He takes her home when she needs a ride - one she'll never forget. The problem is Derek can't forget her, a total about-face for a guy who keeps his enemies closer than his lovers. Then he finds out the sexy dynamo is Alyssa Miles, notorious party girl and darling of the gossip rags. It's time to walk away and never look back, which would be a hell of a lot easier if his agency didn't desperately need the high-profile gig her family's offering: a minor detail that consists mainly of Derek watching Alyssa 24/7. Keeping an eagle eye on every inch of Alyssa's nubile body isn't exactly a hardship - the problem is keeping his hands off and his brain on when things go dangerously wrong...

My Thoughts - After reading, and loving, the first book in the Gemini Men series I have become completely hooked on this series and I have fallen more than a little bit in love with the Taggart brothers. These books are very sexy - definitely the hottest romantic suspense books I have come across so far - and as soon as I pick one up it is very difficult for me to put it back down again.

Derek is an ex-military man who runs a security agengy with his twin brother Ethan and older brother Danny. He is a typical alpha male who feels the need to protect those around him but he doesn't like to get too close to anybody. He is very emotionally shut off and, although I did find him very sexy, this did make it a bit difficult for me to really get attached to him as a character. He has fallen for Alyssa but in an effort to keep her at arms length he is cruel to her at times. There is one particular scene that made for very uncomfortable reading, although I won't go into too many details as I don't want to give too much away.

I really liked Alyssa. She has had some troubles in the past - a stint in rehab for a drug problem, a horrible ex-boyfriend who put naked pictures of her on the internet - but she is trying her hardest to put that behind her a build a successful career for herself in her father's jewellery business. Even though everybody thinks of her as a famous-for-nothing, airhead celebrity, it soon becomes obvious that this isn't true and she is really trying to change her image. I think the thing I loved most about her is that even though she has been hurt a lot in the past, mainly by people wanting to cash in on her fame, she is still very trusting and willing to see the best in people. Although this is probably what has got her hurt in the past I loved the vulnerability this aspect of her personality brings out in her.

The mystery aspect of the storyline is fast-paced and kept me hooked on the edge of my seat. Although the reader finds out quite early on who is wanting to hurt Alyssa, the author manages to throw in a big twist at the end, and I loved the surprise of this turn of events.

Summary - Although I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first in the series (mainly because of some of the more unlikeable aspects of the hero's personality) I still loved it and once I started it I really couldn't put it down. I had to start reading book three straight away as I just could not wait to find out what else is in store for the Taggart brothers.

Other books in this series:
1. Caught
2. Kept
3. Unleashed

Other reviews of this book:
The Good, The Bad and The Unread / The Romance Reader

Review: Caught by Jami Alden (Gemini Men #1)

Publisher - Brava
Publication Date - 3rd November 2008
Paperback - 320 pages
Genre -  Romantic Suspense

Source - Library

Rating - 5 out of 5: It was amazing!

Book Info - Got an investigation situation? Call the Gemini Men: Ethan and Derek Taggart. Yeah, they're twins. Double the trouble and twice as sexy - women can't get enough of them or their older brother Danny, who keeps 'em in line when things get wild. The three Taggart men are hot, hard, and ready to take on all comers...

Ex-military. Tall. Chiseled. Intelligent and arrogant. And so hot he's on fire. That's Ethan Taggart. Male to the max. Toni Crawford, computer genius turned PI, can't stop looking at him and Ethan's returning the favor. Nice and slow. Those piercing blue eyes of his are about to melt her down but... nothing doing. Toni has to stay cool. Focus on the assignment: the teenage daughter of a multimillionaire just vanished in plain sight. Chasing down leads, investigating every freaky angle, pushing past the boundaries of a hellish underworld of sex and drugs, Ethan and Toni are forced to work closely to stalk an unseen enemy with a taste for cruel games. Risking their lives to save the missing girl is only half the battle. Their blazingly sensual attraction grows every second, until there's no turning back. Their passion is about to explode... and Ethan and Toni soon find that danger breeds the hottest desire of all...

My Thoughts - As you may have seen on my blog recently, I have been wanting to read more romance, so when I stumbled across this romantic suspense at the library I decided to give it a try. And I'm so glad I did as I absolutely loved it.

Ethan is one of my favourite main characters ever. He just oozes charm and sex appeal, and he's obviously very good at his security job. Oh, and he's ex-military too just add to his charm. The only thing that did irritate me a bit is that he can come across as being a bit too arrogant at times.

Toni is also a great character. She is a bit of a geek, but being a geek myself I just loved that about her, and it made her so much more realistic than if she were perfect. She has a lot of insecurities based on the way she looks and the fact that she has only recently been betrayed by another man, but she is a very caring and loving woman who is just trying to get on with her life after a troubled past.

The romance between these two is just sizzling and had me feeling a bit hot under the collar for a large percentage of the book! But it wasn't just the physical chemistry between them that kept me turning the pages. Once they started to trust each other it became obvious that there is a deeper connection that is fuelled by past hurts - Ethan's mother disappeared never to be seen again, while Toni's little sister disappeared and was later discovered dead. They are able to help each other work through the issues that surround these past events and this helps to bring them so much closer.

The mystery element of the book is also well-written and there is a good balance between this and the romance. There are some action-packed scenes that keep the book moving along at a fast pace, making Caught impossible to put down - I finished the book in less than a day, which I very rarely do. Plus I wasn't able to work out who had kidnapped the millionaire's daughter so that is always a big plus in a mystery novel.

Summary - A must read for fans of romantic suspense - full of likeable characters, sizzling romance, action and intriguing mystery. I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future!

Other books in the series:
1. Caught
2. Kept
3. Unleashed

Other reviews of this book:
Genre Go Round Reviews / The Good, The Bad and The Unread 

This book counts towards the following challenges:
Book #1 for 2012 Mystery and Suspense Reading Challenge
Book #19 for 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge