RomanceReader: Reviews: The Remingtons: Kindle World

What is a Kindle Worlds?

Simply put, it’s fan fiction inspired by some of the best books, movies and televisions shows out there! Fans get the chance to write a story that spins off of the series and submit it to Amazon. Amazon then publishes it and BAM! Fans can download it and find out more about a certain world. Sometimes one of those small characters you might have seen in one of the series stories will come to life in their own story, or new characters are born that are friends of main characters. There are all kinds of ways for these worlds to grow.

The Remington World

Now this is where it gets really exciting! Melissa Foster has written many wonderful romance novels in several series. One of them is the Remingtons, and it is joining the Kindle World! The Remingtons are a wonderful family of 4 brothers and a sister who grew up outside New York City. They have each met their happily-ever-after, and each traveled a different road to get there.

Love in Bloom: The Remingtons (by Melissa Foster)
Click on each image below to go directly to the Amazon page for each book.

Welcome Back to the world of the Remingtons!

Melissa's Website: http://www.melissafoster.com/

Think back on one of your favorite books and remember. Remember feeling like you're missing out on what may be going on with your favorite characters while you are away. Well, the Remington Kindle World gives you a chance to check in with your favorite Remington characters while meeting some of their friends. Thanks to Melissa Foster for giving us such wonderful characters in The Remingtons and for eight fantastic authors for bringing us back into their world, if only for a minute! This series of novels and novellas have loose tie-ins to the Remingtons, where each book will introduce a friend of one of the Remingtons, and that Remington will have a token appearance in the book. Below, I have included a synopsis of each book in the Remington World, as well as my review. I invite you to read each book as I know you'll enjoy them as much as I did!

Disclosure: I received a free copy of each of these books in exchange for an honest review.

Spotlight on Love by Kaira Rouda
Tie in: Siena Remington from Flames of Love
Rating:★★★★☆

Synopsis: Since childhood, Olivia Larson has dreamed of becoming a top fashion model. Recruited by an elite New York agency, she’s about to board a private plane to fly to the Big Apple. As a promise to her dedicated mom, she’s focused on her career, and nothing else, but that determination is challenged when a sexy and secretive celebrity arrives for the same flight.

Bad boy pop star Reed Ralston has been famous since he was a tween, pushed into the spotlight by an overbearing stage mom and appearing on a popular kids’ TV show as a singer/songwriter. Against the odds, and with dark secrets from a troubled childhood hidden from the press, Reed has transitioned into a successful adult star with a carefully manufactured image designed to keep him on top of the charts and in the pop-culture media.

Sometimes opposites attract immediately, as Reed and Olivia discover during their spark-filled, hour-long flight to New York. But what happens when that attraction is exposed to the harsh spotlight of fame will make all the difference.

My Review: Spotlight on Love is a perfect title for this story. Reed, the hero, has been in the spotlight, and Olivia, our heroine, is just finding the spotlight in New York. Reed is wary of thrusting Olivia into the spotlight because he has seen the worst of it - the underbelly of everything negative about fame and fortune. It is clear early on that Reed is interested, and I love a story where the hero is confident in his feelings and acts on them. Reed does what he needs to do to start a relationship with Olivia and doesn't let "propriety" and "norms" dictate how his relationship with her proceeds. He's a refreshing character who is surprisingly grounded considering his famous background. Reed is, however, clearly torn by his feelings for Olivia and his feelings about the spotlight. His sensitivity to that is delightful to read since most of what you see in today's pop-culture is celebrities who eat up the spotlight and are changed for the worse because of it. I also enjoyed seeing Olivia's innocence as she is transitioning from small town to big city, and from small time to big time modeling. We see Siena Remington in this story as she meets Reed when he is introduced to a group of models at the promotional agency. Siena is the only friendly one in the group and this story continues to depict her as completely down-to-earth. This story provides a good mix of dialog and "mind speak" that enables the reader to get a good glimpse into who the characters think and feel, and the sex scenes, while descriptive, create a good balance with the rest of the story. This is the first book in the Remingtons Kindle World that I read and a great introduction to the concept of Kindle Worlds.

Author's Website: http://www.kairarouda.com/
Click here to buy → Spotlight on Love

Pulled by Love by Amy Manemann

Tie in: Leanna and Kurt Remington from Read, Write, Love
Rating:★★★★☆

Synopsis: After years of paying her dues, Ava Sweet finally owns the taffy shop of her dreams. Her grandmother's signature taffy recipes are beginning to make a statement in Soho, NY, and with the help of her friend, Leanna Remington, she has her eyes set on the upcoming Big Apple Sweets Convention to put her shop on the map. The only problem, she's been accused of stealing a recipe by the hunky Boy Scout from the fudge and candy shop next door.

Hudson James is always ready and willing to lend a helping hand, especially at his family's fudge and candy shop. They're looking to showcase some new recipes at the upcoming sweets convention in the hopes of regaining the notoriety their shop has always been known for. Until the owner of the taffy shop next door creates a recipe so similar to theirs that Hudson doesn't hesitate to call her out on it.

In a world of sugary creations and high pressure candy making, adding a dash of romance isn't part of the recipe. With the sweets convention only a week away, Ava and Hudson will need to try and keep their eye on the prize, even while their hearts are being pulled by love.

My Review: This book was a sweet and funny addition to the Kindle Worlds. I really enjoyed how we met Hudson - he comes storming in to Ava's shop and accuses Ava of stealing their recipe. It sets the stage for fun as two hard-headed, strong-willed people get to know each other. It was fun watching Ava and Hudson get to know each other. I did think that Ava's reaction to Hudson's "lie" was a bit out of proportion and that aspect of the story felt a bit manufactured to create turmoil in their relationship. The circumstances weren't quite as cut-and-dry as she was making them out to be. I am just glad that Hudson is as stubborn enough to see through her bluster and stick it out until he shows Ava that he isn't like she thinks. In this book, Leanna Remington is friends with Ava. The author includes a funny scene where Hudson's friend found about his escapades from a sister of a cousin of a friend talked to so-and-so and there was Leanna and Siena, right in the middle! It was a funny little "six degrees of separation" from the Remingtons. We also check in with Kurt and Leanna at the sweets convention that served as the primary issue of contention between Ava and Hudson. In true Kurt and Leanna fashion, Kurt is humbly trying to fend off fans at an event intended for Leanna. It was fun to check in with Kurt and Leanna.

Author's Website: http://amymanemann.blogspot.com
Click here to buy → Pulled by Love

Love on the Record by Zoe York
Tie in: Siena Remington from Flames of Love
Rating:★★★★★

Synopsis: For NYPD detective Griffin Sark, it’s lust at first sight when fashion reporter Tessa Ramirez crashes into his life. But she’s also featuring him in a puff piece that he hates from the moment he first hears about it, and criticizing a woman’s job is never a great way to land a date. Opposites attract, wills clash and hearts (eventually) melt in this standalone romance by the NYT and USA Today bestselling author of the SEALs Undone series.

My Review: Griffin perfectly fit the image I would have of a New York detective. He is honorable with a bit of an edge. I love how the hero and heroine meet - typical 21st century dating where the Griffin sends over a drink and his business card - and she texts him a thank you. It was fun to see a relationship start that way, before either of them realizes how intertwined their lives are about to become. Griffin is confident in his attraction to Tessa from the beginning, and I like how he doesn't jump to conclusions when it appears she's betrayed him. He really dislikes the "intention" of her article from the outset and manages to piss her off from the very beginning, which just seems to fit his personality perfectly. Tessa surprises me. I guess, coming from a small town, I expected her to be a bit more wary of a pickup in a bar, and riding the subway, and working in a cutthroat NY publishing environment. She was a refreshing surprise and I really enjoyed getting to know her. The sex scenes are a bit more prevalent in this book than some of the others I've read, but they didn't overwhelm the story or take away from Griffin and Tessa finding their love story and their happily ever after! Of all of the Remington World books, this one probably has the least connection to the Remingtons. Tessa consults with Siena Remington at the beginning of the book, before meeting our hero, but that is the extent of the tie in to the Remingtons. Nevertheless, this was a great love story between two potential opposites - a cop and a reporter. This book also provides us the best look at New York City through these eyes of two working-class characters, from hailing cabs and the subway, to the Mets game, and the depiction of the suburbs vs. the city. I think I got my best picture of New York City from this installment in the Remington world.

Author's Website: http://zoeyork.com/
Click here to buy → Love on the Record

Love on the Rocks by Elle James

Tie In: Kurt Remington from Read, Write, Love
Rating:★★★★★

Synopsis: Grieving software engineer, John Decker, commemorating the two-year anniversary of the day he lived and his wife died, is dragged back into life by a riptide and a bartender he can't get out of his thoughts. Plagued with survivor's guilt, he's reluctant to enter a new relationship, until he meets a feisty bartender with attitude and curves to go with it.

Roxi Lanier was the typical young teen in the city, happy, full of life and bulletproof, until she became the victim of a violent crime. Her mother moved her to Wellfleet on Cape Cod, away from the scene of her misfortune to start over. Fourteen years later, she's still afraid to date and be intimate with a man, the scars of her past overriding the happiness she craves. Though she's an independent owner of a thriving beach bar, she has yet to find success in love. Tides change when she witnesses a suicidal widower diving headfirst into a riptide.

Decker and Roxi struggle to stay afloat through the wreckage of their pasts and the storms of the present to sail into a future together.

My Review: As this story begins, we get a glimpse into the relationship Decker has with the Remingtons, as Kurt has returned to Cape Cod to help commemorate Decker's "alive day". It may be called "alive day", the day that Decker survives a car accident while his wife died, but Decker doesn't seem alive to me. He may be breathing but he is not living. He has hidden himself away on Cape Cod because he can't face the memories in New York. He has been mourning her death since the accident. The author masterfully depicts his grief and guilt over the loss of his wife. As "alive day" comes to an end, we see Decker heading out to swim in the rough surf and I'm not sure he hasn't decided that "not living" wasn't living at all and he has nothing left for him here.

Roxi is living on Cape Cod - hiding really - after being traumatized as a child. Roxi has come out of the trauma a strong woman except when it comes to men. She sees Decker heading into the sea and goes in after him and together they return to shore. I think that scene really demonstrates the true nature of their subsequent relationship - saving each other together. Throughout the story, the author draws parallels between the struggles that both Decker and Roxi are facing and they find that through each other they can come successfully out the other side. The author's character development is strong and the dialog and storyline is well balanced. I thought the subject of rape was sensitively addressed and Decker shows amazing sensitivity towards helping Roxi move forward in a healthy way. Through that, Decker is also able to move forward with his own life and admit he's ability to love again - with Roxi.

Author's Website: http://www.ellejames.com/
Click here to buy → Love on the Rocks

Cured by Love by Stacy Eaton
Tie In: Ellie Parker and Dex Remington from Game of Love
Rating:★★★★★

Synopsis: Dina Greene and Ellie Parker met during their college years and on the night that they meet at NightCaps to reconnect, Dina’s life begins to change. For six years, Dina has closed off her heart, moving from one man to another, trying to feel something other than her own pain and guilt.

Ryan Wilde is a plastic surgeon who strives to give people a better quality of life, especially children. The night he watches Dina leave the bar with another one-night stand, he resolves to offer up a challenge to get her to view herself in a new light.

Little does he know that the challenge will change both their lives, but when Dina’s secret is exposed, will Ryan be able to accept it and trust her, or will Dina go back to her old ways and leave Ryan broken?

My Review: I think of all of these Remington World books, I enjoyed the connection in this book the best. In the very first book of the Remingtons - Game of Love - we meet Dex Remington and his former love Ellie. He sees Ellie across a bar, sitting with a friend. Well, Dina in Cured by Love is that friend. In Cured by Love, Dex is referred to as a guy coming over to see Ellie in the bar Nightcaps. I love it. You also see this story come back around to Dex and Ellie at the end - nice "book end" connections to the Remingtons.

In Cured by Love, Ryan quickly recognizes in Dina that she is medicating herself with sex, and quickly decides he wants to help her see herself for more than that. While many may think it presumptuous how Ryan approaches his idea, I find it endearing that he is able to see through her well-crafted exterior to see that she was clearly hiding something below. Dina is a complex character and I love how Ryan is able to peel back the layers and find the real woman underneath.

I also liked how both Ryan and Dina have meaningful tattoos. That's clearly a theme in the Remingtons series and is continued in this book. It takes most of the book to learn the underlying meaning behind Dina's tattoo, and I also really love how Dina explores and interpretes Ryan's tattoos - they are just so fitting in with who he is as a person and a doctor. And Whitney - not sure there is much to say about Whitney. She's the kind of character that you love to hate...and I do hate her. But, it takes Whitney for Ryan to really understand what's staring him in the face.

The complex characters and storyline make this an interesting book to read, and the tie in to the Remingtons makes this a charming addition to the Remingtons World.

Author's Website: http://stacyeaton.com
Click here to buy → Cured by Love

A Texas Kind of Love by Melissa Storm

Tie in: Siena Remington from Flames of Love
Rating:★★★★★

Synopsis: Louise Stark left her small Texas home town during high school and vowed never to look back. Unfortunately, she has no choice when she is called in to settle the estate of a great aunt she hardly knew. With her best friend Siena Remington in tow, she reluctantly takes a trip across the country and back into her past—planning to return to her fast-paced Manhattan life as quickly as possible.

Brady Williams leads a life filled with adventure, danger, and fame as the star bronco rider in a traveling rodeo. Proud of his reputation as the sexiest bad boy in Texas, he knows he can have any woman he wants. So why can’t he get his mind off straight-laced Louise, the girl he shared his first kiss with back in elementary school? And, more importantly, how can he convince her to stay in Jefferson long enough to give him a chance?

Louise and Brady are about to find out that no amount of distance can stand in the way of two hearts that fit perfectly together. So saddle up and get ready to fall in love with this sweet Western romance inspired by Melissa Foster’s Remington series.

My Review: This book, unlike the others, is set in Texas instead of New York. I always love a good cowboy / rodeo story and this one doesn't disappoint. Siena Remington makes more than a token appearance in this book; as the best friend of the heroine, Louise, she plays a prominent role as Louise travels to Texas. This book flows comfortably and is a quick read. I really enjoyed the Texas setting. I appreciated that Louise is willing to spend time with Brady even though she believes he'd wronged her as a child. After the number of years in New York, I somewhat expect Louise to be "snobby" about Texas. But Louise embraces Texas and her history, which makes her a refreshing character. I love Brady too. I love to see when a guy is "knocked off his feet" by a woman, or in Brady's case, knocked off his horse. I audibly gasped when his rodeo competition was cut short because Brady couldn't focus after seeing Louise. But he knows what he wants and he isn't afraid to pursue it. I like how he even considers how he can make things work in New York to be with Louise.

Its hard to tell you my favorite part of the story without giving away a spoiler, but I can just tell you that just when the reader believes the heroine has made the wrong decision, you hear a story that makes you smile. I didn't see it coming but love how the author weaves the story in and makes the reader believe the story is heading one direction when in reality it is headed the opposite. I love that literary construct and it really made the book for me.

There is no intimacy in this book but I didn't miss it. The hero and heroine were authentic and the lack of sex in the book was actually realistic considering the context and timeline of the story.

Author's Website: http://www.melstorm.com/
Click here to buy → Texas Kind of Love

Leap, Laugh, Love by Rachelle Ayala
Tie in: Dex Remington from Game of Love and Siena Remington from Flames of Love
Rating:★★★★★

Synopsis: Kerry Mills is a professional surfer who travels the circuits of the world’s surfing competitions until a broken heart and a shark encounter send her reeling to a tiny beachfront cottage. Focusing on her recovery, she has no interest in a rebound relationship. That is, until a tattooed hunk she spies in an outdoor shower asks her to teach him to surf. Suddenly, romance doesn’t look so bad.

Finn Meriwether used to be the life of the party and the class clown, but years of war in the Middle East have replaced his smile with a deep frown. He’s overdue for a vacation and heads for his friend’s seaside cottage for some well-deserved R&R.

Kerry soon discovers that sharks are the least of her worries. Her heart is at risk of being swallowed by a man whose grief and guilt overrides his ability to live and love. Can Kerry and Finn rise above their fears and take a leap for true love?

My Review: The book establishes itself early on as an intensely sexual read, much more so than most of the other books in this Kindle World. This book is an extremely sexual read. I smiled when I read the first chapter because even without a synopsis, I could tell where this book was headed. Head-long collisions like that are always fun to watch as they unfold, and I wasn't disappointed. Both Dex and Siena have tie-ins to this story as the chance meeting occurs between Siena's friend Kerry and Dex's friend Finn.

Kerry is a woman who is comfortable in her own body, but not comfortable with who she is. Finn is a warrior who is searching for the perfect place to distribute his comrade's ashes, but really what he's looking for is his own happy place. He is surprised when he finds it in Kerry. Finn's character undergoes a much bigger transition than many characters I've read recently. He starts out only looking for a fling with Kerry, and within days, realizes that Kerry is his happily ever after. He decides right then that how he treats her, and their relationship, should reflect his deeper feelings for her. Kerry struggles with his feelings for her because she's never experienced someone that has liked her for who she is and not what she can do for them, or what they can do for her. She even accuses Siena of that in this story. I thought that Kerry's reaction was a bit over the top but it lent itself well to the storyline. I really liked Siena's reaction to Kerry's implication that she was just "pranking her" or "using her for promotion". It is a very realistic reaction - Siena didn't just smooth it over and let it go. Siena is hurt and reacts accordingly and it is a very realistic depiction of human interactions. The author doesn't just "gloss over her reaction for TV" but provides a realistic human reaction.

This book also provides laugh-out-loud scenes as Kerry impersonates Siena's mother and sneaks onto a military base to declare her love for Finn. It seems only fitting after the turmoil of their relationship. But in true fashion, Kerry and Finn find their happily ever after and even find a fitting end for Finn's comrade in arms in the turbulent surf of Long Island.

Author's Website: http://www.rachelleayala.com/
Click here to buy → Leap, Laugh, Love

Love Me, Love Me Not by Elena Aitken

Tie In: Jayla Stone from Slope of Love
Rating:★★★★☆

Synopsis: For Daisy Dickson, The Daisy Chain is more than just her namesake - it’s her entire life. Running a successful business has consumed her focus for years; especially since a major development company has started buying up her neighborhood, threatening her existence.

The last thing she needs is a man - even one as hot as Ben Wallace with a smile that just won’t quit and sexy dark eyes that see right through her defenses. Surely one coffee won’t hurt? And it might just be the distraction she needs to take her mind off her problems.

But when one date turns into two and a connection stronger than either of them ever expected, the reality of their lives and who they are, threatens to destroy everything—and this time there’s more than just their hearts at stake.

My Review: Flowers play a huge role in Love Me, Love Me Not. It was really neat how the theme of flowers was woven into many aspects of the story - from the title of the book, Daisy's name, her store name, and even how the store plays such an important role in the story. Flowers are even woven into how Ben uses flowers and the messages with them to give his apology and propose his solution to Daisy. I loved how the two meet over a flower delivery to Ben's sister and how Ben and Daisy both know what they felt - it truly is love at first sight for Daisy and Ben. The author does a wonderful job of creating a love story - angst, heartbreak, and reunion in a short novella, including everything you find in a full-length novel in a small package. The book is well written with good balance of dialog and "mind speak", as I call it. There is a single intimacy scene but it is tastefully done and fits well into the overall flow of the story.

Author's Website: http://elenaaitken.com/
Click here to buy → Love Me, Love Me Not