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Blog Tour, Review & #Giveaway: ☆Breaking Shaun☆ by E.M. Abel

June 11, 2014 by · Leave a Comment
Breaking Shawn
Author: E.M. Abel
Breaking Free #2
Publication Date: May 27, 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Release Day Launch: Breaking Shaun by E.M. Able

Some men fall in love and hand their balls over to the first woman who keeps them interested—but not me. Surfing and my freedom are the only two things I’ve ever needed. Meaningless one-night stands are fun, but the drama and jealousy that follows them aren’t worth it.
Until I met Natalie, I never realized there were women who thought like me. She enjoys sex with no strings, and with a body like that, there isn’t a man around who doesn’t want a piece of her—including me.
But our friends and relatives all run in the same circles. And we all know friendship and sex leave a mess. Hearts always end up broken.
I know it.
But I still want her.

Sometimes, the things we want don’t always come easily. Every choice, every action has consequences that can change you.
They can change everything.
And no matter how fiercely guarded, even the strongest hearts can break.

**WARNING** Not recommended for younger readers due to sexual content, language and recreational use of marijuana.
Buy Links
 Amazon US / Amazon UKExcerpt
“Is this what you wanted?” he whispered as he took my wrists in one hand and the other came down to cup my breast.
I swallowed as moisture gathered in my mouth and my brain scrambled for a response. It was just so difficult to think with Shaun’s hard body pressing against mine in the middle of his apartment building where anyone could see us.
His gaze finally broke from mine and moved down to my lips as he glided his thumb across my hard nipple. I could smell the soap on him, feel his wet, warm skin pressed against me. My eyes fluttered closed and I pressed my head against the wall as the lust took over.
Shaun moved his hips forward making me very aware of his arousal before lowering his head and slowly dragging his tongue across my bottom lip. I was panting now and my entire body was tingling. I don’t know how he’d done it but Shaun had completely turned the tables on me. I’d come over to assert myself and show him the side of me he hadn’t seen, yet here I was getting pressed against a wall and turning into putty in his hands.
Review
3.5 stars

Let’s fall in love
Before the world breaks through
Before time catches up
And I break you.

I’ve been stewing and stewing on my rating for a couple of weeks. It’s very tough to rate a book when a personal bias comes into play as it did for me here. I had originally rated it a 3 star (liked it) read, but now bumping it up to a 3.5-4. Here’s the thing, my personal bias aside, this was a highly entertaining and steamy book. I enjoyed the story and I loved the characters. Had it not been for a couple of things, this would have been a very solid 5 star read for me. So on to the review we go
There is one thing (well aside from a hot as fuck hero) that is guaranteed to make a book for me, and that’s a fantastic heroine. I’m talking the type of heroine you don’t read about about often enough. The type of heroine that isn’t shy or meek. The type of heroine that owns her sexuality and isn’t afraid of a little harmless sex. The type of heroine you’d call a cool as fuck chick, and Natalie was certainly all that and more.
She pretty much had me at
I never got nervous around guys. If anything, it was the other way around, and that was how I liked it. I had the pussy, which meant I called the shots. Sure, men liked to think they were in charge, and sometimes, I’d let them. It was easier that way. I’d play the role, smile and flutter my eyelashes, but I also had no problem telling men what I wanted and taking it. Men’s egos were a lot like their dicks, always needing to be stroked. As long as they kept me satisfied, I didn’t mind doing it.
Natalie was no sexual wallflower. She likes sex, but she’s not looking for commitment. Her past hasn’t exactly given her a reason to think that relationship of any sort lasts. So what happens when the manwhoring Shaun meets him female match?
Sparks fly.

Shaun is used to getting what he wants, and that includes his pick of women. He’s not exactly lacking for female companionship. He’s not looking for strings, just some mutually satisfying time between the sheets with whatever willing woman crosses his path. They may hate him in the morning when he sends them packing, but they certainly go home satisfied.
So when Natalie turns Shaun down flat, he’s intrigued. When he discovers three months later that they share an inner circle of friends, he can’t seem to get the gorgeous redhead out of his head. But Natalie is having none of it. She may be intensely attracted to Shaun, but she knows sex complicates things, so friendship it is. But can their friendship survive the scorching sexual chemistry between them?

Definitely not.
I loved that the author didn’t throw Natalie and Shaun into bed together right away. She really lets you feel that sexual chemistry and burn between them. I also liked they neither of them were exactly abstinent during this time. E.M. Abel really stayed true to Natalie’s character. She didn’t just stop her normal sexual routine simply because she was intrigued and attracted to Shaun.
There was one part at around 28% that had me in a bit of ‘what the fuck’ and ‘why did he do that’ rage. I had a feeling that it was heading in a certain direction, but I kept hoping the author wouldn’t take it there. I don’t want to spoiler it but if you’re curious about the first part of it (highlight to view spoiler)[you sure you want to know? Would’t you rather just read it?Damn you’re persistent. Oh alright, I’ll spoiler it.
******SPOILER*****
Shaun gets drunk and sleeps with a girl that he meets in a bar. This is all fine and good had it not felt like a pity fuck on his behalf. She’s very shy and begs Shaun to help make her ex jealous that they see at the club. They’re both extremely drunk and don’t remember much the next day.
***end of spoiler***
This is in part why I had such a big issue with what happens later in the story, but I definitely won’t be telling you what THAT is.
I also wouldn’t have minded a little more story and a little less sex. It did feel stretched out at parts and could have been shorter. But then again, the sex was pretty damn hot. Shaun certainly doesn’t disappoint, even if he does like to say “Goddamn” a bit too much. He made up for it with the rest of his delicious dirty talk.
The ending is the part I wasn’t thrilled about. Well, not so much the ending itself, but parts that happen during it. Don’t fret, there’s a very nice HEA, even though I am extremely disappointed at one big part that played in it. I’m not sure why, but considering how the rest of the story stretched, I though the ending was a little rushed. I may think that simply because I’m still pissed about a certain thing that happens, so I may very well be the only one to think this.
Would I recommend this book? Definitely. My personal bias aside, I truly enjoyed it.
Would I read the next book? Definitely, though I’m a bit worried that I know who the heroine will be and I’m not sure how I feel about that. I hope I’m wrong.
Writing Style:Dual first person POV
Also in the Series:

My husband is awesome and also a Chief in the US Navy. This means crazy schedules, uncertainty and lots of nights spent alone writing on my computer.

I have two amazing kids who always know how to make me laugh.

I’ve been passionate about writing since I wrote my first poem in the 3rd grade and I’ve been using it as a means to express myself since.

I think because I hold my emotions so close and fear being vulnerable I use different forms of self expression- writing, drawing, painting, photography, tattoos- to show the world who I am.

The one rule I use everyday is the Golden Rule–“Treat others the way you’d like to be treated.” I believe karma is very real and sometimes she can be a bitch if you make her that way.

I love acting crazy, I love to laugh, I love making people laugh, I love the ocean, I love dancing like no one is watching, I love good music, I love good books… oh man I should probably stop there. I love a lot of stuff.

Giveaway
Prizes:

 $10 Amazon Gift Card

 $10 B&N Gift Card

 $10 iTunes Gift Card

 3 signed paperbacks of Breaking Shaun

 10 ebooks of Breaking Shaun

 5 swag packs

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Blog Tour, Excerpt & #Giveaway: Inflame by @TessaTeevan

June 11, 2014 by · Leave a Comment
Inflame Tour Banner
Inflame (Explosive #3) by Tessa Teevan
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Easy going soldier Kale Montgomery, a self-proclaimed ladies man, has no plans of settling down, especially not with his best friend- the sexy, sassy schoolteacher Lucy Dawson. Their relationship, though unconventional, is mutually beneficial, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. Friends with benefits? Casual lovers? Whatever you want to call it, they’re having fun, in and out of bed, and to them, that’s all that matters. At least that’s what they think, but how long can you spend in someone’s bed before you find they’re also infiltrating your heart?

As their casual fling with no strings attached progresses, it’s not long before they realize they’re both in way over their heads. One fateful night changes their lives forever in ways they could never have imagined, giving them the push to finally admit that maybe, just maybe they want more than they’ve let on. Their mutual attraction rapidly intensifies as it shifts from burning lust to unrelenting want, need, and possibly even love. Suddenly the idea of settling down doesn’t seem so bad. In fact, it sounds pretty damn perfect.

Just when things seem to be falling into place, past pain and renewed insecurities rise to the surface and threaten to smother the flames of their passionate relationship, reminding them both why they’ve always kept the idea of love at arm’s length. Will Kale and Lucy realize that what they’ve been waiting for is each other, or will the blazing whirlwind of their feelings burn out too quickly, causing it to all go up in smoke?

She looks me over, and I love the fact that she’s checking me out. I don’t know why I’m so drawn to her, but I am, and I want to get to know her better, at least where the bedroom’s concerned. Eventually, she extends her hand, and I give a firm handshake, the kind she wanted when we first met. “Please, Kale, call me Lucy.”

Shaking her hand, I say it out loud. “Lucy. I like it.”

“That’s fortunate since I’m stuck with it. Okay, Montgomery. As much as I love flirting with a hot ass soldier in the parking lot of an elementary school, I’ve got to get going. Maybe I’ll see you around?”

She starts to walk away, but I grab her hand, reeling her back in. I’m not ready for her to go, yet I don’t want to seem like some crazy stalker guy.

“Can I see you again? You know, outside of an elementary school?” I ask, my eyes bearing down into hers, begging for her to say yes.

She hesitates, and I’m afraid she’s about to say no when she finally responds. “I don’t date. I’m not looking for anything serious, so if that’s what you’re looking for, I’m the wrong girl.”

My cock practically sings at her words. A no strings attached relationship with a hot teacher right before I deploy? I couldn’t have asked for better luck.

“I don’t do relationships, either, Lucy. I just want to get to know you and to have some fun. No feelings, no strings, no nothing,” I tell her, and watch as a look of relief washes over her.

She starts digging in her purse and I watch as she scribbles something on a piece of paper before hanging it to me. “Number’s right there. Call me when you’re feeling adventurous,” she says. Before I can say anything, she spins around and swiftly walks away, leaving me to wonder just how adventurous she can be.

Purchase the Series
Tessa Books
Inflame (Explosive, #3)
Ignite (Explosive #1)
Incinerate (Explosive #2)

1234

I’m a twenty six year old book junkie who is also obsessed with sports. Bengals, Buckeyes, Reds are my teams! I work for the government during the day, hang out with Air National Guard on the weekends, and have been married to my own book boyfriend for over seven years. We currently live right outside of Dayton, OH with our two cats.

If I’m not writing or looking through tons of photos of hot men, all in the name of research, then you can probably find me curled up with my Kindle, ignoring the rest of the world. I love my sports almost as much as I love my books. My other obsessions include red wine, hot men, country music, and all things Grace Potter.

10 – $10 Amazon Gift Cards * entire signed set of Explosive series
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Review: ☆Shadowboxer☆ by @cariquinn

June 11, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

She’s in for the fight of her life…with the man who only wants to be her lover.

Fighter Mia Anderson has faced the dark side of life and survived. But just getting by is no longer enough. To fund her new life with her baby sister, she’s determined to beat the reigning king of the male fighters in New York’s underground MMA circuit, Tray “Fox” Knox.

Tray refuses to fight a woman, until he learns Mia’s tougher than anyone he has ever known. He soon realizes he wants more from her than blows and blood, and he’s willing to hit below the belt to get it. He’ll fight her, but if he wins, she spends the night in his bed. All night long, his rules. No tapping out.

Mia agrees, certain that he’ll lose. What she doesn’t realize is that Tray loves to fight dirty…and that this match may end up being the most important one of their lives.

Warning: Please be advised this book contains content some may find triggering (past sexual trauma) and also contains graphic sex and language that may not be suitable for underage readers.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble
4.5 Hard Hitting Stars


Pretty enough shell, empty insides. Now my shell wasn’t so pretty anymore, yet I still used it to accomplish what I needed to.

I’ve had this on my TBR forever, but have been putting off reading it due to mixed reviews. I finally decided to bite the bullet, and am kicking myself for not reading it sooner. I LOVED IT. I can see how this may not be for everyone, but I loved everything about it; the writing style, the story, the characters, EVERYTHING

Gritty. Emotional. A little dark. And entirely enthralling.
Shadowboxer takes the reader beneath the bustling city of New York,

into the dark corner of underground MMA fighting.

But here’s the kicker, both the hero AND the heroine are fighters.

Mia Anderson is used to doing whatever it takes to support herself and her younger sister. She lives in the shadow of her devastating past and uses the physical pain to drown out the memories. She fights and she’s not afraid of taking punches. But she wants out of the underground MMA circuit, and her ticket out is to fight the reigning champion of the male fighters, Tray “Fox” Knox.


I bruised faces and occasionally broke bones for a living, but I’d never left a woman feeling bad about herself. My dignified Long Island upbringing hadn’t left me even though I now lived in a walkup in Brooklyn.

While Mia was the girl from the wrong side of the tracks, Tray seemingly has it all…he just doesn’t want it. Going against the grain and everything his rich parents wanted for him, he turned to underground fighting to beat his demons. But he draws the line at fighting a woman. Mia is desperate, and as infuriating as the sexy fighter is, she’s determined to ignore the sexual chemistry that instantly ignites between them and convince him to change his mind.


Guys like you, you think you know everything. You’ve got the world by a string, and it only ever unwinds the way you want it to. That’s not how it is for the rest of us. We have to fight for what we want. We have to bleed.

Mia is a character that’s difficult to understand at first. The book is a bit of a slow build, but it really takes off after the 30% mark. The more you find out about her past, the clearer her actions and thoughts become. My heart absolutely broke for her and what she had to go through. As much as I wanted to hate her for her treatment of Tray at times, I just couldn’t help but feel for her. Sure some of her methods of survival weren’t exactly orthodox, but I thought that Cari Quinn did a phenomenal job of painting a picture of a truly broken woman with an extra tough shell.

As for Tray? I fell in love with him from the first few pages. He was this perfect combination of a dirty talking badass

and a man that falls for the last woman he would expect to capture his heart.


My lungs seized up and I couldn’t haul in enough oxygen. She surrounded me, drenching me in everything she was…that had somehow become all I wanted.

I was completely enraptured by this story. It wasn’t a light read, though I wouldn’t exactly call it dark. It was somewhere in the middle, but incredibly entertaining.

While Fox gives into his attraction and feelings for Mia, Mia fights her feelings as long as she can. Her past has always paved her future, and her past was not a light one.


I wore my scars on my body because the internal ones had scabbed over and gone numb. If all I was destined to feel was pain, at least it was mine. This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be. Stuff like this didn’t happen to girls like me.

I devoured this book from beginning to finish. Cari Quinn throws in some unexpected twists and turns, and all of it packed a hell of a punch. I couldn’t get enough. By the end of the book I was so invested in the couples relationship, I simply didn’t want it to end.

I am absolutely dying for the next book in this series. Mia’s sister and the baddest of the bad boys, Giovanni? I’m practically salivating for it.

If you enjoy MMA books that are different from anything you’ve read lately, emotional, gritty, and STEAMY AS FUCK, I can’t recommend this enough! I know I’m the odd one out within all the mixed reviews, but I really encourage readers to give this a shot. Who knows? You just may love it as much as I did!

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Blog Tour, Dream Cast, Review & #Giveaway: ☆Until Nico☆ by @auroraroseR

June 4, 2014 by · Leave a Comment
Until Nico 
Until Series (Book 4)
Author: Aurora Rose Reynolds
RELEASE DATE: June 3rd, 2014

 
Sophie Grates has never had it easy, but she’s finding her way through life one step and one day at a time. That is, Until Nico comes in and flips her world upside-down. He forces her to see you cannot live life from the outside looking in, and sometimes you have to step out onto the ledge so you can really enjoy the view. Nico Mayson knew the moment he saw Sophie Grates that she was the one. His whole life, he has been judged by what’s on the outside, so finding a beautiful woman who sees the real him only makes his feelings that much stronger. Nico knows the kind of man he is, and the things he is capable of, and he will do everything in his power to help Sophie fight her demons so they can have their happily ever after. Everything in life worth having is worth fighting for.

Amazon / Amazon UK / B&N / Smashword / iTunes

I look around and see a guy staring at me. He’s about my age, not much taller than my five feet five inches, cute, and wearing a suit and tie. I start to wave to see if he’s the one I’m meeting, but then another guy catches my attention. He’s about six three and huge, and I don’t mean just in height; his body looks like it’s been chiseled from stone. He’s wearing black boots, washed-out blue jeans, and a white t-shirt, and every piece of skin exposed is covered with tattoos. His ears have those gauge thingies in them. His dark blond hair is cut low on the sides, and the top is in a fauxhawk. His jaw is strong, with a few days of stubble, and his eyes are so blue that they almost look like contacts. He is beautiful in a way that is unusual but no less gorgeous.
His eyes come to me before looking away quickly, and the next second, they come back to me and do a head-to-toe sweep. I gulp at the intense expression on his face. I glance past him to the other guy—or at least try to—but Mr. Tattoo starts towards me, blocking my view. I want to take a step back, but I can’t go anywhere. Then I see my phone in his hand.
“This yours?” he asks.
I nod like an idiot. He shakes his head, running his free hand down his face, and then his eyes sweep over me again.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” he says, seeming upset.
I look down at myself, wondering how I could’ve offended him. I look normal—or my working-outside-the-house normal. When I’m at home working, I wear baggy sweats I cut off to make shorts or pajama pants that hang off of me along with tank tops or T-shirts. The few days a week I get out of the house, I like to dress up or at least wear heels.
“This cannot be fucking happening,” he growls, and I wonder if he is completely crazy.
“What?” I ask, finally finding my voice. I have to tilt my head way back; even in my four-inch heels, he still towers over me.
“You.”
“Me, what?” I ask, confused.
“Never mind. Who is this?” He presses the button on my phone, the screen lights up, and a picture of Jamie Dornan wearing nothing but a pair of jeans takes up the screen.
“Um…that’s Jamie,” I reply, wondering why he is asking but too afraid to ask him; the look on his face isn’t very inviting for conversation.
“He your man?”
“I wish,” I mumble under my breath and hear him growl.
My head flies back as I search his face; his jaw is ticking, and his knuckles of the hand holding my phone are turning white.
“What does that mean?” he asks.
“That’s Jamie Dornan. He’s playing Fifty. I don’t know him.” I feel my cheeks heat up and look down at my feet.
What the hell’s wrong with me? Why am I not afraid right now? I have been scared of virtually everything my whole life, and now, when I should be running for cover, I’m not scared at all. Just a little embarrassed.
“I don’t have time for this,” he says, and I don’t know what he’s talking about, but I all of a sudden really want my phone out of his hand before he crushes it to smithereens.
When I look up again, I see that he is walking away. My eyebrows come together, and I wonder what he is doing. Then I realize he still has my cell.
“Hey! You can’t steal my phone!” I run after him, grabbing his arm.
He looks down at me then stops short. I’m completely caught off guard when he wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me flush against him. His free hand goes into my hair and pulls my head back, and then he kisses me. No, not kisses—he consumes me. My body starts to buzz like someone just plugged me into an electrical outlet, and I start to feel lightheaded. When he pulls his mouth from mine, I gasp, my fingers going to my lips. 
“What was that?” I whisper, looking into his eyes.
“What’s your name?” he asks, still holding me close.
“Sophie,” I tell him, my answer spoken behind my fingers.
His body is as hard as a rock against mine; I can feel every muscle, every contour, and it takes everything in me to keep breathing. I realize this is the first time in my life I have ever felt small, my curvy figure never having allowed it before.
“Sophie,” he repeats, standing up to his full height and pulling me with him. I look around and wonder if time has stopped for anyone else.  “My name is Nico.”
“Of course it is,” I say, staring into his amazing eyes, thinking that a guy who looks like him would have a name like that—cool and hot, something that rolls easily off your tongue but is hard to forget.
“I’ll see you when I get back into town, Sophie,” he says as he lets me go, making sure I’m steady on my feet.
“What?” I ask, looking around again.
“Here’s your phone.” He hands me my cell, and I’m still a little lightheaded when he starts to walk off again. I watch in a daze as he leaves, but then he turns around to face me from a few yards away.  “Sophie?”
“Yeah?” 
“Change the picture on your phone,” he demands before he turns and disappears into the crowd.

Dream Cast
3.5 Stars

We are going to explore this thing between us. We are going to take it as slowly as you need, but you are not going to push me away. It’s not going to work. You push me, and I will push back.

Let’s be honest, if you’re looking for an unpredictable and angsty book with unbelievable sexual tension, you will not find that here. But yet as another reviewer, J, said, these books are like crack. Highly predictable, steamy, insta-pretty much everything crack. Yes I know I hate insta-anything, but for some reason it just works here for me. The Mayson brothers take their “boom” shit verra seriously. And when they feel it and set their sights on the woman? Well they go after them with the determination of a mac truck.

And once they catch them? Well, I swear these boys have the sperm with the accuracy of a heat seeking missile. So word to the wise, heroines

Just saying.

After practically devouring the last book, I was dying to get my hands on Nico. Deliciously tatted up Nico.

Did I also happen to mention the piercings? And I’m not just talking about his ears

Poor Sophie never stood a chance.

When she first meets Nico when he finds her phone and gives it back to her, sparks fly immediately.

But c’mon. That’s not really too surprising here.

Nico knows right away that Sophie is his boom, and he pursues her relentlessly. Not that she puts up much of a fight. Oh she has her doubts for maybe all of 2.5 seconds, but Nico certainly sets her straight on those.

You’re mine, Sophie. I don’t give a fuck what you think, or what the excuse it you try to give me, but you are mine.”

You won’t find anything here that you haven’t read before, but that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it. Because I did. I really did. Nico was delicious. Its hard not to fall hard for these Mayson boys.

Plus with the few new faces that were introduced here, I was highly intrigued on where it would lead. Let’s say I’m even more excited about the spin off Aurora has in the works. I only ask that Lars is right after Kenton.

So why not 5 stars then? To be honest, after how much I loved Until Lilly, this one fell a bit short. I’m not saying I expect every book in the series to blow me away, but still. I thought this could have been a much shorter book, as some of it felt a bit drawn out and I found my interest waning toward the end. I loved the steamy sex scenes, but I wanted just a little more story. I’m not sure that all the craziness at the very end was necessary. I almost felt that it was just thrown in to spice things up or something? But really, it just had me rolling my eyes. The whole “bad guy” thing was highly predictable, and I knew right away who it was…and it still had me scratching my head at the necessity of it. Short of adding some drama to the mix, it brought absolutely nothing to the story for me.

The one thing that I really love about this series are the sugar sweet epilogues, and it certainly delivered on that end. I absolutely loved it. It was the perfect conclusion. I read it with a big goofy smile on my face. So while it wasn’t a 5 blow me away star read, it was still an enjoyable one and I’d gladly recommend it for fans of the series.

Now if I can just get my pervy little hands on Kenton’s book sooner… Because the teaser at the end had me going a little

Aurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat who’s husband served in the United States Navy. She has lived all over the country but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish. She’s married to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their women. He gives her over the top inspiration everyday. In her free time she reads, writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie. She also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere, or spends time at home with friends and family. Last but not least she appreciates everyday and admires it’s beauty.
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Until Nico Ebook (10 Winners)
$20 Gift Card
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And don’t miss the rest of the series

Until November (Until #1)

November is looking forward to getting to know her father and the safety of a small town. After leaving the Big Apple and her bad memories for Tennessee, November starts working for her dad at his strip club doing the books. The one time she’s allowed there during club hours she runs into Asher Mayson. He’s perfect until he opens his mouth and makes assumptions. November wants nothing to do with Asher but too bad for November, fate has other plans.

Asher Mayson has never had a problem getting a woman, that is until November. Now all he can think about is making November his and keeping her safe.

Warning 18+ sexual content and a strong Alpha Male.

Until Trevor (Until #2)

Trevor Mayson had his life planned out – make the family business successful and play the field for a few more years before eventually settling down. Then he sees her. Liz Hayes was beautiful, shy and everything that he could ever want…but she didn’t fit into his plans. After Trevor painfully rejects her, Liz finally starts to move on, but Trevor is finding it difficult to truly let her go. It seems the more he tries to stay away, the more intense his feelings for her become. Like a stretched rubber band, he can only take so much before snapping.

Liz Hayes is done waiting for Trevor and isn’t interested in getting her heart broken by him again, but Trevor is making it difficult for her to forget him when he shoves his way back into her life.

Can Trevor prove to her that he is worth falling in love with again, and is he ready to change his life plan to let her into his heart?

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Smashwords
Until Lilly (Until #3)

When Cash Mayson was forced to choose between the love of his life and his unborn child, he knew exactly what he had to do. No matter how broken it left him.

When Lilly Donovan was forced to accept that the guy she loved wasn’t who she thought he was and became a single mother, she knew exactly what she had to do. Proving just how strong she was.

What happens when years later you find out that everything you thought you knew was a lie?

Can two people who once loved each other overcome the obstacles that are thrown at them and fall in love all over again?

Cash Mayson had forgotten how it felt to be loved Until Lilly came back into his life. And now that he remembers, he will do everything within his power to keep not only the woman that he loves, but also his children.

The power of love is a beautiful thing.

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Review: ☆On The Way Home☆ by Skye Warren

May 24, 2014 by · Leave a Comment
On the Way Home
Clint

 For eight months I’ve been deep under cover as a special operator in the Army. On the plane ride home, all I want is a hot shower and a long sleep. But a Dear John text message leaves me stranded. I need a ride and a place to stay, and the pretty stewardess is more than willing.


 Della

 It’s supposed to be a simple trade—the passenger in seat 34B for my sister. But the sexy soldier is more than I can handle in all the best ways. He trusts me, but I can’t save him. No one can. Sometimes trouble has a way of following you home.

On the Way Home is a dark new adult romance intended for readers over eighteen.

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3.5 Stars


Monsters came in all shapes and sizes. They wore custom designer suits and stewardess uniforms. They gave you a job as a stripper or went down on you to help you sleep, but those were just part of the lure. Because when you had learned to trust the monster, when you let your guard down, that’s when you got eaten.

This was my first book by Skye Warren, so I really wasn’t sure exactly what I would be going into. All I knew is that when I read that blurb, I knew I had to read this book. I’m a big fan of Dark Romance, and this sounded EXACTLY up my alley. Was it everything I thought it would be? Well….almost. Firstly, I can’t really say it was all that dark. It was more gritty. That’s not a bad thing at all, but still worth a mention.

Clint is returning home after 8 months of working deep under cover as a special operator in the Army. He doesn’t exactly have much to come back to since he received a Dear John text from his live-in girlfriend while still deployed. But he has high hopes that maybe they could still work it out…

Only to come home to see all his things packed up and to find out that she’s been cheating on him. Oh and did I mention that she’s trying to kick him out of his own place? Poor guy just can’t seem to get a break.

Luckily (or not quite so for Clint), the beautiful stewardess that caught his eye on the plane comes to his rescue.

Della is not at all what she appears to be, and her intentions towards Clint are anything but innocent. She’s supposed to be doing a job, a simple trade; Clint for her sister. But her plan gets a whole lot more complicated when she begins to have feelings for the sexy soldier.

This book could have easily been a 5 star read for me, if not for a few things…

The insta-love angle
I had a tough time understanding the almost immediate connection these two share. I mean, we go from them barely exchanging a few words on a plane to him staying at her place and fucking like bunnies…

Then Clint goes and shares confidential information from his deployment with her even though he has doubts about who she really is and the secrets she hides. Good job there, Mr. Undercover Man. But I suppose that fits his character.

Clint’s submissive nature in bed. This is NOT a BDSM book, not at all, but Clint is most definitely the submissive partner in bed. That’s certainly not quite my cuppa, so I had a tough time with this one.

He had some Alpha tendencies, but sadly they pretty much got lost within all the time he submitted to Della’s MUCH more aggressive sexual nature. Though, oddly enough, it was still pretty damn hot…even if it isn’t quite my cuppa.

The sex
To be fair, I feel like I should warn readers that this book contains (highlight to view spoiler)pegging[Pegging (hide spoiler)].(Spoiler) Yes. (view spoiler)pegging.(Spoiler)As in (view spoiler)Della sporting a strap on and… holy strap on butt sex, batman! (spoiler)

It fits the book and the story, HOWEVER, it is a tad out of my comfort zone. I don’t have a huge problem with it, and it was written pretty damn hot, but it’s not a preference of mine in books.

The suspense part of the story is really what won me over. I spent a large part of the book on pins and needles just waiting for that other shoe to drop.

I really enjoyed the twist that Skye Warren added in the end. I did not see that coming at all. I think that was the very last thing I expected to happen. Della’s character was a very intriguing one to me, too. The things that she’s been through are terrible, but she had this tough core to her that I really liked. You know what she has to do, and you want to hate her for it, but yet your heart breaks for her all the same.

I found it to be more an erotic suspense than dark, but that may be because I’ve been pretty desensitized to Dark Romance, so it takes a LOT for me to label it that genre. There were dark elements here, but not many. I’d say this was more gritty than dark. At least in my opinion.

Ultimately did I enjoy this book? Yes.
Is it something that I would have read had I known in advance about Clint’s sexual submissiveness? Probably not.
Am I glad I read it? Surprisingly, yes.
Is it something I see myself re-reading in the future? Probably not

Writing style: Dual First Person POV

Skyeauthorpic
Skye Warren writes unapologetic erotica, including power play or erotic pain and sometimes dubious consent. There’s struggle in the sex. There’s pain in the relationships. Her books are raw, sexual and perversely romantic.

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ARC Review: ☆The Innocent Liar☆ by @ElizabethFinn77

April 19, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

A woman hiding from her past, a man lost in his own…

Fiona was desperate to find a life in Jackson, Wyoming, but when a job interview that was supposed to be a sure thing turns ugly, she doubts there’s much hope of it. Eli sees through her lies, and regardless of the favor his father has asked of him, he’s just too stubborn to hire a woman who refuses to even give him her real name.

But there is a reason for everything, and he finds out soon enough her deceptions have a purpose too.

Secrets and lies are nothing to build a relationship on, but their attraction to one another is too intense to ignore. They’re simply magnets pulled together in a situation that should be driving them apart, but Eli has his own ghosts to contend with, and his past leaves him incapable of trusting a woman he can never fully know.

How can they move beyond her lies when the truth is what Eli really needs, and when her past threatens to destroy her, can he rise above his own needs to protect her — his innocent liar?

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3.75 Erotically Angsty Stars

A woman hiding from her past, a man lost in his own…

The Innocent Liar is an angsty and erotic story about 2 broken people, each hiding from different kinds of demons from their past.

Fiona is hiding behind a veil of lies, innocent as they may be. She’s in a desperate situation, and the one saving grace that she’s counting on is the job that Eli may give her as a favor to his father.

Too bad Eli is too much of an asshole to just blindly do what his father asks. A man with his past is not one that can trust a woman that can’t so much as give him her real name. And his none-too-gentle dismissal of Fiona sends her fleeing his office in tears.

Guilt, circumstance, and desperate need bring them together again. But can a man that’s incapable of blind trust survive a relationship with a woman that’s incapable of giving him the truth, no matter how hot the passion between them may be?

I really liked this story, especially with the introduction we get to Eli. I have a particular soft spot for assholes, and Eli was one major asshole when Fiona first showed up to his office. He’s not exactly known for being a nice guy. A past that still haunts him and a fucked up marriage and divorce have pretty much guaranteed that. But there’s a method to his madness…


Anger gave him a sense of control and power that had once been missing from his life. People always assumed when a person was broken they didn’t realize they were broken. It wasn’t at all true. He knew it well. He saw it in himself, yet he would do nothing to stop it because he didn’t know how to function without his defects. They kept him sane and grounded. That was just a fact of life for him.

Fiona was one of those characters that I had a tough time deciding whether I truly loved or not. She wasn’t quite strong, and yet she wasn’t exactly weak either. What she was, was desperate and hiding from something that you know from the very beginning is going to be brutal to learn.

But something pulls the two of them together, even if neither of them truly understand what it is. Eli is a man that depends on truth, and Fiona is a woman that can’t give him that. Yet the inevitable happens…

He’d lived his life as though his past didn’t exist, yet oddly, his past had consumed him. But now, it didn’t – it wasn’t, and strangely, what had happened so many years ago was closer to the surface than ever before. She had something to do with that, and he needed to hold onto her, even if he hadn’t a clue how to do that.

Eli bounced back and forth between an utter asshole, to sweet back to asshole, to broken man, and then sweet again. It was tough to get a handle on his moods at times, though I did understand the reasoning behind them.

I’ll admit that at times I struggled to understand the connection between him and Fiona. I get that there was a sexual pull between them, but I felt like the progression of their relationship, especially given the circumstances was a little unbelievable to me.

I do love Elizabeth Finn’s writing, and by then end of the book I was very much sold. And if there’s one thing that Elizabeth can give you, it’s one hell of a scorching love scene. If you like your books steamy, this one will deliver that in spades.


I’m going to eat your pussy.” His tongue flicked the lobe of her ear. “Then I’m going to eat your ass.”
She shuddered…
“Then I’m going to watch you suck my dick. Then I’m going to fuck your ass, and I’m not going to stop until I’ve come inside you. Do you understand?”

I had a feeling about Elizabeth’s past, though we never really get the full painted picture, just the glossed over version of it. I understand that had the author went into the gory details of it, it would have shot the book from just angsty to pure dark category…but a part of me feels like I would have still wanted those details. We get bits and pieces of what she went through, but never the whole picture. And the ending doesn’t give much more details. Maybe it’s the dark romance lover in me that craved those details? I’m not sure.

For whatever reason there was just always something here that kept this from being that perfect 5 star read for me. I tend to be stingy with my 5 stars, so I tend to save those for books that I either absolutely LOVED or would see myself reading again.

Fans of Elizabeth Finn would definitely enjoy this book. She delivers a great angtsy love story about 2 broken characters finding healing with each other. And if you haven’t yet discovered this author, then I recommend you do. I’ve read a few books by Miss Finn, and I’ve enjoyed each of them.

So while this may not have been a perfect 5 star read for me, it was still a very enjoyable one and certainly one I would gladly recommend.

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

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Review: ☆Masquerade☆ by Nyrae Dawn

March 30, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

A biker. A tattoo artist. A love to last a lifetime.

Maddox Cross has always had to be tough. When his father went to jail for murder, the teenager took care of his sister and mother. Now on his own and working security at a night club, Maddox wants to become a tattoo artist-a dream that comes closer to reality when he falls for the hottest, most tatted woman he’s ever seen. She’s wild and beautiful, and Maddox will do anything to be with her.

Bee Malone came to town to open up her new tattoo parlor, Masquerade. Since being kidnapped as a young girl, Bee has had trouble getting close to anyone. But when she meets Maddox, she sees that under his hard biker’s body is the sensitive soul of an artist. What starts out as a sizzling one-night stand soon becomes so much more.

Bee wants Maddox to join her tattoo business, but letting him into her life means revealing all her most intimate secrets. And as the past begins to intertwine with her present, Bee fears their love may not be as permanent as their ink . . . 

4 Stars

You can pretend all you want that you’ve never been hurt before and that you’ve never lost anything, but I will continue to call bullshit. Loss is loss. It’s not a contest about who’s been hurt more. We all have our battles to fight.”

While I can’t say that this was my favorite book in the series, it was still a fantastic addition. Facadecontinues to hold the number one place in my heart so far.

I was so excited to get my hands on this book since meeting Maddox as Laney’s brooding older brother in book 2. I just knew that behind the mysterious broodiness lies the soul of a broken man, and I couldn’t wait to uncover all his secrets. Does that sound deep? Because what I meant to say is that the second I read tattoos and motorcycle my inner dirty girl was throwing her panties at my kindle. See? That doesn’t sound half as good as what I said before. What can I say? A girl’s got a type, and mine just happen to be tatted up, motorcycle riding bad boys.

The first half of the book got off to a rocky start for me. It took me a while to really get into the story and feel the connection between Bree and Maddox. I think in part that has to do with how quickly they got together. (And I do mean quickly, since clothes started flying in the first 5%) I simply couldn’t feel their connection. I read that they were drawn to one another…I just couldn’t connect to it, if that even makes sense. I was almost afraid that one of my favorite NA series may turn into a DNF. But then something changed right around the halfway point and I found myself getting more and more drawn into the story. I’d give the first half 3 stars and 5 stars for the second, rounding it to a solid 4 star read.

Both Bree and Maddox are closed off for their own reasons, and each of those reasons are absolutely heart breaking.

Maddox struggles with the guilt of the part that he played in his father’s affair and ultimate breakdown of everything that followed it. He doesn’t feel like he deserves anything, especially not love. After all, he was weak, not strong enough to do what needed to be done…or so he thinks.

The only thing that truly drives him is his desire to be a tattoo apprentice. Drawing and tattoos allow him an escape, if only for a little while, from his daily reality. Maddox gets the shock of a lifetime when he discovers the only tattoo shop in town is owned by the girl he spent one passionate night with…with no thoughts of later.

Bree is not looking for love either, she doesn’t even know what it is. She may appear whole on the outside, have parents that love and support her, and her own business, but inside she’s just a lost girl. Struggling with a past that has broken her and her belief in love, she merely takes life day to day.

As different as these two feel they may be from each other, they share a bond that neither of them want to face.

Brutal honesty is underrated and I can see he has it, like I do. If I were a different kind of girl- the kind who believed in love- Maddox would be the guy that I’d fall for. Though I guess if I really wasn’t me, he probably wouldn’t be what I’d want.

Although both of them fight the emotional connection between them as much as they can, the one thing that they can’t seem to fight is the sexual pull between them.

And they don’t exactly try to fight that all that much.

Stop making me want you.” The same heat from his eyes in now in his words.
“Stop letting me have you,” I reply, and it seems to inflame him more.

As much as I struggled with the first half of this book, I absolutely devoured the second half. That was when the emotional intensity that I’ve come to associate with this series and Nyrae’s writing really shined through. My heart broke for both Maddox and Bee with each new detail of their past coming to light. It was poignant and even gut wrenching at time. The part where Maddox finally talks with Adrian, I’m pretty sure it managed to bring a tear even to my cold and black little heart. It was that good.

Fans of the series will really enjoy this one, and if you’re like me and struggle in the beginning, I strongly recommend pushing through since it will be worth it in the end.

While you can easily read this book as a standalone, I’d highly recommend reading Facade first to get a better understanding of the story’s background and a better understanding of Maddox. But if you want to go ahead and just dive into this one without reading Facade, the author gives you plenty of background information that you wouldn’t be lost.

If you’re a fan of steamy NA with broken characters, a poignantly written story, and a hero who you will equal parts love and feel like your heart is breaking for, definitely give this one a try.

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Review, Excerpt & #Giveaway: ☆Ecstasy Claimed☆ by @SETTAJAY_

March 29, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

Gregoire has spent centuries with his brother Guardians fighting for the safety and security of the Realms. Endless decades of battling mixed with bouts of mindless sex to sate his needs. Needs that haven’t truly been fulfilled since she was born. The one destined to be his bonded mate. For the last twenty five years Gregoire has kept his distance giving her time to grow into a female who is capable of handling his intense dominance.

Alyssa has done everything that was expected of her, until the day she finds out she has a mate who has left her unclaimed. Unheard of when mates are rare and coveted. Even worse is the fact that he is the most powerful of her race and a Guardian of the Realms. Furious at the rejection she decides she is now in charge of her life. No more will she allow others to rule her.Against the backdrop of evil forces that are conspiring to topple the Realms, can Gregoire find his wayward mate before she is taken by corrupt Immortals? Can Alyssa forgive him and learn to exert her own female power while surrendering to his savage passion? And will the two of them be able to forge a mate bond that cannot be severed… or will they be forever cursed with an Ecstasy Unclaimed?

Warning – Dirty talking, possessive alpha male; scenes of sexual exhibition; an instance of f/f; spankings and more.

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Excerpt
Gregoire and Alyssa – Ecstasy Claimed
She was wide open, her knees straddling his thighs, her bottom against his stomach.  She circled her hips, thriving on the stretching sensation of being taken.  He flipped her hair to one side and pulled her bare back against his heaving chest.  His tongue and lips caressed her neck, and gooseflesh rose all over her arms.  He angled her head so he had the access he needed as she moved on him.  His hands massaged her hips up to her swollen breasts.
Do you like being open and on display for anyone that might come up to the house?
Desire flooded her at his words and the implication.  She was spread and impaled on his cock, her back tight to his chest, as he caressed her in front of the open windows.  No one was around, but the idea was there, and it made her hot.
 
I can feel that you do.  Imagine all they would see.  Your bare pussy sucking my cock deep as I lift your breasts and play with your pretty nipples.
His lips and tongue were at her neck, and her movements were frantic as she tried to lift up and ride him.
The only movement he allowed was the grinding of her hips and ass.  She pushed hard, trying for more, when one of his hands left a breast and gave a sharp smack to her mound.  She jumped at the unexpected action.  It hadn’t hurt; the slight sting moved quickly into delicious warmth.
 
You like when I slap your pussy, Angel?  Like the sting?  He spread his thighs beneath her, forcing her knees wider.  Look out the window and imagine what they’d see.  Your beautiful body spread wide, my cock buried deep inside your pussy, and your mound pink from my hand. Another sharp smack landed.  This one lower, right against her clit.  She cried out; she needed to come and almost did as heat flooded her.  They’d see you come as I slap your pussy and mark your skin as mine, and only mine.  They’d watch what only I can do to you.  They’d know you were mine in every way.
Review4 stars

It was your beautiful green eyes I saw every fucking time in the last five years. You were a hunger that ate at my gut every fucking day. Now that I have you, it’s even more intense. It’s not enough to have you. My beast wants the world to know you’re mine. It’s making me obsessed with showing the world you’re mine.

Do you like crazy hot PNR books. I’m talking CRAZY HOT. Several panty changes during the book hot. Leave you screaming

 Hot?

Well, my friends, then you need to introduce yourselves to the deliciously kinky world of The Guadians of The Realms.

Setta Jay does a great job with retelling details from the past book without sounding redundant, so you can easily read this as a standalone. However, I would highly recommend reading the series in order since many characters are introduced early on and it helps you develop a better understanding of them.

In Ecstasy Claimed we get the story of Gregoire, Uri’s manwhorish friend that we first meet in Ecstasy Unbound.

Only problem with his manwhoring ways? Turns out he’s had a mate for 25 years that he was waiting to claim once she’s reached her maturity. But hey, a manwhore has has needs 🙂

Alyssa has always been the good daughter and the good girl. But when she comes to terms with the fact that her destined mate doesn’t seem to want her, she decides to really start living her life. First thing on the menu? Relieve herself of her pesky virginity.

I really enjoy Setta’s unique world building in this series. She definitely writes some sadistic asshole villains, so be prepared for that.

As for the story, I enjoyed this one even more than the first book. I was happy to see Sam and Erik get their HEA. My heart broke for everything that Sam went through in the previous book, and I loved how gentle and caring Erik was with her.

To say that it was scorching hot would be an understatement. At times I even found myself asking if there was almost too much sex.

(pause for dramatic gasps)

Yes, this does happen to me some times believe it or not. But the story drew me in enough that I was able to overlook this.

My few minor quibbles keeping this from a 5 star?

There’s a scene around the 20% mark that I’m not quite sure how I feel about. Warning, there’s a MFFM scene here. Alyssa goes from a good girl virgin, to getting one hell of a lesson in oral pleasure. Now given the context of the book, this wasn’t THAT far out of the realm of belief. BUT, and this is a big but, I couldn’t match the girl that was portrayed to this wanton one that was jumping into an experience like this. Not to say that scene wasn’t hot as fuck, but it just didn’t fit the story for me.

I was hoping for a little bit more characterization on Gregoire. There were bits and pieces given during their bonding scene, but I would have loved a little more. He was such a enigma to me in book 1 and I wanted to know more about his past.

All that aside, I really enjoyed the second installment and I’ve definitely become a fan of this series. I love how even though you have the “mate” element, there is no insta-love present. I also really like Setta’s writing and world building. I seem to get more and more sold on this series with each new book and I cannot wait until book 3 and the big bad Dorian to get his story. I’ve been curious about him from the beginning and from the sounds of it his mate will be giving him a run for his money.

About the Author
The sad truth is that I’m not nearly as entertaining as fiction. *Wink* I am a thirty-seven year old stay at home writer, thanks to my incredibly supportive husband.  We’ve been together for thirteen years and I still love waking up next to that sexy man.  We lost our furry child recently, so we are childless at the moment.  Our whole world revolved around her.  Needless to say, I love animals, especially dogs.  Okay, maybe not all animals, I’m not a super big fan of monkeys.  Any animal that throws their feces kind of eeks me out.  I may, or may not, have a problem with candy.  I love any research that leads to Neiman Marcus’ online shoe department. Spreadsheets give me way more happiness than they should.  I love to read, the dirtier the better. It all started with the naughty historical romances by Judith McNaught that I devoured as a teenager.  I love reading about hot, sexy alpha males and heroines that are smart enough to live.
Author’s Social Links
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads 
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Blog Tour, Review & #Giveaway: #UntilLilly by @auroraroseR

March 14, 2014 by · 1 Comment
Until Lilly Blog Tour
Title: Until Lilly (Until, #3)
Author: Aurora Rose Reynolds
Release Date: March 2, 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance
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When Cash Mayson was forced to choose between the love of his life and his unborn child, he knew exactly what he had to do. No matter how broken it left him.

When Lilly Donovan was forced to accept that the guy she loved wasn’t who she thought he was and became a single mother, she knew exactly what she had to do. Proving just how strong she was.

What happens when years later you find out that everything you thought you knew was a lie?

Can two people who once loved each other overcome the obstacles that are thrown at them and fall in love all over again?

Cash Mayson had forgotten how it felt to be loved Until Lilly came back into his life. And now that he remembers, he will do everything within his power to keep not only the woman that he loves, but also his children.

The power of love is a beautiful thing.

“Is that what you do? I mean do you often try to hit on women in coffee shops by buying coffee for them?”

“I can tell you with one hundred percent truthfulness that I have never done that before.”

“Never.” A look passes over his face I don’t know what It means but I don’t like it.”

“Do you date a lot?” I ask quietly wondering if he thinks I will be some kind of conquest.”

“I haven’t dated.”

“You haven’t dated?” I look him over again he must think I am stupid guys who look like him must date a lot.

“I have never had to date.”

“What does that mean?”

“If I want to sleep with someone I don’t need to date them.”

“What?” I breathe that is not at all what I expected him to say. “You’re the guy that can get any girl he wants without ever putting any kind of effort into it.” He shrugs the gesture making me feel sick at the same time I want to kick him in the nuts. Maybe the red hair does make me have a temper.

“I never lead anyone on or tell them things they want to hear.”

“So that makes it okay?”

“I don’t know if it makes it okay but it’s who I am.”

“Well I am glad that this is coming to light now rather than later.”

“Oh no,” He shakes his head. “This thing with you is something completely different.”

“Yeah I know.” I tell him crossing my arms over my chest. “Its different because I will not be sleeping with you.” I lean forward. “EVER.”

“Well I guess we answered the question about red heads and their tempers didn’t we.” He smiles showing off both dimples. “But trust me when I tell you I would not have driven almost three hours to sleep with you that’s not what I am looking for.”

4.5 stars

I’m going to make you fall in love with me again.

Now I have a confession to make here.
*whispers* I didn’t like book 1.
*Ducks for flying tomatoes*
Now now, don’t get all judgy with me here. I loved the set up and idea behind the book. I just wasn’t big on the delivery. As in, the heroine drove me slightly batty. The 2nd book was better, but there was still something missing for me.

Now you’re probably sitting there and thinking to yourself, why is this crazy bitch reading book 3 when she wasn’t thrilled about the first 2? Well because I knew that the first two books the author was still coming into her own as a writer, but I loved where the series was heading. Possessive, slightly domineering, sexy as hell alpha male brothers?

Well after writing this book, I’m pretty sure the author thought

Because everything that bothered me in the first two books was nowhere to be found here. I LOVED IT.

I’m a sucker for a second chance romance, and this one delivered it in spades!

Four years ago Lilly and Cash met by chance at a coffee shop. And as in true Mayson brothers fashion, that’s all the time Cash needed to know that Lilly is his “one”. They date and finally share an amazing night together…only for things to fall apart the very next day.

Cash is head over heals for Lilly, but when his crazy ex (hookup, fuck buddy?) comes back with the news that she’s pregnant he has no other choice but to do the right thing and be there for his baby. So he makes the ultimate sacrifice, breaking not only his own heart but Lilly’s in the process.

When Lilly receives Cash’s cold text message that it’s over between them, it’s the last thing she expects. The fact that she is now pregnant and Cash is not at all the man she though he was is not an easy pill to swallow. But she knows what she has to do for her unborn baby, and that’s stay strong and move on, raising her baby as a single mom.

Now years later when their paths cross again, can Cash win Lilly’s heart once more or is the damage he did between them irreparable?

The one thing I really love about Aurora’s alpha males, is when they see the woman they want they go after her with all the grace of a speeding train. Nothing gets in their way. They know what they want, and they will have it. Cash knows that he will stop at nothing to win Lilly back, he just needs to prove to her that he’s not the man she thinks he is.

And I forgive you, Cash. I definitely approve of your methods in making up for lost time.

But it wasn’t all hot sexy loving. (Which I will never have too much of in these books) I absolutely loved seeing the romance grow between Lilly and Cash. Cash was this perfect combination of dirty talking alpha male and sweet.

There was also the added element of Cash’s psycho ex to keep things interesting. And let me tell you…Jules?

Talk about your crazy bitches. Good lord. The things that she did had me screaming at my kindle in the middle of an empty room.

You know how sometimes there are these characters that just make you want to take off your earrings, put on your ass kicking boots, take out a baseball bat, jump into your kindle and beat the ever loving hell out of them? Well, Jules was that character for me.

I wish that Lilly had stood up to her, but that never really happened. Luckily Cash and his family really came through in that.

But gah! Jules!

Let me end this before I go off on another Jules tangent here. I adored this book. The second chance love story, the added element of their kids together, catching up with the rest of the Mason brothers, it was fantastic.

You get your scorching hot sex scenes with a great story and I for one cannot wait for Nico’s book…especially after the teaser in this one.

If you liked the first two books, you will love this one. And if you’re like me and the first two books weren’t that great for you, then read this one and you will change your mind about the series. Aurora Rose Reynolds is definitely an auto buy author for me after this one.

Until November (Until #1)
November
Until Trevor (Until #2)
Until_Trevor_front

Aurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat whose husband served in the United States Navy. She has lived all over the country but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish. She’s married to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their women. He gives her over the top inspiration everyday. In her free time she reads, writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie. She also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere, or spends time at home with friends and family. Last but not least she appreciates everyday and admires its beauty.

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Blog Tour, Review & #Giveaway: #Destroyed by @PepperWinters

March 13, 2014 by · Leave a Comment
Title: Destroyed
Series: Stand-alone
Author: Pepper Winters
Genre: Dark (Lighter) / Romance (Grey Romance)
Release Date: March 7, 2014
Tour Organized by: As the Pages Turn

She has a secret.

I’m complicated. Not broken or ruined or running from a past I can’t face. Just complicated. 

I thought my life couldn’t get any more tangled in deceit and confusion. But I hadn’t met him. I hadn’t realized how far I could fall or what I’d do to get free.

He has a secret.

I’ve never pretended to be good or deserving. I chase who I want, do what I want, act how I want.

I didn’t have time to lust after a woman I had no right to lust after. I told myself to shut up and stay hidden. But then she tried to run. I’d tasted what she could offer me and damned if I would let her go.

One secret destroys them.

5 Utterly Destroyed Stars

His presence made me forget everything but him. He took over my world. He was an eclipse.

Oh. Wow. I don’t remember the last time I have felt so utterly enraptured by a story. This book ruined me. It destroyed me. I spent the last 25% of it ugly crying all over my damn kindle, and I’m not even ashamed to admit it. If this is what Pepper Winters calls a “Gray Romance”, I need to one-click all her Dark stuff because…DAMN.

Looking at that book blurb, I’m sure you thought it to be pretty vague. And I bet you’re hoping to read this review and get some hints into the story. Well hope springs eternal, my friends, but you will not be getting any hints here. I will try to review this without giving anything away because this is a book that needs to be experienced without any preconceived notions whatsoever.

What happens when a a man that is by all intents and purposes broken, meets the one woman that he thinks can cure him?

Obsidian Fox is emotionally and physically scarred. He’s broken, beyond redemption. He exists only for pain. Touch and emotion have all been effectively conditioned out of him; a product of a past that he never wanted.

Utterly incapable or being so much as touched without wanting to

 Kill.
Sever.
Bleed.
Devour.

 Violence and brutality are a constant presence in his life. A recluse in his mansion, he is the owner of a secret fight club where legal and not so legal things take place. His world is dark and he doesn’t have much hope of ever feeling the light, until he meets her…

Hazel has not had an easy life, but it hasn’t broken her. Her past is colored with pain and hardships, and her present is faced with a tragedy she’s unable to prevent. But she holds it together. She stays strong.

When Fox spots the beautiful brunette is his underground fight club, he’s immediately drawn to her. Never having felt a pull towards any woman, it takes him all of 3 seconds to understand that she’s different…to him. He must have her, even if he has to buy her.

Now I’ll admit, the first 20% of this book I was afraid that it was heading toward a very cliche and overdone plot. Boy was I wrong.

Pepper Winters takes a man that we should, by all accounts, absolutely hate. He’s beyond redemption, beyond saving, beyond mercy. I loved that this was written in dual first person POV. It gives you a peak inside the head of a man that you would otherwise think of as a monster. The author not only makes you understand him, she makes you fall for him, she makes your heart break for him and everything he struggles with.

He craves touch, but is completely incapable of bearing it. Hazel sees the struggle inside him. She wants to heal him. She needs to help him.

But can Fox truly let her in without destroying them both in the process?

The author trickle feeds you information from both their past, crumb by tiny crumb. My heart broke with every new detail inside Fox’s past. He’s a man haunted by demons of his past. But they’re not only a part of his nightmares, they’re very much their in his waking life. Hanging by a thread of sanity, any word or touch can set him off and shut off his humanity.

The writing is what captured me. It was almost lyrical, poetic, in a dark and sadistic way. Pepper has a true gift for words. You’re not simply reading a story, you get to live it through these characters.

Then came that last 30% of the book. Holy mother of feels, it fucking gutted me. I was a hysterical, slobbering, ugly crying mess. But here’s the thing; it was absolutely necessary in the story. There’s many authors out there that like to throw a twist in the story just for the shock value of it. This was not one of those things.

This was an inferno of devastation, but one that needed to burn in order for the story to rise like a phoenix throw the ashes of it. I knew it was coming, but it didn’t prepare me for it in the least. As much as it gutted me, Pepper stayed true to the story and the characters and I can absolutely understand it.

If you’re expecting hearts and flowers, this is not the book for you. If you’re expecting a perfect hero with a just a few defects, this is DEFINITELY not the book for you. But if you like tortured heroes, strong heroines, an emotional and dark story that will grip you by the heart strings and not let go until the last page, you need to read this book.

I loved every single page of it. How have I not discovered this author before is beyond me. But I plan on rectifying this immediately. Pepper Winters is an auto-buy now for me.

For those wondering if there’s a HEA (Highlight to view spoiler) YES. An incredibly satisfying one 

Pepper Winters wears many roles. Some of them include writer, reader, sometimes wife. She loves dark, taboo stories that twist with your head. The more tortured the hero the better and she constantly thinks up ways to break and fix her characters. Oh, and sex… her books have sex.
She loves to travel and has an amazing, fabulous hubby (who speaks French—hot!) who puts up with her love affair with her book boyfriends. She loves to hear from her readers so hit her up at pepperwinters@gmail.com
Author Social links
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