Review: I Flipping Love You by Helena Hunting

I FLIPPING LOVE YOU
Series: Shacking Up #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Helena Hunting
Release Date: May 29, 2018

A new kind of love story about flipping houses, taking risks, and landing that special someone who’s move-in ready…

SHE’S GOT CURB APPEAL

Rian Sutter grew up with the finer things in life. Spending summers in The Hamptons was a normal occurrence for her until her parents lost everything years ago. Now Rian and her sister are getting their life, and finances, back on track through real estate. Not only do they buy and sell houses to the rich and famous, but they finally have the capital to flip their very own beachfront property. But when she inadvertently catches the attention of a sexy stranger who snaps up every house from under her, all bets are off…

HE’S A FIXER UPPER

Pierce Whitfield doesn’t normally demo kitchens, install dry wall, or tear apart a beautiful woman’s dreams. He’s just a down-on-his-luck lawyer who needed a break from the city and agreed to help his brother work on a few homes in the Hamptons. When he first meets Rian, the attraction is undeniable. But when they start competing for the same pieces of prime real estate, the early sparks turn into full-blown fireworks. Can these passionate rivals turn up the heat on their budding romance — without burning down the house?

I FLIPPING LOVE YOU, set in the Shacking Up world, follows two people, both working in real estate, who find themselves vying for the same properties in the Hamptons, leading to a sometimes-not-so-friendly competition.

AMAZON

That is what wanting someone is. This is the pinnacle of desperate attraction. This is the chemical reaction that ignites and burns until there’s nothing left but ash.

*dreamy sigh and googly eyes*

This book was so flipping cute. I have an newly found obsession with all things Helena Hunting, but most especially her Shacking Up series. It’s the perfect blend of rom-com, steam, and feels. It’s just one of those easy, feel-good sort of romances that will leave you with a big ole’ goofy and satisfied grins on your face when you’re finished. And it had quite possibly one of the best meet-cutes I’ve read in quite a while. I mean, how funny when the gorgeous man staring at you in the grocery aisle is actually mistaken you for your fraternal twin sister that scratched his car and drove off? Well, Rian doesn’t find it very funny, but I did. And the sparks were immediate between her and Pierce!

We’re having a sleepover. We’re going to do this all night, and I’m going to cuddle you like a motherfucker after I finishing sexing every last orgasm out of you.”
“Okay.” I mean, what else can I really say to that?

I loved Pierce’s slow and thorough persistence in going after skittish Rian. Rian is done with gorgeous man and their defined bodies. She needs a 9/10 match, and that seems to set her up with boring but safe man that she has zero chemistry with. And of course it would figure that Pierce’s mere presence makes her entire body tingle. But he’s everything that shouldn’t give into. She’s focusing on getting her life back together, her real estate endeavors with her sister, and the gorgeous man that tempts her beyond reason doesn’t fit in that picture. Unfortunately for her, he refuses to take no for an answer.

Did you do that math in your head?”
“Yes.” He crowds me.
“You need to stop that.” I have to tip my head up so I can meet his serious gaze.
“I need to stop doing mental math?”
“In public places, yes.” I bite my cheek to keep my smile in check.
“Do I want to ask why?”
“Because I find it sexy, and it makes me want to do inappropriate things to you in this aisle.

Pierce was absolutely delicious. I loved his unrelenting pursuit of Rian almost as much as I loved to see her unsuccessfully fight the connection between them only to inevitably give in to the explosive fireworks. Pierce was the steady force to Rian’s somewhat indecisive and skittish nature, and it was the perfect balance.

Everything about this book worked for me; the chemistry, the pacing, the character development. It was funny and steamy and absolute romcom perfection. I enjoyed it thoroughly and cannot recommend it enough. I’m also hoping to get a bit of redemption for Lawson with the next book, because he drove me crazy with his mood swings in this one and I’m itching for the details of why.

Review: Verona Blood by Lili St. Germain

VERONA BLOOD
Series: California Blood #1
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: Lili St. Germain
Release Date: May 29, 2018

An arranged marriage. A brutal abduction.

And a love so forbidden, it might destroy them both.

San Francisco is going to burn if the coveted princess of California’s criminal underworld isn’t returned to her family in one piece …

Avery Capulet is missing.

Taken by a madman. Kept in the dark.

She might not survive.

He’ll use her body. Destroy her mind. All before he ever lays a hand on her.

Rome Montague is a drug dealer. A criminal. A thief.

And he needs the secrets Avery and her family are keeping – even if it means cutting them out of her pretty Capulet flesh.

Rome Montague is missing – but nobody will miss him.

Not that it matters; After the things he’s done to this girl, he doesn’t deserve to be found.

Prepare to step into the dark and bloody underworld of California, as Lili St. Germain brings you a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, in the same vein as her bestselling Gypsy brothers series.

Verona Blood, set in the criminal underbelly of San Francisco, follows two warring families who are ruled by blood, power and twisted desire.

AMAZON

She was second-in-line for a throne that her older sister had already been molded to fit. I was the ruins of a family legacy that had soared too high, and crashed spectacularly, the sole survivor of a broken dynasty.

Well…hell. That was certainly…something.

If you’ve read St. Germain’s Gypsy Brothers series, then you already know that her mind can take you to some dark places. The woman’s brain is downright devious, and she writes dark and depraved like no one else. Verona Blood may be a modern twist on Romeo and Juliet, and while it certainly focuses on two star-crossed lovers, there’s not much love that shines through in this story just yet.

The first in the series throws you deep into the underbelly of organized crime and the sacrifices made for family in blood. It’s gritty as hell. It’s violent and spares no detail. If you’ve read ANY book this author has written before, you’ll know that she’s not afraid to go there. And boy does she in this book.

Verona Blood introduces Avery Capulet, as she faces the ultimate reality of being forced to marry a man that she doesn’t love for the good of her family and the order of her father. Avery is headstrong and willful, but she’s not about to say no to her father. But a sick twist of fate lands her in the sights of a psychopath, and then her nightmare truly begins.

In my wildest dreams —or my most terrifying nightmares —never once did I think that I’d be trapped in hell with him.>

I’ll admit, there were parts of this book that were extremely difficult to read. And I’ve read some dark books. But what I truly appreciate about Germain’s writing, is she doesn’t do it for shock value. The depravity and violence truly serves to drive the plot forward, and as dark as it may be, it fits. This book is no walk in the park. It’s damn disturbing. But color me officially hooked.

In the style of her Gypsy Brothers, this is more of a novella length. I read it in 2.5 hrs and was left with my jaw on the floor by the end. It was long enough to hook you, yet short enough to leave you craving more. I’m equally curious and terrified to see what the next book in this series will reveal.

DGR Fave & Geri’s Review: The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

THE KISS QUOTIENT
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Author: Helen Hoang
Release Date: June 5, 2018

A heartwarming and refreshing debut novel that proves one thing: there’s not enough data in the world to predict what will make your heart tick.

Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases–a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.

It doesn’t help that Stella has Asperger’s and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice–with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan.

The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can’t afford to turn down Stella’s offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan–from foreplay to more-than-missionary position…

Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all the other things he’s making her feel.

Soon, their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic…

AMAZON | B&N

All the things that make you different make you perfect.”

Oh my gosh, this book!

I’ve seen my friends gush about Helen Hoang’s debut for a month or so, and being a contrarian that I am, I tried to temper my expectations. I’ve been here before. Everyone I know loved a book and I’m like, ‘meh’. But that’s not the case here.

The Kiss Quotient not only met my expectations, IT EXCEEDED IT!

I finished this book with a huge grin on my face (always a good sign) and full heart. These characters that Hoang brought to life in the pages of her book made me laugh, cry, and fall in love with them.

You’re very good at the talking part.”
“I’ve had sex. There isn’t a talking part.”
A spark danced in his eyes. “There’s definitely a talking part.”

Stella Lane is magnificent as Hoang’s heroine. She’s beautiful, smart, and kind. Her motivations were so wonderfully written and explored by the author that there’s really nothing I can say except, WOW. I just fell in love with her character just like Michael did.

And speaking Michael? Oh man, easily one of the best romance heroes ever. And I don’t say this lightly. Michael Larsen is a cinnamon roll. Sweet and gooey and perfect for Stella! He might be the sweetest and softest hero but he also owns one of the dirtiest mouth out there. In other words, he’s perfect.

Love, he found, was a jail. It trapped, and it clipped wings. It dragged you down, forced you to places you didn’t want to go.

In all seriousness though, this book is definitely one of the best I’ve read this year. Everything about it worked for me. The romance was excellent. The characters were multi-dimensional, even the secondary ones (please give us Quan’s book, please?), were interesting and had motivations you can relate to.  And lastly, don’t let the pretty pastel cover fool you ’cause this book is super steamy in the best way possible.

So yeah, I dig everything about this book and I hope you would read it and dig it too.

 

Review: Order of Protection by Lexi Blake

ORDER OF PROTECTION
Series: Courting Justice #1
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Author: Lexi Blake
Release Date: June 5, 2018

A sexy and suspenseful new contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake where love and law entwine for a conviction of the heart.

To high-end defense attorney Henry Garrison, Win Hughes is a woman he met during one of the most trying times of his life. She’s soft and warm, and he finds solace in their brief relationship. But Win has a secret. She’s actually Taylor Winston-Hughes—born to one of the wealthiest families in the country, orphaned as a child by a tragic accident. Win moves in the wealthiest circles, but her lavish lifestyle hides her pain.

When her best friend is murdered in the midst of a glittering New York gala, Win’s charged with the crime, and the only person in the world she wants to see is Henry.

Henry is shocked at the true identity of his lover, but he can’t reject the case. This trial could take his new firm into the stratosphere. Still, he’s not getting burned by Win again. And yet every turn brings them closer together.

As the case takes a wild turn and Win’s entire life is upended, she must look to the people she’s closest to in order to find a killer. And Henry must decide between making his case and saving the woman he loves…

AMAZON

Win had done that for him, too. Win had done all those things, and just like the fucking alcohol, she’d turned out to be one more addiction he couldn’t afford.

You know what I truly love about this author? Her ability to create new characters while also tying in all previous favorites. If you’ve read her Masters & Mercenaries series as well as her Lawless trilogy, then you’re in for a treat with the cameos that will appear in her brand new Courting Justice series.

In Order of Protection, we’re introduced to the Monster of Manhattan, Henry Garrison, as he picks up the pieces of his life after he hits rock bottom following a bitter divorce from his famous actress wife and the ensuing scandal of it that almost cost him his career as one of the top criminal defense attorneys in NY. He’s done with women, and he’s officially done with the rich and spoiled famous ones.

Taylor Winston Hughes is no stranger to the limelight. As the infamous Billion Dollar Baby, the heiress is used to being in the scrutiny of the public eye. At one point, it almost cost her her life. She meets Henry at a time when they need each other the most. But while she knows right away who he is, Henry has no idea that Win isn’t just a gorgeous woman that he has a weeklong affair with. And when she’s framed for the murder of her best friend, he’s the only one that she can count on.

Henry and Win’s relationship was tumultuous at best. Both of them have been burned in the past. But where Win is more realistic about it and isn’t afraid to own her feelings, Henry runs from them at all costs. He goes hot and cold often, and when he finds out Win’s true identity, he turns downright ice cold. There were times where I wanted to slap him, but I also understood the whys of it. The character development was truly on point here, and it helped sympathize with both characters easily.

I really loved Win. She’s not a naive and spoiled little rich girl. This is a woman that knows what she wants and is a survivor. She’s not afraid to stand up to Henry and his mood swings. I enjoyed her quite a bit.

There’s quite a bit happening with the story between the romance and the suspense of who done it that leaves you guessing until the very end. I enjoyed the suspense element immensely, especially since it really did leave me reeling once the truth of everything came out. The romance was great, even if it ran hot and cold at times. I loved the angst between this couple, though I’ll admit that I wanted Win to make Henry work for it at times and not give into him as easily as she did at times.

I LOVE that we get more Noah Lawless and I’m practically salivating for his book. I’ll settle for David’s next since Lexi does like to save the best for last and I’ll take what I can get.

Order of Protection was a romance full of suspense and deeply buried secrets. It was had a bit of a slow start, but when it picked up steam around the 40% mark, it was unputdownable. Lexi Blake can really do no wrong with me, and I can’t wait for more in this series.

Review: In Bed With The Beast by Tara Sivec


IN BED WITH THE BEAST
Series: The Naughty Princess Club #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Author: Tara Sivec
Release Date: June 5, 2018

A tale as old as time: she needs a place to stay, he’s a grump with a secret and an extra room…can love find a way?

Meet the Naughty Princess Club, a series from USA Today bestselling author Tara Sivec that brings readers to Fairytale Lane and the hilarity—and romance—that three women fall into once they decide to strut their stuff and bring on their own happily ever after.

Living in her overprotective dad’s basement, shy Belle lives her life through books. Being a part of the Naughty Princess Club is the first adventure she’s ever had, plus she desperately needs the money to save one of her favorite places – the local library.

But when her new friends and new business gets her kicked out of her dad’s house, Belle is rescued by the surly Vincent “Beast” Adams who invites her to be his house guest until she gets back on her feet. Despite his attitude problem and long list of rules, Belle finds herself warming to the muscled man with a penchant for growling and starts seeing a gentle side to him that wasn’t there before.

Yet there’s a room that Beast keeps locked and Belle keeps getting hints that Beast is hiding something…can a nerdy librarian tame the beast or will their romance be over before it has a chance to blossom?

AMAZON | iBOOKS

“Oh, my God,” I whisper, my thighs clenching…
“My name’s Vincent. But you can yell whatever you want tonight.”


Oh beast. *heart eyes emoji*

Man do I love me those broody bearded types. And it just doesn’t get any broodier than beast aka Vincent. The silent and grumpy security guard at Charming. If you’ve already read At the Stroke of Midnight, then you’ve already seen the awkwardly hilarious first encounter between him and Belle. And if you haven’t, no worries, because you won’t have any trouble reading this as a standalone. However, I still highly recommend book one simply because it’s freaking AWESOME! But I digress.

Belle is the shy and awkward one of the three girlfriends. She has a tendency to sprout random weird facts when she feels awkward, and that’s quite common. I also couldn’t get enough of her adorably quirky personality. After living in her father’s basement for far too long, this shy librarian is finally ready to take life by the horns. First thing? Book her first stripper event so she can help save her financially struggling beloved library in which she works. Too bad her experience with men of the non fictional variety is entirely too limited. So what’s a girl to do? Enlist the help of the silent, broody one that seems to be hounding her every step lately.

One of my favorite things about this series is most definitely the banter and the friendship that Belle shares with Ariel and Cindy. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of Cindy’s loud mouth and balls to the wall personality. That girl brings each page she appears on to life. She’s truly my spirit animal.

I usually pair this dress with a colorful cardigan sweater and a pair of ballet flats in the same color as the sweater,” I complain, shifting from foot to foot in the heels she made me put on.
“If you ever put a cardigan on again I will punch you in the throat. Also, if you ever use a safety pin to close the neckline of one of your dresses again, I’ll stab you in the eye with it.”

Vincent was deliciously broody. With a painful history, he’s withdrawn completely into himself. But little does he know that a quirky librarian will help him see the light of things.

In Bed With The Beast was a delicious slow burn full of heart and humor. I absolutely adored Belle and Beast together. Watching his heart slowly melt and as he unwillingly falls harder and harder for Belle was entirely satisfying. I’m seriously hooked on this series, but I’m pretty sure I’d part with an ovary to get my hands on Ariel’s book. That set up screams awesome and I absolutely cannot wait to read her book!

Geri’s Review: Grumpy Fake Boyfriend by Jackie Lau

GRUMPY FAKE BOYFRIEND
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Jackie Lau
Release Date: May 22nd 2018

I’m a pretty simple guy. When I’m not writing a science fiction novel, I’m watching a good movie or reading a book.

Alone. I like my reclusive life.

That is, until my only friend asks for a favor—pretend to be his baby sister’s boyfriend on a couples’ getaway. Her ex is going to be there and she needs me as a buffer.

I should have said no, but Naomi is bubbly, energetic, and beautiful.

She also means everything to her brother.

But now, our fake romance is starting to feel all too real, and I find myself stuck between the promise I made to my friend and risking my heart to the one woman who might actually get me…

 

AMAZON

Grumpy Fake Boyfriend is exactly what I expected—a sweet, low-angst romance with cute banter, and fun, relatable characters.

Will Stafford is the aforementioned grumpy, fake boyfriend who was asked by a dear friend of his to pretend to be his sister’s fake boyfriend for the weekend. Will is many things but he is not a social person at all.

A weekend—a long weekend—with several people I don’t know in a freaking beach house while pretending to be someone’s boyfriend is pretty much the worst thing I could imagine.

But he owes Jeremy big time. So despite his reservations, he agreed to spend time with strangers and pretend to be someone’s boyfriend.

Enter Naomi Kwan. The bubbly, fun, beautiful sister in need of a fake boyfriend. She’s social, and she’s not afraid to put herself out there. A total opposite of Will. But the moment they met, the chemistry between them was undeniable.

We need to figure out our story. How did we meet? How long have we been dating?”

“A month,” I say. “We met through your brother.”

“You’re a writer. I thought you had better imagination than that.”

This was a fun book to read. Mainly because Will’s and Naomi’s inner monologue were a riot. They’re both hilarious. Their banter was cute and despite some personal issues I have with the writing style—first person present tense is not my favorite AT ALL—I was engaged and smiling all the way through. The characters were just so dang fun to read.

Jackie Lau was able to highlight the differences in their personality without feeling like it’s too much of a difference for them to be realistically together. That’s also an issue for me with the opposite attracts trope. Sometimes the two main characters are too much of an opposite that the HEA doesn’t feel believable. That wasn’t a problem here. The author was able to craft Naomi and Will’s personalities and still was able to convince me that they can work together as a couple.

Overall, this was a sweet and fun read. I finished this book with a smile on my face. So if you’re looking for some light, low-angst read, I would recommend this book.

Review: Riven by Roan Parrish

RIVEN
Genre: Contemporary MM Romance
Author: Roan Parrish
Release Date: May 29, 2018

Theo Decker might be the lead singer of Riven, but he hates being a rock star. The paparazzi, the endless tours, being recognized everywhere he goes—it all makes him squirm. The only thing he doesn’t hate is the music. Feeling an audience’s energy as they lose themselves in Riven’s music is a rush unlike anything else . . . until he meets Caleb Blake Whitman. Caleb is rough and damaged, yet his fingers on his guitar are pure poetry. And his hands on Theo? They’re all he can think about. But Caleb’s no groupie—and one night with him won’t be enough.

Just when Caleb is accepting his new life as a loner, Theo Decker slinks into it and turns his world upside-down. Theo’s sexy and brilliant and addictively vulnerable, and all Caleb wants is another hit. And another. That’s how he knows Theo’s trouble. Caleb can’t even handle performing these days. How the hell is he going to survive an affair with a tabloid superstar? But after Caleb sees the man behind the rock star, he begins to wonder if Theo might be his chance at a future he thought he’d lost forever.

AMAZON

He was lust and heat and power and I fucking loved it.

Have you ever read a book for the cover alone? What? Now don’t look at me like that. Have you seen this cover? There’s just something about it that’s utterly magnetic. It lures you in. And then you read the blurb, and INSTANT HOOK!

This was my second book by Roan Parrish and I’m definitely a fan. Riven is an emotional, character driven story that was as gripping as it was raw. Now normally, I don’t really enjoy a romance where the main characters hook up in less than 20% of the book. But that’s what happened when Theo first stumbles onto Caleb. The unwilling rockstar that’s trying to escape his reality meets a brooding recovering addict and sparks fly immediately. After no more than some conversation over their love of music and a romantic walk, they fall into bed together. But yet somehow it totally worked in this story.

The chemistry between Theo and Caleb may have been instant, but it also progresses over the course of their courtship. Caleb struggles daily with his sobriety. He was such an endearingly imperfect character. This is a man that’s as far from perfect as it gets, and he knows it. After several failed stints in rehab, he hopes his third will be the charm. Cutting himself off fully from his previous life is the only way he sees of serving sobriety this time around. And Theo and his fame threatens everything he’s worked so hard for.

Theo was absolutely adorable. There was something so vulnerable about him that you can’t help but fall for him. He wears his heart on his sleeve and his emotions all over his face. He’s one of the most genuine characters I’ve read in a long while. His fame is still a shock to him and something he struggles with. He loves music, but hates the notoriety that has come with it and the weird vibe that he seems to have with his bandmates. Caleb is his escape from his own gloom reality.

Theo had burrowed deeper than I’d realized, dug barbs into me. And when he’d ripped away—when I’d pushed him away—it had felt like they all tore loose at once.

This was a bit slower paced than I normally like, but it still worked for me. I loved the characters, and I absolutely loved the story. It may not have been my normal cuppa, but it was one I enjoyed from beginning to finish. Caleb and Theo were adorable together and oh so sexy. If you’re looking for an emotionally charged, character driven story, this is a definite must read.

Review: Rogue Royalty by Meghan March

ROGUE ROYALTY
Series: Savage Trilogy #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Suspense
Author: Meghan March
Release Day: May 22, 2018

New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Meghan March concludes the story of her next devastating and damaged anti-hero in the final book in the Savage Trilogy, Rogue Royalty.

Unthinkable. Unbelievable. Inconceivable.

I don’t recognize what my life has become.

I can’t tell where the lies end and the truth begins anymore.

He came into my world and urged me out of my safe little corner.

All my dreams are coming true except the one thing I want most—my own happy ending.

But I’ll fight for it.

For now.

For always.

AMAZON | iBOOKS | B&N | KOBO | AUDIBLE 

I don’t deserve her at all. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting her more than I want my next breath.

I finished this book in one sitting, as it my norm with all things Meghan March. However, I also finished this book three days ago. I’ve then spent that long picking my jaw off of the ground long enough to write this review. Truth be told, I still can’t even. No seriously. I honestly can’t even form a sentence. My head is still busy exploding. Because not only is Meghan March the queen of cliff hangers, apparently the woman is also the queen of plot twists. Or she’s the devil. Because swear to god, those twists are evil. They screw with my brain and I can’t stop thinking about them for days afterwards.

How do I even begin to write this review and keep it spoiler free? I haven’t a clue here, guys. I feel like the slightest detail could ruin it for someone that hasn’t read it, and so I’m going to vague review the hell out of this review and hope you don’t hate me for it. Because, paying it forward and all that jazz.

With him, I feel all the extremes. There’s nothing average about what we have.

If you haven’t read the first two books, don’t worry, I won’t spill the beans here and ruin it for you. But if I can recommend one thing, is you go into this trilogy absolutely blind. Don’t read the blurbs. Don’t read the reviews. JUST READ THE BOOKS.

But I digress. After two books of sizzling build up, it all comes to a head in Rogue Royalty. Secrets are unveiled, and boy were there some doozies here. For everyone. The truth is finally revealed, and when the cracks of everything that Temperance thought she knew begin to tumble further at her feet, her entire world blows apart.

I have to be honest, for the first 50% I found myself thinking this was going to be a 3 star read for me. I’m an ADD reader after all, and trilogies tend to lose me right around book 3; I tend to get complacent and bored. I should have known better that it was simply the calm before the storm. Because HOLY SHIT was there a storm. I was left questioning my own name at the end of it. Damn. Just damn.

Rogue Royalty was one epic twist after the next. It was sexy thrilling. It was a mind blowing conclusion to one suspenseful and erotically charged trilogy. It was nothing I had expected and I’m still reeling.


GRAB THE REST OF THE TRILOGY

SAVAGE PRINCE 

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IRON PRINCESS

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ROGUE ROYALTY

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A New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty 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.

Sign up for Meghan’s newsletter and receive exclusive content that she saves for her subscribers: http://meghanmarch.com/subscribe

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New Release & Review: Beneath The Scars by Cherise Sinclair

BENEATH THE SCARS
Series: Masters of the Shadowlands #13
Genre: BDSM Romance, Contemporary
Author: Cherise Sinclair
Release Date: May 22, 2018

Josie doesn’t need any help raising her son.

Pregnant at sixteen, Josie learned the hard way about men and their empty promises. She picked herself up and is raising her eleven-year-old son. By herself. And that’s the way she intends it to stay. Unfortunately, her impressionable boy becomes fascinated by the scruffy, intimidating biker who lives next door.

The scars on Holt’s face are only the most visible of his wounds.

Out of the hospital after being attacked in his own damn house, Holt is coming to terms with the fact that his scars frighten people. Like his now-ex-girlfriend who ran after one look at him. Like his redheaded neighbor who hauled her boy away as if Holt was a serial killer. Fine. He’ll give the pretty bartender all the space she wants.

The Shadowlands will bring them together…

When Josie starts bartending in the exclusive, private club, she discovers her neighbor is a member. And a Master–a skilled powerful Dom who can make her fantasies come true. Slowly, the firefighter breaks down the walls around her heart, teaching her how to trust. How to love…

But when her son’s choices lead to disaster, can their relationship survive?

AMAZON

The three C’s—he had them in abundance: competent, confident, and caring. She’d never been so…attracted…to anyone before.

All of the feels and hot as sin BDSM romance combine for another incredible addition to the Masters of the Shadowlands series. I will never tire of these books or Cherise Sinclair’s words. She has this ability to create a BDSM romance that evokes as much emotion as it does chemistry, and characters that are impossible to forget. Beneath the Scars was no exception.

His intent gaze said the Dom would figure out why she was running. And the idea of him getting deeper was simply terrifying.

Holt. *Dreamy sigh*
This man. I swear. How can a man be equally soft, sweet and protective while being intense, dominant and sexy? I don’t know, but Holt was all of those things and more. This is a man that wants a woman of his own. He doesn’t run from relationships. Unfortunately he just doesn’t have the best luck with the women he’s dated lately. His most recent girlfriend left him in the hospital after seeing the gruesome scars he was left with after his near fatal attack by a crazy stalker in the events that began in Mischief and the Masters. Now he’s back home, recuperating and itching to get back to his job as a firefighter and EMT. Are you swooning yet? Because GAH! But I digress.

Josie has trust issues when it comes to men. She learned her lesson after the deceit of a man she thought cared for her left her a single mother at a young age. Now all she cares about is taking care of her son and making ends meet. But when a new job offer that she can’t turn away lands her as a new bartender at the Shadowlands club, the neighbor that she grossly misjudged at first meeting begins to turn her world on its axis.

Because he fully intended to sweep her off her feet and into his arms. And keep her there.

Josie took a bit for me to warm up to, if I’m being perfectly honest. She’s quick to jump to the worst possible conclusions when it comes to Holt due to her history, and at times I wanted to shake her. But at the same time, I also understood her and sympathized with her. Cherise always does such an amazing job with her character development, that I have yet to meet one that I didn’t love.

But ultimately, what made this book for me was Holt. The man was everything. EVERYTHING. He had all the patience in the world when it came to Josie and he wasn’t afraid to wait her out. He was sweet, understanding, and an ultimate Dom. He was sweet and patient when it came to introducing the finicky Josie to the lifestyle. I adored him.

I also loved the way that he took care of Josie’s son and their interactions. I loved that Cherise gave the reader a peek inside the young boy’s head. It wasn’t just about Josie and Holt, but about Josie and her son and Holt. And I loved that we got to see all of that develop.

Beneath the Scars was an emotional, deeply satisfying, and sexy romance. It was everything I’ve come to crave from the talented Cherise Sinclair and I already find myself craving more in this series.

Review: Stripped by Tara Wyatt

STRIPPED
Series: Blue HEAT #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Tara Wyatt
Release Date: May 15, 2018

Detective Sawyer Matthews isn’t just having a bad day—he’s having the worst day. His hunt for the criminal who killed his team member has stalled and now… he’s got to play nice with his new, totally unwanted partner. It’s not that she isn’t qualified, or that he doesn’t like her—it’s because he knows what she looks like naked. So very, very naked.

Brooke Simmons finally landed her dream job working for H.E.A.T, an elite undercover detective squad, and she’s not giving up simply because she had a one-night-stand with her sullen—but undeniably sexy—new partner. They’ll just have to keep it professional. Easier said than done, considering their first case requires Sawyer to infiltrate a drug cartel operating out of a male strip show. Watching him do his best Magic Mike impression every night isn’t just hot—it’s torture.

Sawyer doesn’t need any distractions, yet his attraction to Brooke is explosive and he can’t resist going for round two. Or three. Or four. But as their investigation progresses and danger mounts, they’ll have to put their jobs, hearts, and lives on the line to fight… for each other, for survival, and for justice.

AMAZON

When a hot one night stand turns out to be your new partner for an elite crimefighting unit you’ve been waiting to get a spot on for your entire career? Awwwwwwwkward.

When a very bad date sends Brooke to lick her wounds at a local bar, she doesn’t expect to pass her night with a man that makes her stop thinking about everything. But she certainly doesn’t expect for this man to turn out to be her brand new partner at HEAT, and less than thrilled to see her again. After losing his best friend and partner on duty, Sawyer Matthews’s entire world becomes revenge and catching the criminal responsible for it. Being forced to work with another partner is bad enough, but when it’s a woman he’s fighting an undeniable attraction to? It’s even worse.

Now I’ll be honest, the whole undercover male stripper totally sold me. But this book was so much more than that. As a matter of fact, it was barely a blip on the radar of the entire story. So if you’re planning on reading it hoping it’ll be a whole lot of male stripper action a la Magic Mike, think again. I’m also admittedly not a fan of the MCs having sex so early in the book because often times I find I lose interest in their connection. Luckily that never happened here. There was enough of a slow burn following their initial hookup that kept me fully invested. Even though I wanted to kick Sawyer in the balls a whole lot of times. The man gives brooding and hardheaded a new meaning.

I enjoyed the secondary characters and the suspense part of the story. If I’m being truthful, that kept me more engaged than the romance for the majority of the book. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed Brooke and Sawyer together. But I also couldn’t help but feeling like something was missing for me that I couldn’t quite get my finger on.

Blue HEAT was definitely an exciting start to what looks to be a promising new series, and I for one am hooked. I’ll be on the lookout for book two, and also eagerly anticipating the book for a certain character that had the best hook for ever at the end of this book. I won’t spoiler it for you, but I will say I’m pretty much salivating for his story.

Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

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