Review: Deadly Silence by Rebecca Zanetti

deadly-silence-reviewDEADLY SILENCE
Series: Blood Brothers #1
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Release Date: October 4, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

deadlysilence40

The first book in a breathtaking new romantic suspense series that will appeal to fans of New York Times bestsellers Maya Banks, Lisa Gardner, and Lisa Jackson.

DON’T LOOK BACK

Under siege. That’s how Ryker Jones feels. The Lost Bastards Investigative Agency he opened up with his blood brothers has lost a client in a brutal way. The past he can’t outrun is resurfacing, threatening to drag him down in the undertow. And the beautiful woman he’s been trying to keep at arm’s length is in danger…and he’ll destroy anything and anyone to keep her safe.

Paralegal Zara Remington is in over her head. She’s making risky moves at work by day and indulging in an affair with a darkly dangerous PI by night. There’s a lot Ryker isn’t telling her and the more she uncovers, the less she wants to know. But when all hell breaks loose, Ryker may be the only one to save her. If his past doesn’t catch up to them first…

Full of twists and turns you won’t see coming, DEADLY SILENCE is New York Timesbestselling author Rebecca Zanetti at her suspenseful best.

A Blood Brothers Novel

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR4 stars

She knew his kiss-often dreamed about it. Not soft and sweet…not even lustful. It was dangerous. From day one, she’d tasted danger on his tongue, and it burned her hotter than she’d ever been.

It was a bittersweet feeling for me when I finished Total Surrender. As much as I was anticipating the ending for the series because I wanted answers, I also didn’t want it to end. I’d grown addicted to Zanetti’s protective alphas and needed more. I felt that she left just enough loose ends for a potential spin off at the end of that book and boy was I thrilled to see I was right. Deadly Silence is book one in the brand new romantic suspense spin-off from the author’s Sin Brother’s series. While readers don’t necessarily need to read the Sin Brothers first, you would certainly enjoy it a lot more because of the interconnecting plot points and characters here if you read it.

Deadly Silence is the perfect mix of sizzling hot romance with action packed suspense. Ryker is everything I love in my alphas and more. He’s broody, he’s demanding, he’s protective, and his past is clouded in dark shadows. Ryker and Zara have been involved in a casual relationship for months as this books starts. While there’s no relationship building tension though, that’s not to mean there isn’t tension. Because boy is there!

Don’t tell me what to do,” she whispered, fighting need along with her temper.
“You like me telling you what to do.”
“Only in bed,” she burst out.
He smiled, the expression gentle and dangerous all at once. “Then get in bed.”

Ryker along with his brothers Heath and Denver are in town hunting an elusive serial killer. But when Ryker sees that Zara may also be in danger, he knows that he’ll protect her with his dying breath, but he also wants a whole lot more from the woman.

Casual sex doesn’t work for me any longer.”
“There ain’t nothin’ casual about our sex, and you know it.”

Zara was an intriguing mix of vulnerability and strength. This is a woman that fights for what’s right and I enjoyed watching her really come into her own as the book progressed.

I absolutely loved the crossover aspect between the Blood Brothers and Sin Brothers. I won’t tell you what it was, but if you’ve read the other series, you’ll definitely appreciate it.

The romance was expertly weaved into the suspense and action and it all flowed together effortlessly to guarantee one unputdownable read. I’m seriously hoping that Heath’s book is next because I’m sensing a little tension between him and a certain FBI agent that I can’t wait to get to the bottom off.

If you enjoy super sexy romantic suspense with protective alphas and heroines that handle their own just as well, then this is a series that you need to read.


PRE-ORDER AVAILABLE NOW

LETHAL LIES (Blood Brothers #2)
Releasing May 16, 2017lethal-liesAMAZON | GOODREADS

Jennifer’s Review: The Sexy One by Lauren Blakely

review-the-sexy-oneTHE SEXY ONE
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Author: Lauren Blakely
Release Date: October 17, 2016
add-to-goodreads-button-2

the-sexy-one

Want a romance guaranteed to make you melt? Get ready to fall in love with THE SEXY ONE!

From the NYT Bestselling author of MISTER O, comes a sexy new standalone romance…

Let me count the ways why falling into forbidden love is not my wisest move…
1. She works with me every single day.
Did I mention she’s gorgeous, sweet, kind and smart?
2. She works in my home.
Playing with my five-year-old daughter. Teaching my little girl. Cooking for my princess. Which means…
3. She’s the nanny.
And that makes her completely off-limits…But it doesn’t stop me from wanting her. All of her.

***

The other nannies in this city don’t call him the Sexy One for nothing. My boss, the amazingly wonderful single father to the girl I take care of every day is ridiculously hot, like movie star levels with those arms, and those eyes, and that body. Not to mention, the way he dotes on his little girl melts me all over. But what really makes my knees weak are the times when his gaze lingers on me. In secret. When no one else is around.

I can’t risk my job for a chance at something more…can I? But I don’t know how to resist him much longer either…

With all the heat, heart and humor readers have come to expect, this newest standalone will make you laugh, swoon and feel like you’re falling in love!

Buy Links Amazon | Amazon Paperback | iBooks | Kobo | Barnes & Noble
Review-DGR3 stars

à la Mode St. » fashion

If neither one of us says a word, this won’t be a foolish risk. If we just stay here, existing in this moment, me searching his face and him studying my eyes, we can pretend there’s nothing between us.

But that would be a lie.

à la Mode St. » fashionMy Simon & Abby:

 :
I liked it. I really did. I can’t really say anything bad about this book or these characters. I liked the characters. I liked the story. This is a good book! There are no ifs, ands, or buts (*giggles…..buts).
Simon is a dad…..a great dad. The only reason he has a nanny is because he works, but not too much. He rearranges his schedule all the time to be with this daughter. He is pretty much the hottest, most perfect dad. He’s like sexy kryptonite.
à la Mode St. » fashion

Must. Rein. In. Desire. To. Launch. Self. At. Simon.

à la Mode St. » fashionAbby loves Simon…..secretly. Who wouldn’t? She is so afraid of showing her feelings. She is a blushing mess. Every time she is around him, she is constantly giving herself a pep-talk to keep herself from getting closer. Little does she know that Simon has the same feelings.

I love that Blakely mentions how cliché this story can be, because it could have been worse if she didn’t come out and say it, but it wasn’t cliché at all. Neither of them want to be the cliché. It’s a dance that they play around each other because they are afraid of ruining a good thing. They are both thinking of the Simon’s daughter and putting her first. They are choosing to be selfless, but they cannot escape the slippery slope for too long.
à la Mode St. » fashion

If loving that amazing, vibrant, talented, brilliant woman is a cliché, then I’ll gladly slap the sign on my chest. I’m a cliché, and I’m okay with it.

à la Mode St. » fashionSimon and Abby are so cute together. I loved how they bonded over nature videos (LOL!). This story is sweet, and I truly enjoyed it.

Excerpt & Review: Submission Is Not Enough by Lexi Blake

submission-is-not-enough-fb-cover-available-nowSubmission is Not Enough
Series: Masters and Mercenaries Book 12
Genre: Romantic Suspense, BDSM
Author: Lexi Blake
Release Date: October 25, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

submissionisnotenoughnew

A fallen hero reborn

Theo Taggart lost everything the night he died. His family, his beautiful Erin, and worst of all, he lost himself. A twisted doctor brought him back from the brink of death, but reprogrammed his identity to serve her will. Rescued by his brothers, he must fight to reclaim the man he was and the life, and love, that were stolen from him.

A love worth fighting for

Erin Argent thought she’d lost Theo forever. When he walked back into her life, it was nothing short of a miracle. Months of torture and conditioning at the hands of Dr. Hope McDonald have done damage to Theo that may never be mended. He has no memory of her or the life they shared. Breaking through to him, and helping him rediscover all he lost, will be the toughest mission she’s ever faced. Luckily for Theo, Erin loves a good fight.

Their reunion under siege

Unfortunately, Hope is far from done with Theo Taggart. Obsessed with her prize experiment, she will do anything to get him back. If the only way to finally break him of his past life is to kill Erin and his son, then she’s only too happy to oblige…

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKS | B&N | GOOGLE PLAY

blake-sine-teaser-2

Excerpt

Theo took the stairs as quickly as he could. He knew where he was going, but he wasn’t going to think about it. For the first time since he’d gotten home, he didn’t care about his past or figuring out who he’d been. He wanted. He wanted something right now and that felt good.She’d been right. There wasn’t a place for guilt here.

He strode up the stairs, her weight comforting in his arms. Yeah, he wasn’t going to think about that either. He was going to enjoy it, not wonder why his body remembered her when his mind would not.

“Hey, is everything okay?”

Damn it. Case was standing at the top of the stairs, obviously having come out of the privacy rooms. His wife was at his side, her face flushed. Mia had sex hair. Good for them. Red was about to have sex hair, too. Lots of filthy sex hair. “Everything’s great. Night.”

Case put a hand on his shoulder. “Whoa. I thought you were going to take this slow, brother.”

“If you don’t get your hand off him right this second, Taggart, I am going to ensure that you never have children,” Red said, her eyes narrowing on his brother. “You won’t be able to cock block anyone because you won’t have a damn cock. Am I clear?”

Case’s hands came up immediately as though he knew that tone and was not going there. “Trying to help.”

“Three is clean and has plenty of condoms. We’re taking a monitor turn up here. I checked all the rooms.” Mia grinned at him. She actually was helpful. “Have fun and we’ll see you at home.”

He didn’t bother to look back. Case could give him a lecture later. He wasn’t waiting anymore. He’d waited forever. Even when he couldn’t remember her face, he’d known she was there. He’d felt her, or rather he’d felt her absence.

Could he truly be with a woman whose name he couldn’t think without hurting her?

It didn’t matter. He wasn’t making those decisions tonight. He was enjoying her. His sub. He was bringing her pleasure and he probably should do a good job of it because his sub was fucking mean.

And fragile. He’d seen the moment she’d thought he was rejecting her. He’d watch her skin flush and her body start to turn in on itself. She was such a mix of strength and need. It was intoxicating. He wanted so badly to be the man who gave her what she needed.

Affection. Pleasure. Comfort.

Love—he wasn’t thinking that word tonight. Nope. Pleasure was way better.

He kicked out lightly at the partially open door number three. It looked like Mia had done her job. The room was perfectly clean, the lighting soft and romantic. The best thing about this room though was the complete lack of any of his friends or family being here.

It was him and her, and that was exactly what he wanted. No Ian. No Li. No Kai asking them hundreds of questions. Him and her and the night.

He tossed her on the bed and stood back, looking down at her. “Tell me why you thought I was rejecting you.”

The instant she hit the bed, she was up on her knees. So graceful. So deadly. What the hell was this woman like out in the field? She moved like a predator, but the look on her face was pure sarcasm. “Uhm, your words. That’s what sealed it for me. ‘I don’t want to do this’ is generally considered a rejection.”

Somehow she managed to put an unsaid “dumbass” on the end of her sentences. Not all of them. She’d been perfectly sweet most of the night, but she could turn it on when she wanted to. “I didn’t mean that. When I said the words, I watched you change. Why? You’re good at slapping people down. I wouldn’t have said that until today.”

“Because I’ve been careful around you,” she admitted.

“Why? You think I’m delicate?”

Her lips curled up. “I don’t think you’re delicate. I think I’m a lot to take, but I also am starting to believe I was wrong. You like me rough.”

“I like you a lot.” More than he could ever tell her.

Review-DGR4.5 starssubmission-is-not-enough-dgr-teaser

She’d been his prize. She was still the prize. He simply didn’t deserve her anymore.

My heart! MY COLD BLACK HEART! It hurts dammit! It hurts so bad. This book twisted me inside out. Never have I been more invested in a character since Theo Taggart. I can’t tell you the amount of tears I’ve shed over this man. As much as I love every single book in this series, this was easily one of my most anticipated. We’ve been getting teased with Theo’s book for what feels like forever, and I felt like my heart would damn near explode if I didn’t get my grabby little hands on his story soon.

Promised I’d love you until I died. Kept it, baby. Kept it.”

First of all, if you’re reading my review and you haven’t read Master No yet, stop right now! Don’t even read this blurb for god sakes! Seriously. You’re doing yourself a great disservice. This is a series that needs to be read in order to truly appreciate the amount of forethought this author put into all her characters and their books. And it would also make you appreciate the tight bond that is Taggart and Co.

His. Fucking his. No matter where she went, what she did, she was his. He could forget his entire damn life, but he would know she belonged to him. Always. Forever.

This was easily the most emotional book in the series. It was beyond powerful. It was passion and pain in a way that only Lexi Blake could write it. It was equal parts satisfying and painful. It was everything I’d hoped it would be and so SO much more.

I’ve always rooted for Theo and Erin. The more Erin fought their connection the harder I rooted for Theo. His always sunny disposition, his quick smiles and humor, and all around easy going demeanor. That is not the man he is anymore.

Tortured. Brainwashed. Drugged. Theo is a shell of the man he used to be. His memories gone, every day is a struggle to remember his old life and be the man that everyone remembers him to be. My heart broke for him even if at times his actions had me wanting to shake him.

Erin was just as amazing in this book as she’s been. This is a woman with a soft heart but a steel strength. She’s not afraid to fight for the man she never stopped loving even if she did spend most of their time together pushing him away. Man. Watching her go through everything she does for Theo was absolutely heart wrenching.

And there in the dark, she held him and let go. It didn’t matter than he couldn’t tell her how they’d met or when he’d first told her he loved her. She cried because he was here and he’d always been her safe place. She cried because it had been a shitty day. She cried because he never could.

Lexi Blake is one of my go-to authors when it comes to sexy romantic suspense, but with this book she proved that she can wring emotion from her readers like no other. It’s so much more than just romance. Twelve books into the series and I’m still as invested as ever if not more so with these characters and find myself eagerly anticipating the next book. It’s so far beyond just sexy BDSM romance and high octane action. Starting one of these books is like getting reacquainted with a gang of friends. I fall hard for each of them every single time and with the snippet of the next book I’m practically salivating for Nick already.

If you’re hoping this book lives up to all your expectations, it does. It goes beyond it. It blows all the expectations away. I loved every page!


blake-sine-teaser-3

 

About the Authorlexi_blakeNY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Amazon Author Page

 

 

 

 

Review: Twisted Palace by Erin Watt

review-twisted-palaceBROKEN PRINCE
Series: The Royals #3
Genre: NA/YA Romance
Author: Erin Watt
Release Date: October 17, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

twisted-palace

These Royals will ruin you…

From mortal enemies to unexpected allies, two teenagers try to protect everything that matters most.

Ella Harper has met every challenge that life has thrown her way. She’s tough, resilient, and willing to do whatever it takes to defend the people she loves, but the challenge of a long-lost father and a boyfriend whose life is on the line might be too much for even Ella to overcome.

Reed Royal has a quick temper and even faster fists. But his tendency to meet every obstacle with violence has finally caught up with him. If he wants to save himself and the girl he loves, he’ll need to rise above his tortured past and tarnished reputation.

No one believes Ella can survive the Royals. Everyone is sure Reed will destroy them all.
They may be right.

With everything and everyone conspiring to keep them apart, Ella and Reed must find a way to beat the law, save their families, and unravel all the secrets in their Twisted Palace.

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKS

Review-DGR3.5 stars

The royals are like the apple in the fairy tale. Golden on the outside, but rotten to the core.

Well…damn. Color me conflicted. I struggled with my rating for two days after finishing it. Because see, the thing is, I’m freaking conflicted! Am I even making sense here? Of course I’m not! Because I’m conflicted I tells ya! Bah. Just bah.

To say that I’ve been anticipating this book as much as a virgin’s first orgasm would be an understatement. What? Is that not a saying? Well it should be. You get what I’m saying here, right? I. Needed. It. Erin Watt has been teasing us mercilessly for months. Ever since I finished Paper Princess, I’ve been practically foaming at the mouth for this conclusion. That book was my catnip. Teenage angst and drama mixed with enough sexual tension to make even a nun frustrated. What? Is that not a saying either?

In some small corner of my brain that is now in control, I feel like if I love him hard enough, long enough, I can keep him with me forever.

Basically, I’ve been building up the conclusion in my head for months. But in order to do the book and myself justice, I went in with zero expectations. Like none. Will I love it? I don’t know. Will I hate it? I don’t know. I left it all to the fates and jumped right in…

Loving Ella is one of the best things I’ve done in my short life.

So how do you make all of the teenage drama even more extreme? Throw in a murder mystery into the mix. It was basically like Gossip Girl meets Cruel Intentions meets Pretty Little Liars. Craziness ensues. But if you’ve read the previous books, this is nothing new.

I highly enjoyed the first 80% of the story. I loved Reed, I loved Easton, I wanted to throttle Dinah and punch Jordan in both ovaries. Nothing new. I was still just as invested in Reed and Ella finally doing it…I mean…their relationship. What? You get teased for two books and tell me your ovaries don’t turn blue. Quit judging.

Reed’s not the destroyer. He’s never destroyed anything in his life; he’s always been the protector, even at this moment when he battles his own lust for control.

Quit the battle and just give in, Reed! Be like Nike and JUST DO IT!

But I digress. This book was a solid 4 stars for me. Even with all the murder mystery and additional drama added to the mix, it was still a page turner. And then that ending happened…

Of all the crazy drama twists that can happen, I think that ending put most soap operas to shame.
It was so over the top, it was so crazy, that it totally killed everything for me. Le sigh. Don’t get me wrong, it certainly didn’t discount the fact that I enjoyed the majority of this book, because I totally did, but c’mon! Perhaps the argument can be that with the way the series progressed it’s only fair to make it finish out with this crazy bang, but I’m not of that mind. It was simply too OTT for my tastes.

Do I still consider this series to be one of my favorites? Absolutely! Do I wish it ended a little different? Sure. But that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy this crazy ride. Paper Princess is still one of my top reads of the year. Am I let down with the conclusion? Not really. Aside from the crazy drama of that ending, I still read it in one sitting. Am I still foaming at the mouth for more Royal brothers? ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY!!

Ella Harper is all I’m ever going to see, because she’s my future. She’s my steel and my fire and my salvation. She’s my everything.


THE ROYALS TRILOGY 

PAPER PRINCESS
AMAZON | MY REVIEW

BROKEN PRINCE
AMAZON | MY REVIEW

Jennifer’s Review: Baiting the Maid of Honor by @mstessabailey

review-baiting-the-maid-of-honorBAITING THE MAID OF HONOR
Series: Wedding Dare #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Tessa Bailey
Release Date: June 9, 2014add-to-goodreads-button-2

baiting-the-maid-of-honor

He’ll own her from the very first touch.

Julie Piper and Reed Lawson have nothing in common. She’s a people-pleasing sorority girl hiding behind her perfect mask. He’s a take-no-prisoners SWAT commander who isolates himself from the world. But when they’re forced together at their friends’ posh destination wedding, one thing is clear—Reed wants Julie more than he wants his next breath. Which is why he’s not about to stand by when she’s dared to seduce another man.

Julie wants neat, tidy sex, so she could get back to what she does best—making everybody else happy. She never expected to slip into a dark bedroom and have her mind blown by rough, demanding hands, and a sinfully filthy mouth—neither of which belong to the best man.

One night should have been all Reed needed to get the blond temptress out of his system, but when one taste is nowhere near enough, he’ll be forced confront the effects of his hellish past. One that may push Julie away forever… just when he realizes he can’t live without her.

Buy LinksAmazon | Barnes & NobleReview-DGR4 stars

Tessa, I’m just gonna hire you to be my word slave and tie you up in my basement and never let you out except to write more words…..Bwahahaha! Ok, the crazy fangirl is coming out and scaring everyone so I’m gonna reign it in a little.

20902510Mother….effing…..Reed. It’s like he jumped out of my dreams and into this book. Dark, Tattoos, Broody, Mean, Bossy. Ugh. Gimme. He is from the other side of the tracks. The bad boy. He is a SWAT team leader, so he used to bossing everyone around. Everything is black and white to him. He barely even made it to the wedding. The first time he sees Julie, she is letting her hair down, literally, and he knows he has to have her. Reed…..I want him for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and especially for dessert.

My Reed & Julie:

20897402-_sy540_

760328-_sx540_

She switched her hips from a circular motion to a gentle front-to-back tease that allowed her to ride his length base to tip. “You like that, sugar?” she whispered, barely audible among the bass-heavy music.

He released a strangled growl against her neck. “Enough teasing. Sit down all the way and work my cock with your beautiful ass.”

760328-_sx540_Julie is the perfect southern girl. She is the maid of honor and the wedding planner. She is organized and put together. And Reed wants to mess…her…up. She doesn’t understand why she attracted to the bad boy, but her insta-lust is undeniable. She barely tries to keep away from him, and when she does let herself just let go, she becomes a brazen hussy. Lol. Reed doesn’t expect her to loosen up, but she exceeds his expectations in many creative ways. Hehehe. Reed and Julie get…it…on. Pixie-style (His nickname for her is Pixie. Lol.)

20902511

760328-_sx540_

He gripped her chin and lifted her head so it faced the mirror. “Watch me. Watch me finish, baby. You need to see what you did.” When she nodded, his movements grew jerky, yet somehow even more determined. Ever so slightly, he tightened his grip on her jaw until her mouth opened from the pressure. He pushed his fingers inside. “Suck.”

à la Mode St. » fashionThat ladder scene?! Tessa, how do make a ladder scene so erotic?!!! Because I will never look at a ladder the same way again!

”Reed. I’m…I’m going to fall.”
“No. You will not fall. You will stay right there until I’m finished.”

Once again, Tessa goes above and beyond. The whole setting of this book takes place before the wedding as they groomsmen and bridesmaids are gearing up for the big event. I knew this would be a quick read, but I didn’t expect the character development to impress me so much. I absolutely loved all of the characters and enjoyed trying to figure out which groomsman will end up with which bridesmaid. I am super excited to read the other books in this series, even though they are written by different authors.

DGR Favorite & Review: Punk 57 by @PenDouglas

review-punk-57PUNK 57
Genre: New Adult Romance
Author: Penelope Douglas
Release Date: October 21, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

punk 57

“We were perfect together. Until we met.”

Misha

I can’t help but smile at the words in her letter. She misses me.

In fifth grade, my teacher set us up with pen pals from a different school. Thinking I was a girl, with a name like Misha, the other teacher paired me up with her student, Ryen. My teacher, believing Ryen was a boy like me, agreed.

It didn’t take long for us to figure out the mistake. And in no time at all, we were arguing about everything. The best take-out pizza. Android vs. iPhone. Whether or not Eminem is the greatest rapper ever…

And that was the start. For the next seven years, it was us.

Her letters are always on black paper with silver writing. Sometimes there’s one a week or three in a day, but I need them. She’s the only one who keeps me on track, talks me down, and accepts everything I am.

We only had three rules. No social media, no phone numbers, no pictures. We had a good thing going. Why ruin it?

Until I run across a photo of a girl online. Name’s Ryen, loves Gallo’s pizza, and worships her iPhone. What are the chances?

F*ck it. I need to meet her.

I just don’t expect to hate what I find.

Ryen

He hasn’t written in three months. Something’s wrong. Did he die? Get arrested? Knowing Misha, neither would be a stretch.

Without him around, I’m going crazy. I need to know someone is listening. It’s my own fault. I should’ve gotten his number or picture or something.

He could be gone forever.

Or right under my nose, and I wouldn’t even know it.

Buy LinksAMAZON | B&N | iBOOKS | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAYReview-DGR5 starspunk-57-dgr-teaser

We were perfect together. Until we met.”

Ever since I read Bully, I became an instant Penelope Douglas fan. The woman speaks right to my inner angst junky. It certainly doesn’t hurt matters that she also manages to create the perfect alphahole heroes in every book I read by her. Having loved her Falling Away series and all the others as well, to say that this book is right up there with Bully for me is a lot. Because Bully continues to be one of my top favorites by her. But there was also an underlying message to this book that I loved. That in addition to the incredible writing, the fantastic characters, the delicious angst, and the oh so sexy romance combined to be one of my top reads for the year.

He’s a jerk whose only kick in life is to make mine miserable.

I think we all have a point in our life where we didn’t feel comfortable in our own skin; where being accepted even if it means suppressing your real self a little feels like the easiest thing to do. A time where your peer’s opinions of you feel like the most important thing and acceptance is everything. No one is born full comfortable with themselves and being able to do what’s right even if that means going against the grain, but the road to getting there is the most interesting one.

Ryen is not a heroine that you want to like. What I mean is, here’s someone that’s the exact opposite of your usual heroine. She’s popular, she’s quiet when the weak are being picked on, and she suppresses her real self for the warmth of acceptance that she gets from people that aren’t even truly her friends. But there’s also something about this character that clicks with you. You can’t help but connect with her and understand her on some level, because at one time or another we’ve all been in her shoes.

Ryen and Misha have been pen pals for years, and while they know each other’s deepest and darkest thoughts, they have no idea who the other really is or what they look like. That doesn’t stop them from developing an incredible connection through their letters…until Misha gets a real peak at who Ryen is and everything changes.

We’re all ugly, Ryen. The only difference is, some hide it and some wear it.”

Misha is a grade A asshole in the beginning and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love every page of it. Douglas has this gift for writing some of the sexiest alphaholes I’ve ever read. Yes, they’re mean and you want to slap them at times, but you also understand what drives them to be that way and you can’t help but love them anyway.

I want everything about you, Ryen, and I know you want me.” Her body shakes a little, and I lean in, kissing her on the cheek. “But I love the way you lie.”

The angst is off the charts good. For those that are like myself and enjoy that burn of sexual tension with a bit of hate/lust, you will devour every page and beg for more. And the sexual chemistry?
This is so much more than a sexy NA romance, however. It’s a story of learning to love and accept yourself. A story of learning to stand up for what you believe is right even if no one stands up with you. It’s a story of friendship and love. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that you never want to get off of and a romance between two people that don’t make sense together on paper but couldn’t be more right for each other. It’s dark and light, it’s love and hate. It’s complete and utter perfection.

I miss you every day, I write. You’re my favorite place.

If you’re a fan of Penelope Douglas and you enjoyed her Fall Away series and you want another taste of her Devil’s Night world, this is an absolute must read. If you love angsty NA romances with a H/h that you will love to hate and just flat out love, this is an absolute must read. If you’re a fellow angst whore like me, then this is an absolute must read. Basically, what I’m trying to tell you here is READ THIS BOOK!! You won’t regret a second of it.

You’re not alone. It gets better. You are important, and you can’t be replaced. Hang on.

Review: Savage Mafia Prince by Annika Martin

savage-mafia-prince-reviewSAVAGE MAFIA PRINCE 
Series: A Dangerous Royals Romance #3
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: Annika Martin
Release Date: October 13, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

savage-mafia-prince

Where is Kiro?
He’s the lost Dragusha brother, heir to a vast mafia empire—brilliant, violent, and utterly savage…and he’s been missing for years.

Ann
I’m supposed to be doing simple undercover research at the Fancher Institute for the Mentally Ill & Dangerous, but I can’t keep my mind off Patient 34. He’s startlingly young and gorgeous, but it’s not just that. He’s strapped way too tightly to that bed. And there’s no name or criminal history on his chart. What are these people hiding? My reporter’s instincts are screaming.

Here’s the other thing: the staffers here believe he’s so sedated that there’s not a thought in his head, but I catch him watching me when nobody’s looking. Our connection sizzles when I enter the room. When our eyes meet, I know he understands me in a way nobody else ever has.

I’m supposed to follow my editor’s orders—I have secrets, too—but everything about Patient 34 is suspicious. How can I not investigate?

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKS

Review-DGR3 starssavage-mafia-prince-dgr-teaser

He’s broken me somehow. And I like it. I want to be broken by him over and over.

The wait is finally over. The youngest and most lethal Dragusha brother’s story is finally here. To say that I was eagerly anticipating Kiro’s book would be a HUGE understatement. I was practically panting with need for it.

A young boy, long thought dead, surviving in the wilderness for years and being raised among wolves, only to be captured and locked in a cage. Researched, bound, deemed criminal and mentally insane, Kiro counts down the minutes till he finally makes his ultimate escape, while unbeknownst to him his brothers continue their search for him before their mortal enemy gets to him first. But then a beautiful and broken woman working through the demons of her own past complicates things for Kiro’s plans…

He’s a force of nature. Pure aliveness. Pure power. He’s the most ferociously hot thing I’ve ever seen. The most dangerous thing I’ve ever seen.

Ann only knows him as patient Patient 34. He’s on so many drugs he’s practically comatose, but yet she can’t help but feel an almost electric current of danger oozing from his still form. As an undercover reporter sent on a different assignment than Patient 34, Ann can’t help but sense a deeper story and she’s determined to get to the bottom of it. But what’s more important to her, the story, or the developing bond she feels to Kiro every passing second in his company?

I have to admit, that I may have let my anticipation for this book build up my expectations. I was thinking the series would end with a bang. I expected lots of action and a quick paced story filled with gritty darkness. And while this was some of those things, it also wasn’t. It was slower paced with most of the action happening towards the end.

That aside, I adored Kiro. There’s this hidden savage vulnerability to him that I just couldn’t get enough of. He was like a wounded wolf; you want to take care of him, but you still know he’s a wild predator. His history is heartbreaking and the man is nothing if not a survivor. Ann was a great heroine and I loved her tenderness with him. I suppose I just found myself wishing for a little more. More grit. More dark. Each book in the series is very different and together they do have a good balance. If you’re reading this as a standalone, you’re doing yourself a great disservice. This is a continuing story line and many details would be lost on you having not read the previous two books.

Was it everything I hoped? Not quite. The epilogue was a touch rushed, I wished I had more scenes with all three brothers considering how long they’ve been searching for Kiro. Did it still hit the spot and settle my craving for Kiro’s story? Absolutely.


A DANGEROUS ROYALS ROMANCE SERIES

DARK MAFIA PRINCE | WICKED MAFIA PRINCE | SAVAGE MAFIA PRINCE

Read our reviews:

DARK MAFIA PRINCE | WICKED MAFIA PRINCE 

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Take Me With You by @ninagjones

ninagjonesbannerTAKE ME WITH YOU
Genre:
Dark Romance
Author: Nina G. Jones
Release Date: October 17, 2016
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast PromotionsGoodreads Button with Shadow

take

I watch.
I study.
I prowl.
I hunt.

I always go in with a plan. A set of rules for myself. I don’t take unnecessary risks. That’s how I’ve been able to evade capture all these years.

But there’s something about this girl that is different than the others. When I finally meet her, the rules become a blur. And I break the most important one of all—I take her with me.

——-

It’s just my imagination—that feeling of being watched. That those icy eyes— a vivid turquoise with a distinct golden fleck—aren’t watching me.

It’s just stress. I am the person everyone relies on. Maybe that’s why I haven’t been feeling so content with my life lately. Why I dream those eyes belong to someone who can tear me away from all of my responsibilities.

But these are just shameful fantasies, never meant to breach reality.

Then one night, the dream comes true, only it’s a horrific nightmare.

Now, I only have one task: survival.

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKS

8

Review-DGR4 starstake-me-with-you-dgr-teaser

“Who are you?” I cry. “The Night,” he rasps.

What.
The.
Fuck.
Did.
I.
Just.
Read.

This book was all sorts of fucked up. ALL SORTS OF FUCKED UP, I TELLS YA! I need to be committed, my head examined, my sanity questioned… because I liked it. Never has something so wrong felt so…actually no. It just felt wrong. So very wrong.

Nina G. Jones was not afraid to go there. To the deepest, darkest depths of depravity. She didn’t just push comfort lines here, the woman ran over them with a damn mac truck. Then she backed that shit up and ran it the hell over 3 more times to make sure it stuck. To make sure that you question your sanity with every page. To make sure that you’re convinced that clearly something must be wrong with you for enjoying it. For questioning your damn sanity because you can’t put it down and yet it feels so wrong. SO VERY WRONG. Bah! Just bah!

Girls like her don’t want the beast. They want the idea of one. They want to be safe and still revel in the thrill. But there’s no safety with a monster. Because monsters consume. They take your body, your soul, and your innocence.

Imagine watching an episode of Criminal Minds and actually finding yourself falling for the perpetrator. There’s no gray area with this anti-hero. Fuck no. This man is as deep in the black as it gets. There’s no redemption in sight. He’s not a man that will tug at your heart strings. You’ll actually WANT to hate him. But here’s the thing? His character is written so freaking well, that you’ll actually understand him, and that, my friends, is where the mindfuck begins.

He’s all rippled muscles, and sweat, and filth. Eyes that reveal no soul or depth, clear as a demon’s.

Here’s what I’ll tell you about the book: NOTHING

And if you need to know something, then this book is not for you. It needs to be experienced and to do that, you need to be fully unprepared for what you’re getting yourself into.

I have news for you, Vesp. When you’re fucked up like me—like that—heaven and hell aren’t very different.”

Take Me With You is dark, twisted and immoral. It’s violent, crude and dirty. The characters are so far outside typical comfort zones and the norm, they may as well be in a different dimension. It was also phenomenally written, completely unputdownable, and utterly unforgettable.

I want him to fill me with his poison again. He likes the taste of my sadness and I like when he injects me with his venom. He is my danger, my greatest threat. When he’s on my side, I know that I am safe.


If you want a book that will take you out of your comfort zone, this is it. If you want a book with an anti-hero that will redeem himself at the end and it’s all twu wuv and rainbows at the end, this book is certainly not for you, my delicate friend.

He’s right there, still in front of me, forcing me to look into those eyes. Eyes that have stolen everything.

I’m still questioning my sanity for enjoying it as much as I did. I also need a mental health break full of bunnies and unicorns shitting rainbows after it. I tip my hat to you, Nina G. Jones, you’re a true evil genius. You’re not afraid to cross boundaries and go where most would shudder to. This was dark and twisted brilliance…in a filthy, completely fucked up way that is.


About the AuthorNina G. Jones is the author of seven full-length novels of various romance and erotica sub-genres. Her latest novel, Take Me With You, releases on October 17th.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Newsletter | Instagram

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jennifer’s Review: Between Here And The Horizon by @_callie_hart

review-between-here-and-the-horizonBETWEEN HERE AND THE HORIZON
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Callie Hart
Release Date: October 18, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

between-here-and-the-horizon

“You think you know me. You think you want to know me. But trust me, Miss Lang. Pursuing me will be the worst mistake you ever make. I’m broken beyond repair…

…and I take great pleasure in breaking everyone else around me.”

Ophelia Lang needs money, and she needs it bad. Her parent’s restaurant is going under, and ever since she lost her job teaching third grade elementary, scraping enough cash together to pay the bills has proven almost impossible. Her parents are on the brink of losing their home. The vultures are circling overhead. So when Ophelia is offered an interview for a well-paid private tutoring gig in New York, how can she possibly say no?

Ronan Fletcher is far from the overweight, balding businessman Ophelia expected him to be. He’s young, handsome, and wealthy beyond all reason. He’s also perhaps the coldest, rudest person she’s ever met, and has a mean streak in him a mile and a half wide. A hundred grand is a lot of money, however, and if tolerating his frosty temperament, his erratic mood swings and whatever else he throws at her means she’ll get paid, then that is what Ophelia will do.

Her new boss is keeping secrets, though. Awful, terrible secrets.

The ghosts of Ronan Fletcher’s past are about to turn Ophelia’s future upside down, and she can’t even see it coming.

Note: Between Here and The Horizon is a brand new standalone contemporary romance novel from USA Today bestselling author, Callie HartBetween Here and the Horizon does contain some scenes of violence and sexual content, and so is directed at audience 18+

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR4.5 stars

Please excuse me as I make sure my heart is no longer in pieces……
20886221The way this story builds up is nothing but true perfection. You fall in love with each word they say to each other. Out of hatred or out of love, it doesn’t matter. You are enthralled in this journey with them wondering what the hell is really going on sometimes, as if you are missing something and just waiting for it to happen.
à la Mode St. » fashion

He was a man posseded. I was a woman lost. Together, we were two halves of something fragile and delicate, beautiful in its complexity.”

à la Mode St. » fashionSully & Lang:
20886222-_sy540_Nothing is better than two people hating each other and avoiding each other in every way just to find themselves in each others company far to much and learning their inner workings even though they find each other insufferable….It’s seriously the BEST!!!!

Sully is pretty much the biggest jerk you will ever meet. So of course you are going to love him. You can’t help yourself. At one point I literally looked ahead to see when we was coming back into the picture because I just wanted to read about him again(NO I did NOT skip ahead, I just had to know when I could read about his hotness again!)
à la Mode St. » fashion

I needed him. I wanted him more than I’d ever wanted anybody, and I couldn’t wait any longer.

à la Mode St. » fashionLang. Whew. I just lover her. She wasn’t anything specactular. She wasn’t the heroine that made a great impression or was submissive. She was just Lang. And all the little pieces that made her up, made her a character that was worth while! When I was reading her POV it was like we were sitting down for tea and she was just telling me her story. Lang is beautiful.
à la Mode St. » fashion

We breathed as one, our bodies mirroring each other as we finally came back into ourselves.

à la Mode St. » fashionWords cannot express the love I now hold and cherish for this book. I find Callie Harts writing so deep that it tears me open, rips my heart out and then puts me back together. I love that she writes a story, where the people are so real that I find myself thinking about them days later wondering what they are doing and if they are fighting or fucking. It is not just about the romance. She captures my heart with the story. She wins me every time, and this book is just another explain of her expertise and skills!

Review: Patchwhore by Kim Jones

patchwhore-reviewPATCHWHORE
Series: Devil’s Renegade MC #2
Genre: Erotic Romance
Author: Kim Jones
Release Date: October 10, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

patchwhore-for-web

I’M THAT GIRL…

The girl who thought she was living her happily ever after.
The one who fell for the lies.
A victim of infidelity.

After months of heartache and loss, anger ensued.
Rage replaced sadness. Fury took over heartache. Revenge became irresistible.
Now he’ll feel what I felt. One by one, his brothers will take his place in my bed.
They have a name for me in the MC world…

PATCHWHORE.

And this is my story.

If making her ex jealous is what she wants, Devil’s Renegades Prospect Cook is more than willing to oblige.
He only has one rule: He doesn’t share.

She can seek her revenge. Follow through with her plan.
But her body will be his. He’ll own her fantasies. And her pleasure.
But in her eyes, he’s just a lowly PROSPECT—nothing more.
Little does she know, she’s about to be enlightened.

Buy LinksAMAZONpatchwhore-teaser-4

Review-DGR3.5 stars

The best way to get over one man is to get under another.”

Well…that was smuttertaining. Smutty and entertaining. Totally coining that phrase.

If you haven’t read Clubwhore, I’m totally judging you right now. Seriously. You need to get on that. I seriously loved that book. But then again, I love any heroine that goes against the grain and the norm of the typical cookie cutter romance. But if you haven’t read it yet (I’m still judging you), no worries, because Patchwhore, while being part of the series is still a full standalone.

Carmen is a woman scorned. After finding out her boyfriend not only cheated on her but also left her for her sorority sister, she’s out for revenge. When she finds that he’s a now a patch holder at the local MC she decides the best revenge is to sleep with a brother of his…or all of them to really drive her point home. But then Mr. Delicious comes along and all her plans go up in flames just like her ovaries did.

Mr. Delicicous aka Cook aka a lowly prospect is everything she shouldn’t want. But everything about the man totally gets to her…and gets her off. She’s determined to follow through with her plan, and Cook is determined for another taste of her. Suffice it to say things get real interesting.

This was a super quick and highly entertaining read. Even though Carmen acted like a bitch in heat for a large chunk of the book I still loved her. She was entertaining to say the least. Cook was as fitting to her nickname for him as it gets. DELICIOUS. The man is hot as all hell and a dirty talker to boot. So why not rate higher? Well, I supposed it was just too much sex at times. As much as I loved Cook and Carmen together, I would have loved more development for them aside from all of the sex they were having. God. I can’t even believe I’m complaining about this right now. I feel like I should get my pervert card taken away. But it is what it is.

If you’re looking for a dirty and smutty romance, this will pertainly hit the spot. Is it your typical MC romance, not quite. It’s more of a MC romp. But this girl does love her romps, so I can’t complain much. *pervy grin*


Read my review for book 1, CLUBWHORE

Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

%d bloggers like this: