Review: ★Crashed Out★ by Tessa Bailey

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Title: Crashed Out
Series: Made in Jersey #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Tessa Bailey
Release Date: August 7, 2015add-to-goodreads-button-2

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Jasmine Taveras is the reason Sarge Purcell grabbed his six-string and bailed the hell out of New Jersey four years ago. She’s the fuel for every song he’s ever written—each one laced with bitter, hard-edged, hungry lust. Now, with his hugely successful band on temporary hiatus, Sarge is determined to prove to Jasmine that this “kid” turned into every inch the man she’s always needed…

Men are slim pickings for a single factory girl in Hook, New Jersey…until tall, broad-shouldered hotness walks—or rather storms—into Jasmine’s life. Sarge’s return shouldn’t affect her this way. He’s her best friend’s much younger kid brother, and the kind of rough, gritty, sexiness Jasmine has no right to taste for herself. Even if he lets her.

But lust is a blinding, insatiable force. And when it crashes, it will take both Sarge and Jasmine down with it…

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Review3 starsCrashed Out-DGR

 

Ride me, use me, come on me. God knows I’ve used the thought of you to come for a fucking decade.”

When I heard that Tessa Bailey will be starting a new Brazen series, to say I was thrilled would be a mild understatement. Her dirty talkers are my crack of choice and I’ll never get enough. Seriously. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Tessa Bailey books make my ovaries happy. I absolutely loved the setup for this series, and I already know the next books in it will be on my auto buy list. Now about Crashed out…

I’m not typically of the younger man, older woman scenario…but if Tessa writes it, I’ll try it. And if said younger guy happens to be a super sexy rock god with a penchant for dirty talk, who am I to say no? Sarge Purcell has had a thing for Jasmine since he was just a teenager. As the best friend of his older sister and seven years his senior, he’s certainly had his share of dirty fantasies about her. Too bad that she never viewed him that way. Now he’s back on a hiatus from his band’s touring and when opportunity knocks…he’ll take it to tear down all her walls and convince her that she needs to take a chance on him.

So you’re probably wondering why I only rated this three stars, aren’t you? Well, see now here’s the thing; as a reader for me there’s a fine line between sexy dirty talk and plain crudeness and this book crossed it several times. Tessa Bailey has the midas touch when it comes to her heroes, the dirty talk just flows effortlessly in her previous books. But in the case of this one it felt forced and just way OTT.

That’s it, you tight little thing. Working my dick like a goddamn stripper pole…”

Tell me your fucking legs are up in the air because you want my come. Pout for it. Let me see that little pout.”

“I want to fuck you like a beast in heat…”

I’m all for dirty talk as much as the next pervert, but the above just did nothing for me. It didn’t feel natural, it was just too much and it took me out of the story quite a bit. I wanted to love it and there were parts and scenes that I certainly enjoyed the heck out of, but it just lacked that natural ease that Tessa’s writing usually has.

Having have said that, I’m still definitely hooked on the series. I loved the set up for Sarge’s sister, that just sounds all sorts of delicious. And of course there’s his band’s drummer and the manager that I’m itching to get my hands on. As much as I love Tessa’s books, you can’t love them all, so I’m writing this off as a fluke and I’m eagerly anticipating what else she has in store for the next books in this series.

Review Tour & Giveaway: ★Misconduct★ @PenDouglas @BerkleyRomance

Misconduct_Blog Tour BannerMisconduct
Author: Penelope Douglas
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: December 1, 2015 add-to-goodreads-button-2

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From the New York Times bestselling author of the Fall Away series who never fails to deliver a “powerfully written contemporary love story…”*

Former tennis player Easton Bradbury is trying to be the best teacher she can be, trying to reach her bored students, trying to forget her past. What brought her to this stage in her life isn’t important. She can’t let it be. But now one parent-teacher meeting may be her undoing…

Meeting Tyler Marek for the first time makes it easy for Easton to see why his son is having trouble in school. The man knows how to manage businesses and wealth, not a living, breathing teenage boy. Or a young teacher, for that matter, though he tries to. And yet…there is something about him that draws Easton in—a hint of vulnerability, a flash of attraction, a spark that might burn.

Wanting him is taboo. Needing him is undeniable. And his long-awaited touch will weaken Easton’s resolve—and  reveal what should stay hidden…

Buy LinksAmazon / Amazon UK / B&N / Kobo / iTunes / BAMExcerpt

“Why you?” he questioned. “Why have I been thinking of you ever since that Mardi Gras ball?”He pressed his body to mine, and I shook my head slowly.

“Mr. Marek,” I pleaded, but it was useless. My eyes fell to his mouth, and then I glanced to my closed door, knowing that even though the students were gone for the day, there might still be staff around. “Please.”

“There was something that drew us together that night,” he maintained. “Something that got under my skin, something that’s still there.”

His mouth was an inch from mine, and I breathed hard, needing to push him away, but at the same time, that was the last thing I wanted.

“Easton,” he whispered, and reached down behind my thigh, lifting it to press himself closer against me.

I groaned, feeling the ridge of his cock nestle between my legs.

“We can’t do this,” I told him.

My clothes felt like sandpaper on my skin, and I wanted them off. I wanted his shirt open and to know what he felt like under my fingertips.

“I know,” he answered.

But while his left hand held my knee up, his right hand slid between my legs and rubbed my clit through my panties.

I sucked in a sharp breath and clutched his shoulders, letting my eyes fall closed as my head floated away from me.

“Mr. Marek,” I begged.

But his breath fell against my mouth, and he whispered, “I told you there would be no stopping me when we finally ran into each other again.”

And before I could open my eyes, he’d captured my bottom lip between his teeth and then kissed me, sending me reeling until I didn’t know which way was up.

I couldn’t fight it. His tongue dove into my mouth as he pressed me against the whiteboard and kissed me hard. I circled my arms around his neck, knowing I was getting myself into a shit ton of trouble, but I didn’t care at the moment.

My body needed him. That’s all it was.

I wouldn’t get involved emotionally—I never did.

He grabbed me underneath both thighs and swung me around, planting my ass on the desk.

I groaned, his mouth working strong and fast over mine, stealing my breath as pleasure swarmed in my chest. It spiraled downward like a cyclone low in my belly.

I tightened my legs around his waist as his fingers slid under my dress, raking down my thighs.

I grabbed the back of his neck, cocking my head and returning every inch of his kiss. He tasted like coffee with vanilla, and I felt a hint of stubble on his face under my fingertips.

Dropping my hands down his body, I started unbuttoning his black vest. It was too thick, and I couldn’t feel him.

I pulled my mouth back, then dove back in to flick his tongue with mine.

“Jesus Christ,” he groaned, eating me up with quick kisses and nibbles. “Why does it have to be you, huh?”

I fumbled with the last button and finally tore open the vest, running my hands up his stomach and chest, covered only by his fine white dress shirt.

But even through the shirt, I felt the dips of his abs and pecs and of his toned waist and back.

Something screeched to my right, and I twisted my head to see the flailing branches of the tree outside scraping against the windowpane. The leaves blew, and I knew the storm would be here soon.

But I turned back to him, both of us breathing heavily, and I loved the storm in Tyler Marek’s eyes even more.

He slid his hands inside my panties and leaned his forehead into mine. I whimpered and grasped the back of his neck with both hands, my pussy throbbing at the thick ridge of his cock pressing against my leg.

He leaned down, his teeth nipping at my jaw as my eyes fluttered closed.

“Tyler.” I let my head fall back, craning my neck for his lips. “Mr. Marek, please stop,” I begged.

His hot breath fell across my ear, and I shivered.

“I thought about you all weekend,” he whispered. “How do you make me do that?”

I snatched up his lips again. I liked what he was telling me too much.

He grabbed the hair at the back of my head and pulled, exposing my neck again as he dived down and whispered against my skin, “When you walked in, dressed in that short little skirt, my fucking hands wanted these thighs”—he raked his fingers down my legs again—“almost as much as my mouth did,” he admitted.

I squeezed my eyes shut, the need becoming agony. “Mr. Marek,” I quaked. “Oh, God.”

I didn’t want to stop him, but . . .

I bit my bottom lip, feeling his fingers slide up and down my pussy, dipping and bringing out the wetness, spreading it over my clit.

And then whimpered, feeling two long fingers plunge inside of me.

“Shit,” I moaned, squirming against his fingers. “Please stop,” I pleaded. “Tyler, please.”

But he just added another finger, staring down and watching the pleasure of what he was doing spread across my face.

“Say it again,” he ordered.

I blinked, opening my eyes, even though his thumb rubbing circles on my clit was driving me wild.

“Tyler,” I said gently. “Please stop.”

His mouth curled into a smile, and he stole a kiss, nipping at my bottom lip. “You don’t want me to, do you?” he breathed out.

He increased his speed, flicking my clit faster and harder and curling the fingers inside of me, making me suck in air quicker and quicker and making me so needy I damn near gave in and begged to ride his cock.

“Tyler, oh, my God,” I cried, squeezing my eyes shut again and feeling my insides swirl and tighten.

“On second thought, call me Mr. Marek,” he insisted, and I popped my eyes open, seeing the devil in his grin.

I bit my lips between my teeth, groaning as I leaned back on my hands and slid my ass back and forth, fucking his fingers.

“Yes, Mr. Marek,” I breathed out, dropping my head back as the whole fucking world started to spin.

One of my heels dropped to the floor, but I couldn’t care less.

He continued staring down at me, looking like he was completely captivated with my face.

“You going to be nice from now on?” he challenged in a hard voice, rubbing harder.

“Yes, Mr. Marek,” I rushed out.

“You going to keep your temper in check?” His long fingers filled me up again and again.

I nodded frantically, feeling the orgasm coming. “Yes, Mr. Marek.”

“And I’m not done with you yet,” he warned. “Just so you know.”

I breathed in and out quickly, my body tensing and shaking. “Yes,” I cried out.

And then the orgasm exploded, spreading down my thighs and through my belly. I dropped my head all the way back, plastering my hand to my mouth to stifle the cry as I squeezed my eyes shut and let him rub my clit, bringing the orgasm to an end.

My legs, suddenly as shaky as Jell-O, released their grip on his waist and dangled off the side of the desk.

He kissed me, holding my lips for a few moments, and for a just a few moments I felt like I did on Sunday mornings. When I woke up and realized I could stay in bed.

Content.

Review5 starsMisconduct-DGR

Dark spaces, quiet places,” he whispered over my mouth. “That’s all we need, Easton.”

You know what I love about Penelope Douglas’s writing? Well, aside from the obvious everything. It’s her consistency. She never fails to deliver an absolutely enrapturing read with a strong heroine and an absolutely to die for hero. Her writing is magnetic, her romances are scorching, and her characters unforgettable. Misconduct is proof that not only can she write amazing New Adult Like Bully, or scorching hot dark erotica like Corrupt, but she’ll bring her A game to contemporary romance. And bring her a game she did, because I loved absolutely everything about this book.

I knew that look in his eyes. I may not know much about him, but I knew that look. And we were in my classroom. His son’s classroom. I may have had little shame, but he had none.

The one thing I’ve come to truly love about Penelope’s writing, is her ability to write a devastatingly intense hero. Because let me just tell you, the first time Tyler Marek makes an appearance on a page, not an ovary within a 100 mile radius will be safe. He captures your attention immediately, and he keeps it completely. The man is absolute sex on a stick. Misconduct teaser 2-DGREaston Bradbury made a name for herself in professional tennis, only to leave everything behind to start fresh in New Orleans. Landing the coveted teaching position at one of the prestigious private schools is her first step. Letting go of the dark memories that caused her to run in the first place is an indefinite second, and she’s in no hurry. While only 23 years old, this is no immature and naive female. Hell no. Like most heroines Penelope writes, Easton isn’t without spark or backbone. This is a woman that isn’t ashamed to speak her mind. She’s educated, she’s ballsy, and yet behind the tough exterior is someone that is very much broken. But she won’t let that slow her down. With her charismatic teaching style, she captures her students’ attention immediately, only to come to a head with a parent that doesn’t quite enjoy her unorthodox methods… Tyler Marek is twelve years her senior, the father of her student, and seems to enjoy demeaning and laughing at her at every turn. But beneath their snarks and heated insults runs an undercurrent of lust so strong, it basically ignites the pages. Holy wow but do these two have chemistry from the very beginning and it only burns hotter and hotter! Misconduct teaser-DGRNow if you follow my reviews you already know just how much I love a good hate-to-love trope, and Misconduct delivered that in spades. It was absolutely delicious. You really get that burn here, until you think you’ll actually combust if these two don’t get together. I’m talking about the mother of sexual tension here, people! I’m not even kidding. I didn’t know whether to ice my ovaries or keep a fire extinguisher on hand for chance that my kindle may catch fire. Good god! As much as I loved Tyler, I loved Easton just as much. I love a strong heroine that can give as good as she gets, and boy does Easton give it good. This is a woman that doesn’t take anything lying down…well…ok…actually there’s one particular thing that she does take lying down, but that’s neither here nor there. My point here is that both Easton and Tyler were incredibly dynamic characters. And together? Holy smokes! It just didn’t get better than that. Penelope Douglas is the queen of hate lust and sexual tension. The woman truly knows how to make her readers squirm and I love her for it. Misconduct was deliciously taboo and utterly unputdownable. The whole ‘will they get caught’ thing just added to the mix to make an already captivating romance that much better. t. Everything about it worked for me. If you haven’t read a book by this author yet, I can’t recommend a better one to start with than Misconduct. Trust me on this. If you’re a fan of enigmatic heroines, sharp-witted and strong heroines, and a hate lust so scorching hot it may set your kindle on fire, this is one book you need to read. Period. About the Author Penelope Douglas is the author of the New York Times bestselling Fall Away series. She has her Masters of Science in Education from Loyola University in New Orleans and she currently lives in Las Vegas with her family.

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Review: ★Blood Kiss★ by JR Ward

Review-blood kissBlood Kiss
Series: Black Dagger Legacy
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Author: JR Ward
Release Date: December 1, 2015add-to-goodreads-button-2

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The legacy of the Black Dagger Brotherhood continues in a spin-off series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author…

Paradise, blooded daughter of the king’s First Advisor, is ready to break free from the restrictive life of an aristocratic female. Her strategy? Join the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training center program and learn to fight for herself, think for herself…be herself. It’s a good plan, until everything goes wrong. The schooling is unfathomably difficult, the other recruits feel more like enemies than allies, and it’s very clear that the Brother in charge, Butch O’Neal, a.k.a. the Dhestroyer, is having serious problems in his own life.

And that’s before she falls in love with a fellow classmate. Craeg, a common civilian, is nothing her father would ever want for her, but everything she could ask for in a male. As an act of violence threatens to tear apart the entire program, and the erotic pull between them grows irresistible, Paradise is tested in ways she never anticipated—and left wondering whether she’s strong enough to claim her own power…on the field, and off.

Buy LinksAmazon / iBooks / B&N / Kobo

Review4 starsBlood Kiss-DGR

Do you like playing with fire, girl?” he growled. Because if you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to burn you to the ground.”

The BDB series is sentimental for me. It’s the series that got me into reading in the first place. It began what was to become what I refer to as my PNR binge of 2009. I was obsessed with that series…until I hit book 6. Then it slowly but surely began to lose some of its luster for me. By book 11 I had given up. It became too muddied with too many secondary POVs that the romance began to wane in the background. I missed the original brothers, the romance, the true BDB, true? So when I heard that JR Ward plans to come out with a new series that will be back to what the first few BDB books started off as with the original brothers; Wrath, Z, Butch, V, Rhage? Well, let’s just say I knew I’d part with an ovary to get my grubby little hands on it.

I’ll start my review by answering two questions first:

Is Blood Kiss like the BDB used to be?
Almost. It was probably the best Ward book I’ve read since BDB book 8, and that’s saying a lot.

Is this a true spin off?
Yes and no. Black Dagger Legacy focuses on a whole new slew of characters in the form of BDB trainees. But all the original brothers are also front and center. While the author does a good sum-up of important details, readers that haven’t read the BDB series (or at least the first 5 books) would not enjoy it as much. It’s set heavily in the BDB world, and you don’t get much detail about the world building. The original BDB is what sets that up, so I highly recommend reading that first. So let’s call it a quasi spin-off.
Blood Kiss follows two couple story lines; Butch and Marissa and Paradise and Craeg. I’d estimate it to be about 60/40 with no additional POVs to be found. Just the four. I’ll give you a moment to contain your shock…
The two story lines run flawlessly together and drive the story line for the other. I, of course would never complain about getting more Butch considering he’s one of my favorite brothers.

Paradise is a fully blooded daughter of the king’s First Advisor who also happens to be one of the Founding Families of the glymera. She’s expected to follow the protocol of the females of the glymera, but she wants nothing to do with it. Instead, she joins the BDB training program, to learn how to protect herself and her race. While growing up sheltered in the aristocratic society, I was happy to see that Paradise wasn’t the stuffy, formally speaking heroine I anticipated her to be. She knows her own mind and while she may be sheltered on some things, she can kick some ass in her own right. And she definitely proves that when she’s tested to her limits in the rigorous and and intense training program. Her one distraction comes in the form of the one male that should be hands off for her; a civilian.

Craeg is a nobody that came from nothing. After a brutal tragedy leaves him with nothing but thoughts of ahvenging it, he joins the BDB training program. Having handed his application to Paradise when first applying, he thinks that she’s just a simple secretary. But he still knows that he’s not good enough for the likes of her. He has nothing to offer and so no matter how enticing the female may be, he does his damnedest to push her away…even as he lusts for her at the same time.

If I kiss you,” he growled, “there’s no going back. I might not fuck you right here, right now, but I’ll have you on your back the instant I get the goddamn chance.”

In the midst of this story line you get Butch and Marissa who are dealing with issues of their own. Butch continues to put Marissa on a pedestal that she doesn’t want to be on. After the glymera turned her back on her, her sole focus has been the Safe Place and her hellren. But there’s a piece of Butch that he’s still keeping hidden from her and she’s determined to find out what that is.

I absolutely loved getting more Marissa and Butch. Their story line felt like a natural progression of their relationship without feeling like drama was being contrived. Butch’s issues and Marissa’s unresolved feelings with her estranged brother were bound to hit, and they hit here. I think I liked Marissa even more in this book than I did in her own. She truly grew into her own and became a strong heroine. As for Butch? What can I say about my favorite Southie? The man never fails to get my ovaries to flutter.

I have to admit I was a lot more invested in the developing storyline between Marissa and Butch than I was with Paradise and Craeg. Paradise and Craig’s relationship was a tad too stretched out for my particular tastes and I was just itching for them both to get on with things. That being said, I did like them as individual characters. They just didn’t quite have the intensity as a couple as some of the original BDB ones did for me. That’s not to say it was bad, but I’d say that Marissa and Butch were the glue that held the story together.

The suspense story line came in the shape of a bad guy that wasn’t a lesser for once. Admittedly I was a bit underwhelmed by this as well, as I had figured out who it was pretty early in the story. It was a bit too predictable and I wished for a little bit more on that end. I also didn’t quite form a connection to any of the secondary characters that were introduced as new trainees here. They all had their uniqueness but none drew me like the original brothers did. But then again, it is hard to live up to the greatness that was the first 5 books so I may be judging unfairly.

I was happy to have a book with just four solid POVs that finally felt like the PNR it started out as originally. While it didn’t quite blow me away, it was a great beginning to a series that I’m hoping will stay with the same formula and get even better with the next installment.

Review: ★Sweet Ruin★ by Kresley Cole

Review-SRSweet Ruin
Series: Immortals After Dark #16
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Author: Kresley Cole
Release Date: December 1, 2015add-to-goodreads-button-2

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A foundling raised in a world of humans

Growing up, orphaned Josephine didn’t know who or what she was—just that she was “bad,” an outcast with strange powers. Her baby brother Thaddeus was as perfect as she was flawed; protecting him became her entire life. The day he was taken away began Jo’s transition from angry girl…to would-be superhero…to enchanting, ruthless villain.

A lethally sensual enforcer on a mission

A threat to the Møriør has brought archer Rune the Baneblood to the mortal realm to slay the oldest living Valkyrie. Whether by bow or in bed, he never fails to eliminate his target. Yet before he can strike, he encounters a vampiric creature whose beauty conceals a black heart. With one bite, she pierces him with aching pleasure, taking his forbidden blood—and jeopardizing the secrets of his brethren.

A boundless passion that will lead to sweet ruin…

Could this exquisite female be a spy sent by the very Valkyrie he hunts? Rune knows he must not trust Josephine, yet he’s unable to turn her away. Despite his millennia of sexual conquests, he can’t ignore the unfamiliar longing she arouses deep within him. When Jo betrays the identity of the one man she will die to protect, she and Rune become locked in a treacherous battle of wills that pits ultimate loyalty against unbridled lust.

Buy LinksAmazon / iBooks / B&N

Review5 starsSweet Ruin-DGR

She was a killer with blood on her hands, but she wanted to give her heart away.

You know what I love about this series? The fact that sixteen books into it, each book continues to be just as good if not even better than the last. Kresley Cole continuously delivers with badass, sassy and snarky heroines, and tortured and oh so sexy heroes. That’s not to mention the addicting story line that’s guaranteed to keep you reading well into the night. Truth be told I was hoping to see a certain lykae twin finally be getting his book and I was a little thrown when I saw the character names in the synopsis and had not the slightest idea who they were. As a die hard IAD fan, even my puny brain memory manages to hold on to every detail of this series. I was a little afraid that the book may be filler, in order to really stretch out the fans’ want of the previously introduced characters. I should have never doubted the genius that is this author, however. And once you read the book, you’ll see exactly why. Kresley stays true to her characters’ world and everything that’s going on around them, and the story of Josephine and Rune is yet another puzzle piece that builds up to a larger picture. But let’s move onto the actual book here, shall we?

You come by your trailing name honestly.”
Rune the Insatiable. He buffed his black claws. “Wringing orgasms and breaking hearts for eons.”

As an avid lover of the manwhores, I’ve read my fair share. And I can easily say that Rune the Baneblood is quite possibly the biggest manwhore I’ve read to date. Rune is a powerful warrior, half dark fey and half demon. His blood is as poisonous as his kiss, which is how he’s come to be the deadliest assassin for the Møriør. He’ll seduce the secrets out of his enemies, only to kill them in the blink of an eye soon after. He’s as skilled with his cock as he is with his bow and arrow. His past has ensured that his heart is as cold as the rest of him and not even a romp in the bed with a nymph so much as spikes his blood pressure…until a mysterious beauty turns his world on it’s axis…

Anything you think you might miss? I’d make up for it with size.”
She gave him a light squeeze, then withdrew her hand-
“Some cavemen carry big sticks. Doesn’t mean I want to get clubbed with it.”

At only 25 years old, Josephine knows how to look out for number one. There’s only one person she’ll ever put first, and that’s her beloved younger brother that she was forced to give up in order to give him a better future. If the name Thaddeus rings a bell, it should. Thaddeus is the young boy with he mysterious unknown powers we met earlier in the series. Josephine is an orphan of unknown decent and powers that she doesn’t understand. Growing up in the mortal world but with no interaction with the “other” beings that occupy it, she has no idea who she is or where she came from. All she knows is that she kicks ass. She also yearns for love. For another person to share her life with. To say that her first meeting with Rune is interesting would be an understatement, but even a naive girl like her knows a manwhore when she sees one. So why does his scent make her mouth water?

His grin, he well knew, was as crooked as his morals, and held a hint of snide; females creamed when they saw it.

Kresley Cole has a signature formula that she doesn’t waver from and I can’t get enough of. Her heroines are sassy and snarky as hell. I absolutely love it! Josephine may be young, but what she lacks for in years she more than makes up for in sass. And she definitely gives Rune the Insatiable a run for his money. Rune is as tortured as they come, and as more of his history comes to light, you begin to understand more and more about why he is the way he is. The chemistry between them is absolutely undeniable. If possible, I swear this series just gets hotter with each new book. And Sweet Ruin was practically scorching!
Sweet Ruin teaser-DGRI devoured this book and couldn’t put it down for even a second. It was action packed, sexy, and everything I’ve come to love about this series. I loved Rune even if I wanted to beat him over the head with a blunt object for his utter stupidity at times. I also loved that we got that additional puzzle piece behind the mystery of Thaddeus and what it could mean for the Accession. There was a number of secondary characters introduced that I’m already salivating for a story for. Especially Orion. This series continues to be an addiction for me and I never want it to end. Can’t wait to see what’s in store next.

Read the series in order

IAD #1

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IAD #2

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IAD #3

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IAD #4

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IAD #5

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IAD #6

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IAD #8

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IAD #9

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IAD #10

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IAD #11

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IAD #14

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IAD #16

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Review: ★Vindicate★ by Beth Yarnall

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Series: Recovered Innocence #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Beth Yarnall
Release Date: November 17, 2015add-to-goodreads-button-2

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Beth Yarnall kicks off a steamy new series—perfect for fans of Kendra Elliot and Emma Chase—featuring a San Diego investigative team with a soft spot for lost causes and a passion for redemption.

Cora. . . . I got my driver’s license on my sixteenth birthday so I could visit my brother in prison. Five and a half years later, he’s still locked up for a murder he didn’t commit and I’m still trying to find a way to set him free. Then I hear about Nash Security and Investigation, a private detective agency that helped exonerate a wrongfully convicted man after thirty-nine years in prison. The problem? They’ve already taken on the one pro-bono case they’ll accept this year.

Leo. . . . I’m this close to finishing law school—and never working another day at my dad’s P.I. office—when Cora Hollis walks through the door. She’s got a box of files, a handful of leads, and an independent streak a mile wide. She fascinates me and I can’t say no. Suddenly I’m volunteering to help her find a missing witness who could be the key to her brother’s case. But nothing is what it seems and giving in to the attraction between us could be more dangerous than finding the real murderer.

Buy LinksAmazon / iBooks

Review3 stars

I’m not gonna lie and say that cover isn’t what first drew me to this book, but it was the synopsis that ultimately sealed the deal. I was intrigued enough to give a new to me author a chance, and I’m glad that I did. Don’t let my three star rating fool you. I enjoyed the book for the most part and I’m certainly hooked enough on this series to continue with the next book. There were just a few things that kept this being from a four star for me, and most of these happen to be reader preference. I tend to be on the pickier end, so please take what I say with a grain of salt.

The premise is intriguing enough. All Cora has known for the past five and half years is determination to get her brother free from prison. After the brutal rape and murder of his girlfriend, all signs pointed to him and that got him life in prison. But Cora knows he’s innocent and she’s give up everything and do anything to prove it. She’s spent the past five and a half years building a case. She’s given up school, secluded herself from her parents, all with a single minded intent to exonerate her beloved brother. When she hears a commercial on the radio for Nash Security and Investigation that just freed an innocent man that spend thirty nine years behind bars, she knows she may have the answer to her problems.

Leo Nash is a law student who has no intention of staying on to take over his father’s investigation business. He’s also quite the bit of a manwhore. But when he lays eyes on Cora and hears about her brother’s case, he knows that he wants to help. Sounds interesting, right? And it was.

So what didn’t quite work for me?

I’m not a fan of the instal-anything angle. And unfortunately for me, Vindicate had it in spades. Leo has no interest in long term relationships, he’s already managed to have sex with their office secretary and piss her off when he wants nothing more to do with her. Yet all it takes is for him to lay eyes on Cora, and all of a sudden he’s smitten. I just didn’t buy this connection. It was too sudden, there wasn’t enough buildup to it for me.

I also found the dialogue and writing to be a bit stilted at parts. It just didn’t have a flow to it.

Experimentally, she runs her thumb across the tip. It slides in my pre-cum, which seems to delight her, so she does it again and again. I groan. Her fascination with it is killing me. She wraps both hands about my dick and gives it a squeeze. I put my hand on hers and show her how to stroke me. She picks up my rhythm. I’m dying. She’s torturing me.

I felt like I was reading separate sentences put together but there was nothing tying them together, if that makes sense. It just didn’t sound natural or have a flow to it. This was especially true during most of their internal dialogues.

I also felt extremely underwhelmed with the ending. The mystery behind who the true killer was was the one thing that kept me turning the pages. And considering it lasted well into the last pages of the book, I expected something a little bit more from it, I suppose. It was wrapped up a little too quickly for my liking. Considering the way the book ends, I’m assuming some of it will carry into the next book.

My quibbles aside, this was still an enjoyable read and I definitely plan on reading the next book in the series. i love me those tortured alpha males, and it just doesn’t get much more tortured then Beau. Hopefully the next book will be a little stronger than this one.

Review: ★Rogue★ by @_callie_hart

Review-RogueRogue
Series: Dead Man’s Ink #2
Genre: Erotic Romance, MC
Author: Callie Hart
Release Date: November 15, 2015add-to-goodreads-button-2

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*** Part 2 in the Dead Man’s Ink Series. Contains scenes of violence and serious themes. Part 3 in the series will be out Jan 2016 ***

When people get too close to me, they wind up dead. Blood. Bullet holes. Stab wounds. I’ve kept my identity secret to protect the ones I love, but now the most dangerous man in my world knows exactly who I am… And he’s coming for me.

Hector Ramirez has brought war to my doorstep, but he won’t win.

I’ll fight to defend the vulnerable.

I’ll kill to protect my club.

But I’ll die to save the woman I love.

Buy-Links10Amazon / iBooks

Review4 starsRogue-DGR

…Rebel doesn’t exists anymore. There is only madness and fury, held together with the burning acid of revenge. It’s eaten away at everything else until there’s nothing left.

Having read Rebel a little over eight months ago, I’ll be honest and say that I remember fuck all from that book. No joke. Gun to my head, I couldn’t call up the slightest detail. Partly because I have the memory of a 90 year old, and partly because after a certain amount of waiting for a book to be released I begin to lose interest and emptying my brain of those details. Yes, yes, I know what you’re thinking. So then why did you read this? Well, my judgy friend, because it’s Callie fucking Hart. And if anyone can have me still panting for every release, it’d be her. And while I went into this book remembering barely anything, it took literary no time at all before I was thick in the middle of everything and recalling every detail. So I guess what I’m saying here, is don’t worry if you forgot details, because the author does a fantastic job catching the reader up without being even a tiny bit redundant. Kudos to that.

My soul is already dammed to hell. I might as well REALLY earn my place there.

The book starts with a flashback to Rebel in his life as Jamie. When he was a high society, son of an asshole millionaire businessman who could give a shit if he had a son. It really gives you that peek inside his mind to what started the chain of events that led Jamie to become Rebel. And let me tell you, it clicks so many things in place once you get that.

Then it takes you into the middle of the war that’s currently going on between the Widow Makers and Hector Ramirez. Rebel tries his hardest to protect Sophia while his club and everything he stands for could be burned down in a blaze of blood and fire by the hands of a sadistic enemy. The story brings you into the midst of the MC and gives you all those gritty, bloody little details to begin driving the story to what’s bound to be one hell of a conclusion in the third book.

And in the middle of all of this, you have Sophia. Taken, sold, bought, and kept as almost a prisoner, Sophia is now slowly beginning to come to terms of what her life is. She’s struggling with her feelings for Rebel and what this will mean for her future. But while she’s fighting an internal battle with her mind and heart, Rebel is very happy to put everything he has out on the open. And he’s certainly not afraid to fight dirty to get what he wants…

I’ll make you feel like you were sleeping before, like you have no idea how you lived such a placid, quiet existence without me.

Rogue-DGR teaserThis was a super fast read and not because it was short. It was super quick paced. Action packed, bloody, gritty, and incredibly sexy. Callie finally gives us that dark side that Rebel was hiding in the previous book. He let’s that side of himself really come out and play and it’s sure to set ovaries fluttering everywhere because holy mother of hotness!
There’s a lot that happens in Rogue and yet you’re still left with more questions than answers. I also appreciate the way that the author ends it because while it leaves you craving the next book desperately it’s not an ending that will make you stabby. (view spoiler). While after that long wait I would have liked a little more, I was still left highly satisfied. It gave just enough to keep my interest and guarantee I’m desperate for the next book and never felt like it was needlessly stretched out or filler. Hopefully we won’t have to wait another 8 months for the conclusion because I’m pretty sure I’d go nuts in that time. I need answers, dammit!

I’m gonna turn her whole world on it’s head, and it is going to be so goddamn perfect.


DON’T MISS THE FIRST BOOK!

23644329My Review / Amazon / Goodreads

Blog Tour, Review & #Giveaway: ★Steal Me★ by Lauren Layne

stealme_edited-1Steal Me
Series: New York’s Finest #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Lauren Layne
Release Date: November 24, 2015
Foreveradd-to-goodreads-button-2

STEAL ME_cover

 IN HOT PURSUIT

Being a cop might be in Anthony Moretti’s blood, but protecting and serving the city of New York has always been more than just the family business. If that means his love life stays locked up, well then that’s just another sacrifice made in the line of duty. That is, until he sets eyes on the gorgeous new waitress at The Darby Diner and suddenly Anthony’s morning coffee is leaving him a whole lot more hot and bothered than usual.

Though waitressing at The Darby isn’t exactly Maggie Walker’s dream job, it pays the bills and gives her time to work on her novel. Now if only she could stop fantasizing about gorgeous Anthony Moretti every time he sits down at her table, she’d really be in great shape. But when he needs her help identifying a criminal threatening The Darby—and Maggie recognizes her ex-husband—she fears her fresh start might be a pipe dream. Faster than a New York minute, Maggie and Anthony find themselves in one perilous pursuit that only gets hotter with each and every rule-breaking kiss.

Buy Links Amazon | B&N | Google Play | iTunes | KoboSteal Me Teaser 4

Excerpt

“So what did you mean, you don’t want to talk about it?,” Tony Moretti repeated, glancing down at Anthony’s plate, and scowling to see the bacon supply completely depleted.Anthony scooped a mouthful of Swiss cheese omelet into his mouth before sitting back and reaching for his coffee. “It means that Ma doesn’t like cop-talk at the table.”

Riiiiight,” Elena Moretti said from Anthony’s left side. “Because you guys always respect Mom’s no-cop-talk rule.”

Anth took another sip of coffee and exchanged a look and a shrug with Luc across the table.

Their sister made a good point.

In a family where four out of five siblings were living in New York, and three out of those four were with the NYPD, cop-talk was likely.

And when the family patriarch was the recently retired Ppolice Ccommissioner?

Cop- talk wasn’t just probable, it was inevitable.

Still, it was worth a shot to throw up his mother’s token rule of “no cop- talk.” Especially when he didn’t want to talk.

About any of it.

It had been a long time since he’d been the one in the hot seat, and he wasn’t at all sure that he cared for it.

Scratch that. He was sure.

He hated it.

But his father could be like a dog with a bone when it came to his sons’ careers. And today, like it or not, it was Anthony under the microscope.

He surrendered to the inevitable.

“Dad. I told you. It’ll get handled.” He went for another cup of coffee, only to find it was empty. Diner fail.

He scanned the dining room for the waitress, partially because he wanted more coffee, partially because he wanted a distraction. Partially because—

“You’ve been saying it’lls getbe handled for weeks,” Tony said, refusing to let the matter drop.

“Yeah, Captain. You’ve been saying that for weeks.” This from Anthony’s other brother Vincent. Two years younger than Anth, Vin was a homicide detective and the most irritable and irreverent member of the family. And the one least likely to kiss Anth’s ass.

If Anthony was totally honest, he was pretty sure that most of his younger siblings respected him, not only because he was the highest- ranking active family member, but simply because he was the oldest. He was the one they’d come to when they needed to hide that broken vase from Mom, or when they were scared to death to tell Dad about that D in Cchemistry, or in the case of his brothers, when it was time to learn their way around the female anatomy.

But Vincent had authority issues and was always the first to jump at the chance to gently mock Anthony’s status as Captain.

A title that had been hard -earned, and still felt new. As though it could be ripped away at any time.

Which was exactly the reason his father was on his ass right now. Anthony had passed his Ccaptain’s test three months ago, and his father had every intention of him climbing the ladder all the way to the top. The very top.

It was a path Anth had never questioned. A path that, up until recently, had been remarkably smooth.

And then…

And then Smiley had happened.

Review4 starsSteal Me-DGR

His eyes were wild as they looked down on her, and the last thought Maggie had before his mouth slammed against hers was that Anthony Moretti completely out of control was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen.

I have a rule when it comes to Lauren Layne books: she writes them, I read them. Period. It doesn’t matter what she writes, because each and every time I know I’ll be in for a treat. Her New York’s Finest series has quickly made its way onto my favorites list as well. I loved Frisk Me, and after the little peek that we got at the end of it into Anthony Moretti, I couldn’t wait to see what the police Captain will bring.

The character that immediately caught my attention was the middle Moretti, Vincent. What can I say? I love the broody grumpy assholes, and Vincent sure fits the bill. What I didn’t expect was for Anthony to give him a run for his money. The newly promoted Captain has no interest in relationships ever since a tragedy changed his outlook on mixing his career aspirations with a woman. He knows the two will never mix and he doesn’t even want to try. So what if the beautiful waitress at the diner his family frequents instantly catches his eyes. It helps that she can’t seem to help but dump food on him each time she sees him, bringing out his temper and loosing his filter so he can’t help but be a grade a asshole.

Maggie Walker has dreams, and a waitress at a diner isn’t it. But it pays the bills while she tries to make her dream of becoming an author come true. Having left everything behind to move to NY, she’s starting over fresh. In her tiny apartment, with her adorable dog, she doesn’t mind that it may not be the lap of luxury, because for once in her life it’s all hers. But she can barely seem to do her job when the intimidating Captain Moretti seems to bring out her inner klutz. But when she just may be the witness to help him with a career making case, Anthony has no choice but to get to know the little waitress better. And that’s when things get interesting…

He pulled back, just slightly, his breath hot and heavy against her face. “Say you want this.”

I loved Maggie’s sweet but sassy personality. At first I thought she’d be another introverted little mouse, but she really grew into her own as the book progressed. Anthony was the epitome of an a-hole for much of the book, which is actually, what ultimately brought my rating down slightly. It took him a bit too long for my taste to finally remove his head from his ass. And let me tell you, when it came to relationships, it was very firmly planted up there. You have to know it’s bad when Vincent was giving him relationship advice.

The chemistry between Maggie and Anth was scorching. What I love about Lauren Layne, is nothing is instant. No insta-love or insta-lust to be found here. She really makes it stretch and burn, and it makes it that much more delicious when the sparks finally ignite. So as frustrating as Anthony was for me at times, it took barely anything away from the book. I enjoyed it thoroughly and can’t wait until the next one….ESPECIALLY after that sneak peek at the end.
About the Author

Lauren_LayneLauren Layne is the USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance.

Prior to becoming an author, Lauren worked in e-commerce and web-marketing. In 2011, she and her husband moved from Seattle to New York City, where Lauren decided to pursue a full-time writing career. It took six months to get her first book deal (despite ardent assurances to her husband that it would only take three). Since then, Lauren’s gone on to publish ten books, including the bestselling Stiletto series, with several more on the way in 2015.

Lauren currently lives in Chicago with her husband and spoiled Pomeranian. When not writing, you’ll find her at happy hour, running at a doggedly slow pace, or trying to straighten her naturally curly hair.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

Giveaway

Rafflecopter Giveaway (Print Set of FRISK ME & STEAL ME, $5.00 Starbucks Gift Card and a Writers Gift Set)

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ARC Review: ★The Truth About Him★ by M. O’Keefe

Review-TTAHThe Truth About Him
Series: Everything I Left Unsaid #2
Genre: Erotic, Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 24, 2015
Author: Molly O’Keefeadd-to-goodreads-button-2

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For fans of Christina Lauren and Jodi Ellen Malpas comes the next novel in M. O’Keefe’s breathtakingly sexy series about a woman called into a journey of the heart, body, and soul.
 
We played our roles, told each other lies.

But now Dylan is no longer just a mysterious deep voice on the other end of the line. We’re face-to-face and our relationship is very, very real.

We still have secrets—but so much is crystal clear:

The thrilling danger.

The raw, naked desire.

The need to keep feeling the way he makes me feel. Forever.

Dylan is putting up walls, trying to keep me safe, but he can’t shut me out. He has seen my darkness and rescued me. Now it’s my turn, if only he will let me.

Buy-Links10Amazon / iBooks

Review4 starsThe Truth About Him- DGR

 

The truth, our truth, was complicated. But it was beautiful. And it was real.

What started in the erotically charged Everything I Left Unsaid, now comes to a gripping conclusion with The Truth About Him. What a ride this book was and so different from the first one too, in the best of ways.

I was completely captivated with Dylan and Annie’s story from the very beginning, and that only became even more so with this one. It’s like Everything I Left Unsaid was the set up for this book. It reels you in with a slower paced story, just to leave your head reeling with the events in Truth About Him. It’s one of those books that you’ll want to read cover to cover without putting it down, and that’s exactly what I did.


She owned me. Despondent and wrecked, smiling and bright- it didn’t matter. I was hers.

If you haven’t yet read EILU, my review will be absolutely spoiler free for both books.

Molly O’Keefe left readers with a hell of a cliffhanger at the end of the first book. TTAH picks up exactly where it left off, with Annie’s past that she’s running from coming back for her. But this book isn’t about Annie. We got to know her in the first one. No. This one has everything to do with the enigma that is Dylan Daniels and the past that he’s desperately trying to keep in the shadows. His estranged father, his dangerous MC member brother, his accident and everything after it; all of it comes to a head in this story.

I was used to being one thing. And one thing at a time. That’s all I could hold. And what she wanted from me, what she was asking, was messy. It was human and fraught with disaster. And I had no idea if I could do it.

He knows that after everything that Annie has been through, the last thing she needs is the likes of a man like him. He needs to drive her away with everything that he’s got, but he’s completely incapable of it. Especially since Annie is determined to bring him even closer and unearth all the secrets that he’s buried.

I was a fucking Daniels. We didn’t love, we crashed. We destroyed. We burned everything in fire.

This book will answer any and all questions you may have had and then some. It’s much quicker paced, filled with quite a bit of suspense on top of everything else. It’s also just as sexy if not more so than it’s predecessor
TTAH-DGRI was incapable of setting this down for even a second and read it in one sitting. While the author gives an incredibly satisfying conclusion for the romance, there are quite a bit loose ends that we’re left with in the form of secondary characters. Mainly Max and Blake who I’m basically salivating to get a story for. I managed to stalk down Molly to inquire about their books and was beyond thrilled when she confirmed that Max will be getting his story next.

A suspenseful and erotically charged conclusion to a fantastic duet that will only leave you begging for more. Definitely a big rec from this girl. But I recommend setting aside a few days, because you will not want to put it down and if you haven’t read the first book yet, you’ll want to read them back to back. I can’t wait for more from this author. She’s definitely one to watch out for!


Don’t miss the first book in this duet25387181My review / Purchase

ARC Review:★Rekindle The Flame★ by Kate Meader

Review-RtFRekindle the Flame
Series: Hot in Chicago 0.5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Kate Meader
Release Date: November 30, 2015add-to-goodreads-button-2

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Cuddle up by the fire with the irresistible prequel to Kate Meader’s smokin’ Hot in Chicago series—originally published in the sizzling holiday anthology Baby, It’s Cold Outside—a superhot e-novella that will warm you from your head to your heart and all the way to your toes!

Chicago firefighter Beck Rivera always knew his destiny would be defined by two things: his dream to follow in the footsteps of his legendary foster father Sean Dempsey and his teenage passion for heiress Darcy Cochrane, the one girl who could both stoke and cool his fire. Loving her meant setting her free and breaking her heart—and his. But when a chance reunion at his family’s bar, sparked by a drunk Santa, places her in his path again, destiny can no longer be denied.

The last thing heiress-turned-tattoo-artist Darcy Cochrane needs is the rollercoaster of emotion stirred up by her first love: sexy, gorgeous man-on-fire Beck Rivera. But he always had such talented hands. And more talented lips. And…maybe one time can’t hurt. Then she’ll send him packing like he did to her all those years ago. But Darcy and Beck soon discover that nothing ignites holiday flames like rekindling a lost love…

Buy LinksAmazon / iTunes / B&N

Review4 starsRekindle The Flame-DGR

Nine years on, and nothing had changed. Beck Rivera was still the boy who heated her from the inside out….

What’s better than a second chance romance? A second chance romance written by Kate Meader. Something about her writing and her characters just works for me and this steamy little novella was no exception. This book was previously published in the anthology, Baby, It’s Cold Outside, but now you can read just the individual story. If you’re new to Kate’s Hot In Chicago series, it’s an addictingly good story that’s set around foster siblings that are also firefighters. Sound hot? Well that’s because it is!

Nine years ago, Beck Rivera and Darcy Cochrane were in love and inseparable until Beck broke Darcy’s heart. Beck was the bad boy and Darcy was a heiress that deserved better…or so he thought. Now years later, a chance meeting brings them together again at his family’s bar. But this time, Darcy has a plan of her own with beck…

Maybe it was time to ensure Beck Rivera never forgot he met her.

Darcy is a different woman now, grasping onto and leading the life that she wants. A life that Beck never allowed her to show him. He thought she was meant for society luncheons, but all she wants is to work a tattoo gun. Now she has the chance to reignite the flame that never diminished between them and set him right at the same time.
Rekindle the Flame teaser-DGRI love that Kate never writes cookie cuter heroines. They’re strong, independent females that know what they want and go for it. I loved how Darcy was a tattoo artist but it’s her personality that truly drew me. She’s strong but has just this right amount of vulnerability to endear the reader to her from the very first page.

As for Beck? Well, expect the same hot yet incredibly sweet alpha that only Kate can write.

Problem catching a breath, miss? I can help. Qualified EMT.”
“You’re evil, Beck Rivera.”

This was an incredibly satisfying read in just 120+ pages. It was easy on the angst, heavy on the romance, with just enough steam added to the mix to have you reading it in one deliciously fabulous sitting.

If you haven’t read anything by this author, I highly recommend you get acquainted. I’ve loved everything she writes, but her Hot In Chicago series is easily my new addiction. Sizzling romance, amazing characters, and a dash of swoons make it the perfect afternoon read!

I’m yours, mi reina. Always have been, always will be.”


Don't miss the rest of the series

Hot in Chicago #0.5

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Hot in Chicago #1

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Hot in Chicago #1.5

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Hot in Chicago #2

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Review: ★Keeping Secrets★ by Lisa Eugene

Review- Keeping SecretsKeeping Secrets
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Lisa Eugene
Release Date: October 22, 2015add-to-goodreads-button-2

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Is that how a little girl sits?
No, Daddy.
How should a little girl sit?
Shoulders back and tummy in.
And how should a little girl look?
Always neat and pretty
That’s my girl.

Twenty-four-year-old Alexa Kennedy is beautiful, sharp as a whip, and at the top of her medical school class. She’s also been waging a war in her head for as long as she can remember. Depression. Hatred. Self-loathing. These feelings feed the pain inside her, fueling her quest for a perfection that she can never achieve.

In one life-changing moment, Dex Blakewell crashes into her world. Dex is funny, gorgeous, and irresistible. He chases away the darkness and fills her with light and laughter. An unusual friendship blossoms, making no demands or expectations.

Friendship turns into an unexpected love and a delicious passion. Alexa realizes that the only thing tethering her to sanity is their connection. But even Dex’s strength can’t keep her demons at bay forever.

When life overwhelms her, the outside world starts to mirror her inner turmoil. And when Dex discovers she’s been keeping horrible secrets, will she finally shatter or find a way through the darkness? Will the promise of love be enough to save her from self-destruction?

***WARNING: This book is for mature audiences and deals with topics and situations that some readers may find deeply emotional. That being said, I hope that many may find inspiration from these words. ***

Buy Links

Amazon 

Review4 starsKeeping Secrets-DGR

The need I had for her was consuming, irrational. She was as necessary as my next breath, as vital. It was not only baffling, but somehow unsettling.

I’ve been a fan of Lisa Eugene’s since my first book of hers, Steal My Heart. And with each new book she’s released since then she shows immense growth as an author. Her romances are not ordinary, and I can appreciate that as a reader. Reading romance, after a while most books begin to blend into each other. Unless there’s a certain edge to them that makes them stick out. This book had that in spades. Lisa took on an incredibly raw topic and she managed to weave it flawlessly inside a romance. Now considering the subject matter here, that’s no small feat. And props to her for pulling it off as well as she did.

Our gazes held and locked. There was a storm in her eyes and the force of it ripped through me.

Alexa Kennedy is a final year medical students, well on her way to becoming a doctor. She’s motivated, driven, smart, and completely lost to the war inside her mind. She’s her own worst critic and she never fails to rip into herself. A highly competitive medical school with entitled students just looking to overthrow her potential position as a valedictorian and scholarship to the Medical student are just a few of the things messing with her head. Then a child in the oncology wing that she’s bonded with passes away and sends her into a tail spin
Keeping Secrets-teaser DGR…only to come crashing into Dex Blakewell.

Dex is a successful businessman with no interest in women beyond one sweaty night between the sheets. But his word quite literary tilts on it’s axis when he meets Alexa. What begins as an unlikely friendship soon begins to turn into something much more. But both of them are keeping secrets. Secrets that have the potential of breaking the connection that they only just now formed.,,

Keeping Secrets was very different from anything that I would typically read. While the romance is a heavy element, what truly drives the story is Alexa’s “condition”. Lisa spares no detail in her struggle and truly brings the reader inside her mind. I loved that gritty little element to this book. I’m not entirely sure why it’s labeled as a dark romance, as I found nothing truly dark about it. There’s no graphic violence but you do get a graphic view inside Alexa’s issues (view spoiler). But for me that’s not dark. Realistic, absolutely. But not dark.

Alexa is a very broken individual, and while not my usual preference to read in a heroine, there was also something very endearing to her. You can’t help but feel for her and Lisa does a phenomenal job with character development to ensure that all readers will feel the same.

If you’re looking to step a little bit outside the norm of contemporary romance, this is the book you do it with. I absolutely loved that the author didn’t gloss over any issues. Her characters truly dealt with their issues in a realistic matter. The romance wasn’t instantaneous but it wasn’t too slow either. It was a perfect fit for the story and I loved watching these two fall in love. Of course in usual Miss Eugene fashion you get some super sexy scenes in here, but that’s just the icing on the already great story cake.

Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

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