Review: ★Vindicate★ by Beth Yarnall

Review-VindicateVindicate
Series: Recovered Innocence #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Beth Yarnall
Release Date: November 17, 2015add-to-goodreads-button-2

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Beth Yarnall kicks off a steamy new series—perfect for fans of Kendra Elliot and Emma Chase—featuring a San Diego investigative team with a soft spot for lost causes and a passion for redemption.

Cora. . . . I got my driver’s license on my sixteenth birthday so I could visit my brother in prison. Five and a half years later, he’s still locked up for a murder he didn’t commit and I’m still trying to find a way to set him free. Then I hear about Nash Security and Investigation, a private detective agency that helped exonerate a wrongfully convicted man after thirty-nine years in prison. The problem? They’ve already taken on the one pro-bono case they’ll accept this year.

Leo. . . . I’m this close to finishing law school—and never working another day at my dad’s P.I. office—when Cora Hollis walks through the door. She’s got a box of files, a handful of leads, and an independent streak a mile wide. She fascinates me and I can’t say no. Suddenly I’m volunteering to help her find a missing witness who could be the key to her brother’s case. But nothing is what it seems and giving in to the attraction between us could be more dangerous than finding the real murderer.

Buy LinksAmazon / iBooks

Review3 stars

I’m not gonna lie and say that cover isn’t what first drew me to this book, but it was the synopsis that ultimately sealed the deal. I was intrigued enough to give a new to me author a chance, and I’m glad that I did. Don’t let my three star rating fool you. I enjoyed the book for the most part and I’m certainly hooked enough on this series to continue with the next book. There were just a few things that kept this being from a four star for me, and most of these happen to be reader preference. I tend to be on the pickier end, so please take what I say with a grain of salt.

The premise is intriguing enough. All Cora has known for the past five and half years is determination to get her brother free from prison. After the brutal rape and murder of his girlfriend, all signs pointed to him and that got him life in prison. But Cora knows he’s innocent and she’s give up everything and do anything to prove it. She’s spent the past five and a half years building a case. She’s given up school, secluded herself from her parents, all with a single minded intent to exonerate her beloved brother. When she hears a commercial on the radio for Nash Security and Investigation that just freed an innocent man that spend thirty nine years behind bars, she knows she may have the answer to her problems.

Leo Nash is a law student who has no intention of staying on to take over his father’s investigation business. He’s also quite the bit of a manwhore. But when he lays eyes on Cora and hears about her brother’s case, he knows that he wants to help. Sounds interesting, right? And it was.

So what didn’t quite work for me?

I’m not a fan of the instal-anything angle. And unfortunately for me, Vindicate had it in spades. Leo has no interest in long term relationships, he’s already managed to have sex with their office secretary and piss her off when he wants nothing more to do with her. Yet all it takes is for him to lay eyes on Cora, and all of a sudden he’s smitten. I just didn’t buy this connection. It was too sudden, there wasn’t enough buildup to it for me.

I also found the dialogue and writing to be a bit stilted at parts. It just didn’t have a flow to it.

Experimentally, she runs her thumb across the tip. It slides in my pre-cum, which seems to delight her, so she does it again and again. I groan. Her fascination with it is killing me. She wraps both hands about my dick and gives it a squeeze. I put my hand on hers and show her how to stroke me. She picks up my rhythm. I’m dying. She’s torturing me.

I felt like I was reading separate sentences put together but there was nothing tying them together, if that makes sense. It just didn’t sound natural or have a flow to it. This was especially true during most of their internal dialogues.

I also felt extremely underwhelmed with the ending. The mystery behind who the true killer was was the one thing that kept me turning the pages. And considering it lasted well into the last pages of the book, I expected something a little bit more from it, I suppose. It was wrapped up a little too quickly for my liking. Considering the way the book ends, I’m assuming some of it will carry into the next book.

My quibbles aside, this was still an enjoyable read and I definitely plan on reading the next book in the series. i love me those tortured alpha males, and it just doesn’t get much more tortured then Beau. Hopefully the next book will be a little stronger than this one.

Blog Tour, Review & #Giveaway: ★Steal Me★ by Lauren Layne

stealme_edited-1Steal Me
Series: New York’s Finest #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Lauren Layne
Release Date: November 24, 2015
Foreveradd-to-goodreads-button-2

STEAL ME_cover

 IN HOT PURSUIT

Being a cop might be in Anthony Moretti’s blood, but protecting and serving the city of New York has always been more than just the family business. If that means his love life stays locked up, well then that’s just another sacrifice made in the line of duty. That is, until he sets eyes on the gorgeous new waitress at The Darby Diner and suddenly Anthony’s morning coffee is leaving him a whole lot more hot and bothered than usual.

Though waitressing at The Darby isn’t exactly Maggie Walker’s dream job, it pays the bills and gives her time to work on her novel. Now if only she could stop fantasizing about gorgeous Anthony Moretti every time he sits down at her table, she’d really be in great shape. But when he needs her help identifying a criminal threatening The Darby—and Maggie recognizes her ex-husband—she fears her fresh start might be a pipe dream. Faster than a New York minute, Maggie and Anthony find themselves in one perilous pursuit that only gets hotter with each and every rule-breaking kiss.

Buy Links Amazon | B&N | Google Play | iTunes | KoboSteal Me Teaser 4

Excerpt

“So what did you mean, you don’t want to talk about it?,” Tony Moretti repeated, glancing down at Anthony’s plate, and scowling to see the bacon supply completely depleted.Anthony scooped a mouthful of Swiss cheese omelet into his mouth before sitting back and reaching for his coffee. “It means that Ma doesn’t like cop-talk at the table.”

Riiiiight,” Elena Moretti said from Anthony’s left side. “Because you guys always respect Mom’s no-cop-talk rule.”

Anth took another sip of coffee and exchanged a look and a shrug with Luc across the table.

Their sister made a good point.

In a family where four out of five siblings were living in New York, and three out of those four were with the NYPD, cop-talk was likely.

And when the family patriarch was the recently retired Ppolice Ccommissioner?

Cop- talk wasn’t just probable, it was inevitable.

Still, it was worth a shot to throw up his mother’s token rule of “no cop- talk.” Especially when he didn’t want to talk.

About any of it.

It had been a long time since he’d been the one in the hot seat, and he wasn’t at all sure that he cared for it.

Scratch that. He was sure.

He hated it.

But his father could be like a dog with a bone when it came to his sons’ careers. And today, like it or not, it was Anthony under the microscope.

He surrendered to the inevitable.

“Dad. I told you. It’ll get handled.” He went for another cup of coffee, only to find it was empty. Diner fail.

He scanned the dining room for the waitress, partially because he wanted more coffee, partially because he wanted a distraction. Partially because—

“You’ve been saying it’lls getbe handled for weeks,” Tony said, refusing to let the matter drop.

“Yeah, Captain. You’ve been saying that for weeks.” This from Anthony’s other brother Vincent. Two years younger than Anth, Vin was a homicide detective and the most irritable and irreverent member of the family. And the one least likely to kiss Anth’s ass.

If Anthony was totally honest, he was pretty sure that most of his younger siblings respected him, not only because he was the highest- ranking active family member, but simply because he was the oldest. He was the one they’d come to when they needed to hide that broken vase from Mom, or when they were scared to death to tell Dad about that D in Cchemistry, or in the case of his brothers, when it was time to learn their way around the female anatomy.

But Vincent had authority issues and was always the first to jump at the chance to gently mock Anthony’s status as Captain.

A title that had been hard -earned, and still felt new. As though it could be ripped away at any time.

Which was exactly the reason his father was on his ass right now. Anthony had passed his Ccaptain’s test three months ago, and his father had every intention of him climbing the ladder all the way to the top. The very top.

It was a path Anth had never questioned. A path that, up until recently, had been remarkably smooth.

And then…

And then Smiley had happened.

Review4 starsSteal Me-DGR

His eyes were wild as they looked down on her, and the last thought Maggie had before his mouth slammed against hers was that Anthony Moretti completely out of control was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen.

I have a rule when it comes to Lauren Layne books: she writes them, I read them. Period. It doesn’t matter what she writes, because each and every time I know I’ll be in for a treat. Her New York’s Finest series has quickly made its way onto my favorites list as well. I loved Frisk Me, and after the little peek that we got at the end of it into Anthony Moretti, I couldn’t wait to see what the police Captain will bring.

The character that immediately caught my attention was the middle Moretti, Vincent. What can I say? I love the broody grumpy assholes, and Vincent sure fits the bill. What I didn’t expect was for Anthony to give him a run for his money. The newly promoted Captain has no interest in relationships ever since a tragedy changed his outlook on mixing his career aspirations with a woman. He knows the two will never mix and he doesn’t even want to try. So what if the beautiful waitress at the diner his family frequents instantly catches his eyes. It helps that she can’t seem to help but dump food on him each time she sees him, bringing out his temper and loosing his filter so he can’t help but be a grade a asshole.

Maggie Walker has dreams, and a waitress at a diner isn’t it. But it pays the bills while she tries to make her dream of becoming an author come true. Having left everything behind to move to NY, she’s starting over fresh. In her tiny apartment, with her adorable dog, she doesn’t mind that it may not be the lap of luxury, because for once in her life it’s all hers. But she can barely seem to do her job when the intimidating Captain Moretti seems to bring out her inner klutz. But when she just may be the witness to help him with a career making case, Anthony has no choice but to get to know the little waitress better. And that’s when things get interesting…

He pulled back, just slightly, his breath hot and heavy against her face. “Say you want this.”

I loved Maggie’s sweet but sassy personality. At first I thought she’d be another introverted little mouse, but she really grew into her own as the book progressed. Anthony was the epitome of an a-hole for much of the book, which is actually, what ultimately brought my rating down slightly. It took him a bit too long for my taste to finally remove his head from his ass. And let me tell you, when it came to relationships, it was very firmly planted up there. You have to know it’s bad when Vincent was giving him relationship advice.

The chemistry between Maggie and Anth was scorching. What I love about Lauren Layne, is nothing is instant. No insta-love or insta-lust to be found here. She really makes it stretch and burn, and it makes it that much more delicious when the sparks finally ignite. So as frustrating as Anthony was for me at times, it took barely anything away from the book. I enjoyed it thoroughly and can’t wait until the next one….ESPECIALLY after that sneak peek at the end.
About the Author

Lauren_LayneLauren Layne is the USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance.

Prior to becoming an author, Lauren worked in e-commerce and web-marketing. In 2011, she and her husband moved from Seattle to New York City, where Lauren decided to pursue a full-time writing career. It took six months to get her first book deal (despite ardent assurances to her husband that it would only take three). Since then, Lauren’s gone on to publish ten books, including the bestselling Stiletto series, with several more on the way in 2015.

Lauren currently lives in Chicago with her husband and spoiled Pomeranian. When not writing, you’ll find her at happy hour, running at a doggedly slow pace, or trying to straighten her naturally curly hair.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

Giveaway

Rafflecopter Giveaway (Print Set of FRISK ME & STEAL ME, $5.00 Starbucks Gift Card and a Writers Gift Set)

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ARC Review: ★The Truth About Him★ by M. O’Keefe

Review-TTAHThe Truth About Him
Series: Everything I Left Unsaid #2
Genre: Erotic, Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 24, 2015
Author: Molly O’Keefeadd-to-goodreads-button-2

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For fans of Christina Lauren and Jodi Ellen Malpas comes the next novel in M. O’Keefe’s breathtakingly sexy series about a woman called into a journey of the heart, body, and soul.
 
We played our roles, told each other lies.

But now Dylan is no longer just a mysterious deep voice on the other end of the line. We’re face-to-face and our relationship is very, very real.

We still have secrets—but so much is crystal clear:

The thrilling danger.

The raw, naked desire.

The need to keep feeling the way he makes me feel. Forever.

Dylan is putting up walls, trying to keep me safe, but he can’t shut me out. He has seen my darkness and rescued me. Now it’s my turn, if only he will let me.

Buy-Links10Amazon / iBooks

Review4 starsThe Truth About Him- DGR

 

The truth, our truth, was complicated. But it was beautiful. And it was real.

What started in the erotically charged Everything I Left Unsaid, now comes to a gripping conclusion with The Truth About Him. What a ride this book was and so different from the first one too, in the best of ways.

I was completely captivated with Dylan and Annie’s story from the very beginning, and that only became even more so with this one. It’s like Everything I Left Unsaid was the set up for this book. It reels you in with a slower paced story, just to leave your head reeling with the events in Truth About Him. It’s one of those books that you’ll want to read cover to cover without putting it down, and that’s exactly what I did.


She owned me. Despondent and wrecked, smiling and bright- it didn’t matter. I was hers.

If you haven’t yet read EILU, my review will be absolutely spoiler free for both books.

Molly O’Keefe left readers with a hell of a cliffhanger at the end of the first book. TTAH picks up exactly where it left off, with Annie’s past that she’s running from coming back for her. But this book isn’t about Annie. We got to know her in the first one. No. This one has everything to do with the enigma that is Dylan Daniels and the past that he’s desperately trying to keep in the shadows. His estranged father, his dangerous MC member brother, his accident and everything after it; all of it comes to a head in this story.

I was used to being one thing. And one thing at a time. That’s all I could hold. And what she wanted from me, what she was asking, was messy. It was human and fraught with disaster. And I had no idea if I could do it.

He knows that after everything that Annie has been through, the last thing she needs is the likes of a man like him. He needs to drive her away with everything that he’s got, but he’s completely incapable of it. Especially since Annie is determined to bring him even closer and unearth all the secrets that he’s buried.

I was a fucking Daniels. We didn’t love, we crashed. We destroyed. We burned everything in fire.

This book will answer any and all questions you may have had and then some. It’s much quicker paced, filled with quite a bit of suspense on top of everything else. It’s also just as sexy if not more so than it’s predecessor
TTAH-DGRI was incapable of setting this down for even a second and read it in one sitting. While the author gives an incredibly satisfying conclusion for the romance, there are quite a bit loose ends that we’re left with in the form of secondary characters. Mainly Max and Blake who I’m basically salivating to get a story for. I managed to stalk down Molly to inquire about their books and was beyond thrilled when she confirmed that Max will be getting his story next.

A suspenseful and erotically charged conclusion to a fantastic duet that will only leave you begging for more. Definitely a big rec from this girl. But I recommend setting aside a few days, because you will not want to put it down and if you haven’t read the first book yet, you’ll want to read them back to back. I can’t wait for more from this author. She’s definitely one to watch out for!


Don’t miss the first book in this duet25387181My review / Purchase

ARC Review:★Rekindle The Flame★ by Kate Meader

Review-RtFRekindle the Flame
Series: Hot in Chicago 0.5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Kate Meader
Release Date: November 30, 2015add-to-goodreads-button-2

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Cuddle up by the fire with the irresistible prequel to Kate Meader’s smokin’ Hot in Chicago series—originally published in the sizzling holiday anthology Baby, It’s Cold Outside—a superhot e-novella that will warm you from your head to your heart and all the way to your toes!

Chicago firefighter Beck Rivera always knew his destiny would be defined by two things: his dream to follow in the footsteps of his legendary foster father Sean Dempsey and his teenage passion for heiress Darcy Cochrane, the one girl who could both stoke and cool his fire. Loving her meant setting her free and breaking her heart—and his. But when a chance reunion at his family’s bar, sparked by a drunk Santa, places her in his path again, destiny can no longer be denied.

The last thing heiress-turned-tattoo-artist Darcy Cochrane needs is the rollercoaster of emotion stirred up by her first love: sexy, gorgeous man-on-fire Beck Rivera. But he always had such talented hands. And more talented lips. And…maybe one time can’t hurt. Then she’ll send him packing like he did to her all those years ago. But Darcy and Beck soon discover that nothing ignites holiday flames like rekindling a lost love…

Buy LinksAmazon / iTunes / B&N

Review4 starsRekindle The Flame-DGR

Nine years on, and nothing had changed. Beck Rivera was still the boy who heated her from the inside out….

What’s better than a second chance romance? A second chance romance written by Kate Meader. Something about her writing and her characters just works for me and this steamy little novella was no exception. This book was previously published in the anthology, Baby, It’s Cold Outside, but now you can read just the individual story. If you’re new to Kate’s Hot In Chicago series, it’s an addictingly good story that’s set around foster siblings that are also firefighters. Sound hot? Well that’s because it is!

Nine years ago, Beck Rivera and Darcy Cochrane were in love and inseparable until Beck broke Darcy’s heart. Beck was the bad boy and Darcy was a heiress that deserved better…or so he thought. Now years later, a chance meeting brings them together again at his family’s bar. But this time, Darcy has a plan of her own with beck…

Maybe it was time to ensure Beck Rivera never forgot he met her.

Darcy is a different woman now, grasping onto and leading the life that she wants. A life that Beck never allowed her to show him. He thought she was meant for society luncheons, but all she wants is to work a tattoo gun. Now she has the chance to reignite the flame that never diminished between them and set him right at the same time.
Rekindle the Flame teaser-DGRI love that Kate never writes cookie cuter heroines. They’re strong, independent females that know what they want and go for it. I loved how Darcy was a tattoo artist but it’s her personality that truly drew me. She’s strong but has just this right amount of vulnerability to endear the reader to her from the very first page.

As for Beck? Well, expect the same hot yet incredibly sweet alpha that only Kate can write.

Problem catching a breath, miss? I can help. Qualified EMT.”
“You’re evil, Beck Rivera.”

This was an incredibly satisfying read in just 120+ pages. It was easy on the angst, heavy on the romance, with just enough steam added to the mix to have you reading it in one deliciously fabulous sitting.

If you haven’t read anything by this author, I highly recommend you get acquainted. I’ve loved everything she writes, but her Hot In Chicago series is easily my new addiction. Sizzling romance, amazing characters, and a dash of swoons make it the perfect afternoon read!

I’m yours, mi reina. Always have been, always will be.”


Don't miss the rest of the series

Hot in Chicago #0.5

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Hot in Chicago #1

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Hot in Chicago #1.5

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Hot in Chicago #2

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Review: ★Keeping Secrets★ by Lisa Eugene

Review- Keeping SecretsKeeping Secrets
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Lisa Eugene
Release Date: October 22, 2015add-to-goodreads-button-2

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Is that how a little girl sits?
No, Daddy.
How should a little girl sit?
Shoulders back and tummy in.
And how should a little girl look?
Always neat and pretty
That’s my girl.

Twenty-four-year-old Alexa Kennedy is beautiful, sharp as a whip, and at the top of her medical school class. She’s also been waging a war in her head for as long as she can remember. Depression. Hatred. Self-loathing. These feelings feed the pain inside her, fueling her quest for a perfection that she can never achieve.

In one life-changing moment, Dex Blakewell crashes into her world. Dex is funny, gorgeous, and irresistible. He chases away the darkness and fills her with light and laughter. An unusual friendship blossoms, making no demands or expectations.

Friendship turns into an unexpected love and a delicious passion. Alexa realizes that the only thing tethering her to sanity is their connection. But even Dex’s strength can’t keep her demons at bay forever.

When life overwhelms her, the outside world starts to mirror her inner turmoil. And when Dex discovers she’s been keeping horrible secrets, will she finally shatter or find a way through the darkness? Will the promise of love be enough to save her from self-destruction?

***WARNING: This book is for mature audiences and deals with topics and situations that some readers may find deeply emotional. That being said, I hope that many may find inspiration from these words. ***

Buy Links

Amazon 

Review4 starsKeeping Secrets-DGR

The need I had for her was consuming, irrational. She was as necessary as my next breath, as vital. It was not only baffling, but somehow unsettling.

I’ve been a fan of Lisa Eugene’s since my first book of hers, Steal My Heart. And with each new book she’s released since then she shows immense growth as an author. Her romances are not ordinary, and I can appreciate that as a reader. Reading romance, after a while most books begin to blend into each other. Unless there’s a certain edge to them that makes them stick out. This book had that in spades. Lisa took on an incredibly raw topic and she managed to weave it flawlessly inside a romance. Now considering the subject matter here, that’s no small feat. And props to her for pulling it off as well as she did.

Our gazes held and locked. There was a storm in her eyes and the force of it ripped through me.

Alexa Kennedy is a final year medical students, well on her way to becoming a doctor. She’s motivated, driven, smart, and completely lost to the war inside her mind. She’s her own worst critic and she never fails to rip into herself. A highly competitive medical school with entitled students just looking to overthrow her potential position as a valedictorian and scholarship to the Medical student are just a few of the things messing with her head. Then a child in the oncology wing that she’s bonded with passes away and sends her into a tail spin
Keeping Secrets-teaser DGR…only to come crashing into Dex Blakewell.

Dex is a successful businessman with no interest in women beyond one sweaty night between the sheets. But his word quite literary tilts on it’s axis when he meets Alexa. What begins as an unlikely friendship soon begins to turn into something much more. But both of them are keeping secrets. Secrets that have the potential of breaking the connection that they only just now formed.,,

Keeping Secrets was very different from anything that I would typically read. While the romance is a heavy element, what truly drives the story is Alexa’s “condition”. Lisa spares no detail in her struggle and truly brings the reader inside her mind. I loved that gritty little element to this book. I’m not entirely sure why it’s labeled as a dark romance, as I found nothing truly dark about it. There’s no graphic violence but you do get a graphic view inside Alexa’s issues (view spoiler). But for me that’s not dark. Realistic, absolutely. But not dark.

Alexa is a very broken individual, and while not my usual preference to read in a heroine, there was also something very endearing to her. You can’t help but feel for her and Lisa does a phenomenal job with character development to ensure that all readers will feel the same.

If you’re looking to step a little bit outside the norm of contemporary romance, this is the book you do it with. I absolutely loved that the author didn’t gloss over any issues. Her characters truly dealt with their issues in a realistic matter. The romance wasn’t instantaneous but it wasn’t too slow either. It was a perfect fit for the story and I loved watching these two fall in love. Of course in usual Miss Eugene fashion you get some super sexy scenes in here, but that’s just the icing on the already great story cake.

Review: ★Licked★ by Brooke Blaine

Review-LickedLicked
Series: L.A. Liaisons #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Author: Brooke Blaine
Release Date: November 11, 2015add-to-goodreads-button-2

Licked AMAZON

As the owner of Licked, an eclectic ice creamery and bar, Ryleigh Phillips doesn’t have time for that love stuff. Serving up Nibble My Nuts sundaes and Drunken Sailor boozy shakes are as close to an orgasmic affair as she’s had in months thanks to her expanding empire—until the night of her ten-year high school reunion.

When Ryleigh’s crush, gorgeous ex-football god Cameron Mathis, comes streaking into her life (literally—streaking), she begins to wonder if she really can have it all.

Wouldn’t it just figure that the moment you think life is perfect is when it falls spectacularly apart?

Enter Hunter Morgan, the contractor in charge of Licked’s renovations. Devastatingly handsome, and a smartass to boot, he’s got his eyes on Ryleigh from the moment he finds her passed out on his couch (yeah, that’s a long story). There’s just one tiny complication—he happens to be Cameron’s best friend.

When the lines between relationships and friendships blur, and it’s impossible to choose between two delicious flavors, what’s a girl to do?  Taste a sample of each? Or go out and get LICKED?

Buy LinksAMAZON

Review4.5 stars

If I were truly honest with myself, which guy would I choose? The man I’d always wanted? Or the man I’d never forget?

Now that, my friends, is how you write a love triangle. Because honest to god, if every love triangle was written this way, I’d actually read them. Having said that, when I found a teaser on Brooke’s Facebook page that hinted at a love triangle, I may or may not have threatened her with a slow and painful death. Because if you follow my reviews or know me at all, you know I absolutely hate love triangles. Having loved all her previous books, I decided to put my faith in her and dive right in, and boy am I glad I did because this was nothing like I expected.

If you notice, I didn’t do my usual casting for this book, and there’s a reason for that. I want you to go into this book knowing exactly the same amount that I did…which is practically nothing. It’s better that way. If you’re a love triangle avoider like myself, I beg you to give this a try and guarantee you will not be even a little bit sorry. So let’s move onto the review now, shall we?
Ryleigh Phillips has got to be one of the most adorably endearing heroines I have read in a good long while. Everything from her quirky rockabilly style, to her internal monologue, to her banter with her best friends, just worked for me. She’s funny, sassy, and just one of those heroines you want to be your very own best friend. She’s so lively, she practically jumps off the pages at you. Brooke did such a great job introducing a cast of secondary characters in the form of her best friends that grabbed all my attention from the go.

Raleigh is the successful owner of Licked, an eclectic ice cream joint that I’d probably be a frequent visitor of. Why? Well because who wouldn’t love a full set of Love Balls like Fiesty Ho-Bag or Cookie Dil-dough? I know I would. But I digress. Ryleigh was a bit of an outcast in high school. But now she’s grown into her style and is a successful business owner. So she attends her ten year high school reunion with the hopes of running into her old crush, Cameron. But of course nothing ever goes according to plan, because while she may have now caught the attention of her high school crush, it’s his best friend and roommate that undoubtedly captures her. So what’s a girl to do?

Hunter is nothing like her usual type. But when he volunteers to take over her shop’s renovations, she can’t avoid him. And he’s determined to have her too. So which one does she go with? The man she’s always crushed on? Or the man that she can’t stop thinking about?
Licked is one of those feel good and light hearted reads that will have you reading with a goofy smile on your face the entire time. It’s light on angst and stupid drama (as in none of it), and heavy on the humor and the sexy. I devoured it like my favorite pint of Ben & Jerry’s. Everything about it worked for me; the romance, the characters, and most of all the writing. Brooke Blaine doesn’t just take on new genres with each book she writes, she grabs it by the throat and calls it her bitch. The woman is a true rockstar. What a fun little read this was.

Endearingly quirky, laugh out loud funny, and deliciously sexy! Licked was absolutely luscious! I loved every yummy page of it. What a fantastic start to a series I can already tell I’ll be addicted to!

New Release & Review: ★Cruel and Beautiful★ by A.M. Hargrove & Terri E. Laine

Release & Review-CABCruel And Beautiful
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Authors: A.M. Hargrove,Terri E. Laine
Release Date: November 12, 2015add-to-goodreads-button-2

Cate Forbes, a dedicated college student with a carefully plotted future, doesn’t know the first thing about love. When she accepts a blind date with a rumored tasty piece of eye candy, she thinks she can get by with a night of fun. Cate’s plans quickly unravel when she gets one look at the sexy…

Drew McKnight.

The relentless hockey-playing medical resident knows what he wants—a career in Oncology and Cate. Although he’s heard the gorgeous brunette is a little relationship skittish, a single night out isn’t what he has in mind. Determined to have her—in every way possible—he shows her just what a future with him would hold.

Only life has other plans. The unthinkable happens and everything begins to shatter. Both in too deep, they will have to fight the cruel and hang onto the beautiful.

Cruel and Beautiful is a New Adult Contemporary Romance standalone, full-length novel based on true events, and includes mature content, not suitable for younger readers.

 Buy Links

Amazon / iBooks / Nook / Kobo

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Review4.5 starsCruel & Beautiful-DGR

…promise me you’ll live. Just live, Cate. Do it for me.

I have no idea how to even begin reviewing this book. After reading the prologue, I knew I was in for a tear jerker, and yet nothing could have prepared me for the full effect. Nothing. Cruel and Beautiful was unlike any book I’ve ever read before. Beautifully tragic and emotionally charged, it’s one of those books that will stay with me for a long while. I finished it last night and still find myself thinking about it. It’s just one of those stories that will touch you on a visceral level. It’s impossible not to have it effect you, it’s just that moving.

This is yours for as long as there are beats within it. Everything I have is yours. My love, my heart, my soul, and my life, for however short or long it may be.”

When Drew McKnight first laid his eyes on Cate Forbes, he knew he wanted her. Drew is older with his sights set on a career in Oncology, while Cate is still a college student with no plans on relationships or falling in love. But this isn’t an angsty college romance of boy meets girl. It’s a touching love story of two soul mates. It’s captivating, endearing, emotional, and interspersed with just the right amount of humor. You get to watch these two fall in love slowly. You get to experience all their first smiles, emotions, feelings, everything, right alongside with them.

Cate was probably one of the most adorably quirky heroines I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. I don’t think any other author could have pulled off a heroine that refers to her vagina as muffin or names it Louise, and actually have it be endearing instead of cheesy. But somehow these two authors did just that. Her lack of filter between her thoughts and what she says, her quirky Cate-ism, everything just worked for me. I fell for it, hook, line and sinker.

Okay. I’ll call them. Just so Louise can look pristine.”
“Who the fuck is Louise?”
I hold up my index finger and jab it toward Louise.
“Jesus C. You named it Louise? How did I not ever know that?”
“It’s a private thing.”

Her random thoughts and banter with her best friend and Drew never failed to bring a smile to face. I’m not sure what it was that kept it from crossing over that line to annoying or cheesy, but it was utter perfection. I was laughing my fool ass off at everything.

Don’t you laugh at me, Drew McKnight. I’m scared to pee in the woods and I hate snakes. Louise does too.”
“Louise loves my snake, Cate.”
“That’s not fair. This is real. I have to pee and I’m afraid.”

I love that the authors added that bit of humor to this emotional story. There was no unnecessary angst or drama. The book flowed flawlessly without any of it. It was a touching love story but it was also so much more. At 436 pages, it was definitely on the lengthy end, and I felt like it could have been cut down in certain parts. But the story never dragged for me either, so I can’t complain too much about it.

As for Drew? What can I tell you about Drew? He was perfection. Sweet yet with an incredibly sexy edge. He stole my heart and kept it, never to be the same again. This man was everything.

It’s told in alternating parts of Past and Present. Throughout the entire time the reader only begins to develop more and more questions. The connection behind everything kept me riveted to the pages from start to finish. I needed answers.

Say you won’t run. Say you’re in this as much as I am. Say you want me the same way I want you.”

This is one of those stories where the less you know going in, the better. Even the tiniest detail can be a spoiler. So I recommend going in absolutely blind.

What I can tell you, is this is a book unlike any you’ve read before. If you want a romance that will break your heart and melt it at the same time, this is simply a must read. It’s heart-breakingly good. One of the most unique books I’ve read all year. This was my first book by these authors, and I can say with utmost certainty that it will not be my last. I’m a huge fan after this and look forward to whatever they have next.

If you’re looking for an emotional read that’s guaranteed to make even the strongest hearts cry, this is that book. Once you meet Cate and Drew you’ll know exactly what I mean.


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About the Author

ABOUT A. M. Hargrove

AMHargrove-AuthorPhotoOne day, on her way home from work as a sales manager A. M. Hargrove realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn’t do something soon, it would be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life. So she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase. Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodge ball pro and had über quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head. Feeling a tad guilty about the near miss, A. M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what laptop out the window. She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone, called her boss, and quit her job. Grinning, she made another call to her hubs and told him of her new adventure (after making sure his heart was beating properly again).

So began A. M. Hargrove’s career as a Naughty and Nice Romance Author.

Her books include Adult, New Adult and Young Adult Romances, including, The Guardians of Vesturon Series (Survival, Resurrection, Determinant, reEmergent, and the novella Beginnings); Dark Waltz and Death Waltz (The Praestani Novels); The Edge Series (Edge of Disaster, Shattered Edge, and Kissing Fire); The Tragic Series (Tragically Flawed and Tragic Desires); Exquisite Betrayal; Dirty Nights: The Novel; and The Hart Brothers Novels (Freeing Her, Freeing Him, and Kestrel).

Please find her at www.amhargrove.com.

 

ABOUT Terri E. Laine

TerriELaine-AuthorPhotoWife and mother of three, I’ve always been an avid reader. In my early years, my best friend and I would tell each other stories over the phone when we were bored. We called them our “soap operas” and generally revolved around whatever boy we liked at the time.

Over five years ago, I got this crazy idea to write a novel and try to publish it. And the rest is history. This journey has been a blessing, and a dream realized. I look forward to many more memories to come.

Review: ★Knockout★ by Cari Quinn

Review-HHHEAHunks, Hammers, and Happily Ever Afters
Genre: Erotic, Contemporary Romance (Anthology)
Release Date: November 3, 2015add-to-goodreads-button-2

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An anthology of novellas about hunky blue collar, hammer wielding heroes and the women who tame them. Stories are by USA Today Bestselling Authors Cari Quinn, Cathy Clamp, and Anna J Stewart, and featuring authors Jodi Redford, Amie Stuart, Leah Braemel, and Chudney Thomas.

Get down and dirty with this sexy blue collar bundle featuring seven original contemporary romance novellas that range from sweet to sizzling.

KNOCKOUT – Cari Quinn
All Emerson Knapp wants…is everything he shouldn’t have. When all his secrets come to a head, the only question left is how much he’s willing to lose.

HOT SUMMER NIGHTS – Cathy Clamp
Sophie Green is smart, gorgeous, and good with her hands. Can Gabe convince her to make her stay at the Starlight Motel a permanent one?

MARKED FOR LOVE – Anna J. Stewart
Overworked pub manager Regan Murphy is about to have her hands full with Lantano Valley newcomer and tattoo artist Brodie Crawford: a sexy single father who is far too distracting.
*this version of MARKED FOR LOVE is a spiced up version of the original sweet novella of the same title. Includes a never before published epilogue, available ONLY in this boxed set.

KNOTTY MAGIC – Jodi Redford
Hormones be damned, Tully Eastwood won’t succumb to her attraction for a sexy lumberjack—until she finds herself trapped overnight with him in the woods.

AGAINST THE WALL – Amie Stuart
Construction Supervisor Lexi Kimball is the one person everyone loves to hate. Everyone except a sexy foreman with an adventurous streak, that is.

UNASHAMED — Leah Braemel
Two sexy construction workers double Hayley O’Connell’s fun. But can they convince her the fun should last forever?

LOVE IN AN ELEVATOR – Chudney Thomas
Mica Lawson is a failure and a flake; at least according to her family. Then one stalled elevator, and a sexy repairman, change her life.

Buy Links

ON SALE FOR A LIMITED TIME! GRAB THESE HOT HUNKS BEFORE THEY’RE GONE (only $.99)

Amazon


ReviewReview only for Cari Quinn’s Knockout4 starsKnockout- DGR

I’ve been denying too much for too long.

Ladies and ovaries, allow me to introduce you to your next must read. If you’re looking for some smutty goodness wrapped up in a fantastic story, it simply doesn’t get better than this. Did I mention that it has one of the hottest MMF threesomes I’ve read in a while? Because….damn.

It’s no secret that I’m a shameless hussy when it comes to Cari Quinn’s books. So when she told me she was writing another MMF and it would be set in the Tapped Out world, which is one my favorite series by her, my ovaries were all
The beauty of this dirty little beauty, however, is you don’t have to have read the previous books in the series to enjoy it. While Carly and Geo from On the Ropes make an appearance here that will make fans of the series happy, you won’t be lost if you’re new to it either. The story mainly focuses on the romance between Lily, Emerson, and JC. It’s a friends to lovers story that’s sizzles to the point of scorching!

I felt completely ravaged. Consumed.
Lost.

Lily and Emerson have been best friends for years. Emerson has been in love with Lily for almost as long. But she’s always been hands off. Her father took him in when he was lost, and the last thing he wants to do to repay that is defile his beloved only daughter. So he concentrates on his fighting career and wards off any potential men with intimidating looks. After all, no one else can possibly be good for her.

But his carefully constructed world gets thrown for a loop when JC decides to take matter into his own hands. JC has been in love with Lily, but he’s also been lusting after Em. While JC is open with his sexuality, he’s not quite sure which way Emerson will swing. But he’s willing to take the chance.

Em has never been with another man before, but damn if JC doesn’t do it for him. He lusts after him, but no one will ever know. Until one night where all their carnal desires finally come to one fiery head. Pun most definitely intended.

Hate and love might be on opposite sides of a line most of the time. Right now, I was fucking straddling it with his dick in my mouth. And I adored every second.

This book was all kinds of deliciously dirty. It may not be a full length novel, but boy is it enough to satisfy. And satisfy it certainly did. There’s one particular locker room scene that practically melted even my steel plated ovaries.

GFY, threesome and friends to lovers all in one delicious little story. It’s like the holy trifecta for me. My ovaries were on cloud 9 here! If you’re looking for a steamy little number to spend the afternoon or the evening with, I highly recommend you give this a go. Trust me. Make your your ovaries happy.

Review: ★Hard Beat★ by K. Bromberg

Review- Hard BeatHard Beat
Series: Driven #7
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: K. Bromberg
Release Date: November 3, 2015add-to-goodreads-button-2

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From the New York Times bestselling author of Sweet Ache comes a blistering new novel filled with danger, secrecy, and a desire that can’t be sated…

Foreign war correspondent Tanner Thomas is addicted to living on the edge. Needing the adrenaline rush of his job to help him cope with a personal loss, he throws himself back into the game, concentrating all his energy on getting the next big story.

But when he meets his new photojournalist, Beaux Croslyn, he can’t help but feel like he’s losing his focus—and maybe risking more…

With secrets she won’t address, Beaux is far from your ordinary woman. Determined to keep her distance, she’s willing to pull Tanner in closer and hide behind the sparks flying between them. But as Beaux’s past begins to put their relationship—and their lives—at risk, Tanner’s determination to find the truth puts them both in jeopardy.

He’s ready to chase her to the ends of the earth to find out if what they had was real, or if the danger surrounding them was just an exquisite heat fated to burn out…

Buy LinksAmazon / B&N / iBooks

Review5 starsHard Beat-DGR

 

She’s my little piece of Heaven in the land full of Hell.

It’s been quite a while since I read an all male POV that was this engrossing. Hard Beat was simply unputdownable from beginning to end. It was everything I love, and I really do mean everything. It managed to tick all my boxes.
A reedemable asshole hero.

Guilt is a goddamn vise squeezing out of me every ounce of emotion I never wanted to feel.

You may remember Tanner as Rylee Thomas’s older brother. Well now it’s his turn for a HEA and it’s going to be one bumpy road. Tanner is a famous foreign war correspondent. Now back to doing what he does best after a tragic loss that absolutely gutted him, he’s interested in one thing and one thing only; his career. No woman, especially not some newbie photographer that’s still green behind her ears will deter him from that. So when a dark haired beauty approaches him at a bar, he rejects her. But her appeal is just too much for him to fight, so when her flirtation turns into sarcastic insults after his treatment, a few heated words turn into something much hotter

You’re arrogant and-”
“You don’t have to like me to fuck me,” I say, cutting her off. “You just have to want me.”
“Fuck you!”

I chuckle against her lips before pulling back and looking straight into her desire-laden eyes. “That’s the plan.”
…. until he figures out that she’s his new photographer.

I think that had this been written in dual POV the effect would have been lost. I absolutely LOVED being in Tanner’s head. You get to experience every single emotion right along with him. So even when he’s being a downright asshole, your heart still breaks for him because you know what’s behind every word.

She wants to be a bitch? Well, I can be a grade A asshole. She has no idea who she’s messing with. We already started this relationship with a bang, so why not keep it going that way, right?

Utterly delicious hate to love trope
The relationship development here was phenomenal. The rocky start, the hate lust, all of which leads to inevitable feelings. But man oh man was it done well. I couldn’t get enough of Tanner and Beaux. These two seriously burn up the pages together. So much so that the tension between them sizzle and crackles so much it practically vibrates your finger with every turn of the page. Ugh. It was perfection.
A sassy and sharp witted heroine that gives as good as she gets
Beaux Croslyn is a mystery for a large portion of the book, but in that lies her appeal. You’re figuring out the puzzle that is her right along side Tanner. But what you do know, is this is a woman that doesn’t give in easily. For every asshole remark Tanner has, she gives it right back. She’s no pushover and she sure has a smart mouth on her.

Like I said, fuck off.”
“It seems to me your mouth needs to be washed out with soap. Not real classy for a lady to keep repeating words like that.”
“Oh, I’m a whole lot of classy. I just reserve all my fucks for assholes like you who deserve them.”

I simply couldn’t envision a better match for Tanner.
An unputdownable story filled with twists and turns
While the romance is emotional, erotic and oh so satisfying, what truly made this a 5 star read for me was the plot that tied it all together. It was fantastic! Then that last 30% happened and I was completely blown away. The twists and turns I never saw coming kept me riveted to the pages. I couldn’t put it down until I finished.

There’s not a single part about this book that I didn’t love. Quick paced, filled with action and even a little suspense, erotic, and emotionally charged made this the absolute perfect read. A must read!

Read the series in order

Driven (Driven, #1)

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Fueled (Driven, #2)

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Crashed (Driven, #3)

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Raced (Driven, #4)

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Slow Burn (Driven, #5)

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Sweet Ache (Driven, #6)

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Hard Beat (Driven, #7)

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Coming 1/11/16

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Aced (Driven, #8)

New Release & Review: ★Tough Enough★ by M. Leighton

Review- Tough enoughTough Enough
Series: Tall, Dark, and Dangerous #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: M. Leighton
Release Date: November 3, 2015add-to-goodreads-button-2

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You seriously don’t want to miss MMA-champion-turned-Hollywood-superstar Rogan. Hotness!


About The Book

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From the author of the New York Times bestselling Bad Boys novels comes the second book in a dark, sexy contemporary trilogy.

 He’s a fighter who never loses, but is he tough enough to win her heart?

There was a time when I had everything–a wonderful family, a bright future. Love. But all that was taken away in a single night, torn from me like flesh from bone. Since then, I’ve hidden away in my second-choice job as a makeup artist. But I prefer it that way, actually. I’m comfortable in the shadows, where no one can see my scars.

Kiefer Rogan literally took my breath away the moment I met him. MMA champion-turned-actor, notorious playboy, charming to a fault—he’s everything I vowed to avoid.

But he just wouldn’t stop until I opened up and let him in. Maybe I should’ve tried harder to resist him. Maybe I shouldn’t have fallen in love with him. Because I, of all people, know that everyone has secrets. Scars. And that they’re usually ugly and painful and destructive to the people we love most.

I just never guessed that they could be deadly, too.

Buy Links Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Kobo| Google Play

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Get Strong Enough, the first book in the Tall, Dark, and Dangerous series
Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Kobo | Google Play

Add Tough Enough†to your Goodreads TBR
MLeighton-ToughEnough-Meme3Review4 starsTough Enough-DGR
Why me?”
He doesn’t hesitate with his answer. “Something tells me you’re worth the effort.”

Well, this was certainly…different. If you’re expecting Tough Enough to be on the same intensity level as Strong Enough, don’t. This was a complete change of pace from the first book. It’s an emotional journey that’s both beautiful and touching. The suspense element is not the predominant factor here as it was in the predecessor. As a matter of fact, it was barely present up until the very end. Which actually brings me to my minor dilemma. I’ve been waffling with my rating on this book for days now. Do I rate it on it’s own, or do I rate it based on the series it’s in? But I’ll get to that in a bit.
Tough Enough teaser-DGRIn true M. Leighton fashion, Tough Enough grabs the reader’s attention with just the prologue.

Katie Rydale is a woman with secrets; deep, painful secrets that she’s still learning to live with. It’s been years since the even that changed her life irrevocably, and yet she’s still just a shell of the woman she used to be. A meek kitten that hides behind the shadow of who she used to be. She’s more comfortable behind the lime light as a makeup artist to the stars that bask in it.

Kiefer Rogan is like champagne- undeniably delicious, deceptively light, and too easy to get drunk on. To lose your mind with. To make a mistake with.

Kiefer Rogan is the uber sexy MMA star turned actor and one fourth of the Delta 5 team that we were introduced to in the first book. Katie knows that men like him will only burn her. He’s just too everything; too sexy, too intense, too determined to get to know her.

We both fought to survive. But only one of us fought to live.

If you’re looking for a swoony alpha hero, you’ll certainly get that with Keifer. His slow and determined seduction of Katie was one of my favorite parts about this book. I love a slow burn romance, especially one that’s layered in ripe sexual tension. As protective as Rogan is, he understands Katie’s limits and doesn’t push them. For all his intensity, it’s so refreshing to see a hero that’s respectful of a woman’s boundaries. He was just so incredibly sweet but without ever losing that edge that he has to him.
Tough Enough teaser2-DGRKatie is not exactly the kind of heroine I prefer to read about. She’s very demure and tends to withdraw into herself at the slightest altercation. I would have loved to see her come into her own a little sooner than she did.

If you’ve read the first book, which I highly recommend you do, then you know there was a particular suspense element that was left in a cliffhanger. Clearly there was a story arc that would continue throughout the series. I was expecting for this book to bring some of that intensity with it as well, but it never quite went there. The main focus was the relationship between Rogan and Katie while the suspense was more of an afterthought. I don’t have a problem with this, and up until the final 10% of the book, this was a solid 4.5 star read for me. This could easily be a case of built up expectations, but I found the ending to be rushed and well…anticlimactic. After all the buildup in book 1 for everything to be resolved the way it was, it just wasn’t as satisfying as I had hoped. I would have loved for that part to be really fleshed out and not just glossed over as it had been. But then again, I don’t know what the third book will bring, so it is tough to judge without having finished the series.

For all the minor issues I may have had, this book had my full attention from beginning to finish. So while I wished it had a bit more of an edge to it like the first one in the series, I still definitely enjoyed it.


 


About the Author

MLeighton-AuthorPhotoNew York Times and USA Today†bestselling author M. Leighton is a native of Ohio. She relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, Michelle finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: literary fiction.

Having written over a dozen novels, these days Michelle enjoys letting her mind wander to more romantic settings with sexy Southern guys, much like the one she married and the ones you’ll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren’t roaming in that direction, she’ll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

Sign up for her newsletter here, and be the first to know about exclusive giveaways, new books, and awesome fan-only perks! And join Michelle in her superfan Facebook group, Laid Back with Leighton, right here!

Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

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