Review: Mai Tai'd Up (Cocktail #4) by Alice Clayton

Mai Tai'd Up (Cocktail #4) by Alice Clayton

Published December 2nd 2014 by Gallery Books

Looking for the perfect mix of smart, sexy, and sassy? Mai Tai’d Up continues New York Times bestselling author Alice Clayton’s Cocktail series, which began with Wallbanger and continued with Rusty Nailed and Screwdrivered.

The gossip mill in the seaside community of Monterey is churning about Chloe Patterson, the newcomer who is starting a sanctuary for rescued pit bulls. It’s rumored that she’s a former beauty queen (true) who ditched her fiancé the morning of their wedding (also true). And that while she’s not looking for a new man, the good-looking local veterinarian has his eye on her. Absolutely, positively true.

When Lucas Campbell isn’t at the family veterinary clinic, he’s paddle boarding in Monterey Bay. Recently single, he’s definitely not in the market for a new relationship, but he still can’t resist taking a second, third, and fourth look at the recent arrival of Miss Golden State.

Neither Lucas nor Chloe has any interest in being tied down. Being tied up, however—now there’s a thought. But are a few Mai Tais, a moonlit night, and the music of Frank Sinatra enough to allow them both to forget their past? Let’s hope Ol’ Blue Eyes knows what he’s doing.

Mix one part tiki, one part kinky, and a splash of old black magic matchmaking, and it’s time to be . . . Mai Tai’d Up.

My Thoughts

Another fun installment to the Cocktail series by Alice Clayton! Sweet, sexy and fun. Perfect romantic fix!

Chloe Patterson, a former beauty queen, is about to embark on an exciting new chapter of life as she prepares to marry her perfect match. But when doubts set in and she walks out on her wedding, she heads for a seaside town in Monterrey to figure out what she really wants out of life.

As she begins to redefine herself and with the help of the local veterinarian, Lucas Campbell, she realizes running an animal rescue shelter and making her own decisions suits her much better. As Chloe and Lucas spend time together, it’s no doubt there’s definitely chemistry between the two. However, can Chloe share her secret with Lucas who happened to be ditched at the altar by someone he loved?

I really enjoyed this romantic comedy by Clayton. She definitely has a way of getting you to fall for her characters and Chloe Patterson was no exception. Her prim and proper ways was fun to read about and I enjoyed seeing this beauty queen do something meaningful with her life. I have a soft spot for animals, so her pit bull rescue shelter was a nice layer to the story.

Mai Tai’d up is a quick, fun and quirky read that is a sure hit for Clayton fans. I enjoyed it very much!

4 Suns

Review: Screwdrivered (Cocktail #3) by Alice Clayton

Screwdrivered (Cocktail #3) by Alice Clayton

Published September 2nd 2014 by Gallery Books

Readers back for a third round of the bestselling Cocktail series will enjoy a madcap romantic comedy about bodice ripping and chest heaving, fiery passion and love everlasting. Plus a dash of paperwork filing and horseshi—wait, what?

By day, Viv Franklin designs software programs. By night, Vivian’s a secret romance-novel junkie who longs for a knight in shining armor, or a cowboy on a wild stallion, or a strapping firefighter to sweep her off her feet. And she gets to wear the bodice—don’t forget the bodice.

When a phone call brings news that she’s inherited a beautiful old home in Mendocino, California from a long-forgotten aunt, she moves her entire life across the country to embark on what she sees as a great, romance-novel-worthy adventure. But romance novels always have a twist, don’t they?

There’s a cowboy, one that ignites her loins. Because Cowboy Hank is totally loin-ignition worthy. But there’s also a librarian, Clark Barrow. And he calls her Vivian. Can tweed jackets and elbow patches compete with chaps and spurs? You bet your sweet cow pie.

In Screwdrivered, Alice Clayton pits Superman against Clark in a hilarious and hot battle that delights a swooning Viv/Vivian.

Also within this book, an answer to the question of the ages: Why ride a cowboy when you can ride a librarian?

My Thoughts

Screwdrivered is the third installment of Alice Clayton’s Cocktail series. This is probably my favorite from the series, and I have to say, Clayton’s hit the perfect stride of romantic, funny and swoon-worthy with Viv and Clark.

Viv Franklin is a romance novel fanatic. She mentally narrates her life through the eyes of a heroine waiting for her knight and shining armor to come rescue her on his dark horse and make passionate love to her. In reality though, she’s a software programmer from Philadelphia who has recently inherited a beautiful cottage from her great aunt. So, she travels to Mendicino, California where she leaves everything behind to begin her new life.

In Mendicino, she learns that a gorgeous, ripped cowboy is in charge of the horses and animals her great aunt left behind, and she immediately casts Cowboy Hank as the main character of her bodice ripper romance. However, then she collides with the local librarian/historian dressed in tweed jackets with elbow patches who also happens to dictate how she can remodel her new home, Viv soon realizes that hunky cowboys might set your loins on fire, but subtle, sexy librarians are much more fun to ride.

I had an absolute blast reading Screwdrivered through Viv’s perspective. Her mental narration of her life in the form of her own romance novel was hilarious! I also enjoyed seeing Viv stumble and make a fool of herself through the story because she handled it all with perfect grace.

The contrasting dynamic between Cowboy Hank and Librarian Clark was perfection! Clark was swoon-worthy in a nerdy, yet dominant sort of way. Cowboy Hank didn’t hold a candle to him in my opinion.

Overall, Screwdrivered is a romantic comedy that kept me entertained the entire time! I loved the dialog, characters and overall plot, which were blended to perfection!

4 Suns

Waves of Sunday #77

Welcome to our weekly edition of Waves of Sunday where each Sunday we spotlight a book that has been making waves in the book scene or has simply caught our attention causing a riptide on our TBR.

Today we are spotlighting:

Nuts (Hudson Valley #1) by Alice Clayton

Expected publication: October 20th 2015 by Gallery Books

From New York Times bestselling author Alice Clayton, the first in a brand-new romance series telling the humorously sexy tale of Roxie, a private chef who gets a taste of love—but is it to stay, or to go?

After losing almost all of her clients in one fell swoop following an accident involving whipped cream, private chef to Hollywood’s elite Roxie Callahan gets a call from her flighty mother, saying she’s needed home in upstate New York to run the family diner. Once she's back in the Hudson Valley, local organic farmer Leo delivers Roxie a lovely bunch of walnuts, and soon sparks—and clothing—begin to fly. Leo believes that everything worth doing is worth doing slowly…and how! But will Roxie stay upstate, or will the lure of West Coast redemption tempt her back to Tinseltown?

Arlene's Thoughts

I've recently returned to Clayton's original series Wallbanger and have been consuming those books like candy. This author definitely knows how to blend humor, romance and good ole storytelling to make for an entertaining time! When I saw this newest release, I quickly added it to my GR shelf and will not lose sight of this book. I can't wait to read Nuts by Alice Clayton, and I'm excited to share that I won a copy from Goodreads. Stalking my mailbox because I can't wait to dive into this book!

Pre-Order Links

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Review: Rusty Nailed (Cocktail #2) by Alice Clayton

Rusty Nailed (Cocktail #2) by Alice Clayton

Published June 24th 2014 by Gallery Books 

In this sequel to Wallbanger, the second book in the Cocktail series, fan favorites Caroline and Simon negotiate the rollercoaster of their new relationship while house-sitting in San Francisco.

Playing house was never so much fun—or so confusing. With her boss on her honeymoon, Caroline’s working crazy long hours to keep the interior design company running—especially since she’s also the lead designer for the renovation of a gorgeous old hotel on Sausalito. So with her hotshot photographer boyfriend gallivanting all over the world for his job, she and Simon are heavy-duty into “absence makes the heart grow fonder” mode. Neither has any complaints about the great reunion sex, though! Then Simon decides he’s tired of so much travelling, and he’s suddenly home more. A lot more. And wanting Caroline home more, too. Though their friends’ romantic lives provide plenty of welcome distraction, eventually Caroline and Simon have to sort their relationship out. Neither wants “out of sight, out of mind,” but can they create their own happy mid-ground cliché?

USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton delivers another delicious, frothy cocktail of a book, shaking up her characters, stirring in laugh-out-loud humor, and serving sizzling romance straight up!

My Thoughts

Sexy, funny and romantic!! Perfect sequel to Wallbanger!

Rusty Nailed has us visiting with Caroline and Simon once again as their relationship continues to develop and grow. At first, these two career-minded characters are bumping and grinding along as they balance their busy schedules and social engagements. They soon find themselves investing in a home and taking definite steps toward serious coupledom… which ultimately has Caroline questioning what she’s ready for. As they tackle the obstacles and struggles that come with growing up, they have to learn to maneuver their relationship carefully so they don’t lose sight of what’s really important, which is each other.

I absolutely adored Simon Parker (aka Wallbanger) in this novel. He seemed so much more serious and committed in this story, and it was heartwarming to see all the small and big (ahem ahem) ways he showed Caroline Reynolds (ask Pink Nightie Girl) how much he cared. We got to journey with him on a few of his travels, which by the way he has the dream job. And, we also got to see firsthand what he left behind in his home town.

Caroline had her moments. She has a way of making me laugh with her inner monologue and witty ways. Despite her hot and cold ways with Simon, I completely understood her indecision and fears as they surfaced in their relationship.

Another character that deserves honorable mention is Clive the Cat. What a hoot! I have to say, my favorite moment was the secret talk between him and Simon. I love animals and when they are cared for and treated properly by their owners, it warms my heart. I loved how much Simon cared about that cat. The epilogue in his POV was truly funny!

Great ending to Caroline and Simon’s story, but I can always enjoy more time with these two. Definitely needed this lighthearted and romantic story to boost my reading energy to the next level.

4.5 Suns

Review & Signed Book Giveaway: Wallbanger by Alice Clayton

Wallbanger (Cocktail #1) by Alice Clayton
Published November 27th 2012 by Omnific Publishing

The first night after Caroline moves into her fantastic new San Francisco apartment, she realizes she's gaining an intimate knowledge of her new neighbor's nocturnal adventures. Thanks to paper-thin walls and the guy's athletic prowess, she can hear not just his bed banging against the wall but the ecstatic response of what seems (as loud night after loud night goes by) like an endless parade of women. And since Caroline is currently on a self-imposed dating hiatus, and her neighbor is clearly lethally attractive to women, she finds her fantasies keep her awake even longer than the noise. So when the wallbanging threatens to literally bounce her out of bed, Caroline, clad in sexual frustration and a pink baby-doll nightie, confronts Simon Parker, her heard-but-never-seen neighbor. The tension between them is as thick as the walls are thin, and the results just as mixed. Suddenly, Caroline is finding she may have discovered a whole new definition of neighborly...

In a delicious mix of silly and steamy, Alice Clayton dishes out a hot and hilarious tale of exasperation at first sight...

My Thoughts

You know those moments when everything is exactly the way it was meant to be? When you find yourself and your entire universe aligning in perfect synchronization, and you know you couldn’t possibly be more content?

Hilariously funny and romantic! I haven’t laughed this hard over a book since Seduction & Snacks. 

First off let me just say how much I regret waiting to read this book. When I looked at the title and the cover, my first thought was - crass much? I mean my friend and I couldn’t even say the name of the book out loud at work when we talked about it . I started calling it the Wall book, or we’d just mouth the title silently. HA! Anywho, I got over my prudish ways and decided to give this story a go AND what a treat!!

The characters… the dialog… the pacing… PURE DELIGHT!! I was laughing so hard from the very beginning that I knew this wasn’t something I could read in public because my cringing and guffawing would label me a loon. But I loved it!!
`
In Wallbanger, Caroline moves into her new San Francisco apartment that she just sub-letted from her boss. The place is great, and she and her cat Clive are just settling in. However, when the lights go off and it’s time for bed, Caroline is suddenly rocked off her bed by her very active neighbor Simon. The guy can sure shake walls with his harem of ladies until Caroline storms to his place after a few sleepless nights and demands he pipes it down… or would it be in? Anywho, after a heated encounter and some choice name calling, they storm off their separate ways until they meet again at a party. From that point, they call it a truce and begin to form a delightful friendship that slowly but surely turns sparky… and sassy… and sexy… and swoony.

I loved Caroline’s character! She’s mouthy, smart, strong-willed and confident, which is a perfectly crafted MC in my opinion. I enjoyed her take on how to handle compliments so much that I might have learned a thing or two from this girl. Her confident ways carried the book in a solid direction, and I didn’t mind shadowing Caroline as she stormed through life with her opinion and confident ways.

Simon was a pleasant surprise, especially considering my first impression of him. It was fun getting to know this character as his funny, sensitive and sincere side started to unfold. The way he handled Caroline was both hilarious and romantic. Pure bliss!

The dialog in this book is a sure win from beginning to end. I laughed, cringed, sighed and laughed some more every time these two characters interacted. I really enjoyed reading the text messages between these two. It could have gone on for chapters, and I wouldn’t be bored. Love!!

As a couple, Simon and Caroline’s sassy and sexy blended perfectly well. There was so much snark and spark between these too that I was in constant rapture. I have to say that the book was slightly frustrating at certain points, but when a girl loses something she cherishes well I guess I get it. The romance is always present from the beginning between these two, but what I enjoyed more was that Simon took his time to woo her. I mean really woo her!

Overall, Wallbanger is a romantic comedy between two very well-blended characters that are easy to fall for. If you’re in the mood to laugh and swoon, give this book a try. Fun.fun.fun!!

4.5 Suns

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Review: Wallbanger by Alice Clayton

Wallbanger by Alice Clayton

Published November 27th 2012 by Omnific Publishing

About the book
Caroline Reynolds has a fantastic new apartment in San Francisco, a KitchenAid mixer, and no O (and we’re not talking Oprah here, folks). She has a flourishing design career, an office overlooking the bay, a killer zucchini bread recipe, and no O. She has Clive (the best cat ever), great friends, a great rack, and no O.

Adding insult to O-less, since her move, she has an oversexed neighbor with the loudest late-night wallbanging she’s ever heard. Each moan, spank, and–was that a meow?–punctuates the fact that not only is she losing sleep, she still has, yep, you guessed it, no O.

Enter Simon Parker. (No, really, Simon, please enter.) When the wallbanging threatens to literally bounce her out of bed, Caroline, clad in sexual frustration and a pink baby-doll nightie, confronts her heard-but-never-seen neighbor. Their late-night hallway encounter has, well, mixed results. Ahem. With walls this thin, the tension’s gonna be thick…

In her third novel, Alice Clayton returns to dish her trademark mix of silly and steamy. Banter, barbs, and strutting pussycats, plus the sexiest apple pie ever made, are dunked in a hot tub and set against the gorgeous San Francisco skyline in this hot and hilarious tale of exasperation at first sight.

My Thoughts
Wallbanger was a hilarious and all-consuming read that I enjoyed from the first page all the way to the final chapter!

It's been a while since I have broken away from the YA genre and submerged myself in a fun, snarky, humorous, and steamy book. Wallbanger was the perfect choice too! There were so many laugh-out-loud moments that added a ton of enjoyment to this reading experience. Just sitting here thinking about what to say about this story, I can't help but just laugh at the comical moments and the hilarious insight the protagonist brought to this story. That darn O! Yes, you're going to have to read the book to figure out what I mean by that. ;)

I could go on and on about so many aspects throughout this story that had me doubled over in hytsterics. Besides the humor woven into this adult read, there was an exceptionally good story wrapped around a well developed plot. I have to mention Clive, the protagonist's cat. That darn cat was one of a kind and added a cute element to the book. :)

The story was easy to fall into with such perfectly paced flow from beginning to end. The characters! Oh my, the characters...They were well "developed." Need I say more? And Simon, aka "Wallbanger" The smoldering sexy neighbor *sigh* He's one you won't forget.

I definitely recommend Wallbanger to those readers looking to fall into something light and funny. Great read!