Review: Drawn To Him: A Romance Collection

DRAWN TO HIM: A ROMANCE COLLECTION
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Authors: K. Webster, Willow Winters, M. Never, Jade West, L.J. Shen, Isabella Starling, A. Zavarelli, K.L. Kreig
Release Date: September 19, 2017

There are some men who make you helpless.

You know the kind.

They steal the breath from your lungs and make your heart beat a little faster with a single look. Y

ou can’t stop staring, but the moment they pin those gorgeous eyes on you, you’re done for.

The kind that’s too hard to resist.

This is a collection of men just like that.

Handsome, confident and all for you.

DRAWN TO HIM is a collection of eight exclusive never-before-seen novellas you can’t resist, complete with HEAs.

They have all the book feels and angst you’ve been wanting.

AMAZON

This anthology was filled with so much deliciousness, I never wanted it to end. There’s 7 novellas to be found here, and while I didn’t get all of them yet, I did read a good majority and I was so hooked!


Bad Cop by A. Zavarelli

I was a wild child and Justice was the shiny forbidden apple I was never meant to have. All I ever wanted to do was hold his hand and go on crazy adventures with him. But it was a dream that wouldn’t come to fruition.

This novella was, hands down, my absolute favorite in the collection. This was my introduction to this incredibly talented author, and I immediately binged myself on her entire backlist. She managed to pack so much feeling into a short story that had amazing character development and an emotional second chance romance.
A wild child that hasn’t had an easy life, the boy from the wrong side of the tracks whose heart she broke now turned town sheriff and all the untold truths lost in the years that since passed. This story was incredible. Ginger and Gray were amazing together.


DR. DREAMY by LJ SHEN

This is sexual harassment.”
“What it is is a delicious foreplay that’s about to materialize and blow your fucking mind. Maybe not tonight. Maybe not even this week. But I’m watching you, Miss Martin. All the time. You fucking want me, and you’re going to get your way. Sooner than you think.

Can this woman write a hero that I don’t completely salivate over? Hell no! And I hope she never does.

This wasn’t as angst ridden as her usual. But it was super sexy, ridiculously fun, and with a good dose of her signature alphahole. The heroine was sassy and gave as good as she got. And lemme tell you, she got PLENTY. Pun intended.

Dr. Matthews in bed, Rhys outside of it. Your choice when we fuck on any type of surface that isn’t the bed.”


ONE NIGHT by KL Kreig

I want her gratitude hanging like an apology between us. I want to punish her until she begs for mercy I won’t grant. I want to fuck her until she’s boneless, mindless, and thoughtless. Until memories of our night together assault her with a relentless, battering force.

I adore KL Kreig’s words. This was a deliciously sexy romance of a chance meeting and what was supposed to be just one night turned into something much more. We get a sexy, intense alpha. We get a sassy, take charge and snarky heroine. Put them together and you get a whole lot of sizzle. I loved it.


Fifth Avenue Blues by Jade West

I’m pure filth,” I growl. “You should stay away from trouble like me. You’re such a nice girl.”
“I want it…” she whimpers. “I want all of it…”

So…um. Wow. If ever there was a really well written porn script, this story was it. Holy hell. I mean HOLY HELL. My ovaries were sweating, man. If dirty (and I seriously mean DIRTY) talking men are your thing, meet your catnip. We’re talking of the gaping holes, facials, and butt sex variety. It was freaking hot. But honest to gawd, it made this pervert feel like a prude at times, and if that’s not a feat, I dunno what is. I love the concept of the shy, awkward girl finally getting the man of her dreams that happens to be the popular boy that she had a crush on in high school now turned successful actor. It was dirty. SO DIRTY. ALL OF THE DIRTY. It was downright filthy. And I kinda sorta maybe liked it. I think. My ovaries are still recovering.


INFATUATION by Willow Winters

I never stood a chance with this man. Not that I ever wanted to run. He made me want to stay; he made me want him just as much as he wanted me.

I’m not really sure how I felt about this one. This was my first book by this author, and I already know I’ll be reading more because I enjoyed her writing style. This novella, however, just didn’t do anything for me. It was a sexy insta-love romance and if that’s what you’re craving, it’ll certainly hit the spot. I was missing a connecting to either of the characters and found the development lacking for my personal tastes, so I struggled with connecting to the story. It wasn’t bad. Just wasn’t my favorite in the anthology either.

The Second Chances Blog Tour

Second Chances: A Romance Writers of America Collection
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Authors: 
J. Kenner, Christina Lauren, Brandi Willis Schreiber, Liliana Hart, Alyssa Day, Rachel Hauck, Damon Suede, Marilyn Brant, Renee Luke, Kerri Carpenter, Tara Wyatt
Release Date: September 12, 2017

Do you believe in second chances?

Romance Writers of America brings together seventeen of today’s hottest authors in an anthology of never-before-published tales that reveal true love always deserves a happy ending.

Follow New York Times best-selling authors J. Kenner and Christina Lauren back to reader-favorite worlds.

New York Times bestseller Alyssa Day sprinkles djinn magic in her humorous paranormal romance, while Rachel Hauck brings the enchantment of the holidays in her New Year’s Eve contemporary love story.

And Liliana Hart delivers thrills and adventure in her characters’ search for the impossible.

With characters who find love through tough situations, in an elegant 1800s ballroom, with an old friend who shows up when least expected, at a tender age when cliques and homework get in the way of relationships, or after a random encounter in an unlikely setting, Second Chances delivers romance to strike every reader’s fancy.

Plus tales from:
Marilyn Brant
Kerri Carpenter
CiCi Coughlin
Cassandra Dean
Tina Ferraro
Renee Luke
Ariella Moon
Brandi Willis Schreiber
Lizzie Shane
Sharon Sobel
Damon Suede
Tara Wyatt

 
AVON | AMAZON | B&N | iBOOKS | KOBO

So admittedly, I only got this anthology for the novella by Christina Lauren. What? I’m an addict when it comes to their writing. If you’re like me, you’re going to be thrilled to be getting Levi’s story. And if you’re not familiar, Levi is Finn’s younger brother from Sweet Filthy Boy.

There are a whole lot of authors packed into this anthology, and this worked out well for me because I got a taste of some authors I’ve been curious to try but haven’t had the chance to yet.

Each story has the same theme of, you guessed it, second chance romance. Being a sucker for this trope, I gobbled each story up.

This is merely a taste for each author more so that a novella, in my opinion. They’re a touch on the short side to be completely satisfying (about 30 pages give or take per story if I had to estimate), but they’re long enough to let you get to know the author and their writing style and fall in love. As short as the stories were, they were surprisingly fulfilling.

The Second Chances anthology was a fun, swoony read that introduced me to several new to me authors that I can’t wait to read more of. If you’re looking for a fun way to get introduced to a wide array of different authors, this anthology is great.

From Alyssa Day on why her two protagonists are so perfect for each other: “They make each other laugh! As a Navy wife of more than 21 years, trust me: laughter is the most important indicator of success in a relationship.”
[Jake Cardinal wakes up after a wild night to find a familiar djinn in his house. Now if only he knew her real name…]She was holding the fridge door open, bending down, which gave Jake a really terrific view of her really terrific ass. Damn, but she was beautiful.

“Look, Ruby—”

In one smooth move, she straightened and tossed a carton of milk at him. “It’s not Ruby this time. Smell that and see if it’s fresh.”

He sniffed, recoiled, and recapped the carton before tossing it in the trash can. “Two points. We could go out to breakfast … Amethyst?”

“Not Amethyst. But—” She went completely still for a second, not blinking, not even breathing. She had the bluest eyes he’d ever seen. Dreaming, drowning, summer-sky-just-after-a-rain blue. He almost forgot to breathe.

“Are you asking me to go to breakfast with you?”

“Yep. And no, it’s not a wish, before you ask.” Jake took the deep breath his lungs were begging for and blew it out. “We need to get this wish thing out of the way. Tell me your real name, already.”

“Why?” Suspicion curled her sensual lips and soured her tone. “I know all about wizards and witches and the power of a name.”

“Then you know about the power of domicile. I could command you to give me your name.”

Her laughter was like a peal of silvery bells, with the crash of thundering surf underneath. Delicate beauty and imperious power, combined. It suited her.

It was her.

The short, spiky, purple hair? Not so much.

She sneered at him. “You could command me to do nothing.”

He flicked a tiny spell at her, and she disappeared. Just vanished before his spell was even halfway across the room. The target gone, the magic fizzled and swirled its way out of the window, into the rosy light of sunrise over the lake.

And then she materialized in front of him and punched him in the face.

Alyssa Day is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of  more than thirty-four books, including the Warriors of Poseidon and Cardinal Witches paranormal romance series and the Tiger’s Eye Mysteries paranormal mystery series.  Her many awards include Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award for outstanding romance fiction, and the RT Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Paranormal Romance novel of 2012.  Her books have been translated into a zillion languages but she’s still holding out for Klingon.  You can find her at alyssaday.com or on Facebook and Twitter talking about her future pug ranch.

Review: Love In Transit

LOVE IN TRANSIT ANTHOLOGY
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 1, 2017

Find out what happens when you give six authors the SAME blurb and they write their OWN story.

The blurb:

You know those people that have a house full of motivational slogans? Embrace Every Moment, stamped on their coffee mugs. Always Kiss Me Goodnight painted above their perfectly made beds.

I’m not one of those people.

This morning I overslept, then slipped on a stray sock and banged my toe into the nightstand. The elevator in my building broke and I had to run down six flights of stairs. And then my local coffee shop was closed. For health code violations.

What’s that? Not the end of the world? You want me to suck it up?

Did I mention I’m wearing a wedding dress… on the subway?

It’s a Good Day for a Hot Mess.

Someone embroider that on a pillow.

AMAZON

One blurb. Six different authors. Six entirely different and unique takes. What does it add up to? A super entertaining read! My review is for:

(1) The Hammersmith & City Line by Kitty French= 4 STARS

and

(2) The Loop by BJ Harvey= 4 STARS


The Hammersmith & City Line by Kitty French

We’re going to go out there and be enemies for the purposes of the show, and I’m going to beat you this round. And then once the camera stops rolling, I’m going to get you out of this dress, spread your legs, and give you the fucking of your life. Your clit’s gonna remember me forever.”

What could possibly go wrong when you let your best friend and bridezilla convince you to don a tacky wedding dress to go head to head with two other women on a TV show for the chance to win a dream wedding? Well… a lot. One, the women you’re supposed to be competing against are actually two men. One is a future groom competing on his bride’s behalf, and the second is his BFF and the man you shared an intense moment of sizzling attraction on the subway. Sparks fly. Sassy TV show host snark. And passions ignite in this super entertaining novella.

This was so much fun to read. I adored these two characters together. I loved how well Kitty French managed to develop them in so few pages. There’s plenty of depth and a perfect amount of humor to go with this super cute story. If you’re a fan of Kitty French, this is not to be missed!


The Loop by BJ Harvey

If I’ve only got ten hours to change the course of her life—and mine—then I’m damn well going to make the most of it.

BJ Harvey delivers a sizzling second chance romance featuring Sarah and Cameron. They fell in love as teenagers and then Cam left her heartbroken when he broke things off and went off to the army. The last time he saw her was when he left his privileged life behind for basic training. But not all is at it seems for Cam and his family. Now having severed all ties with his philandering father, he’s back in Chicago and a chance meeting with his first love allows him to finally right a wrong and get her back.

I love a steamy second chance romance and this one certainly fit the bill. In usual BJ Harvey fashion, the heroine was full of sass and the book a mix of humor and steam. I have to admit that I struggled a bit to understand why Cam took so long to seek her out since he’s been back in town and his reasons didn’t mesh with me. On the one hand, I got it. On the other hand, it also didn’t. If that even makes sense.

Ultimately this was still a fun and steamy novella and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

I plan on reading the rest of the stories in the anthology eventually as well, but being a huge fan of these two authors, I had to read their stories for. A definite rec from this girl!

Review: ★HOT ALPHAS (Anthology)★

Authors: Lora Leigh, Laurelin McGee, Shiloh Walker, Kate Douglas
Genre: Erotic Romance (anthology)
Release Date: May 19, 2015

In Erin’s Kiss by Lora Leigh, ex-Marine Turk has become Erin’s sworn protector. The consistent target of her CIA-operative brother’s deadly foes, Turk is the only port Erin has to cling to in a storm. He promised her brother long ago never to touch her—but how can he resist a woman who aches to be with him as much as he burns for her?

In misTaken by Laurelin McGee, Jaylene Kim is a strong independent woman whose feminist values run deep. Even though attractive men are her weakness the last thing she wants is one telling her what to do. Until she meets her mysterious new neighbor. He makes her realize that you can still be strong and relinquish control . . . in the bedroom. But as their passion consumes them both Jaylene isn’t so sure he is who he says he is.

In Burn for Me by Shiloh Walker, Tate longs to spend his nights with Ali, a woman he’s loved for years. But while Ali’s heart pines to be with Tate, her head has reservations. Ali knows that Tate has never forgiven his father for the fight he had with his mother right before she left the house—and was never heard from again. Tate’s unresolved anger is a force to be reckoned with . . . but the heat that blazes between them is undeniable. Now both Tate and Ali are left to wonder: Can love really conquer all?

In Tangled by Kate Douglas, Nate shows up to work at Tangled Vineyards ready to do all the things he loves best—work with his hands, grow the grapes, and craft award-winning, full-bodied wines. But when something better comes along in the form of Cassie, the winemaker and former owner of the vineyard, Nate becomes completely love-drunk. Getting involved with Tangled’s number-one mixologist is a bad way to start off a new job, but with Cassie as a constant temptation, Nate doesn’t stand a chance…

I only read 3 of the 4 novellas in this book. So those are the 3 that I will be rating.

Erin’s Kiss by Lora Leigh– 2 Stars

I used to be a huge fan of this author. She was the one that first introduced me to erotic romance with Wild Card. But it’s like she just stopped trying lately. The stories have become regurgitated drivel. They all sound the same. You’ve read one, you’ve read them all. Change the characters’ names, rinse, lather and repeat. Another undercover operative with commitment issues and a sassy heroine that wakes him up? Been there. Read that. The writing? Made me roll my eyes so many times I thought they’d permanently get stuck that way…

That pleasure was immediately followed by a pulse of arousal so sharp it clenched her womb. The sensitive flesh between her thighs grew more sensitive…

and not 2 lines after

Her breasts pressed into the heated width of his chest, her nipples hardening to immediate, painful sensitivity as her breasts began to ache for touch.

Honest to gawd, if I read that his quivering member quivered, I may have thrown my kindle across the room.

I felt like I was starting this book from the middle of the series. The author sort of just throws you into things without much of a backstory. It was almost like starting a series from book 3 if you know what I mean. Having read most of this author’s backlist, I’ve also noticed every single one of her characters lately sounds the same. That same “Damn you. Damn you, you witch” line makes an appearance in practically each book. At this point, I’m just over it.

misTaken by Laurelin McGee-1 star

Never has a book infuriated me as much as this one did. And I consider myself a fairly laid back person. I don’t take my fiction too seriously, because it’s just that…fiction. Let’s look past the writing style that didn’t work for me at all. Let’s also forget that the dialogue between the characters read like something out of a YA novel. Let’s also overlook the fact that the hero is supposed to be an alpha, and yet he actually stumbles over his thoughts as to whether or not to hug the heroine after walking her home when he first meets her. YES, you read that right. HUG.

But then the nail on the coffin was this…

…you won’t catch me dead with a romance novel.” She shivered again, but this time in mock-horror.

“What’s wrong with romance novels?” He looked genuinely puzzled.

What the hell? It wasn’t obvious?

“They’re completely ridiculous. Hot alpha male with a broken past and massive bank account is healed by the golden vagina of a naive girl he meets under completely contrived circumstances. No thank you. That’s just smutty fairy tale for the Basic Bitch. It’s demeaning, and unrealistic. Besides, the sex in those books is always weirdly dominant and controlling.

I only have 2 questions here

This is a conversation between the hero and heroine within a ROMANCE NOVEL

Now to be fair, I understand what the author was trying to do here. The hero, after all, is an erotic romance writer. Mwuhahahaha. Get it? How fitting that this feminist heroine would fall for him. Unfortunately though, even if it was clearly satyrical, it turned me off completely. I was already struggling with reading about a heroine with strongly feminist views (it’s just not my cuppa). Add in her severe dislike for a genre that this Basic Bitch happens to be reading, and yeah…nope. It just didn’t work for me.

This was my first Laurelin McGee book, so this faux pas aside, I’d give her another try with a different book. Unfortunately if I hate a heroine it will almost always ruin the book for me, and that’s exactly what happened here and this didn’t work for me at all.

Burn for Me by Shiloh Walker– 3 stars

This was the saving grace of the anthology for me. I love Shiloh Walker. This is a novella that has been previously published, Burn For Me and is the first in what was 3 prequel novellas. The story gives a HEA for the couple introduced, but the story ARC continues throughout the next 2 books.

I read Erin’s Kiss, then Burn for Me, and misTaken next. Sadly misTaken managed to totally kill the vibe of the book for me and I just couldn’t find it in me to read the next novella, Tangled by Kate Douglas. I may come back to it on a later date.

On a side note, I really loved the previous 2 anthologies in this series, so maybe that’s why I was as disappointed as I was with this one? Who knows. Try it yourself and see. I know I tend to be picky with my books, so it may very well be a case of it’s just me.

Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

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