Blog Tour, J’s Review & Giveaway: The Pawn by @skye_warren

THE PAWN
Series: The Endgame #1
Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance
Author: Skye Warren
Release Date: December 6, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

thepawn-1600x2400

“Sinfully sexy and darkly beautiful, The Pawn will play games with your heart and leave you craving more!” – Laura Kaye, New York Times bestselling author

The price of survival…

Gabriel Miller swept into my life like a storm. He tore down my father with cold retribution, leaving him penniless in a hospital bed. I quit my private all-girl’s college to take care of the only family I have left.

There’s one way to save our house, one thing I have left of value.

My virginity.

A forbidden auction…

Gabriel appears at every turn. He seems to take pleasure in watching me fall. Other times he’s the only kindness in a brutal underworld.

Except he’s playing a deeper game than I know. Every move brings us together, every secret rips us apart. And when the final piece is played, only one of us can be left standing.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

THE PAWN is a full-length contemporary novel from New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren about revenge and seduction in the game of love. It’s the first book in the brand new ENDGAME series.

Buy Links Amazon | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo


Review-DGR5 stars

Skye….Skye!!!…..SKYE!!!!!!!!! I have read a lot of Skye Warren books, and this is my top fave!!!! I have been a fangirl of Skye for a long time, and I always enjoy her books. She is one of the best dark romance writers, in my opinion, and she has outdone herself with this book! All of the feels! The plot is just genius. This story has been written before, but not Skye Warren. When Skye writes it, it’s just better.

This is the type of book where the only reason you put your kindle down is to jump up and down because the characters said or did something so badass that you can’t help but fangirl in the moment.
à la Mode St. » fashion

I look up at him, searching his eyes for some hint of kindness, of mercy. There’s none. I find only fire – and the thought that comes next makes me shudder: this is vengeance. It’s not a feeling he’s had, a fleeting thought for revenge. This what he’s made of, cell by cell, atom by atom. He’s pure fury, and he’s coming for me.

à la Mode St. » fashionMy Gabriel & Avery:

 : Avery has grown up with everything she could ever ask for. After a terrible scandal with her father’s company, she and her father are left with close to nothing. In order to do anything she can to save her house and care for her father, Avery goes to the one man who might give her a loan. Little does she know that she will meet the man who ruined her father and give her a proposal that she cannot refuse in order to save her house and her father’s life.
à la Mode St. » fashion

”Can you at least look at me after I suck your dick?”

à la Mode St. » fashionAvery is a virgin…..A BADASS VIRGIN. This girl stands her ground. She may be naïve but she has got balls of steel! She gives back as good as she gets with Gabriel and I was rooting for her the whole time. She only has herself to depend on, but she doesn’t need anyone else because she does it all. She is willing to sacrifice everything to do the right thing.

…this man of precious metal and revenge, of carved wood and heartache.

GABRIEL. That’s it. Just his name sends shivers down my body. Gabriel is mine. Seriously. Back up, ladies! I know Lana wants to claim him, but NOPE! I refuse. He is ALL MINE, whore! He is a Grade A – Ass….Hole. My kinda man. He treats Avery with nothing less than disdain. She is the daughter of the man that cheated him, and he is willing to put her through hell and humiliation to get his pleasure. I loved the glimpses of compassion in his character, but he inevitably shows his true colors and is true to his inner asshole.
à la Mode St. » fashion

Here’s the thing about owning a virgin. For as long as I don’t fuck you, I still own one.

à la Mode St. » fashionI can’t say much about the plot without spoiling, but I will say I could not put this book down. It was emotional and fast-paced and intriguing, and I want more! This book is beautiful and broken and genius.

Yes, there is a cliffhanger. Should you care? No, for 2 reasons. 1. Because you enjoy this book so much that is doesn’t even matter. 2. Because the next book, Knight, comes out next month so you don’t have to wait very long. And let me tell you, I am going to be pouncing on that book as soon as my grabby little hands can get a hold of it.


THE KNIGHT is now available for preorder!

theknight

The power of pleasure…

Gabriel Miller took everything from me. My family. My innocence. My home. The only thing I have left is the determination to get back what’s mine.

He thinks he’s beaten me. He thinks he’s won. What he doesn’t realize is that every pawn has the chance to become a queen.

And the game has only just begun.

* * * * * *

THE KNIGHT is book two in the Endgame series from New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren about revenge and seduction in the game of love.

PRE-ORDER TODAY!


About the Author13680481_812207255582123_3040574096772318693_o

Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance such as the Chicago Underground series. Her books have been featured in Jezebel, Buzzfeed, USA Today Happily Ever After, Glamour, and Elle Magazine. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, two sweet dogs, and one evil cat.

Contact Skye:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube | Pinterest | Website

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Review: Nico by Sarah Castille

nico-reviewNICO
Series: Ruin & Revenge #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mafia
Author: Sarah Castille
Release Date: December 6, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

nico

A dangerous proposal

Las Vegas Mafia boss, Nico Toscani, is used to getting what he wants, whether it is having the City of Sin under his rule or a beautiful woman in his bed. But when he meets his match in the gorgeous, headstrong Mia Cordano, the daughter of a rival crime lord, all bets are off. . .

Sexy computer hacker, Mia, struggles to break free of her ruthless father’s Mafia ties…but she can’t resist the powerful and seductive Nico, who will stop at nothing to possess her. With their families locked in a brutal war for control of the city, Mia and Nico enter into a forbidden game. Will they surrender to the passion that burns between them—and risk tearing apart their families? Or will Nico be forced to betray the only woman who sets his blood on fire

 

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR4 starsnico-dgr-teaser

I’m not afraid of girls with guns, bella. They either don’t know how to shoot or they don’t have what it takes to pull the trigger.”
“Then you’ve never met a woman like me.” Her hoarse, throaty voice betrayed her desire.
He leaned forward, whispered in her ear, his voice dangerously seductive. “No, but I’m looking forward to our acquaintance.”

So I have a confession…mafia romance happens to be my catnip. Well, I guess it’s not much of a confession when it’s not exactly a secret, huh? If you follow my reviews, you also then happen to know that I’m picky when it comes to them. Like super picky. Good mafia romance are hard to find. Either they lack the research, the development, the engaging characters or the believable romance at the center of it all. But this book? This happened to have all of it. In delicious spades.

Running his considerable empire in Sin City Nico is the Toscani family’s highest ranking capo. A fair but lethal man, he knows how to get things done with a combination of lethal and cunning focus. For the past ten years all he’s been working for are his vendetta for the brutal hit of his father and finally getting his seat at the top of the Toscani family that’s been denied to him so far. He’s as close as he has ever been, but all his plans take a screeching halt when a beautiful hacker turns out to me more than a sexy distraction.

Dio mio, you test a man to the limits.”

As a mafia princess, Mia never wanted the life. Daughter to a cold and ruthless mafia don, she never wanted the life. She’s done everything to get as far away from the mob and build her life. But then a job gone wrong lands her at the feet of a man that shouldn’t tempt her…but does. A man that’s a deadly rival of her family and one she should steer clear of…but just may be the answer to her unknown prayers.

Tonight I’m going to fuck you like the bad girl you are. You’re gonna learn who you belong to. Your voice is going to be hoarse from screaming your pleasure. And when we’re done, you’re gonna beg me for more.”

Admittedly, it took me a bit to wrap my head around all the players. Each character gets a description right away with their own respective backstories, and it’s a lot to keep track of at first. But then the story begins to flow and all of sudden everything begins to click. It didn’t take long before I was fully invested in not only the main characters but all the secondary characters that were introduced. The author manages to add a few additional POVs without taking away from the story and hook the reader even further.

Mia was such a great heroine; a fantastic combination of vulnerability and strength. The woman has survived hell at the hands of her father, but she continues to persevere. I loved her inner core of strength and the way she stands up for herself not only to her father but to Nico or anyone else that underestimates her. Nico was sex on a stick. He’s everything I love about a good anti-hero; dark but with a lighter shade of redeemable. There was no insta love to be found here and I appreciated that immensely. Mia and Nico’s romance was well paced and balanced. It was the perfect slow burn with delicious sexual tension.

Castille delivers a sizzling tale of revenge and romance. A story rooted in the dark and violent underbelly of the Vegas mob with well developed and multilayered characters that you can’t help but root for. It’s a well paced and highly addicting start to a series that I already know I need more of.

DGR Fave Review: Someone Like You by @_LaurenLayne

someone-like-you-reviewSOMEONE LIKE YOU
Series: Oxford #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Lauren Layne
Release Date: December 6, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

someone-like-you

Lauren Layne’s bestselling Oxford Series continues with the poignant, heartwarming story of New York’s most eligible bachelor, Lincoln Mathis, a man who’s living a lie—until his dream woman takes away the pain.

Lincoln Mathis doesn’t hide his reputation as Manhattan’s ultimate playboy. In fact, he cultivates it. But behind every flirtatious smile, each provocative quip, there’s a secret that Lincoln’s hiding from even his closest friends—a tragedy from his past that holds his heart quietly captive. Lincoln knows what he wants: someone like Daisy Sinclair, the sassy, off-limits bridesmaid he can’t take his eyes off at his best friend’s wedding. He also knows that she’s everything he can never have.

After a devastating divorce, Daisy doesn’t need anyone to warn her off the charming best man at her sister’s wedding. One look at the breathtakingly hot Lincoln Mathis and she knows that he’s exactly the type of man she should avoid. But when Daisy stumbles upon Lincoln’s secret, she realizes there’s more to the charming playboy than meets the eye. And suddenly Daisy and Lincoln find their lives helplessly entwined in a journey that will either heal their damaged souls . . . or destroy them forever.

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR5 starssomeone-like-you-dgr-teaser

If I did it, Wallflower, if I felt that way again, it would be about someone like you.”

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.

And tell me, Daisy Sinclair,” he said, “why is it that you’ve been dubbed off-limits?”
She batten her eyelashes, looking every bit the Southern belle she sounded like. “Isn’t it obvious? Divorced, damaged, and ever so fragile. You? Why is it that you’re to be avoided?”
He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice.“Consummate playboy, intriguingly unattainable, with just a dash of dangerous secrets.”

If there’s one thing I can tell you is to go into this book ABSOLUTELY BLIND. You don’t want to know the smallest detail. Trust me on this. You’ll appreciate the emotional punch that much more. What I can tell you is that you’re expecting for this to be the typical playboy meets the right girl and changes his way sort of story, you couldn’t be more wrong.

Lincoln couldn’t explain how he knew it, but he and Daisy Sinclair got each other. Their respective walls had been acknowledged, a silent agreement passed that neither would try to scale the other’s.

Daisy is Emma’s (from THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE) twin sister. Coming off of a bitter divorce has left her a little cracked, but not broken. This was a woman with so much internal strength and it just took her a bit to get it all backed. Daisy was such a powerhouse of a heroine…in a perfectly understated way. She was exactly what Lincoln needed. She was patient, kind, understanding and never pushed beyond what she knew the boundaries were. She has her own past demons that she’s trying to recover from, and it just made her that much more endearing.

As for Lincoln? Man oh man, I never thought it’d be possible for me to love him even more than I already did. Still waters certainly run deep with this man and he’s so much more that what first meets the eye.

We’re all a little cracked, honey.”
“You ever wonder?”
“Wonder what?”
“What will fill your cracks? How to get better.”
“All the damn time.”

What you see is not at all what you get with him and soon the pieces begin to click together towards the heartrending secret that he keeps. My heart went through a ringer with him. It’s impossible not to fall for him, not to feel his pain, not to want to soothe and heal him. In between the easy friendship that Lincoln and Daisy instantly develop, there was such a deep emotion interspersed with a hidden craving. God. GOD but I loved these two together.

…I have nothing to give back, Daisy. Oh, I’d give you pleasure. We’d give each other that. But I’d take absolutely everything- I’d fucking consume you. You’d want something in return, and I’d have nothing. I’m hollow inside, and you deserve so much more.”

Someone Like You was an incredibly powerful, poignant and emotional romance. It was a story of second chances and healing. It was a stunning story of finding your strength again and moving on. It’s a story of courage and love. It was absolute perfection and reminded me all over again why I first fell in love with Lauren Layne’s writing. The woman can make you feel, laugh, and love all in 228 wonderful pages. 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.


THE OXFORD SERIES

IRRESISTIBLY YOURS | I WISH YOU WERE MINE | SOMONE LIKE YOU

PRE-ORDER- Releasing June 13, 2017
I KNEW YOU WERE TROUBLE

New Release & DGR Favorite Review: The Pawn by @skye_warren

pawn_releaseblitzbannerTHE PAWN
Series: The Endgame #1
Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance
Author: Skye Warren
Release Date: December 6, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

thepawn-1600x2400

“Sinfully sexy and darkly beautiful, The Pawn will play games with your heart and leave you craving more!” – Laura Kaye, New York Times bestselling author

The price of survival…

Gabriel Miller swept into my life like a storm. He tore down my father with cold retribution, leaving him penniless in a hospital bed. I quit my private all-girl’s college to take care of the only family I have left.

There’s one way to save our house, one thing I have left of value.

My virginity.

A forbidden auction…

Gabriel appears at every turn. He seems to take pleasure in watching me fall. Other times he’s the only kindness in a brutal underworld.

Except he’s playing a deeper game than I know. Every move brings us together, every secret rips us apart. And when the final piece is played, only one of us can be left standing.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

THE PAWN is a full-length contemporary novel from New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren about revenge and seduction in the game of love. It’s the first book in the brand new ENDGAME series.

Buy Links Amazon | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

thepawn-teaser-v2Review-DGR5 starsthe-pawn-dgr-teaser

I’m the pawn, and he’s my triumphant captor.

This 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.

The Pawn reminded me all over again why I love dark romance. It’s that electric zing of the forbidden. That feeling of rooting for a man that’s supposed to be the bad guy, yet you know that someone deep inside is someone that may be just an ounce redeemable. It’s the flutter of butterflies in your belly when you watch a sweet, innocent and naive girl grow into a woman that’s much stronger than you think. It’s that delicious tingle you get watching the fly get trapped in the spider’s erotic web. It’s pure wickedness.

Soon, little virgin.”
“Don’t call me that.” My voice trembles only a little, revealing the turmoil inside me.
“What else should I call you? Princess? Darling?”
“You could call me by my name.”
He dips his head, his mouth right by my ear, his voice just a breath. “There’s only one thing I’m going to call you. Mine.”

Growing up in privilege and money, Avery had an enchanted life. She idolized her father, she looked forward to her future and starting college, she had a doting boyfriend that she suspected only wanted her for his status, she had little worries aside from questioning her relationship…until it all crashed down on her…

I look up at him, searching his eyes for some hint of kindness, of mercy. There’s none. I find only fire- and the thought that comes next makes me shudder: this is vengeance.

Losing everything she finds herself penniless and desperate, and desperate times lead to desperate measures. Which is how she finds herself in the Den, agreeing to sell her virginity and body and soul to the highest bidder for a month.

You don’t know anything about me.”
“I know I could make you come in two minutes.”
A step back, my calves bumping the small chair where I sat. “You wouldn’t.”
“No, but you wish I would.”
“I hate you.”

Gabriel Miller is an enigma. He’s not a good guy, but his golden eyes lure her deep into a tangled web that she doesn’t know how to get herself out of.

The story was incredibly written. I love mythology and getting bits and glimpses of it only heightened my enjoyment. Watching Avery slowly come more and more into her own was almost as satisfying as watching the shadows lift from the mystery that is Gabriel but only leave behind more questions.

There’s something feral about this man, a fire that burns inside him, untamed.

The plot it filled with twists and turns that keep you absolutely riveted to the pages. The characters are multi-layered and enigmatic. You find yourself at the edge of your seat, heart beating wildly in your chest, just waiting for that final shoe to drop. This is one of those books that you will read in one sitting and it will leave you craving for more. It’s darkly erotic and entirely addicting.

You don’t taste sweet,” he says, pausing. “You taste like I’m fucking dying and you’re the only water around. You taste like goddamn air.”

If you’re a fan of this author, and you love a well written dark romance, this is one book that you do NOT want to miss. I may go crazy in my wait for the conclusion, but I don’t regret a moment of it because I have the best book high after finishing this. All of the stars!


THE KNIGHT is now available for preorder!

theknight

The power of pleasure…

Gabriel Miller took everything from me. My family. My innocence. My home. The only thing I have left is the determination to get back what’s mine.

He thinks he’s beaten me. He thinks he’s won. What he doesn’t realize is that every pawn has the chance to become a queen.

And the game has only just begun.

* * * * * *

THE KNIGHT is book two in the Endgame series from New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren about revenge and seduction in the game of love.

PRE-ORDER TODAY!


About the Author13680481_812207255582123_3040574096772318693_o

Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance such as the Chicago Underground series. Her books have been featured in Jezebel, Buzzfeed, USA Today Happily Ever After, Glamour, and Elle Magazine. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, two sweet dogs, and one evil cat.

Contact Skye:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube | Pinterest | Website

New Release & Review: Downed by Jen Frederick

downed-reviewDOWNED
Series: Gridiron #3
Genre: New Adult Romance
Author: Jen Frederick
Release Date: December 1, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

downed

He’s the guy no one likes…

Despite winning two national championships, JR “Ace” Anderson was sent packing from his old school after losing the trust of his coach. At Southern U, he has a second chance to prove that his college legacy isn’t endless debauchery and selfishness. But his reputation precedes him, and his teammates offer a chilly welcome in the locker room. The one person who is willing to accept him is the very woman he should stay away from—his new coach’s daughter.

She’s the girl everyone loves…

Bryant Johnson’s only goal in life is to make others happy, even at her own expense. One look at her father’s new star quarterback, and she knows that Ace is her next project. With a reputation for being a “jerk whisperer”, Bryant has spent her last three years at college reforming sorry behavior and turning bad boys into the best boyfriends ever. In Ace, though, she’s met with surly resistance and a sizzling attraction she doesn’t expect. Fixing this wounded warrior will be her biggest challenge yet. Not falling for him will be even harder.

Between her big heart and his damaged one, a battle is ensuing. In this game of love, every defense will crumble.

Buy LinksAMAZON Review-DGR4 starsdowned-dgr-teaser

He likes to take control—on and off the field. He plays hard, loves hard. I should’ve been prepared for him, but I wasn’t.

Well spank my butt and call me Larry, I did NOT expect to like this as much as I did. Now, now, don’t go getting all hissy on me, let me ‘splain. See, the thing is, for as much as I loved Ace in Sacked and was salivating for his story, I was torn between wanting to sack him in the nuts and whacking him with a blunt object until he sees reason in Jockblocked. He single-handedly ruined the book for me. The man was a damn drama queen is what I’m telling you here. I didn’t think anything was going to redeem him after that mess in my eyes, but I was definitely willing to give it a go. Turns out, all Ace needed was a sugary sweet souther girl, who’s as pushy as she is nice.

I chalk it up to unfinished business. She’s an itch I need to scratch. I get in bed with her, screw her, repeat my no-relationships speech, and then we’re done. Over. Finito.

Ace lost everything after his ego and actions led him to almost see his budding football career go up in flames. Now he’s at a new school, hoping for a fresh page and a new start. But some things are hard to escape and it’s not long before he finds himself in a similar predicament, but with a different girl.

There are two things I’m good at: sex and football, and right now I need to concentrate on the latter.

Everyone loves Bryant Johnson, and it’s not hard to see why. She’s sweet as sugar, never cusses, ready to help anyone at the drop of hat, is a phenomenal cook and an even better friend, and the football coach’s daughter. But it’s not all shiny perfection that it seems. Bryant’s actions are all centered around a very painful loss. Everything she does now is all in an exercise to fix the future, so her loss isn’t experienced by some other woman. But nothing quite prepared her for the full impact of JR “Ace” Anderson

You going to come for me when I tell you to? You going to be there with me—really be there, when I’m fucking you so hard and so deep that you won’t be able to walk the next day?” A strangled noise escapes her mouth. “Y-yes.”

So confession time; I don’t usually like the sugary sweet heroines. But something about Bryant just grabbed me. Perhaps it was because there was always that little crack to the shiny foundation that everyone sees on the outside that humanized her. She was almost too perfect at times, but it also worked for her. She was the perfect balm that Ace’s ragged edges needed.

I hadn’t come looking for it, that’s for damn sure. But I don’t regret it. All of the acts of my past—both good and bad—led me to her.

Did Ace redeem himself in this book? More than. THIS is the man that I was hoping was under all that false ego and bluster. You really got to see the heart of him here, and suddenly all of his past actions begin to make sense.

Downed was a delicious combination of sweet and spicy, sexy and romantic. It was one of those perfect college sport romances that made me remember why I enjoy NA in the first place. It had just the right amount of angst and just the right amount of steam to keep me reading well into the night. Dare I say, it was my favorite in the series

Football is a game, but Bryant’s my future. And I’ll keep fighting for her for as long as it takes. Good thing I know how to win.


THE GRIDIRON SERIES

 

SACKED: BUY | READ MY REVIEW

JOCKBLOCKED: BUY | READ MY REVIEW

 

 

Review: Split by JB Salsbury

split-reviewSPLIT
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Suspense
Author: JB Salsbury
Release Date: November 15, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

split9_rgb300

JB Salsbury is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has captivated readers around the world. Her unforgettable new novel is a story of romance and suspense, with a twist no one will see coming . . .

What do you do when you wake up with no memory of what you did last night?

Lucas spent the first half of his life protecting himself from others, but now his own mind is his biggest enemy. He doesn’t know what happens when the blackouts overtake him, but he can recall the feelings–the rage, the confusion, the fear. Thankfully the quiet life he’s found in Payson, Arizona has kept the darkness at bay. Until his boss’s estranged daughter shows up in town, asking questions she shouldn’t and sparking a desire Lucas can’t control. Getting close to Shyann is the best thing that’s ever happened to him, but when his blackouts return, unleashing the truth he’s battled so long to hide, he may just lose her forever . . .

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR3 stars

 SPOILER FREE

I was meant for this. To love the unlovable.

If there’s one thing I can tell you is that Split is one of the most unconventional and unique romances I’ve read in a long while. It’s not going to a be a book or story I’ll soon forget, and that certainly deserves some praise. The writing is engaging, the characters multi layered, and there’s enough twists and turns to keep you glued to the book from cover to cover.

What we have isn’t conventional, it wouldn’t be considered ideal, but it’s perfect for us. Because love never discriminates. Even when you’re split.

I was riveted to the pages from the very beginning. There’s enough mystery worked in to guarantee your kept interest.

Shyann Jennings couldn’t leave her small town fast enough to pursue her dream career and to put the pain of her past behind her. Now after her career that she put her blood and sweat and tears into has gone up in spectacular flames and she’s back into the small town she ran from to lick her wounds. While she dreads everything about coming home, what she doesn’t expect is the quiet, unassuming and beautiful stranger that works for her father and draws her in for a reason she can’t understand. Lucas is different from any man she’s ever been with. He’s shy, quiet, keeps to himself, but yet there’s also something beneath the surface that may be much more than meets the eye.

People hate what they don’t understand, shun those who are different.”

While I loved both characters, I have to admit that I never did understand the draw that Shy had towards Lucas. This is especially true when all the secrets came out. While I get the lust and romance, the love was tough to swallow. I had a hard time buying into it. This was more so on Shy’s side than Lucas’s. I adored Lucas and his character is what kept me turning the pages.

That’s not what I want with her. What I want is to freeze time. I want to record how she feels in my hands, the longing in her eyes, the heat of her breath. I want to slow every single moment with her down so seconds last hours until her touch is branded into my memory.

Ultimately what brought my rating down was the ending. I had a really tough time swallowing all of that. I couldn’t wrap my mind around some of the choices the characters made and especially the way they dealt with them. It just wasn’t believable. And yes, I get that I’m reading a psychological thriller and fiction, but at the same time, I want some believability in the story and it just wasn’t there.

I hated a particular decision that Lucas made but I found a way to look past it. What I couldn’t look past was the way Shyann deals with everything. It was just too much.

Would I still recommend this romance? Absolutely. It’s unique and original and worth the read for that alone. It could have easily been a 5 star for me if not for that ending. But different folks and all that, and you may not have the same issue with it that I did. So read it and judge for yourself.

Review: Hard Compromise by Samanthe Beck

hard-compromise-reviewHARD COMPROMISE
Series: Compromise Me #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Samanthe Beck
Release Date: November 21, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

hard-compromise-2

Laurie Peterson assumes her impulsive one-night stand with sinfully sexy Sheriff Ethan Booker is the biggest surprise of the year…until her bakery burns down while she’s basking in the afterglow. It looks like her dreams are up in smoke, but then Ethan proposes a deal too tempting to resist.

Ethan has no intention of settling for a one-night stand with Laurie. Nor does he want anything to do with the women his wealthy family wants him to meet. Not when he’s waited ten years for his chance to make his move. His deal might have strings—and Laurie may not know the stakes—but nothing will stop this sexy cop from staking a real claim on her body and her heart.

 

 

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He could already picture her, breathless and ready as he braced her against the nearest surface and unleashed half a decade’s worth of repressed longings. Fuck her so thoroughly she’d have no standing to dismiss the event as a heat-of-the-moment hookup. He was coming for her. Her, dammit, and he hadn’t waited this long only to be shown the door after one energetic encounter.

Bad girl from the wrong side of the tracks.
Good boy from the town’s richest family.
Ten years of repressed longings and lust.
What does that all equal? One spicy little read!
21245251I do believe that this may have been my favorite book that I’ve read from this author to date. I loved everything about it.

 

Dirty talking sheriff?

I’m in no shape to be toyed with. Keep it up, and this is going to be brutal. You’ll feel it for the next week, no matter how many times I kiss it better.”

CHECK!

Sassy heroine? Check

Booker, don’t confuse me with one of your well-bred, easily-shocked, country-club girls. I’m not well-bred and nothing shocks me. My only rules are fast, hard, and so filthy dirty it leaves a stain on your soul.”

CHECK!

Insanely hot sexy times? Check and freaking check!

Ethan Booker has been lusting after Laurie Peterson for years. He’s known her since he busted her for underage drinking as a wild child sixteen year old girl. But now Laurie is all woman, and she’s kept her wild child ways that guarantee that no man gets a repeat performance from her. Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks made Laurie rely on no one but herself, especially not her good for nothing mother that only shows up when she needs something from her. Now the town’s sheriff and son of the richest and most influential family in their little town is determined to make her stick around long enough to form an attachment, even if it means a compromise between them. She’ll pretend to be his girlfriend for his sister’s wedding to get his meddling, match making mother off his back, and he’ll pay her the six grand she needs to put her business back on the ground after a fire burns her dreams down. But what’s a good compromise without some very bad fun?

This book was so much fun to read. I loved Laurie. She was all sass and vulnerability. She’s determined to push Ethan away and Ethan is determined to break down all her walls. I loved the two of them together. The story was sweet, sexy, and the perfect read to warm you up on a cold winter’s night. Me likey!

 


DON’T MISS BOOK ONE IN THE COMPROMISE ME SERIES!

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Review: Triple Trouble by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott

triple-trouble-reviewTRIPLE TROUBLE
Series: Found in Oblivion #2
Genre: Erotic Romance, Menage
Author: Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott
Release Date: November 18, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

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She wasn’t looking to fall in love with one man. Never mind two.

Juliet Reece grew up in the shadow of her seemingly perfect older sister, Margo Reece. While Juliet’s wealthy, blue-blood parents dealt with infidelity, Juliet fought for normalcy. Now she’s the bassist in Warning Sign, a band on the rise, and she finally feels like she’s making space for herself in the world. It’s her time to shine, and she’s ready to have fun and focus on her career.

Until Randy “Sparks” Pruitt nearly blows up her life. Literally.

She can’t stand the guy. She definitely hasn’t fantasized about gripping a handful of his hair and – no. Not happening.

Then there’s Tristan Eves, Sparks’ new friend. He’s the exact opposite of Sparks. Playful. Naughty. Arousing.

Suddenly, she’s on the verge of something wilder than she’s ever experienced before. Two seductive men, hers for the taking – if she can handle the heat.

If double trouble is dangerous, watch out for the power of three…

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It shouldn’t have made sense. Shouldn’t have worked. This was an activity meant for two, right? Three should’ve been a crowd. Except she couldn’t have imagined it any other way than exactly this.

Do you see those pathetic looking things in the corner over there? That, my friends, is my poor overworked ovaries waving the white flag of defeat. This book went and did them in. They put up a good fight but at the end the combustible chemistry between Juliet, Randy, and Tristan was just too much for them. May they rest in peace, the poor f*ckers. But damn, what a way to go.

She was light and heat and the smoky hint of salted caramel in a rich coffee. A man wanted to savor her for a whole night.
THIS man wanted to fuck her blind and make her breakfast in the morning.

Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliott are the magicians of dirty. Magicians, I tells ya. These two wrote a book so dirty, it put dirty to shame. It’s like triple dirty. Ha! See what I did there? But I digress. Where was I? *pause for dirty visual of one particular book scene*
And I’m back!

It’s not often I read a book that has this much sex in it that I connect with. Because mostly I get tired of all the sex and find myself craving more story. What? Even perverts have standards dammit! Don’t look at me like that. I will admit to devouring each and every single deliciously dirty scene in this book and absolutely loving it. Why? Because it had fantastic characters and wrapped around an amazing story that together with all of the dirty made for one spicy little read.

I love that no matter what they write, the characters all interconnect. If you’ve read Rocked and met Harper Pruitt, then you’ll recall her quiet and unassuming brother, Randy, roadie to Warning Sign. Tristan is the sexy chef that was also introduced in the Lost In Oblivion series. And Juliet? She’s the younger sister of Margo Reece, who you’ll remember from Destroyed. And if you haven’t read Lost In Oblivion, no worries, you won’t be lost. But you’ll appreciate this series so much more if you have since it is the sexy spin off. But I digress again.

Randy has been the roadie for Warning Sign for years, and been practically in love with the band’s beautiful bassist, just as long. But aside from sniping and growling at him for wrong lighting and the almost disaster at the one show that Randy still blames himself for, she never paid him the time of day. Enter Tristan, chef, playboy, and Randy’s best friend and roommate. When the chemistry between Tristan and Juliet is too much to deny, Tristan doesn’t miss his friend’s feelings on the matter. And what should have been equal parts dare and invitation soon begins to turn into more than either of them ever expected.

We own you tonight.”

Sweet mother of all that’s holy, this book was freaking hot. HOT. If you’re looking for a healthy balance of story and hot sex, look no further. You’ll get that in spades. But fair warning, I’d advise you have plenty of ice, batteries, or your significant other on hand as you’re reading. Otherwise some side effects might ensue…


DON’T MISS BOOK 1


BEDDED BLISS ( FOUND IN OBLIVION #1)
Bedded Bliss by Cari Quinn & Taryn ElliottMY REVIEW | AMAZON

Review: Turbulence by Whitney G.

turbulence-reviewTurbulence
Series: Turbulence #1
Genre: Erotic Romance
Author: Whitney G.
Release Date: August 29, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

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Strap yourself into the cockpit for the ‘flight of your life’ via the latest standalone erotic romance from New York Times bestselling author Whitney G….

Fuck me recklessly
Kiss me harder.
Take me again and again… 

He and I met under a cloud of clichés:
Boy meets girl. Boy charms girl. Boy fucks girl.
Our story was supposed to end right after the orgasms, right after we went our separate ways.

But then we saw each other again…
And neither of us could walk away.

Our rules were simple.
Our passion was scandalous.
Our hearts were supposed to be safe…

But when you find something so all-consuming–something so intoxicating and inescapable, you’ll risk everything you’ve ever had, even if you’re destined to crash and burn.

This is us.
This is our messed up love.
This is turbulence.

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR3.5 starsturbulence-dgr-teaser

Look, I don’t typically do one night stands.”
“Then we won’t call it a one-night stand.”
“A night of meaningless sex, then?”
“A night of fucking,” he said, his voice low. “A night of me owning your pussy on every single surface in my hotel room. If we make it past the alley, that is.”

If you like them brooding, mysterious, completely relationship phobic, mercurial, dirty talking and beasts in the sack…meet Jake Weston. Your next BBB. Broken Book Boyfriend. I’m totally coining that phrase by the way. So fitting. But I digress…

To say that I’ve been eagerly anticipating this book would be a mild understatement. There’s something about Whitney G’s alphaholes that simply do it for me. And Jake Weston? He may be her best alphahole yet. He’s a successful pilot that goes far beyond the capabilities of a man his age, he’s mysterious, and he’s clearly hiding a past that he wants nothing to do with but continues to haunt his present.

In my world, a connection was a temporary lull in an itinerary, a short-term flight that eventually led to a final destination and nothing more. The word itself was fleeting, never final, and it never applied to relationships.

Gillian Taylor moved to New York with stars in her eyes and with hopes of her dream career to finally prove her family of overachievers, that never fail to remind her that she’s the black sheep, wrong. Years later, she finds her dream job gone, her boyfriend cheating on her, and her hopes and dreams slowly circling the drain. Working as a flight attendant isn’t what she wants, but it’s all she has right now. A cocky, smooth talking pilot is the last distraction she needs…even if this particular distraction proves far too tempting.

If I agree to this,” he said, his jaw clenched. “There will be no late night emotional talks, no mentions of the words ‘more’ ‘us’ or ‘relationship’, and I won’t be taking you out on any dates.”

Turbulence is filled with enough sizzle to set your kindles on fire. Jake is deliciously sexy, and Gillian certainly has enough sass in her to give as good as she gets. Though I did find at times she gave into him way too easily.

I wanted to deny that even though she was the exact type I should stay away from, I couldn’t seem to get close enough. She was getting under my skin, slipping into my marrow, and that was a problem.

So you may be thinking to yourself, if I enjoyed this as much as I’m saying, why only 3.5 stars? Well, a couple things really. For one, this didn’t really strike out at me as anything different. I feel the story, while hot, wasn’t developed as well as it could have been. Jake’s character is mysterious until the very end, and when the secrets of his past do come out…they don’t really make sense. The why’s of it just didn’t add up for me. I wish there was more time spent on the development of that particular part of the story. As it was, it felt entirely too rushed for me. And while Jake and Gillian set the pages on fire, there wasn’t much more to them than the hot sex. I just didn’t feel that connection to them aside from a sexual one. I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy them together, I did, but I also had a hard time truly buying the feelings of love at the end. I didn’t feel they had enough of a foundation outside of sex.

The book was entertaining and sexy, don’t get me wrong. There was just enough emotion weaved in that made it more than just a hot romp between the page sheets, but I just needed more. So as much as I love the concept and the characters, it wasn’t enough to bring it up to a solid 4 for me. Do I recommend this book for any fan of this author or any reader that enjoys an erotic romance with a broody hero? Abso-freaking-lutely. Is it anything I’d ever come back to? Probably not.

Review: Sweet Cheeks by K. Bromberg

sweet-cheeks-reviewSWEET CHEEKS
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Standalone
Author: K. Bromberg
Release Day: November 14, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

sweet-cheeks-k-bromberg

An all new second chance love story by the New York Times Bestselling author of the beloved Driven series.

It all started with the invitation. To my ex-fiance’s new wedding.

I should have ignored it. Thrown it away. Set it afire. But I didn’t. I replied.

With a plus one.

And then my assistant accidentally mailed it.

Enter Hayes Whitley. Mega-movie star. The man who has captured the hearts of millions. But I gave him mine years ago. He was my first love. He was my everything. Right until he up and left to chase his dreams without so much as a simple goodbye.

When he showed up out of the blue ten years later, I should have known to steer clear of him. I should have rejected his offer to take me to my ex’s wedding. I should have never let him kiss me.

But I didn’t.

And now we’re left wondering if the pieces of the life we once shared still fit together somehow. First loves are hard to forget. The question is, do we want to forget? Or do we risk the chance and see what happens next?

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Review-DGR4 starssweet-cheeks-dgr-teaser

Hayes Whitley twists me up like a Rubik’s cube. He did way back when and still does now. He’s changed me. Turned that naïve, solid-color blocked puzzle I once was and left me scattered all over the place. I’m a mix of emotions when it comes to him. And no matter how hard I’ve tried to get back to that solid state I was before him, I know I never will. He’s left his fingerprint on me, marking me with invisible ink.

Oh the swoons of it all! What a delicious little treat this book was, sure to satisfy every romance sweet tooth out there. Sweet Cheeks was the ultimate second chance romance fantasy. It had the swoons, the steam, the banter, the angst, the emotion, and absolutely everything else I’ve come to love and expect from this author. All with a sassy heroine and one of the swooniest heroes that sweet talks just as well as he dirty talks. Let’s face it, K. Bromberg gives good romance.

The funny thing is most people would want to sow their wild oats. And maybe in time I will, but for now, I’m still trying to settle the ever-shifting world beneath my feet.

Who doesn’t wish their high school sweet heart that’s now a famous actor will come back to town to make your selfish ex and his spoiled family see that you’ve not only moved on but to much greener pastures at that! But that’s exactly what happens when to Saylor.

Saylor was such a lovable heroine. She’s sassy and independent and gives as good as she does. After leaving her fiance right before their wedding, getting an invitation to his wedding to someone else only 9 months later isn’t as shocking as the fact that’s it’s identical to the wedding she planned. Not only that, but now she finds out that his family has been badmouthing her business that she’s been pouring her blood, sweat and tears into. When the Hollywood heartthrob and her blast from the past and first love is back in town and offers to take her to the wedding, she wants nothing to do with it…or him. After all, Hayes broke her heart when he walked away without a word over ten years ago. Now he’s back, a famous actor, and offering her the answer to all her problems. But can she trust herself not to fall for him all over again?

I have a plan. I have my world. My perfect, chaotic, surreal, fucking awesome world and there’s no room for error. She fits nowhere in it. That’s what I told myself when I left. That’s what I’m standing by now.

Hayes was amazing. God but I adored him. I loved the chemistry and that sweet burn of unfulfilled sexual tension between them. It burned so good. Hayes was not your typical cocky alphahole. This was a man that gave a good measure of swoons right after he made your ovaries thump.

My pace, Saylor. Not yours. I’m in control now. You may own pieces of me you never even knew, but right now, I’m going to own you. Every single part of you.”

This was such a sweet romance, with the perfect amount of steam, endearing characters and a lovely romance that you can’t help but root for. I adored it. The perfect sweet treat to spend a weeknight with. Just you, a glass of wine and a side of Hayes. Yum!


4-sweet-cheeks-mockupAbout the Author

dsc_0087New York Times Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy, and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines, and damaged heroes who we love to hate and hate to love.

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

On a whim, K. Bromberg decided to try her hand at this writing thing. Since then she has written The Driven Series (Driven, Fueled, Crashed, Raced, Aced), the standalone Driven Novels (Slow Burn, Sweet Ache, Hard Beat, and Down Shift), and a novella (UnRaveled). She is currently finishing up Sweet Cheeks a standalone novel out November 14th.

Her plans for 2017 include a sports romance duet (2 books: The Player, The Catch) and the Everyday Heroes series (3 books: Cuffed, Combust, and Cockpit). She’s also writing a novella for the 1,001 Dark Night series that will be out in February 2017.

She loves to hear from her readers so make sure you check her out on social media.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon Author | Driven Group

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