Review: Dirty Sexy Sinner by Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde

DIRTY SEXY SINNER
Series: Dirty Sexy #4
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Authors: Carly Phillips & Erika Wilde
Release Date: November 8, 2016

Are you ready to get in bed with a SINNER?

After a lifetime of lies, deceit and betrayal, Jackson Stone isn’t a man who trusts easily—with women being at the top of the list. Now he’s all about control in every aspect of his life. Especially between the sheets. Hot, mutual pleasure with a woman? No problem, as long as he’s in charge. But there’s something different about sexy bartender Tara Kent that he finds irresistible, in bed and out. Something that has him willing to compromise his principles and bend his rules. Let the sinning begin.

ALL BOOKS IN THE DIRTY SEXY SERIES can be read on its own, or as a companion to the other book in the series:
Dirty Sexy Saint (Clay)
Dirty Sexy Inked (Mason)
Dirty Sexy Cuffed (Levi)
Dirty Sexy Sinner (Jackson)

AMAZON

Let’s put it this way, sweetheart,” he drawled in a tone of voice that was infused with pure illicit sex. “If you knew all the filthy, explicit things I’ve fantasized about doing to you, there would be no doubts in your mind that I’m a sinner in all the ways that matter.”

Firstly, this is getting a star simply for including a cameo from two of my favorite guys; Tate and Logan from the Temptation series. Raaarrrrr!

This was fun and so sexy, it almost set my kindle on fire. Sure the ending was a little too cheesetastic, but I didn’t even mind. I loved the long lost twin thing. Jackson Stone is the sinner to his twin’s saintly reputation. Coming off a bitter divorce and still reeling from the revelation that his family is all a lie, he’s not looking for a relationship. Walking into his brother’s bar to meet the brothers that he never even knew he has is already rocking his world enough, he’s not expecting the carnal and primal reaction he instantly has to the beautiful bar manager, Tara.

Tara is a wounded soul, with her own past demons, but the temptation of Jackson is too much to resist for her.

This was a fun and sexy romp that I read in one sitting. It hit the spot just right and I can’t wait for the spin off with Jackson’s best friend.
review

Review: Satisfaction by Lexi Blake

SATISFACTION
Series: Lawless #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Lexi Blake
Release Date: January 3, 2017

The sizzling second novel in a sexy new contemporary romance series featuring the Lawless siblings—from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake.

Brandon Lawless is a man on a mission: obtain the information that will clear his father’s name. He’s willing to do whatever it takes—even seduce his enemy’s personal assistant, the beautiful and innocent Carly Hendricks. But with her beguiling smile and captivating intelligence, Brandon soon realizes he doesn’t want to deceive Carly, he wants to win her over—both in the boardroom and the bedroom.

Then a twisted crime leaves Carly vulnerable and Brandon finds himself reeling. The stakes of his mission are now life or death—Carly’s life. And Brandon realizes he’s lost his heart to an amazing woman and his plan must succeed, because the stakes are no longer just revenge, but a once in a lifetime love.

AMAZON | iBOOKS

He got his hands on her, covered her mouth with his. And all the dark voices that seemed to whisper to him all his days quieted. She was his peace.

It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with all things Lexi Blake, and ever since I first met the Lawless siblings in Master No, I’ve been eagerly anticipating their story. Suffice it to say, I was utterly hooked from book one. Ruthless sets off the series with Riley’s story. Mia’s story was a crossover in Dominance Never Dies. If you haven’t yet read the Masters and Mercenaries series by Lexi, you’re seriously missing out. But as always, I digress…

Satisfaction brings the story of the broken Lawless sibling, Brandon. We got a peak into his hidden demons in the first book; Bran has a hero complex a mile long, but you don’t know why. You know it stems from an event in his childhood which left him forever scarred, but you don’t know what. All we know is that if there’s a damsel in distress somewhere, whether stripper or hooker, odds are, Bran is right there trying to help her. He’s also the sibling that seems to hide the most scars from his past. When the Lawless siblings were torn apart and thrown into the system after their parents’ death, Bran took the brunt of the luck and barely aged out of it intact. Now he fights his demons with his fist and a barely repressed anger and a violence that quickly boils sits below the surface.

Watching the pain his brother’s now wife went through in their quest for revenge, he’ll be damned if he does that to another woman. So when the Lawless siblings set their sights on Patricia, the 3rd partner that they suspect was behind their parents murder, Bran breaks the plan and unveils the plan to Patricia’s assistant who they hope will be the person that helps them bring her down.

Carly Hendricks is coming off of a brutal divorce during which her husband took her for everything. A shy little mouse, her barely existing confidence took a real beating and she has a hard time understanding how a sexy man like Bran could hold even the slightest bit of interest in her. What begins then is a game of push and pull. Bran wants her, but he’s not good enough for her. Carly wants him, but doesn’t think he wants mousy little her.

As much as I loved the first book in this series, I’m a little bummed that this one paled in comparison. I think my main issue was the couple. I felt zero connection to either Carly or Bran. While I liked Bran as a character, I just had a hard time disconnecting his hero complex from his true feelings for Carly. She was just too much of the stereotype that he would typically try to rescue, so I suppose I had as hard a time as Carly really buying his love for her.

Carly was just too much of a mouse for me. While she does have a backbone that comes out later in the story and I could certainly sympathize with and understand her lack of self esteem, her constant questioning of her appeal wore me down. She was a heroine that unfortunately I’d forget about as soon as I read her. As a couple, they lacked a certain sizzle for me. Sure the sex was hot, but I just couldn’t click with their connection.

I found the suspense a bit boring at times too. The beginning and middle sort of dragged if I’m being honest. What DID keep my attention, as always, was Drew. And it didn’t hurt that his love interest is introduced here and boy does that set up already crackle with sexual tension. There’s a twist at the end that I never saw coming, which definitely added a great punch to the story. I can’t wait to see how everything concludes with Drew’s book next.

All in all, while it wasn’t my favorite in the series, the book at least helped tide me over until my next Lexi Blake fix.


DON’T MISS THE FIRST BOOK IN THE LAWLESS SERIES!

AMAZON | MY REVIEW

PRE-ORDER REVEVENGE!
(Releasing June 20, 2017)

DGRFave & Review: On Broken Wings by @ChanelCleeton

ON BROKEN WINGS
Series: Wild Aces #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Chanel Cleeton
Release Date: January 3, 2017

The author of Into the Blue and Fly with Me returns with the newest, hot and high-flying Wild Aces romance…

A year after losing her husband, Joker, the squadron commander of the Wild Aces, Dani Peterson gets an offer from his best friend, Alex “Easy” Rogers, to help fix up her house. Dani accepts, and their friendship grows—along with an undeniable attraction.

Racked by guilt for loving his best friend’s widow, Easy’s caught between what he wants and can’t have. Until one night everything changes, and the woman who’s always held his heart ends up in his arms. Yet as Easy leaves for his next deployment, he and Dani are torn between their feelings and their loyalty to Joker’s memory.

But when Dani discovers something that sends them both into a spin, the conflicted lovers must overcome the past to navigate a future together…

AMAZON | iBOOKS

I could drop a bomb without breaking a sweat, had been to war, nearly died more times than I could count, but she was the scariest thing I’d ever faced, my feelings for her sending me into a spin.

Do you know that feeling when you meet a secondary character in a series that steals your attention from the second he appears on the pages? That was Alex “Easy” Rogers for this girl. Now it’s no secret that I have a weak spot for the unrepentant manwhores, but there was also something much more to Easy. He was the goofball of the group, the easy going one always quick with the jokes and a smile, but you knew that beneath that is the heart of a man much more complex that he first appears. I’ve been slowly dying in my wait for his book since first meeting him in Fly With Me, and all I can tell you after finishing this book is he was absolutely worth EVERY SECOND of the wait. Every. Second.

I don’t know what to do anymore. She needs me to be her friend; I can’t stay away from her. And I can’t stop loving her.”

If you’re expecting your typical manwhore hero, think again. Alex is such a complex character. His jokes and smile a facade to the deep feelings he hides, but his love for his fallen friend and brother in arms is his worst kept secret. Alex has been in love with Dani Peterson since he first laid eyes on her… as the loving wife of his best friend. Dani has been an unreachable and unattainable dream for him, so he drowned himself in easy and forgettable women, but nothing erased his feelings.

A year after the tragic accident that took Dani’s husband from her, she’s still trying to pick up the pieces of her life. Her one constant has always been Alex. Unlike everyone else of their friends, Dani is absolutely ignorant of his feelings for her. He’s never made a move, always respecting her boundaries and their friendship while being her rock. But soon Dani’s feelings begin to take a turn from the friendly camaraderie she’s always had for Easy to something much more. But will the guilt they both have over their feelings get between a love that may save them both?

For a moment I stopped pretending everything was okay, that loving her wasn’t broken glass slicing through my veins, leaving me bleeding out, that the sheer fucking torture of wanting someone I couldn’t have wasn’t a constant ache that brought me to my knees and made me feel as though I’d broken an unspoken promise. “Don’t you get it by now? There is no one else. There never will be anyone else. There’s just her.”

Can I just say how much I loved this book? Words can’t describe all of my feels for it. It’s so poignant and sweet, emotional and gutwreching. I absolutely loved the way that Alex is with Dani. There’s no one else for him. He doesn’t try to deny it, or spend his time on meaningless hookups. He’s well past that point. The man was just perfection. He’s patient, understanding, sweet beyond words.

Dani struggles with her building feelings for Alex and her memory of her beloved husband. My heart simply broke for her. I respect the fact that this author didn’t go the easy route and try to make light of her relationship with her husband. She still loves him immeasurably but her feelings for Easy are not discounted either. It’s no small feat to pull that off. To make the reader truly invested in their relationship and BELIEVE it, while still honoring the memory of her husband.

I get scared with romances with a dead spouse because so often an author will try to discount that relationship in order to more easily sell the present one. That was not at all the case here and man but I loved it.

This was no typical or cliche; it was a story that will stay with me for a long LONG while. The feelings between Dani and Alex wasn’t less or more…it just was. It was a different kind of love but a love nonetheless. There’s no stereotypical drama at the end; just two people dealing with a hard past in order to build a future.

I’m happiest with my feet planted firmly on the ground. But my heart—It flies.

On Broken Wings was a poignant and beautiful romance packed with emotion and meaning. It was full of swoons and steam. There was no clutter to take away from what Dani and Alex go through on their way to their HEA and I loved it. I loved every second of it. I loved every page of it. I. Just. Loved. It.


WILD ACES SERIES

FLY WITH ME | INTO THE BLUE | ON BROKEN WINGS

DGRFave & Review: Vicious by LJ Shen

VICIOUS
Series: Sinners of Saint #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: LJ Shen
Release Date: December 27, 2016

Emilia

They say love and hate are the same feelings experienced under different circumstances, and it’s true.
The man who comes to me in my dreams also haunts me in my nightmares.
He is a brilliant lawyer.
A skilled criminal.
A beautiful liar.
A bully and a savior, a monster and a lover.
Ten years ago, he made me run away from the small town where we lived. Now, he came for me in New York, and he isn’t leaving until he takes me with him.

Vicious

She is a starving artist.
Pretty and evasive like cherry blossom.
Ten years ago, she barged into my life unannounced and turned everything upside down.
She paid the price.
Emilia LeBlanc is completely off-limits, my best friend’s ex-girlfriend. The woman who knows my darkest secret, and the daughter of the cheap Help we hired to take care of our estate.
That should deter me from chasing her, but it doesn’t.
So she hates me. Big fucking deal.
She better get used to me.

AMAZON

My obsession. My muse. My enemy.

It’s official. L.J. Shen is a witch. How else could the woman possibly crawl inside my mind and create a story that seriously felt custom written for me?
Uber angst? Check!
Hot alphahole hero? Holy hell, CHECK!
A heroine that’s the perfect blend of innocent but with a steel backbone? Check!
An enemies to lovers story that left me practically salivating? CHECK!
A sexual chemistry and a burn so good it makes you want to slap yo mama? CHECK!
An addicting, obsessive read from cover to cover? ABSOLUTELY FREAKING CHECK!!!

This guy is going to break my heart if I let him.

The Four HotHoles rule All Saints High. All the guys want to hang out with them and all the girls want to sleep with them. It doesn’t matter that women are more disposable to them than a pair of socks, they’ll gladly give up their dignity for a night…or a few hours in their bed. Vicious is the most brutal of the four. He’s a coldblooded asshole that practice bubbles over with barely surprised rage. And the target for the brunt of his anger is Emilia, his classmate and daughter of the hired help living at his father’s mansion.

Vicious was vicious. It was too bad that my hate for him was dipped in a thin shell of something that felt like love. But I promised myself I’d crack it, break it, and unleash pure hatred in its place before he got to me.

Emilia was a heroine you can’t help but like. They say the line is thin between love and hate and that’s definitely the case here. She wants to hate Vicious and he surely gives her plenty of reason to…and yet, he’s like a magnet drawing her in.

Shen did a phenomenal job with character development, that you don’t just read what they’re feeling, you feel it. That couldn’t be more true with Emilia. I clicked with her from the very first page. Here’s a heroine that’s down on her luck, down to her last penny, barely making ends meet working two jobs to support herself and her sick sister, but she still has this undercurrent of strength that you can’t help but respect.

Intersected with flashbacks to their high school years, the story develops in the present. Years after Emilia left All Saints High and Vicious behind. But circumstances soon bring her face to face once more with a man that made her teenage years a living hell.

I want to fuck you and watch your face while I do. To see how you drown in me as I hurt you as much as it hurts me to have to see your goddamn face every day.”

Now if you’re an angst lover like me, you will gobble up everything about this book and be left begging for more. The sexual tension between Vicious and Emilia crackles with electricity. I loved that added burn of hate lust between them. The woman definitely gave him a run for his money and for all his thinly veiled insults that he throws her way, you can see just how much he craves her underneath it all.

You’re pissing me off,” she said quietly, her eyes still searching my face.
“And that’s turning me on,” I retorted, my voice flat. “So you might wanna tone down the hate glares if you don’t wanna find yourself being fucked on this desk with the blinds still open.”

The writing was absolutely brilliant. Shen simply gets better and better with each book she writes and she truly outdid herself with this one. She gave us four heroes that you not only click with but obsess over. Sure, this book is focused on Vicious and I loved every page of it. But I also loved the three other HotHoles and if the set up for two of them is anything to go by, I already know I need their books.

As for this book? This is what obsession is made of. This book. These characters. This romance. It was too delicious for words. Simply. Addicting.

This is not a relationship. It’s two people fucking the obsession out of each other.” 

Review: Forbidden by KL Kreig

Alphas & Fairytales: A New Year’s Eve Anthology
Review for: FORBIDDEN
Genre: Erotic Romance
Author: KL Kreig
Release Date: December 19, 2016

One badass fight, one black tie party… 

One crazy New Year’s Eve in Vegas 

16 ALL NEW stories of love, lust, and redemption from your favorite bestselling authors

*Proceeds benefiting VETSports*

THE MAIN EVENT – Sapphire Knight
New Year’s in Vegas can only mean three things: fighting, f*cking and forever. You ready to party with us?

DUET (ROCKSTAR #8.5) – Anne Mercier
Sera and Cage in Vegas: MMA, a formal gala, and a hot steamy night of sexin’.

FREEING HIS DARK EDGES – Kane Caldwell
Surprising Chase Black is not an easy task but when he opened the little box on Christmas morning to see tickets to one of the biggest MMA fights in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve, he was shocked. I thought I’d had the reins on our trip but since then, Chase keeps giving me those looks, a smirk that says I’m the one in for a surprise.

AS THE TIDE TURNS – BT Urruela
The war vet bodyguard. The Hollywood starlet. An unexpected threat at the biggest charity event of the year. Can Jason set aside his demons to save Savannah’s life, or will his past get the best of him?

FORBIDDEN ATTRACTION – CA Harms
Maybe it was the adrenaline, the pure excitement from the fight that had me thinking of things I shouldn’t. All I knew was never before had something that was wrong, felt so right.

FORBIDDEN – KL Kreig
There are two of them and one of me. And an irresistible lure between us that is expressly forbidden. Has the gluttony of Vegas distorted our judgment or could there be something else bigger at play?

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS – Alison Bliss
Brick Davenport is the quintessential billionaire badboy. He’s also my ex-fiance and the man who taught me the first rule of business–always protect your assets. On New Year’s Eve in Vegas, I’ll have to do just that, because Brick’s on a mission…for my heart.

TEMPTED TIMES THREE – M Never
Love like there’s no midnight.

F*ck like there’s no sunrise.

Chase Hammond and Shane Laughtner have finally found the woman who completes their Trinity, and this New Year’s Eve, the two have crafted a plan to make their trio permanent. Bright lights, a buzzing atmosphere, and an over indulgence of passion.

DICED – Ginger Scott
The last time Mia Stone saw Jamie Augusthill, he was being hauled away from her father’s five-star restaurant in handcuffs. Now, the supposed “new man, still brilliant chef” is standing in HER kitchen. Worse yet, he’s the only person who can pull off this impossible New Year’s Eve feast. He’s also the only man to ever break her heart.

BLINK – Molly McLain
I took her for granted and she walked out of my life. Now, two months later, she’s back…on another man’s arm. I never expected I’d spend New Year’s Eve without her, and I’ll be damned if she gives that midnight kiss to anyone but me. After all, she’s my wife.

A WILD CHASE – BB Reid
Mila Hunt has a big problem, and his name is Chase James. The arrogant asshole happens to be her boss, and after an embarrassing mistake at a gala, he decides her punishment should fit the crime. What he has in store for her she never thought she wanted, but she could never say no to him either…

ROCKIN’ THE SUITE – Rhonda James
Sebastian Miles in a man with a plan. Recently married, he’s been on tour with his band, Paradox, for the last four months, leaving his young wife, Brooke, alone at home. He has thirty-six hours before heading back out on the road; plenty of time to fly off to Vegas and prove to her he’s still the same romantic guy she fell in love with. The stakes are high, but he’s up for the adventure. After all… What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Right?

A POWERS PLAY (A POWERS THAT BE SHORT) – Harper Bentley
Gable Powers had loved keeping me off-balance from the moment we met—dirty words whispered in my ear that made me tremble, a spectacular tattooed body that had my own craving his, a secret revealed that only made me love him more. Even his proposal had taken me by surprise when he got down on one knee in the shower. But now it’s my turn to shock him at midnight on New Year’s Eve in Vegas, and it’s going to be awesome.

TAKING GREER – Winter Travers
Apollo Banachi is tired of waiting. He’s taking what belongs to him. Greer Cassidy doesn’t stand a chance.

CRAVED (BOUND TOGETHER 2.5) – Lacey Black
Tara Hunter and Scott Dixon have wanted each other for years, but something always keeps them apart – until New Year’s Eve. When Scott and Tara find themselves at a charity gala, the stars may finally align.

A SHOWER FOR…THREE? – Allie Juliette Mousseau

AMAZON

Reckless desire.
Scorching need.
Unmistakable love.
They all crash into me at once like the leading edge of a storm, weakening me everywhere.

Dear KL. Kreig,

I hate you. You are the worst tease in the history of teases and I can’t even with you right now. If I knew where you lived, I’d drive down there right now and sit over your shoulder as you type the rest of this story and glare at you. Menacingly. SO MENACINGLY. *waves threatening fist*

What sort of fuckery was this, damn you? No, no, don’t you give me that evil smile. Repent your bad deeds! REPENT!

As you can clearly see, I’m still attempting to calm my tits here. And as you can also clearly see, I’m failing miserably. Because this novella? WORST TEASE IN THE HISTORY OF TEASES!!! GAHHH!!!!

But in all seriousness, what the hell?!! Ever since the woman made the announcement of her upcoming duet, Lost in Between, I’ve been practically salivating for it. The she tells me there’s a novella for this couple in this anthology, so of course I jumped at the chance to read it. I was like a sex addict at a porn convention. I was ALL OVER IT. And by it, I mean the book. Where did your mind go, dirty bird? But I digress.

I will tell you nothing of the book. NOTHING. One, because I’m evil like that. And two, because I don’t want to spoil a thing for you. But what I will tell you is that if this doesn’t whet your appetite for Shaw and Willow’s story, roll over, you’re dead. You’d have to be not to be an angsty, salivating, crazed and sexually frustrated mess at the end of this little tease. And that’s what it is. A DAMN TEASE. But damn, it hurt SO GOOD. Now bring on the book before I hurt someone here!!!!

Review: Becoming A Legend by Sarah Robinson

BECOMING A LEGEND
Series: Kavanagh Legends #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Sarah Robinson
Release Date: December 13, 2016

From the author of Saving a Legend (“A deep and moving story about family, acceptance, and love.”—Katy Evans) comes another smoldering MMA romance featuring the Kavanagh brothers, the chiseled alpha males whose real legacy is love.

Kane Kavanagh has always had one goal: being the best mixed martial arts fighter alive. With the MMA National Championships in Las Vegas fast approaching, the man they call “Killer” has no intention of letting anyone or anything get in his way. Somehow, though, a feisty opponent has slipped beneath his guard—and stolen his heart. Fiery and passionate, Nora Hannigan is harder to pin down than any rival Kane has faced in the ring. And she isn’t afraid to tell Kane that she wants nothing to do with him.

With her best friend about to marry into the Kavanagh family, Nora has been resisting Kane’s shameless attempts at flirting for months. But after their undeniable chemistry finally takes over, leading to the hottest night of Nora’s life, she’s running scared. There’s a lot about her life Kane doesn’t know, and she won’t be responsible for ending his career. Now Kane’s out to prove that he’s ready for commitment by winning her heart—and he’s never lost a fight.

AMAZON | iBOOKS

I want every single string, kitty. I want your heart.”

How have I not read anything by this author before? What is wrong with me? Why am I starting this series with book 3? Well, at least I know the answer to the third question there, and that’s because I like to do things back-asswards more often than not. As for the other two? I have no clue and I’m kicking myself for the mistake thoroughly because I seriously enjoyed this book.

As a reader that typically goes for the alphaholes and manwhores, it was a refreshing change of pace to get a nice guy. Kane Kavanagh has had the hots of his brother’s girlfriend’s best friend for some time and all he’s gotten in return is her snark and disinterest. But Kane is not the playboy and batboy that he may come across as at first. Sure he’s focused on his professional fighting career, but he’s also loyal, sweet, and when the man sets his eyes on his goal, he’ll stop at nothing to get it…and what he wants is Nora. Nora has been trying to resist Kane for months, but when she finally gets to see the man beneath the sex appeal and show, she realizes that there’s a lot more to him than meets the eye.

Nora is a sweet girl that only ever wanted the love of her mother. Unfortunately her mother only ever cared about her herself and her next good time. Nora has been the adult her entire life and taking care of her mother is nothing new. She doesn’t want Kane or his amazing family to know the depth of the trouble she’s in or what her mother truly cost her, so avoiding Kane’s attentions is more of a necessity than she admits to at first. But the fiery attraction between them soon proves too much of a temptation to resist. What first starts as a not strings attached means to appease the sexual tension between them, soon begins to turn into something much more meaningful.

She wanted Kane, but she didn’t want him on those terms anymore, and certainly not at his expense. She wanted either everything or nothing, and she needed to find a way to be okay with whichever outcome occurred.

Becoming a Legend was a wonderful combination of sweet and sexy. Kane, while a playboy in his recent years, knows a good thing when he’s got it. And it’s only Nora for him as soon as they get started. I loved that there was absolutely no other woman drama. Kane only had eyes for Nora and I adored the sweet side of him that came out around her. He was protective and possessive but without going overboard.

Nora was a fantastic heroine. All she’s ever wanted was her mother’s love and seeing the extents of her sacrifices for her was almost heartbreaking to read. This was a perfectly paced, sweet and heartwarming romance that I enjoyed from start to finish. There was just the right amount of sizzle with just the perfect splash of action to spice things up. I loved that there was no craziness with Kane and Nora’s relationship. While the primary drama came from outside forces, it never felt like it was too much. It was the perfect addition to add an interesting plot line to the romance. If you’re looking for a sweet and sexy hero and romance with just as much sizzle, then this is definitely a must read.


Kavanagh Legends Series


BREAKING A LEGEND | SAVING A LEGEND | BECOMING A LEGEND

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

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