New & Upcoming Releases: June 23- 26

Who’s ready for another awesome release week? I know I am!!


AVAILABLE NOW


DIRTY WAR by NE Henderson

SEBASTIAN DIAZ

His name brings fire to my belly and piercing pain to my chest. He stole something from me I never knew I wanted. He tried to take me away from Drago by ending my life. I was supposed to be a message; payback for not accepting an offer—a partnership. And although I may be alive, Diaz might have succeeded in ripping Drago from me.

For now, I have to put that behind me and focus on finding the little angel that needs rescuing from the deadliest drug lord Southern California has ever seen.

I never imagined there was anything that would make me cross that thin blue line. But despair and hate and sorrow can blur ones vision so much that the line doesn’t exist anymore. I didn’t ask for this war, but I do plan on ending it—ending him.

An eye for an eye.

*** Bri and Drago’s story will conclude in Dirty Sin, which will be out in Fall 2018.***


ASHES OF THE SUN by A. Meredith Walters

I was raised to believe in things you can’t see.

It is the foundation of everything. I am taught to accept the unacceptable. To embrace the terrifying.

To give everything to my family.
To my church.
To my god.

Because I have a purpose. I have been trained for my calling for as long as I can remember. As an acolyte for the Gathering of the Sun, I am taught that my life isn’t my own. I worship. I serve. And when the time comes, I will greet my fate with open arms and a sin free heart.

People call us a cult.

We are judged. We are ridiculed and reviled. Pastor Carter tells me they will be lost when the end comes. So we hide ourselves away from their sick and dangerous world. And my soul is safe because I follow the path.

I am the perfect disciple. I am confident in my devotion.

Until doubt arrives wearing the face of a boy I never expected to love.

Bastian doesn’t follow the path. His destiny is his own. He paints me a picture of a beautiful world. His words contradict everything I have been told.

He invites me to live when I have been prepared to die.
He gives me something new to believe in.

Love becomes the ultimate crisis of faith and now I am torn between two futures.
One that saves my soul.
And one that saves my heart.

*This book contains scenes that may trigger sensitive readers. Deals with topics including abuse and mental illness.*


LAW OF ATTRACTION by Alison Bliss 

For single mom Bobbie Jo Weston, finding a husband is not on her to-do list. She’s focused on turning a run-down chicken farm into a Bed & Breakfast. She agrees to let a friend’s nephew stay with her in exchange for his handyman skills, but she wasn’t counting on the super sexy Seth Landry being that guy.

Seth has a special skill-set, all right, but it has nothing to do with hammering nails. As a retired member of The Resistance—an elite group of ex-military soldiers—his dark, unsettling past haunts him. He needs a place to lay low, and an out-of-the-way B&B is nothing short of perfect. The blonde beauty doesn’t trust men, and he doesn’t plan on sticking around long enough to change her mind.

The closer they get, the more they can’t seem to keep their hands off each other. And while Bobbie holds on to her fear of watching another man walk out of their lives, Seth’s mere presence has put them all in jeopardy. The only way to ever be free of his dangerous past is for him to accept one last mission…

Each book in the Tangled in Texas series is a standalone, full-length story that can be enjoyed out of order.
Series Order:
Book #1 Rules of Protection
Book #2 Playing With Fire
Book #3 Law of Attraction


CHECKING IN by Stylo Fantome

Do you ever wonder what happens to your favorite characters after an author writes The End?

Now is your chance to find out! Check in with a few of these wily personalities and get a sneak peek into what they’ve all been up to since this author wrote The End on them.

Is Mischa still in Italy?

Is Constantine still crazy?

Are Jameson and Tate still fighting?

We may finish books, but stories are never really over.

INSIDE YOU’LL FIND ALL NEW CHAPTERS CONTINUING THE STORIES FOR:

The Bad Ones

My Time in the Affair

The Mercenaries: Law

Muscle Memory

Twin Estates

The Kane Series

and a special chapter from an unpublished work –

While I Was Away

WARNING: This anthology was done as part of a four year publish-versary celebration. Chapters potentially contain spoilers in regards to their previously published full length editions. It is recommended to have read those editions before reading this anthology.

30,000 words


FIXED FOREVER by Laurelin Paige

A new full length novel in the Fixed series from New York Times bestselling author, Laurelin Paige.

Hudson Pierce-

You act so high and mighty, you and your perfect pregnant wife Alayna. With your perfect child and your perfect home.

You weren’t always perfect. Your past is filled with misdeeds.
Does your wife know all your secrets?
Would she stand behind you if she did?

You think because she’s on bedrest you can protect her? How sweet.

Sleep tight, you two.

-An Old Friend.

Final book in the Fixed series.

Book One: FIXED ON YOU
Book Two: FOUND IN YOU
Book Three: FOREVER WITH YOU
Book Four: HUDSON
Book Five: FIXED FOREVER

CHANDLER, a standalone in the Fixed Universe, is also recommended reading, but not necessary to enjoy this series finale.


STIFF DISCIPLINE by Ember Cole

I’ll ruin her if she doesn’t ruin me first…

When a gorgeous new tenant slips into my office the night of her twenty-first birthday with only one thing on her mind, I know I should send her on her way. Even if the thought of her tied up and at my mercy makes me ache.

I’m a harsh, demanding man, and Kymber’s too young, too innocent. A goddamn virgin. I hate myself for even thinking about stealing what should belong to another.

So I do the honorable thing. I walk away.

My babygirl is just as stubborn as me, though. Twenty-two years in the military, my discipline never faltered. Not once. And yet the feel of her trembling against me, begging for my permission, makes me lose all control.

Her innocent touch kick starts my battered heart. But my past left me with an emptiness I can’t fill, and I’ll be damned if I let my darkness destroy her light…

STIFF DISCIPLINE is a hot as hell standalone M/F romance with a dominant hero who plays on the edge. As with all my books, there is no cheating, and a HEA is guaranteed!


BEHIND THE SCENES by KM Scott

Alexis Marchand is one of the biggest movie stars in the world, loved by millions of fans around the globe. Her meteoric rise to fame has come with its fair share of heartache, but she’s remained strong, thanks to those closest to her and their unfailing support. Life as a movie star is good.

Until one day a simple letter arrives and turns her world upside down. Now she lives in terror, afraid of that one fan who has taken it too far.

Hunter McKary knows something of movie stars because of his time as a LAPD detective. He thought he left those days behind him, but when he’s sent to find out who’s stalking the beautiful blond actress the world adores, he grudgingly goes to New York, expecting to find a typical spoiled diva like those he met so many times before back in LA.

The woman he finds isn’t anything like he expected, and a job he dreaded becomes something else entirely. But someone out there has different plans for Alexis.


RELEASING JUNE 26


GETTING SCHOOLED by Emma Chase 

Head of the class…

Garrett Daniels has this whole life thing figured out.

The cocky, charismatic former high school star quarterback is an idolized football coach and “cool” teacher in the hometown where he’s not just a golden boy — he’s platinum. He has good friends, a great house on the lake, and the best damn sidekick a man could ask for: Snoopy, the albino beagle.

Then…Callie Carpenter comes home.

And knocks him right on his tight end zone.

Back to school…

Callie has a pretty sweet life herself…on the other side of the country. But circumstances — that she’d prefer to never speak of again — have brought her back home, helping out her parents and substitute teaching at her old high school.

Now she’s facing bickering, raging hormones, constant gossip, awkward weirdness, and drama galore…and that’s just the teachers.

Just like old times…

When Garrett offers to show his former high school sweetheart the secrets of his winning teacher ways, Callie jumps at the chance – and then has to stop herself from jumping him.

Good friends are all they can ever be.

Or…these teachers just might end up getting schooled — hard —by love.


ONE SMALL THING by Erin Watt

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author duo of The Royals and When It’s Realcomes a sensational new novel about a girl falling for the one boy she should never have met…

Beth’s life hasn’t been the same since her sister died. Her parents try to lock her down, believing they can keep her safe by monitoring her every move. When Beth sneaks out to a party one night and meets the new guy in town, Chase, she’s thrilled to make a secret friend. It seems like a small thing, just for her.

Only Beth doesn’t know how big her secret really is…

Fresh out of juvie and determined to start his life over, Chase has demons to face and much to atone for, including his part in the night Beth’s sister died. Beth, who has more reason than anyone to despise him, is willing to give him a second chance. A forbidden romance is the last thing either of them planned for senior year, but the more time they spend together, the deeper their feelings get.

Now Beth has a choice to make—follow the rules, or risk tearing everything apart…again.


THE DARKEST WARRIOR by Gena Showalter 

A searing Lords of the Underworld tale by New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter, featuring a beastly prince and the wife he will wage war to keep

He is ice…

Puck the Undefeated, host of the demon of Indifference, cannot experience emotion without punishment, so he allows himself to feel nothing. Until her. According to ancient prophecy, she is the key to avenging his past, saving his realm and ruling as king. All he must do? Steal her from the man she loves—and marry her.

She is fire…

Gillian Shaw has suffered many tragedies in her too-short life, but nothing could have prepared the fragile human for her transition into immortality. To survive, she must wed a horned monster who both intrigues and frightens her…and become the warrior queen she was born to be.

Together they burn.

As a rising sense of possession and obsession overtake Puck, so does insatiable lust. The more he learns about his clever, resourceful wife, the more he craves her. And the more time Gillian spends with her protective husband, the more she aches for him. But the prophecy also predicts an unhappily-ever-after. Can Puck defeat fate itself to keep the woman who brought his deadened heart back to life? Or will they succumb to destiny, losing each other…and everything they’ve been fighting for?


ARDEN by Melody Anne

New York Times bestselling author Melody Anne’s novel of dangerous secrets, dark pasts, and sizzling heat.

No one would guess that dedicated teacher Arden Forbes is a billionaire. His profession gives him a purpose that wealth alone can’t provide. He’s developing another passion, too, for Keera Thompson, the new principal. She’s beautiful, enigmatic, guarded, and—after a series of violent school break-ins—in need of protection. And Arden is eager to supply it. But what he wants most is to unearth the mysteries that surround her.

After a troubling past, Keera thought she’d be safe in this sleepy town and that she’d never be shaken again. Yet nothing has unsettled Keera more than her desire for Arden—honorable, gorgeous, and available when she craves him. But despite their explosive chemistry, when it comes to letting Arden in, Keera has her limits…and her secrets.

As the threats escalate, Keera fears that everything she’s been running from is closing in, and there’s only one man to trust. But will the truth drive Arden away…or will it bring the two closer than ever before?


BLOOD MATCH by K.A. Linde

As the provocative, sensual Blood Type series continues, the rare bond between Reyna and Beckham is threatened by betrayal, greed, and twisted secrets.

A desperate human. A powerful vampire. A world divided.

Reyna Carpenter was promised paradise. She was delivered into hell.

Giving up her body for money was supposed to be the hardest part of becoming a blood escort. She never expected to lose her heart to her dark, enigmatic boss, Beckham Anderson. After being taken by a depraved captor who plans to rule the world, Reyna will do anything to return to Beckham.

She just has to find the will to survive this game.

From the pawn, rises a queen.

Note: Reyna and Beckham’s story begins in Blood Type and continues in Blood Cure.


BUILT TO LAST by Julie Ann Walker

In the epic conclusion to the BKI series, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julie Ann Walker delivers her biggest bombshell yet!

Welcome to Black Knights Inc.
What appears to be a tricked-out motorcycle shop on the North Side of Chicago is actually headquarters for the world’s most elite covert operatives. Deadly, dangerous, and determined, they’ll steal your breath and your heart.

After a mission-gone-sideways forces Jamin “Angel” Agassi to change his identity, he’s determined to bring down the world’s worst crime syndicate kingpin once and for all. That’s going to be the easy part. Keeping Interpol agent Sonya Butler from discovering who he really is—and blazing another trail into his heart—is the challenge.

Black Knights Inc Series:
Hell on Wheels (Book 1)
In Rides Trouble (Book 2)
Rev It Up (Book 3)
Thrill Ride (Book 4)
Born Wild (Book 5)
Hell for Leather (Book 6)
Full Throttle (Book 7)
Too Hard to Handle (Book 8)
Wild Ride (Book 9)
Fuel for Fire (Book 10)
Hot Pursuit (Book 11)
Built to Last (Book 12)


MOONLIGHT SEDUCTION by J.L. Armentrout

The de Vincent brothers are back—and so is the intrigue that surrounds them—in New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout’s sizzling new novel . . .

Nicolette Bresson never thought she’d return to the de Vincents’ bayou compound. It’s where her parents work, where Nikki grew up . . . and where she got her heart broken by Gabriel de Vincent himself. Yet here she is, filling in for her sick mother. Avoiding Gabe should be easy, especially when so much of Nikki’s time is spent trying not to be stabbed in the back by the malicious hangers-on who frequent the mansion. But escaping memories of Gabe, much less his smoking-hot presence, is harder than expected—especially since he seems determined to be in Nikki’s space as much as possible.

Gabriel spent years beating himself up over his last encounter with Nikki. He’d wanted her then, but for reasons that were bad for both of them. Things have now changed. Gabe sees more than a girl he’s known forever; he sees a smart, talented, and heartbreakingly beautiful woman . . . one who’s being stalked from the shadows. Now, Gabe will do anything to keep Nikki safe—and to stop the de Vincent curse from striking again.


TOTAL CONTROL by Jackie Ashenden

Once they were soldiers. Now they answer only to honor . . .

The 11th Hour is made up of men and women who are no longer deemed fit to serve their country, but still need to fight a war. They work in shadows, keep their secrets—and follow their hearts . . .

Helicopter pilot Kellan Blake has always hated being told what to do, so being discharged from the army for insubordination doesn’t come as much of a surprise. What does surprise him is that when he joins up with the elite, underground 11th Hour squad instead, they send him straight home. The nest of vipers that calls itself his family is the next target for the team’s tech unit, so he’ll either have to brave their traps and deceptions himself—or watch his sweet, shy friend Sabrina walk into them alone . . .

Sabrina’s no femme fatale, but since there’s no one else with the tech skills to get the info they need, she’ll put on a party dress and take one for the team. But whoever decided she should pretend to be Kellan’s new fiancée hit a little too close to home. How can she concentrate on a dangerous mission when she’s worried about giving away what she really feels for her loyal, passionate, smoking hot partner? At least she isn’t likely to blow their cover. Until she’s in the line of fire, and neither Kellan’s demons nor his heart are hers to tame . . .


CHAOS by J.M. Madden

Finally, the long-awaited spin-off from the Lost and Found Series!

Aiden Willingham has lived a hard life. As a Navy SEAL, he agreed to take part in an ultra-secret government testing program. The company running the program, the Silverstone Collaborative, has produced a serum from an Amazonian plant that’s been proven to enhance physical abilities and mental fortitude. Problem is, men– heroes– have died during the testing, and it’s time for the company to be taken down before more men die needlessly.
Aiden, along with three others, have escaped the camp with evidence of the company’s horrendous practices. Now they’re in a race to expose them. They’ve already lost one of their team, and the Collaborative’s mercenaries are converging.
Angela Holloway knew the homeless man with sadness in his eyes was trouble as soon as she saw him hanging around the site of a murder. Uncooperative, he stonewalls her investigation, but draws her in when the badge comes off. Aiden has scars, both internal and external, that make her heart ache. It’s a serious no-no getting involved with a suspect… too bad her heart isn’t listening. As details come to light about what’s going on in her city, she has to fight for what she believes is right, as well as the man on the wrong side of the law.


LIGHT MY FIRE by J. Kenner

I don’t do relationships.

I’ve lived my life hiding my scars, revealing myself only the in the scripts I write and the characters I voice.

Few people know the real me. I’m too careful. Too afraid of getting burned all over again.

Enter Beverly Martin. A movie star. A woman so beautiful and caring she makes my heart ache. She says she wants me—and her touch almost makes me believe that a girl like her could love a man like me.

But being with her would mean letting the spotlight of fame shine on me, too. And I’m not sure I can do that—even if walking away means losing the woman I love.

Each novel in the series is a STANDALONE romance with a guaranteed HEA!

And don’t miss Bar Bites: A Man of the Month cookbook featuring recipes, slices of life, and an all new short story!


IRON AND MAGIC by Ilona Andrews

The Iron Covenant Book 1

No day is ordinary in a world where Technology and Magic compete for supremacy…But no matter which force is winning, in the apocalypse, a sword will always work.

Hugh d’Ambray, Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Warlord of the Builder of Towers, served only one man. Now his immortal, nearly omnipotent master has cast him aside. Hugh is a shadow of the warrior he was, but when he learns that the Iron Dogs, soldiers who would follow him anywhere, are being hunted down and murdered, he must make a choice: to fade away or to be the leader he was born to be. Hugh knows he must carve a new place for himself and his people, but they have no money, no shelter, and no food, and the necromancers are coming. Fast.

Elara Harper is a creature who should not exist. Her enemies call her Abomination; her people call her White Lady. Tasked with their protection, she’s trapped between the magical heavyweights about to collide and plunge the state of Kentucky into a war that humans have no power to stop. Desperate to shield her people and their simple way of life, she would accept help from the devil himself—and Hugh d’Ambray might qualify.

Hugh needs a base, Elara needs soldiers. Both are infamous for betraying their allies, so how can they create a believable alliance to meet the challenge of their enemies?

As the prophet says: “It is better to marry than to burn.”

Hugh and Elara may do both.


INKED NIGHTS by Carrie Ann Ryan

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan comes a new story in her Montgomery Ink series…

Tattoo artist, Derek Hawkins knows the rules:
One night a month.
No last names.
No promises.

Olivia Madison has her own rules:
Don’t fall in love.
No commitment.
Never tell Derek the truth.

When their worlds crash into each other however, Derek and Olivia will have to face what they fought to ignore as well as the connection they tried to forget.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**


WINGMAN by Katie McCoy

Chase McKenna is the hottest bartender in the city… and he knows it. Sexy, charming, and abs for days? It’s no wonder every girl who walks through the doors is panting for him.

Except me.

I’m stuck crushing on my perfect boss, who has zero idea I’m even alive. I need a plan to catch his attention… and who better to teach me the tricks of seduction than Mr. Panty—Dropper himself?

The rules are simple: no strings, no stress, and definitely no feelings. But it turns out, Chase is way more than I bargained for, and as for the sparks flying between us…?

You can’t teach chemistry like this.

Soon, we’re throwing our lesson plan out the window — and our clothes right after it. We’re breaking all the rules, and my heart’s on the line, but now I’m wondering…

Must all good flings come to an end?

Find out in the hot new romance from Katie McCoy!

*
The Rascals Series:
Five guys. One bar. And a whole heap of sexy trouble…

#1 Rascal
#2 Wingman – June 25th
#3 Heartbreaker – Aug 20th
#4 Soulmate – Oct 15th
#5 Troublemaker – Dec 10th


MAFIA PRINCE by Bella J.

Being a Valenti can be a godsend…or a curse.

For me, it’s both.

There was a time when I thought I wanted a different life. A life with her. But that changed the day she left—the day she ripped my heart out.

Now I’m a heartless bastard with the tendency to not give a shit.

I live my life like a man with nothing to lose. Reckless, ruthless, callous, and consumed by darkness.

But she’s back, the woman who destroyed me. Only this time she’s one of them—the enemy.

She thinks she can play me, torture me by walking around in our world like she belongs here. But on these streets, I’m a fucking prince. I’ll ruin. I’ll rule. And I’ll start a goddamn war in this city.

Because Layla Moore belongs to no one…but me.


THE PROBLEM WITH HIM by Rachel Higginson

I’m over men. I’m done with them.

Or at least the ones that work in my kitchen. Fine, one man in particular. Wyatt Shaw is cocky and condescending and so far out of his element that he doesn’t know which way is up. Or how to run his brand new kitchen all by himself.

That’s where I come in. Sous chef extraordinaire. Second in command. Bane of his existence. I am the reason Wyatt’s doing so well as the new executive chef of one of our city’s most prestigious restaurants. He has me to thank for his glowing accolades and five-star write-ups. Only if you were to ask him, he’d say I’m his biggest problem.

Despite his discouragement and bullish behavior, I’ve set two goals for myself.

The first? I’m going to fight my way to the top of this male-dominated industry and claim my own award-winning kitchen.

The second? I’m going to do whatever it takes to ignore Wyatt and his rare smiles and the thickening tension that’s started to simmer between us.

Wyatt Shaw might be Durham’s new shining star. He might be up for a James Beard Award. He might be my new boss and key to my future success, but he’s also in my way.

So he can keep his smoldering looks and secret kisses. And he can be the one that figures out how to make it through service without getting distracted by me.

I’m not the problem. The problem is him.


THE FRAGILE ORDINARY by Samantha Young

I am Comet Caldwell.

And I sort of, kind of, absolutely hate my name.

People expect extraordinary things from a girl named Comet. That she’ll be effortlessly cool and light up a room the way a comet blazes across the sky.

But from the shyness that makes her book-character friends more appealing than real people to the parents whose indifference hurts more than an open wound, Comet has never wanted to be the center of attention. She can’t wait to graduate from her high school in Edinburgh, Scotland, where the only place she ever feels truly herself is on her anonymous poetry blog. But surely that will change once she leaves to attend university somewhere far, far away.

When new student Tobias King blazes in from America and shakes up the school, Comet thinks she’s got the bad boy figured out. Until they’re thrown together for a class assignment and begin to form an unlikely connection. Everything shifts in Comet’s ordinary world. Tobias has a dark past and runs with a tough crowd—and none of them are happy about his interest in Comet. Targeted by bullies and thrown into the spotlight, Comet and Tobias can go their separate ways…or take a risk on something extraordinary.

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Impossible Vastness of Us and the On Dublin Street series comes a heartfelt and beautiful new young adult novel, set in Scotland, about daring to dream and embracing who you are.


THE HIGHLANDER’S PROMISE by Lynsay Sands

In a spellbinding new Highlands story from New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands, the laird of the Buchanans finds the one woman who is his equal in passion and courage

Aulay Buchanan has retreated to his clan’s hunting lodge for a few days of relaxation. But the raven-haired beauty he pulls from the ocean puts an end to any chance of rest. Though he christens her Jetta, she knows nothing of her real identity, save that someone is trying to kill her. As she recovers, it will not be easy for Aulay to protect her and keep her honor intact when she mistakenly believes they are man and wife…

Jetta sees beyond Aulay’s scars to the brave, loyal warrior she’s proud to call her own. But as the attempts on her life grow more brazen, Jetta realizes that not all is as she believes.

And if Aulay is not her husband, can she trust the desire flaring in his eyes, or his promise to defend her with his life?


BROKEN PROMISE by Tara Thomas

In the sultry streets of Charleston, one family, ruled by its powerful, take-no-prisoners sons, has risen to the top. But a merciless enemy is out to destroy them…and everyone they hold close…

Exclusive bonus content available only in the print edition!

SHE SWORE TO KEEP HER PROMISES.

BUT CAN SHE KEEP THEM SAFE…AND PROTECT HER HEART?

Charleston Police Officer Alyssa Adams made a promise years ago to protect innocent women from harm. Now, she won’t rest until she can reunite every lost daughter with her family. Bring closure to every grieving husband. And, most of all, find out what happened the night her own sister disappeared, more than ten years ago…

As the eldest of the Benedict brothers, Kipling will stop at nothing to protect his family from a threat that aims to destroy them once and for all. But when a long-lost sibling is kidnapped by a powerful adversary, Alyssa is the only one he can turn to to get her back.

As Alyssa and Kipling band together to find their lost siblings, a powerful attraction builds between them that they can’t ignore. As the truth comes to light, will one broken promise tear them apart?


TEMPTING THE LAIRD by Julia London

Mystery and desire cloak the Scottish Highlands

Unruly. Unmarried. Unapologetic. Catriona Mackenzie’s reputation precedes her everywhere she goes. Her beloved late aunt Zelda taught Cat to live out loud and speak her mind, and that’s exactly what she does when Zelda’s legacy—a refuge for women in need—comes under fire. When her quest puts her in the path of the disturbingly mysterious Hamlin Graham, Duke of Montrose, Cat is soon caught up in the provocative rumors surrounding the dark duke. Never one to retreat, Cat boldly goes where no one else has dared for answers.

Shrouded in secrets, a hostage of lies, Hamlin must endure the fear and suspicion of those who believe he is a murderer. The sudden disappearance of his wife and the truth he keeps silent are a risk to his chances at earning a coveted parliamentary seat. But he’s kept his affairs tightly held until a woman with sparkling eyes and brazen determination appears unexpectedly in his life. Deadly allegations might be his downfall, but his unleashed passion could be the duke’s ultimate undoing.

DGR’s Ultimate List of MC Romance & Bikers

What is it about a hot tatted man on a bike that just revs our ovaries here? It’s no secret that we love us some bikers here at DGR. We love them all; the sweet, the dark and violent, and the uber gritty.   Between Jenn and myself, we’ve binged on so many awesome MC books it’s almost impossible to narrow this list down, but damn if we won’t try. So below you’ll find some of our absolute favorite MC/Biker books that revved our engines and melted our hearts.

And if you’re new to my blog,  previous features here:

★ULTIMATE LIST OF DIRTY TALKERS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ROCK STARS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF FIGHTERS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ANTI-HEROES★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF HATE TO LOVE ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF MAFIA ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ANGSTY ROMANCE★

As always, I’d love to hear from you all in comments if you don’t see one of your favorites listed. You know I love me some book recs 😉


MOTORCYCLE MAN (Dream Man Series #4) by Kristen Ashley- Jenn’s pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

“You have no clue,” he whispered.
“No clue about what?” I whispered back.
“What you handed me last night.”
I took in a deep breath and asked softly, “What did I hand you, honey?”
“What’s lyin’ in that bed.”
That was when I stopped breathing.
“I claimed it,” he went on. “But last night you gave it to me. Gift’s given, no takin’ it back. You get that, Tyra?”
“I think so,” I whispered.
“Get that, baby, it’s important.”

Are you serious? Do I have to spell it out for you? Kristen. Ashley. This is THE book that took my Motorcycle Club virginity, and it felt good. I didn’t even cry. If you haven’t read this book, then we probably aren’t friends. Ok, I’ll let you off the hook a little bit. If you haven’t at least heard of this book, then we probably aren’t friends, and you randomly stumbled onto this blog. Because let’s be honest, every romance reader should have at least heard of Kristen Ashley. This is technically the 4th book in the Dream Man series, so if you are OCD, start with the first book in the series, Dream Man (not an MC).


OWN THE WIND (Chaos Series #1) by Kristen Ashley – Jenn’s pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

I never dreamed any fuckin’ dream,” he whispered, and the smile faded from her face as tears filled her eyes.
She understood him.
“Shy-”
“Didn’t dream it, saw it, waited my time, and then you gave it to me.

 

I chose to separate this from Motorcycle Man because although it technically is the sequel, it’s a spin-off, and deserves a blurb of its own. This series is not over. Kristen has announced that a novella and full novel in this series will be released in 2018, and I am over-the-moon excited. It’s been way too long since I’ve dipped into this series, and my toes are way too dry.


WALK THROUGH FIRE (Chaos #3) by Kristen Ashley – Lana’s pick
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“I’m done walking through fire for you, High! … I’m done not because I’m done but because there’s nothing left of me to burn. You have it all. You’ve always had it all! I gave up everything so you can have it all! Please! God! Leave me to my nothing.”

 

ALL OF THE FEELS! OMG! ALL OF THEM!

This book! I love a second chance romance, and this one just hit ALL of my checkboxes. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve re-read it (*cough* 5 *cough*), this quote has me in hysterical tears every single time. EVERY TIME. The emotion of this story is such a deep and memorable one, I will never get over it. I loved and I mean LOVED Millie and High’s long and hard deserved road to a HEA.


FEARLESS (Dartmoor Series #1) by Lauren Gilley – Jenn’s pick
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“Never before had he said such long strings of sentences in French before, like he did now. In the sheltering dark, his thrusts were slow, deep, sure, his hands digging bruises into her hips, the French rolling in thick purrs off his tongue; she had the impression it was sexual, whatever he said, the way the words caressed and encouraged her.”

I know you’re wondering how many stars I rated this book, so I’ll tell you. ELEVENTY BILLION STARS. It’s a number specifically created for Lauren Gilley books. I will shout her name from the rooftops. Because the chick can write an intelligent motorcycle club book. And isn’t that what we all want in life?! I know I do. One of my good friends, Irene, got me hooked on Gilly, describing her writing as Motorcycle Club Literature, and that is exactly how it is!! I will forever be a Gilly fan, and if I ever meet her, she better get ready for a huge fan-girl moment. Her books are ginormous, but no one should care because her writing is BEAUTIFUL.


 

UNCONTROLLABLE TEMPTATIONS (Tempted Series #3) by Janine Infante Bosco – Jenn’s Pick
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“In a world as dark as the one I live in, sometimes I can’t help but crave sunshine,” he said huskily.
Sunshine.
Me.

My newest favorite this year, and one of my top favorite on this list. For all of you OCD-ers out there, plug your ears because this isn’t the first book in the series….BUT it is the first MC book. The first two books are targeted to the Mafia side, but it’s like Janine started with Mafia and then wrote this book and refused to go back. And I am so glad. You can read my review on Goodreads because I can’t even begin to express MY LOVE for this book. Life Changing….literally…not figuratively. It changed my life. It’s a very personal review, but I would recommend this series anyway because Janine’s writing is amazing, and you need to read it.


DRIFTER (Nomad Series #1) by Janine Infante Bosco – Jenn’s Pick
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“She isn’t the girl you nail down, she’s the one you watch fly, and if you’re lucky, you’re the bastard who gets to spread your wings alongside her.

I wanted to include this book because it is the spin-off of the first MC series that Janine wrote, but I would still suggest reading the first series first (this coming from a girl who doesn’t care about reading books in order). I love that she wrote a spin-off instead of trying to continue forever in the first series. It was worth it!

This nomad series picks up where the Tempted Series leaves off.

I swear Janine gets better and better with this entire story and the characters are unforgettable and her books are unputdownable.


REAPER’S PROPERTY (Reapers MC #1) by Joanna Wylde – Jenn’s Pick
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So why are you called Horse?”
“Cause I’m hung like one,” he replied, smirking.

 

If you haven’t heard of Joanna Wylde, you’ve been living under a rock. I remember first seeing this book getting lots of attention from my Goodreads friends, and I saw the cover, because I confess that I 100% judge a book by its cover, I was like “Really?” And the guy’s name is Horse? Come on. But I am so glad I gave in and finally read this first one. The covers looks a lot better than they used to. And I was not disappointed with Horse. Lol. Joanna has a way with her alpha males that makes me want to punch them and screw them at the same time….which is the perfect combination. I love her dual pov’s in each book, and there are plenty of Reapers to go around, ladies.


DEVIL’S GAME (Reapers MC #3) by Joanna Wylde- Lana’s Pick
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“How’s that, baby?” he asked, thumb starting to work my clit again. “Feel good being turned on by a Devil’s Jack?

While I’ve loved the entire Reapers series, Devil’s Game is definitely my top favorite. It has that Romeo and Juliet feel to it. Daughter of the Reapers MC president falling for a rival MC member? YUM!

This book also had to have had, hands down, THE best heroine in the series.  Em was the shit! I had hoped that she would bring her A game considering she’s the darling daughter of Picnic, the MC president. She grew up in the life, she better be kick ass. But I also had my reservations considering how passive she’s been, particularly with her father’s rules in the previous two books. It’s safe to say that not only did Em meet all my expectations, she blew them out of the fucking water. I shit you not, people. Girl not only had a backbone, but knew how to kick ass and take names…poor Hunter’s balls not excluded


SILVER BASTARD (Silver Valley #1) by Joanna Wylde- Lana’s Pick
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“The man was my personal North Atlantic iceberg, lurking under the cold waters, just waiting to shred me wide open.
Fucking biker.

Ladies and ovaries, prepare to meet the bane of your existence (I’ll explain) and the object of your upcoming pervy dreams, Puck Redhouse. So why bane of existence? Because I honestly thought that my poor ovaries would die a slow and painful death by sexual frustration for a good 60% of this book. But damn, what a way to go. Joanna knows how to give good sexual tension. OH MY GAWD, the sexual tension! It burned with the fire of a thousand venereal diseases, I tells ya. Not that I know what that feels like, but I’d guess it would be like that. Just saying. Moving on…

This is a Reaper’s spin-off and book one in the series. Even though this focuses on Silver Bastard’s territory, we do get a peak at all our favorite characters from Joanna’s other series. There’s Picnic, Horse and of course Painter.


UNDENIABLE (Undeniable Series #1) by Madeleine Sheehan – Jenn’s Pick
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“Name’s Deuce sweetheart. My old man here is Reaper. It was nice talkin’ with ya.”
She put her tiny hand in his and he squeezed.
“Eva,” she whispered. “That’s my name and it was so, so great to meet you too.”
He smiled.
She smiled.
The rest is f*ckin’ history.

Madeleine and I have a lot of history. Ok, maybe only in my head. I adoooored the first 4 books in this series. Madeline has the ability to make me hold my breath the whole way through a book. The violence. The DRAMA. I can’t get enough. Well, apparently I can. There is a big mystery as to why it took 3 years for her to write the 5th book in the series, and it’s not really in chronological order. Maybe it was a personal reason. Maybe it wasn’t. Maybe it’s none of our business. I’ve heard that the 5th book is amazing. So maybe one day I will crawl off my high horse and read it because I’m a sucker. Despite ALL of this, I can’t deny that she is a fantastic writer. Hence, this recommendation.


 

UNBEAUTIFULLY (Undeniable #2) by Madeline Sheehan – Lana’s Pick
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“Baby,” he said gruffly. “Man like me got no business with a girl like you. You’re nothin’ but a fuckin’ beauty and I’m a while lot of fuckin’ ugly who’s already halfway to hell.

Rip my heart out why don’t ya, Madeline?!! Ripper and Danny’s story was heartbreaking, heart-wrenching, beautiful, real, gritty, dark, emotional, and absolutely, completely, utterly unputdownable!

“Ours was the furthest thing from a picture-perfect romance; it was more of a car crash, a metal-bending, blood-splattered disaster that left no survivors, only bad memories and heartache.
But it was ours.
And because it was ours…I wouldn’t change a thing.

The first book in this series absolutely gutted me. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I loved absolutely every single painful moment of it. But at the end I was left feeling…like I needed something…something more. It felt like the story wasn’t finished.

After reading this book, I now know why. The story continues on through the series, and even though we had a HEA in the 1st book, the characters get revisited, and I loved that.

If I loved the first book, I am simply at a loss for words to describe how I felt about this one. I feel like nothing I have will do it justice.


NINE MINUTES (Nine Minutes #1) by Beth Flynn – Jenn’s Pick
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“A story about a man who has loved me from the very beginning, from the first glance. The man who always was and still is my soul mate. That’s the only love story now.”

It’s hard to describe this book without scaring you. It’s definitely the darkest MC book on this list. This book is a MF 1/2 = Mind Fuck and a Half. I haven’t read the sequel. I too skeered. This book scared the Jezebel out of me. And I don’t think it was supposed to be scary.

I’ve met Beth Flynn and she is the last person I would have ever expected to write this book. She is the sweetest lady, but her mind is crazy town, and I like it. If you have any triggers at all, you shouldn’t read this book. But if you have a fucked up mind like me and love to torture yourself for funzies, then you should read this book.


NOWHERE BUT HERE (Thunder Road Series #1) by Katie McGarry – Jenn’s Pick
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“You’re beautiful,” I say, and the honesty of my words stings. “You’re beautiful inside and out. I like how you challenge me. I like how I can never figure out what you’re going to do or say. I like how we’ve thrown weird shit in your direction and you take it like a pro.”
I cup her face with one hand and caress her soft skin. “I like how you smile and how you laugh. I like how you love and defend your family and I like how you’re trying to love mine. I love how you trust. But mostly, Emily, I like how I feel when I’m around you.”
Shit. My heart bursts as the words tumble out. “I’m falling for you.”

If anyone can write a Young Adult MC Romance, it’s Katie Mc-fucking-Garry. She is the perfect author for this, and I am so glad that she chose to do it. Because it is flawless. With all of the violence and sex and just downright MC-ness, you would think that a YA MC Romance just wouldn’t be possible, but Katie gave us the middle finger and wrote this series that blew my mind. She is the queen of YA in so many ways. I mean, every YA comes with some angst, which isn’t always my favorite. But Katie includes just the right about the angst that it isn’t too soft…it isn’t too hard…it’s juuuuust right.


It Ain’t Me, Babe (Hades Hangmen Series #1) by Tillie Cole- Jenn’s Pick
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“I have only ever liked one boy in my life. I have only wanted one man to have as my own. I have only ever had one dream since I was eight. Styx, the dream is you. You stole my heart fifteen yes ago and you still haven’t given it back.”

All the Angst. If you love angst, then you’ll love the crackers out of Tillie Cole. This MC Series also has a twisty cult tie-in, which is one of my no-goes, so that is the only reason why I couldn’t read this series. Every single other person has loved it, so I am definitely recommending it.

“I thought you said, ‘it ain’t you who’s meant for me?”

He laughed. He rarely laughed, but when he did, I rejoiced at the sound of it: husky, deep…male. “Oh, it’s me, babe…Ain’t no other man for you…but me.”


 

BURN DOWN THE NIGHT (Everything I Left Unsaid #3) by Molly O’Keefe – Lana’s Pick
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You want to fuck, let’s do it. Let’s burn down the fucking place. We got that in us…between us. But when it’s over…all I’ll leave you are bruises.”

If I had a dollar for every time I read about an anti-hero that falls head over balls for the heroine and all of a sudden his switch is flipped form bad to good faster than you can say “golden vag”, I could happily retire in my land of many books. So when I first met Max as the baddie MC prez brother of Dylan in The Truth About Him suffice it to say I was intrigued. Then when Joan carted him off wounded and passed out in her car in the end of that book, suffice it to say I was ready to sell an ovary to get my hands on his book. But I was also fearful that it would be another one of those books that I mentioned above. Joan was an interesting character to say the least in the first two books and I was beyond curious how these two very broken people would fit together. I wasn’t sure what I expected when I started Burn Down The Night, but I can tell you that I certainly didn’t expect it to absolutely blow me away. (Pun definitely intended).


SINNER’S CREED (Sinner’s Creed Series #1) by Kim Jones – Lana’s Pick
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“I was the demon-possessed monster and she was the innocent, naïve angel. But none of that matters. She asks, I give and right now, I’ll kill anyone who tries to stop me from giving this woman what she wants—me.”

Have you ever read a book that touched you on such a visceral level you almost felt like you were living it along with the characters. Where you felt every emotion, every painful revelation, every bruise and emotional scar? A book that gutted you and at the same time you can’t stop thinking about? A book that you just know will stay with you for a long while yet? Sinner’s Creed was that book to me.

Sinner’s Creed is unlike any other MC romance I’ve read in a long time, if ever. And that’s saying a lot considering just how many books I’ve read in this genre. It’s a gritty, unapologetic and violent. It’s authentic and emotion and real. It’s absolutely fucking gut wrenching. Kim Jones brought her A-game with this one and you can feel it on every page. I have a feeling this will be the book I compare all other MC books to. Is it a romance? At it’s core, yes. But it’s so much more than that….

What sets it apart is it’s told entirely in Dirk’s POV. The readers will get a front row seat into the mind of a truly broken man…and learn to love him for it.


CLUBWHORE (Devil’s Renegade MC #1) by Kim Jones- Lana’s Pick
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So keep your morals. Stay at your nine to five. Judge me through your rose-colored glasses. View my lifestyle choices however you want. But if being classified as a whore is the only penance I have to pay to feel this good, then stitch an A on my chest. Carve a W on my forehead. Put a label on me to make yourself feel better. Because the reality is, I just don’t give a damn what you think.

Know what I enjoy about this author? She’s not afraid to go there and can write one hell of a fucked up tale and I happen to like it verra much. See, I have a thing for unconventional characters, and when I read the synopsis for Clubwhore, I knew I had to read it. In a sea of cookie cutter heroines, Delilah was a breath of fresh air. She makes no apologies for who she is. She embraces it fully. She loves the MC life, they’re her family and she’ll do anything for them. But while the other ‘clubwhores’ have their eyes on a patch and being someone’s old lady, Delilah wants none of that. She’s happy to have a different man warm her bed each night and promise her nothing in the morning. But there’s also a good reason for why she is the way she is. Sex is her escape, but she craves something much darker too. It’s her dirty secret and her penance. She knows that no man can satisfy her deepest darkest urges…until him.


TANK (Savage Saints MC #2) by Carmen Jenner – Lana’s Pick
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That’s the thing about the broken ones- they’re never too far beyond repair, even though it might seem that way. They just need a little glue and the right pair of hands to stick ’em back together.

After reading Kick, I already knew that Carmen’s Savage Saints MC series was not for the faint of heart. Lucky for me I tend to lean towards those gritty, utterly fucked up reads. After reading her warning in Tank, I wish I can tell you that it prepared me for what was to come in this book. But here’s the thing, nothing and I mean nothing could have prepared me for what this story did to me. NOTHING. If you think Kick was hard to read, think again, because Tank will break you. Have you ever read a book with your heart in your throat and your stomach in knots the entire time? I’m talking until the last fucking page here. This book owned me. It was devastatingly emotional, gritty as fuck, and harder to swallow than a shards of glass. It was simply fan-fucking-tastic!


REBEL (Dead Man’s Ink #1) by Callie Hart – Lana’s Pick
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“You believe in vengeance?”
“You mean like revenge?”
He shakes his head. “Revenge is a selfish act. Retaliation for something. Vengeance is a different thing altogether. It’s about obtaining justice, usually for someone who can’t claim it for themselves.”

After the tiny peak that we get in the Blood & Roses series, you already knew that this was going to be something amazingly good. And if you haven’t yet read the Blood & Roses series, don’t worry, because you can easily start with this book first.

This is a continuing story arc that will have 2 additional parts, so it does end on a cliffhanger. However as interesting as the cliffy was, it wasn’t that bad because it’s more of a plot cliffy than a relationship one. If you were a fan of the Blood and Roses series, then this book is a must read. And if you haven’t yet discovered this fantastic author, there’s no better book to start with than this one. I can’t wait to see where Sophia and Rebel’s story will lead to next. All I can say is that the set up sounds absolutely delicious.


RUIN & RULE (Ruin & Rule #2) by Pepper Winters – Lana’s Pick
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We met in a nightmare, loved in a prayer. We gave everything until both were laid bare.

You know that moment when you pick up a book and you know, you just know that it’s going to be one of those books. A book that will keep you up until the crack of dawn reading. A book that you’d pass on food and sleep to read even if you’ll be a grumpy zombie the entire day. A book that will make your employees think you have a bladder infection because you take so many “bathroom breaks”. What? Too far.

When Pepper first introduced Author “Kill” Killian in Third Debt I was absolutely hooked. I knew that I’d beg, cry, and/or sell an ovary for his story. There was just something so devastatingly broken about him and if anyone knows how to write the broken and broody heroes, it’s this author. Kill was such a multifaceted character, he practically leapt off the pages. There’s this barely restrained violence to him along with something so completely broken and painful that you can’t help but fall head over heels for him right way, right or wrong.


MOVE THE SUN (Signal Bend series #1) by Susan Fanetti – Lana’s pick
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“I love you, Sport. You’re it for me. You fill up a space in me I didn’t even know was empty.”

I’ll keep this short and sweet. I’m a sucker for a good biker book, and the good ones are few and far between. There’s a lot of imitation and lackluster reads, so I’ve stopped getting my hopes up when reading a new MC series.

This is why this book came as such a pleasant surprise, considering I got it as an Amazon freebie back in December. I got my biker fix, and a verra steamy one at that.

I loved how kick-ass the heroine was, it’s not often that’s done right. The sex scenes were plenty and smoking hot, and the story gripped me from the prologue. This whole series is fantastic (book 2: Behold The Stars and 3: Into The Storm being my absolute favorite that one.


SEVEN SONS (Gypsy Brothers #1) by Lili St. Germain – Lana’s Pick
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“Confucius said, “Before embarking upon a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” I planned to dig seven.”

Sweet baby jebus. This series! It was one fucked up, gritty, violent, and totally addicting 7 book read. I was blown away by this debut series from Lili and became an insta fan of hers immediately after book one. Let me warn you, though. This series is NOT for the faint of heart. It’s dark and takes you into the violent and unapologetic underbelly of an MC and vengeance. It spares no detail and hits you where it hurts the most. These books are not meant to be read as standalones. You have to read them in order, and since they’re all out, prepare to binge. Though depending on your tolerance for dark reads, you may need to pace yourself, because I’m not kidding when I tell you just how dark this dark romance is. It’s also incredibly good and utterly unforgettable!


WELCOME TO SUGARTOWN (Sugartown #1) by Carmen Jenner- Lana’s Pick
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“From the day we’re born to the day we die, we fucking hurt and we cry and we pick ourselves up and, if we’re really lucky, we have people to help us pick up the fucking pieces”

If you’re looking for a light and slightly angsty NA book, this is not it my friends. What it was, was a dark, angsty, slightly intense at times ride…and I loved it.

I liked the heroine, Ana, right off the bat. She’s funny, sassy, and her relationship with her BFF and raging nyphomaniac Holly had me cracking up for most of the book.

“Okay, okay, okay. Knickers?”
“The white G-string you helped me pick out.”
“White? That’s good. Virginal. He’ll be reminded this is a first for you and hopefully won’t just impale you on his pork sword.

And the hero? A tatted dirty talking wet dream!


CRAVING CONSTELLATIONS (The Aces Series #1) by Nicole JacquelynLana’s Pick
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He was like a wounded animal, and I was the hunter who’d wounded him. I didn’t know if he would ever forgive me.

I went into this book with absolutely zero expectations. I’m a sucker for MC books, but after a recent string of very mediocre reads, I wasn’t expecting much from a debut novel.

Holy shit was I wrong. This book blew me away! It was raw, gritty, painful, emotional, dark, passionate, and unputdownable until the very last page.

Nicole Jacquelyn took two imperfect and fucked up characters and wrote them in such a way that you just couldn’t help but love them.

I am not typically a fan of heroines that are overly emotional but yet I felt for Brenna. Her life hasn’t been an easy one, and although she has made some mistakes she still struggles to bring back the strong woman that she once was. She left behind her life because she didn’t want to be the old lady on the sidelines while her man came home smelling like club whores. Dragon may not be perfect, but the magnetic pull between them is impossible for her to deny.


Welp, that’s it for the list. Loved it? Tell me in comments! Did I miss one of your favorites? Tell me about it in comments! I love to hear from you all, so don’t be shy <3

Till next time, dirty birds!

Review: Hooking Up by Helena Hunting

HOOKING UP
Series: Shacking Up #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Helena Hunting
Release Date: November 7, 2017

Amalie Whitfield is the picture of a blushing bride during her wedding reception ― but for all the wrong reasons. Instead of proclaiming his undying love, her husband can be heard, by Amalie and their guests, getting off with someone else. She has every reason to freak out, and in a moment of insanity, she throws herself at the first hot-blooded male she sees. But he’s not interested in becoming her revenge screw.

Mortified and desperate to escape the post-wedding drama, Amalie decides to go on her honeymoon alone, only to find the man who rejected her also heading to the same tiny island for work. But this time he isn’t holding back. She should know better than to sleep with someone she knows, but she can’t seem to resist him. They might agree that what happens on the island should stay on the island, but neither one can deny that their attraction is more than just physical.

Filled with hilariously scandalous situations and enough sexual chemistry to power an airplane from New York City to the South Pacific, Hooking Up is the next standalone, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from Helena Hunting, the New York Times bestselling author of the Pucked series and Shacking Up.

AMAZON

He’s sweaty, I’m sweaty, we’re both glistening from the exertion. I glance down, checking out his abs as they ripple. His body is unreal. He should never wear clothes again. Ever.
“Hungry?” He’s grinning.
“That was my vagina asking for more orgasms. We need to know how long it’s going to be before ‘Oh God’ can provide more of those.”

It’s official: I’m obsessed with Helena Hunting’s words. This series has become my go-to when I need a sexy and feel good romance that’s full of laughs and sizzle. It just never disappoints and I will never get enough of it. Admittedly I did things a little backwards by reading I Flipping Love You before this book, but since these are all interconnecting standalones, I never felt like I lost anything in the story by doing that.

Hooking Up was a totally addicting read full of laughs and sizzle. The premise of the story was a delicious page turner. I was riveted to the pages from beginning to end with a goofy smile on my face the entire time. I simply couldn’t get enough of these characters.

What could be the worst thing to happen on your wedding day? For Amalie Whitfield, it’s hearing your brand new husband getting a bj from someone that’s not you over the reception loud speakers. Talk about your embarrassing disaster. So what’s a girl to do? Cut herself out of her dress with shears and proposition her soon to be ex-husband’s incredibly hot cousin in the bridal room, of course. What? A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. Besides, she did Lex before her groom. It just happened to be that he looked like the epitome of bad boy and too good looking to be good for her. She’s not exactly known for her great choice in men. Her current predicament is a prime example. In an embarrassed and devastated fog, she decides to go on her honeymoon alone to recover…only for Lex to end up on the same tropical island to work a deal for his family’s hotel business. Suffice it to say, steamy moment ensue.

Can I just tell you all of the ways I adored Lex? God, this man was utter perfection. He’s sweet with a side of dirty talker, tatted, muscled, and totally gone for Amelie. They know that all the odds are stacked against them, but a tropical temporary fling can’t hurt, right? Until feelings get involved. And then things get a whole lot more complicated.

Amelie was a great heroine. I loved her sass and how she took no sh*t from her cheating “husband”. As for Armstrong, the douche? I have never wanted a character to be killed off more than I did him. I swear I spent half the book hoping he’d be hit by a bus. Talk about your king of douchebags. This man took the cake. I absolutely hated him.

The romance was fantastic! I loved Amelie and Lex together. I loved their chemistry, in and out of bed. I loved their banter and watching them fall hard for each other.

If you’re looking for a lighthearted, feel good romance that’s full of steam and humor, this series is an absolute must read. Hooking Up was another amazing addition to this addicting series, and I’m already itching for my next fix.

Review: More Than Words by Mia Sheridan

MORE THAN WORDS
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Mia Sheridan
Release Date: June 12, 2018

No one lays open the heart and soul quite like New York Times bestselling author Mia Sheridan.
The moment she met Callen Hayes, eleven-year-old Jessica Creswell knew he was a broken prince. Her prince. They became each other’s refuge, a safe and magical place far from their troubled lives. Until the day Callen kissed herJessica’s first real, dreamy kissand then disappeared from her life without a word.
Years later, everyone knows who Callen Hayes is. Famous composer. Infamous bad boy. What no one knows is that Callen’s music is now locked deep inside, trapped behind his own inner demons. It’s only when he withdraws to France to drink his way through the darkness that Callen stumbles into the one person who makes the music return. Jessica. His Jessie. And she still tastes of fresh, sweet innocence . . . even as she sets his blood on fire.
But they don’t belong in each other’s worlds anymore. There are too many mistakes. Too many secrets. Too many lies. All they have is that instinctive longing, that needand something that looks dangerously like love.

Sometimes the beginning of love is just a simple matter of proximity.

More Than Words was a wonderfully swoony and emotional story of fated meetings and second chances. I was enamored with the book from the prologue.

I’m here to save you.

As a little girl, Jessica Creswell finds Callen Hayes when he needs her the most. Inside an abandoned boxcar they forge a friendship and a bond of young innocence and painful childhoods. Both of them have their own family issues, but that’s what ultimately forms the bond between them. Only after a friendship of make believe games and fairy tales, Callen disappears from her life as suddenly as he entered it.

Years later, fate brings them together once more. But Callen is no longer that sweet boy that gave her her first kiss. He’s a famous composer, jaded by life, and a man that uses countless faceless women and alcohol to dull his hidden pain.

Callen was a character that my heart absolutely bled for. He’s so devastatingly broken and yearning for everything that Jessica means to him all these years later, but he knows that he doesn’t deserve her. Jessica was almost a little too pure for my particular taste, but she did balance Callen. Although admittedly, at times I found her a little too much of a naive dreamer for everything that she’s been through. She almost felt like a martyr for Callen at times for all the risks she takes for him and how quick to overlook some of his issues she is. But it also fit her character, so it didn’t bother me too much.

The story is very emotionally charged and character driven. Allen has a lot of issues that he has to face and work through, and I was glued to the pages to see how it all comes together. I really loved the way he was with Jessica. There’s just something so pure and innocent in their connection, even all those years later that I couldn’t get enough of.

There’s a bit of a historical mystery that unravels parallel to the story as Jessica works through the translations for the museum that she works for. While I can see how it connected to the story, I wasn’t as invested in that particular part and it was more of a distraction from the main story for me. The connection between Jessie and Callen stood on it’s own, and I personally didn’t feel that added storyline added anything to the dynamic. But that’s just my own personal bias.

All in all, this was a beautiful and emotional story that I connected with. Sure there were some parts that didn’t work for me, but the story was solid enough for me to overlook that and truly enjoy it.

New Releases: June 18-21

New releases coming at ya this week!


AVAILABLE NOW


MISTER TONIGHT by Kendall Ryan

From New York Times bestselling author Kendall Ryan comes a standalone romance about a swoony single dad and the new neighbor he falls for.

Last night was the most embarrassing night of my life.

I was that girl.

You know, the highly intoxicated chick celebrating her thirtieth birthday with her two best friends—who are happily married. And the more I drank, the more I wanted to do something reckless to celebrate.

By reckless, I mean the sexy and alluring man dressed in a business suit standing near the bar. You know his type—tall, dark, handsome. I was sure he was out of my league, but I’d had just enough alcohol that things like that no longer seemed to matter. I’m not fat, mind you, but you can tell I like french fries, so there’s that.

He took me home, and I enjoyed the hottest birthday sex of my life. Well, until it came to a screeching and rather unwelcome halt.

There’s nothing quite like being interrupted mid-ride with a little voice asking, “What are you doing to my daddy?”

Just kill me now . . . or so I thought.

Come to find out, the man I rode like a bull at the rodeo is my new landlord.


DOUBLE DOWN by Alessandra Torre

The stunning conclusion to the All In Duet…

In Vegas, there was one man who was off limits.

One man… and I fell for him.

I knew there were risks.

Still, I played the game.

When Dario Capece called, I answered.

When he beckoned, I came.

When he broke all my rules, I looked the other way.

I knew there were risks.

I just never realized they included death.

Note: This book should be read after Even Money

(available now).


THAT GUY by Kim Jones (buy link TBA)

He’s That Guy.

You know, the hero in almost every romance novel.

The super-rich, powerful CEO who is beyond sexy. Lives in a penthouse. Is wicked in bed. Has massive…feet. Is kind of a jerk, but really he’s not because he harbors some major secret that, once revealed, explains why he is the way he is—therefore completely redeeming himself and making all the readers who hated to love him swoon….

Yeah. That one.

Well, I found him.

I’m a writer who has spent years searching for the perfect muse.

Now that I know he exists, I have a mission.

To make him fall in love with me.

This should be easy. I mean, I have issues, but above all, I’m a great catch.

Problem is, I did a stupid thing.

And now he hates me.

Unfortunately for him, he’s my That Guy.

And he’s going to love me….

Whether he wants to or not.


RELEASING JUNE 19


TATTERED by Devney Perry

Thea Landry has always known her place in modern-day society. It’s somewhere just above the trash can her mother dumped her in as a newborn but below the class where much comes easy. With her tattered shoes and bargain-bin clothes, her life has never been full of glamour.

So when a rich and charismatic man takes interest, she doesn’t fool herself into thinking their encounter is anything more than a one-night stand. Months later, she’s kicking herself for not getting his phone number. Or his last name. She’s given up hope of seeing him ever again.

Until one day, years later, Logan Kendrick waltzes into her life once more and turns everything she’s built upside down. This time around, she won’t make the same mistake. She’s going to fight to keep him in her life—not for herself.

But for their daughter.


GHOSTGIRL by JB Salsbury

She was brainwashed into believing she could save mankind.
Now, she’s the one who needs saving.

Abandoned with his two younger brothers, Milo Vega was placed in foster care. Now a twenty-year-old high-school senior covered in gang tattoos and working as the school’s janitor, he is living a life vastly different from the one he was destined for.

When another foster joins the family, this one from the psychiatric facility, Milo’s skeptical. A rare genetic condition makes her unlike any girl he’s ever seen, and he wants nothing to do with the one he calls Ghostgirl.

Despite his reluctance, his protective instincts flare when she enrolls in school, and eventually, an unlikely friendship grows between them. When a tragic event snaps her fragile psyche, Milo is faced with the possibility of never seeing her again.

Unless he risks it all to save her.


ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE by Nicole Williams

Fans of Sarah Dessen, Stephanie Perkins, and Jenny Han will delight as the fireworks spark and the secrets fly in this delicious summer romance from a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author.

When Jade decided to spend the summer with her aunt in California, she thought she knew what she was getting into. But nothing could have prepared her for Quentin. Jade hasn’t been in suburbia long and even she knows her annoying (and annoyingly cute) next-door neighbor spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

And when Quentin learns Jade plans to spend her first American summer hiding out reading books, he refuses to be ignored. Sneaking out, staying up, and even a midnight swim, Quentin is determined to give Jade days–and nights–worth remembering.

But despite their storybook-perfect romance, every time Jade moves closer, Quentin pulls away. And when rumors of a jilted ex-girlfriend come to light, Jade knows Quentin is hiding a secret–and she’s determined to find out what it is.


JUST ONE TOUCH by CA Harms

I should have known this would happen…

Nothing about my fraternity was ever simple. Parties, tequila – tons of tequila – and wild souvenirs from our kind of crazy.

Never, and I do mean never, did I expect my brother’s girl to target me in a midnight prank. A prank that backfired and left me squealing in pain.

Have you ever seen those shows, the ones that say the “dirty deed” sent you to the ER? Well, I went to the ER, and yes, my manhood was involved. Let me just say I gained absolutely no pleasure from it. Unless, of course, you consider that sweet nurse who treated me.

The problem? She hated me…and I had no idea why, but I wasn’t willing to let her walk away until I figured it out.

Emelie was feisty, and I’d never felt the type of excitement I did after spending only five seconds in her line of fire. I was gonna enjoy this…way more than I should, and I knew it.

She saw, she conquered, and I was defeated.
All it took was just one touch, and oh, what a ride it was.


RAINY DAY FRIENDS by Jill Shalvis

First Time Available!

Following the USA Today bestseller, Lost and Found Sisters, comes Rainy Day Friends, Jill Shalvis’ moving story of heart, loss, betrayal, and friendship.

Six months after Lanie Jacobs’ husband’s death, it’s hard to imagine anything could deepen her sense of pain and loss. But then Lanie discovers she isn’t the only one grieving his sudden passing. A serial adulterer, he left behind several other women who, like Lanie, each believe she was his legally wedded wife.

Rocked by the infidelity, Lanie is left to grapple with searing questions. How could she be so wrong about a man she thought she knew better than anyone? Will she ever be able to trust another person?  Can she even trust herself?

Desperate to make a fresh start, Lanie impulsively takes a job at the family-run Capriotti Winery. At first, she feels like an outsider among the boisterous Capriottis. With no real family of her own, she’s bewildered by how quickly they all take her under their wing and make her feel like she belongs. Especially Mark Capriotti, a gruffly handsome Air Force veteran turned deputy sheriff who manages to wind his way into Lanie’s cold, broken heart—along with the rest of the clan.

Everything is finally going well for her, but the arrival of River Green changes all that. The fresh-faced twenty-one-year old seems as sweet as they come…until her dark secrets come to light—secrets that could destroy the new life Lanie’s only just begun to build.


MEANS by Kennedy Layne

From USA Today Bestselling Author Kennedy Layne comes a sexy trilogy that involves greed, power, and the desire to do it all over again…

Smith Gallo has everything a man could ever want at the tip of his fingertips, except of course the woman he loves.

To what lengths will he be willing to go to make his ambitions come true?

Laurel Calanthe is one successful stock pick away from making partner when she finds herself in desperate need of an alibi.

There’s only one problem.

The man who can save her from being arrested is her only competitor and the one who now holds her fate in his hands.

Greed is a powerful motivator in the game of making money, but desire can overcome even the strongest motive.


DIGGING A HOLE by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

From New York Times Bestseller, Mimi Jean Pamfiloff, Comes Book Three of the OHellNO Series, DIGGING A HOLE. (Standalone.)

HE’S THE MEANEST BOSS EVER.
SHE’S THE SWEET SHY INTERN.
THEY’RE ABOUT TO WRECK EACH OTHER CRAZY.

My name is Sydney Lucas. I am smart, deathly shy, and one-hundred percent determined to make my own way in the world. Which is why I jumped at the chance to intern for Mr. Nick Brooks despite his reputation. After ten failed interviews at other companies, he was the only one offering. Plus, everyone says he knows his stuff and surely a man as stunningly handsome as him can’t be “the devil incarnate,” right? Wrong.

Oh…that man. That freakin’ man has got to go! I’ve been on the job one week, and he’s insulted my mother, wardrobe shamed me, and managed to make me cry. Twice. Underneath that stone-cold, beautiful face is the evilest human being ever.

But I’m not going to quit. Oh no. For once in my life, I’ve got to make a stand. Only every time I open my mouth, I can’t quite seem to muster the courage. Perhaps my revenge needs to come in another form: destroying him quietly.

Because I’ve got a secret. I’m not really just an intern, and Sydney Lucas isn’t my real name.


WICKED AND THE WALLFLOWER by Sarah MacLean

When Wicked Comes Calling . . .

When a mysterious stranger finds his way into her bedchamber and offers his help in landing a duke, Lady Felicity Faircloth agrees—on one condition. She’s seen enough of the world to believe in passion, and won’t accept a marriage without it.

The Wallflower Makes a Dangerous Bargain . . .

Bastard son of a duke and king of London’s dark streets, Devil has spent a lifetime wielding power and seizing opportunity, and the spinster wallflower is everything he needs to exact a revenge years in the making. All he must do is turn the plain little mouse into an irresistible temptress, set his trap, and destroy his enemy.

For the Promise of Passion . . .

But there’s nothing plain about Felicity Faircloth, who quickly decides she’d rather have Devil than another. Soon, Devil’s carefully laid plans are in chaos and he must choose between everything he’s ever wanted . . . and the only thing he’s ever desired.


VAMPIRE’S FAITH by Rebecca Zanetti

The Dark Protectors are back!  All new stories and a great entry point for new fans!

 

 

Vampire King Ronan Kayrs wasn’t supposed to survive the savage sacrifice he willingly endured to rid the world of the ultimate evil. He wasn’t supposed to emerge in this time and place, and he sure as hell wasn’t supposed to finally touch the woman who’s haunted his dreams for centuries. Yet here he is, in an era where vampires are hidden, the enemy has grown stronger, and his mate has no idea of the power she holds.

Dr. Faith Cooper is flummoxed by irrefutable proof that not only do vampires exist . . . they’re hot blooded, able to walk in sunlight, and shockingly sexy. Faith has always depended on science, but the restlessness she feels around this predatory male defies reason. Especially when it grows into a hunger only he can satisfy–that is if they can survive the evil hunting them both.
 
“Hot and fast from beginning to end.”
–Kate Douglas on Fated


RELEASING JUNE 20


CRAVING MR. KINKY by AM Madden & Joanne Schwehm

Here’s a tip: When you least expect it, expect it.

I’d been known to have my share of beautiful women. Usually, I met them in a bar, through a mutual acquaintance, or even when photographing them. Imagine my surprise when a gorgeous blonde drove her car into mine on the way to a party.

No more than a minute after our run-in, a string of colorful words flew from her mouth in rapid fire. Unexplainably, the angrier she became the harder I got. All sorts of scenarios played in my head of how I could get her to shut up. I was all for feisty women, but I preferred leaving that for the bedroom—not on the streets of New York.

When I learned she was a school teacher, that worsened my disposition. What man didn’t have a dirty teacher fantasy at one point in his life? I decided it was my turn to teach her a thing or two… or so I thought. Little did I know, Miss Prim-and-Proper would turn the tables on me.

She called me Mr. Kinky, and that was fine with me.

Lesson learned: Desire always trumps logic.


LIBERTY by Kirsty Dallas

“Face your enemy, show no fear, fight to survive.”

I was a child delivered to hell,
imprisoned in endless darkness,
until I found the light again.
I was gifted freedom
while still trapped inside a cage.
He helped me forget my confinement
He made me feel safe
And once I was old enough to know what love was,
He made me feel unwanted.
My name is Grace,
And this is life in Liberty.

From bestselling and award winning novelist and screen writer comes this explosive story of power, humanity, love and strength. Set against the backdrop of a war torn America, Liberty takes you into the world of a group of civilians rescued from a formidable underground prison and offered freedom in the form of a secured compound.

Liberty is a spin-off novel from the award winning dystopian romance, When Nothing Is All You’ve Got.
This novel is intended for mature readers. It contains dark elements not suitable for children.


RELEASING JUNE 21


ONE WEEK by Roya Carmen

A new forbidden arrangement standalone novel from Roya Carmen, author of The Ground Rules Trilogy.

A troubled marriage. A one week hall pass.

Gabriella Moore has it all; a beautiful husband, two adorable children, and a dream home. Yet, when, by chance, she befriends Eli online, she falls fast. And hard.

She knows she must let him go, and saying goodbye is one of the hardest things she’s ever done, but she resolves to move on and forget about her beautiful stranger.

But then… she makes an unexpected discovery, and it shakes her perfect world to its core. Rules don’t apply anymore. An arrangement is made, and her husband gives her just one week with Eli.

The rules are clear: One week. Sex only. No contact thereafter. Seems simple enough, but it’s never simple when it comes to love.

Author’s note: contains sexual scenes and some coarse language.

#DGRFave & Lana’s Review: The Kiss Quotient by @HHoangWrites

THE KISS QUOTIENT
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Author: Helen Hoang
Release Date: June 5, 2018

A heartwarming and refreshing debut novel that proves one thing: there’s not enough data in the world to predict what will make your heart tick.

Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases–a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.

It doesn’t help that Stella has Asperger’s and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice–with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan.

The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can’t afford to turn down Stella’s offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan–from foreplay to more-than-missionary position…

Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all the other things he’s making her feel.

Soon, their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic…

AMAZON | B&N

I don’t want just a night or a week or a month with you. I want you all the time. I like you better than calculus, and math is the only thing that unites the universe.”


There’s only one way to summarize my feelings for this book, and that’s to tell you that it’s an ABSOLUTE FREAKING MUST READ. The Kiss Quotient was quite possibly the most charming, addictingly satisfying romance I’ve read all year! It was everything. ALL OF THE THINGS. And I’m on cloud 9 after finishing it! I don’t even know what I’ll do with myself now because nothing could ever compare to the ultimate perfection that was this unique and wonderful story full feels and steam. Nothing I could say could possibly do it justice, but I’ll try.

The heroine: Stella Lane
How I loved her. Here’s a female that’s the very antithesis of your typical romance heroine and she was PHENOMENAL. When I first read the blurb and saw that Stella has Asperger, I was so curious to see how the author would depict her. And I can tell you that I couldn’t be more satisfied. There’s just something so incredibly endearing and ultimately just…real, about Stella. She’s full of quirks, but she’s also vibrant in her own way. She has a fulfilling and successful career, but relationships and sex are such a foreign subject to her, that she continually suffers through terrible dates and unsatisfying sexual encounters. With her family’s constant pressure for her to finally settle down, she knows that she needs help. And so she gets that, when she hires an escort to guide her through the art of dating and relationships.

The hero: Michael Phan
Gah! JUST GAH! This man. I can’t even begin to describe all of the ways I adored him. Forced to work as an escort in order to help his family, Michael doesn’t exactly brag about being an escort. As a matter of fact, it’s more of his shameful secret. Used to women seeing him for just his looks, he’s almost jaded on relationships….until he meets beautiful and sexually clueless Stella. There’s just something about her that makes him question everything he thought he knew. Their connection is instant and so potent, I felt the energy of it sizzle on the pages. Here’s a man that’s not a playboy (escort aside), he’s not an a-hole either. There was also something so real about Michael to me. I adored his relationship with his quirky and colorful family. But I absolutely loved the way he was with Stella. He’s the perfect gentleman with a filthy mouth. God but I loved him. I loved him so freaking hard.

This book was simply amazing. It was unique and fresh and full of heart. It was unlike any other romance I’ve read and I couldn’t get enough of it. Helen Hoang has got an instant mega fan in this reader. I will blindly read ANYTHING she writes, no blurb required. She’s a talent that EVERYONE needs to discover and this book one that EVERYONE needs to fall in love with. Because that’s exactly what will happen when you meet Michael and Stella; you’ll fall head over heels for them same as I did. This romance will stay with you, it will engrain itself into your memory and make your heart feel full with it’s emotion. In a nutshell; read it, read it, JUST READ IT!!

_____________________________________________________________

ICYMI: You can check out Geri’s review of Kiss Quotient here: https://wp.me/p6sEtE-8m3

Review: Captivated by Tessa Bailey & Eve Dangerfield

CAPTIVATED
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Author: Tessa Bailey & Eve Dangerfield
Release Date: June 11, 2018

Secret aspiring comedian Autumn Reynolds is a girl gone…not wild exactly. More like lazy. Since her boyfriend abandoned her in New York City for a bunch of improv groupies she’s had two priorities; sucking the nitrous out of whipped cream cans and making sex comics about her mysterious landlord.

Blake hates people—and sunlight—with good reason. Imagine his surprise when he finds himself lusting after his upstairs tenant, a sunny, Australian people pleaser down on her luck. Turns out his ability to terrify with a single scowl comes with an advantage. Autumn seems to like it. A lot. As evidenced by the prisoner-captive comic Blake was never meant to see.

As they embark on a three-date arrangement the rules are clear; filthy, ground breaking sex, no feelings or commitment required. When chemistry is this strong, though, attachment follows. As Blake and Autumn attempt to negotiate their New York romance, their prior histories and secret dreams come to the foreground. How long can these polar opposites remain Captivated, when all signs point to disaster?

AMAZON

What did he have? A cave on the first floor, heaps of books and an aversion to sunlight. No. He had one more thing. The ability to make her his captive.

Sweet mother of all ovaries. I can’t even right now. This book…it was FILTHY. SO deliciously filthy. It was also quirky and fun, with a dose of feels. But it was sooooooo filthy. Bailey and Dangerfield are a powerhouse duo that have created an addict in me. I demand more of their dual writing magic. DEMAND IT. Can’t live without it. It didn’t event take me long to see their individual styles in this book. Eve is the queen of quirky heroines. They’re always funny, unconventional, and female’s you’d love for your BFF. They’re a breath of fresh air. And Tessa Bailey? The woman is the QUEEN of PMBs, and she may have just created her poutiest man bear ever with Blake. GAH!

Autumn Reynolds is a vet, secretly aspiring comedian, and a woman that just found out her boyfriend of 7 years had cheated on her. Numerously. The man that she gave up everything for to come to America with is now gone and she’s left all on her lonesome. Harboring injured pigeons in her bathroom and trying to hide it from her broody and grumpy landlord.

Firstly, let me tell you that the Beauty and the Beast tones in this story was fantastic. It was just the right touch of emotion that this dirty story needed. And boy was it dirty. Because sweet little Autumn has a secret fantasy. One where she’s captured, bound, and taken by one bearded and mean landlord. And when said landlord finds out that the woman he’s secretly been attracted to all this time wants him back? All bets are off.

Who’s bigger, Autumn? In every goddamn way?”
“You.”
“My fucking name, Blondie.
Who will drop a grand on your dinner and still fuck you like a slut? Say the name.”
“Blake!”

Oh yeah. Eve and Tessa brought the big guns out for this story. No holds barred. And it was AWESOME.

But this book was so much more than just sweet filthy loving. I loved watching Autumn break Blake out of his grumpy shell. This is a man with some wounds from his past, and years later, he’s still nursing them. Autumn was the light to his dark and they were so dynamic together, I simply couldn’t get enough of them. I loved Blake break out of his broody shell and I loved watching Autumn come into her own. And the chemistry between them? Incendiary!!!

I’m all for the kinky taboo fantasies, and Captivated definitely had that. But it was also a story with fantastic banter, wonderful secondary characters, and plenty of emotional moments. It put a smile on my face even while it made my ovaries feel like they were about to combust. I hope that this will be the first of many books these two co-author together, because they’re a dirty duo of pure awesome.

Review: I Flipping Love You by Helena Hunting

I FLIPPING LOVE YOU
Series: Shacking Up #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Helena Hunting
Release Date: May 29, 2018

A new kind of love story about flipping houses, taking risks, and landing that special someone who’s move-in ready…

SHE’S GOT CURB APPEAL

Rian Sutter grew up with the finer things in life. Spending summers in The Hamptons was a normal occurrence for her until her parents lost everything years ago. Now Rian and her sister are getting their life, and finances, back on track through real estate. Not only do they buy and sell houses to the rich and famous, but they finally have the capital to flip their very own beachfront property. But when she inadvertently catches the attention of a sexy stranger who snaps up every house from under her, all bets are off…

HE’S A FIXER UPPER

Pierce Whitfield doesn’t normally demo kitchens, install dry wall, or tear apart a beautiful woman’s dreams. He’s just a down-on-his-luck lawyer who needed a break from the city and agreed to help his brother work on a few homes in the Hamptons. When he first meets Rian, the attraction is undeniable. But when they start competing for the same pieces of prime real estate, the early sparks turn into full-blown fireworks. Can these passionate rivals turn up the heat on their budding romance — without burning down the house?

I FLIPPING LOVE YOU, set in the Shacking Up world, follows two people, both working in real estate, who find themselves vying for the same properties in the Hamptons, leading to a sometimes-not-so-friendly competition.

AMAZON

That is what wanting someone is. This is the pinnacle of desperate attraction. This is the chemical reaction that ignites and burns until there’s nothing left but ash.

*dreamy sigh and googly eyes*

This book was so flipping cute. I have an newly found obsession with all things Helena Hunting, but most especially her Shacking Up series. It’s the perfect blend of rom-com, steam, and feels. It’s just one of those easy, feel-good sort of romances that will leave you with a big ole’ goofy and satisfied grins on your face when you’re finished. And it had quite possibly one of the best meet-cutes I’ve read in quite a while. I mean, how funny when the gorgeous man staring at you in the grocery aisle is actually mistaken you for your fraternal twin sister that scratched his car and drove off? Well, Rian doesn’t find it very funny, but I did. And the sparks were immediate between her and Pierce!

We’re having a sleepover. We’re going to do this all night, and I’m going to cuddle you like a motherfucker after I finishing sexing every last orgasm out of you.”
“Okay.” I mean, what else can I really say to that?

I loved Pierce’s slow and thorough persistence in going after skittish Rian. Rian is done with gorgeous man and their defined bodies. She needs a 9/10 match, and that seems to set her up with boring but safe man that she has zero chemistry with. And of course it would figure that Pierce’s mere presence makes her entire body tingle. But he’s everything that shouldn’t give into. She’s focusing on getting her life back together, her real estate endeavors with her sister, and the gorgeous man that tempts her beyond reason doesn’t fit in that picture. Unfortunately for her, he refuses to take no for an answer.

Did you do that math in your head?”
“Yes.” He crowds me.
“You need to stop that.” I have to tip my head up so I can meet his serious gaze.
“I need to stop doing mental math?”
“In public places, yes.” I bite my cheek to keep my smile in check.
“Do I want to ask why?”
“Because I find it sexy, and it makes me want to do inappropriate things to you in this aisle.

Pierce was absolutely delicious. I loved his unrelenting pursuit of Rian almost as much as I loved to see her unsuccessfully fight the connection between them only to inevitably give in to the explosive fireworks. Pierce was the steady force to Rian’s somewhat indecisive and skittish nature, and it was the perfect balance.

Everything about this book worked for me; the chemistry, the pacing, the character development. It was funny and steamy and absolute romcom perfection. I enjoyed it thoroughly and cannot recommend it enough. I’m also hoping to get a bit of redemption for Lawson with the next book, because he drove me crazy with his mood swings in this one and I’m itching for the details of why.

Review: Verona Blood by Lili St. Germain

VERONA BLOOD
Series: California Blood #1
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: Lili St. Germain
Release Date: May 29, 2018

An arranged marriage. A brutal abduction.

And a love so forbidden, it might destroy them both.

San Francisco is going to burn if the coveted princess of California’s criminal underworld isn’t returned to her family in one piece …

Avery Capulet is missing.

Taken by a madman. Kept in the dark.

She might not survive.

He’ll use her body. Destroy her mind. All before he ever lays a hand on her.

Rome Montague is a drug dealer. A criminal. A thief.

And he needs the secrets Avery and her family are keeping – even if it means cutting them out of her pretty Capulet flesh.

Rome Montague is missing – but nobody will miss him.

Not that it matters; After the things he’s done to this girl, he doesn’t deserve to be found.

Prepare to step into the dark and bloody underworld of California, as Lili St. Germain brings you a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, in the same vein as her bestselling Gypsy brothers series.

Verona Blood, set in the criminal underbelly of San Francisco, follows two warring families who are ruled by blood, power and twisted desire.

AMAZON

She was second-in-line for a throne that her older sister had already been molded to fit. I was the ruins of a family legacy that had soared too high, and crashed spectacularly, the sole survivor of a broken dynasty.

Well…hell. That was certainly…something.

If you’ve read St. Germain’s Gypsy Brothers series, then you already know that her mind can take you to some dark places. The woman’s brain is downright devious, and she writes dark and depraved like no one else. Verona Blood may be a modern twist on Romeo and Juliet, and while it certainly focuses on two star-crossed lovers, there’s not much love that shines through in this story just yet.

The first in the series throws you deep into the underbelly of organized crime and the sacrifices made for family in blood. It’s gritty as hell. It’s violent and spares no detail. If you’ve read ANY book this author has written before, you’ll know that she’s not afraid to go there. And boy does she in this book.

Verona Blood introduces Avery Capulet, as she faces the ultimate reality of being forced to marry a man that she doesn’t love for the good of her family and the order of her father. Avery is headstrong and willful, but she’s not about to say no to her father. But a sick twist of fate lands her in the sights of a psychopath, and then her nightmare truly begins.

In my wildest dreams —or my most terrifying nightmares —never once did I think that I’d be trapped in hell with him.>

I’ll admit, there were parts of this book that were extremely difficult to read. And I’ve read some dark books. But what I truly appreciate about Germain’s writing, is she doesn’t do it for shock value. The depravity and violence truly serves to drive the plot forward, and as dark as it may be, it fits. This book is no walk in the park. It’s damn disturbing. But color me officially hooked.

In the style of her Gypsy Brothers, this is more of a novella length. I read it in 2.5 hrs and was left with my jaw on the floor by the end. It was long enough to hook you, yet short enough to leave you craving more. I’m equally curious and terrified to see what the next book in this series will reveal.

Review: Order of Protection by Lexi Blake

ORDER OF PROTECTION
Series: Courting Justice #1
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Author: Lexi Blake
Release Date: June 5, 2018

A sexy and suspenseful new contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake where love and law entwine for a conviction of the heart.

To high-end defense attorney Henry Garrison, Win Hughes is a woman he met during one of the most trying times of his life. She’s soft and warm, and he finds solace in their brief relationship. But Win has a secret. She’s actually Taylor Winston-Hughes—born to one of the wealthiest families in the country, orphaned as a child by a tragic accident. Win moves in the wealthiest circles, but her lavish lifestyle hides her pain.

When her best friend is murdered in the midst of a glittering New York gala, Win’s charged with the crime, and the only person in the world she wants to see is Henry.

Henry is shocked at the true identity of his lover, but he can’t reject the case. This trial could take his new firm into the stratosphere. Still, he’s not getting burned by Win again. And yet every turn brings them closer together.

As the case takes a wild turn and Win’s entire life is upended, she must look to the people she’s closest to in order to find a killer. And Henry must decide between making his case and saving the woman he loves…

AMAZON

Win had done that for him, too. Win had done all those things, and just like the fucking alcohol, she’d turned out to be one more addiction he couldn’t afford.

You know what I truly love about this author? Her ability to create new characters while also tying in all previous favorites. If you’ve read her Masters & Mercenaries series as well as her Lawless trilogy, then you’re in for a treat with the cameos that will appear in her brand new Courting Justice series.

In Order of Protection, we’re introduced to the Monster of Manhattan, Henry Garrison, as he picks up the pieces of his life after he hits rock bottom following a bitter divorce from his famous actress wife and the ensuing scandal of it that almost cost him his career as one of the top criminal defense attorneys in NY. He’s done with women, and he’s officially done with the rich and spoiled famous ones.

Taylor Winston Hughes is no stranger to the limelight. As the infamous Billion Dollar Baby, the heiress is used to being in the scrutiny of the public eye. At one point, it almost cost her her life. She meets Henry at a time when they need each other the most. But while she knows right away who he is, Henry has no idea that Win isn’t just a gorgeous woman that he has a weeklong affair with. And when she’s framed for the murder of her best friend, he’s the only one that she can count on.

Henry and Win’s relationship was tumultuous at best. Both of them have been burned in the past. But where Win is more realistic about it and isn’t afraid to own her feelings, Henry runs from them at all costs. He goes hot and cold often, and when he finds out Win’s true identity, he turns downright ice cold. There were times where I wanted to slap him, but I also understood the whys of it. The character development was truly on point here, and it helped sympathize with both characters easily.

I really loved Win. She’s not a naive and spoiled little rich girl. This is a woman that knows what she wants and is a survivor. She’s not afraid to stand up to Henry and his mood swings. I enjoyed her quite a bit.

There’s quite a bit happening with the story between the romance and the suspense of who done it that leaves you guessing until the very end. I enjoyed the suspense element immensely, especially since it really did leave me reeling once the truth of everything came out. The romance was great, even if it ran hot and cold at times. I loved the angst between this couple, though I’ll admit that I wanted Win to make Henry work for it at times and not give into him as easily as she did at times.

I LOVE that we get more Noah Lawless and I’m practically salivating for his book. I’ll settle for David’s next since Lexi does like to save the best for last and I’ll take what I can get.

Order of Protection was a romance full of suspense and deeply buried secrets. It was had a bit of a slow start, but when it picked up steam around the 40% mark, it was unputdownable. Lexi Blake can really do no wrong with me, and I can’t wait for more in this series.

Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

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