All Reviews – Page 128

Review: ★Dirty Pleasures★ by Meghan March

January 2, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

Dirty Pleasures
Series: The Dirty Billionaire Trilogy #2
Genre: Erotic Romance
Author: Meghan March
Release Date: December 29, 2015

I did it. I married a billionaire.

My reasons are my own, but the last thing I expected was to feel owned.

I may have taken vows, but I’m still determined to be me.

Now his rules are taking over my world, but I’m not the kind of girl to just obey.

There’s only one problem: I might actually be falling for him…

I have no idea how this marriage is going to go, but holding onto a piece of myself while succumbing to his dirty pleasures is shaping up to be the ride of a lifetime.

Amazon/ B&N / iBooks

Holly, this is your fucking husband. Where the fuck are you? And if you think you’re fucking done with me, you’re dead wrong, sweetheart. Better get ready, because I’m fucking coming for you.”

After the delicious smut fest that was Dirty Billionaire, I was expecting a little more depth with the second installment in this sexy serial. I wanted more about Creighton. Actually, scratch that, I was utterly salivating for the slightest detail about him.

With Holly leaving Creighton with nothing but a note in the end of book 1, we already know that the hunt will be on. And it certainly was. When Creighton finally finds Holly he’ll make sure that she understands exactly what his intentions are and what he wants. Holly is just as sassy as ever, even overwhelmingly so. While I understood some of her attitude toward Creighton, a lot of it almost seemed like hot air. She’d throw out accusations and assumptions at every corner, and it became an exercise in frustration for me.

Dirty Pleasures was another sexy little rump in the Dirty Billionaire Trilogy. Ultimately though, where I was hoping for more depth and character/relationship development, all I found is more sex and misunderstandings. Sure, I read it in one sitting and still looking forward to the conclusion, but yet I couldn’t help but feel like I needed more.

What really soured my enjoyment was the ending. It felt like just as this couple took one step forward, they took five back and now we’re back to square one.
But I suppose I’ll hold off final judgement till we see how everything gets resolved in the last book.

THE SERIES

DIRTY BILLIONAIRE | DIRTY PLEASURES | DIRTY TOGETHER

About the Author

Meghan March is the author of contemporary and erotic romance novels.

Meghan March has been known to wear camo face paint and tromp around in woods wearing mud-covered boots, all while sporting a perfect manicure. She’s also impulsive, easily entertained, and absolutely unapologetic about the fact that she loves to read and write smut. Her past lives include slinging auto parts, selling lingerie, making custom jewelry, and practicing corporate law. Writing books about dirty talking alpha males and the strong, sassy women who bring them to their knees is by far the most fabulous job she’s ever had. She loves hearing from her readers at meghanmarchbooks@gmail.com.

Website / Mailing List / Goodreads / Amazon / Facebook / Twitter

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Dirty Talkers, Erotic Rom · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 3 stars

DGR Fave & Review: ★First Touch★ by Laurelin Paige

December 30, 2015 by Lana · Leave a Comment

First Touch
Series: First and Last #1
Genre: Erotic Romance
Author: Laurelin Paige
Release Date: December 29, 2015

When Emily Wayborn goes home to visit her mom while on hiatus from her hit TV show, she receives a voicemail from her former best friend, Amber. Though the two were once notorious party girls, they haven’t spoken in years. Although the message might sound benign to anyone else, Amber uses a safe word that Emily recognizes, a word they always used to get out of sticky situations during their wild days. And what’s more chilling than the voicemail: it turns out that Amber has gone missing.

Determined to track down her friend, Emily follows a chain of clues that lead her to the enigmatic billionaire Reeve Sallis, a hotelier known for his shady dealings and play boy reputation. Now, in order to find Amber, Emily must seduce Reeve to learn his secrets and discover the whereabouts of her friend. But as she finds herself more entangled with him, she finds she’s drawn to Reeve for more than just his connection to Amber, despite her growing fear that he may be the enemy. When she’s forced to choose where her loyalty lies, how will she decide between saving Amber and saving her heart?

Amazon / iBooks / B&N / Kobo

…I can’t get you out of my mind. You contaminate my thoughts. I keep remembering your body under my hands as I touched you. The parts of you I didn’t touch. The sounds you made. The look in your eyes. You haunt me, Emily.

It’s been a long time that I read a book that effected me on such a visceral level. I had honest to god tingles while reading this. My heart was beating out of my chest, my head was spinning, and I was completely and utterly incapable of putting it down for even a second. It’s also been a long time that I read a hero that was so alpha he practically crackled with electric magnetism through the pages. This book hit every single one of my yes spots. It’s exactly the kind of thrill I love in my romance. It was unpredictable, erotic, a little taboo, undeniably captivating and absolutely spell-binding. It’s also almost impossible to review without giving anything away, so excuse my attempt at trying…

Reeve Sallis

He was infamous, famous, and if the rumors were to be believed, dangerous – a multibillionaire luxury resort owner and legendary bad boy.”

He’s a complete enigma. He’s a billionaire playboy with an air of danger. He doesn’t play cat and mouse, he simply hunts and chases…but only when he wants. Whether the woman walks away from it unaffected is never guaranteed. He’s also the man that may hold the answer to all the questions that Emily Wayborn has, if only she can get close enough to gain his trust…
Emily left her life of a kept woman behind when she walked away from her best friend. She now has independence and her own career and hasn’t looked back, but a call from her friend that she hasn’t seen in years changes everything. She may be in danger and Emily is the only one that believes it. The man that holds the biggest piece of the puzzle is the one that was last seen with her; Reeve.

But his eyes caught me. There was something I recognized in them- a sorrow or a longing that was both gripping and haunting. I saw myself in those eyes.

First Touch is told in an almost chilling way. The writing is absolutely phenomenal. The words meant to catch the reader in their sensual allure. It’s mysterious and erotic and leaves you with more questions than answers but man oh man is it fantastic.

It was a kiss that took- took my desire, took my passion, took my will. It was selfish and singularly choreographed for Reeve and Reeve alone.

The sexual aspect of the romance may take many out of their comfort zones, so if you’re not a reader that’s comfortable with that, this book may not be for you. It has a touch of BDSM and yet…not quite. There’s no clear lines, and that may not work for some. Emily is a multi-faceted character and her desires are not quite…standard. But that’s what truly works because you can see exactly what draws these characters together.

Reeve is an enigma for the entirety of the book. I was desperate for the slightest detail and was left hanging with hints and shadows. It only served to whet my appetite more.

This was our first surrender. First embrace. First kiss. First touch.

Then Laurelin hits you with the mother of all cliffhangers but I swear it just made the book all that much better. Does that even make sense? Ugh. I don’t even care because it does to me. The wait for the second book just may kill me, but I don’t regret it for even a second. This book was nothing that I expected and yet everything that I love. If you’re looking for something spellbinding and different, this is a must read. First touch is part one in a duet.

PRE-ORDER LAST KISS

Release Date: June 14, 2016

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, DGR Favorites, Erotic Rom · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 5 stars, DGR Fave, Laurel

Review: ★In A Bad Way★ by Karin Tabke

December 20, 2015 by Lana · Leave a Comment

In a Bad Way
Series: Bad Boys of the Bay #2
Genre: Erotic Romance, Suspense
Author: Karin Tabke
Release Date: November 3, 2015

What happens when Mr. Suit and Tie meets Ms. Wild Style? A chemical reaction that leaves them IN A BAD WAY!

A missing stripper sister, the Russian mob, a smoking hot FBI Agent and the enigmatic woman who lies at the center of it all, is as crazy sexy as it gets.

Isadora Fuentes will do anything to find her missing sister, even slip on a bikini and serve drinks at the strip club where her sister worked. But when Andre, the Russian giant who runs the joint, instructs Izzy, aka “Wild Style,” to strip for a federal agent and make a compromising video, Izzy balks…until Andre hints he has information on Izzy’s sister—for the price of the tape.

Special Agent Flynn Ryker is a loner by choice, but when his buddy gets engaged, he shows up at Surf’s Up Strip Club in San Francisco for the bachelor party of a lifetime. What he doesn’t expect is his immediate attraction to a saucy little stripper named Wild Style. When she attempts to slip him a roofie and videotape him in bed, Flynn has two options: Haul her pretty little ass in and arrest her or go along with the sting and see where it leads…

Working together to solve the disappearance of her half sister, Isadora Fuentes and Special Agent Flynn Ryker may disagree on tactics, but there’s no denying the sizzling chemistry between them. Will the secrets they hide from each other ruin their chance for love?

Amazon / iBooks / B&N

I’ll split you apart and make you beg for more” He dropped his lips to the base of her throat and inhaled her sweet scent. “And I’ll be gone before you wake up.”
“Is that how you court a lady?”
“You’re not a lady and I don’t court.”
“If you don’t court, what do you do?”
“I fuck.”
“Then just fuck me.”

I’ve been a huge fan of Karin Tabke for quite some time. I even loved her PNR titles under her pen name of Karin Harlow. While this is the second book in a series, it’s easily read as a a standalone. While I did read the first book, Breaking Bad, I’d be lying if I told you I remember even a page from it. I had absolutely no trouble getting right into the swing of things here though.

In a Bad Way is exactly the sort of delicious set up I love. It’s this lusty little hate-to-love scenario, though not quite. Allow me to explain.

He liked his women tall, sleek, sophisticated, and disease free.
The sexual encounters facilitated by those worldly goddesses? Neat and a la carte. It was how he rolled. No extras, easily digested, and a fleeting memory.

Special Agent Flynn Ryker likes his women uncomplicated. A sweaty night between the sheets and a mutual understanding that that’s all it will ever be. After watching his father cheat on his mother with countless strippers and defile the sanctity of marriage, the last thing he wants is to end up like him. It’s also guaranteed that he has an ingrained dislike for strippers. So imagine his surprise when a curvy little beauty is exactly who catches his eye at a strip club while at a bachelor party for his buddy.

Izabella “Izzy” or as she’s known at work, “Wild Side”, is not quite what she appears to be. She’s a cocktail waitress at a strip club that’s recently been promoted to stripping. But she’s a girl with a plan. She’s looking for any clue about a missing woman with a deep connection to her that was last seen at the club. She may be on her way to law school, but she’s also moonlighting as a stripper for answers. Then she gets a proposition that she can’t turn down: roofie a cop at the club, get him in a compromising position and she just may finally get the answers that she so desperately seeks. And of course that cop that catches her eye is the too cocky for his own good, Flynn.

I don’t THINK I can fuck any girl, I KNOW I can…
But I only pick girls who want to fuck me. And, tiny dancer, your ‘fuck-me’ pheromones are screaming loud and clear to my ‘I-want-to-fuck-you-back’ receptors.”

Thus begins an intricate dance of I hate you/ I want you, with a bit of Get lost/ come back thrown in for good measure. As for me? I devoured every angsty morsel of it even while it did drive me out of my ever loving mind sometimes.

Flynn is exactly the time of man that Izzy knows she doesn’t need. He’s rich, entitled, and a manwhore. He’s way too much like her estranged father and there’s no love lost between her and daddy, that’s for sure. So between her not wanting someone like her dad, and Flynn not wanting to be like his dad, well, it makes for some interesting reading.

As much as I wanted to throttle the two of them at times, I can’t deny that their chemistry was through the roof. Flynn and Izzy burn up the pages together. Though I did get frustrated with Flynn’s borderline antagonistic and demeaning treatment of Izzy because of her “profession” at times. It took much too long for him to finally remove his head from his ass, but again, it did make for some entertaining reading.

There’s the added element of suspense that ties the entire story together. The mystery of what happened to Alexandra Chasten is one that kept me turning the pages eagerly, only to be left hanging at the end. While the story gives a very satisfying HEA for the couple, it’s unresolved about the mystery of Alexandra’s disappearance. That conclusion is something we’ll be getting in a new spin-off series and damn but the set up for it sound delicious. Too bad the wait till April 2016 just may kill me.

I loved In A Bad Way much more than book 1. It was sexy, suspenseful, and did I mention sexy? My one quibble is the terminology that was often used during the sex scenes. I’m not a big fan of the word “penis” in erotic romance. Nor am I big on things like comparing of her hoo-hah to a raw oyster, or him sliding into her aching void. But in the grand scheme of things, that was barely a blip on my radar. I was so enraptured in the story that I barely batted an eyelash at it. And that says something, because I’m typically extremely picky with that stuff. Everything else about this book worked for me: the pacing, the story, and most especially the romance. Sure Flynn and Izzy had bumps along the way to their HEA but that only made it so satisfying when they finally reached it. Oh and if you haven’t read The Chronicles of Katrina yet (Simon makes a much appreciated appearance in this book), I’m not sure what you’re doing with your life.

Don’t miss the first book in this series

Detective Stevie Cavanaugh is one tough cookie…with a sexy but vulnerable secret…

Law enforcement royalty, Stevie Cavanaugh’s fate was determined before she was born: follow her father’s lead, retiring only after becoming Sheriff. But as capable and strong as she is, one man dared to awaken her dark sensuality, only to leave her aching for more. Now he’s back, the baddest cop in the whole damn town, distracting her from the most important case of her career—capturing the Cain killer.

For Special Agent Jack Thornton, like Stevie, police work is in his blood. So is Stevie, the woman he left behind after just one perfect night. Now he’s forced to work with her to catch a killer. Only he wants more of Stevie, too.

According to Stevie, she’s not interested. But Jack knows her deepest darkest sexual secret—that while she’s a woman used to giving command, she also takes great pleasure in submitting—to him. Despite how things ended seven years prior, Jack is determined to take Stevie to the next level.

When the fire between them becomes an inferno, they’ll both savor the burn…

GOODREADS / AMAZON

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Erotic Rom · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4 stars, cuff me officer, Karin Tabke

Review: ★The Final Move★ by Victoria Denault

December 20, 2015 by Lana · Leave a Comment

The Final Move
Series: Hometown Players #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Victoria Denault
Release Date: December 8, 2015

Hockey legend Devin Garrison thought he blew his shot. But his relationship with Callie Caplan just went into overtime.

Sexy, rich, and one of the biggest stars in the NHL, Devin Garrison has always been the one who had it all. That is until his marriage falls apart and he realizes he has to start over. If he’s honest, there has only been one woman who ever really excited him-Callie Caplan. They shared a night that was hotter than the late-summer sun, but in an instant-Callie was gone, pretending it never happened.

Callie Caplan isn’t the wild child people think she is. It’s true she’s avoided relationships, but only because she’s seen how crazy love can be. And her messy, imperfect life is crazy enough without opening her heart to a man-even one as picture perfect as Devin. But when fate brings them back together-just as they need each other most-Devin is determined to convince Callie that what she’s feeling is real. And this final play may be their chance at forever . . .

Amazon / B&N / iBooks / GooglePlay / Kobo / BAM

Minor spoilers to follow, please don’t read my review if you don’t want to know. I’ll spoiler tag the big stuff.

I’ve been a huge fan of this series since One More Shot. The mix of angst and swoony romance just did it for me. And ever since I first met Devin Garrison in that book I’v been not so patiently waiting for his story.

As the calmer and more settled of the Garrison brothers, Devin was refreshingly different. Being married and a daddy also made him even more appealing. But the reader also got a peek into his life and began to understand that not everything in his marriage is quite as perfect as he’d like to make it appear. At first I assumed that Devin’s story would be more of marital issues than reconciliation with his wife, but after the events of Making a Play I realized that he’d be ending up with the other Caplan. After reading the preview in book 2 I have to admit that I was curious as to how this would play out. After finishing it? Well I kind of wish I could unread it, because it made me absolutely hate Callie and strongly dislike Devin in the process. *sigh* Where are those men in black when you need them?
I get what the author was trying to do with this story and while I appreciate her effort, it just didn’t pan out for me. Not even a little. Why?

Issue 1

Villinaize the wife as the catalyst.

Was this really necessary? Couldn’t it just be an “issue” they were dealing with and have them just fall out of love as they clearly were already well on the road for. Did she have to (Highlight to view spoiler)cheat (end spoiler)? I just didn’t find it necessary for the story. Sure, it served as the catalyst for Devin’s decisions, but it just felt like an easy way out.

Issue 2

Devin’s regression.

Oh boy. Where do I even start. So your wife (Highlight to view spoiler)cheats(End spoiler) on you, what do you do? Proceed to drink yourself stupid and have a one-night stand because…why? It felt like revenge and punishment more so than anything else. Hey, I was the perfect husband for so long, I need to slut it out now just to see how the other half lives. It didn’t make sense. And yes, I understand that he was hurting. But what he also was, was still married. Sure, I also get that this is a common occurrence and I shouldn’t judge. But do two wrongs really make a right? Considering how Devin has been for the past two books and always being the voice of reason, I wanted him to take the high road.

Issue 3
Callie.
Now I hate to name call, so I won’t. I also hate slut shaming, so I won’t. What I will say, is I absolutely hated her decisions and treatment of Devin for basically the entire book. One, she’s dated and flirted with his teammates. She proceeds to go on a date after her and Devin finally sleep together. Then there was her decision to go down on him after she finds him in the middle of a drunk hookup and throwing the woman out of the house they’re currently sharing. Also knowing how Devin is, her decision to continuously sleep with him but refuse anything more was downright infuriating. Considering everything Devin’s been through it was almost callous.

Issue 4
Did I mention that Devin is still technically married (though separated and no longer living with his wife) through all of this?
Again, I understand that this happens, and if this was any other character, I could have looked past it. But with Devin? No. I felt like he regressed and just wasn’t the Devin that I ultimately fell in love with throughout the series. I did not like him for a good 75% of this book.

Issue 5
And this is ultimately what lowered my rating even more. I felt zero, no connection between Callie and Devin. There wasn’t an undercurrent of sexual tension or longing throughout the series between them. Not even in this book did that come into play. It felt like they just ended up together because it was convenient and not because it was meant to be. I couldn’t connect to them as a couple. Hell, I didn’t believe in them as a couple. And what’s more, I didn’t like them as a couple.

Le sigh.

To say that I’m disappointed would be an understatement. I love this author, and I will definitely read any of her future work without a second thought. But sadly this book didn’t work for me at all. Maybe because I had such high hopes? Who knows. It is what it is, and I have a feeling this is just one of those books you’ll either understand and enjoy, or you won’t. I don’t see much middle ground here. But that’s just my opinion. Clearly I’m in the minority with my opinion so read it and judge for yourself.

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, Sports · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 2 Stars, hockey players

Review: ★The Boss: Book Two★ by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott

December 18, 2015 by Lana · Leave a Comment

The Boss: Book Two
Series: The Boss #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance Serial
Authors: Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott
Release Date: November 19, 2015

I’ve been watching…all this time.

I grew up as the bastard son on the wrong side of the tracks. Until an angel I could never repay helped me climb to the top.

My new assistant, Grace Copeland, is determined to bring me down. She thinks I don’t know about her lies and the risks she’s taking, but I’ve been watching all this time.

Watching her.

Soon she’ll realize that being on top is where I belong—and where she’ll beg me to be.

AMAZON

This wasn’t me. I wasn’t some hormonally-driven horndog who couldn’t manage to keep his dick in his pants. She brought something out in me, and I wasn’t sure I liked it.

Well, well, well, and so the plot thickens…and how! The Boss serial is my crack and Cari and Taryn are my favorite pushers because this self-professed serial avoider is addicted! Usually I wait until a series is complete, but something about these books leaves me in actual pain until I get my next fit. I should probably look into this.

The serial is told in alternating POVs, and with Grace having hers in the first book, now it’s Blake’s turn. Now I’m not sure what I expected. A typical enigmatic billionaire meets heroine and falls head over heels in love after fighting it for 5 books? You should know these authors don’t do anything in half measures like that. And let me just tell you, Blake’s POV will turn quite a few things on their ass. I didn’t see any of it coming and the revelations only served to whet my appetite further.

This takes off immediately where book 1 ended; the aftermath of Blake and Grace’s sizzling unexpected hookup in his office building after being locked in together accidentally. Blake never expected for Grace to effect him in such a way, but now he can’t deny it. The chemistry between them is just as strong as ever even if both of them continue to fight the inevitable.

She wasn’t just going to come. She was going to shatter, and I was going to break apart with her.

What Grace doesn’t realize, however, is not only does Blake know what she’s after but he’s hiding quite a few things of his own…and they’re a doozy.

Of course it wouldn’t be a Cari and Taryn book if it didn’t end in a cliffhanger that will make you want to rip your hair out. So it you’ll excuse me, I’m off to jump straight into book 3 which is luckily already released and hope that the cliffy in that one won’t leave me rocking in a dark corner somewhere.

THE SERIES

Book 1

Buy / My review

Book 2

Buy

Book 3

Buy

Book 4

Pre-Order

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Rom · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4 stars, millionaires, serial

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: ★Perfect Ruin★ by @nashodarose

December 14, 2015 by Lana · Leave a Comment

Book Title: Perfect Ruin
Series: Unyielding #2
Author: Nashoda Rose
Genre: Erotic Romance
Release Date: December 14, 2015
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

The New York Times Best Selling author Nashoda Rose is back with the much anticipated story of Kai and London in the Unyielding series.

Kai
There is nothing I care about.
No attachments.
No connections.
Outwardly, I’m a perfect gentleman.
Until my target sees my knife.
I fear nothing, not even death.
In my world, death is considered a privilege.
But my life comes with unbreakable cruel strings and
when I met her, I should’ve walked away.
I didn’t.
I was too selfish.
And that sealed her fate.
Because one week with me led her into the hands of ruin.

London
We all have unique layers that make up who we are.
What makes us vulnerable or strong.
What we fear and what excites us.
But peel back those layers and you’re left naked and exposed.
They did that to me.
Each piece was slowly stripped away then burned.
I merely existed.
But there was one layer they overlooked.
The most important of them all—the tie to one man.
The man responsible for me being this way.
The man who found me.
And the killer who would do anything to protect me.

Perfect Ruin is the dark erotic story of Kai and London.
Their beginning.
And the continuing story of Vault.

Must be read in order:
Perfect Chaos (Unyielding, #1) Deck and Georgie
Perfect Ruin (Unyielding, #2) Kai and London
Perfect Rage (Unyielding, #3) Connor’s story

Amazon / iBooks / Kobo / B&N / Smashwords

The farm made me numb to everything….
Until a girl weaved her way into my heart and made it beat again.

I’ve been waiting for Kai’s book for a long, long time. Ever since he was first introduced as a somewhat shady secondary character in Torn from You, I knew I wanted his story. See I happen to like the shady ones…and the fucked up ones…and the anti-heroes. You get where I’m going here. Basically, they more fucked up they are, the better. Kai was a character that was shrouded in mystery and wrapped in an enigma. You know that he may be the bad guy, but you can’t help yourself but wonder if there’s something more to him than seemingly meets the eye.

Emotionless.
Detached.
I’d slit the throats of men who had families. I’d destroyed lives. I’d been groomed to ruin and not care how I did it as long as the job was done.

Perfect Ruin is meant to be read after Perfect Chaos, and the story line runs parallel to the first half of the first Tear Asunder book, Torn from You. So if you haven’t read those two books yet, I highly suggest you do. But most importantly read Perfect Chaos as Perfect Ruin starts off immediately where it left of and there’s quite a few details mentioned in it that would help connect the dots here.

If you’ve read Tear Asunder and Perfect Chaos then you remember Raven; the girl with the lifeless eyes that has been to hell and back at the hands of evil. You got a taste of what she’s been through after Torn From You and after Perfect Chaos, you don’t know whether this is a girl that could possibly persevere or lead a normal life after what she’s lived through. Perfect Ruin takes you back to a time when Raven was still London; the daughter of a scientist that’s creating a drug for a shadowy organization and the woman that catches Kai’s eye before she becomes collateral damage…

I’m going to fuck you. And I want to hear you scream when you come and I won’t stop until you do…
And I can fuck you for a very long time.”

Kai is not a man that forms attachments. Any feeling has been beaten and tortured out of him when he was still a little boy. He doesn’t want an attachment of any kind any more than he can afford one. But when his job is to keep an eye on beautiful woman that he may have to use to bring her father to heel, it’s no hardship. What he never expects is for something to click inside of him once he does.

You can’t control it, so accept what this is for one more night. Forget that I’m a killer and I’ll try to forget that you’re a scientist.

It was only supposed to be a few stolen nights and nothing more. But when London is kidnapped by the organization Kai is attempting to bring down once and for all, he knows that he’ll stop at nothing to get her back. What begins is a story told over several years. While you don’t get to truly experience what London has been through as Raven at the hands of brutal men, it’s hinted on very heavily.

This is not Raven’s story, however. While you get her POV, the retelling of what happened in those years that she was kidnapped is more from Kai’s perspective. You get to truly find out the means that he went through to get her back and what it’s cost him. That fateful night that takes place in the first half of Torn From You, you get to experience from Kai’s POV.

Perfect Ruin is not an easy book to read. It’s a story of perseverance and survival. It’s brutal even while it’s not vivid.

Day by day a layer of me was peeled away and I was left raw and exposed. I never thought I’d ever choose to die. But I did.
But I didn’t die. So I existed.
I survived. And within the speck of dust, I had a speck of hope.

The connection between London and Kai is something that’s formed through many years. It may not be orthodox, but it’s them. Kai is not a gentle man, but with London there’s a part of him that comes to light that no one else has seen.
I have to admit, I had my doubts about Raven being able to bounce back into any semblance of normal after everything that’s happened. I wasn’t even sure if that would be possible. Considering the shell of a girl that we see in Perfect Chaos, I was afraid that the transition would feel forced.

God, how did I sink so low? How did become a pathetic girl who had lost all dignity?
But my fairy tale had ended. Like a book thrown in the incinerator, pages of my life had been burned into ash then re-written into a girl called Raven.

But such is the genius of Nashoda Rose because she pulled that off perfectly. Her journey wasn’t a quick one, but it was a believable one. I loved seeing the lengths that Kai went to heal her without being overly coddling.

Nothing about us could end well, but time had never mattered before, and now there was a reason…because what I had with London was timeless. There wasn’t an end.

There’s quite a lot that happened here and at times I found myself going back to Perfect Chaos and Torn From You to re-read a few things in order to refresh my memory. I’m actually very glad that I did, because there’s a few things that happen that I definitely would have overlooked the significance of.

Perfect Ruin is action packed, gritty, and erotic. It’s dark in a sense that the story is not an easy one to read, but not in a vivid visual sort of way. You get a rehash of what London has been through but not the actual experiences, which I was glad for because I don’t think I could have handled that.

Then there was Connor and talk about your FUBAR. Good god but that’s one broken man. After what happens at the end of this book, I’m not sure I’ll survive the wait for his book because OMG! I have a feeling his story will be the best one yet.

Nashoda Rose is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Toronto with her assortment of pets. She writes contemporary romance with a splash of darkness, or maybe it’s a tidal wave.

When she isn’t writing, she can be found sitting in a field reading with her dogs at her side while her horses graze nearby. She loves interacting with her readers and chatting about her addiction—books.

Website / Newsletter / Twitter / Facebook / Tsu / Instagram / Goodreads

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Blog Tour, Character Interview, Review & Giveaway: ★Corrupt★ by @PenDouglas

December 10, 2015 by Lana · 5 Comments

Title: Corrupt
Author: Penelope Douglas
Genre: Dark | Erotica | Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 17, 2015
Tour Hosted by: As the Pages Turn

Erika

I was told that dreams were our heart’s desires. My nightmares, however, became my obsession.

His name is Michael Crist.

My boyfriend’s older brother is like that scary movie that you peek through your hand to watch. He is handsome, strong, and completely terrifying. The star of his college’s basketball team and now gone pro, he’s more concerned with the dirt on his shoe than me.

But I noticed him.

I saw him. I heard him. The things that he did, and the deeds that he hid…For years, I bit my nails, unable to look away.

Now, I’ve graduated high school and moved on to college, but I haven’t stopped watching Michael. He’s bad, and the dirt I’ve seen isn’t content to stay in my head anymore.

Because he’s finally noticed me.

Michael

Her name is Erika Fane, but everyone calls her Rika.

My brother’s girlfriend grew up hanging around my house and is always at our dinner table. She looks down when I enter a room and stills when I am close. I can always feel the fear rolling off of her, and while I haven’t had her body, I know that I have her mind. That’s all I really want anyway.

Until my brother leaves for the military, and I find Rika alone at college.

In my city.

Unprotected.

The opportunity is too good to be true as well as the timing. Because you see, three years ago she put a few of my high school friends in prison, and now they’re out.

We’ve waited. We’ve been patient. And now every last one of her nightmares will come true.

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Michael

I enjoyed the fright of not knowing what was coming and from where.
“When we used to wear the masks,” Michael said, dropping his voice to a near whisper, “you liked it, didn’t you? It scared you, but it turned you on.”I raised my hesitant eyes and tried not to let out a laugh. What was I supposed to say? That the fact that they’d looked like monsters got me hot?I shook my head clear and stood up, saying in a quiet voice. “I’m going to bed.”

I grabbed my phone and took a step, but Michael’s voice stopped me.

“Come here,” he said softly.

I turned my head, narrowing my eyes. Come here?

He sat up, resting his forearms on his knees and waiting, while I shifted on my feet.

He was always playing games. I didn’t trust him.

But the temptation to engage was too great. He was right. I was getting good at it, and I kind of liked it, too.

I took slow steps, holding up my chin to steel myself.

When I reached him, he placed a hand on my hip and pulled me in between his legs. I gasped as he fell back against the sofa again, pulling me in with him. I shot my hands out, planting them on both sides of his head on the back of the couch, keeping myself upright as I leaned into him.

“Say it,” he breathed out, holding my hips with both hands now. “It turned you on.”

I closed my mouth and shook my head, looking down at him with a challenge.

“I know it did,” he maintained, a fire in his eyes. “Did you think I couldn’t see how tense your body would get or how your nipples got hard through your shirt when you saw me wearing it? You’re a little twisted. Admit it.”

I folded my lips between my teeth, turning my head away.

But then he tipped his chin up and caught my nipple between his teeth through my tank top, and I closed my eyes, letting out a small cry.

Oh, God!

The heat of his mouth swooped into my stomach as he released my nipple and then snatched it up again, dragging it out between his teeth.

“I’ve got the mask upstairs,” he taunted, kissing and nibbling on me through my shirt. “I can get it if you want me to.”

No. No, I wasn’t like that.

I pushed away from him, but he held me firm.

“Michael, let me go.”

But then I felt my phone vibrate in my hand, and I quickly glanced at the screen, seeing no name with the number. Reading the number, though, I noticed that it was his mother’s. That’s strange. I thought I had her number saved in my Contacts.

But I let it go, remembering that my mom was with her. I needed to take this call.

Planting my fists on Michael’s chest, I shoved him away. “Get off me. Your mom’s calling.”

All he did was laugh, though, and my face fell.

He grabbed my arm and threw me down onto my stomach and came down on my back, pinning me to the couch.

I breathed hard and fast, feeling his cock press against my ass as he snatched my phone out of my hand.

I stared wide-eyed as he placed it a few inches in front of me, his finger hovering over the green Answer button.

“Michael, no,” I rushed out, panic making my lungs ache.

But he swiped the screen anyway. The ringing stopped, and I heard silence as she waited for me to say something.

“Say hi,” he whispered in my ear.

It’s testosterone overload at Dirty Girl Romance today, because not only do I have THE Michael Crist, but also Kai Mori. Let’s just say that I’m just a little excited to have both these men with me tonight to answer some of my most pertinent questions. So without further ado, let’s do this!

DGR: Michael, can you introduce yourself by telling us a little about yourself?

Michael: I think before I act, but you won’t see me coming. That’s all you need to know.

DGR: What would you say is your biggest strength? And your biggest weakness?

Michael: Rika. On both accounts. She makes me better, happier, and more alive, but she’s also almost always the center of every decision I make.

DGR: You grew up with quite a bit of wealth and prestige, has that affected the man that you are now?

Michael: I’m sure. I don’t know what it’s like on the other side, but I would assume that when you don’t have to worry about where your food and rent is coming from, the world is full of possibilities.

But it’s also full of restraints, people watching you, and having an opinion about your life and future…

I was lucky to get a basketball scholarship to Westgate, because there’s no way my father would’ve paid for me to go there when he had other expectations. It’s a conundrum, isn’t it? You can grow up poor and quite possibly have no future and few, if any, opportunities. Or you can grow up wealthy, with Evans Crist as a father, and have your future already planned from the day you graduate college to the day you enter the grave.

I took option C: free fall.

DGR: Let’s be blunt here, you’re hot as hell, why are you still single?

Michael: Probably because I’m only 23. And probably because I was waiting for Rika to grow up. 😉

DGR: How would you describe your ideal woman?

Michael: Smart, clever, she owns the room….Rika.

DGR: Let’s deviate to Kai for a minute. Kai, you and Michael have been friends for many years, how did you first meet and did anything in particular strengthen your bond through the years?

Kai: We first met in high school, first year, at basketball tryouts. I’m not sure how it happened, but Will, Michael, Damon, and I just all found each other on the court. When it was time to pass, one of them was there. We read each other, and we were always in sync. Immediately, we began hanging out, and after the rigid workout schedule, the games, and the practices we eventually became inseparable. We found that ability to be in sync transferred over to life as well.

So yeah, it was basketball. Even after we got out, it was the first thing we all did together. It felt normal.

DGR: (For Kai) If you had to describe yourself in 5 words, what would they be?

Kai: To define is to limit.

DGR: (for Kai) Now what about your single status, any ladies in particular you have your eye on?

Kai: No.

DGR: (For Kai) Let’s address the elephant in the room, you’ve been gone for 3 years and I know you don’t want to talk about where you’ve been, but can you tell us if the past three years changed who you are?

Kai: *laughs* Yeah, we know exactly where I’ve been. The thing is…I deserved what I got. When I thought Rika, someone we trusted, had turned us in, that was a different matter, but I know I broke the law, and while I’m not sorry I did it, I’m not angry I got punished.

I just…I don’t see the world the same way I did. Things changed, and I feel different. Stronger, maybe. I’m wearing a new skin now, and I kind of like it.

DGR: (For Kai) You, Michael, Damon and Will are all thick as thieves. Is there anyone in particular that you’re closest to, and why?

Kai: I think Michael and I were closest. We trusted each other’s opinions more. But I’m not so sure that’s true anymore. He trusts her opinion now, which I’m happy for him, but like I said…things changed.

DGR: (Michael) Same question

Michael: We’re all close. Take out Damon, and insert Rika, and it’s still the four of us.

DGR: (For Kai and Michael) Who are the four horsemen?

Death, Famine, Conquest, and War. The four riders brought forth by God to bring about the Apocalypse. We got the name during high school, because the sight of us on the court was certain death for the opposing team. It was hype, but it worked.

DGR: (For Kai and Michael) You both seem to have a very…interesting…relationship with Erika Fane. Anything in particular that you can say is drawing you to her?

Michael: Her wit, her fight, her dark side…she’s part of me.

Kai: She knew me, what I’d been through, and it felt comfortable. She soothes me.

DGR: Let’s close it up on an interesting note and get really personal for a second. Because let’s face it, you are at DIRTY Girl Romance, Michael, if you had to describe your perfect sex, what would it be? Missionary? Doggy style? Something more…kinky?

Michael: The position isn’t as much of a turn on as the location and situation. I like the danger of almost getting caught. Like last week when all the players and their girlfriends and wives took a limo bus to a party at some mansion in the country. Rika and I were way in the back seat, it was dark, she was in my lap, and…we didn’t go all the way but far enough to make it a very frustrating night until we could find somewhere private.

DGR: Kai, same goes?

Kai: Something more…kinky.

Three years ago, curious little Erika Fane wanted to play with the boys, so we indulged her, and she betrayed us. There was no way we’d forget.

How in the ever loving hell do I even begin reviewing this book?! Honestly. I’m completely at a loss for words. So my only way out is to be vague as shit and trust me when I tell you you’ll thank me for it. You want to know absolutely nothing about this book. Even the very minute detail can be a spoiler. If you want my advise, avoid reviews altogether and go in absolutely blind. Hell, don’t even read the blurb.
First of all, while this book is categorized dark, I wouldn’t agree with that. It’s a heck of a lot darker than anything Penelope Douglas has written and surely a leap away from anything she’s written in the past. But dark? Well, on my scale, I’d rate it a light gray. It was erotic, and very edgy, but if you compare to the Pepper Winters, CJ Roberts, or the like, it’s not quite on the same scale. It’s also not for everyone. Penelope took some risks with this one and there are some scenes and occurrences that may not agree with everyone. But this girl? Devoured it like the crack that it was.

I’d always been scared of him. The thrilling kind of scared that got me turned on.

Erika Fane has been in love with Michael Crist. He captivated her with his brooding intensity, drew her in with his aloofness, and completely disregarded her. But something about him, something behind his eyes drew her to him like a moth to a flame. Erika was too young to really know. Too naive to really see. And she was also dating Michael’s younger brother. Now she’s single, in a new city by herself for college, and fully in Michael’s crosshairs….
Michael Crist is a force to be reckoned with. He’s enigmatic, rich, and used to not playing by the rules. Erika may have had the run of his house growing up, but now she’s finally where he wants her. No longer under the protection of his family, no longer dating his brother. She’s alone…and his to do with what he wants. And what he wants is revenge. He won’t rest until she’s paid restitution for what she did to him and his friends those fateful three years ago. He’ll make her pay, even if he has to corrupt her fully to do it…

Such a good girl…
Say it, Rika.”
“I’m a good girl,” she panted, her voice shaky.
“And I’m going to fuck you up.”

I don’t remember the last time a book kept me up all night reading. I inhaled it in one sitting, completely enraptured. It was positively spellbinding and unlike anything I’d have ever expected from this author. There’s one thing to say for Penelope’s writing, it’s absolutely captivating. She knows how to draw her readers in, how to make her characters so alive they practically leap off the pages at you. Michael was that character for me. He was so intense, in a way that equal parts terrified and seduced. The fact that you get both his and Rika’s POV only serves to draw you in fully into the story. Even when he does something that you want to hate him for, even when Rika does something you want to throttle her for, you can’t put it down. It was like an addiction. I had to have a hit. I simply couldn’t stop until I knew what was going on. And Penelope keeps you hanging on that edge of suspense until the last page. They mystery behind everything is what really captured my interest. It’s told in flashbacks of three years ago and present, but it’s weaved together flawlessly. I know some readers don’t enjoy the flashbacks from past to present, but it truly worked it. It’s what drove the plot and the mystery. It whetted the appetitive for more.

What if I’d completely corrupted her? What if she’d begun to like playing games too much, and the lust to play- and to win- overpowered her need for me?

I read this 2 days ago and I still can’t stop thinking about it. There was one particular scene that really threw me and made me wonder if it was really necessary. However, after giving it some though, it was barely a blip on my radar. I also wished for a bit of something from Michael at the end (I won’t say what because I’m a teasing bitch like that) but you’ll see what I mean once you read it. But once again, thinking on it some more, Penelope stayed true to his character, and having him handle it any other way would not have been that. So I can respect that.

While young Rika frustrated me at first, I loved seeing her grow that backbone and truly come into her own throughout the book. She certainly gave as good as she got, and she got plenty. Michael is the epitome of an anti-hero that you’ll love to hate.

Corrupt is much sexier than any of Penelope’s other books that I can’t even compare. The woman can write the hell out of a sex scene, let me just tell you. But everything about her writing just worked for me. Get ready to be Corrupted, because after reading this, you will never be the same.

Penelope D

Penelope Douglas is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Fall Away series.

She dresses for autumn year round, loves anything lemon flavored, and believes there is too much blood in her Coca Cola stream. Or too much Coca Cola in her blood stream. Or…

You know what? It doesn’t matter. She loves Coke. Now you know.

She lives in Las Vegas with her husband and daughter.

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(1) Signed copy of Corrupt + $100 Amazon or B&N gift card, winner’s choice (Intl)
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5 Comments · Filed Under: All Reviews, Author Spotlight & interview, Dark, DGR Favorites, Erotic Rom, Excerpts, Giveaways · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4.5 stars, character interview, excerpt

Review: ★Forgetting August★ by JL Berg

December 9, 2015 by Lana · Leave a Comment

Forgetting August
Series: Lost & Found #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: J.L. Berg
Release Date: December 1, 2015

She can forgive, but can she forget?

Some days, Everly still thinks she sees him. In the food court at the mall, or in a car speeding past as the light changes. It only lasts a second, but when it happens, she slips back to a time when she was ruled-and nearly ruined-by August Kincaid. And it doesn’t matter that she’s moved on, that she’s about to marry another man. In those moments the only thing she can do to regain control is take a deep breath and remind herself that August can’t hurt her-because he’s in a coma. Except that he’s not anymore.

August is awake. With no memories, he sets out to solve the mystery of his lost life. He unearths a photograph of a beautiful redhead named Everly and knows instinctively that she’s the key. But when he finds her, the August she describes is more monster than man.

Tortured by the thought of having hurt her, August wants only to become the man Everly deserves. As the new August emerges, Everly glimpses the person she first fell in love with. But can she trust that this August is real? When the final secret of their shared past is revealed, one of them will make a choice that changes their future forever…

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Because life really didn’t move on from a person such as August Kincaid.
No, you simply learned to adapt and above all, you survived.

When you read about a book a day, they all sort of begin to blend into each other. So when I stumble upon a book that’s as unique as Forgetting August, it’s a treat. This was unlike anything I’ve read in the past and I was immediately drawn into the story. It was just that good; the writing, the mystery, the angst, the romance, all of it wrapped together into one spellbinding unforgettable read.
Everly is happily engaged and planning a wedding to a wonderful man that loves her fiercely. But with one phone call and three little words, her carefully constructed world crumbles into chaos. He is awake.

August Kincaid awakes from a two year coma that no one expected him to wake up from with absolutely no recollection of who he is or who he was.

My former life was an endless tunnel of oblivion, where there was no beginning or end.

When a gorgeous redhead shows up at his hospital bed, he hopes that her clear knowledge of him may help him piece together the memories that he no longer has. But then only thing he sees in her eyes is pure unadulterated hate. Hate for the man that he once was, and hate for the man that clearly hurt this woman beyond repair.
August took everything from her once; her love and her heart, and then he shattered it. Everly wants nothing to do with the man, even if he doesn’t remember who he is. She’s happy in her life now, but his memory continues to haunt her and she just can’t bring herself to look the other way. August is clearly struggling to put the pieces of his life back together, and if she can give him the missing puzzle pieces, she’ll do that. But she will never give him a piece of her heart.

Maybe sometimes love isn’t pure. Maybe sometimes it’s toxic- so toxic it consumes a person until they would do anything to have it.
Like a drug.

The story is told entirely in the present with quick memory lapses into the past. It’s not a past/present type thing. It’s written in such a way that you feel like you’re experiencing those flashes of memory right along Everly.

But the heart is a fickle thing. You can’t help who you fall for and once upon a time August was her everything. Now in the midst of helping him regain his memory by taking him to places he loved and hoping to ignite at least a spark of something, the one thing is manages to do is re-ignite the flame in her heart for August that never quite burned out.

Could the heart remember what the mind couldn’t?

Forgetting August is full of angst and emotion. It’s wonderfully written that left me wondering how I haven’t read anything by this author before. The mystery of the past and what ultimately led to August going into a coma is something that stretches for the entire book.

While I’m not usually one for love triangles, the one here simply worked for me. I think that had a lot to do with Everly and clearly seeing her struggle of moving on from her past and attempting to face her future. She loves her fiancé, but August was something else for her entirely.

Loving me destroyed you…”
“Loving you brought me back to life.”

If I gave my heart over to a man who then turned into my worst nightmare…?
Who would be there to pick up the broken pieces?
No one, because there would be nothing left to find.

Forgetting August is sexy but without the need for super gratuitous sex scenes, if that makes sense. I absolutely loved this story and the characters. But most of all, I loved the mystery behind everything. I was just as desperate for those flashes of memory as August was. And when one of the biggest puzzle pieces get revealed, the author hits you with the mother of all cliffhangers that had me howling at the ceiling.

They say time heals all wounds. But can it forgive?

If you’re looking for something different, this duet needs to be on your TBR. I usually avoid cliffhangers like a religion, but in the case here I’m glad I read it. Even as I die a little each day in my wait for the conclusion in Spring.

Releasing April 5, 2016

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Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance · Tagged With: angst, Book Reviews: 4 stars, Second-chance-romance

Review: ★Binding Ecstasy★ by Setta Jay

December 9, 2015 by Lana · Leave a Comment

Binding Ecstasy
Series: Guardians of the Realms #6
Genre: Erotic PNR
Author: Setta Jay
Release Date: May 28, 2015

A Beautiful Weapon Contained.

Natasha and her sister were created with sinister purpose. They were Apollo’s most deadly and potent weapons. After finally escaping the evil God long ago, they made a secret life concealed among humanity in Earth Realm. There, Tasha has spent her nights watching the mortals at her club engage in erotic scenes that leave her aching… desperately longing for someone with the power to dominate her, to provide the pleasure she craves. For her own safety she knows she’s destined to live her life in the shadows, but when she sees a male who sparks an insatiable hunger she is unable to remain hidden.

A Powerful Guardian Restrained.

Bastian and his fellow Guardians have spent the last month in a fruitless search for Apollo. They know that something dangerous is on the horizon and it is imperative they lock away the corrupt God immediately. After recently witnessing a number of his brethren find their fated mates, Bastian never considered that he would also be blessed. But when the calm and controlled Guardian sees his alluring and seductive female he learns just how wild and consuming the mating frenzy can be. However, his mate is incredibly powerful and at risk of being caged by his own brothers if he doesn’t do everything, including lie, to protect her.

Immovable Object, Meet Irresistible Force.

It’s a battle that both will win if they can survive the deadly forces, both friend and foe, that surround them.

Warning: This novel is intended for a mature audience. You will find kick-ass females, explicit sex, voyeurism and alpha males with bad language.

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…I need fuck you so hard you won’t be able to take a step without knowing you’re mine.

I swear to all things holy, if my ovaries haven’t cumbusted by the 3rd book in this series, surely they’re steel plated right now. Because this book? I can’t even with how hot it was. No seriously. There’s hot, and then there’s Setta Jay Guardians hot. It’s a category all of it’s own and ovary survival is not guaranteed. As a matter of fact, say goodbye to those bitches right now because no way can they make it through this book.
But let’s be real here for a moment; I may be a pervert but I’m a pervert with standards. I want a great story to go with my book porn and this has it in spades. If anything, each book in this series continues to be better than the last. They’re my crack of choice and I’m not planning on rehab anytime soon.

Meet Bastian…
Guardian, badass and sporting some enviable hair. Along with his fellow Guardian brothers, he’s been on the hunt for Apollo who has been recently been released from his stasis prison and wreaking havoc in the earth realm. They’re determined to bring him down and also find the answers about how to deal with Drake’s mate who seems to be pained at his mere presence. Those questions lead them to a club…

Meet Natasha
Natasha used to be Apolo’s secret weapon until she escaped his prison along with her twin sister and has been hiding out in the earth realm ever since. But when a sinfully sexy Guardian steps foot in her club, she doesn’t understand her instant carnal reaction to him. Being in the earth realm for as long as she has, she has no idea about matings or Tetartos. But what she does know is her hunger for a long haired guardian seems to only get hotter with each encounter.

What I love about these books is how flawlessly Setta manages to write two parallel story lines. You get Tasha and Bastian, you also get her twin sister Nastia and the phoenix Guardian Sander. Along the way you also get a tantalizing peek at Drake and his mate. But the two main stories are Natasha and Nastia. It’s more like 70/30, but it just works. What’s even better, is that the secondary romance is even more tantalizing than the main one. They typically stretch over two books and manage to keep the reader panting for the next book for the conclusion of the story, which is exactly where I’m at right now. I loved this spicy little number and can’t wait for more. If you haven’t discovered this series yet, you’re seriously missing out. Fair warning though, if you don’t have a significant other on hand as you’re reading side-effects may incur…

Read the series in order

Guardians of the Realms #0.5

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Guardians of the Realms #1

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Guardians of the Realms #2

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Guardians of the Realms #3

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Guardians of the Realms #4

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Guardians of the Realms #5

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Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Dirty Talkers, PNR · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4.5 stars

Review: ★The Girl’s Got Secrets★ by Linda Kage

December 9, 2015 by Lana · Leave a Comment

Series: Forbidden Men #7
Genre: New Adult Romance
Author: Linda Kage
Release Date: November 28^th, 2015

Here’s the same old “girl posing as a boy” story but with a rock-n-roll twist.

Remy Curran dreams of one day being in a band, except the group she wants to join refuses to hire a girl drummer. So, she auditions as a guy…and makes the cut.

Becoming “Sticks,” a member of Non-Castrato, isn’t quite what she dreamed it would be, though. She spends most of her time keeping up the subterfuge and learning how to walk, talk, act, and drink like a man.

But what’s even harder to deal with is acting oblivious when the band’s heartthrob lead singer, Asher Hart, treats her like one of the guys and not a woman. She never imagined he’d be so much more than a pretty face with a nice voice. But he’s better than perfect. He’s perfect for her.

When love and lies combine, Remy must keep up the act or lose everything. But who knew lying to reach one dream could prevent you from attaining an even bigger dream?

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Asher Hart didn’t need some fancy seduction to draw a woman in. He just had to be himself for me to want him. Bad.

I’ve been waiting for the lead singer of Non-Castrato to get his book since he first made an appearance in Be My Hero. My intrigue with him has only grown with each following book in the series. Asher may be the lead singer of a popular band and has females throwing themselves at him, but you could always see him yearning for something more…a deeper connection. This is not a typical indiscriminate manwhore that you’d find in most other New Adult books. Asher Hart was refreshingly different and I absolutely loved him for it.

This Girl’s Got Secrets focuses on a trope that’s just not done enough and happens to be one of my all time favorites. Just One of The Guys and She’s The Man were two of my favorite movies growing up. Did I just age myself? And if you haven’t seen those movies, I don’t even know who you are right now. But I digress. The trope is simple enough; girl wants in on an activity where only men are allowed. Girl dresses up as boy to prove a point but ends up falling for one of the men she’s deceiving. Sound delicious? That’s because it is.

Now fair warning, because at over 450 pages, this book is long. And I mean it’s looooong. But at the same time, I never once felt like I was reading something that was filler or unnecessarily stretched out. I did feel like my ovaries may explode if these two didn’t do it finally at some point, but that’s a different matter entirely.

All Remy Curran has ever wanted was to be a drummer in a band. When she hears that one of her all time bands, Non-Castrato, has an opening for a drummer, she knows that she’s just as good as in. She’s a kickass drummer after all. Too bad that it’s no girls allowed, and they don’t so much as let her addition. So what’s a girl to do? Why have your friend dress you up as a boy, so you can go an audition and show they what’s what!
But things rarely go as planned, and while the plan was to rip her mask off as soon as she rocked her addition, she ends up with a chance of a lifetime that she just can’t pass up. But when she begins falling for the lead singer, things get a whole lot more complicated…
Asher still remembers the woman that sang karaoke and stole his breath all those months ago and then disappeared, but he’s long since lost hope of ever finding her. He’s desperate for something meaningful like his half brother and his friends. He doesn’t want another band groupie that only wants him for what he is and not who he is. He’s also terrified of losing his little family of friends once they really get to know all his secrets. But somehow, he has no problem spilling his deepest secrets to the new drummer. There’s just something about him that bonds them almost instantly. He doesn’t care that Remy is gay or that he may have feelings for him. But Remy is hiding even bigger secrets that may ultimately cause everything to come crashing down.

I absolutely loved Asher. He was such breath of fresh air from the stereotypical manwhores I’ve read lately. The way he yearns for a real relationship and isn’t about one-night stands. He’s incredibly sweet but there’s an added edge to him from everything that he’s been through with his past and his father.

I love that smile,” I admitted. “I want to steal it for myself so you’ll never be able to smile at anyone else the way you’re smiling at me right now.”

Even though the progression of the story flowed incredibly well and felt natural, I did find it too be a little too lengthy. Especially with such a large chunk of the book being the deception, it just dragged a little too long for me. I’m a little conflicted with my feelings on that simply because while I felt it was too long, it didn’t feel stretched out either. Maybe that’s just my book ADD kicking in? I’m not quite sure.

I really liked Remy as well. Her internal struggle of falling for Asher and trying to stay away from him as her “girl” part was difficult. You could tell that she wanted to come clean but was so afraid of losing him after she began to fall for him. And let’s be honest, how do you not fall for Asher?

Her eyes were like brown pools of temptation and I was a drowning man. I tried to resist, I even pressed my forehead to hers, but I already knew it was too late.
This woman owned me.

Precisely.

Pick and Ten are still my top two forbidden men, but Asher Hart is now up there with them. While this wasn’t my favorite in the series, it was still a fantastic addition and I enjoyed it thoroughly. There was only one thing that left me scratching my head at the end there. Asher’s dad does something but yet I have no idea where he got the knowledge to be able to pull something like that off. It just didn’t add up for me.