Blog Tour, Review: ★Three Simple Rules★ by @AuthorNSloane

Three Simple Rules 
Author: Nikki Sloane
Genre: Erotic, Contemporary Romance
Length: 238 pages
Release Date: January 26, 2015

I would do anything for my dream job. Now I have to. In order to save my skin at the office, I’m forced to sell it at an exclusive and illegal blindfold club. He paid thousands of dollars for one night to own me, but when my blindfold comes off, I want more. More nights, more rules, and more from this unavailable and uncompromising man.

Rule number one, no questions. Rule number two, no lies. But, rule number three? That’s the hardest one to obey.

This book contains strong sexual content and is intended for mature audiences only.

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Excerpt

“Would you like a taste?” Tara asked him. What did that mean? Then her breath was warm on my neck. “I’m going to touch you now.”

I jumped when her fingers dragged across the skin of my stomach. Lower, and lower. Was she going to–? Soft, delicate fingers stroked me. I tried to jerk away, but the straps kept me in place. I’d never fooled around with another woman. I could appreciate the beauty of the female body, but I never had any desire to explore anything outside of my own. I liked good, ole-fashioned sex, and knew I still had a lot to learn there. Adding women into the mix seemed overwhelming

It didn’t matter. Her fingers were stirring my folds where I was shamefully wet, and the slightest of moans slipped out before I could choke it back.

She drew her hand away from in between my legs, and there was a noise I couldn’t place, like a kiss. No, I figured it out. He was sucking on her fingers.

“Does she taste good?” Tara asked. Heat poured through my body.

“I’d like to drink straight from the tap,” he said. Oh god. Oh my god.

“There’s a fee for that, but I’ll waive it if we reach a deal.” I assumed that was acceptable to him because Tara again leaned over me and whispered in my ear. “Slide down near the edge of the table, and enjoy.” She sounded envious.

I did as asked, my trembling body gliding over the leather. When I was down far enough and my feet dangled awkwardly over the side, Tara’s warm hand closed around an ankle and lifted it, setting my foot on the flat surface of the tabletop so my toes curled over the edge. She guided the other ankle so I was laid out before him, my knees bent up in the air. Sliding down had also forced my arms to be bent up by my head.

The pads of his fingers were cold when they touched the inside of my knee and gently urged it to the side, opening me to him. My bottom lip quivered. No, my whole body quivered. The fingers dragged across the inside of my thigh until they reached the hollow where my legs joined my body. I wanted him to say something. I wanted him to—

“Fuck,” he said in a low, deep voice when his finger brushed over me where only a few men, and now Tara, had touched me, making me shudder. “You’re so wet.”

His touch was gone and replaced by warm air as his mouth hovered over my sensitive flesh. He kissed the hollow there, then just above my slit, then the inside of my thigh on the other side. Teasing me. Delicious anticipation grew and strangled my breath.

I bucked hard on the table when his tongue grazed me. One of his large, cold hands clamped down on a hip to hold me in place. The sensation wasn’t like anything I’d felt before. The blindfold focused everything on the pleasure that was spreading outward through my body from his indecent kiss. He licked me again, starting at the bottom of my entrance and all the way up to my clit.

“Oh my god,” I said out loud, and then went wooden. I wasn’t supposed to speak until spoken to, according to the contract.

“You like that?” He didn’t wait for me to answer, he just did it again. And again. The beginning of an orgasm developed off in the distance and then was right upon me when he eased a finger where I was soaking wet.

“She’s yours for twenty thousand,” Tara said.

 Review

3.5 stars


I have rules,” he said. “You don’t get to ask question, no matter what..
Rule two is you answer my questions, and you have to answer them honestly.
The last rule is your body belongs to me, so that means your orgasms are mine. You don’t come without my permission.”

Well, well, well, Nikki Sloane. Where have you been all my pervy life? Did you know that your debut book made my ovaries happy? I hope your next one is just as good because you definitely got me hooked.

Allow me to sum up over half the book for you in one gif…

In short? Make sure your ovaries are prepared. Luckily mine are steel plated at this point, so I had no problems.

I had no idea what to expect going into this book. I read the blurb but that really only grazes the surface of the entirety of this book. Beyond the hot sex there is most definitely a great story, a sexy romance, fantastic writing…and hot sex. What? There was a lot of it, it’s worth mentioning twice.

Evelyn loves mostly everything about her job as a designer in a prestigious Chicago firm. Well mostly everything. Her extremely anal and dickhead manager definitely leaves something to be desired. He doesn’t shy away from criticism and he doesn’t exactly sugar coat it. So when Evelyn’s oversight results in a mistake that could cost the firm $10,000 she’s stuck between a rock and a hard place. At the risk of losing the job that she loves, she promises Logan that she’ll pay for her mistake…now she just has to figure out where to get the money.

Evelyn’s best friend is a free spirited and tell it like it is woman that loves her sex hot and the men to pay for it. She’s an escort at a highly exclusive escort agency, so when she hears of Evie’s problems she offers her a way out: one night working at the club. While Evie’s logical self screams at her that what she’s about to do is crazy, her dire situation and her impulse is telling her she has no choice and she agrees. This is also where she meets him


Do you want my cock?”
“Say it.”
“I want your cock,” I said on a broken, shuddering breath.
“Where? Here?” He shoved a finger inside me, unapologetic. His face was shocking and dark, like a predator, and I was his cornered prey. “Beg me for it.”
“Please…”
“Not good enough. Make me believe.”

Now I feel I have to warn you that there are 2 very descriptive MFF scenes. While I found the first one to be fairly hot and felt that it fit the situation, I was a bit iffy on the second one. While MFF isn’t my preference (I much rather prefer MMF), if it fits the story, I don’t mind it. But if it’s not your cuppa, just be warned.

I don’t want to give you much more on the story since it’s really best experience blind, just like Evie did 😉

I really enjoyed Nikki Sloan’s writing style. She wrote two very relatable characters with Evie and Logan. While I didn’t feel their connection at the very beginning, she truly made me believe it in the most realistic way. Logan has that touch of an asshole to him, but he quickly changes his tune when he’s with Evie. (Almost a little too soon for my tastes)

The story itself was quick paced and entertaining. And the sex was truly sizzling

There was a lot of mention of Logan’s big cock, which grew tiresome eventually. I think dirty talk can go beyond “do you want my big cock in your pussy” but he definitely made up for it with everything else.

There was also that second MFF scene that just never clicked with me. Maybe it was who it was with? I just couldn’t understand the reasoning of either of the women. It kind of came out of left field for me to be honest. While it was super hot, I really think I could have done without it.

For a debut novel, this was fantastic and Nikki manages to throw an evil hook in at the end that will leave you dying for the next book. But if you’re concerned about a HEA, rest easy because this book has a perfect one. The hook happens for Evie’s best friend, and I got one can’t wait to see the man that brings that little spitfire to her knees.

About the Author

Nikki Sloane fell into graphic design after her careers as a waitress, a screenwriter, and a ballroom dance instructor fell through. For eight years she worked for a design firm in that extremely tall, black, and tiered building in Chicago that went through an unfortunate name change during her time there. Now she lives in Kentucky and manages a team of graphic artists. She is married and has two sons, writes both romantic suspense and dirty books, and couldn’t be any happier.

 

Review: ✩Exposed by Fate✩ by Tessa Bailey

He’ll train her to lure another man. She’ll lure him instead.

When interior designer Eliza Ballas accompanies a friend to New York’s premier BDSM club, she’s taken aback by the sheer want that overruns her body—especially when a sexy Brit assumes Eliza is adept at dark, sensual arts. If she’s going to play, she’ll need an erotic education, and she knows just the man to teach her how to submit…

Oliver Preston isn’t one to turn down pleasure, but Eliza’s his sister’s best friend, and he’s torn between a sense of duty and his rock-hard need to find out if she tastes as delicious as he’s dreamed. Unable to handle thought of another man owning her body, he draws Eliza deep into his world of exquisite pain and pleasure. He has three lessons to instruct her. Three lessons to drive them both to the brink of ecstasy. And three lessons before he must give her to another man…if he doesn’t lose himself first.

Exposed by Fate is book 2 in the Serve series but can easily be read as a standalone
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Review

3.5 stars

It would be the enactment of a fantasy, something they would wink-wink-nudge each other about next time they were in the same room. That’s what he’d thought. Expected. He hadn’t anticipated her to reach inside his chest and rearrange everything.

Ever since Oliver was first introduced in Owned by Fate as Caroline’s fun loving with a side of kink brother, I have been absolutely dying to get my hands on the book. Add into that the chemistry that he seemed to have with Caroline’s best friend, Eliza, and I may have squeed a little when this little beauty landed on my kindle. I happen to absolutely LOVE the older brother falls for sister’s best friend trope, and Miss Bailey definitely delivered with this book.

Oliver Preston is successful in his own right, running the newly revamped magazine with his sister. He also tends to like his woman on the short term variety. Relationships? Forget about it. They have a 2 week expiration.

He’s been lusting after Eliza for years, but he knows that he can’t have her. She’s a good girl, and he’s…not such a good boy. He likes his sex rough, dirty, and of the kinky variety. Eliza definitely can’t handle that, she’s the flowers and candy and long term sort of deal…until she gives him a proposition that he simply can’t pass up.

Eliza wants to be trained in the art of BDSM, so she doesn’t come off as a kinky virgin to a sexy Brit she met at the club that she’s hoping to hit it off with. And who better to train her than her best friend’s older brother that she’s been crushing on for years and conveniently happens to be a Dom? So they reach an agreement. Three lessons. Just three incredibly sexy, passionate lessons that she will then use to lure another man. But until that time, she’s all his…


I know what your second punishment will be for. Keeping this tight-as-fuck pussy away from me as long as you have. I ought to pull out and redden your ass right now.

Now I have to say I didn’t find Oliver quite as intense or dominant as Jonah from book one. He was more demanding than dominant, at least to me. Though he was deliciously sexy in his own right…


Mister Preston.”
“You can do better than that.” He licked her ear. “Say, fuck me, Mister Preston.”
Eliza moaned, her head falling back to hit the tile wall. “Yes. Fuck me, Mister Preston.”

Yeah. I think you get what I’m saying here. While I didn’t like this book as much as the first, it was still a fun and sexy addition to the series. Oliver and Eliza together burned up the pages. They were scorching hot.

So why not 5 stars? I got a little frustrated with how long everything in their “relationship” stretched out for. There was this constant lack of communication on both their parts and assumptions that led to even more miscommunication. It was just a little too long for my tastes. Neither of them see the light until almost 95% into the book. But the way that everything wrapped up was EXTREMELY satisfying, so I really can’t complain much.

Don’t miss book 1 in the Serve series, Owned by Fate

Review: ☆Watch Me Fall☆ by Nora Flite


Pain, abuse, brutality. That was my life. I struggled and stressed; cried until I forgot what tears were. But I worked hard. I clawed to the peak.
And then I lost everything.
Most people would have shattered.
I’m not most people.
My dreams are gone, but that’s fine. I could have lived this tiny, broken life. I could have suffered in silence.
Until I met her: Noel.
God, she’s so alive. She makes me ACHE and I just…
I can’t ignore her.
So I won’t.
Noel thinks she can handle me. Survive me.
If she knew the truth—could see into my mind—she’d smarten up and run.
I’m so lucky she doesn’t have a clue.

–Author’s Note– This is a dark romance novel, it contains themes of violence and mature situations that could make readers uncomfortable.

Amazon (Only $.99 right now)


3.5 Stars

Pain doesn’t scare me. It lures me in.

When I read the blurb for this book, I knew I needed it in my life. I am a sucker for all things dark, and this one sounded right up my pervy little alley. Then I read the first chapter and I. Was. Hooked. The first half of the book I was completely engrossed in the story.

The world wasn’t fair. No, worse than unfair. It was cruel and cold.

Carter grew up the hard way. Constantly drowning under the pressure to be the best from his parents, who love their drugs more than their own son, he knows that pain will be his consequence. Ballet is his escape, it’s what he loves, and he works his ass off for it. Until one night when everything changes, when the mistakes of his parents catch up with him in a devastating hit that changes his life and his plans for a career in ballet forever. It is also the night that Carter finally loses his control on his darker side; a side that has been brewing throughout his entire childhood. A side that he did his damnedest to keep hidden and at bay. It’s dark and violent and when he gives it free reign, there’s no more going back.


Inside of me, curled around and swimming in my warm blood, there was a creature as awful and deadly as cyanide.

When his dream of attending the elite ballet school of his dream is shattered, he gets offered a semblance of hope from one of his instructors. So he accepts the offer to teach at a ballet school in Paris. It may not be what he wants, but what other choice does he have. And that’s where he meets her…


Noel Addison was twisting in my mind, sinking into the cracks of my brain. The only thing in my life I’d obsessed about like this was dancing.

After losing her mother to cancer, Noel only wants one thing; to attend the ballet school that her mother has such fond memories of. A talented ballerina, she has her choice of schools, and even though this one may not be the best, it’s a piece of her mother that she needs in the dark time after her passing.

Automatically catching the eye of the dark and broody instructor, Carter, her skill stands out. After all, the school is slowly dying and is the choice for those dancers that simply couldn’t make it anywhere else. Carter notices her skills right away, and he’s drawn to them and to the beautiful woman…but he knows that he is too dark for her. Too bad she tempts him until all reason fades away.


My ability to control myself was waning. She was a harsh ice storm, grinding way at my granite and polishing into infinity.

Their attraction is undeniable, though Carter attempts to fight it. The author did a great job of building a slow mounting sexual tension until the moment when it all combusts and let me tell you…when it does? It was SCORCHING.


Noel didn’t taste like cherries or sugar. This woman was gun powder and arsenic.

Watch Me Fall dances on the edge of darkness, though it never fully fell into it completely.

There are some dark elements; rough sex, erotic asphyxiation, and a domineering hero. But I felt it could have really grown from that into something much more. As a matter of fact I kept waiting for it.

Yes, the sex was scorching hot and at times almost borderline violent in it’s need. Unfortunately, Carter was a character I kept wanting to fully understand yet never truly did.

While I got his dark and violent urges from his past, it didn’t fully translate into his present. Maybe what was missing was a little more development in that part for me to really get invested in him as a hero? He constantly talks about his inner monster, but it just wasn’t something I connected to. I honestly can’t pinpoint what it was exactly, but it just didn’t quite work for me.

I also struggled to full understand Noel’s attraction to the pain and that side of Carter. Maybe she was just a masochist? I dunno. For whatever reason, while I felt the chemistry between them, I never really connected to the “romance” aspect of it.

All that said, this still was a solid 4 star read. I really loved the Nora’s writing style, she truly has a gift for weaving her words together beautifully. The best part? No naive and innocent virgins were to be found anywhere in this book. Unfortunately the ending felt rushed and it just all resolved so quickly and nicely that it didn’t match the rest of the book. I needed more from that. The epilogue was great, but it was like Carter flipped a complete 180 with his personality to me. Maybe it was just me, as I do tend to be extremely picky with my dark reads.


You have no idea what too far is! God, did no one teach you to be scared of monsters?”
“I was taught not to run from the things I want.”

I can’t say I would classify this as a dark romance, it was more gray for me. If you’re looking to dabble in the genre but scared of fully diving in, this may be the perfect book for you to start with. Fans of dark romance may not find it as intense as the blurb implies. Though it was still a highly enjoyable read, and I would definitely recommend it.

ARC very generously provided by author in exchange for an honest review

Review: ☆Take Down☆ by @MalleryMalone


Powerful. Dominant, Unforgettable. He commands submission at all costs.

Cage fighter, Gabriel Devereaux, a man of barely leashed power, is known as the Bayou Beast.

There is one woman he will do anything , pay any amount to possess.

Karina Armistead, has come a long way from the innocent girl Gabriel used to know. An internationally known singer, she can have anything she wants. But everything tells her that getting involved with the Bayou Beast may leave her wrecked beyond repair.

Little does Karina Armistead know, but Gabriel has decided that she will be his.

He will destroy anything or anyone who stands in his way.

3.75 Stars


Back then he’d been her Gabriel, an angel who’d fallen just for her. Now he was the Bayou Beast, the ultimate fighter, the savvy entrepreneur, a predator with a barely banked rage burning in his eyes.

Even though I’ve recently grown an aversion to any book that contains the word ‘millionaire’ or ‘billionaire’ in the title, I can’t pass this series up. It’s a guilty pleasure for me. A short, well written, quick paced and sexy read that never fails to deliver. I love that each book has it’s own version of ‘lovers reunited’ trope, the heroines are fantastic, and the heroes are melt your panties off sexy. It just works for me. I’ve been waiting to finally get the story behind the broody and enigmatic Gabriel, or as he’s better known, the Bayou Beast. Gabriel may get his name from his fame as a cage fighter, but really it’s more for his penchant for illegal and underground no-holds-barred fights.


These days, only when facing possible death did he come close to feeling alive.

Women aren’t even on his radar unless it’s for a a night spent between the sheets…at least not until the one woman from his past that he never forgot comes back into his life.

Karina Armistead is an international sensation as a famous singer. In town for a charity auction that is near and dear to her heart. She’s no longer that innocent girl that Gabriel knew and then left, taking her heart with him. But that doesn’t mean Gabriel is prepared to let her go now, even if it means dropping a few million for a date with her for an auction.

The chemistry between Karina and Gabriel comes back to the blazing one that they shared over 10 years ago, only this time, Gabriel isn’t prepared to let her go.

I really liked this one, though book 2 is still my favorite in the series. I found some of the suspense/drama that went down towards the end to be just a little too OTT. Other then that, I enjoyed everything. I love that even though this is on the shorter end, Mallery Malone still gives the reader that burn of anticipation and doesn’t just throw the MCs into bed together right away. The plot is well developed, the chemistry is sizzling, and even though it’s a novella, it’s still a highly satisfying read. Most of the time when I read a novella the length is what keeps me from truly developing a real connection to the characters, but that’s never been the case for me with this series. Ms. Malone never fails to get the reader invested in the MCs and their romance. So if you’re looking for a quick and sexy read, definitely give this one a shot. While a part of a series, each book can easily be read as a standalone.


Don’t miss the rest of the series!

Knock Out (Billionaire’s Club: New Orleans #1)
Power Play (Billionaire’s Club: New Orleans #2)



Review: ☆Clinging to Rapture☆ by Megan D. Martin


“I let you walk away, Julia. I let you go, but I can still take you back if I want.”
Four months ago I ran away. I left him behind. The man who stalked me, took control of my body, and claimed he loved me.

Now he’s returned. Like dripping razor blades, he has slashed his way back into my life. But everything is different.

He doesn’t want me anymore.

I expected him to come back, to be sorry. I even planned to forgive him. I should have known that he would discard me like everyone else in my life. But I’m going to change that.

My billionaire stalker has come to say goodbye…only this time I plan to keep him.

3.75 Stars


I let you walk away, Julia. I let you go, but I can still take you back if I want.

Well…hell. I devoured this book and yet I’m still left feeling…conflicted. There were parts I loved, parts that shocked me, and then there were parts that I just still don’t know how I feel about.

The ending of book 1 left me feeling unsure about Cole and his obsession with Julia. When all the cards were on the table and the truth was out, I was shocked as shit. Can an obsession that deep that leads you to stalk a woman for 2 years in your compulsive desire to have her ever lead to anything real? That was the one question I wanted an answer to in book 2, and you know what? I got it…mostly.


She’s going to destroy me. And there is nothing I could do to stop it.

Don’t expect this to be anything close to what the first book was like, because you’ll be grossly disappointed. I found this to be more story and character driven, and it sure as fuck was grittier. It definitely wasn’t as erotic as the first, but that didn’t really bother me in the least.

Clinging to Rapture is told in alternating flashbacks of past and present. It takes you back to that day 2 years ago that began an obsession that’s only burned hotter with each step that Cole got closer to Julia. The present begins with 4 months after Julia has left Cole after learning the truth behind how and why they met. She’s now barely making ends meet by working at a rundown gas station left only with memories that run hot and cold of her past life. The last person she expects to walk into the doors when she’s working is Cole…actually scratch that. Let’s make that Cole and his spawn of satan fiance.

No really. I mean what in the ever loving fuck? We go from one extreme of Cole being obsessed with Julia…to him being engaged to the bitch that he left the second Julia came on his radar 2 years ago. Seriously? SERIOUSLY?! Oh, did I mention that his men are still following Julia? Yeah.

And as much as Julia knows she should feel otherwise and tries to fight it, her feelings for Cole are a lot stronger than what she ever expected.


Cole made me weak. I seemed to be powerless when it came to him.

Readers that don’t enjoy constant flashbacks, may not like this one. Luckily, I wasn’t one of them. That actually worked for me. Big time. I needed that explanation and back story that I felt was missing in book 1. I gobbled up every little morsel of Cole’s past that Megan D. Martin threw my way. He went from an erotic enigma, to a very real, and a very broken man, with an obviously dark past.

His struggle with his obsession with Julia and trying to let her go was palpable. And he almost does it, until her life is in danger and everything else ceases to be of importance.

Now the suspense part of the book was crazy. It will leave you thinking you know who’s behind it, only to have you question it again a chapter later. Is it Julia’s psycho ex? Cole even more psycho fiance? Or Cole’s beyond psycho mother? I don’t fucking know! But I do know that some of the twists that the author throws at you left me in a disturbed state of WTF. (but that’s a good thing)

So why not 5 stars? A few things really. I don’t fully understand or connect to Cole’s reasons for going back to the fiance that he’s obviously no longer in love with and is just plain batshit cray. He constantly allowed her to degrade Julia where all I wanted him to do was kick her bitch on wheels ass out of his house. Also, considering his relationship with his mother, I just didn’t buy into his reasoning of doing anything for her. But perhaps that’s something that will be better explained in the 3rd book.

The cliffhanger here was not as bad as it was in the first book, but certainly still present. While the relationship between Cole and Julia is mostly established again, there’s still the death threat that is looming over them both. All I know? I need the 3rd book like fucking YESTERDAY! Gah.


And don’t miss the first book in the trilogy


Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & #Giveaway: ☆Run☆ by Eve Vaughn

The Hunter…

Dare O’Shaughnessy had the world in the palm of his hand. A man known and feared for his ruthlessness, his word was law. The last word he ever expected to hear was no. Until he met her.

The Prey…

Aya Smith despised the ruling class who looked down on hardworking people like her. Sick of being treated unfairly by laws that protect the wealthy and punish the poor, she takes a stand but soon realizes, she might have crossed the wrong man.

The Game…


Created as a government program to assist in the repopulation of the country when an untested drug wipes out millions of women, The Run eventually evolves into something much more sinister. Now played for the amusement of the super rich, women down on their luck find themselves the prizes of sadistic masters.

Aya is forced to volunteer for The Run, and Dare, the most sadistic of all, places her in his crosshairs.She will belong to him, body and soul. But when he catches her will she succumb to his mastery, or will he find more trouble than he bargained for?

Aya took a deep breath as she made her way to the bar being careful not to look directly in the direction of the jerk supreme. As she poured his drink, she was tempted to spit in it. With each move she made, Aya could feel his heated gaze on her. She wasn’t naive about men like him. They acted like they owned everything they saw. He was toying with them and threatening their livelihood because he could.

She used as much time as she dared to fix his drink before walking toward him, still refusing to make eye contact. Aya forced herself not to slam the glass down in front of him. “Will that be all, sir?” she asked through gritted teeth while she kept her gaze planted on her feet.

“Look at me.”

Aya didn’t want to stare into eyes so deep a green they were almost hypnotizing. They were her favorite shade and she resented the hell out of him for that. Thoughts of her uncle forced her to comply. Slowly, she raised her head until she met his gaze full on. That cruel smirk curved his lips.

“If there’s nothing else, I need to see to the needs of the other customers.”

“I was under the impression from the proprietor that you don’t deal with customers. Which one of you is lying?”

She bit the inside of her lip to hold back an angry retort.

The bastard had the nerve to chuckle. “No need to answer. I can see he was just protecting what’s his. I can’t say I blame him. What are you to him?”

“I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

“Fair enough.” He picked up his drink and took a sip all while his gaze roamed the bar. After placing the glass down, the smirk returned. “How much do you think a place like this would cost if someone wanted to invest for the purposes of tearing it down and rebuilding?”

The blood pounded in her head and she dug her nails into her palms. “He’s my uncle.”

He nodded in seeming approval. “Have a seat, Aya.”

She didn’t like how he used her name as if he had the right but she complied. “Look Mr. O’Shaughnessy, I don’t know what you’re trying to do here, but we don’t want any trouble. We’re sorry if you haven’t found the service to your satisfaction but we just want to be left alone. Please.”

“You seem like an intelligent woman. I would have thought it was fairly obvious what I wanted.”

She folded her hands in her lap and clinched them tightly together to keep herself from trembling. This couldn’t be happening. There had to be a way she could get herself out of this. She opted to play dumb. “I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

He narrowed his eyes. “I think you do. In fact, I know you do. So, let’s not play games. You can make this really easy on yourself. You and your uncle will be taken care of for as long as I want you. And when I no longer do, you’ll be well compensated. You’ll be under my protection.”

She fought back the urge to attack him. The arrogant son of a bitch. “And what if I don’t make things easy on myself?”

“I don’t think you want to know. But the end result will be the same. I will have you.”

3.5 Stars


It didn’t matter how attractive he was. Dare O’SHaughnessy was the devil and he was looking for his due. Her.

This was very different from anything I’ve read in the past, but in a good way. Highly entertaining and very erotic, I pretty much finished this in one sitting. While I can’t say that everything about this book worked for me, I certainly liked it enough that I’m looking forward to the next book, The Auction. I had a tough time rating this since there were a few quibbles I had that kept it from being a solid 4 star read, but ultimately I did enjoy it quite a bit. Let me break it down for you the best I can.

The set up
Run is set in a futuristic world where the only thing that rules is money. When a Derugulaition act was put into place years ago, it allowed any and all government to be obsolete and for the rich and powerful corporations to become a law onto themselves with free reign to run their business as they see fit. The fallout was incredible, as was the death poll. When a large pharmaceutical company released a vaccine for breast cancer that wasn’t properly tested, the end result was a drug that ultimately wiped out half the female population and causing the women to become almost as valuable as currency. The poor, or the Dregs of the society are struggling to survive where the rich and powerful are corrupt and money is the only thing that holds power. The gap between the rich and the poor is extreme and there’s no rules to govern anything. Thus also formed The Run; an event that started out as a government program for men to find wives, but really it’s just a legalized hunt where the men that can afford to buy in will hunt for their potential “mates”. Women participate in this due to having no other choice and trying to keep their families affloat. Men participate to basically add to their harem. These women are often brutalized, tortured, and at times don’t survive their new masters. The owner of the run is the enigmatic Dare.

When Dare notices Aya (a Dreg for all intents and purposes) and she rebuffs his advances, his brutal and punishing nature insists that she pay. So he puts to work a chain of events that eventually leave Aya no other choice but to participate in the Run where Dare has every intention of catching her.

What worked
The set up. I liked the world building and the premise of the story, it was very unique and unlike anything I’ve read in the past.
Dare was a hero you will love to hate and Aya is a heroine that you will root for.

The sex. It was damn hot.

The secondary characters. I’m hoping that Macy and Foster will be making an appearance in The Auction. Their story is one I was very intrigued with, especially poor Macy and what she went through.

What didn’t work for me
I felt a lot of the times that I was being told the story as opposed to shown. There were things that were almost redundantly described. I like to be led to my own conclusion about characters and situations most times, especially when there’s a certain dark element to the book, and that just wasn’t the case here. I felt like I was told what to think, what to see, and everything the characters feel.

The initial attraction
I didn’t quite get it. Dare sees a glimpse of Aya being arrested, barely enough to catch her features, and he’s compelled to track her down after that at the bar she works and proceeds to systematically tear her life apart because he NEEDS to have her.

Aya’s strong will
While a lot of the time that was the one thing I really loved about her character, it also really worked against her in other parts. If you know that the rich always win, and Dare is as rich and powerful as they come, why would you proceed to not only turn him down but do it in a way that’s guaranteed to piss him off. Would you really throw a drink in the face of someone that just threatened your business and livelihood and actually has the means to carry through with it?

Dare’s personality change
It just wasn’t believable to me. For someone that grew up like he did, and has pretty much been a cold and ruthless bastard for the better part of his life, it was almost like a switch was flipped and then he does a complete 180. It was just too sudden for my tastes, and I just couldn’t really connect to it.

Overall thoughts
Minus those few things, I really did enjoy this one. If you like futuristic romances with a darker edge, definitely give this one a try. It’s quick paced, erotic, and the set up is very unique. The set up for The Auction has certainly peeked my interest, and I can’t wait to see what the author has in store with the next book.


USA Today Bestselling Author Eve Vaughn has always enjoyed creating characters and stories from an early age. As a child she was always getting into mischief, so when she lost her television privileges (which was often), writing was her outlet. Her stories have gotten quite a bit spicier since then! When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, Eve is reading, baking, traveling or kicking butt in 80’s trivia. She loves hearing from her readers. She can be contacted through her website at: www.evevaughn.com.

Blog Tour, Review & #Giveaway: ☆Pieces of Autumn☆ by Mara Black

Title: Pieces of Autumn
Author: Mara Black
Genre: Dark Romance 18 +
Publish Date: July 31, 2014
Publisher: Indie Published
Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

I wish I could tell you that I was stolen.

Kidnapped off the street in some third-world country, sold against my will, while a desperate family back home waited and prayed and talked about me on the news.

I wish I could tell you that, because then you might understand.

What really happened? I walked to my fate with my eyes wide open. But before you say I deserved whatever happened to me, you should know. I was desperate. I was alone. I was afraid for my life. You would have done the same thing.

I thought things couldn’t possibly get any worse.

But then, I woke up in darkness, unable to move. There was only one thing I was sure of: I wasn’t alone anymore.

And then I heard HIS voice…

3.5 Stars

Whatever you think you’re doing, stop. I’m not your fucking knight in tarnished armor. I’m not a broken man with a heart of gold. I’m pure fucking evil, and you made the choice to shackle yourself to me.

I had a hard time rating this book. While I found the writing to be phenomenal, it wasn’t quite what I expected and it wasn’t nearly as dark as I thought it would be. As a debut novel, the author has definitely captured my interest and I will be reading any and all of her future books. There were some parts that didn’t really make sense to me or I wished were different, but despite all that I did enjoy the story. It was different from anything I’ve read, and that alone was enough keep me reading to see how it will end. Don’t go in expecting something quick paced or incredibly dark. It’s neither. It’s a slower paced story with dark elements, but I just wouldn’t classify it as dark. Perhaps readers that want to be eased into the dark romance genre would want to start with this book, as I feel it would be perfect for that. Those that have read books by Pepper Winters, Lily White, Lili St. Germain, M.S. Willis, or the likes will not be quite as impressed by the “darkness” of the plot. Also, this is not set in present time. It’s set in futuristic world where food and water are sparse, money means nothing, and the only power to be had is influence. Influence which is mainly in the hands of the criminals and the corrupted.

This will be a SPOILER FREE review, and I would advise to go into this book blind. Do not read reviews as there are some details that while they aren’t big spoilers, they’re best to find out as you go along.

Autumn is living on borrowed time. She’s running from someone that wants her dead, starving and alone, she’s desperate. Seeing no other alternative, she sells herself to what she feels is the lesser of the evils. An organization that is known as Stoker. She may not know much about them, but she does know that they sell women and she may or may not be better off with her new master. But knowing the fate she’s running from, she takes the chance, and is given to a man she comes to know as Tate. But will he be her salvation or her ruin?

I’m not going to give you any more about Tate. The author trickle feeds you information about him throughout the story, and it’s best that you know next to nothing going in. His alter ego of The Viper was something that I struggled with, though. He has conversations with The Viper at times, and it always threw me. It’s like he had a dual personality…yet they were one in the same. It was strange.

Now I love a good anti-hero, but I struggled to see Tate as one. I’m not sure what it was exactly, but his constant power struggle with The Viper and his back and forth with Autumn left me seeing him as more of a broken man than a truly dark one. But there were times where that darkness in him did come out, and I gobbled it right up.

This girl had the audacity, the sheer fucking balls to assume that I was a human being. That I could be trusted to treat her with a modicum of dignity.

It’s obvious he has a story, and I really enjoyed the way that it was revealed bit by little bit. I suppose I just wanted something a little more from him. (But hey, that could just be me.)

Autumn’s character I struggled with a bit as well. She was so up and down, it was hard to keep track. I didn’t understand her almost instant “attraction” to Tate (view spoiler)[and the part where she heard his voice before meeting him really had me scratching my head (hide spoiler)]. But I did really like that she wasn’t a weak heroine. While she may have been out on her luck, she did her a core of strength that at times was subtle and at times really prevailed.

Her fierceness, the intelligence in her eyes, the way she met me eye to eye, no matter what the circumstances. She could kneel, she could bow, but she was never broken. She couldn’t be broken.

The romance aspect is something that I really liked. Despite the quick connection that Autumn had to Tate, it was still a very slow build. I couldn’t imagine it being any other way.

Though don’t expect smooth sailing anywhere in the story with the relationship between these two…

This girl was going to be the death of me. But at least I could enjoy the journey on my descent into hell.

I wanted a little bit more from the ending, but again, that may have been just me. (view spoiler)[Unless I missed something, what happened with Birdy? I wished there was more information given about the time when Tate was gone (hide spoiler)]. There were some things that wrapped up too neatly and almost too quickly.

But everything aside, I did like it quite a bit. The author definitely has an incredible talent, and I look forward to see what else she has in store. If this was her debut novel, I can only imagine how good her future books will be. So give it a try, I can tell you it will be different from anything you’ve read lately.

This is written in dual First Person POV

**ARC gifted to Dirty Girl Romance blog in exchange for an honest review**

Mara Black is a connoisseur of love that lurks in the shadows .
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~ Signed book of Pieces of Autumn ~

Blog Tour, Review & #Giveaway: ☆Worth Forgiving☆ by Vi Keeland

Cover designed by Romcon.com
Model: Jamie Dominic
Photographer: Jamie Dominic Photography
Genre: A New Adult/Adult Contemporary Romance novel
RELEASE DATE: August 21st 2014

They say men like a lady in the living room and a whore in the bedroom. I never knew the sentiment was reciprocal. Until I met Jax Knight. A gentleman in public, a commanding, dirty talking rogue in the bedroom.

Daughter of legendary fighter “The Saint,” Lily St. Claire knows firsthand how fighters can be. As the owner of a chain of MMA gyms, she’s no stranger to aggressive, dominating, and possessive men. That’s why she’s always kept her distance. But the day Jax Knight walks through her door she’s captivated by his charm. Stunningly handsome, well mannered, Ivy League educated, and confident, he shatters all the preconceived notions she’d come to think were true about men who trained to fight.

But falling for someone so soon after her breakup wasn’t something she’d planned on. And definitely not something her ex plans to allow.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

3.5 it’s all about Jax Stars

There’s only two choices with a man. Forgive him or forget him. If you can’t do the latter, then you need to forgive him because he’s already stolen your heart.

I knew I would love Jax the second he was first introduced in Worth the Chance. And you know what? I was so right. This man was EVERYTHING.

Suit clad rich business man by day, dirty talking MMA fighter by night. And when I mean dirty talker, I mean dirty talker. This man could melt the panties of a nun. I mean Oh. My. Gawd.

Tell me what you thought I meant.”
“You know what I thought you meant.”
“Yes. But I want to hear you say it.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to hear you talk dirty to me.”

He was sweet and protective, sexy and dirty, and rang every single one of my bells. I loved him.

I’ve really enjoyed the previous 2 books in the series with Vince’s book being my favorite. Unfortunately I found this one to be the weakest in the series. Thank goodness for Jax because he’s the one thing that truly made the book for me.

I wanted to love Lily, and in the beginning I almost did. The daughter of legendary fighter “The Saint” and the current owner of the chain of MMA gyms he once started, she comes across as a little broken and gun shy when it comes to relationships.

But hell, given her recent ex boyfriend, who can blame the girl.
Oh. I can. Because why would this girl maintain a “friendship” with an ex that not only crosses any boundary she puts up, she actually fears him…and with good reason. Caden was psycho! And I mean PSYCHO. The man was utterly diranged with some serious anger management issues.

I spent most of the book waiting for her to really come into her own (read: grow a pair) and put him in his place. Welp, that never really happened.

At times I understood her struggle, especially being in the emotional place she was in and with the recent grief of losing her father so unexpectedly

For almost a year I’ve walked around numb, filled with an emptiness I never thought would be filled.

But as the book progressed my patience with her wore thin.

Luckily there was Jax. If you’re on the fence about reading this book, it’s worth it just for him. Trust me. And this is coming from someone that can’t easily overlook a weak heroine.

I want to be there to catch you if you fall from now on, Angel.

While this may not have been my favorite book in the series, I do think that Jax was my favorite hero.

Given everything it was still looking to be a very solid 4 star read for me…up until the “conflict” of the story happened. Of all the stupid, pig headed, idiotic things. I have never had a bigger urge to reach through my Kindle and shake (read: bitch slap) some sense into a character. I won’t spoiler what happened for you, but I will say that I simply couldn’t believe it. For Lily to believe who she did and what she did, it didn’t make sense for me. And maybe even if it did warrant such a reaction, the extent to which she took it, didn’t.

And I wanted her to be the one doing it. Scratch that, I wanted her to flat out grovel. Instead we get Jax being the one that’s “worth forgiving.” I almost didn’t feel like she deserved him in the end after everything he does for her.

But then Vi Keeland gives us that epilogue. And my anger with Lily somewhat (not fully) dissipated. It was such a perfect way to end this series, I just couldn’t ask for anything better.

So all in all, I did genuinely enjoy this book minus a few things, of course. Would I recommend reading it? Absolutely. If you’re a fan of the series, you don’t want to mix Jax. And hey, it may not frustrate you as much as it did me. It was sweet, sexy, and of course the sex was scorching. I may not have loved it, but I definitely liked it a whole heck of a lot.

ARC gifted to Dirty Girl Romance blog in exchange for an honest review

MMA Series Reading Order

Worth the Fight (Book One)
It didn’t matter that the ref called it a clean hit. Nico Hunter would never be the same.

Elle has a good life. A job she loves, a great apartment, and the guy she’s been dating for more than two years is a catch and a half. But it’s boring…and she strives to keep it that way. Too many emotions are dangerous. Her own past is living proof of what can happen when you lose control.

Then Nico walks into Elle’s office and everything changes…for both of them. But what can the tattooed, hard-bodied MMA fighter and the beautiful and always steady attorney have in common? A lot more than they bargained for.

***Author’s note*** THIS IS A STAND-ALONE NOVEL. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

ONLY $.99 FOR A LIMITED TIME
Worth the Chance (Book Two)

Meet Liv Michaels

It may have been seven years, but I’d know him anywhere. Sure, he’s grown, filled out in all the right places, but his captivating blue eyes and cocky grin are exactly the way I remember. Even though I’d much rather forget.

Liv Michaels is almost there. She’s smart, determined and weeks away from landing the job she’s dreamed about for years. Time healed old wounds, even her broken heart from the devastation of being crushed by her first love.

Meet Vince Stone

Women love a fighter, especially a good one. Lucky for me, I’m damn good. But there’s one woman that isn’t interested. Not again, anyway.

Vince ‘The Invincible’ Stone is every woman’s fantasy…strong, sexy, confident and completely in control. Growing up surrounded by chaos, he’s learned never to get too attached. Love will drag you down. He adores women, treats them well, puts their own needs before his own…for the night anyway. With the biggest fight of his life coming up, his focus should be on training.

When fate brings Vince & Liv back together again, there’s no denying the chemistry is still there. But can Vince erase the old scars their past left behind? Or will Liv hurt him instead?

***Author’s note*** THIS IS A STAND-ALONE NOVEL. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the 18.

Additional Books by Vi Keeland

                                     

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn’t change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work. She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting smut author by night!

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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**

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

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