ARC REVIEW: True Deceptions by Veronica Forand

Title: True Deceptions
Author: Veronica Forand
Publisher: Entangled Suspense
Published: October 19th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 271
Genres: Adult, Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
★★★ (3/5) Stars

Veronica Forand | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Temptation. Seduction. Murder. It's all part of the game...

After his partner was murdered, Simon Dunn was done with MI6. But the cold, violent world of British intelligence never lets anyone go free. Now Simon has been blackmailed into a new job...with a beautiful new partner who's going to get them both killed.

Robotics expert Cassie Watson is a newbie field agent with as much sophistication as...well, a pacifist, vegan computer nerd. Now she's abruptly thrust into the cutthroat world of espionage with a partner who is as cold as he is brutally-and brutishly-handsome.

But when their mission is betrayed from the inside, Cassie will be forced to place her life in the hands of the one man who's anything but trustworthy...

I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating.

My review for True Deceptions may end up being a bit confusing, or at the very least contradictory, because that's how my feelings are for this book. Very contradictory. On the one hand I was sucked deeply into the story and couldn't wait to see what would happen next. Hence not feeling like I could go below three stars for my rating. On the other...well, it was very easy to put down or get distracted with other things or have my mind wander. You see what I'm saying? I liked it, but I wasn't over the moon in love with it.

The whole suspenseful aspect and the mystery of what was going on within the story was very solid. I highly enjoyed that part of the story. Especially when you have something extremely dark and sort of "holy crap what am I reading?!" happen within the first few pages. I loved that start and the shock it gave me.

Where things got iffy for me was within both of the characters and the romance. The romance itself felt like it was happening at warp speed and was difficult to believe at times. I feel like they never really talked to each other about themselves, the things they did know about each other for the most part came from them doing some digging and internet stalking of each other. There weren't many conversations besides "you work for me you will do as I tell you and stay out of my way" types of conversations. And all the "sexual tension" I just was not feeling, like I didn't get it, couldn't understand how they would end up in bed together. How all of a sudden they each meant so much to the other one. It was just kind of silly to me. Yep, basically insta-love. So that was a strike against it.

Cassie's character was extremely hard to like, most especially in the first half of the book. She has zero backbone and gives new meaning to the word passive. When Simon starts insisting that Cassie do something that goes against the lifestyle choices she's made for herself the fight she puts up against him is basically nonexistent. It's like "no" "yes I insist" "fine". I mean this wasn't like some tiny little thing it was a huge deal and she just caved to avoid confrontation. I have zero respect for people like that. It wasn't until a majorly traumatic event happens somewhere around the middle that I actually start to like her a bit but even then her change is just so drastic that it doesn't feel real you know? Like she went too far in the other direction for as meek as she started out.

And Simon really wasn't that great either. I feel like controlling would be an understatement in describing his personality. If I go into very much detail or facts to back up my assessment it'd be too spoilery. He's got a few moments where he seems descent and sweet and thoughtful but he always seems to find a way to ruin it by being a complete jackass. I truly didn't understand how someone with a personality like Cassie's could have taken an interest in him at all.

Just so I'm not completely dumping on the book and to show that I did get into it quite a bit, one thing Veronica Forand did a really good job of doing was making you second guess your first impressions of the characters she's created. You get this gut instinct about someone and then their actions are constantly making you waver back and forth with are they good are are they bad? I actually liked that. Nobody was ever really quite what they seemed.

Overall I'm very in the middle on my feelings with this book. It was engaging and pulled me in and at times even had me on the edge of my seat. I feel like the romance really got in the way when it comes to True Deceptions though. It was one of the few times where I could have done without a romantic entanglement and I live for that stuff. And there were moments of pure frustration and aggravation. But regardless of how I felt about the romance and all that I did enjoy the rest and felt it made it worth the read.

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!!

ARC REVIEW: Simmering Ice (Atlantic City Hustlers #2) by Veronica Forand & Susan Scott Shelley

Title: Simmering Ice
Series: Atlantic City Hustlers #2
Authors: Veronica Forand & Susan Scott Shelley
Publisher: Entangled Lovestruck
Published: July 7th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 129
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Publisher
★★★ (3/5) Stars!

Veronica Forand | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Susan Scott Shelley | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

When the gloves come off, she's worth the penalty...

Physical therapist Annie Davidson is great at her job but unlucky when it comes to love. She's just out of a bad relationship. A really bad relationship. All she can do is focus on work...that is until she runs into professional hockey player Alec O'Meara. She's a touch insecure and doesn't understand why he's interested in her.

Despite being one of the biggest players on the team, right wing Alec O'Meara prefers finesse over force. After the tragic death of his wife, he likes to keep things loose on and off the ice. But the red-headed Annie challenges his beliefs and makes him think about taking their relationship to the net. 

The passion and fun they share is addicting and makes them long for more. But her insecurities that she's not good enough, and his anxiety over a long-term commitment will keep them apart, unless they can find a way to break through the defenses they've built around their hearts.

I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating!

Simmering Ice was a very quick and easy read. I picked it up because reading books set in the hockey world, or even dealing with sports in general, has been so much fun lately and addictive. While this one didn't absolutely wow me, it was very enjoyable all the same.

I really liked all of the characters. I especially liked the bond between Alec and his teammates. They seem to really care for and look out for each other. Like when Alec was all caught up in his own head they refused to let him stay that way and came over and camped out in his living room calling him on all his crap. It was funny and in a sense very sweet. You get the feeling that they aren't just a team because they're forced to be, they truly do care about each other like brothers.

Alec and Annie were also great characters, but I wish there had been more of a struggle. From the blurb I felt like I'd have seen more angst I suppose. But mostly it seemed as if the baggage that they both carried for the most part played out internally. It was more of a running inner monologue and less of a struggle within the relationship. It was the other huge reason I picked this book up. I'm twisted and I enjoy a good struggle before happily ever after. It makes it all the more sweet.

The romance was very sweet though. Alec and Annie had great chemistry and the build up between them was very slow and passionate.  I love those slow and simmering moments. A passionate kiss here, a lingering touch there, a heated look. They make the end results so much better.

I think my only other complaint, besides the lack of angst and struggle, would be that in the very beginning at least scenes felt very rushed. Like they would start and end within one or two paragraphs. I'd blink and it was days later. Things didn't feel very fleshed out on occasion.

All in all though I had fun reading it. It was quick and easy, the characters and storyline were great, the romance was passionate, and it had all the sporty goodness I've grown to love lately. I'll definitely be continuing on with this series so I can get to know some of the other Atlantic City Hustlers better!

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!