#DGRFave & Review: Away From Me by @authorlexiblake

AWAY FROM ME
Genre: Erotic Romance, BDSM
Author: Lexi Blake writing as Sophie Oak
Release Date: February 6, 2018

Re-released in a second edition with updates.

Shattered by the loss of his wife, Callum Reed is a man surrounded by rules designed to protect him. He rebuilds his life with careful discipline, but can’t deny what he feels when he meets the lovely Gabrielle Sullivan. She’s everything he wants in a woman, but he views all relationships as contractual. Despite her misgivings, Gaby signs his contract and becomes his perfect partner. Until the night she breaks his cardinal rule.

After three years of perfect obedience, Gaby declares she wants love and she isn’t settling for less. Love isn’t in their contract, so Cal lets her go. But Gaby has a secret reason for leaving. When Cal discovers the truth, nothing will stop him from following her.

On a secluded island paradise, Callum will do anything to prove he’s the perfect husband for his defiant love.

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“Hello, Cal,” she said evenly. “How are you?”He looked her up and down, his dark blue eyes showing absolutely no expression. Those eyes assessed her, roaming every inch of her body in a decidedly clinical fashion. “I’ve been perfectly fine, Gabrielle. How have you been?”

His hand was suddenly on her elbow. Her skin tingled where he touched her. He didn’t pull at her, merely squeezed gently, and she let him lead her. Yes, that was a force of habit, too, but perhaps her Irish friend was right. If they had any hopes of being comfortable around each other, they had to talk. They began walking slowly away from the pool.

“I’m well.” That could have come out a little stronger. She sounded like a scared rabbit and that wasn’t at all the impression she wanted to make on Cal.

“That’s nice.” Naturally, his voice sounded perfectly even. He could be negotiating a deal rather than talking to an old lover. “From the evil glances I’m getting from some very old friends, I would think I had tried to kill you.”

“I’m sorry, what?” This wasn’t the way she’d expected their first meeting to go. She’d kind of avoided thinking about it.

His jaw went tight. “I’m talking about all my friends looking at me like I’m some kind of criminal. I’ll admit I haven’t exactly been social lately, but I didn’t expect to walk into a party and find myself completely unwelcome. The only thing that’s changed is the status of our relationship, so I’m wondering what’s been said about me.”

Damn Heather and her big mouth. It was supposed to be a secret. She smiled brightly and slipped her arm through Cal’s. Yes, she needed to handle this. She’d never intended to make anyone hate Cal. He simply hadn’t been able to love her.

She had no interest in the two of them becoming a focus of gossip. If she seemed comfortable with her ex-lover, perhaps the other guests wouldn’t talk about them. She tried to look nonchalant. “I have no idea why. I haven’t seen any of these people since I left town ten months ago. Maybe it’s me they’re wary of.”

“I doubt that, pet,” Cal said, all silky and smooth. His voice had a direct line to her soft parts. “Even my oldest friend seems to have turned on me. Greg barely spoke to me this evening. His friendliest words were to tell me to leave you alone. I swear, Gabrielle, if he didn’t need me to broker his deals, he might not talk to me at all. Now I wonder why that is.”

Gaby flushed, guilt flooding her system. She truly hadn’t meant to hurt him, but she didn’t want to rehash the end of their relationship. She’d kept the secret this long. There was no reason he should know about it now. “I don’t know. I have never spoken to Greg about us.”

“I’m sure Heather talks enough.”

Gaby felt her heels sink into the grass as they left the deck. The evening grew darker as the lights from the torches got further away. The gazebo in the distance seemed to be Cal’s destination. She followed willingly. If they were going to talk, it was best to do it in private.

“I can’t control Heather’s mouth. That’s supposed to be Greg’s job. He’s her husband, after all.”

Cal helped her up the gazebo’s steps. He was always solicitous. It was one of the first things to attract her. He was a Dom of the first order. Gaby had been looking for someone like Callum since the day she realized there was a whole world out there for people like her. She’d gone through a couple of men who claimed to be Doms but really just used it as an excuse to be selfish. A real Dominant was someone like Cal, who always took care of her, even if he didn’t love her.

“Well, as it was pointed out to me recently, a Dom only has as much control as his sub allows him.” His deep blue eyes were almost black in the moonlight and there were lines around them that hadn’t been there before. There was a weariness to his frame that called to her. She fought the urge to smooth down his tie and snuggle in his arms. He wasn’t hers to take care of anymore. He turned to her. “So what have you been up to since you left?”

Her hand unconsciously went to her breast, thinking of the pain that centered there. “This and that.”

He leaned back, staring at her as though trying to decide something. “I never could figure you out, Gabrielle. I didn’t know if you were simply content to be kept or if there was some ambition lurking under the placid surface.”

The darkness was a welcome ally as she felt herself flush. If they’d been under even the soft lights of the party, he would have known how much that hurt. “Well, you weren’t interested in my ambitions.”

He shrugged. “I just wondered what you did all day.”

Her laugh was bitter and without an ounce of humor. “I ate bonbons and watched soaps. I counted the hours until you got home.” She turned away from him and looked out over the yard. In the distance, her friends mingled and laughed. She still seemed so far away from them. Maybe she would always seem far away now.

Distance had given her some perspective, especially when it came to her old Dom. “You weren’t interested in who I was as a person, Callum. You were interested in who I was as a sub. My submissive self was docile and sweet. That was what mattered to you. I didn’t ask questions or make demands. It was a D/s relationship. It wasn’t a love affair.”

She knew the difference now.

His fingers ran across the exposed skin of her shoulders and she held on to the railing of the gazebo. The spaghetti straps that held her dress up offered little protection against his gentle assault. She shivered at the touch.

“And you don’t want that anymore, do you? You don’t want a man to dominate you? You don’t want a man to take charge?”

Oh, there were certainly parts of her that did. His hands ran down to her waist, settling on her hips. Push him away. Do it now or this is going to go poorly. You are not capable of handling this.

But she’d waited too long. When he pressed his groin against her backside, she could feel the hard ridge of his erection, and she knew she wasn’t going to walk away.

It was only sex. Sex with Callum had been mind-blowingly good. There wasn’t any reason she couldn’t enjoy it again as long as she held herself apart. It had been so long. And tomorrow morning, she would be on a flight back to her island, where she was surrounded by gorgeous men she couldn’t fuck because they were either an employee or a guest. She was starting over. Shouldn’t she honor her past with one last nice night?

Yeah, her girl parts were super stupid and they were firmly in control.

Cal pressed his hard dick against her and her brain no longer mattered. That dick had been the best she’d ever had and her whole body reacted. It was like her body knew what it had been through in the last ten months and was demanding payment. That big, hard dick was payment for all the pain.

She could handle it. Hell, after what she’d been through, she could handle anything.

 

He couldn’t, wouldn’t love Gabrielle. He would never allow another woman inside his heart like that. It hurt too much.

All. Of. The. FEELS.

Oh mylanta! Dare I say that this was one of my favorite stories from this author? And having read practically her entire backlist, that’s saying a lot. But oh my GOD! This book! I don’t remember the last time a couple and their story captured my heart so thoroughly and so effectively.

Away From Me is a powerful second chance romance. It’s a story of love lost and moving on. It’s a story brimming with emotion, angst, and enough sexual chemistry to light a small village. No joke.

If you love a romance with an epic grovel, this book will bring it, and then some. Callum Reed is a man that makes a colossal mistake, albeit unknowingly. But boy, when he decides to mess up, he definitely goes for gold. Used to guarding his heart after a tragic loss, when his submissive asks him for more than a mere contract between them, he doesn’t budge. When she tells him she’s leaving, he thinks she’s manipulating her. But you know what they say about the bigger they are, right? Because when he takes the time to get his head out from his fear and pain, he goes after Gabby with a singleminded intent. And it. was. AWESOME.

Gabby was such an incredible heroine. Sweet yet no pushover; a survivor at the core of her. I absolutely loved her. I loved her honesty and sweet nature. She loved Callum but she refuses to settle for what he wants to offer. Little does she know that the man has finally seen the light, and will stop at nothing to get her by his side again.

I don’t have enough words to describe all the love I had for this book. For a novella, it was so satisfying. Never did I feel it was too short. It was perfection; with both development and pacing. A sizzling second chance romance with plenty of feeling that will keep you riveted to the pages from beginning to finish. I read it in one glorious sitting, with bated breath and sobbed my way through a good half of it. I finished it with a smile on my face and butterflies in my stomach. I cannot recommend it enough!

NY 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.

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New Release & Review: Siren In The City by Lexi Blake

SIREN IN THE CITY
Series: Texas Sirens #2
Genre: Erotic Romance, BDSM, Menage
Author: Lexi Blake
Release Date: January 23, 2017

Re-released in a second edition with new scenes.

Jack and Sam married Abby. It was supposed to be for forever, but lately Abby wonders where her alpha male has gone. Jack has retreated and life has become decidedly vanilla. It isn’t the true marriage she and Sam wanted. Sam and Abby know the time has come to fight for what they need.
A call from his mentor forces Jack to revisit the club where he discovered his sexuality. Jack’s half-brother is in the city and interested in a little blackmail. Can Jack handle two defiant subs and a brother in need of some tough love?
Sometimes all it takes to find the way home is a little love and a lot of mischief.

Come back to the beginning and revisit some of your favorite old characters or find new ones to love. Siren in the City has been revised and new scenes added. And if you look closely, you’ll find not only the beginnings of the Sophie Oak world, but also the seeds of how McKay-Taggart began….

AMAZON

Sam wanted more. He wanted to be loved and he was done waiting for it.

Oh man. I binge read Siren In The City. I remember sitting down on my comfy couch to start it and then I blinked and I was turning the last page. While I enjoyed Small Town Siren, Siren In The City absolutely sucked me in. It had all the feels and sizzle that I felt slightly lacking in book one and then some!

I’m not typically a reader that enjoys more than one book for a couple, but in the case of Jack, Sam, and Abby, I couldn’t get enough of it. Yes, you get the delicious sizzle of how they first met and fell in love with the first book. But this book gives you so much more. It fleshes out the development of their BDSM relationship and true MMF menage. And this reader was practically vibrating with glee.

After all the events in Small Town Siren, there are some changes; Jack’s moodiness and withdrawal, Sam’s unrequited sexual desires, and Abby’s need for a true Dom. Man oh man did this book give it to us and then some.

Add in all of the amazing secondary characters, including some of my favorite crossover cameos from Lexi’s Masters & Mercenaries series and I’m one happy camper.

If you read and enjoyed book one, you simply can’t miss this one. I’m officially hooked on this series and already craving more! Luckily I don’t have to wait that long with the second edition re-writes, but my grabby little hands are itching for the next one!

Review: Headmaster by Tara Sue Me

HEADMASTER
Series: Lessons from the Rack #2
Genre: Contemporary BDSM Romance
Author: Tara Sue Me
Release Date: January 16, 2018

The New York Times bestselling author of the Submissive novels delivers a scintillating new erotic romance, where two instructors redefine the phrase “teacher’s pet” . . . .

Lennox MacLure, owner of the RACK Academy, has sworn off the Dominant/submissive lifestyle.

Years ago, his submissive, Winnie, died in a car accident following a heated argument for which he blames himself.

Guilt-ridden and emotionally closed off, Lennox sees the academy as both his punishment and penance for her death.

Mariela, a dance instructor and a natural submissive, was Winnie’s best friend and longs to help Lennox move past his grief. She’s accepted that he will never see her as anything more than a friend, but she still wants to help him acknowledge what he needs.

Mariela comes up with a plan of seduction, guaranteed to unleash the Dominant he’s willfully buried—but the passion they unleash could prove to be stronger than they are ready to handle.

 

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Admittedly, this author is a hit-or-miss for me. He last few books have been misses but the moment I saw the blurb for Headmaster, I just couldn’t help but read it. For one, I couldn’t resist the good old unrequited love trope. Second, I also couldn’t resist a dead ex trope. This book had both.

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Headmaster falls smack dab in the middle of my like-dislike scale. There are certain things that I really didn’t care much for while there are a few that I really, really liked.

Number one of my ‘Really, really liked’ list is the heroine, Mariela. She’s hired by Lennox to teach in his BDSM academy, RACK. She’s a submissive who’s in love with the hero for a long time. And she also happens to be the best friend of Winnie, the hero’s dead ex.

While she has been carrying a torch for the hero since the beginning, she wasn’t a pushover. Her being a submissive is a choice. She’s not timid or easily intimidated by the hero. She could hold her own. I liked how she admits her feelings for the hero without losing her independence or pitying herself, etc.

Mariela also made Lennox likable. I didn’t like Lennox much but I love his banter with Mariela. I also liked the BDSM aspect to the book. It’s there and it’s a big part of the hero and heroine but it doesn’t overwhelm the reader with the ins and outs of BDSM.

The plot was okay. There were high emotional points which I really enjoyed, while there are some stuff which I’m meh about. And that brings me to Lennox.

I’m torn about him. He’s a tortured individual, so full of guilt because he chose the wrong girl and she died. His “I’m so tortured, I can’t be a Dom and fall in love again” got tiring after a while. And if it hadn’t been for Mariela, who I adored, I would’ve DNF’d this book. But to be fair, he did grow as a character.

That said there were moments where I’m not quite sure whether he fell in love with Mariela because she was more compatible than Winnie ever was. And I would totally understand if other readers would take issue with the fact that Lennox did choose Winnie over Mariela. She wasn’t in his radar at all. He knew her as his girl Winnie’s best friend for years. And I missed the moment where he starts to fall in love with her because at the start of the book, they already have this ‘will they, won’t they succumb to their feelings’ thing going on.

Despite that, I still enjoyed this overall. I loved Mariela and liked their romance overall.

New Release & Review: At Your Service by Lexi Blake

AT YOUR SERVICE
Series: Masters and Mercenaries #14.5, Topped #4
Genre: BDSM, Contemporary Romance
Author: Lexi Blake
Release Date: November 7, 2017

Juliana O’Neil’s promising future was burned away in the heat of battle. She had been an officer with a bright future in the military, but now she is struggling to survive. Her husband gone and her career in shambles, she finds a job at Top as a hostess and tries to put together the pieces of her life. The last thing she needs is any kind of male attention, but she can’t help but be amused at her neighbor and coworker’s lothario antics. Not that she would have anything to do with him, at least not for more than one night.

Javier Leones doesn’t understand monogamy. No woman could ever be enough for his endless libido, but he has to admit Juliana has his attention. For reasons he doesn’t fully understand, he can’t seem to get the gorgeous redhead with the sad eyes out of his head. After one scorching night together, he realizes he’ll never be able to get her out of his system. But with his reputation, he fears she’ll never see him as more than a one-night stand.

When their passions collide, these new lovers will be forced to confront Juliana’s past and come to terms with Javier’s present. Will they find their way or will this reservation be canceled at the last minute?

A Masters and Mercenaries: Topped Novel by Lexi Blake

AMAZON

If she wasn’t smart enough to get away from him, he would catch her and hold her and never let her go.

I adore, simply adore all thing Lexi Blake. Where her Masters and Mercenaries series is my all time favorite, her Topped series is my fix between the M&M releases. They never fail to bring me a little taste of my favorite world with a good dose of Big Tag and Chef Tag while introducing a slew of new and addicting characters.

I’ve been curious about Javier’s book for some time. As the unapologetic playboy of the Topped restaurant, this sexy chef never felt the need to bind himself to any one woman.

Hurricane Javier. He got in, got the job done, and walked away before it got too heavy. Sometimes that meant walking away before names were exchanged.

But lately Javi has found himself craving more. Looking at his happily settled down coworkers, he finds himself curious about a connection beyond just one night. And the woman that sparks his interest? His beautiful neighbor and coworker, Juliana. After she came to his rescue when his brother had another drunken episode since losing both of his legs in the military, he finds himself thinking of her more and more.

Juliana O’Neil is trying to get her life back after losing her dominant hand while serving overseas. Now I ask you, how often do you read about a female vet? Not often enough, I say, and mad props to Lexi Blake for pulling it off. Juliana is strong and competent, though still struggling with the loss of her promising military career and the inevitable though amicable loss of her marriage. Now working as a hostess at Top, she struggling to adjust to her life as it is while still wishing for the things she dreamed about before losing her hand.

She doesn’t believe that someone like Javi could ever give her what she needs. After all, he’s a womanizer that never held on to any one woman longer than one interlude. She doesn’t understand why she would be different, no matter how much Javi tries to convince her otherwise.

At Your Service was a sweet and sexy romance. I adored the way Javier was with Juliana, but even more, I loved the way that she fought for him right back. There’s an added suspense element that serves to spice things up a notch, but the romance was the ultimate ingredient that kept me riveted to the pages. I loved both of these characters and couldn’t get enough of them. There’s also an interesting new addition that I’m hoping we’ll see more of. Especially with the hints of who she has her eye on. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to rock myself in the corner until the release of the next Masters book.


READ THE SERIES IN ORDER


LUSCIOUS | JUST ONE TASTE | PERFECTLY PAIRED | AT YOUR SERVICE

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Review: Love Another Day by Lexi Blake

LOVE ANOTHER DAY
Series: Masters & Mercenaries #14
Genre: Romantic Suspense, BDSM
Author: Lexi Blake
Release Date: August 21, 2017

A man born to protect

After a major loss, Brody Carter found a home with the London office of McKay-Taggart. A former soldier, he believes his job is to take the bullets and follow orders. He’s happy to take on the job of protecting Dr. Stephanie Gibson while the team uses her clinic in Sierra Leone to bring down an international criminal. What he never expected was that the young doctor would prove to be the woman of his dreams. She’s beautiful, smart, and reckless. Over and over he watches her risk her life to save others. One night of pure passion leads him to realize that he can’t risk his heart again. When the mission ends, Brody walks away, unwilling to lose another person he loves.

A woman driven to heal

Stephanie’s tragic past taught her to live for today. Everything she’s done in the last fifteen years has been to make up for her mistakes. Offering medical care in war-torn regions gives her the purpose she needs to carry on. When she meets her gorgeous Aussie protector, she knows she’s in too deep, but nothing can stop her from falling head over heels in love. But after one amazing night together, Brody walks away and never looks back. Stephanie is left behind…but not alone.

A secret that will change both their lives

A year later, Stephanie runs afoul of an evil mercenary who vows to kill her for failing to save his son. She runs to the only people she trusts, Liam and Avery O’Donnell. She hasn’t come alone and her secret will bring her former lover across the world to protect her. From Liberia to Dallas to Australia’s outback, Brody will do whatever it takes to protect Stephanie from the man who wants to kill her, but it might be her own personal demons that could destroy them both.

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The door slammed and she suddenly found herself with her back against it. Brody crowded in, taking up all the space and staring down at her. His body brushed hers and she found both her wrists captured in one of his. He dragged them over her head, forcing her chest to come out, breasts skimming along his body. “I shouldn’t do this.”Tough chick was winning. Steph let her take over. It was surely better than the desperate girl who lived inside her. She kept asking for love and affection and getting swatted away. This was the next best thing, possibly the only thing she would ever get. “Then don’t. Let me go and I won’t bother you again.”

“No, you’ll go find Ezra Fain and bother him,” Brody said on a growl.

“Somehow, I don’t think he’ll find me a bother.” She’d barely spoken two words to the man, but she wasn’t going to admit it. It was better to let Brody think she wasn’t a love-starved girl.

“He won’t fucking find you anything at all. If you’re determined to not sleep alone tonight, you can damn well do it with me.” His mouth came down on hers and every inch of her skin came alive. His kiss was overwhelming, hungry. There was no slow meshing of mouths. He took her, his tongue surging inside and dominating her own. He let go of her hands and started to explore her body. His hands were on her hips when he came up for air. “I’m leaving in the morning. I’m going back to London and I can’t come back.”

She’d known that would probably be his answer. She’d known he wouldn’t want to stay and she couldn’t leave.

“One night. That’s all I want.” It was all she could have. It had been foolish to think it could be any different.

His mouth came down on hers again and she let herself get swept away. One night and her life would go back to normal. One night and then she would be alone again. His hands started to roam over her and she tried to forget all the reasons why this was a bad idea.

He stepped back, his entire body set in hard lines. He strode over to the bed and sat down. “Take off the gown. It’s pretty, but I want to see you.”

She hesitated, all her insecurities coming to the forefront. Somehow, she’d thought he would simply take her. “Let me get the lights.”

He was back in her space again, his hand wrapping around her wrist. “I didn’t say turn off the lights. I said take off the gown. How am I going to see you if you turn off the lights?”

“Brody,” she began.

He was having none of it. “You got on your knees in front of me and you said you knew what you were offering me. The first thing you were offering me was obedience. The second was your body. You’re giving me neither right now.”

His voice had gone midnight dark and something about the tone made her soften. He was right. She did know what she’d offered him and now she was trying to have it all her way.

There was nothing wrong with her body. It was feminine and she was healthy. What was she afraid of? “All right.”

He let go of her wrist and sat back down, looking like a damn king waiting on his concubine’s performance. For all his “I’m nothing but a grunt” talk, the man could be incredibly arrogant, and damn if she didn’t find it sexy as hell.

Something about that voice let her know that everything was going to be fine. He was past the point of rejection. He was in and that meant he would play her Dom for the night. He would take care of her. She was as safe with him in the bedroom as she’d been in the field.

At least she was safe for the night. In the morning she would be in a world of hurt, but she wasn’t thinking past tonight.

I want that connection. I want to feel you, and not only in a physical way. This isn’t playing. Playing is a silly word for what I want from you.”
“What word would you use?”
“Everything. I want everything.”

Have you ever read a series that you hope never ends. Like it could have 34355 books and you’ll still crave more? Yeah. This series is that for me. Not only does my addiction to it increase with each new book and new character that gets introduced, I find myself more and more invested. These characters have become like friends to me. I root for them. I hurt for them. And I will never get enough of them.

Dr. Stephanie Gibson was first introduced in A Dom is Forever and my interest in her story has been increasing ever since. As a teenager, an accident due to unfortunate and naive negligence changed her life forever. She’s been paying penance ever since and punishing herself trying to pay things forward. She gained a dear friend out of the woman that she felt should hate her for the accident but family of her own is not something she’s had since that fateful day.

When Brody Carter and his team showed up at her clinic at Sierra Leone, she found herself falling quickly for the broody Aussie. On his last day there, she makes a decision to finally act on her feelings, even knowing he won’t want anything beyond the one night. Brody doesn’t feel he’s good enough for her, even while in her head, she feels it’s the exact opposite. But their one passionate night together comes with a lasting surprise, when Steph finds herself pregnant and her messages to Brody go unanswered. She got the message from the man loud and clear, but when her life and her son’s life is threatened, she finds herself on the doorstep of Liam O’Donnell and back in Brody’s world.

The tension between them is so thick you could cut it with a knife. I needed Brody to redeem himself for the radio silence act he pulled on Steph. I needed him to step up and be a man. I wanted him to grovel, to work for it, to need her forgiveness, and man oh man did I get it. And then some!

He thought briefly about putting the baby in his crib and trying to get a bit of work done, but it felt better to sit, to rock with his son in his arms. For the first time in forever, he knew what peace meant.

While Brody finally sees the light and realizes he needs to fight for Steph, his battle certainly isn’t an easy one. With a dangerous enemy hunting for his woman and her determination to continue to punish herself for her past, it’s not easy to prove just how great they could be together. But it sure made for an entertaining read.

I wanted to be annoyed with Steph and her constant martyr mentality, but I simply couldn’t. Lexi Blake did an amazing job with character development and you can’t help but understand her and feel for her at the same time. To know that you’re the cause of two innocent lives is not easy to get over, no matter how many years passed and whether or not it was a horrible accident. Steph lives with those demons every day. It’s the reason she became a doctor and fights to save lives.

There’s a lot that happens in this book, but the romance is always at the front and center, and it. is. SIZZLING.

It’s going be long and slow and I’m going to know every single inch of this beautiful body like it’s a map I need to memorize. I’ll be able to close my eyes and know how many kisses it takes to get from your mouth to your nipple to your sweet belly to that pussy I’m going to eat like a starving man.”

I loved these two together and I loved how they fight for each other even when they fight with each other.

Of course it wouldn’t be a Lexi Blake book without the rest of the gang and a whole bunch of fun from my favorite, Ian.

You can’t fix someone. That’s not what love does. Love can make a person want to fix himself. That’s the key.” He frowned at his wife. “I said love. I want to vomit.”

Love Another Day was another high octane ride; full of action and suspense that will keep you turning the pages well into the night. I just finished it and I already can’t wait for the next book. I’m an addict when it comes to this series and I can’t recommend it enough if you like your romantic suspense with some sizzling BDSM romance.


THE SERIES

THE DOM WHO LOVED ME | THE MEN WITH THE GOLDEN CUFFS | A DOM IS FOREVER | ON HER MASTER’S SECRET SERVICE | LOVE AND LET DIE | DUNGEON ROYALE | A VIEW TO THRILL | YOU ONLY LOVE TWICE | MASTER NO | FROM SANCTUM WITH LOVE | DOMINANCE NEVER DIES | SUBMISSION IS NOT ENOUGH | FOR HIS EYES ONLY | LOVE ANOTHER DAY

 

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog int eh 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: Love Another Day by Lexi Blake

LOVE ANOTHER DAY
Series: Masters & Mercenaries #14
Genre: Romantic Suspense, BDSM
Author: Lexi Blake
Release Date: August 21, 2017

A man born to protect

After a major loss, Brody Carter found a home with the London office of McKay-Taggart. A former soldier, he believes his job is to take the bullets and follow orders. He’s happy to take on the job of protecting Dr. Stephanie Gibson while the team uses her clinic in Sierra Leone to bring down an international criminal. What he never expected was that the young doctor would prove to be the woman of his dreams. She’s beautiful, smart, and reckless. Over and over he watches her risk her life to save others. One night of pure passion leads him to realize that he can’t risk his heart again. When the mission ends, Brody walks away, unwilling to lose another person he loves.

A woman driven to heal

Stephanie’s tragic past taught her to live for today. Everything she’s done in the last fifteen years has been to make up for her mistakes. Offering medical care in war-torn regions gives her the purpose she needs to carry on. When she meets her gorgeous Aussie protector, she knows she’s in too deep, but nothing can stop her from falling head over heels in love. But after one amazing night together, Brody walks away and never looks back. Stephanie is left behind…but not alone.

A secret that will change both their lives

A year later, Stephanie runs afoul of an evil mercenary who vows to kill her for failing to save his son. She runs to the only people she trusts, Liam and Avery O’Donnell. She hasn’t come alone and her secret will bring her former lover across the world to protect her. From Liberia to Dallas to Australia’s outback, Brody will do whatever it takes to protect Stephanie from the man who wants to kill her, but it might be her own personal demons that could destroy them both.

AMAZON | iBOOKS

I want that connection. I want to feel you, and not only in a physical way. This isn’t playing. Playing is a silly word for what I want from you.”
“What word would you use?”
“Everything. I want everything.”

Have you ever read a series that you hope never ends. Like it could have 34355 books and you’ll still crave more? Yeah. This series is that for me. Not only does my addiction to it increase with each new book and new character that gets introduced, I find myself more and more invested. These characters have become like friends to me. I root for them. I hurt for them. And I will never get enough of them.

Dr. Stephanie Gibson was first introduced in A Dom is Forever and my interest in her story has been increasing ever since. As a teenager, an accident due to unfortunate and naive negligence changed her life forever. She’s been paying penance ever since and punishing herself trying to pay things forward. She gained a dear friend out of the woman that she felt should hate her for the accident but family of her own is not something she’s had since that fateful day.

When Brody Carter and his team showed up at her clinic at Sierra Leone, she found herself falling quickly for the broody Aussie. On his last day there, she makes a decision to finally act on her feelings, even knowing he won’t want anything beyond the one night. Brody doesn’t feel he’s good enough for her, even while in her head, she feels it’s the exact opposite. But their one passionate night together comes with a lasting surprise, when Steph finds herself pregnant and her messages to Brody go unanswered. She got the message from the man loud and clear, but when her life and her son’s life is threatened, she finds herself on the doorstep of Liam O’Donnell and back in Brody’s world.

The tension between them is so thick you could cut it with a knife. I needed Brody to redeem himself for the radio silence act he pulled on Steph. I needed him to step up and be a man. I wanted him to grovel, to work for it, to need her forgiveness, and man oh man did I get it. And then some!

He thought briefly about putting the baby in his crib and trying to get a bit of work done, but it felt better to sit, to rock with his son in his arms. For the first time in forever, he knew what peace meant.

While Brody finally sees the light and realizes he needs to fight for Steph, his battle certainly isn’t an easy one. With a dangerous enemy hunting for his woman and her determination to continue to punish herself for her past, it’s not easy to prove just how great they could be together. But it sure made for an entertaining read.

I wanted to be annoyed with Steph and her constant martyr mentality, but I simply couldn’t. Lexi Blake did an amazing job with character development and you can’t help but understand her and feel for her at the same time. To know that you’re the cause of two innocent lives is not easy to get over, no matter how many years passed and whether or not it was a horrible accident. Steph lives with those demons every day. It’s the reason she became a doctor and fights to save lives.

There’s a lot that happens in this book, but the romance is always at the front and center, and it. is. SIZZLING.

It’s going be long and slow and I’m going to know every single inch of this beautiful body like it’s a map I need to memorize. I’ll be able to close my eyes and know how many kisses it takes to get from your mouth to your nipple to your sweet belly to that pussy I’m going to eat like a starving man.”

I loved these two together and I loved how they fight for each other even when they fight with each other.

Of course it wouldn’t be a Lexi Blake book without the rest of the gang and a whole bunch of fun from my favorite, Ian.

You can’t fix someone. That’s not what love does. Love can make a person want to fix himself. That’s the key.” He frowned at his wife. “I said love. I want to vomit.”

Love Another Day was another high octane ride; full of action and suspense that will keep you turning the pages well into the night. I just finished it and I already can’t wait for the next book. I’m an addict when it comes to this series and I can’t recommend it enough if you like your romantic suspense with some sizzling BDSM romance.


THE SERIES

THE DOM WHO LOVED ME | THE MEN WITH THE GOLDEN CUFFS | A DOM IS FOREVER | ON HER MASTER’S SECRET SERVICE | LOVE AND LET DIE | DUNGEON ROYALE | A VIEW TO THRILL | YOU ONLY LOVE TWICE | MASTER NO | FROM SANCTUM WITH LOVE | DOMINANCE NEVER DIES | SUBMISSION IS NOT ENOUGH | FOR HIS EYES ONLY | LOVE ANOTHER DAY

Geri’s Review: The Red by Tiffany Reisz

THE RED
Genre: Erotica
Author: Tiffany Reisz
Release Date: July 11th, 2017

Mona Lisa St. James made a deathbed promise that she would do anything to save her mother’s art gallery.

Unfortunately, not only is The Red painted red, but it’s in the red.

Just as she realizes she has no choice but to sell it, a mysterious man comes in after closing time and makes her an offer: He will save The Red if she agrees to submit to him for the period of one year.

The man is handsome, English, and terribly tempting…but surely her mother didn’t mean for Mona to sell herself to a stranger.

Then again, she did promise to do anything to save The Red…

The Red is a standalone novel of erotic fantasy from Tiffany Reisz, international bestselling author of The Bourbon Thief and the Original Sinners series.

AMAZON


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You smile like the devil,” Mona said.
“The devil doesn’t smile,” he said. “The devil smirks.”

I finished this book more than a week ago, and since then I spent my time searching for the right words to describe the kind of journey The Red took me on. I didn’t quite manage it.

The most appropriate thing that I could say about about this book is: The Red is an erotic assault on the senses. This is like Alice in Erotic Wonderland and we’re all  madly aroused here. But aside from the decadent eroticism, there’s also a bit of a mystery involved, and what can I say? I really, really enjoyed the ride.

This is a story about Mona Lisa St. James who made a deathbed promise to her mother to save the gallery, The Red she owned. Unfortunately, The Red is in the red and the only choice left for Mona is to sell the gallery. But then a mysterious stranger appeared and gave Mona a wild proposition: surrender her whole body to him for a year and he’ll help her save the gallery. Desperate to keep her promise to her mother, and fascinated by the mysterious stranger, Mona agreed to submit to his every whim and desire in exchange for helping her keep The Red.

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This book didn’t waste any time taking readers through a decadent, bawdy, erotic romp. Aside from the small set up at the very beginning, we immediately get introduced to the mystery guy who calls himself Malcolm and the filthy, twisted games he plays where each erotic setups mirrors very famous and controversial paintings.

The Red reminded me a lot of Anne Rice’s Sleeping Beauty Quartet where a female protag is thrust into this erotic adventure. And yeah, it is obscene, filthy, raunchy, dirty and every bit as indecent as you think a Tiffany Reisz book would be and more!

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Erotic adventures aside, this book as mentioned above has an element of mystery to it. Namely, Malcolm’s identity and background. Who is he? Where did he come from? Why did he choose Mona and The Red? Is he the devil in disguise or the savior?

There were clues throughout the book but you won’t recognize them as clues until the reveal happens at the end. And then all of these questions I had while reading this book was satisfactorily answered towards the end of the book. And like most of Tiffany Reisz’s books, there was a ‘whoa’ moment in here, too. Followed by, ‘oh yeah, that makes total sense’.

But what I really loved about this book was that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It never presented itself as something other than an obscenely filthy romp that’ll make you blush and leaves you satisfied. No pun intended. But yeah, this book was perfectly smutty and gives you an ending that ties everything perfectly.

“I warned you I like to play games.”

Geri’s Review: Shame Me Not by Fiona Cole

SHAME ME NOT
Genre: Erotic Romance
Author: Fiona Cole
Release Date: July 6th, 2017

Shame. Panic. Desire. Dominance. Disgust.

All feelings that I was familiar with from the age of sixteen. That’s when I met Ana. The girl next door who became so much more. Until her, I was alone in the dark desires that I didn’t understand, that I couldn’t reconcile.

My best friend, she accepted me. Helped me see that there was no shame in the things that we both craved. Her submission was a drug, my dominance over her a high that I’d never experienced. When we were together, I was at peace for the first time in my life.

But it was too good to last. Our own guilt over our feelings, of our appetite for pain and pleasure, destroyed us.

I was convinced that all I needed was a chance, just one more chance to overcome my shame, and Ana would be able to trust me again.

If only it were that easy.

 

You submit so beautifully because you know I would always put you first. I know you trust me.”

Shame Me Not explores a familiar theme in erotic romance: dominance and submission. What makes this book unique and stand out to me was the age of the characters.

This book was divided into three parts. Part one starts when a new girl, Ana, moved next door to Kevin’s family. They became fast friends. There was an immediate attraction between them which remained unexplored for the most part until they finally revealed their kinks to each other.

Part 1 is probably my favorite part. The idea itself wasn’t unique in this genre but the author managed to give it her own twist to the story. Both Kevin and Ana are compelling characters. They’re very much flawed characters which made them all the more interesting.

As I mentioned above, kink exploration isn’t new to the genre. We see a lot of book explore the idea of two characters coming to terms with their sexuality all the time. What makes Shame Me Not unique is that both Kevin and Ana are very young. They didn’t quite understand what it meant. The only thing they knew was that it both made them feel very good and very ashamed, which added complexity to this story. You can sympathize with their fear and confusion as they tried to come to terms with what it might mean to them.

They explored and pushed their boundaries sometimes to the detriment of their relationship with each other and their relationship with other people. And it did finally come to head, and even though I was kind of expecting the “shit to hit the fan” it didn’t diminish the emotion it elicited.

Part 2 and 3 pickup years after the events in high school. Both are older but one of them is still carrying the same baggage and issues they had when they were younger. This is where the story fell apart for me. I was still invested in the characters. And I wanted them to find that place where they both can move on and accept who they are. And they did. It’s just that it took them a long, long time to get there. Too long for me. The pacing slowed down significantly without any changes to the characters. I don’t mind slow as long as I get to see that the characters made progress with their arc and that didn’t really happen to Ana or Kevin. They were still confronting the same issues that they had when they were younger and still doing the same thing they did in high school. It became tedious after a while.

There was also a strange gap between the events that happened in the second part and the third. It was like chunks of the story was missing. I needed that more than I needed the push and pull they had during their college years because I wanted to see how Ana came to terms with her kink. I wanted to her epiphany so to speak. And that was kind of glossed over. I did appreciate the epilogue which was fantastic.

Despite my issues with the pacing, I thoroughly enjoyed Shame Me Not. It explored something familiar in an unexpected way that I’ve never read before. Fiona Cole did an excellent job bringing Kevin and Ana to life. I was with these characters from the very beginning until the end. I felt their happiness, their pain, their doubts—everything, and that’s a testament to the skill of this author.

You shouldn’t be anyone but you, because you’re perfect.”

Jennifer’s Review: Degrees of Control by @Eve_Dangerfield

DEGREES OF CONTROL
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Author: Eve Dangerfield
Release Date: November 30, 2015

Charlotte Bell is a typical yoga teacher. She’s friendly, earnest and has some slightly masochistic tendencies…
After a painful break-up she’s determined to address her long-denied kinks with the kind of man she’s always been too terrified to approach. Charlie’s friends select James Hunter, a male model turned suit who has some dark inclinations of his own. After a ‘chance’ encounter at a party James agrees to school Charlie in the harsher side of sex.
James knows she’s too genuine, too kind, too everything for a guy like him, but he won’t turn down a chance to break in a starry-eyed submissive, especially not who can wrap her legs around her head. As Charlie and James attempt a strings-free sexual relationship they’re alarmed to discover a connection that runs deeper than either of them could have predicted. The only question is, where will it lead them?
Content Notes: Intense, D/s Elements, Spanking, BDSM, Romantic Comedy, Contemporary

AMAZON

4 I’m-boiling-after-this-book (in-a-good-way) Stars!!!

If you are looking for something off-the-charts HOT (Duh, aren’t we all?), then look no further. This is the book for you!

à la Mode St. » fashion

He was a wolf and she wanted to get eaten.

à la Mode St. » fashionEve Dangerfield. I feel like her name exploded, and I started hearing it from every single one of my favorite authors telling me to read her books in the same week! I was immediately intrigued when Tessa Bailey AND Skye Warren both recommended her books. When this book came up as the Buddy Read book in Skye’s Dangerous Book Club, I knew I had to jump on it.

James. He is the whole package. Sexy, southern drawl. He’s got the smile. He’s got the abs. He’s got the fingers…Got it? Good. He is the worst man-whore. And everything that Charlotte needs in a rebound. She recently escaped from a horrible relationship, and realizing that she needs a dominant male in the bedroom who isn’t afraid to give her some kink, chooses James to rebound her into oblivion. And yes. Yes, he does.
 fan the voice christina aguilera fanning GIFCharlotte. She is the tiny, vegan yoga instructor with big eyes and big boobs, and James digs everything part of her right away. I loved that she wasn’t afraid to tell him exactly what she wanted. I really enjoyed her character, especially the witty dialogue with her friends. I usually don’t care for “girlfriend chat” in romance books, but this was different from the typical and I found myself smiling that this small group of friends that watch each other’s backs.

THE DIRTY TALK. This gets a whole paragraph of its own. Because it was scorching! Dirty talk is my #1, so if you screw it up, I will let you know. And Eve NAILED IT. This book has everything I could ever ask for to make me hot & satisfied.
à la Mode St. » fashion

”You wanna get off easy, sweetheart? Sit on a vibrator. I’m not feeling particularly charitable tonight.” James pushed inside her, urging her thighs wider with his big hands. “This is how I like you, sweetheart. Mouth shut, legs open, your tight little pussy full.”

à la Mode St. » fashionI’m just gonna be honest. Most of this book was hot, dirty sex (no complaints here), but the last quarter did not disappoint with bringing the feels. I loved how James redeemed himself. I couldn’t resist James during this whole book.

This was my first book by Eve, and I will be reading ALL of her books after this one.

Review: Master of Solitude by Cherise Sinclair

 Master of Solitude
Series: Mountain Masters & Dark Haven #8
Genre: BDSM Romance, Contemporary
Author: Cherise Sinclair
Release Date: May 23, 2017

Since childhood, Mallory McCabe has dreamed of falling in love with a hero. And then one saves her life. He’s honest…and blunt. Deadly, but filled with pain. Overpowering, yet ever so gentle with her. Oh yes, she’s found her hero. Taking him to her bed is simply…right. As is losing her heart.

How could she have known he’d want nothing more to do with her?

His indifference hurts. She vows to forget him…then he buys the land next to hers.

Released early from prison, all Sawyer Ware wants is to put his life back together. His police detective brother houses him while he makes plans. But when a violent gang targets his brother, Sawyer puts his future on hold. He’ll have to take on the gang first. After a decade as a Navy SEAL, he won’t–can’t–walk away if someone he loves is threatened.

His mission is likely to prove bloody. He sure can’t afford to get involved with a woman, especially his captivating neighbor. He hungers to be near her, to enjoy her clear laugh, her easy friendship, and the peace she brings wherever she goes. A relationship is absolutely out of the question.

Why won’t his heart obey orders?

AMAZON | iBOOKS

The decision wasn’t easy. He could damage her. Not her body, but her heart. Her emotions were already engaged, and if he pulled away—again—it would hurt badly. Yet, if she said no, she’d regret it. Forever.

If you’ve read Master of Freedom, then you’ll recall Sawyer Ware, Atticus’s brother. While his brother is a Detective, Sawyer is on the opposite side of the law. His sentence for a crime that haunts him to this day is cut short when he gets early release for his help during the prison riot and kidnapping. Now he’s out but the stench of the ex-con stigma follows him everywhere he goes, especially when it’s back to the small town where he stands out like a glaring beacon. He’s a shell of the man he used to be. He just wants to keep to himself, make an honest living, and rid the town of the dangerous gang that now inhabits it and targeting his brother for the role he played in killing their leader. He doesn’t expect for the shy and beautiful Mallory. When he rescues her on the side of a road, he knows that she’s too good for the likes of him, but that doesn’t erase her draw. She’s like a ray of sunshine and he’s a man used to the dark of the night. Their connection is instant and in a moment of weakness, he gives into their chemistry, only to let his assumptions get the best of him and think that Mallory is just another woman enamored with the allure of being with an ex-con.

Mallory is a sweet soul with a spine of steel. She’s an understated strength full of hope and understanding. When Sawyer unkowingly hires her construction company to fix his newly purchased home, he soon learns the error of his way when he discovers all the depths of Mallory and her heart, but that doesn’t mean he’s ever going to be good enough for her.

I adored Sawyer. My heart broke for him and everything that he’s been through. If there’s one thing that Cherise Sinclair can do is create these characters with an incredible amount of depth, and Sawyer was no exception. Mallory was a sweetheart, though at times, I have to admit, she was a little too sweet for my tastes. She does stand up for herself and her soft was the perfect compliment to Sawyer’s hard, but there was also something that was just missing for me.

There’s a suspense plot that unwinds in pace with the romance which was a great addition and I loved getting more of Atticus and Gin. Master of Solitude was a slower paced romance, but as much as I loved Sawyer and Mallory, there was also something missing for me that I can’t quite put my finger on. It just wasn’t one of those books that kept me riveted to the pages, which isn’t a bad thing, sometimes that’s all you need. I think maybe my mood went against me with this one and took a little of the enjoyment out it. Nonetheless, this was another fantastic addition to the series, and one I’d certainly recommend. I live for this author’s words and can’t wait for more.

Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

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