High school senior Liv Evans has one rule: No attachments. She’s lost enough in her life and has vowed to do whatever it takes to make sure she never again feels the emptiness of losing someone she loves. Boys are a fun distraction, but a serious relationship is something she’d rather live without. Her determination for a future free of pain and heartbreak is put to the test when she meets–and quickly forms an unexpected bond–with Logan Tanner.

Logan has always been a free spirit, but ever since a life-changing event took place, which left him doubting the integrity of those who are closest to him, he’s taken that term to a whole new dangerous level. Learning the hard way that life is too short for worries or work–and that women can’t be trusted–Logan has exchanged steady work for street racing. When Liv walks into his world, everything he thought he knew about life and women is challenged.

In The Fine Line, Liv and Logan will discover if it’s possible for true love to have a future, or if history is destined to repeat itself

Lisa’s Review

What a roller coaster ride, if you’re looking for a story with plenty of up’s and down’s then look no further, this story has more drama than your average day time soap opera. I think I may have a bad case of romantic whip lash. Call me silly but this book was actually beyond addictive it certainly had it’s fair share of eye roll worthy moments but I’m actually looking out for more from this debut author … Here are the rest of my ‘The fine line’ book thoughts …

What’s it all about?
Olivia Evans has seen it all; heart ache, pain, death and relationship misfortune. From an early age she knew she didn’t have any choice but to protect her heart from the one thing that could break her. Olivia does all that she can to stay away from relationships and the possibility of love. This lifestyle choice suits her well until she meets Logan Tanner, a dangerously attractive car racer who instantly grabs her attention and threatens to break down those walls around her heart. Logan and Olivia quickly become firm friends but when friendship starts to feel like it could be more, Olivia has to learn how to follow her heart and allow herself to break her own rules.

What did I like?
This author certainly knows how to deliver on the edge of your seat drama and enticing high school first love, I have to say I didn’t find this story the least bit predictable. The twists and turns were enjoyable, albeit a little over the top but the story from beginning to end had me glued to my kindle anxiously awaiting what would happen next to Olivia and Logan. The characters certainly had their own shining moments Logan and Olivia were interesting to say the least and I was drawn in by their attraction and chemistry, I enjoyed the car racing theme to Logan’s character development and the additional tidbits of history of the characters slotted in well running alongside the main love story theme. One thing I can say is hand on heart I fell in with with Logan he is unforgettable. The storyline had a well thought out and interesting beginning, an upside down, back to front, round and round middle and a heartwarming, perfect conclusion ending. I read this book in one sitting and not once did I want to put it down.

Why not five?
As with some similar books in this genre the plot tended to verge on the slightly ridiculous, the drama teetered towards over the top and yes, sadly I had some issues with the heroine, Olivia. I can already predict that for some readers this plot will drive them crazy with it’s back and forth drama and relationship indecision but for me overall the author played it well. It was well written and strangely addictive but didn’t have that unforgettable feel of a five star read.

Final thoughts …
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again I will always reach out for a stateside high school drama, I just have a thing for reading about this story type. Alicia Kobishop has delivered a well written NA genre book that I’m convinced will keep most lovers of this genre entertained. If you like drama mixed with a push and pull love story then this might just be your next fix … Go grab it readers. Enjoy, kisses.

Game for Trouble by Karen Erickson

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Book Synopsis

My Review

For those that don’t know, Karen Erickson is the pen name for the fabulous Monica Murphy. And while I love, absolutely LOVE Monica Murphy books, her writing under Karen Erickson is quite different. Not that that’s a bad thing. It’s what I like to call Brazen-y. 🙂
I truly enjoyed Game for Trouble, I just didn’t LOVE it.

When I initially read the book synopsis, I pictured Nick a bit different in my head. I read ‘cocky playboy’ and my mind just goes off on a tangent. Don’t get me wrong, he was still sexy as sin, but not so much cocky as he was almost mopey for parts of the book.

Years ago Nick and Willow were a couple that burned up the sheets. Then something happens, and Nick leaves her with a broken heart to pursue his football career.

Now he’s back and Willow is fining him hard to escape what with his friend and team member, Jared, being married to her best friend.

Nick knows that he made a huge mistake leaving Willow, and all he wants now is a second chance and he’s not above blackmail to get it.

Willow was a character that I liked at some parts and wanted to shake in others. She was spunky and wasn’t afraid to tell Nick where to stuff it. But I thought she was almost a bit too hard on him at times. I realize that she was hurt when he left, but Nick was obviously trying his hardest to make it up to her and she would always jump to the worst conclusion with him.

I read this book in one nigh, though I did find myself skimming through some parts I got slightly bored with.

It was a cute romance, but for me it was missing that something extra. That little oomph to make it a 5 star read. My 2 biggest quibbles were with the ending. BE AWARE: SPOILERS BELOW, highlight to see.

1. 1. The marriage proposal after such a short courting came off a bit cheesy for me. I understand that Nick and Willow already had history together. But they were only “together” now for a just a few weeks (if not less?) And it was rocky at best. It just didn’t seem very realistic to me. But then again, I always have a problem with instant engagements.
2. 2. I wanted a little more closer with Willow, her father, and Nick. It didn’t feel finished to me. I wanted some sort of resolution. Especially with what her father did to Nick in the past, and Nick proposing to her now.

[The marriage proposal after such a short courting came off a bit cheesy for me. I understand that Nick and Willow already had history together. But they were only “together” now for a just a few weeks (if not less?) And it was rocky at best. It just didn’t seem very realistic to me. But then again, I always have a problem with instant engagements. (hide spoiler)]

Aside from those two things, I did enjoy the book. It was a quick, cute, and steamy, although predictable and fluffy read. And while it wont be going on my keeper shelf, I still liked it.

If you like sport romances with sexy heroes, steamy love scenes, and spunky heroines, definitely give this one a go.

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Madeleine Abducted by M.S. Willis

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Book Synopsis

My Review

Well…hell. This book…Damn. I struggled with my rating on this one. There were things I loved, things that disturbed the ever loving fuck out of me, and a few things I could have gone without. I love a dark romance, and this book definitely delivered on that front. This is not an easy read by any means. It’s dark, gritty, disturbing, somewhat erotic, and not a book I’ll be forgetting any time soon. The author does not play around. She tells you exactly what you’re in for with the epilogue.

Madeline is a talented yet an incredibly sheltered young cellist. When her talent catches the eye of a certain man, her life takes a dark twist. She is taken from the only life she knows, and is thrown in to a den of vipers where depravity, violence, and brutality become her new surroundings.

Taken by a madman and given as a gift to his son for his 25th birthday, Maddy finds herself in the middle of a deadly game of power. While her new Master might not be quite as evil as the man that kidnapped her, she knows that he’s just hiding a different type of darkness.

Aaron is The Estate executioner. While he doesn’t blink an eyelash when meeting out death, he’s inexplicably drawn to Maddy’s innocence. While his brutality is the key to keeping her alive

I promised you pain for pain, Madeleine, and it only makes my cock harder when you fight back. Keep writhing beneath me, it’ll only help me along as I fuck your body and as I fuck your mind.”

The man that he hides beneath the violence and death seems to come out in her presence.

Dream of me, Maddy. See me as I want to be; not the nightmare who torments you, but the devoted and mystified man who worships at your feet.”

I loved Aaron. While he was not a white knight, he still had this soft side to him. It didn’t come out very often, but when it did…*sigh*

I’m not a good man, Maddy. I’ll never be a person worthy of you, of the beauty and light you provide to this world. I kill, I steal, I lie and I cheat. I take pleasure when I bathe in the blood of another man’s demise, when I watch the life drain from their eyes as they die. I enjoyed you as well, Maddy, not when I had to hurt you, but when I took things from your body that weren’t mine to take. I’ve done nothing for you, Mouse, nothing but what I wanted to do.”

But then again, I always do seem to go for the tortured and broody ones.

I loved the author’s writing style, it was almost poetic at times. There was a flip side of it for me though. I felt it was a bit much at times. There was almost too many descriptive sentences. I lost count of the many different ways that Aaron’s green eyes came across. It was a bit much for me. At times it almost read like a historical to me. I struggled to remember that this is set in a modern setting.

The brutality. I am not a virgin to dark and gritty reads, but some of the scenes in this book disturbed even me. The event that takes place at 89% for instance. It takes A LOT, and I do mean A LOT to truly disturb me, but fuck…that scene still fucking haunts me.


The romance. This took a while to really get into. It took a backseat to a lot of other things that were developing in the first half of the book. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t expecting instant Stockholm here. This is not really a complaint, but I do feel it necessary to mention.

Aaron’s background. We didn’t get much except for little hints and words. This is a continuing series, so maybe it will be covered in the future books.

Aaron’s father. Holy shit! Holy fucking shit! I have never…and I mean never spent so much time picturing killing a fictional character in quite such brutal fucking detail as I did here. The man was a sadistic asshole. The things that he did…Holy shit…just holy fucking shit. This book had some of the most brutal and descriptive scenes I have read in a while (And I’ve read and loved Captive/Seduced in the Dark, SKALS, and all of Madeline Sheehan books. I’m not exactly a fucking innocent here). I was left gaping, reeling, and so fucking disturbed I almost felt like I needed to take a break after reading those scenes. FUCK!

On a lighter note, I loved that even though Maddy was innocent, sheltered, naive, and in an impossible situation, she still came across as strong. Aaron was a great hero as well. My heart broke for him and his struggle. He tries so hard to protect Maddy from the brutality of The Estate, and when he failed at certain times, it was heart breaking.

In short, although this wasn’t quite the amazing 5 star read it was to many of my GR friends, I still enjoyed it thoroughly. With the little peaks the author gave us of Xander, I cannot wait for his book next.

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Dangerous Desire BCC:

Book Excerpt:

My Review:

Annie Seaton Bio:

Annie Seaton lives with her husband, and ‘Bob’ the dog and two white cats in a house next to the beach on the east coast of Australia. She sits in her writing chair, gazing at the ocean and writing stories.  Their two children are grown and married and she loves spending time gardening, walking on the beach and spoiling her two grandchildren. She has always been fascinated by all things romantic and has found her niche in life writing romance novels, ranging through contemporary, historical, suspense and paranormal…but all with romance of course.

Her love of reading and history began at an early age and she was a child who always carried a book (or two) no matter what she was doing. Several of her favourite books were confiscated from beneath her desk by teachers who had no understanding of her capacity to read while she was doing her schoolwork!

Her working life has seen her through several major career changes and Annie has now retired from the world of full time work and has fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a published author.

Annie’s debut full length novel, Holiday Affair, a contemporary romance set in the South Pacific was released as part of Entangled Publishing’s Indulgence line in March 2012 and has been a best seller on both Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. The sequel Italian Affair was released in June 2013, and will be followed shortly by Outback Affair. Annie has more books being released in 2013 and 2014 with Entangled Publishing in the Bliss, Entangled Ignite and Covet imprints.

In appreciation of the supportive author community, Annie has written a book on promotion to share the secrets of her success: Promotional Tips and Tricks for Aspiring Authors in the Digital Landscape.

Author Links

Annie loves to hear from readers at: annieseaton26@gmail.com

Consequences by Aleatha Romig

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Book Blurb

My Review

She made a decision, and that decision would have consequences.

How do I even begin to review this book? What a dark, torturous, crazy, fucked up ride! I’m not sure I’m right in the head after finishing it. I’m not sure I’m right in the head for even starting it? I couldn’t put it down. I looked like one of those crazy people that talked to themselves through the whole thing. I must have been yelling and swearing in 5 different languages throughout the entire thing.

I was going to rate it differently, but after sleeping on it, I decided to go with a slightly higher rating. Why? Because I choose to rate this book as a psychological thriller. And as that…it was fucking fantastic! For those that are reading the labels and expecting an erotic romance or even a romance…well you’re in for one hell of a surprise…when you don’t fucking get it! How this got labeled is an erotic romance is really just beyond me. I will not give you a full review, because there is NO WAY to review this without revealing spoilers. So let me try to sum this up as best as I can without the multitude of book notes and highlights I made. Just straight, fucked up feelings.

TONY

“Good morning, Claire”

AHHH! You sadistic, fucked up, fucking asshole! I hate you! I hate you so much! How the fuck are people Team fucking Tony? HOW?! I’m Team Tony Should Have an Unfortunate Accident. Period. But I digress.

Let me take you on my Consequences experience

20% in

35%

45% in

50-80%-ish

80%

The ending?

Any questions??
Oh you DO have some?

The only reason I took off stars is I had to majorly skim many parts due to extremely lengthy and unnecessary descriptions of clothing brands, trips, things that weren’t too pertinent to the story. It just got way too wordy and lengthy and I found my interest waning in those parts.

This book fucked me up! I will never be the same. I may need intense vodka therapy after finishing it. I’m questioning my sanity for reading it. But what a ride! I’m really hoping for some answers in Truth…but somehow I’m doubting I’d get them…or even like the answers I get. Oh well. I’m off to cleanse my brain and read Truth.

And I thank you

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Baby Come Back Lite by Andrea Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tristan had been the one to teach me about love and intimacy; he’d been the one to show me how to trust again.

A wonderful conclusion to a fantastic series. Baby Come Back Lite is a novella told from Gina’s POV.

I have loved Gina’s character from book one. She is quirky, funny, tough, and isn’t afraid to stand up for herself and her friends. She was an amazing friend to Tylar, and their friendship is what endeared me to her from the get go.

Tristan has also been a huge favorite of mine throughout the series. He has a very quiet intensity to him. I think maybe that’s why I enjoyed his character as much as I did. He was a bit like the yang to Trey’s ying, maybe? Well whatever the reason may be, Tristan was great.

I have been looking forward to reading Tristan and Gina’s book from the very beginning. Perhaps this was why this didn’t become a 5 star book for me? I think I set my expectations too high. There were a few things that I was looking forward to reading, that didn’t happen in the novella. I was really hoping to get Gina’s perspective on how her and Tristan got together. I know this was more or less covered in book 2, but I guess I just wanted a little more. But that’s really just my own biased opinion and not a reflection on the book or the writing at all. The book itself was great.

I will say this, Andrea Smith definitely knows how to hit the reader where it hurts, and she certainly doesn’t pull any punches. When she gives us Gina’s deepest and darkest secrets and past, she doesn’t hold back. Some of it was very hard to read for me, my heart just broke for what she has been through. The way that she had persevered and was such a strong heroine in the end just made me like her more.

The story takes up right around the time where Tristan finds out about Gina’s pregnancy “secret.” We get to find out more about Gina’s past, as well as Tristan’s and what experience had really scarred him in relationships. Tristan and Gina were both very real characters, they weren’t perfect, and I liked that. They both made their share of mistakes, but it was wonderful to see them work through it and the way that they did it.

I am not sure why exactly, but for some reason Tylar seemed to get on my nerves in this book. I found her irritating in the first half of book 1, until she grew on me. But in this book, perhaps because we didn’t get her POV, she just came across almost selfish and whiny at times. Meh. *shrugs*

This was a quick and entertaining read. I finished it in one sitting.

Many of the characters from the last book made an appearance…including Amber

And Libby

But all that was made better by Tristan and Gina together.

This novella might have been short in comparison to the other books, but it packed a punch. Almost sad to see this series come to an end now. But what a ride!

ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review