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

April 22, 2014 by · 2 Comments
  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.
Website I Blog I Twitter I Facebook I Goodreads I Street Team
An Irish-themed/Unfixable themed swag pack and a Kindle Fire. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2 Comments · Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged With: ,

Review: ☆The Will☆ by Kristen Ashley

April 20, 2014 by · 2 Comments

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. 

Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA/ Amazon AU Barnes & Noble
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

2 Comments · Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged With: ,

ARC Review: ☆The Innocent Liar☆ by @ElizabethFinn77

April 19, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

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?

Amazon I Barnes & Noble
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**

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged With: ,

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

April 18, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

My cock has an appetite. 

A 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.

Amazon I Barnes & Noble
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

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged With:

ARC Review: ☆Hard Time☆ by Cara McKenna

April 12, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

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.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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.

 

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged With: ,

ARC Review: ☆Five Miles☆ by @LiliStGermain1

April 12, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

*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
Amazon / Barnes & Noble
 
Review
5 stars

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**

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Dark · Tagged With:

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

April 8, 2014 by · Leave a Comment
Amazon I Barnes & Noble
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.
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Newsletter

Giveawaya Rafflecopter giveaway

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: Uncategorized ·

ARC Review: ☆Hot Mess☆ by @LynnRayeHarris

April 6, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

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
Amazon / Barnes & Noble
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

 

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Romantic Suspense · Tagged With: , ,

ARC Review: Sex and the Single Vamp by @RobinCovington

April 5, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

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?

Amazon I Barnes & Noble
4 Sexy Vamp Stars

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***

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged With:

Review: ☆Masquerade☆ by Nyrae Dawn

March 30, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

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 . . . 

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.

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged With:
Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

%d bloggers like this: