#NewRelease & Review: ★One To Chase★ by Tia Louise

One to Chase 
Author: Tia Louise 
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 25, 2015

Paris fashions,
Chicago nightlife,
Secrets and lies…
Welcome to the North Side.

Marcus Merritt doesn’t chase women. He doesn’t have to. But when the spirited and sexy blonde who left him wanting more shows up in his office looking for work, little things like the rules seem ready to be rewritten.

Amy Knight is smart, ambitious, and back home in Chicago to care for her mother. A courtesy meeting with one of the top lawyers in the city should be a boost to her career…

Until the polished green-eyed player turns out to be the same irresistible “random” she hooked up with at a friend’s wedding in Wilmington. Bonus: He’s the brother of her older brother’s new wife. What the hell?!

Who’s chasing whom? It all depends on the day. Or the night.

Don’t miss the FREE prequel novella for Marcus and Amy in RUNAWAY

Women don’t run from me. Not when I want to catch them. She projects a hotshot image in her power suit and heels, but one thing I know about runaways. They’re afraid.

It seems that Tia Louise just keeps getting better and better. There’s one thing I’m guaranteed when I pick up one of her books, and that’s the fact that I’m going to be getting one hot alpha hero. Whether a marine, a cowboy, an underground fighter, she never fails to deliver and now she can add one sexy lawyer under her belt. As much as I enjoyed the previous books in this series, One To Chase is probably my favorite to date. It’s also the one book in the series that I would say truly may be enjoyed as a standalone as unlike the other books it doesn’t have additional POVs from previous characters. The focus is central on the main couple. Though having said all that, this series is definitely one that you would enjoy more reading in order.

Amy and Marcus first met in the end of One to Save where they shared one sizzling anonymous hookup, not knowing who the other is. Both thinking they’re indulging in a one night stand, neither of them expect that they have some very strong connections. Marcus Merritt is Elaine’s brother and Elaine is married to Patrick, who is also Amy’s sister. Still with me? Good.

I was wrong. You’re not wicked. You’re dangerous.”

Amy grew up in Chicago among the elite, but her life has been in Paris for the past few years. She never wanted to be back to Chicago or the memory it brings; but when the man she’s involved with in Paris tells her he wants more, she does what she does best and she runs. Coming back to Chicago to care for her mother, Amy doesn’t expect to run straight into one of the most unforgettable hookups of her life…or to realize that he’s actually more than that.

I don’t beg, Amy.” I don’t mean to growl, but it’s time to put it on the line. “I don’t chase. I don’t even really see the same women more than a few times. But I’m asking you to do this.

Marcus Merritt is one of the most eligible bachelors of Chicago. A successful lawyer, he’s not hurting for female attention. Yet something about the unattainable and gorgeous blonde draws him in and he knows that he’ll stop at nothing to get her.

Amy was probably one of my favorite heroines in the series so far. She’s strong witted and sassy. Plus it’s always great to read about a heroine that really makes a man work for it. The chemistry between her and Marcus is undeniable, and it’s not very long before they fall into bed together. But Amy fights the emotional connection between them with everything she’s got. It’s clear that she has some demons in her past and Marcus is determined to unearth every single one of them in order to have her.

One to Chase was incredibly sexy, quick paced and entertaining read. It had a little bit of everything. I loved that this book unlike the others was more focused on the couple. There were no additional POVs, which for me at least, took away from the main story in the past. This focuses only on the couple and truly allows the reader to form a connection to both the characters. I absolutely loved Marcus and Amy together. They were this perfect match of push and pull while burning up the sheets together. I’d highly recommend reading the free prequel before this book, Runaway to really understand the history between these two.

Baby, we’ve been flying since Day One.”

This was another fantastic addition to an addicting series that only continues to get better and better seven books in. If sexy, dirty talking lawyers and the strong witted, commitment-phoebic heroines that bring them to their knees is your thing, then this is a book you simply need to read.

Don’t Miss The Rest of The Series

One To Hold (One To Hold Book 1)
(Derek & Melissa)
One to Keep (One to Hold Book 2)
Patrick & Elaine
 One to Protect (One to Hold Book 3)
(Derek & Melissa)
 One to Love (One to Hold Book 4)
(Slayde & Kenny)

One to Leave (One to Hold Book 5)

(Stuart & Mariska)
One to Save (One to Hold #6)
(Derek & Melissa)

Blog Tour, Review & #Giveaway: ★Up In Smoke★ by Tessa Bailey

up in smoke blog tour
Up in Smoke 
Author: Tessa Bailey
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 23, 2015

Never start a fire you can’t control…

Connor Bannon is supposed to be dead. Dishonorably discharged from the Navy SEALs, he’s spent the last two years working as a street enforcer in Brooklyn for his cousin’s crime ring. Through a twist of fate, he’s now in Chicago, working undercover to bust criminals. But when a cute little arsonist joins the team-all combat boots, tiny jean shorts, and hot-pink hair-Connor’s notorious iron control slips.

Erin “she’s getting away” O’Dea knows two things. She hates authority. And… Nope, that’s it. When she’s forced to operate on the “right” side of the law, her fear of being confined and controlled blazes to the surface. The last thing she expects is a control freak like Connor to soothe her when she needs it most. Worse, something behind the sexy ex-soldier’s eyes ignites a dangerous inferno of desire. One that invites Erin to play with fire. And one that could get them both killed…

Amazon /B&N / Kobo / iBooks

As if her thoughts had made him appear, Connor strode into the courthouse. Her pulse started beating double time, her stomach muscles tightening. Good Lord, the man was a fucking panty dropper. She’d only been away from him for a few hours and it felt like years since she’d experienced his presence. In jeans and a fitted gray T-shirt that molded to his muscles like her hands itched to do, he personified confidence and authority. Hot, rugged male. His gaze connected with hers immediately and darkened. She thought back to that morning when he’d dressed in the early morning light, his abs flexing as he pulled the shirt over his head. His erection barely contained by his boxers. She’d never been one to beg for anything, but she’d been seconds from offering him her mouth. Pleading for the privilege of sucking him off.

Conner shook his head at her with a sexy half smile on his face, as if he could read her thoughts across the room. He stopped at the metal detector and walked through after the security guard beckoned him forward. When the woman grabbed her wand and instructed him to raise his hands in the air, something ugly reared its head deep inside her. The detector hadn’t even beeped. There was no reason for the personal service. When the woman smiled at Connor and ran a hand down her ponytail, Erin propelled herself forward, boots echoing on the polished marble.

Erin hissed as she drew even with the guard. “If you’re done feeling up my boyfriend, I’d love a turn. We were in a rush this morning.”

The guard dropped the wand, letting it dangle near her thigh. “Did you just hiss at me?”

Erin hissed again.

“Okay.” Connor stepped between them, winking down at her. “We should go. Don’t want to keep the clerk waiting.”

Appreciation spread in her belly like honey. He hadn’t chided her for her behavior or apologized to the woman on her behalf. Instead he’d given the impression they were on their way to get married, appeasing her jealousy in one fell swoop. “That’s right.” She sauntered toward the elevator. “There’s vows to be exchanged. Rings to put on fingers. Shit like that.”

She glanced behind her to find Connor staring at her ass as she walked, so she put a little swing in her hips and savored his groan. Damn. She’d definitely never had this much fun at a courthouse.

A moment later, she and Connor stepped into an empty elevator. She hit the button for the top floor even though the clerk was on the first, and leaned back against the wall, looking up at him through her eyelashes. “How was your morning, baby? Was it worth leaving me in bed, all hot and bothered for you?”

“Fuck no, it wasn’t.” He crooked a big finger at her. “Climb on up here.”

You might escape everywhere else, but you can’t escape this. Me. I’m where you LIVE.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; Tessa Bailey books are my ovary happy place. They’re pure guilty pleasure, dirty-talking-alpha-overload, awesome entertainment goodness. I’ll never get enough of her stories or her dirty talking heroes. Ever. Each book offers something unique while still delivering the signature dirty talk punch straight to the ovaries. I absolutely love it!

Ever since we first met Connor in Risking it All I’ve been chomping at the bit to get my hands on his story. What’s better than a bad boy criminal hiding a golden heart? Rhetorical question, clearly. Although this is the second book in the series, it’s also easily read as a standalone. However, I’d strongly recommend reading it in order since it will help you understand Connor and the backstory a little more.

At the end of Risking It All we saw a new police task force being formed by non-other than Derek from Protecting What’s His with the savvy criminals turned good guys. So what happens when you put a dishonorably discharged SEAL turned criminal and a pyromaniac with claustrophobia in the same room together?

Enough sexual chemistry to power a high rise in Chicago is what! The sparks fly immediately between these two. Erin is a sassy and smart mouthed little powerhouse that grabs the attention of the broody Connor when she first struts into the room. She may have her share of issues and they may be a mile long, but the woman has enough sass to overshadow that and give the illusion of a much stronger person than she really is on the inside.

Things between these two start off hot and heavy from the very beginning and they only get better as more time passes. And when I say better, I mean dirtier. So much dirtier.

Pet yourself, Erin. That’s what I would do. I’d stroke your pussy with my fingers through that silk. Nice and gentle. I’d give it a soft kiss and apologize for the fact that I’m about to destroy it.

And you surely won’t find this girl complaining.

Beyond anything else, this book was HAWT with a capital H. Connor and Erin absolutely burned up the pages together. I couldn’t get enough of them.

There were also a couple of other secondary characters that were introduced that also caught my attention right away. The master of disguises; Austin, and the super hacker; Polly. I love the idea of criminals turned right side of the law. It just gives this extra delicious spin on things that I enjoyed very much.

As for Connor and Erin? I loved them together. My only complaint was the big case of insta-lust. These two get together right off the bat and just get more hot and heavy. I like my books to have that little burn of sexual tension before the couple go at it. But hell, these two were so hot together, I could barely even find it in me to care.

I will kill for this pussy. Kill for the right to continue ownership of it. No if you understand how serious I am…
Now fuck me like you mean it.

The story was quick paced and entertaining; I read it in practically one sitting. As was the case with every other series this woman has written, I’m completely hooked on Crossing the Line and cannot wait for more. I hear Austin’s book is next, and if the teaser for it in this book is enough to go by, I can already tell it’s going to be a good one. Another winner from the super fabulous Tessa Bailey and a must read!

Thank you for your interest in my books! I’m Tessa and I live in the crazy, loud, overcrowded borough of Brooklyn, New York. I love it here. This city is a constant source of inspiration, which is why I’ve decided to set my most recent books in the Line of Duty Series here. I moved to New York when I was eighteen, the day after I graduated high school. Threw my suitcase in the back of a Chevrolet Cavalier and drove across the country to find my adventure. I’m still finding it, little by little.​Thank you for being a part of it.

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Review: ★Edge of Forever★ by Taryn Elliot

Edge of Forever 
Author: Taryn Elliott
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 24, 2015

One night gave her everything. One night almost took it all away.

Isabella Grace never had a place she could call home until she moved to Winchester Falls. When a romantic moment ends in pain and horror, Isabella must deal with the aftermath of one woman’s vengeance.

After tragedy rocks the small town, the people rally around its newest member, and Logan King, Bella’s rockstar boyfriend, is doing his best to help her pick up the pieces of her shattered life. In spite of the secrets and suspicion that have dogged their every step since the beginning, he helps her find her way back to herself in the midst of her heartbreak over all she has lost. But his unrelenting need for revenge is shaking the bedrock of the foundation of the love they’d only begun to build—and Bella isn’t at all sure they’ll get through it unscathed.

Or alive.

He was going to destroy her. And God forgive him, it was his fault. How could he ever make up for that?

I have no idea why it took me so long to read this fantastic conclusion to the trilogy. Maybe I was still recovering after Taryn Elliot completely shattered my damn feels at the end of the last book with a character death I never saw coming. Maybe it’s because I’m a mood reader and I knew I had to be in the right mood to read this book because I knew Taryn would go straight for the feels again? For whatever reason, I finally read it and wanted to kick my own ass for waiting this long. This was the prefect conclusion to Izzy and Logan’s story.

He’d been there every single day without fail since the accident. Even when she’d hated him and wanted to drown in the pain that threatened to submerge her every day, he’d been there.

Edge of Forever starts off immediately after the events of where Bulletproof weeks left off. You get the devastating aftereffects of the explosion of Izzy’s store and the shock and mourning that follows it. While Izzy is terribly hurt from the fire and recovering, Logan’s guilt is slowly eating away at him. He knows that loving him is what caused this and he’s determined to make it right and make the person behind it pay. He’s tired of hiding in the shadows. He knows that his deranged stalker is responsible for this and he’s willing to do everything to make her finally stop.

Izzy’s physical injuries are excessive and put her in the hospital for a while, but that’s nothing compared to the emotional scars she discovers when she finally comes to. She’s forced to come to terms that she’s responsible for the devastation around them. She’s convinced her choices and her and Logan’s arrogance about their untouchable relationship is what led to the explosive event that cost the life of a person she loved dearly. She doesn’t know how to forgive herself, she doesn’t know how to move on, and she doesn’t know how to move forward with Logan.

A large part of the book is Izzy and Logan dealing with their relationship and Logan trying to get Izzy out of her emotional shell. It’s fairly slow paced but packed full with the feels. I loved these two together from the beginning and this book just goes to prove how perfect they really are together.

This book had a little bit of everything; it was emotional, a little suspenseful with some action in the end, and of course it wouldn’t be a Taryn Elliot book if it also wasn’t super steamy.

One of my favorite things about the trilogy is all the incredible secondary characters that have been introduced that I’m hoping Taryn will have books for next. Luckily I’ve already confirmed that Adam and Zeke will be getting one and I’m practically salivating for it already.

Admittedly, trilogies aren’t always my thing since I find it’s tough for me to maintain interest for the same couple for more than 2 books, but I really enjoyed Logan and Izzy’s story and journey to their HEA. If you’re looking for a sexy and angsty story with a hot rockstar and the woman that brings him to his knees, then this is definitely a trilogy you’ll want to look into.

We may have made mistakes in getting here, and God knows I’m no prize. But I’m yours. And you’re mine.

READ THE TRILOGY IN ORDER

Anything But Mine (When You’re Gone #1)

 

Bulletproof Weeks (When You’re Gone #2)

 

#NewRelease Spotlight, Review & #GIVEAWAY: ★Shattered by You★ by @nashodarose

 It’s no secret that I absolutely LOVE all things Nashoda Rose. Heck, I practically sing the woman’s praises every single time I finish a new book by her. Why? Because with each new book she just continues to blow me away with her incredible characters, their heart wrenching stories and heart melting romances. Shattered By You is a bit different from anything she’s written before. It’s not the dark and angsty that readers that are familiar with her work would expect from her. This was more contemporary romance with a friends to lovers trope that broke my heart and melted it all at the same time. It’s packed full of feels and while it’s not the super steamy erotic romance that Nashoda has written for previous books in this series, it still has it’s side of sexy. I absolutely loved this book and it’s not often my picky self gets a a five star read. So when I do, of course I have to share it with you all.

Make sure you check out the excerpt below along with my 5 star review and don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a chance to win one of 2 ebooks of Shattered By You or a signed paperback of Shattered by You.

Shattered by You 
Series: Tear Asunder #3
Author: Nashoda Rose
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 22, 2015

What started out as a deal quickly became a friendship that conquered monsters.
I killed, but I escaped hell. Emotionless. Disconnected. Cold. A mannequin. It’s what I’d become in order to survive the years held in captivity. I was able to endure the abuse and devastating loss as long as I remained detached.

But he wouldn’t let me.

Crisis, the bass guitarist in my brother’s rock band, Tear Asunder. He’s cocky, rude, a total man-whore. But the rock star has far more beneath the surface of his inked skin, and he’s determined to make me laugh again.

He made me a “deal”, but really, it was blackmail.His terms were simple. Until his playful honesty became the building blocks to something unexpected. Something strong enough to pull me from the eye of the storm.

Because even though I escaped years of abuse, it didn’t mean I was free.

For mature audiences only. 

Shattered by You is written as a standalone, however, it is recommended you read Book 1 and 2 in the Tear Asunder series.

Words: 98,000

This is a Contemporary Romance.

I settled her against the wall, a ways down from the room, then rested one hand above her head the other lightly on her hip. “We’re headed to Avalanche. You want to come with us or we can drop you off at home?” Then I added, “Or stay here?”

“I swore to never drink, but they tasted good, not like the beer.”

I half-smiled. She was cute tipsy with her cheeks flushed and her voice softer, sexier.
She reached up and touched me right between my eyes, the pad of her finger caressing back and forth. “The crease is there. You only get that when you’re worried about something.” My breath stalled. “And when you’re angry, your voice gets all gravelly and deep.” I closed my eyes a second and swallowed. Her finger trailed down my nose off the tip to my lips and it took everything, I mean everything, I had to not draw her finger into my mouth. “I love it when you sing. I can’t figure out which is better, when you sing or laugh. Because when you laugh, it makes my chest all warm and tingly. It’s nice.”

She rested her head against the wall, arm lowering to her side. Oh, fuck. I was putty, fuckin’ melted putty that was a puddle on the floor at her feet.

“You flirted with me today. At school.”

It took me a second to answer because fuck if she wasn’t the most stunning woman I’d ever seen and I was crawling back up from the puddle. “Yeah.”

“Why?”

I couldn’t very well tell her because I wanted to fuck her so badly my cock hurt. So instead, I said, “Things need to change between us.”

By her frown, she didn’t get what I was saying and probably wouldn’t remember any of this in the morning.

“We’re friends.”

“Yeah, baby.”

“I like when you call me that.” She sighed then bit her lip. “I probably shouldn’t say that. It’s safer as friends.”

Fuck no. No, it wasn’t safer. Safer would be making her mine and kissing her, then scooping her up in my arms, taking her home and putting her in my bed, and then waking up to her in the morning. Kite was right. If we went home together, I’d fuck her if she’d let me. “Yeah. Whatever you want, Haven.”

Because that was what it came down to. What she wanted.

I’d been good. Fuck, I’d been an angel, but the angel was losing its fight against the devil who wanted to kiss her. Take her. Make her mine. But I was determined that she had to come to me. Her past was too screwed up to have it any other way. She may not have told me what happened, but we all knew it was really fuckin’ bad.

She was looking at me with parted lips, eyes a little droopy and if I pressed in a little closer, our lips would touch. Her warm breath drifted across my face like a sweet caress and I automatically leaned in closer.

Her breath hitched.

I felt it. Heard it.

“What’s your real name?”

“Vincent.”

We all know the definition of shattered: to break into pieces; to weaken, destroy; to damage, as by breaking or crushing.
But my story isn’t about being shattered.
It’s about surviving the pieces.

Every single time I think Nashoda Rose can’t possibly top the last book I read by her, she goes and blows me away. Her writing is poignant, sensual, and emotional; which make her books completely unputdownable. With each new book I read by her, the woman proves just how talented she is as an author because none of her characters sound the same. She gives you her signature writing style without giving you that feeling of “I’ve read this before with a different character name.” Her characters and their stories are so full of depth and I have to say that Crisis and Haven’s story was probably the most emotional one that I’ve read from her to date. Their story broke my heart and melded it back together piece by devastating piece. It’s quite a bit different from her other books because there’s no dark or grit (besides Haven’s memories). It’s an incredibly emotional romance that while isn’t heavy on the steam, it still gives the reader just enough to satisfy. I absolutely loved it.

If you haven’t yet read Overwhelmed by You, I highly recommend you do. While you may read it as a standalone, you will enjoy it much more read in order. Some story arcs get carried over in the next books and it will help truly understand each character’s background but in this case; Haven’s

Haven is Ream’s twin sister that he long thought died from a drug overdose. What he never knew was the hell that Haven lived through at the hands of monsters. Forced to surrender her body and her mind, lost to the haze of drugs that were forced on her; Haven was a shell of the girl that Ream once knew. Now back in his life after rescuing him from his own hell by killing the woman that was the cause of it all, Ream hopes that he’ll soon get his twin back, but that woman is gone. She’s too damaged; drowning in the demons of her past and the nightmares of what she’s survived.

My past would never have me again. Conquer. Destroy. Bleed the memories.

Crisis has always been the most lighthearted member of Tear Asunder. He’s had a happy upbringing with 2 amazing parents that adopted Ream at 17. He’s never suffered for female attention and he’s never denied himself a meaningless night spent between the thighs of a band groupie. But then a pair of haunted eyes change him and his life completely. He wants Haven but he knows he has to work for it. He knows she’s damaged but he doesn’t know the extent of it…no one does. But he’s willing to put in the work, even if it takes him months.

Don’t want to fuck a girl so damaged she can’t breathe without hurting.” He lowered his voice and it went all husky. “What I want is to help her learn to laugh again. And I want her trust.”

I adored Crisis in this book. While he may have come off as the unrepentant manwhore and jokester in the previous two books, there’s so much more to him. He systematically begins to wear down all of Haven’t walls. He’ll be her friend first if that’s what it takes; he’ll be there for her. He knows that they need that foundation before anything else because of her history.

Crisis was like a leech that kept sucking the blood out of me, but it wasn’t blood. It was my coldness. It was as if he was the heater turned on high and I was the block of ice that was slowly melting.

Don’t get me wrong, while this book was more emotional than erotic; Crisis definitely still had his edge. He was a dirty talking bad boy who at his core was also an incredible man.

The romance element while very much predominant throughout the entire book is a slow build. I loved that Nashoda stayed true to both of these characters and didn’t make things happen in a few weeks. It took them months to get to where they are and the reader gets to experience every devastating memory of the past and each swoon worthy memory of their present.

You didn’t break, Haven. Your pieces may have scattered, but they didn’t break.

I honestly think this may have been Nashoda’s best book to date.

Don’t get me wrong, while this may have been a touch less on the steam then the previous books in this series, that doesn’t mean it was any less hot.

Vincent. Please.”
His voice vibrated against me and I swear it was why he spoke. “Please won’t work this time, Ice. Melting is a slow process.

When these two finally get together, they burn up the pages.

But their road there was also a believable one. It wasn’t easy and filled with many bumps but the one constant that remained through it was Crisis. Did I mention just how much I adore him? Haven was an amazing heroine. For everything that she’s been through (and nothing will prepare you for just how devastating her past is) she still has this core of strength. Her pieces may be a little more broken than most, but she’s determined to put them back together again.

I don’t think I can name one thing I didn’t love about this book. Crisis and Haven’t story was everything I’d hoped it would be and yet so much more. Then there was also a peak into Kite, and holy mother of ovaries does Nashoda know how to tease you with a future character because GAH! A piercing (I’ll let you imagination full in where), a penchant for the kinky and rough sex, and perhaps even a Dominant streak? Oh mama! Sign me the hell on. I’m calling dibs now. I NEED his book.

If you haven’t read this incredible series yet, I can’t recommend it enough. The boys of Tear Asunder will ruin you for all other men, that much I can guaran-fuckin’-tee you. Trust.



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Review: ★One More Shot★ by Victoria Denault

One More Shot 
Author: Victoria Denault
Genre: Contemporary, Sports Romance
Release Date: June 2, 2015

They say you only get one shot at making your dreams come true.

Jordan is determined to take two.

Drafted by the NHL at eighteen, Jordan Garrison was headed for fame, and there was only one person he wanted to share it with—Jessie Caplan. He was crazy in love with her, and had finally told her so. They shared an amazing night . . . and then everything fell apart.
Jessie tries not to think about the night she gave herself to Jordan—or how he broke her heart. She tries not to think about it, but she does. Especially now, when she’s staring into his sky-blue eyes for the first time in six years. After so much time and torment, she can’t tell if she loves him or hates him. But Jordan has learned enough to know a connection like theirs is rare. He was lucky to find Jessie once. No way will he lose her again.

Thanks to Jessie, I knew love felt like pain. Deep, cutting, dying-inside pain.

One More Shot is the first book in the Hometown Players series, and if you enjoy angsty and sexy second chance romance, it’s one you don’t want to miss. I’ll admit, I was sold the second I read that synopsis. Friends to lovers and a second chance romance? Gimme! I will never pass that up. Add it some angst, a manwhore hockey player and the girl whose heart he broke and who in turn broke his? Yep, that’s a recipe for book gold for me there.

Jordan and Jessie grew up together. The Caplan sisters were practically joined at the hip with the Garrison brothers all through high school. When the Caplan sisters lost their parents at a young age and moved into the small town of Silver Bay to live with their grandmother that wasn’t all that thrilled to have them. Spending most of their time with the Caplan clan allowed them to feel the warmth of family that they were missing, and it also brought together Jordan and Jessie and formed a tight bond of friendship. Growing up they were each other’s world.

Jordan has been in love with Jessie for as long as they’ve been friends, so when the opportunity finally shows itself for him to make his move, he doesn’t hesitate. He takes it and doesn’t look back and the sparks that have been simmering between them through the years finally spark to life.

There’s no faltering. No reservation when our lips touch. There’s only a feeling- like a lighting bolt- that blasts through my body. I feel…bulletproof.

But then much like the typical 18 year old boy, Jordan screws up and breaks Jessie’s heart. Knowing that she’ll only ever be the only one for him, when she moves away from Silver Bay and severs all ties to him, he’s devastated. So he concentrates on all he has left; his hockey career. Being drafted right out of high school allows him to focus all his pain and loss on his hockey. And of course being the typical men, he drowns his pain between the legs of any willing woman…and there’s plenty of them…

Hockey was the only thing in my life that made me feel right. It used to be hockey and Jessie, but then I lost Jessie. It had been hockey and only hockey ever since.

Now six years later, the death of Jessie’s grandmother brings both her and Jordan back to Silver Bay and to face the past that they both tried to ignore or outrun in their own right.

I was trying to find something to numb the pain. Because it never left. I never stopped missing you. I never stopped needing you. There was a constant ache in my chest for you. I tried to convince myself that it was anger, but it was love. And no one could fix it. You’re the only one who can fix it.

One More Shot was definitely heavy on the angst. Jessie and Jordan have a whole lot of unfinished business and miscommunication between them and that all culminates over their 6 years apart to the non-relationship they have now. Jessie has a hard time swallowing Jordan’s past with women especially since his hockey career puts him in lots of headlines…mostly for his womanizing ways. She certainly makes Jordan works for every crumb she throws his way. At times it was almost too much for me. While I understood her hurt and anger she would purposely hurtful to Jordan when everything that Jordan has done was because he didn’t think he had a chance with her and was definitely not with he direct intent to hurt her.

The story is told in flashbacks from past to present though it was smoothly interwoven into the book so it was never confusing or distracting. It gives you Jordan and Jessie’s past piece by piece that ultimately leads to that one fateful “thing” that killed their relationship.

Jordan has always been in love with Jessie and he’s still in love with her now. His efforts to get her back and her outright blowing him off at times was no easy pill to swallow. As much of a manwhore as he may be, I found Jessie to be almost cruel to him at times. His manwhoring ways completely stopped when Jessie came into his life, so although he had plenty of women before, there are no jilted exes when he finally gets back into Jessie’s life.

I really enjoyed this book and all the secondary characters; Jordan’s best friend and two brothers, Jessie’s sisters. This book gave me all my favorite tropes in one angsty and sexy read. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what more Victoria Denault has to offer with this series. The set up for Rosie’s story already has my interest peeked, so I definitely found me a new series to love.

Review, Excerpt & #Giveaway: ★Beneath These Chains★ by @Meghan_March

Beneath These Chains 
Series: Beneath #3
Author: Meghan March
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Release Date: June 16, 2015

I was raised on the streets, so I know things are rarely as simple as they appear—especially this rich girl showing up at my pawnshop demanding a job.

She’s the most tempting thing I’ve ever seen, and I’ll be damned if I can make her leave.

Shit just got complicated … but when it comes to her—I want complicated.

We’re both fighting our own demons, and our only chance at a future is to let go of the past.

But will we be strong enough to break free from beneath these chains?

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Chapter 1

Lord

I fucking hated people who stole from me. Which was ironic, considering the only thing that had kept me from starving as a kid had been picking pockets and snatching purses. I dropped my elbows to the desk and rubbed a hand over my buzzed head.

“Goddamn, karma’s a bitch.”

“She the bitch you fucked last night, bro?” The leather of my office couch creaked as Mathieu sank his tall, lanky frame into it.

“How many times do I have to tell you not to call women ‘bitches,’ boy?”

My words were met with a long sigh from Mathieu. Ever since he’d walked into Chains and tried to grab a guitar and run back out the door—only to be tackled to the ground by yours truly—he’d been a fixture in my life. To be fair, his choices had been to work off the price of what he’d attempted to steal, or go directly to the nearest cop shop. The entire situation had been such a blast from the past, I’d caught myself smiling when I should’ve been glaring and scaring the piss out of the kid. But apparently I’d done an okay job of it because he’d decided starting a rap sheet at seventeen wasn’t a good plan. Thank fuck. Almost two years later, the kid was my right hand.

And now that Chains was mine, someone was stealing from me—but not just someone. An employee. Someone I should’ve been able to trust. The cameras I had installed on her day off had already paid for themselves.

I rolled my head from side to side, cracking my neck. I hated firing people. It never got easier. And this time? This time it was going to be even worse … because there would be tears. And quite possibly claws.

Pushing up from the chair, I strode to the door without looking at Mathieu. Over my shoulder, I tossed, “You might want to stay here; Brianna’s ass is about to get canned.”

“For real?” His words followed me out, but I didn’t bother to reply.

Every time I stepped foot onto the shop floor, a feeling of pride surged through me—pride that I’d helped build this business into one that was not only honest, but profitable. At least, it was profitable when one of my employees wasn’t skimming off the till and messing with my bank deposits.

Finger twirling in her long, dark extensions and gum snapping between her teeth, Brianna flipped the pages of a magazine with a giant black Sharpie in one hand, circling shit. Probably shit she wanted to buy with the money she’d been stealing from me. The store was empty, which made what I was about to do a little easier.

“Bree, need a few minutes.”

Her head popped up, lips pursing as she took me in. “You can have all the time you need, boss.” Her gaudy fake eyelashes batted at me in what I assumed was supposed to be a sexy move. I stowed the urge to tell her to save it for someone whose dick got hard at the sight of her … but since I was about to fire her, why add insult to injury? The woman had been unsuccessfully trying to add her notch to my bedpost since I’d hired her. Bringing her on had been a mistake, and I’d known it from the minute she’d walked in the door, but a friend had called in a favor.

“Boss? You had something to say?” she prompted.

I watched her, not speaking.

She stopped the hair twirling and capped the Sharpie, resituating herself on the stool and folding her hands in her lap.

“Lord?”

“You’re done.”

Bree’s dark eyes flew wide. “Done? You mean done for the day?”

“Done. For good. Get your shit and get out.”

Bree lost the innocent pose as she crossed her arms and stared me down. “Not until you tell me why.”

In two long strides, I closed the distance between the register and me and pressed my hands to the counter.

“I gave you a job. Gave you a paycheck you didn’t have to suck a dick to get. But that wasn’t enough for you. You had to have more, and instead of coming to me and asking for a raise, you decided to make it happen yourself.”

The color faded from her face, leaving her mocha-colored skin sallow. “Wh-what?”

“Get your shit.”

“I swear, I didn’t—”

“Don’t fucking lie to me. I can show you the tape if you want to see what I saw.”

Her lower lip started to wobble. It wasn’t going to work. I’d given her the benefit of the doubt, hoped I was wrong or it was just a one-time thing. But she’d gotten too bold.

“But I need this—”

I cut her off. She wasn’t even going to deny it. Not that she could. We both knew she’d done it, and I wasn’t in the mood to listen to her beg or justify her actions. Even though she didn’t know it, I’d already given her a second chance. And all that had done was cost me even more than I could afford to lose. “I needed someone to work the shop—someone who wasn’t going to fuck me over and steal from me. You weren’t capable of that, so you’re out. Now get your shit.”

“But—”

“Save your breath, Bree. I ain’t listening unless you’re here to tell me you’ve got all the money you’ve taken, and you’re putting it right back where it belongs.”

Her face twisted into an angry glare even as the tears started falling. “You … you don’t understand.”

“No, I really don’t understand.” I crossed my arms and waited her out. When she realized the water works weren’t changing my decision, she spun off the stool, grabbed her giant purple purse from behind the counter, and stalked toward the door.

“You get all self-righteous with me about a little cash while you basically steal from people? Giving ‘em twenty dollars for their shit? Like you’re one to judge.”

A little cash? She’d skimmed enough to buy a nice used car, and I’d been too trusting to even realize it until the numbers hadn’t added up in a big way.

She slowed near the guitars at the front of the store and malicious glee lit her eyes.

She wouldn’t.

Oh, but she did.

Bree grabbed a guitar and swung it toward the rack as the chimes above the front door jangled. Wood crashed against wood, and two female screeches erupted.

Shit … if she injured a customer…

I charged Bree and ripped the guitar from her hands before she could swing again. A swirl of red hair caught my attention as the other woman dodged out of the strike zone.

Bree struggled against my hold, and I wondered if I was going to end up with a face full of the acrylic claws tearing at my arms. “Let go of me, you asshole!”

“Whoa, boss. Getting the door for ya.” Mathieu bolted across the shop and yanked the door open again. I hustled Bree out and set her free on the sidewalk.

She spun to face Mathieu and me. “You’re gonna regret this,” she hissed. “I swear, you will.”

A soft laugh came from the open door. “From what I’ve seen, I highly doubt it.”

Bree opened her mouth to spew something else, but I shut her down. “Get gone. I don’t ever wanna see you near my shop again.”

Bree’s flinty eyes narrowed as she shouldered her purse. “Fuck you, Lord. You think you’re better than me? Not a chance. You’re just thievin’ street scum. Fuck you.”

“And now she’s getting repetitious,” the husky female voice commented from behind me.

Lip curling in disgust, Bree turned and marched toward the corner, never looking back.

“Her exit could totally use some work, but all-in-all, that was one hell of a welcome.”

I turned to survey the woman standing in the doorway of Chains. Even without a photographic memory, I didn’t think I’d ever forget this particular pose: one arm braced on the doorframe and the other propped on her hip, a green dress hugging curves that had my entire body sitting up and taking notice. Matched with her long, curling red hair, she was a goddamn knockout. What the hell is she doing here?

“You lost, sweet thing?”

She stepped onto the sidewalk and tore the HELP WANTED sign off the bottom corner of the front window. Holding it between two fingers, she smiled. “Nope. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. I’m your newest employee.”

This man was wild, untamed- seemingly fearless- and yet his body jumped when I touched him. That was insanely seductive.”

Lord, oh Lord but I loved me some Lord. Where has this author been all my life with her deliciously sexy alphas? Because if the other 2 books were anything like this, then my method of reading things back asswards has seriously backfired on me and I missed out on 2 amazing books that I have every intention of going back and reading now. Beneath These Chains is easily read as a standalone, since I clearly read it as one. However, there were characters from previous books that I clearly missed out on the backstory on that I’d love to now get. But that never took away from my enjoyment of this book since the author did a fantastic job of giving perfect amount of backstory so the reader doesn’t feel lost.

What did this book have?

An incredibly sexy, tatted up alpha hero

A bad boy that runs a pawn shop called chains, Lord hasn’t exactly had an easy life. Raised on the streets, he’s had to fight for everything he’s got. When a tempting redhead comes into his shop demanding a job, he knows she must be joking. Elle is a rich girl and has no business doing anything on his side of the town. The fact that she happens to be the best friend of his brother’s girlfriend also means she’s off limits. Too bad she tempts him like not other.
A sassy, knows what she wants heroine

Trust me, I’m not looking for anyone to chase me. In fact, the chase is decidedly unwelcome.” She jerked her head to the side, flipping a lock of that sexy-as-fuck red hair out of her face. “I’m the kind of girl who does the chasing herself. I see what I want, and I get it.

I ask you, how often do you find THAT?

Elle needs the job at chains for reasons that she’s not willing to share. She’s also incredibly attracted to it’s brooding, tatted and potty-mouthed owner. But watching her mother withdraw into herself and turn to the bottom of a bottle because of a domineering asshole that is her stepfather, she has no desire to give herself like that to a man. She’s find with one night and slaking some lust? But a relationship? She can’t give up her independence for it and she’s convinced that that’s exactly what would happen if she gives herself to a man.

A man determined to get the woman he needs and treat her the way she deserves to be treated

While you’d expect this to be another case of sexy asshole syndrome, Lord was nothing of the sort. He won’t fuck with Elle because he doesn’t want that reflecting on his brother’s relationship if something was to go wrong. And since his brother is dating Elle’s best friend, Vannessa, he knows he has to tread carefully. But when he decides that what he wants is Elle and not just for one night, he systematically begins to wear her down. And he doesn’t do this by being an overbearing asshole. Nope. he does this by demanding a date and showing her the way that she deserves to be treated.

You should be going to your knees for me, woman. You shouldn’t be going to your knees for any man.”
“But-”
“You want to suck my dick, you do it while you’re kneeling above me. I don’t ever want to see you on the ground on your knees.”
“But you did it for me.” I protested.
“Because you deserve to be worshipped.”

No relationship drama

How refreshing was THAT? Once Lord finally wears Elle down and forces her to see how great they are together, there’s no pity arguments, stupid misunderstandings, or manufactured drama. That’s not to say that their relationship is smooth sailing because there’s also the added element of suspense in the plot, but their relationship only strengthens through it.

An interesting and suspenseful plot

Just made this even more fun of a read. There’s murders, Elle’s asshole father and stepbrother, and all of it ties together flawlessly with the romance.

In short, I seriously enjoyed this book. Lord is just the right amount of crude with a dash of sweet. I absolutely loved that about him. It’s so refreshing to have a hero that actually wants a relationship and proves that to the heroine. The super hawt sex scenes certainly didn’t hurt either.

I’m kicking myself for not discovering this series sooner but I have definitely found myself a new author to love and a new series to read.

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.

 

Catch Up on the Beneath Series:

Beneath This Mask (Beneath #1)

He loves me, and he doesn’t even know my real name.


The limelight that follows him could expose everything I’m hiding. But even knowing the risks, I can’t force myself to stay away.


I’m going to break his heart, but mine will shatter right along with it.


Will we lose it all when I reveal what’s beneath this mask?

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Beneath This Ink (Beneath #2)

I’ve always known she was too good for me, but that never stopped me from wanting her.
And then I finally had her for one night.
A night I don’t remember.

I figured I’d blown my shot.
But now she’s walked back into my life, and this time, I have the upper hand. I want my second chance.
Will she be able to see the man beneath this ink?


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Blog Tour & #Giveaway: ★Rules of Seduction★ by Joya Ryan

Rules of Seduction
Series: Serve #7
Author: Joya Ryan 
Release Date: June 9th, 2015
Entangled Brazen

He’ll be the dream and the dirty fantasy…

Through with both her controlling ex and relationships, Ava Webber is determined to explore the spicy and sometimes forbidden appetites of the exclusive BDSM nightclub, Serve. Here, she’ll get exactly what she needs…as long as it’s from a man she doesn’t know.

Nolan Hart ensures that Serve’s clients get what they want, how they want it. But with one look at the curvy brunette, Nolan knows he’s the man to fulfill her desires. As the anonymous lover, he’s Ava’s dirtiest fantasy. Outside of Serve, he’s her charming, smartass friend.

But Nolan wants more. More than Ava is willing to give. And as long as the blindfold stays on, she’ll never discover that the two men she’s falling for are one and the same…

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Despite the many steps it had taken her to wind up sitting and waiting for membership at Serve, nothing would now deter her from the path she’d chosen.

It was time.

Time she truly moved on. Time she admitted what she wanted. Time to go after it.
The moment her lungs filled with oxygen on a heavy inhale, the door opened and a tall, muscled man walked in, flipping through what looked to be her extensive questionnaire.

“Ava Webber?” he asked, eyes fused to the paper.

“Yes.”

He kicked the door shut with his foot, flipped to another page, and frowned. He still hadn’t met her eyes yet, which was a shame, because even in the low light, she could tell his eyes were not only the iciest blue she’d ever seen, they were intense. Power and strength radiated from him as he took his seat behind the desk. His big body settled into the chair, and all his muscles flexed beneath the thin black T-shirt he wore. 

Her mouth watered. Just the way he moved was hypnotizing.  

“There’s a problem with your application,” he said, and now he looked at her. But the sound of his voice and the finality in his tone made a rise of panic swell in her gut.

“What? No, that can’t be. I read through the entire handbook, and I’m confident I meet every requirement.”

His eyebrows furrowed. He leaned forward and placed his hands on the desk. Which did crazy amazing things to those impressive biceps of his.

“You didn’t fill out section three completely,” he said, flipping to the page in question and sliding it in front of her. 

“For preference in a partner, you put male.”

“Is that a problem?”

He tossed her a lethal grin, and she suddenly felt a little giddy. Whoever this man was, he knew how to work a room—likely a woman, too—and had a special kind of swagger that was gifted from god and well-honed over the years. He glowed with confidence and an alpha intensity that matched the gleam of the laid-back charm in his eyes.

Male is a good start. Narrows the attendees down by half. But usually I’m given more to work with. Like body type, hair color, eye color—”

“I don’t care about any of that.” Her response seemed to take him off guard, but it was the truth.

“All I care about is that it’s anonymous sex.”

He looked at her for a long moment. “That’s a problem. Because see on section five? Sexual preferences, boundaries, hard limits, personal wants and desires?”

She nodded, looking at the section in question. “What’s your point?”

“You put any.”

“I’m aware.”

“As am I. Which is why I’m concerned.”

Ava took a deep breath. Hottie McSexyGrin was grilling her. He was the last step before she could participate in this club. She absently gripped her ring finger. Even with the discarded ring sitting in a drawer at home, she still felt its weight.

She couldn’t lose this chance. She needed a place like Serve. Needed to feel alive again and needed this man to stop blocking her from the path she’d discovered. A path that would finally let her be free.

“I don’t understand your concern.” She tapped the paper. “I’m open to any experience, hence the word.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Yes, I can read, sweetheart. But I’m not sure you understand all Serve has to offer. If you leave yourself open to anything, I can assure you, you just may get that.”

“I see we finally understand each other.”

He sat back in his chair and looked at her with amusement. “In the spirit of understanding each other, let’s go through a list.”

“List?”

He shrugged. “Yeah, you seem to be open to anything, but I need to be clear on your desires, so we’ll start with your pussy.”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, did I offend you? Or are you not sitting in the middle of a sex club and claiming to be open to anything?”Great, not only was this guy sex on a stick, he was a smartass 
trying to call her bluff. Fine, she could play.

“What is it you’d like to know?”

“Several things,” he admitted with a heat in his eyes that made her thighs tingle. “Do you like your pussy to be sucked? Fucked? Made love to?”

She held her posture as still as possible. “All of the above.”

“And what about your man? Assuming I assign you one. What do you want to do to him?”

“Whatever he wants.”

He tsked. “Oh sweetheart, that is the best and worst answer you could give.”

“I don’t see how me wanting to please the man you will assign me is a bad thing.”

He grinned, obviously picking up on her determination that she wasn’t leaving without what she’d come for.

“Not bad, just trying to keep your expectations in check. He may decide to fuck your mouth for a while before touching you otherwise.”

“Sounds great.” And it really did. There was something about sucking a man that really turned her on. Not that she was going to go into details about that since the guy on the other side of the desk was baiting her as it was.

He shook his head. “I don’t think you know what you’re asking for.”

That’s where he was wrong. She’d thought about this more than he could know, and she knew exactly what she was asking for. Time he understood she was confident in her choice.

“I want to touch him however he’ll let me, and he can have me however he wants. I don’t know how to be more clear than that. Unless you’d like to run through every single scenario?”

The sarcasm in her voice made his amusement fire into something a little more lusty. His shoulders stiffened. She was wearing him down, showing she could handle what she was asking for, and slinging him back a taste of his own medicine.

You can read my full review HERE
I am a mother and a wife. I love to read, write, bake, cook, barbecue, baste, flambe’…basically anything regarding food you can assume my involvement. I also have terrible dance moves and unleash them upon the general public often.

If you want to know more about me or the books I write, come check out my site! www.JoyaRyan.com

Rule of Seduction Prize Pack, including a Coffee Mug, Stress Ball and Tote Bag.

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#NewRelease & Review: ★Rules of Seduction★ by Joya Ryan

Rules of Seduction 
Series: Serve #7
Author: Joya Ryan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 9, 2015

He’ll be the dream and the dirty fantasy…

Through with both her controlling ex and relationships, Ava Webber is determined to explore the spicy and sometimes forbidden appetites of the exclusive BDSM nightclub, Serve. Here, she’ll get exactly what she needs…as long as it’s from a man she doesn’t know.

Nolan Hart ensures that Serve’s clients get what they want, how they want it. But with one look at the curvy brunette, Nolan knows he’s the man to fulfill her desires. As the anonymous lover, he’s Ava’s dirtiest fantasy. Outside of Serve, he’s her charming, smartass friend.
But Nolan wants more. More than Ava is willing to give. And as long as the blindfold stays on, she’ll never discover that the two men she’s falling for are one and the same…

This was what being consumed felt like.

After ending a relationship with a man that took too much of her in his controlling ways, Ava Webber is not looking to go back to being the woman she once was. She has a successful career and she takes care of her own self, thank you very much. She doesn’t need a man to validate or take care of her. She may not want a man to consume her life again, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t want that in the bedroom…no strings attached. And what better place to get that than in Serve; an exclusive sex club that caters to people with needs just like hers.

Nolan Hart ensures that Serve’s clients get what they want, how they want it. He’s responsible for matching up subs with a Dom and making fantasies happen. After a disastrous match at his previous club caused a sub to be pushed too far by a Dom that didn’t listen to her limits he takes his job very seriously. And when the gorgeous Ava comes in saying that she wants a night of anonymous sex with a man and willing to try ‘anything’, he knows he’s that man for her and no other will do.

In the spirit of understanding each other, let’s go through a list.”
“List?”
He shrugged. “Yeah, you seem to be open to anything, but I need to be clear on your desires, so we’ll start with your pussy.”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I offend you? Or are you not sitting in the middle of a sex club and claiming to be open to anything?”

But one night proves to be no enough and what starts off as a night of anonymous pleasure soon begins to turn into something more than either one of them every expected.

He was all over her, in her, in every way. She couldn’t breathe. Didn’t want to.

I’ve been a huge fan of this series since book 1 and I’ve loved the different author contributions to it by both Katee Robert and Tessa Bailey. Having loved Joya Ryan’s other Brazen series, Chasing Love, I couldn’t wait to see what she’ll have to bring to the mix.

While I did enjoy this book as a whole, it was also missing that edge that the rest of the books in the series had. The rest of the Serve series really played into that BDSM element. It was always that perfect mix of BDSM and romance without pushing too many boundaries. Rules of Seduction was missing that for me. Aside from the sex taking place inside Serve and involving some light bondage there was none of that here. It could have been a great book as a standalone, but as part of this particular series, it didn’t quite fit…at least for me.

I also struggled to form any sort of connection with either one of the characters. Ava, I never could develop a liking to. She was just too cold for my tastes. There was also not enough backstory on the characters for me either and no real physical descriptions. You know the hair and eye colors and you know their individual bad past experience but nothing else.

Nolan knew her and what she wanted better than she did. She was sliding down a slope that wasn’t just slippery, it was fucking terrifying, and it led to a cliff. One where she’d fly over and crash into a deep chasm.

I suppose I just needed something a little bit more here.

If you haven’t read the rest of this series, you may enjoy this one more than I did. I had high hopes for this book that it unfortunately just didn’t live up to. It was an enjoyable read albeit just an OK one. I still love Joya Ryan’s writing and look forward to more from her in the future and of course more in this series too.

Don’t miss the rest of this sizzling hot series!

Owned by Fate (Serve #1)
Exposed by Fate (Serve #2)
Mistaken by Fate (Serve #3)
Betting on Fate (Serve #4)
Driven by Fate (Serve #5)
Protecting Fate (Serve #6)

Review: ★Their Virgin Mistress★ by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake

Their Virgin Mistress 
Authors: Shayla Black, Lexi Blake
Genre: Erotic Romance. BDSM
Release Date: April 14, 2015

One wild night leads to heartache…

Tori Glen loves her new job as an image consultant for Thurston-Hughes Inc. The trouble is, she’s also in love with the three brothers who own it, Oliver, Rory, and Callum. They’re handsome, successful, aristocratic, and way out of this small-town Texas girl’s league. So she remains a loyal professional—until the night she finds a heartbroken Oliver desperate for someone to love. Tori knows she should resist…but it’s so tempting to give in.

And a desperate plan…

Callum and Rory have denied their desire for Tori, hoping she’ll heal their older brother, who was so brutalized by his late wife’s betrayal. But when Oliver cruelly turns Tori away in the harsh light of day, she tenders her resignation. Rory and Callum realize that to save their brother, they must embrace the unconventional sort of family they’ve always wanted—with Tori at its center. And it all starts with seducing her…

That could lead to happily ever after—or murder.

Isolated with the brothers at an elegant English country manor, they begin awakening Tori to the most sensual of pleasure. But consumed with regret, Oliver won’t be denied the chance to embrace the only woman worth the risk of loving again. What begins as a rivalry veers toward the future they’ve only dared to dream of. But a stranger is watching and waiting for a chance at revenge. Can the brothers come together to embrace the woman they love and defeat a killer?

 

This series is pure guilty indulgence for me. Whenever I’m looking for a light read that’s heavy on the smut but still has enough story to keep me from skimming the sex scenes; these books are my go-to.

Now admittedly they all follow the same formula. Sweet naive virgin meets 3 men that want her for themselves. One will always fight the attraction, one will already be in love with her, and the 3rd will be the voice of reason. Formulaic? Absolutely. But yet seven books into the series and I’m still not bored of it and look forward to the next book.

If you’ve read Their Virgin Princess then you’ll remember Oliver Thurston-Hughes as the poor unknowing sap that gets double crossed and almost killed by his conniving wife. While I wasn’t sure about him during most of that book, I have to say that by the end I was fully rooting for him to get his HEA. Now it’s Oliver’s turn and his two younger brothers, Callum and Rory. Callum the infamous footballer who suffered a career ending injury and the play boy, Rory, then there’s the jaded Oliver and all 3 of them are practically in love with their image consultant; Tori Glen.

Tori is the younger sister of Piper Glen from Their Virgin Concubine. While her sister may have found her HEA with her 3 gorgeous husbands, Tori knows that can’t be her fate. First, the Thurston-Hughes brothers can barely get along enough to even consider sharing a woman, and second they’re in England where relationships like that aren’t exactly accepted as the status quo as they are in Bezakistan. So she does her job all while pretending to be engaged until Callum finds out the truth and the brothers come together in a united effort to seduce her, body and soul.

I enjoyed the first 60% of this book but I found the last 40% to be a little dragging. The ending and the “bad guy” was of course extremely predictable and served no other purpose then to simply be the final bang that brings everything together. A nice and smutty read that offered nothing new but an enjoyable book to spend a lazy Sunday evening with.

Although characters do build off of one another and get introduced earlier in the series before their own book, these are still all easily read as standalones.

Review: ★The Marriage Contract★ by Katee Robert

The Marriage Contract 
Author: Katee Robert
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 2, 2015

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert begins a smoking hot new series about the O’Malley family-wealthy, powerful, dangerous and seething with scandal.

Teague O’Malley hates pretty much everything associated with his family’s name. And when his father orders him to marry Callista Sheridan to create a “business” alliance, Teague’s ready to tell his dad exactly where he can stuff his millions. But then Teague actually meets his new fiancée, sees the bruises on her neck and the fight still left in her big blue eyes, and vows he will do everything in his power to protect her.

Everyone knows the O’Malleys have a dangerous reputation. But Callie wasn’t aware just what that meant until she saw Teague, the embodiment of lethal grace and coiled power. His slightest touch sizzles through her. But the closer they get, the more trouble they’re in. Because Callie’s keeping a dark secret-and what Teague doesn’t know could get him killed.

Whatever she’d expected from this kiss, it certainly hadn’t been desire. Though DESIRE was too tame a word. She’d felt desire before, and this wasn’t it. This was…need. All-consuming need that devoured everything in its path, leaving only destruction in its wake.

Having loved every Brazen book of Katee’s I’ve ever read, when i saw that she’s releasing this brand new series that’s grittier and has a mob story line? I was hooked. Line and sinker. Reading it was an absolute no brainer.

The set up was extremely intriguing. Callista “Callie” Sheridan is the daughter of one of the prominent Boston mafia families. In the hopes of uniting themselves with an even more powerful one, her father arranges her to marry the eldest son of the Halloran family. Unfortunately he’s also known as more ruthless with his women than he is with his business. When he also turns up dead a few days before the engagement announcement her father doesn’t spare a moment before promising her to Teague O’Malley.

Teague is the son of a powerful Irish Boston mafia family and he also wants absolutely nothing to do with the family business. But when his eldest brother comes to him with this “business alliance”, the last thing he expects is to be inexplicably drawn to the delicate beauty that’s now his “fiance”. As much as Teague longs to be away from this life, he can’t leave his siblings. Being incredibly attracted to Callie certainly doesn’t hurt things either. Unfortunately it’s not all smooth sailing when their engagement leads to a deadly mafia war started by the Halloran family.

There’s a lot that happens in this book aside from the central romance. There’s numerous POVs and several characters introduced, including all of Teague’s siblings and the Halloran brothers. Because of this it took me quite a bit to truly wrap my mind around everything and really get into the story. While each character added to the story, it was also a lot to keep track of at first. This may very well be a case of the “series firsts”. This book definitely had a much grittier feel to it than any of Katee’s previous books, which was great. So what didn’t work for me? The romance.

Now I’ll say this; considering both Teague and Callie’s personalities, their romance fit them. I just didn’t feel like it fit the story. It was just too saccharine sweet. I’m not a fan of insta-love and this was a very solid case of this. They basically fall for each other at first sight. Katee pulls it off because, again, she makes it fit the characters. But I just needed something…more. The amount of time Teague called her “angel” almost drove me up the wall crazy. 59 times to be exact and yes I counted because I was just that irritated by it.

Sadly I’m one of those reader that if I don’t connect to the main couple, it won’t matter how great the rest of the book and story is. And the story itself was great. The set up for the next book with James Holloran sounds like it will be right up my alley as a matter of fact. Unfortunately with this book, it just fell a bit flat. I wanted a more gritty feel to it considering the story line and I just didn’t get that. Readers that haven’t read much mafia romance will definitely enjoy this. I like my mafia books with a little more of an edge, so this one just fell a romance shy of that for me.

I’m definitely hooked on the series and absolutely cannot wait until the next book. ESPECIALLY after that preview that we got in this book. Can’t hurt that I had a mental visual of Charlie Hunnam after reading James Holloran’s description. Nope. Didn’t hurt one tiny bit.

Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

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