DGR’s Ultimate List of Romantic Suspense

July 18, 2018 by · 15 Comments

I have been a huge fan of romantic suspense since I first started reading romance. There’s just something so thrilling about a sexy romance with the action of heart pounding suspense. I absolutely love the combination! I’ve binged on so many series in this genre, I have to warn you in advance that this list is going to be HUGE! Because I’ve read so many amazing romantic suspense books that need to be mentioned. Many of these are set in a series, so to avoid having a list that goes on FOREVER, I’ll mention some by series rather than individual book and then tell you what my favorites were within the series. I hope you enjoy!

And if you’re new to my blog,  previous features here:

★ULTIMATE LIST OF MC/BIKERS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF DIRTY TALKERS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ROCK STARS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF FIGHTERS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ANTI-HEROES★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF HATE TO LOVE ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF MAFIA ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ANGSTY ROMANCE★

As always, I’d love to hear from you all in comments if you don’t see one of your favorites listed. You know I love me some book recs 😉

TEMPTING NAVY SEALs series by Lora Leigh

“My money’s on the lady,” he drawled. “You don’t tame a vixen, you just travel in her wake.”  – Hidden Agendas

Lora Leigh was my first foray into erotic romance. She was also my first intro into the dirty talking über alphas, and I was instantly hooked! Her Romantic Suspense books are deliciously sexy with some horrible baddies and plenty of action. This Tempting SEALs series has a few novellas and full length books (The novellas are Reno’s Chance, Real Men Do It Better anthology features a novella from Leigh in this series, and Atlanta Heat). Dangerous Games, Hidden Agendas, and Killer Secrets are full books. These are all interconnecting standalones, though I highly recommend reading in order for ultimate enjoyment. My favorite two books in the series was Hidden Agendas and  Killer Secrets. Killer Secrets features one kick ass heroine who’s an undercover agent and it just didn’t get more delicious than Ian Richards.

STEAM FACTOR: 10 out of 10

ADD IT ON GOODREADS

RENO’S CHANCE | DANGEROUS GAMES | FOR MAGGIE’S SAKE (Novella in RMDIB) | HIDDEN AGENDAS | KILLER SECRETS | ATLANTA HEAT

WILD CARD by Lora Leigh

“No” she jerked back, stared up at him.
Her eyes were like thunderclouds. He’d never seen them like that. Shock and fear filled them. Her face was paper white. Her body shuddering.
“Don’t you leave me!” She gripped his shirt and tried to shake him, tears falling from her eyes. “Don’t you leave Noah.”
His head lowered. He touched her lips with his and knew this woman held the best part of him. The memories of the husband he had been, the man he had been. He couldn’t destroy that. He refused to.
He pushed her to Jordan slowly, loath to let her go. To release her. Knowing that releasing her was the only way to save the memories she held.
“Don’t you leave!” She screamed the order, eyes blazing, her lips trembling as tears fell and hysteria threatened to overwhelm her. “If you leave me, Noah Blake, if you don’t come back when this is over, don’t bother coming back at all.
He touched her cheek. Ran his thumb over her lips. “You are the best part of me,” he whispered. “Always remember that, Sabella. The best part of me.”
Before she could grab him, hold him to her, he pulled away, grabbed one of the rifles Mike had set on the table across the room. And left.

Wild Card is the first book in the Elite Ops series, which is a spin-off from the Tempting SEALs series I mentioned earlier. It’s also my all time FAVORITE Lora Leigh book evah! Nathan Malone is a happily married Navy SEAL, who goes on what’s supposed to be a routine mission. But then he’s captured and life as he knows it is done. He’s no longer the man he once was when he’s finally rescued. And his wife thinks he’s dead.

Nathan is forced to take on a new identity, but nothing will keep him away from his wife. She thinks her husband is dead. He knows he is, and in his place is more monster than man. He’s not the man she once knew. But that’s enough about the plot. What you need to know is this book was AWESOME! It had plenty of action, and sex scenes SO HOT, it’ll burn your kindle. Plus I LURVE me a plot like this.

There are 5 books in the series, though Wild Card and Maverick were the only two I really liked. The rest is good, but not my favorite.

STEAM FACTOR: 10 out of 10

ADD IT ON GOODREADS

WILD CARD | MAVERICK | HEAT SEEKER | BLACK JACK | RENEGADE

The Mccloud Brothers Series by Shannon McKenna

“You use your tits the way a ninja assassin uses nunchuks.”- EXTREME DANGER

If you love über alphas and I mean UBER alphas. The crazy possessive, protective, dirty talking kind. The borderline domineering but still sexy kind. You know what I mean, here, right? Well, if that’s your thing, you need to check this series out. McKenna has some of the most twisty and intriguing suspense with some true baddies. And in case you’re wondering, YES, they’re VERY steamy. While each book is a standalone, there are bad guys that have story arcs that continue through the series. However, if you want to read them out of order, you wouldn’t be lost because the author gives plenty of background. My favorites in the series were Extreme Danger, Ultimate Weapon, Fatal Strike, and In For The Kill.

STEAM FACTOR: 9 out of 10

ADD IT ON GOODREADS

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS | STANDING IN THE SHADOWS | OUT OF CONTROL | EDGE OF MIDNIGHT | EXTREME DANGER | ULTIMATE WEAPON | FADE TO MIDNIGHT | BLOOD AND FIRE | ONE WRONG MOVE | FATAL STRIKE | IN FOR THE KILL

KGI Series by Maya Banks

“I know this woman.”
“Who the hell is she?”
He stared both his brothers down. “She’s mine.” – NO PLACE TO RUN

If you haven’t met the Kelly family yet, you, my friends, are sorely missing out. The first 6 books in this series were AMAZING. I’m talking heart-pounding deliciousness with some HOT military men and some HOTTER romance. Just check out this description:

The Kelly Group International (KGI): A super-elite, top secret, family-run business.
Qualifications: High intelligence, rock-hard body, military background.
Mission: Hostage/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering. Handling jobs the U.S. government can’t…

If that doesn’t scream ‘yum’, I don’t know what does. And in case you’re wondering, yes, what’s inside totally matches these hot as sin covers. Each book may be enjoyed as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading in order for even better enjoyment!

STEAM FACTOR: 8 out of 10

ADD IT ON GOODREADS

THE DARKEST HOUR | NO PLACE TO RUN | HIDDEN AWAY | WHISPERS IN THE DARK | ECHOES AT DAWN

THE BULLET CATCHERS Series by Roxanne St Claire

This was one of the first Romantic Suspense series I’d read when I originally got hooked on the genre, so of course it holds a special place in my heart….and my ovaries. What? It’s true *sheepish grin*

I actually own all of this series in paperback (along with the spin-off I’ll mention right after)

If hot bodyguards, high-octane action, kick ass heroines and even better heroes are your thing, well, you need to be adding this series to your TBR. It centers on a company of elite group of bodyguards and security specialist, that’s run by one kick-ass female, Lucy Sharp. (She gets her story in Now You Die)

The series is 8 books, and each book is easily read as a standalone, though some characters are introduced in previous books so you’d definitely enjoy it more reading in order. If you noticed, some of the titles have a theme (Kill Me Twice, Thrill Me To Death, Take Me Tonight) and (First You Run, Then You Hide, Now You Die). The first are still standalones, but they do have a story arc that continues through the books. The second is actually still standalones, but has a murder mystery arc that runs through the three books, so you definitely want to read those in oder.

STEAM FACTOR: 6 out of 10

ADD IT ON GOODREADS

KILL ME TWICE | THRILL ME TO DEATH | TAKE ME TONIGHT | FIRST YOU RUN | THEN YOU HIDE | NOW YOU DIE | HUNT HER DOWN | MAKE HER PAY

THE GUARDIAN ANGELINOS Series by Roxanne St Claire

This romantic suspense trilogy is a spin-off from The Bullet Catchers, and focuses on the Angelino family that launches a security and investigation firm in Boston. Each book focuses on a different couple and is a standalone. However, similar to The Bullet Catchers, it does have a mystery story arc that continues throughout the trilogy, so they’re best enjoyed in order.

STEAM FACTOR: 6 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

EDGE OF SIGHT | SHIVER OF FEAR | FACE OF DANGER

DEADLY Series by Cynthia Eden

I’ve loved every book I have ever read by this author (and I’ve read a good share of her backlist), but there’s just something about this sizzling series that has always stayed with me. The books are sexy, addicting, and edge of your seat sort of reads. This is a story trilogy; meaning each book is a standalone, but the story arc runs through each book.

STEAM FACTOR: 7 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

DEADLY FEAR | DEADLY HEAT | DEADLY LIES

MINE Series by Cynthia Eden

The “Mine” books are dark and sexy romantic suspense novels that focus on the fine line between love and obsession.

Another addicting RS series that I loved from this author is definitely the Mine series. These are all full standalones and have some of the hottest alphas ever. Cynthia writes the best possessive heroes that are always sexy and never domineering and this reader can’t get enough of it! Best news? You can try the series with book 1 for FREE!! Eeep!

STEAM FACTOR: 7 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

MINE TO TAKE | MINE TO KEEP | MINE TO HOLD | MINE TO CRAVE | MINE TO HAVE | MINE TO PROTECT

LAST CHANCE RESCUE Series by Christy Reece

Series revolves around Last Chance Rescue, Inc., an organization that employs some of the most highly skilled and ruthless mercenaries in the world, with only one goal and purpose. These brave men and women do whatever it takes, no matter the cost, to rescue the innocent. And in the midst of rescuing victims, the heroes and heroines find their true love. The LCR stories include pulse pounding suspense, thrilling, sensual romance and a happy ending.

The above is the description of this addicting series, and it’s spot on. I binged on these books and loved every page and minute of it. You’ll notice some titles have a theme, and that’s because they introduce the characters and continue their stories throughout the books, though each book is a standalone. I highly recommend reading in order: (Rescue Me, Return To Me, Run to Me) then (No Chance, Second Chance, Last Chance) and finally (Sweet Justice, Sweet Revenge, and Sweet Reward) to truly appreciate the characters’ build up.

There’s also a spin-off series called LCR Elite, which I recommend as well.

STEAM FACTOR: 6 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

RESCUE ME | RETURN TO ME | RUN TO ME | NO CHANCE | SECOND CHANCE | LAST CHANCE | SWEET JUSTICE | SWEET REVENGE | SWEET REWARD | CHANCES ARE

THE BODYGUARDS Series by Cindy Gerard

No assignment is too big, too difficult, or too dangerous for E.D.E.N. Inc., a West Palm Beach security firm. But in these novels of romance and suspense, when it comes to their own personal relationships, the forces of E.D.E.N., Inc. soon find themselves in deep water and sinking fast. These bodyguards will not only guard your body: they’ll steal your heart and fulfill your deepest desires.

Cindy Gerard was THE author that got me hooked on military heroes and Romantic Suspense. She’s one of my favorites and her Bodyguards series is what ultimately introduced me to her writing. After binging on these books, I then went on to binge and fall even more in love with her Black Ops series (a series that follows The Bodyguards that I’ll talk about below).

STEAM FACTOR: 6 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

TO THE EDGE | TO THE LIMIT | TO THE BRINK | OVER THE LINE | UNDER THE WIRE | INTO THE DARK

BLACK OPS Series by Cindy Gerard

Black Ops, Inc. is a covert paramilitary team that “unofficially” works for the U.S. government, taking on missions that are too hot for the sanctioned government agencies to handle.

This series was AMAZING! Ah-mazing, you guys! It just doesn’t get any better than these special ops military men. The action was non stop and the romance was SCORCHING! I loved every book in this series! Though I have to admit, when I’m looking for a re-read, I do have a tendency to lean towards Whisper No Lies. There’s just something about Johnny Duane Reed that DOES it for me 🙂

I also highly recommend her One-Eyed Jacks series that follows the Black Ops.

STEAM FACTOR: 6 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

SHOW NO MERCY | TAKE NO PRISONERS | WHISPER NO LIES | FEEL THE HEAT | RISK NO SECRETS | WITH NO REMORSE | LAST MAN STANDING

PASSION FOR DANGER Series by Nina Bruhns

This yummy trilogy was what first introduced me to Nina Bruhns. While each book is a different couple, the story arc of the bad guy isn’t resolved until the third book, so you definitely need to read these in order.

STEAM FACTOR: 7 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

SHOOT TO THRILL | IF LOOKS COULD CHILL | A KISS TO KILL

SHADOW FORCE Series by Stephanie Tyler

If you like special ops military romance, this series is definitely worth checking out. Each book is a standalone, though characters are introduced early in the series and there’s also secondary romance story arcs that continue through the series.

STEAM FACTOR: 7 out of 10

ADD TO GOODREADS

LIE WITH ME | PROMISES IN THE DARK | IN THE AIR TONIGHT | NIGHT MOVES | LONELY IS THE NIGHT

MEN WHO WALK THE EDGE OF HONOR Series by Lori Foster

If you’ve never read romantic suspense and looking for a great transitional series, you can’t go wrong with these steamy contemporaries. There’s plenty of action to keep you gripping your kindle while swooning over the romance!

Another fantastic contemporary/romantic suspense from Lori Foster that I highly recommend is her Love Undercover series.

STEAM FACTOR: 6 out of 10

ADD TO GOODREADS

WHEN YOU DARE | TRACE OF FEVER | SAVOR THE DANGER | A PERFECT STORM | WHAT CHRIS WANTS

SIN BROTHERS Series by Rebecca Zanetti

There was a demand in the way he touched her, in the way he kissed. One she should run the hell away from, if she had any sense of self-preservation. The sexy soldier wanted everything she had to give, and she knew better. – TOTAL SURRENDER

Genetically engineered soldiers on the run from the evil black ops military unit that are responsible for their unique power? Um, yes please! And in their quest to bring down the corrupt unit they also find love. In a word? AWESOME!

You also don’t want to miss the spin-off series, Blood Brothers.

STEAM FACTOR: 7 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

FORGOTTEN SINS | SWEET REVENGE | BLIND FAITH | TOTAL SURRENDER

BURYING WATER Series by KA Tucker

“He said the truth is like that water: it doesn’t matter how hard you try to bury it; it’ll always find some way back to the surface. It’s resilient.”- BURYING WATER

This series was deliciously suspenseful. If you’re a fan of this author and like New Adult Suspense, you definitely want to check this one out!

STEAM FACTOR: 4 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

THE EVAN ARDEN Series by Shay Savage

“What the hell are you doing?” she cries.
“I’m going to tear your clothes off and fuck you so hard you won’t walk right for a week,” I respond. “You want me to stop?”- OTHERWISE ALONE

I read these books when I thought they were a trilogy, since there is a satisfying ending at the end of book 3. However, the author has since added another 2 books. I can’t speak for those two, since I haven’t read them. But the first three books in this series were seriously awesome; sexy and with a sinfully hot anti-hero. If you want to read the first three, it easily reads as a complete story.

STEAM FACTOR: 8 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

OTHERWISE ALONE | OTHERWISE OCCUPIED | OTHERWISE UNHARMED

FLASH POINT by Brooke Blain

“It was the first rule in the handbook: “Thou shalt not have fucking relations with a client, current or former.”

If you’re looking to dip your toes in the genre, but don’t want to commit with a series, here’s a fantastic standalone! Best part? The hero is a total Jason Statham lookalike (or at least he was in my head LOL). Either way, I loved this steamy romantic suspense standalone from the fabulous Brooke Blaine!

He swore to protect her body, but he never promised to protect her heart.”

 

 

STEAM FACTOR: 6 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

DGR FAVORITES

I’ve highly enjoyed all of the series mentioned above, but the ones I’m about to list are my TOP favorites. They’re my go-to recommendations and I figure it’s only right to give them a special place on this list!

I-TEAM Series by Pamela Clare

“It’s not so much where I want you,Sophie, as it is how. Nothing tastes quite like a woman, and no woman tastes like you.” – UNLAWFUL CONTACT

This series! This series is EVERYTHING! The series follows a close-knit team of investigative journalists (mostly women), whose reporting takes them into some dangerous places, and the alpha heroes that they meet along the way. What I love most about this series are the fierce heroines that Clare writes. These are not women that are shy to take matters into their own hands. And while the men will protect them, they also hold their own. Each book is easily enjoyed as a standalone but I highly recommend the entire series because it’s AMAZING! Though I have to admit, that UNLAWFUL CONTACT is my go-to re-read in this series. Once you meet Hunt, you’ll see exactly why.

STEAM FACTOR: 8 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

EXTREME EXPOSURE | HARD EVIDENCE | UNLAWFUL CONTACT | NAKED EDGE | BREAKING POINT | STRIKING DISTANCE | SOUL DEEP | SEDUCTION GAME | DEAD BY MIDNIGHT | DEADLY INTENT

KILLER INSTINCT Series by Elle Kennedy 

His eyes narrowed as he advanced on her. Like a predator. Because he was a predator. A ruthless soldier, lethal and impassive, and yet right now, she didn’t mind being the prey. If she were being honest, she preferred it. – MIDNIGHT REVENGE

I’ve had a long love affair with all things Elle Kennedy. And while I can’t get enough of her contemporary romance, this sizzling hot romantic suspense series is still one of my favorites of hers. It’s a series that I wish more people knew about it, because it’s absolutely addicting in a way that only Kennedy can write. It’s steamy, heart-pounding, edge of your seat sort of reads that you devour in one sleepless sitting. SO. GOOD. The final book in the series is still one of my all time faves and one of the best series conclusions I’ve ever read.

STEAM FACTOR: 8 out 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

MIDNIGHT RESCUE | MIDNIGHT ALIAS | MIDNIGHT GAMES | MIDNIGHT PURSUITS | MIDNIGHT ACTION | MIDNIGHT CAPTIVE | MIDNIGHT REVENGE | MIDNIGHT TARGET

HOSTILE OPERATIONS TEAM Series by Lynn Raye Harris

She was an itch beneath his skin. A mosquito buzzing in his ear. A compulsion that threatened to tip across the line into addiction. – HOT VALOR

If you like hot military romance that’s equally steamy as it is a non-stop thrill ride of action and suspense, this series is an absolute no-brainer. I was an insta-fan of Harris from the moment I read her first HOT book and I’ve been a goner since. And if possible, the book just keep getting better and hotter with each new installment! If you haven’t read this series yet, welcome to your new addiction, because these books are bingeworthy!

There’s also a seriously yummy spin-off with some hot SEALs (see what I did there?) You definitely want to check out her HOT SEAL TEAM series too!

STEAM FACTOR: 8 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

HOT PURSUIT | HOT MESS | HOT PACKAGE | DANGEROUSLY HOT | HOT SHOT | HOT REBEL | HOT ICE | HOT & BOTHERED | HOT PROTECTOR | HOT ADDICTION | HOT VALOR | HOT ANGEL

BENEATH Series by Meghan March

…she didn’t have to like me to fuck me; she just had to want me more than she hated me.- BENEATH THESE SCARS

Meghan March became an auto-click author for me the second I discovered her Beneath series. There was only 3 books in the series then, and I may have resembled a rabid squirrel, foaming at the mouth and vibrating in my wait for each new installment. If you’ve never read romantic suspense, this is a great series to start with as it’s mostly contemporary elements with just the right amount of action and suspense to add to the exhilarating buzz. You can still grab the first book in this awesome series for FREE!!

STEAM FACTOR: 8 out 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

BENEATH THIS MASK | BENEATH THIS INK | BENEATH THESE CHAINS | BENEATH THESE SCARS | BENEATH THESE LIES | BENEATH THESE SHADOWS | BENEATH THE TRUTH

MASTERS & MERCENERIES Series by Lexi Blake

“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.” – LOVE ANOTHER DAY

OH. MY. GOD. This series! GAH! I am obsessed, absolutely obsessed with this series. It’s my crack. Crack, I tells ya! Lexi Blake combines scorching hot BDSM with some espionage and edge of your seat, glued to your kindle, heart-pounding suspense and action. It simply doesn’t get better than this series. IT JUST DOESN’T! I will never tire of it and I hope it never ends. Best part? You can grab the first book in this series for FREE! Even better part? Some of these books got a STUNNING facelift with some gorgeous new covers!

STEAM FACTOR: 9 out 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

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 | NOBODY DOES IT BETTER

DIRTY TIES by Pam Godwin

The strongest love begins from a place of conflict. It’s a volatile journey of committing and fighting and recommitting, but the effort is resolute and evolves into something so consuming the heart aches just thinking about it.

Now if you follow my blog, you already know my obsession with all things Pam Godwin. She writes THE best dark romance! And her Tangled Lies trilogy freaking broke me, it was SO GOOD! But when someone asks me for a sexy romantic suspense standalone, THIS is the book that I blindly recommend. I loved and I mean LOVED everything about it! If you haven’t read this one yet, it’s an absolute must read!

He wasn’t a man women said no to. The way he carried himself, the way he fought. Built like a warrior, he knew how to manipulate torque and power between his legs.

STEAM FACTOR: 9 OUT OF 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

Welp, that’s it for the list. Loved it? Tell me in comments! Did I miss one of your favorites? Tell me about it in comments! I love to hear from you all, so don’t be shy <3

Till next time, dirty birds!

15 Comments · Filed Under: DGR Favorites, Features, Romantic Suspense · Tagged With: ,

DGR’s Ultimate List of MC Romance & Bikers

June 23, 2018 by · 5 Comments

What is it about a hot tatted man on a bike that just revs our ovaries here? It’s no secret that we love us some bikers here at DGR. We love them all; the sweet, the dark and violent, and the uber gritty.   Between Jenn and myself, we’ve binged on so many awesome MC books it’s almost impossible to narrow this list down, but damn if we won’t try. So below you’ll find some of our absolute favorite MC/Biker books that revved our engines and melted our hearts.

And if you’re new to my blog,  previous features here:

★ULTIMATE LIST OF DIRTY TALKERS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ROCK STARS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF FIGHTERS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ANTI-HEROES★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF HATE TO LOVE ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF MAFIA ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ANGSTY ROMANCE★

As always, I’d love to hear from you all in comments if you don’t see one of your favorites listed. You know I love me some book recs 😉

MOTORCYCLE MAN (Dream Man Series #4) by Kristen Ashley- Jenn’s pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

“You have no clue,” he whispered.
“No clue about what?” I whispered back.
“What you handed me last night.”
I took in a deep breath and asked softly, “What did I hand you, honey?”
“What’s lyin’ in that bed.”
That was when I stopped breathing.
“I claimed it,” he went on. “But last night you gave it to me. Gift’s given, no takin’ it back. You get that, Tyra?”
“I think so,” I whispered.
“Get that, baby, it’s important.”

Are you serious? Do I have to spell it out for you? Kristen. Ashley. This is THE book that took my Motorcycle Club virginity, and it felt good. I didn’t even cry. If you haven’t read this book, then we probably aren’t friends. Ok, I’ll let you off the hook a little bit. If you haven’t at least heard of this book, then we probably aren’t friends, and you randomly stumbled onto this blog. Because let’s be honest, every romance reader should have at least heard of Kristen Ashley. This is technically the 4th book in the Dream Man series, so if you are OCD, start with the first book in the series, Dream Man (not an MC).

OWN THE WIND (Chaos Series #1) by Kristen Ashley – Jenn’s pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

“I never dreamed any fuckin’ dream,” he whispered, and the smile faded from her face as tears filled her eyes.
She understood him.
“Shy-”
“Didn’t dream it, saw it, waited my time, and then you gave it to me.”

 

I chose to separate this from Motorcycle Man because although it technically is the sequel, it’s a spin-off, and deserves a blurb of its own. This series is not over. Kristen has announced that a novella and full novel in this series will be released in 2018, and I am over-the-moon excited. It’s been way too long since I’ve dipped into this series, and my toes are way too dry.

WALK THROUGH FIRE (Chaos #3) by Kristen Ashley – Lana’s pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

“I’m done walking through fire for you, High! … I’m done not because I’m done but because there’s nothing left of me to burn. You have it all. You’ve always had it all! I gave up everything so you can have it all! Please! God! Leave me to my nothing.”

 

ALL OF THE FEELS! OMG! ALL OF THEM!

This book! I love a second chance romance, and this one just hit ALL of my checkboxes. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve re-read it (*cough* 5 *cough*), this quote has me in hysterical tears every single time. EVERY TIME. The emotion of this story is such a deep and memorable one, I will never get over it. I loved and I mean LOVED Millie and High’s long and hard deserved road to a HEA.

FEARLESS (Dartmoor Series #1) by Lauren Gilley – Jenn’s pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

“Never before had he said such long strings of sentences in French before, like he did now. In the sheltering dark, his thrusts were slow, deep, sure, his hands digging bruises into her hips, the French rolling in thick purrs off his tongue; she had the impression it was sexual, whatever he said, the way the words caressed and encouraged her.”

I know you’re wondering how many stars I rated this book, so I’ll tell you. ELEVENTY BILLION STARS. It’s a number specifically created for Lauren Gilley books. I will shout her name from the rooftops. Because the chick can write an intelligent motorcycle club book. And isn’t that what we all want in life?! I know I do. One of my good friends, Irene, got me hooked on Gilly, describing her writing as Motorcycle Club Literature, and that is exactly how it is!! I will forever be a Gilly fan, and if I ever meet her, she better get ready for a huge fan-girl moment. Her books are ginormous, but no one should care because her writing is BEAUTIFUL.

 

UNCONTROLLABLE TEMPTATIONS (Tempted Series #3) by Janine Infante Bosco – Jenn’s Pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

“In a world as dark as the one I live in, sometimes I can’t help but crave sunshine,” he said huskily.
Sunshine.
Me.”

My newest favorite this year, and one of my top favorite on this list. For all of you OCD-ers out there, plug your ears because this isn’t the first book in the series….BUT it is the first MC book. The first two books are targeted to the Mafia side, but it’s like Janine started with Mafia and then wrote this book and refused to go back. And I am so glad. You can read my review on Goodreads because I can’t even begin to express MY LOVE for this book. Life Changing….literally…not figuratively. It changed my life. It’s a very personal review, but I would recommend this series anyway because Janine’s writing is amazing, and you need to read it.

DRIFTER (Nomad Series #1) by Janine Infante Bosco – Jenn’s Pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

“She isn’t the girl you nail down, she’s the one you watch fly, and if you’re lucky, you’re the bastard who gets to spread your wings alongside her.”

I wanted to include this book because it is the spin-off of the first MC series that Janine wrote, but I would still suggest reading the first series first (this coming from a girl who doesn’t care about reading books in order). I love that she wrote a spin-off instead of trying to continue forever in the first series. It was worth it!

This nomad series picks up where the Tempted Series leaves off.

I swear Janine gets better and better with this entire story and the characters are unforgettable and her books are unputdownable.

REAPER’S PROPERTY (Reapers MC #1) by Joanna Wylde – Jenn’s Pick
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“So why are you called Horse?”
“Cause I’m hung like one,” he replied, smirking.”

 

If you haven’t heard of Joanna Wylde, you’ve been living under a rock. I remember first seeing this book getting lots of attention from my Goodreads friends, and I saw the cover, because I confess that I 100% judge a book by its cover, I was like “Really?” And the guy’s name is Horse? Come on. But I am so glad I gave in and finally read this first one. The covers looks a lot better than they used to. And I was not disappointed with Horse. Lol. Joanna has a way with her alpha males that makes me want to punch them and screw them at the same time….which is the perfect combination. I love her dual pov’s in each book, and there are plenty of Reapers to go around, ladies.

DEVIL’S GAME (Reapers MC #3) by Joanna Wylde- Lana’s Pick
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“How’s that, baby?” he asked, thumb starting to work my clit again. “Feel good being turned on by a Devil’s Jack?”

While I’ve loved the entire Reapers series, Devil’s Game is definitely my top favorite. It has that Romeo and Juliet feel to it. Daughter of the Reapers MC president falling for a rival MC member? YUM!

This book also had to have had, hands down, THE best heroine in the series.  Em was the shit! I had hoped that she would bring her A game considering she’s the darling daughter of Picnic, the MC president. She grew up in the life, she better be kick ass. But I also had my reservations considering how passive she’s been, particularly with her father’s rules in the previous two books. It’s safe to say that not only did Em meet all my expectations, she blew them out of the fucking water. I shit you not, people. Girl not only had a backbone, but knew how to kick ass and take names…poor Hunter’s balls not excluded

SILVER BASTARD (Silver Valley #1) by Joanna Wylde- Lana’s Pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

“The man was my personal North Atlantic iceberg, lurking under the cold waters, just waiting to shred me wide open.
Fucking biker.”

Ladies and ovaries, prepare to meet the bane of your existence (I’ll explain) and the object of your upcoming pervy dreams, Puck Redhouse. So why bane of existence? Because I honestly thought that my poor ovaries would die a slow and painful death by sexual frustration for a good 60% of this book. But damn, what a way to go. Joanna knows how to give good sexual tension. OH MY GAWD, the sexual tension! It burned with the fire of a thousand venereal diseases, I tells ya. Not that I know what that feels like, but I’d guess it would be like that. Just saying. Moving on…

This is a Reaper’s spin-off and book one in the series. Even though this focuses on Silver Bastard’s territory, we do get a peak at all our favorite characters from Joanna’s other series. There’s Picnic, Horse and of course Painter.

UNDENIABLE (Undeniable Series #1) by Madeleine Sheehan – Jenn’s Pick
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“Name’s Deuce sweetheart. My old man here is Reaper. It was nice talkin’ with ya.”
She put her tiny hand in his and he squeezed.
“Eva,” she whispered. “That’s my name and it was so, so great to meet you too.”
He smiled.
She smiled.
The rest is f*ckin’ history.”

Madeleine and I have a lot of history. Ok, maybe only in my head. I adoooored the first 4 books in this series. Madeline has the ability to make me hold my breath the whole way through a book. The violence. The DRAMA. I can’t get enough. Well, apparently I can. There is a big mystery as to why it took 3 years for her to write the 5th book in the series, and it’s not really in chronological order. Maybe it was a personal reason. Maybe it wasn’t. Maybe it’s none of our business. I’ve heard that the 5th book is amazing. So maybe one day I will crawl off my high horse and read it because I’m a sucker. Despite ALL of this, I can’t deny that she is a fantastic writer. Hence, this recommendation.

 

UNBEAUTIFULLY (Undeniable #2) by Madeline Sheehan – Lana’s Pick
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“Baby,” he said gruffly. “Man like me got no business with a girl like you. You’re nothin’ but a fuckin’ beauty and I’m a while lot of fuckin’ ugly who’s already halfway to hell.”

Rip my heart out why don’t ya, Madeline?!! Ripper and Danny’s story was heartbreaking, heart-wrenching, beautiful, real, gritty, dark, emotional, and absolutely, completely, utterly unputdownable!

“Ours was the furthest thing from a picture-perfect romance; it was more of a car crash, a metal-bending, blood-splattered disaster that left no survivors, only bad memories and heartache.
But it was ours.
And because it was ours…I wouldn’t change a thing.”

The first book in this series absolutely gutted me. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I loved absolutely every single painful moment of it. But at the end I was left feeling…like I needed something…something more. It felt like the story wasn’t finished.

After reading this book, I now know why. The story continues on through the series, and even though we had a HEA in the 1st book, the characters get revisited, and I loved that.

If I loved the first book, I am simply at a loss for words to describe how I felt about this one. I feel like nothing I have will do it justice.

NINE MINUTES (Nine Minutes #1) by Beth Flynn – Jenn’s Pick
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“A story about a man who has loved me from the very beginning, from the first glance. The man who always was and still is my soul mate. That’s the only love story now.”

It’s hard to describe this book without scaring you. It’s definitely the darkest MC book on this list. This book is a MF 1/2 = Mind Fuck and a Half. I haven’t read the sequel. I too skeered. This book scared the Jezebel out of me. And I don’t think it was supposed to be scary.

I’ve met Beth Flynn and she is the last person I would have ever expected to write this book. She is the sweetest lady, but her mind is crazy town, and I like it. If you have any triggers at all, you shouldn’t read this book. But if you have a fucked up mind like me and love to torture yourself for funzies, then you should read this book.

NOWHERE BUT HERE (Thunder Road Series #1) by Katie McGarry – Jenn’s Pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

“You’re beautiful,” I say, and the honesty of my words stings. “You’re beautiful inside and out. I like how you challenge me. I like how I can never figure out what you’re going to do or say. I like how we’ve thrown weird shit in your direction and you take it like a pro.”
I cup her face with one hand and caress her soft skin. “I like how you smile and how you laugh. I like how you love and defend your family and I like how you’re trying to love mine. I love how you trust. But mostly, Emily, I like how I feel when I’m around you.”
Shit. My heart bursts as the words tumble out. “I’m falling for you.”

If anyone can write a Young Adult MC Romance, it’s Katie Mc-fucking-Garry. She is the perfect author for this, and I am so glad that she chose to do it. Because it is flawless. With all of the violence and sex and just downright MC-ness, you would think that a YA MC Romance just wouldn’t be possible, but Katie gave us the middle finger and wrote this series that blew my mind. She is the queen of YA in so many ways. I mean, every YA comes with some angst, which isn’t always my favorite. But Katie includes just the right about the angst that it isn’t too soft…it isn’t too hard…it’s juuuuust right.

It Ain’t Me, Babe (Hades Hangmen Series #1) by Tillie Cole- Jenn’s Pick
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“I have only ever liked one boy in my life. I have only wanted one man to have as my own. I have only ever had one dream since I was eight. Styx, the dream is you. You stole my heart fifteen yes ago and you still haven’t given it back.”

All the Angst. If you love angst, then you’ll love the crackers out of Tillie Cole. This MC Series also has a twisty cult tie-in, which is one of my no-goes, so that is the only reason why I couldn’t read this series. Every single other person has loved it, so I am definitely recommending it.

“I thought you said, ‘it ain’t you who’s meant for me?”

He laughed. He rarely laughed, but when he did, I rejoiced at the sound of it: husky, deep…male. “Oh, it’s me, babe…Ain’t no other man for you…but me.”

 

BURN DOWN THE NIGHT (Everything I Left Unsaid #3) by Molly O’Keefe – Lana’s Pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

“You want to fuck, let’s do it. Let’s burn down the fucking place. We got that in us…between us. But when it’s over…all I’ll leave you are bruises.”

If I had a dollar for every time I read about an anti-hero that falls head over balls for the heroine and all of a sudden his switch is flipped form bad to good faster than you can say “golden vag”, I could happily retire in my land of many books. So when I first met Max as the baddie MC prez brother of Dylan in The Truth About Him suffice it to say I was intrigued. Then when Joan carted him off wounded and passed out in her car in the end of that book, suffice it to say I was ready to sell an ovary to get my hands on his book. But I was also fearful that it would be another one of those books that I mentioned above. Joan was an interesting character to say the least in the first two books and I was beyond curious how these two very broken people would fit together. I wasn’t sure what I expected when I started Burn Down The Night, but I can tell you that I certainly didn’t expect it to absolutely blow me away. (Pun definitely intended).

SINNER’S CREED (Sinner’s Creed Series #1) by Kim Jones – Lana’s Pick
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“I was the demon-possessed monster and she was the innocent, naïve angel. But none of that matters. She asks, I give and right now, I’ll kill anyone who tries to stop me from giving this woman what she wants—me.”

Have you ever read a book that touched you on such a visceral level you almost felt like you were living it along with the characters. Where you felt every emotion, every painful revelation, every bruise and emotional scar? A book that gutted you and at the same time you can’t stop thinking about? A book that you just know will stay with you for a long while yet? Sinner’s Creed was that book to me.

Sinner’s Creed is unlike any other MC romance I’ve read in a long time, if ever. And that’s saying a lot considering just how many books I’ve read in this genre. It’s a gritty, unapologetic and violent. It’s authentic and emotion and real. It’s absolutely fucking gut wrenching. Kim Jones brought her A-game with this one and you can feel it on every page. I have a feeling this will be the book I compare all other MC books to. Is it a romance? At it’s core, yes. But it’s so much more than that….

What sets it apart is it’s told entirely in Dirk’s POV. The readers will get a front row seat into the mind of a truly broken man…and learn to love him for it.

CLUBWHORE (Devil’s Renegade MC #1) by Kim Jones- Lana’s Pick
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So keep your morals. Stay at your nine to five. Judge me through your rose-colored glasses. View my lifestyle choices however you want. But if being classified as a whore is the only penance I have to pay to feel this good, then stitch an A on my chest. Carve a W on my forehead. Put a label on me to make yourself feel better. Because the reality is, I just don’t give a damn what you think.

Know what I enjoy about this author? She’s not afraid to go there and can write one hell of a fucked up tale and I happen to like it verra much. See, I have a thing for unconventional characters, and when I read the synopsis for Clubwhore, I knew I had to read it. In a sea of cookie cutter heroines, Delilah was a breath of fresh air. She makes no apologies for who she is. She embraces it fully. She loves the MC life, they’re her family and she’ll do anything for them. But while the other ‘clubwhores’ have their eyes on a patch and being someone’s old lady, Delilah wants none of that. She’s happy to have a different man warm her bed each night and promise her nothing in the morning. But there’s also a good reason for why she is the way she is. Sex is her escape, but she craves something much darker too. It’s her dirty secret and her penance. She knows that no man can satisfy her deepest darkest urges…until him.

TANK (Savage Saints MC #2) by Carmen Jenner – Lana’s Pick
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That’s the thing about the broken ones- they’re never too far beyond repair, even though it might seem that way. They just need a little glue and the right pair of hands to stick ’em back together.

After reading Kick, I already knew that Carmen’s Savage Saints MC series was not for the faint of heart. Lucky for me I tend to lean towards those gritty, utterly fucked up reads. After reading her warning in Tank, I wish I can tell you that it prepared me for what was to come in this book. But here’s the thing, nothing and I mean nothing could have prepared me for what this story did to me. NOTHING. If you think Kick was hard to read, think again, because Tank will break you. Have you ever read a book with your heart in your throat and your stomach in knots the entire time? I’m talking until the last fucking page here. This book owned me. It was devastatingly emotional, gritty as fuck, and harder to swallow than a shards of glass. It was simply fan-fucking-tastic!

REBEL (Dead Man’s Ink #1) by Callie Hart – Lana’s Pick
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“You believe in vengeance?”
“You mean like revenge?”
He shakes his head. “Revenge is a selfish act. Retaliation for something. Vengeance is a different thing altogether. It’s about obtaining justice, usually for someone who can’t claim it for themselves.”

After the tiny peak that we get in the Blood & Roses series, you already knew that this was going to be something amazingly good. And if you haven’t yet read the Blood & Roses series, don’t worry, because you can easily start with this book first.

This is a continuing story arc that will have 2 additional parts, so it does end on a cliffhanger. However as interesting as the cliffy was, it wasn’t that bad because it’s more of a plot cliffy than a relationship one. If you were a fan of the Blood and Roses series, then this book is a must read. And if you haven’t yet discovered this fantastic author, there’s no better book to start with than this one. I can’t wait to see where Sophia and Rebel’s story will lead to next. All I can say is that the set up sounds absolutely delicious.

RUIN & RULE (Ruin & Rule #2) by Pepper Winters – Lana’s Pick
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We met in a nightmare, loved in a prayer. We gave everything until both were laid bare.

You know that moment when you pick up a book and you know, you just know that it’s going to be one of those books. A book that will keep you up until the crack of dawn reading. A book that you’d pass on food and sleep to read even if you’ll be a grumpy zombie the entire day. A book that will make your employees think you have a bladder infection because you take so many “bathroom breaks”. What? Too far.

When Pepper first introduced Author “Kill” Killian in Third Debt I was absolutely hooked. I knew that I’d beg, cry, and/or sell an ovary for his story. There was just something so devastatingly broken about him and if anyone knows how to write the broken and broody heroes, it’s this author. Kill was such a multifaceted character, he practically leapt off the pages. There’s this barely restrained violence to him along with something so completely broken and painful that you can’t help but fall head over heels for him right way, right or wrong.

MOVE THE SUN (Signal Bend series #1) by Susan Fanetti – Lana’s pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

“I love you, Sport. You’re it for me. You fill up a space in me I didn’t even know was empty.”

I’ll keep this short and sweet. I’m a sucker for a good biker book, and the good ones are few and far between. There’s a lot of imitation and lackluster reads, so I’ve stopped getting my hopes up when reading a new MC series.

This is why this book came as such a pleasant surprise, considering I got it as an Amazon freebie back in December. I got my biker fix, and a verra steamy one at that.

I loved how kick-ass the heroine was, it’s not often that’s done right. The sex scenes were plenty and smoking hot, and the story gripped me from the prologue. This whole series is fantastic (book 2: Behold The Stars and 3: Into The Storm being my absolute favorite that one.

SEVEN SONS (Gypsy Brothers #1) by Lili St. Germain – Lana’s Pick
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“Confucius said, “Before embarking upon a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” I planned to dig seven.”

Sweet baby jebus. This series! It was one fucked up, gritty, violent, and totally addicting 7 book read. I was blown away by this debut series from Lili and became an insta fan of hers immediately after book one. Let me warn you, though. This series is NOT for the faint of heart. It’s dark and takes you into the violent and unapologetic underbelly of an MC and vengeance. It spares no detail and hits you where it hurts the most. These books are not meant to be read as standalones. You have to read them in order, and since they’re all out, prepare to binge. Though depending on your tolerance for dark reads, you may need to pace yourself, because I’m not kidding when I tell you just how dark this dark romance is. It’s also incredibly good and utterly unforgettable!

WELCOME TO SUGARTOWN (Sugartown #1) by Carmen Jenner- Lana’s Pick
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“From the day we’re born to the day we die, we fucking hurt and we cry and we pick ourselves up and, if we’re really lucky, we have people to help us pick up the fucking pieces”

If you’re looking for a light and slightly angsty NA book, this is not it my friends. What it was, was a dark, angsty, slightly intense at times ride…and I loved it.

I liked the heroine, Ana, right off the bat. She’s funny, sassy, and her relationship with her BFF and raging nyphomaniac Holly had me cracking up for most of the book.

“Okay, okay, okay. Knickers?”
“The white G-string you helped me pick out.”
“White? That’s good. Virginal. He’ll be reminded this is a first for you and hopefully won’t just impale you on his pork sword.

And the hero? A tatted dirty talking wet dream!

CRAVING CONSTELLATIONS (The Aces Series #1) by Nicole Jacquelyn – Lana’s Pick
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He was like a wounded animal, and I was the hunter who’d wounded him. I didn’t know if he would ever forgive me.

I went into this book with absolutely zero expectations. I’m a sucker for MC books, but after a recent string of very mediocre reads, I wasn’t expecting much from a debut novel.

Holy shit was I wrong. This book blew me away! It was raw, gritty, painful, emotional, dark, passionate, and unputdownable until the very last page.

Nicole Jacquelyn took two imperfect and fucked up characters and wrote them in such a way that you just couldn’t help but love them.

I am not typically a fan of heroines that are overly emotional but yet I felt for Brenna. Her life hasn’t been an easy one, and although she has made some mistakes she still struggles to bring back the strong woman that she once was. She left behind her life because she didn’t want to be the old lady on the sidelines while her man came home smelling like club whores. Dragon may not be perfect, but the magnetic pull between them is impossible for her to deny.

Welp, that’s it for the list. Loved it? Tell me in comments! Did I miss one of your favorites? Tell me about it in comments! I love to hear from you all, so don’t be shy <3

Till next time, dirty birds!

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DGR gets intimate plus 50% off coupon from Adam & Eve

May 29, 2017 by · Leave a Comment

This post is being sponsored by AdamandEve.com but the opinions on the product below are my own.

AdamandEve.com has been kind enough to offer Dirty Girl Romance readers 50% Off Almost Any Single Item and Free Shipping on Entire Order in the US/Canada with the code DIRTY. Certain exclusions apply.

We’ll be getting a little more dirty than usual with this post today, dirty birds, because I rounded up some of my favorite AdamandEve.com products to share with you all. I love to spice things up in the bedroom and below are some of my favorite items. My hubs loves toys in the bedroom and I’m a big proponent of them myself because it was adds a little something something to the festivities. But without further ado, let’s get to it.

Fingo Nubby Finger Vibrator

About the product: This Fingo features tiny nubs that grip onto sensitive areas to transmit thrilling vibrations.

Why I love it: The jelly texture and nubby bumps on this vibe give it an extra oomhp. It doesn’t slip and slide all over the place like a regular egg vibe may. The ring does stretch quite a bit, though I found that it’s not as comfy for my hubby to put on one of his fingers. But that’s because he has giant man hands (not complaining here). Luckily I have no issues taking matters into my own hands and this tiny but powerful vibe seriously gets the job done.

Fifty Shades Darker Oh My Rabbit Vibrator 

*This item is not eligible for discount

About the product: The Oh My Rabbit Vibrator is naturally shaped with non-intimidating dimensions and a full range of exquisite power at your finger tips.

Premium silicone provides a silky smooth and utterly touchable surface that feels diving. The shaft has been sculpted into a soft curve and tapered at the tip- perfect for your G-spot.

Why I love it: Confession time. I totally bought this because I have a slight obsession with all things Fifty Shades. I wasn’t expecting anything different from any other bunny vibe but I was pleasantly surprised. I love the texture of this vibe and the sleek black color adds a certain eroticism to it. I love that it’s rechargeable and doesn’t burn through batteries. The fact that it gets you from zero to orgasm in one minute flat is not too shabby either.

Pure Enrichment Peak Wand Massager

About the product: Love the power of big wand massagers, but not how bulky they can be? The Pure Enrichment Wand Massager delivers intense vibes in a lightweight yet luxurious package. Made from smooth silicone, the 1.5″ wide tip bends and flexes along with your body. Target any hot zone with your choice of 7 vibration functions for total bliss. Rechargeable for endless hours of fun.

Why I love it: The description doesn’t lie; it’s SUPER light weight. Like I couldn’t believe just how light it was. While I’ve used this in the bedroom with the hubs, this is also one of my favorite toys for just myself to use. And the fact that I love all thinks pink? Total coincidence. Did I happen to mention this little beauty is also 100% waterproof? BAM.

Adam & Eve Butterfly Kiss

About the product: The butterfly stimulator is what makes this sex toy so special. It has an enlarged tip for easier G-Spot stimulation, butterfly antennae to tickle the clit while the rings tease below, 3 vibration speeds, and waterproof for use almost anywhere.

Why I love it: All the things mentioned above and then some. I love the jelly texture of this cute little vibe and those butterfly antennae seriously get the job done. It looks small and fragile but it packs a heck of a punch. No pun intended.

Intimate Earth Aromatherapy Massage Oil

About the product: Intimate Earth Aromatherapy Message Oil contains certified organic extracts and natural oils derived from ingredients like sunflower oil, sweet almost oil and coconut oil. These oils are safe to use on sensitive skin and are absorbed more easily. It comes in a number of scents like “Awake”, “Bloom”, “Relax”, and “Energize”

Why I love it: I have the most sensitive skin in the world. You breathe on it wrong and it turns red and breaks out. I love massage oils, but almost all of them give my skin a reaction. Additionally I’m allergic to a lot of the perfumes that are added to it. Not so with this oil. It’s wonderful to use, truly is more absorbing, and I absolutely love the scent options. My favorite is “Bloom” Peony Blush. I love the scent of peonies and this oil has such a lovely light scent of the flower, it’s intoxicating.

Fleshlube Water

*This item is not eligible for discount

About the product: This dual-purpose personal lubricant does double duty for your favorite sex toys and with your partner. The highest medical grade ingredients have been formulated for a completely natural and pleasurable experience.

Why I love it: One, it’s multi-functional. You don’t need to stock up on different lubes for different things and take up more room in your night stand. Two, it’s non greasy and super light while doing what it advertises. I happen to have a very picky nether region. It happens to hate most lubes. True story. Even most condoms are no go for me since it just feels super uncomfortable. Which was super fun before I met my husband (NOT!) This stuff is awesome! I’ve been using it for a year and my hubs and I both love it.

Adam & Eve Lube

About the product: This super-slippery Adam and Eve lubricant provides slick strokes in a water-soluble, condom-compatible formula. Safe for use with all types of adult toys, condoms, and other items.

Why I love it: The packaging, for one. It’s easy to open, use, and close, which is great. I also love the long-lasting formula. It doesn’t dry out and start to feel weird after a while.

We-Vibe Touch

*This item is not eligible for discount

About the product: The We-Vibe Touch is uniquely shaped to maximize your stimulation and its effectiveness. The rounded tip applies direct stimulation wherever you touch. The spoon-shaped scoop fits over your clit, surrounding it with powerful vibrations for incredibly strong orgasms. The ergonomic body of the vibrator is shaped like a wave, to fit the body’s natural curves for soothing massages from head to toe. It features 8 different vibrations speed and patterns and has a quieter motor than your typical vibrator.

Why I love it: Ermahgerd. Just ermahgerd! This vibe is magic. It’s the unicorn of small vibes everywhere. It does everything it advertises and THEN some. It’s quiet but ridiculously powerful and the shape truly does work wonders. A huge fave of mine!

Thank you again to AdamandEve.com for offering the awesome coupon code and for sponsoring the post! And of course, I’d love to hear from you guys about any and all recommendations you might have as well!

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DGR’s 2016 Favorites

December 19, 2016 by · 3 Comments

Did 2016 fly by or what? Holy moly! Where did the year go?! Jennifer and I had such an amazing year in books it was almost impossible to pick our favorites. Of course there was one particular book that we’re STILL fighting about…

What? That husseh started it dammit! She wants my man Gabriel from THE PAWN. I’m having NONE OF IT!! He’s mine. MINE! You hear me, woman? But I digress. Let’s get back to our regularly scheduled programming, shall we?

LANA’S FAVORITES OF 2016

BACKFIRE by Keri Lake

No one and I mean NO ONE writes a gritty, dark romance quite like Keri Lake. The woman is a freaking rock star. But this book? It’s official; I had PTKD (Post Traumatic Keri Disorder). The woman has ruined me. This book? I hope you all have your big girl panties on, because a walk through the meadows with unicorns it. Is. Not.

Backfire is dark, gritty, and unapologetic. You’ll be reading it with your heart in your throat and your stomach twisted up in knots. It’s violent, a touch depraved, darkly erotic, action packed and absolutely, positively unputdownable. The story is filled with so many unpredictable twists and turns that it will make your head spin! It’s brilliantly written and I will even go so far as to say this was darker than Ricochet and that’s saying something, trust me.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

PERFECT RAGE by Nashoda Rose

You know when you spend years waiting for a certain character’s story. You build it up in your head. Your eager anticipation can really get the best of you. So I was equal parts excited and nervous for Connor’s book. It couldn’t possibly live up to all my expectations, right? I mean, at this point they were highly unrealistic. But leave it to Nashoda Rose to not only live up to it, but blow all my expectations out of the water. I loved and I mean LOVED this book.

This is not a book you can read out of order. You need to read the entire Unyielding series in order to understand the complexity of the story and especially the events that led to finding Connor. While the author does a fantastic job with a recap, you’d still lose a lot of info not having read the first two books.

After the scene at the end of Perfect Ruin, I’ve been practically salivating for this book. I had no idea what the tie between Catalina “Alina” Diaz and Connor was, but this book finally gave me that. Oh boy did it give me that. I think I must have been reading with a lump in my throat the entire time. Connor and Alina’s story is devastating and heart-wrenching. Pure gritty, angsty perfection!

AMAZON | GOODREADS | MY REVIEW

DISCLAIM by Pam Godwin

It’s no secret that I love dark romance, and it’s also no secret that I’m EXTREMELY picky when it comes to it. It’s easy to throw in some violence and shock value and call it a day. But at the end of the day, that’s not what makes a truly masterful dark romance. Only a few authors truly pull that off and there’s a reason Pam is my go-to author for dark romance; the woman writes some of my favorite anti-heroes.

Pam Godwin is the queen of dark romance and she crafted the perfect couple with Camilla and Matias. They were a ying and yang of dominance and submission. They were dark and darker. They were pain and pleasure. They were devastatingly perfect. I loved every single page of this book!

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

THE ENFORCER by Kele Moon

When it comes to Kele Moon, I don’t have enough praise in the world to cover all of her talent. She writes some of the most emotionally gripping, enrapturing romances I have ever read. She’s a master of creating characters that burrow into your heart and stay there. They become part of your very being and no I’m not being even a little melodramatic. Her books are THAT good. But The Enforcer?

Powerful.
Emotional.
Gut wrenching.
All consuming.
Gritty.
And so raw it’ll make your heart bleed.

I say this each and every time I finish a book by Kele Moon, but unbelievably she only continues to get better and better. And that’s saying a lot considering how much I loved The Slayer. But Tino’s book? This was something else entirely. Kele truly takes you to the dark and violent underbelly of the New York mafia. She spares no details. None. You’ll read it with your gut twisted and your heart in your throat the entire time just like I did.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

THE PAWN by Skye Warren

Why are Jennifer and I STILL fighting over Gabriel? You’ll have to read this book to find out. And if you’ve read it, then you already know the answer. Gabriel is easily my favorite anti-hero that Skye Warren has written to date.

This powerful story sucked me in from the very first page. I’m STILL thinking about it weeks later.

The Pawn was easily my favorite by this author to date. Gripping. Captivating. Magnetic. Dark. Erotic. It was EVERYTHING I love about a dark romance. It’s not gratuitous violence and scenes thrown in for pure shock value. It’s a mind fuck. An incredibly written, twisty, and delicious mind fuck that I couldn’t put down from beginning to finish; with a heroine you’ll want to root for, and an anti-hero that you’ll want to hate only slightly more than you love him.

Now if you’ll excuse us, Jennifer and I are off to respectfully and peacefully discuss dibs of Gabriel once more…

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

BLACK SWAN AFFAIR by K.L. Kreig

So here’s the thing; I do NOT read love triangles. They make me cranky and stabby. True story. What? We all have our limits, mkay? But something about this blurb just sucked me in. My curiosity got the best of me. Then my lovely friend Nashoda told me that it had my name written all over it and I should check it out, I figured, I have to read it. And let me tell you, she was NOT wrong!

This book blew me away. It was masterfully written, multi-layerd and perfectly developed. I found myself kicking my own butt for not reading this author before. Because after this book? She’s on my auto-buy list. No. Questions. Asked.

If you’re thinking this is a typical love triangle, you couldn’t be more wrong. That blurb doesn’t even begin to do this book justice. It’s so much more than a woman who can’t have the man she wants so she settles for his brother. This is not a black and white story. It’s settled very firmly in the gray. It’s a must read. TRUST ME.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

UNBREAK MY HEART by Nicole Jacquelyn

The angst! THE ANGST! OMG THE ANGST. I love a good dose of the double A. Angst and alphaholes that is. Nom nom nom. And boy did this book have both of those in spades. I’m not even kidding. And it was SO delicious.

I picked it up and read it straight through because I couldn’t bear to put it down for even a second. I was an ugly crying, sniveling, raging mess the entire time and loved every painful second of it.

Unbreak My Heart is an unbelievably gripping story of love and loss and second chances. This book absolutely owned my heart. It was a compelling, angst-filled, emotional, and completely unputdownable read from beginning to finish. You will love to hate this hero and then you’ll just flat out love him.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

RETRIEVAL & TRANSFER by Aly Martinez

Since this is a duet, I’m counting it as one (What? You don’t expect me to pick one do you? It’s like picking your favorite child. Impossible) I loved both of these equally. Aly Martinez seriously outdid herself with this story. While it is a duet, each book is a story of a different couple, with the story line developing throughout both books.

This was Aly’s best work to date and I’ve loved the woman’s entire backlist. If you’ve read it, you know exactly what I’m talking about. And if you haven’t, don’t miss a second more. You NEED to experience this gripping and emotional story. A story of two different couples whose lives intertwine in the most devastating of ways. Trust me on this, if you read any book of this author, make it these two. You won’t be sorry.

PAPER PRINCESS by Erin Watt

Book crack. That’s what this was. Complete and utter book crack. My god! Imagine if there was a love child of Cruel Intentions and Gossip Girl, because that’s what this was. While it’s marked YA, I’d say it’s more NA in the scenarios. It is a trilogy that you’ll want to read back to back because those damn cliffhangers will get you.

I don’t remember the last time I was THAT enraptured in a book. There was so much teenage drama and angst and I just gobbled it right up with a spoon. Yum!

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

PUNK 57 by Penelope Douglas

Without fail, this author shows up on my favorites list each and every single year? Why? Because her style of writing just does it for me. She writes angsty NA with alphahole heroes and strong and witty heroines that give as good as they get. She writes some of my favorite enemies to lovers trope and some of the best angst I’ve ever read. Suffice it to say, she’s been on my auto-buy list since the first book I read by her.

If you’ve read Corrupt, you’ll definitely appreciate this book and a few connections that it has to the world and characters from Corrupt. As for the book itself? Pure Penelope Douglas book crack as always. I loved it!

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

SPARKING THE FIRE by Kate Meader

If you follow my blog, then you already know my love for this author. She’s written some of my very favorite enemies to lovers trope books. Her Hot In Chicago series happens to be one of my favorites and she seriously hit the spot just right with book 3 in this awesome series!

If you haven’t read this series, you’re seriously missing out. If you haven’t read anything by this amazing author, you’re seriously missing out. And if you haven’t made plans to meet Wyatt Fox, then you’re SERIOUSLY missing out!

Kate Meader is going to spoil me with her awesomeness soon, but you won’t hear a peep of complaint out of this reader.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

FOUR LETTER WORD by J. Daniels

Oh the swoons! The swoons I tells ya! I adored this book. As much as I love all things J. Daniels, this was my favorite book by her to date. It had everything; a sassy heroine, a broody alpha, amazing banter, fantastic secondary characters, and a romance so sizzling it may set your kindle on fire.

Four Letter Word marks book 1 in J’s brand new Dirty Deeds series and I’m seriously in love. If you haven’t read any book by this author yet, I highly recommend you start with this one. You won’t be sorry.

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FIRST AND FIRST by Santino Hassel

Simply put, my top favorite MM romance I read all year. Period.

I loved everything about their romance; the raw sexuality, the realness, the slow burn and the tension. It wasn’t your typical, wrapped in a perfect little bow sort of story. But it was perfect nonetheless.

Santino Hassel introduces you to a world that’s hard to leave even once you finish the book. You find yourself thinking about these characters long after reading the final page. You crave more and yet you’re also surprisingly satisfied with how it ends. I’m not sure how this incredibly talented author had flown under my radar up until now, but I will be rectifying my mistake by reading his entire backlist and all future releases to come. I recommend this book to any MM fans out there. Seriously. This is an absolute must read. If you don’t fall in love with these characters when you read it, then we’re simply not reading the same book.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

LOVING YOU EASY by Roni Loren

Do you love well written BDSM romance?

Do you love broken and broody alphas?

Do you love seriously hot MMF menage romance?

Do you want all of those things in one incredibly satisfying read?

WHY HAVEN’T YOU READ THIS BOOK YET???

Even if you haven’t read any other book in this series, and you love an incredible well written MMF romance, this book is a must read. You can easily enjoy it as a standalone but I highly recommend the rest of the series because it’s just as good. I can’t believe this is already book 9, but I never want it to end.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

SOMEONE LIKE YOU by Lauren Layne

If you’re anything like me, then you’ve been both eagerly anticipating and dreading Lincoln’s book. Anticipating it because you love those irreverent playboys, and dreading because you’re afraid that you’ve been building up your expectations in anticipation. Lincoln’s story was the one I’ve been waiting for since Irresistibly Yours. It’s been a long, painful wait. But after finishing this book in one sitting, I can tell you that it was every single minute, hour, day, and month of the wait. It didn’t meet my expectation. Heck no! It blew them away. Lincoln Mathis took everything I had thought I knew about him and took me on a rollercoaster of emotion. I laughed, I cried, I freaking swooned! I adored everything about this story. EVERYTHING.

If you’ve enjoyed the rest of the Stiletto and Oxford series and you’ve been anticipating Lincoln’s story as much as I have, this is a must read. But have a box of tissues ready, because you won’t come out of it unscathed. Be ready to shed some tears and swoon over the perfect imperfection that is Lincoln Mathis.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

JENNIFER’S FAVORITES OF 2016

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Of all the books in the world, you should read this one. It is THAT BOOK. That book that you remember forever. That book that makes you laugh until your stomach hurts. That book that makes you cry in the best way possible. That book that you will keep on your bookshelf forever. That book that you want everyone to read. And YOU should.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

Enemies to Lovers!!!! My favorite trope! This book checked all of my boxes. And it was so unique and so well written. I am still shocked that this is her debut novel. Because Sally Thorne needs to write all of the books. And I will read all of her books.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

The Pawn by Skye Warren

Uber-alpha-hole in the hizouse!!!! And I have licked him, so he’s miiiiiine! Lana are gonna have to have a throw-down because I don’t think either one of us are giving up on Gabriel.

And this is just the first book! Lol! We might combust when The Knight comes out.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

 

Tonic by Staci Hart

I have a confession. I am in love with Staci Hart. And this is the only book I have read of hers. I know! I am horrible person, but one of my New Year’s Resolutions is to read all of Staci Hart’s books! Another enemies to lovers (I have a problem! I know!). This books i full of FIRE and ICE, and I was just left a pile of goop in the end.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

 

Worked Up by Tessa Bailey

This book made all my dreams come true. My #pmb dreams. (That’s “Pouty Man Bear” for all you crazy people who aren’t obsessed with everything Tessa Bailey like me). This book can be summed up in One Word……Duke. I’m basically a Super Fan of Tessa Bailey, y’all. All I want for Christmas is Tessa Bailey locked in my basement. Is that too much to ask??!!!

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

 

Wicked Sexy by J.T. Geissinger

Welcome to my favorites, J.T. Geissinger….we are all mad here. I was pleasantly surprised by this book because I had never read this author before. It was the perfect mix of everything. The witty dialogue….I ate it up. All the feels…I ate them up. And of course it is enemies to lovers (this is a common theme to my favorites). Ugh. I need to reread this book!

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

CATEGORIED FAVORITES

Favorite MC Club

Fearless by Lauren Gilley

This book is like MC Club Literature, you guys. Lauren Gilley has such a way with beautiful words and I just get swept up in them. This was my first book I’ve read of her, and it’s definitely one of my favorite MC Club books and series. I am a fan for life of this amazing author, and I am begging that you give her a try.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

 

Favorite Young Adult

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Rainbow Rowell = Life-changer. I heard about this author, and this book sat on my TBR for the longest time, and I regret putting this book off. Because…..dayum. I haven’t jumped into her other books, but I know I will love them and they just won’t be enough because I will always want more Rainbow Rowell, more of her characters, more of her stories.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

 

Favorite Historical

Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare

Tessa Dare is one of my go-to favorite HR authors. I know that I will get lost in her books, and I definitely did with this one. It is witty and smart. This book is one giant SWOON. I love how unique Tessa’s stories are, and this one is definitely unique, putting a twist on James Bond and Clue.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

Favorite PNR

Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh

Lana book-pushed Nalini Singh on me, and I finally caved and started this series this year, and I am so glad she did! Because WOW! I have stepped into the rabbit hole in this series. It is so creative with layers upon layers of awesome. I know that I haven’t even touched the surface of this series because there are SO many books in this series, but this was my favorite one in the series I read this year.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

 

Favorite Mafia

Sebring by Kristen Ashley

Bucket List Item #1 = Meet Kristen Ashley. This woman. I mean…..seriously. This book rocked me to my core. All the feels inside the feels are in this book. And of course, it is so hot it scorched my eyelashes from reading it. I adore Mafia Romance, and this one just surpasses all!

GOODREADS | AMAZON

 

Favorite Sports Romance

 The Baller by Vi Keeland

I love me a good Sports Romance, and this one mixes with my absolute favorite trope on top with whip cream (ok, I added the whip cream)…..Enemies to Lovers!!!! When the characters hate each other so much that the lust just builds and builds and it scorches them into loving each otherrrrr!!!

GOODREADS | AMAZON

 

Did we miss some of your favorites? We’d love to hear about them in comments below! Tell us about some of the favorite reads you had this year. As you noticed, not all of ours were necessarily released in 2016 but it was when we read them, so it counts 🙂

We didn’t get a chance to review all the favorites mentioned on our list, but that doesn’t mean we weren’t blown away by the book. Just that we were lazy or real life got the best of us. Each book mentioned on our list was a HUGE 5 star read for us and we can’t recommend it to other readers enough! Now bring on the awesome reads of 2017! WE’RE READY FOR YOU!!!

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DGR’s Ultimate List of Hot Cops in Romance

September 3, 2016 by · 2 Comments

DGR Ultimate List of Hot Cops

Know what’s better than a man in a uniform? A man OUT of uniform and knowing how to use those cuff of his. Uhem. What? So I like me some hot alpha cops. Arrest me. Ha! See what I did there? Alright, enough of my bad jokes.

I know I’m  a little late with this month’s list. I try to get these out for you guys on the last Saturday of every month, but unfortunately real life has been kicking my butt lately. But better late than never right?

This month you all voted for my Ultimate List of Hot Cops, and that’s what I’m giving you. Fair warning, this will quite possibly be my longest list ever! We always chat about these lists in my FB group, so if you haven’t yet, join in on the inappropriate fun  HERE.

Since this list will be ridiculously long if I let it, I decided to limit my choices to the uber angsty book picks. These are some of my all time favorites and my go-to recs.

And if you’re new to my blog, this a monthly feature I do on the last Saturday of each month! Check out the previous features here:

★ULTIMATE LIST OF DIRTY TALKERS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ROCK STARS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF FIGHTERS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ANTI-HEROES★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF HATE TO LOVE ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF MAFIA ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ANGSTY ROMANCE★

As always, I’d love to hear from you all in comments if you don’t see one of your favorites listed. You know I love me some book recs 😉

You’ll notice I’ll list some of these by author because I loved several of their books, some I’ll list by series, and some will be simply individual books. Now let’s do this thing!

HARD EVIDENCE (I-Team #2) by Pamela Clare
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Hard Evidence

“I’m half Italian.”
“Which half?” the words were out before Tessa could stop them. Was she flirting with him? She never flirted with men.
His lips curved in a slow, sexy smile that made her heart trip. “From the waist down.”

If you follow my reviews, then you already I’m obsessed with this series and this author. I’m talking LOVE this series. While this is book 2 in the series, you can easily start with it and not be lost. If you like dirty talking, slightly assholish yet protective cops, then undercover FBI agent,  Julian Darcangelo will be right up your alley. My top favorite in this series is definitely Marc “Hunt” Hunter in Unlawful Contact, Hard Evidence is definitely right up there too!

DIRTY SEXY CUFFED (Dirty Sexy #3) by Carly Phillips & Erika Wilde
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Dirty Sexy Cuffed

“I want to lick you and eat you and taste you on my tongue as you come. Then I want to slid my cock into your soft , tight pussy and bury myself so fucking deep that you scream my name.”

Officer Levi Kincaid can do dirty REAL good. But he can also do super sweet.

…this went beyond simple attraction. She was the first woman to stir something deep inside of him when he honestly thought that part of him was damaged beyond repair.

Oh and did I mention he has a very specific kink that happens to involve those handcuffs of his? Cause…yeah.

CUFF ME (New York’s Finest #3) by Lauren Layne
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Cuff Me

“He pushed her thighs wider apart. “You have the right to remain silent . . .” Vincent slid his hand upward, one finger sliding slightly into her.
Jill moaned. 
“Apparently you’re forgoing that right,” he said, his teeth nipping at her left butt cheek as his fingers continued to play with her. 
“Vin, you—” 
“Careful, baby. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”

Oh I’m sorry…did you actually need more to convince you to read this? OK. Grumpy cop, sassy heroine. There. Now go read it! And don’t miss the first two Moretti brothers in FRISK ME and STEAL ME.

EXPOSED (Unguarded #1) by Ivy Stone
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Exposed

He was a cop.
She was a criminal.
Together we were chaos.

Intrigued?

I want him, bad. I want him to slap those cuffs on, tell me what a bad girl I’ve been, and fuck me into oblivion. I hold back my grin. This is so not going to end well.

Ivy Stone had an insta fan in me when I read this fantastic debut full of angst and enough sexy time to keep my inner perv in me satisfied. My love for this series was solidified with book 2, DIVIDED, which I loved just as much if not more.

PAUSE FOR GRATUITOUS KRISTEN ASHLEY FANGIRLING

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of all things KA, and the woman has written some of my favorite cops EVAH, like Hector “Oh My God” Chavez. Seriously now. Have you met the man? Because you need a Hector “Oh My God” Chavez in your life. Below my favorite 3 KA cop heroes.

HOLD ON (The ‘Burg #6)
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Hold On

“Need you to get this, Cher. I wanna kiss you. But right now, I wanna kiss you because you’re standin’ in my arms, lookin’ up at me the way you’re lookin’ up at me. I definitely wanna kiss the girl who loves to make me laugh. And I wanna kiss the girl who put that dress on for me. I also wanna kiss you because after I kiss you, I’m gonna take you to my bed and I’m gonna fuck you. But you need to know, in this instant, I wanna kiss you because you’re the girl you are right now, the way you are right now, lookin’ up at me.”

Swoon. I mean, FREAKING SWOON.

 

ROCK CHICK RESCUE (Rock Chick #2)
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Rock Chick

“Chiquita, women spend a lot of time sittin’ around bitchin’ that there are no good men out there.
I hate to tell you this, but there aren’t a lot of good women either.
The difference is, when a man sees one, he knows it.
Then, he goes after her and wears her down until she’s his.
Then, if he’s any man at all, he won’t let her go.”

A protective alpha male cop, a girl in trouble and a whole lot of shenanigans.

KA at her best with this book!

Though it wasn’t my favorite in the series, I still couldn’t get enough of  Eddie Chavez.

ROCK CHICK REGRET (Rock Chick #7)
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Rock Chick

Then before I could stop it, to my horror, I started crying.
Really! Where was my Ice Princess? Why did she come along when she wasn’t wanted and disappeared when I needed her? She was beginning to really annoy me.
When the Ice Princess didn’t show, with no other choice so he wouldn’t see me cry, I shoved my face in his neck.
He dropped to the side on his back taking me with him. He rolled us and then we were lying on the couch, me snug between the heat of him and the soft back of the couch.
One of his arms held me close at the waist; the other hand cupped the back of my head and held my face to his throat.
“Let me take care of you,” he whispered through my sobs.
“Okay,” I whispered through my sobs too, too tired to fight it anymore.

This was easily the most emotional book in this whole series, and for me, the most memorable one too!

BREATHE (Colorado Man #4) 
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Breathe

“I’ll let you in on a secret, honey. The knight who has serious chinks in his armor but never falls is the true hero. That means he’s won battles and doesn’t waste time polishing his armor so he can look good while he rides in parades that are tributes to his glory. He just drags himself back on his steed and keeps right on battling. And if he’s the right kind of knight, he never rides alone. The best heroes inspire loyalty. The best heroes keep fighting the good fight, tirelessly, quietly. The best heroes always have scars. If they didn’t, the heroine would have nothing to do. It’s her job to help the hero let all that stuff go in order that her man can be strong enough to fight on but when he’s with her he’s free to just ‘breathe’.”

Chace Keaton. All of the swoons.

LAW MAN (Mystery Man #3)
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Law Man

“I’ll go gentle, baby,” he whispered against my lips. “I promise. You’ll always be safe with me.”

Oh. My.

“Mitch,” I breathed.

His soulful eyes held mine captive as he repeated firmly, “Always.”

And of course, last but certainly not lease is Detective Mitch Lawson. A cop, a single dad, and all of the swoons!

“You’re Mara, you’re sweet, you’re beautiful and I will not forget until the day I die how beautiful it felt to slide inside you with you wrapped around me, see your eyes get wet and know straight in my gut that you felt how beautiful it was too.”

And now back to regularly schedule programming…

IN A BAD WAY (Bad Boys of The Bay #4) by Karin Tabke
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In A Bad Way

“I’ll split you apart and make you beg for more” He dropped his lips to the base of her throat and inhaled her sweet scent. “And I’ll be gone before you wake up.”
“Is that how you court a lady?”
“You’re not a lady and I don’t court.”
“If you don’t court, what do you do?”
“I fuck.”
“Then just fuck me.”

A missing stripper sister, the Russian mob, a smoking hot FBI Agent and the enigmatic woman who lies at the center of it all, is as crazy sexy as it gets.

Sounds delicious? Well that’s because it totally is! And it’s also easily read as a standalone.

ALL I WANT (Alabama Summer #2) by J. Daniels
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All I Want

“Oh sweetie. You might want to go disinfect. he’s got the herp.”
“Oh my God. Are you serious? You have herpes?”
“What? No I don’t!”
“He’s really sweet about it though,” I say sympathetically at the blonde. “He pays for my Valtrex every month.”

What’s better than a second chance romance? A second chance romance with a healthy dose of hate lust and a whole heck of a lot of sass thrown in! You need Luke Evans in your life!

“Oh my God,” I whimper.
“Do I need to tell you what to do with that?” he asks, his voice laced with arrogance as he glances down at my hand that remains stagnant against his cock.
“God I fucking hate you.” I pull his cock free and wrap my hand around it, feeling him thicken in my palm…
“Yeah, I hate you too, babe.”

And if you haven’t met Officer Benjamin Kelly and looking for more enemies to lovers, then don’t forget to check out book 1 in this series, Where I Belong.

FLOORED (Frenched #3) by Melanie Harlow
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Floored

…I was irritated. It wasn’t the note, either. It was the fact that Charlie had come over here, tempted me with his whiskey and his cologne and his cuddling, and then kept his word not to touch me. How dare he!

Speaking of enemies to lovers, Floored definitely hits the spot for that trope as well. Plus the hot cop AND the pee yourself laughing sort of humor to boot.

Confession: I actually said a little prayer here, something along the lines of Dear God, I hope you’re not watching this but I’d really, really be grateful if I could get through this without gagging or choking, and also it would be great if this was the best blowjob he ever gets in his entire life. OK thanks, go away now.

Oh and you can easily read it as a standalone!

DOWN ON HER KNEES by Christine Belle
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Down on Her Knees

A warm summer breeze kicked up as he clamped his fingers tight around her wrists and pinned her to the hood with his hips, hard enough to make her gasp.
“Tell me no,” he murmured against the soft shell of her ear, “and I won’t slide my hands up that little dress and work that pussy until you scream.”

*Pervy shudder*

Officer Rafe could arrest ME any time. Any. Time.

This book had by far one of the HOTTEST cop role plays I’ve ever read, and it was with an actual cop too! Well, fictional. But you get what I’m saying here.

PAUSE FOR GRATUITOUS TESSA BAILEY FANGIRLING

I mean, the woman has only written some of my all time favorite dirty cops to date. How do you even have a list like this and NOT have at least her entire Line of Duty series? HOW I ask ya?!

PROTECTING WHAT’S HIS (Line of Duty #1)
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Protecting What's His

“Listen to me, baby. From the time we walk in the door to my apartment, you will have less than a minute before I put my cock inside you. No foreplay. No kissing. There won’t be any time, because you’ve got me strung so damn tight I can barely thing straight. I need you to keep yourself wet for me on the ride home. Starting now.”

 

HIS RISK TO TAKE (Line Of Duty #2)
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His Risk to Take

“I’ve been ready for you since Saturday morning. It’s going to take me hours of fucking that tight little body of yours to satisfy it. I hope you know what you’re in for”
She looked up at him, bold and determined. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
He growled, equally exhilarated and annoyed by the way she insisted on pushing him back. “I’m going to put you on your knees, Ruby. You’re going to hate how much you love it.”

 

OFFICER OFF LIMITS (Line of Duty #3)
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Officer off Limits

“Just that in my experience, guys who talk the biggest game are usually a letdown in the end.”
“It wouldn’t be disappointing.”
“I’ll tell you what. You’ve got one minute to prove me wrong.”
His eyes narrowed. “Elaborate.”
She slipped her phone out of her pocket and held it up. “I’ll set the timer for one minute. You’ll have sixty seconds to prove you’re not just a bunch of talk.”
Daniel glanced at the bed behind her. “The things I want to do to you, Story, would take a lot longer than sixty seconds. Your phone’s battery would die well before I finished.”
“Then show yourself the door.”
“Set the damn timer.”

ASKING FOR TROUBLE (Line Of Duty #4)
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Asking for Trouble

“Aw, what’s wrong, Brent? Jealous? After all, if ever there was someone who deserved to have a jackass named after him, it’s you.”
“Yeah? And what would they name it? How about…Spanky?”
“How about Oversized Dickhead?”
He shrugged. “Didn’t hear you complaining about my oversized—”
She shot to her feet, jostling the table. “Can I speak with you in private?”
“You need it right now?” He feigned exasperation.“We’re in the middle of dinner, woman. You’re insatiable.”

AND NOW BACK TO REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING

LIBERATING LACEY by Anne Calhoun
GOODREADS | AMAZON

Liberating Lacey

Without a word he led her through the bar to the sultry heat of the parking lot, heading for the shadows created by an enormous black SUV arrogantly angled across three parking spaces in the back corner.
“Yours?” she asked as they rounded the truck’s hood.
“Nope, just a place for a private conversation.” He backed her up into the passenger door. Hands braced on either side of her head, he fastened his teeth on the sensitive juncture of her neck and shoulder, sucking at her skin with just enough pressure to make her gasp.

Older woman meets younger man in one of my all time favorite Anne Calhoun books EVER. Hunter Anderson brought all the swoons and all the sexy and I loved the ever-loving hell out of him!

UNCOMMON PASSION by Anne Calhoun
GOODREADS | AMAZON

Uncommon Passion

My God, he was broken. So broken, this frightening vulnerability protected only by pieces of bulletproof vest held together with razor wire, attitude, and a smile that broke her heart every time he flashed it.

Broken alpha for the win! Clearly I’m a fan of this author so it’s not a shock she appears on my list once more for hot cops. In Uncommon Passion you get Swat Officer Ben Harris and man oh man will you fall hard for this broken man.

This book had everything! The feels. The sizzling sex. And the romance! In true Anne Calhoun passion, she crafts strong heroines that balance out her broody heroes perfectly!

 

CROSSING THE LINE (Battered Hearts #3) by Kele Moon
GOODREADS | AMAZON

Crossing The Line“Wyatt didn’t want it, but without his permission, his heart started beating again. 
It had always beat for Tabitha.”

Second chance romance so emotionally gripping, it’ll make your heart beat. No one and I mean NO ONE writes gritty and emotional love stories quite like Kele. What makes Sheriff Wyatt Conner sexy? It’s not that he’s a former MMA fighter. It’s his absolutely unwavering love and devotion for Tabitha.

If you want swoons and feels and a sizzling hot romance, you need this book AND this series in your life!

 

PACKING HEAT by Kele Moon
GOODREADS | AMAZON

Packing Heat

“You like being forced to just lay there and wait for me. I like it too. You look so good all open and ready for my cock. Just being still and obedient like a good little cock whore.”

A cop AND a firefighter in a sizzling hot MM?!! Be still my ovaries! Sure this is a shortie of a book, but man oh man does it pack a one two punch straight to the ovaries!

 

A LOT LIKE LOVE (FBI/US ATTORNEY #2) by Julie James
GOODREADS | AMAZON

A Lot Like Love

“I’d like to know more about this undercover agent who posed as my daughter’s date. The ubiquitous Tall, Dark, and Smoldering.’

Nick put on his best meet-the-parent smile. ‘I generally prefer to go by Nick.”

Sassy heroines, laugh out loud humor, & sexy romance with grumpy and broody heroes is what makes this series absolute crack for me! I’ve been a huge fan since meeting  Special Agent Jack Pallas in SOMETHING ABOUT YOU, book 1 in this series. And while I loved that little enemies to lovers romp, there was something about A LOT LIKE LOVE that stuck with me even more.

But then again, this is a series that just got better and better with each new installment.

EXTREME DANGER (McCloud & Friends #5) by Shannon McKenna 
GOODREADS | AMAZON

Extreme Danger

“You use your tits the way a ninja assassin uses nunchuks.” 

If über alphas are your thing, then this series will be pure catnip for you. Because let me tell you, Shannon McKenna writes some SUPER uber alphas. These men are dirty talkers, crazy possessive, domineering, protective, and hit the spot for me each and every single time. Most of the series focuses on the McCloud brothers and their investigative and security business, but Extreme Danger was about cop Nick Ward, undercover to investigate a dangerous enemy when a beautiful and innocent woman lands in his crosshairs and he simply can’t walk away.

 

MORE SEXY ROMANCES FEATURING HOT COPS

These are all titles I’ve read and loved and would strongly recommend to all my fellow dirty birds 😉

RUN THE RISK (Love Undercover #1) by Lori Foster
GOODREADS | AMAZON

Run The RiskWhen Detective Logan Riske goes undercover to find Pepper Yates, a potential link to his best friend’s unsolved murder, he vows to gain her cooperation by any means necessary. But the elusive beauty is more suspicious—and in far more danger—than he expected. And the last thing Logan needs is to start caring for her…

Pepper has spent years dodging the corrupt club owner who will stop at nothing to keep her silenced. She can trust no one, not even the handsome new “construction worker” who’s moved in next door. The heat between them is undeniable. But will surrendering to passion bring her the safety she so desires—or will her feelings for Logan draw them both into a killer’s crosshairs?

 

MIDNIGHT SECRETS (Wildefire #1) by Ella Grace (pen name for Christy Reece a DGR fave author)
GOODREADS | AMAZON

Midnight Secrets

AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT, THE HEAT BEGINS

On a hot southern night, with a storm on the horizon, a family is shattered. Three beautiful daughters—Savannah, Samantha, and Sabrina Wilde—go on with their lives, each significantly changed, as they bear the memory of the murder-suicide that killed their parents. For years, they have stayed away from Midnight, Alabama. Until Midnight calls them home.

Savannah is the first one back, when a grueling case in Nashville leads the young prosecutor to seek shelter in the quiet of the once grand Wilde mansion. But when she finds letters casting doubt on her family’s dark, shameful past, she realizes that peace in Midnight is a shallow façade and sinister secrets lurk beneath the surface. Zach Tanner, once the town’s bad boy, is now the new police chief and still has a wild hold over her. Zach can feel it, too, but he hurt Savannah once. As teenagers, they broke every rule together. Now it’s his job to keep her safe, even though he isn’t sure who her enemies are—or which ones might be his own.

ARRESTED BY LOVE by Virna DePaul
GOODREADS | AMAZON

arrested by love

In the steamy world of bestselling romance author Virna DePaul, there are bad boys and good girls on both sides of the law. And when they mix, it’s always an explosive combination. Now the three novellas of her contemporary Red-Hot Cops series are available together in this eBook anthology:

COPPING TO IT

Though Claire Fullerton, a respected journalist, isn’t afraid to walk on the wild side, she’s terrified that unleashing her inner vixen will expose her to getting hurt. But when Claire is captured by a notorious gang of bikers, she recognizes a friendly face from her darkest fantasies: undercover cop Ty Williamson, who has managed to infiltrate the gang to bring them down from the inside. Now Ty’s determined to bind Claire to him and prove that he wants all of her: the good with the bad. In fact, the badder she is, the better they’ll be—together.

COP APPEAL

People used to call her Sure-Thing-Sarah, but the only thing Sarah Larson’s sure about these days is the torch she’s carried for undercover cop Luke Anderson. Four years ago, Sarah made the biggest mistake of her life: leaving Luke to marry another cop. Now, a year after her divorce, Luke’s back in her life—ready to convince Sarah that he’s the one when it comes to love. But Sarah has a big fear—that her dangerously possessive ex-husband is out to make sure that her second chance at happiness is destroyed forever.

COPPING ATTITUDE

As a former centerfold, Jenna Mills is a pro at deflecting male attention, and with good reason. A painful past has made her mistrustful of all men—and hell-bent on getting revenge on one in particular. But first she needs help overcoming her fear of physical intimacy. And honorable cop Noah James might just be the perfect place to start. Noah’s used to making a woman feel safe, in bed and out. But when Jenna makes him an indecent proposal, Noah’s willing to give her everything she’s asking for . . . and more.

MINE TO HOLD (Wicked Lovers #6) by Shayla Black
GOODREADS | AMAZON

Mine To Hold

A friend’s duty.

Tyler Murphy was an LAPD detective, single and happy—until a near-fatal tragedy crippled his friend, fellow detective Eric Catalano. While Tyler supported Eric, he also became a shoulder for Eric’s wife, Delaney, to lean on. But with one naughty suggestion from Eric, a drunken night with Delaney spilled into erotic abandon. Before it was over, Tyler saw his best friend’s wife as a woman and yearned for more. When Eric struggled to deal with the aftermath, Delaney begged Tyler to leave. Crushed, he fled to Louisiana, hoping to escape his longing for the one woman he could never have again…and unaware of what he’d left behind.

A lover’s desire.

After two years of living with regret, Tyler finds Delaney on his doorstep, her husband having abandoned her long ago. She’s protecting a shocking secret and desperately needs refuge from a stalker determined to see her dead. As they fight to stay alive and catch the killer, they struggle to resolve the guilt of their past pleasures. But they can’t deny that what was once a spark is now a flame burning out of control. To possess Delaney—body and soul—Tyler must heal her pain and thwart the evil that’s a mere breath behind her…

INTO THE NIGHT (The Reliance Group #1) by Janelle Denison
GOODREADS | AMAZON

Into The Night

A former Marine and Las Vegas Vice cop, Nathan Fox has seen it all and then some. Heading up security for The Onyx Casino is tame compared to his past, but it’s not his only job. Working for The Reliance Group is his real passion project. His current case: A missing woman. His mission: To find her. But soon Nathan must deal with a stubborn—and stunning—journalist who’s nosed her way into the investigation…and into Nathan’s fantasies.

To reporter Nicole Hutton, exposing a ruthless, twisted criminal who abuses vulnerable teens isn’t just a job. In fact, this story has become very personal, especially now that she’s gotten tangled up with sexy Nathan Fox. But before she can break the story, and help rescue a missing girl, she and Nathan must brave the labyrinth of Vegas’s dark underbelly…where the heat simmering between them is about to burst into flames…

DEADLY HEAT (Deadly #2) by Cynthia Eden <— my top favorite series by this author!!
GOODREADS | AMAZON

Deadly Heat

She wants revenge…
Six months after her lover died in an arsonist’s blaze, firefighter Lora Spade calls in the FBI’s elite Serial Services Division to track the elusive killer. When Special Agent Kenton Lake is lured into a violent inferno, Lora pulls him to safety and is stunned – not by the fire, but by her own searing attraction to Kent. For the first time in months, she longs for something other than vengeance.

He wants her…
Kenton’s interest in Lora should be purely professional. But one fleeting kiss and he can’t get her out of his mind. Her combination of strength and vulnerability makes him want to protect her, and that means solving this case – and fast. For even the passion igniting between them can’t hide a terrifying truth: Lora is the next target in a murderer’s sadistic, fiery game.

A vicious killer wants only…
DEADLY HEAT

MEN OUT OF UNIFORM anthology
GOODREADS | AMAZON

Men Out of Uniform

The hottest thing about a man in uniform is imagining him out of it… 

They may enforce the rules, but when men in uniform are off duty and under the covers, they’re experts at breaking them. In this searingly sexy anthology, popular authors Maya Banks, Sylvia Day, and Karin Tabke present men in uniform-unzipped…

Taking the Heat by Sylvia Day
It’s time for protected witness Layla Creed to come out of hiding and take the stand. Layla has only three days to reconnect with federal marshal Brian Simmons—and slake the white-hot lust that has simmered between them for years…

Soul Possession – Maya Banks
Jessie spends a hot night with two sexy-as-sin detectives, only to be accused of murder the very next day. But when Jessie becomes the target of a serial killer, her two detectives will risk everything to have her back in their arms—and in their bed…

Karin Tabke’s Wanted follows the X-rated exploits of bad-boy cop Colin Daniels and the soon-to-be-ex-wife of a mob boss. He’s been hired to guard her body, but it drives him to distraction instead, putting his career—and his life—on the line…

FAITH & FIDELITY by Tere Michaels
GOODREADS | AMAZON

faith & fidelity

New York City Vice Detective Evan Cerelli has lost his wife, the only person he ever loved and slept with. He’s trying to get on with his life, build a life for his children.

Former Homicide Detective Matt Haight is a ladies’ man, all sex/no commitment. He’s depressed, having a midlife crisis, and not sure where his life is headed.

The two find friendship in the bottom of a shared bottle. When the friendship turns to love, it shakes two straight men to the core and flips their lives inside out.

Kids, families, careers that are not gay-friendly — can all the love in the world overcome the obstacles to faith and fidelity?

 

DANGEROUS BOYS AND THEIR TOY by Shayla Black <— super hot MFM with GFY
GOODREADS | AMAZON

dangerous boys and their toy

 

Trading orgasms for information isn’t their usual way of doing business, but when a missing criminal-turned-star-witness and fifty grand are on the line, bounty hunter R. A. Thorn and Detective Cameron Martinez are prepared to put their bodies to the task and give gorgeous Brenna Sheridan everything she needs. An exchange they never anticipated becomes an experience none can forget—or walk away from. Sexual hunger sizzles the threesome, but the stakes and danger rise as a mafia bad-ass stalks Brenna. Soon, their “deal” is no longer about information—or sex. Emotions bind Brenna, Cam and Thorn together more tightly than they ever imagined as the men protect—and serve—the beloved woman neither can live without.

 

Welp, that’s it for my list. Loved it? Tell me in comments? Did I miss one of your favorites? Tell me about it in comments! I love to hear from you all, so don’t be shy <3

Till next time, dirty birds!

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DGR’s June Wrap-Up

July 16, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

DGR sum upWhen the heck did June fly by? Seriously? Wasn’t it just last week? I swear, I blink and it’s July. Craziness I tells ya! Well, June was an awesome month for me here in DGR land. First, I added my girl, Jennifer, as a permanent reviewer. It doesn’t hurt that she’s a book pusher just like me when it comes to her faves and we just happen to have pretty much identical reading tastes! So with this fabulous new addition, I figured why not add a fabulous new feature? So each month, I’ll be doing a wrap-up post talking about what we’ve read, what we’ve loved, and what we plan on reading.

We also happen to LOVE book recs, so if you have any, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below. If there’s a book you’d like to see us read next month, tell us about it in the comments as well 🙂

Lana’s  JUNE WRAP-UP

wrap up-june

Clearly I’ve been busy this June because holy moly! When did I read all that? All that coffee and no sleep is obviously good for my reading. Here’s the sum-up:

LAST KISS by Laurelin Paige 
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

HOT SEAL LOVER (HOT SEAL Team #2) by Lynn Raye Harris
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

CHASING BUTTERFLIES by Terri E Laine
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

STEALING HIS THUNDER by Sparrow Beckett
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

ENGAGING THE BACHELOR by Cathryn Fox
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

BELOW THE SURFACE by Elizabeth Lee
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

ALL THE RAGE by TM Frazier
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

IDOL by Kristen Callihan
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

DOWNTOWN DEVIL by Cara McKenna
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

ALLEGIANCE OF HONOR (Psy/Changeling #15) by Nalini Singh
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

DIRTY SEXY CUFFED by Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

RAMSAY by Mia Sheridan
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

MAN CANDY by Melanie Harlow
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

FROM THIS DAY FORWARD by Lauren Layne
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

DARK MAFIA PRINCE by Annika Martin
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

SWEET LITTLE LIES by Jill Shalvis
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

BROKEN PRINCE by Erin Watt
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

LANA’S RECOMMENDATIONS

Can’t pick a book from all the ones I have mentioned? How about some help? Here’s some stand out reads of mine from this month and one from late May that I still can’t stop thinking about!

UNBREAK MY HEART (Unbreak My Heart #1) by Nicole Jacquelyn
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

I read this book in late May and OMG you guys! If you’re looking for angst that will make you cry for your mama, this is that book! It was addicting, painful, and so SO good!

BROKEN PRINCE (Royals #2) by Erin Watt
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

Sweet mother of book crack! And so my addiction continues with this series. This book doesn’t release until July 25 but trust me when I tell you that you will not want to miss it. If you thought Paper Princess was crazy, you haven’t seen anything yet.

HOT SEAL LOVER (Hot SEAL Team #2) by Lynn Raye Harris

I’m obsessed with this author and everything she writes! Simply obsessed! If you like sizzling hot romantic suspense, I can’t recommend her books enough. Hot Seal Lover is book 2 in her brand new HOT Seal Team spin-off but each of her books may be easily enjoyed as standalones.

MAN CANDY by Melanie Harlow

When I’m looking for a laugh out loud, feel good romance, Melanie Harlow is my go-to. But Man Candy may have been my favorite book by her yet. And that’s saying something considering how much I loved FLOORED.

ALLEGIANCE OF HONOR (Psy/Changeling #15) by Nalini Singh

What an epic conclusion to an even more epic story arc. This is a compelation of stories bringing back all past readers favorites, especially Lucas. #Swoon.
Allegiance of Honor is essentially a bridge book that closes the chapter on “Season One” story arc and introduces all the ingredients of Season Two that the readers will be looking forward to. If you’re a fan of this series, this book is not to be missed! It’s a pivotal story in between story arcs.

DOWNTOWN DEVIL (Sins in The City #2) by Cara McKenna

Holy mother of ovaries, I dunno how I survived this book but MAN was it hot. I’m talking HOT. Like beyond HOT. This is the second standalone novel in Cara’s Sins In The City series and brings a brand new scorching menage. A satisfying romance with some sizzling MMF and MFM threesome action.

SWEET LITTLE LIES by Jill Shalvis

I feel like I have a book for every category this month lol. So how about one to appease those that love a sweet and sexy, light but satisfying contemporary romance. I floved this brand new book from one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. Sweet Little Lies kicks off the new Heartbreaker Bay series and I already can’t wait for more!

Lana’s July Reads

I got lots of books on deck for July and I can’t wait to get to all of these. These are all either already released or will be releasing in July. I’ll mark the release dates on each 🙂

CREAM OF THE CROP (Hudson Valley #2) by Alice Clayton
GOODREADS | AMAZON

FIRST AND FIRST by Santino Hassell
GOODREADS | AMAZON

RAVEN by Scarlett Fin
GOODREADS | AMAZON

The Boss: Vol 6 by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott
GOODREADS | AMAZON

GOING HARD (Boys Of Fall) by Cari Quinn
GOODREADS | AMAZON

WANDERLUST by Roni Loren– releasing July 19
GOODREADS | AMAZON

DON’T TEMPT ME by Lori Foster– releasing July 26
GOODREADS | AMAZON

HIS ROYAL SECRET by Lilah Pace– releasing July 19
GOODREADS | AMAZON

FORBIDDEN FLING by Skye Jordan– releasing July 26
GOODREADS | AMAZON

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD (Wedding Belles #1) by Lauren Layne– releasing July 26
GOODREADS | AMAZON

STORM OF ECSTASY (Guardians of the Realm #9) by Setta Jay
GOODREADS | AMAZON

BLOOD TO DUST by LJ Shen– releasing July 18
GOODREADS

JENNIFER’S JUNE WRAP UP

Jennifer's Reads

Jennifer has been a busy girl! She got to read some of my favorites finally (Backfire, Friction, Dirty Ties and Slave To Sensation) and a few I haven’t read yet. Here’s her sum-up

ONE WEEK TO SCORE by Kate Meader
GOODREADS | AMAZON | J’S REVIEW

RECKLESS HEARTS by Melody Grace
GOODREADS | AMAZON | J’S REVIEW

DEVIL IN DISGUISE by Cynthia Eden
GOODREADS | AMAZON | J’S REVIEW

HOLD YOU AGAINST ME by Skye Warren
GOODREADS | AMAZON | J’S REVIEW

SLAVE TO SENSATION by Nalini Singh
GOODREADS | AMAZON | J’S REVIEW

THE HANG UP by Tawna Fenske
GOODREADS | AMAZON | J’S REVIEW

TRUTH OR BEARD by Penny Reid
GOODREADS | AMAZON

DIRTY TIES by Pam Godwin
GOODREADS | AMAZON | J’S REVIEW

FRICTION by Sawyer Bennett
GOODREADS | AMAZON | J’S REVIEW

BACKFIRE by Keri Lake
GOODREADS | AMAZON | J’S REVIEW

JENNIFER’S RECOMMENDATIONS

Friction by Sawyer Bennett 

This book is the perfect book wrapped up in a pretty little package with a bow on top. Love/Hate relationship. Laugh my ass off. Hot dirty-talking sex. Apparently, I have a thing for lawyers, because….DAYUM. This is technically the 8th book in the series, but I didn’t read the books before it and I was not lost at all (so calm yo tits if you have to read books in order. Lol.)

Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh

To say this book is unique is an understatement. I have never read a paranormal book like this! I am so excited that it is a series and I get to read more. I hope there is more MEGA-HOT-DREAM-SEX! After I finished this first book in the Psy-Changeling series, I dragged my children through the rain to 3 different book stores to purchase the rest of the series. Yeah, that happened.

Dirty Ties by Pam Godwin

This is that book that you kick yourself in the boob for waiting so long to read! I know I did. This is my first Pam Godwin book, and it only took this book to know that I will read anything she writes. I was sucked into this underground lair of speed-racing, hotness, greed, and grit, and I didn’t want come out for days. It was heaven in a book, for me.

Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare

Expect to laugh, giggle, chuckle….SWOON! This book is FUN & FUNNY.  Tessa’s books always make me laugh. I loved the broody hero in this one (broody is my jam!). For you OCD readers J, this is the first book in the Castles Ever After series.

JENNIFER’S JULY READS

WICKED BEAUTIFUL (Wicked Games #1) by JT Geissinger 
GOODREADS | AMAZON

WICKED SEXY (Wicked Games #2) by JT Geissinger- releasing July 19
GOODREADS | AMAZON

PAPER PRINCESS (Royals #1) by Erin Watt
GOODREADS | AMAZON

THE BEAST (BDB #13) by JR Ward
GOODREADS | AMAZON

SHIFT (Hot Rides #2) by Sidney Bristol
GOODREADS | AMAZON

NEW DESIRES: Becoming Elena – Book Three
GOODREADS | AMAZON

AFTERGLOW by Maria Monroe
GOODREADS | AMAZON

OFF LIMITS by Lola Darling- releasing July 26
GOODREADS

WICKED MAFIA PRINCE by Annika Martin- releasing July 26
GOODREADS | AMAZON

FORBIDDEN FLING by Skye Jordan– releasing July 26
GOODREADS | AMAZON

HARD BALL by CD Reiss
GOODREADS | AMAZON

MARRYING WINTERBORNE by Lisa Kleypas
GOODREADS | AMAZON

 

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★DGR’S Ultimate List of Angsty Romance★

July 2, 2016 by · 12 Comments

DGR-Ultimate list of angst

Let’s talk angst.
angst
äNG(k)st/
noun
  1. a feeling of deep anxiety or dread, typically an unfocused one about the human condition or the state of the world in general.
    “adolescent angst”

ANGST just so happens to be pure catnip for this reader. I gobble it up like the starved addict that I am, and love every hair pulling second of it. If a book can make me feel like I want to throttle someone, scream at the ceiling and rip my hair out by the roots, I know I got myself a winner. What? Like you don’t have your vices? Sheesh. Judgy much?

This month you all voted for my Ultimate List of Angsty Romance, and that’s what I’m giving you. Fair warning, this will quite possibly be my longest list ever! We always chat about these lists in my FB group, so if you haven’t yet, join in on the inappropriate fun  HERE.

Since this list will be ridiculously long if I let it, I decided to limit my choices to the uber angsty book picks. These are some of my all time favorites and my go-to recs.

And if you’re new to my blog, this a monthly feature I do on the last Saturday of each month! Check out the previous features here:

★ULTIMATE LIST OF DIRTY TALKERS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ROCK STARS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF FIGHTERS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ANTI-HEROES★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF HATE TO LOVE ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF MAFIA ROMANCE★

As always, I’d love to hear from you all in comments if you don’t see one of your favorites listed. You know I love me some book recs 😉

You’ll notice I’ll list some of these by author because I loved several of their books, some I’ll list by series, and some will be simply individual books. Now let’s do this thing!

THOUGHTLESS by S.C. Stephens
GOODREADS | AMAZON

13517535

“What if I don’t choose you, Kellan? What will you do?”
He looked away, a tear rolling down his cheek. “I’ll leave, Kiera. I’ll leave, and you and Denny can have your happily ever after.” He looked back at me. “You wouldn’t even need to tell him about me. Eventually, the two of you…” his voice broke and another tear fell on his cheek, “the two of you would get married, and have children, and have a great life.”
I fought back a sob. “And you? What happens to you in that scenario?”
“I…get by. And I miss you, every day,” he whispered.”

Sweet mother of hair pulling, wanting to run the heroine over with my car, while rocking myself in a corner somewhere ANGST. GAH! GAH I tells ya! This freaking book. I don’t know how I even survived it. It put me off life triangles for years. And yet when I think of angst, this is the first one that pops into my head. Clearly it left an impression. And let’s be real here for a hot second, because it just doesn’t get much better than Kellan fucking Kyle *pervy sigh*

THE THOUGHTLESS SERIES
THOUGHTLESS | EFFORTLESS | RECKLESS | THOUGHTFUL | UNTAMED 

TRISTAN & DANIKA trilogy by R.K. Lilley
GOODREADS | AMAZON

17377032

I knew we were going to be a dangerous combination. Bad things were going to happen if we spent too much time around each other.

First I read book one, and thought, well this isn’t so bad. Then I read book two and thought I’d been hit with a two by four full of feels, and then I barely BARELY survived book three because holy hell!!! I LOVED this trilogy. Absolutely loved it. It spans years and had one of the most memorable love stories I’ve read. The angst was in apoplectic proportions and I loved every single painful second of it. It was utterly delicious!

I convinced myself that it had all been passion, not true love.  True love was a myth, a misdirection from the solid things in life.  What I’d felt for Tristan had been big and all consuming, but I told myself, like a mantra in my head, that it had never been solid.   Even so, every little thing brought him to mind.  We’d had too much together, been through too much, felt too much, and every feeling had a memory.

THE TRISTAN & DANIKA SERIES
BAD THINGS | ROCK BOTTOM | LOVELY TRIGGER

CAROLINE & WEST duet by Robin York
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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I want you, and I don’t know how to stop wanting you. I want to get deep inside you, and then deeper, until I’m so deep I don’t even know what’s me anymore and what’s you.

What’s better than angst? New Adult kind of angst. Yum yum yum. This is one of my all time favorite duets. These books took me through the emotional wringer and I don’t regret it even a little. I adored the heroine and I loved to hate the hero. But who am I even kidding? I mostly loved him even when I wanted to hate him!

“I could tell you how much I’m hurting, or I could get out of the car, slam the door, hitchhike to the airport because fuck you, fuck you, West, how could you do this to me? How?

What I can’t do is pretend I don’t know what you did,” I say. “Or pretend I don’t still care about you.”

THE CAROLINE & WEST DUET
DEEPER | HARDER

BULLY by Penelope Douglas
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“You were my tempest, my thunder cloud, my tree in the downpour. I loved all of those things, and I loved you. But now? You’re a fucking drought. I thought that all the assholes drove German cars, but it turns out that pricks in Mustangs can still leave scars.”

If you haven’t at least heard of this phenomenal series, odds are you’ve been living under a rock. Well climb on out from under there my friend, because you are seriously missing out. This is easily of my top favorite NA series and the angst is utterly delicious. I have a motto when it comes to books by Penelope Douglas; she writes them, I read them. Period. No exception.

Becoming hard at heart isn’t an intersection in your brain where you have a choice to turn left or right. It’s coming to a dead end, and you just keep going, over the cliff, unable to stop the inevitable, because the truth is you just don’t want to.
There is freedom in the fall.

THE FALL AWAY SERIES
BULLY | UNTIL YOU | RIVAL | FALLING AWAY | AFLAME

THE VINCENT BOYS by Abbi Glines
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“ If I’d ever taken the time to wonder about my soul being as black as this town seemed to believe, I knew the moment Ashton stepped out of her little white Jetta looking like an angel from Heaven that my soul was damned to Hell. ”

I have a love hate relationship with Abbi Glines books. No really. See I love to hate them. No I don’t mean that in a hater sort of way. What I mean, is she’s a guilty pleasure author for me. I may not always love every book, I may want to throttle most of the heroines, and yet I still enjoy the ride. Kind sick saying it out loud lol. I’ve read her entire backlist, and I absolutely ADORED her Sea Breeze series. To date, that’s my favorite series by her.

But what began the obsession was this book. The Vincent Boys. And to be clear, I’m referring to the uncut edition, because let’s be real, if I’m forced to endure YA angst, I need steam to dilute it. I devour her books in one sitting. I adore every hero she’s written. What can I say? The struggle is real with this addiction I have and I’m not even sorry. Even when I hate the heroines, the heroes more than make up for it.

DGR’S ABBI GLINES FAVORITES (All angsty deliciousness)
WHILE IT LASTS | JUST FOR NOW | HOLD ON TIGHT | UNTIL THE END | FALLEN TOO FAR | NEVER TOO FAR

AN ORDINARY GIRL by Barbara Elsborg
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“I can’t believe I’ve found someone that’s more fucked up than me.”

I don’t remember why I read this book exactly. I think I stumbled on it by pure chance actually. Something about that synopsis just hooked me. I ended up devouring it in one sitting! This author has a signature blend of angst and dry wit and humor that just calls to me. I love it! She’ll add a bit of OTT drama that also somehow just works and at times a dash of suspense and voila! Instant addiction. I went on a Barbara Elsborg binge right after this and the addiction still continues. Not only does she write great angst, but the steam level is through the roof! She writes amazing MM, scorching MMF, and deliciously dirty MF. I can’t recommend her enough!

DGR’S BARBARA ELSBORG FAVORITES (all angsty perfection)
STRANGERS (MF erotic) | TO KISS A FALLING STAR (MF erotic) | FALLING (MM) | BREAKING (MM)

THE UNWANTED WIFE
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“I’m your husband…”
“No. You are not my husband,” she interrupted in a voice thickened with hatred and tears. “You have never been my husband. A husband loves, honours and cherishes! A husband is a lover and a champion….Look into the next room if you want to see what a real husband is, because you are no such thing!”

What would happen if you combined Harlequin presents with some crazy angst? This. Book. Holy mother! I loved it! I loved it so freaking much! Natasha Anders definitely has a signature style to her romance. I love watching her heroines grow into their own and stand up for themselves. I love seeing her royal alphaholes of heroes realize their mistakes and perform some epic kind of groveling. All of it just speaks to me and I can’t get enough!

DGR’S NATASHA ANDERS FAVORITES (all standalones and all angsty, of course)
A HUSBAND’S REGRET | A RUTHLESS PROPOSITION

THIS HEART OF MINE by Brenda Novak
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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She’d wanted him so badly seventeen years ago. And now that he wanted her, regardless of what anyone said, she wouldn’t come near him.

This was the first book I had read by this author and boy was I kicking myself for it after. Hard. If you love second chance romance and redemption stories, this is an absolute must read. It’s emotional, heart breaking, beautifully written, and completely unforgettable. While it is a part of a long-standing series, it can easily be read as a standalone.

No it’s not exactly the smutty smut that I normally gravitate to so if you’re expecting lots of steam, you’ll be sorely disappointed. But this book was not lacking it for me. Not even a little. The story was so emotionally powerful and the romance was so beautiful with just the right amount of tasteful love scenes, that I fell head over heels for This Heart of Mine.

THIS MUCH IS TRUE by Katherine Owen
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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LIFE CAN CHANGE in as little of fifteen seconds. I know this.
Fifteen seconds.
An SUV clips my car, kills my sister, and changes me and my life forever.

Thirty seconds.
The time it takes for a stranger to lift me up and carry me away and save me from the burning wreckage.
Thirty seconds.

One night.
The time it takes to fall in love with Lincoln Presley and forge promises that neither of us can keep.
One night.

Thirty seconds.
In thirty seconds, a heart can break.

If you like your angst to feel like you’ve been run over by the mac truck of feels, boy do I have a rec for you. Because this book? It will actually physically drain you. I’m not even a little kidding. It was fucking painful, people! I still have no idea how I survived it but I feel like I needed a cookie, a hug, a medal and all of the alcohol after it. In that exact order. This does end on a cliffhanger and I recommend reading the full trilogy to get a much deserved HEA.

THE TRUTH IN LIES TRILOGY
THIS MUCH IS TRUE | THE TRUTH ABOUT AIR & WATER | TELL ME SOMETHING TRUE

IF YOU LEAVE by Courtney Cole
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“That day, that one day, changed me forever. It taught me that everything you love, everyone you love, even if you love them and hate them at the same time, can be taken away in a moment and there isn’t anything you can do to change it.”

The Beautifully Broken is a series of 4 books, but it wasn’t until this book, IF YOU LEAVE (book 2 in the series), that I fell in love with the series. If You Leave deals with many heart wrenching issues; the biggest being the hero, Gabriel’s, PTSD from his Army Ranger days. It’s an emotional romance filled with angst, feels, and enough steam to keep you panting.

I loved every book in this series, but 2 and 4 have to be my all time favorites. If you haven’t read these yet, I strongly recommend you check them out.

THE BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN SERIES
IF YOU STAY | IF YOU LEAVE | BEFORE WE FALL | UNTIL WE FLY

THE EDUCATION Series by Jane Harvey-Berrick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“What do you think I’ve got here that I wouldn’t give up in a heartbeat to be with you? There’s nothing to keep me here: I’ll go anywhere, do anything to be with you.”

What happens when a 30-year-old woman stuck in a loveless marriage has an affair with her 17, soon to be 18-year-old neighbor? One of the most gripping, emotional and powerful romances that I have ever read. Book one is The Education of Sebastian and tells the heart wrenching story of how these two fell in love. The Education of Caroline takes place ten years later, when these two lovers finally reunite. If you haven’t read this series, it’s seriously an absolute must read.

“Be happy, Caro, because that’s what you deserve.
I love you, I have always loved you, and where I go after this world, I will always love you.
Sempre e per sempre.”

THE EDUCATION OF SERIES
THE EDUCATION OF SEBASTIAN | THE EDUCATION OF CAROLINE | SEMPER FI

UNBEAUTIFULLY by Madeline Sheehan
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“Baby,” he said gruffly. “Man like me got no business with a girl like you. You’re nothin’ but a fuckin’ beauty and I’m a while lot of fuckin’ ugly who’s already halfway to hell.”

You want angst? You want grit with a big chunk of dark MC romance? Welcome to your next addiction! While I enjoyed every single book in this series, I have to say that UnBeautifully is easily my absolute favorite. There was just something so powerful about this beauty-and-the-beast romance that just spoke to me. It wasn’t an easy read and far from a light one. But it was an unforgettable ride from beginning to finish.

THE UNDENIABLE SERIES
UNDENIABLE | UNBEAUTIFULLY | UNATTAINABLE | UNBELOVED

ROCK CHICK REGRET by Kristen Ashley
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“No really,” I whispered, letting the sweet, peaceful feeling steal over me. “It only matters if there’s someone to care if you don’t wake up. It’s okay if I don’t wake up because there’s no one to care.”

I have three words for you: Hector OMG Chavez. That is all. No really. That’s all. If you’ve read this book, you know exactly what I mean. And if you haven’t? You need to get to reading it right freaking meow because MAN! So. Good.

This was probably the heaviest and most powerful book in the series for me (right up there with Stella and Mace in ROCK CHICK RECKONING, which is also a HUGE angsty rec). But there was just something about RCR that stayed with me for all these years. Maybe it’s what the heroine went through and watching her grow? Maybe it’s the story as a whole. Whatever the case may be, I simply adored it.

DREW + FABLE series by Monica Murphy
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“Maybe it was a mistake leaving you.
And I don’t know how to make it right.
Regret fills me every single day.
So much of it builds up I
Hate myself for 
Missing you. Hurting you.
And I want you to know i…
Long for you
Love you
Others may come and go in our lives but…
We belong together”

New Adult angst? This has it. In spades. This was the book that made me fall in love with Monica Murphy’s writing. It was the first book that I read by her and I was hooked. I recommend reading them back to back because the cliffhanger in OWG will leave you so ragey, it’ll make you want to slap someone.

THE ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND SERIES (these need to be read in order)
ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND | SECOND CHANCE BOYFRIEND

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES but with new characters
THREE BROKEN PROMISES | FOUR YEARS LATER

DESTROYED by Pepper Winters
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“I was obsessed with finding redemption. Destroyed by love. Possessed by hope. Consumed by a past I couldn’t shake.”

So Pepper Winters advertises this as her “gray romance” but please don’t let that fool you. While this is certainly not quite on her usual dark scale it still packs a mean punch….straight to the mother effin feels. My. God. This book tore my heart to shreds and put it back together…barely. I was a damn mess reading it. I don’t remember the last time I cried that hard in a book but DAMN. Just DAMN.

This is a full standalone.

WICKED HEART by Leisa Reyven
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“Heartache doesn’t teach you to be resilient. It teaches you to protect your fragility. It teaches you to fear love. And it draws a bright red circle around all the ways you’ve failed as a person and laughs while you cry.”

Ah…sweet sweet second chance romance angst. How I love thee. Let me count the ways….Liam, Liam, Liam…wait. That’s not right.

While a lot of my friends loved the first two books in this series, I struggled a little with them. But I continued with the series because not only did I love the writing style, but I saw where it was going and I knew it was only a matter of meeting the right characters for me to fall in love with the story. And Wicked Heart? It was exactly that book for me.

THE STAR-CROSSED SERIES
BAD ROMEO | BROKEN JULIET | WICKED HEARTS

UNFORGIVEN by Elizabeth Finn
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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You don’t fall in love with the person responsible for your greatest loss. And God help you if you do.

God help you indeed. This book was a crazy rollercoaster of emotion. It was almost physically painful to read at times. But man. MAN. What an incredibly powerful and angsty romance. To date, this is my favorite book by this author. And Elizabeth Finn happens to be one of my go to’s for angst, so I don’t make that statement lightly.

I’ll list some other notable favorites below. All are full standalones.

DGR’S FAVORITE ELIZABETH FINN BOOKS
THE FIGHT FOR US | KISSED | KANE’S HELL | THE DEVIL’S PAWN | THE RULES REGARDING GRAY | INAPPROPRIATE 

WORTH IT by Linda Kage
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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I craved every little second I got to see her, but I knew I should stay away. It was torment, the two cravings rivaling and constantly churning in me, playing tug-of-war between what my heart wanted and what I knew was best.

I’m seriously obsessed with this New Adult series and can’t recommend every book in it enough. I love it that much. Worth It had some darker undertones to it that the others didn’t. It wasn’t dark, just more emotional and a touch heavier if that makes sense. The whole series packs a good amount of angst and if sexy NA romance is your thing, prepare to binge.

THE FORBIDDEN MEN SERIES
PRICE OF A KISS| TO PROFESSOR WITH LOVE | BE MY HERO | WITH EVERY HEARTBEAT | A PERFECT TEN | WORTH IT | THE GIRL’S GOT SECRETS | PRICELESS 

BEAUTIFUL DISASTER by Francette Phal
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“Nicholas Grayson wasn’t a nice person. In fact one could call him an asshole and he wouldn’t dispute it. He was as jaded as they come, eighteen years old, with a moral compass fixed permanently on diabolical. … His goals in life were to piss off his parents, break a few laws and generally screw his way through life.”

Cruel Intention meets Soap Opera in this deliciously angsty YA romance and I gobbled up each page like the addict that I am. Holy crap, people! This book HURT. Complete with a mother of all cliffhangers. But no worries, because you do get a much deserved HEA in the conclusion, REDEMPTION.

FACADE by Nyrae Dawn
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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I don’t see the future; I just notice shit. When you’re seven years old and scared of your own shadow, too scared to get close to anyone like I used to be, you learn to pay attention. To study people’s loves because it’s the only way to feel like you’re living and to think about how differently you’d be doing if you had the balls to man up. Or, hell, if you hadn’t been given such a shitty hand to begin with. 

While I loved the entire Games series, Facade was easily my favorite. I couldn’t even tell you why exactly. It just was. Something about a broken boy finding love in the girl he least expected. I just loved it.

THE GAMES SERIES
CHARADE | FACADE | MASQUARADE 

A LUSH BETRAYAL by Selena Laurence
GOODREDS | AMAZON

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I know almost instantly- this is it- I’m done. This woman will either be my salvation or the death of me. There is no question. I’ve lost control now that I’ve touched her. There’s no going back, and she’s the most spectacular thing I’ve ever experienced.

Rockstars. Betrayals. Redemptions. Second chances. This book had it all. This was my first book by Selena and I was hooked. A Lush Betrayal is still free on amazon, so if you like the sounds of this one, you need to grab it quick!

THE LUSH ROCKSTAR SERIES
A LUSH BETRAYAL | LOVING A LUSH | LOWDOWN & LUSH | A LUSH REUNION

Twisted by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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He could do anything, survive anything, but he couldn’t turn away from Jazz. She would sustain him where every other drug had failed.

It’s no secret that I love everything these authors write. I first fell in love with their Love In Oblivion series when I stumbled on ROCKED by pure chance. And from then, it was as they say, history. While each book focuses on a different member of the band, I don’t recommend reading it out-of-order. There is a story arc that continues throughout the series that you wouldn’t be able to appreciate having read the books out-of-order. I highly recommend starting with the prequel (SEDUCED) first. It really introduces the characters and gives you a taste of things to come.

THE LOST IN OBLIVION SERIES
SEDUCED | ROCKED | TWISTED | DESTROYED | SHATTERED | OWNED

TEN TINY BREATHS by K.A. Tucker
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“Just breathe,” my mom would say.
“Ten tiny breaths…Seize them.
Feel them.Love them.”

Does this book even need an introduction or an explanation for being on my list? C’mon now!

“I don’t hate you. I could never hate you. Give me your heart, Kacey. I’ll take everything that comes with it.”

THE TEN TINY BREATHS SERIES
TEN TINY BREATHS | IN HER WAKE | ONE TINY LIE | FOUR SECONDS TO LOSE | FIVE WAYS TO FALL

THIN LOVE by Eden Butler
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“I don’t want easy. I want the impossible. I want love so thick, I drown in it; it’s the only thing worth having and, I’m sorry Kona, you’re a nice guy when you’re not acting like an entitled jackass, but I really don’t think you’re capable of being anything more than that.”

To date, this is still one of my favorite second chance romances. The angst is in epic proportions and I do mean epic. This book will make you rip your hair out, it will make you sob hysterically, it will make you scream like a lunatic, but ultimately it will make you feel every single emotion right along with the characters and love every second of it.

UBEARABLE GUILT by Emma Grayson
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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I was ripped from heaven with an angel, and tossed into the fiery pit of hell by myself with no way out. I wouldn’t ever allow myself to be released from its relentless grip.

If you ask me how this book first came on my radar, I wouldn’t be able to tell you. All I remember is reading that synopsis and knowing that I had to read it. And boy was I glad that I did because I absolutely loved it! I mean….just read this:

Kane Archer hasn’t always been tormented; he hasn’t always hated himself or been full of rage. He hasn’t always lived his life with an overpowering sense of guilt that threatens to destroy him. There was a time when his life was different. He was optimistic; he smiled and laughed; he loved passionately; he had it all. Kane was content—until the unthinkable took it all away. Two and a half years later and still reeling from his fiancée’s death, Kane returns to the one place he vowed he’d never visit again—Camden—with the promise to find the men who killed her and bring them to justice, regardless of the cost. Emotionally numb, stricken by guilt, and haunted by the events preceding Aimee’s death, the last thing Kane wanted was to meet someone he connected with; someone who made him feel again. As Kane gets closer to those responsible for Aimee’s death, he is thrown a curveball when he discovers a secret so devastating it rocks his world and threatens to destroy his chance at happiness. Whitney Jareau packed up her life when tragedy struck her family, leaving everything behind. Finally free from the persistent and domineering family that insisted she do the one thing she couldn’t, Whitney found peace in Camden. Two years later, her family wants her to come home and will stop at nothing to get her there. Wearing her heart on her sleeve for Kane Archer, a man so gorgeous it hurts to see the pain he carries, Whitney fights her family and refuses to return home to carry out their wishes. Can Whitney stay strong without giving in to the demands of her family? Can Kane let go of the past and move forward with the woman who brought him back to life? Or, will he walk away from her and carry the burden of UNBEARABLE GUILT

This is book 2 in the Breathe Again series, but easily enjoyed as a standalone

BROKEN by Lauren Layne
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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I almost want to laugh at how messed up we are.
Two completely shattered souls doing a weird approach-and-recoil dance around each other.

A New Adult take on beauty and the beast by the super amazing Lauren Layne? Hell. Yes.

Lauren Layne first hit my radar when I read ISN’T SHE LOVELY which funnily enough turned out to be the prequel to this amazing series. But don’t be fooled, it’s not a novella. It’s a full length novel that introduces the characters, so I think that’s why it’s not considered the prequel? But it has its own fabulous HEA. Each book in the series is easily enjoyed as a standalone.

THE REDEMPTION SERIES
ISN’T SHE LOVELY | BROKEN | CRUSHED

WALK THROUGH FIRE by Kristen Ashley
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“I gave you up, walking through fire to do it but I did…
I did it in the end. I gave you everything.”

Holy mother of ugly cries!!! I was a pathetic mess reading this book. Utterly pathetic I tells ya! I don’t remember the last time a book made me ugly cry to quite this caliber. I’m talking crocodile tears level here, people!

You already know I love me a second chance romance and Walk Through Fire had an absolutely epic one. As a matter of fact, I’ve re-read one particular scene in this book at least 4 times now and each time the water works start. It’s just that powerful. So. Good.

DIVIDED by Ivy Stone
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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He wasn’t supposed to show up on that bridge.
He wasn’t supposed to fill me with a slither of hope, for more, for different. But he did.

I first discovered Ivy Stone when I read the first book in her Unguarded series, EXPOSED. I fell in love with her writing style, her broken characters, and I knew I found myself a new author to stalk.

While each book in this series focuses on a different couple and their HEA, I highly recommend reading them in order because the backstory starts in the very beginning and you’d appreciate the story that much more having read each book.

BREAK EVEN by Lisa De Jong
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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To an outsider, I have it all- the job, the husband, and the house- but inside I’m nearly empty.

I’ll be honest, I was afraid to read this book. Utterly terrified. I’m not typically a reader that enjoys reading about a heroine that cheats, no matter what the circumstance. It’s a horrible double standard I have and I own it, because I’ll forgive the hero but not the heroine *hangs head in shame*

But this book is nothing like what I thought. It’s incredibly unpredictable, erotic, and utterly unputdownable. If you read any book by this author, please make it this one. Trust me. Take a chance on something outside your comfort zone. You will not regret it.

PAPER HEARTS by Claire Contreras
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“How would you describe the #feeling of #love in 140 or less characters?
Answer : Like somebody is gripping your heart, but you don’t want them to let go because the ache would worsen without them.”

You already know that second chance romance is my crack of choice, so are you even a little surprised to see this book on my list? Really? Are you? Of course you’re not! I adored Kaleidoscope Hearts, but I loved Paper Hearts even more. If you’re a fan of angsty second chance romance and you haven’t read these books yet, you need to get on them right now. RIGHT. NOW.

THE HEARTS SERIES
KALEIDOSCOPE HEARTS | PAPER HEARTS | ELASTIC HEARTS

HOPELESS by Colleen Hoover
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“Fuck all the firsts, Sky. The only thing that matters to me with you are the forevers.”

Um…I’m sorry, but do I even need to say anything here? I don’t think so. Carry on…

“The moment my lips touch yours, it will be your first kiss. Because if you’ve never felt anything when someone’s kissed you, then no one’s ever really kissed you. Not the way I plan on kissing you.”

“I live you, Sky,” he says against my lips. “I live you so much.”

FISHER’S LIGHT
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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I’m going to fix this. I have to fix this… I hate every moment that I’m away from her, but I will do whatever it takes to find the man she once loved and bring him back to her.”

Yet another second chance romance that I adored! I seriously loved every single angsty page of this! One of my top reads of that year.

How do I get that back when the darkness is hell bent on taking over, holding me in its clutches and making sure I never see the sunshine again?

TOXIC by Kim Karr
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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Jeremy McQueen.
He wasn’t just any boy- he was “the boy”. The only one I never should have met, and the one I’d never trade meeting for the world.

And since we’re on a second chance romance angst kick, how can I not mention this deliciousness?

I loved him once, even though I’d never told him I did. And as I looked at him, everything I’d ever felt for him came rushing back.

 

PAPER PRINCESS
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“You should know whatever game you’re playing, you can’t win. Not against all of us.
If you leave now, you won’t be hurt. If you stay, we’ll break you so bad that you’ll be crawling away.”

Book. Crack.

Warning: this book will cause nervous break downs, eye ticks, random screaming episodes, cause you to perve on a 17 yr old alphahole and be glued to your kindle from beginning to finish. That is all. You’ve been warned.

This will never be my home. I don’t belong in splendor, I belong in squalor. That’s what I know. It’s what I’m comfortable with because squalor doesn’t lie to you. It’s not wrapped up in a pretty package. It is what it is.

THE ROYALS TRILOGY (Warning: Rage inducing cliffys ahead)
PAPER PRINCESS | BROKEN PRINCE | TWISTED PALACE

UNBREAK MY HEART by Jacquelyn 
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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I’d pushed her aside for so long that there was no foundation to build on. Just a mess of shattered pieces that I’d crushed with a sledgehammer every time she’d grown closer than I was comfortable with.

Quite easily my favorite angsty romance I’ve read all year. ALL OF THE ANGST!!! Oh man! If you love serious alphaholes, angst so thick you can choke on it, and a story so addicting that you can’t stop reading it for even a second? Read. This. Book.

For the past couple of nights when I’d lain down beside her, after she’d called asleep and I knew she couldn’t hear me, I’d promised her that she’d never have to forgive me again if she could do it one last time.

OTHER DGR ANGSTY FAVORITES

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The following are all book recommendations I’ve received (thanks to my favorite angst pusher, Carolin Jache)

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★DGR’s Ultimate List of Mafia Romance★

May 28, 2016 by · 7 Comments

DGR-Ultimate list of mafia romance

It’s that time of the month again, dirty birds! You know, the time where I bring you a brand, spanking new Ultimate List with a category of your choosing. Oh yeah. By the way, I post the category choices at the beginning of each month in my Facebook group HERE. So if you haven’t yet, make sure you join the inappropriate fun 😉

But I digress…

With all the craziness of last month, I totally missed doing my list and I’m so sorry! I’ve been a bad girl and deserve a spanking (preferably from one of the heroes in the books I’m about to list here…uhem…) But no worries, this will not be repeating itself. I post these lists monthly, and monthly you shall get them.

This month you guys wanted to see Mafia Romance, and since this happens to tickle my particular fancy as well, I was beyond happy to deliver. Now keep in mind, this will be kept specifically to mafia only. I passed over some books that had a similar vibe but weren’t “organized crime” centered in order to stay as true to the category as possible. As always I’ll give you guys my recs of the books I’ve personally read and loved, and I’ll follow that with a list of recs that I’ve received and have purchased the books for.

And if you’re new to my blog, this a monthly feature I do on the last Saturday of each month! Check out the previous features here:

★ULTIMATE LIST OF DIRTY TALKERS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ROCK STARS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF FIGHTERS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ANTI-HEROES★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF HATE TO LOVE ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE★

Now without further ado, let’s do this thing.

THE PROFESSIONAL by Kresley Cole

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“When a woman singles me out”—he leaned down to murmur at my ear—“it’s because she wants to get fucked. She looks at the scars and tattoos and knows she’ll get fucked hard.”

I’ve been a HUGE Kresley Cole fan for years. I have her entire IAD series in paperback. I’m slightly obsessed, I admit. The woman is the queen of sassy heroines and uber alphas. I love her PNR.

When I saw that she was coming out with a new erotic romance that just happens to feature some mafia baddies, suffice it to say I was all over it like a stripper on a pole. True story. Now I’ll admit, the first book didn’t quite blow me away, but it’s deliciously dirty and if you’re looking for a super sexy dirty talker, Mafiya enforcer Aleksei “The Siberian” Sevastyan will be RIGHT UP your pervy little alley. Originally released as a 3 part series, THE PROFESSIONAL is now a full novel in a series of 3. Each book is a different couple and may be enjoyed as a standalone though I recommend reading in order 😉

GAME MAKER SERIES ORDER

THE PROFESSIONAL | THE MASTER | THE PLAYER

EVAN ARDEN by Shay Savage

GOODREADS | AMAZON
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How did I get here? I wasn’t stupid. I also wasn’t so far gone to not remember the basics of what happened. After serving my tour of duty as a Marine sniper in the Middle East coupled with eighteen months as a prisoner of war, being exiled to Arizona for screwing up a hit for my mob-boss, spending too much time thinking about the girl I met there, and killing my favorite hooker for betraying me, I’d finally lost it and started shooting up the neighborhood.

Got your attention now, didn’t I? Don’t lie, you’re intrigued. Well you should be! A former Marine suffering from PTSD and battling his inner demons throughout his life as a hit man for the top Chicago mafia boss, Rinaldo Moretti? It’s as delicious as it sounds. This box set has all 5 books in the series. The first 3 is what I read and has a HEA at the end of book 3. The author later released a novella and a novel which I didn’t read for personal taste reasons, but I hear it was just as good as the first 3. And all of these are in this fantastic box set!

COMPLETE CORRUPTION by CD Reiss

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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“I tried to stay away,” he said. “I’ve never wanted a woman this much in my life. I’d burn cities to have you. I’d fight armies. I’d commit murder to take you right now.”

Originally released as a series of 3, this is the full set. Hurrah for no waiting! I was a HUGE fan of CD’s Songs of Submission series. If you haven’t read that, I can’t recommend it enough.

Songs of Corruption focuses on the story of Theresa Drazen (who’s the sister of Jonathan from SoS). But you don’t need to read SoS in order to enjoy SoC. And of course the hero here is the sinfully sexy Mafia capo, Antonio Spinelli.

 

MONSTER IN HER EYES by JM Darhower

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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He’s a whirlpool of darkness, and I feel myself getting sucked deeper and deeper into the depths of his abyss. I’m drowning in him.

Gah. GAH! This book! This series!! I can’t even. First of all, no one writes mafia romance quite like JM Darhower. I’ve loved each and every book I’ve read by her.

Monster In His Eyes is book 1 of 3, and follows the story of Karissa and Naz. Monster in his Eyes is told in Karissa’s POV, Torture To Her Soul follows that with Naz’s POV. The amazing conclusion is Target on Our Backs.

MONSTER IN HIS EYES series order

MONSTER IN HIS EYES | TORTURE TO HER SOUL | TARGET ON OUR BACKS

RUTHLESS PEOPLE by JJ McAvoy

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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She would never convert to what I needed her to be. She was a ruthless savage, and if you cannot break a ruthless savage, you need to figure out how to tame them.

What happens when an arranged marriage puts the head of the Irish mob with the head of the Italian mob? A whole lot of crazy fuckery! Holy fuck, this series is crazy! There is no good guys to be found. Both the hero and heroine are absolutely batshit and bad to their bone, and I freaking loved it! This is a trilogy that must be read in order since the story isn’t complete until the final book.

 

RUTHLESS PEOPLE Series order

RUTHLESS PEOPLE | THE UNTOUCHABLES |AMERICAN SAVAGES

 REAP by Tillie Cole

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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Our desperate gazes met.
He took a deep breath.
Then he whispered, “You are…for me?”

While I didn’t quite love the first book in this series, I have to say I really enjoyed this one. The set up is darkly intriguing; you have ‘slaves’ who are imprisoned and conditioned in captivity to maim, to kill and to slaughter, known only by their numbers. Reap focuses on prisoner818 who raised as a prototype for the Georgian Bratva’s obedience drug, 221. He cannot act or think for himself. Knows only death and bloodshed. The heroine happens to be a mafia princess and the daughter of the Russian Bratva boss.

Reap is book 2 in Tillie Cole’s Scarred Souls series, and while you may read it as a standalone since it focuses on a different main couple and their HEA, I highly recommend you start with book 1. Because while Reap tells the story of Zaal and Talia, it also gives the readers a continuation of Luka through his POV. It builds up on what has begun in Raze and it would connect you to the story that much more having previously read that.

SCARRED SOULS SERIES

RAZE | REAP | RAVAGE (releasing Aug 16, 2016)

FLAWED by Francette Phal

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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Have you ever looked at something so beautiful, so utterly alluring that you just wanted to destroy it? That’s what you are to me. You are this beautiful thing I want to destroy.

Hmmm…how would I describe this book? Basically his it’s like the love child that would result if Seduced In The Dark and Dexter ever had wild monkey sex and then had a baby that was seriously fucked in the head. Like SERIOUSLY fucked in the head.

The hero is utterly fucked up. If you want rainbows and unicorns, fuck right off with that. I’m not even kidding here. The man is basically a hit man. A sociopath on a good day. He gets off on pain and death… and yet I absolutely loved this book. What the fuck does that say about me? Don’t even answer that right now! Flawed is a cliffhanger and book two (CARNAGE) is hopefully coming out end of August this year.

THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT by Katee Robert

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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

As far as grit and darkness, The Marriage Contract is a bit on the lighter side. This one had a case of the insta-love and yet it was still a fabulous read. The series focuses on the O’Malley family; a powerful Irish Boston mafia family. The head of the O’Malley family is intent on marrying off his children in order to solidify powerful mafia alliances with other families, and the result is one intriguing story. I’ve read both The Marriage Contract and The Wedding Pact, and enjoyed both thoroughly. Though I did love the set up of book 2 a bit more with the forbidden romance of two warring families element being the major focus.

THE ENFORCER by Kele Moon

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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I fucking love you, Brianna…
I wouldn’t just bleed for you… I’d bleed motherfuckers out for you.”

If you were to ask me what my all time favorite mafia romance book was, this book would be it. Bar none. Nothing ever touched me on such a visceral level as this one did. Brutal, powerful, emotional, gut wrenching, all consuming, gritty, and so raw it’ll make your heart bleed.

Yeah. This book is just that good. I’ve been a huge fan of all things Kele Moon for many years now, but she absolutely blew me away with Tino’s story. I’d highly recommend starting this series in order so you can truly appreciate all the character’s backstories. Keep in mind Enforcer is part 1 of a 2 part story. On that note, it ends in a very satisfying place that I wouldn’t quite consider to be a cliffhanger. If you read any book from my list, this one should be at the very top. I simply can’t recommend it enough.

UNTAMED HEARTS SERIES

THE VIPER | THE SLAYER | THE ENFORCER

The Enforcer -Teaser4

That’s it for books that I’ve read an loved, but I have recommendations galore from fellow readers and I’ll include those below. I have all of these books on my kindle already, since you guys know I won’t recommend anything that I wouldn’t personally be interested in reading myself. So here we go…

MADE by JM Darhower

GOODREADS | AMAZON

This is easily the most recommended book I have on my list. Everyone and I mean everyone that read it absolutely loved it!

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Corrado Moretti.

The world knows the notorious Kevlar Killer, but few have ever seen what lies beneath his armor. The abused child. The neglected teenager. The broken man. He always did whatever he had to do in order to survive.

It’s kill or be killed.

Throughout his life, he has been there in the shadows, a witness to everything from beginning to end. Bound by loyalty and honor, there’s only one thing he would sacrifice it all for: family.

Never get close. Never get attached. It’s a lesson that has been brutally pounded into him since childhood, but they’re words the DeMarcos make it difficult for him to follow. Through them he finds love and grieves loss, realizing the world isn’t quite as black and white as it’s made out to be.

A LOVE OF VENGEANCE (Wanted Men #1) by Nancy Haviland

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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Once the most feared member of an Italian Mafia crime family, Gabriel Moretti returns to New York at the request of his mentor, Russian crime boss Vasily Tarasov. Vasily needs someone he can trust in Seattle to protect his estranged daughter, Eva Jacobs, while he avenges the murder of the young woman’s mother. Gabriel is unstoppable in a fight, whether he’s using fists, blades, or bullets; but innocent, onyx-haired Eva may just be the most dangerous—and beautiful—thing he’s come up against.

Intense sparks fly between the two, tempting Gabriel to mix business with pleasure while in the Emerald City. But once word gets around that Gabriel has shown up in New York, Stefano—his vengeful brother and the de facto head of the family—decides that Eva is the key to ending the feud between them…permanently.

In this pulse-pounding romantic thriller set against the backdrop of New York City’s storied underworld, loyalties will be tested, secrets will be told, and mob justice will be served.

WANTED MEN series

A LOVE OF VENGEANCE | THE SALVATION OF VENGEANCE | AN OBSESSION WITH VENGEANCE

LUCIAN (Filthy Marcellos #1) by Bethany-Kris

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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Lucian Marcello is aware of the expectations following him as the oldest son of one of North America’s most infamous Cosa Nostra Dons. Family in his world is more than blood and sharing a last name. It’s the honor, respect, business, and the life. Being a Capo is just a stepping stone until it’s time for him to take on the role of underboss but a chance meeting with her could be the one thing he’d risk it all for.

She is exactly what he didn’t know he was looking for.

Jordyn Reese spends her time trying to stay under the radar of a man who wouldn’t think twice about killing her. Unwillingly affiliated with a dangerous MC gang, her life is dominated by the men surrounding her and her future rests solely in how useful she can be for them. The last thing she needs is some Mafioso gaining her more unwanted attention from the club.

He is everything she should stay away from but can’t.

Notoriously violent when it comes to getting what he wants, Lucian will stop at nothing to make the target on Jordyn’s back disappear. But sometimes the worst threats are the ones you can’t see until it’s too late. The truth behind Lucian’s history is about to take center stage in more ways than one, and it’ll either save him … or kill him.

This world leaves everyone a little filthy.

Filthy Marcellos, Book One

FILTHY MARCELLOS series

LUCIAN | GIOVANNI | DANTE

CROW (Boston Underworld #1) by A. Zaverelli

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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He’s a killer. A mobster.

The last man on earth I’d ever want to be with. I won’t lose my head just because he’s hot, Irish, and has a wicked accent to boot.

He’s one of the only leads in my best friend’s disappearance, and I don’t trust him.

So I’ve got a few rules in mind when it comes to dealing with Lachlan Crow.

1. Keep a clear head and don’t get distracted.
2. Do what’s necessary and never forget why you’re there.
3. Never, and I mean never, fall for him.

Fourth and final rule?

Throw out the book altogether. Because the rules don’t apply when it comes to the Irish mafia.

It was only supposed to be temporary, but now Lachlan thinks he owns me. He says he’s not letting me go.

And I believe him.

***
Lachlan.

I don’t know who she is. I don’t know why she’s here.

But if it’s my attention she wants, she has it.

The Russians want her dead, and now it’s up to me to look out for her. This girl is trouble. A distraction I can’t afford.

So why have I already decided she’s mine?

I’ve claimed her and there’s no going back now.

This is a full-length standalone novel full of hot Irish bad boys with accents. Steamy and dark mafia themes throughout. HEA included.

BOSTON UNDERGROUND series

CROW | REAPER

HIGH STAKES (Vittorio Crime Family #1) by Vanessa Waltz

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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There are a million reasons why I should stay away from Vincent Cesare.

This was supposed to be temporary. I was supposed to deal for his illegal card games and get some quick cash. That was it. I wasn’t supposed to fall for him.

Little by little, I see the monster grinning at me through the cracks in his pretty suit. He won’t tell me what he does, and I’m not sure I want to know. The darkness in his eyes terrifies me. He’s seduced me into his web of lies with his charm, and now I’m trapped in his life. He’s taken control over me without me even realizing…or resisting.

I’m in way over my head.

He promised that nothing would ever happen to me. The Vittorio family wants me dead and there’s only one person I can turn to. But what scares me is what I’ll have to do.

I’ll need to become his.

VITTORIO CRIME FAMILY series

HIGH STAKES | DOUBLE BLIND | END GAME | HIS WITNESS

FOOTSTEPS (The Pagano Family #1) by Susan Fanetti 

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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Carlo Pagano Jr. is the eldest son of a large Italian-American family in Quiet Cove, Rhode Island. He’s a disappointment to his father but a hero to the young son he is raising alone, after his wife abandoned them.

Sabina Alonzo-Auberon is a beautiful Argentine native married to one of the most powerful and wealthy men in New England. Though James Auberon is highly esteemed, the power and glamour the world sees hide a darker reality that exists within the walls of their home. Sabina is trapped in a life of control and abasement, living with a man too powerful and vengeful to escape.

Sabina doesn’t wish to be rescued and whisked away on a white horse. She’s not looking for a fairy tale hero; she knows the fairy tale is a lie. She’s waiting for the chance to save herself. But she won’t turn down help if it comes.

A fateful meeting with Carlo brings Sabina the chance to break free and make a life on her own terms. If any name demands respect and strikes fear more than Auberon, it’s Pagano. Carlo’s uncles head one of the most powerful ‘families’ in the Northeast, and they will offer their help—for a price.

What begins as an offer of assistance deepens into an intense bond, but before Carlo and Sabina can be together, they must overcome the obstacles in their path.

Together Carlo and Sabina seek true and honest love, and freedom from the demons of their pasts, but no quest was ever without its trials.

THE PAGANO FAMILY SERIES

FOOTSTEPS | TOUCH | ROOTED | DEEP | PRAYER

MAFIA CAPTIVE by Kitty Thomas

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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Faith Jacobson was in the wrong place at the wrong time. After witnessing a mob hit, she’s only moments from death when Angelo Raspallo decides to give his brother an unlikely gift. Leo has avoided involvement with the family business, but it doesn’t make him a saint. He’s troubled and ashamed by his darker sexual desires, one of which is to own a slave. But when his brother throws Faith at his feet, repainting the scenario to make Leo the hero rescuing her from certain death, his moral fortitude will be tested. If Faith were kinky, it would be easy to live out his fantasy, but she’s not. Not even a little bit. Even the mildest spanking sparks terror in her that Leo can’t bear. The gift soon becomes a burden as he fights with himself over how to handle the addition to his home. He could release her, but his brother doesn’t do loose ends. The only thing keeping her out of the bottom of the harbor is Leo’s mercy. She’s like a beautiful piece of art he keeps in a glass case but can never touch. Is possessing her enough?

ROUGH (Chicago Underground #1) by Skye Warren

GOODREADS | AMAZON (Currently FREE on Amazon)

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I’m a cautionary tale. A statistic. A victim. A single teenage mother from the poor part of town. Most of the time I’m too busy working and struggling to care what people think. Survival doesn’t come easy.

I have a dark secret, a pressure valve, a rare moment just for myself. On these nights I visit a club. There I find men who give me what I need. Men who aren’t afraid to take what they want.

Men like Colin.

But he takes more than a few stolen hours. He demands more than my body. He wants my heart and soul–my happily ever after. I never thought I’d be Cinderella. I never thought a man that rough could be my prince.

THE CHICAGO UNDERGROUND SERIES

ROUGH | HARD | FIERCE | WILD | DIRTY | SECRET | DEEP

BOUND BY HONOR (Born In Blood Mafia Chronicles #1) by Cora Reilly 

GOODREADS | AMAZON (Currently FREE on Amazon)

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Born into one of the leading Mob families in Chicago, Aria Scuderi struggles to find her own path in a world where no choices are given. Aria was only fifteen when her parents betrothed her to Luca – The Vice – Vitiello, the oldest son of the head of the New York Cosa Nostra to ensure peace between the two families.
Now with eighteen, the day Aria has been dreading for years is looming dangerously: her wedding to Luca.
Aria is terrified of marrying a man she hardly knows, especially someone like Luca who got his nickname ‘the Vice’ for crushing a man’s throat with his bare hands. Luca might be one of the most sought after men in New York thanks to his good looks, wealth and predator-like charisma that radiates power, but the society girls throwing themselves at him don’t know what Aria does: that the bad boy aura isn’t just a game; blood and death lurk beneath Luca’s striking gray eyes and arrogant smile.
In her world a handsome exterior often hides the monster within; a monster who can just as easily kill as kiss you.
The only way to escape the marriage to Luca would be to run away and leave everything she’s ever known behind but Aria can’t bear the thought of never seeing her family again.
Despite her fear, she decides to go through with the marriage; Aria has grown up among predators like Luca and knows that even most cold-hearted bastards have a heart and she has every intention of working her way into Luca’s.

Born In Blood Mafia Chronicles series

BOUND BY HONOR | BOUND BY DUTY | BOUND BY HATRED | BOUND BY TEMPTATION

HOLD YOU AGAINST ME (Stripped #4) by Skye Warren

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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Once upon a time the daughter of a mafia king fell in love with a foot soldier.

This fairy tale didn’t have a happy ending.

My sister and I barely managed to escape alive, and we’ve lived in relative hiding ever since. I’m safe now, but I can never forget the boy who gave his life to save mine.

Except there’s a chance that he’s still alive. And he’s fighting a war.

Even knowing the risks, I have to find him. I have to find some way to protect him, the way he protected me. But he isn’t the boy I left behind. He’s a violent man. A criminal. And he’s been waiting for me—the final pawn in a dark game of survival and love.

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New Release Review & Author Interview: ★Cuff Me★ by @_LaurenLayne

March 29, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

Review-Cuff MeCuff Me
Series: New York’s Finest #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Lauren Layne
Release Date: March 29, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

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Meet New York’s Finest-three hot brothers sworn to protect and serve the city they love… and the women who’ve stolen their hearts.

ARRESTED BY LOVE

Vincent Moretti is one of the NYPD’s top homicide detectives-and one of the most eligible bachelors in town. His family, however, thinks he should date his longtime partner, Jill-a sassy, sexy, smart-mouthed blonde who drives him absolutely crazy.

Behind the quiet authority, tough-guy demeanor, and dark aviator glasses lies a man with a big soul-and a hard body that can soften any girl’s heart. After years as his coworker, Jill Henley has given up hope that anything could happen between her and Vin. Besides, loving him would break all the rules. But seeing Jill with someone else triggers feelings in Vincent he never knew he had. Now he’ll have to stop playing good cop/bad cop-and find a way to convince her to be his partner for life. . .

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKS | B&NReview4.5 starsCuff Me-DGR

Vincent Moretti was more than her partner.
So much more.
What he was to her, she didn’t know how to name. Or wasn’t ready to.

If there’s one thing that Lauren Layne knows how to do, it’s to write a swoony, feel-good, and super sexy contemporary romance. Cuff Me just may be my favorite in the series and of course the grumpy Vince is definitely my favorite Moretti brother…so far anyway.

Vincent and Jill first caught my attention in Frisk Me. Vincent and Jill are partners and homicide detectives for the NYPD, but that’s not what intrigued me. What intrigued me was the hate/lust current that practically sizzled between them. Though it’s not quite hate, more as it is denial. You just know that these two are attracted to each other and try to mask it with barbs and insults, and you simply can’t wait for them to realize it. This was friends-to-lovers but with a little bit more to it and I enjoyed every page of it.

It’s refreshing to get a hero that has his issues but they’re not rooted in some deep emotional scars or anything like that. Vin is a regular man with no OTT issues but he just doesn’t happen to believe in a HEA for himself.

He believed in love. He did.
He just didn’t believe in it for him.
Not because he had any gory emotional wounds, not because he had some brokenhearted past.
He was just…he didn’t feel like other people did.

It was a nice change of pace from the typical broody and tortured hero that you normally find in romance these days. After two books of wondering what made Vin tick and made him the man that he is today, I can certainly say I was not left disappointed with the way the author handled it.

Quiet. Reserved. Broody.
It’s not that he didn’t feel. Of course he did. He just didn’t feel out loud.

Jill is the exact opposite of Vin. She’s sassy to his grumpy, she’s sunny to his broody, she’s smiley to his scowly…well you get the point. If anything I liked Jill even more in this book.

Lauren Layne took an interesting turn in order to get these two to finally see what’s brewing between them and at first I wasn’t sure that’s a particular direction I would enjoy. I had my doubts because it’s not something that normally works for me. However, Miss Layne did such a fantastic job with it then I ended up enjoying it a whole lot more than I thought. I think a huge part of that is due to Jill. She’s so bubbly and endearing, it’s impossible not to like her. She says what she means and she means what she says, and I definitely loved the way she went after what she wanted.

She wanted Vincent Moretti desperately, consequences be damned. And so Jill did the bravest thing she could think of. She went on her toes. And kissed him.

I loved watching Vin’s inevitable fall. It wasn’t instant. Heck, it was basically six years in the making since that’s how long they’ve been partners. But I really appreciated that the author still made it a slow burn and didn’t just throw them together at the very first opportunity. It made it that much more enjoyable and realistic for me.

I excepted more of my beloved hate lust, but this was more friends to lovers and you’ll get zero complaints from me. It was humorous, steamy, and super cute! A guaranteed win for any contemporary romance lover that enjoys their heroes extra broody and their heroines down to earth and with a smart mouth. I sincerely hope that the author continues on with the series because I’m not done with these Moretti siblings yet.

Graphic is stock purchased and created by me for DGR blog. 

Author Interview

DGR: Hi Lauren! Thanks so much for being here today!

LL: Oh gosh, thanks for having me!!! We authors practically preen when we get the chance to talk about our book-babies 🙂

DGR: Let’s start simple. Can you introduce yourself to readers that may not be familiar with your books?

LL: Definitely! So, my name is Lauren Layne, I was born in on a sunny April morning in San Diego in the early 80s … 🙂 For real though, I write what I like to call “sexy romantic comedies.” Basically, I like to think about my work as as the book equivalents of your favorite romantic comedies, with plenty of sexy time. My goal is always to make readers laugh and swoon, in either order.

DGR: Now let’s talk about your New York’s Finest series. Can you tell us a little bit about it?

LL: Yes! Hot Cops. The end. Oh wait, not enough? Okay, so … New York’s Finest is about a family, first and foremost. The Morettis are NYPD royalty, meaning that their blood quite possibly runs blue! Each story is about a different brother, all deliciously sexy in their own way 🙂 I also feel the need to mention Nonna, the outrageous grandma who steals almost every scene she’s in.

DGR: Cuff Me is book 3 in the series and all about the grumpy Moretti brother, Vin. What can readers expect from his book?

LL: Longing. I don’t know how else to describe it other than this book, for all its joking banter, has an undercurrent of longing and want. Vin/Jill have known each other forever, wanted each other for at least that long, but they’re completely unaware of the other’s feelings. (stubborn, these two!) Of all the books in the series, this one’s perhaps the most, “hey, I’m the author and I’m going to rip your heart out.” 🙂 You’ve been warned!

DGR: I loved the hate/lust thing that Vin and Jill had going on through the previous two books. But Cuff Me wasn’t quite what I expected. It was more of a friends-to-lovers vibe. I loved that! Were they a fun couple to write?

LL: Oh thank you! You know, they WERE a fun couple to write, but tricky, too. I love their banter in the earlier books, and love it here too, but as I settled down to really get to know them, I realized how much trust they had to have in the other person. Yes, they’ve got their bickering thing going on, yes, they drive each other nuts, but they quite literally, put their life on the line for each other every single day. The foundation of their relationship was really much deeper than even I knew!

DGR: Jill is such a spitfire! All the heroines in the series are, in their own way, but I have to admit that Jill is probably my favorite so far. How would you describe her?

LL: Oh man. Jill makes me laugh. Ava (book 1) was very much a ball-buster, ambitious almost to a fault. Maggie (book 2) was much sweeter, but not quite soft, as she knew when it was time to stand up for herself. Jill is a whole other creature entirely. Jill has a really strong sense of self, which I think is rare in the romance genre. Often we see strong heroines, but quite often they’re hiding something, or they have a secret soft spot, that they reveal only to the hero. And that’s lovely, but it’s also not Jill. More than any other heroine I’ve written, I think she perhaps is the most “what you see is what you get,” and I really love that about her.

DGR: Did you have a favorite scene to write in Cuff Me?

LL: A couple, actually. I’m a sucker for that doughnut scene (no spoilers here, but you’ll know it when you get to i!) It was actually a late addition to the story, added in the final round of revisions on a whim, and I sort of knew it was perfect and crucial to the book the minute I put it in there. The other is the “motel scene.” That one was there from the very beginning, and I think it’s the first time we see Vin at his weakest, getting to see how he really is when he doesn’t think Jill’s watching. It’s a heart-melter, if I do so say so myself 😉

DGR: What about the hardest scene to write?

LL: You know, I would have thought it would be the “murder plot” stuff, as I’m not a romantic suspense writer (at all), but I was pleasantly surprised by how easily the “mystery” part came. Not that this is a mystery novel by any means, but there’s a tiny element of “who dunnit” that I enjoyed more than I thought I would! As far as what was hardest, I’d say it was as we got to the end and I had to figure out how the hell I was going to get Vincent “out of his shell” while still staying true to his character. I don’t want to say too much, but there’s this scene towards the end where Vincent’s heart is literally breaking, but Jill doesn’t know it, and getting that one just right took me a few times!

DGR: Let’s talk Moretti brothers; can we expect for the fourth Moretti to be getting a book in the series? And what about that Moretti sister?

LL: Oh man. I’ll have to say “TBD” on fourth brother (Marc) as well as the sister (Elena). 🙂 I will say that I have Marco’s story VERY clear in my head, and Elena’s “not at all.” Man, that girl is secretive!

DGR: What’s up next for you?

LL: Haha, I feel like my answer to this question is always: lots! 2016 is a huge year for me! 7 releases for me, plus a novella, and CUFF ME is only the second in that set 🙂 Next up, I have Good Girl in May about a Nashville pop princess on the run from the paparazzi after a “cheating” scandal, followed by a brand new series about Manhattan wedding planners in the summer, and then I’ll be wrapping it up with Someone Like You in December, which LL fans likely know simply as “Lincoln’s book.” 🙂

DGR: Anything you’d like to close with?

 LL: Just that I so appreciate you allowing me to stop by and talk about Vincent and Jill, and that if you’re a sucker for romantic comedies and grumpy heroes, you’ll love CUFF Me. Promise 🙂

 

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Spotlight, Author Interview & Giveaway with @authorerinwatt

March 28, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

Spotlight-Paper Princess

When was the last time you read a book that sucked you in so bad, you couldn’t put it down for even a second? I’m talking the worst kind of book crack kind of book. You know what I’m talking about here; the kind that will leave you shaking in withdrawal once you finish with your skin practically itching for the next fix? Oh yeah. That, dirty birds, was Paper Princess to me. I don’t remember the last time I read a book in quite literary one sitting. My kindle went with me everywhere. Hell, I’m surprised I only walked into a door and a wall twice considering I couldn’t be bothered to lift my nose from my book long enough to see where I’m going. So suffice it to say that ever since I finished, I’ve been going through the worst book hangover OF MY LIFE! And no I’m not being melodramatic or exaggerating even a little bad. It hurts, dammit!

So when I got the chance to chat with the super talented duo, Jen Frederick and Elle Kennedy; who are writing as Erin Watt and are the masterminds behind this little cracktastic masterpiece, of course I jumped at the chance. I couldn’t wait to pick their brain on all things Paper Princess, the Royals series, I may have also tried to bribe them an inner organ or two for an early release of Broken Prince (The Royals #2). Oh and if you missed it, you can find my 5 Star review of Paper Princess HERE.

Now without further ado, let’s get to the interview, shall we?

 

DGR: So, first things first, you both have some super addicting book series going individually, what made you decide to come together for this project?

EW: Deciding to work together was a spur of the moment thing that occurred after various emails back and forth. We started with football talk (serious business!) and it somehow turned into a mutual desire to write an over-the-top-omg-drama YA novel.

DGR: How did you come up with this pen name?

EW: We’re both huge football fans so the name is a tribute to our favorite players: Aaron Rodgers and J.J. Watt.

DGR: Now let’s just jump right into things, can you tell the readers about Paper Princess and The Royals series?

EW: The Royals series is a super angsty, drama-filled series that starts with our heroine Ella being plucked from a world where she’s fending for herself and deposited into the midst of a broken Royal family and a bunch of super-wealthy, snobby, image-driven teenagers. It’s YA Gossip Girl, Cruel Intentions and Mean Girls rolled up into one!

DGR: Now be honest, did you sit down and say to yourself, I’m going to write the literary equivalent of crack that will hook readers fast and quick and then leave them quivering messes while suffering from the worst kind of withdrawals known as the book hangover to beat all hangovers?!

EW: We knew this book was going to be fun to write, but we had no idea the effect it was going to have on our readers! We are considering putting together some sort of “#RuinedByRoyals” support group.

DGR: Side note; if I promise you my first born and a kidney, any chance you’ll release Broken Prince early? How about if I throw an ovary into that mix? No?

EW: You’d probably have a better chance if you offered puppies and famous athlete signed footballs, but sadly, no… 🙂

DGR: Back to business then, did you have any inspiration for the characters in Paper Princess?

EW: No, we didn’t have any particular actors or actresses in mind. We started with Ella and the characters grew from there.

 DGR: Did you have a favorite part to write about the book?

EW: Can we say all of it? LOL Pretty much any scene involving Reed and Ella was a joy to write.

DGR: I have to admit this was by far one of the most addicting and captivating books I’ve read in a long damn while. Was it just as fun to write as it was for me to read?

EW: We had a blast writing it! It was a mixture of wanting to pour everything we loved into the book, and the anticipation of seeing what the other person was going to write. We ended up writing it in about 2 weeks!

DGR: Are you closet sadists? Because that ending hurt like a mother, and I’m pretty sure you like knowing that, no?

EW: Our goal was never to make our readers suffer, but we definitely wanted them to feel. Whether it was cheering for Ella or getting mad at something someone did (stupid Jordan!), we wanted our readers to really be invested in the soap opera we were trying to create. Sorry for the hangover? 😉

DGR: Right now there’s 3 books listed for The Royals series; so will it be a trilogy or do you plan to write more?

EW: Right now the Royals is slated to be a trilogy, but we’ve already had numerous requests to expand on different characters, so who knows what lies ahead…

DGR: Now let’s talk about all things Royal: Callum, Easton, and the twins are very intriguing characters. They’re all equally unique and captivate the reader, any chance you’ll be giving the rest of the Royal boys a book?

EW: The great thing about the Royal men is they have so many layers. The problem is, everyone has their favorite. Elle is obsessed with Easton, while Jen is Team Reed all the way. We haven’t decided yet about who will get a book, because really… how do you even begin to choose?

DGR: I absolutely loved Ella. She’s such a firecracker yet she still maintains this vulnerability to her and she doesn’t take any shit from anyone. What’s your favorite part about Ella? How would you describe her to readers that haven’t met her yet?

EW: Ella’s tough! She’s a street-smart survivor who’s done what she had to do to get by. But she’s not hardened—she’s still a teenage girl trying to figure out herself and her new surroundings.

DGR: Now let’s just talk about the broody object of my obsession: Reed. Because GAH! Can you possibly write a more perfect alpha-hole? How would you describe Reed?

EW: Reed is complicated. He’s broken, distrustful, yet man enough to admit when he’s wrong and try to make things right. He’s also incredibly loyal, and dangerous to mess with. If you were to get in a fight, he’s the guy you’d want at your side.

DGR: Was there a part of the book that you struggled with or had a tough time writing?

EW: This was a dream project. From start to finish, it took about two weeks so no, there wasn’t any struggle in this story. We suppose the struggle was ending it, but we started the next one almost immediately after so even that wasn’t very tortuous.

DGR: If you had to describe The Royals to readers in 10 words or less, what would they be?

EW: Angst, Drama, OMG-The-Feels, No-It-Didn’t!, YA Goodness

DGR: But seriously though, what if I put the second ovary into the mix? Still no earlier book release?

EW: Um… No :p

DGR: Did you have a favorite character to write?

EW: Easton! He’s incredibly playful yet exasperating at the same time. He bounces between manic and destructive periods, but when he puts his mind to something, he’s getting his way. He’s also super cute.

DGR: If The Royals was ever made into a movie or a TV series, and let’s be honest here, that’d be one cracktastic and kickass series I’d love to watch! Who would be your dream cast? (I’d love to make a casting image board to go along with this answer)

EW: Goodness! What a great question. Reed could be played by a dark-haired Kellan Lutz. Gideon by Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The twins by Nathan Kress. Easton by Dylan O’Brien.

As for Ella, it would have to be a really special actress. J-Law? Emma Stone? Emma Watson? Chloe Moretz?

DGR: Alright, I think I’ve harassed you with enough questions 🙂 Anything you’d like to leave the readers with?

EW: Paper Princess is a roller coaster of emotions and events. You may want to have your chocolate handy 🙂 Happy Reading!

About The BookPaper Princess
Series: The Royals #1
Genre: YA/NA Romance
Author: Erin Watt
Release Date: April 4, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

The-Royals-Paper-Princess-cover-Erin-Watt-Elle-Kennedy-Jen-Frederick

From strip clubs and truck stops to southern coast mansions and prep schools, one girl tries to stay true to herself.

These Royals will ruin you…

Ella Harper is a survivor—a pragmatic optimist. She’s spent her whole life moving from town to town with her flighty mother, struggling to make ends meet and believing that someday she’ll climb out of the gutter. After her mother’s death, Ella is truly alone.

Until Callum Royal appears, plucking Ella out of poverty and tossing her into his posh mansion among his five sons who all hate her. Each Royal boy is more magnetic than the last, but none as captivating as Reed Royal, the boy who is determined to send her back to the slums she came from.

Reed doesn’t want her. He says she doesn’t belong with the Royals.

He might be right.

Wealth. Excess. Deception. It’s like nothing Ella has ever experienced, and if she’s going to survive her time in the Royal palace, she’ll need to learn to issue her own Royal decrees.

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