Review: Sinner’s Revenge by Kim Jones

Sinner's Revenge- reviewSINNER’S REVENGE
Series: Sinner’s Creed #2
Genre: Erotic Romance, MC
Author: Kim Jones
Release Date: July 19, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

sinners-revenge-2

The sizzling second book featuring the Sinner’s Creed Motorcycle Club, bikers bent on riding chrome and meting out mayhem…

Shady has spent the last eight years of his life dedicated to the Sinner’s Creed Motorcycle Club. But after losing the man who was both his brother and his best friend, he has a new purpose—to avenge the death of the greatest nomad in Sinner’s Creed history.

His plan is flawless. His mission is simple: seek and destroy. There is no room for distractions—especially a distraction like Diem.

She’s infuriating. Demanding. Complicated. Impossible. And for some reason, Shady can’t stay away. But he only has space in his heart for one love: Sinner’s Creed. And the club always comes first. Always.

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKS Review-DGR4 starsSinner's Revenge-DGR teaser

Inside, I’m screaming in agony. But no one can hear me. My eyes are filled with sorrow and loss. But no one can see it. My chest aches with a thousand flames from the fiery sea of hell. But no one can feel it. No one but me. Shady. The man who was born with nothing, lost everything he’d gained, and has something he doesn’t deserve. Life.

I went through the emotional wringer back when I read Sinner’s Creed. It equal parts gutted me and left me yearning for more. I remember bawling like a baby at the end and thinking how tragically beautiful the ending was. And I also remember practically salivating to get my hands on Shady’s book. The death of his best friend and brother left Shady reeling. The only thing that burns in his veins is his need for revenge. He won’t rest until those responsible for the death pay for it in blood…rivers of it.

My anger is fueled by all that’s been lost. Fury blazes in my eyes. Rage consumes me. Revenge is my only thought. Killing is my ultimate goal. Death is the only justice.

Shady is as calculating as he is lethal, and his plan for revenge is thoroughly planned out. It’s what he sleeps, eats, and breathes. Nothing can distract him from his ultimate goal until a woman that’s as crazy as she is beautiful demands his attention in a way that he can’t ignore.

Diem, for lack of a better term, is batshit. *shrugs* No really. There’s something seriously wrong with this chick and it was equal parts entertaining and infuriating. There were times where she’d do something that left me reeling and scratching my head. I mean, the woman shows up randomly where he’s at, steals his truck, and basically moves into his house without so much as an invitation. But there’s always something to her. Something that’s just below the surface that constantly has you questioning if everything is as it seems…

He’s under my skin. He’s in my head. He gives me everything I never knew I wanted and then some. If I thought I was falling before, I’m sure of it now.

This was so much more beyond an MC romance. It’s the story of brotherhood and a bond that reaches beyond death. Shady’s unwavering loyalty to his MC and his love for his brother was evident in every page. I loved his connection to his fallen brother even if it was heartbreaking knowing what he’s going through. His inner turmoil was palpable.

I also loved that while there’s clearly sexual chemistry between Shady and Diem right away, it was almost a reluctant relationship. Both of them know they’re chaotic together and yet they can’t keep away from each other.

We’re scarring each other.
Hurting each other.
Torturing each other.
And it’s never felt so fucking good.

Admittedly, my one struggle throughout the book was Diem. I had a really tough time connecting with her character. She was just all over the place with her mood swings. She’s a tough bitch, but at times it was almost too much so. I felt like I needed a valium every time I’d read another one of her tantrums. In parts it was entertaining, and in other parts it was just draining. There was one part in the first half that I thought could go somewhere, especially after the big revelation, but didn’t. [su_spoiler title=”Click to view spoiler” style=”fancy” icon=”chevron”]Diem’s accident. Considering everything that comes to light soon after just seemed reckless and didn’t fit what we later learn about her character[/su_spoiler]

Kim Jones delivers one heck of a gritty tale with Sinner’s Revenge. Her writing seems to get better and better with each new book and I’m definitely a huge fan. No one delivers an MC book quite like her and this book is further proof of that.

There’s so much that happens here that I found myself practically incapable to put down my kindle until I finished. There are twists at every turn, some so completely mind blowing that it left my head reeling. And while I struggled with the first half with Diem, I devoured the second half with fervor. I highly recommend that you read Sinner’s Creed first in order to truly appreciate everything that happens with the story. But mostly, I recommend it so you truly appreciate the epilogue. Damn if the author didn’t get the waterworks from me yet again. I adored the epilogue here. It should have been slightly cheesy but it wasn’t at all. It was beautiful and touching and gave me that final sense of completion that I didn’t even know I was missing after the first book. Perfection.

Gritty, violent, dark, and brutal on the one hand, and full of emotion, brotherhood, and love on the other. This book was the perfect balance of all of those and more! I loved all of the secondary characters, I loved the intensity and I absolutely loved the ending.


DON’T MISS THE BOOK THAT STARTED IT ALL!

SINNER’S CREED (Sinner’s Creed #1)Sinner's CreedGOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

Jennifer’s Review: Wicked Beautiful by J.T. Geissinger

Review-Wicked BeautifulWicked Beautiful
Series: Wicked Games #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: J.T. Geissinger
Release Date: July 12, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

WickedBeautiful.Ebook_.v3-5

A ruthless businesswoman and the playboy who dumped her long ago find themselves embroiled in a high stakes game of love, lies and revenge.

Life coach and best-selling author Victoria Price has it all: a successful career, fabulous friends, a fantastic penthouse in Manhattan. What she doesn’t have—and doesn’t want—is a husband. Fifteen years ago her high school flame broke her heart so badly she swore she’d never love again. Now she makes millions teaching other women how to be just like her: a ruthless bitch.

Drop-dead sexy restauranteur and infamous playboy Parker Maxwell has only three rules for the women he dates: no questions about his past, no expectations for the future, and no spending the night. When he meets Victoria, however, he’s willing to break his own rules if it means sating the explosive desire she arouses in him. What he doesn’t know is that the alluring Victoria Price used to be the mousy Isabel Diaz, the girl he deflowered and dumped long ago.

Presented with a perfect opportunity for revenge, Victoria decides the game is on. But when her connection with Parker proves more than just skin deep, she has to make a choice: continue with her plan for payback, or risk her career, her reputation, and her heart by taking a second chance on love?

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Review-DGR4 stars

LIES & LAUGHTER. This is the foundation of this book. It kept me guessing from the beginning and I didn’t know where it was going to lead me. This story continued to surprise me. There were moments when I was laughing and then moments that the FEELS hit me in the gut. There is a such a mixture of emotion in this book.
truth.gifVictoria has made herself into a new person. A Bitch. She makes her money on empowering women to be strong and confident and….bitchy. Victoria and Parker have a past. When meeting Parker again at one of his restaurants, he does not recognize her because she has undergone so much change, even plastic surgery, to change who she used to be. She many secrets that she pays to hide. After being burned by Parker when she was young, she has become hardened to everything….an icicle.
frozen.gifVictoria might be a Bitch, but Parker gives back as good as he gets. Parker is a renowned restaurant owner and player. He is ruthless and gets what he wants. He comes from a small town in Texas and builds himself an empire.

My Parker:

Tie It Up:
My Victoria:

victoriaVictoria continues to lie and manipulate. She is out for revenge. She knows who Parker is, but Parker does not know that she is the girl from his past….at first. Parker is able to read Victoria like no other man. He can push past her heart of icicles. I absolutely love that Parker never gives up on Victoria. Isn’t that what every woman needs? A man to pursue her relentlessly? And that is exactly what Parker does, and I loved it!
à la Mode St. » fashion

“Hearts can’t lie, baby.”
“Shut up with that crap.”
He laughs. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone you just fell in love with me.”
“I hate you.”
Parker flexes his strong pelvis. His glorious hard cock sinks all the way inside me. He says roughly, “Sweetheart, if this is hate, I don’t want to feel anything else ever again.”

à la Mode St. » fashionThere are parts of this story that I don’t want to reveal or spoil. I will say that I liked that Parker and Victoria’s history was not the focus of the story. There are a couple of flashbacks, just enough to give a tease of the past. Little hints are dropped here and there to keep you guessing. I thought the reveal of each hint was well-placed.

My only hang-up with this book is that it was a little all over the place with the emotions. I’m not a huge fan of angst, so that’s just not my thing. But I really appreciated the humor and the revenge plot, which took away from the angst. I tend to cling to the funnier parts of a book, rather than the angst.

”Speaking of bulges, was that a churro in your pocket last Friday night, or were you just happy to see me?”
“I don’t know what a churro is. I hope it’s something enormous.”
She laughs, “Oh, it is. It’s a delicious, thick, long, fried dough pastry covered in sugar.” She pauses. “It’s my favorite thing to eat.”

mr churoI loved Connor and Tabitha in this book, so I am SUPER excited about jumping into their book next!

Review: Playing By Her Rules by Amy Andrews

Playing By Her Rules- ReviewPlaying by Her Rules
Series: Sydney Smoke Rugby #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Amy Andrews
Release Date: July 11, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

Rules

In this grudge match, the first to score…

When style columnist Matilda Kent accidentally lets slip that she was once involved with the captain of the Sydney Smoke rugby team, she suddenly finds herself elevated to the position she’s always wanted – feature writer. The catch? She’s stuck doing a six-part series on her ex. Still, there’s no way she can turn down a promotion…or the chance to dish the dirt on the guy who so callously broke her heart.

…could win it all!

Tanner Stone wants to be involved in a feature series about as much as he wants to snap an Achilles. But the thought of seeing Tilly again is a bonus—and has him more worked up than he wants to admit. Only he’s not prepared for how different she is – all cool and professional. His Tilly is still in there, though…and he still wants her, now more than ever. All he has to do is charm her into giving him a rematch. And this time, winner takes all!

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR4 starsPlaying By Her Rules-DGR Teaser

Everyone had parts of their job they hated. It just so happened that today hers had a name: Tanner Stone.

A swoony second chance romance with a hot Aussie Rugby player? Sign me up! What can I say? I’m an easy sell. But after reading and loving Amy’s No More Mr. Nice Guy, when I saw she was coming out with a brand new series, I was all over it!

Matilda Kent has dreams of being a serious journalist. Writing about crotchless panties for the style column of the newspaper she works for is not exactly where she saw herself after Stanford. So when she gets a chance to be a feature writer at her newspaper she should be thrilled…if the subject of her article didn’t also happen to be her ex and the man that broke her heart eight years ago.

Yes, he’d screwed up. Big time. Yes, he had a lot of making up to do. But he hadn’t realized how much he’d missed her. Until now.

Thus begins a slow-burn second chance romance of a woman determined to hold on to old grudges and the man determined to right all his wrongs.

I have to say, while it wasn’t the sort of steam I’m used to in a Brazen title, it really worked for this story. The chemistry between Tilly and Tanner was so hot it sizzled and I loved the build up. While the trope was a bit of been there, read that; especially the reason for their break up, it still had a refreshing enough spin on it that kept me entertained from beginning to end.

I think what really hooked me with this story was Tanner. He was just so freaking swoony. I loved how sweet he was and the way he works to woo Tilly. He knows he screwed up and he needs to get his woman back and man oh man did I appreciate the way he went about it.

That old Tilly was still in there, he was sure of it. She was just hiding, buried beneath a shit-ton of hurt, and he hated knowing he was, at least partially, responsible. The thought needled like prickles on sunburn. He had to try and make amends somehow. If he’d broken her, wasn’t it his responsibility to fix her? To coax her out from behind that wall so she could smile again— could be happy within herself and shine bright for the whole damn world to see?”

This was a fantastic start to what promises to be a great series. I for one can’t wait for Lincoln’s book because, well, manwhore. *Pervy shudder* What? I have a type.

Definitely looking forward to the next installment and can happily report that I have myself a brand new Brazen series to stalk.

Review: ★Falling In Deeper★ by Shayla Black

Falling In Deeper-ReviewFALLING IN DEEPER
Series: Wicked Lovers #11
Genre: Erotic Romance, Suspense
Author: Shayla Black
Release Date: July 5, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

Falling In Deeper

A tragic past threatens to destroy a passionate future in this dangerously sexy new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Wicked for You.

After a violent tragedy nearly destroyed her, Lily Taylor ran away, changed her name, and started over. When her deadly nemesis resurfaces to eliminate his loose end, she turns to the last man she should trust—a stranger with a history of violence and an intoxicating sexuality she can’t refuse…

Though strong-armed into locating Lily to help put away a drug lord, ex-con Stone Sutter isn’t anyone’s snitch. When he finds the terrified beauty, he vows to keep her safe—but he isn’t sure he has the strength to shield her from his own desires.

As an unquenchable fire sparks between them, Lily’s tormentor stalks ever closer, and she must overcome her darkest fear to survive. Can she trust the bond she and Stone have formed as they’re falling in deeper?

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKS | B&NReview-DGR4 starsFalling in Deeper-DGR

Why are you so patient with me?”
“Because you’re worth it.”

Swoon.
I just knew I’d end up falling hard for Stone Sutter, and I was definitely not wrong. He’s definitely going up there with my top favorite heroes of the series (though admittedly Logan Edgington is still my #1). But I digress…

It’s hard to believe that this is now book 11 in the series and it’s still just as good if not getting better with each book. Stone, definitely caught my attention in Wicked for You. There’s just something about this ex-con that piqued my interest and I knew that his book was going to be a good one. When I realized that his heroine will be none other than “Sweet Pea” aka Lily Taylor, I knew it was going to be even better than I thought. And again, I was not wrong.

Lily has a long standing history with Axel, but now that Axel is engaged to the woman he loves, she finds herself with a Dom she so desperately needs. But Lily is also hiding a devastating past. Going under a false name and running for her life, she doesn’t think anyone at Dominion is on to her, but she’s wrong. The men know who she is, and they know the danger she’s running from. Stone has been intrigued by the shy beauty from the very moment he saw her, and he’s not above using her dire situation to get closer to her and to protect her at the same time.

I don’t want you any way except willing, panting, and begging.”

This book packs quite an emotional punch compared to the last few in the series. Lily has been through so much devastation in her young life it’s a wonder how she’s even functional. She’s been through so much, but there’s still this inner core of strength beneath. She’s a survivor, not a victim and that certainly comes out more and more as the story progresses. This is not a woman that blinks and is suddenly healed by the magic penis like you’d find in so many others. Her issues are deep rooted and take a while to work through. But man oh man did I love the way that Sutter works though them.

You might have a hundred ways to fool yourself, but I don’t bother with that shit. I know better. You’re it for me, and what we just did in that bed together proved it. I’m smitten. Gone. And I can’t stand that you don’t trust me.

I adored Stone. Simply adored him. He’s not perfect but the way he pursues Lily gave me too many swoons to count. He was this perfect balance of sweet yet edgy. Everything that came out of the man’s mouth was pure perfection.


You just got out of prison. I’m not worth you risking your freedom.”
“You are to me. I would move mountains to give you happiness and peace.”

The story itself was definitely an enticing one. There’s a bit of everything intrigue, suspense, a little action and certainly a whole lot of steam. It wouldn’t be a Wicked Lovers book if there wasn’t. But it was so much more than that too. It’s a deeply emotional love story about healing and moving on. It’s about finding your own strength and fighting back. It has that signature sexiness that I’ve come to except from a Shayla Black book, but it was more than just a sexy romance. The ending was a bit a bit predictable but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

This series is a long running guilty pleasure of mine that I hope never ends. I can’t wait for the next installment.


WICKED LOVERS SERIES


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

Review: ★Into The Blue★ by Chanel Cleeton

Into The Blue-ReviewINTO THE BLUE
Series: Wild Aces #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Chanel Cleeton
Release Date: July 5, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

Into The Blue DGR

From the author of Fly with Me and the Capital Confessions Novels comes the newest in the sexy Wild Aces Romance series.

Eric Jansen—call sign Thor—loves nothing more than pushing his F-16 to the limit. Returning home to South Carolina after a tragic loss, he hopes to fix the mistake he made long ago, when he chose the Air Force over his fiancée.

Becca Madison isn’t quick to welcome Thor back. She can’t forget how he shattered her heart. But Thor won’t give up once he’s set his sights on what he wants—and he wants Becca.

Thor shows Becca that he’s no longer the impulsive boy he used to be, and Becca finds herself irresistibly drawn to him. But will Thor be able to walk away from his dream of flying the F-16 for their love or does his heart belong to the sky?

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKS | B&NReview-DGR4 starsInto The Blue-DGR teaser

It seemed like my entire adult life had been spent either running from or to this one girl.

19626299Confession time: I’m an angst addict. OK, so that’s probably not that big a secret, but I’m going somewhere with this so bear with me. Now if I told you this was a sweet and sexy second chance romance that had no stupid misunderstandings, miscommunication, and light on the angst and yet I still read it in one sitting; would you believe me? Because that’s exactly what happened with Into The Blue. It was perfect! A fighter pilot with the call sign, Thor, the woman he walked away from but never got over, and a second chance romance that will have you rooting for both characters…intrigued yet? You should be.

Maybe I was a fool. I probably was. But the thing with love was that once you felt it, it was impossible to turn off.

Ten years ago, Eric “Thor” Jansen walked away from his fiancé and their life together in South Carolina. He was young and torn between his career as a fighter pilot and the woman he loves. He made the choice that’s haunted him since. Now after a tragic accident, he needs to get his head together, and so he comes back to the town he left behind and the woman he’s never forgotten.

Becca Madison was never the same after Eric left. Ten years and she’s still not over the man who broke her heart. But she had her career as a lawyer to think about and she wasn’t ready to give that up for a man. Now a successful attorney for the solicitor’s office, she has everything but a man who owns her heart the way Eric once did.

This was a decade of pent-up unrequited whatever-we-were, and we kissed like we couldn’t get enough of each other.

Their road to a second chance was a slow burn but a steady one. There was no unnecessary distractions like stupid drama or crazy angst. It was essentially one long grovel and I absolutely loved it. If you’re looking for swoons, it just doesn’t get better than Thor.

Holy hell, in this moment, his call sign seemed totally apropos. He looked like the god of thunder and lightning, like a warrior who commanded and men followed.

19626300He was this perfect combination of endearingly sweet but with an edge. I wasn’t sure if I’d accept his reason for leaving at first, but man, he proved me so wrong. This is a man that’s determined to right his wrongs and I loved the way he went after Becca. He’s not pushy or a possessive Neanderthal. Just a man that’s wizened up through the years and knows what he’s been missing.

On our first date. I told you I spent half the night fantasizing about you. You didn’t ask me what I was doing the other half.”
“Do I really want to know?”
“I was falling in love with you.”

This was such a sweet and sexy second chance romance! It reminded me all over again why I love Chanel Cleeton books. I loved her Capital Confessions series and I can’t get enough of her Wild Aces. What can I say? The woman gives good alpha and I simply can’t wait for more. With Easy’s story next, I’m not sure there’s enough ‘wants’ in the world to describe the amount of need I have for that book. Because I seriously NEED it.


WILD ACES SERIES

FLY WITH ME (Wild Aces #1)
GOODREADS | AMAZON

INTO THE BLUE (Wild Aces #2)
GOODREADS | AMAZON

ON BROKEN WINGS (Wild Aces #3) – releasing Jan
GOODREADS | AMAZON

Jennifer’s Review: ★The Hang Up★ by Tawna Fenske

review- THe Hang Up DGRThe Hang Up
Series: First Impressions #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Tawna Fenske
Release Date: June 13, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

THE HANG UP_1600

PR specialist Miriam Ashley makes her living cleaning up bad boys. Mountain climber-turned-CEO Jason Sanders should be an easy fix. And with a nephew to care for, he’s motivated. The problem? Every time she tries to help Jason get his head in the boardroom, they end up in the bedroom.

What the hell is she thinking? He’s the definition of off-limits. Not just because he’s a client—he spends his free time risking his life mountain climbing. The same thing that got her father killed. She’s not going to open her heart to a guy who could disappear at the drop of a…well, she’d rather not finish that thought.

She needs to leave complicated alone, but every time she sees Jason, something tells her it’s her who might fall…

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Review-DGR4 stars

I absolutely love books that make me laugh, and I giggled through this whole book! The sexual innuendos in this book are off-the-charts. This is the perfect summer read. Sometimes, I just want something light and fun. Fenske’s writing is so refreshing.


My Jason:

practically oozed sex appeal, outdoorsy authenticity, and lumbersexual edginess.

Jason just become the new CEO of a big outdoors/adventure corporation. He was hired to give the company a new look and new direction. He’s a big, burly man who needs a little finesse to help him along in his new role.
Jai Courtney/Джай Кортни: My Miriam:

She was built like a 1950s pinup girl, lush curves and full lips that practically begged to be kissed hard.

.: I loved Jason and Miriam’s meet-cute! It’s hilarious and adorable. I don’t want to give anything away, but it is right at the beginning, so even if you sample this book, you will be able to catch it. And once you sample it, you won’t be able to stop….trust me :).

I’m not sure how to feel about a woman who stares at my junk for that long and says ‘I’m sorry.’

After meeting Miriam, Jason requests that he teach her some etiquette on how to be a good CEO in exchange for him teaching her more about his company. And commence with the outdoor adventures that are awkward and adorable and steamy! Jason also has a softer side where he takes care of his sister and nephew, and I just fell in love with him. It takes a lot for me to like a nice guy because I usually like ‘em rough and mean, but apparently I like ‘em rough and nice, too! Woo hoo!

“I want to suck you.”
“Okey-dokey,” he said, too dizzy to spend any time considering what a dork he sounded like.

If you’re looking for a short and easy read that will make you laugh and get your panties hot, this book is for you!

Other books in the series
The Fix Up (First Impressions #1) – Another 4 Star from me!

Review: ★Dark Mafia Prince★ by Annika Martin

dark mafia prince-DGR reviewDark Mafia Prince
Series: Dark Mafia Prince #1
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: Annika Martin
Release Date: June 28, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

30264227-2

THE WAY HE USES ME IS PRIMITIVE. DEMEANING. AND ALL I CAN THINK IS, DON’T STOP!
*A Dangerous Royals romance with a standalone romance HEA!*

Aleksio
Don’t look at me like that. So trusting.
Like you think I’m not a monster.
Like I won’t wrap your hair in my fist and bend you to my will.
Like I won’t sacrifice you, piece by piece, to save my brother.
I’m the most dangerous enemy you’ll ever have because every time you look at me, you see somebody good. That friend who died.
And when you look at me like that, I die again.

Mira
I spent years making myself invisible.
A good girl, apart from the noise.
Then you came back, beautiful and deadly in your Armani suit.
Don’t look at me like you still know me, you say.
But I remember your smile and those sunny days.
Before they lowered your small casket into the ground.
Before they told us the prince was dead.

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR4 starsDark Mafia Prince-DGR teaser

I’m the most dangerous enemy you’ll ever have because every time you look at me, you see somebody who’s not there anymore. Because every time you look at me, you fool yourself about what I really am.

Well…hell. This was not at all what I expected, but damn if I didn’t devour it in practically one sitting. This was not my first Annika Martin book, so I already knew this woman could write. What I didn’t expect was for the story beyond the romance to suck me in so thoroughly. This book will come down to a matter of expectations, I think. If you’re walking into it expecting your typical dark romance with a dash of plot, you won’t get it. It’s beyond that. The romance almost felt secondary at times, and I didn’t mind it one bit. There was just enough of it to keep my interest and not overwhelm from everything else that happens. The story will span three books, each book focusing on a different Dragusha brother with their individual HEA. So don’t expect everything to be wrapped up with a neat little bow at the end of this one.

Aleksio’s love is the dangerous kind of love that breaks all the rules.

Aleksio Dragusha was a mafia prince well on his way to being the future head of the biggest Albanian mafia family residing in Chicago…until one bloody night when he lost everything. Now he only had two goals: reunite all three Dragusha brothers and make those responsible for what happened those years ago pay…in blood. And the center of his focus is the daughter of the man that’s set it all in motion. Mira is not at all the young girl he remembered when he was just nine. She’s different and that’s good, all the easier to forget what she used to mean to him…

Deep down you’re an animal who wants to be used by a twisted, bloodthirsty killer like me, aren’t you? Say it.

Mira recognizes the eyes of the boy that used to be her world, but she doesn’t recognize the cold and ruthless killer he turned into. A man that will do anything to find his baby brother and reunite the Dragusha brothers once and for all so that they can take back their rightful empire.

But soon lines begin to blur, and what was revenge begins to bleed into something much more…

He’s like a dangerous black hole- he’ll pull you in if you’re not careful. I can feel his pull working on me with every hour we spend together.

The story is told in alternating POVs; Mira, Aleksio, and a few snippets of Viktor, Aleksio’s younger brother. The primary focus seemed to be the backstory of the brothers and the search for the youngest Dragusha. It takes you deep into the underbelly of the violent mafia world and spares no detail. Aleksio is a true anti-hero. This man is no sunshine and rainbows. But while being the bloodthirsty killer he is, there’s still a semblance of redemption to him with the way he is with Mira. But he never quite loses his edge either…

The way he uses me is violent. Primitive. Demeaning. And all I can think is, don’t stop.

I was riveted to the action and building story arc, but at times I found the romance to be a little too rushed. I wanted a little more burn between Aleksio and Mira. Then again, considering their connection, it’s understandable that things would progress the way that they did.

I want him so bad I can’t think. I’m flying. Trembling. I’m completely his.

I did wish there may have been a little more time spent on the development on the romance, and the pervert in me wouldn’t have minded at least one more scene with Mira and Aleksio…uhem. But that aside, I enjoyed this thoroughly.

There’s quite a few secondary characters introduced, but the one that really stole the show for me here was Viktor. And then when his possible heroine was unveiled? Holy mother of intrigue! I can’t wait! Don’t even get me started on the youngest brother, Kiro, because I’m fairly certain I’d be willing to part with an ovary for his book.

Spotlight, Review & Author Interview: ★Downtown Devil★ by @caramckenna

DGR interview & spotlight with Cara McKennaDOWNTOWN DEVIL
Series: Sins In The City #2
Genre: Erotic Romance
Author: Cara McKenna
Release Date: June 21, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

2016-01-21-1453386051-6686005-Downtown_Devil_revised-2

From the author of Crosstown Crush comes the second sexy novel in the trilogy that explores the illicit pleasures of ménage à trois.

At the edge of thirty, Clare is feeling restless. Even though she’s gainfully employed and pursuing her passion for photography, she can’t shake the feeling that something’s missing. Then she meets Mica. A perfect subject for her portrait exhibit, Mica is sexy, exciting, and everything Clare desires.

One night with the charismatic stranger is all it takes to leave her craving more. But the intensity Mica brings isn’t confined to the bedroom, and Clare wonders if this summer fling might turn more adventurous than she anticipated—especially as a curious energy starts to simmer between the two of them and Mica’s handsome roommate, Vaughn.

As the three-way tension mounts, Mica makes a sinful proposal. It’s an invitation Clare can’t pass up, and an erotic encounter she’ll never be able to forget. Caught up between two irresistible men, Clare is about to get all the excitement she’s been looking for—and then some….

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKS | B&NReview-DGR4 starsDowntown Devil-DGR

Fuck, he was a maestro. The dirtiest, nastiest, most gifted conductor.

Sweet.
Baby.
Jesus.
This book needs to come with a warning label.

Warning. Content is extremely hot and may cause severe uncontrollable arousal. Read at your ovaries risk. Author is not responsible for spontaneous ovary CUMbustion, sudden need to hump everything in sight, and consistent molestation of significant others. May also cause hot flashes, squirming, and a mild case of side eye if reading in public.

The one thing I’ve come to rely on from this author is her ability to write characters that are so real, it feels like they’re someone you’d easily meet in your daily life. There’s no artifice, nothing over the top, no crazy drama, no extras that you may find in most other books…and the best thing is it’s not needed. McKenna’s writing is very erotically charged, and yet it’s so much more than pure smut.

…she had no doubt he’d fuck the same way he seemed to move through the world- with perfect, fluid instinct. No hesitation and no shame.

Downtown Devil is not exactly what I’d call a conventional romance, yet it certainly has the romance. It’s a sinful indulgence that’s perfectly crafted with a combination of depth and steam.

Clare is a heroine that’s impossible not to like. She owns what she wants and makes no appologies for it. It’s so rare to read about a woman that truly owns her sexuality and enjoys it without making excuses or shaming. When Clare meets the enigmatic Mica, his sexual lure proves to be too much to resist. But when Mica introduces her to a darker side of her desires, it opens up a whole new door that Clare only envisioned in her fantasies.

Mica’s sexuality was a brushfire; Vaughn’s was a smoldering hearth.

The character development is what takes this from an erotic indulgence to something much more. The characters just feel real. You feel like you truly know them and not only that but you get them.

What Mica wanted, he made you want right back. Made his kinks yours. Made your body, your bed, your desires his territory.

I may have squirmed uncomfortably the entire time reading this, but I enjoyed every page. And while it may not have had crazy drama or angst that I’ve come to expect from most romance I read, it still took a turn I never saw coming and enjoyed thoroughly. It’s anything but predictable.

The sexual chemistry practically crackles off the pages, and the sex? Holy…DAMN.

He rode that sharp edge bordering consent, but every time, she liked what she found on the other side.

I haven’t read the first in this series but I had no problems jumping straight into this one and I’m definitely looking forward to future installments. And while it had the typical Cara McKenna HFN ending, it was immensely satisfying. If you’re looking for something a little bit different and a lot hot, you may just have found your next read.


Author Interview

DGR: Hi Cara! I’m so excited to have you here today and pick your brain on Downtown Devil and all things Sins in The City series.

Can we start with a quick introduction for those that maybe haven’t read your books yet? (which I suggest they rectify right meow!)

CM: Sure! I write steamy romance on through to straight-up erotica, often featuring working-class heroes and kink and the occasional taboo. Sometimes gritty and grimy, sometimes hot and sweet. Boinking, though—always with the boinking.

DGR: Can you tell us a little bit about your Sins In The City series?

CM: It’s a series, but all of the books are standalones. They’re linked by place and theme, but that’s all, so there’s no reading order. Each book follows a different set of protagonists as they embark on three-ways—all with two men and one woman—but the trios are otherwise unique. Crosstown Crush is about a married couple who bring in a second man to satisfy the husband’s unusual kink, Downtown Devil is about a young woman who falls for the world’s hottest barista and winds up going to bed with both him and his roommate, and Midtown Masters (out this winter) is about a pair of lovers-to-friends who do web-camming and decide to invite one of their clients to do more than just watch.

DGR: I love how real all your characters are. It’s like reading about someone you could easily know or meet in your everyday life. There’s no artifice or craziness needed. They are who they are. Is that an intent or something you enjoy writing?

CM: Oh, thank you! I don’t write “real” people intentionally. I mean, I’m glad that I do, but I don’t really think about it. They just show up that way! I like to say I write about ordinary people having extraordinary sex.

DGR: It’s not often I read a good romance with characters of mixed ethnicity. Personally, I wish there were more. What inspired you to write these characters?

CM: It’s a boring answer—I set the books in Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh’s a pretty diverse city, so it felt both realistic and important to reflect that.

I’ve written a handful of characters of color over the years, but not a ton. I think before I was worried about “getting it wrong.” (I’m blindingly white.) But fear’s never a good reason not to do something, plus there’s room in every race and ethnicity for all types of personalities and experiences, so it’s a baseless worry to begin with. You can only get race wrong by not representing it, I think.

DGR: Personally, I had a very nice visual of a smaller version of Jason Momoa and Idris Elba as I was reading about Mica and Vaughn, the heroes in the book. Did you have a visual of these guys as you were writing them?

CM: Jesus, far be it from me to drive those two muses from your mind! Holy hell, sign me up.

I have a clear visual of Mica in my head, but not based on anyone in particular. Vaughn looks like Aml Ameen in my imagination, but I’m sure readers will picture whoever they like, and that’s awesome.

DGR: If I could describe this book in one word, it’ll be INCENDIARY. If you had to describe it in 5, what would they be?

CM: Oooh, let’s see… Hot, flirty, filthy, modern, fun.

DGR: Did you have a favorite scene to write in Downtown Devil?

CM: I think the most fun scene to write was the one where Mica gets Clare to have phone sex with him at ten a.m. in the middle of H&M.

DGR: You’re not afraid to cross certain boundaries in your writing, which I respect greatly. You always seem to push the envelope with each book. They’re erotic, but there’s so much depth to them…much like Mica. What can you tell us about his character?

CM: Not much more than made it onto the page! Mica was probably the least forthcoming character I’ve ever written. I knew exactly how he felt about everything that was happening, precisely how he’d react, the most basic details of his baggage, but that’s about it. I don’t even know his last name!

DGR: Mica and Vaughn are polar opposites, and yet together they’re the perfect balance. What would you say your favorite thing about each of these guys is?

CM: I like the fantasy that each of them offers. Mica’s that guy that you see in real life who’s simply too sexy to be real—you’d sell your mom’s kidney to somehow get taken home by him. And Vaughn is the other side of the coin. There’s no mystery with him, but sometimes a girl needs that. When the games get exhausting, you want someone you can just collapse against, and that’s its own kind of sexy.

DGR: Let’s not forget Clare. I love a heroine that isn’t ashamed of her sexuality and owns her decisions. If you had to describe Clare in a few words, what would they be?

CM: She’d floundering, but also driven. A little unsure, but mostly confident. A romantic and a realist. In short, she’s full of contradictions. Exactly how I remember feeling when I hit thirty—like you ought to feel like a grown-ass woman by now, yet there’s still so much you need to figure out.

DGR: Your books have some of the hottest sex scenes I’ve ever read. How on earth do you keep finding the inspiration to just keep writing them even hotter?

CM: Oh, thank you! And I have no idea. I was hugely pregnant for the first half of this book and fumbling my way through newborn-ownership with the second. I have no clue how I even finished it, looking back, let alone made it hot! But thank you all the same.

I always try to make sure there’s something edgy and uncomfortable and a little awkward built into a book’s sexual dynamic. I think that conflict is key to sex scenes that light up the page and push the characters to develop and grow. If a sex scene doesn’t change the characters involved in it, it doesn’t belong on the page!

DGR: Anything you’d like to leave the readers with?

CM: I guess just to say that this book’s for everyone who’s ever had a crush on the proverbial hot-barista. Maybe he’s a courier who comes by your office every day, or the bartender who leaves you woozy before your drink’s even mixed, or that blessedly shirtless jogger you always pass on your morning walk. Clare gets to do what most of us never will, and actually go home with that gorgeous stranger—and she winds up getting more than she ever bargained for!

New Release & Review: ★Sweet Little Lies★ by Jill Shalvis

sweet little lies-DGR ReviewSWEET LITTLE LIES
Series: Heartbreaker Bay #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Jill Shalvis
Release Date: June 28, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

Sweet Little Lies cover

Choose the one guy you can’t have . . .

As captain of a San Francisco Bay tour boat, Pru can handle rough seas—the hard part is life on dry land. Pru loves her new apartment and her neighbors; problem is, she’s in danger of stumbling into love with Mr. Right for Anybody But Her.

Fall for him—hard . . .

Pub owner Finn O’Riley is six-foot-plus of hard-working hottie who always makes time for his friends. When Pru becomes one of them, she discovers how amazing it feels to be on the receiving end of that deep green gaze. But when a freak accident involving darts (don’t ask) leads to shirtless first aid, things rush way past the friend zone. Fast.

And then tell him the truth.

Pru only wants Finn to be happy; it’s what she wishes for at the historic fountain that’s supposed to grant her heart’s desire. But wanting him for herself is a different story—because Pru’s been keeping a secret that could change everything. . . .

Buy LinksAMAZON | B&N | iBOOKSReview-DGR4 starsSweet Little Lies-DGR teaser

She’d already wandered way off the track she’d set for herself, a fact that was now coming back to bite her hard because…
Because she was falling for him.

There’s nothing better for me than getting lost in a Jill Shalvis novel. This was the author that first introduced me to contemporary romance and she continues to be my go-to when I’m in the mood for a sweet romance with some steam and some of the swooniest heroes I’ve ever read.

Sweet Little Lies is the first book in the brand new Heartbreaker Bay series and this reader is already hooked! I fell in love with the story, the vibrant secondary characters, and the beautiful romance, and of course, Finn O’Riley. There’s one thing that this author manages to do each and every single time, and that’s not only connect the reader to the main characters right away, but all the secondary characters as well. This book unfolded before my eyes like the perfect romance movie. Between the slew of secondary characters like Pru’s ornery and opinionated neighbors, the old homeless guy, the tight knit group of friends, and my very favorite, Thor the dog. I fell for them all and I fell hard.

I adore the way that Shalvis can weave together a swoony romance with a fictional town full of characters that I can’t wait to learn more about. Of course, the story of Pru and Finn is center stage of it all, and I couldn’t get enough of it.

He’d known they had something but this…this rocked his world. Hers too because they both melted into it, tongues sliding, lips melding, bodies arching into each other in a slow rhythm.

Pru is one of those heroines that you can’t help but like. She’s incredibly selfless, but in the most endearing way. The way she takes care of everyone and the way she was with Finn absolutely melted my heart. She sets out to help him find his happiness and ends up falling for him instead.

Yes. This. It was just what she needed, because here, held by him like this, her guilt, her regret, her fears…all of it gave way to this heady, languid sensation of being desired and she didn’t want it to stop.

As for Finn? *sigh*
God but I loved him. Here’s a man with demons but not an a-hole. I think this is my favorite part of Shalvis’s characters; they’re your normal everyday people. There’s no crazy drama, no crazy angst, and yet you still end up loving the book from start to finish.

I don’t want to tell you much more because it’s something you need to read for yourself. But if you’re looking for a swoony and sexy romance with a great story, amazing secondary characters, and the cutest mutt I’ve ever read about, this is a must read.

I loved watching Pru and Finn’s relationship develop. It was the perfect slow burn and when it finally took off, it downright sizzled. I loved the humor, the pacing, absolutely everything. And even though you knew exactly what the ultimate fallout would be with the conflict at the end, it took nothing away from the story. I adored it!

Dammit, she was supposed to be fun whispering him. Instead, she’d fun whispered herself!

There’s also a sneak peek into the next book, and I’m practically salivating for it! I’ve already fallen for every secondary character that was introduced, especially Jake. I can’t wait for more in this fantastic series!


HEARTBREAKER BAY Series

Sweet Little Lies (Heartbreaker Bay, #1)
The Trouble with Mistletoe (Heartbreaker Bay, #2)
Accidentally on Purpose (Heartbreaker Bay, #3) 

Review: ★Last Kiss★ by Laurelin Paige

review-Last KissLAST KISS
Series: First & Last #2
Genre: Erotic Romance
Author: Laurelin Paige
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Publication Date: June 14, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

Last Kiss

A GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE FILLED WITH DARK DESIRES AND DANGEROUS SECRETS…

Emily Wayborn has made a decision.

She might not fully trust handsome and deadly Reeve Sallis, but he is the one person that gives her what she needs. With Reeve she can finally be herself. Submitting to him is the only thing keeping her grounded as the rest of her life falls apart. But the hotelier is a master at keeping secrets and as she continues her quest for answers someone is making sure she doesn’t find them.

Time is running out and she is questioning everything she thought she knew about friendship and love. She must now make an impossible choice that will determine if she will survive with her heart…or at all.

 

Buy LinksAMAZON | B&N | iBOOKSReview-DGR4 starsLast Kiss-DGR

 

Whoever had decided that damnation was fire and brimstone was wrong. Hell was cold and ice and emptiness. Hell was watching the one I’d grasped to so tightly slip through my fingers.

The heart stopping conclusion to the erotically charged story that began with First Touch is here and it’s filled with enough twists and turns to leave your head reeling. There’s one thing I can tell you after finishing this book and that’s that Laurelin Paige can write. I mean the woman can write. Holy hell but the woman can write.

I’d let him in, let him consume me and yet I’d still kept him at a distance, even when I knew he’d tried to let me in.

I read First Touch when it first released and have been stewing in my misery since. Of all the cliffhangers I’ve read, that one had to be one of the most painful ones. I’m talking I wanting to throw a tantrum and cry sort of painful. Suffice it to say, I’ve been immensely looking forward to the conclusion.

You feel me…
Right now you feel me, Emily. That’s where I am- inside you. All the time, I’m there. No matter whose bed you sleep in.”

All of Emily’s secrets seems to be unveiling. Just as she finally got to a relationship place with Reeve, the appearance of someone from her past shakes the foundation of it to the very core, leaving her questioning everything, including herself.

She may not have intended to fall for Reeve, but she barely had a choice in the matter. The man is everything she craves. His intensity calls for her submission and her submission is what he gets…

But, oh, how I craved any risk the man offered- including the danger of love.

Last Kiss2-DGRReeve is just as intense as ever. There’s something about the man that’s just so enigmatic, he practically crackles with the electric current of it. Reeve is easily one of the most memorable heroes I have read to date. This is not a man you would soon forget. He skates just on the edge of depravity but has no qualms diving right into the dark pits of it if that’s what Emily needs. It’s what he himself craves as well. If you thought First Touch was erotically charged, guard your ovaries with Last Kiss because DAMN. The fine line between dub con and D/s is certainly present but the book is entirely in the gray. I don’t know how I would categorize it but I can tell you that it’s hot as hell.

Then he was inside me- bruising me, breaking me. Tearing me into a hundred pieces that all belonged to him.

For those that read the first book and are afraid there may be a love triangle, don’t be. At least not quite. But that’s the most you’ll get out of me because I don’t want to ruin it for you.

What I can tell you, is that I read this book in practically one sitting. The anticipation of turning each page became an obsession. I was riveted. The story was intoxicating. I couldn’t bring myself to put it down until the end.

I was so completely taken with the man in front of me. He was the master of my heart and body. Maybe even the master of my soul.

My one source of frustration through parts of the book was Emily. As much as I loved her in the first book, it didn’t quite carry through to this one. Don’t get me wrong, the author gave every character in the story quite a bit of depth. The character development was beyond amazing. I supposed I just hoped that while Emily craves to submit to Reeve, she’d take charge in other aspects of her life…primarily her friendship. While I can understand her thought process after so many years, there were times where she was just a little too forgiving. It wasn’t until the very end when things truly come apart that she finally understood things that should have been somewhat obvious earlier. But at the same time, taking her past and what she needs/craves into consideration, you can also understand it as well.

I’d never thought I was fit to glimpse heaven until I put my head between your thighs…
The taste of you should be forbidden. It’s the fruit that causes gods to war.”

If you love a romance with a touch of taboo, your heroes intense enough to give you shivers, and a story captivating enough to leave you thinking about it weeks after finishing, this is definitely a must read. It’s certainly not a book I’ll be forgetting any time soon.

My love for you is so ferocious, so dominating that I’m possessed by it. It changes who I am. It makes me someone different and yet I’m more who I’ve always believed I am than I ever have been.


FIRST TOUCH (First & Last #1)
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

first-touch

DESPERATE FOR THE TRUTH. OBSESSED BY DESIRE…

Emily Wayborn is finally her own woman.

After a string of shameful relationships and reckless partying with her best friend Amber, she’s now a successful voiceover actress, her wild past and everyone in it firmly behind her. Until she receives a cryptic voicemail from her former friend that sends her spiraling into the darkness she thought she had outrun. One thing is clear from the message, Amber is in trouble.

Determined to track down her friend, Emily follows a chain of clues that leads her to Reeve Sallis, a gorgeous and equally dangerous hotelier known for his power games and shady dealings. Now, in order to find Amber, Emily must return to her playgirl ways to uncover his secrets and track down her friend. But as she becomes more entangled with him, she finds she’s drawn to Reeve and his depravity despite her growing conviction that he may be the one responsible for Amber’ s disappearance.

Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

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