Geri’s Review: All or Nothing At All by Jennifer Probst

August 4, 2017 by ·

ALL OR NOTHING AT ALL
Series: Billionaire Builders #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Jennifer Probst
Release Date: July 25, 2017

HGTV’s Property Brothers meets The Marriage Bargain in this third volume in the Billionaire Builders series, an all-new, heart-wrenching, and sexy contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst.

Tristan Pierce left the family business to carve out a life of his own, but never forgot his passionate affair with the much younger, inexperienced Sydney Greene, or the hurtful breakup that tore him apart.

When he’s forced to return home and face his past, will he be able to carve out a future, or will lies ruin his second chance at love?

Sydney Greene loved Tristan her entire life but when he left, he took not only her heart, but her trust along with him.

Now that they’re together again, it’s time they both face the biggest secret of all…

AMAZON | KOBO | iBOOKS

They were playing a dangerous game. And eventually, someone was going to lose.

My favorite book in the series! And considering how this book contain tropes that I’m usually iffy on, that is saying a lot. Tristan and Sydney’s story has been teased since the first book in the series and I’ve been really excited to dive into their journey since then.

Like his younger brother Dalton, Tristan came back to Harrington to fulfill the conditions of his father’s will. His return to Harrington brought him face-to-face with the woman he left behind.

Sydney Green was like a sister to the Pierce brothers growing up. She was the quintessential girl-next-door who happens to be in love with Tristan since forever. Their coming together was inevitable but when his mother died, the whole family imploded and his relationship with Sydney was the first casualty of that.

Fast forward to years later, Sydney is an assertive single mother who’s got bigger dreams than just being an executive assistant within Pierce Construction. Her bid to become CFO put her in close Tristan. Soon enough they couldn’t stop themselves from surrendering to the attraction and the unresolved feelings between them. But Sydney is hiding something very important from Tristan that could end their second chance at love.

She loved Tristan Pierce with her heart and soul. Somehow she needed to believe he felt the same way. She had to fight to make sure they got their second chance, even if it meant pushing past uncomfortable boundaries and forcing him to take a risk.

There are so many things that really worked for me in this book that in theory shouldn’t have because I’ve read books with this trope before and hated most of them. It rarely works for me which is why I was really surprised at how emotionally invested I felt.

I’m going into spoiler territory with this one. While I don’t think knowing that in advance would ruin the book because the twist isn’t really the focal point in the book. The books is more about the consequences of decisions made by Tristan and Sydney years ago than this big reveal I’m going to talk about.

Nevertheless, if you don’t like spoilers, stop reading now. Go read the book first and then come back to this review, okay?

So be warned…

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

Okay.

One of the tropes that don’t always work for me is the hidden baby trope. Now if you’ve read the previous books in the series, you’d probably have an inkling about Becca being Tristan’s daughter, which he doesn’t know about. That was confirmed 100% in this book.

I usually don’t like this trope because it seems cruel to me. But Jennifer Probst executed it so well that she made me understand why Sydney did it. She made me see the logic behind Sydney’s decision, which I felt was ultimately the best decision she could have done at that time.

Another thing the author did right was she didn’t make excuses for her characters. She made them suffer for that decision. I was able to sympathize with Sydney and Tristan even though I know they’re both at fault in some way. You can feel Tristan anger at Sydney’s betrayal but at the same time get angry at him for what he intended to do after he learned that Becca was his.

Both of them made terrible judgement calls and they both suffered the consequences. The author didn’t make excuses for their actions. And they both had to work it out in order to get their happily ever after.

All or Nothing at All is well written with flawed characters that you can root for and a story that you can get emotionally invested in.

Somehow, he needed to try to make things right. Make her see how badly he needed her. Trusted her. Loved her.

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Blog Tour & Jen’s Review: Enrage by Rachel Van Dyken

August 2, 2017 by ·
  • ENRAGE
    Series: Eagle Elite #8
    Genre: Contemporary Romance
    Author: Rachel Van Dyken
    Release Date: July 31st, 2017

Part of a world I loathe.

Part of a family who hates me more than I hate myself.

Living with a girl who reminds me of my darkness.

I’m. In. Hell.

Also known as the Cosa Nostra.

My life was over the minute I stepped off that plane.

Son to a murdered mob boss.

Heir to a throne of murder and lies.

My name is Dante Nicolasi.

And there will be blood.

 

AMAZON | iBOOKS


PLEASE READ THIS SERIES!!!!! PLEEEEEASE!!!!!

I loved this book because ALL THE REASONS!!! I loved it so much, I went back to the beginning and read Books 1-7 in 1 week because I could not put them down! I know. I know. I should have read this in order. I usually don’t care about reading in order, but I truly regret it this time. It doesn’t matter because I still enjoyed every…single…moment of this series. And I just want more because I can’t get enough! Obsessed is just the tip of the ice berg when it comes to my love for this series.

à la Mode St. » fashion
He was a danger my heart didn’t recognize – because sometimes the heart doesn’t give a damn if the person who holds it kills people – it just recognizes its soul mate and beats anyway.

à la Mode St. » fashionDante. 
Men like Dante Nicolasi existed in two places. Books. And in my arms.
 Dante is the heir to a very powerful mafia line. He is violent and volatile and trained by the best of the best mafia bosses, all of them. Assigned to protect a girl in the Eagle Elite, he uses his skills to show how freaking awesome he is! Seriously, this guy. Ugh! He is all power and control but so swoony and charming. Dante is definitely one of my top favorites, especially in this series.

El.
She was the only soldier in a one-woman army
 El was a prisoner, a slave, for a long time until she was freed by the mafia bosses. She yearns for freedom but still feels trapped. I loved loved loved that Dante doesn’t coddle her or pity her or treat her too gently because of what she went through. They are both tough with each other, challenging each other through the whole book. El is strong. All of the heroines in this series are badass!

I wish I could include ALL THE QUOTES because this whole book is awesome-sauce and beautiful-sauce.

à la Mode St. » fashion
Dante turned his head toward mine and kissed me softly on the mouth, I wasn’t expecting it.
I clung to his shirt while his lips moved nimbly over mine, softly caressing my cheek and then meeting my ear. “Speak to no one.” He kissed my neck again then whispered in my other ear. “I’m serious, El. Keep your eyes forward.” Another kiss. “Head up.” His mouth fused against mine, I gasped as his tongue slid past my bottom lip, licking me up like I was better than pie, better than vanilla. “Don’t worry. I don’t lose.”
à la Mode St. » fashion
I should have read all of these books in order.

I should have known this series would kill me.

Any regrets? Not one.

I sacrificed food and hygiene for this series, for these characters, for this phenomenal story that goes down in my reading history forever. I cried. I laughed. I died. This book killed me in all the best ways. It is everything. One my of favorite MAFIA series evah!

ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review

Dante slammed his hand into the tree, his jaw popped as he gritted his teeth together and then calm washed over him as he whispered near my ear, “Want me to kill him?”

A few people walked by and stared at us, it looked like he was kissing my neck, like we were normal college students sharing a moment.

Nope. Wrong story, kiddos.

He just offered to kill someone for offending me, run along, nothing to see here.

“After,” I said. “Kill him after he stops being useful to you, to the bosses.” I couldn’t believe what was coming out of my mouth, what I was agreeing to. “Yes.”

Dante pulled back, his face broke out into a smile. “How messed up is it that I’m actually looking forward to that moment?”

I gulped. “It’s in your blood.”

“I wish it wasn’t,” he said gruffly. “I wish I didn’t crave it — dream about it — almost as much as I wish I didn’t feel guilt every day because of it.”

I sighed and put my hands on his chest, then ran them up around his neck, he didn’t move, or flinch, so maybe we were having a moment as our mouths almost touched. “The only shame in life, is not being who you were truly born to be. If that means you kill the bad guys — kill the bad, guys Dante. Just don’t lose your soul in the process.”

“And if it’s already gone?” He croaked his eyes darkening as he slowly leaned in until his forehead touched mine.

Days ago I would have been terrified that his body was this close.

Days ago, I would have shoved him away and run.

Days ago, I would have shuddered that his bloodstained hands were running up and down my skin.

But today.

Today was different.

Today I closed my eyes and drank in the wicked scent of Dante Nicolasi, the cologne mixed with soap. I inhaled.

And opened my eyes again.

Yesterday I was angry. I was afraid.

Today. Against the tree.

Pinned by Dante’s arms.

I was safe.

“I’ll help you find it,” I whispered.

“Just don’t damn yourself in the process, El.” He cupped my face with his right hand, his eyes fell to my mouth, his half-lidded seductive look could stop a girl dead in her tracks.

The wives always talked about how attractive his father was, even at an older age.

Almost like he’d aged backward.

Dante was no different.

If it was possible for a human to get more attractive by the day — he’d be the one to prove you right.

“Are you going to kiss me again?” I asked hopefully.

“No.” He pulled away.

My heart sank into my stomach.

“Because I don’t want to start something I have no intention of stopping.”

My head jerked, our eyes locked, and I saw it. The honesty.

“Told you I’d never lie to you, El.” His voice had a warning edge to it, like I shouldn’t push him, push whatever invisible boundaries he’d mentally set up between us. His eyes never left mine.

And I knew, this was what he looked like when he was telling the truth.

His eyes pierced through my defenses in an unapologetic search for my heart, my soul.

And I let them.

“We should get to class.” I finally found my voice and started walking, he fell into step beside me.

And I spent the rest of the day thinking about the non-kiss.

And the promise that came with it.

 Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

 Website | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Twitter | Newsletter | Amazon | Goodreads

 

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Release Day Excerpt Post: Falling Into The Black by Lauren Runow

August 1, 2017 by ·

FALLING INTO THE BLACK
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Lauren Runow
Release Date: August 1, 2017

Ten years ago we said goodbye.

I left the world I knew to create a new life for myself. Away from the lies. Away from the pain.

It was all going as planned until a friend asked for help with her club. The business was liberating. The company was intoxicating.

Two masked men became my euphoria. One was a player deep in the game. A teacher both intimately and figuratively.

The other was a quiet director. A man who tempted me with his stares and set me on fire with his dark whispers

His secrecy excited me, bringing me to levels I’ve never imagined. I thought we were playing a game, but little did I know he knew exactly who I was.

I just wish I figured out his true identity before I fell for his best friend.

* Falling into the Black is a standalone novel with an HEA

AMAZON |  iBOOKS | B&N | KOBO 

“Angie Smith?”

My lips tilt up slightly. “Pleasure to meet you.”

“Funny, sometimes you can tell because their name just fits them. I would never guess you for an Angie.”

“Why would you say that?”

He taps his lower lip with a long, deft finger, and I’m instantly distracted by the thought of what that finger could do.

“I don’t know. Just something told me that wasn’t you. You and Ashley were the only two people I couldn’t find any pictures of or any info on really. You guys are smart, or should I add, private.”

“Let’s go with private.” I wink, which makes him raise his eyebrows. I can tell I’m the oldest in the class, and the mad professor here seems to be closer to my age, but I’m still trying to figure out what his name is. “Can I play your little game?”

His lips push together as he nods his head in interest. “By all means. Do you want the class list?”

“No, I bet I can guess your name.”

His head moves up and down slowly. “Take your best shot.” His arms open wide, allowing me to fully take in every part of him.

“Let’s see. I know it starts with a C by my registration, but you have that whole nerdy, indie vibe going on, so I’m going to rule out Chris, Charlie, and Cameron.” The barely noticeable lift to his lips tells me that neither of those is his name, so I start naming off every C name I can think of, waiting for any type of reaction to show in his features. “Christian, Caleb, Connor, Cody, Colin, Cole—” The twitch in his eye makes me stop. I pause, looking him up and down before slightly tilting my head in recognition. “Nice to meet you, Cole.”

The grin covering his face makes me sit back in my chair. Yup, I’m made for this.

“Nicely done, Angie. The master gets beat at his own game. After class you’re going to have to tell me more about how you did that.”

“Anytime, Professor Spence,” I say in a flirtatious way.

His eyes meet mine for what I think is a second too long for a student/teacher moment, but I don’t mind. When they break away, he addresses everyone else, “This course is going to be interactive, and I encourage participation. So, everyone get up, move closer, and gather around Mrs. Smith here.” He returns my earlier wink before turning back around and writing his name across the board.

I’m intrigued by his lecture the entire night, and yeah, a lot of it was because he’s easy on the eye. I also happen to love the way he challenges people and really gets us involved.

When he says good night, I turn to gather my things and am startled when I hear, “Angie, can I talk to you for a minute?”

My eyes meet with a fellow female student, who I shoot a smile before turning around. “Sure, Professor Spence.”

As I approach his desk, he’s gathering his paperwork to put into his backpack. He stops and turns to face me, leaning against the back of the desk and crossing his arms in front of his body. “So tell me, how did you guess my name?”

I tilt my head to the side, showing him the slightest grin. “Well, that’s my little secret. Just like you said, though, you can learn a lot about a person if you pay close enough attention.”

“I’m impressed. Still can’t believe I got your name wrong. First time that little game didn’t work out for me fully. Please tell me Angie isn’t your real name. Give me some kind of hope.”

I close my eyes, smiling but nodding my head slightly. “Okay, I’ll give you that. Angie isn’t my birth name. I legally changed it years ago.” I can’t believe I just told him that. No one here in San Francisco, or hell, in California, knows that Angie isn’t my real name. For some reason, I felt comfortable enough in this moment to admit it.

“Okay, I feel a little bit better now, like I’m not a complete failure at my own game. But how did you know mine?”

“I was already trying to guess what it was before you even spoke. I guess I like to play little games, too.”

He laughs. “That doesn’t answer my question, though.”

“I looked at what you were wearing, how you walked, your body type, the fact that you carry a Vans backpack instead of a briefcase.” I pick up his backpack to prove my point. “Then, just like you, I paid attention and took a gamble. I guess you can say I’m good at reading facial expressions. You gave it away when your eye twitched slightly after I said Cole.”

“Nicely done. You just might be cut out for this lawyer thing after all. So do I get to know your real name?”

I shake my head. “Nope, sorry. To you and everyone else, I’m Angie.” I start to walk away but look over my shoulder. “No offense, though.”

I hear him chuckle as he says, “None taken. See you Wednesday, Mrs. Smith.”

I turn back again, giving him a quick smile before saying, “It’s miss.”

 Lauren Runow is the author of multiple Adult Contemporary Romance novels, some more dirty than others. When Lauren isn’t writing, you’ll find her listening to music, at her local CrossFit, reading, or at the baseball field with her boys. Her only vice is coffee, and she swears it makes her a better mom!

Lauren is a graduate from the Academy of Art in San Francisco and is the founder and co-owner of the community magazine she and her husband publish. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two sons.

 Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads

 

 

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Geri’s Review: The Red by Tiffany Reisz

July 23, 2017 by ·

THE RED
Genre: Erotica
Author: Tiffany Reisz
Release Date: July 11th, 2017

Mona Lisa St. James made a deathbed promise that she would do anything to save her mother’s art gallery.

Unfortunately, not only is The Red painted red, but it’s in the red.

Just as she realizes she has no choice but to sell it, a mysterious man comes in after closing time and makes her an offer: He will save The Red if she agrees to submit to him for the period of one year.

The man is handsome, English, and terribly tempting…but surely her mother didn’t mean for Mona to sell herself to a stranger.

Then again, she did promise to do anything to save The Red…

The Red is a standalone novel of erotic fantasy from Tiffany Reisz, international bestselling author of The Bourbon Thief and the Original Sinners series.

AMAZON


Image result for BDSM kink gif
You smile like the devil,” Mona said.
“The devil doesn’t smile,” he said. “The devil smirks.”

I finished this book more than a week ago, and since then I spent my time searching for the right words to describe the kind of journey The Red took me on. I didn’t quite manage it.

The most appropriate thing that I could say about about this book is: The Red is an erotic assault on the senses. This is like Alice in Erotic Wonderland and we’re all  madly aroused here. But aside from the decadent eroticism, there’s also a bit of a mystery involved, and what can I say? I really, really enjoyed the ride.

This is a story about Mona Lisa St. James who made a deathbed promise to her mother to save the gallery, The Red she owned. Unfortunately, The Red is in the red and the only choice left for Mona is to sell the gallery. But then a mysterious stranger appeared and gave Mona a wild proposition: surrender her whole body to him for a year and he’ll help her save the gallery. Desperate to keep her promise to her mother, and fascinated by the mysterious stranger, Mona agreed to submit to his every whim and desire in exchange for helping her keep The Red.

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This book didn’t waste any time taking readers through a decadent, bawdy, erotic romp. Aside from the small set up at the very beginning, we immediately get introduced to the mystery guy who calls himself Malcolm and the filthy, twisted games he plays where each erotic setups mirrors very famous and controversial paintings.

The Red reminded me a lot of Anne Rice’s Sleeping Beauty Quartet where a female protag is thrust into this erotic adventure. And yeah, it is obscene, filthy, raunchy, dirty and every bit as indecent as you think a Tiffany Reisz book would be and more!

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Erotic adventures aside, this book as mentioned above has an element of mystery to it. Namely, Malcolm’s identity and background. Who is he? Where did he come from? Why did he choose Mona and The Red? Is he the devil in disguise or the savior?

There were clues throughout the book but you won’t recognize them as clues until the reveal happens at the end. And then all of these questions I had while reading this book was satisfactorily answered towards the end of the book. And like most of Tiffany Reisz’s books, there was a ‘whoa’ moment in here, too. Followed by, ‘oh yeah, that makes total sense’.

But what I really loved about this book was that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It never presented itself as something other than an obscenely filthy romp that’ll make you blush and leaves you satisfied. No pun intended. But yeah, this book was perfectly smutty and gives you an ending that ties everything perfectly.

“I warned you I like to play games.”

· Filed Under: All Reviews, BDSM · Tagged With:

Geri’s Review: Shame Me Not by Fiona Cole

July 12, 2017 by ·

SHAME ME NOT
Genre: Erotic Romance
Author: Fiona Cole
Release Date: July 6th, 2017

Shame. Panic. Desire. Dominance. Disgust.

All feelings that I was familiar with from the age of sixteen. That’s when I met Ana. The girl next door who became so much more. Until her, I was alone in the dark desires that I didn’t understand, that I couldn’t reconcile.

My best friend, she accepted me. Helped me see that there was no shame in the things that we both craved. Her submission was a drug, my dominance over her a high that I’d never experienced. When we were together, I was at peace for the first time in my life.

But it was too good to last. Our own guilt over our feelings, of our appetite for pain and pleasure, destroyed us.

I was convinced that all I needed was a chance, just one more chance to overcome my shame, and Ana would be able to trust me again.

If only it were that easy.

 

You submit so beautifully because you know I would always put you first. I know you trust me.”

Shame Me Not explores a familiar theme in erotic romance: dominance and submission. What makes this book unique and stand out to me was the age of the characters.

This book was divided into three parts. Part one starts when a new girl, Ana, moved next door to Kevin’s family. They became fast friends. There was an immediate attraction between them which remained unexplored for the most part until they finally revealed their kinks to each other.

Part 1 is probably my favorite part. The idea itself wasn’t unique in this genre but the author managed to give it her own twist to the story. Both Kevin and Ana are compelling characters. They’re very much flawed characters which made them all the more interesting.

As I mentioned above, kink exploration isn’t new to the genre. We see a lot of book explore the idea of two characters coming to terms with their sexuality all the time. What makes Shame Me Not unique is that both Kevin and Ana are very young. They didn’t quite understand what it meant. The only thing they knew was that it both made them feel very good and very ashamed, which added complexity to this story. You can sympathize with their fear and confusion as they tried to come to terms with what it might mean to them.

They explored and pushed their boundaries sometimes to the detriment of their relationship with each other and their relationship with other people. And it did finally come to head, and even though I was kind of expecting the “shit to hit the fan” it didn’t diminish the emotion it elicited.

Part 2 and 3 pickup years after the events in high school. Both are older but one of them is still carrying the same baggage and issues they had when they were younger. This is where the story fell apart for me. I was still invested in the characters. And I wanted them to find that place where they both can move on and accept who they are. And they did. It’s just that it took them a long, long time to get there. Too long for me. The pacing slowed down significantly without any changes to the characters. I don’t mind slow as long as I get to see that the characters made progress with their arc and that didn’t really happen to Ana or Kevin. They were still confronting the same issues that they had when they were younger and still doing the same thing they did in high school. It became tedious after a while.

There was also a strange gap between the events that happened in the second part and the third. It was like chunks of the story was missing. I needed that more than I needed the push and pull they had during their college years because I wanted to see how Ana came to terms with her kink. I wanted to her epiphany so to speak. And that was kind of glossed over. I did appreciate the epilogue which was fantastic.

Despite my issues with the pacing, I thoroughly enjoyed Shame Me Not. It explored something familiar in an unexpected way that I’ve never read before. Fiona Cole did an excellent job bringing Kevin and Ana to life. I was with these characters from the very beginning until the end. I felt their happiness, their pain, their doubts—everything, and that’s a testament to the skill of this author.

You shouldn’t be anyone but you, because you’re perfect.”

· Filed Under: All Reviews, BDSM ·

Geri’s Review+Excerpt: The Day of the Duchess by Sarah MacLean

July 4, 2017 by · 1 Comment

THE DAY OF THE DUCHESS
Series: Scandal & Scoundrel #3
Genre: Historical Romance
Author: Sarah MacLean
Release Date: June 27, 2017

The one woman he will never forget…

Malcolm Bevingstoke, Duke of Haven, has lived the last three years in self-imposed solitude, paying the price for a mistake he can never reverse and a love he lost forever. The dukedom does not wait, however, and Haven requires an heir, which means he must find himself a wife by summer’s end. There is only one problem—he already has one.

The one man she will never forgive…

After years in exile, Seraphina, Duchess of Haven, returns to London with a single goal—to reclaim the life she left and find happiness, unencumbered by the man who broke her heart. Haven offers her a deal; Sera can have her freedom, just as soon as she finds her replacement…which requires her to spend the summer in close quarters with the husband she does not want, but somehow cannot resist.

A love that neither can deny…

The duke has a single summer to woo his wife and convince her that, despite their broken past, he can give her forever, making every day…

AMAZON | iBOOKS | B&N | GOOGLE PLAY | KOBO

Chapter 1
DESERTED DUKE DISAVOWED!
August 19, 1836
House of Lords, ParliamentShe’d left him two years, seven months ago, exactly.
Malcolm Marcus Bevingstoke, Duke of Haven looked to the tiny wooden calendar wheels inlaid into the blotter on his desk in his private office above the House of Lords.
August the nineteenth, 1836. The last day of the parliamentary session, filled with pomp and idle. And lingering memory. He spun the wheel with the six embossed upon it. Five. Four. He took a deep breath.
Get out. He heard his own words, cold and angry with betrayal, echoing with quiet menace. Don’t ever return.
He touched the wheel again. August became July. May. March.
January the nineteenth, 1834. The day she left.
His fingers moved without thought, finding comfort in the familiar click of the wheels.
April the seventeenth, 1833.
The way I feel about you . . . Her words now—soft and full of temptation. I’ve never felt anything like this.
He hadn’t, either. As though light and breath and hope had flooded the room, filling all the dark spaces. Filling his lungs and heart. And all because of her.
Until he’d discovered the truth. The truth, which had mattered so much until it hadn’t mattered at all.
Where had she gone?
The clock in the corner of the room ticked and tocked, counting the seconds until Haven was due in his seat in the hallowed main chamber of the House of Lords, where men of higher purpose and passion had sat before him for generations. His fingers played the little calendar like a virtuoso, as though they’d done this dance a hundred times before. A thousand.
And they had.
March the first, 1833. The day they met.
So, they let simply anyone become a duke, do they? No deference. Teasing and charm and pure, unadulterated beauty.
If you think dukes are bad, imagine what they accept from duchesses?
That smile. As though she’d never met another man. As though she’d never wanted to. He’d been hers the moment he’d seen that smile. Before that. Imagine, indeed.
And then it had fallen apart. He’d lost everything, and then lost her. Or perhaps it had been the reverse. Or perhaps it was all the same.
Would there ever be a time when he stopped thinking of her? Ever a date that did not remind him of her? Of the time that had stretched like an eternity since she’d left?
Where had she gone?
The clock struck eleven, heavy chimes sounding in the room, echoed by a dozen others sounding down the long, oaken corridor beyond, summoning men of longstanding name to the duty that had been theirs before they drew breath.
Haven spun the calendar wheels with force, leaving them as they lay. November the thirty-seventh, 3842. A fine date—one on which he had absolutely no chance of thinking of her.

Tell me, Seraphina. If there were no one—no sisters or god or goddess to protect, no American, no aristocracy to watch and judge? What would you do if I pursued you?”

The Day of the Duchess is one of those books that makes me go, “This is the reason why I read romance!” Does it have a healthy dose of angst? Yes, it does. It also has one of the best grovels I’ve read in a while. The satisfying ending was worth every single heartache I, and the characters, went through. And every emotional moment in this book was earned.

Seraphina, Duchess of Haven, is back from exile with a single mission: get a divorce from her estranged husband, Malcolm Bevingstoke. The Duke however won’t let her go without a fight. He has regretted his actions in the past and is willing to do anything to win his wife back. But he has to contend with a lot of obstacles before he can even begin to fix what he broke years ago. So he concocted a crazy plan. Ask Sera to accompany him on his estate to help him choose her replacement and then she’ll get her divorce.

It’s a crazy plan from a man who’s desperate to win back his wife and atone for his sins in the past. What he didn’t know is Seraphina is desperate, too. But for different reasons. And it’s something that I totally could relate to. It’s something that we take for granted now but was totally not an option for women back then. And this is important to the story and to Sera’s character arc and it made me understand her motivation and sympathize with her.

I have dreamed of you here. Look up. Look at us. Look at how beautiful you are. Watch how I worship you.”

The tension between them was unmistakable. These are two people who clearly still love each other desperately but are so desperately broken that they can’t see beyond their own pain. Sarah MacLean did a phenomenal job at writing both of these characters at their darkest moments. They both made mistakes. Malcolm’s transgression would have been a deal breaker for me if not for the fact that the author was able to convince me that he truly regretted his actions. And some of his actions were not immediately known to Sera. She didn’t know what he’s done to make it up to her after she left.

And that’s one of the beauty of this book. I went through it knowing that these two are still desperately in love and that they deserved each other. I want them to work out their issues because them not being together would be a tragedy. But man, did they have to work for it.

But she remembered every note, every word, as though it were a prayer. And perhaps it was. Perhaps she could exorcise the past with it.

I mentioned above how much the satisfying ending was so earned. And this is the reason why. Both characters had to find a common ground first before they could even move on.

I don’t blame Sera for not trusting Malcolm at his word. What she went through was heart-wrenching. At the same time, as much as I hated what Malcolm did, it was impossible not to be moved by how genuinely sorry he was for the past. And he suffered as well. I loved, LOVED how their relationship evolved.

I shall have to be happy with finding you in the stars, at night.”

Apart from Sera and Malcolm, the Day of the Duchess are full of interesting characters. Of course, Sera’s sisters, the Soiled S’s are by the far the most interesting ones. But there were characters here who really stood out as well. Caleb and the ladies that were supposed to vie for the title of the next Duchess of Haven were charming and wonderful. I’m so looking forward to reading Caleb’s book. I won’t tell you his potential partner. You’d have to read this book to find out. But man, that’s going to be another angsty one for sure.

Overall, I LOVED this book. The romance was just top-notch. And the grovel…*swoon* It took me quite a bit of time to recover after I finished it because it was that good. Well done, Ms. MacLean. Well done!

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Geri’s Review: Lost and Found Sisters by Jill Shalvis

June 25, 2017 by · Leave a Comment

LOST AND FOUND SISTERS
Series: Wildstone #1
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Author: Jill Shalvis
Release Date: June 20, 2017

From New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis comes her first women’s fiction novel—an unforgettable story of friendship, love, family, and sisterhood—perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover, Susan Mallery, and Kristan Higgins.

They say life can change in an instant…

After losing her sister in a devastating car accident, chef Quinn Weller is finally getting her life back on track. She appears to have it all: a loving family, a dream job in one of L.A.’s hottest eateries, and a gorgeous boyfriend dying to slip an engagement ring on her finger. So why does she feel so empty, like she’s looking for a missing piece she can’t find?

The answer comes when a lawyer tracks down Quinn and reveals a bombshell secret and a mysterious inheritance that only she can claim. This shocking revelation washes over Quinn like a tidal wave. Her whole life has been a lie.

On impulse, Quinn gives up her job, home, and boyfriend. She heads up the coast to the small hometown of Wildstone, California, which is just a few hours north, but feels worlds apart from Los Angeles. Though she doesn’t quite fit in right away, she can’t help but be drawn to the town’s simple pleasures…and the handsome, dark-haired stranger who offers friendship with no questions asked.

As Quinn settles into Wildstone, she discovers there’s another surprise in store for her. The inheritance isn’t a house or money, but rather something earthshattering, something that will make her question everything she thought she knew about herself, about her family. Now with a world of possibilities opening up to Quinn, she must decide if this new life is the one she was always meant to have—and the one that could finally give her the fulfillment she’s searched so long for.

AMAZON | iBOOKS

Admittedly, I was a bit nervous starting this book because this was marketed as Women’s Fiction and not romance. And I always get nervous when it’s WF because I happen to love my HEA…and well…WF can be downright depressing and drab. But it’s Jill Shalvis! I trust her and I wasn’t disappointed.

This book rocks!

It was humorous but also poignant, and the characters are flawed but still completely relatable, which is always a plus.

Lost and Found Sisters is a story about Quinn Weller who is still grappling with her sister’s death a couple of years ago. Her sister’s accident had hit her so hard that she still hasn’t moved on emotionally from it. She’s contemplating how empty her life is and how numb she felt but doesn’t really know how to get out of it when she meets a lawyer who told her some devastating truths about Quinn’s life. And this is where the story really gets interesting for me.

Quinn, driven by curiosity left LA and went north to Wildstone, California in order to uncover the secrets of her past and the inheritance that she’s going to receive. Quinn’s own expectations were upended when she arrived in Wildstones. She’s not only discovering the secrets of her own past and her own family, she’s also getting involved in the lives of the people in Wildstone, especially Mick’s.

Mick is a Wildstone native who ran out of town the moment he graduated high school. He’s now a successful businessman who’s temporarily back to help his mother get on her feet after his father’s death. He had no plans of coming back to Wildstone permanently. When he meets Quinn, he’s drawn to her and she to him but because Mick isn’t really staying in Wildstone and Quinn is dealing with some family stuff, their relationship started off tentatively without any promises.

With Lost and Found Sisters being tagged as Women’s Fiction and not Romance, I was a bit prepared for the romance to be thin and secondary. While the romance between Mick and Quinn isn’t the main focus of story, it’s still well developed and substantial, in my opinion.

There is also a secondary set up romance between two characters that I hope would develop into something more in the future. And since this is looking to be another series, we might be getting their book as well.

Romance aside, I enjoyed Quinn’s journey as a character. She came to Wildstone expecting one thing and came out with so much. The secondary characters are well drawn and complex. They do have personalities of their own. They’re not there just to advance the plot of the main character. I actually wanted to know them, which is a testament to how talented Ms. Shalvis is for making me care about these secondary characters.

Wildstone itself is a character in the book. Its landmarks and struggles feature heavily in the book. The town feels alive and populated by real people. I’m definitely looking forward to visiting and discovering more of its secret in the coming books.

As of right now, I’m happy with how this book turned out. It exceeded my expectations. And yes, I highly recommend this book to everyone!

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Blog Tour & Geri’s Review: Hearts on Air by L.H. Cosway

June 21, 2017 by ·

HEARTS ON AIR
Series: Hearts Series #6
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: L.H. Cosway
Release Date: June 8, 2017

3 weeks. 5 cities. 15 impossible stunts. One reality show.

 

Trevor Cross came into Reya Cabrera’s world with a bang and faded out with a whimper. They vowed to make it work, but life had other plans. After chasing his TV dreams for years, Trev finally became the UK’s next big reality star, but he alienated his family and friends in the process. Now he finally has everything he ever wanted. Women. Money. Fame. But none of it means anything when he doesn’t have the one thing that matters most: love.

 

Money leaves a gaping hole. Fame surrounds him with loneliness. And no woman makes him feel like Reya used to before the whirlwind of success pulled them apart.

 

He has a plan to get her back. However, with a hectic filming schedule looming, the only way to do that is to convince her to come on the road with him. Reya has been stuck in a rut for a while, and the opportunity to travel across Europe and play her music for new audiences seems like heaven. The only catch? She has to do it with the one boy who ever got close enough to break her heart. But he’s not a boy anymore, and as she gets to know him again she can’t deny her respect for the man he’s become.

 

Every time she’s around him her heart feels full of air, like a balloon about to pop. Little does she know, Trev’s feelings are just as tumultuous as hers. One thing’s for sure, these three weeks on the road together will either make them whole again or break them irrevocably.

 

**Hearts on Air is a contemporary romance and book #6 in the Hearts series, however it can also be read as a complete standalone.**

AMAZON | iBOOKS | NOOK | KOBO | SMASHWORDS

Happiness was a stranger, but misery was dear old friend.”

Hearts on Air is the sixth installment of the L.H. Cosway’s Hearts series. It can be read as a standalone but I would highly recommend reading the previous books in the series because they’re excellent. Cosway has a talent of creating complex yet relatable characters, and Hearts on Air follow in the same vein as its predecessor: it has two characters who are completely made for each other if only they could overcome their own personal demons and the curve balls thrown at them to achieve happiness.

Trevor Cross and Reya Cabrera are the best of friends. Reya however has feelings for Trevor which she thought isn’t returned, so she hides her feelings for him. Unbeknownst to her, Trevor has been harboring feeling for her as well. Reya was Trevor’s constant. The one person he could come home to and keep him grounded.

Trevor is this fascinating character who is addicted to theadrenaline rush. Reya is the exact opposite. Because of her upbringing, she craves stability and predictability, something that Trevor lacks. Despite their differences, the two decided to give in to their feelings and the sexual tension that’s been threatening to boil over, with disastrous result. Trevor is on the brink of stardom and after a while the pressure got to them and they separated.

Trev was the one thing in this world I could never, ever resist. I’d always want him. Only him. Even when I know wholeheartedly that I shouldn’t.”

A couple of years after their disastrous attempt at a relationship, Trevor is back and wants to reconnect. But Reya is wary and still hurt over what happened in the past. But Trevor is tenacious. Offering Reya a chance to travel Europe and get her music heard to a different audience, he sets out to win her heart again and to show her how much has changed.

This is where the story really picked up for me. I loved the angsty parts but reading how Trevor changed and became the kind of person that Reya could count on was even better. This was a very character driven book. Some readers might say that it’s slowed down the story but I felt like the author was able to show readers how much the characters changed and how the past informed their decisions in the present.

Ms. Cosway didn’t shy away from showing Reya’s resentment or Trevor’s struggle with his impulses. You get to see these characters grow before your eyes.  Their relationship itself went through different stages from excitement to heartache to healing and so on. I personally loved how the story focuses on their character growth.

We’re making memories tonight, Reya Cabrera, isn’t it exciting?”

Another element that I enjoyed about this book was the inclusion of Trevor’s parkour or stunt crew. Throughout the story, we get bits and pieces of information about them which gave us a taste of what their stories might be like if ever the author plans to write them, which is still up in the air at this point. But yeah, I want to know more about them.

Overall, this was another excellent addition to the Hearts series. If you loved the previous books, there’s a huge chance that you’re going to really enjoy this as well as I did. And I really hope we get to read more about Trevor’s team because I’m there. Sign me up!

(1) A signed paperback copy of the book

(1) Swag and a $50 Amazon giftcard

a Rafflecopter giveaway


L.H. Cosway lives in Dublin, Ireland. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books. She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories. L.H. is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Connect with L.H. Cosway:

Website | Facebook | Twitter 

· Filed Under: A-Z, All Reviews ·

Geri’s Review & Excerpt: Silver Silence by @NaliniSingh

June 13, 2017 by · Leave a Comment

SILVER SILENCE
Series: Psy-Changeling Trinity #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Author: Nalini Singh
Release Date: June 13, 2017

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh introduces a bold new chapter in her extraordinary paranormal romance saga with the Psy-Changeling Trinity series. Wild passion will encounter the darkest of betrayal…

Control. Precision. Family. These are the principles that drive Silver Mercant. At a time when the fledgling Trinity Accord seeks to unite a divided world, with Silver playing a crucial role as director of a worldwide emergency response network, wildness and chaos are the last things she needs in her life.

But that’s exactly what Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater Bears, brings with him.

Valentin has never met a more fascinating woman. Though Silver is ruled by Silence—her mind clear of all emotion—Valentin senses a whisper of fire around her. That’s what keeps him climbing apartment buildings to be near her.

But when a shadow assassin almost succeeds in poisoning Silver, the stakes become deadly serious…and Silver finds herself in the heart of a powerful bear clan.

Her would-be assassin has no idea what their poison has unleashed…

AMAZON

I’ve got strong hands, and I promise to be a gentleman unless you ask me to tear off your clothes and kiss every delectable inch of you.”

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Oh my gah, Valentin. *melts into a puddle of goo*

This Changeling alpha bear stole my heart from the get go and he almost ALMOST replaced Hawke as my favorite Nalini Singh hero ever! No small feat coz duh, Hawke is Hawke but oh man, Valentin is right up there.

Silver Silence is the first book out of the second chapter of Nalini Singh’s sprawling Psy-Changeling series called Psy-Changeling Trinity. Silence has fallen and a new peace accord has been signed by the three groups: the Human Alliance, the Psy’s and the Changelings. But a new group threatens to unravel the fragile bonds of peace that the Trinity has forged. Just when you thought this series couldn’t get any better, it does. It really does.

Silver didn’t know how to love, but she knew how to hold on to her people.

Silver Mercant rose from being Kaleb Krychek’s top aide to become the head of the Em-Net, the worldwide emergency response network. Silence has fallen but despite this Silver still chooses to live under it. She has a good reason to and her reason isn’t clear to other characters in the book as well as the readers until it was revealed. The Mercants is one of the most powerful Psy family in the world, and the most secretive. So when an attempt was made on Silver’s life, the Mercants did what they had to do their way.

Fortunately for Silver, Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater Bears offered his home and his protection while her family tried to get to the bottom of who wanted Silver killed. 

The StoneWater Bears are a strong predator changeling group out of Moscow who went through a very traumatic rift which threatens to tear them part. And Valentin being the Alpha has his hands full with keeping his family safe and strong as they navigate the new changes brought about by the Trinity Accord. But Silver has always fascinated Valentin. The man and his bear recognized their mate in Silver and despite her Silence, Valentin goes above and beyond in trying to win her trust and her heart. And we know what happens when you put a determined alpha bear together with a reluctant Silent Psy in one place, right?

This was my favorite part of the book for me. Yes, this book does have multiple POVs. It has intrigued and a dash of suspense. But the romance…the ROMANCE was top-notch swoonworthy.

Explain what’s happening.”  

 “We’re happening.”

Valentin, like most changeling Alpha, is determined. Gah! His devotion and patience as the pursues Silver “sneaky like a cat” was everything. He was funny as hell and he respects Silver and treats her as his equal. He totally won me over and Silver didn’t stand a chance. He was one determined bear.

I loved how Ms. Singh took time to develop not just their romance but each of their character arcs. Silver went from being Silent to the kind of person that was perfect fit for Valentin, who has always worn his heart on his sleeve when it comes to Silver. I loved how the StoneWater Bears Denhome was explored in the book. The vivid imagery of their cave as well as the relationships between Valentin and his sisters, as well as his lieutenants added an interesting layer to the story and to the romance.

A few familiar characters from the first chapter of the Psy-Changeling series made some appearances but not all. Lots of names were dropped though which made me so happy because yes, I knew these characters. Their presence were felt but not too much that it became distracting. This book is definitely all about these new characters, specifically, the StoneWater bears and the BlackEdge wolves, which I am already in love with.

I’ll be beary good,” he promised, his face lit from within.

She had the sense of playing with a wild thing. “Now you’re just beyond bearing.”

Silver Silence did not disappoint. It’s tautly written with fascinating characters and an intricate plot that holds your interest from beginning until the end.  There were a lot of plot threads that were left open and I for one, am intrigued.  I’m definitely looking forward to more Psy-Changeling Trinity.

Laughing at the cubs’ antics, Valentin jogged down the slight incline and waded into what had to be ice-cold water after kicking off his boots and socks. He splashed the cubs, laughed when they splashed him back. Running so they could chase him, he turned abruptly and chased them back, to their unhidden joy.
Silver took a seat on the grass. When the female bear looked her way, she inclined her head in a silent greeting. The bear did the same, then they both watched an alpha bear play with two energetic cubs, his hands holding rough care for their small bodies.
By the time Valentin made his way back to her, he was drenched and his eyes weren’t human in any way. When he spoke, his already deep voice was so low it felt like thunder against her skin. “Couldn’t resist,” he said, pushing back his wet hair with one big hand. “If you weren’t in recovery and if I wasn’t in terror of Nova’s wrath, I’d have invited you. The small monsters wanted to play with you.”
Silver didn’t get to her feet. “Can we stay here a little longer?” It was patent that Valentin had an extremely high tolerance for the cold, but he might want to dry off.
“Sure,” he said, and, moving away several feet, shook off the wet.
Fine droplets settled on the skin of her cheek, but she didn’t flinch at the unintentional tactile contact. She also controlled her urge to reach up and touch the water where it lay against her skin. There was no reason to do that, and Silver was alive because she only did things that were rational.
Settling beside her, Valentin waved at the cubs as their guardian led their tired forms toward a path in the trees that was at the same level as the stream. “Gentler climb,” Valentin told her.
“They seem too exhausted to make it to Denhome.”
“It’s all an act—they’re hoping for a ride on their aunt’s back.” His tone held the same fond affection she’d heard when he spoke of Dima. “It’d take more than a few minutes’ play in the water to wipe out those two.”
The cubs had played with Valentin for almost a half hour. “They’re hyperactive?”
“They’re baby bears.”
Silver watched as those baby bears turned toward her and rose up on their back paws, as if in challenge. A stern sound from their caretaker, and they dropped down and scrambled to catch up with her. Their bodies disappeared into the trees as dusk began to turn from orange to shadowy gray.
Beside her, Valentin sprawled out, bracing himself on his elbows. His drenched T-shirt clung to the ridged muscles of his abdomen, pulled tight across his pectoral muscles, shaped itself over his shoulders. His jeans weren’t much better, outlining the raw muscle of his thighs.
Valentin Nikolaev was a man of violent physical strength even in human form. Yet he clearly had iron control over it; when he’d played with the children, they’d displayed zero fear of their alpha.
“You thought about where you’re going to live when you escape the bears who’ve kidnapped you?”
When she raised an eyebrow at him, he grinned. “Fringe netter with his own Internet channel sent out a breaking report last night. Pasha—who obviously needs more work duties—made up a fake account and posted a comment swearing to have seen you being pulled into a black van by six burly bears in bear form.”
“You don’t seem too concerned.” Amber eyes and deep voice, he remained very much a bear in human form.
“Well, according to this ‘eyewitness,’ the getaway driver was in bear form, too. Must’ve been tough for him to steer with one paw since he was drinking a beer at the same time.”
“Bears,” Silver said, making Valentin throw his head back and laugh that huge laugh that wrapped around her.
“I’ve got strong hands, and I promise to be a gentleman unless you ask me to tear off your clothes and kiss every delectable inch of you.”

NEW YORK TIMES AND USA Today bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter series Nalini Singh usually writes about hot shapeshifters and dangerous angels. This time around, she decided to write about a hot and wickedly tempting rock star. If you’re seeing a theme here, you’re not wrong.

Nalini lives and works in beautiful New Zealand, and is passionate about writing. If you’d like to explore her other books, you can find lots of excerpts on her website. Slave to Sensation is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series, while Angels’ Blood is the first book in the Guild Hunter series. Once Rock Addiction is out, swing by the site to check out the special behind-the-scenes page, complete with photos of many of the locations used in the book.

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Blog Tour: My Best Friend’s Ex

June 8, 2017 by ·

MY BEST FRIEND’S EX
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Author: Meghan Quinn
Release Date: June 1, 2017

When I found an eviction notice taped on my apartment door, I had two options: find a comfortable cardboard box to call home, or move in with Tucker Jameson.

Seeing that cardboard makes me feel itchy, I chose the latter. Which shouldn’t be that big of a deal Tucker is one of my good friends. And because he’s still pining after his ex-girlfriend and I’m trying to finish my nursing degree, there is nothing to worry about in the romance department, making my last semester an easy one to conquer.

Boy, was I wrong.

Rules are set, dinners are made, conversations are had, and a shirtless, swoony roommate walks around in nothing but a pair of black briefs, ruining me for every other man.

Before I know it, I turn into a panting, lust-filled woman begging for Tucker to kiss me, touch me, and show me exactly what is hiding under those briefs.

But with great orgasms, comes great consequences.

Tucker might be my friend and roommate but he’s also my best friend’s ex-boyfriend, making him completely off-limits. At least that’s what my brain is telling me, my heart is speaking an entirely different language.

AMAZON

When Emma Marks received an eviction notice for her apartment, she found herself accepting an unconventional arrangement with Tucker Jameson, her best friend’s ex.

Best friend’s ex-boyfriends are always off limits.”

Although this book can be read as a standalone, both Emma and Tucker appeared in another one of Meghan Quinn’s book, Co-Wrecker. And while I don’t think you necessarily need to read that book, it would definitely give you more insight into Tucker’s character.

In My Best Friend’s Ex, Tucker is trying to pick up the pieces of his life after his relationship with Sadie imploded. He found himself an owner of a house he has no idea how to do with. So when he found out that that Emma needs a place to stay after being evicted from her apartment, Tucker offered her a place in his.

This arrangement gave Emma and Tucker a chance to reconnect after what happened in the past. I really liked how Ms. Quinn was able to show how they reconnected and build on that reconnection. The decisions these characters made make sense and one of the best aspect in the book was them rebuilding their friendship.

You have taught me about perseverance, about the strength a human possesses, and that despite your upbringings and influences, you rose above it all and became the most beautifully broken man I’ve ever met.”

There were some laugh-out-loud moments in the book but there were also instances where the humor just didn’t land for me, which says more about my taste in comedy rather than Meghan Quinn’s writing ability. Personally, I just found the comedy a little too out there.

I did like the fact that Tucker and Emma didn’t fall in love immediately. The book acknowledges the difficulty of starting a relationship with a friend’s ex. Ms. Quinn didn’t shy away from exposing both Emma and Tucker’s reservations regarding their relationship. But at the same time, the author didn’t overburden their story with the past. She gave them a surmountable issue.

Their transition from being friends to lovers was also written really well. It was believable. We got insight into what Tucker is going through, trying to unpack his feelings and coming to terms with his own hurts from the past. That was really important because I wouldn’t have believed their HEA if I didn’t read what was going on in his head.

I want her for all the wrong reasons, and yet, I can’t help but think how right she feels.”

My Best Friend’s Ex was an enjoyable ride, overall. The difficult subject matter was really written well, and at the end of the day, Emma and Tucker’s HEA was well earned and believable. My only issue really was the comedy aspect. It was kind of ‘eh’ for me. There were times where the interaction was ruined by the joke. It wouldn’t bother other readers probably but personally, it just didn’t work as well for me. But again, this is more of a personal preference than anything else.

· Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, Uncategorized ·
Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

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