Blog Tour & Excerpt: ☆Perfected by You☆ by J.M. Walker

An all-consuming need…

Evvie Neal was my addiction. The love I felt for her
controlled me and it brought me to my knees. She was my one. My only.

Destroyed as a boy, healed as a man, she was my
saving grace. The first person who knew the real me. Because of her, I became stronger. Whole. A true warrior in my own personal Hell.

As time went on, demons from my past haunted me,
threatening to ruin what I had worked so hard to become. Strong.

The ultimate sacrifice was giving up a piece of myself to be perfect. For her.

Mine
My dear sweet Evvie. My wife. My lover. My one. My only.

I’m writing this as a way for you to get to know me further. Deeper.

You know parts. Pieces. But do you really know all? I’m not a man of many words, as you know. I’d prefer to show you how I feel through the use of our bodies. Loving every inch of you, every curve, every freckle, as we move as one.

The first time that I met with Dr. Santos without you, he told me to start writing in a journal. He said it was a way for me to get out of my head. I told him he was a contradicting asshole. He laughed. I’m not a nice person when you’re not around, my sweet Evvie. I don’t take well with being told what to do. This is why I own my clubs. Why I’m the boss. Why I’m in control. I need it. I can’t have it any other way or else my life would be fucking miserable. The only good thing in it, is you. You are my strength. My light.

After I left Matteo’s office, his words bounced around in my head and I found myself at a book store. A black leather bound book filled with blank pages called to me. I remember my fingers tingling as it drew me in with each step I took towards it. The need to have the small 5×8 book took control. It was thrilling really. It was the same feeling I got when I first met you months ago.

I never told you how I felt. That moment when I walked in on you hugging Kane, a deep seeded need to rip his face off surfaced. It shocked me to the core, taking my breath away. I had never felt that way about anyone. I told you that I had an ex, someone who ripped my heart out when her boyfriend came back. Well with her, I never felt how I feel with you. I never had the urge to mark her as mine. To control her. With you? Evvie, I have to be in control of you. In the bedroom at least. Other times? You are your own woman. I know it. You know it. But I love you more every day that you submit to me when we play. I thank you for giving that piece of yourself to me. I know it’s hard to lose control. Trust me.

Now, this book is for my thoughts but I think it will be filled with so much more. This will be my gift to you, my little vixen. I can’t tell you how happy my words will be. You know my past. My history. But all you know is what I’ve told you. Let me show you what has really happened. Allow me to suck you in with my words. The only thing I ask in advance is for your forgiveness.

With this book, I’m giving you a piece of myself. It’s like a puzzle. Each journal entry a piece fitting into place. Some you may have to force until you find the right one that fits. But just know that this puzzle will reveal the real me. The whole me.

                                   


When J.M. isn’t working her Monday-Friday 9-5 job, she’s
spending her time reading, writing and with the love of her life. She’s an all-around Canadian girl. Born and raised in a small city.
If you don’t see J.M. writing, you’ll find her with her nose in a book. Whether it’s her words or someone else’s, she’s drawn to it. J.M. loves stories with Alpha broken males and that need to be ripped apart and put back together again. Men that fall to their knees over a wink or a giggle from their females.
Two things you will never find J.M. without; her cell phone
and lip gloss. If she has both of those items, you have a happy girl. Since starting her writing adventure in 2013, J.M. has met many people, real life, online, in her head and she loves every single one of
them. Without the support from others, none of this would be possible and she’s grateful for all that has been given to her.

ARC Review: ☆Broken☆ by @_LaurenLayne

Lauren Layne’s New Adult novel tells the story of a girl with secrets, a guy with scars, and a love that could save them both… or destroy them.

When Olivia Middleton abandons the glamour of Park Avenue for a remote, coastal town in Maine, everyone assumes she’s being the kind do-gooder she’s always been. But Olivia has a secret: helping an injured war veteran reenter society isn’t about charity—it’s about penance. Only, Olivia’s client isn’t the grateful elderly man she’s expecting. Instead, he’s a brooding twenty-four-year-old who has no intention of being Olivia’s path to redemption . . . and whose smoldering gaze and forbidden touch might be her undoing.

Paul Langdon doesn’t need a mirror to show him he’s no longer the hotshot quarterback he was before the war. He knows he’s ugly—inside and out. He’ll do anything to stay in self-imposed exile, even accept his father’s ultimatum that Paul tolerate the newest caretaker for three months or lose his inheritance. But Paul doesn’t count on the beautiful twenty-two-year-old who makes him long for things that he can never have. And the more she slips past his defenses, the more keeping his distance is impossible.

Now Paul and Olivia have to decide: Will they help each other heal? Or are they forever broken?

 Releasing: September 2, 2014
Pre-order:

4.5 Beauty and the Beast Stars


I almost want to laugh at how messed up we are.
Two completely shattered souls doing a weird approach-and-recoil dance around each other.

Remember Olivia from Isn’t She Lovely? She was Ethan’s ex girlfriend who broke his heart. Ring a bell? What started out with a lighthearted take on Pygmalion, now continues with an angsty and emotional take of Beauty and the Beast with Broken. This is the story of 2 damaged souls, Olivia and Paul. One is seeking penance while the other seeks oblivion. Can they heal each other without shattering their already broken pieces?

I wasn’t sure how I would like Olivia in her own book since saying that I liked her in Isn’t She Lovely would be an understatement. Lauren Layne certainly managed to redeem her in my eyes. With a deeper look into who she really is and the things that drive, you can tell that beneath the rich society girl is a also a girl that made a mistake and is looking for any way to redeem herself. She’s also running. Running from her daily life and her daily reminders of what she did and can no longer fix. So she takes a job in Maine caring for a war veteran. She just didn’t see Paul coming…

Paul is scarred and angry. He’s angry at the world, he’s angry at his life, and he’s angry at anyone that breaks his reclusive routine. So when his father announce that the new caretaker after the many before that he’s already run off is his last chance, he’s less than thrilled about it.

Ladies, let me just tell you, if you like your heroes to be colossal (and I mean COLOSSAL assholes) prepare to fall for Paul. Paul is the epitome of broken. He’s scarred inside and out, and his road to redemption is not a fast one. This is not someone that lays their eyes on Olivia and insto presto he’s smitten. Oh no. He was downright callous, but you still can’t help but fall for him. Your heart will hurt for him at the same time you will want to throttle the living daylights out of him and his treatment of Olivia.

The author gives the reader just the right amount of small tidbits and tiny morsels of the man that he can be, that will leave you almost torn between loving and hating him at the same time.

But don’t be fooled, because those few morsels are rare and few in between.


You want me?” he asks against my mouth. “You want my hands on you?”
Little alarm bells are going off in the back of my head. There’s no warmth in his words. No kindness, or even desire. He’s playing some sort of cruel game in which my body is definitely the playing board. And I’m a willing participant.

At times my head would be spinning between his rage and the small glimpses at the broken soul he hides beneath the cold and broken exterior.

Little by little Olivia begins to do what no other caretaker before her has accomplished; she begins to chip away at his walls. But will he let them down enough to let her into his heart?


Somewhere inside of me, a demon is telling me that I’m going to disappoint her. That I’m going to destroy her.

This book had a much more serious, emotional, and angsty undercurrent. And when I say angsty, I mean ANGSTY. But there’s also a small dose of steam to break it up

Soon followed by more angst.

What can I possibly tell you about this book other than it’s a must read? What else do you need? Read it and see for yourself. I know I for one cannot wait to see what this incredibly talented author has in store for the next book in the series. Dare I hope for Michael’s book next?

**ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

All quotes taken from the Advanced Reader Copy of book and may differ from the finished published version

ARC Review: ☆Tempting Her Best Friend (What Happens in Vegas)☆ by @Gina_L_Maxwell

A satisfying contemporary romance from Entangled’s Lovestruck imprint…

Alyssa Miller is tired of waiting for her next-door neighbor to see her as more than just his best friend. Ready to let off some steam, she heads to Las Vegas for a romance book convention where, if she’s lucky, she’ll get down and dirty with one of the sexy cover models.

Dillon Alexander doesn’t do commitment—especially not where his best friend is concerned. She deserves a man who can give her the world, not damaged goods. But when he realizes Alyssa intends to have a one-night stand on her vacation, he hauls ass after her to make surehe’s the one to scratch her itch.

Neither of them expects their explosive chemistry to burn hotter than the lights on the strip, but with a little help from Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, a flamboyant matchmaker, and TSA, what happens in Vegas might not stay in Vegas…

4 What Happens in Vegas Stars

To love someone is to know fear. Gut-wrenching, soulcrushing fear. Fear that your love won’t always be enough. Fear that something terrible could rip them away from you. There are dozens, hundreds of scenarios, but they all come down to the same thing: when you love someone with all your heart, the scariest thing imaginable is having to live without them.

If you’re looking for an easy, romantic, steamy and cute read, you really can’t go wrong with this book. The friends to lover trope is a tried and true method, and never fails to bring on a smile to my face, especially when it’s written by the fabulous Gina Maxwell. Gina puts her own spin on falling for your best friend with a little bit of Vegas craziness thrown in, a masquerade ball and a sexy Tarzan. Curious?You’ll have to read it find out more 😉

But I can give you a spoiler free cliff’s notes…

Alyssa Miller has been in love for her best friend for years. Heck, they’re practically acting like a married couple considering they live next to each other and see each other on a daily basis. Oh, except without the sex… and the never ending line of women that frequent her neighbor’s apartment.

Alyssa would love for Dillon to see her as something other that his sexless best friend, but she’s giving up hope. Her libido has certainly had enough of it. Batteries will only get a girl so far.

Tired of her risk-free and boring life, Alyssa decides that a weekend at a Romance book convention is the key to solve her dry spell. A steamy night spent with a sexy cover model she’ll never have to see again after seems just the key. Too bad Dillon is not exactly on board with that idea…

Dillon Alexander has always had feelings for his best friend, but he’s not the commitment sort and he knows he’s not what a woman like her needs. But when the idea of Aly with another man brings out his inner caveman? Let’s say a man will go to great lengths to resolve a situation; like follow her to Vegas and propose that he be the man to scratch her itch…no complications or strings need apply

Then, in the privacy of her room, he’d give her exactly what she wanted: excitement, passion, and multiple orgasms. Batteries not required.

And when the man puts his plan into action? Well let’s just say Alyssa never stood a chance

So what happens?
What starts of as this

Turns into a whole lot of this

I loved the setting of Vegas and all the fabulous side characters that were introduced. While this wasn’t anything I haven’t really read before, it was entertaining from beginning to finish. A little cute, a little sexy, sometime a touch cheesy, but still wonderful. An angst light, fluffy and romantic read that will appeal to all lovers of contemporary romance.

I hope that Dillon’s twin will be getting a book next. This is just one of those light and easy reads that are perfect for in between reads or just when you need a cute and uplifting romance.

**ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review**

ARC Review: ☆Tell Me Something Good☆ by Jamie Wesley

A satisfying category romance from Entangled’s brand new Lovestruck imprint…

Two radio show hosts. One show. Who will come out on top?

In a moment of restlessness, Tate Grayson sold his multimillion-dollar company and spun his love of sports into a radio talk show. Life, and love, is too short to take seriously—a fact he enjoys rubbing in uptight radio host Noelle Butler’s face.

After the death of her parents, a tragedy she blamed on herself, Noelle vowed to live a controlled, focused life. Now a psychologist, she channels her need for connection into her radio show. But when the arrogant sportscaster next door tells listeners men shouldn’t get married, she’s all too happy to yank the silver spoon out of his overprivileged mouth.

Their heated on-air arguments are a hit, but when the station director forces them to do a joint show for two weeks, Tate and Noelle object. They can’t stand each other, despite the attraction sizzling beneath every interaction. But if they can’t pull the struggling radio station back from the brink, they’ll lose their jobs. Or worse, their hearts.

3.5 Stars

She had commitment written all over her. For him, relationships were all about temporary fun. Women looking for a ring need not apply.

What happens when an uppity psychologist that gives love advice on the radio comes head to head with a structure hating sports talk show host? This book.

Noelle Butler and Tate Grayson couldn’t be more different. Noelle is a radio host for a love advice show. She lives her life in a neat and structured order, dreams of a love that her parents had, and gives love advice to the masses on her show. Her view on relationships? They need to have the 3 C’s

Cool, commitment, and communication. Are you cool with each other? Are you committed to each other and making the relationship work? Finally, are you respectfully communicating with each other about your feelings?

All is right with her world until Tate “The Great” Grayson, the sports talk host at the same radio station as her and commitment-phobe decides to call into her show and offer his views…

“My three C’s are chill, cling-off, and change.
Chill. Don’t let your emotions get the best of you. Don’t let her fool you into thinking you can’t live without her because you can. Cling-off is kind of like bug repellent. Don’t let her cling. If you follow those two words, it makes change all the easier. When things get boring, bam, you’re off, your emotions unattached.”

They may butt heads when it comes to their views on relationships, but that doesn’t mean they’re not radio gold when they do it. So it’s only logical that their station director forces them to do a joint show for two weeks. A recipe for disaster or for the sparks between them to truly fly? Guess you’ll have to read to find out.

I enjoyed this book, but I can’t really tell you that I loved it. I think it was just a little too “sweet” for my personal tastes. It’s completely a case of it’s me not the book. This read like a really cute romantic comedy, but while I enjoyed it for the most part, I just didn’t fell that connection between Noelle and Tate. Their bickering was entertaining but felt more friendly than sexual for the most part…at least in the beginning. I’d definitely recommend this book for those readers that enjoy a sweet contemporary romance. Who knows, I am in the minority with my opinion, so you just may love it. The writing was great and I’ll happily read Jamie Wesley’s future books.

**ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange of an honest review**

Blog Tour & #Giveaway: ☆The Lover’s Secret☆ by @JCReedAuthor

The Lover’s Secret

Release date: August 5th, 2014
Genre: Mature New Adult/ Adult Contemporary Romance
Recommended for ages 18 and up.
Full Length Novel

When a sexy encounter comes like a dream and leaves like a nightmare…

Brooke Stewart thinks she’s finally safe. After witnessing the crime of a killer, she can move on from her past. But after one night at the Trio Hotel and meeting the sexy stranger with the green eyes that can steal one’s soul, her life is changed forever. Passions run deep. The game is supposed to be for one night with no strings attached.

What she doesn’t know is that the sexy stranger has an agenda of his own. Brooke Stewart has something he desperately wants, something he can’t admit to the woman he tries to get to surrender. A secret so deep it would upend her life if she found out too soon. He’s almost reached his goal, and then she gets a letter she was not meant to read. Suddenly, secrets get a completely new meaning.

Is the past really ever the past?



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ARC Review: ☆Power Play☆ by Mallery Malone

Raphael Jerroult a.k.a. the Crescent City Casanova, has fought his whole life—both in and out of the boxing ring. Watching his father suffer for years after his mother’s death, he’s resolved to envelop himself in a shell made of money, MMA matches, and a different woman every day. But when an old flame, and the only woman he’s ever truly let in, comes back in his life, Raphael can’t stop being distracted by the red-headed beauty with the curves that go on for days…

Macy Lovelace has no desire to start things up again with Raphael. Memories of the sweetest torture she’s ever known can’t make her forget that he’s not cut out for long-term love. But Macy’s the only girl who Raphael ever let in, the only girl who really knows his sexy, dangerous side. And with the Crescent City Casanova, the only way to keep up, is to be tied down…

3.5 Lovers Reunited Stars

This was much more than she remembered. He was much more than she remembered.

Don’t let the “billionaire” series title or the page count fool you, this book is much more that it seems to be at first glance. The cover whore in me simply couldn’t pass up that cover, and the dirty talking MMA fighter lover in me simply couldn’t pass up that synopsis. So I read it…and I’m so glad I did.

If you love the lovers reunited trope, you’ll really enjoy this one. While I can’t say that this was so unlike anything I’ve read before, it was a thoroughly entertaining, romantic, and steamy read from beginning to finish. Mallery Malone has managed to accomplish what I find quite rare, give a fully developed story with MCs that you will fall for from the beginning in just 90 short pages. Typically with short novellas I don’t connect with the characters since the pace is just too quick, but that wasn’t the case here. The story and character development was fantastic.

The sex was scorching hot but it wasn’t instant, which I appreciated as it gave me time to truly get invested in the characters and their love and backstory. The connection between Macy and Raffael was believable and even managed to pull at some of my heart strings.

If you’re looking for a short yet steamy novella with a lovers reunited trope, you can’t go wrong with this one. Perfect in-between books read, it had a little of everything. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book.

ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Blog Tour, Excerpt & #Giveaway: ☆Kiss Me- There☆ by @AbbieStClaire

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Title: Kiss Me – There (The Kiss Me Series)
Author: Abbie St. Claire
Genre: Erotic Romance
Publish Date: August 12, 2014
Publisher: Southern Ink Press
 photo Kissme-There_edited-1_zpsfc5b48fa.jpgA fifth-year surgical resident who only has time for her new career…

A talented heart surgeon who’s just returned from Doctors Without Borders and wants to make time for romance…

A relationship that can’t possibly get off the ground…or can it?

Quinn Ross has only a couple of months left of her residency in Houston before she takes her boards and joins a prestigious heart surgeon in Dallas. When she gets a serious case of pneumonia and becomes a patient herself, she meets Dr. Roman Burke.

Roman found his love in Doctors Without Borders and made a career out of helping those less fortunate, especially small children in places like Haiti. Roman hid his heart under a magnificent tattoo for a very private reason and when Quinn thinks she’s found the reason…she’s misled and very wrong, making a wild move which leaves her feelings and her heart locked away.

Can they find they find their way back to each other?

“I know that tone. What did he do?” Angela asked.

I told them the story about the waterfall and the sounds and how he’d shifted to get comfortable on my pillow. When I got to the part about what I’d said and how he didn’t respond, Angela shook her head.

“You put a label on it too quick. Hot boy is gonna run. You just watch.”

There it was. Truth. I broke girl code. Yep, I tried to put a label on it. Not on purpose, mind you, but wishing I could take the words back wasn’t going to rewind time.

Men liked to control what a relationship was or wasn’t. They were the ones who wanted to be the first to call a girl a girlfriend. Girls were supposed to wait on guys. It was clearly okay to just exist, but the minute a girl defined or declared it was a relationship, if the guy wasn’t ready, he would bail. It’d been proven over and over.

I’m a Texan through and through.

While I’ve lived in various parts of the state, Houston is home now, but Dallas is my favorite part of the state and Austin runs a close second. Let’s hear it for the HORNS!

T he hubs and I enjoy having friends over and our place is kindof a hangout…of sorts. We cook and entertain together.

I want my stories to excite the reader. I love it when readers reach out to me.

I have several things planned for 2014. Up first will be my series of Hook-Ups with Ace’s Key, Booty Call and Consolation Prize.

I’m launching a standalone novella series called The KISS ME SERIES. Each novella will be sure to deliver snarky or wild and zainey or erotic twist to romance and perhaps a combo of all of it. First up is KISS ME-MY ASS guaranteed to get the temperature up, if you know what I mean. Releasing June 17th. Followed by KISS ME-T HERE and KISS ME-IN THE RAIN.

There are over 20 books planned in this series.

I am also writing a story for a HOT SUMMER NIGHTS anthology releasing in August.

Stay tuned, 2014 is going to be full of love in all the right places .

Abbie

Connect with Abbie

Red Coach Cross Body Bag
Kiss Inspired Jewlery
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Cover Reveal & #Giveaway: ☆Rock Addiction☆ by @NaliniSingh

Rock Addiction (A Rock Kiss Novel) 
RELEASE DATE: September 9th, 2014
A bad boy wrapped in a sexy, muscled, grown-up package might be worth a little risk…

Molly Webster has always followed the rules. After an ugly scandal tore apart her childhood and made her the focus of the media’s harsh spotlight, she vowed to live an ordinary life. No fame. No impropriety. No pain. Then she meets Zachary Fox, a tattooed bad boy rocker with a voice like whiskey and sin, and a touch that could become an addiction.

A one-night stand with the hottest rock star on the planet, that’s all it was meant to be…

Fox promises scorching heat and dangerous pleasure, coaxing Molly to extend their one-night stand into a one-month fling. After that, he’ll be gone forever, his life never again intersecting with her own. Sex and sin and sensual indulgence, all with an expiration date. No ties, no regrets. Too late, Molly realizes it isn’t only her body that’s become addicted to Fox, but her heart…

NEW YORK TIMES AND USA Today bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter series Nalini Singh usually writes about hot shapeshifters and dangerous angels. This time around, she decided to write about a hot and wickedly tempting rock star. If you’re seeing a theme here, you’re not wrong.

Nalini lives and works in beautiful New Zealand, and is passionate about writing. If you’d like to explore her other books, you can find lots of excerpts on her website. Slave to Sensation is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series, while Angels’ Blood is the first book in the Guild Hunter series. Once Rock Addiction is out, swing by the site to check out the special behind-the-scenes page, complete with photos of many of the locations used in the book.

STALK HER:
$50 GIFT CARD
Reader to receive an Advanced Read Copy (ebook, 2 winners)

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Release Blitz: ☆Always Conall☆ by @SibyllaMatilde

Release Blitz Alwats Conall 2 copy
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Always Conall
***** Mature Content, Sexual Situations, Adult Situations, Strong Language *****


To him, I was only just Sage, Matt Nichols’ little sister. But I’ve worshiped Conall my whole life. My brother’s best friend. My secret crush. My first and only love. Always hoping he’d really see… me.

And then, a torrent of circumstances ripped through my life. One by one, my family began to crumble. My dad’s heart attack. My brother’s tragic death. My mother’s slipping sanity. And then Conall’s abandonment. He took my heart when he left, but he gave me a reason to grow up fast, to be strong, and to live.

Now, just when things finally start looking up, he’s back in Bitterroot. Standing before me, not the boy he once was, but a man. Just when I’m on the cusp of living again. Just when I’m starting to feel like I could let go of the past and be happy without him, the feelings I set aside for all those years are raging once again through my veins. My tight control is slipping. The future I’ve so carefully mapped out now seems so uncertain.

He’s changed, but he hasn’t. I hate him for leaving, but I love him for coming home.

But will he stay? And do I really, truly want him to after he shattered me before?

About the Cover
CJCINFO
Photography provided by: CJC Photography
Cover Model: Brian Laferriere
Other works
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Sibylla Matilde
Sibylla Matilde grew up in the mountain valleys of Southwest Montana exploring the dusty Old West gold country on the back of a horse. She attended a two-room schoolhouse beginning in 1st grade & had the same teacher until she changed schools after 7th. Beginning at about age 12, Sibylla discovered historical romance, feeding off of work of Jude Deveraux & Lisa Kleypas. She loves a book that can make the reader run the gamut of emotions, from the sweet glow of new love to gut-wrenching heartache. She is a true romantic & always has stories floating around in her head, living in a fantasyland until she writes them down to free them.

Music is her emotional trigger. Growing up with a Wagnarian-loving mother, Sibylla was raised to treasure music that digs deep into the psyche, drawing out elation, sorrow, grief, desire. The soundtrack to her life includes many genres spanning centuries. She looooooooves Thirty Seconds to Mars (rather obsessively, actually… but, really, how can you NOT be crazy about this guy!? Jared Leto. Shhh. ) & pimps them out to all her friends through Spotify. She also delights in Met Opera HD broadcasts at her local movie theater & hopes (listening Met?) to someday see Diana Damrau reprise her role as Mozart’s Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte. Sibylla lives with her husband and hero who saved her from her own calamitous, young-adult self. He makes her laugh daily, even when things are tough. He’s proved to her that love really can heal a shattered soul. In 18 years, they have never had a fight, although argue regularly with their two teenage kids who have, unfortunately, inherited their father’s quick wit (unfortunate as it is a quick wit that Sibylla, herself, definitely does not possess – there is a reason she is a writer & not a stand-up comedian). They live a quiet life with their two weird little rescued Chiweenies. Wait… teenagers & little yap-dogs? OK, maybe not so quiet.

ARC Review: ☆Ricardo☆ by Marita A. Hansen

On a Mediterranean Island run by mafia, the Santini brothers are fighting a war against the Landi family, who are targeting their loved ones. After his fiancée is murdered, Ricardo, the eldest of the brothers, starts spiraling out of control, his violent nature leading him down a path that could rip his family apart. But, when two women walk into his life…

His first love—Bianca D’Angelo

And an assassin from the Viper Sisterhood

…he finds himself pulled into a world of espionage, intrigue, and seduction, where he’ll win his family’s safety and the woman of his dreams—or lose everything.

3.5 Stars

Maybe she liked cruel bastards who treated her badly, or maybe she chose them because she was looking for someone to replace Ricardo.

This was my first book by Marita, and it’s definitely not going to be my last. Being a huge fan of the dark romance genre and particularly when that dark romance involves some mafia, I jumped at the chance to read this one. Now while there were a few things that kept it from being a 4 or 5 star read for me, I did still enjoy it quite a bit.

This book focuses on the eldest of the Santini clan, Ricardo, who was a very interesting character to say the least. Having extreme anger issues due to his Intermittent Explosive Disorder and having lost feeling in ninety percent of his body due to taking an experimental drug for it 8 years ago, one thing is for sure: he is one ruthless and cold motherfucker. And I am talking RUTHLESS.

Years ago, his one love, Bianca, had left him not being able to handle his rage. Now life or death circumstances throw them together once more in a story filled with suspense, action, steam, violence, and so many twists and turns you’ll be biting your nails sitting on the edge of suspense from cover to cover.

The story itself while being highly convoluted was a very entertaining read, and I can certainly say I will be jumping at the chance to read the next book. But unfortunately there were just a few things that kept me from enjoying it fully. Let me try to break it down the best I can.

The Story
I had a very difficult time getting into the story from the beginning as there was quite a lot going on. In addition there were quite a number of different characters introduced; all members of the Santini clan as well as 4 other mob families. A large majority of these characters also had a back story (some of which seems to come from the My Masters’ Nightmare story line). This made it very difficult to keep all of them straight; their names, their story. The author did include character break down and glossary at the end, which I found myself having to constantly refer to. This made it very distracting, at least for me.

Numerous POVs
I have to say I thought that the author did an amazing job weaving all the POVs together throughout the story. These did not feel unnecessary in the least and truly helped build the intricate world that Marita created. However, I did feel that the numerous POVs often muted the central characters for me, particularly Bianca. This is someone that is the heroine of the story, yet a side character (The Viper) had more focus than she did.

The Romance
Unfortunately with so many things that were happening throughout the book, the romance really took a second seat to everything else as opposed to everything else being built around it. There was A LOT going on and ALL OF IT highly entertaining, but I just wish I got a little more of the romance to go along with it. I really loved Ricardo and Bianca together, but I suppose I needed something more.

Those three things aside, I can tell you that I still enjoyed this book. IMMENSELY so. I’m thinking those readers that have read My Masters’ Nightmare series will enjoy this book even more. However, as the synopsis stated, this can also be read as a standalone. But just be advised that it may take a while to truly grasp all the details and everything that’s going on. The set up for the next book, which I’m hoping will be Brando, sounds right up my alley. I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on that book. Truly. It sounds utterly delicious.

May I present exhibit A?

Get out of my room, you misogynistic pig.”
“Contrary to what they say about me, I’m all about women’s rights: their right to take my cock up their culo.

Exactly. I rest my case.

One thing is for sure, I am definitely hooked on this series and can’t wait for more.

ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review

Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

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