Jennifer’s Review: When A Scot Ties The Knot by Tessa Dare

November 8, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

when-a-scot-ties-the-knot-reviewWHEN A SCOT TIES THE KNOT
Series: Castles Ever After #3
Genre: Historical Romance
Author: Tessa Dare
Release Date: August 25, 2015add-to-goodreads-button-2

whenascottiestheknot

On the cusp of her first London season, Miss Madeline Gracechurch was shyly pretty and talented with a drawing pencil, but hopelessly awkward with gentlemen. She was certain to be a dismal failure on the London marriage mart. So Maddie did what generations of shy, awkward young ladies have done: she invented a sweetheart.

A Scottish sweetheart. One who was handsome and honorable and devoted to her, but conveniently never around. Maddie poured her heart into writing the imaginary Captain MacKenzie letter after letter … and by pretending to be devastated when he was (not really) killed in battle, she managed to avoid the pressures of London society entirely.

Until years later, when this kilted Highland lover of her imaginings shows up in the flesh. The real Captain Logan MacKenzie arrives on her doorstep—handsome as anything, but not entirely honorable. He’s wounded, jaded, in possession of her letters… and ready to make good on every promise Maddie never expected to keep.

Buy-Links10AMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR4 stars

I will always read Tessa Dare.

Give me a Scot in a kilt….any day, any time….yes, please! What woman doesn’t want a Scot in a kilt endlessly pursuing her, especially one that reads???!!!
à la Mode St. » fashion

His brow was lightly furrowed in concentration, and those spectacles were perched on the strong bridge of his nose. Once muscled arm was flexed and propped behind his head. And in the other hand, he held…

Devil take him. Heaven help her.

A book.

à la Mode St. » fashionI absolutely adored the beginning of this book. It starts out with Maddie’s letters, written to her made-up fiancé. She invents a fiancé because she is shy and awkward and doesn’t have much chance of actually landing a real fiancé. She has social anxiety and panic attacks, but of course during this time, they did not know about social anxiety, so she calls it extreme shyness. Maddie is perfectly fine with being a spinster, living with her aunt, and drawing animals.

My Logan & Maddie:

:
Logan is leading his men home, but there is not much home for them to come home to. So he takes his men with him to claim his fiancé and the land that comes with her. Logan’s first priority is his men, so when Maddie does not want to marry him, he blackmails her with her love letters. Logan pursues Maddie to no end. At first it is because of the land and because he is looking out for his men, but it eventually Maddie becomes his family and he vows to never let her go.

This book is Quirky and Fluffy (Hehehe) and SEXY, and I adored it!
à la Mode St. » fashion

“There’s more than one way to share pleasure.”

She was quiet for a long moment. “How many ways?”

He rolled onto his side to face her, skimming a single finger from her breastbone to her belly. “Here’s an idea. I’ll demonstrate them, and you keep count.”

à la Mode St. » fashion21002852-_sx540_I loved all of the characters in this story. I love that Tessa’s writing can be silly at times because they are never too silly. They are giggly and adorable, and yet I find myself getting drawn into the silly story because she always breaks out the feels when you least expect them. All of Tessa’s heroines are always intelligent and strong, including Maddie. I will always read Tessa Dare.

CASTLES EVER AFTER SERIES

ROMANCING THE DUKE | SAY YES TO THE MARQUESS |
WHEN A SCOT TIES THE KNOT

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Review: Hang Tough by Lorelei James

November 6, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

hang-tough-reviewHANG TOUGH
Series: Blacktop Cowboys #8
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Lorelei James
Release Date: November 1, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

Hang Tough

In the new Blacktop Cowboys® novel from the New York Timesbestselling author of Wrapped and Strapped, one woman learns that when it comes to cowboys, looks can be deceiving…

When Tobin Hale stepped in to stop Garnet Evans’s son from railroading her out of her own home, he knew moving in with his favorite Mud Lily could be seen as strange. But nothing prepared him for the arrival of Garnet’s fiery, beautiful granddaughter, Jade—or her assumption that he’s up to no good…

While Tobin might be the hottest man Jade Evans has ever seen, his physical attributes won’t distract her from protecting her grandma from his sweet-talking ways. But the stubborn cowboy digs in his boot heels and refuses to leave. Stuck in close quarters together, Jade learns Tobin is the real deal—a hardworking, fiercely loyal man and she’s the one in danger of losing her heart.

And just when he was prepared to leave Muddy Gap behind, Tobin may have found the kind of woman worth sticking around for…

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR3.5 stars

 

We are together and that makes you mine. I take care of what’s mine. From the smallest things to the biggest. Now close your eyes and pucker up, baby, ’cause I am gonna rock your world.”

Nice guys don’t always finish last.

Tobin Hale has always been known as the nice guy in his small town, the boy scout that’s perpetually friend zoned by women that crave someone with more edge. Leaving town to seek the career he wants may be his answer to everything, but before that he has one last duty.

When Tobin moves in with Garnet Evans’s in order to stop her son from forcing her out of her home, what he didn’t expect is Garnet’s beautiful and sassy granddaughter to test every ounce of his ironclad control.

The stubble on his jaw wasn’t affected like the city guys she knew who didn’t shave in an effort to appear more manly. This guy probably scared his razor away. He probably hadn’t shaved because he had important manly stuff to do and didn’t waste time with trivial stuff like running a blade over that beautifully chiseled face.

Jade may need a break from the hustle and bustle of NYC and working three part time jobs, but she’d never admit it. But when her father asks her to look in on her grandmother that seems to have a hustler that recently moved in looking to hone in on her belongings, Jade knows what she needs to do. But she doesn’t expect the tempting cowboy that greets her or the immediate sparks that fly between them

Say yes.” He brushed his lips across hers. Just once. “Admit you want to be a dirty little rule breaker too.”
“I do,” she said breathlessly. “Like you wouldn’t believe.”

I loved the banter between these two. It starts out with a little hate/lust that soon begins to turn into something much more. Neither Tobin nor Jade deny their chemistry when they finally give into it. Their relationship is a tease at first, the sexual tension spanning over half the book. But when they finally give in? Yowza!

Tobin may be a nice guy, but that man sure has a dirty mouth on him. I loved that he had both sides to him, the dirty and the uber sweet.

Tobin?” she said softly. “What are you doing?”
“Memorizing you.”
“Why?”
Tobin forced his gaze back to hers. “Because when I close my eyes at night, I want to recall with perfect clarity every nuance of this face.”

Garnet and the Mud Lilly’s were the perfect comedic relief. Their colorful personalities never failed to put a smile on my face. And while I love the bad boys, it’s a nice change of pace to read about a nice guy every now and then.

While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was a touch too sweet for me at times and I found myself getting restless in the second half. There wasn’t much tension going and even though Tobin and Jade burn up the sheets together it just wasn’t enough to keep me riveted to the pages. The story was a great balance of sweet and sexy, and if that’s what you’re in the mood for, this will surely fit the bill.

BLACKTOP COWBOYS SERIES

CORRALLED | SADDLED AND SPURRED | WRANGLED AND TANGLED | ONE NIGHT RODEO | TURN AND BURN | HILLBILLY ROCKSTAR | WRAPPED AND STRAPPED | HANG TOUGH

 

 

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Review: Looking Inside by Beth Kery

November 5, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

looking-inside-reviewLOOKING INSIDE
Genre: Erotic Romance, Contemporary
Author: Beth Kery
Release Date: November 1, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

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Are you just going to stand there and watch?

Eleanor Briggs just can’t help herself. Every night, the sight of the man in the high-rise across the street is driving her wild. She longs to feel his touch up close and personal. To win him over, she’ll need to shake off her wallflower sensibilities and become the seductress she never imagined she could be. The only trouble will be finding the perfect way to meet him…

Or are you going to join in?

Sex is easy for millionaire entrepreneur Trey Riordan. Finding something of substance, however, seems impossible. That is until a simple night of reading at a local coffee shop becomes something far steamier when a beautiful brunette comes by and leaves a note telling him to look out his bedroom window at midnight. But when the time comes, neither of them will be truly ready for what follows…

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR4 stars

She’d fantasized incessantly about what it would be like to be with him. But she hadn’t prepared herself to be owned by him.

Why have I not read more books by this author? I’ve enjoyed the few that I’ve read so I’m not sure what the answer to that question is, but I know I’ll be rectifying that mistake immediately! I love a romance that’s set in my hometown of Chicago, especially one that’s as vivid as this one. I could practically see everything described in my mind’s eye as I was reading.

Looking Inside is an incredible sensual tale of one woman finally gathering the strength to be comfortable in her own skin and own her sexuality. After the death of her beloved older sister that she’s idolized all her life, Eleanor Briggs makes a decision to change her life. She moves into her sister’s condo in the city, begins to changer her mousy librarian wardrobe for her sister’s more sultry sophisticated one, and then she decides to seduce the object of her temptation…the intensely sexy neighbor that she sees from her apartment window. After watching the stranger bed one woman after another, Eleanor knows that she wants him…and she’s not above seduction games to grab his attention.

After one too many disastrous relationships, Trey Riordan decides that celibacy is his answer. Calling off women seems like the right thing to do, until a mysterious beauty tempts him beyond reason.

I wasn’t sure what I expected when I began to read this book, but I loved every sensual page of it. It’s romantic and sexy. There’s no crazy drama or angst, just two people fighting their own personal issues finding love where they least expected it. I really enjoyed both the characters and I appreciate that while it was incredibly steamy, the sex never took away from the relationship development or the story, merely added to it. If you’re looking for a sweet and sexy story to pass an evening with, I highly recommend this one.

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Review: Preppy: The Life & Death of Samuel Clearwater, Part One by @TM_Frazier

November 3, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

preppy-reviewPREPPY: The Life & Death of Samuel Clearwater, Part One
Series: King #5
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: T.M. Frazier
Release Date: October 25, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

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Bowtie…’till I DIE. 

Samuel Clearwater, A.K.A Preppy, likes bowties, pancakes, suspenders, good friends, good times, good drugs, and a good f*ck.

He’s worked his way out from beneath a hellish childhood and is living the life he’s always imagined for himself. When he meets a girl, a junkie on the verge of ending it all, he’s torn between his feelings for her and the crippling fear that she could be the one to end the life he loves.

Andrea ‘Dre’ Capulet is strung out and tired.

Tired of living for her next fix. Tired of doing things that make her stomach turn. Tired of looking in the mirror at the reflection of the person she’s become. Just when she decides to end it all, she meets a man who will change the course of both their lives forever.

And their deaths.

For most people, death is the end of their story.
For Preppy and Dre, it was only the beginning…

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR4.5 starspreppy-dgr-teaser

I’m going to hurt you,” he said, undoing the top button of my shorts and pushing his hand into my panties, cupping my sex in his warm and powerful hand. He squeezed, just a little, a show of power. “I’m going to hurt you with my lips. With my fingers. With my cock. It’s going to be the best fucking pain you’ve ever felt.”

Damn you T.M. Frazier! Damn you and your evil genius! What are you doing to me? I can’t even right now. First you shatter my cold black heart in Tyrant. Then you give me a smidgeon of hope with your evil teasing ways in Soulless. Then you make my pervy little heart’s dreams come true with this book only to leave me with that cliffhanger? Woman, I will hunt you down and demand answers. I will glare at you until you finish the next book. I will wave my fists menacingly and look as threatening as I can while doing it to make sure that you do all of this right this very second. You hear me? You can’t leave me like that! You just can’t!! GAH!

Have you ever read a secondary character that was so vivid and so enigmatic that he almost stole the show? Because that’s exactly what Samuel “Preppy” was to me in King. I loved his warped humor and the way that he was always making everyone around him laugh even with his warped past and his not so pretty present. This is a man that has seen hell and came out with a smile on his face and a bow tie on his neck. I was beyond thrilled to get his book.

Preppy takes us back before the timeline of King began. Speaking of King, I highly recommend reading this series in order to truly appreciate everything that is Preppy. While plenty of background is given, a lot could be lost on you having not read the previous books.


It made sense that his body was built for sin, because the hold Samuel Clearwater had over me was something straight from the depths of hell.

Andrea ‘Dre’ Capulet is at the end of her rope. Strung out, tired, she’s living her own personal hell deep in the bowels of an addiction she can’t kick.
Ready to end it all, Dre’s attempt gets thwarted by a man that may be her savior or her new form of hell…

I didn’t just want to fuck her. I wanted to ruin her.

If you loved Preppy in the previous books, you will absolutely fall in love with him in this one. He’s just as potent and just as charismatic except MORE. I couldn’t get enough of him

You know, sometimes I’m not sure when you’re serious.”
“Oh, well that’s easy to figure out. I’m always sometimes joking in a way that’s honest.”
“Totally cleared that up.”
“Glad I could help…”

Dre was an interisting character to say the least. It’s not everyday you can read about an addict like that and yet feel an odd sort of…kinship to her. She should be desperate and weak considering her circumstances, but even though all that there was this sense of a steel backbone to her. An underlying strength that would make an appearance to show that not everything is as it seems. I loved the way that the author was able to convey that without taking away from her addiction. This wasn’t someone that was magically healed and never wanted drugs again because she met a man. She was broken but not ruined.

He’d said he couldn’t keep me. That didn’t mean I wouldn’t always be his.

The timeline of this book runs before the one in King with some flashbacks that take place during the timeline in Soulless. It will answer many questions about Preppy while leaving you with plenty more. It was a gritty, sexy, dirty, violent ride that I never wanted to end. I loved every delicious and devious page. I love the way that T.M’s mind works. The woman is an evil genius and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for this couple next!!

READ THE SERIES IN ORDER

KING | TYRANT | LAWLESS | SOULLESS | PREPPY

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Review: Deadly Silence by Rebecca Zanetti

October 30, 2016 by ·

deadly-silence-reviewDEADLY SILENCE
Series: Blood Brothers #1
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Release Date: October 4, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

deadlysilence40

The first book in a breathtaking new romantic suspense series that will appeal to fans of New York Times bestsellers Maya Banks, Lisa Gardner, and Lisa Jackson.

DON’T LOOK BACK

Under siege. That’s how Ryker Jones feels. The Lost Bastards Investigative Agency he opened up with his blood brothers has lost a client in a brutal way. The past he can’t outrun is resurfacing, threatening to drag him down in the undertow. And the beautiful woman he’s been trying to keep at arm’s length is in danger…and he’ll destroy anything and anyone to keep her safe.

Paralegal Zara Remington is in over her head. She’s making risky moves at work by day and indulging in an affair with a darkly dangerous PI by night. There’s a lot Ryker isn’t telling her and the more she uncovers, the less she wants to know. But when all hell breaks loose, Ryker may be the only one to save her. If his past doesn’t catch up to them first…

Full of twists and turns you won’t see coming, DEADLY SILENCE is New York Timesbestselling author Rebecca Zanetti at her suspenseful best.

A Blood Brothers Novel

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR4 stars

She knew his kiss-often dreamed about it. Not soft and sweet…not even lustful. It was dangerous. From day one, she’d tasted danger on his tongue, and it burned her hotter than she’d ever been.

It was a bittersweet feeling for me when I finished Total Surrender. As much as I was anticipating the ending for the series because I wanted answers, I also didn’t want it to end. I’d grown addicted to Zanetti’s protective alphas and needed more. I felt that she left just enough loose ends for a potential spin off at the end of that book and boy was I thrilled to see I was right. Deadly Silence is book one in the brand new romantic suspense spin-off from the author’s Sin Brother’s series. While readers don’t necessarily need to read the Sin Brothers first, you would certainly enjoy it a lot more because of the interconnecting plot points and characters here if you read it.

Deadly Silence is the perfect mix of sizzling hot romance with action packed suspense. Ryker is everything I love in my alphas and more. He’s broody, he’s demanding, he’s protective, and his past is clouded in dark shadows. Ryker and Zara have been involved in a casual relationship for months as this books starts. While there’s no relationship building tension though, that’s not to mean there isn’t tension. Because boy is there!

Don’t tell me what to do,” she whispered, fighting need along with her temper.
“You like me telling you what to do.”
“Only in bed,” she burst out.
He smiled, the expression gentle and dangerous all at once. “Then get in bed.”

Ryker along with his brothers Heath and Denver are in town hunting an elusive serial killer. But when Ryker sees that Zara may also be in danger, he knows that he’ll protect her with his dying breath, but he also wants a whole lot more from the woman.

Casual sex doesn’t work for me any longer.”
“There ain’t nothin’ casual about our sex, and you know it.”

Zara was an intriguing mix of vulnerability and strength. This is a woman that fights for what’s right and I enjoyed watching her really come into her own as the book progressed.

I absolutely loved the crossover aspect between the Blood Brothers and Sin Brothers. I won’t tell you what it was, but if you’ve read the other series, you’ll definitely appreciate it.

The romance was expertly weaved into the suspense and action and it all flowed together effortlessly to guarantee one unputdownable read. I’m seriously hoping that Heath’s book is next because I’m sensing a little tension between him and a certain FBI agent that I can’t wait to get to the bottom off.

If you enjoy super sexy romantic suspense with protective alphas and heroines that handle their own just as well, then this is a series that you need to read.

PRE-ORDER AVAILABLE NOW

LETHAL LIES (Blood Brothers #2)
Releasing May 16, 2017lethal-liesAMAZON | GOODREADS

· Filed Under: All Reviews, Romantic Suspense · Tagged With: ,

Jennifer’s Review: The Sexy One by Lauren Blakely

October 28, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

review-the-sexy-oneTHE SEXY ONE
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Author: Lauren Blakely
Release Date: October 17, 2016
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the-sexy-one

Want a romance guaranteed to make you melt? Get ready to fall in love with THE SEXY ONE!

From the NYT Bestselling author of MISTER O, comes a sexy new standalone romance…

Let me count the ways why falling into forbidden love is not my wisest move…
1. She works with me every single day.
Did I mention she’s gorgeous, sweet, kind and smart?
2. She works in my home.
Playing with my five-year-old daughter. Teaching my little girl. Cooking for my princess. Which means…
3. She’s the nanny.
And that makes her completely off-limits…But it doesn’t stop me from wanting her. All of her.

***

The other nannies in this city don’t call him the Sexy One for nothing. My boss, the amazingly wonderful single father to the girl I take care of every day is ridiculously hot, like movie star levels with those arms, and those eyes, and that body. Not to mention, the way he dotes on his little girl melts me all over. But what really makes my knees weak are the times when his gaze lingers on me. In secret. When no one else is around.

I can’t risk my job for a chance at something more…can I? But I don’t know how to resist him much longer either…

With all the heat, heart and humor readers have come to expect, this newest standalone will make you laugh, swoon and feel like you’re falling in love!

Buy Links Amazon | Amazon Paperback | iBooks | Kobo | Barnes & Noble
Review-DGR3 stars

à la Mode St. » fashion

If neither one of us says a word, this won’t be a foolish risk. If we just stay here, existing in this moment, me searching his face and him studying my eyes, we can pretend there’s nothing between us.

But that would be a lie.

à la Mode St. » fashionMy Simon & Abby:

:
I liked it. I really did. I can’t really say anything bad about this book or these characters. I liked the characters. I liked the story. This is a good book! There are no ifs, ands, or buts (*giggles…..buts).
Simon is a dad…..a great dad. The only reason he has a nanny is because he works, but not too much. He rearranges his schedule all the time to be with this daughter. He is pretty much the hottest, most perfect dad. He’s like sexy kryptonite.
à la Mode St. » fashion

Must. Rein. In. Desire. To. Launch. Self. At. Simon.

à la Mode St. » fashionAbby loves Simon…..secretly. Who wouldn’t? She is so afraid of showing her feelings. She is a blushing mess. Every time she is around him, she is constantly giving herself a pep-talk to keep herself from getting closer. Little does she know that Simon has the same feelings.

I love that Blakely mentions how cliché this story can be, because it could have been worse if she didn’t come out and say it, but it wasn’t cliché at all. Neither of them want to be the cliché. It’s a dance that they play around each other because they are afraid of ruining a good thing. They are both thinking of the Simon’s daughter and putting her first. They are choosing to be selfless, but they cannot escape the slippery slope for too long.
à la Mode St. » fashion

If loving that amazing, vibrant, talented, brilliant woman is a cliché, then I’ll gladly slap the sign on my chest. I’m a cliché, and I’m okay with it.

à la Mode St. » fashionSimon and Abby are so cute together. I loved how they bonded over nature videos (LOL!). This story is sweet, and I truly enjoyed it.

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Excerpt & Review: Submission Is Not Enough by Lexi Blake

October 27, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

submission-is-not-enough-fb-cover-available-nowSubmission is Not Enough
Series: Masters and Mercenaries Book 12
Genre: Romantic Suspense, BDSM
Author: Lexi Blake
Release Date: October 25, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

submissionisnotenoughnew

A fallen hero reborn

Theo Taggart lost everything the night he died. His family, his beautiful Erin, and worst of all, he lost himself. A twisted doctor brought him back from the brink of death, but reprogrammed his identity to serve her will. Rescued by his brothers, he must fight to reclaim the man he was and the life, and love, that were stolen from him.

A love worth fighting for

Erin Argent thought she’d lost Theo forever. When he walked back into her life, it was nothing short of a miracle. Months of torture and conditioning at the hands of Dr. Hope McDonald have done damage to Theo that may never be mended. He has no memory of her or the life they shared. Breaking through to him, and helping him rediscover all he lost, will be the toughest mission she’s ever faced. Luckily for Theo, Erin loves a good fight.

Their reunion under siege

Unfortunately, Hope is far from done with Theo Taggart. Obsessed with her prize experiment, she will do anything to get him back. If the only way to finally break him of his past life is to kill Erin and his son, then she’s only too happy to oblige…

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKS | B&N | GOOGLE PLAY

blake-sine-teaser-2

Excerpt

Theo took the stairs as quickly as he could. He knew where he was going, but he wasn’t going to think about it. For the first time since he’d gotten home, he didn’t care about his past or figuring out who he’d been. He wanted. He wanted something right now and that felt good.She’d been right. There wasn’t a place for guilt here.

He strode up the stairs, her weight comforting in his arms. Yeah, he wasn’t going to think about that either. He was going to enjoy it, not wonder why his body remembered her when his mind would not.

“Hey, is everything okay?”

Damn it. Case was standing at the top of the stairs, obviously having come out of the privacy rooms. His wife was at his side, her face flushed. Mia had sex hair. Good for them. Red was about to have sex hair, too. Lots of filthy sex hair. “Everything’s great. Night.”

Case put a hand on his shoulder. “Whoa. I thought you were going to take this slow, brother.”

“If you don’t get your hand off him right this second, Taggart, I am going to ensure that you never have children,” Red said, her eyes narrowing on his brother. “You won’t be able to cock block anyone because you won’t have a damn cock. Am I clear?”

Case’s hands came up immediately as though he knew that tone and was not going there. “Trying to help.”

“Three is clean and has plenty of condoms. We’re taking a monitor turn up here. I checked all the rooms.” Mia grinned at him. She actually was helpful. “Have fun and we’ll see you at home.”

He didn’t bother to look back. Case could give him a lecture later. He wasn’t waiting anymore. He’d waited forever. Even when he couldn’t remember her face, he’d known she was there. He’d felt her, or rather he’d felt her absence.

Could he truly be with a woman whose name he couldn’t think without hurting her?

It didn’t matter. He wasn’t making those decisions tonight. He was enjoying her. His sub. He was bringing her pleasure and he probably should do a good job of it because his sub was fucking mean.

And fragile. He’d seen the moment she’d thought he was rejecting her. He’d watch her skin flush and her body start to turn in on itself. She was such a mix of strength and need. It was intoxicating. He wanted so badly to be the man who gave her what she needed.

Affection. Pleasure. Comfort.

Love—he wasn’t thinking that word tonight. Nope. Pleasure was way better.

He kicked out lightly at the partially open door number three. It looked like Mia had done her job. The room was perfectly clean, the lighting soft and romantic. The best thing about this room though was the complete lack of any of his friends or family being here.

It was him and her, and that was exactly what he wanted. No Ian. No Li. No Kai asking them hundreds of questions. Him and her and the night.

He tossed her on the bed and stood back, looking down at her. “Tell me why you thought I was rejecting you.”

The instant she hit the bed, she was up on her knees. So graceful. So deadly. What the hell was this woman like out in the field? She moved like a predator, but the look on her face was pure sarcasm. “Uhm, your words. That’s what sealed it for me. ‘I don’t want to do this’ is generally considered a rejection.”

Somehow she managed to put an unsaid “dumbass” on the end of her sentences. Not all of them. She’d been perfectly sweet most of the night, but she could turn it on when she wanted to. “I didn’t mean that. When I said the words, I watched you change. Why? You’re good at slapping people down. I wouldn’t have said that until today.”

“Because I’ve been careful around you,” she admitted.

“Why? You think I’m delicate?”

Her lips curled up. “I don’t think you’re delicate. I think I’m a lot to take, but I also am starting to believe I was wrong. You like me rough.”

“I like you a lot.” More than he could ever tell her.

Review-DGR4.5 starssubmission-is-not-enough-dgr-teaser

She’d been his prize. She was still the prize. He simply didn’t deserve her anymore.

My heart! MY COLD BLACK HEART! It hurts dammit! It hurts so bad. This book twisted me inside out. Never have I been more invested in a character since Theo Taggart. I can’t tell you the amount of tears I’ve shed over this man. As much as I love every single book in this series, this was easily one of my most anticipated. We’ve been getting teased with Theo’s book for what feels like forever, and I felt like my heart would damn near explode if I didn’t get my grabby little hands on his story soon.

Promised I’d love you until I died. Kept it, baby. Kept it.”

First of all, if you’re reading my review and you haven’t read Master No yet, stop right now! Don’t even read this blurb for god sakes! Seriously. You’re doing yourself a great disservice. This is a series that needs to be read in order to truly appreciate the amount of forethought this author put into all her characters and their books. And it would also make you appreciate the tight bond that is Taggart and Co.

His. Fucking his. No matter where she went, what she did, she was his. He could forget his entire damn life, but he would know she belonged to him. Always. Forever.

This was easily the most emotional book in the series. It was beyond powerful. It was passion and pain in a way that only Lexi Blake could write it. It was equal parts satisfying and painful. It was everything I’d hoped it would be and so SO much more.

I’ve always rooted for Theo and Erin. The more Erin fought their connection the harder I rooted for Theo. His always sunny disposition, his quick smiles and humor, and all around easy going demeanor. That is not the man he is anymore.

Tortured. Brainwashed. Drugged. Theo is a shell of the man he used to be. His memories gone, every day is a struggle to remember his old life and be the man that everyone remembers him to be. My heart broke for him even if at times his actions had me wanting to shake him.

Erin was just as amazing in this book as she’s been. This is a woman with a soft heart but a steel strength. She’s not afraid to fight for the man she never stopped loving even if she did spend most of their time together pushing him away. Man. Watching her go through everything she does for Theo was absolutely heart wrenching.

And there in the dark, she held him and let go. It didn’t matter than he couldn’t tell her how they’d met or when he’d first told her he loved her. She cried because he was here and he’d always been her safe place. She cried because it had been a shitty day. She cried because he never could.

Lexi Blake is one of my go-to authors when it comes to sexy romantic suspense, but with this book she proved that she can wring emotion from her readers like no other. It’s so much more than just romance. Twelve books into the series and I’m still as invested as ever if not more so with these characters and find myself eagerly anticipating the next book. It’s so far beyond just sexy BDSM romance and high octane action. Starting one of these books is like getting reacquainted with a gang of friends. I fall hard for each of them every single time and with the snippet of the next book I’m practically salivating for Nick already.

If you’re hoping this book lives up to all your expectations, it does. It goes beyond it. It blows all the expectations away. I loved every page!

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About the Authorlexi_blakeNY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Amazon Author Page

 

 

 

 

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Review: Twisted Palace by Erin Watt

October 26, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

review-twisted-palaceBROKEN PRINCE
Series: The Royals #3
Genre: NA/YA Romance
Author: Erin Watt
Release Date: October 17, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

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These Royals will ruin you…

From mortal enemies to unexpected allies, two teenagers try to protect everything that matters most.

Ella Harper has met every challenge that life has thrown her way. She’s tough, resilient, and willing to do whatever it takes to defend the people she loves, but the challenge of a long-lost father and a boyfriend whose life is on the line might be too much for even Ella to overcome.

Reed Royal has a quick temper and even faster fists. But his tendency to meet every obstacle with violence has finally caught up with him. If he wants to save himself and the girl he loves, he’ll need to rise above his tortured past and tarnished reputation.

No one believes Ella can survive the Royals. Everyone is sure Reed will destroy them all.
They may be right.

With everything and everyone conspiring to keep them apart, Ella and Reed must find a way to beat the law, save their families, and unravel all the secrets in their Twisted Palace.

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKS

Review-DGR3.5 stars

The royals are like the apple in the fairy tale. Golden on the outside, but rotten to the core.

Well…damn. Color me conflicted. I struggled with my rating for two days after finishing it. Because see, the thing is, I’m freaking conflicted! Am I even making sense here? Of course I’m not! Because I’m conflicted I tells ya! Bah. Just bah.

To say that I’ve been anticipating this book as much as a virgin’s first orgasm would be an understatement. What? Is that not a saying? Well it should be. You get what I’m saying here, right? I. Needed. It. Erin Watt has been teasing us mercilessly for months. Ever since I finished Paper Princess, I’ve been practically foaming at the mouth for this conclusion. That book was my catnip. Teenage angst and drama mixed with enough sexual tension to make even a nun frustrated. What? Is that not a saying either?

In some small corner of my brain that is now in control, I feel like if I love him hard enough, long enough, I can keep him with me forever.

Basically, I’ve been building up the conclusion in my head for months. But in order to do the book and myself justice, I went in with zero expectations. Like none. Will I love it? I don’t know. Will I hate it? I don’t know. I left it all to the fates and jumped right in…

Loving Ella is one of the best things I’ve done in my short life.

So how do you make all of the teenage drama even more extreme? Throw in a murder mystery into the mix. It was basically like Gossip Girl meets Cruel Intentions meets Pretty Little Liars. Craziness ensues. But if you’ve read the previous books, this is nothing new.

I highly enjoyed the first 80% of the story. I loved Reed, I loved Easton, I wanted to throttle Dinah and punch Jordan in both ovaries. Nothing new. I was still just as invested in Reed and Ella finally doing it…I mean…their relationship. What? You get teased for two books and tell me your ovaries don’t turn blue. Quit judging.

Reed’s not the destroyer. He’s never destroyed anything in his life; he’s always been the protector, even at this moment when he battles his own lust for control.

Quit the battle and just give in, Reed! Be like Nike and JUST DO IT!

But I digress. This book was a solid 4 stars for me. Even with all the murder mystery and additional drama added to the mix, it was still a page turner. And then that ending happened…

Of all the crazy drama twists that can happen, I think that ending put most soap operas to shame.
It was so over the top, it was so crazy, that it totally killed everything for me. Le sigh. Don’t get me wrong, it certainly didn’t discount the fact that I enjoyed the majority of this book, because I totally did, but c’mon! Perhaps the argument can be that with the way the series progressed it’s only fair to make it finish out with this crazy bang, but I’m not of that mind. It was simply too OTT for my tastes.

Do I still consider this series to be one of my favorites? Absolutely! Do I wish it ended a little different? Sure. But that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy this crazy ride. Paper Princess is still one of my top reads of the year. Am I let down with the conclusion? Not really. Aside from the crazy drama of that ending, I still read it in one sitting. Am I still foaming at the mouth for more Royal brothers? ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY!!

Ella Harper is all I’m ever going to see, because she’s my future. She’s my steel and my fire and my salvation. She’s my everything.

THE ROYALS TRILOGY 

PAPER PRINCESS
AMAZON | MY REVIEW

BROKEN PRINCE
AMAZON | MY REVIEW

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Jennifer’s Review: Baiting the Maid of Honor by @mstessabailey

October 25, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

review-baiting-the-maid-of-honorBAITING THE MAID OF HONOR
Series: Wedding Dare #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Tessa Bailey
Release Date: June 9, 2014add-to-goodreads-button-2

baiting-the-maid-of-honor

He’ll own her from the very first touch.

Julie Piper and Reed Lawson have nothing in common. She’s a people-pleasing sorority girl hiding behind her perfect mask. He’s a take-no-prisoners SWAT commander who isolates himself from the world. But when they’re forced together at their friends’ posh destination wedding, one thing is clear—Reed wants Julie more than he wants his next breath. Which is why he’s not about to stand by when she’s dared to seduce another man.

Julie wants neat, tidy sex, so she could get back to what she does best—making everybody else happy. She never expected to slip into a dark bedroom and have her mind blown by rough, demanding hands, and a sinfully filthy mouth—neither of which belong to the best man.

One night should have been all Reed needed to get the blond temptress out of his system, but when one taste is nowhere near enough, he’ll be forced confront the effects of his hellish past. One that may push Julie away forever… just when he realizes he can’t live without her.

Buy LinksAmazon | Barnes & NobleReview-DGR4 stars

Tessa, I’m just gonna hire you to be my word slave and tie you up in my basement and never let you out except to write more words…..Bwahahaha! Ok, the crazy fangirl is coming out and scaring everyone so I’m gonna reign it in a little.

20902510Mother….effing…..Reed. It’s like he jumped out of my dreams and into this book. Dark, Tattoos, Broody, Mean, Bossy. Ugh. Gimme. He is from the other side of the tracks. The bad boy. He is a SWAT team leader, so he used to bossing everyone around. Everything is black and white to him. He barely even made it to the wedding. The first time he sees Julie, she is letting her hair down, literally, and he knows he has to have her. Reed…..I want him for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and especially for dessert.

My Reed & Julie:

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She switched her hips from a circular motion to a gentle front-to-back tease that allowed her to ride his length base to tip. “You like that, sugar?” she whispered, barely audible among the bass-heavy music.

He released a strangled growl against her neck. “Enough teasing. Sit down all the way and work my cock with your beautiful ass.”

760328-_sx540_Julie is the perfect southern girl. She is the maid of honor and the wedding planner. She is organized and put together. And Reed wants to mess…her…up. She doesn’t understand why she attracted to the bad boy, but her insta-lust is undeniable. She barely tries to keep away from him, and when she does let herself just let go, she becomes a brazen hussy. Lol. Reed doesn’t expect her to loosen up, but she exceeds his expectations in many creative ways. Hehehe. Reed and Julie get…it…on. Pixie-style (His nickname for her is Pixie. Lol.)

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He gripped her chin and lifted her head so it faced the mirror. “Watch me. Watch me finish, baby. You need to see what you did.” When she nodded, his movements grew jerky, yet somehow even more determined. Ever so slightly, he tightened his grip on her jaw until her mouth opened from the pressure. He pushed his fingers inside. “Suck.”

à la Mode St. » fashionThat ladder scene?! Tessa, how do make a ladder scene so erotic?!!! Because I will never look at a ladder the same way again!

”Reed. I’m…I’m going to fall.”
“No. You will not fall. You will stay right there until I’m finished.”

Once again, Tessa goes above and beyond. The whole setting of this book takes place before the wedding as they groomsmen and bridesmaids are gearing up for the big event. I knew this would be a quick read, but I didn’t expect the character development to impress me so much. I absolutely loved all of the characters and enjoyed trying to figure out which groomsman will end up with which bridesmaid. I am super excited to read the other books in this series, even though they are written by different authors.

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DGR Favorite & Review: Punk 57 by @PenDouglas

October 23, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

review-punk-57PUNK 57
Genre: New Adult Romance
Author: Penelope Douglas
Release Date: October 21, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

punk 57

“We were perfect together. Until we met.”

Misha

I can’t help but smile at the words in her letter. She misses me.

In fifth grade, my teacher set us up with pen pals from a different school. Thinking I was a girl, with a name like Misha, the other teacher paired me up with her student, Ryen. My teacher, believing Ryen was a boy like me, agreed.

It didn’t take long for us to figure out the mistake. And in no time at all, we were arguing about everything. The best take-out pizza. Android vs. iPhone. Whether or not Eminem is the greatest rapper ever…

And that was the start. For the next seven years, it was us.

Her letters are always on black paper with silver writing. Sometimes there’s one a week or three in a day, but I need them. She’s the only one who keeps me on track, talks me down, and accepts everything I am.

We only had three rules. No social media, no phone numbers, no pictures. We had a good thing going. Why ruin it?

Until I run across a photo of a girl online. Name’s Ryen, loves Gallo’s pizza, and worships her iPhone. What are the chances?

F*ck it. I need to meet her.

I just don’t expect to hate what I find.

Ryen

He hasn’t written in three months. Something’s wrong. Did he die? Get arrested? Knowing Misha, neither would be a stretch.

Without him around, I’m going crazy. I need to know someone is listening. It’s my own fault. I should’ve gotten his number or picture or something.

He could be gone forever.

Or right under my nose, and I wouldn’t even know it.

Buy LinksAMAZON | B&N | iBOOKS | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAYReview-DGR5 starspunk-57-dgr-teaser

We were perfect together. Until we met.”

Ever since I read Bully, I became an instant Penelope Douglas fan. The woman speaks right to my inner angst junky. It certainly doesn’t hurt matters that she also manages to create the perfect alphahole heroes in every book I read by her. Having loved her Falling Away series and all the others as well, to say that this book is right up there with Bully for me is a lot. Because Bully continues to be one of my top favorites by her. But there was also an underlying message to this book that I loved. That in addition to the incredible writing, the fantastic characters, the delicious angst, and the oh so sexy romance combined to be one of my top reads for the year.

He’s a jerk whose only kick in life is to make mine miserable.

I think we all have a point in our life where we didn’t feel comfortable in our own skin; where being accepted even if it means suppressing your real self a little feels like the easiest thing to do. A time where your peer’s opinions of you feel like the most important thing and acceptance is everything. No one is born full comfortable with themselves and being able to do what’s right even if that means going against the grain, but the road to getting there is the most interesting one.

Ryen is not a heroine that you want to like. What I mean is, here’s someone that’s the exact opposite of your usual heroine. She’s popular, she’s quiet when the weak are being picked on, and she suppresses her real self for the warmth of acceptance that she gets from people that aren’t even truly her friends. But there’s also something about this character that clicks with you. You can’t help but connect with her and understand her on some level, because at one time or another we’ve all been in her shoes.

Ryen and Misha have been pen pals for years, and while they know each other’s deepest and darkest thoughts, they have no idea who the other really is or what they look like. That doesn’t stop them from developing an incredible connection through their letters…until Misha gets a real peak at who Ryen is and everything changes.

We’re all ugly, Ryen. The only difference is, some hide it and some wear it.”

Misha is a grade A asshole in the beginning and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love every page of it. Douglas has this gift for writing some of the sexiest alphaholes I’ve ever read. Yes, they’re mean and you want to slap them at times, but you also understand what drives them to be that way and you can’t help but love them anyway.

I want everything about you, Ryen, and I know you want me.” Her body shakes a little, and I lean in, kissing her on the cheek. “But I love the way you lie.”

The angst is off the charts good. For those that are like myself and enjoy that burn of sexual tension with a bit of hate/lust, you will devour every page and beg for more. And the sexual chemistry?
This is so much more than a sexy NA romance, however. It’s a story of learning to love and accept yourself. A story of learning to stand up for what you believe is right even if no one stands up with you. It’s a story of friendship and love. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that you never want to get off of and a romance between two people that don’t make sense together on paper but couldn’t be more right for each other. It’s dark and light, it’s love and hate. It’s complete and utter perfection.

I miss you every day, I write. You’re my favorite place.

If you’re a fan of Penelope Douglas and you enjoyed her Fall Away series and you want another taste of her Devil’s Night world, this is an absolute must read. If you love angsty NA romances with a H/h that you will love to hate and just flat out love, this is an absolute must read. If you’re a fellow angst whore like me, then this is an absolute must read. Basically, what I’m trying to tell you here is READ THIS BOOK!! You won’t regret a second of it.

You’re not alone. It gets better. You are important, and you can’t be replaced. Hang on.

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, DGR Favorites, New Adult · Tagged With: ,
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