Cici Trent, vampire and media darling, spends her days finding true love for humans and supernaturals (the “Others”) at her dating agency. But someone is trying to sabotage her business and she needs help. Unfortunately, the best man for the job is the one who broke her still-beating heart two hundred fifty-four years ago.


Deacon is a patient vampire. He’s only loved one woman in over three hundred years— CiCi— and she chose another. So when she shows up in his office asking for help, he finally has the chance to lay that demon to rest. He’ll help her, but for a price—a night in his bed.


Adrenaline, mischief, and a little late-night B&E light the passion that even a couple of lifetimes couldn’t put out. But Deacon has a secret and when Cici is suddenly mortal, his deception might be the only way restore her immortality. Can love bridge the gap between a heartbeat and forever?

You. Wet and willing. In my bed. 

Anything less than that and I will go mad. You get me?”

She nodded. “Yes. I get you.”

Well, well, well, Miss Covington, looks like you got yourself a hot little PNR book here.

Whenever an author whose books I’ve loved comes out with a different genre, I’m always a little hesitant to pick it up. It doesn’t always transition well and there’s not many authors I can name that have successfully done so. But when Robin offered me an ARC of this book, I’ll be honest, I was pretty much sold at the title. Now color me surprised when I started reading this book and realized that it’s not just a sexy cover and a clever title.

Felicity “Cici” Trent and Thomas “Deacon” have a very long history together…and I mean long as in over 250 years long. A misunderstanding all those years ago left both of them brokenhearted. Deacon broke Cici’s heart by walking away, and Deacon believed that she wanted another man.

For 250 years they’ve been dancing around each other and their feelings. Now talk about your pent up sexual tension.

But when Cici finds her business being threatened she knows there’s no other man that she trusts to get down to the bottom of things more so than Deacon. So what if she still equal parts hates him and wants him? She’ll do what she has to do to protect her business.

Deacon never got over the woman that broke his heart. He no longer believes in love after the only woman that he’s loved didn’t want him. But he’s all about satisfying this burning hunger he has for her, and he’s all about using any means possible to get it

I’ll help you, but we can’t keep playing these games with each other.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning we’ve danced around the issue of ‘us’ for about two hundred years too long. While we work together, I want us to explore each other. Up close and personal. In bed. THat would be more than adequate payment.”
“And if I don’t agree?”
“I’ll help you. Free of charge. But I’ll probably be an asshole.” He shrugged. “Blue balls make me cranky.”

What a coincidence, Deacon!

Well, of the lady blue balls variety anyway. Luckily Deacon delivered on the promise and then some. The chemistry between the two of them was hot, but nothing compared to when they finally get together. Because that was SCORCHING!

Deacon,” Cici said in warning. She clawed at the covers, unable to stand much teasing as her legs began to shake with the slow build of her craving. “Don’t tease. That’s not nice.”
“I never said I would be nice.” He laughed darkly, driving into her deeper but not quite enough. “I only said I would make you come.”

When Deacon finds out that it’s not only her business that’s in trouble, but her life as well, he knows that he will stop at absolutely nothing to protect her.

I really enjoyed this book. It was entertaining and sexy, and I really liked the clever world building and the “Other” characters that were introduced. This had a little bit of everything to make for a perfect sexy PNR read; action, suspense, steam, and one deliciously domineering and hot vampire.

Cici was a strong and sassy heroine and definitely gave as good as she got.

So why not 5 stars? I suppose it may have been the length of the book for me. I didn’t quite have enough time to truly get invested in Cici and Deacon’s relationship. I wished for a little more buildup. Don’t get me wrong, I was invested enough to read this book in one sitting 🙂 But I think that a longer book would have worked a bit better for me.

I really hope that Robin will make this into a series, as I’m practically salivating for a book for both Mya and Andy.

If you enjoy fun and sexy PNR reads, definitely don’t hesitate to one-click on this one. You won’t be left disappointed 😉

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

A biker. A tattoo artist. A love to last a lifetime.

Maddox Cross has always had to be tough. When his father went to jail for murder, the teenager took care of his sister and mother. Now on his own and working security at a night club, Maddox wants to become a tattoo artist-a dream that comes closer to reality when he falls for the hottest, most tatted woman he’s ever seen. She’s wild and beautiful, and Maddox will do anything to be with her.

Bee Malone came to town to open up her new tattoo parlor, Masquerade. Since being kidnapped as a young girl, Bee has had trouble getting close to anyone. But when she meets Maddox, she sees that under his hard biker’s body is the sensitive soul of an artist. What starts out as a sizzling one-night stand soon becomes so much more.

Bee wants Maddox to join her tattoo business, but letting him into her life means revealing all her most intimate secrets. And as the past begins to intertwine with her present, Bee fears their love may not be as permanent as their ink . . . 

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4 Stars

You can pretend all you want that you’ve never been hurt before and that you’ve never lost anything, but I will continue to call bullshit. Loss is loss. It’s not a contest about who’s been hurt more. We all have our battles to fight.”

While I can’t say that this was my favorite book in the series, it was still a fantastic addition. Facadecontinues to hold the number one place in my heart so far.

I was so excited to get my hands on this book since meeting Maddox as Laney’s brooding older brother in book 2. I just knew that behind the mysterious broodiness lies the soul of a broken man, and I couldn’t wait to uncover all his secrets. Does that sound deep? Because what I meant to say is that the second I read tattoos and motorcycle my inner dirty girl was throwing her panties at my kindle. See? That doesn’t sound half as good as what I said before. What can I say? A girl’s got a type, and mine just happen to be tatted up, motorcycle riding bad boys.

The first half of the book got off to a rocky start for me. It took me a while to really get into the story and feel the connection between Bree and Maddox. I think in part that has to do with how quickly they got together. (And I do mean quickly, since clothes started flying in the first 5%) I simply couldn’t feel their connection. I read that they were drawn to one another…I just couldn’t connect to it, if that even makes sense. I was almost afraid that one of my favorite NA series may turn into a DNF. But then something changed right around the halfway point and I found myself getting more and more drawn into the story. I’d give the first half 3 stars and 5 stars for the second, rounding it to a solid 4 star read.

Both Bree and Maddox are closed off for their own reasons, and each of those reasons are absolutely heart breaking.

Maddox struggles with the guilt of the part that he played in his father’s affair and ultimate breakdown of everything that followed it. He doesn’t feel like he deserves anything, especially not love. After all, he was weak, not strong enough to do what needed to be done…or so he thinks.

The only thing that truly drives him is his desire to be a tattoo apprentice. Drawing and tattoos allow him an escape, if only for a little while, from his daily reality. Maddox gets the shock of a lifetime when he discovers the only tattoo shop in town is owned by the girl he spent one passionate night with…with no thoughts of later.

Bree is not looking for love either, she doesn’t even know what it is. She may appear whole on the outside, have parents that love and support her, and her own business, but inside she’s just a lost girl. Struggling with a past that has broken her and her belief in love, she merely takes life day to day.

As different as these two feel they may be from each other, they share a bond that neither of them want to face.

Brutal honesty is underrated and I can see he has it, like I do. If I were a different kind of girl- the kind who believed in love- Maddox would be the guy that I’d fall for. Though I guess if I really wasn’t me, he probably wouldn’t be what I’d want.

Although both of them fight the emotional connection between them as much as they can, the one thing that they can’t seem to fight is the sexual pull between them.

And they don’t exactly try to fight that all that much.

Stop making me want you.” The same heat from his eyes in now in his words.
“Stop letting me have you,” I reply, and it seems to inflame him more.

As much as I struggled with the first half of this book, I absolutely devoured the second half. That was when the emotional intensity that I’ve come to associate with this series and Nyrae’s writing really shined through. My heart broke for both Maddox and Bee with each new detail of their past coming to light. It was poignant and even gut wrenching at time. The part where Maddox finally talks with Adrian, I’m pretty sure it managed to bring a tear even to my cold and black little heart. It was that good.

Fans of the series will really enjoy this one, and if you’re like me and struggle in the beginning, I strongly recommend pushing through since it will be worth it in the end.

While you can easily read this book as a standalone, I’d highly recommend reading Facade first to get a better understanding of the story’s background and a better understanding of Maddox. But if you want to go ahead and just dive into this one without reading Facade, the author gives you plenty of background information that you wouldn’t be lost.

If you’re a fan of steamy NA with broken characters, a poignantly written story, and a hero who you will equal parts love and feel like your heart is breaking for, definitely give this one a try.

Their love had the power of a runaway freight train, and the potential to be just as destructive. 

The tempestuous sequel to Bad Things picks up where the first book left off. Reeling from a profound loss, Tristan and Danika struggle to pick up the pieces and build a life together, but the hard habits of a lifetime are not so easy to escape. 
Rock Bottom takes us on a dual point of view journey through addiction and desire, through love and agony, and answers the question we’ve been asking since these characters were introduced in Grounded: “What happened between Tristan and Danika?” 

DANIKA 

Even love couldn’t cushion a fall like ours. My love for Tristan was so big that I felt consumed by it, and even so, it was not enough to overpower our combined demons. 
I struggled. I yelled and screamed. I scratched and kicked. 
I fought like hell, but even the most determined fighters have to stop before they break. 
No one could say I didn’t fight for him. 
“I love you,” I spoke softly into his ear. 
He gripped me harder. “I can’t ever lose you, Danika. I’m not sure I’d survive it.” 
“You’ve got me. And I’m not going anywhere. Not ever.” 
I meant the words when I said them, but life had other plans for us. 
I’d have given my life for that fight. In fact, I very nearly did. 

TRISTAN 
She was the one. 
If I’d ever had a doubt, I didn’t now. She was the one I’d be thinking about, longing for, until I took my last breath. If I lost her tomorrow, I’d pine for her like a lovesick fool. 
This was the kind of love that only hit you once in your life. This book is intended for readers 18 and up.

There was an anchor, tied around both of his ankles, and it was taking him deep, into black fathomless depths, drowning him slowly but surely.  

I didn’t tell him that he was dragging me down with him.

 

Sweet mother of angst. THIS BOOK. Gah! This fucking book. I knew it was coming. I prepared myself…at least I thought I did. But nothing, I mean nothing could have prepared me for the full emotional roller coaster that was the last 40% of this book. I can tell you one thing; thank FUCK I waited for book 3 to be out to finally read this, because I’m pretty sure I would have gone from batshit straight into crazyville after that ending.

Their love had the power of a runaway freight train, and the potential to be just as destructive.

Rock Bottom starts where Bad Things left off; Tristan and Danika are dealing with the grief after Tristan’s brother died. They both have their own demons that they’re fighting, but they’re fighting them together. You can feel the connection that they have through the pages. You want so bad for them to be happy and be okay, but in the back of your mind you know that there’s a darkness that’s looming over their relationship. You know it’s coming, you know it will be bad, but you have no idea when. I swear, I think I was holding my breath in anticipation through the whole book.

I love you,” I spoke softly into his ear.  
He gripped me harder. “I can’t ever lose you, Danika. I’m not sure I’d survive it.”  
“You’ve got me.  And I’m not going anywhere. Not ever.”  

I meant the words when I said them, but life had other plans for us.

The odds were stacked against them from the beginning and as much as you’re dreading for that moment to come, you know it’s inevitable. I think that’s what made this book so good, in a sadistic sort of way. That anticipation of not if but when.

Slowly you see Tristan spiral out of control more and more. Danika tries to help him, and your heart breaks along with her watching him sink deeper and deeper into darkness.

Even love couldn’t cushion a fall like ours. My love for Tristan was so big that I felt consumed by it, and even so, it was not enough to overpower our combined demons.

I finished this in one sitting. I simply couldn’t put it down. I knew that whatever goes down between them is going to be bad. I just don’t think I was prepared for just how bad it would be. My god! That ending! Everything that happens! Danika! Tristan! Gah!!
(view spoiler)[

Know that I would take it all back if I could, and know that I hold myself responsible for all of the bad things that happened. I am so sorry that my hitting rock bottom the way I did impacted you. Any recompense you can imagine, anything you would ask of me, I would be happy to provide. I’m at your service. Always, Danika.  And it is my most sincere wish that someday, perhaps over time, you might consider being my friend again.

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Damn that ending. Damn it!!!

Now if you’ll excuse me, my sleep deprived ass will diving into book 3, which I’ve been told has some major groveling. And you all know how much I love me a good grovel. And I thank you

Waking up in Vegas was never meant to be like this.

Evelyn Thomas’s plans for celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Las Vegas were big. Huge. But she sure never meant to wake up on the bathroom floor with a hangover to rival the black plague, a very attractive half-naked tattooed man in her room, and a diamond on her finger large enough to scare King Kong. Now if she could just remember how it all happened.

One thing is certain, being married to one of the hottest rock stars on the planet is sure to be a wild ride

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

OK, show of hands, ever wake up after a night out only to tell yourself you’re never drinking again?

Now what if you woke up the next day with a hangover from hell and zero memories of the night before, only to discover you’re married to a rockstar and sporting a five carat diamond to boot?

That’s precisely the predicament that 21 year old Evelyn Thomas finds herself in. Though as far as predicaments go, can’t say I feel all that bad for her. All she wanted to do was celebrate her 21st birthday with a bang (and I do mean a bang). Her first sexual encounter leaves a lot to be desired and what’s a girl left to do but to get wild and crazy in Vegas and pick up a man to rectify it. Turns out the man she picks up just so happens to be the guitarist for the wildly popular band, Stage Dive. And while Evylyn can’t seem to recall anything from the previous night, David doesn’t seem to suffer from the same.

The story is told entirely in Evelyn’s first person POV. Evelyn’s quirkiness endeared me to her pretty much right away. She describes herself as being bigger boned girl, but she never harps on this. She’s not crazy insecure about her body, which to be honest was a breath of fresh air from the usual heroines I read about. I also loved the interaction between her and David

How far did we go that night?”
His gaze dropped to the neck of my tank top and the curves of my breasts. “Second base.”
“Shirt on?”
“Off. We were both topless. Topless cuddles are the best.”

What started off as a crazy night, slowly begins to lead to something much more.

You asked me this morning in the car if I thought you were scary. The answer is yes. You scare me shitless. I don’t know what I’m doing here. But I hate the thought of leaving you.”

As far as Rock star Romances go, I’d say this one was on the tamer side…at least for me. I also found it a bit too insta-lovey for my tastes. But then again my tastes do run towards the more ansty variety. I really enjoyed the story of Evelyn and David. There were sweet moments, steamy moments, and many laugh out loud moments.

I was going to kill him. Slowly. Strangle him with the overpriced thong. A fitting death for a rock star.

I loved Evelyn’s internal monologue. She was quirky and funny and some of the things that came out of her mouth should have left me rolling my eyes but instead I found myself laughing and just liking her even more.

He didn’t have much of a belly button. It was basically a small indent followed by a fine trail of dark hair leading down across his flat stomach directly to it. And it was hard, thick, and long.
It being his penis, of course.
Gah. No, that didn’t sound right.
His cock. Yeah, much better.

And if you’re wondering about the steaminess of this book, rest assured there’s plenty of steam to appease your pervy little hearts.

While I really liked both the hero and heroine in this book, many times Mal stole the show for me. I fell for him the first time he called Ev “child bride”. I cannot wait for his book. But the story I’m REALLY dying for is Jimmy’s. That sounds like it’s going to be right up my angst-whore alley.

It may not have been a perfect 5 star read for me, but it was a very solid 4 stars. If you like steamy rock star romances with an endearing heroine, a sexy tatted rock star, and a light and easy plot, then one-click away on this. No crazy angst or crazy situations found here. Just a light and easy read about 2 unlikely people falling in love.