Review: The Wing Man by Natasha Anders

March 5, 2017 by ·

THE WING MAN
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Natasha Anders
Release Date: March 7, 2017

She was supposed to be his one-night distraction. But their attraction is undeniable.

Introverted Daisy McGregor is used to being a wallflower, but what she lacks in style, she makes up for with an acerbic wit, a passion for life, and a deep devotion to her family. So she’ll suffer through her sister Dahlia’s bachelorette party and accept the cloud of pity for going stag to the wedding.

Out at the pub, sexy bad boy Mason Carlisle is a reluctant wingman tasked with entertaining Daisy while his brother flirts with her oldest sister, Daffodil. When the plan fails and Mason’s true intent is revealed, he feels intense guilt—and a sensual spark of desire for the unlikeliest of women.

Daisy decides to use this unfortunate encounter to her advantage: to make it up to her, Mason will be another kind of wingman, playing the role of her boyfriend and wedding date. Will their ruse unravel completely—or will Mason and Daisy’s undeniable attraction ignite a scorching love affair that knows no rules?

AMAZON 

he couldn’t bring himself to let her go. He didn’t think he would ever have the strength to let her go. He fell asleep resigned to that fact.

I have a confession to make; having first fallen in love with Natasha Anders’s signature brand of angst and delicious alphahole heroes back when I read The Unwanted Wife, I didn’t even bother to read the blurb to this book. I already knew I’d like it. I didn’t care what it was about. Having now finished, I’ll say two things; it was nothing like what I’ve come to be used to from this author, and I adored every page of it.

The Wingman was a quirky and swoony perfection. It reminded me all over again why I love romance. It was sweet and funny, quirky and sexy, it was nothing I expected and I’d read it all over again in a heartbeat!

Take a look at all of you, and then take a look at all of me.”
She rolled her eyes, and his jaw clenched. “I’ve been looking at you for the last half an hour, and up until this very moment, I saw a smart, funny, entertaining woman with whom I wanted to spend more time,” he said, his voice so low she barely heard him over the crowd and the music. “That was before the self-pity, though.”
“Self-pity? I was being realistic.”
“Fine, don’t go out with me!”
“Fine! I will go out with you,” she rejoined, and he looked completely confused. “Wait, what?”

If you’re a fan of the quirky heroine, you’ll fall in love with Daisy McGregor. With two stunning sisters, Daisy is used to being “the other one”. The smart one. The one with the personality. She’s a wallflower, and she’s just fine with it. When she suddenly gets the attention of one of the most handsome men she’s ever met, she almost doesn’t believe.

Mason was the bad boy from her youth that every girl wanted to have for one night. Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, his family is nothing like the wealthy and entitled kids at their school. Now Mason is back to the small town he couldn’t wait to get away from, but he’s not the same boy that left it. He’s made something of himself. The last thing he wants is a woman. He’s had his fill of bad experiences and he’s not eager to dip back into that pool. So when his brother begs for him to entertain that “other” McGreggor sister so he can hit on the older one, he figures what’s a little conversation. He just doesn’t expect for quirky and unassuming Daisy to grab his attention so thoroughly.

I have to say just how much I love the way that Natasha wrote Daisy’s character. She was so adorably quirky. She’s not the stunner, she’s not a perfect size two, and she doesn’t want to be. She’s a bombshell in her own right, but it takes the right man to make her see that. What I truly appreciated was that she never changed. She didn’t feel like she needs to lose weight or be a different person. She just slowly discovered who she is and became more confident. It was such a sweet pleasure watching her come into her throughout the book. This wasn’t an insta lust sort of romance. It was a slow build, yet it was so believable. With every new piece that Mason discovers about Daisy, he falls for her more and more.

Mason certainly had his moments where I wanted to shake him a little, but ultimately he stole my heart with his sweet persistence. He really won Daisy over. I loved that he never tried to change her. It just took him a while to see her full appeal. And when this man falls? Oh boy does he fall!

What do you see when you look at me, Mason?” Mason ran a shaky hand over his head and lifted his eyes to hers, hoping she could see everything he wanted to say in them, hoping she understood, even if he made a mess of his reply. “Everything,” he grated out. “I see my whole fucking world, Daisy. I see all my days, my weeks, and my years. Every season of my life. All spent with you. I see everything I want, need, and desire all wrapped up in you.”

All of the swoons!!!

If you’re looking for an alphahole, you won’t find it here. There’s no enemies to lovers, hate lust thing going on. Mason Carlisle was ALL man. A caring, loving, protective man. Daisy McGregor was a quirky and adorable hot mess. I adored these two. Simply adored.

I hope there’s more to come with these characters. There’s a certain older McGregor sister that I’m hoping to get her HEA next. If you’re craving a different read from the usual angst filled romance, you can’t go wrong with this one. It may be angst light (compared to Natasha’s usual) but it’s no less satisfying.

· Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance · Tagged With: ,

Review & Giveaway: Accidentally On Purpose by Jill Shalvis

February 11, 2017 by · Leave a Comment

ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE
Series: Heartbreaker Bay, #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Jill Shalvis
Release Date: January 24, 2017

There’s no such thing as a little in love…

Elle Wheaten’s priorities: friends, career, and kick-ass shoes. Then there’s the muscular wall of stubbornness that’s security expert Archer Hunt—who comes before everything else. No point in telling Mr. “Feels-Free Zone” that, though. Elle will just see other men until she gets over Archer . . . which should only take a lifetime . . .

There’s no such thing as a little in lust…

Archer’s wanted the best for Elle ever since he sacrificed his law-enforcement career to save her. But now that she’s earned happiness and success, Archer just wants Elle 24/7. Their chemistry could start the next San Francisco Earthquake, and Archer doesn’t want to be responsible for the damage. The alternative? Watch her go out with guys who aren’t him . . .

There is such a thing as…

As far as Archer’s concerned, nobody is good enough for Elle. But when he sets out to prove it by sabotaging her dates, she gets mad—and things get hot as hell. Now Archer has a new mission: prove to Elle that her perfect man has been here all along…

AMAZON | iBOOKS | B&N

What is it with us?” she murmured.
He laughed softly. “How is that a funny question?”
“Because I try very hard to always know what I’m doing,” he said. “But I’m winging it here, Elle. I have no idea what we’re doing but one thing I’m sure as hell not doing is walking away from you. Not ever again.”

Swoon. Swoon. SWOON. ALL OF THE SWOONS!

I adore Jill Shalvis books. Simply adore them. She never fails to deliver an amazing romance with some of the most endearing characters I’ve read and bundle it all together around an addictingly swoony story that will put a smile on your face and keep it there.

As soon as I met Elle and Archer in Sweet Little Lies, I knew I wanted their book. Their antagonistic ways sucked me in right from the beginning. What can I say, I’m a sucker for a good hate lust and the unresolved tension between these two is downright sizzling. It’s clear they have a troubled history but you never know what it is…until this book that is. Knowing all those details now just made it that much more satisfying. I can wholeheartedly say it was so very much worth the wait.

Archer is a past cop turned security specialist that has lost none of his edge. He’s hard, deadly when crossed, and take charge alpha all around. So why does one stunning beauty manage to rattle him every single time he hears the click of her stilettos?

Elle was as fantastic of a heroine as I imagined she’d be. She’s strong, take no bullshit, focused on her career and doesn’t need a relationship or a man to make her happy. Don’t get me wrong, she’s not a man eater or prickly and brash. She’s simply comfortable with who she is and in her own skin. I loved that about her. It’s wonderful to get a woman that’s strong in all the right ways and yet still has enough softness to her to make her endearing.

Elle has secretly always wanted Archer but she never imagined that the chemistry between them would be as scorching as it is when Archer finally gives into the inevitable.

And can I just say how PERFECT Archer was? Because, oh my god! This. Man.

Shh,” he said gently and crouched down to her level. “Just me. Scoot.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re having bad dreams. I’ll beat them off for you.”
“How?”
“I’ll hold you tight and not let anything get you.”

GAH!

I loved these two together. Absolutely loved them. Everything about this book was fantastic; the main couple, the secondary characters, the story, the romance. EVERYTHING. I love the easy camaraderie all these friends have together. When they all get together, it’s always a recipe for goofy grins.

If you love swoony and steamy contemporary romance, read ANY Jill Shalvis book. But if you’re like me and have already read her entire backlist, than this new series from her is simply addicting. I already can’t wait for more.

THE HEARTBREAKER BAY SERIES

SWEET LITTLE LIES (My Review | Purchase)
THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE (My Review | Purchase)

 

Want to win a PAPERBACK of Accidentally On Purpose?
Enter HERE

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Jennifer’s Review: The Duke by @Kerrigan_Byrne

February 5, 2017 by · Leave a Comment

THE DUKE
Series: Victorian Rebels #4
Genre: Historical Romance
Author: Kerrigan Byrne
Release Date: February 7, 2017

He is noble, notorious, and takes no prisoners…

They say that now His Grace, Collin Talmage, Duke of Trenwyth has only one hand, he might finally be a mere mortal, but no one seems willing to test the theory. Rich as Midas, big as a Viking, beautiful as Adonis, and lethal as a feral wolf, he is the English Empire’s golden son. But now he’s lost everything. Most of his family died in a terrible accident, his protégé and closest friend betrayed him on the battlefield, and his left hand was cut off while he was a prisoner of war. The only thing that’s kept him going until now is the memory of a night spent in the arms of a mysterious raven-haired woman almost a year ago…

Imogen Pritchard is a nurse by day, but a fallen woman—and a spy—by night. Seduced on the job years ago by a Duke who mourned for the loss of his family, Imogen has never shaken the memory of the man’s despair—or the fathomless depths of pleasure he brought to her. But as the threat of betrayals, blackmail, and secrets abound, Imogen and Collin are thrown back together in a dizzying swirl of dangerous games and earthshattering desire. But can their love overcome the everything that threatens to tear them apart?

AMAZON | iBOOKS

SOLD! I am sold on Kerrigan Byrne for life and will be reading all of her books. This was my first book by Kerrigan Byrne, and I was greatly impressed. She is such an amazing and creative story-teller. Her stories are definitely more plot-based, which I appreciate. This story has so many layers to it. She just kept peeling back all of the intricacies to the characters. Kerrigan took my heart and wove it in and out of the pages of this story.

The beginning is so hot. She did not mess around in breaking out the sexy times (woo!). But then the story takes a quick turn, and the story leads both Cole and Imogen through separate tragedies.
à la Mode St. » fashion

The beast was no duke. He was no man raised with genteel civility, with a care for the expense of things or the consequences of his actions. This beast was no longer dormant within him, but prowling beneath the surface of his skin, wanting to mark his territory.

And he’d found a delectable morsel just now, one he was in danger of acquiring a taste for.

à la Mode St. » fashion
My Cole & Imogen:

: Cole is a soldier, a spy, a duke….an animal. He is many things in this book. He travels through war and pain and torture, barely making it out alive. Imogen is his savior, in more ways than one, but he doesn’t even know it. He is trapped in the darkness, and she is light. He cannot escape and is constantly fighting against himself.

Imogen has been through her own version of hell. She has fought her own war, but she is a beacon of hope and is determined to help others that were in a situation like her own. I loved how strong she was. Even when I didn’t expect it, she would stand up to Cole. The feminism in this book! Gah!
à la Mode St. » fashion

”It would take nothing to destroy you.” He tightened his fingers ever so slightly, and the telltale jump of her pulse belied her unwavering audacity.

“Better men than you have tried,” she remonstrated, her eyes blazing green with a maelstrom of her own primitive emotions. “Yet here I stand.”

à la Mode St. » fashion
THE FEELS!!!! Lawdy, the feels. I’m usually not a fan of angst, but this book was all kinds of delicious. Most of this book is sad, but I loved it (again, not my usual opinion). I felt so much in this book. The tragedies that both Cole and Imogen have to go through in order to finally be together. They are in each other’s lives, but Cole is searching and he doesn’t even know he’s searching for Imogen! Gah! And Imogen has to PINE for him! Oh, the pining! Curse you, Kerrigan for tugging at my heart, so!
If you are fan of Julia Quinn, you will love Kerrigan Byrne! They are very similar in the story-telling, character development, and the feels.

I have to say, I am sad that I did not read the previous 3 books in this series before this one. The characters from the first 3 books in this series were in this book enough that I was a little lost and wanted to know more about them! I would recommend reading this series in order (which I usually don’t say).

READ THE SERIES IN ORDER

THE HIGHWAYMAN | THE HUNTER | THE HIGHLANDER | THE DUKE

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Review & New Release: Good Boy by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

January 31, 2017 by · 1 Comment

GOOD BOY
Series: WAGs #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Rom Com
Author: Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy
Release Date: January 31, 2017

A brand new stand-alone romantic comedy from the bestselling, award-winning team of Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy.

Hosting her brother’s wedding for an MVP guest list is the challenge of Jess Canning’s life. Already the family screw-up, she can’t afford to fail. And nobody (nobody!) can learn of the colossal mistake she made with the best man during a weak moment last spring. It was wrong, and there will not be a repeat. Absolutely not. Even if he is the sexiest thing on two legs.Blake Riley sees the wedding as fate’s gift to him. Jess is the maid of honor and he’s the best man? Let the games begin. So what if he’s facing a little (fine, a lot) of resistance? He just needs to convince the stubborn blonde that he’s really a good boy with a bad rap. Luckily, every professional hockey player knows that you’ve got to make an effort if you want to score.

But Jess has more pressing issues to deal with than sexy-times with a giant man-child. Such as: Will the ceremony start on time, even though someone got grandma drunk? Does glitter ever belong at a wedding? And is it wrong to murder the best man?

Caution: May cause accidental aspiration of tea or coffee. Do not read in a public place where loud laughter is inappropriate. Contains hot but hilarious hockey players, puppy cuddling and a snarky pair of underwear.

 

Blake doesn’t do anything half-assed. He laughs the way he lives his life—loud and fierce and without inhibition. He fucks that way, too.

To say that I’ve been eagerly anticipating this release from two of my favorite authors may be a miiiild understatement. But as excited as I was, I was also just a teeny bit worried too. See, I remember Blake from Us, and I was scared that a full book of his…well…personality…may be a bit much for me. But Cheezus! This man totally managed to grab me by the ovaries and the heart. Yes, he’s a little rabid at times. Like ADD tween sort of rabid. But at the same time, it totally worked for him. The authors managed to pull off what none have done for me in the past. They took a character like him and made him completely endearing. Think young Ryan Reynolds movies sort of endearing.
You may remember Jess, Jamie’s older sister, from US. I have to admit, she got off on the wrong foot with me in that book, but she totally won me over here. This is a girl that’s having a hard time finding herself. Forever viewed as the flaky one by her overachieving family, she wants to prove them wrong. That for once she can pick a career, and stick to it. That’s how she finds herself in nursing school in Canada, and once again facing the man she’s gone through great lengths to avoid.

What the heck are you talking about? Who’s wrong about what?” “You, about, well, everything.” I grin at her. “We’re way more than friends, Jessie.” “Blake—” She sounds exasperated. “But no worries,” I finish breezily. “I’ll just sit tight until you figure that out.”

Blake is just as determined to get in her pants as she is to make sure he keeps his on. Let’s just say Blakey has a thing for dick pics.

I loved the banter and back and forth between these two. Add in a few secondary characters to spice things up, and it was laugh out loud gold.

I’m Blake Riley,” I offer.
“Dyson Hart.”
“Dyson, like the vacuum?”
“That’s right.” He gives me a sidelong glance. “Want a demonstration?”
“Dyson,” Jess snaps. “What did we talk about?”

Blake was a total marshmallow. I loved how hard he cares for his friends. He may put on a good act with his breezy jokes and easy smiles, but this is a man with a heart of gold. He’ll do anything for those he cares about and when he loves, he loves hard. There’s a hidden depth to him beyond the pervy jokes and tween talk.

The story is written with a wonderful mix of humor and feeling. And man, did I love the humor

His gaze lowers to his crotch, and God help me, but I look down, too. Yep. He’s hard. It looks like he shoved a forty of beer down there and tried to smuggle it into the bar. Why does his dumb dick have to be so stupidly big?

I also loved that it didn’t follow the formulaic romance novel with the crazy misunderstandings in the end. It was perfectly paced and unfolded naturally.

If Good Boy is anything to judge by, we have ourselves a new series to obsess over. I’m already salivating for the next book. If a sexy, humorous contemporary romance with a hot hockey player with a heart of gold and a sassy heroine that’s as snarky as she is smart is your thing, then this is an absolute must read!

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New Release & Review: Menace by @JMDarhower

January 16, 2017 by · Leave a Comment

MENACE
Genre: Dark Romance, Mafia
Series: Scarlet Scars #1
Author: JM Darhower
Release Date: January 16, 2017

Once upon a time, there was a guy who got so fed up with life that he resorted to murder and mayhem just to feel alive.

Lorenzo Gambini is bored. So fucking bored. Most people either annoy him or avoid him, afraid to face him. Figuratively. Literally. With his face partially disfigured, scarred, he looks every bit the monster the stories make him out to be: the notorious menace they call Scar. They say he’s a sociopath. Maybe he’s a psychopath. Whatever path he’s on, people tend to stay far away from it.

Until one day, a young woman bumps right into him–a woman just as fed up with life, but for much different reasons. With a Scarlet Letter inked on her wrist and secrets buried deep in her soul, Morgan Myers is running from something… or maybe somebody. Lorenzo isn’t quite sure.

You can bet your ass he’s going to figure it out, though.

AMAZON

He’s excitement. He’s adrenaline.
He makes my heart do stupid shit.
Shit my heart shouldn’t be doing.
Because everything that turns me on about him could also snuff me out.

Want to know a recipe for a whole lot of awesome?

Take one part heroine that’s snarky, sarcastic, as strong as she is broken, can stand her own with anyone, has enough sass and backbone to make her awesome from start to finish.

Take one part anti-hero that’s as hot as he is totally f*cked up. Make him have an internal monologue that will have your cringing one minute and cracking up the next. As a matter of fact take one part Deadpool sort of snarky humor…

I’m starting to understand what everyone says about you.”
“And what, pray tell, do they say? Don’t leave me in suspense here.”
“That there’s something seriously wrong with you.”
“Oh, well, I could’ve told you that. There’s a lot wrong with me.”

and mix that with some mafia bad*ss!

Mix in a part of mystery.

Add a splash of plot twist.

Sprinkle in some super f*cked up secondary characters.

Get the beyond amazing JM Darhower to blend it all together with her signature mix of grit and sex.

And now, my friend, you got yourself one addicting little cocktail. Uhem.

If you’ve read Target on Our Backs, you’re already familiar with Lorenzo and his particular brand of crazy. And make no mistake, the man is definitely NUTS.

I seem to forever exist in a gray area of life, caught in a web somewhere between homicidal and suicidal

He’s violent, screwed up, borderline sociopath. His past demons don’t haunt his present because they’re probably scared shitless of a man that doesn’t fear death. Does he have a backstory? Absolutely. And it’s as devastating as it is f*cked up. Will you be panting for him throughout the entire book even knowing all that? Abso-freaking-lutely!

He stares at me, not a flicker of emotion showing on his face. There’s almost something inhuman about it.

Morgan aka “Scarlet” was easily my favorite heroine that this author has written to date. This is a woman that’s running but with a purpose and using any means possible to get what she wants. She’ll pick pockets, lie, and use her body if she has to. She’s full of nails and vinegar. She’s sassy, sarcastic, snarky and everything I love. She’s broken but not defeated. If anything her weakness just make her that much stronger. She was a fascinating combination vulnerable and deadly.

This is not a story of insta lust or insta anything. These two have a rocky start and an explosive continuation. And by explosive, I mean that in all sense of the word.

Holy fuck. This man and those hands… he doesn’t play fair. At all. He presses buttons he’s got no business pressing.

I loved her internal monologue almost as much as I loved Lorenzo’s

He curves his fingers, hitting that sweet spot deep inside. The unicorn found the fucking Holy Grail.
Didn’t even need a map.
He navigated right there.

Yeah. See what I mean?
This was told in dual POV and I gobbled it up! It was violent and gritty, taking you right into the underbelly of the worst sort of criminal organizations. It’s sexy with just the right amount of humor mixed it. I loved it is what I’m trying to tell you here. I’m already itching for the conclusion. ITCHING I tells ya!!!

I just think about how fucked up it is to realize that heroes are make-believe but monsters are real. That’s the world we live in. There’s no knight in shining out there. It’s just me, trapped in a world filled with fire-breathing dragons.

GRIEVOUS, book 2 in the Scarlet Scars and the conclusion, releases in February

Add it to your Goodreads now!

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Review: Rival by Penelope Douglas

January 15, 2017 by · Leave a Comment

RIVAL
Series: Fall Away #2
Genre: New Adult Romance
Author: Penelope Douglas
Release Date: August 26, 2014

From the New Adult sensation and New York Times bestselling author of Until You

Madoc and Fallon. Two estranged teenagers playing games that push the boundaries between love and war…

She’s back.

For the two years she’s been away at boarding school, there was no word from her. Back when we lived in the same house, she used to cut me down during the day and then leave her door open for me at night.

I was stupid then, but now I’m ready to beat her at her own game…

I’m back.

Two years and I can tell he still wants me, even if he acts like he’s better than me.

But I won’t be scared away. Or pushed down. I’ll call his bluff and fight back. That’s what he wants, right? As long as I keep my guard up, he’ll never know how much he affects me….

AMAZON | iBOOKS

That beautiful girl hated me, and I hated her, but – goddamn it – I loved how we hated, because it was raw and real. It didn’t make any sense, but yeah – it was real.”

Why the hell did it take me this long to read this book?! Why? WHY I ASK YOU?! I’ll admit that reading a few reviews made me a little nervous to pick this one up. I should have known better. Other people’s pet peeves tend to be my catnip. What? I never said I wasn’t a lot little crazy? But I digress.

As you may already know from my reviews, I love enemies to lovers. And you already probably know that my love for all things Penelope Douglas know no bounds. I LOVED and I mean LOVED Bully and Until You. So why did it take me so long to read this book? I have no freaking idea! But I’m so happy to rectify that grand error in judgement.

Madoc was everything I had hoped he would be. A goofball hiding a lot of depth beneath the easy jokes and quick smile. He’s a downright asshole to Fallon at first, and as more and more of their history comes to light, the puzzle pieces begin to click together.

Fallon is exactly the sort of heroine I love to read about; smart mouthed, sassy, and with a spine of steel. This girl sure knew how to dish it, and she could take it just as well.

You’ve always wanted me. You know why? Because I don’t try to kill your demons. I run with them.”

Her family life isn’t exactly ideal and her mother is downright kaka for coco puffs. Her father is the only solid influence she’s had in her life, and I’ll admit that I loved reading about their unconventional relationship.

Nothing that happens on the surface of the sea can alter the calm of it’s depths.”

Did I love this as much as Bully? No. But nothing compares to that book. That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the hell out of this one. Because I did. I really REALLY did. It had everything I love in NA; great banter, hate lust, and the sexy times were downright SIZZLING.

I devoured this book in a day. It reminded me all over again why I love this woman’s writing. She does it for me every time. Every. Single. Time. Now to just finish the rest of this series!!!

But breaking was beautiful. It hurt, and it was an uphill climb back to sanity, but you came back stronger, fiercer, and more solid than you were before.”

THE FALL AWAY SERIES

BULLY | UNTIL YOU | RIVAL | FALLING AWAY | AFLAME | NEXT TO NEVER

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Jennifer’s Review: The Danger Of Desire by @SabrinaJeffries

December 13, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

The Danger of Desire
Series: Sinful Suitors #3
Genre: Historical Romance
Author: Sabrina Jeffries
Release Date: November 22, 2016

The third book in the sexy Sinful Suitors Regency romance series, this heart-pounding story shows why New York Timesbestselling author Sabrina Jeffries is one of the most beloved historical romance writers today.

To root out the card cheat responsible for her brother’s death, Miss Delia Trevor spends her evenings dancing her way through high society balls, and her late nights disguised as a young man gambling her way through London’s gaming hells. Then one night, handsome Warren Corry, the Marquess of Knightford, a notorious member of St. George’s Club, recognizes her. When he threatens to reveal her secret, she’s determined to keep him from ruining her plans, even if it means playing a cat-and-mouse game with the enigmatic rakehell.

Warren knows the danger of her game, and he refuses to watch her lose everything while gaining justice for her late brother. But when she starts to delve beneath his carefully crafted façade, can he keep her at arm’s length while still protecting her? Or will their hot desires explode into a love that transcends the secrets of their pasts?

AMAZON | iBOOKS

Sabrina Jeffries is a one-click historical romance author for me. I have read almost all of her books, and this book did not disappoint. It was fast-paced and with a smoking-hot rake and a badass heroine.
à la Mode St. » fashion

”You just want to revel in watching a holy father stand on the spot where we indulged in a bit of-“
“Ecstasy?” he said with a smug smile.
“Wickedness, more like. You love to surround yourself with it.”
“I do indeed. Let this be your warning, my dear. You can remove the man from the wickedness, but you can’t remove the wickedness from the man.”

à la Mode St. » fashionDelia’s family has lost everything after her brother dies, and she is determined to do everything she can to get the money back that he lost before he died. This includes playing her hand at cards, seeing that she has a particular niche for it.

My Warren & Delia:
: Warren is a rake (of course!). What good is a historical romance without a rake? And Warren does not disappoint. He wants nothing to do with Delia, but his cousin is pushing him to look after Delia. He soon discovers how intriguing Delia can be. She is intelligent and mysterious. There is something about her and he is determined to figure her out. After following her, he soon discovers her mysterious outings are at a gambling club trying to find the man that ruined her brother. And I absolutely loved all of this! The banter between these two is priceless!
à la Mode St. » fashion

”I’m terrified that I’ll disappoint you or hurt you or ruin things, but it doesn’t change the fact that I love you. Helplessly. Hopelessly.”

à la Mode St. » fashionDelia is not your typical innocent female, and I loved her for it. She is witty and determined. Warren is drawn to her and after getting caught in a compromising position, he is willing to give up his rake-ish ways to be with Delia. At the same time, he wants to keep his heart out of the picture. He has a weakness that he is afraid to reveal to his new wife, and my heart broke for him. Warren and Delia’s relationship is unconventional from the beginning and I loved their unique journey.

THE SINFUL SUITORS SERIES

THE ART OF SINNING | THE STUDY OF SEDUCTION | THE DANGER OF DESIRE

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Review & Excerpt Tour: Perfectly Paired by Lexi Blake

December 3, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

perfectly-paired-reviewPerfectly Paired
Series: Masters and Mercenaries: Topped #3
Genre: Contemporary, BDSM Romance
Author: Lexi Blake
Release Date: November 29, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

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A table for two

Waitress Tiffany Hayes knows what she wants and she wants Sebastian. Top’s grumpy sommelier calls to her in a way no man has before. She simply needs to show him that they belong together. Finding an opportunity to spend some quality time with him turns out to be the easy part. Convincing Sebastian to look beyond his damaged heart and soul is far more difficult.

A thirst he can’t deny

After losing everything he held dear, Sebastian Lowe has finally rebuilt his life and the walls around his heart. Tiffany is a sweet temptation he struggles to resist. She’s bright and complex, but he’s sure she can’t handle his dark desires. When they’re thrown together on an assignment, he can’t help himself.

A perfect pairing

As passion builds, the new lovers are both forced to face their pasts. To have a future, they must find a way to heal the wounds they thought would haunt them forever.

Buy LinksAMAZON | iTUNES | B&N

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Excerpt

Damn but she was a beautiful woman. She was also something he needed to keep his hands off of. No matter what Big Tag said, he did not date women he worked with.He didn’t really date anyone. He played with subs. When the need got too great, he found a partner for a brief time. He didn’t sleep with anyone. He fucked, and that was starting to get very old. Empty.

“So you said something about house rules?” Tiffany leaned forward, her elbows on the bar. “Are these housekeeping rules or like big bad Dom rules?”

“I don’t suppose I differentiate.” He couldn’t let those big eyes of hers soften him up. It had almost happened at her apartment. When she’d stood up after he’d spanked her and there had been tears running down her face, his impulse had been to reach for her. He’d wanted to draw her in the way he had that night when she was drunk and she’d cried on his shoulder. He’d wanted to smooth back her hair and promise her everything was going to be all right, that he could fix things for her. It was a path that was sure to lead to discomfort for her and humiliation for him. “I prefer a clean living space. I don’t like for things to be messy. I expect that you will keep your things in their proper place.”

Because no matter how hard he tried, he could still trip. The legs he now walked on were only a year old. He’d spent the first two years in a wheelchair.

The Garden’s Wheelchair Dom.

He still wasn’t completely comfortable in the prosthetics.

“I can try,” she said with a frown. “I’ll be honest, I’m not the world’s biggest neat freak.”

He’d been able to tell that from the state of her apartment. It had been cluttered, a bit dusty. With the exception of her easel. That had been perfectly taken care of. He rather wished he’d taken the time to ask to see her art.

He’d seen one painting that night he’d taken her home. It had been a painting of three laughing girls, the swirling colors so vibrant he could hear them giggling as they splashed in a puddle on a rainy day. The figures had been more impressions than photographic reality, but he’d known what she was trying to convey.

“If you cook I’ll clean, and the other way around.” He’d started a list in his head on the long drive. The drive that would have been considerably shorter had they left at the proper time. As she’d sung along to sugary pop songs after she’d changed his radio, he’d sat and considered how to proceed.

With caution. Lots and lots of caution.

“I’m not the best cook in the world,” he continued, “but I can manage. Most nights, of course, we’ll be eating at Top as our training sessions for the new restaurant will last long hours, but I would prefer to eat breakfast here rather than skipping the meal or picking up fast food. Eric made sure the fridge was stocked with a few items I requested.”

“Breakfast.” She gave him a little salute with her free hand. “I can manage that.”

“In addition to our duties at Top, we will now be taking on the additional task of appearing to be a long-term D/s couple, and we need to talk about what that should look like.” Another thing he’d been thinking about ever since that moment the trap had closed around him. “You know you probably could have gotten us out of this assignment. It’s much more difficult for the Dom to say no. The sub always holds the power. Is there a reason you didn’t use yours today?”

“I didn’t want to,” she replied simply. “I don’t have a full-time Dom and I thought it would be interesting to see what that’s like.”

Was she thinking at all? “You know nothing about how I function as a dominant partner.”

“And now I do,” she replied. “You like rules and schedules and you tend to be very fair.”

“I can be quite exacting in my standards.”

“I can be quite flexible,” she shot back as the sexiest smile crossed her face. “I’m serious about that. I can still do the splits and everything.”

“You’re far too reckless, Tiffany.” He didn’t appreciate recklessness so why was she like a siren calling to him? If he listened, he would end up wrecked.

“You’re far too uptight, Sebastian.”

Erotic moments of couple in bed

Review-DGR4.5 starsperfectly-paire-dgr-teaser

A smart girl got what she wanted. A good girl made sure her Dom got what he needed, too.

tumblr_nh648kl9fl1u6bin0o3_400Lexi Blake brings the feels with this one. Big time. So sexy and swoony. I adore everything this woman writes. She has a knack for writing a romance that not only scorches but packs an even more solid punch of emotion. It’s perfectly balanced. It’s perfectly written. It’s has a couple that’s perfectly paired.

That’s the trade, baby. Love can lift us up or it can crash us right down. Nothing good comes without risk.

Tiffany Hayes isn’t afraid to go after what she wants. And what she wants is the perfectly mannered but grumpy and standoffish sommelier, Sebastian. These two are polar opposites. Tiffany is fun loving and sunny while Sebastian shies away from any attention and prefers the shadows. Losing everything you ever held dear may do that to a man. Now he feels like a shell of a man he used to be, a monster. He doesn’t understand why a bright ray like Tiffany may be attracted to someone like him. But Tiffany isn’t above manipulation to get what she wants. And suddenly a flooded apartment and a few other “occurrences” and Tiffany is the only sub available for a Dom/sub training that Ian Taggard asks Sebastian to do…well…in his own Ian Taggard way.

Dude, will you take over the baby Doms for me? There’s a new crop coming in and they need to be sown. Otherwise they’ll all be like ‘brah, let’s go spank some bottoms and drink craft beer’ and then I’ll have to murder them. Seriously. I’ve been told not to murder them. Millennial Doms. Has it really come to this?”

Can I just say how much I love Ian? Because I swear the man is the perfect comedic intervention in every single book he appears in. I will never, and I mean EVER get enough of him.

It’s not like I’m getting any right now. Have you ever tried to top a woman who recently had a baby you put up in her? Charlie’s not having any of it. And Seth and I here are still outnumbered because someone neutered Bud and now the dog doesn’t have a dick either. Or balls. Yeah. I think he’s got a dick, but no balls. Isn’t that right, Sean? It’s the same thing. You kept your dick, but they cut off your balls. Dude, I don’t know how you survived. It made the dog cranky so he ate one of my shoes. That made me cranky. God, I’m tired.”

As for Tifanny and Sebastian? I couldn’t get enough of them together. I loved the way that Tiffany was determined to break down all Sebastian’s walls. She doesn’t bow down or run away when things get difficult. She pushes his and forces him to see things the way they should be. She gives as good as she gets, if not better, and man but I loved her for it.

And Sebastian? Holy mother of swoons but I adored this man. Watching the painful struggle of him still trying to deal with his past and his present was absolutely gut wrenching. I hurt for him. I cried for him and everything that he’s been through. The man was just so perfectly imperfect.

This book was everything I love about romance; an endearing and strong heroine, a broken alpha that just needed the right female touch, a perfect balance of swoon and steam, and all with the spice of Lexi Blake’s BDSM to top it all off. It’s the perfect book to warm you up on a cold winter’s night. Simply delicious.
About the Authorlexi_blakeNY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog int eh world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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Release Blast, Review & Giveaway: Consolation prize by Linda Kage

November 21, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

rb-consolationprize-lkage_finalConsolation Prize
Series: Forbidden Men #9
Genre: New Adult Romance
Author: Linda Kage
Release Date: November 17th, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

Muscular Male Torso with shirt

Muscular Male Torso with shirt

 

Don’t you just hate it when someone destroys all your carefully made plans?

I mean, I had goals: college to graduate in one semester, a future I was working hard to reach, and an image of myself I wanted the world to see. My life was stacked into these precisely placed blocks. But then Colton Gamble came along and knocked them all askew.

I hated how he messed everything up, how he could hog all my attention whenever he was around, how he made my pulse quicken–but only because he ticked me off…not because I was attracted to him. Oh! And I hated how he knew how attractive he was too, the shallow, full of himself, doesn’t take no for an answer, too-flirty, too cocky, extremely irritating jerk.

The boy had all the qualities that turned me off. Or so I thought.

One night he wasn’t quite the brainless, over-confident jerk I usually took him for.

One night, he took care of me when I was at my lowest. He opened up to me and made me open up to him.

Now I’m learning maybe he’s not what I first thought he was. And maybe I’M not what I first thought I was. Maybe it’s okay to rearrange a couple of my perfectly set blocks. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll stop worrying about what I’m afraid everyone else will think and finally reach for something I really want. It’s possible some of my plans need to be destroyed, and Colton Gamble is exactly the kind of mess I need in my life.

What do you think? Should I give him a try?

Desperately seeking your advice,
Julianna Radcliffe

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Excerpt

“Just for that, I’m going to make you cuddle.”

“Cuddle?” My eyes bulged as he crawled closer.

For some reason, cuddling struck more fear inside me than getting slapped or punched. I knew exactly how to respond to those—kick his ass out of my apartment. But with cuddling, I was lost.

I edged away from him, shaking my head, only to yelp out a surprised scream when he snaked out a hand and caught hold of my leg, stilling me.

“Yes, cuddle,” he said. “I like to cuddle.”

My muscles clenched and limbs went tense as he climbed up right into my personal space and wrapped himself around me like a second skin.

“I…I’m not big on cuddling,” I finally admitted, my body board-stiff against him.

“Really?” He sounded surprised by that. “Well, don’t worry, by the time I’m through with you, you’ll love it.

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Review-DGR4.5 stars

I’m used to coming in second place.”
“Not with me you don’t.”

There’s just something about this series for me that seems to hit the spot each and every single time. These characters have become like family to me. I’ve grown to love them and root for their HEA and I have to admit that no one tugged at my heart strings more than Brandt and Colton Gamble. Brandt got his HEA in Priceless and I’ve been eagerly anticipating Colton’s turn. The brothers are polar opposites. Brandt serious and Colton the goof with the easy smiles and plenty of charm. I knew it would take a special girl to bring this guy to his knees and Julianna was certainly his perfect match.

His grin always bore that smug, arrogant smirk, as if he could read every dirty thought in my head. I hated that too…almost as much as I hated him.

After their failed date that barely made it halfway, Julianna find herself at Brandt’s wedding, pining after what could have been. Sent in as the distraction, Colton is all too eager to hit on the beautiful woman that he’s been lusting after since he first laid eyes on her and who has been thwarting each and every single one of his flirty advances.

Every time you disagree with me, I just want to piss you off until you kiss me and rip at my clothes. And then I want to bury my cock so deep inside you I forget my own fucking name. And then I want to make you forget yours.”

I was afraid that Juli’s feelings for Brandt may put a permanent shadow over anything developing with her and Colton, but I should not have feared it at all. I absolutely loved these two together. Four years his senior, Juli is not exactly thrilled about her building lust towards the little Gamble. But his easy smiles and charm soon begin to win her over. Then there’s the quiet intensity and layers that he so easily keeps hidden beneath his playful personality that calls to her even more.

They have everything stacked against them. Colton will always be Brandt’s brother, he’s younger…and he’s white. I love reading interracial romances, but sadly it’s not a common find. Nor is it an easy thing to pull off without making it all about color. But I have to say that Linda Kage not only pulled it off, but she did so flawlessly.

While Juli may come off as a harass at first sight, there’s so much more to her. She’s such a multilayered character that I couldn’t help but like her right away. The more I found out about her, the more I understood why she acted the way she did. As for Colton, I knew I’d love him and I was not wrong. What I didn’t expect is to love him as much as I did. But he’s right up there with Ten for me. The same sort of ornery personality and easy humor, but beneath it all is a heart of gold.

I don’t know. Doesn’t that sound… wrong to you?”
“Oh, baby doll. Wrong’s just the way I like it.”

While the book may be titled Consolation Prize, their relationship was anything but. I absolutely adored the two of them together and watching them both slowly tear down the other’s walls. I loved watching them fall for each other against all odds.

Where the hell have you been all my life?”
“I’ve been looking for you, baby doll.”

When I’m in the mood for a poignant, emotional and sexy NA romance, this author has become my go-to. The Forbidden Men has been and continues to be one of my top favorite NA series. This book only served to remind me why I love it as much as I do. I simply can’t recommend it enough. Perfection. Pure perfection.

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About the Author

Linda Kage grew up on a dairy farm in the Midwest as the youngest of eight children. Now she lives in Kansas with her husband, daughter, and nine cuckoo clocks. Her life’s been blessed with lots of people to learn from and love. Writing’s always been a major part of her world, and she is so happy to finally share some of her stories with other romance lovers.

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Review: Preppy: The Life & Death of Samuel Clearwater, Part One by @TM_Frazier

November 3, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

preppy-reviewPREPPY: The Life & Death of Samuel Clearwater, Part One
Series: King #5
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: T.M. Frazier
Release Date: October 25, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

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Bowtie…’till I DIE. 

Samuel Clearwater, A.K.A Preppy, likes bowties, pancakes, suspenders, good friends, good times, good drugs, and a good f*ck.

He’s worked his way out from beneath a hellish childhood and is living the life he’s always imagined for himself. When he meets a girl, a junkie on the verge of ending it all, he’s torn between his feelings for her and the crippling fear that she could be the one to end the life he loves.

Andrea ‘Dre’ Capulet is strung out and tired.

Tired of living for her next fix. Tired of doing things that make her stomach turn. Tired of looking in the mirror at the reflection of the person she’s become. Just when she decides to end it all, she meets a man who will change the course of both their lives forever.

And their deaths.

For most people, death is the end of their story.
For Preppy and Dre, it was only the beginning…

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR4.5 starspreppy-dgr-teaser

I’m going to hurt you,” he said, undoing the top button of my shorts and pushing his hand into my panties, cupping my sex in his warm and powerful hand. He squeezed, just a little, a show of power. “I’m going to hurt you with my lips. With my fingers. With my cock. It’s going to be the best fucking pain you’ve ever felt.”

Damn you T.M. Frazier! Damn you and your evil genius! What are you doing to me? I can’t even right now. First you shatter my cold black heart in Tyrant. Then you give me a smidgeon of hope with your evil teasing ways in Soulless. Then you make my pervy little heart’s dreams come true with this book only to leave me with that cliffhanger? Woman, I will hunt you down and demand answers. I will glare at you until you finish the next book. I will wave my fists menacingly and look as threatening as I can while doing it to make sure that you do all of this right this very second. You hear me? You can’t leave me like that! You just can’t!! GAH!

Have you ever read a secondary character that was so vivid and so enigmatic that he almost stole the show? Because that’s exactly what Samuel “Preppy” was to me in King. I loved his warped humor and the way that he was always making everyone around him laugh even with his warped past and his not so pretty present. This is a man that has seen hell and came out with a smile on his face and a bow tie on his neck. I was beyond thrilled to get his book.

Preppy takes us back before the timeline of King began. Speaking of King, I highly recommend reading this series in order to truly appreciate everything that is Preppy. While plenty of background is given, a lot could be lost on you having not read the previous books.


It made sense that his body was built for sin, because the hold Samuel Clearwater had over me was something straight from the depths of hell.

Andrea ‘Dre’ Capulet is at the end of her rope. Strung out, tired, she’s living her own personal hell deep in the bowels of an addiction she can’t kick.
Ready to end it all, Dre’s attempt gets thwarted by a man that may be her savior or her new form of hell…

I didn’t just want to fuck her. I wanted to ruin her.

If you loved Preppy in the previous books, you will absolutely fall in love with him in this one. He’s just as potent and just as charismatic except MORE. I couldn’t get enough of him

You know, sometimes I’m not sure when you’re serious.”
“Oh, well that’s easy to figure out. I’m always sometimes joking in a way that’s honest.”
“Totally cleared that up.”
“Glad I could help…”

Dre was an interisting character to say the least. It’s not everyday you can read about an addict like that and yet feel an odd sort of…kinship to her. She should be desperate and weak considering her circumstances, but even though all that there was this sense of a steel backbone to her. An underlying strength that would make an appearance to show that not everything is as it seems. I loved the way that the author was able to convey that without taking away from her addiction. This wasn’t someone that was magically healed and never wanted drugs again because she met a man. She was broken but not ruined.

He’d said he couldn’t keep me. That didn’t mean I wouldn’t always be his.

The timeline of this book runs before the one in King with some flashbacks that take place during the timeline in Soulless. It will answer many questions about Preppy while leaving you with plenty more. It was a gritty, sexy, dirty, violent ride that I never wanted to end. I loved every delicious and devious page. I love the way that T.M’s mind works. The woman is an evil genius and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for this couple next!!

READ THE SERIES IN ORDER

KING | TYRANT | LAWLESS | SOULLESS | PREPPY

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