Review, Guest Post, & #Giveaway: ☆To Professor, With Love☆ by @lindakage

*new adult romance*
**explicit scenes and language**

Junior in college. Star athlete. Constant attention from the opposite sex. 

On this campus, I’m worshiped. While seven hundred miles away, back in my hometown, I’m still trailer park trash, child of the town tramp, and older sibling to three kids who are counting on me to keep my shit together so I can take them away from the same crappy life I grew up in. 

These two opposing sides of myself never mix until one person gets a glimpse of the true me. I never expected to connect with anyone like this or want more beyond one night. This may be the real deal.

Problem is, Dr. Kavanagh’s my literature professor.

If I start anything with a teacher and we’re caught together, I might as well kiss my entire future goodbye, as well as my family’s, and especially Dr. Kavanagh’s. Except sometimes love is worth risking everything. Or at least, it damn well better be because I can only resist so much.

-N. G.-

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Review
4.5 stars

I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Have you ever read a book that you simply couldn’t put down for the life of you? A book that was so wonderfully written, it not only completely drew you into the story…it made you feel? I’m talking made you feel every heart palpitation, pulse pounding, anxious, nail biting, so full of sexual tension you think you might burst moment along with the characters? Because I swear to you, that’s what this book did to me. I devoured it. Me! The girl that lives for my dirty smut and actually does a search for the word “cock” in my books to make sure it’s dirty enough. (What? You don’t do that?) I got so engrossed in this forbidden love story that I forgot about the smut. Well…I mean…not entirely. It IS NA after all, and the sexual chemistry here is just perfect.

My favorite part of a love story is that burn. You know the one I’m talking about. It’s this palpable sexual tension that stretches for so long you think you might burst. But then BOOM, when it finally does happen, it’s just that much more satisfying. There’s plenty of books out there that will use sex as a filler, as opposed to the icing on the cake that’s supposed to be the book. And in my humble opinion, Linda Kage had the perfect recipe here. I adored this book. I loved it. HARD.

If you’ve stayed away from teacher/romance stories in the past, but wanted to dip your toes, THIS is the book the you start with. This was such a unique, wonderfully written spin on a forbidden love. There wasn’t a big age difference (barely any). But what I loved the most, was that the student here was (pause for dramatic effect) MALE.

Ladies, prepare to swoon and fall hard for Noel Gamble.

Noel seemingly has it all; he’s the star quarterback, has his pick of women, and a scholarship to a great university. All he has to do to keep it is make sure that he maintains his GPA. But there’s one problem that stands in his way; a problem of the 5 foot 4, green eyed, uptight bitch, yet slightly alluring variety. His Literature professor, Dr. Kavanagh.

There’s nothing better to me than a book where I fall for both the characters. Dr. Kavanagh may have come off rigid and bitchy at first, but her internal monologue never failed to make me smile. She had such a quirky and endearingly innocent personality, it was impossible not to love her.

It must be some internal, natural selection thing I couldn’t control. Survival of the fittest lured me into gravitating toward the strongest, healthiest, most attractive male in the pack who seemed most appropriate for reproduction of the species. After watching those two sluts maul him after class a few minutes ago, I knew he had to be good for some scintillating reproductive activities.

But beneath her frumpy clothing and uptight exterior, is a vulnerable young girl that finds herself attracted to someone that is most certainly forbidden.

The way both of them constantly fought the attraction between them kept me turning the pages in anticipation for that moment where one or both of them would finally give in.

Her mouth was going to be my downfall. If she asked me, I would probably take her on her nice, clean desk right then and there. I could so clearly see myself tossing her down, gathering up her frumpy skirt, wedging myself between her thighs and just hammering it home. I also wanted to wrap my hands around her throat and strangle her for making me feel like such an idiot. It probably wasn’t healthy to have two such drastic emotions roaring through me at the same moment, but there they were. Absolutely roaring.

Noel wasn’t your typical manwhoring jock, but so so much more. He was utter perfection. he was this delectable combination of sweet, vulnerable, and sexy.

The chemistry that between him and Aspen are slowly brewed to the point where it’s practically boiling. Gawd but it was delicious. It was simply lust, it went so much deeper.

She was the frumpy, genius professor hiding romantic hopes and dreams. I was the stud playboy football star working my ass off to save my poor, broke family. What a pair we made. And what an ass I felt like. She wasn’t just some piece of fruit I wanted to sample because she was forbidden. She was a lot deeper than I had ever imagined.

As hard as both of them fight the attraction, it soon proves too strong for both of them. But the way that it’s written never made it seem illicit or dirty. And the vulnerability of both these characters is what truly captivates you.

I fully realize this thing between us is doomed, okay. I know we can never…
“We might not stand a chance, but I can’t stop thinking about you. I can’t stop craving that connection we share. It’s so fucking strong, I’ve been willing to… God, I would do anything for little stolen pieces of you, Aspen.

The book kept me on the edge of my seat equal parts waiting for and dreading that moment for the other shoe to drop. Linda Kage teases and tortures you with different hints of how it may all go down. But I can honestly say that the way it did, I never saw coming.

I went through a ringer of emotions; I swooned, I cried, my heart hurt. It was simply wonderful. I’m not sure how it is that I’m only now discovering this author, but I’ll be rectifying this immediately by reading Price of a Kiss (especially since both the characters from that book make an appearance here).

I’m so happy that Linda will be continuing this series with Pick’s book next. I’m already salivating to get my grabby little hands on that book.

But let’s sum it up with this; do I recommend this book?
FUCK. YES.
I can’t recommend it enough. Read it and experience for yourself what sent me into a gushing fangirling episode.


LISA JAYNE’S REVIEW

 

FOUR FORBIDDEN STARS.
“knotted together until I didn’t know where I ended and he began, we made love.”
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When I got the opportunity to read and review this up and coming novel I can gladly admit that I was more than just a little excited, in fact I was nothing short of ecstatic. ‘Price of a kiss’ was one of my favourite reads of last year and it started an addiction to an author that I knew I could no longer ignore. ‘To professor, with love’ is a novel that is deliciously tempting with an edge of taboo that I’m sure will make most readers enjoy their time spent with this novel. I’m certainly impressed once again by Linda Kage, here’s the rest of my thoughts …

What’s it all about?
Popular and talented star quarterback, Noel Gamble works hard, lives his dream and will do anything to provide for those that he loves most. He is determined that everything he has worked for must amount to making a new life for his siblings that he has left back in his hometown, a ugly life that he wants them all to escape from. Dr Aspen Kavanagh is a professor that is not as confident as her stern attitude and ugly business suits would suggest, inside is a woman begging to be loved and after living a loveless life nothing could be more tempting than an attraction that feels like it could be more. When aspen and Noel’s lives collide they could never have anticipated that they would find what they need in each other, but with everything on the line this couple have to make the decision to give into temptation or walk away from a undeniable connection that could forever change their lives.

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What did I love?
Firstly, I love this authors writing style. I think by now it’s obvious that I’m a fan of the talented, Linda Kage. This author always manages to take me away on a love-story journey that is easy to escape into and equally easy to love. ‘To professor, with love’ was filled with romance, steam and forbidden love with a twist of heart break and depth that made it a charming story. The characters were believable and easy to read about. There’s no mistaking that this author has a talent for writing heroes that make the heart go faster and this time around she kept the humour at bay with her vulnerable and ever so charming heroine. Everything about the story line and developing story was well thought out and I even had a delightful second chance look into the lives of Mason and Reese from book one which certainly didn’t harm the enjoyment factor. The chemistry and slow burn build up towards the attraction scored points for my reading experience and it certainly wasn’t an anti climax once the characters finally made the decision to get down and dirty. I also adored the quotes that Linda added into the book at the beginning of each chapter and throughout the story, I found myself looking forward to what would come next, it’s adorably clever that each quote connected somehow to the content of the chapters. Overall this book was a winning combination of love, romance, steam and storyline, Linda Kage has done it again readers.

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Why not five?
This book most certainly had five star quality stamped all over it, there were moments that I adored and I was highlighting my treasured kindle like crazy but with that being said as much love as I have for Linda Kage and her forbidden men series when I compared this novel to the first book in the series ‘Price of a Kiss’ it didn’t quite reach the same enjoyment level. I felt like I missed out on the humour, wit and laid back writing style of book one and sadly I didn’t connect to the storyline as much as I have with this authors previous novels. However, this book still reached a loveable four star status and I haven’t got much to complain about. Linda Kage writes books that I’ll always reach out to read and I’m more than happy that I spent my time with this heartfelt story about love being found in forbidden places. I’d whole heartedly recommend this novel to those that have enjoyed this authors previous work and if you are new to this author, then do not think twice about reading this likeable story and meeting a hero that will unquestionably stay in your heart.

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Final thoughts …
As a reader I never gravitate to towards stories involving teacher/student relationships, but here Linda Kage has created a story that captured my affection and love. I never felt uncomfortable with the authors content, instead she got me wrapped up in a love story that left me wanting more. This is a series that I’m excited to see develop and I’m more than ready to read more about this authors addictive characters. If you like to fall for the heroes in your books and you enjoy the new adult genre then this series should not be missed. Go grab this book on release day I can guarantee you will not regret time spent with the delicious, Noel Gamble. Enjoy … Kisses.

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Curious about what’s next for the Forbidden Men series? Read on for a special guest post from Linda Kage

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway for your chance to win an ebook copy of To Professor, With Love

Forbidden Men. 

There are two reasons I named the series Forbidden Men, and they’re pretty obvious! First of all, every featured hero will at some point be an employee of the Forbidden Nightclub.
But my favorite aspect is that each story will have a forbidden romance in it. I just love a plot where the hero and heroine are prohibited from being together.
And we’re about to go through all kinds of illicit affairs, from one hero lusting after his best friend’s little sister to another hero kind of already being married when he finally meets his soul mate. Then I had to throw in that age-old gigolo hero (bet you can’t tell which story that was!) along with a student/teacher relationship. And one fair heroine falls flat in love with her forbidden man on the day her asks her to accompany him to the jewelry store so she can help him pick out an engagement ring…for her roommate!
Right now, I have three more additions in the works to add to the series. So, if everything goes according to my evil plans (fingers crossed), the series should hopefully look a little like this:
Book 1 – Price of a Kiss – featuring Mason
Book 2 – To Professor, with Love – featuring Noel
Book 3 – Be My Hero – featuring Pick
Book 4 – With Every Heart Beat – featuring Quinn
Book 5 – A Perfect Ten – featuring…yep, Ten!
Each story will be a standalone, but they’ll also tie into the books around them, so you could read them either in order or totally out of order!
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Blog Tour, Review, & #Giveaway: ☆Veiled Innocence☆ by @EllaFrank2012

Tick, tick, tock.

Time.

That’s all I have now.

A small room, a photograph, and time.

They want me to trust them and confess my sins.

They told me they wouldn’t judge me—they lied.

I thought we could convince the world that this wasn’t a crime.

We were wrong.

Time doesn’t stand still.

The clock keeps ticking, the world is unconvinced, and now…

Now he is gone.

Veiled Innocence by Ella Frank
Excerpt One – Addison Lancaster’s POV
Copyright © 2014 by Ella Frank

I’d waited until he got out of the truck before approaching. I didn’t want his escape to be as easy as driving away. Standing in the small stone alcove of the gate, I knew it would be best to wait until he stepped away from the lit area. That way, any cars driving by wouldn’t be able to see us.

I wanted no excuses, no reason for him to worry, but I could see my silence had caused just as much concern as my presence would have. He turned to me, and I finally took a moment to really look at him the way I wanted to.

His hair was still pulled back but several pieces had now escaped and been pushed behind his ears. The darker stubble lining his square jaw made my fingers tingle with the need to touch.

“Oh, thank God,” he whispered, sounding relieved.

I thought he would move away from me once he knew I was safe. Instead, he reached out and squeezed my shoulder.

“I thought something had happened to you.”

I don’t think he realized that he was slowly massaging me.

“Jesus, don’t do that again. Okay?”

Taking another step closer, I agreed quietly. “Okay.”

He licked his lips and removed his hands, and I saw in his eyes the minute he decided it was time for some distance.

“What are you doing out here?” he asked. His casual black sports jacket shifted with the breeze, and all of a sudden I couldn’t remember why I was there. All I knew was that I wanted to touch him.

“Addison?”

His voice had the ability to make all of the noise inside my head cease.

Blinking up at him, I finally answered, “Yes?”

“What are you doing out here?”

Moving in so my jacket brushed the front of his, I finally reached to touch him, but he grabbed my wrist, holding it away.

“No,” he told me, and his voice was so stern I probably should have heeded the warning…but I didn’t.

“No?”

His head bent down, and when his face was a hairsbreadth from my own, he repeated, “No. Tell me why you’re here.”

His breath was warm as it ghosted over my lips, and I couldn’t help but part my own, hoping by some miracle I could taste him on my tongue.

“Why are you here? That’s a better question, don’t you think?”

“I know better than this.”

I reached up needing to touch him, but he took that hand too, holding them both prisoner. Being held in place with nowhere to go elicited a hunger in me that I didn’t yet understand. 

“Know better than what?”

“Than to be here.”

“Then go,” I offered.

That was all it took. He spun me around, backed me up against the truck, and had my arms pinned by my head so fast I lost my breath. Leaning in beside me until his mouth was by my ear, he rasped in an unsteady voice, “I can’t.”

I turned my head to face him and saw all of his turmoil, and finally, the full impact of his desire. “Then don’t.”

“You’re going to be the death of me.”

Life is full of ironies, because with him, I’d never felt more alive.

6 Not so innocent Stars
He’d calmed me when no one else could.

He’d saved me from myself.
If only they knew the truth…
But no one is listening, and his time is already up.

Tick, tick, tock.


WOW


If this book isn’t proof that Ella Frank is an incredible writer, I’m not sure what is. This had to be hands down, bar none, one of the best Student/Teacher romances I have ever read. The writing, the story, the characters; I can’t even put into words what this book did to me. But if I really had to try?

Captivating

Nail biting

Erotic

Spellbinding
Emotional
COMPLETELY UNPUTDOWNABLE

If you’re a fan of this author, this book is a must read. And if you’ve never read anything by her, than this book will have you putting her on your auto-buy list.

This will be a spoiler free review. I’m doing you a favor, believe me, because this is a book that simply has to be experienced.

The story captures you from the very beginning. Miss Frank gives you just a little taste of what’s to come that will leave you sitting on pins and needles the entire time you’re reading. You know that something happens, but you don’t know what or when. You know where Addison ends up, but you don’t know how. This book gave me the worst case of anxiety EVAR. I couldn’t put it down. I had to know what happens next, and at the same time I was completely terrified of it happening.

Addison is a senior in high school, but she’s not the typical young heroine you’d find yourself reading about. She’s not shy, she’s not even remotely meek, she’s no virginal ingenue, and she’s certainly not suffering from a low self esteem.

She has the perfect looks, the perfect life, the perfect boyfriend, the perfect everything…or does she? Behind the veil of perfection, lost somewhere in the shadows of her darkest dreams, is a broken girl with a painful secret

But then everything changes when she comes to her first day of class and sees
him.

My ending, staring right at me from the very beginning.

When Addison lays eyes on her history teacher, Mr. McKendrick, she knows that she has to have him. And she pursues him relentlessly, without any shame, using her entire arsenal of incredible looks, charisma and sexual temptation.

She was everything I couldn’t have and shouldn’t want, but the more she taunted, the more my resolve crumbled. Temptation had come to visit, and her steely determination would likely destroy us both.

The story is told in dual first person POV. As much as I loved being inside Addison’s head, being able to see inside his head is what ultimately made this book. You feel his struggle to stay away from this girl. You feel how mcuh he fights it, how hard he tries, only to give into what you already know is inevitable.

Trust me, I do see you”, he stressed.
“You’re all I fucking see, Addison. When I close my eyes, when I open them, when I’m teaching. You’re. There. All. The. Fucking. Time.
Sometimes I wish I’d never seen you.”

Reading about their relationship was like watching a car crash about to happen and being powerless to stop it. You know that the odds are stacked against them, you know that the relationship is doomed. But at the same time you have NO FUCKING CLUE how or when. But you know that it will.

The book is told in alternate flashbacks from present to past. Ella Frank took two broken characters and alternating between erotic and emotionally charged, weaved it into an unforgettable, keep you at the edge of your seat story of a forbidden love.

If you’ve read her books in the past, you know that she can write a ‘melt the panties right off of you’ love scene. And this was definitely no exception. The two of them together was pure scorching hotness.

Look at you sitting here with your legs spread and my cock so fucking deep I don’t think I’ll ever leave. Jesus, Addison. I thought you were perfect before. Now I fucking know it.

I was stuck between trying to drag this book out as long as I can because I didn’t want it to end and not being able to put it down because I simply had to know what happens next.

Temptation be damned. I’d given in long ago. She was now my very own personal sin.

It was simply perfect.

You’re going to be the death of me.”
Life is full of ironies, because with him, I’d never felt more alive.

This is a book that I cannot recommend enough. It will steal your breath, capture your heart and break it all at once. It’s just one of those books that will stay with me for a long time. I feel the mother of all book hangovers coming on after this.

Read it. Experience it. Fall in love with it.

Ella, I may be running on 3 hrs of sleep and too much coffee and my nails might be chewed to shit with the amount of anxiety this story gave me, but DAMN, woman! I will now forever worship at the altar of your awesomeness.

A $150 Gift Card to Victoria’s Secret
A Women’s Silver Glitz Fossil watch – Tick, tick, tock…
A $50 Gift Card to Amazon
A $25 Gift Card to Barnes & Noble
2 Signed Copies of Veiled Innocence
5 Ella Frank eBooks  (Winner’s Choice)

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Blog Tour, Review & #Giveaway: ☆Unfixable☆ by @mstessabailey

  He’s the last thing she wants…but the only thing she needs.
  Amazon I B&N I Entangled
Willa Peet isn’t interested in love. She’s been there, done that, and has the shattered heart to prove it. Ready to shake the breakup, she heads to Dublin, Ireland. But there’s a problem. A dark-haired, blue-eyed problem with a bad attitude that rivals her own. And he’s not doling out friendly Irish welcomes.
Shane Claymore just wants to race. The death of his father forced him off the Formula One circuit, but he’s only staying in Dublin long enough to sell the Claymore Inn and get things in order for his mother and younger sister. He never expected the sarcastic American girl staying at the inn to make him question everything.

But even as Willa and Shane’s fiery natures draw them together, their pasts threaten to rip them apart. Can Shane give up racing to be with the woman he loves, or will Willa’s quest to resurrect the tough-talking, no-shit-taking girl she used to be destroy any hope of a future together?
5 I’d let Shane rev my engine Stars

I feel like a battle is being waged inside me, between my attraction to Shane and the scarier, unwanted feelings creeping in. It’s no mystery that I will lose the physical battle, but I’m trying to win the overall war.”

Ladies, be prepared to meet your new book boyfriend. But just in case there’s any question about who Shane already belongs to

Yes, I’m more than prepared to let my inner cougar out, and there is no shame in my game here. Once you meet the brooding Irish race car driver you’ll see exactly what I mean. Just make sure to return him to his proper owner when you’re finished 😉

Did I like this book? No. I fucking loved it. With each new release, Tessa Bailey continues to prove exactly why she’s on my list of auto-buy authors. The queen of dirty talk does not disappoint with this one. This New Adult title is a spin off from Tessa’s Line of Duty series, but there is no shortage of steam and dirty talk. Beyond that, it’s a beautiful love story about 2 broken people finding love in a time and place when they least expect it.

Willa is Ginger’s younger sister from Protecting What’s His. Since I loved the interaction and snarky humor between the sisters in that book, I knew immediately that I would like Willa in her own book.

Yes, I’m difficult. Yes, I’m a god awful smart ass. Yes, the ugliness never goes away, but I’d at least found a way to stabilize it.

Coming off of a difficult break up with her boyfried, Willa is looking for an escape. Winning a trip to Dublin from a photography contest offers the perfect answer to her problem. What she doesn’t expect is the broody, rude, and scowling welcome wagon in the form of sexy as hell Irishman when she arrives. To say that these two get off on the wrong foot is an understatement. The insults start flying right away, but the underlying sexual tension between them is what keeps you riveted to turn the pages.

Slow night. I guess not everyone values abrasiveness in their bartender.”
“I can play nice when I want to.”
“That remains to be seen.”
“Would you like to see for yourself, tough girl.”
“I can’t think of anything less appealing.”
“Liar.”

This is not a case of insta-love, or even insta-lust. Tessa creates a perfect slow build between Willa and Shane until you’re practically screaming for them to finally get together.

“Don’t you dare,” I manage breathily, when his gaze drops to my mouth. “I bite.”
Damn him, he presses closer.
“Maybe tonight I fancy being bitten.”

And when they finally do get together? Sweet mother of melting panties everywhere.

I couldn’t get enough of Shane and the deliciously dirty things that would come out of his mouth.

He drags me back from the car and pushes me back against the hard surface, partially heated by the purring engine.

When I start to pull my dress over my head, he stops me.

Leave it. I’m going to make you come in that dress. Then I’m going to fucking burn it.”

Their journey from trading insults, to stolen kisses, to steamy nights and finally to love was wonderfully portrayed. I thought the pacing of the book was absolutely perfect. I couldn’t get enough of Shane and I really loved Willa’s combination of strong yet endearingly broken. Tessa even managed to give us a little more of Derek and Ginger as the icing on top.

I loved that this was written in first person POV, but I would have liked to get a peek inside Shane’s head. I only hope that Tessa makes this into a series.

If you enjoy steamy NA with fantastic characters and a wonderful story (and scorching hot sex scenes), this book is a must read. If you’ve read and loved Tessa’s other books, then you will definitely love this one. And if you haven’t yet discovered the brilliance that is this author, I’m not sure what you’re doing still reading me review. GO READ THEM!

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

Tessa lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and young daughter. When she isn’t writing or reading romance, Tessa enjoys a good argument and thirty-minute recipes.
An Irish-themed/Unfixable themed swag pack and a Kindle Fire. 

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Review: ☆The Will☆ by Kristen Ashley

Early in her life, Josephine Malone learned the hard way that there was only one person she could love and trust: her grandmother, Lydia Malone. Out of necessity, unconsciously and very successfully, Josephine donned a disguise to keep all others at bay. She led a globetrotting lifestyle on the fringes of the fashion and music elite, but she kept herself distant. 

While Josephine was trotting the globe, retired boxer Jake Spear was living in the same small town as Lydia. There was nothing disguised about Jake. Including the fact he made a habit of making very bad decisions about who to give his love. 

But for Josephine and Jake, there was one person who adored them. One person who knew how to lead them to happiness. And one person who was intent on doing it. 

Even if she had to do it as her final wish on this earth. 

5 KA has her magic back Stars


It’s never too late to reach for happiness and no matter what life has done to you, it’s never too late to find it.

Oh yes!
God yes!
Fuck yes!

KA got her mojo back with this book. If I needed any further proof that the past releases lost the KA touch because of her publisher, this book was it. It was everything that I’ve been missing in her published books lately. And I do mean every-fucking-thing.

Who else but Kristen Ashley can take a heroine that talks like she’s a Victorian maiden and not only make it so it doesn’t irritate the living crap out of you, but actually endears her to you? No really? I ask you?

Well, yes I can. Because it was fantastic!

Miss Ashley takes a prim and proper heroine that by all intents and purposes conducts herself like she has a stick up her ass the size of a palm tree and makes you love her. Josie was everything I love in a heroine and even some things that I’d normally hate…yet loved here. Here you have a heroine that shows up in a town and it’s like the woman has a catnip pussy…uhem. All she has to do is breathe and she draws men to her like a bitch in heat.

Normally, this would drive me batty. Here, I couldn’t get enough. Such is the magic of KA.

Who else but KA can give you a hero that’s equal parts sweet, slightly assholish, a dash domineering, a whole lot of jealous, with a twist of melt your panties dirty talker?

Oh and make him a sexy as sin former boxer and an amazing single father in his late 40s?

Who else but KA can give you a beautiful love story with the perfect burn of sexual tension all to explode in the most erotic way when they finally give into the inevitable?

Don’t believe me? Just wait till that halfway mark and see for yourself what I mean.

And finally, who else but KA can give you an ending and an epilogue that will leave you an ugly crying, sniveling, kindle hugging in the middle of your room mess?

In case you’re curious, those are rhetorical questions, because the answer to all those is NO ONE. Absolutely, positively NO ONE but Kristen Ashley.

I adored this book. I tried stretching it out as much as possible and yet couldn’t find myself to put it down. I fell in love with Jake, I fell in love with his kids, I fell in love with the quirky Josie, and I completely and utterly fell in love with the story.

I won’t give you a sum up of the book or what it’s about since you can get the main gist of it from the book blurb. Giving you anything else will be an injustice to the KA reading experience. What I will tell you is that if you’re anything like me and found her last few releases to be somewhat shy of lackluster, this will bring you out of that funk.

I know that I will only be sticking to her self-pubs from now on because she has definitely not lost her touch, it’s simply been getting edited out by her publisher. And now I will be on pins and needles in pervy anticipation of Frankie and Benny’s book.

Miss Ashley, I only have one thing to tell you after finishing this

ARC Review: ☆The Innocent Liar☆ by @ElizabethFinn77

A woman hiding from her past, a man lost in his own…

Fiona was desperate to find a life in Jackson, Wyoming, but when a job interview that was supposed to be a sure thing turns ugly, she doubts there’s much hope of it. Eli sees through her lies, and regardless of the favor his father has asked of him, he’s just too stubborn to hire a woman who refuses to even give him her real name.

But there is a reason for everything, and he finds out soon enough her deceptions have a purpose too.

Secrets and lies are nothing to build a relationship on, but their attraction to one another is too intense to ignore. They’re simply magnets pulled together in a situation that should be driving them apart, but Eli has his own ghosts to contend with, and his past leaves him incapable of trusting a woman he can never fully know.

How can they move beyond her lies when the truth is what Eli really needs, and when her past threatens to destroy her, can he rise above his own needs to protect her — his innocent liar?

3.75 Erotically Angsty Stars

A woman hiding from her past, a man lost in his own…

The Innocent Liar is an angsty and erotic story about 2 broken people, each hiding from different kinds of demons from their past.

Fiona is hiding behind a veil of lies, innocent as they may be. She’s in a desperate situation, and the one saving grace that she’s counting on is the job that Eli may give her as a favor to his father.

Too bad Eli is too much of an asshole to just blindly do what his father asks. A man with his past is not one that can trust a woman that can’t so much as give him her real name. And his none-too-gentle dismissal of Fiona sends her fleeing his office in tears.

Guilt, circumstance, and desperate need bring them together again. But can a man that’s incapable of blind trust survive a relationship with a woman that’s incapable of giving him the truth, no matter how hot the passion between them may be?

I really liked this story, especially with the introduction we get to Eli. I have a particular soft spot for assholes, and Eli was one major asshole when Fiona first showed up to his office. He’s not exactly known for being a nice guy. A past that still haunts him and a fucked up marriage and divorce have pretty much guaranteed that. But there’s a method to his madness…


Anger gave him a sense of control and power that had once been missing from his life. People always assumed when a person was broken they didn’t realize they were broken. It wasn’t at all true. He knew it well. He saw it in himself, yet he would do nothing to stop it because he didn’t know how to function without his defects. They kept him sane and grounded. That was just a fact of life for him.

Fiona was one of those characters that I had a tough time deciding whether I truly loved or not. She wasn’t quite strong, and yet she wasn’t exactly weak either. What she was, was desperate and hiding from something that you know from the very beginning is going to be brutal to learn.

But something pulls the two of them together, even if neither of them truly understand what it is. Eli is a man that depends on truth, and Fiona is a woman that can’t give him that. Yet the inevitable happens…

He’d lived his life as though his past didn’t exist, yet oddly, his past had consumed him. But now, it didn’t – it wasn’t, and strangely, what had happened so many years ago was closer to the surface than ever before. She had something to do with that, and he needed to hold onto her, even if he hadn’t a clue how to do that.

Eli bounced back and forth between an utter asshole, to sweet back to asshole, to broken man, and then sweet again. It was tough to get a handle on his moods at times, though I did understand the reasoning behind them.

I’ll admit that at times I struggled to understand the connection between him and Fiona. I get that there was a sexual pull between them, but I felt like the progression of their relationship, especially given the circumstances was a little unbelievable to me.

I do love Elizabeth Finn’s writing, and by then end of the book I was very much sold. And if there’s one thing that Elizabeth can give you, it’s one hell of a scorching love scene. If you like your books steamy, this one will deliver that in spades.


I’m going to eat your pussy.” His tongue flicked the lobe of her ear. “Then I’m going to eat your ass.”
She shuddered…
“Then I’m going to watch you suck my dick. Then I’m going to fuck your ass, and I’m not going to stop until I’ve come inside you. Do you understand?”

I had a feeling about Elizabeth’s past, though we never really get the full painted picture, just the glossed over version of it. I understand that had the author went into the gory details of it, it would have shot the book from just angsty to pure dark category…but a part of me feels like I would have still wanted those details. We get bits and pieces of what she went through, but never the whole picture. And the ending doesn’t give much more details. Maybe it’s the dark romance lover in me that craved those details? I’m not sure.

For whatever reason there was just always something here that kept this from being that perfect 5 star read for me. I tend to be stingy with my 5 stars, so I tend to save those for books that I either absolutely LOVED or would see myself reading again.

Fans of Elizabeth Finn would definitely enjoy this book. She delivers a great angtsy love story about 2 broken characters finding healing with each other. And if you haven’t yet discovered this author, then I recommend you do. I’ve read a few books by Miss Finn, and I’ve enjoyed each of them.

So while this may not have been a perfect 5 star read for me, it was still a very enjoyable one and certainly one I would gladly recommend.

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

Review: ☆Reasonable Doubt: Volume 1☆ by @WhitGracia

My cock has an appetite. 

huge and very particular appetite: Blonde, curvy, and preferably not a fucking liar…(Although, that’s a story for another day.)

As a high profile lawyer, I don’t have time to waste on relationships, so I fulfill my needs by anonymously chatting and sleeping with women I meet online. 

My rules are simple: One dinner. One night. No repeats. 

This is only casual sex. Nothing more. Nothing less. 

At least it was , until “Alyssa”…

She was supposed to be a 27 year old lawyer, a book hoarder, and completely unattractive. She was supposed to be someone I shared law advice with late at night, someone I could trust with details of my weekly escapades. 

But then she came into my firm for an interview–a college-interninterview, and everything fucking changed…

Book 1 in a three part Erotic Romance Serial.

5 Erotic and refreshingly different Stars

Ladies, invest in lots of spare panties, because you’re about to meet the man that will melt them right off you. May I introduce Mr. Andrew Hamilton?

Now allow me to introduce you to Andrew’s hungry cock

Whoa there, tiger! No need to get feisty. I’m just telling the public something you clearly make no bones about. If I recall you also happened to have a type right?

Blonde, curvy, and preferably not a fucking liar

Shit. Two out of three ain’t bad though, right?

Now of course anyone as hot as you isn’t into anything as silly as commitment right? What is that one rule you have?

One dinner. One night. No repeats.

Well OK then. I’m sure you’re hiding something painful and broody in your past to cause you to be this way right?

*Awkward silence*

Alright then. Guess you won’t be sharing that today. That’s cool. Just

But what would you tell all those scorned women. You know, the ones that may tell you that this may catch up with you one day. What was it one of your conquests recently told you? Karma is on hell of a bitch.

I know. I fucked her two weeks ago…

And yet I find myself strangely turned on.

I’d built the last six years of my life detaching myself from any chance of having feelings for someone else, refusing to build any friendships…

But didn’t you make a friend…your only friend if I recall correctly. The one you met in the lawyer chat room but never met. What was her name? Alyssa? Was that it?

Yes I got all that, thank you. But you also find yourself wishing you were getting that pussy from Alyssa, don’t you?

Well then! No need to get bitchy! I can see you’re a little touchy on this subject since she refuses to meet you or tell you her real name.

But then you DO meet someone. That new college intern…the one that happens to be EXACTLY your type. You just can’t seem to stay away from her, can you? What’s that relationship like? First you fight, and then all of a sudden there’s some angry fuckery?

Yes, yes, I get it.

But she’s also keeping something from you, isn’t she?

Right. You have that thing against someone being a fucking liar.

Oh but you’re keeping something even bigger from here, aren’t you? And what do you do? LEAVE US WITH A FUCKING CLIFFHANGER IS WHAT!!! GAH!!

Now I’ll just be slowly dying inside waiting for book 2 to see how redeemable your assholy-ness really is.

And I thank you

ARC Review: ☆Hard Time☆ by Cara McKenna

In this all-new novel from the author of Unbound, a woman with a rocky past finds romance in the last place she’d ever expect…

Annie Goodhouse doesn’t need to be warned about bad boys; good sense and an abusive ex have given her plenty of reasons to play it safe. But when she steps into her new role as outreach librarian for Cousins Correctional Facility, no amount of good sense can keep her mind—or eyes—off inmate Eric Collier. 

Eric doesn’t claim to be innocent of the crime that landed him in prison. In fact, he’d do it again if that’s what it took to keep his family safe. Loyalty and force are what he knows. But meeting Annie makes him want to know more. 

When Eric begins courting Annie through letters, they embark on a reckless, secret romance—a forbidden fantasy that neither imagines could ever be real…until early parole for Eric changes everything, and forces them both to face a past they can’t forget, and a desire they can’t deny.

Review-DGR5 stars

And he told me about the things he wanted to do to me, the places he wanted to take me, if he could. The things about me that took his mind off his daily life, and roused his body in idle moments. And I wondered if he wasn’t a bank robber after all, the way he kept making off with my heart.

I fell in love with this book. I fell in love with the writing. I fell completely, head over heels in love with the hero. This book; no review I can write will ever do it justice. Cara McKenna is a genius, her stories will grab you by the heart and never let go. She doesn’t blow sunshine and rainbows up your ass. She gives you real characters, real emotion that is so well written, it’s almost palpable. Did I like this book? No. I fucking LOVED this book. I wish I could give it 6 stars. This is a story that will stay with me for a while with characters that I will never forget.

Annie Goodhouse is a good southern girl that hasn’t had the best of luck with men. She doesn’t have to be warned away from the bad boys, she experienced first hand what the feel of abuse at the hands of a man feels like, and she’s shut herself off. Annie is a librarian, and her new role takes her to work as an outreach librarian in the town’s medium security prison. And then everything changes when she meets him in a place where the worst of the bad boys are…

Eric, or inmate number 802267 as she first knows him, catches her eye right way. But it’s not his attitude, leering, or catcalling that snags her, because he doesn’t do any of those things.

That stare. That unreadable expression, an impossible mix of apathy and fascination, coldness and seduction.

Eric was not at all what I expected from reading the book’s blurb. He’s not some ultimate bad boy, an asshole, or a hard-ass. He’s simply a man that committed a crime, a crime that he would commit all over again if given the chance. But beneath that tough and muscled exterior there exists a soul of a gentle and romantic man. What first begins as a simple lesson in literacy begins to turn into something much deeper when he gives Annie the first letter.

His attention had become some strange, dark, private treat to brighten the toughest day of my week, and I’d come to crave it.

This book has some of the most amazingly written sexual tension I have ever read. The way that Miss McKenna portrays the angst, lust, and emotion that these 2 people share through simple letters was incredible. It almost felt like Eric was talking directly to me. His letters to Annie made me swoon at the same time it made me lust after him uncontrollably.

Annie was such an amazing heroine. She was strong, yet a little bit broken at the same time. She wasn’t mousy, or shy, or some wallflower. I think that’s what ultimately made this book so good for me, the fact that both characters had such an amazing balance of realness to them. You can feel how much Annie struggles with her feelings for Eric. She doesn’t know the full story of why he was put away and that scares her, but at the same time she finds herself falling for him more and more with each letter.

Were bad, violent crimes only done by bad, violent men? Could a man who was fundamentally bad make a woman feel the way Eric Collier had made me feel, all these weeks?

Eric stole my heart. He was so vulnerable and sweet, but without coming off as weak.

I want to be someone who deserves to be with somebody like you.

Cara McKenna give you two incredibly real characters that each struggle with their own incarceration. While Eric has been shut away in a prison cell for 5 years, Annie has shut herself off from feeling anything sexual after the abuse she suffered at the hands of her own ex. As the book progresses, you see them slowly grow closer together and their bond fully form. They’re both scared, they both have their weaknesses, but the connection between them is simply undeniable.

This book gives you everything; incredible characters, erotic love scenes, and an emotional gripping love story between 2 people who couldn’t be more different but yet fit together more.

The author doesn’t give you an ending that’s wrapped up in a perfect little bow, and I think I really loved that in this story. It was fitting. Anything else wouldn’t have been true to the characters or the plot. Is there a HEA? Yes, though it’s more of a HFN. It was extremely satisfying, and I have 0 complaints.

If you’re looking for an beautiful and erotic love story, that’s gorgeously written with characters that will stay in your heart for a long time to come, this book is simply a must read. Do not judge it by the cover or the blurb, it doesn’t do it nearly enough justice. I simply couldn’t recommend this book enough. Read it for yourself and see what all my gushing is about.

 

ARC Review: ☆Five Miles☆ by @LiliStGermain1

*Please note this book is dark romance and deals with serious themes including rape, violence and murder.* 

This story unfolds over seven volumes approx. 25 – 30,000 words each. 

My father taught me the importance of an eye for an eye—a cardinal rule, ingrained in every club member. 

A life for a life. 

Seven lives in payment for an unimaginable list of sins. 

People might wonder why I’m doing this. If this vengeance is borne from some noble cause, that I’m trying to prevent others from suffering at the hands of Dornan Ross and his sons. 

But I’m no vigilante. 

I’m doing it for me. I’m doing it because I want to. Because the look on Maxi and Chad’s faces when I killed them was a balm to my soul. 

This is the fate they have earned. The penance for their crimes. 

Two down, five to go. 

Time to send some of these brothers off with a bang. 

Five Miles is the third book in the Gypsy Brothers series. The series should be read in the following order: 

Seven Sons (Gypsy Brothers, #1) 
Six Brothers (Gypsy Brothers, #2) 
Five Miles (Gypsy Brothers, #3) 

Four Score, #4 in the Gypsy Brothers series, releases on May 26th, 2014

Buy Links
 

Holy HOLY hell! Just as I think I know what to expect from this series, Lili goes and throws me a curve ball like this. Wow! This was the best book in the series so far and they only seem to get better and better with each book.

Now I have a confession to make. See I happen to have the attention span of a 3 year old. True story. Serials are typically my kryptonite since I almost always seem to grow bored by book 2 or 3. It’s a sickness really and seems that Lili St. Germain just happens to be my cure because her books have hooked me…line and sinker. If I wasn’t completely addicted to this series before, after this book I am practically salivating for more.

If you had questions about Sammi’s motives or reasons in the past 2 books, most of your questions will be answered here. Anything that left you hanging in book 1 is also brought to light.

Here’s the thing, if you’re at all like me, I bet you were thinking that this may be some of the same old, same old. You have 7 brothers, there’s 7 books, each book you have one die, and Five Miles will follow the same formulaic approach, right? WRONG. It’s like Lili saw into my head, that evil genius, and decided to take everything I thought I knew and blow it all to hell and back.

I will not give you a sum up of this book, I will not regurgitate the blurb back to you or any of those things. But what I will tell you, is prepare yourself for one hell of a ride.

I was on pins and needles the entire time I was reading this. It kept me at the edge of my seat, biting my nails in nervous anxiety, equal parts nervous to keep reading yet unable to put it down. With each book I fall more and more for Jase and understand Sammi just a little bit more.

But the one thing that I love about this series? Lili gives you an ending that has your practically panting for the next book without doing the obligatory cliffy. She gives you just enough yet not enough. It’s that sadistically perfect balance between a sneak peek of what’s to come without all the details to make you sure of it. GAWD but it’s awesome.

And the ending of this book had me raging in bittersweet pain. Everything I’ve been waiting for finally happens…yet not. It was perfect yet not enough. I’m addicted. Completely, totally, utterly hooked.

But don’t take my word for it, read for yourself and find out what I mean. This is one of those serials that I can’t recommend enough. Trust me, if you weren’t sold with the past 2 books, this one will seal the deal.

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

Blog Tour, Review & #Giveaway: ☆ Rising Assets☆ by @RebeccaZanetti

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Friends with benefits was never the plan…

 

Melanie Jacobs is in trouble. With three jobs—including running her ranch—and dwindling funds, she’s exhausted. Not to mention desperately trying to hide a secret. Unfortunately, her best friend Colton Freeze knows all too well that’s something is going on, and he won’t give up until he knows exactly what he needs to fix.
Then Colton learns the truth—that Melanie’s future happiness rests in the fickle hands of fate, and her chances for having a family are shrinking with every passing day. Her only comfort is Colton, but when a heated argument between them turns into an even hotter kiss, the boundaries of their friendship are erased, leaving only a scorching-hot hunger for more.
Every kiss—every touch—is a stolen pleasure. But will their new friends-with-sexy-benefits arrangement bring them closer together, or destroy everything they once shared?
Review-DGR4 stars

Friends with benefits was never the plan…

This was not my first book by Rebecca Zanetti, but it was the first book I read for this series. I’m a sucker for a steamy friends to lovers story, and this one delivered it in spades. You get a sexy cowboy, a sassy heroine, 2 friends that grew up together, and some verra steamy cowboy loving. If you’re looking for a light and easy read, that’s low on unnecessary angst, high on steam, has likeable characters and a great story then look no further than Rising Assets.

Melanie and Colton have known each other since they were kids, along with Hawk the three of them were best friends. But life took them in different directions, though they still stayed in touch. Colton left to pursue numerous college degrees and a career while Melanie stayed behind with her ailing grandparent. Now Colton is back only to discover Melanie barely making ends meet holding 3 jobs, but there’s a new undercurrent of sexual awareness that now runs between them.

Colton set out to help her out however he can, no matter how much Melanie may fight it. What was once friendly bickering and flirty barbs begins to turn into something much more over time, until one steamy kiss changes everything between them.

Sometimes you’re in the mood for a light and sexy read, and that’s exactly what this was. The chemistry between Colton and Melanie was palpable, and when they get together…let’s just say Rebecca Zanetti knows how to write a scorching hot love scene.


Digging his fingers in, taking control, he slid out and then back in with force. Increasing his speed as well as his strength, he began to pound. Hard, angled, and in perfect timing, he thrust into her. They moved in tune with each other, instinct and history whispering something neither would accept right now.

I liked that the switch from friends to lover wasn’t instant, they both fought it for as long as they could. It was also a lovely story beyond all the hot scenes. Colton was just the right amount of sweet and domineering. Melanie was sassy without it being overbearingly so. The story kept me intrigued until the end. What I would typically find as cheesy in any other book was written so well here that I found myself reading it with a goofy smile on my face, particularly the epilogue.

This may not have been a WOW 5 star read, but it was a very solid 4 star; a feel god, sweet and steamy love story. I also really liked the tease that Miss Zanetti throws in about Hawk. I am utterly salivating for his book. Please GAWD let that book be next. There’s just something about a tortured hero that always pulls at all my pervy little heartstrings.

About the AuthorUSA Today Bestselling Author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes dark paranormals, romantic suspense, and sexy contemporary romances.
Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day–or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.

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ARC Review: ☆Hot Mess☆ by @LynnRayeHarris

English professor Dr. Georgeanne Hayes has a problem. Her star pupil, an Army sergeant who works in a Top Secret government program, is missing—and someone tried to push her in front of a train last night.

Sam “Knight Rider” McKnight is used to looking out for Georgie. When they were kids, she was just his best friend’s baby sister. But Georgie’s not a baby anymore and Sam is getting some very male—and very dirty—thoughts about the girl he knows he can never have.

When someone threatens Georgie’s life again, Sam will do anything necessary to keep her safe. Even if it means spending the next few days locked up in a remote house on Maryland’s Eastern Shore with her.

Sam might be used to denying himself what he wants, but he’s about to find out that being cooped up with Georgie will push him to the limit. And maybe beyond.

Buy Links
Review4 stars

She thought he had trouble remembering she wasn’t a kid anymore. No, what he had trouble remembering was that he was no good for her. Because damn if he didn’t want her. He wanted her every possible way he could have her.

Wow! What a hot little read this was. I definitely didn’t see that coming. After reading and enjoying Hot Pursuit, I was expecting more along the lines of that book. And it was…mostly. If you’re looking for a nail biting romantic suspense, that’s not quite what you’ll get her. This was light on the suspense and action but verra high on the steam. You certainly won’t be getting many complaints from me. This was the perfect short and steamy little read to spend my Saturday night with.

Georgeanne was Texas money, debutante balls, exclusive sororities and country club all the way. She knew which fork to use, what to wear to any event- and she used bone china for her morning coffee.
He was nothing but a poor kid from a dysfunctional family.

12 years ago Georgeanne was hopelessly in love with Sam McKnight, her older brother’s best friend. Sam was used to see her as his friend’s annoying little sister, until one night changed everything. But Sam also knows that he’s not good enough for Georgie. He’s the boy from the wrong side of the tracks, and she’s the beautiful and innocent southern belle.

Now Georgeanna is and English professor coming off of a recent divorce after her husband cheated on her. The last person she expects to see on her doorstop is Sam, who’s been sent by her brother to check on her. When they see each other again, all those pent up sexual feelings begin to resurface again.

Georgie never hid the fact that she wants Sam, and she’s not exactly shy about showing that it hasn’t changed with the years that have passed. But Sam fights the attraction between them, knowing he’s not good enough for her. But when Georgie’s life is threatened, he’s determined to protect her. And when these two are thrown together in a remote house on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, sparks begin to fly. Sam may be determined to stay away from her, but there’s only so long he can fight it for. And when Sam does give in, holy hell but does he give in.

I do want you, Georgie. I’ve wanted you since that night twelve years ago. I want to spread you out beneath me and make you come so many times you can’t do it anymore. I want to taste your pussy and feel your legs wrapped around me as I pound into you. I want to see you swallow my cock and hear you cry out in ecstasy.

He was deep inside Georgeanne Hayes, the perfect little princess of his teenage years, and he wanted to corrupt her utterly. He wanted to possess her and make her scream his name. He wanted to imprint himself on her so thoroughly she’d never forget this night with him.

The suspense part of the book was mainly lost in the background of the story of two childhood friends reuniting and giving into the chemistry between them. I was hoping for a little more action, at least in the end, but that never happened. I found the ending a little too perfect and glossed over. The other thing keeping this from being 5 stars was Sam’s constant self esteem issue. He was always dwelling on how he wasn’t good enough for Sam, no matter how hard she tried to show him she didn’t care about that. It did get slightly frustrating at times.

I still really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it for those looking for a quick and steamy little read with some suspense thrown into the mix. This can easily be read as a standalone, as neither of these characters appeared in the first book (that I remember) and there was plenty of background given that nothing is lost. I’ve become a big fan of this series, and if you like steamy Romantic Suspense, I’d recommend reading this series in order. The men of HOT are definitely worth meeting, and I can’t wait to dive into Dangerously Hot

 

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