Review: It’s Not Over by Grahame Claire

December 19, 2018 by · Leave a Comment

IT’S NOT OVER
Series: Paths to Love #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Grahame Claire
Release Date: August 3, 2018

Daniel

I have two lives.

One with the woman who owns me. The other tied to a past I can’t escape.

For eight years, I kept them separate, knowing one day their collision was inevitable.

That day has come.

She’ll have to accept it.

It’s over.

Vivian

He has two lives.

A beautiful one with me. Another shrouded in ugly secrets.

It didn’t matter, until now.

I don’t know why he’s destroyed us,

But fighting for him will be the battle of my life.
It’s not over.

AMAZON

Even if we never see each other again, it will never be over. Never.”

If you love powerful second chance romances and strong heroines, this book is not to be missed.

You want me to bare my soul? Tell you all my deepest, darkest secrets?” His voice was laced with sarcasm.
“Yes,” I answered without hesitation. “I won’t be with somebody who won’t let me know them. I want a partner. I don’t need a body to keep me warm at night. That’s what blankets are for.”

From the very first page that I read, I knew this would be a book I’d devour in practically one sitting. This author went straight to my auto-buy list. I’m addicted to her words!

I’m a sucker for a well-written second chance romance, and this one had all the ingredients for a phenomenal read! It was emotional, gripping, with a splash of suspense and a whole lot of sizzle. Told in alternating past and present, it painted a powerful story of a once in a lifetime love that stood the test of unimaginable odds.

Daniel and Vivian had a love that seemed to be unbreakable, until Daniel’s past clashes with his present and he cuts Vivian out of his life. Unable to imagine her life without him, Vivian isn’t one to sit back and watch it happen. She’s prepared to fight for him, if only he’d fight for her right back…

The book alternates from past to present to tell the story of how they met and the path that inevitably brought them to where they are now. I absolutely loved Vivian’s character. Here’s a woman that’s not afraid to state what she wants and owns it. She makes Daniel fight for her heart when they first meet. She isn’t satisfied to take the initial crumbs he offers and will take nothing short of everything. You really can’t help but be in awe of such a strong heroine. She’s just the right amount of strength and vulnerability. She’s hard-edged without being brash and I loved that about her.

I want a partner. I want trust and respect and honesty. Someone who will face life with me head on. Sometimes he’ll carry me, and sometimes I’ll carry him. We’ll laugh together, fight together, give each other everything. I don’t need a fucking white knight on a horse. I can save my own ass, and I can buy my own flowers. The only thing I want is you. If you can’t give me that, there’s no need to go any further.”

Daniel is a hero that captures your heart right away with his incredibly powerful and magnetic presence. There’s just the right amount of darkness that lurks under his handsome looks that lures you into his orbit. This is a man that has lived a hard life and will sacrifice everything to protect those that he loves.

I also absolutely adored the secondary characters of Miriam and Stone and cannot wait to dive into their story. As for this one? I enjoyed it cover to cover. It was perfectly paced, with a dash of grit, and a heavy dose of suspense. This was my first book by Grahame Claire and I know it definitely will not be my last.

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Review: Defiance by Cherise Sinclair

December 18, 2018 by · Leave a Comment

DEFIANCE
Series: Masters of the Shadowlands
Genre: BDSM, Romantic Suspense
Author: Cherise Sinclair
Release Date: December 4, 2018

Z’s day begins with sadness
A phone call from a dying friend leaves psychologist Zachary Grayson determined to fulfill the old survivalist’s request–a send-off that will comfort his grieving sons.

And then turns deadly
The death threat is only the beginning…because the letter isn’t a hoax. Z walks out of his office into a barrage of bullets. He can take being shot at, but when the second shot splinters the empty child-seat in his car, he’s shaken to the core. The horror of what would have happened if his little girl had been there spurs him to action.

Master Z is a Dom, a husband, a father—every instinct drives him to protect those under his care. When the police can’t catch his stalker, he must take matters into his own hands.

He must keep danger far from those he loves.
Secrecy and distance is the key. The funeral in Alaska is the perfect location, especially since Z won’t be alone. The survivalist’s sons have grown into men with lethal skills. With their help, he can trap the shooter and keep his family safe.

As long as his impetuous and all-too-observant wife, Jessica, doesn’t discover he’s using himself as bait.

AMAZON

Mako had been a master of war, but he’d known love was the strongest force in the universe.

Defiance was essentially a transition novella that introduces four brand new characters that will launch a new series from the queen of BDSM. It really had the perfect combination of things; a visit to one of my favorite Shadowlands couples, Master Z and his kitten, a cameo by one of my favorite sadists, deVries, and a suspenseful plot that introduces 4 intriguing new characters in a brand new series. It doesn’t get any better than that!

When Master Z receives a call from a dear friend to let him know that he’s dying, he doesn’t expect that his death would be as sudden as a car accident. Then when a stalker threatens his life, an escape to the wilderness of Alaska for Mako’s funeral seems like a great opportunity to take the threat as far away from his beloved family as he can.

The story introduces the reader to Mako’s four foster sons; raised as survivalist and each with their own story of pain that hooks you immediately and reels you right in. With Gabe’s story being the first in the series, you get a much longer peek inside his head in this book. And I’m already chomping at the bit to get my hands on his story.

The novella was perfectly paced, with plenty of romance, action, and suspense. I loved getting another visit with Master Z and Jessica. I also couldn’t get enough of the four foster brothers. I can already tell that series is going to be amazing. Fans of Sinclair will not want to miss this book!

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Review & Excerpt: The Darkest Captive by Gena Showalter

December 6, 2018 by ·


The demon possessed beast wants his beauty back, and he’ll do anything to win her. Even war with a god king.

From New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Gena Showalter, comes THE DARKEST CAPTIVE, a new novella in her addictive bestselling Lords of the Underworld Series, brought to you by 1,001 Dark Nights!

THE DARKEST CAPTIVE
Series: Lords of the Underworld #14.5
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Author: Gena Showalter
Release Date: December 4, 2018

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Gena Showalter comes a new story in her Lords of the Underworld series…

For centuries, Galen the Treacherous has been the most hated immortal in the Underworld. With good reason! This bad boy of bad boys has lied, stolen, cheated and killed with abandon. Possessed by the demons of Jealousy and False Hope, he has always lived for a single purpose: destroy everything.

Then he met her.

Former demon turned human femme fatale — Legion Honey — sought to kill Galen, but ended up parting with her virginity instead. Afraid of their sizzling connection, she ran away…and ended up trapped in hell, tortured and abused in the worst of ways. Now she’s free, and a shell of herself, afraid of her own shadow.

Galen’s hunger for Legion has only grown. Now the warrior with nothing to lose must help her rekindle the fire that once burned inside her. But as desires blaze white-hot, will Legion run again? Or will the unlikely pair succumb to love at long last?

AMAZON

Shocked to the bone, Legion performed a slow-mo 360. Galen’s kitchen had been transformed into an Arabian Nights paradise. Flickering candles filled the entire room. Multi-colored scarves cascaded from the ceiling, intermixing with strings of beads. A coffee table had replaced the kitchen table, jewel-toned pillows acting as chairs. Covered platters dominated the table’s surface, a gem-encrusted genie lamp the centerpiece.Your wish is my command…

The scent of corn dogs, chili cheese fries, and cotton candy saturated the air, and her mouth watered.

As Galen stepped past a sheer purple curtain, electric pulses awakened every nerve in her body.

He looked her over. “You are stunning, Leila.”

His husky timbre sent shivers rushing down her spine. And when he looked her over a second time, taking in the frilly dress with a cinched-in waist and mid-thigh tulle skirt paired with ballet flats, his irises heated—and so did her blood.

Galen wore a dark, perfectly tailored suit, the polished veneer only enhancing the savagery of his soul. Awareness of him eclipsed her fears, and it was nice. Better than nice. Wonderful! For a moment, she felt like the old Legion again.

“I’m guessing I am stunning, too?” he prompted.

Did she detect a thrum of uncertainty? How adorable. The saucy, ultra-confident Galen cared about her opinion. Meaning she had power over him. How delicious.

“You are,” she admitted. “I think you’ve hijacked my thoughts.” And she was glad for it. Once, she’d made a deal with the devil because she’d dreamed of falling in love, being loved in return, and discovering why humans were so obsessed with getting naked and rolling around in bed. Here, now, she realized a part of her still yearned for those things, despite everything that had happened.

Fear had put her life on pause long enough. She deserved pleasure.

If she wanted better, she had to fight for it. Had she picked the right man for the job, though? Someone who would be patient with her, who would ease her back to life, and give as much as he took?

Time would reveal the truth, one way or another, but her hopes were high. Galen was strong. He would cross any line to get what he wanted, and for some reason, what he wanted most was a chance to keep her safe.

Unless he decided to bed her, even if she said no.

 


Galen might have been created for war, but he lived for Leila.

Years. YEARS I’ve been waiting for Galen and Legion’s story. It’s been the most torturously painful foreplay right after William (and now Hades). What I’m trying to tell you here, is that I NEEDED their book. And while I was definitely disappointed we wouldn’t be getting a full novel for them, the novella was still satisfying enough to appease this reader.

She had the face of an angel and the body of a porn star, and he wanted to pray and sin at the same time.

The nice thing about this novella, is that readers that are new to the series can enjoy it as well. But if you’re like me and have read the entire series, than you’ll certainly have a different sort of appreciation to Legion and Galen’s journey.

Admittedly, I struggled with Legion as a character after Aeron’s book. I mean, an almost childlike demon turned beautiful seductress? I wasn’t sure if I bought into it. But she’s won me over with her strength and perseverance throughout the series. Her do anything for those she love attitude is what got her on Galen’s radar and I couldn’t wait to see how it all concludes.

Galen has been THE baddie for the first half of this series. And if there’s anything I love, it’s a good redemption story. After a sizzling encounter that was only supposed to be a means to an end, it ended up changing the course of things for both Galen and Legion. Legion has been trying to heal her mind after the torture she endured in hell. And Galen has been obsessed with finding and finally wooing her back into his bed once and for all.

I really loved Legion and Galen together. I did find myself wishing that it was more fleshed out into a full story, as it did feel a bit rushed at points. But at the same time, I still highly enjoyed it despite that quibble, so I can’t complain much. Now if you’ll excused me, I’m off to go rock myself in a corner until William’s book finally comes out.

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the spellbinding Lords of the Underworld and Angels of the Dark series, two young adult series–Everlife and the White Rabbit Chronicles–and the highly addictive Original Heartbreakers series. In addition to being a National Reader’s Choice and two time RITA nominee, her romance novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan (Red Hot Read) and Seventeen magazine, she’s appeared on Nightline and been mentioned in Orange is the New Black–if you ask her about it, she’ll talk for hours…hours! Her books have been translated in multiple languages.

She’s hard at work on her next novel, a tale featuring an alpha male with a dark side and the strong woman who brings him to his knees. You can learn more about Gena, her menagerie of rescue dogs, and all her upcoming books at genashowalter.com or Facebook.com/genashowalterfans

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

· Filed Under: All Reviews, PNR · Tagged With: ,

New Release & Review: All Of Me by @aljacksonauthor

December 3, 2018 by ·

ALL OF ME
SERIES: Confessions of the Heart #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: AL Jackson
Release Date: December 3rd, 2018

⋆Sexy Attorney
⋆Forbidden Romance
⋆The one woman who will make him question everything

People call me callous. Arrogant. Ruthless.

I call myself tenacious.

One of the most powerful attorneys in Charleston, I don’t let anyone or anything stand in my way.

Until a chance encounter changes everything.

One glance.

One touch.

One night.

It only leaves me wanting more.

But Grace is off limits. Most people would even say forbidden.

Everyone knows an attorney can’t sleep with his client.

Too bad I already did.

And even with the threat of losing everything, I don’t know if I can stop myself from having her again…

All of Me – a Confessions of the Heart forbidden, stand-alone romance

With you . . . for once in my life . . . I wish that I could be someone else. Someone better. That I could be worth it.”

A powerful, beautifully written and emotionally gripping story, All of Me was everything I expected and so SO much more!

Ever since he first appeared across the pages of More Of You, I’ve been absolutely captivated by Ian’s intensity. There’s just something something about him that sucks you right into his dark vortex. This is a man with dark secrets and a painful past. His history helped paint his present and mold him into the powerful and determined, do-anything-to-succeed man he is today. Nothing will ever stand in his way, especially a woman or love.

The second I’d seen him, I’d known the man could wreck me with the barest brush of his hand. And oh, had he done a whole lot more than let those fingertips caress my cheek.

If there’s one thing that AL Jackson can do like no one else, it’s suck readers in with her prologues. And the one in this book? SHIVERS. I’m talking full body shivers here, people. I was desperately turning the pages well into the night.

A chance meeting changes everything for Ian when he runs into a mysterious beauty at a work gala. Unable to get her out of his mind, he pursues her with a single minded intent. But he’s not the only one with dark rooted secrets, and Grace has some of her own. Secrets that just may cost both of them everything.

You’re going to ruin me, Angel Girl.”
“And you’re going to save me.”

Grace was the perfect balance to Ian’s intensity. She’s such a strong heroine yet has this vulnerability to her that you can’t help but fall in love with. She’s tenacious and protective when it comes to those that she loves. And she’s a woman that loves and loves hard. Even though she’s been through a hell of her own, she hasn’t lost any of her tenderness. The relationship between her and Ian develops over time. While their chemistry is instantaneous, they both fight what’s brewing between them until the flames just prove to be too much. I simply adore Jackson’s lyrical style to story telling. I think that’s what ultimately softened the dark edges of these two characters. Their story is not a light one, but the beautiful storytelling style helped lighten it. It was captivating and enrapturing.

I can’t wait for Mack to get his book next. Considering the books in this series just get better and better, I can’t wait to see what the next one will bring.


Don’t miss the awesome giveaway for the All of Me release! It’s a Fight for Me Bundle + More of You + $50 Amazon Gift Card!

I can’t wait for you to fall in love with Ian and Grace’s story the way I did! Enjoy!

xoxo ~

Amy

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.
Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, BLEEDING STARS, and FIGHT FOR ME novels. Grab A.L. Jackson’s latest novel, ALL OF ME, the second stand-alone novel in her brand-new CONFESSIONS OF THE HEART series.
If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.
Be sure not to miss new releases and sales from A.L. Jackson – Sign up to receive her newsletter http://smarturl.it/NewsFromALJackson or text “aljackson” to 33222 to receive short but sweet updates on all the important news.

Connect with A.L.

Facebook: http://smarturl.it/ALJacksonPage
Reader Group: http://smarturl.it/AmysAngelsRock
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/ALJacksonAmzn
Bookbub: http://smarturl.it/ALJacksonBookbub
Twitter: @aljacksonauthor
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· Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance · Tagged With: ,

Review: Legacy Of Lies by Tara Leigh

November 27, 2018 by · Leave a Comment

LEGACY OF LIES
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Legacy of Lies #1
Author: Tara Leigh
Release Date: October 15, 2018

Money. Status. Wealth. Power.
I believed I was entitled to all of it.
My legacy.

Jolie Chapman.
I thought I was entitled to her, too.
My love.

In a scandal that set our families against each other, I lost.
My legacy. My love.
Everything.

I was heir to a throne built on lies, my crown forged from corruption.
Stripped of everything I’d been raised to consider my birthright.
Including my princess—who wasn’t mine, after all.

I’ve spent the past decade rebuilding my life, on my own terms.
Money. Status. Wealth. Power.
They’ve been earned.
Now I’ve returned to Manhattan for redemption, too.

Jolie wasn’t supposed to be here.
… And I wasn’t supposed to care.

Screw me once, shame on you. Screw me twice—
Who am I kidding? I don’t believe in second chances anymore.

AMAZON

I was heir to a throne built on lies, my crown forged from corruption. Stripped of everything I’d been raised to consider my birthright. Including my princess—who wasn’t mine after all.

If you follow my reviews, you know that second chance romance is my catnip. Something in that sweet sweet angst of lovers reunited after years apart just speaks to me. I gobble it right up. So of course the blurb to this book reeled me in like a moth to a flame.

Admittedly, after finishing the prequel novella to this story, I was left slightly underwhelmed. I was a little nervous that the lack of feeling I had with that story would follow me into this one. Well I’m happy to report that I couldn’t have been more wrong.

She was a deposed Park Avenue Princess who discovered that her tiara had been made of paste and plastic. Just as my crown had been nothing but a con.

It’s been ten years since Jolie and Tripp were ripped out of their fairytale lives and away from each other by a scandal that rocked both of their families. A lie that that not only shattered the foundation of everything they knew, but imploded what they were to each other. And while it may have been ten years and they both went on with their lives, their past still molded them into who they are today. Neither has forgotten or gotten over the other, but the lies between them are simply too devastating to forgive.

Jolie and I had inherited a legacy of lies. Tonight, it would go up in flames.

This book brought all of the feels that I had hoped for and more. I loved Tripp’s intensity and the way he couldn’t help but want the woman he thought no longer wanted him. Their connection was instant when they were just kids, and it’s no less potent now. But now they also have to wade through all the pain that continues to follow them. Along with the romance that flames between them once again, there’s also a mystery of just what happened back then that drives the story forward. There’s plenty of plot twists and sizzle to keep readers at the edge of their seats from beginning to finish.

This woman was going to annihilate me. Again. And I was going to let her.

I enjoyed this book thoroughly! Tara Leigh has a new fan in this reader, and I can’t wait for more from her!

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Review: Irish Crown by Nashoda Rose

November 27, 2018 by ·

IRISH CROWN
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Nashoda Rose
Release Date: November 26, 2018

From the New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Nashoda Rose, comes a new, sexy standalone romance novel.

It was one night together.

I wasn’t supposed to see him again.
I never thought I would.

And then, the six foot three cement graffiti wall of badass strides back into my life, and does it full force.
Now he’s protecting me from his past and I’m protecting myself against the heated chaos he erupts in my body. It doesn’t help that he can do playful and sweet, when he’s not doing bossy.

But the overly confident, playboy Deaglan Kane is danger, has no boundaries, and is totally off limits.

And I know behind his walls there’s a man with a dark and damaged past.
A man more dangerous. A man who may be the greatest threat of all.

The Irish Crown.

AMAZON

I looked up at Deaglan and I finally stepped off the cliff. I had no idea where it led, or when I’d land, but right now it was in the arms of Deaglan Kane.

To say that I’ve been mildly impatient to get my grabby little hands on this book would be a HUGE understatement. For those that have read Kept From You , then you’ll recall Kite’s mysterious and sexy cousin, Deaglan. And for those that haven’t, not to worry, because this is easily enjoyed as a standalone.

Hatred blurred survival. Survival crushed morals. Morals suffocated under revenge.

If sexy and brooding uber alphas are your thing, you NEED to meet Deaglan Kane. The man is pure tatted temptation. A mystery wrapped in an enigma and all of that in one deliciously sinful package that you can’t help but lust after.

Written in Nashoda’s signature style of sexy and gritty, Irish Crown sucked me in from the very first chapter.

Eva is a good girl. She’s not the type the type that goes home with a sexy stranger that gives her the best night of her life. She’s also not the kind of girl that knows how to deal with that same man giving her the brush off the next morning and all but kicking her out. But she is the type of girl that knows how to persevere and maintain her pride. So when that same mystery man that rocked her world shows up at the hospital she works at, demanding to protect her after learning she was attacked as she left his place… Well…she’s not sure how to deal with that either.

I absolutely loved Eva. She’s strength and vulnerability wrapped in a sassy package that gave as good as she got. And even though she didn’t make Deaglan work for it as much as I would have liked, I can’t quite blame her for it either. Deaglan certainly makes one impression and no ovary in a 100 mi radius can fight his appeal.

As for Deaglan…GAH. Just GAH! I couldn’t get enough of him. His past is a darkly shrouded mystery and with each layer that peeled away, I fell harder and harder for him. I loved seeing his protective and possessive side come out with Eva when he was determined to stay away from her. I loved watching him fall harder and harder for the woman that he never expected.

For those that have read Nashoda’s other books, you’ll definitely appreciate the numerous cameos here. There’s also some new faces that make an appearance that you’ll be desperate for more on. One silent enigma, Vic, to name just one.

The book loosely ties in with Nashoda’s Unyielding series, which this reader really appreciated. I loved getting more Kai, Deck, and the rest of the VUR team.

If you’re looking for a read that has a sizzling romance, page turning suspense, and some high octane action mixed in, then you really can’t go wrong with this one. I can’t wait for Vic’s book next!

· Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance · Tagged With: ,

Review: Reclaiming Izabel by Victoria Paige

November 24, 2018 by ·

RECLAIMING IZABEL
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Series: Special Forces: Operation Alpha
Author: Victoria Paige
Release Date: November 13, 2018

Three years ago Izabel Maddox lost the love of her life.
Not long after, a cruel twist of fate ripped away the last part she had of him.
Grief and devastating loss almost broke her, but she survived.
Focusing on building her childhood dream was her lifeline.
But just when she thought her heart could move on, her past came barreling back, making her question if the struggles of the past were all for nothing.

Three years ago Drake Maddox made the toughest decision of his life.
To protect his wife and avenge his brothers, the Navy SEAL faked his death.
Injuries and the loss of his team marked his soul, but it was losing Izabel and their unborn child that nearly broke him.
Focusing all his time and skills on finding the enemy was his lifeline.
Returning to his wife had always been his dream, but reclaiming Izabel might prove to be his ultimate nightmare.
Because his wife may never forgive him for betraying their vows.

AMAZON

Three years … I fought my way back to you, Izabel, but I’m drowning here. I want my wife back.”

The second I read the blurb to this book, I was all over it. And I mean ALL over it. It reminded me of one of my favorite books with a similar situation, Wild Card by Lora Leigh. A wife that believes her military husband dead until he comes back to reclaim her three years later. YES, PLEASE!

This had several delicious elements that I absolutely love in my books; an OTT alpha that loves and loves hard being the main one. I love me a good alpha, and Drake was one hot alpha. This is a man that’s utterly obsessed and devoted to his wife. When a mission gone wrong forces him to fake his own death and let his wife believe it too, it completely breaks him. Coming back to her is the only thing that drives him during the three years it takes to complete the mission. And when he comes back to a shell shocked Izabel, he’s not beyond groveling to get back into her heart.

I really enjoyed the book and the story. The characters were great and I was completely invested. The only thing that kept me from rating a little higher was the slight detachment I couldn’t help but feel in the writing. It was such a strange combination to be invested in the characters but at the same time feeling like I’m being told about them rather than experiencing them. There was this choppiness to the story telling that made it slightly cold.

On the flip side, I loved the set up and Drake so much that it was pretty easy to look past that particular quibble. I love that Izabel really made him work for it. And I loved even more seeing this tough as nails alpha male turn to absolutely putty for his beloved wife.

The added element of suspense was great but I also couldn’t help but wish for a little more. It wrapped up pretty quickly and felt somewhat sudden. I wished it was more fleshed out.

As a whole, I definitely enjoyed this book and recommend it for fans of romantic suspense and intense alpha males. This was my first book from this author but definitely won’t be my last!

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

Review: Mouth To Mouth by Tessa Bailey

November 23, 2018 by ·

MOUTH TO MOUTH
Series: Beach Kingdom #1
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Author: Tessa Bailey
Release Date: November 12, 2018

A man with a prison record has no place around a fresh faced college student.

Tell that to Rory Prince.

He should stay the hell away from Olive Cunningham.

There’s one small problem, though. She won’t stop almost getting killed—and with this too-smart, too-sweet girl holding his heart in her hands, Rory is powerless to do anything but keep saving her.

Homeschooled from a young age, Olive is now out on her own and discovering the world, one milkshake flavor at a time.

Until recently, she has experienced life through books.

She’s walked in a million sets of shoes while flipping pages—enough to know that Rory gives her once-in-a-lifetime feelings.

If only he would stop trying to protect her…from himself.

AMAZON

He was so fucking deep in love with her, he was never going to reach the bottom. The rest of his life would consist of sinking, down, down, down, further into love with this girl. Olive. His Olive. 

Two things that are typically a lady-boner killer for me in books:
1. Insta-love
2. Virginal, sweet and innocent heroine

Two things that this books had:
1. Insta-love
2. Virginal, sweet and innocent heroine

I’m pretty sure that only Tessa Bailey is capable of throwing that at me and making me love it. I’m questioning my entire existence right now because of how much I loved it. Not that I’m going to be binging on insta-anything immediately after. But, if Tessa Bailey writes it? You best believe I’ll be reading it.

Mouth to Mouth is a New Adult romance that’s a deliciously fast paced read. It’s your steryotypical bad boy falling for the good girl trope, but with a Tessa Bailey twist on it. What does that mean? It means that while the heroine is most definitely a good girl, she’s also quirky, spunky, and witty. And the bad boy? A dirty talking god. What else do you expect?

Olive and Rory come from two entirely different worlds. A home schooled book worm that’s out in the real world for the first time on her own meets a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks with a prison record under his belt doesn’t exactly make sense on paper. But when Rory saves the beauty with her nose stuck in her book from getting hit by a car, both their worlds get tilted on their axis. Olive is sweet and innocent. A college student out on her own for the first time ever. Rory is no good for her, but he also can’t keep away from her. He’s drawn into her orbit. And when he saves her life for the second time, all bets are off.

This was such a fun and sexy romance full of Tessa’s signature dirty talk and hot as sin scenes. It also have two incredibly endearing characters that you can’t help but fall for. Both Olive and Rory have their own demons of self worth that they’re fighting, but you root for the the entire way.

It also sets the scene for the other Prince brothers and man oh man does it sound delicious. Especially the MM one. I can’t wait!

If you enjoy a sweet and sexy light-hearted romance, this one is not to be missed!

· Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance · Tagged With: ,

Review: In The Land of Gods and Monsters by Carmen Jenner

November 22, 2018 by · 2 Comments
In the Land of Gods and Monsters
Series: Gods and Monsters #1
Author: Carmen Jenner
Genre: Dark Romance
Release Date: November 20, 2018
In the land of Gods and Monsters, she was a toy.
A plaything.
A pet.
His pet.
Taken, stolen, beaten, used.
Pet remembers nothing before his touch, and afterward, she craves nothing more.
Sinful and merciless, Ares is her God now.
He alone says when to beg, when to come, and when to kneel, but he never said anything about
leaving.
AMAZON | B&N | KOBO | iBOOKS
99c for a limited time!!

Ares leads me into the darkness, and I have no choice but to follow blindly.

The second I saw the blurb for this book, I’ve been chomping at the bit to get my grabby little hands on it. If I know one thing from my love affair with Carmen Jenner’s other books, the woman knows how to write some dark and gritty stuff. And this reader is RAVENOUS for it!

Now, I feel it fair to warn you that this book is most definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s not just dark, it’s DARK. It skates right past the edge of black and white and right into the gray void of human depravity.

Told in dual POVs, it throws you right into the deep end of the dark waters where pain and pleasure blur, and consent is not a thing that comes to mind. A famous ballerina, her career is all she cares about…until the night she’s taken and her identity is stripped from her along with her memory. She’s left stripped down to her basest urges and questioning everything she thinks she knows. Her captor is a violently captivating enigma. He’s not gentle or nice, but somewhere in the pits of his darkness we get a glimpse into someone else. But it never quite comes out. He’s the master and she’s the pet and their “relationship” is violence and sex.

One day, I’ll escape. I’ll be free, but my freedom will come at a price—Ares’ life. It seems a worthy exchange. After all, he stole my life. It’s only fair that I should take his.

I loved the first 40% of the book. I was at the edge of my seat and a ball of anxiety, both eager and terrified to turn the page. But then somewhere along the line, all of the punishments and sex scenes began to blur into each other. I felt like a good half of them could have been removed, and the story wouldn’t have suffered without them. I wanted more development on the story and the characters, and while that was definitely still there, I couldn’t help wanting more. I’m positive the next installment will ultimately bring the answers and more development, so I can’t wait for that. This installment felt a little stretched out, more so than necessary. It begins strong and ends with a bang. But the parts in the middle felt somewhat unnecessary. There were parts that were shocking, almost too much so. But you have to know to expect that. This felt more like dark erotica than romance, but there’s an undercurrent of something more. Something I’m sure we’ll get in the next book.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to rock myself in a corner in my wait for book two.

2 Comments · Filed Under: All Reviews, Dark · Tagged With: ,

Excerpt & Review: Control by K. Bromberg

November 21, 2018 by · 1 Comment

CONTROL
Series: Everyday Heroes #3.5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: K. Bromberg
Release Date: November 13, 2018

“Sometimes love happens unexpectedly…”

From New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author K Bromberg, comes CONTROL, a new novella in her Everyday Heroes Series, brought to you by 1,001 Dark Nights! Be sure to grab your copy today!

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author K. Bromberg comes a new story in her Everyday Heroes series…

Control is something Desi Whitman abhors. Why live life in black and white perfection when you can messily color outside the lines?

But when she comes face to face with SWAT officer Reznor Mayne, he’s about to show her just how good control can feel.

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

AMAZON

 

“That ego of yours is going to be sore tomorrow.”“Why’s that?” he asks.

“It’s working out right now, flexing its muscles and doing some heavy lifting.” It’s pretty damn hard to be sarcastic when the man still touching you is making you want to lean in and kiss those sexy lips of his and prove just how right he is.

And just how wrong you are.

A sheepish smile paints his lips. “Ah, but you like the muscles.”

I like a whole lot more than the muscles.

“Mmm.” It’s all I trust myself to say.

He leans in closer. I can feel his breath feather over my lips and the look in his eyes—one that says his interest is as strong as mine: hungry and aroused as hell—is enough to make every part of me want to step forward and into him.

But I don’t.

I want to.

But I also want to slow down whatever the hell this is.

“Hey, Desi,” he murmurs as he leans in close enough that both of our eyes flicker down to the other’s lips as we breathe the same air.

“Hmm?”

“You look gorgeous in that color.”

Oh sh*t.

I just swooned.

First flutters.

Now swooning.

Both are things I never do.

“Thank you.” My voice is barely audible when I finally swallow around the lump of desire clouding in my throat.

“For?” he asks, the rumble of his voice a seduction all in itself.

“For fixing my sprinklers.”

“And?”

“And for the compliment.”

His tongue darts out to wet his lips. “No need to thank me.”

Time feels like it slows as we stand like this in the afternoon sunlight on my patio—me in a bright yellow sundress and him in mud-soaked jeans. The birds chirp above. My heart pounds in my ears. My nipples harden in anticipation.

Jesus, just kiss me already, will you?

“Desi?”

“Yeah?”

Just as I get my synapses to fire and lean in and take the initiative myself, he takes a step back and says, “I need to take a shower.”

I draw in a shaky breath as his eyes remain on mine and their corners crease with his smile.

“It’s a good look for you though.” Nice recovery, Des. At least outwardly it is, because inside I’m kind of a wreck with more want than I care to admit to.

“I don’t need to have mud on me to get dirty.”

He winks, gives me one last once-over with eyes that relay every single thing they want to do to me, before he turns on his heel and heads in the direction of his house.

 

Control (Everyday Heroes #3.5; 1001 Dark Nights, #92)Control by K. Bromberg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 STARS


There was no softness, no tenderness—just stripped-down necessity in that first kiss.


I’ve loved sassy and quirky Desi ever since we first met her as the bff in Cuffed. And I couldn’t wait to meet the man that will shake up her world.

Demi doesn’t believe in forever. At least not with a man. Dogs? Absolutely! As the owner of Doggy Style, she loves her furry companions. But she hasn’t had much luck with men. They lie, they cheat, and what’s the point of forever when you can have the now? Her bestie may be happily settled down, but that’s not in her cards. When a home invasion leaves her seeking self defense classes, she stumbles on a man that won’t take anything less than everything she has to give.

Reznor is a SWAT commander that’s recovering in Desi’s small town after a job went terribly wrong. A change of pace is what he needs and teaching women self defense is the perfect escape. He doesn’t expect the mouthy beauty that steals all of his attention. And he certainly doesn’t expect to work so hard for her to take a chance on them. But that’s exactly what he does.

I loved Rez and Desi together. I loved the way that Rez pursues her with a singleminded intent. I love how Desi really makes him work for it. Their chemistry is absolutely incendiary and I couldn’t get enough of them. I did with for slightly more background on Desi to truly understand and connect with her fear of commitment. However, for a short novella, this was still entirely satisfying. It was fun, sexy, and quick paced. I devoured it in one sitting. A fantastic addition to a great series!

New York Times bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy, and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines, and damaged heroes who we love to hate and hate to love.

She’s a mixture of most of her female characters: sassy, intelligent, stubborn, reserved, outgoing, driven, emotional, strong, and wears her heart on her sleeve. All of which she displays daily with her husband and three children where they live in Southern California.

On a whim, K. Bromberg decided to try her hand at this writing thing. Since then she has written The Driven Series (Driven, Fueled, Crashed, Raced, Aced), the standalone Driven Novels (Slow Burn, Sweet Ache, Hard Beat, and Down Shift), and a novella (UnRaveled).

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