DGR Favorites

#DGRFave & Review: The Truth About Lies by Aly Martinez

August 23, 2018 by Lana · Leave a Comment

THE TRUTH ABOUT LIES
Series: The Truth Duet #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Aly Martinez
Release Date: August 23, 2018

Truth: From over a thousand miles away, I watched on the screen of my phone as two men murdered my wife.

And I was helpless to save her.

Consumed by hate and rage, I spent four years running from my memories.

Until a shattered woman gave me a reason to stop.

Cora lived in a nightmare, but through sheer force of will, she’d turned it into something beautiful.

She had a smile that could pierce the darkest soul.

And with one glance, she shredded mine.

Lie: I was only there for a fresh start.

Lie: I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

Lie: There was nothing I could do to save her, either.

But that’s the thing about lies—you never know who to believe.

AMAZON

One in. One out.

This book! OH GOD! THIS. BOOK. I knew from the very first chapter, that this will be unlike any other book that I’ve read from this author. And having had read her entire backlist, that’s saying something. The Truth About Lies is not a sweet story. It’s not a light and sunny romance. It’s spine-tingling good and oh so gritty. I had goosebumps from the first few pages, and that told me immediately that I was in for one emotional ride!

I was the sinner in this story. With a heart filled to the brim with hate and a mind overflowing with vengeance and chaos.

If you’ve ready any Aly Martinez book before, then you already know that she knows how to pack one hell of an emotional punch. Her duets absolutely slay you, but nothing prepared me for what I was about to experience with The Truth About Lies.

Lies—I needed them more than oxygen. I was never going to be able to survive the truth. Not again.

This is a story of two people who have gone through their own personal hell. People who hide their pain and personal demons behind a smokey veil of lies; lies that are absolutely necessary for their own survival.

Cora is a heroine unlike any that Aly has written to date. This woman is a survivor. She’s got an inner core of strength that allows her to do anything she has to do to protect those that she cares about. And that’s ultimately what she is; a protector. This is a woman that cares and cares deeply. I couldn’t help but connect with her right away. She’s been through hell and back in her young life, but that doesn’t get her down. She’s the epitome of perseverance.

Then there’s Penn. This man is an enigma. He’s utterly magnetic. There’s this electric current to him that you feel when you read about him. I can’t even describe it to you, but every time you get one kernel of information about him, you’re also left desperate for more.

Sometimes lies are a necessary part of survival. Sometimes the truth hurts more than you can imagine. Sometimes what you think you know isn’t even what’s close to being reality. And sometimes, two lies crash into something incredibly real that has the power to send everything into a flame of betrayal and love.

The Truth About Lies was raw, gritty, emotional, and completely unputdownable. It was a smoke screen of half truths and lies, all wrapped around a gripping romance that owns your heart from beginning to end. I couldn’t get enough of it. I was utterly captivated, hypnotized, and totally enraptured with this story. And now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to rock myself in a corner until book two, because I still CAN’T EVEN!!!!

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, DGR Favorites · Tagged With: Aly Martinez, Book Reviews: 5 stars, DGR Fave

#DGRFave & Review: Pretty Venom by Ella Fields

August 9, 2018 by Lana · Leave a Comment

PRETTY VENOM
Series: Gray Springs University #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Ella Fields
Release Date: August 3rd, 2018

Callum Welsh perfected the art of hating me when we were two kids who believed we’d be forced into marriage.

He thought I wanted it, but my only wish had been for him to leave me alone.

Then one afternoon, he stole my first kiss.

Despite all he’d done, everything changed after that.

As the years passed, our hearts thawed, and he no longer hated me.

In fact, he loved me enough to make me his wife.

Until I ruined everything with one stupid mistake.

That hatred returned in the form of cruel words and even crueler deeds.

But we weren’t kids anymore.

I could handle his brand of venom.

He would be mine again, even if it cost me the remains of my heart.

Warning: contains cheating and an anti-hero who might make you throw your kindle.

FREE in Kindle Unlimited
AMAZON

If someone has control over your heart, the worst thing you could do was make an enemy out of them. And like a fool, I had.

OH MY GOD! THIS BOOK.
I.
Can’t.
DEAL.

First of all, that warning is no joke. I wanted to cry, yell, rip my hair out, and throw my kindle at the wall. This book wrung every emotion out of me, most of all all consuming rage. So much rage. Like ALL OF THE RAGE. But it was also all consuming. This book took over my entire existence for the hours that it took me to devour it, completely unable to put it down for even a second. I’m a sucker for some devastating angst, and if the blurb didn’t lure me into reading my first Ella Fields book, that warning ultimately did the job.

His brand of assholery had a ricochet effect. Affecting other things in my life, piece by little piece.

The story takes a delicious turn from enemies to lovers and back again in this ulcer inducing romance, and this reader couldn’t get enough of it. Heartburn and bald spots and all.

You smell like peaches.” “And you smell like an asshole.

Renee and Callum have history going back to their early teens. They first meet when they’re in high school and their back and forth antagonism starts. Callum resents the fact that their parents are essentially planning their marriage already. And he takes special exception to Renee, by serving her to a daily dose of his special brand of douchebaggery. Renee is no wallflower, and she’s not shy about giving as hard as she gets. Their connection is tumultuous and antagonistic, with a heavy undecurrent of chemistry that they’re both too young to fully grasp and understand when they first meet. But then as the years pass, and their push and pull continues, it eventually begins to morph into something else. When Callum stops hiding how he truly feels behind cruel words and deeds, he goes after Renee with a completely different motivation, and a relationship blooms.

Being kids when they first get together, life doesn’t really prepare them for the obstacles they’ll face when they go off to college together. Then one mistake driven by hurt and anger changes everything.

I couldn’t do this, yet, at the same time, I couldn’t see a way out of this. Falling in love changed you bit by bit in a way you didn’t realize until that love had left you suffocating in the remaining pieces of who you once were. If this was what I had to live with, what I had to endure … I was afraid it’d kill me slowly.

And this is where the angst really starts. Callum’s brand of punishment and cruelty truly takes a turn from painful to downright eviscerating. The man puts Renee through hell. Every move, word, and look is calculated for maximum pain. That warning is no lie, because the things he does makes you want to peel your skin off and throw it at him. But at the same time, knowing what he’s going through in his head, you get where the anger is coming from. You hate him for what he does, but you understand why he’s doing it. It’s a special sort of hell, because as much as it hurts, it’s also absolutely riveting.

If you make someone your world, do not complain when the ground crumbles beneath your feet.

Pretty Venom was an all consuming sort of story. It’s the sort of book that takes over your entire world when you read it. It’s gut wrenching, emotionally annihilating, and rip your hair out sort of angsty. Ella Fields is clearly a master of her craft, because she delivers two characters that are far from perfect, yet somehow relatable. They both make mistakes, and as much as you want to judge them for it, you simply can’t. You’re much too wrapped up in their pain to do anything else. It’s no lie that there’s a thin love between love and hate, and this book takes you through both extremes and then back again.

My enemy, my ally, my best friend. She was love in its rawest form. Everything I needed wrapped in one multilayered bow. One that I refused to let unravel ever again.

It was utterly delicious and I binged on it like the angst addict that I am. Ella Fields just went straight to my auto-buy list, no blurb required. This is an author that’s not afraid to write about the ugly side of human emotion, and Pretty Venom was certainly that. This book owned me and I’m seriously kicking myself for only reading this author now. I plan on rectifying my mistake immediately by reading the rest of the series.

Ella Fields is a mother and wife who lives in the land Down Under. While her kids are in school, you might find her talking about her characters and books to her two cats. She’s a notorious chocolate and notebook hoarder who enjoys creating hard-won happily ever afters.

Connect with Ella:

Facebook | Reader Group | Instagram | Twitter:

Stay up to date with Ella by joining her mailing list: https://ellafields.net/subscribe/

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, DGR Favorites · Tagged With: angst, Book Reviews: 5 stars, DGR Fave, Ella Fields, enemies-to-lovers

#DGRFave & Review: Kiss An Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

July 21, 2018 by Lana ·

KISS AN ANGEL
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Release Date: 1996

Wedding Day

Pretty, flighty Daisy Devreaux can either go to jail or marry the mystery man her father has chosen for her.

Arranged marriages don’t happen in the modern world, so how did the irrepressible Daisy find herself in this fix?

Alex Markov, as humorless as he is deadly handsome, has no intention of playing the loving bridegroom to a spoiled little feather-head with champagne tastes.

He drags Daisy from her uptown life to a broken down traveling circus and sets out to tame her to his ways.

But this man without a soul has met his match in a woman who’s nothing but heart.

Before long, passion will send them flying sky high without a safety net…

risking it all in search of a love that will last forever.

AMAZON

5 BILLION ZILLION GAJILLIONTY STARS

I take thee… to be my awful wedded husband”

I have NO idea how I missed this book by one of my all time favorite authors, considering I’ve practically read her entire backlist. But I did. And I’ve been kicking myself for days for taking this long to do it. Because this book? THIS BOOK WAS MAGICAL! It is hands down my favorite contemporary romance, not only from this author, but period. Yes. It was THAT good. Actually, no. It wasn’t just good. It was brilliant. It was enchanting, sigh inducing, heartwarming, funny, swoony, PERFECTION.

His fists clenched at his sides. “Damn it! Where’s your pride?”
“Pride? It’s in my heart, of course.”
“You’re letting me demean you!”
She smiled. “You can’t do that. I can only demean myself.”

If you love the arranged marriage trope, you will LOVE the story of Alex and Daisy. Put against a rock and a hard place, Daisy agrees to her father’s choice of husband, even if she’s only meets him the day of her wedding. Alex has his own reasons for agreeing to the arrangement, but he’s keeping a tight lid on those.
Suddenly sweet and somewhat sheltered Daisy that’s used to globe trotting and dining with celebrities with her flighty and selfish past model mother, finds herself thrust into circus life, with a husband that’s determined to prove to her that she can’t hack it. Put to the test on just how much of the ordinary life she can endure, Daisy soon finds that there’s something almost magical about the circus, and more than meets the eye to her husband.
Daisy was the sweetest, most endearing heroine I’ve ever read. I loved all of her vulnerabilities and insecurities. I loved her soft sort of strength and the way she finds herself in a place she last expected.

Alex was an outright bastard to her. Yet there was something so intriguing about him. I couldn’t get enough of him. I wanted to hate him for his treatment of Daisy, but then reading about her method of dealing with him gave me too many laughs to care.

Good news!” she chirped. “The doctor says this time it’s triplets!”

I loved the way that Daisy’s sweet nature eventually began to win over everyone around her. I loved the incredible cast of quirky and unique secondary characters. My absolute favorite part had to be the animals, though.

This book was simply EVERYTHING. It was phenomenal, unputdownable, page-turner, smile-inducer. It had THE MOST DELICIOUS GROVEL I have ever read. It had the swooniest romance. It had the quirkiest humor. IT WAS EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING! An absolute must read! My favorite book of the year and hands down my favorite SEP book to date!

· Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, DGR Favorites · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 5 stars, DGR Fave, Susan Elizabeth Phillips

DGR’s Ultimate List of Romantic Suspense

July 18, 2018 by Lana · 15 Comments

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

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

★ULTIMATE LIST OF MC/BIKERS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF DIRTY TALKERS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ROCK STARS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF FIGHTERS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ANTI-HEROES★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF HATE TO LOVE ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF MAFIA ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ANGSTY ROMANCE★

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

TEMPTING NAVY SEALs series by Lora Leigh

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 10 out of 10

ADD IT ON GOODREADS

: Reno’s Chance: A Navy Seals Story (Tempting Navy SEALs Book 1)

: Dangerous Games: A Novel (Tempting Navy SEALs Book 2)

: Real Men Do It Better (Tempting Navy SEALs Book 3)

: Hidden Agendas: A Novel (Tempting Navy SEALs Book 4)

: Killer Secrets: A Novel (Tempting Navy SEALs Book 5) Killer Secrets: A Novel (Tempting Navy SEALs Book 5)

: Atlanta Heat: A Navy SEALs Story (Tempting Navy SEALs Book 6)

WILD CARD by Lora Leigh

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

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

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 10 out of 10

ADD IT ON GOODREADS

: Wild Card (Elite Ops Series Book 1)

: Maverick (Elite Ops Series, Book 2)

: Heat Seeker (Elite Ops Series Book 3)

: Black Jack (Elite Ops Series Book 4)

: Renegade: A Novel (Elite Ops Series Book 5)

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

The Mccloud Brothers Series by Shannon McKenna

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 9 out of 10

ADD IT ON GOODREADS

: Behind Closed Doors (The Mccloud Series Book 1)

: Standing In The Shadows (The Mccloud Series Book 2)

: Out Of Control (The Mccloud Series Book 3)

: Edge Of Midnight (The Mccloud Series Book 4)

: Extreme Danger (The Mccloud Series Book 5)

: Ultimate Weapon (The Mccloud Series Book 6)

: Fade To Midnight (The Mccloud Series Book 7)

: Blood and Fire (The Mccloud Series Book 8)

: One Wrong Move (The Mccloud Series Book 9)

: Fatal Strike (The Mccloud Series Book 10)

: In For the Kill (The Mccloud Brothers Series Book 11)

KGI Series by Maya Banks

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

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

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 8 out of 10

ADD IT ON GOODREADS

: The Darkest Hour (KGI series Book 1)

: No Place to Run (KGI series Book 2)

: Hidden Away (KGI series Book 3)

: Whispers in the Dark (KGI series Book 4)

: Echoes at Dawn (KGI series Book 5)

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

THE BULLET CATCHERS Series by Roxanne St Claire

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

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

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 6 out of 10

ADD IT ON GOODREADS

: Kill Me Twice (The Bullet Catchers Book 1)

: Thrill Me to Death (The Bullet Catchers Book 2)

: Take Me Tonight (The Bullet Catchers, Book 3)

: First You Run (The Bullet Catchers Book 4)

: Then You Hide (The Bullet Catchers Book 5)

: Now You Die (The Bullet Catchers Book 6)

: Hunt Her Down (The Bullet Catchers Book 7)

: Make Her Pay (The Bullet Catchers Book 8)

THE GUARDIAN ANGELINOS Series by Roxanne St Claire

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

STEAM FACTOR: 6 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

: Edge of Sight (The Guardian Angelinos Book 1)

: Shiver of Fear (The Guardian Angelinos Book 2)

: Face of Danger (The Guardian Angelinos Book 3)

EDGE OF SIGHT | SHIVER OF FEAR | FACE OF DANGER

DEADLY Series by Cynthia Eden

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

STEAM FACTOR: 7 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

: Deadly Fear (Deadly, #1)

: Deadly Heat (Deadly, #2)

: Deadly Lies (Deadly, #3)

DEADLY FEAR | DEADLY HEAT | DEADLY LIES

MINE Series by Cynthia Eden

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 7 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

: Mine To Take (Mine- Book 1)

: Mine To Keep (Mine- Book 2)

: Mine To Hold (Mine- Book 3)

: Mine To Crave (Mine- Book 4)

: Mine To Have (Mine- Book 5)

: Mine To Protect (Mine- Book 6)

LAST CHANCE RESCUE Series by Christy Reece

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

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 6 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

: Rescue Me (Last Chance Rescue, #1)

: Return to Me (Last Chance Rescue, #2)

: Run to Me (Last Chance Rescue, #3)

: No Chance (Last Chance Rescue, #4)

: Second Chance (Last Chance Rescue, #5)

: Last Chance (Last Chance Rescue, #6)

: Sweet Justice (Last Chance Rescue, #7)

: Sweet Revenge (Last Chance Rescue, #8)

: Sweet Reward (Last Chance Rescue, #9)

: Chances Are (Last Chance Rescue, #10)

THE BODYGUARDS Series by Cindy Gerard

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 6 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

: To the Edge (The Bodyguards, #1)

: To the Limit (The Bodyguards, #2)

: To the Brink (The Bodyguards, #3)

: Over the Line (The Bodyguards, #4)

: Under the Wire (The Bodyguards, #5)

: Into the Dark (The Bodyguards, #6)

BLACK OPS Series by Cindy Gerard

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

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 6 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

: Show No Mercy (Black Ops Book 1)

: Take No Prisoners (Black Ops Book 2)

: Whisper No Lies (Black Ops Book 3)

: Feel the Heat (Black Ops Book 4)

: Risk No Secrets (Black Ops Book 5)

: With No Remorse (Black Ops Book 6)

: Last Man Standing (Black Ops Book 7)

PASSION FOR DANGER Series by Nina Bruhns

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

STEAM FACTOR: 7 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

: Shoot to Thrill (Passion For Danger, #1)

: If Looks Could Chill (Passion For Danger, #2)

: A Kiss to Kill (Passion For Danger, #3)

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

SHADOW FORCE Series by Stephanie Tyler

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

STEAM FACTOR: 7 out of 10

ADD TO GOODREADS

: Lie With Me (Shadow Force, #1)

: Promises in the Dark (Shadow Force, #2)

: In the Air Tonight (Shadow Force, #3)

: Night Moves (Shadow Force, #4)

: Lonely is the Night (Shadow Force, #4.5)

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

MEN WHO WALK THE EDGE OF HONOR Series by Lori Foster

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 6 out of 10

ADD TO GOODREADS

: When You Dare (Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor Book 1)

: Trace of Fever (The Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor Book 2)

: Savor the Danger (The Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor Book 3)

: A Perfect Storm (The Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor Book 4)

: What Chris Wants (The Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor Book 5)

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

SIN BROTHERS Series by Rebecca Zanetti

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

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 7 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

: Forgotten Sins (Sin Brothers, #1)

: Sweet Revenge (Sin Brothers, #2)

: Blind Faith (Sin Brothers, #3)

: Total Surrender (Sin Brothers, #4)

FORGOTTEN SINS | SWEET REVENGE | BLIND FAITH | TOTAL SURRENDER

BURYING WATER Series by KA Tucker

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 4 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

: Burying Water (Burying Water #1)

: Becoming Rain (Burying Water, #2)

: Chasing River (Burying Water, #3)

: Surviving Ice (Burying Water, #4)

THE EVAN ARDEN Series by Shay Savage

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 8 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

: Otherwise Alone (Evan Arden Book 1)

: Otherwise Occupied (Evan Arden Book 2)

: Otherwise Unharmed (Evan Arden Book 3)

OTHERWISE ALONE | OTHERWISE OCCUPIED | OTHERWISE UNHARMED

FLASH POINT by Brooke Blain

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

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 6 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

DGR FAVORITES

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

I-TEAM Series by Pamela Clare

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 8 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

: Extreme Exposure (An I-Team Novel Book 1)

: Hard Evidence (An I-Team Novel Book 2)

: Unlawful Contact (An I-Team Novel Book 3)

: Naked Edge (An I-Team Novel Book 4)

: Breaking Point (An I-Team Novel Book 5)

: Striking Distance (An I-Team Novel Book 6)

: Soul Deep (An I-Team Novel Book 6.5)

: Seduction Game (An I-Team Novel Book 7)

: Dead By Midnight: An I-Team Christmas (I-Team #7.5)

: Deadly Intent (An I-Team Novel Book 8)

KILLER INSTINCT Series by Elle Kennedy

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 8 out 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

: Midnight Rescue (Killer Instincts, #1)

: Midnight Alias (Killer Instincts, #2)

: Midnight Games (Killer Instincts, #3)

: Midnight Pursuits (Killer Instincts, #4)

: Midnight Action (Killer Instincts, #5)

: Midnight Captive (Killer Instincts, #6)

: Midnight Revenge (Killer Instincts, #7)

: Midnight Target (Killer Instincts, #8)

HOSTILE OPERATIONS TEAM Series by Lynn Raye Harris

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

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 8 out of 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

: HOT Pursuit (HOT Book 1)

: HOT Mess (HOT Book 2)

: HOT Package (HOT Book 3)

: Dangerously HOT (HOT Book 4)

: HOT Shot ( (HOT Book 5)

: HOT Rebel (HOT Book 6)

: HOT Ice (HOT Book 7)

: HOT & Bothered (HOT Book 8)

: HOT Protector (HOT Book 9)

: HOT Addiction (HOT Book 10)

: HOT Valor (HOT Book 11)

: HOT Angel (HOT Book 12)

BENEATH Series by Meghan March

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 8 out 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

: Beneath This Mask (Beneath, #1)

: Beneath This Ink (Beneath, #2)

: Beneath These Chains (Beneath, #3)

: Beneath These Scars (Beneath, #4)

: Beneath These Lies (Beneath, #5)

: Beneath These Shadows (Beneath, #6)

: Beneath the Truth (Beneath, #7)

MASTERS & MERCENERIES Series by Lexi Blake

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 9 out 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

: The Dom Who Loved Me (Masters and Mercenaries, #1)

: The Men with the Golden Cuffs (Masters and Mercenaries, #2)

: A Dom is Forever (Masters and Mercenaries, #3)

: On Her Master’s Secret Service (Masters and Mercenaries, #4)

: Love and Let Die (Masters and Mercenaries, #5)

: Dungeon Royale (Masters and Mercenaries, #6)

: A View to a Thrill (Masters and Mercenaries, #7)

: You Only Love Twice (Masters and Mercenaries, #8)

: Master No (Masters and Mercenaries, #9)

: From Sanctum with Love (Masters and Mercenaries, #10)

: Dominance Never Dies (Masters and Mercenaries, #11)

: Submission is Not Enough (Masters and Mercenaries, #12)

: For His Eyes Only (Masters and Mercenaries, #13)

: Love Another Day (Masters and Mercenaries, #14)

: Nobody Does It Better (Masters and Mercenaries, #15)

DIRTY TIES by Pam Godwin

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

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

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

STEAM FACTOR: 9 OUT OF 10

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

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

Till next time, dirty birds!

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

#DGRFave & Review: Buckled by @pamgodwinbooks

July 10, 2018 by Lana · Leave a Comment

BUCKLED
Series: Trails of Sin #2
Genre: Dark Cowboy Romance
Author: Pam Godwin
Release Date: July 10, 2018

I protect what’s mine.
The ranch, my family, our buried secrets.

Nothing will stop me from reassembling the life that went terribly wrong.
Not the law.
Not our enemies.
Not even Maybe Quinn.

The gorgeous, quarrelsome journalist shouldn’t have meddled.
I shouldn’t have let her stay.
But she’s hiding something in those deceptive blue eyes.
Something deeper than her thirst for a news story.

I make a deal with her to buy time.
To unravel her lies. To play with her. To satisfy my darker appetites.
When she buckles beneath my belt, I’ll send her away.
Unless I buckle first.

AMAZON | Other Retailers

Wild and molten, wet and volatile, her fight is beautiful, but her surrender is goddamn exquisite. I consume it with everything inside me, feeding on it and fueling a desire that has never felt this out of control.

Dark and sinful with story that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to finish, Buckled was one addicting ride!

Ever since Maybe and Jarret first met in Knotted, sparks flew, and I was instantly hooked. I couldn’t wait for their book. I knew it was going to be good, but I didn’t expect it to be as good as it was. I devoured this story in one sitting. It kept me squirming on the edge of my seat, starved for each new revelation and totally captivated by the story. It was this magnetic combination of mysterious and kinky with a dark edge that Pam Godwin is oh so good at weaving into her writing.

There’s attraction. There’s sexual desire. Then there’s this. It’s curiosity and gravity and some kind of illogical magnetism that makes my heart beat with the impulse to claim and possess.

I love a good enemies to lovers trope, and this one delivered it in spades. The hate lust was strong with these two and their chemistry was electrifying. Maybe is probably one of my favorite heroines this author has written. She’s strong, sharp witted and has no problem giving as good as she gets. This is a woman that’s not afraid to stand up for herself, yet she also has this hidden vulnerable side to her that seems to come out in Jarret’s presence. She was an incredibly multi-layered character that I couldn’t get enough of. And did I mention the sass?

Where are you taking me?”
“To my office.”
“I can walk there on my own. Put me down.”
“No can do, sweetheart.”
“This is bullshit.”
“What you’re smelling is horse shit. The bulls are in the west pasture.”
She makes a frustrated sound in her throat. “How the fuck are you the sperm that won?”
“I can explain it to you, but I can’t understand it for you.”
“I really wish I had more middle fingers right now.”

Jarret delivered on the kinky cowboy promise that I was hoping for in book one. This man has a presence to him, let me tell you. He’s downright sinful. And when he sets his eyes on Maybe, he’s determined to get her beneath him even when they both know she’s hiding something for him.

Maybe comes to their ranch in search of answers. She knows about the dark past and secrets that the Holsten family has hidden and she’s convinced it somehow ties into her own. She’s determined to get to the bottom of it no matter what she has to do, but she doesn’t expect the magnetic connection she feels with Jarret or for it to suck her into his orbit as much as it does.

He’s a torrent of brutal force and sensual precision, fluctuating between violent bites and gentle kisses, rough hands and expert caresses. His passion is explosive, his touches methodical. Nothing about him is tame.

There are a lot of secrets that get unraveled here. And while we get answers to some things, we’re also left with even more questions. The blood feud between father and sons and the secrets that they have buried are all coming to a head and it’s bound to be on hell of a conclusion.

I absolutely LOVED the chemistry and banter between Jarret and Maybe. Their relationship was a sizzling slow burn full of spark and erotic undercurrents. When these two finally give into the pull between them? Holy hell! This book had one of the hottest sex scenes I have ever read. I have two words for you: rain and lightning. HOT. DAMN.

All I can do is hold on, shredding my vocal chords as I scream. I scream his name. I scream for a god. Maybe they’re one and the same. He looks like a warrior god. He fucks like a sex god. I’ll happily worship him, and I do.

We also finally get to meet the heroine of book 3 and let me just tell you, I’m practically salivating for that story.

While I enjoyed the first book, I was completely blown away by this one. I cannot wait to see how it all concludes in what’s bound to be an explosive final chapter of this trilogy.

TRAILS OF SIN Series

KNOTTED Book #1
Available Now
Amazon | Other Retailers

BUCKLED Book #2
Available Now
Amazon | Other Retailers

BOOTED Book #3
Releases Sep 18, 2018
Amazon | Other Retailers

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Pam Godwin, lives in the Midwest with her husband, their two children, and a foulmouthed parrot. When she ran away, she traveled fourteen countries across five continents, attended three universities, and married the vocalist of her favorite rock band.

Java, tobacco, and dark romance novels are her favorite indulgences, and might be considered more unhealthy than her aversion to sleeping, eating meat, and dolls with blinking eyes.

Join my Facebook Reader Group: here

Other Books by Pam Godwin

Tangled Lies Series
ONE IS A PROMISE (#1) – FREE
TWO IS A LIE (#2)
THREE IS A WAR (#3)

Deliver Series
DELIVER (#1) – FREE
VANQUISH (#2)
DISCLAIM (#3)
DEVASTATE (#4)

Trilogy of Eve
HEART OF EVE – FREE
DEAD OF EVE (#1)
BLOOD OF EVE (#2)
DAWN OF EVE (#3)

Stand-alones

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, Cowboys, DGR Favorites, Dirty Talkers, Erotic Rom · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 5 stars, DGR Fave, Pam Godwin, Trails of Sin

New Release & #DGRFave Review: Getting Schooled by @EmmaChse

June 26, 2018 by Lana · Leave a Comment

GETTING SCHOOLED
Series: Getting Schooled #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Emma Chase
Release Date: June 26, 2018

The newest novel from New York Times bestselling author Emma Chase.

Head of the class…

Garrett Daniels has this whole life thing figured out.

The cocky, charismatic former high school star quarterback is an idolized football coach and “cool” teacher in the hometown where he’s not just a golden boy — he’s platinum. He has good friends, a great house on the lake, and the best damn sidekick a man could ask for: Snoopy, the albino beagle.

Then…Callie Carpenter comes home.

And knocks him right on his tight end zone.

Back to school…

Callie has a pretty sweet life herself…on the other side of the country. But circumstances — that she’d prefer to never speak of again — have brought her back home, helping out her parents and substitute teaching at her old high school.

Now she’s facing bickering, raging hormones, constant gossip, awkward weirdness, and drama galore…and that’s just the teachers.

Just like old times…

When Garrett offers to show his former high school sweetheart the secrets of his winning teacher ways, Callie jumps at the chance – and then has to stop herself from jumping him.

Good friends are all they can ever be.

Or…these teachers just might end up getting schooled — by love.

AMAZON

She was the love of my life, before I had any idea what love was . . . and then, still, even after I did.

Oh my heart! My cold black heart! It’s so full right now. I don’t know how to even begin to describe all of the ways I loved this book! I laughed, I swooned, I cried, and I fell head over heels for Garrett and Callie’s story.

You were always my girl, Callie. Even after you weren’t any more.”

I love a second chance romance, and Getting Schooled delivered one heart felt and steamy story full of humor and plenty of feels.

Garrett and Callie were high school sweethearts and then life happened and they went their different ways in college. But now that Callie is back in her hometown following her parents’ accident, they discover that old feelings didn’t die, but with the right chance have bloomed into something much bigger.

When Callie gets a job as a teacher at the same school they once both attended and Garrett teaches at, it’s not long before they bump into each other. With their breakup being when they were still kids, it’s not difficult for them to re-start their friendship as adults. And it’s also not long before they both realize that their not so long forgotten feelings are so much more potent when they’re older and understand exactly the love that they once shared.

And that’s how we start. That’s how we begin. How we become us . . . again.

I loved the secondary characters in this story. With Callie’s quirky parents, the other teachers that they work with, the students and Callie’s friends, it was absolute perfection. I felt like I was inside their lives. They practically jumped at the pages at you and it just engrained you that much more in the story.

Beyond that, I absolutely adored the progression and pacing of Garrett and Callie’s romance. It wasn’t full of angst and miscommunication but it wasn’t perfect either. It was real, and wonderful, and oh so swoony. It brought all the feels and I couldn’t’ get enough of it.

My memories of loving Garrett are pale and flimsy compared to this. This is real and solid . . . and us. How did I breathe without this? How will I exist without it?

There were so many notable moments in this book; with one particular one that had me sobbing with emotion one minute and then crying happy tears the next. I loved everything about this book. I originally listened to the audio version of this book (which was fantastic) and then reading it just made me realize how wonderful this story really was. I was glued to the pages and completely captivated all over again. I can’t recommend it enough and can’t wait for more in this brand new series!

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, DGR Favorites · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 5 stars, DGR Fave, Emma Chase, Second-chance-romance

DGR’s Ultimate List of MC Romance & Bikers

June 23, 2018 by Lana · 5 Comments

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

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

★ULTIMATE LIST OF DIRTY TALKERS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ROCK STARS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF FIGHTERS★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ANTI-HEROES★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF HATE TO LOVE ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF MAFIA ROMANCE★

★ULTIMATE LIST OF ANGSTY ROMANCE★

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ALL OF THE FEELS! OMG! ALL OF THEM!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

REAPER’S PROPERTY (Reapers MC #1) by Joanna Wylde – Jenn’s Pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

“So why are you called Horse?”
“Cause I’m hung like one,” he replied, smirking.”

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

DEVIL’S GAME (Reapers MC #3) by Joanna Wylde- Lana’s Pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

“How’s that, baby?” he asked, thumb starting to work my clit again. “Feel good being turned on by a Devil’s Jack?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

UNDENIABLE (Undeniable Series #1) by Madeleine Sheehan – Jenn’s Pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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

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

UNBEAUTIFULLY (Undeniable #2) by Madeline Sheehan – Lana’s Pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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

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

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

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

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

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

NINE MINUTES (Nine Minutes #1) by Beth Flynn – Jenn’s Pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

“A story about a man who has loved me from the very beginning, from the first glance. The man who always was and still is my soul mate. That’s the only love story now.”

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

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

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

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

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

It Ain’t Me, Babe (Hades Hangmen Series #1) by Tillie Cole- Jenn’s Pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

“I have only ever liked one boy in my life. I have only wanted one man to have as my own. I have only ever had one dream since I was eight. Styx, the dream is you. You stole my heart fifteen yes ago and you still haven’t given it back.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

SINNER’S CREED (Sinner’s Creed Series #1) by Kim Jones – Lana’s Pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

“I was the demon-possessed monster and she was the innocent, naïve angel. But none of that matters. She asks, I give and right now, I’ll kill anyone who tries to stop me from giving this woman what she wants—me.”

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

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

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

CLUBWHORE (Devil’s Renegade MC #1) by Kim Jones- Lana’s Pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

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

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

TANK (Savage Saints MC #2) by Carmen Jenner – Lana’s Pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

That’s the thing about the broken ones- they’re never too far beyond repair, even though it might seem that way. They just need a little glue and the right pair of hands to stick ’em back together.

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

REBEL (Dead Man’s Ink #1) by Callie Hart – Lana’s Pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

“You believe in vengeance?”
“You mean like revenge?”
He shakes his head. “Revenge is a selfish act. Retaliation for something. Vengeance is a different thing altogether. It’s about obtaining justice, usually for someone who can’t claim it for themselves.”

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

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

RUIN & RULE (Ruin & Rule #2) by Pepper Winters – Lana’s Pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

We met in a nightmare, loved in a prayer. We gave everything until both were laid bare.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEVEN SONS (Gypsy Brothers #1) by Lili St. Germain – Lana’s Pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

“Confucius said, “Before embarking upon a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” I planned to dig seven.”

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

WELCOME TO SUGARTOWN (Sugartown #1) by Carmen Jenner- Lana’s Pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

“From the day we’re born to the day we die, we fucking hurt and we cry and we pick ourselves up and, if we’re really lucky, we have people to help us pick up the fucking pieces”

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

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

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

And the hero? A tatted dirty talking wet dream!

CRAVING CONSTELLATIONS (The Aces Series #1) by Nicole Jacquelyn – Lana’s Pick
GOODREADS | AMAZON

He was like a wounded animal, and I was the hunter who’d wounded him. I didn’t know if he would ever forgive me.

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

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

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

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

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

Till next time, dirty birds!

5 Comments · Filed Under: Bikers, DGR Favorites, Features · Tagged With: DGRUltimate, MC

#DGRFave & Geri’s Review: Rainy Day Friends by Jill Shalvis

June 19, 2018 by Geri · Leave a Comment

RAINY DAY FRIENDS
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Author: Jill Shalvis
Release Date: June 19, 2018

Following the USA Today bestselling author of Lost and Found Sisters comes Jill Shalvis’ moving story of heart, loss, betrayal, and friendship

Six months after Lanie Jacobs’ husband’s death, it’s hard to imagine anything could deepen her sense of pain and loss. But then Lanie discovers she isn’t the only one grieving his sudden passing. A serial adulterer, he left behind several other women who, like Lanie, each believe she was his legally wedded wife.

Rocked by the infidelity, Lanie is left to grapple with searing questions. How could she be so wrong about a man she thought she knew better than anyone? Will she ever be able to trust another person? Can she even trust herself?

Desperate to make a fresh start, Lanie impulsively takes a job at the family-run Capriotti Winery. At first, she feels like an outsider among the boisterous Capriottis. With no real family of her own, she’s bewildered by how quickly they all take her under their wing and make her feel like she belongs. Especially Mark Capriotti, a gruffly handsome Air Force veteran turned deputy sheriff who manages to wind his way into Lanie’s cold, broken heart—along with the rest of the clan.

Everything is finally going well for her, but the arrival of River Brown changes all that. The fresh-faced twenty-one-year old seems as sweet as they come…until her dark secrets come to light—secrets that could destroy the new life Lanie’s only just begun to build.

AMAZON | B&N | iBOOKS

Jill Shalvis new Wildstone series have been all winners for me starting with Lost and Found Sisters, followed by Good Luck Sister, and now Rainy Day Friends.

I’ve learned that life is a crapshoot, and at any moment someone can walk into it and change it forever.”

I loved this book. I loved it more than I expected I would. That sounds like a backhanded compliment but let me explain. This book was marketed as Women’s Fiction, a genre that I read but not exactly my go-to genre. There’s always a risk of WF to fall short on the romance aspect. Not so with this book. Yes, this book is definitely about Lanie dealing about the death of her husband and the fallout of his infidelities. But what really gave this book its emotional weight was the romance between Lanie and Mark Capriotti.

Their romance made me swoon! It was definitely a huge part of the book, and I’m so happy for that. I need a healthy dose of romance in my WF and Rainy Day Friends delivered. The romance between Lanie and Mark is mature, passionate and emotional. In other words, it has ALL THE FEELS! And you guys know I’m all about the FEELS!

And now he had her in his arms, this amazing, prickly, suspicious, hardheaded woman that he was falling for in spite of himself because she was also sweet and kind and had the biggest heart of anyone he’d ever met.”

Lanie is prickly and suspicious. She’s not there to become part of the Capriotti clan no matter how friendly and inclusive they are. She’s there to do her job and escape dealing with the mess her husband left her with. I love LOVE prickly heroines and Lanie is fits the description to a tee. She’s also hiding a very soft center underneath prickly exterior. I’ve always enjoyed Jill’s uber competent and complex heroines, but Lanie just might be my favorite Shalvis heroine yet. I LOVE HER! I related to her so much. I understood her motivations and her reaction to her husband’s betrayal and other things made sense to me.

Not only did Jill hit it out of the park with her heroine, she also hit a homerun with the hero, Mark. If you love single parent heroes, then you will love Mark! He’s a devoted family man who loves his twin daughters. And while he did the whole, “I’m not looking for love and can’t offer you anything,” shtick for a while, he changed his tune very quickly when he realized his feelings for Lanie might be deeper than he originally thought. His interactions with his twin daughters are some of the highlights in the book for me. So pure and so heart-wrenching, I shed a tear or two.

The chemistry between these two are off the charts. I realize I sound like a broken record but I love how their romance developed. Theirs enhanced Lanie’s journey and the conflict she’s facing, and honestly, it’s the perfect balance between family drama and romance.

He hadn’t seen it coming, he hadn’t seen her coming, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t recognize a good thing when he saw it.”

There’s also a secondary romance here, which I really liked but won’t get into. It’s there and it has its own charm but it didn’t overpower the main romance between Lanie and Mark.

One aspect that I loved about this book was the Capriotti family. I fell in love with the whole lot of them! They love as passionately as they fight. They’re not perfect which made them all the more interesting to read. I really hope Jill Shalvis will continue to write about their family in future books because they got me like they did Lanie. They were that irresistible.

This book also has one of the most emotionally intense confrontation I’ve read in a Jill Shalvis book. I cried for Lanie. My heart broke for her. And what I really liked about it is that it didn’t feel like I was manipulated. The conflict and the road to that confrontation was so well written that it really hits you when it happened. And it’s not just that one moment in particular, it’s the way Lanie processed her emotions when confronted with that something that got to me. That, in my opinion, is great writing.

This is one of the best I’ve read this year so far. Rainy Day Friends delivered on the romance and I’m so happy it did. I highly recommend this book. If you loved Jill Shalvis, then this is a must read. If you’re just starting out reading her books, this is a great book to start. And even though this is technically the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone.

Her life had been a train in a dark tunnel for a very long time. But it was like she’d somehow changed course and now she could see a little bit of light.”

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, DGR Favorites, Women's Fiction · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 5 stars, DGR Fave, Geri Reviews, Jill Shalvis

DGR Fave & Geri’s Review: The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

June 6, 2018 by Geri ·

THE KISS QUOTIENT
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Author: Helen Hoang
Release Date: June 5, 2018

A heartwarming and refreshing debut novel that proves one thing: there’s not enough data in the world to predict what will make your heart tick.

Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases–a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.

It doesn’t help that Stella has Asperger’s and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice–with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan.

The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can’t afford to turn down Stella’s offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan–from foreplay to more-than-missionary position…

Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all the other things he’s making her feel.

Soon, their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic…

AMAZON | B&N

All the things that make you different make you perfect.”

Oh my gosh, this book!

I’ve seen my friends gush about Helen Hoang’s debut for a month or so, and being a contrarian that I am, I tried to temper my expectations. I’ve been here before. Everyone I know loved a book and I’m like, ‘meh’. But that’s not the case here.

The Kiss Quotient not only met my expectations, IT EXCEEDED IT!

I finished this book with a huge grin on my face (always a good sign) and full heart. These characters that Hoang brought to life in the pages of her book made me laugh, cry, and fall in love with them.

You’re very good at the talking part.”
“I’ve had sex. There isn’t a talking part.”
A spark danced in his eyes. “There’s definitely a talking part.”

Stella Lane is magnificent as Hoang’s heroine. She’s beautiful, smart, and kind. Her motivations were so wonderfully written and explored by the author that there’s really nothing I can say except, WOW. I just fell in love with her character just like Michael did.

And speaking Michael? Oh man, easily one of the best romance heroes ever. And I don’t say this lightly. Michael Larsen is a cinnamon roll. Sweet and gooey and perfect for Stella! He might be the sweetest and softest hero but he also owns one of the dirtiest mouth out there. In other words, he’s perfect.

Love, he found, was a jail. It trapped, and it clipped wings. It dragged you down, forced you to places you didn’t want to go.

In all seriousness though, this book is definitely one of the best I’ve read this year. Everything about it worked for me. The romance was excellent. The characters were multi-dimensional, even the secondary ones (please give us Quan’s book, please?), were interesting and had motivations you can relate to. And lastly, don’t let the pretty pastel cover fool you ’cause this book is super steamy in the best way possible.

So yeah, I dig everything about this book and I hope you would read it and dig it too.

· Filed Under: All Reviews, By Star Rating, DGR Favorites, Dirty Talkers · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 5 stars, DGR Fave, Geri Reviews, Helen Hoang

#DGRFave & Review: Filthy Gods by R. Scarlett

May 17, 2018 by Lana · Leave a Comment

FILTHY GODS
Series: American Gods #0.5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: R. Scarlett
Release Date: May 15, 2018

Prelude in the American Gods series.

Young. Wealthy. Elite. Attractive. The gentlemen’s secret society at Yale was filled with them.

And Nathaniel Radcliffe, the bane of my existence, was one of them.

As the right hand of the American Gods, he was conceited and arrogant. A dangerously handsome man in a tailored custom suit and shiny black oxford loafers.

The classroom was our battlefield. We made a sport out of arguing and debating, ready to do anything in order to win over the other.

Deadly opponents, deadlier minds.

I’d sworn I’d never give him the upper hand, until…

The secret I’ve been hiding for the last three years?

He just discovered it… and now he has all the power.

*35k Novella

AMAZON

He was a mere man, I knew that, but he and his friends were treated like gods. It didn’t help they looked like it, too. Intimidating, perfect and deadly.

What if Paper Princess and The In Crowd had a book baby? A sexy, thrilling, and addicting book baby that will captivate you from the very first page and have you hooked on a new series of bad boys? Well, my friends, that would be this book and it would be this series. Because holy mother of book crack was this good!

There was something holy and unholy about the boys. Sacred and sinful all at once. Bastards of Grace. Fame, wealth and power poured out of them. They were the things of legends and myths.

A group of men so rich and powerful they can only be known as American Gods? Sign me up! This is a prequel to what’s set to be an amazing new series from R. Scarlett. And while it was a novella, it was wholly satisfying. Surprisingly so. I’m not usually a reader that gravitates towards novellas, because they always leave me wanting more. And don’t get me wrong, this book left me craving, but craving the rest of the series. The novella itself was a complete story, perfectly paced, and entirely satisfying.

Juliette is barely making ends meet. As the girl from the wrong side of the tracks, she’s desperately hiding her humble past while trying to make a name for herself at Yale among the wealthy and the entitled. And at the top of the food chain are the American Gods. Nathaniel Radcliffe may not be one of those bad boys, but he’s in with them. He’s wealthy, connected, powerful, and her biggest rival in school. Used to his calculated and educated debates with her in class, it’s unnerving to be on the receiving end of it outside of school. Especially when she finds out that the country club that she works at is also one that his family owes. And his silence is going to cost her. They agree to a summer fling to work their unwanted lust out of their system, but nothing is ever quite so simple.

I felt like delicate glass in his powerful hands. I fought him—thrust for thrust, kiss for kiss, nip for nip, and he met me each time, working each other to a pleasure so intense, I feared it would end us both.

The novella introduces the reader to a secret society of men. Men that are powerful, broken but deadly. I was salivating at the mere mention of the American Gods and practically shaking to get my hands on their books. Because the set up? DELICIOUS.

As for this book? It was fantastic! I loved the instant and undeniable chemistry between Nathaniel and Juliette. I loved how Juliette’s strength and perseverance shined through even when she submitted to his powerful presence. The book helped set the scene but it also gave us a deliciously filthy story. If you’re like me and love your angst with plenty of power dynamics and drama, this is an absolute must read!

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, DGR Favorites, Erotic Rom · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 5 stars, DGR Fave, Novella, R Scarlett

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