Blog Tour, Review & #Giveaway: #Destroyed by @PepperWinters

Title: Destroyed
Series: Stand-alone
Author: Pepper Winters
Genre: Dark (Lighter) / Romance (Grey Romance)
Release Date: March 7, 2014
Tour Organized by: As the Pages Turn

She has a secret.

I’m complicated. Not broken or ruined or running from a past I can’t face. Just complicated. 

I thought my life couldn’t get any more tangled in deceit and confusion. But I hadn’t met him. I hadn’t realized how far I could fall or what I’d do to get free.

He has a secret.

I’ve never pretended to be good or deserving. I chase who I want, do what I want, act how I want.

I didn’t have time to lust after a woman I had no right to lust after. I told myself to shut up and stay hidden. But then she tried to run. I’d tasted what she could offer me and damned if I would let her go.

One secret destroys them.

5 Utterly Destroyed Stars

His presence made me forget everything but him. He took over my world. He was an eclipse.

Oh. Wow. I don’t remember the last time I have felt so utterly enraptured by a story. This book ruined me. It destroyed me. I spent the last 25% of it ugly crying all over my damn kindle, and I’m not even ashamed to admit it. If this is what Pepper Winters calls a “Gray Romance”, I need to one-click all her Dark stuff because…DAMN.

Looking at that book blurb, I’m sure you thought it to be pretty vague. And I bet you’re hoping to read this review and get some hints into the story. Well hope springs eternal, my friends, but you will not be getting any hints here. I will try to review this without giving anything away because this is a book that needs to be experienced without any preconceived notions whatsoever.

What happens when a a man that is by all intents and purposes broken, meets the one woman that he thinks can cure him?

Obsidian Fox is emotionally and physically scarred. He’s broken, beyond redemption. He exists only for pain. Touch and emotion have all been effectively conditioned out of him; a product of a past that he never wanted.

Utterly incapable or being so much as touched without wanting to

Kill.
Sever.
Bleed.
Devour.


Violence and brutality are a constant presence in his life. A recluse in his mansion, he is the owner of a secret fight club where legal and not so legal things take place. His world is dark and he doesn’t have much hope of ever feeling the light, until he meets her…

Hazel has not had an easy life, but it hasn’t broken her. Her past is colored with pain and hardships, and her present is faced with a tragedy she’s unable to prevent. But she holds it together. She stays strong.

When Fox spots the beautiful brunette is his underground fight club, he’s immediately drawn to her. Never having felt a pull towards any woman, it takes him all of 3 seconds to understand that she’s different…to him. He must have her, even if he has to buy her.

Now I’ll admit, the first 20% of this book I was afraid that it was heading toward a very cliche and overdone plot. Boy was I wrong.

Pepper Winters takes a man that we should, by all accounts, absolutely hate. He’s beyond redemption, beyond saving, beyond mercy. I loved that this was written in dual first person POV. It gives you a peak inside the head of a man that you would otherwise think of as a monster. The author not only makes you understand him, she makes you fall for him, she makes your heart break for him and everything he struggles with.

He craves touch, but is completely incapable of bearing it. Hazel sees the struggle inside him. She wants to heal him. She needs to help him.

But can Fox truly let her in without destroying them both in the process?

The author trickle feeds you information from both their past, crumb by tiny crumb. My heart broke with every new detail inside Fox’s past. He’s a man haunted by demons of his past. But they’re not only a part of his nightmares, they’re very much their in his waking life. Hanging by a thread of sanity, any word or touch can set him off and shut off his humanity.

The writing is what captured me. It was almost lyrical, poetic, in a dark and sadistic way. Pepper has a true gift for words. You’re not simply reading a story, you get to live it through these characters.

Then came that last 30% of the book. Holy mother of feels, it fucking gutted me. I was a hysterical, slobbering, ugly crying mess. But here’s the thing; it was absolutely necessary in the story. There’s many authors out there that like to throw a twist in the story just for the shock value of it. This was not one of those things.

This was an inferno of devastation, but one that needed to burn in order for the story to rise like a phoenix throw the ashes of it. I knew it was coming, but it didn’t prepare me for it in the least. As much as it gutted me, Pepper stayed true to the story and the characters and I can absolutely understand it.

If you’re expecting hearts and flowers, this is not the book for you. If you’re expecting a perfect hero with a just a few defects, this is DEFINITELY not the book for you. But if you like tortured heroes, strong heroines, an emotional and dark story that will grip you by the heart strings and not let go until the last page, you need to read this book.

I loved every single page of it. How have I not discovered this author before is beyond me. But I plan on rectifying this immediately. Pepper Winters is an auto-buy now for me.

For those wondering if there’s a HEA (Highlight to view spoiler) YES. An incredibly satisfying one 

Pepper Winters wears many roles. Some of them include writer, reader, sometimes wife. She loves dark, taboo stories that twist with your head. The more tortured the hero the better and she constantly thinks up ways to break and fix her characters. Oh, and sex… her books have sex.
She loves to travel and has an amazing, fabulous hubby (who speaks French—hot!) who puts up with her love affair with her book boyfriends. She loves to hear from her readers so hit her up at pepperwinters@gmail.com
Author Social links

1 x signed copy of Destroyed
2 x signed Destroyed swag packs
5 x eBook copies of Destroyed 
2 x eBook copies of Tears of Tess
2 x eBook copies Quintessentially Q
1 x signed swag pack of Monsters in the Dark

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ARC Review: Mine to Crave by Cynthia Eden

New York Times best-selling author Cynthia Eden continues her dark and sexy “Mine” romantic suspense series with…MINE TO CRAVE.

HE TAKES WHAT HE WANTS.

From the moment that billionaire casino owner Drake Archer sees Jasmine Bennett, he’s obsessed. Consumed by desire for the mysterious redhead, Drake will do anything necessary to claim her. Yet as desire rages between them, danger is stalking ever closer. Drake’s past isn’t dead, and the ex-Special Forces agent will soon have to face the ghosts he left behind. 

SHE’S HIDING SECRETS.

Jasmine isn’t who she pretends to be. She’s a woman on a mission—and she’s supposed to be stealing secrets from the mysterious Drake. Falling for him isn’t on her agenda, but when lust and love tangle together, all the rules get broken. 

AN ENEMY IS CLOSING IN…

When Drake learns of Jasmine’s betrayal…all hell breaks loose. He knows that he should turn his back on her, but it’s too late for him. He can’t let her go, but he can teach her a lesson. No one betrays him…not without paying a heavy price. Drake will destroy all of the enemies on his trail, he’ll bury his past, and he’ll teach Jasmine to want only him…just as much as he craves her.

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3.5- 4 Stars


He was more than obsessed. He was lost in her. And if he didn’t stay away, while he could, he knew that Jasmine would never be free of him.

I’ve been waiting for Drake’s book since first meeting him in Mine to Keep. Nothing better than a broken, brooding alpha male that suffered the ultimate betrayal. I couldn’t wait to meet the woman that would bring him to his knees. Maybe the problem was that I set my hopes too high? I’m not sure. But for whatever reason, this book didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

Like the rest of the Mine series, this book carries that possessive to the extent of obsession theme. The problem is that I didn’t understand the connection between Drake and Jasmine in the beginning.

Draka had almost lost his life TWICE due to a betrayal by a woman he trusted in the past. And that betrayal almost cost him everything. The man he is now is hard, cold, and doesn’t trust anyone. A successful owner of a casino, all Drake wants from his evenings is to find a woman so he can lose himself between her thighs for the night and move on to the next one. Until he spots her…

Jasmine is at Drake’s casino on a mission. As sexy as the man might be, she can’t afford to get distracted from her job. She needs to steal information and move on. But her mission suddenly takes a detour the second she gets into his office.

Here’s where things got a little muddy for me. Drake catches Jasmine in the act of trying to steal from him. He knows that she isn’t who she says he is, and he’s determined to get to the bottom of it. But he’s also feeling an incredible sexual pull towards the woman, no matter her duplicitous behavior.

When Drake discovers that nothing was in fact stolen, he lets Jasmine go. But he’s also determined to get answers to his question about what information she was after and who she’s working for. He follows her, saves her from an attacker, and then forces her home with him. Did I mention that he also still wants to sleep with her and protect her?

The woman just broke into your files, you saw her on cameras trying to steal from you, yet you allow her into your home? What proceeded to happen was a game of “I want you, but I don’t trust you. I’ll take you, but I still don’t trust you”. Drake pushes, so Jasmine pulls back. Then Jasmine pushes and Drake pulls back. I’ll admit I was somewhere between thinking it’s hot and being annoyed. I can’t decide which I was more.

As per usual Cynthia Eden fashion this book was fast paced, action filled, and steamy. Drake and Jazmine may have not have had the best communication, but the sexual chemistry between them was scorching.

The one thing that I loved about Cynthia’s previous books is this constant state of WTF is going on that you have reading her books. You think the story is headed one way then BAM, she throws the mother of all plot twists your way. That wasn’t the case here. You know pretty much right away who the bad guy is and why he’s after them. There’s not much guess work there aside from wondering how all these people are related.

Who is Jasmine really? What is Victor’s connection to Jasmine? How will they escape when the killer has them in their sight? But there was none of that plot twist that you don’t see coming, unless you count the whole Noah revelation.

I enjoyed this new addition to the Mine series, but it wasn’t my favorite. I still got my Cynthia Eden fix, so I can’t complain. I guess I just wanted a little bit more. Luckily there’s another book planned, and I can’t wait to find out who’s next. [I’d love a book for Saxon or Victor (hide spoiler)]

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

Blog Tour & #Giveaway: #Transcendence by #ShaySavage

 Title: Transcendence
Author: Shay Savage
Genre: Pre-historical Romance
It’s said that women and men are from two different planets when it comes to communication, but how can they overcome the obstacles of prehistoric times when one of them simply doesn’t have the ability to comprehend language?
Ehd’s a caveman living on his own in a harsh wilderness. He’s strong and intelligent, but completely alone. When he finds a beautiful young woman in his pit trap, it’s obvious to him that she is meant to be his mate. He doesn’t know where she came from; she’s wearing some pretty odd clothing, and she makes a lot of noises with her mouth that give him a headache. Still, he’s determined to fulfill his purpose in life – provide for her, protect her, and put a baby in her.
Elizabeth doesn’t know where she is or exactly how she got there. She’s confused and distressed by her predicament, and there’s a caveman hauling her back to his cavehome. She’s not at all interested in Ehd’s primitive advances, and she just can’t seem to get him to listen. No matter what she tries, getting her point across to this primitive, but beautiful, man is a constant – and often hilarious – struggle.
With only each other for company, they must rely on one another to fight the dangers of the wild and prepare for the winter months. As they struggle to coexist, theirs becomes a love story that transcends language and time.








4 I just fell for a caveman stars
I will provide for her. I will give her anything she wants.

Have you ever wondered if it is possible to read a book that only has about 4 words of dialogue yet still love it?

Have you also ever wondered of what would happen if a prehistoric book mated with a Nicholas Sparks book?

If I was a fan of Shay Savage before reading this, I am now full on

This was an amazing, beautiful, one of a kind love story. It was unlike anything I have ever read and I doubt I’d read again. It was unique. It was unforgettable.

I struggled with my rating at first since it did take me a bit to get into the story. I did skim through some parts and found it to be slow in others. But considering it’s been 2 days since I’ve finished and I still can’t stop thinking about it? It deserves nothing less of the 4 glorious stars.

If you read the blurb and are expecting a domineering “caveman” caveman type alpha (You know the type. The “me man you woman we bang” type of caveman”), well you’ll be sadly disappointed. Ehd was nothing like that.

He was vulnerable, sweet, constantly doubting himself with Beh, and at the same time so incredibly endearing that you can’t help but completely fall for him. His inner thoughts never failed to put a smile on my face.

What if I don’t fit inside her?
After all this time of waiting for her to want me, what will I do if I am unable to mate with Beh?
I take a calming breath and assure myself I will fit inside of her. Women are supposed to stretch there so babies can be put inside and come back out when they’re ready. If something the size of a baby can come out, surely my penis can go in.
It’s big, but it’t not that big!

The story is told entirely in Ehd’s POV. The fact that Shay Savage was able to write an entire book from a caveman’s POV that has about 3 words in his whole vocabulary just shows her incredible talent as an author. It’s no small feat let me tell you.

You don’t get much more insight into Elizabeth that what Ehd is able to gather from his perspective.

It wasn’t a quick paced book. There wasn’t a lot of action, no dirty talk, or filthy dirty caveman loving. Don’t get me wrong, it was still steamy, in a very sweet first time discovery way. Both Elizabeth, or Beh as he calls her, and Ehd are innocently naive. But that just added to the appeal for me.

It is told over the span of many years, and unfolds the story of love at it’s most innocent and pure. It was beautiful, albeit not my usual type of book.

Then there was that ending. Oh my poor cold little heart, that ending!

The only other time I cried like that was at the end of (The Notebook)[The Notebook (hide spoiler)]. Good lord. (Highlight to view spoilers)

And just as you think it’s over, Shay gives you a last chapter that just ties everything together.

Were there some discrepancies in the story? Sure. (How can Elizabeth live her entire life in the tribe and even her children talk, but no one else in the tribe, not even Ehd pick up more words? )[How can Elizabeth live her entire life in the tribe and even her children talk, but no one else in the tribe, not even Ehd pick up more words? (hide spoiler)]
But this is not really a book that you expect to be highly realistic, so I didn’t harp on that.

So if you’re looking for a different and unique book about a beautiful and innocent love and discovery, this is not to be missed. You will fall for Ehd just like I did. It’s one of those books that will stick with you for a while.

***ARC given to Dirty Girl Romance blog in exchange for an honest review***

Shay Savage lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband, two children, and a variety of household pets. She is an accomplished public speaker, and holds the rank of Distinguished Toastmaster from Toastmasters International. When not writing, she enjoys science fiction movies, and loves soccer in any and all forms. During the fall, she coaches her daughter’s soccer team. Though she currently works in the technology field, her school background is in psychology, and she brings a lot of that knowledge into the characters within her stories.

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Review: Summer Girl, Winter Boy by #BarbaraElsborg

Jai Winter is trying to do the right thing, even though he knows it’s wrong. Forced to participate in kinky sex games, the renowned model spends his spare moments creating an impressive list of suicide options. Until a snowy day provides a bit of Summer…a pink-haired burst of sunshine with a ready smile. What begins as the hottest sex of his life turns into a ray of hope.

Summer Dey has baggage of her own—literally. Having spent eighteen months in South America trying to escape a shocking accident, Summer finds an illegal nightmare hidden in her suitcase. She doesn’t want to put Jai in danger, but his gorgeous face and killer bod prove hard to resist.
Boy meets girl, girl falls for boy, and everything would be perfect if it wasn’t for blackmail, drug dealers and tragic events in both their pasts. Staying together could be their salvation—or their ultimate undoing.

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4.5 Stars


I know that this is just one day. A day when winter and summer collide. I know I won’t see you again. We go our seperate ways. But we have this now, let’s not waste it.”

Whenever I’m in a book slump, picking up a Barbara Elsborg book is a no brainer for me. I have yet to find a book by her that I did’t love. It’s always this perfect combination of angst, scorching hot sex, broken yet endearingly quirky characters, scorching hot sex, and some more angst. It’s my favorite book recipe. Seriously. DELICIOUS

Jai Winter is famous model that is stuck in his own living hell. Blackmailed into being pretty much a sex slave, he doesn’t see any other way out but one.

He hates himself, he hates his situation, and more than that he hates the 2 people that are forcing him to do this for the last 10 years. Protecting a secret that he believes would destroy his family, Jai is forced to go along with whatever kinky and filthy thing may be demanded of him. The only thing that makes it bearable, is losing himself in a haze of drugs and alcohol.

But then one chance meeting in an airport changes everything…

Summer Dey is a meteorologist coming back from an 18 month researching trip to South America, where she ran to escape a tragic accident. When she arrives at the airport, she’s shocked to discovered that someone has placed illegal drugs in her suitcase. She’s terrified of the repercussions that are sure to follow. Does she get rid of them and chance whoever wants them coming after them? Or does she take them with and chance being arrested? And then she meets Jai…

I don’t want to give anything away, and saying much more would definitely be a spoiler. This is one of those books you simply have to read to find out on your own.

What I’ve come to love in Barbara Elsborg’s books, is this trademark quirky humor that all her characters seem to have.


I want to take care of you,” he whispered. “I don’t want anyone to ever hurt you.”
“I can fight my own battles.”
“I want to fight alongside you.”
“Will you show me your sword?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Later.”
“I hear it’s a big one.”
“Nothing you can’t handle.”

Both Jai and Summer are broken characters, but they’re each dealing with a different darkness. Jai from his present, and Summer from her past.

I adored Summer and at the same time my heart broke for her and what she’s been through. Her own family treats her like a social leper for something that wasn’t her fault. There were times I wanted to reach through my kindle and throttle her mother and sister.

Jai’s situation was absolutely gut wrenching. The things that he’s forced to do, and the way that he attempts to deal with it was incredibly difficult to read. He’s basically a puppet on the strings of 2 evil and immoral puppeteers. I have never wished for 2 characters to be killed off more that these two.

But the way that Jai and Summer help each other heal was lovely.

I’m not typically of insta-love, insta-lust, or insta anything. And while it may not have been insta-love here, it was pretty close. But in the case of this book, it just worked. You can completely understand how these 2 characters are drawn to one another and need each other. The connections between them was beautiful. I loved how each helped mend a painful emotional hole in the other.

At the end of everything, this was about a beautiful love story between two broken people in the midst of impossible circumstances.


I love you.”
“I am lovely,” she whispered.
“Yeah, you are. You’re my light, my warmth, the summer in my life, the sun in my world. You helped me see possibilities when everything seemed black and hopeless. You brought my heart back to life.”

If you’ve read Strangers, both Kate and Charlie make an appearance in this book. I loved catching up with them and seeing where they are a few years after. I liked how Miss Elsborg managed to fit them into the story.

ARC Review: Blindfolded Innocence (Expanded Edition) by Alessandra Torre

Expanded Edition

“I’m not sure what you have been told about me, but I’m not nearly as bad as they make me out to be.” His deliciously deep voice carried a little bit of ego. 

I’m sure you are exactly as bad as they make you out to be…. 

Brad De Luca is used to getting whatever and whomever he wants. The premier divorce attorney in town, he’s a playboy who’s bedded half the city—including his own clients. And when the newest intern at his firm poses a challenge, his seductive prowess goes into overdrive. 

Pre-law student Julia Campbell is fresh off a failed engagement and happy with her new independence. Even if she weren’t warned away from Brad at every turn, she’d know he was bad news. The last thing she needs is a man who could destroy her job prospects, not to mention her innocence. But before she knows it, the incorrigible charmer has her under his spell. His deviant tastes plunge her deep into a forbidden world of sexual exploration…but her heart may not survive the fall.



4.25 Stars


Is that the only reason I’m sitting here? Because I’m an intern in your firm, therefore off-limits?”
“I invited you here because I enjoy spending time with you. You challenge me and make me laugh. And because every time I see you I want to rip your clothes off and put my hands on you.

Why oh why did it take me so long to read this? My first book by Allesandra Torre was Sex Love Repeat and I absolutely fell in love with her writing style. I then went back and one-clicked every single book by her, this included. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this; it being her debut book and having some mixed reviews. I shouldn’t have been concerned in the least. I really can’t go wrong with a book by this author. Brad De Luca now has my pervy little heart in the palm of his hand. But I digress…

Julia is a 21 year old Pre-Law student that just landed an internship at one of the most prestigious law firms. Fresh off a broken engagement, she’s not looking to get wrapped up in a man again too soon, especially a manwhoring womanizer that every person at the firm warns her off of.

The one thing I love about Alessandra’s writing are her heroines. Julia may be young and not exactly coming from a vast sexual experience, but she was no blushing ingenue. She was feisty, sassy, and gave as good as she got.

Brad De Luca is the firm’s most successful divorce attorney. He’s used to getting what he wants, and he’s not exactly lacking for women. But when Julia continually denies his advances, he’s intrigued. He has to have her. And let’s face it, there’s only so long that Julia can fight the incredible sexual pull between them.

Julia doesn’t believe in sex without love. Brad doesn’t believe that his perfect woman exists so why deny the pleasure of sex. They share nothing in common except for the attraction that is slowly coming to a boil between them.

But little by little Brad slowly chips away at Julia’s doubts and Julia begins to see that she’s not exactly the good girl that she once believed herself to be. Brad is an enigma that she just can’t seem to stay away from or quite figure out.

So what is it that Brad wants from his women? His kink? That “thing” he wants that he doesn’t think the type of woman he’d want to marry will be able to give him?

Guess you’ll just have to read it and find out!

Guess I’m sadistic that way 😉

I’m looking forward to learning more about Brad and seeing where book two takes his relationship with Julia, because let me tell you…that scene at the end? Good lord, gimme more of that.

Until the next book…

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

Release Blitz & #Giveaway: #UntilLilly by @auroraroseR

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Title: Until Lilly (Until, #3)
Author: Aurora Rose Reynolds
Release Date: March 2, 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance
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When Cash Mayson was forced to choose between the love of his life and his unborn child, he knew exactly what he had to do. No matter how broken it left him.

When Lilly Donovan was forced to accept that the guy she loved wasn’t who she thought he was and became a single mother, she knew exactly what she had to do. Proving just how strong she was.

What happens when years later you find out that everything you thought you knew was a lie?

Can two people who once loved each other overcome the obstacles that are thrown at them and fall in love all over again?

Cash Mayson had forgotten how it felt to be loved Until Lilly came back into his life. And now that he remembers, he will do everything within his power to keep not only the woman that he loves, but also his children.

The power of love is a beautiful thing.

Excerpt

“Is that what you do? I mean do you often try to hit on women in coffee shops by buying coffee for them?”

“I can tell you with one hundred percent truthfulness that I have never done that before.”

“Never.” A look passes over his face I don’t know what It means but I don’t like it.”

“Do you date a lot?” I ask quietly wondering if he thinks I will be some kind of conquest.”

“I haven’t dated.”

“You haven’t dated?” I look him over again he must think I am stupid guys who look like him must date a lot.

“I have never had to date.”

“What does that mean?”

“If I want to sleep with someone I don’t need to date them.”

“What?” I breathe that is not at all what I expected him to say. “You’re the guy that can get any girl he wants without ever putting any kind of effort into it.” He shrugs the gesture making me feel sick at the same time I want to kick him in the nuts. Maybe the red hair does make me have a temper.

“I never lead anyone on or tell them things they want to hear.”

“So that makes it okay?”

“I don’t know if it makes it okay but it’s who I am.”

“Well I am glad that this is coming to light now rather than later.”

“Oh no,” He shakes his head. “This thing with you is something completely different.”

“Yeah I know.” I tell him crossing my arms over my chest. “Its different because I will not be sleeping with you.” I lean forward. “EVER.”

“Well I guess we answered the question about red heads and their tempers didn’t we.” He 
smiles showing off both dimples. “But trust me when I tell you I would not have driven almost three hours to sleep with you that’s not what I am looking for.”

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Until Lilly (Until #3)
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About the Author

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Aurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat whose husband served in the United States Navy. She has lived all over the country but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish. She’s married to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their women. He gives her over the top inspiration everyday. In her free time she reads, writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie. She also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere, or spends time at home with friends and family. Last but not least she appreciates everyday and admires its beauty.

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Review: The Do-Over by MK Schiller

Arrogant womanizer Kyle Manchester hates blind dates; however, when best friend, Brad calls in a favor, insisting Kyle take out his girlfriend’s sister, Kyle reluctantly agrees. Attorney Lanie Carmichael’s appearance is no surprise. She is dowdy, awkward, and dressed in so many layers she resembles a wedding cake, but not in an edible way. Her brazen attitude though, astonishes him, especially when she explains she has no interest in gorgeous Kyle. Lanie Carmichael is in love with Brad, and wants Kyle’s assistance in winning his best friend’s heart. 

Kyle gradually accepts, justifying that the mystery of Lanie has sparked his natural, thirsty curiosity. As an ambitious journalist, he also can’t resist the Pulitzer worthy scoop she offers him. However, as Lanie sheds more layers, both emotionally and physically, Kyle begins to examine his life choices, and his true feelings for this enigmatic girl. With Kyle’s support, Lanie begins to unravel the secrets of her past, and the deep pain that has quietly defined her life. As they each learn more about themselves and each other, both question how a relationship built on fraudulent lies between two broken people could ever survive.

5 Forking Laugh Out Loud Stars


I’m not into set ups. You know that.”
“Lanie is very nice. She’s an attorney too and works at my firm. She’s very successful.”
“Yep, and I bet she wears granny panties.”
“You’re disgusting. Do you know how offensive you are?”
“Offensive? To grandmas?”
“She’s not bad looking.”
“Yeah, well, ‘not bad looking’ doesn’t mean good-looking, and even if it did, that’s way below hot.”

That quote there? I was pretty much sold into the story the second I read that. 3% in, and I knew this was going to be a book that I was going to simply love.

If you like romantic comedy type stories with an endearingly quirky heroine, an sexy asshole player hero, lots of laugh out loud moments, and even more steam then this is a must read.

And if you like the whole player finally meets his match trope, then this book is definitely for you. Ladies, meet Kyle

Kyle is not the relationship kind. He’s not even a more than one night kind. He’s cocky, successful, and his looks guarantee him not lacking for women. When his friend asks him to go on a date with his girlfriend’s sister, he’s not exactly thrilled but he reluctantly agrees.

Much to his dismay Lanie is everything he thought she would be…and yet also not. She’s frumpy looking, hides behind shapeless layers of clothing, and brash…


I’m in love with Brad.”
“What?”
“Yes, I love Brad, and you’re Brad’s best friend. Or at least a close friend, and I thought maybe you could help me.”
“Does the loony bin know you’ve escaped or should we call them?”

Lanie is a successful attorney, but she’s completely hopeless in the love department. She would ask her sister, but unfrotunately she hasn’t lucked out in the family department. Talk about your cunty women, her sister was one. A HUGE one.

Oh and she also happens to be dating Brad. But Lanie knows her sister, and knows it won’t be long before her sister cheats. But she’s not vindictive or malicious. She wants Brad to love her for who she is, without forcing his hand, she just needs a little help. This is where Kyle comes in.

Although Kyle is not exactly thrilled with the idea, eventually he agrees since the mystery behind Lanie and who she really is intrigues him too much.


He felt sorry for Lanie, but he had no idea why. She was the kind of girl he did everything to avoid. She was mousy but arrogant about some things, like her work. She didn’t care about her appearance, to the point where she accepted she was unattractive She had low self-esteem but confidence too. An air of sorrow surrounded her, but she had a great sense of humor despite that. She was a total paradox, a puzzle that Kyle wanted to solve or at least understand

What starts out as simple advice somehow turns into something much more where Kyle decides that the perfect plan is to pretend to be Lanie’s boyfriend.

But what happens when fake slowly starts getting real?

I adored this book. The writing, the characters, everything. It was fun, and sexy, and even emotional. As Lanie’s layers are slowly revealed, Kyle can’t help but fall more and more for this quirky girl who is also an incredibly refreshing breath of air from any other woman he’s known. Lanie was such an endearing heroine. You simply can’t help but love her. She may be shy and awkward when it comes to people and relationships, but she also has this layer of strength and has a good head on her shoulders.

Kyle was utterly delicious. And you know what they say? The bigger they are, the harder they fall. And I loved watching Kyle fall more and more. The banter between them was hilarious too.


Guess what else I Googled? she replied, running her lips down his chest.”
“Oh God, I love the Internet,” Kyle whispered.
“I know…so…informative.”

I forking loved it! I could go on with the quotes, but you really must read this book and experience it yourself.

I have found me another auto-buy author to watch out for. A huge huge rec from this girl! Read it, you wont be able to help but fall in love with this book and the characters like I did.

Review: ★Dungeon Royale★ by Lexi Blake

Broken by betrayal, one woman holds the secret to his redemption…

An agent broken

MI6 agent Damon Knight prided himself on always being in control. His missions were executed with cold, calculating precision. His club, The Garden, was run with an equally ordered and detached decadence. But his perfect world was shattered by one bullet, fired from the gun of his former partner. That betrayal almost cost him his life and ruined his career. His handlers want him to retire, threatening to revoke his license to kill if he doesn’t drop his obsession with a shadowy organization called The Collective. To earn their trust, he has to prove himself on a unique assignment with an equally unusual partner.

A woman tempted
Penelope Cash has spent her whole life wanting more. More passion. More adventure. But duty has forced her to live a quiet life. Her only excitement is watching the agents of MI6 as they save England and the world. Despite her training, she’s only an analyst. The closest she is allowed to danger and intrigue is in her dreams, which are often filled with one Damon Knight. But everything changes when the woman assigned to pose as Damon’s submissive on his latest mission is incapacitated. Penny is suddenly faced with a decision. Stay in her safe little world or risk her life and her heart for Queen and country.

An enemy revealed

With the McKay-Taggart team at their side, Damon and Penny hunt an international terrorist across the great cities of Northern Europe. Playing the part of her Master, Damon begins to learn that under Penny’s mousy exterior is a passionate submissive, one who just might lay claim to his cold heart. But when Damon’s true enemy is brought out of the shadows, it might be Penny who pays the ultimate price.

Review
4 stars

Sex isn’t polite, Penelope. Sex is dirty and nasty and raw. I want you rough. I’m a bloody man and you’re going to treat me like one. And I’m going to show you just how much of a woman you are.

This series has been a go to of mine whenever I need a hot BDSM read with a great plot and some action and suspense thrown into the mix. And it seems to only get better and better with each new book.

Dungeon Royale starts off immediately where Love and Let Die ended, with Damon being betrayed by his long time partner in MI6 and shot twice. Barely surviving the attack, months later Damon is still recuperating. He wants back into the field, but his superiors are questioning his medical reports. So when his boss presents to him an opportunity to prove that he can still perform despite his injuries, he jumps at the chance. There’s just one thing he needs for the mission, a female partner and submissive, and the mousy company translator seems the perfect fit for the job.

But there’s also another thing standing in his way; he has to convince her.

Penelope Cash has spent her life taking care of others and letting people stomp all over her. She’s shy, awkward, and hasn’t had the best of luck with men…if you can even count the one relationship she had as an experience. She has always been attracted to the sexy as sin Damon Knight, but she knows that he would never go for a woman like her. That doesn’t stop her from wanting more from her life. A dangerous mission may just be the answer, if only Damon could convince her.

She’s scared out of her mind, Nige, and I rather think it isn’t about taking a bullet. She knows I’ll keep her safe. So that makes me really wonder what really frightens her. I think she’s a prudish chit and she’s worried I’ll get her knickers off.”
“Did you ever stop to wonder if perhaps I’m simply not interested in even pretending to sleep with you?”
“No. Not once.”
“Maybe I don’t like men, Mr. Knight.”
“Oh you like men, love. And you like me.”

I was a little afraid at first that Penny might irritate me. I’m not a big fan of the super shy and mousy heroines. But I shouldn’t have been concerned, since this is a Lexi Blake book. Penny was an amazing heroine, she’s not at all what she first appears to me. I loved watching her personal growth and seeing her come into her own as the story progressed. She was the perfect match to Damon.

The action and suspense in the story was none stop. It was quick paced and entertaining as hell. Then there was all the characters from the previous books that I’ve loved that made an appearance in this one. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of Ian.

I’m not retiring and I’m not managing an office for you.”
“Come on, Knight, I promise to send someone to assassinate you at least once a month. It’ll keep your adrenaline up. It’s not so bad, man. Hell, I’m lying. It’s horrible. You get to sit around and listen to everyone whine constantly. ‘I need time off. My wife is giving birth. I can’t sleep with that target in oder to get information because I’m a faithful husband.’ God, they constantly whine at me

Then there were the sex scenes. And in this series, there is only one thing that you can expect them to be. SCORCHING.

There was a new character introduced in this book, and I can only hope that he will eventually get his own story. Nothing better than a sexy Aussie accent 🙂

And like with all the rest of the books in the series, the last chapter give you a preview of the next book. All I can say to you Miss Blake is that you are a damn sadist for teasing me this way. As excited as I am to finally get my hands on Simon and Chelsea’s book, I’m pretty sure I may go a little crazy waiting until Aug 19.

But then again, patience has never been a virtue of mine.

This is not a series that I would recommend reading out of order. Although Lexi gives plenty of background about each character in their book, it just wouldn’t be the same. Many of the characters get introduced early in the series and helps you get a stronger feel for them. Damon Knight was first introduced in book 5 and Penelope is a new character. I’ve loved every book in this series, so I definitely recommend reading them all.

Don’t Miss The Rest of The Series!

The Dom Who Loved Me (Masters & Mercenaries #1)
The Men With The Golden Cuffs (Masters and Mercenaries #2)
A View to a Thrill (Masters and Mercenaries #7)

Review: Worth The Chance by Vi Keeland

**New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Vi Keeland, brings you the steamy story of Vince & Liv**

Meet Liv MichaelsIt may have been seven years, but I’d know him anywhere. Sure, he’s grown, filled out in all the right places, but his captivating blue eyes and cocky grin are exactly the way I remember. Even though I’d much rather forget.

Liv Michaels is almost there. She’s smart, determined and weeks away from landing the job she’s dreamed about for years. Time healed old wounds, even her broken heart from the devastation of being crushed by her first love.

Meet Vince Stone
Women love a fighter, especially a good one. Lucky for me, I’m damn good. But there’s one woman that isn’t interested. Not again, anyway.

Vince ‘The Invincible’ Stone is every woman’s fantasy…strong, sexy, confident and completely in control. Growing up surrounded by chaos, he’s learned never to get too attached. Love will drag you down. He adores women, treats them well, puts their own needs before his own…for the night anyway. With the biggest fight of his life coming up, his focus should be on training.

4-4.5 I’ll be Vinny’s GIMP Stars


I want you, Liv. I wanted you seven years ago. Want you even more now. So much that I can’t think about anything else. Need you.”

If you like sexy, dirty talking MMA fighters then this series is a must read. I really liked the first book, Worth the Fight, but Worth the Chance was even better in my opinion.

There’s just something about Vince that grabs you from the first few pages. He’s a manwhore, and he’s not exactly lacking for GIMPS. That’s Groupies I Must Pound if you’re not familiar. He doesn’t even have to do much, being a fairly well known MMA fighter women pretty much throw themselves at him.



At least I won’t have to work too hard for this one. I think she’s almost as ready as I am. Maybe more so. But that’s okay, even though I usually like to hunt for my dinner, sometimes it’s nice to just call in for delivery too.

But beneath the hardcore and sexy exterior, is the soul of a damaged man. Growing up the way that he has, with a druggie mother he’s been taking care of for years, has solidified his belief that love just isn’t for him. Permanence isn’t a part of his world, and it may never be. But then a blast from his past changes everything.

Liv is a journalist on an internship, vying for her dream job. She may not be happy about the fluffy piece she’s been handed to interview the local fighting celebrity, but she’ll do it. The last thing she expects is for that man to be the boy that broke her heart when she was 16 years old.

But Vinny isn’t the same boy he was 7 years ago, and when he sees Liv again he just knows he won’t be able to watch her walk away.



I want you in my bed. Underneath me, on top of me bent over…fuck, we’re going to invent new ways for me to have you.

I’m a sucker for the friends to lovers trope. Make that ca second chance romance as well, and I’m in pervy book heaven. I couldn’t get enough.

Liv did irritate me with the way she treated Vinny at first. On the one hand, I understood why she acted the way that she did since he broke her heart all those years ago when he walked away. But on the other hand, her little snarky and jealous comments to him grated on me more than once.

Luckily by the second half of the book she more or less got her shit together. What ultimately made this book for me was Vinny. I loved the way he pursued her, and of course his sexy dirty mouth didn’t hurt either.

The progression of their relationship was perfect. The author didn’t rush to the I love yous, and really made you believe it.


You scare me, Vinny. We scare me.”
“You scare me too, Liv.”

Then there was Summer.

And that is all I’ll say about that twat.

The ending was perfect. What Liv did for Vinny at the end, well it was so perfect. She completely redeemed herself in my eye with everything that she did to help him. It was beautiful.

This series just keeps getting and better and I can’t wait until the next book, especially after getting a peak into the sexiness that is Jax in this one. Spring cannot come soon enough!

ARC Review: Unbearable Guilt by Emma Grayson

Kane Archer hasn’t always been tormented; he hasn’t always hated himself or been full of rage. He hasn’t always lived his life with an overpowering sense of guilt that threatens to destroy him. 

There was a time when his life was different. He was optimistic; he smiled and laughed; he loved passionately; he had it all.

Kane was content—until the unthinkable took it all away.

Two and a half years later and still reeling from his fiancée’s death, Kane returns to the one place he vowed he’d never visit again—Camden—with the promise to find the men who killed her and bring them to justice, regardless of the cost.

Emotionally numb, stricken by guilt, and haunted by the events preceding Aimee’s death, the last thing Kane wanted was to meet someone he connected with; someone who made him feel again.

As Kane gets closer to those responsible for Aimee’s death, he is thrown a curveball when he discovers a secret so devastating it rocks his world and threatens to destroy his chance at happiness.

Whitney Jareau packed up her life when tragedy struck her family, leaving everything behind. Finally free from the persistent and domineering family that insisted she do the one thing she couldn’t, Whitney found peace in Camden.

Two years later, her family wants her to come home and will stop at nothing to get her there. Wearing her heart on her sleeve for Kane Archer, a man so gorgeous it hurts to see the pain he carries, Whitney fights her family and refuses to return home to carry out their wishes.

Can Whitney stay strong without giving in to the demands of her family?

Can Kane let go of the past and move forward with the woman who brought him back to life?

Or, will he walk away from her and carry the burden of UNBEARABLE GUILT.

Buy Links to be posted…
4.25 Stars


I was ripped from heaven with an angel, and tossed into the fiery pit of hell by myself with no way out. I wouldn’t ever allow myself to be released from its relentless grip.

Ladies, do you like your heroes brooding, tortured, alpha males, with a dash of asshole? Well then, meet Kane Archer.

Two and a half years ago, Kane lost everything that ever mattered to him. Watching your fiance die will scar a man, and Kane certainly carries the worst scar imaginable since her death; the guilt of being responsible for her death.

The only feeling stronger that the guilt that permanently eats at him, is the drive for revenge and finding the men responsible for the events that led to his fiance’s death. Forced to return to the place where it all started and the last place he wants to be, Camden, the town he grew up in and the town he left after Aimee’s death. Treated as the social pariah, everyone it town still suspects him of being his fiance’s killer, even his former best friend and now cop, Luke Gunner. Shunned by everyone, the last thing Kane expects is the attention of one beautiful blonde.

Whitney can’t help but feel attracted to Kane, the man is utterly delicious after all, even if he does exude danger from ever pore.


The things I’d do to him would make my parents roll over in their graves. Though, in my defense, you can’t be that hot and not have women admire the hell out of you or your body – especially when that body wears the shit out of a pair of jeans and a Slipknot shirt, and looked like Kane

At first Kane thinks Whitney is just another ditzy girl that’s attracted to him almost as much as she’s intimidated by him. But soon he begins to see that there is much more to the woman than first meets the eye. Kane is not looking for another woman; he can’t. How can he move one when every single time he closes his eyes, all he can see is the corpse of his dead fiance.

Whitney sees beyond what the townspeople think, deep down to the vulnerable and broken man that lies beneath the tough and tatted exterior.

But Whitney has something she’s running from that is slowly catching up with her. Can she be strong enough to stand by Kane and help him heal, or will his guilt leave them both broken?

My Thoughts
This book gripped me from the first few pages. That epilogue doesn’t ease you in. It throws you right into the deep end, and doesn’t spare any gory detail. Wow.

I absolutely loved that it was written in dual First Person POV. It helped so much more to actually be inside Kane’s head and feel everything that he’s feeling. I’m not going to lie, his actions at times made me feel bipolar. I went from

to

But then again, I have this thing for the assholes. As much as I wanted to throttle Kane at times, my heart also broke for him.

I was a little afraid at first that I would not like Whitney’s character. In the first few chapters she comes across as slightly ditzy, and all she thinks about is how absolutely hot Kane is. I get it, the man can fill out a pair of jeans. I don’t need it reiterated at every chance. But I suppose such is the brilliance of Emma Grayson and her character development since she was able to make the reader see her the same way Kane did at first. So when the sudden change to her personality finally comes about, you’re left just as pleasantly surprised as Kane was.

As much as I hate to compare any books or authors, since I think that they deserve to be judged individually, I couldn’t help but get a little Kristen Ashley vibe here. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad thing at all. Maybe it was all the “babes” and Kane’s mannerisms? This book reminded me slightly of At Peace, which I really enjoyed. But it was also a very unique writing style and story, so it does stand very well on its own.

I found some of the nicknames that the girlfriends call themselves a little strange. I don’t have many friends that I refer to as “baby”, but that may just be me LOL.

As much as I loved Whitney’s tough girl personality, I really wished she hadn’t forgiven Kane as easily as she did. Yes he’s tortured and broody, but he was a straight up asshole to her at times. I wanted him to work for it, grovel a bit.

My other minor quibble is Luke. I hated the way he treated Kane. While Kane never corrected his perception of him, it still killed me to see the way that he treated him. (view spoiler)[When Luke finally found out the truth and apologized, I guess I just wanted a little bit more. It didn’t feel like enough after years of treating Kane no better than a murderer. (hide spoiler)] But those very few things aside, I truly enjoyed the hell out of this story.

What a gut wrenching, action packed, suspenseful and steamy as hell ride this book was. I enjoyed every minute of it, and eagerly anticipate any future books by this author. It’s always great when you can be pleasantly surprised by a new to you author. 

**ARC given to Dirty Girl Romance blog in exchange for an honest review**

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