Blog Tour & Review: For His Eyes Only by Lexi Blake

March 7, 2017 by · Leave a Comment

FOR HIS EYES ONLY
Series: Masters and Mercenaries #13
Genre: Romantic Suspense, BDSM, Erotic Romance
Author: Lexi Blake
Release Date: February 28, 2017

A night he can’t forget

Five years ago, Nick Markovic found himself consumed by his quest for vengeance. The one time he managed to find peace was in the arms of Hayley Dalton. Being with her was like bathing in sunlight, and he ached to feel that again, but he couldn’t. He gave his oath to Hayley’s cousin Desiree, his partner at McKay-Taggart and Knight, that he’d never let his darkness infect Hayley’s innocent world.

A spark she can’t put out

It was years before that Hayley offered everything she had to Nick. After that one amazing night, all she wanted was to be his forever. Unfortunately, Nick’s reaction was to walk away from her and never look back. The warm and caring man she’d discovered was gone, and after Des’s death, he’d only grown colder. But when Hayley finds herself in mortal danger, she’s forced to seek protection from the man who broke her heart.

A flame that threatens to consume them both

Haunted by the women he failed, Nick can’t allow himself to grow close to Hayley again. Running to stay ahead of the powerful forces that endanger their lives, they travel from the lush Garden in London to the glittering lights of Rio. As the threat against her becomes clearer, he realizes that to keep her safe he must confront the demons from his past, even if it costs him a future with the woman he loves.

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I missed you. God, how I missed you.” She’d been a hole inside him and only now could he see it. For years she’d been a friend, maybe his only real friend. He’d ruined it all.

Why is it that every single time I finish a Lexi Blake book and feel so satisfied to get another hit of her awesome, I’m STILL left a drooling and twitching mess in anticipation of the next one?! It’s not fair! NOT FAIR I TELLS YA!

This series is my crack and I will never, EVER, grow tired of it. It’s high-octane suspense with sizzling romance in a way that no other author but Lexi Blake could pull off.

This series is one giant tease of what’s to come. The amount of forethought this author puts into all of her characters is downright mind-blowing. She begins to develop their stories long before they get their own book and this couldn’t be more true than with Nick. I’ve been anticipating his story ever since Master No. The moody Russian badass that lost his lover in a mission gone wrong has been lost in a cloud of regret and grieving since. I couldn’t wait to see who the heroine will be. I was also a little afraid that whoever she’ll be wouldn’t quite live up to what he had with Des. This book definitely disabused me of that fear. It was so much juicer than anything I could have hoped for. We already got a peak into the beginning of this story in the end of Submission is Not Enough but the true reality of the connection between Nick and Hayley is so much better than the small taste we initially got.

She wasn’t here to fix what had gone wrong with Nick. She wasn’t here to rekindle some stupid flame. She was here to take him up on his offer and to make sure she survived the next few days. That was all.

Nick and Des’s relationship was a volatile one filled with more lies than truth. Nick has never stopped pining for the woman that he walked away from, Des’s cousin, Hayley. She was too young, too naive, too sweet for him five years ago. Having her show up on his door step three years after Des died and demanding his protection from an unknown threat is not something he expected. He’d give his life to protect the woman he never stopped caring for, even if the chemistry between them is just potent as it was five years ago, he’s still not good enough for Hayley. He’s seen too much, done too much, and still carries the stain of his mistakes and actions.

I wasn’t good for you then. I’m toxic now. What you need, I’m not the man who can give these things to you.”

The push and pull between Nick and Hayley was equally delicious and frustrating. At times I wanted to shake him for being a stubborn ass.

I loved watching Hayley come into her own. She’s not the naive girl Nick left all those years ago. She’s a woman that knows what she wants, and she’s not afraid to tear down his walls to get to it.

They were both damaged. Her by her childhood and him by so many things he wouldn’t talk about. Could she find some small healing for them both?

Of course all my favorites are back for this book, and can we even have a Masters and Mercenaries novel without Ian freaking Taggard?!

Bugger off, you useless cock.”
Taggart pointed. “See. That’s what I’m talking about. I don’t know why you people are so concerned with bugs, and my cock is totally getting used tonight. Big time used.”
Owen simply stood and dropped his towel, turning and giving Taggart a view of his naked backside. He slapped it. “Bite me arse, Tag.”
“That’s very Braveheart of you.”

I’ve come to think of these characters as family after all these books. I’ll never get enough of them.

As for Nick and Hayley, I loved these two together. I was afraid that Hayley may be drowned out a bit by the memory of Des, but the author did a fantastic job in weaving her in perfectly. She never felt like a consolation prize. She always felt like exactly what she was, his first and only choice.

Yes, we’ll get to this eventually. We’ll get to the part where I touch you in places you never imagined. There won’t be any part of your body that you don’t cede to me. You’ll allow me everywhere. You’ll crave my touch. The touch of my hand, my mouth and tongue, my cock.”

For His Eyes Only was everything you’ve come to expect from this author; non-stop action, twisty suspense, sizzling hot romance, and a gang of characters that you only love more with each new book. I can’t wait for more. I hope this series never ends!

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog int eh world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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Review: Holding On Tighter by Shayla Black

February 14, 2017 by · Leave a Comment

HOLDING ON TIGHTER
Series: Wicked Lovers #12
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Erotic
Author: Shayla Black
Release Date: February 7, 2017

Jolie Quinn is a woman in charge. Her no-nonsense attitude has made her a rising star in the fashion world and her brand a household name among the Dallas elite. Nothing will stop her from achieving her goals—not even the gorgeous British security contractor who seems just as interested in seeing her personal assets as he is in protecting her professional ones.

After a tragedy left him broken, Heath Powell made a rule of staying unattached. But Jolie challenges him in a way he can’t ignore, and he isn’t used to backing down from a confrontation—especially when the reward for winning could feel so good. As passion blazes between them, the stubborn, confident beauty arouses more than his desire. She touches his heart.

When a mysterious enemy threatens Jolie and her company, Heath is the only person Jolie can trust to help. But working with him to save her business might put her dangerously at risk of falling in love…

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Consider this fair warning: I’m coming after you and I intend to have you underneath me. I won’t rest until I do. So shore up your defenses and work yourself up tightly. That way when I seduce you, it will be even sweeter.”

*happy pervy shudder*

*sigh*

It’s hard to believe that this is now the twelfth book in this series. Seems like it was just yesterday first discovered and binged myself on this deliciously sexy series. I’ve been a huge fan, eagerly anticipating each installment. And now twelve books into it, it still doesn’t disappoint.

Heath Powell first caught my attention as the bodyguard in Wicked for You. Even as a secondary character, there was something so arresting about him that I simply couldn’t help but crave this story. After finishing this book, I can tell you that he definitely didn’t disappoint.

Heath is no stranger to tragedy in his life. Having lost his wife to tragic violence, he’s never moved on and never made the effort to heal. He’s been moving through life, one unattached hookup at a time. While he fancied himself in love with Mystery, he’s lost her to Axel and he’s ok with that. Now a stunning beauty that wants nothing more from him than his protection and professional opinion has captivated him beyond reason…if only he can convince her how hot they can burn.

Jolie Quinn is a take no prisoners business woman. The last thing she wants to do is end up liker her flighty mother, moving on from one failed marriage to the next. She doesn’t need a man to define her. She’s focused on one thing only; her career. So why is the sexy Brit determined to protect her from a threat to her life and business suddenly makes her want to give in, if only just once?

Heath Powell was like a beacon she couldn’t help but home into.

I’ll admit that I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t click with Heath and Jolie’s connection at first. Having lost his wife so tragically and then knowing of his feelings for Mystery, I was afraid that I’d feel like he was settling. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I love the way the author pulled it off. Their relationship was certainly on a fast track, but I was invested from start to finish.

Jolie was exactly the sort of heroine I gravitate to. She was tough, doesn’t take any crap from anyone, and has a quick wit with a sharp tongue. There’s also something so vulnerable about her that seems to come out only when she’s around Heath.

With a whimper, she melted, clinging, in desperate need of an anchor. She’d worry later about how she would recover from this total breakdown of her defenses. Right now, his touch felt once-in-a-lifetime. This thing between them engulfed her, consumed her whole. She craved even more.

Holding On Tighter was a sexy, action packed, thrill ride that had me glued to the pages from beginning to finish. I loved seeing all my past favorites and a few new faces that I can’t want to learn more about. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of this series.

WICKED LOVERS SERIES

WICKED TIES | DECADENT | DELICIOUS | SURRENDER TO ME | BELONG TO ME | MINE TO HOLD | OURS TO LOVE |
THEIRS TO CHERISH | HIS TO TAKE | WICKED FOR YOU |
FALLING IN DEEPER | HOLDING ON TIGHER

 

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Review: Split by JB Salsbury

November 25, 2016 by · 2 Comments

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

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

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

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

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR3 stars

 SPOILER FREE

I was meant for this. To love the unlovable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Review: Deadly Silence by Rebecca Zanetti

October 30, 2016 by ·

deadly-silence-reviewDEADLY SILENCE
Series: Blood Brothers #1
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Release Date: October 4, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

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The first book in a breathtaking new romantic suspense series that will appeal to fans of New York Times bestsellers Maya Banks, Lisa Gardner, and Lisa Jackson.

DON’T LOOK BACK

Under siege. That’s how Ryker Jones feels. The Lost Bastards Investigative Agency he opened up with his blood brothers has lost a client in a brutal way. The past he can’t outrun is resurfacing, threatening to drag him down in the undertow. And the beautiful woman he’s been trying to keep at arm’s length is in danger…and he’ll destroy anything and anyone to keep her safe.

Paralegal Zara Remington is in over her head. She’s making risky moves at work by day and indulging in an affair with a darkly dangerous PI by night. There’s a lot Ryker isn’t telling her and the more she uncovers, the less she wants to know. But when all hell breaks loose, Ryker may be the only one to save her. If his past doesn’t catch up to them first…

Full of twists and turns you won’t see coming, DEADLY SILENCE is New York Timesbestselling author Rebecca Zanetti at her suspenseful best.

A Blood Brothers Novel

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR4 stars

She knew his kiss-often dreamed about it. Not soft and sweet…not even lustful. It was dangerous. From day one, she’d tasted danger on his tongue, and it burned her hotter than she’d ever been.

It was a bittersweet feeling for me when I finished Total Surrender. As much as I was anticipating the ending for the series because I wanted answers, I also didn’t want it to end. I’d grown addicted to Zanetti’s protective alphas and needed more. I felt that she left just enough loose ends for a potential spin off at the end of that book and boy was I thrilled to see I was right. Deadly Silence is book one in the brand new romantic suspense spin-off from the author’s Sin Brother’s series. While readers don’t necessarily need to read the Sin Brothers first, you would certainly enjoy it a lot more because of the interconnecting plot points and characters here if you read it.

Deadly Silence is the perfect mix of sizzling hot romance with action packed suspense. Ryker is everything I love in my alphas and more. He’s broody, he’s demanding, he’s protective, and his past is clouded in dark shadows. Ryker and Zara have been involved in a casual relationship for months as this books starts. While there’s no relationship building tension though, that’s not to mean there isn’t tension. Because boy is there!

Don’t tell me what to do,” she whispered, fighting need along with her temper.
“You like me telling you what to do.”
“Only in bed,” she burst out.
He smiled, the expression gentle and dangerous all at once. “Then get in bed.”

Ryker along with his brothers Heath and Denver are in town hunting an elusive serial killer. But when Ryker sees that Zara may also be in danger, he knows that he’ll protect her with his dying breath, but he also wants a whole lot more from the woman.

Casual sex doesn’t work for me any longer.”
“There ain’t nothin’ casual about our sex, and you know it.”

Zara was an intriguing mix of vulnerability and strength. This is a woman that fights for what’s right and I enjoyed watching her really come into her own as the book progressed.

I absolutely loved the crossover aspect between the Blood Brothers and Sin Brothers. I won’t tell you what it was, but if you’ve read the other series, you’ll definitely appreciate it.

The romance was expertly weaved into the suspense and action and it all flowed together effortlessly to guarantee one unputdownable read. I’m seriously hoping that Heath’s book is next because I’m sensing a little tension between him and a certain FBI agent that I can’t wait to get to the bottom off.

If you enjoy super sexy romantic suspense with protective alphas and heroines that handle their own just as well, then this is a series that you need to read.

PRE-ORDER AVAILABLE NOW

LETHAL LIES (Blood Brothers #2)
Releasing May 16, 2017lethal-liesAMAZON | GOODREADS

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Excerpt & Review: Submission Is Not Enough by Lexi Blake

October 27, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

submission-is-not-enough-fb-cover-available-nowSubmission is Not Enough
Series: Masters and Mercenaries Book 12
Genre: Romantic Suspense, BDSM
Author: Lexi Blake
Release Date: October 25, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

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A fallen hero reborn

Theo Taggart lost everything the night he died. His family, his beautiful Erin, and worst of all, he lost himself. A twisted doctor brought him back from the brink of death, but reprogrammed his identity to serve her will. Rescued by his brothers, he must fight to reclaim the man he was and the life, and love, that were stolen from him.

A love worth fighting for

Erin Argent thought she’d lost Theo forever. When he walked back into her life, it was nothing short of a miracle. Months of torture and conditioning at the hands of Dr. Hope McDonald have done damage to Theo that may never be mended. He has no memory of her or the life they shared. Breaking through to him, and helping him rediscover all he lost, will be the toughest mission she’s ever faced. Luckily for Theo, Erin loves a good fight.

Their reunion under siege

Unfortunately, Hope is far from done with Theo Taggart. Obsessed with her prize experiment, she will do anything to get him back. If the only way to finally break him of his past life is to kill Erin and his son, then she’s only too happy to oblige…

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Excerpt

Theo took the stairs as quickly as he could. He knew where he was going, but he wasn’t going to think about it. For the first time since he’d gotten home, he didn’t care about his past or figuring out who he’d been. He wanted. He wanted something right now and that felt good.She’d been right. There wasn’t a place for guilt here.

He strode up the stairs, her weight comforting in his arms. Yeah, he wasn’t going to think about that either. He was going to enjoy it, not wonder why his body remembered her when his mind would not.

“Hey, is everything okay?”

Damn it. Case was standing at the top of the stairs, obviously having come out of the privacy rooms. His wife was at his side, her face flushed. Mia had sex hair. Good for them. Red was about to have sex hair, too. Lots of filthy sex hair. “Everything’s great. Night.”

Case put a hand on his shoulder. “Whoa. I thought you were going to take this slow, brother.”

“If you don’t get your hand off him right this second, Taggart, I am going to ensure that you never have children,” Red said, her eyes narrowing on his brother. “You won’t be able to cock block anyone because you won’t have a damn cock. Am I clear?”

Case’s hands came up immediately as though he knew that tone and was not going there. “Trying to help.”

“Three is clean and has plenty of condoms. We’re taking a monitor turn up here. I checked all the rooms.” Mia grinned at him. She actually was helpful. “Have fun and we’ll see you at home.”

He didn’t bother to look back. Case could give him a lecture later. He wasn’t waiting anymore. He’d waited forever. Even when he couldn’t remember her face, he’d known she was there. He’d felt her, or rather he’d felt her absence.

Could he truly be with a woman whose name he couldn’t think without hurting her?

It didn’t matter. He wasn’t making those decisions tonight. He was enjoying her. His sub. He was bringing her pleasure and he probably should do a good job of it because his sub was fucking mean.

And fragile. He’d seen the moment she’d thought he was rejecting her. He’d watch her skin flush and her body start to turn in on itself. She was such a mix of strength and need. It was intoxicating. He wanted so badly to be the man who gave her what she needed.

Affection. Pleasure. Comfort.

Love—he wasn’t thinking that word tonight. Nope. Pleasure was way better.

He kicked out lightly at the partially open door number three. It looked like Mia had done her job. The room was perfectly clean, the lighting soft and romantic. The best thing about this room though was the complete lack of any of his friends or family being here.

It was him and her, and that was exactly what he wanted. No Ian. No Li. No Kai asking them hundreds of questions. Him and her and the night.

He tossed her on the bed and stood back, looking down at her. “Tell me why you thought I was rejecting you.”

The instant she hit the bed, she was up on her knees. So graceful. So deadly. What the hell was this woman like out in the field? She moved like a predator, but the look on her face was pure sarcasm. “Uhm, your words. That’s what sealed it for me. ‘I don’t want to do this’ is generally considered a rejection.”

Somehow she managed to put an unsaid “dumbass” on the end of her sentences. Not all of them. She’d been perfectly sweet most of the night, but she could turn it on when she wanted to. “I didn’t mean that. When I said the words, I watched you change. Why? You’re good at slapping people down. I wouldn’t have said that until today.”

“Because I’ve been careful around you,” she admitted.

“Why? You think I’m delicate?”

Her lips curled up. “I don’t think you’re delicate. I think I’m a lot to take, but I also am starting to believe I was wrong. You like me rough.”

“I like you a lot.” More than he could ever tell her.

Review-DGR4.5 starssubmission-is-not-enough-dgr-teaser

She’d been his prize. She was still the prize. He simply didn’t deserve her anymore.

My heart! MY COLD BLACK HEART! It hurts dammit! It hurts so bad. This book twisted me inside out. Never have I been more invested in a character since Theo Taggart. I can’t tell you the amount of tears I’ve shed over this man. As much as I love every single book in this series, this was easily one of my most anticipated. We’ve been getting teased with Theo’s book for what feels like forever, and I felt like my heart would damn near explode if I didn’t get my grabby little hands on his story soon.

Promised I’d love you until I died. Kept it, baby. Kept it.”

First of all, if you’re reading my review and you haven’t read Master No yet, stop right now! Don’t even read this blurb for god sakes! Seriously. You’re doing yourself a great disservice. This is a series that needs to be read in order to truly appreciate the amount of forethought this author put into all her characters and their books. And it would also make you appreciate the tight bond that is Taggart and Co.

His. Fucking his. No matter where she went, what she did, she was his. He could forget his entire damn life, but he would know she belonged to him. Always. Forever.

This was easily the most emotional book in the series. It was beyond powerful. It was passion and pain in a way that only Lexi Blake could write it. It was equal parts satisfying and painful. It was everything I’d hoped it would be and so SO much more.

I’ve always rooted for Theo and Erin. The more Erin fought their connection the harder I rooted for Theo. His always sunny disposition, his quick smiles and humor, and all around easy going demeanor. That is not the man he is anymore.

Tortured. Brainwashed. Drugged. Theo is a shell of the man he used to be. His memories gone, every day is a struggle to remember his old life and be the man that everyone remembers him to be. My heart broke for him even if at times his actions had me wanting to shake him.

Erin was just as amazing in this book as she’s been. This is a woman with a soft heart but a steel strength. She’s not afraid to fight for the man she never stopped loving even if she did spend most of their time together pushing him away. Man. Watching her go through everything she does for Theo was absolutely heart wrenching.

And there in the dark, she held him and let go. It didn’t matter than he couldn’t tell her how they’d met or when he’d first told her he loved her. She cried because he was here and he’d always been her safe place. She cried because it had been a shitty day. She cried because he never could.

Lexi Blake is one of my go-to authors when it comes to sexy romantic suspense, but with this book she proved that she can wring emotion from her readers like no other. It’s so much more than just romance. Twelve books into the series and I’m still as invested as ever if not more so with these characters and find myself eagerly anticipating the next book. It’s so far beyond just sexy BDSM romance and high octane action. Starting one of these books is like getting reacquainted with a gang of friends. I fall hard for each of them every single time and with the snippet of the next book I’m practically salivating for Nick already.

If you’re hoping this book lives up to all your expectations, it does. It goes beyond it. It blows all the expectations away. I loved every page!

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About the Authorlexi_blakeNY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Amazon Author Page

 

 

 

 

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Review: HOT SEAL Rescue by @LynnRayeHarris

September 26, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

hot-seal-rescue-reviewHOT SEAL Rescue
Series: Hot SEAL Team #3
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Author: Lynn Raye Harris
Release Date: September 27, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

hotsealrescue

From New York Times bestselling author Lynn Raye Harris comes the next explosive story in the HOT SEAL Team series!

Navy SEAL Cody “Cowboy” McCormick is in Las Vegas for a little R & R before his friend’s wedding when a beautiful blonde jams a gun in his side and abducts him from a casino in broad daylight. He could stop her, but he plays along because he’s intrigued—plus he’s convinced she’s in danger.

CIA agent Miranda Lockwood’s life is on the line when an undercover operation goes wrong. Little does she know when she sashays up to the biggest, baddest looking dude in the casino lobby that she’s kidnapping a Navy SEAL—or that she’ll be unable to resist his charm when he turns up the heat.

When the CIA labels her a rogue agent, Miranda’s faith in everything she believes in is shaken to the core. Cody’s the only one she can trust to help her find the traitor in the agency. But even though she’s forced to betray him, she can’t get over the SEAL who made her feel safe in his arms. Miranda will have to fight harder than she’s ever fought for anything if she wants his forgiveness—but Cody’s not in a forgiving mood in spite of the sparks that still fly when he’s forced to team up with her again.

When disaster strikes and they’re caught in the line of fire, Cody will do everything in his power to keep them both alive. Because if he doesn’t, he’ll never get to hold Miranda close again…

Buy-Links10PRE-ORDER
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Review4.5 starshot-seal-rescue-dgr-teaser

She was his for the taking. And he was going to take her. Every which way he wanted, damn her. Every which way that made her beg him for more. And then he was going to walk away and never think about her again.

Cody “Cowboy” McCormick.
Sorry. Quick pervy thought intermission….

And I’m back!

Lynn Raye Harris is filled with magic. MAGIC I tells ya! How else would it be possible for the woman to keep coming up with these sexy military heroes that are hotter than the last? I’ve devoured her Hostile Operations Team series and she’s got another huge winner with the spin-off, HOT Seal Team.

If you haven’t read the HOT series yet, no worries, you can easily read this series first and enjoy each book as a standalone. That being said, I highly recommend each book in both this series and HOT, so you won’t want want to miss it.

Harris has a knack for writing strong, kick-ass heroines, and Miranda Jane is certainly no exception. A CIA agent that’s undercover to bring to justice the man that killed her mentor, she finds herself in hot water when her identity is compromised. So what’s a girl to do? Kidnap the nearest badass looking man in the Vegas hotel lobby at gun point, of course. Unbeknownst to her, the man she thinks is not just badass looking, but really IS a badass. Navy SEAL Cody knows he can disarm the woman that’s holding a gun to him in seconds, but his curiosity gets the best of him when he sees the desperation shadow in her eyes. What begins is a whole lot of awesome!

Miranda Jane wasn’t delicate or useless. She was beautiful and lethal. And sexier than fuck, damn her.

I love that Harris is always able to combine amazing story telling, with heart pounding suspense and wrap it around an extremely sexy and satisfying romance. And boy was this sexy! I loved me some cowboy Cody. Cody is easy going and first to laugh, but he’s so intense with Miranda. I couldn’t get enough of it. Miranda was the perfect combination of vulnerable and strong. No one writes an awesome heroine quite like this author.

Why had he gotten to her? He was just a man she’d abducted in a casino so she could escape Victor Conti. A random stranger- and now he was in her system so deep she didn’t think she’d ever get him out.

Hot Seal Rescue was another huge winner for me. Each time I finish a book by Lynn Raye Harris, I say to myself that it can’t possibly get any better, and then I read the next book and it always does! I love the new SEAL additions to the HOT boys and I’m already salivating for the next installment in what’s now become one of my favorite series by an author that’s my go-to when I need a guaranteed unputdownable read that’s equal parts entertaining and sexy, with plenty of action in and out of the bedroom!

HOT SEAL (Hot SEAL Team #1)
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

HOT SEAL Lover (HOT SEAL Team #2)
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

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Review: Dare To Stay by Jen McLaughlin

August 10, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

Review-Dare to StayDARE TO STAY
Series: Sons of Steel Row #2
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Author: Jen McLaughlin
Release Date: August 2, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

Dare To Stay

Fans of Katie Ashley, Joanna Wylde, Kristen Ashley, Sophie Jackson and Katee Robert will be thrilled by this dark, steamy series, from the New York Times bestselling author of the Out of Line novels, where one gang of criminals knows just how being bad can be so good…

Bruised and bloodied on Boston’s mean streets, Chris O’Brien is reeling from the loss of his childhood best friend. But after barely escaping a hit placed on his head, Chris is desperate to live. A safe haven comes to mind – the home of the perfect girl from his childhood, Molly Lachlan. Before he has fully considered what it would mean to involve her in his mess, he finds himself on her doorstep.

When Molly agrees to let Chris inside her home, she realizes she’s also letting him into her life. Danger and desperation are coming off him like steam, and yet she can’t bring herself to turn him away. His bad boy charm always had a hold on her, but now there’s a soulfulness and sorrow in him that she’s never seen before. And despite the heart-stopping risk of helping him, she hopes against all reason that he’ll stay…

The stakes are dangerously high…and the passion is seriously intense. Follow the exploits of the Sons of Steel Row in Dare To Run and Dare To Stay.

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR3.5 starsDare To Stay-DGR Teaser

My life didn’t need to be all murder, guns, and meaningless sex. It could’ve been more- if I’d been born into another family. Another life. But I hadn’t been.

When I saw that Chris would be the hero in the second installment of The Sons Of Steel Row series, I’ll admit to having doubts. After all the events at the end of Dare to Run, I wasn’t sure how the author would redeem him enough to make me feel for the man. After all, Chris not only betrayed his best friend, he tried to kill him and the woman he loved in order to go after a power position within The Sons. How do you come back from something like that? Will the author be able to justify his decision? Make it believable? Make the reader connect with an anti-hero like that? Well I’m happy to report that the answer to all of those is a resounding YES.

He was more monster than human. All men like him were. Deep down, beneath his acts of neighborhood friendliness and that devastatingly handsome smile…He was a killer.

Dare To Stay picks up immediately where book 1 left off, with Chris bleeding in the alley, waiting for certain death. If you haven’t read Dare To Run yet, don’t worry, you can easily jump into this book first and the author gives plenty of background to ensure you won’t be lost for even a minute.

Molly Lachlan lost her beloved father to the violence of street crime and gangs. Chris and her grow up next door to each other in the same nice neighborhood, but their upbringing couldn’t be more different. Now Chris is a deadly killer and she’s a kindergarten teacher and they may as well live worlds apart. But when Molly finds a wounded Chris, all she can think of is fixing the broken man.

While I liked this book a whole lot better than the first, there were still a few things that kept it from being a solid 4 star read for me.

I had an issue with Molly’s personality at times. After all she’s been through and the way she lost her father, her connection to Chris never quite clicked for me. He should be everything she wants to stay away from, yet she’s willing to put her life on the line from the very beginning for him. I understood their history goes back many years, but I just didn’t feel that connection between them right away. She was just too self sacrificing at times.

Chris’s never ending back and forth of ‘I want her’ but ‘I’m not good for her’ started to grate on me too. I understand that he’s not a good man, but I just didn’t need it repeated at every turn. Or at least it felt that way at times.

I knew, even after all the blood, dirt, and sweat washed away, I would still be dirty. I’d never be clean.

The story itself was gritty and sexy. There was just enough to make me connect to the characters and keep reading curious to know what happens next, yet not quite enough to make it feel like an unputdownable read.

The romance was great and I definitely liked Molly and Chris a whole lot more than Lucas and Heidi. Heidi also had a lot more self preservation than Heidi did, which was a huge issue for me in the first book. I really liked Chris and her together, and there were definitely plenty of sizzle added into the mix.

I kissed her like I was a dying man and she was my last chance at salvation. And she was.

I had a hard time with the believability factor of the ending, but I can understand that Chris couldn’t have the same options as Lucas did. What I do know for sure, is the set up for the third book sounds utterly amazing. And I can’t wait to finally get my hands on Scotty’s book.

SONS OF STEEL ROW SERIES

DARE TO RUN (book 1) 
MY REVIEW | AMAZON

DARE TO LIE (releasing February 7, 2017)
PRE-ORDER

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New Release Review: Ruthless by @authorlexiblake

August 9, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

Review-RuthlessRUTHLESS
Series: Lawless #1
Genre: Contemporary Suspence
Author: Lexi Blake
Release Date: August 9. 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

Ruthless_CVF

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

The Lawless siblings are bound by vengeance. Riley, Drew, Brandon, and Mia believe the CEO of StratCast orchestrated their parents’ murder twenty years ago to steal their father’s software program. And there’s only one way Riley can find some solid evidence…

Heir to the StratCast legacy, Ellie Stratton hires a new attorney to handle a delicate business matter—and she’s shocked by her attraction to him. Over the course of a few weeks, Riley becomes her lover, her friend, her everything. But when her life is threatened, Ellie discovers that Riley is more obsessed with settling an old score than in the love she thought they were building. And Riley must choose between a revenge he’s prepared for all his life and the woman he’s sure he can’t live without..

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR4.5 starsRuthless-DGR Teaser

You tempt me like no other woman ever has. I don’t understand you and I might never, but I’m going to know you, Ellie Stratton. I’m going to know what makes you smile and what makes you scream out my name.”

I don’t know how this woman does it, but she manages to write books that do it for me. Every. Single. Time. Being a huge fan of her Masters & Mercenaries series, I’ve been salivating for more of the mysterious Lawless siblings ever since we first met Mia and Drew in From Sanctum with Love. I mean, c’mon, a mysterious, brooding billionaire software genius and his 3 siblings that are hell bent on exacting revenge on the people they believe responsible for their parents murder twenty years ago? Yes, please, and thank you!

Ruthless is the first book in the sexy and intriguing series. For those that haven’t read Blake’s Masters & Mercenaries series, don’t worry, you won’t be lost. But for those that have read Mia’s book, Dominance Never Dies, you’ll certainly appreciate the cameos here. I know I sure did. But I digress.

So what does this book have? EVERYTHING.

Revenge plot? Check!
Epic grovel? Check!
Lots of sexy times? Check!
Well developed characters and plot? Check and check!
Suspense? Check!
Perfect Saturday night read? You bet your tuhis!

Riley is the middle brother. He barely remembers the night that took their parents, but he knows that his father didn’t kill himself. Ever since that night, everything they’ve done has been a systematic step closer to their revenge. Now they have their sights set on the StratCast and the CEO, Phillip Stratton and his partner, who may be two of the three people they suspect to be behind their parents’ murder. Unfortunately, Phillip Stratton is now dead, and his daughter is now running the company. Hiring Riley as the company attorney to oversee the corporate buy out from her father’s partner seemed like a great idea to Ellie. But what she doesn’t know, is his interest runs much deeper than a mere paycheck.

It might be wrong. It might be completely unprofessional, but she was going to have him. She was going to sink herself into an affair with him and not worry about the consequences. For once in her life, she was going to do something wild, something for herself.

I loved absolutely everything about this book; the pacing, the character development, and it certainly wasn’t without plenty of unpredictable twists to spice things up. In true Lexi Blake fashion, there was plenty of intrigue and suspense thrown in to perfectly balance the story.

Ellie starts off as a bit of a wallflower, but man, she really comes into her own towards the second part of the book. While their romance feels instant, it is established through weeks of working together. Ellie definitely doesn’t give into the brewing sexual chemistry between them with ease. She thinks things through and I really appreciated that. I also absolutely loved Riley. He’s not quite as singleminded in his revenge plan as his older brother. He knows a good thing when he has it and he knows he wants Ellie for much more than a carefully constructed revenge plan.

This book also had one of the most delicious grovels I’ve read in a really long time. I’m talking SERIOUSLY DELICIOUS levels here. Like half the book sort of delicious!

But it was also so much more than just a romance. All of the secondary characters are carefully plotted and perfectly developed. Everything and I’m talking everything is effortlessly fleshed out. Even the villains of the story are incredibly well developed, which only hooks you that much more. I loved getting glimpses of Bran and Drew and I seriously can’t wait for their books.

Ruthless was everything I could want in a story. It was filled with intrigue and suspense, and enough sizzle to set your kindle on fire. I’m utterly hooked and I can’t wait for more of these Lawless siblings. With the little peek we get of Bran’s story here, I already know it will be just as good as Riley’s, if not better. This author can do absolutely no wrong in my mind. If you haven’t read anything by her yet, you’re seriously missing out, and Ruthless will be the perfect book to start with!

PRE-ORDER SATISFACTION
Book 2 in the Lawless series and Bran’s story
Releasing January 3, 201751+ycqvKqDL

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Review: ★Burnout★ by Tee O’Fallon

June 16, 2016 by ·

review-BurnoutBURNOUT
Series: NYPD Blue & Gold #1
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Author: Tee O’Fallon
Release Date: June 13th 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

29974978

Sexy-as-sin Police Chief Mike Flannery knows the new arrival to Hopewell Springs is trouble. She has a smoking-hot body and a quick wit…and he’ll be damned if that’s not a turn-on. But this former NYPD cop and small-town heartthrob has been burned before, and there’s no way he’ll let that happen again.

New York City Detective Cassie Yates is on the run. A six-month undercover sting in a sleazy bar seemed like a textbook arrest—but now there’s a hit out on her. Armed with fake ID, her K-9 companion, and a police-issued SUV, she flees to a quiet upstate town where she trades her badge and gun for a spatula, finally finding peace in the dream she tossed aside to follow her family into law enforcement.

There’s no denying the fire and ice between them. But as the hired assassin closes in, Mike’s past comes roaring back and secrets are revealed in an explosion destined to tear them apart—if not destroy them.

Buy LinksAMAZON | B&NReview3 stars

Who read this book because they were totally lured in by a hot cover?
What? Have you seen those abs? I’m weak, mkay! But I digress…

I love a good romantic suspense, and aside from the extremely hot cover, I was really intrigued by the blurb here. A tough as nails NYC detective meets small town Police Chief that’s running from a painful past of his own? Yes please!

The sparks between these two were instant, but it was a slow burn, which I also appreciated. Cassie may be a cop herself but her aversion to dating other cops makes Mike both suspicious and intrigued. He doesn’t know where the beautiful newcomer came from or what secrets she’s hiding, but he knows that there’s a whole lot more to the story that meets the eye.

Cassie is burned out by her job and her quiet reprieve in the small upstate town is just what she needs. Now if only she can figure out who put the hit out on her after what they all assumed was a successful undercover sting. It doesn’t take her long to figure out that Mike is unlike most cops she knows and she can’t deny the sizzling chemistry between them. She wants to come clean and tell him everything, but can she trust him.

Mike has a history of his own that causes him to mistrust. If anything, this is actually the one thing that ultimately brought my rating down. I didn’t understand his extreme reaction to the situation with him and Cassie. While I get that he was betrayed in the worst ways in his past, the situations weren’t as remotely similar as he was treating them to be. It was over the top and an exercise in frustration waiting for him to finally get his head out of his past and actually see reason. A little too long for my tastes, actually.

Burnout was a well paced suspense plot with just enough romance and steam weaved into it to make it a highly entreating read. There were two secondary characters introduced that I’d love a book for, so I’m hoping this will actually be a series. Tee O’Fallon is a new to me author, but she’s definitely one to watch out for and I’d gladly read any of her future releases.

· Filed Under: All Reviews, Romantic Suspense · Tagged With:

Review: ★Hot SEAL Lover★ by @LynnRayeHarris

June 12, 2016 by ·

review-Hot SEAL LoverHot SEAL Lover
Series: Hot SEAL Team #2
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Author: Lynn Raye Harris
Release Date: June 14, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

HotSEALLover-2

One night in the sheets is all she wants…

Christina Girard is a lady. But she’s a lady whose world is about to implode. She’s done everything right, but she can’t escape the taint of scandal when her husband cheats on her with another man. She’s broken, her spirit battered, her confidence at an all-time low.

Then she meets Navy SEAL Remy Marchand, and parts of her she’d thought dead flare to life. Except Remy is part of the Hostile Operations Team, the Black Ops group her brother works for, and that means NO in flashing neon letters. Yet Christina’s tired of always doing what’s expected. Just once, she wants to saddle up and ride a tattooed, dirty-mouthed bad boy before she kicks him to the curb and goes on with her life.

One night is not enough to put out the fire…

Remy Marchand burns with guilt and regret that he couldn’t save his twin sister from her abuser. He lives his life slaying dragons for the innocent and vulnerable. He thought Christina needed his strength and protection too, but he was wrong. After a single night of pleasure, she disappears from his life.

But then his SEALs get tasked with a mission: infiltrate war-torn Qu’rim and get Christina out before the enemy finds her. With bombs exploding, blood spilling, and survival not certain, Remy protects Christina from harm while vowing not to succumb again to her sweet temptation.

One night is only the beginning…

But life in a war zone is intense, and vows mean nothing in the face of danger. Giving in is inevitable. Staying alive is not—especially when the greatest menace still waits for the perfect moment to strike…

Buy-Links10PRE-ORDER
AMAZON | iBOOKS | B&N

Review4 starsHot Seal Lover-DGR

He was a revelation to her. A need beyond any she’d ever had before.

Let me sum this up for you in a few words: Navy SEAL, Cajun accent.

I’ll let you marinade on that for a bit.
…
…
…
What? You need more? Pfft! Clearly you’re not easy like me. But this may also be the case because I’m obsessed with all things Lynn Raye Harris. I’ve been a huge fan of hers since the very first HOT book, and suffice it to say I’m thoroughly enjoying the spin-off with some hot Navy SEALs.

Now the order of the book may be confusing, so let me explain. Hot SEAL marked book 1 in Harris’s HOT SEAL Team spin-off. While the time line follows the rest of the HOT books, there is a slew of new characters introduced in the form of a SEAL team that works with the HOT men. Still with me? Good. And while it’s book #11 in the HOT series and #2 in the HOT SEAL series, each book may be enjoyed as a standalone as it’s a different couple with their own HEA in each book. The author gives plenty of background so the reader will never be lost. Unless you’re one of my series OCD friends. In that case pretend you didn’t just read the aforementioned, kay? Great!

Moving on to the review…

Christina Girard is Matt Girard’s younger sister from Hot Pursuit but we don’t really get to know her until this book. So if you haven’t yet read Hot Pursuit, no worries. You won’t have any trouble jumping right in. (Sorry, OCD friends. Ignore this too)

After the scandal of her husband’s affair implodes her life, she’s left shattered, unable to trust any man. Her family life and especially her father just further solidify her stance. Her divorce almost final, she goes out to spend time with her friends and lays eyes on the incredibly sexy SEAL, Remy Marchand. Remy is immediately taken with Christina and wants to explore their attraction further, but all Christina wants from him is one night to explore the chemistry between them.

He wanted it to be more, but she didn’t. And that pissed him off.

One sizzling night together is all they have before Christina runs scared. Now it’s six months later and Remy is part of the mission sent to infiltrate war-torn Qu’rim and get Christina and a few other US citizens out before they’re discovered and captured by dangerous rebels. Now they’re forced to deal with all the unanswered tension and questions between them, but can Christina learn to trust again in order to let Remy in?

But I’m scared. I’m scared it’s too soon and I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m scared you aren’t what you seem to be, and that tomorrow you’ll walk away- I’m scared of so many things.

Considering these two spend the night together pretty early into the book, I was a little afraid it’ll be the case of insta love. That wasn’t it at all. If anything, there was the added spice of second chance romance mixed in with their reunion months later. Remy is understandably angry with her and gone is the sweet man that Christina first met. In his place is the angry, slightly bitter SEAL with an air of danger around him. There was plenty of tension and burn to make this romance deliciously sexy.

It takes Christina some time to really come into her own, but I enjoyed watching her growth throughout the story.

She’d let him back into her life, and she had to ride out the storm to see where it went. She just hoped there was some little piece of her left when the storm was over.

While it wasn’t my favorite book in the series (but I’m a touch biased since I’m practically salivating for Ian Black’s book), it was definitely a satisfying installment in what’s become one of my go-to romantic suspense series.

Harris has become synonymous for me with heart-pounding and deliciously sexy romantic suspense. Her heroes are just the right amount of protective and intense with an air of danger around them. Her heroines are strong and assertive. Her romance sizzling hot and addictive. If you haven’t discovered this series yet, you’re seriously missing out. I’m not just recommending it, I’m insisting you read it. It’s that good.

HOT SEAL (Hot SEAL Team #1)25716896GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

· Filed Under: All Reviews, Romantic Suspense, Uncategorized · Tagged With: , , ,
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