ARC Review: ☆Three Years☆ by @LiliStGermain1

July 22, 2014 by · Leave a Comment
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**Please note this book is a dark romance and deals with serious themes.*


Every day for six years, I used to pray that I would find my way back to the boy I loved.
Until finally, one day, I did.
But that’s the funny thing about life. Nothing good ever lasts, not for me, anyway. You think you’re the one with the power, at least I did, but then I got careless. One tiny mistake, and now I am powerless to stop what comes next.
People think money equals power, but all the money in my bank account, the dirty notes laundered clean that my father left for me, are useless.
Money does not equal power. Power is held by the one with the knife in his hand, tracing shallow cuts into your skin.
Power is held by the one who owns you.
I had power once.
Now, I have nothing.
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Review
5 stars
Four sons dead before you even fucking noticed me.

Oh. My. GOD.
Oh. My. Feels.
Oh. My. Sanity.
Oh. Mylanta.

No really. I needed that shit after finishing this book with my throat in my stomach, my nails bit to shit and back, and the worse case of book caused indigestion EVAR!!!

Lili St Germain is a full time evil genius and a part time sadist. That is the only thing I have left to say about this series. This incredibly fucked up, addicting like crack series. Each time I think my mind has been fucked with enough and it can’t possibly get any worse?

BOOM!

The next book comes along and blows me away.

This is not a book for the faint of heart. This is not a book for the squeamish. And it sure as FUCK isn’t a book if you like your sleep. Because it will keep you up all night reading…in one sitting…utterly incapable of putting it down. PERIOD.

If you haven’t read the previous books, stop right now and read no further. While this review will be spoiler free for this book, it will contain spoilers from the previous 4. These are not books you can read out of order.

Four books it has all been leading up to this moment. This one moment that will grip you by the throat and not let go until the last page. You knew it was going to happen. You didn’t know when. And you certainly had no idea it would be THIS bad when it does happen. The storm was brewing, and now it’s here…

But I’m smarter than you, better than you, more DEPRAVED that you, little girl. You ventured into my playground and now I’ve got you in my web.

 

What do you get when you cross two vengeful beasts?
You get a war. And I’m the fucking winner.”

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, these books have become crack to me. I’m addicted and each time one ends I’m a twitching impatient mess just waiting to get my next fix.

This latest installment of the Gypsy Brothers serial was filled with pain, depravity, and enough twists and turns that you’re barely able to keep up. Think I’ll tell you more than that? Think again. You simply must read it.

But prepare yourself for a mindfuck of an ending. While I can’t say it was quite as bad as the one in the previous book, it was such a shocking twist and one I never in a million years saw coming. I guess such is the genius of Lili. She’s able to keep you guessing and never knowing which end is up. And if it makes me a fucked up mess of a reader for loving every minute of it? Well sign me up for the crazy train, because I cannot wait to see how it all ends.

But now to wait until Sept 28 for the next book?!!

**ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review**

Read it in order!

Welcome to Venice Beach, California. Home to the Gypsy Brothers motorcycle club.

: My Review
: My Review
: My Review
: My Review

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Review: ☆Surviving Raine☆ by Shay @Savage7289

July 19, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

As the captain of a schooner catering to the elite on the Caribbean Seas, Sebastian Stark does his best to avoid any human encounters. Interacting with people isn’t his thing, and he prefers the company of a bottle of vodka, a shot glass, and maybe a whore. There’s no doubt he’s hiding from a checkered past, but he does well keeping everything to himself…

…until the night his schooner capsizes, and he’s stuck on a life raft with one of the passengers.

Raine’s young, she’s cute, and Bastian would probably be into her if he wasn’t suffering from alcohol withdrawal. As the days pass, DTs, starvation, and dehydration become the norm. Even the most closed person starts to open up when he thinks he’s going to die, but when she realizes their traumatic pasts are connected, it’s no longer the elements that have Bastian concerned.

He has no idea how he’s going to Survive Raine.

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4.5 I guess I really do love the assholes after all Stars

I’m not…a nice guy, Raine.” I didn’t know how to make her understand that there wasn’t anything else to me despite what she wanted to believe. I was what I was- violent, crude, and utterly unlovable.”

First, if you haven’t yet read any books by this author, you need to get out from under the rock you’ve been living under and GET ON IT. Really. Shay Savage is the queen of male POV and this book just further proves it.

Meet Sebastian Stark:

 Alcoholic

Chain smoker

Killer

And a grade A asshole

Intrigued, aren’t you?

Bastian is trying to put his past behind him, but the only way to drown out the voices of demons past is with alcohol and countless faceless women…even if he has to pay for them

He doesn’t want to know anyone, and he certainly doesn’t want anyone to know him. So he spends his days a the captain of a schooner that caters to the rich and elite, and his nights drinking himself into a oblivion

But then he wakes up to a storm, a sinking ship, and finds himself stuck on a lifeboat with one of the passengers who also happens to temp him in two different directions

Toss her overboard or stick my tongue down her throat? I couldn’t decide and it fucking ticked me off.

Now me being the huge fan of the assholes that I am, I fell head over heels for Bastian from the very firs page. But if you’re the sort that needs convincing, allow me to present exhibit A:

I told you before. I’m fucking tense”
“Well, is there something I can do to help with that? Or are you just going to yell at me all this time?
“Yeah, there is something you can do,” I said coldly, turning my glare at her. “Come here and blow me. That would probably ease a bit of my tension- especially if you swallow.”

or exhibit B

…my cock was in danger of busting right through the buttons of my shorts and maybe taking a little trip all on his own. I had the feeling he was already contacting “AAA” for a Triptik and probably trying to book a hotel in pussyland.

Stuck with a woman that equal parts soothes his damaged soul and reminds him of everything he can never be is a constant state for Bastian. Your heart will absolutely break for him. He may be a growly, vulgar asshole, but beneath all that is the heart of man that is just begging for love.

I didn’t want her to touch me even if my brain was screaming for it. She shouldn’t want to have her hands on me. I was fucking toxic- ask any woman who knew me.

Little by little Bastian begins to open up to Raine and divest more and more of his past. And holy shit, his past!

Raine, in her understated way slowly chips away at all his defenses and walls. And let me tell you, when this man finally allows himself to fall? Damn.

I felt everything as I let her take me- mind, body and soul. I did’t know if she wanted it or needed it like I did, but I gave it to her anyway.

But don’t worry, even when he falls and his possessive and sweet side comes out, he never quite loses that edge of vulgar asshole that I’ve come to love about him

Vulgar?” I mocked surprise, placing my hand over my chest. “You’re implying my speech might include vulgarities? You fucking take that shit back right now!”

Surviving Raine is told solely in Bastian’s POV and it’s a book that you’ll be unable to set down. Or at least I wasn’t. Shay Savage has this way to her writing that never fails to suck you into the story and keep you riveted until the last page. She also writes some of the best anti-heroes I’ve had the pleasure of reading about.

I can tell you I’m very glad I waited until book two was out to read this. The cliffhanger isn’t terrible, but it is there, and it’s obvious there’s a whole lot more to be found out. And I. Cannot. Freaking. WAIT!

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Review, Guest Post Character Interview & #Giveaway: ☆Until Alex☆ by J. Nathan

July 17, 2014 by · 1 Comment

On the outside, Hayden is every girl’s living breathing fantasy, brooding and devastatingly gorgeous. He spends his nights losing himself in alcohol and faceless girls, but it’s all just a facade. An elaborate cover for the emotionless shell of a man he is. One who harbors too many secrets and destroys lives the way his was destroyed. It’s the reason he avoids relationships and keeps everyone at arm’s length…

Until Alex

Alex’s life just shattered into a million pieces, leaving her with more grief than she knows what to do with and guilt so deep it’s destroyed the carefree girl she once was. Now she’s hundreds of miles from home, living with an aunt she doesn’t know, finishing senior year at a college she’s never been to, and trying desperately to get through a single day without breaking down. She’s never felt more alone in her life…

Until Hayden

The trouble with Hayden is who he wants to be and who he is are in constant flux. And though he’d die before letting Alex learn the truth about him, he can’t be sure he’s strong enough to let her in…or push her away. She’s the one person who just might see the real him.

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Sometimes a book comes along that equal parts takes you by surprise and captivates you. This was one of those books to me. I want everyone to know about the pure awesome that is the writing of J. Nathan, so read below and see for yourself 😉
Review4.5 stars

I never thought that would happen for me. I always thought I deserved what no one else wanted.
Until Alex.

When I finished this book, I had to go back and make sure that I read it right because I couldn’t believe this amazing story was a debut novel. Wow. Just wow. If you’re looking for an incredibly emotional and angsty NA book with endearingly broken characters, a heartbreaking and heart-melting love story, and fantastic writing…You. Need. To. Read. This. Book. You will be hooked from the epilogue alone.

Hayden is the ultimate bad boy. He has the looks and the attitude that attracts women to him like no other. But beneath the surface of the womanizing, brooding and cocky playboy, is a dark secret and a past that plagues his every thought and makes him keep everyone at arms length. He’s not looking for a relationship or anything lasting. Just alcohol and countless of faceless girls that he can lose himself in for a few moments to drown out the memories.

If I learned one thing from my messed up life, it was that you didn’t let people in, and you didn’t let your emotions out. You couldn’t. I wondered if I even had any. Emotions that is. Because if you asked me, life had hardened me beyond repair.

But then she moves in down the hall. A girl who cries quietly every day outside. A girl he has no business paying attention to. Alex.

But just like Hayden, Alex is not what she seems to be beneath the surface. She’s running. Running from a devastating event that forever changed the course of her life. She’s running for the memories and the constant reminders of her pain.

How ironic that the one person that manages to drown out the memories for her is the brooding and mysterious Hayden.

But as much as Alex is determined to get to know Hayden, Hayden is just as determined to keep her at arm’s length.

I hated myself in that moment for not being able to control that part of me. The fucked-up part that kept people at a distance. It was a defense mechanism. My very own alarm system that kicked in when things got too uncomfortable, or in this case, too close to being normal.

The relationship between them is a very slow burn. But it’s also perfectly written, in my opinion, as it gives you the time to truly get invested in both the MCs AND their relationship. It gives you the time to really understand them. It gives you the time to really fall for them.

With each details of Hayden’s past coming to light, your heart just breaks for him all the more. As hard as he tries to stay away from Alex, his fight is already lost the second he lays eyes on her. But don’t get me wrong, this was no insta-love…or insta-anything. Their road to being together is filled with angst filled bumps that will tear at every heart string you have.

I don’t know what this is. This thing between us. But I really need it.

Even at times when Hayden truly fucks up and you want to throttle him for his decisions, you still can’t help but love him.

I will do whatever it takes to make you forget. I’ll say whatever you need me to say. Go wherever you need me to go. And I’ll be whoever you need me to be.

This is definitely more PG13, so don’t expect a lot of steam here. Now typically I am NOT a reader that reads PG13 anything, but the story here just captivated me. The little steam that there was was satisfying while still leaving you wanting more…but in a good way.

He kissed me like he needed me to breathe.

This is not just a NA Romance novel, it’s so much more than that. It’s about second chances, finding your inner strength, and facing your darkest demons. I was glued to my kindle until the very last page. I eagerly anticipate ANY future books by this author. J. Nathan is going straight to my auto-buy list.


Guest Post

MOTIVATION FOR UNTIL ALEX

When I was in my early twenties, I wrote a screenplay. I worked on it relentlessly, confident that if it just got into the right hands, it could go somewhere. Then, somehow, the fates aligned. Drew Barrymore read it! I know, dream come true, right? And wait for it…she actually liked it! Unfortunately, her production company partner, who just so happens to be Jimmy Fallon’s wife, gave me a painful dose of reality and passed on it. Ten years and plenty of rejection letters later, the screenplay remains on a flash drive in my desk drawer.

Needless to say, I lost the motivation to write. It seemed like a losing battle. Too much time and effort spent on something no one would ever see…

Then, a year and a half ago, I had one of the most vivid dreams I’d ever had. It was about a girl who moved in with her aunt after suffering a horrific tragedy. She befriended a standoffish neighbor, who for some reason put her at ease, and they grew close—until others threatened their friendship. That’s when he intentionally hurt her to keep her safe. But, as hard as he tried to stay away, there was an undeniable connection between them, one that could not be ignored. From there, a slow, yet well-deserved romance ensued.

Upon waking up from that dream, I immediately wrote down everything I could remember (while still in bed). I ended up with three pages of sloppy handwritten notes. Throughout the day, I couldn’t stop thinking about those two broken souls and their story, so I added three more pages of notes. If you check out my website under About Self Publishing, you can see them.

Those sloppy notes served as the perfect outline for my first novel. After a year and a half—and many tweaks later—Until Alex was completed. My husband forced me to do something with it so it didn’t end up like my screenplay tucked away in some drawer. Thank goodness for self-publishing because I would have never been able to endure another set of rejection letters!

Tweaks I made to Until Alex worth noting:

Hayden: His original name was Aiden, but having two main characters with a name starting with A, especially when Alex’s name could be a guy’s name, seemed like it could get confusing.

The Title: The not-so-original, original title was Aiden and Alex. I know, I know. Then I got creative and changed it to Alex and Hayden. Yup. I’m very clever. I came up with Until Alex right before I started sending out ARC’s.

The competition: Alex originally tried out for the musical Legally Blonde instead of a singing competition. But it ruined the timeline of the story since play preparations take months, and I didn’t want to jump weeks. I hate stories that do that. I don’t want to miss time with the characters. I want to live every moment with them.

YA versus NA: Initially, this story was about seniors in high school. But because I primarily read new adult novels, I wanted to write something my friends and I would be more apt to read.

The Prologue: Thanks to my wonderful editor Stephanie Elliot, I changed the initial prologue. I only wrote the scene with Hayden’s father a couple months ago. Originally, I had the flashback of what happened in the alley as the prologue (instead of spreading it throughout the first few chapters). But Stephanie pointed out that she hated Hayden in the beginning because of the prologue. I knew I needed to find something that would make people feel compassion for him, understand his distance from others, and love him as much as I did. Hence, the new prologue, which so many readers have noted is what made them read the book. To think it almost didn’t exist…

DREAM CAST

When I read, I don’t really see a character in my mind. It’s more of the idea of them. Their qualities, flaws, maybe their eyes. But usually they’re “faceless.” So trying to cast my characters is really tough.

I love your casting on Goodreads for the leads! Those models definitely fit what I was going for. I particularly like the Hayden with the words “I would’ve given anything…” on it. My fave! Sooo Hayden!

I used to watch E! News religiously. But being a mom to a four year old, a high school English teacher, an avid reader, and a when-I-have-time writer, I’m totally out of the hot actors and actresses under 25 loop. But if I had to choose actors and actresses to bring my characters to life, these are some I may consider (knowing their ages are a little off).

Interview with Hayden

What’s your greatest flaw?

My anger. I normally can’t control it which makes me volatile. My “friends” understand when I go quiet and need to excuse myself from a situation. They don’t know the true cause of it, where it stems from, but they respect my mood swings and my privacy. Remy’s the only one who really gets me. 

What do you think others think of you?

Girls want to sleep with me, guys want to be me, and this girl who just moved into my building thinks I’m some kind of miracle worker. For the record, she’s fucking delusional.

Would you consider yourself a lucky guy?

On the outside? Yes. Different girls all the time, a friend who’d stand by me no matter what, my own apartment and truck, good looks—I’m not conceited, but when you hear it enough, you’ve got to believe it, right? But all that shit’s just superficial. If people really knew me, knew the truth about me and what I’d been through, they’d know I have shit for luck. No one, and I mean no one(except Remy of course), looks out for me but me. Anything that happens is because I make it happen. Fuck luck.

You mention you’ve been through some stuff. What in your past would you most want to forget?

All. Of. It. 

Do you consider yourself a romantic guy?

(His narrowed eyes and creased forehead answer for him) 

I’m sure the ladies are curious; do you have a preference, blondes, redheads, or brunettes? 

For a long time, it didn’t matter. If she was a willing female, she was for me. But lately, I’m more into brunettes.

Colors say a lot about a person. Do you have a favorite?

Green. Like the color of tropical fish.

Care to elaborate?

Nope.

What’s your most embarrassing moment?

One word. Jake’s.

If you could be stranded on a deserted island with one person, who would it be and why?

(He considers the question for a long time before answering) 

My neighbor Alex. For some strange reason, I want to be the guy she thinks I am. In a situation where I’d normally flip the fuck out, she calms me down. It’s inexplicable, but this girl I barely know brings out the best in me. I would do whatever it took to help her survive and get her off that island.(His brows squished together) Would we have clothes? Because if not, that would make this situation a whole lot more interesting. (His dimples popped)

If someone were to write your life story, what are two things you’d want them to make clear?

I’m not this bad boy people think I am. I got the reputation because I hang with Remy. Now I can’t seem to shake it. I guess I’ve never really done anything to try because it keeps people away.

Some might say I’ve got daddy issues. Damn straight I do. I mean, how could I not? Mine screwed me up beyond repair. But I don’t blame anything I say or do on him. I make my own choices, pave my own path. Yeah, I chose my job which was a dumbass decision, but it was mine to make.

I am who I am. Love me or hate me.

 
About the Author

I’m an avid reader of all things romance-especially those with alpha males. The more unlikable they are in the beginning, the better. Happy endings are a must. Don’t leave me with an unexpected cliffhanger or someone dying in the end. I’ll mope around and be too embarrassed to explain why. Love triangles and negative people are the bane of my existence. My family, friends, sangria, and watermelon margaritas are the light…

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ARC Review & #Giveaway: ☆Denying Ecstasy☆ by @SETTAJAY_

July 16, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

A headstrong sassy mortal, Rain is a Mageia living in Tetartos, the Realm of beasts and Immortals. Her nights have been restless, filled with sensual dreams of a big blonde Guardian whose glares indicate he wants nothing to do with her. She is determined to shake off the odd feelings until she finds out her dream lover is responsible for her rescue from a demented Demi-God. In doing so, his touch ignites something rare and coveted. Something that she’s never anticipated… Something he should have told her about. Rain is set on making him explain and then feel the full force of her ire.

After a devastating betrayal resulting in the loss of a close friend a century ago, Dorian refuses to trust or engage with Immortals other than his Guardian family. His years of brutal fighting in the underground Immortal rings are over. He patrols the Realms and slakes his lust with the humans on Earth. Existing, but not living as he used to. He knows the moment he scents Rain that he has found his mate and after touching her he plans to avoid her as long as he can… Until he learns she is in danger. Raging, his beast demands that he go to her, but taking her from their enemy has repercussions he fully plans to escape at all costs.

For Dorian, finding a way out of mating Rain means he could succumb to madness and harm those that mean so much to him… but giving in to his burning urge for her means losing control in a heated mating frenzy sure to ignite them both and link them forever.

Warning: This book is intended for adult audiences; brief instances of M/F/F and M/F/M ménage; voyeurism and sexually explicit scenes.

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Review4.5 stars

Are you saying you don’t want me, nymph? Because your pussy is calling you a liar.”
“Oh, my body wants you. It’s my mind that wants nothing to do with you, my little guppy.”

This series needs to come with a warning. Read at the risk of your ovaries. Spare panties are not just recommended but required. Sweet mother of orgasms but Setta can write a smoking hot sex scene. But the best part? She can also write a fantastic story with phenomenal world building, hot as fuck alpha heroes and sassy-make-you-want-to-reach-through-your-kindle-to-high-five-them heroines.

I’ve been hooked on this series since the very first book and the author seems to only get better with each new release. It’s like she’s taken all my constructive criticism from the previous two and put all of it to work here to blow me away with this latest installment.

Meet Dorian…

Intrigued? You should be. After a brutal betrayal by a woman a century ago, the last thing he wants is to be caught up in the claws of another one. A mating? Forget about it. Even if it’s with his destined mate. He may burn for her like nothing he’s ever experienced before, but he’ff fight it with everything he’s got. After all, his memories and guilt won’t allow him to move on from what happened all those years ago and he doesn’t feel worthy of it. When he learns of his mating to Raine, let’s just say he’s less than thrilled about it. OK, let’s just put it out there, he was a grade A asshole about it.

I think that’s what I truly appreciate about this series; while you have your usual PNR “mating” heat, there’s no insta anything here. These characters don’t just tumble into bed together. There’s plenty of development to truly make you believe and feel their pairing.

Rain was a fantastic heroine. She gave as good as she got. While Dorian may have been a total asshole to her in his attempt to fight the mating, she certainly doesn’t take it lying down…well…later she does. But really, who could resist all that is Dorian?

I loved the sexual tension in this story. Nothing better than that burn of anticipation, and the author really makes you feel it here.Though not gonna lie, it did leave me a raging sexually-frustrated-blue- ovaried mess at times that made me want to equal parts throttle Dorian ans scream at him to just

But I appreciated the burn nonetheless.

In addition to the romance there was also plenty of action, world building, and bad guys to add to the entertainment. And the author manages to weave it all together effortlessly.

There is also a side plot going on with another couple, but that only added to the enjoyment. Setta is able to combine these multiple POVs flawlessly without any confusion and making it feel necessary as opposed to a filler or addition. That’s no small feat, let me tell you.

This was easily my favorite book in the series. If you’re looking for a smoking HAWT PNR series, you really need to look no further than this. Just make sure you have certain “provisions” on hand as you read. Just sayin 😉

Then there is that teaser of an ending. GAH! How can an author end a book in a satisfying HEA while still leave you begging for the next one? I have not a clue, but fucking A I need Conn’s book like yesterday.

**ARC gifted (and gleefully received) by author in exchange for an honest review**

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ARC Review: ☆Ricochet☆ by @Skye_Jordan

July 16, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

After a tragic incident in Afghanistan leaves Master Sergeant Nathan Ryker the only man standing in his tight-knit team, he spirals into an alcohol-and-sex induced escape. A call from his lifelong buddy pulls Ryker from the shadows with a request for help with his stunt company’s latest blockbuster. If Ryker can survive the next three weeks of leave and get back to his remaining men, he might just be all right. But a sexy woman who can take his mind off his trauma is too hard to resist, and when he hooks up with Renegades’ sultry, snarky office manager, his sanity takes a backseat to his first glimpse of a future he isn’t sure he deserves.

Still reeling from a bitter romantic betrayal, Rachel Hart wants nothing more than an uncomplicated hookup. So when the mysterious Nathan seduces her with a little dirty talk and one delicious kiss, Rachel drowns all her good sense in a Mandarin and soda and gives herself over to a night of sexual bliss. But her memories tarnish in the morning light when Rachel discovers his real identity and his link to Renegades. Her job and her friends are the only thing holding her life together, and she won’t be ruined by one sultry night with this damaged and dangerously sexy man.

5 Best in the Series Stars


Ricochet was a negative theme in his life, one that caused way too much collateral damage…

I have been hooked with this series ever since I first read and absolutely loved Reckless. Now while the second book wasn’t quite as good due to a heroine that I wanted to punch in the throat more often than not, this book managed to completely blow it out of the water for me. I loved every page. It was sexy, it was emotional, it was beautiful, it was perfect.

Rachel Hart is used to seeing incredibly sexy men on a daily basis and not batting an eye lash. Being the assistant to the Renegades team is no small feat. She loved her job and she’s not looking to compromise that for any man. Actually, scratch that, she doesn’t want to get involved with any man period. One heartbreaking betrayal is enough to put her off of relationships for a long while. But a girl still has needs right?

Master Sergeant Nathan Ryker is a broken man. After a tragic incident on tour in Afghanistan leaves the sexy Ranger with living nightmares that haunt his every waking minute he attempts to drown them out the only way he knows how…alcohol and women. He’s not meant for relationships, but he can definitely offer one sultry night. When his long time friend and Renegade, Troy, asks for his explosions knowledge assistant on set of a major movie stunt, he grudgingly agrees and then he meets the woman that just may offer him the distraction he needs while he’s on leave for 3 weeks.

When she’s sent to pick up “Ryker” from the airport but after a few drinks at the bar she meets the mysterious and sexy “Nathan” instead, Rachel doesn’t give it a second thought. Too bad reality comes crashing down on her the very next day when she realizes the two men are one in the same, and her no mixing business with pleasure rule is suddenly blown to smithereens. Good thing Ryker is quite capable of handling the Ricochet. (ha! See what I did there?)


I don’t want complicated. I don’t want forever. I just want simple. No strings.

Oh I get you, Rachel, really, I do. Luckily Ryker is very much up (ahem) for the task, right?


I’m offering you exactly what you want. No-strings, no-shame, no-limits, no-complications, wicked-good sex. Complete with a agreed-upon end date, a vow of secrecy, and an eight-thousand-mile anti-stalking guarantee when it’s over.”

And when you put it like that, Ryker, I’m not sure about Rachel but

Rachel is no fool to pass up such a tempting offer. And tempting it is. How good is he, Rachel?


Jesus, that man really fucks. He’s focused, absorbed, almost…”
“Obsessed?” Rubi supplied in the same hushed tone.
“Totally. It’s enthralling. All encompassing. Like nothing else exists.” She sighed, letting the delicious memory wash through her. “Un-fucking-forgettable.”

Right then.

And Ryker, was it good for you?

Well of course you did. Rachel may be a nice and proper girl at work, but between the sheets she really lets loose. Not that I blame her. You are all kinds of delicious.

While the story definitely had it’s share of steam…and LAWD was it steamy, it was Nathan’s struggle with PTSD that truly captured my heart. I’m not even going to lie, there’s some parts that managed to bring a tear or two even to my cold and black little heart. Skye Jordan did an incredible job with painting a picture of a realistic and heartbreaking struggle of a man fighting some dark demons and his road to get better.

Rachel was possibly my favorite heroine in the series. She was the perfect match to Ryker. Once she got past her own struggles, she really came into her own.


I may not know what you’ve been through. I may not ever be able to understand the depth or extremity of the suffering you’ve seen or done, but I can see an open wound…

While I would have loved an epilogue, I don’t think I can come up with one complaint for this book and can’t wait for more from this author. I love that each book also gives us another peak into the loves of the previous couples, and it was great catching up with all of them here. Now I’ll just be sitting here and slowly dying in my wait for Troy’s book. It can’t get here soon enough 

☆ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review and a whole lot of squeeing…true story☆

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Blog Tour, Review, & #Giveaway: ☆Until We Fly☆ by @Court_Writes

July 15, 2014 by · Leave a Comment
UNTIL WE FLY is an amazing NA contemporary romance and the fourth novel in Courtney’s Beautifully Broken Series!!
Until We Fly

Ex-Army Ranger, Brand Killien, has always been good.

A good friend, a good soldier, a good everything. .

The problem is, good hasn’t gotten him anything but a crushed heart.

So after licking his wounds, he decides to move on. And moving on doesn’t include being good anymore.

Bad sounds so much better.

Jaded and detached, Brand is determined to never open himself up to anyone again. It’s not worth the pain. Instead, he becomes closed, hardened, aloof.

But then he’s called back home for a family emergency… a family that he is estranged from. A family that he put out of his mind a long time ago for very good reasons…reasons that involve secrets and pain. Reasons he tried hard to forget.

But home is where the heart is, and it just might be where Brand finds his again.

Why? Because home is where Nora Greene is. A fiery, red-headed spitfire, Nora is a thing from his past. A beautiful, feisty thing. When Brand left, she was away at boarding school.

But she’s back now.

And she wants Brand, scars and all.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble/ iBooks

5 BRANDed Stars

Being brave doesn’t mean not being afraid, Nora. It means being afraid and doing it anyway.”

If there’s one thing I know when I read a Courtney Cole book it’s that the woman is going to take all my emotions and feels and fuck with them like the sadist that she sure has to be. I’ve been a fan of this series since the very first book, and each one has managed to burrow inside me and stay. While I can’t say I loved the last book, Before We Fall, this one managed to blow me away. Emotional, captivating, steamy and unputdownable, Until We Fly is going to put you on an emotional roller coaster filled with twists and turns, but you’re going to love the ride.

What I love about Courtney’s books, are her characters. Those beautifully broken characters that never fail to tug at every single one of my heartstrings. And Brand? Well Brand I have been dying to get my hands on since first meeting him in If You Leave. He’s so different from most heroes you’d find in books these days. Yes he’s a sexy as hell, tatted up Army Ranger. So what sets him aside? He’s a nice guy. This is not a womanizing asshole. Nope. But he’s broken in his own way. Demons from his past continue to haunt his present, and Brand just learns to deal with it.

I knew that the woman that will finally steal Brand’s heart will have to be special. After putting it all out there and being there for everyone (Jacey in particular), Brand deserves a woman that would pursue him. And that’s definitely what he got with Nora.

Nora has practically been in love with Brand since she was a teenager. But then he left the small town they both grew up in and hadn’t returned since. Now he’s back to settle his father’s estate after his passing, and presents the perfect opening for Nora to make her move. When Brand gets injured rescuing her from the site of an accident, she has her perfect opportunity.

Nora seemingly has it all. Being the daughter of one of the most influential and richest families in town, a Stanford law graduate and on her way to work in her father’s company, her life is set. Only problem? It’s not what she wants. What she wants if even for a little bit, is Brand. Pure, wholesome, clean, hero Brand.

Nora is not shy about pursuing him, and she really doesn’t pull her punches when it comes to her seduction. Stuck in a cottage together with Nora taking care of him, Brand can only resist her for so long.

Nora hides her own demons. Demons that continue to haunt even her waking minutes. Demons that no amount of scrubbing and cleaning will ever cleanse from her soul. Demons that only quiet in the presence of Brand.

But I’m desperate, just for a few weeks, to see if I can lose myself in Brand. To see if his goodness can eclipse that part of me that is so irrevocably damaged, just for a little while.

Can’t say I blame her, Brand really was absolute perfection

What first started out as a strings-free summer fling, soon begins to turn into something much more for both Brand and Nora. But beyond the love story and the steamy sex scenes was an incredible story about 2 very broken characters and their journey to healing themselves.

This book, for me anyway, was probably one of the most emotional. It was filled with twists that I never saw coming and a story that kept me glued to my Kindle until the very last page. And that last chapter? Well you definitely know you’ve read a 5 star book when the last chapter manages to make you tear up like a baby. I almost didn’t want it to end. I could probably ramble on and on, but why read my review when you can experience it for yourself?

If you haven’t yet read this series, it is a must read. While you could read this as a standalone, I’d recommend starting with at least If You Leave so you can really get a better grasp of Brand’s character. But Courtney certainly gives you enough background that you wouldn’t be lost starting with this book. Definitely a huge rec from me.

**ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review**

And don’t miss the other Beautifully Broken, now available:
Beautifully Broken series 1-3

Praise for the Beautifully Broken Series:

“I loved If You Stay. Like, really really loved it. The kind of love that kept me reading until 2:40 am and left me crying, smiling, devastated, and elated. The best kind of book love.” – Andrea, The Bookish Babe

“Beautiful, raw, gritty, emotional and breath-taking are just a few of the words I can find to describe this book…reading this book was one of the best experiences I have had.” –Amanda, Globug and Hootie Need a Book

“In If You Leave, we continue the wild ride Courtney Cole started us on in If You Stay. This raw story of heartbreak and hope solidifies Cole’s standing as a rising star in hot contemporary romance.” — New York Times Bestselling author of Down to You, M. Leighton

“Another raw, gritty masterpiece with a sexy-as-hell Army Ranger to swoon over.” — K.A. Tucker, author of Ten Tiny Breaths

Headshot
Courtney Cole is a novelist who would eat mythology for breakfast if she could. She has a degree in Business, but has since discovered that corporate America is not nearly as fun to live in as fictional worlds. She loves chocolate and roller coasters and hates waiting and rude people.

Courtney lives in quiet suburbia, close to Lake Michigan, with her real-life Prince Charming, her ornery kids (there is a small chance that they get their orneriness from their mother) and a small domestic zoo.

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Book Spotlight, Review & #Giveaway: ☆Rocked☆ by @TarynElliottFic and @cariquinn

July 12, 2014 by · 8 Comments
If you haven’t yet met the boys of Olivion, you, my friends, are seriously missing out. If you like Rock Star romances and steamy hot lovin…AND a great story on top? You NEED to read this series. 
Book 1 in the NA rock star series, Lost in Oblivion

Love definitely wasn’t on the setlist.

Opening for their idols on their first tour, Oblivion is living the dream. Mostly. Frustrated at being shoved out of his mediator role by their new manager, Deacon McCoy loses himself in brutal workouts. He only comes up for air long enough to refuel—and to tease the deliciously cute chef who makes him crave a lot more than what she’s offering on her serving plate.

As the child of roadie parents, Harper Pruitt has heard every pickup line twice. To her, musicians are one step above the scraps on her cutting board. All she wants is to get enough experience to run her own catering company, but Deacon and his bottomless stomach are too tempting to resist. He’s far from the typical rock star and before long, she finds herself experimenting with him, inside and out of the kitchen.
Apron – and panties – optional.

When Harper sees that Deacon’s dream band with his best friends may be turning into a nightmare, she can’t walk away. Deacon’s so much more than just a peacemaker and the man behind the bass. But she has her own dreams to chase…even if she’s starting to think what she’s building with him might be the biggest one of all.

You met Deacon McCoy in SEDUCED, now you can watch just how far a big man can fall.
Amazon / Barnes & Noble

4 Sexy Manimal Stars

From the moment he touched her, he’d known it was more.

So truth be told, there has yet to be a Rockstar Romance that my pervy little self has been able to pass on. After falling in love with Cari Quinn’s writing in Shadowboxer, when I saw her and Taryn Elliot have a sexy rock star romance series? Well let’s just say I was a little excited to get my hands on Rocked.

In a sea of formulaic rock star romances, Rocked managed to truly stand out for me. Why? Because it didn’t start off with the biggest of all manwhores and assholes falling for the girl. Nope. It had a deliciously sweet, tall, muscled and tatted Deacon.

That’s not to say that this series doesn’t have it’s manwhores. Oh no. It certainly has that. And I for one cannot wait to see both Simon and Nick be brought to their knees. But this book was about my sweet Deacon, so let’s get back to him.

(First I’d strongly recommend reading Seduced in order to get a much deeper understanding of all the band members of Oblivion. While Rocked could be read as a standalone, reading the prequel first will help you understand all the guys…and girl…much better)

Oblivion has finally hit the big times. They’re given the chance to open for their idols on their very first tour. Touring and performing in front of huge crowds is a dream come true…but it’s not without problems. The relationship between all the band members is definitely not smooth sailing, especially when a contract is on the horizon. Good thing they have the sensible, calm, and mediator bass player, Deacon.

Deacon is tired of the one night stand and the faceless groupies that all seem to lost in a haze of drunken memories. He wants more. So when he sees the sexy blonde chef on the catering service for the tour, he pursues her relentlessly…

Harper Pruitt has been there, done that, and burned the groupie t-shirt. Being the daughter of roadies, she’s more than accustomed to dealing with cocky rock stars. She has no intention of getting involved with one, that’s for damn sure. Especially when she’s so determined to get set up her career as a chef. Too bad Deacon is nothing like what she expected and not at all what she’s used to.

It wasn’t like she was powerless against him. It was so much more than that. He was warmth and promise and generosity distilled into an impossible man.

She may be smart mouthed and give as good as she takes. But the intensity of Deacon and his sinfully sexy body and tattoos soon prove too much to resist. Add into the mix his perfectly sweet words, and it’s done.

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 loved the way that the relationship between Harper and Deacon was built. The book is long and it gives you a chance to truly get invested in them. Their struggles, their lust, and of course…the music

While I did feel that the book could have been a little shorter, I can’t say that I ever found myself bored with the characters or the story. The band’s struggle definitely added an extra element to keep me turning the pages to see if they crash and burn or shine. But what truly kept me glued to the pages was the super steamy sex scenes.

What? I never said I wasn’t shallow. Don’t look at me like that. Just wait until you meet Deacon for yourself, you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.

While Harper struggles with the inevitable relationship that they have going, Deacon was all in from the very beginning. There was no playing around from him. He knew what he wanted and he went for it.

Making her his, holding on to her as if she was going to fade out like the last strains of a song wasn’t a smart move. Instead he had to trust that if she was truly that important, then things would fall together.

Cari and Taryn managed to give their love story the perfect combination of sexy and dirty with sweet and passionate.

But all he could focus on was how she felt around him. Like heaven and hell were pulling at him. Take more, give more, love more. Life infused around him and through him as her sweet body gave and softened for him.

I am hooked on this series, line and sinker. I’m already salivating for every single book, and that rarely happens. Usually I have one or 2 characters that I’m curious about, and the rest I could take it or leave it. I can’t tell you who I want a book for more, Simon, Nick or Gray. I want them all. BAD.

If you’re looking for your next rock star series, look no further than the boys of Oblivion.

In her arms is where he was meant to be. And the chaos in his mind ebbed and flowed with lust and the heady first blush of emotion. She filled him up, made him ache, and when her surrender came this time, it was soft and sweet.

**ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review**

Want even more of Harper and Deacon? 

Well lucky you! Taryn and Cari just released a sexy novella for them on July 4th. Check it out!

     Loving in fast forward…


Love on the fast track has been the definition of Harper and Deacon McCoy’s relationship. In between studio sessions with Deacon’s band, Oblivion, and building a new clientele for Harper’s catering business, the newlyweds haven’t had time to sleep let alone have a honeymoon.
Deacon convinces Harper that they need a week alone together before her business as well as a new album and tour swallows them whole. Since Texas has always held special meaning for them, they head to Galveston to recharge and remember what it’s like to just be a couple.
A beachfront cottage, hours of alone time, and plenty of skin on skin action is just what the rock star ordered. Until the future once again comes much quicker than they expected, threatening to crumble not only their perfect honeymoon but also their brand new marriage

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo
And psssst…it’s only $.99 right now 😉
TARYN ELLIOTT comes from the great state of New York—upstate, thank you very much. She’s usually busy making up stories with her best friend until the wee hours of the morning, or fangirling over her favorite TV show. She falls in love with each and every one of her leading men as she writes their book, and there’s always a soundtrack to match.
She loves talking to readers, so if you’d like to reach her, please visit her website: tarynelliott.com and sign up for her newsletter, or drop her a line at: taryn@tarynelliott.com.

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR CARI QUINN saves the world one Photoshop file at a time in her job as a graphic designer. At night, she writes sexy romance, drinks a lot of coffee and plays her music way too loud. When she’s not scribbling furiously, she’s watching men’s college basketball, reading excellent books and causing trouble. Sometimes simultaneously.
Visit Cari at www.cariquinn.com to sign up for her brand new newsletter, or drop her a line at:cariquinnauthor@gmail.com.

(1) signed copy of Rocked by Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliott , an ebook of Rock, Rattle & Roll – 1 winner (US only)

(1) XXL Lost in Oblivion T-shirt- 1 winner (US only)

And 2 lucky winners will also receive an ebook of Rock, Rattle and Roll (open internationally)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Review: ☆Five Ways to Fall☆ by @KathleenATucker

July 9, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

FWTF final coverPurple-haired, sharp-tongued Reese MacKay knows all about making the wrong choice; she’s made plenty of them in her twenty-odd-years. So when her impulsive, short-lived marriage ends in heartbreak, she decides it’s time for a change. She moves to Miami with the intention of hitting reset on her irresponsible life, and she does quite well…aside from an epically humiliating one-night stand in Cancun with a hot blond bouncer named Ben. Thank God she can get on a plane and leave that mistake behind her.

Football scholarship and frat parties with hot chicks? Part of charmer Ben Morris’s plan. Blown knee that kills any hope of a professional football career? So not part of the plan. Luckily Ben has brains to go with his knockout looks and magnetism. After three long years of balancing law school with his job as a bouncer at Penny’s Palace, he’s ready to lead a more mature life—until his first day of work, when he finds himself in the office of that crazy, hot chick he met in Cancun. The one he hasn’t stopped thinking about.

If Ben truly were a smart guy, he’d stay clear of Reese. She’s the boss’s stepdaughter and it’s been made very clear that office romances are grounds for dismissal. Plus, rumor has it she’s trouble. The only problem is, he likes trouble, especially when it’s so good-looking…

Amazon / B&N / IndieBound / iTunes / BAM / 

5 Perfect Stars


Word to the wise: if you have to fight over a guy, he’s not worth it. Go for the one who’s waiting for you.”

This was. Hands down. Most definitely. My favorite book in the series. I can’t say I ever gave Ben much thought after the 1st book…or even when I was reading the first book. But now? Move over Trent and Kacey, because Ben and Reese completely stole my heart with this book.

Want me to tell you 5 reasons I loved it? That wasn’t really a question, since I’m going to anyway 🙂

1. Reese
Reese was snarky, sarcastic, smart mouthed and quick witted. Did I mention that she also drive a Harley? This girl was seriously made of pure awesome…too bad her douchebag of an ex husband broke her heart by cheating on her and asking for a divorce. So what’s a girl to do? Get disgustingly drunk in Cancun and exorcise the fuck out of her ex by fucking someone else. Enter, stage right, Ben Morris


I love the angry ones. Of course anyone who knows me would argue that I love any and all women, and I can’t exactly disagree. But I love the angry ones the most. They’re a challenge to be conquered, the reason for their fury usually fitting neatly into three buckets: insecure, scorned, hormonal.
And this purple-haired chick gazing up at me with fire in her caramel eyes?
I’m betting on bucket number two.

Oh Ben, how right you are. Reese also has a verra big side of crazy. This is a not a girl you want to scorn or fuck with.

2. The Banter!
Oh my god, the banter! It was seriously awesome. Any time these two would talk, it was comedy genius. I think I had a goofy smile on my face the entire time I was reading.

And what is it exactly about me that you don’t like?
The womanizing mama’s-boy football-player part who spreads charm on like peanut butter and has a different girl in his hotel room every night this week.
Not every night

Well at least you’re honest about it, Ben

But given enough alcohol and Reese decides to get her exorcism with Ben…too bad it turns into the one night stand from hell. Luckily she never has to seem him again. Right? Imagine Reese’s surprise when it looks like that Ben is her new coworker since he waas just hired as an associate lawyer at her step-father’s law firm where she works.

Which brings me to my next point

3. The banter
Yes, I know I already had it listed. But it deserves more than one mention because it was just THAT good.

They make extra-strong margaritas at Amigos, down the street. Just like you like them. I’ll bring a change of clothes, for after, of course.”
“Get out.”
“We could take a nice long crawl down the boardwalk, and then-“
“Fuck. Right. Off.”

Do you see what I mean? I was highlighting practically every barb and insult that they traded.

4. Ben
Swoon. Ben was just total perfection. Yes, he was a manwhore. But he was also sweet, hilarious, honest, make-no-qualms-about-who-he-is fantastic. He also wanted Reese. Bad. But just for sex, of course. He can’t compromise his career by dating his boss’s daughter PARTICULARLY when there’s a specific no dating rule in place. Reese really doesn’t make it easy for him, but he’s determined

If I laugh, she’ll hate my guts. I need her to not hate my guts. Ideally, I need to find a way to make her love my guts. I get the impression she doesn’t even like most people, so this may be a challenge.

And you are certainly correct in that, Ben. This is a girl that “accidentally” stumbled on her ex husband and his new wife going at it at a paintball game and proceeded to shoot the living hell out of both of them with paintballs. Naked ass and all.

Duly noted.

Now back to Ben. If you’re looking for a hero that’s cocky, but in an endearingly funny way? You will LOVE Ben as much as I did.


Have you always loved yourself this much?”
“I had an awkward year in ‘ninety-nine, but I got over it quick.”

And Reese was no exception. Ben managed to worm himself in to her black little heart and chip away at her defenses and walls little by little.

5. The banter
I’m telling you people, it was just that awesome that it needs to have 3 mentions on my list.


She’s my date.”
“Date? I guess you don’t know Ben very well yet.”
“He lied and used medicinal narcotics to bribe me into coming here, so I think I have him pretty well pegged.”

So there you have it. 5 Ways I absolutely fell for this book. I laughed, I swooned, I laughed some more. I absolutely loved it.

If you’re a fan of NA romance, this is a book that’s not to be missed. Seriously. You’ll see exactly why I loved it as much as I did when you read it. It’s bittersweet to now say goodbye to this series, but what a perfect book and couple to end it with.

***ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***

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Blog Tour, Review & #Giveaway: ☆Take☆ by Ella Frank

July 8, 2014 by · 1 Comment
TAKE – verb: to reach for and hold in one’s hands or get into one’s possession, power or control. 
Logan Mitchell is a man who’s always been more than happy to take what he wants. It’s a philosophy that’s proven lucrative in both his business and personal life, and never was it more apparent than the night he laid eyes on Tate Morrison. After pulling out all the stops and convincing the sexy bartender to give him a try—he’s hooked.
Now, Logan finds himself in a predicament that demands more from him than a smart-ass answer and his innate ability to walk away when things get too deep.
He has a choice to make, and it’ll force him to do something he’s never done before—take a chance.
Tate Morrison knows all about taking a chance. He took the biggest one of his life the night he showed up at Logan’s apartment to explore his unexpected reaction to the man.
Ever since then, he’s thought about little else.
At first he was convinced his attraction was based solely on his body’s curiosity. But the more time he spends with the silver-tongued lawyer, the more Tate realizes that their physical chemistry is only the beginning.
He’s starting to catch a glimpse of what life with Logan would be like, and it’s one full of excitement and satisfaction—a far cry from what he had in the past with his soon to be ex-wife.
Each man will face their fears as they begin to understand the true meaning of give and take. Their feelings for one another will be tested, as will their very beliefs. But now that they’ve found love where they least expected it, will they be brave enough to reach out and take it?
Buy Links

Amazon / Amazon CA / Amazon UK / B&N / Kobo

Excerpt

“That’s your truck?”

“Yes.”

“It’s so…”

“So what?” Logan challenged as he pulled his keys from his pocket.

“Old?”

“Excuse me. I’ll have you know I was driving this baby all through college and she still runs like a dream.”

Tate watched as Logan walked over to run his hand over the scratched-up tailgate, and he was amazed that he even made that look sexy. Like he was stroking a lover.

“And it’s a she, huh?”

Now around at the passenger’s side, Logan opened the door and looked at him over the bed of the truck. “Yeah. Jealous?”

Laughing, Tate walked over to where Logan stood with a hand on the door and kissed him slowly on the mouth.

“I’m jealous of anything you stroke like that.”

“Get in the truck, Tate.”

“Or else?”

Logan stepped forward, crowding him back against the inside frame of the vehicle. “You’re not ready for the or else…”

Review
4.5 stars

So now it was his turn. His turn to convince Logan that he, Tate Morrison, was worth it. When he wanted something, he was stubborn enough to wait it out and take it.

Well fuck me sideways and consider me officially hooked. Wow. Ella Frank managed to do what no other author has accomplished for me before; she managed to make me love Take even more than Try. And I fucking LOVED Try. While I love me some delicious M/M loving, I do want a great story to go along with it. Take definitely offered more than Try in the back story and relationship development department. Typically when it comes to trilogies or series with the same couple, my ADD kicks in right around book 2 and I. Am. Done. But I can honestly tell you that not only will I be reading the next book, I am anticipating the FUCK out of it.

Take takes off immediately where Try left off. Logan and Tate are just starting to settle into being together, though both haven’t touched that scary L word. Labels. After Tate’s ex wife catches him in a passionate kiss with Logan, the cat is out of the bag and Tate has to face the music and come out to his parents. In the midst of doubts and fear, the driving force of the book continues to be the incredible passion that both these men share.

Lust and arousal were the driving forces in the room, but just under the surface was something much stronger- something he wasn’t sure they were ready to acknowledge.
No one had ever made him feel as centered as Logan did, even when his world was spinning out of control.

Logan is one hell of a dirty mouthed distraction. Everything that I loved about him in book 1 was back in book 2. His dirty humor, inappropriate comments, and melt the panties right off of you sex appeal.

Logan may have been the one pursuing Tate before, but in this book it’s Tate’s turn to ultimately prove to Logan what he wants.

If I loved Tate before, I completely fell for him here. I appreciate that there was no OTT drama or unnecessary angst added here. It was what it was, and what it was was Tate growing more comfortable with the man that he is now. That’s not to say that there wasn’t any struggles. There definitely was that. Most of it in the form of his cunt of an ex wife. Now if I just may take a moment to vent here?

I have never wished for a character to killed off more than his ex wife. I swear I hated her more with every damn chapter. Forget ragey, I felt stabby. The things that she does and says?! That Cunty McCuntface!
Gah! I wanted to reach through my kindle and kick her in the ovaries.
Vent finished.

While this book definitely had more story than the first, it still delivered on the scorching sex scenes.

Usually I’d find myself getting bored with that many love scenes and eventually skimming (yes, the horror! I know. But it’s been known to happen) But that was not the case here. Not even close. I couldn’t get enough of these two together.

You will never, and I mean EVER, look at olive oil the same again. I don’t think I’ll be able to cook without getting turned on again.

I really loved how Tate really came into his own here and let his dirty side loose.

That’s what you want, isn’t it? Someone who won’t always let you win? Someone that is more than happy to be sucked and fucked but will also return the favor? Mark my words fine has no business with what we’re about to do.”

If you’re concerned about a cliffhanger, don’t be. Take leaves off in a very satisfying place while making it obvious that there’s still more ground to cover. I was very happy with how it ended. I’m not feeling a ragey cliffy episode while still anticipating the next book. If you’re looking for a hot as fuck MM romance, you definitely need to meet the boys of Temptation.

*ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review*

About the Author
Ella Frank is a #1 Amazon Bestselling Author. She writes both contemporary and erotic fiction and is best known for her Exquisite Series, Try and her most recent novel Veiled Innocence.
The minute she began her love affair with reading, she became and avid supporter of the romance genre and has never looked back.

Ella is Australian born and bred but currently resides in Houston, Texas with her husband.

 

And don’t miss the first book in the Temptation series!!
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Buy Links
Amazon / Amazon CA / Amazon UK / B&N / Kobo / iTunes
Giveaway
1st) Taste of Chicago Gift Package (US ONLY)
2nd) Ghirardelli Chocolate Gift Basket (US ONLY)
3rd) Full Signed Set of Ella Frank Books and choice of Mug and T-shirt (US ONLY)
4th) Amazon Gift Card $50.00 (US ONLY)
5th) Amazon Gift Card $25.00 (US ONLY)
6th) 10 Winners x Your Choice of Ella Frank Ebook (international)
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Review: ☆Harder☆ by @RobinYorkNA

July 1, 2014 by · Leave a Comment
Harder

In Robin York’s provocative new novel, two young ex-lovers find themselves together again in the shadow of tragedy—and an intense, undeniable attraction.

Caroline still dreams about West. His warm skin, his taut muscles, his hand sliding down her stomach. Then she wakes up and she’s back to reality: West is gone. And before he left, he broke her heart.

Then, out of the blue, West calls in crisis. A tragedy has hit his family—a family that’s already a fractured mess. Caroline knows what she has to do. Without discussion, without stopping to think, she’s on a plane, flying to his side to support him in any way he needs.

They’re together again, but things are totally different. West looks edgy, angry at the world. Caroline doesn’t fit in. She should be back in Iowa, finalizing her civil suit against the ex-boyfriend who posted their explicit pictures on a revenge porn website. But here she is. Deeply into West, wrapped up in him, in love with him. Still.

They fought the odds once. Losing each other was hard. But finding their way back to each other couldn’t be harder.

5 Deeper and Harder Stars


You have to let yourself want what you want as hard as you can, as deep as that goes, even if it scares the fuck out of you.

Wow. Just wow. As much as I loved Deeper, Harder managed to absolutely blow me away. It shattered my heart into a million pieces, and then slowly mended it back together, piece by piece, managing to bring a captivating and emotional story a full circle. Robin York’s writing is both poignant and uplifting, and she has easily moved to the very top of my favorite NA authors. I do not recommend reading this book without having read Deeper first, it will simply not be the same. So let’s move on to the review, shall we?

It’s been some time since where Deeper ended, and although it’s not made clear what happened, it’s obvious that Caroline and West are not together anymore. Their relationship is stunted at best, tumultuous at worst.


Before we crashed and burned, though, I liked the person I was with West. He made me vulnerable, but he helped me be stronger, too.

In Deeper we saw West take a broken Caroline, and help put her together. He was her rock, her shoulder, her everything. But when Caroline put herself back together she was stronger, and this book paints that picture perfectly.

I cannot tell you how refreshing it is to read about a heroine in a NA novel that is as emotionally strong as Caro was. Because that’s precisely what she was. This was not a girl that flew off at the rails, she knew what she wanted and she fought for it…even if she may never win.

Yes there’s an event that happens here that had me screaming and raging in anger and devastation. But as I read more, I understood why it happened and the choices that were took place. I may not have liked it, but it fit the story. It fit THEIR story.

Caro’s reaction to this was something that really made me think. She did not react in a typical way that you would expect. She showed an immense amount of emotional maturity and intelligence, which was truthfully a first for me. I think I loved her character all the more for it. It was obvious that she knew West suspected a certain reaction from her, but she knew why he did what he did, and she knew what he needed.

I could tell you how much I’m hurting, or I could get out of the car, slam the door, hitchhike to the airport because fuck you, fuck you, West, how could you do this to me? How?

What I can’t do is pretend I don’t know what you did,” I say. “Or pretend I don’t still care about you.

If in the first book West was Caro’s rock, then in this one it came a full circle. The depth of Caroline’s love for West was evident in every word and action.

As for West? My beautifully broken, hurting, fucked up West. As much as I wanted to hate him for what he did, I just couldn’t. My heart hurt for him. The more I read, the more it hurt.

He was so lost in the first half of this book. His heartbreak is palpable. What he does to push Caro away is terrible, don’t get me wrong. But you can tell he felt he had no choice. And while he succeeds in one thing, he fails in another, because Caroline refuses to give up on him. Caro was the strong one here, she needed to be, to help West find his way out of the dark

She knows who she is deep inside herself. I can break her heart, but I can’t break her pride. I can’t break her. She’s never going to let that happen.

I want her

All the time, like a virus, a disease I caught, except the other way around- like a a cure I caught a year ago, and it’s inside me, winding through my veins, pumping through my heart.

His hope and hopelessness is swallowing him whole. He wants, but he doesn’t think he can have it. He doesn’t deserve it. But it doesn’t stop his yearning.


Spark. Spark. Flame.


The whole time, I was trying to convince myself that the flame didn’t look like hope, didn’t feel like it, but I’ve never been any good at that kind of deception.
That spark in the dark, that wavering flicker- Caroline. Hope.
For me, they were always the same thing.

The first half of the book was an emotional roller coaster. The feels, the pain, the heartbreak, it was devastating. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and the second half was the light.

What I truly loved about the book was that Robin York didn’t throw in any more additional drama in the end. There was no unnecessary angst, the angst that was there was intricately important to the plot, not excessive. She manages to take the story a full circle while painting a love story that’s emotional and touching.

If you loved Deeper, you will love Harder. There are events here that may take you out of your comfort zone and make you question what you feel. It will capture you and draw you in. It will break your heart and then put it back together. I’m in love with Robin’s wring, story telling, and her words. I really hope she continues this series with another couple…like perhaps Bridget and Krishna? (Hint, hint. Nudge nudge) LOL!

Highly recommended read. If you want a NA romance that’s unlike any you’ve read before, this is a must read.

**ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

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