Review: Riven by Roan Parrish

RIVEN
Genre: Contemporary MM Romance
Author: Roan Parrish
Release Date: May 29, 2018

Theo Decker might be the lead singer of Riven, but he hates being a rock star. The paparazzi, the endless tours, being recognized everywhere he goes—it all makes him squirm. The only thing he doesn’t hate is the music. Feeling an audience’s energy as they lose themselves in Riven’s music is a rush unlike anything else . . . until he meets Caleb Blake Whitman. Caleb is rough and damaged, yet his fingers on his guitar are pure poetry. And his hands on Theo? They’re all he can think about. But Caleb’s no groupie—and one night with him won’t be enough.

Just when Caleb is accepting his new life as a loner, Theo Decker slinks into it and turns his world upside-down. Theo’s sexy and brilliant and addictively vulnerable, and all Caleb wants is another hit. And another. That’s how he knows Theo’s trouble. Caleb can’t even handle performing these days. How the hell is he going to survive an affair with a tabloid superstar? But after Caleb sees the man behind the rock star, he begins to wonder if Theo might be his chance at a future he thought he’d lost forever.

AMAZON

He was lust and heat and power and I fucking loved it.

Have you ever read a book for the cover alone? What? Now don’t look at me like that. Have you seen this cover? There’s just something about it that’s utterly magnetic. It lures you in. And then you read the blurb, and INSTANT HOOK!

This was my second book by Roan Parrish and I’m definitely a fan. Riven is an emotional, character driven story that was as gripping as it was raw. Now normally, I don’t really enjoy a romance where the main characters hook up in less than 20% of the book. But that’s what happened when Theo first stumbles onto Caleb. The unwilling rockstar that’s trying to escape his reality meets a brooding recovering addict and sparks fly immediately. After no more than some conversation over their love of music and a romantic walk, they fall into bed together. But yet somehow it totally worked in this story.

The chemistry between Theo and Caleb may have been instant, but it also progresses over the course of their courtship. Caleb struggles daily with his sobriety. He was such an endearingly imperfect character. This is a man that’s as far from perfect as it gets, and he knows it. After several failed stints in rehab, he hopes his third will be the charm. Cutting himself off fully from his previous life is the only way he sees of serving sobriety this time around. And Theo and his fame threatens everything he’s worked so hard for.

Theo was absolutely adorable. There was something so vulnerable about him that you can’t help but fall for him. He wears his heart on his sleeve and his emotions all over his face. He’s one of the most genuine characters I’ve read in a long while. His fame is still a shock to him and something he struggles with. He loves music, but hates the notoriety that has come with it and the weird vibe that he seems to have with his bandmates. Caleb is his escape from his own gloom reality.

Theo had burrowed deeper than I’d realized, dug barbs into me. And when he’d ripped away—when I’d pushed him away—it had felt like they all tore loose at once.

This was a bit slower paced than I normally like, but it still worked for me. I loved the characters, and I absolutely loved the story. It may not have been my normal cuppa, but it was one I enjoyed from beginning to finish. Caleb and Theo were adorable together and oh so sexy. If you’re looking for an emotionally charged, character driven story, this is a definite must read.

#DGRFave & Review: : Midnight Blue by @lj_shen

MIDNIGHT BLUE
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: LJ Shen
Release Date: January 16, 2018

From bestselling author L.J. Shen, comes a new, standalone, contemporary romance.

It should have been easy.

I needed the money. He needed a babysitter to keep him from snorting himself to death.

I was cherry-picked especially for him. Responsible. Optimistic. Warm. Innocent.

The worst part is that I should have known better.

Alex Winslow. British rock star. Serial heartbreaker. Casanova with whiskey eyes.

“Don’t get near the devil in a leather jacket. He’ll chew you up and spit you out.”

Guess what? I didn’t listen.

I signed the contract.

World tour. Three months. Four Continents. One hundred shows.

My name is Indigo Bellamy, and I sold my soul to a tattooed god.

Problem was, my soul wasn’t enough for Alex Winslow. He ended up taking my body, too.

Then he took my heart.

Then he took my all.

AMAZON

Nat’s words came back and haunted me like a bad haircut from the eighties. An irrational need to check the goods took over me. It wasn’t like he minded. According to the rumors, his dick had seen more cameras than Kendall Jenner. Slowly—so painfully slowly—my eyes drifted down his sinewy body. I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Whatever I had in mind, though, didn’t come close to the real thing. Thick, long but not atrocious. With thin veins running through its length.

“Nice view?” he groaned, tucking his junk back into his briefs. His profile was glorious. Strong jaw, pouty lips, eyes like sex…

My eyes snapped up when I realized he was talking to me. “I wasn’t…”

“Looking? Yes, you were. Next time take a picture. It lasts longer.” He rolled his zipper upward and flushed the toilet with the toe of his boot. He turned around and squirted soap into his palm, washing his hands almost violently—rubbing between each finger and scratching his knuckles like he wanted to shed his own skin. When he was done, he looked around for a towel.

I cleared my throat, scrambling to regain my wits. “Longer than the glimpse or longer than your performance?”

Casually—so unbearably casually—he wiped his wet hands over my purple dress. I gasped, moving sideways. It looked like he was about to open the door and get out, but before I had the chance to yell at him for using me as a human towel, he slammed me against the wall, bracing both his arms above my head and pinning me to my spot. I let out a shriek of surprise at the sudden proximity.

Alex Winslow is touching me. Willingly, my surprisingly pitiful brain squealed.

Heat rolled off his body, making my back arch and my breath catch in my throat.

“Let’s make one thing clear—I could fuck you to a point of numbness without even breaking a sweat if I wanted to. Now, careful, New Girl. If you don’t keep your distance from me, I think I just might.”

He was larger than life. A one-man show, even when he was off the stage.

Hands down my top favorite rockstar romance ever. Full of angst, beautifully broken characters, sizzling romance and a plot that keeps you glued to the pages from beginning to finish, it’s no wonder Midnight Blue is one of my first top reads of 2018. I loved it SO HARD.

Alex Winslow was beautiful in a way storms were—only from afar. Just like them, he had the power to sweep and ruin you, two things I was too busy surviving to entertain.

A British bad-boy rockstar? Sign me up, I say! Make that rockstar tortured, beautifully broken, and damaged almost beyond repair? I’m putty in your hands. I’m no stranger to Shen’s work, but this hero that she’s created with Alex Winslow, is easily my favorite of hers to date. This man was just so perfectly imperfect. A recovering addict, cynical and broken, and determined to throw pain at others to suffocate the pain he’s suffering deep down. The man was just so broken, I didn’t know whether I wanted to hug him or slap him half the time. Though, admittedly, I wanted to bang him ALL of the time.

You annoy me so much, sometimes I want to cry,” she gritted through clenched teeth.
“When I finally lay my hands on you—and make no mistakes, Stardust, I will—you will be crying, all right. My name. Over. And. Over. Again.”

Le sigh.

When his self destructive behavior threatens to destroy his career unless he gets back on track, his team hires him a babysitter in the form of the young, beautiful, and desperate to save her family from poverty Indigo Bellamy. Indie isn’t exactly thrilled to babysit a spoiled and tantrum spoiled rockstar by following him on tour for three months, but her family is in desperate need of money and Winslow’s team is offering her a ridiculous amount of money. The Brit is determined to seduce her, and she’s determined to resist his charm.

Slow down, heart.
Relax, heart.
Take a deep breath, heart.

The sexual tension and chemistry between these two is instant. The feisty barbs, the antagonistic arguments, the undeniable attraction, all of them blend together into a connection that practically burns through the pages.

I apologize in advance.” He cocked his head to the side. “For?” “Ruining you for any other man on this planet. I’m going to fuck you, Indie. So hard you’ll think about me years from now, when you lie under your boring, missionary-loving husband. I will own every orgasm

Though Indie is young and mostly inexperienced, she’s no blushing ingenue. This is a girl that gives just as hard as she gets, and Alex definitely gives it hard. This is a man that doesn’t mince words or shy away from being rude, crude, and offensive. I loved the way Indie stood up for herself and put him in his place.

When I look at you, I see something broken that isn’t worth fixing. And you look at me like I’m a cheap thing to replace the expensive one that’s been stolen from you. See, we’re all vases. And you’re the one scattered on the floor, shattered beyond repair. So I’ll let someone else pick you up. It’s really that simple. Have fun with your temporary glue.”

This was a delicious slow burn full of angst and plenty of twists. I was glued to the pages from beginning to finish.

I’ve read a lot of rockstar romances, but this one felt like it was custom written for me. I loved absolutely everything about it; the characters, the romance, the writing. I swear, I had highlighted half the book with quotes. I couldn’t get enough of LJ Shen’s words.

I need to be inside you the way you’re inside me. So deep I want to peel my skin off just to get rid of you. I need to get rid of you,”

She’s written some amazing books in the past, but this is definitely my top favorite of hers. If you’re a fan of this author, Midnight Blue is simply not to be missed.

She was my muse. She was my life. She was my all.

Before she’d settled down, L.J. (who thinks referring to herself in the third person is really silly, by the way) traveled the world, and collected friends from all across the globe. Friends who’d be happy to report that she is a rubbish companion, always forgets peoples’ birthdays and never sends Christmas cards.

She enjoys the simple things in life, like spending time with her family and friends, reading, HBO, Netflix and internet-stalking Stephen James. She reads between three to five books a week and firmly believes Crocs shoes and mullets should be outlawed.

Connect with LJ Shen:

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Stay up to date with LJ Shen by signing up for her mailing list:

http://bit.ly/2umcYPg

 

DGRFave Spotlight, Character Interview & Giveaway: Midnight Blue by @lj_shen

MIDNIGHT BLUE
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: LJ Shen
Release Date: January 16, 2018

From bestselling author L.J. Shen, comes a new, standalone, contemporary romance.

It should have been easy.

I needed the money. He needed a babysitter to keep him from snorting himself to death.

I was cherry-picked especially for him. Responsible. Optimistic. Warm. Innocent.

The worst part is that I should have known better.

Alex Winslow. British rock star. Serial heartbreaker. Casanova with whiskey eyes.

“Don’t get near the devil in a leather jacket. He’ll chew you up and spit you out.”

Guess what? I didn’t listen.

I signed the contract.

World tour. Three months. Four Continents. One hundred shows.

My name is Indigo Bellamy, and I sold my soul to a tattooed god.

Problem was, my soul wasn’t enough for Alex Winslow. He ended up taking my body, too.

Then he took my heart.

Then he took my all.

AMAZON

In case you’ve missed all of my incessant fangirling over this book, let me just tell you, I LOVED THIS BOOK. Like 5 star loved it! Like my top favorite rockstar romance loved it! I’ll be posting my full, glowing 5 star review later this week, but for now I have an additional treat for you all! Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom of this post for an AWESOME giveaway!

But for now, here’s a character interview with the one and only Alex fucking Winslow!!!!


CHARACTER INTERVIEW

It’s not often we get rockstar royalty here at DGR, but today we have the man, the myth, the legend; Mr. Alex Winslow himself.

If you haven’t heard his songs on the radio, you’ve seen his exploits in the tabloids. This British badboy is no stranger to controversy. From drinking, to drugs, to the time he pulled a Kanye West on the stage at the Grammy’s, and his highly publicized split from his fiance, Alex hasn’t exactly been living a quiet life. But we’re beyond thrilled to have him here today.

DGR: Welcome, Alex! We’re so excited to have you.

Let’s start with some simple questions. Tell us something about yourself that many people may not know about you?

Alex: I hate interviews.

Wait, you probably knew that about me.

Okay. I do like pistachio ice cream, and you can judge all you want.

DGR: What would you say is your biggest vice?

Alex: The list is going to be longer than my cock, so let’s just say there are a lot of things I’m addicted to. A fair amount that will build a lot of drug lords beautiful houses and finance a lot of therapists luxurious cars.

DGR: What could you never live without?

Alex: Indigo Bellamy. And music (don’t make me choose).

DGR: Where do you draw the inspiration for your songs? You’ve recently been coming out with some hits. Do you have a new muse? Could it be that blue-haired beauty I saw with your entourage?

Alex: I find this question utterly senseless. I’m a musician. I take inspiration from breathing. My mere existence is enough to keep me going for a decade’s worth of albums. My blue-haired girl definitely unclogged me from some bad shite, but I’d like to think I would have bounced back with or without her. 

DGR: Can you describe your ideal woman to us? I’m sure single ladies all over the world are dying to know how to snag the newly single bad boy!

Alex: Blue hair.

Blue eyes.

Funny name.

Dreadful style.

All heart.

No tits.

But that’s okay, because she sure knows how to use her lips.

(like my poem?)

DGR: Now you ARE at DGR, so you know we have to ask….favorite sex position? We have heard some rumors that you like things on the wilder side.

Alex: Forbidden pleasure. I do like me some anal sex. The fact that only gymnasts can pull that shit off is a side bonus.

DGR: There’s been some rumors circulating that the newest female addition to your staff has snagged your attention. Any truth to the rumors?

Alex: I don’t know what you’re talking about. Lucas has been working with me for years.

DGR: Who is this young lady and can you tell us more about her?

Alex: I’m not sure I’m ready to share her with the world. To be honest, why would I share anything with the world? The tabloids will have a fucking field day. No thank you.

DGR: What’s your favorite part about being a rockstar?

Alex: Making music. Whoever gives you another answer is a c***.

DGR: What’s the worst part?

Alex: Everything that’s not making music, including, but not limited to: Suits, people who ask you for favours, and the blinding money.

DGR: If you had to write your own eulogy, what would it say?

Alex: Spoiler alert: there’s no heaven.

DGR: Do you think you’ll ever get married?

Alex: I hope so, but I don’t envy the poor girl.

DGR: What words of wisdom do you want to impart on readers today as you leave?

Alex: Don’t do drugs, kids. That shit is expensive.


Want a chance to win a SIGNED paperback or one of three ebooks of Midnight Blue by LJ Shen?

ENTER HERE

Review & Excerpt: Drive by Kate Stewart

DRIVE
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Kate Stewart
Release Date: October 17, 2017

Music . . . the heart’s greatest librarian.

The average song is three and a half minutes long; those three and a half minutes could lead to a slow blink, a glimpse of the past, or catapult the soul into heart-shattering nostalgia.

At the height of my career, I had the life I wanted, the life I’d always envisioned. I’d found my tempo, my rhythm. Then I received a phone call that left me off key.

You see, my favorite songs had a way of playing simultaneously. I was in love with one man’s beats and another’s lyrics. But when it came to the soundtrack of a life, how could anyone choose a favorite song? So, to erase any doubt, I ditched my first-class ticket and decided to take a drive, fixed on the rearview.

Two days.

One playlist.

And the long road home to the man who was waiting for me.

AMAZON EBOOK | AMAZON PAPERBACK

Breathe. Breathe. This is in the bag, Stella. You can do this, so do it.
I clicked on the camera and quickly glanced at my notes.One minute.


Electricity shot through my veins and seeped through every pore, reminding me that this was it.

Thirty seconds.

I took a sip of water and set it beside my laptop as I waited.

Ten seconds.

A flicker of doubt processed for mere seconds before I wiped it away.

Five.

I expelled a stressed breath, clicked Go Live, and addressed the camera.

“Womanizer, bully, genius, recluse, and the world’s greatest MC. Even with all those labels, Phillip Preston, also known as Titan, is still a bit of an enigma. Despite the universe he’s constructed with storytelling lyrics, he’s always left it up to us to decipher his truth from his fiction. He burst onto the music scene fifteen years ago, an underdog in the belly of rap, with chaotic and desperate rhymes that resonated and pushed him into an unexpected level of stardom. With one hundred and eighty million records sold, he still holds his title as heavyweight and remains a household staple for his die-hard fans, collecting an army of new followers over the past two decades. I must admit, I was a bit intimidated when I sat down with him this past weekend in his Chicago fortress. I, like millions of others, am a huge fan of his genius. The simplicity of our surroundings in his home studio was shocking, to say the least. The feeling was a bit clinical and there were no platinum records on his walls, no personal photos, and there was no hint of the history he’d made as the world’s most notorious rap star. He sat in a leather chair next to his soundboard, water bottle in hand, and spoke about his love of rap, while subtly redirecting questions about his personal life—though we know he recently broke up with his long-time girlfriend, Jordan Wilson.”

My eyes nearly watered as I watched the live view box tick to a hundred thousand. I had a hundred thousand people watching my podcast in a matter of minutes. I took a deep breath.

“But it seemed my reputation had preceded me because when I sat down with the rap mogul, Phillip appeared ready for the firing squad. We dueled well as I asked the hard questions—the questions of a fan. Questions I know so many of his loyal listeners want answers to, and I think you’ll be surprised to hear his answers. So, without further ado, take a look at my exclusive with the man behind the myths. Feel free to form your own opinions, but above all, remember it’s the music that matters most.”

I linked my pre-recorded interview and watched the ticks explode as soon as his face hit the screen.

That was the moment my career peaked.

With pride, I watched my interview with the white whale, the Moby Dick of the music industry. Gorgeous, brilliant, and highly elusive, Phillip Preston was the hardest artist to get personal with in an interview. And I was the woman he reached out to, to break his silence about his road to success, his parents, his ex-wife, and finally—after some careful eggshell coaxing—he spoke about his recent relationship. He had delivered to me, on a silver platter, highly personal details about his life where so many other journalists had failed, and it was nothing short of miraculous.

It was my greatest accomplishment as a music journalist. I was flying, soaring as my phone began to blow up with message after message. I hadn’t told a soul, not a single person about my exclusive. I was high on adrenaline when the notifications began to ping on my phone. A hundred, two hundred messages, and then I saw the viewer ticks had jumped drastically to half a million. Half a million! I laughed out nervously and checked Phillip’s social media. He had just posted my podcast link to our interview. My jaw dropped. He had over eighty million followers on one forum alone.

And the viewer counts just kept rising. I had done it. I gasped when the ticks went past a million.

A million people were watching my podcast.

A million people were watching my podcast!

“AHHHHHH!” I screamed to no one as I looked around the vacant room. I raised both hands in the air when the ticks rolled past two million. “Oh my GOD!” I shot up from the desk, my eyes full of incredulous water.

I’d never had more than a million views. Ever. And those took months to accrue. It was the greatest career high of my life. I looked back down at my phone, anxious to talk to someone, anyone. Lexi’s middle finger popped up on the screen, and I couldn’t resist answering her call.

“AHHHHHHHH!” I screamed into the phone..

“Stella?”

“Yes! Is it good? You think I asked the right questions? I edited for like nine hours.”

“What?”

“What do you mean, what? Titan’s interview.”

“You interviewed Titan?”

A small amount of my excitement dispersed. “Yours was the wrong call to answer.”

“You fucking interviewed Titan?”

“Yes. I wanted to surprise everyone.”

“And you didn’t bring me?”

“Sorry. I’ll feel guilty later.”

“Yeah.” Her voice dropped. I heard a toilet flush. “Yeah, Stella, that’s so cool.” Another toilet flushed.

“Where are you?”

“I’m in the bathroom at the Marquee.”

“Okay. Well, I’m buzzing right now, woman. Like, literally, my phone is exploding. Five million hits, Lexi. Five million!”

“I’m so happy for you, Stella.”

I frowned. “Yeah, with that amazing monotone, I can tell.”

“I’m so sorry.” And then her voice broke. My best friend doesn’t cry. Ever.

“Oh, shit. What’s up?”

“I’ll call you back, okay? I don’t want to ruin this.”

“You aren’t ruining anything. You couldn’t ruin this. I promise. I’ll be high for days. So, tell me. Why are you in the bathroom?”

“I’m on a blind date. He took me to a wedding.”

“Okay. You need an excuse? That’s not like you. You’re ballsy. Just give him your usual, it’s not me, it’s you.” I chuckled because she’d used it in front of me on a bass player with a cowlick and halitosis.

“Stella.”

I knew that tone. That tone was the bearer of bad fucking news.

“What? Say it.”

“It’s his wedding.”

I eyed the clock while I zipped my suitcase. I had an hour and a half before my flight. I was cutting it close. “Whose wedding?”

“Stella.”

“I know my name. Damn, who—” Realization struck and my heart met the floor. I stayed mute while she rambled on nervously.

“What are the odds? What are the goddamn odds? I don’t know what to do. Do you want me to leave? There’s no handbook for this. Did you even want to know this? That he’s married? I can’t believe I just watched him get married! Who in the hell ends up at their best friend’s ex-boyfriend’s wedding? I couldn’t not tell you.” She sniffed as the toilets repeatedly flushed around her.

“Stella, please say something.”

I pressed the sting back. “I’m alright, of course. I’m fine. Why are you crying?”

“I don’t know.” She sniffed. “Ben called me last night, and things are just so fucked up, and today this shit happens, and I know you’re happy. I know you are. But . . . I mean, this is—”

I put my hand up as if she could see it. “Don’t tell me anything else, okay? I’m good.” I looked at my reflection in the mirror from the bed into the adjacent bathroom. Nothing had changed. I wasn’t leaking. I was fine. “I’m okay. I’m glad you told me. I have to leave for the airport now, or I’ll miss my flight.” A slew of questions was on the tip of my tongue. Did he look happy? Was she beautiful? And more questions I hated myself for that Lexi would never be able to answer. Still, my head and heart refused to keep those questions bottled.

Was she prettier than me? Did he look at her the same way? Did he propose to her with half his heart? Did he think of me when he did it? Was any part of him thinking of me now? Was I in his dreams the way he drifted through mine sometimes?

All my thoughts were selfish. All of them. And of all the thoughts I could have had that day, self-loathing was not the one I expected to nudge its way front and center. I forced myself to speak.

“Stay.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes, of course. I’m fine.”

“This freaky shit always happens. Always with you.”

“I know.”

“It’s like karma or God or someone hates you. It’s so fucked.”

I laughed ironically, though inside my heart was pounding.

Silence passed over the line as we both waited for some sort of solution that wasn’t coming.

“Stella, God, I’m so sorry.”

“About what? Stop. You know I would have told you if the situation were reversed. I should go. Love you.”

“Love y—” I hung up the phone before she could finish, frozen in the middle of the hotel room.


He was my song, my soul, my everything, and his love had propelled me forward into the woman I wanted to be. And that woman would burn out with the man who was made to keep her warm.

Wow. WOW. Seriously, wow. This book. This was quite possibly one of the most unique, memorable, and captivating romances I’ve read in a long while. I have no idea how to even go about reviewing this book because I feel like you really need to go into it completely blind to get the full effect, but I’ll do my best.

I used to think I was cursed for having fallen in love with two men. But, in hindsight, I realized what a gift it was. They were my lovers, my teachers, my best friends, and I would love them both until I took my last breath.

There are a few authors I would break my no love triangles rule for, and Kate Stewart happens to be one. Though, I feel it’s fair to say, this is unlike any other love triangle I’ve ever read. It almost didn’t feel like one because as you read the story, you feel in your heart who Stella belongs with. I’m not sure how it’s possible that you feel her love for the other man as well, but you do. No one is a consolation prize. This was such a powerful and emotional story of love, growing up, and chasing your dreams to that one minute past desperation.

The story is cleverly told in alternating past to present, though the majority takes place in the past. It’s interactive with each chapter tied to a song you can play. This made the story that much better.

Young Stella moves to Dallas to chase her dreams as an entertainment journalist. Moving in with her older sister, she experiences life from the bottom up. She works the dead end jobs to make ends meet, she barely has two dimes to rub together, but that never stops her. She’s passionate in all things, including chasing her dreams. Along the way she meets two men that irrevocably change her life. Each owning a different piece of her heart equally, though one does it in an overwhelming way. She experiences the rock and roll culture from both sides of the stage. And you experience it right along with her.

It took three seconds to close the distance between us, two seconds to lock together like we’d been doing it our entire lives, and that last second . . . that last second when his lips devoured mine was the second I lost a piece of myself I could never get back. 

Stella was such a captivating heroine. Her emotions just roll off of her. She’s this combination of strength and fear, love and indecision. You see her grow from a naive girl that knows what she wants to a strong woman that goes after it. You see her fall in love and have her heart shattered. You feel it right along with her.

This isn’t a book you read, it’s a book you experience. It’ll frustrate you, it will anger you, it will make you laugh, cry, and swoon. I have experienced such a myriad of emotions, I was almost exhausted when I got to the end.

You exhaust me. You make me tired, Stella, so fucking tired. I want you and I want to do it right, but I’m so annoyed right now. All I want to do is make you wet and fuck you until it hurts.”

I’ll admit, it took a bit to fully get into it. Kate Stewart really takes her time to set the scene with this story, and it was a touch slow going at first. But after the 40% mark, it was completely unputdownable.

If you’re a fan of unique, angsty, and captivating romances, this is a book that’s an absolute must read. It will be a story that I won’t forget any time soon and I’ll recommend blindly to ANYONE.

I couldn’t say anything. I was too far gone. Doused in gasoline with no match in sight, the aching, the longing, and the burning all there.

Kate Stewart lives in Charleston, S.C. with her husband, Nick, and her naughty beagle, Sadie. A native of Dallas, Kate moved to Charleston three weeks after her first visit, dropping her career of 8 years, and declaring it her creative muse. Kate pens messy, sexy, angst-filled contemporary romance as well as romantic comedy and erotic suspense because it’s what she loves as a reader. A lover of all things ’80s and ’90s, especially John Hughes films and rap, she dabbles a little in photography, can knit a simple stitch scarf for necessity only and does a horrible job of playing the ukulele. Aside from running a mile without collapsing, traveling is the only other must on her bucket list. On occasion, she does very well at vodka.

Contact Kate- Email-authorkatestewart@gmail.com

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Review: Triple Trouble by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott

triple-trouble-reviewTRIPLE TROUBLE
Series: Found in Oblivion #2
Genre: Erotic Romance, Menage
Author: Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott
Release Date: November 18, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

1472417543099

She wasn’t looking to fall in love with one man. Never mind two.

Juliet Reece grew up in the shadow of her seemingly perfect older sister, Margo Reece. While Juliet’s wealthy, blue-blood parents dealt with infidelity, Juliet fought for normalcy. Now she’s the bassist in Warning Sign, a band on the rise, and she finally feels like she’s making space for herself in the world. It’s her time to shine, and she’s ready to have fun and focus on her career.

Until Randy “Sparks” Pruitt nearly blows up her life. Literally.

She can’t stand the guy. She definitely hasn’t fantasized about gripping a handful of his hair and – no. Not happening.

Then there’s Tristan Eves, Sparks’ new friend. He’s the exact opposite of Sparks. Playful. Naughty. Arousing.

Suddenly, she’s on the verge of something wilder than she’s ever experienced before. Two seductive men, hers for the taking – if she can handle the heat.

If double trouble is dangerous, watch out for the power of three…

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR4 starstriple-trouble-dgr-teaser

It shouldn’t have made sense. Shouldn’t have worked. This was an activity meant for two, right? Three should’ve been a crowd. Except she couldn’t have imagined it any other way than exactly this.

Do you see those pathetic looking things in the corner over there? That, my friends, is my poor overworked ovaries waving the white flag of defeat. This book went and did them in. They put up a good fight but at the end the combustible chemistry between Juliet, Randy, and Tristan was just too much for them. May they rest in peace, the poor f*ckers. But damn, what a way to go.

She was light and heat and the smoky hint of salted caramel in a rich coffee. A man wanted to savor her for a whole night.
THIS man wanted to fuck her blind and make her breakfast in the morning.

Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliott are the magicians of dirty. Magicians, I tells ya. These two wrote a book so dirty, it put dirty to shame. It’s like triple dirty. Ha! See what I did there? But I digress. Where was I? *pause for dirty visual of one particular book scene*
And I’m back!

It’s not often I read a book that has this much sex in it that I connect with. Because mostly I get tired of all the sex and find myself craving more story. What? Even perverts have standards dammit! Don’t look at me like that. I will admit to devouring each and every single deliciously dirty scene in this book and absolutely loving it. Why? Because it had fantastic characters and wrapped around an amazing story that together with all of the dirty made for one spicy little read.

I love that no matter what they write, the characters all interconnect. If you’ve read Rocked and met Harper Pruitt, then you’ll recall her quiet and unassuming brother, Randy, roadie to Warning Sign. Tristan is the sexy chef that was also introduced in the Lost In Oblivion series. And Juliet? She’s the younger sister of Margo Reece, who you’ll remember from Destroyed. And if you haven’t read Lost In Oblivion, no worries, you won’t be lost. But you’ll appreciate this series so much more if you have since it is the sexy spin off. But I digress again.

Randy has been the roadie for Warning Sign for years, and been practically in love with the band’s beautiful bassist, just as long. But aside from sniping and growling at him for wrong lighting and the almost disaster at the one show that Randy still blames himself for, she never paid him the time of day. Enter Tristan, chef, playboy, and Randy’s best friend and roommate. When the chemistry between Tristan and Juliet is too much to deny, Tristan doesn’t miss his friend’s feelings on the matter. And what should have been equal parts dare and invitation soon begins to turn into more than either of them ever expected.

We own you tonight.”

Sweet mother of all that’s holy, this book was freaking hot. HOT. If you’re looking for a healthy balance of story and hot sex, look no further. You’ll get that in spades. But fair warning, I’d advise you have plenty of ice, batteries, or your significant other on hand as you’re reading. Otherwise some side effects might ensue…


DON’T MISS BOOK 1


BEDDED BLISS ( FOUND IN OBLIVION #1)
Bedded Bliss by Cari Quinn & Taryn ElliottMY REVIEW | AMAZON

Review: Bedded Bliss by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott

Bedded Bliss-DGR ReviewBEDDED BLISS
Series: Found in Oblivion #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Authors: Cari Quinn, Taryn Elliott
Release Date: August 22, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

Bedded Bliss by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas…
until someone ends up married.
Michael Shawcross is living the dream, opening up for his idols, Oblivion, on his band Warning Sign’s first tour. Until an overzealous fan goes too far and his hard-partying ways catch up to him in the form of an ultimatum from his manager, Lila Crandall.

Clean up your image—or else.

Single mom Chloe Adams is in Vegas for a rare girls’ night out. She wasn’t ever supposed to be attracted to another rockstar. In fact, she’s in rockstar rehab, and the cure for her addiction definitely isn’t a sexy, smart-assed guitarist with wicked fingers.

She never expects to accidentally end up his wife. Or to have her new husband suddenly decide that she’s the solution to all his problems. And surprise…he’s happy to show his appreciation in a number of interesting, inventive ways.

Pretending their marriage is real might just be the hottest proposition she’s ever been given.

But what happens when a lie becomes the truth?

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKS | KOBOReview-DGR4.5 starsBedded Bliss-DGR teaser

The moment he touched her, something happened between them. Something bigger than she could name. And she hated it as much as she craved it.

I’ve been a huge fan of both these authors since I was first introduced to their boys of Oblivion in Rocked. There’s just something about the rockstars that they write that do it for me. Each and every single time. And each and every single time I think to myself that it can’t get any better than THIS man, and then they introduce us to their next rocker. Well I can say with utmost certainty that Bedded Bliss may very well be one of my favorite books they’ve written to date. It had EVERYTHING I love in a romance; a swoony hero, a sassy heroine, a delicious slow burn romance, angst and emotion, all wrapped around a story that will keep you reading well into the night.

She stood out for him like a jewel, glittering so brightly that even the dazzling array of lights that shimmered at the edges of his vision couldn’t compete.

If you’ve read the Lost in Oblivion series , then you’ll definitely appreciate this book a LOT more since all your favorites will appear. And if you haven’t, you can easily start with this one and not be lost. This is a spin-off from the Lost in Oblivion series, and as such, there are plenty of references and cameos that amy be lost on you if you haven’t read the series yet. I think fans of that series will love this one even more because we get more time with all our favorites *cough* Nick *cough*

The daughter of a crackwhore mother and an alcoholic father had not been an ideal start in life.

Chloe Adams hasn’t exactly had it easy in life. If you’ve read Lost in Oblivion, then her dead fiancé will definitely sound familiar to you. Snake caused plenty of trouble for Oblivion before his drug overdose. Suing your former bandmates has definitely left an impression. And being his fiancee and mother of his child certainly left a stigma on Chloe. She’s in rockstar therapy. She wants a nice, stable man in her life, but that doesn’t mean she’s ready to date. Her adorable son Axl is her main concern, and she works 3 jobs to make sure she’s able to do that.

But then one trip to Las Vegas to let loose a little with her friends turns into something more when she meets Michael Shawcross, the guitarist for Warning Sign, and exactly the sort of man she’s sworn to avoid.

Backstage pass, hell. He’d give her a bedroom pass, then tie her to his headboard right through the next morning.

Michael is living the dream opening up for bands like Oblivion. His band is not big time yet, but they’re definitely getting there. And his constant presence in the tabloids due to an overzealous and engaged woman isn’t high up on his priorities anymore. He craves something more and the second he lays eyes on Chloe, it all comes into crystal clear focus. They may have history together, but he’s never seen her as the wild and free woman that dances at his concert, and he knows nothing can keep him away from getting her.

I’m going to kiss you.”
“Where?” she murmured, and he groaned.
“Let’s start with right here.” He tapped his thumb against her lips and they parted for him, dark red and slickly wet.

This was a deliciously slow building romance, which is just how I like it. I love that slow burn. It hurts so good. And Cari and Taryn definitely made it burn here…until it exploded…and then it gets even better!

This book had everything! It was sexy, emotional, angsty, and with just the right amount of humor to make for the perfect feel-good read.

How are you still hard.”
“Young and studly,” he said with a grunt. “And making you come is my Zen place.”
“Zen away,” she said and dug her ankles into his butt.

There was some tension added from outside elements of their relationship, like Lila and Michael’s father and their past, but it all just worked here. I loved the way Michael pursued Chloe. It should have been insta-love and cheesy, but yet it was perfect! Such is the magic of these two authors.

I loved the set up of all the new band members and I already know I need Mal’s book in my life. If rockstars are your thing and you like them angsty AND steamy, then you, my friend, have found yourself a new series to obsess over. I sure as hell did!


UP NEXT!

triple troubleGOODREADS | AMAZON

RELEASING NOVEMBER 18. 2016

Blog Tour, Review & #Giveaway: ★Manaconda★ by @cariquinn @tarynelliottfic

manaconda-bannerManaconda
Series: Hammered #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Authors: Taryn Elliott & Cari Quinn
Release Date: January 19, 2016
Rainbow Rage Publishingadd-to-goodreads-button-2

Manaconda_LG

My name is Hunter Jordan, lead singer of Hammered and no, I didn’t name my cock Manaconda.

Rolling Stone did.

On the front cover of their damn magazine.

I still haven’t lived it down. And now our record label wants to maximize the frenzy.

So, I have a brand new PR person–Kennedy McManus.

And she’s making me insane.

I don’t know whether to ignore her, yell at her, or push her up against the wall and kiss her smart mouth shut.

BEYOND OBLIVION – A Rockstar Romance full of sexy fun set within the world of our Lost in Oblivion series! You never know who you’ll see show up in the books.

**** Warning: book does end on a cliffhanger ****

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Excerpt

“Maybe we should go back.”I shook my head. “Maybe we can sneak around. Seems like there wouldn’t be any fans back here.”

“Famous last words,” she muttered.

I strode out, gravel crunching under my boots.

“You know, I’m not a huge fan of this dragging me around like a child.”

I turned back to her, dragging her into my body. “Nothing child-like about you, Kenny.” I bent down to her, our noses touching. “I just want a little alone time with you.”

A loud engine started up.

“There’s an elevator back there.” She pointed with her thumb. “I bet we could do a lot of things in your room, my room—whatever.” She rose on her toes until our lips were a breath apart. “You can give that whole seven thing a go.” She dragged her nail over my bottom lip. “I don’t believe you’ll make it to seven, but I’m willing to let you try.”

“I—”

“Oh, my God, that’s Hunter!”

The hiss of hydraulics and stomp of many feet did not bode well.

I closed my eyes. “Shit.”

“What?”

“Please don’t be what I think it is.”

“What?”

A trio of people in black shirts with our new album on the front were standing in front of a huge bus. “Can you run in those things?”

She looked affronted. “I can do anything in heels.”

“I hope so.”

A woman in her twenties pointed our way. “Is that him?” she shrieked.

“Fan club.”

“What?”

“This is where the fan club bus is parked.”

“They should be at dinner. Why aren’t they at dinner?” Kenny asked with rising panic.

“Guess it’s over.” I sprinted to the door we’d just come out of. “Son of a bitch.” I twisted the handle but nothing. “It must have locked after us.”

She slapped the keypad. “Ya think?”

“Not helping.” I darted a look past the bus, along with the line of at least seventy people lined up to board. Definitely couldn’t go that way.

“They’ll eat you alive.”

“No kidding.”

Three women broke off from the crowd and headed our way. As soon as they did, twenty more followed. I dragged Kenny with me to the front of the bus and around the side. The bus driver looked down at us and shook his head.

No help there.

The people that had boarded the bus were pointing at us as we ran to the other end. I shot by another line of cars and zig-zagged around another bus and saw a familiar logo. “Thank God.”

“Where did he go?” Came shouts that were way too close.

“Where are we going?” she hissed.

“My bus.”

“Your bus?”

I dragged her behind me as I ducked behind a black truck we used for our equipment. It has been a stripped down stage, but we still had a lot of instruments between Keys’s pianos, the entire percussion set up that Wyatt used, all the guitars, amps, and digital network we used—we needed a truck no matter what.

“New plan.” I unlatched the back of the rig and lifted the rolling door. “Get in.”

“Are you freaking kidding me?”

I stared down at her. “Does it look like I’m kidding?”

She groaned. “I can’t get up there.”

I lifted her until her knee was on the base of the truck ledge. She scrambled in as the scraping of heels and running feet got closer.

“Move it, Kenny.”

Her skirt rode up as she dragged herself inside. I threw her a soft whistle. She turned back to me with murder in her eyes. I squashed down a laugh, rolling in after her, tugging the door down behind me with a bang.

“I hate you.”

I just smiled into the dark.

Review4 starsManaconda-DGR

Yeah, I had a pretty big cock, but that wasn’t all I was, goddamit.
I cleared my throat. “Could I get my sunglasses?”
The woman behind the counter flushed. “Sorry. What number did you leave it under?”
“Eleven.” Inches. For my cock.

Manaconda was exactly the kind of sexy, fluffy and humorous interlude that I needed in my reading. Admittedly, I was looking forward to a full standalone, but considering that the conclusion will be released on January 26 for free, it lessens the sting considerably. As for the book? Well I read it in one sitting, so what does that tell you?

Mana-fucking-conda. Minus the fucking in the middle, plus a few extra millimeters at the tip. Hey, gotta finish strong, right? Or start, depending where you believed the male member actually began.

Thanks to a Rolling Stone cover that every rockstar dreams about gracing the cover of, Hunter Jordan is famous for a whole lot than being the lead singer of Hammered. His…uhem…quite large appendage…seems to be all anyone can talk about thanks to the unfortunate bunching of his jeans and revealing his male ‘gift’ to the entire world. But Hunter isn’t exactly happy about it. He’s more than his cock, dammit. Even if it is a VERY impressive one.

Kennedy McManus is the band’s new PR that’s set to work specifically with him after the cover imploded on magazine stands everywhere. Sparks fly between them immediately and it doesn’t take long at all for things to really get rolling…

After. I want you after. In my room.” His voice lowered until it was only a grumbling bass of sound. “All of this off. All of you- mine.”

Now usually an insta-lust like this doesn’t work for me. But something about the one here just did it for me. I bought it; hook, line and sinker. It was just too delicious not to. It’s fluffy in a guilty pleasure read sort of way and it just worked.

And when these two get together? Holy ovary CUMbustion!

Then his mouth moved to mine and swallowed the screams I didn’t know were rolling out of me. His, mine, ours- didn’t matter. There was a supernova trapped inside of me with no way out.
Something had to break.

My only quibble is that I wished it would have been a longer standalone, but that’s because I’m a self professed cliffy avoider. True story. These authors are the only ones that can even pull that off with me and only because I love every single thing they write. Even with the cliffy, I gobbled this up like the starved smut addict that I am and loved every sinfully sexy page of it. Now I’m looking forward to the conclusion and luckily I don’t have to wait long at all.

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DGR’S Ultimate List of Rockstars

DGR-Rockstar Banner

A little over two months ago, I did my first feature with my Ultimate List of Dirty Talkers and I was beyond thrilled to see how much you guys loved it! Since then, I’ve made this into a monthly feature that you’ll find me post on the 3rd Saturday of every month. Each month I’ll be bringing you a new Ultimate List in your most voted categories; bikers, anti-heroes, cops, cowboys, etc. You name it, I’ll do it.

But this month it’s all about ROCKSTARS!

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Now you’ll find I don’t discriminate on my list; I’ll have country stars, male rockstars, and some female ones as well. You know I like to keep things well-rounded 😉 So without further ado, let’s get into it! As always my list will contain all the books I’ve read and enjoyed, and at the bottom I’ll include the ones that were recommended to me but I haven’t had a chance to read just yet. And of course, I’d love to hear from you all in comments if there’s a favorite of yours that didn’t make my list. You know I love me my book recs!

The one that started it all...

“He said I was his heart, and you don’t leave your heart behind. You can’t live without your heart.”

Truth be told I have a total love hate relationship with this book. This was the very first Rockstar that I read and it really doesn’t get much better than Kellan freaking Kyle. Unfortunately, I also spent a large chunk (read: all) of this book fantasizing about the heroine being killed off. I couldn’t help myself. I hated that woman with the fire of the worst type of venereal disease. True Story. And yet like a car wreck that you can’t look away from, I couldn’t stop reading. It was just one of those books. It was also the book that effectively turned me off love triangles for years to come…but we won’t talk about that now LOL.

I still haven’t brought myself to read the rest of the series, but I’m working on it. Especially since all my friends absolutely LOVED Griffin’s book, Untamed.

Books 1-3 are all Kellan and Keira. Thoughtful was basically Thoughtless but in Kellan’s POV. Untamed is Griffin’s book.

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The one with Jake Wethers...

“Jake once said on stage that Jonny was the mighty in their storm, and now I see that Jake is my mighty storm. He’s broken and complex, and no one knows him like I do, or ever will. He needs me. He’s my storm to calm. And I’m going to spend the rest of my life doing just that.”

You’re probably thinking right now, another book where the heroine has a boyfriend when she meets the hero? And you liked it?! And the answer is yes indeed, dirty birds. I liked it very much. First, it’s this

It’s been twelve years since Tru Bennett last saw Jake Wethers, her former best friend and boy she once loved.

I love the mere set up of this particular trope. Jake Wethers, if you’re not acquainted, is the tattooed bad boy lead singer of The Mighty Storm and the man to get ovaries tingling the world over. This was yet another one of my earliest rockstar reads and I loved it! Would I rate it the same if I read it today, I’m not sure. But hundreds of books later and I still remember everything about this one, so that truly goes to show you something, right?

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The Storm #2

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The Storm #3

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Books 1 and 2 are Jake and Tru’s story. Though if you’d like to read The Mighty Storm, you easily can since it gives a very satisfying HEA. Book 3 in this series are new characters; Tom Carter and Lyla Summers. Tom is the manwhore bassist for The Mighty Storm, and Lyla  is the lead singer of the band Vintage which just signed with TMS records.

The one with the kinky rockstars...

He put his fingertips against her forehead.
“You must be at least this tall to ride The Beast…
Secure your belongings and keepy your arms and legs around the ride at all times.”

Holy mother of melting ovaries, this series! I don’t think any ovaries can survive these kinky rockers. There’s something for everyone; MMF, voyeurism, public sex, BDSM, and did I mention MMF threesomes? It’s fair to mention that one twice. I read these hot little numbers as they were being released, and for some strange reason they were released out of order. I still don’t know why, so don’t ask me. But the entire series is now released so you can read it in the order it’s meant to be read it. I loved each book in this series, though I’d say Sed Lionheart’s story in Rock Hard (I do love me a good second chance romance) and Trey Mills’s story in Double Time (Holy MMF threesome, batman) were my top favorites!

Sinners on Tour #1

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Sinners on Tour #3

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Sinners on Tour #6

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Each book in this series is a standalone with a different couple and their HEA. All except for Sinners at the Altar, which are  four complete wedding stories, each about a different member of the rock band Sinners and need to be read after all the other books.

The Sinners On Tour spinoff...

“What are you going to do to me?”
“Lamb, the question you should be asking is what aren’t you going to do to me?”

Exodus End is the rock band that we were first introduced to in Sinners On Tour and it’s also about that time that Olivia Cunning teased us with Dare. But sadly it looks like Dare’s book will probably be last in the series so we start things off with the bassist, Logan Schmidt. At almost 500 pages, this book is long, but I never wanted it to end. It’s laugh out loud funny and set your ovaries on fire hot.

No one writes a sexy Rockstar romance quite like Olivia Cunning.

Oh and in case you’re wondering, you can easily read this book without having read SoT first. I’d say the sexual escapades in this one are a touch tamer than in that series, but it’s just as hot!

The novella series...

“My goal is to make you scream my name. Give me what I want, but make me work for it.”

Now I call this a spinoff but it really isn’t. This is yet another rockstar series from the awesome Olivia Cunning, but these are novellas of around 100 pages as opposed to the full length novels that the previous two series are.

Per Olivia Cunning’s own words about this series:

The Sole Regret series is an ongoing serial series. Each novella spans the course of one night and is about a different band member. All the band member’s stories weave together, so characters reappear in all of the stories. If you have a favorite band member or a favorite couple they will be revisited several times in the rotation of the books. I do hope you love them all!
The order of band member rotation is Gabe, Adam, Jacob, Owen, and Kellen. 

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The one with Leo Nash...

“What are you doing later?”
“I won’t be doing you.”
“Uh, I wasn’t offering, honey.” I turn around to see Leo smiling smugly. “I was wondering if you’d like me to take you to have that stick pulled out of your ass.”

Admittedly,  The With Me In Seattle has been an on and off for me. Some of the books in it were entirely too sweet for my particular tastes, and some of the books really worked for me. Kristen Proby tends to write sweet, but steamy, contemporary romance and that sometimes works for me and sometimes doesn’t.

In the case of Rock With Me it totally worked for me. I mean, how can you possibly not love Leo Nash. The man was absolutely drool worthy. From his tats to that filthy mouth of his, I loved everything about this. I won’t list the other books in this series as none of the others were rockstars. But if you’re looking for some steamy and sweet contemporary, give it a whirl. It just may work for you.

The one by Kristen Ashley...

“I had to soften him up because, for whatever reason, all the Rock Chicks had an alternate Hot Bunch guy, Indy’s was Eddie. Roxie’s was Vance. Jules was Luke. Ava’s was Lee. Mine was Mace.”

It’s no secret that I’m a HUGE fan of all things Kristen Ashley. And when I say huge fan, I mean borderline stalkerish. I adore everything the woman writes. Something about her alphas just does it for me. I don’t even care that they all speak in one word sentences that mostly consist of “Babe”. Nope. I will never have enough of them.

Now don’t let the Rock Chick title fool you, this series is not about Rock Stars. It’s about women that call themselves “Rock Chicks” but not in that band-y version, you hear? Rock Chick Reckoning was the one exception to this rule, because Stella is the lead singer and lead guitarist of The Blue Moon Gypsie. She was also madly in love with Mace…until he dumps her unexpectedly and breaks her heart. Now that her life is in danger, Mace needs to protect her and of course that ultimate leads him to know that he wants her back, only Stella is having none of that.

This book was everything I love about KA and one of my top favorites in this series (after Luke and Ava in Rock Chick Revenge, and Sadie and Hector “Oh My God” Chavez in Rock Chick Regret)

The one with the second chance romance...

“I thought for sure we’d spend forever together. I thought our love was one of a kind. I would almost be okay if he had met someone else and fallen in love, but he didn’t. He just left. He said he was suffocating.”

Forever My Girl is book 1 in Heidi’s New Adult Romance, Beaumont Series. I haven’t had a chance to catch up with the rest of the books and have only read Forever My Girl but boy did I love this book. I’m a sucker for a good second chance romance and this one surely delivered. It was angsty, swoony, a touch of sexy, and I loved every page of it!

While each book in the series focuses on a different 4225 West band member, I highly recommend reading them in order. The final book in this series, My Kind of Forever, is the continuation of Liam and and Jojo’s story from book 1.

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The one with the angst...

“I love you because I can be honest with you. I trust you. I love you because you’ve made me see I’m more than I thought.” 

If you’ve read any book by Barbara Elsborg, then you already know she has this fabulous style of writing that combines some delicious angst with quirky humor and sizzling hot romance. Strangers is a standalone romance about two lost souls that meat each other during their absolute rock bottom. What happens when an attempted suicide brings two strangers crashing into each other and gives them a reason to live?

Why is this on my rockstars, you ask? Well because the hero just happens to be a very famous British pop-star and now movie star.

The one with the PNR twist...

“His lips touched mine again, breathing me in like I was his air, then he tore his mouth from mine; panting. “Please Grace, whatever it is you’re going after, please try to find it here in me. I will try my best to be the man that you need me to be.”

A soulmates story unlike any you’ve ever read. Even if you’re not into PNR, you need to check this out. While a PNR element does exist here in the form of angels and such, but it’s very minimal and sure to please even those that don’t particularly like the genre.

Grace has been looking for her soulmate for years. Now home after the death of her brother, she finds home is very different. Her best friend has a new boyfriend, and that boyfriend has a friend; Shane Maxton: bad boy, tattooed rock god, eye candy extraordinaire. And he’s also New York’s city most arrogant asshole. So why is she drawn to him.

This is a series of three books that absolutely must be read in order.

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The one that caught me by surprise...

“Love doesn’t always make sense. To the person in it or to the people around them. The falling can be an emotional, chaotic whirlwind. The landing jarring and eye opening. But if two people are really in love, there’s nothing in this world that can overcome it. Even if they can’t be together, love doesn’t cease.”

You know when you start a book by a new to you author and you have no idea what to expect, and it manages to completely blow you away? That’s been the entire Luminescent Juliet series for me.

Don’t let the covers fool you, some may look a little unappealing but the books are absolutely amazing! I’ve been a huge fan of this New Adult romance since book 1. Each book is a different member of the Luminescent Juliet band and their HEA, and while you can easily read them as standalones, I highly recommend you read them in order simply because you’ll get to know each member before their own book. It has just enough steam to appease this pervy reader, wonderful writing, a touch of angst, and a rock band! What else can you ask for?

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The one with the boys of Oblivion...

“We’re going to burn out,” she said against his mouth an couldn’t stop herself from tasting him again. “Nothing good will come of this.”
“Harper, nothing but good is going to come from this.”

I read this series by pure chance a couple years ago and I have been a rather rabid fan since. It’s everything I love in a romance. So much so that I swear it feels like it was custom written just for me. It’s angsty, with just that touch of gritty that I so love, super sexy, and freaking addicting!

Rocked, book 1 in the series is a complete HEA for the couple with a later follow-up novella in Rock, Rattle & Roll. But be warned, each book after is a full length novel that will end with a cliffy and a novella soon after that completes the couple’s HEA. Each book follows a different member of the boys of Oblivion and I do not recommend reading these books out of order. They are much more enjoyable read in order.

LiO #0.5

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LiO #1

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LiO #1.5

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LiO #2

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LiO #2.5

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LiO #3

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LiO #3.5

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LiO #4

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The one with the swoons...

“You’ve got all this…this love – no, it’s louder than love. It’s passion and beauty built up inside you that deserves to burst out.”

Now I am not typically a reader that goes for sweet, but something about this amazingly written contemporary romance just worked for me. It’s swoony, it’s sweet, it’s a little emotional, and it’s incredibly realistic.  Adrian “Digger” Graves is a down on his luck rocker who got his claim to fame in the 80s. Now he finds solace at the bottom of a bottle and still searches for his long lost muse.

Enter Katrina Lewis, a single mother and widower, that’s just trying to raise her little girl while still dealing with the tragic death of her beloved husband. The unlikeliest of couples made for the most unforgettable of romances. I simply adored this book. The novella, Deeper Than Dreams concludes the story of Kat and Adrian with the perfect bonus epilogue and not to be missed. Softer Than Steele, is a different couple. That book features Adrian’s former bandmate, Rick Rottenberg.

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The one with the BDSM...

He would show the lovely Ms. Easton exactly why she wouldn’t be able to walk away from him after one night.
Because that was definitely not an option.
One taste was supposed to satisfy the craving. But Oakley was wasn’t cake, she was heroin. And he was fucking hooked.

I’ve been a huge fan of Roni Loren’s Loving on the Edge series since first discovering it years ago. It’s a super sexy BDSM centered romance. But it’s not overwhelmingly so either. Meaning that while the characters do belong to a BDSM club called The Ranch, it’s not too heavy on the BDSM elements. But they certainly are there and Roni’s Doms are nothing short of swoon worthy.

This is book 8 in the series, but you can easily enjoy this as a standalone. I would recommend you read Not Until You (Loving on the Edge #4), because that’s the book where Pike was first introduced.

What happens when the bad boy drummer of a rock band sets his sights on a woman that wants nothing to do with the music industry? A whole lot of sparks and fireworks!

The one with the Stage Dive boys...

Love isn’t always smooth or straightforward. It can be messy and painful. Doesn’t mean it isn’t still the most incredible thing that can ever happen to you.

Does this series even need an introduction or a reason for being on my list? If you haven’t heard of it, I’m pretty sure you’ve been living under a rock. But trust me when I tell you it’s an absolute must read. I’ve loved every book in the series, but of course the bad boy lead singer Jimmy in Lead was my very favorite.

This series is completed. Each book is a complete standalone about each member of the band and their HEA. I highly recommend reading in order, you’d enjoy it that much more 😉

Stage Dive #1

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Stage Dive #4

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The one that was dark and gritty...

Love is like a series of improbable, lonely notes landing together in meaningful chaos. Where every channel carries a rhythm that conveys an expression of emotion. It doesn’t feel flat or fake or hollow. It’s not exaggerated with overtones. The complexity might feel organized, but the creation is never controlled.

Beneath the Burn is the book that I first discovered the amazing talent that is Pam Godwin. Categorized as a standalone romantic thriller, it’s certainly a book that has quite an edge. It’s a little dark and a whole lot gritty, but tying it all together is this incredible romance I’ll not soon forget.

Jay Mayard is a rock god and tortured soul. His demons and mysterious past is what kept me glued to the pages. If you haven’t read this sexy and gritty book, you need to check it out!

The one that was a Brazen...

She’d built her whole world around him once, when he was the only person she could feel anything for. The only person she could trust. When he had left, it had shattered her.

It’s no secret that I’m a Brazen junky. I love these steamy little numbers and when all else fails, they always hit the spot. But like any category romance, sometimes they can all blend into one another. Not the case with Drive Me Crazy. This was a super entertain hate-to-lust trope about a classic pianist and the bad boy keyboardist for Shaken Dirty, the hottest rock band on the scene. And yes, it is as good as it sounds 😉

While it is book two in the Shaken Dirty series, you can easily read this as a standalone.

The one with the boys of Lush...

I know almost instantly- this is it- I’m done. This woman will either be my salvation or the death of me. There is no question. I’ve lost control now that I’ve touched her. There’s no going back, and she’s the most spectacular thing I’ve ever experienced.

Holy angst, batman! This caught me completely off guard. I did not expect this to be as good as it was. To say that the guys of Lush are very much f-ed up would be a mild understatement. Each of these men have their own issues, but none quite as bad as Joss Jamison, the lead singer of the hottest rock bad, Lush. He’s made his share of mistakes through the years, but nothing as bad as the one that cost him everything; his band, his best friend, and his sanity. Drowning in a sea of regret, the last thing he expects is to meet the woman that will change everything for him.

Each book in this fantastic series focuses on a different band member of Lush and while you may enjoy them as standalones, I recommend reading in order. There is a story arc that builds from the first book and continues through the last, and you’d appreciate the books that much more.

Lush #1

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Lush #2

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The one that made me cringe and LOL at the same time...

“In this nasty-ass strip club bathroom full of pissing dudes and possible rogue ejaculators, Shades is no longer some guy I love fucking. He’s some guy I fucking love.”

This fucking book was fucked the fuck up. Fucked. Up. I tells ya! I think I cringed, laughed, and threw up in my mouth a little…all at the same time as reading this. Romance? I don’t fucking think so. Well I guess it fucking is, since there is a couple and their HEA. But really, this is a satyrical romp about one very fucked up rockstar heroine with an overactive sex drive and the hero that plows through her meat curtains. Oh and if terms like cum spritzer, meat curtains, his pink soldier, and her pudding trench bother you, this book is sure as fuck not for you.

The one with the country star...

With a synopsis like this, how could it not intrigue?

After Kylie’s dad dies in a freak accident, he leaves her with nothing other than her crazy step-mother, Darla, and the ability to play guitar. When Darla kicks Kylie out and she loses her job all in the same day, she hops a bus to Nashville determined to make her late father’s dreams come true. Waitressing and saving her pennies to record a demo, her big break comes when she’s asked to join a tour going down the tubes with once platinum album-selling country music superstar Trace Corbin. But touring with Trace is hardly a dream come true since he’s pretty much drinking his career down the drain. If Kylie can’t pull Trace out of his rut, he’ll pull her and her dreams down with him. 

This New Adult romance completely enraptured me. I loved everything about it. It doesn’t have this overwhelming angst that most NA books these days. The characters are endearing and the romance is swoony. This is a series that follows the same two characters, so it’s not meant to be read out of order.

Kylie Ryans #1

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Kylie Ryans #2

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Kylie Ryans #3

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The one that was a trilogy...

Whisky beats and a hard rain save me tonight.
If you only knew what it cost me to fight.
The taste of your memory reminds me.
That you’re anything but mine.

You may know Taryn Elliot as half of the writing duo for the Lost In Oblivion series I mentioned above. When she’s not giving us deliciously angsty rockstars with her writing partner in crime, Cari Quinn, she also writes books on her own. Her When You’re Gone trilogy was one of those books.

If you’re looking for angst, sexy as sin rockstars, and some twists and turns that will leave you reeling, this is a trilogy you need to check out! Since this is a continuing story for the same two characters, it is not meant to be read out of order.

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The one the love triangle I actually liked..

I’m losing my mind. I’m sinking, drowning, and on fire all at once. I’m split down the middle, torn in half by two different men, two different bodies pushing and pulling me in all directions, breaking me down and then lifting me up again, shoving me into the fire and soothing my scorching flesh with their kisses that act as a balm.

Yes, you actually read that right. Me, the self professed love triangle avoider actually liked this one. I couldn’t believe it either. Maybe because this was written by the evil mastermind that is Carmen Jenner? Maybe because I didn’t have homicidal tendencies toward the heroine? But probably it had to do with the sexy as hell rockstars, the clever writing, the scorching sex scenes….and did I mention the scorching sex scenes?

The one that started an addiction...

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“I’m scared.”
Logan stared at me with eyes that were cold, dark, and without a spark of…anything.
“You should be.”

This was so much more than a rockstar. Truth be told, while the men of this series are part of a famous rock band, Tear Asunder, that’s not the predominant part of the story. Oh no. It’s so SO much more. It’s gritty, and twisted, and dark, and deliciously sexy. It’s exactly the kind of dark romance I like and I gobbled this up like addict that I was. This was the book and series that made me discover the pure awesome that is Nashoda Rose and I haven’t looked back since. The woman is the queen of grit, and she writes some unforgettable alphas. If you haven’t met the boys of Tear Asunder yet, I highly recommend you get acquainted.

Each book is a different character with their HEA, but best read in order as each character is introduced in the previous books

Tear Asunder #1

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Tear Asunder #2

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Tear Asunder #3

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The one with the bad boys of Generation Rejects...

“I wanted to tell you that I couldn’t stop thinking about your face. That you had burrowed your way so deep into my veins that I would fucking bleed you. That if I died tomorrow, I could go a happy man for having felt your lips on my skin.”

Swoon. Just that line and I want to read this book all over again. I loved this sexy new adult romance. I accidentally stumbled onto Bad Rep back when it just released and devoured it in one sitting. I love me some angst and if you’re a fan of the NA angst, this certainly had the delicious kind.

Bad Rep #1

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Bad Rep #3

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Bad Rep #4

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The one that was the BDSM-y novella...

It felt good to give in, to surrender. He rewarded her with more pleasure. Sex with him felt like embracing a thunderstorm, riding a wild bronc.

This is a novella that was a part of Shayla Black’s Wicked Lovers series, which is a super sexy BDSM romance series. This novella is part of the 1001 Dark Nights series and features a character that was first introduced in Decadent (Wicked Lovers #2), but you don’t have to have read any of the previous books to enjoy this one. It’s easily read as a standalone. It’s a sexy little quickie you can spend a great evening with!

Did I mention that the hero is an international pop star with a penchant for some kink? Oh. Yes.

The one with the boys of Reckless Beat...

“He squeezed her neck and rested his forehead against hers, “What is it with you, Allie? Why can’t I take my mind off you? I can’t take a single breath without wishing I was touching you” 

I discovered this series when I grabbed this book as a freebie a few years back. I did not expect it to be as good as it was. So of course I then had to go and buy the rest of the series and binge on them.

Reckless Beat #1

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Reckless Beat #2

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Reckless Beat #2.5

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Reckless Beat #3

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Reckless Beat #4

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Reckless Beat #4.5

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The ones I've been recommended but haven't read yet...

Listed by the first in each series, except for Ripped by Katy Evans  (This was a part of her Real series, and the only rock star in the series)

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That’s it for my list, dirty birds. See any favorites make it? Tell me about it! Have some favorites that I may have missed? Tell me about it! I love to hear from you all, so don’t be shy and drop me a comment below 😉

Review Tour: ★Pure Wicked★ by Shayla Black

Pure Wicked - Review & Excerpt banner - finalPURE WICKED is a Wicked Lovers Series Novella brought to you by 1001 Dark Nights. 

PURE WICKED - cover

During his decade as an international pop star, Jesse McCall has lived every day in the fast lane. A committed hedonist reveling in amazing highs, globetrotting, and nameless encounters, he refuses to think about his loneliness or empty future. Then tragedy strikes.

Shocked and grieving, he sheds his identity and walks away, searching for peace. Instead, he finds Bristol Reese, a no-nonsense beauty scraping to keep her family’s business afloat while struggling with her own demons. He’s intent on seducing her, but other than a pleasure-filled night, she’s not interested in a player, especially after her boyfriend recently proposed to her sister. In order to claim Bristol, Jesse has to prove he’s not the kind of man he’s always been. But when she learns his identity and his past comes back to haunt him, how will he convince her that he’s a changed man who wants nothing more than to make her his forever?

Buy-Links10Amazon eBook / Amazon Paperback

Review3.5 starsPure Wicked- DirtyGirlRomance

It felt good to give in, to surrender. He rewarded her with more pleasure. Sex with him felt like embracing a thunderstorm, riding a wild bronc.

It’s been a hot second since I first met Jesse as Kimber’s famous pop star boyfriend in Decadent so suffice it to say I’ve forgotten pretty much everything about it. But I had no problems picking this book up and enjoying it from the very beginning, so it very much can be read as a standalone. Pure Wicked is a shortie novella in Shayla’s super sexy Wicked Lovers series, which I’ve been a huge fan of for years. While it may not be very long, it was satisfying for what it was.

It was a short and steamy novella about a pop star falling for a small town girl while hiding out from the press. No BDSM in this one, but it was still wickedly hot. Bristol Reese is attending her sister’s engagement party….to her ex boyfriend while trying to ward off her mother’s meddling ways when a handsome stranger comes to her rescue to pretend to be her boyfriend. It doesn’t take long before acting turns into real life passion and things really heat up between them. Too bad Bristol has no idea that the man in her bed is the very famous pop star she’s had a crush on for all these years and all shit could hit the fan when she catches on to his lie by omission.

The story is quick paced and steamy, though I felt the ending was a little TOO quick to resolve so it was highly unrealistic for me. It just wrapped up too nicely and quickly for the amount of time passed. I did, however, still enjoy the romance thoroughly, so I can’t complain too much. A perfect steamy read to spend a weekday evening with and a definite must read for any fans of the series.


About the Author

Shayla Black - Author Photo

Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty novels. For over fifteen years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold well over a million copies and been published in a dozen languages.

Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past seven years.

Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her teenage daughter, and a very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads 

PURE WICKED - Available Now

 

Review: ★Undesired Lust★ by Eden Summers

Review Undesired LustUndesired Lust (Mason Lynch)
Series: Reckless Beat Series #3
Author: Eden Summers
Genre: Contemporary Rockstar Romance
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They used to be the perfect team.

Two years ago, songstress Sidney Higgins ruined her life by sleeping with not one, but two of the famous Reckless Beat men, Mason Lynch and Sean Taiden. Their night of intimate celebration turned into a worldwide sensation when the video Mason vowed to keep private was uploaded to the internet, destroying her squeaky-clean reputation and turning the orld against her. Now she’s broken and left without hope, trying to find the one thing that can get her back on her feet.

A mistake neither one of them is willing to forgive.

When the sex tape went viral and his best friends held him accountable, Mason bore the stigma of asshole with pride. Now, bitterness has destroyed him, driving away his muse and making him worthless in the industry he loves. There’s only one option left to reclaim his creativity, but that would mean collaborating with a woman who wants to castrate him with a plastic knife.

A palpable chemistry even hate can’t diminish.

Forced to work together, neither one of them is prepared for the undesired lust which immediately takes hold. The lies fade away, exposing the truth; however, it also awakens a threat from their past. The person responsible for tearing them apart is back to ensure they don’t rekindle a spark. With their safety in the balance, Sidney and Mason need to determine what they’re willing to risk to reclaim a relationship they wish they’d never lost.

Buy Links
Review
3.5 stars
Undesired Lust-DirtyGirlRomance

The guilt at destroying her was nothing to his need to have her. She was an obsession. An addiction.

A musical collaboration that wins a grammy serves for a night of celebration. The pull between Reckless Beat’s front man, Mason Lynch and Sidney Higgins has always been there. One night of celebration and alcohol leads to a sizzling threesome between Signey, Mason, and Mason’s best friend and Reckless Beat’s drummer, Sean Taiden. But then a video recorded on Mason’s phone meant to capture the moment to forever remember in private gets leaked, it ruins everything and completely shatters Sidney. She lost everything; her career, her self-worth, and the man she thought she trusted.

Two years later, Mason is still paying the price for what everyone had assumed were his actions. Having completely lost his muse and the respect for his band mates that were quick to think the worst of him, he’s lost…and desperate. So when his band’s manager offers to bring back Sidney, he jumps at the chance, even though he knows she still can’t stand the sight of him. What happens when two people that have two years worth of damage and a never diminished chemistry? Well, let’s just say the books is very appropriately titled.

The damage faded away. There were no more lies, no humiliation, no lack of hope for the future. The slate was clean, her heart was full, and she would cling to the thrill of being alive again, until she had no choice but to return to reality.

I’ve had this series on my radar for what feels like ages and the promise of some sweet delicious angst in this one finally sealed the deal for me to read it. Jumping into book three without reading the first two books, however, feels like I’ve done this series a disservice, and may explain my slight disconnect throughout the story. While I never felt confused or lost, it does feel like I missed out on the history behind the band. But this is a mistake I plan on rectifying immediately by going back and reading the rest of the series. Eden Summers is a new to me author but one that I know I’m not going to hesitate to read in the future. I highly enjoyed her writing style and Undersired Lust was a perfect blend of steamy romance with a dash of angst.

I did see the twist at the end coming pretty much from the very first page, so that did diminish thing a bit for me. I also found myself growing a little bored through parts of the story where I found I could easily pause the book and get back to it later. Mason and Sidney together were angsty perfection. Though there were parts where I wanted to shake Sidney were her blindness and failure to see certain things that I felt were pretty obvious. The biggest highlight of the book for me, besides Mason of course, was Sean. my heart absolutely broke for him. It helped set the stage for his book perfectly (ha! see what I did there?), and I can’t wait for him to get his HEA in the next book which luckily is already out. All in all, Reckless Beat is a series that I will definitely be hooked to from now on, but perhaps I should have started from the beginning and not book 3. If sexy and angsty rock star romance is your thing, this is a series you need to have on your TBR.


 Other Books in the Reckless Beat Series   

Blind Attraction
(Reckless Beat #1)

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Passionate Addiction (Reckless Beat #2)

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Reckless Weekend
(Reckless Beat #2.5)

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Sultry Groove
(Reckless Beat #4)

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Reckless Rendezvous (Reckless Beat #4.5)—> Coming Soon

Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

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