Book Reviews: 4 stars

Review: ★Hot SEAL Lover★ by @LynnRayeHarris

June 12, 2016 by Lana ·

Hot SEAL Lover
Series: Hot SEAL Team #2
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Author: Lynn Raye Harris
Release Date: June 14, 2016

One night in the sheets is all she wants…

Christina Girard is a lady. But she’s a lady whose world is about to implode. She’s done everything right, but she can’t escape the taint of scandal when her husband cheats on her with another man. She’s broken, her spirit battered, her confidence at an all-time low.

Then she meets Navy SEAL Remy Marchand, and parts of her she’d thought dead flare to life. Except Remy is part of the Hostile Operations Team, the Black Ops group her brother works for, and that means NO in flashing neon letters. Yet Christina’s tired of always doing what’s expected. Just once, she wants to saddle up and ride a tattooed, dirty-mouthed bad boy before she kicks him to the curb and goes on with her life.

One night is not enough to put out the fire…

Remy Marchand burns with guilt and regret that he couldn’t save his twin sister from her abuser. He lives his life slaying dragons for the innocent and vulnerable. He thought Christina needed his strength and protection too, but he was wrong. After a single night of pleasure, she disappears from his life.

But then his SEALs get tasked with a mission: infiltrate war-torn Qu’rim and get Christina out before the enemy finds her. With bombs exploding, blood spilling, and survival not certain, Remy protects Christina from harm while vowing not to succumb again to her sweet temptation.

One night is only the beginning…

But life in a war zone is intense, and vows mean nothing in the face of danger. Giving in is inevitable. Staying alive is not—especially when the greatest menace still waits for the perfect moment to strike…

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He was a revelation to her. A need beyond any she’d ever had before.

Let me sum this up for you in a few words: Navy SEAL, Cajun accent.

I’ll let you marinade on that for a bit.
…
…
…
What? You need more? Pfft! Clearly you’re not easy like me. But this may also be the case because I’m obsessed with all things Lynn Raye Harris. I’ve been a huge fan of hers since the very first HOT book, and suffice it to say I’m thoroughly enjoying the spin-off with some hot Navy SEALs.

Now the order of the book may be confusing, so let me explain. Hot SEAL marked book 1 in Harris’s HOT SEAL Team spin-off. While the time line follows the rest of the HOT books, there is a slew of new characters introduced in the form of a SEAL team that works with the HOT men. Still with me? Good. And while it’s book #11 in the HOT series and #2 in the HOT SEAL series, each book may be enjoyed as a standalone as it’s a different couple with their own HEA in each book. The author gives plenty of background so the reader will never be lost. Unless you’re one of my series OCD friends. In that case pretend you didn’t just read the aforementioned, kay? Great!

Moving on to the review…

Christina Girard is Matt Girard’s younger sister from Hot Pursuit but we don’t really get to know her until this book. So if you haven’t yet read Hot Pursuit, no worries. You won’t have any trouble jumping right in. (Sorry, OCD friends. Ignore this too)

After the scandal of her husband’s affair implodes her life, she’s left shattered, unable to trust any man. Her family life and especially her father just further solidify her stance. Her divorce almost final, she goes out to spend time with her friends and lays eyes on the incredibly sexy SEAL, Remy Marchand. Remy is immediately taken with Christina and wants to explore their attraction further, but all Christina wants from him is one night to explore the chemistry between them.

He wanted it to be more, but she didn’t. And that pissed him off.

One sizzling night together is all they have before Christina runs scared. Now it’s six months later and Remy is part of the mission sent to infiltrate war-torn Qu’rim and get Christina and a few other US citizens out before they’re discovered and captured by dangerous rebels. Now they’re forced to deal with all the unanswered tension and questions between them, but can Christina learn to trust again in order to let Remy in?

But I’m scared. I’m scared it’s too soon and I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m scared you aren’t what you seem to be, and that tomorrow you’ll walk away- I’m scared of so many things.

Considering these two spend the night together pretty early into the book, I was a little afraid it’ll be the case of insta love. That wasn’t it at all. If anything, there was the added spice of second chance romance mixed in with their reunion months later. Remy is understandably angry with her and gone is the sweet man that Christina first met. In his place is the angry, slightly bitter SEAL with an air of danger around him. There was plenty of tension and burn to make this romance deliciously sexy.

It takes Christina some time to really come into her own, but I enjoyed watching her growth throughout the story.

She’d let him back into her life, and she had to ride out the storm to see where it went. She just hoped there was some little piece of her left when the storm was over.

While it wasn’t my favorite book in the series (but I’m a touch biased since I’m practically salivating for Ian Black’s book), it was definitely a satisfying installment in what’s become one of my go-to romantic suspense series.

Harris has become synonymous for me with heart-pounding and deliciously sexy romantic suspense. Her heroes are just the right amount of protective and intense with an air of danger around them. Her heroines are strong and assertive. Her romance sizzling hot and addictive. If you haven’t discovered this series yet, you’re seriously missing out. I’m not just recommending it, I’m insisting you read it. It’s that good.

HOT SEAL (Hot SEAL Team #1)GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

· Filed Under: All Reviews, Romantic Suspense, Uncategorized · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4 stars, Lynn Raye Harris, Military-men, Navy SEALS

Review: ★Engaging The Bachelor★ by Cathryn Fox

June 8, 2016 by Lana ·

ENGAGING THE BACHELOR
Series: Pulse #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Cathryn Fox
Release Date: June 6, 2016

Hot, Southampton doctor, Carson Reynolds isn’t the kind of man Gemma Carr should be playing with. But his offer of a fake engagement comes with sexy, late night house calls, and despite her bad girl reputation, it’s been far too long since she’s taken two and called anyone in the morning.

When Carson sees Gemma at a charity event, he knows he has to have her. It’s been ten years since he’s had her in his arms, but that hasn’t lessened his intense need for her. To save her reputation and get his parents off his back, he makes her an offer she can’t refuse.

It’s the perfect set-up—until this fake engagement starts to feel a little too real…

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…I have a date tonight.”
“Break it.”
“I can’t-”
“Doctor’s orders.”
“You’re not my doctor,” she argued.
A ghost of a smile played on his lips. “Not yet.”

Hubida hubida *fans self*
It’s been a long while since I’ve read a book by Cathryn Fox, and for the life of me I don’t know why. The woman can write one sizzling romance. I was in the mood for something fun, steamy and light, and this book delivered all of that in spades.

A hot Southampton doctor+ the town bad girl+ a fake engagement= sexy times ensue. Engaging The Bachelor marks book one in the brand new Pulse series and if this book is anything to go by, it’s bound to be crazy good. Think Grey’s Anatomy but hotter. Got your attention don’t I?

…I’m not having sex with you, Carson.”
“Say that again.”
“I’m not having sex with you, Carson.”
“No, just that last part.”
“Carson.”
“Yeah, that’s it. I want you to say it just like that when I’m inside you.”

Ten years ago, eighteen year old Carson shared one stolen night with a nameless girl that left a brand on his heart and took off running before he could learn her name. He’s been unable to stop thinking of her since, but has given up hope trying to find her…until he recognizes the sassy beauty at a bar holding a Bachelor Auction for the doctors of the local hospital. She may have gotten away from him once, but he’s not making it easy this time around. All he knows is that he has to have her, one way or another, and he’s not afraid to play dirty….very very dirty.

I’m going to kiss every inch of you, then I’m going to pound into you until you’re screaming my name. Tonight you’re mine, Gemma.”

Gemma plays up her bad girl image not to let anyone in. But one boy ten years ago stole past her defenses and she’s never forgotten him. But nothing prepares her for the potency of the man that he is right now.

I loved both Gemma and Carson. Gemma has her issues after a childhood with an alcoholic mother that jumps form one man to another. But something about Carson makes it impossible to stay away. And when he offers her a proposition of a fake engagement with benefits? Well, let’s just say she can’t say no.

What a super fun read this was. It offered just the right amount of steam and dirty talk to make for the perfect book to spend an afternoon with. The sex is dirty, the story engaging enough to make it more than just hot sex, and the characters were fantastic. Carson is swoony and sexy, Gemma is a great combination of tough and vulnerable. I enjoyed it from beginning to end and can’t wait for the future installments in this series.

· Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Rom · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4 stars, brazen, let's play doctor

Review: ★Manhandled★ BY @CARIQUINN @TARYNELLIOTTFIC

April 29, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

Manhandled
Series: Hammered #2
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Romance
Authors: Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott
Release Date: April 8, 2016

My name is Faith Keystone, but my friends call me Keys.
I’m the piano player for Hammered.
Did I mention I’m the only female in my band?
That means I technically have five older brothers.
Can’t forget my manager and security team, too.
Alone time is nonexistent.
I escaped an overbearing family to join this happy circus, and most of the time it’s awesome.
Except now, because of one teensy little incident at a show.
Now I have this hulking bodyguard shadowing me like a freaking puppy.
Only this puppy is more like a Doberman with an attitude problem.
And he only knows one word—NO.
I hate that word.
And I hate Quinn Alexander.
The one thing I do like is giving him the slip. Is it wrong that I kinda like when he growls at me after he finds me?
Because he always finds me.
Worst of all? I want him so bad that I keep forgetting I hate him.

BEYOND OBLIVION – A Rockstar Romance full of sexy fun set within the world of our Lost in Oblivion series! You never know who you’ll see show up in the books.

**Standalone**

AMAZON | iBOOKS

Fuck. My life had become the second circle of hell. Lust sitting on my shoulders with no outlet. Rule one- don’t fuck the client.

I have a confession to make, the second I saw Alex was the visual inspiration on the authors’ pinterest board for Quinn, I knew I had to get my pervy little hands on this book. What? Don’t look at me like that! Have you seen the man? Exactly. Add into that the fact that I love everything these two brilliant authors write, and I have the recipe for a guaranteed winner. And boy was it!

For those that enjoyed Manaconda, this book is a must read! And even if you haven’t read that book yet, you can easily enjoy this one as a standalone. Where Manaconda was a bit on the fluffy side with some great humor and a dose of insta, Manhandled is nothing of the sort. It’s a slow burn, and I’m talking it-hurt-so-good-but-my-ovaries-may-explode-if-they-don’t-do-it-soon sort of slow. I absolutely loved it! There’s a healthy dose of angst and all of it wrapped around a great suspense sub plot that together adds up to one entertaining read.

Damn you, Warden.”
Duty. Loyalty. None of those were synonymous with fuck the client until she was unconscious.

Faith Keystone or “Keys” is the sassy piano player for Hammered. She’s fun loving, smart-mouthed, and everyone’s best friend. I loved her straight off the bat because how can you not? When a crazy fan becomes a whole lot more threatening than anyone ever thought and threatens Faith’s safety, her parents and the band insist that she needs additional protection and no one but the best will do. The best just happens to be in the sexy and brooding shape of Noah’s best friend and former Ranger turned body guard, Quinn Alexander.

Can we just say that name out loud once more? Quinn. Alexander. *rarrrr*

What happens when you take a stringent, growly, broody and all business bodyguard and throw him in with a sassy, never take no for an answer rockstar? A whole lot of sexiness!

I couldn’t deny him.
I couldn’t do anything but hold on and roll my hips in time with his deep strokes.
He hollowed me out and owned every part of me.

This was a slow burn sort of romance, which I loved, and when these two finally do get together? Holy mother of fireworks!

It was so easy to fall into that blackness of pleasure and let my body just ride his storm.
I wanted to be his storm.
I wanted to watch him go blind. Because of this. Because of us.

A fun, at times suspenseful, a little angsty, and a whole lot of sexy kind of read that’s sure to put a smile on any rockstar romance lovers face. If you haven’t discovered these authors yet, it’s about time you get acquainted. I highly recommend 😉

Don’t miss book 1 in the Hammered series!A AMAZON | MY REVIEW

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4 stars, humorous, rock stars

Review: ★Game Player★ by B.J. Harvey

April 22, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

Game Player
Series: Game #1
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic Comedy
Author: B.J. Harvey
Release Date: March 23, 2016

From the USA Today bestselling author of the Bliss series comes a new spin off series featuring your favorite Bliss series characters who are yet to meet their match.

Matt Taylor’s motto:
“I’m the king of the cut ‘n’ run. I wine them, dine them, then slide inside them, making sure I get up, get dressed and get out before they can even utter the words “second date.”

Mia Roberts’ motto:
“I’m queen of the chase. I meet them, greet them, date them and leave them. A social butterfly, I’m happily single and happy to stay that way.”

The players have been found.

The challenge has been set.

Whatever happens, they’ll soon find out that playing the game can get you played in the best possible way.

AMAZON

I still hate you.” She mutters under her breath.
“You can hate me and still fuck me. In fact, if you off like that every time I make you come, you’re welcome to hate-fuck me any time you want.”

I’ve been on a rom kick lately so when the author offered me a chance to read Game Player, I jumped on it. This was my first book by BJ Harvey and all I can say after finishing is, where has she been all my life? Game Player is full of wickedly hilarious banter, sizzling hot romance, and a cast of characters that I completely fell in love with. I had a goofy smile on my face for most of the book (some parts I wanted to throttle the heroine), but that may have been because I wanted Matt for myself. Nothing wrong with a little heroinecide. I’m totally making that a word, by the way. But I digress…

Knowing you, you’d probably try and turn up early to witness the walk of shame.”
“If you’ve done it right, it should always be a stomp of satisfaction. Have I taught you nothing?

Matt Taylor is a player in every sense of the word. He’s the hit it and quit it type and not one for settling down. But one drunken hookup at a wedding 18 months ago changed his relationship with Mia irrevocably. They may not have spoken of it since, but eventually the sparks between them prove too hot to ignore.

Don’t you worry about me, legs. There’s a whole black book worth of willing volunteers.”
“Legs?”
“Well I can’t call you Tits, can I?”
“You’re a piece of work, Taylor.”
“It’s okay to admit you want me, Mia.”

Mia is a sassy, call them like she sees them type of chick. She sees nothing wrong with giving in to the undeniable urges between her and Matt, but that’s it. Matt may want something more, or so he says, but how can she trust a player like him?

Why did I ever think I could play the player at his own game?

I absolutely loved Matt. His internal dialogue gave me many a giggle, and the man has a hell of a mouth on him when it comes to the dirty talk.

Jesus, are you trying to kill me?
“No, Legs, I don’t want to kill you. I want to make you moan. I want you to whimper, and I want you to scream my name when I’m balls deep inside you. My mouth is going to claim you, my hands are going to explore you, and my cock will make you mine-even if you only ever give me one night.”

Ovaries. CUMbusted.

But in all seriousness, I couldn’t get enough of him. You can see how much he struggles with his feelings for Mia when she doesn’t trust him with that. Mia was a source of frustration for me for much of the duration of the book. I wanted to throttle her for the way she acts with Matt at times. But on the other hand, it kept their antics lively and angsty, so in the grand scheme of things, it didn’t take much away form my enjoyment.

Admittedly, it took me a bit to really wrap my mind around all the characters. I believe this is a spin off from BJ’s Bliss series, and many of the characters from that series have a cameo here. As this was my first book, it took my puny brain a bit to get a hang of everything, but once I did, I was right in the swing of things.

All in all, Game Player was a sexy and hilarious read that I enjoyed thoroughly. This is an author that will surely be my go-to whenever I need a book to put a smile on my face while making my ovaries happy.

Check out BJ Harvey’s Bliss series

TEMPORARY BLISS | TRUE BLISS | BLISSFUL SURRENDER | PERMANENT BLISS | FINDING BLISS

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance · Tagged With: BJ Harvey, Book Reviews: 4 stars, humorous

Review: ★Dirty Sexy Inked★ by Carly Phillips & Erika Wilde

April 11, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

DIRTY SEXY INKED
Series: Dirty Sexy #2
Author: Carly Phillips & Erika Wilde
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 5, 2016

Breaking hearts is what wild and rebellious Mason Kincaid does best. Hit it and quit it is his motto, and with his bad boy reputation and tattoos, he doesn’t lack for female companionship. Until one hot night with the one woman he swore he’d never touch becomes an all-consuming addiction he can’t kick. Katrina Sands has been his best friend for years, but now that he knows what she feels like, and tastes like, there is no going back to being just friends. Hot, dirty sex has never felt so good…or so right.

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They were two damaged people who’d managed to heal each other with something as simple as unconditional love. The fact that they were best friends who had phenomenal sex was a bonus.

I have one question right now: Where has this series been all my life?! No really, what a perfect treat this was to get a fantastic balance of super hot sex AND a wonderful story. Sometimes a girl just needs some great smut in her life, and this book hit the spot so well. But it’s so much more than erotic romance, the story is great, the characters well developed, and the writing just flows. Suffice it to say I loved it!

Friends to lovers is my catnip; especially when it has a super sexy tatted and dirty talking hero.

He didn’t know how to do gentle or romantic. When he fucked, he was rough and hard and demanding. Katrina was the one good thing in his life, and he never wanted to taint her with his perverse need to use sex, to use her, to ease all those underling raging emotions form the past that he struggled to keep buried so he didn’t hurt anyone or anything.

Mason Kincaid and Katrina Sands have been best friends for over twelve years. Mason has been Katrina’s everything for so long; her protector and her confidant, but lately her unrequitted growing feelings for him are beginning to really get in the way of that friendship. She’s spent too many years watching Mason make his way from one woman onto the next, and it’s time that she finally begins to consider going for what she wants…even if it means backing away from her best friend. But Mason isn’t about to distance herself from him without a damn good explanation, but when he confronts her, sparks fly, and that chemistry that’s been brewing between them all those years finally ignites.

Whether Katrina knew it or not, she was his. And he was going to do everything in his power to prove it.

I simply adored Mason. He was such an endearing character. The way he calls Katrina ‘Kitty-Kat’? *swoon* I loved everything about these two; the way they protect each other; their shared history, their friendship, and their clear affection for one another. And between the sheets they’re absolutely combustible! Katrina was a wonderful heroine as well but I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that Mason really stole the show here. This was a man that really went after what he wanted once he realizes what he’s missed all these years. He knew what he needed and he didn’t hide it.

She owned his heart. She was the other half of his soul. And he never wanted to live his life without her in it.

I enjoyed this book immensely, and can’t wait for the next installment. A sexy as hell and perfectly entertaining solid 4 star read for this picky reader 😉

About Carly Phillips

Carly Phillips is the N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of over 50 sexy contemporary romance novels featuring hot men, strong women and the emotionally compelling stories her readers have come to expect and love. Carly is happily married to her college sweetheart, the mother of two nearly adult daughters and three crazy dogs (two wheaten terriers and one mutant Havanese) who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. Carly loves social media and is always around to interact with her readers. You can find out more about Carly at www.carlyphillips.com.

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter

About Erika Wilde

Erika Wilde is the author of the sexy Marriage Diaries series and The Players Club series. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two daughters, and when she’s not writing you can find her exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest. For more information on her upcoming releases, please visit website at www.erikawilde.com.

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Erotic Rom · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4 stars, Carly Phillips, Erika Wilde

New Release & Review: ★The Beast★ by J.R. Ward

April 5, 2016 by Lana · 3 Comments

THE BEAST
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #14
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Author: J.R. Ward
Release Date: April 5, 2016

Nothing is as it used to be for the Black Dagger Brotherhood. After avoiding war with the Shadows, alliances have shifted and lines have been drawn. The slayers of the Lessening Society are stronger than ever, preying on human weakness to acquire more money, more weapons, more power. But as the Brotherhood readies for an all-out attack on them, one of their own fights a battle within himself…

For Rhage, the Brother with the biggest appetites, but also the biggest heart, life was supposed to be perfect—or at the very least, perfectly enjoyable. Mary, his beloved shellan, is by his side and his King and his brothers are thriving. But Rhage can’t understand—or control—the panic and insecurity that plague him…

And that terrifies him—as well as distances him from his mate. After suffering mortal injury in battle, Rhage must reassess his priorities—and the answer, when it comes to him, rocks his world…and Mary’s. But Mary is on a journey of her own, one that will either bring them closer together or cause a split that neither will recover from…

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Spoiler Free Review

She was all the power in the universe coalesced into a living, breathing thing, the miracle that he had been granted in spite of the fact that he had long been underserving of anything but his curse.

I’m going to be real for a hot second here; the last few releases in this series left me underwhelmed. So much, in fact, that I was about to give up on it entirely. There’s been a plethora of secondary characters introduced since Lover at Last and I’ve been itching for them to finally get a book. Instead what soon followed was more Wrath, then the book that shall not be mentioned, and now Rhage. I loved the original brothers, and I loved (most) of their HEA. But that doesn’t mean that I want a second book for them in what I felt would be messing with that perfectly satisfactory HEA. I couldn’t understand why Rhage needed a full second hardcover book, when Z’s story in Father Mine was perfect in the novella length that it was. So to say that I was questioning reading this book would be an understatement. But man am I glad that I decided to take the chance with this book, and I can fully admit that all the preconceived notions I had about it couldn’t have been more wrong.

Time was too finite; no matter how much of it you had with someone you loved, when the end came, it wasn’t nearly enough.”

The Beast doesn’t mess with a happy couple’s HEA; it expands on their emotional journey. It’s an emotionally gripping, lovely, and at times sweet and at times sexy continuation to a beloved couple.

Rhage and Mary are happy together, but after everything that has been going on with the war and his brothers, Rhage finds himself questioning some of the inner turmoil that he can’t explain. Then a mortal injury on a battle field where he ignored all danger finally brings him the answers he’s been seeking; but not quite the answers that he’s ready to deal with.

I’d say a predominant part of the book focuses on Rhage and Mary’s story. There’s no unnecessary drama or angst, just a shellan and her hellren dealing with normal relationship issues as any married couple would. It was sweet and at times emotional, and if you loved Rhage before, I guarantee you’ll fall for him even more here. As much as Mary frustrated me in their first book, I adored her here. Her inner strength, her love for Rhage and the brotherhood, her commitment to Safe Place and the people she helps paints her in such an admirable and endearing light.

But aside from their story, there’s quite a bit more happening here. So if you were thinking of possibly skipping this book, I’d advise you against it. There are some twists here that you will not want to miss, including the introduction of a new secondary character that is sure to shake things up in the future books. While there’s still a number of secondary POV’s, for once that really worked for me here and it flowed well with the story instead of distracting me from the main couple.

There’s quite a few revelations happening with Xcor, Assail, and Layla. As well as some real doozies happening with the Lesser war and Scribe Virgin and Omega. While the book is over 500 pages long, I was glued to every word and couldn’t put it down and I haven’t had that with this series in quite some time. Assail gets quite a bit of pages here and I’m utterly salivating for his book. I’m not even touching on Xcor because I plain need his book.

The Beast is a page turning and at times action packed and twisty ride. It had everything; action, suspense, swoony romance, and mind-blowing twists that guarantee you’ll be unable to stop reading.

That being said, if I don’t get either Assail or Xcor next, Lana is going to be one angry panda. I love my original brothers, but my patience is about to go Beast on me soon.

READ THE SERIES IN ORDER

3 Comments · Filed Under: All Reviews, PNR · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4 stars, vampires

New Release Review: ★Heartbreaker★ by @Melody_Grace_

March 29, 2016 by Lana ·

Heartbreaker
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Melody Grace
Release Date: March 28, 2016

The new stand-alone HEA from New York Times bestselling author, Melody Grace!

They say that time heals a broken heart, but you try moving on when your ex is the most famous man on the planet.

Every time I walk down the street, there’s a billboard plastered with his gorgeous face: Finn McKay. Now he’s a drop-dead sexy rock star, but when I first knew him, he was just the boy from the wrong side of the tracks – and the first guy I ever loved. He broke my heart into a hundred pieces when he skipped town without saying goodbye – but now he’s back.

And he wants me.

I’m determined not to make the same mistakes twice, but the chemistry with Finn was always way too hot to ignore. He was the guy who had me sneaking out my bedroom window for just one more kiss, and breaking curfew parked by the riverbanks, steaming up his windows in the backseat of his car. The past five years have been good to him, real good, and between his dirty mind and that ‘I know how to make you scream’ smile, he’s breaking through my defenses all over again.

Maybe one last wild fling for old time’s sake is what I need to finally move on. But what happens when Finn wants more than my body?

This time he wants everything.

AMAZON | iBOOKS

They say time heals a broken heart, but you just try and get over the love of your life when he’s the most famous man on the planet.

Having never read a Melody Grace book before, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this. All I knew is after reading that blurb and seeing that cover, I couldn’t not read it. Also, have you ever known me to turn down a chance to read a second chance romance? I think not. That’s a damn sin is what it is, because let’s be honest, I do love me some second chance romance. All that angst, it just speaks to me. Heartbreaker was actually quite low on the angst, but it did pack a punch to the feels. It was a wonderful, sweet and sexy story of two characters I fell in love with right away. The pace was steady, the writing was great, the characters endearing, and the romance super steamy. It may have been almost too sweet for my particular tastes, but it just worked for me here. It fit these two characters perfectly. There wasn’t a need for any crazy drama or angst. It worked the way it was and I appreciated it for that.

Finn may have left a boy of nineteen, but he’s come back all man.

Five years ago sixteen year old Eva fell in love with the town’s bad boy. Their love was secret but no less potent, until the day Finn left and took her heart right along with him. Five years without a word and Eva still has never gotten over the hurt or anger of his betrayal. But now Finn is back in their small town and he’s determined to right the wrongs of the past; starting with her.

He was inevitable. My temptation.

Eva spiraled after Finn left and spiraled into rock bottom that she’s determined never to repeat. She lost herself along the way, but now she wants to find that girl again. Finn wants a second chance, but can Eva give him her heart again when he shattered it so completely those years ago?

I’ve never felt so out-of-control as when I’m with him, like my chest is cracked wide open and my heart is beating, open and raw, offered up for him to do as he wants with.

I loved Eva; she was such a real person. She’s still clearly lost but she’s determined to find herself. She’s not about games and she’s weak when it comes to Finn, but she owns that. Were there times where I wished she made him work for it a little harder? Sure. But considering we also get Finn’s POV it was easy to see why she caved. Finn is…potent. The man had quite the mouth on him and he knew just when to use it to his advantage.

You’re going to beg for me, beg for another inch, and when I finally give it you, when I finally let you come, that’s when you’ll know. You belong to me, baby. You’ll always be mine.

Told in alternating POVs, this was a light yet steamy escape. I loved Finn and Eva together, and I loved that there was no flashbacks necessary to make the reader truly connect with their romance, even the one from their past. The author did a wonderful job explaining where they came from and leading them into the now. There’s no crazy drama, no crazy conflict that takes place, or silly miscommunications. Just two people, healing the wounds of their past, together.

· Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4 stars, Second-chance-romance

Review Tour: ★Rough Rhythm★ by @mstessabailey

March 15, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

Rough Rhythm
Series: Made in Jersey #1.5
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Author: Tessa Bailey
Release Date: March 8, 2016

God help the woman I take home tonight.

Band manager James Brandon never expected to find the elusive satisfaction he’d been chasing, let alone stumble upon it in some sleezy Hollywood meat market. Yet the girl’s quiet pride spoke to him from across the bar, louder than a shout. Troubled, hungry and homeless, she’d placed her trust in him. But after losing the grip on his dark desires that one fateful night, James has spent the last four years atoning for letting her down.

This time I’ll finally crack him.

Rock band drummer Lita Regina has had enough of James’s guilt. She wants the explosive man she met that night in Hollywood. The man who held nothing back and took no prisoners—save Lita. And she’ll stop at nothing to revive him. Even if it means throwing herself into peril at every turn, just to get a reaction from her stoic manager. But when Lita takes her quest one step too far, James disappears from her life, thinking his absence will keep her safe.

Now it’s up to Lita to bring James back…and ignite an inferno of passion in the process.

Reader Advisory: ROUGH RHYTHM contains fantasies of nonconsensual sex, acted upon by consenting characters. Readers with sensitivity to portrayals of nonconsensual sex should be advised.

AMAZON

“Oh, goddamn you.” Lita plucked the card from his fingers and hurled it back into the hallway with a muffled scream. “Four years leads to this, huh? You’re just going to dump me in this fucking…”—she waved her hands to encompass the hotel—“…rock star purgatory and bail? If you’re doing this to teach me a lesson, I will never forgive you, James.”“I’m not.” He cleared the cobwebs from his throat. “That’s not what this is.”

Without looking at Lita, he knew she’d be chewing her bottom lip, leaving teeth marks that would take until nighttime to fade. “I guess we really meant a lot to you if it’s this easy. No notice. Just…peace out, suckers.”

James swallowed the urge to shake her. “I think you know this is the furthest thing from easy.”

“No. I don’t know anything,” she shouted, before several silent beats passed. “Except that you’re a coward. You can’t even look me in the eye.”

He surged forward, pushing her back against the doorjamb. Going to break. Too much. I shouldn’t have come up here. He’d made the mistake of looking down into green eyes swimming with moisture, calling her bluff. “Does the thought of you hurting yourself to get my attention make me a coward? Yes? So be it, Lita.” His fingernails dug into the flesh of his palms. “If something happened to you, I wouldn’t make it to the next sunrise.”

Lita’s body deflated, head falling back. “You can’t say something like that and leave,” she said, lips hardly moving. “It’s cruel.”

“I’m a cruel man.”

“No.” Lita moved into the elegant room, booted feet dragging. A miniature hurricane in a gilded cage. He’d chosen the room himself, another sign of his madness, his need to control her surroundings. Have knowledge of everything she touched. His neck grew hot when she turned, sliding a gaze down his front.

Turning and leaving was imperative at that moment, but he couldn’t resist hearing what she would say next. Delaying the good-bye.

“Remember what you called me the first night we met?” She sat down on the edge of the bed. “Before you leave, call me that one more time.”

“No.”

I want bad things…Need them.”
“Bring it.”

Well hot damn! The queen of dirty talk is at it again and I’m not sure any ovary within a 100 mi radius will survive this one. As a matter of fact, say goodbye to those suckers right now or put them on ice. Even my steel plated ovaries had a meltdown here because DAMN! Seriously though. Stick a fork in me, I’m done! I think I fertilized like 10 eggs while reading this one. If you could get pregnant by a book, this one should come with a damn warning! You could have run an entire city block on the electric chemistry James and Lita had. But enough about my reproductive process…

I’ve wanted to fuck you all day, every day, since you showed up.
Goddammit, you little tease.”

Fans of Dub-con are in for a treat, because Rough Rhythm is certainly skating that delicious edge. I’ve been looking for a novella similar to Willing Victim, and I do believe I found me one at long last! James is a dirty, dirty man, and I loved every filthy thing he said and did.

Now admittedly, I was not a huge fan of the first book in this series. But the one thing that caught my attention right away? The apparent chemistry between James and Lita! There’s this pent up sexual tension to them. Lita is constantly going out of her way to get into trouble so that her band’s grumpy manager can get her out of it and finally notice her. James and Lita shared one unforgettable night four years ago, but since then it’s been business only. James’s baser desires scare even him, and he’s determined not to unleash them onto Lita. There’s no way that she wants the same thing as him…right?

Sizzling is an understatement for what this book was. It was hot as hell! It skates that fine edge and deliciously so. It’s surprisingly well developed for a short novella. So much so, that you connect with both characters right away and truly understand them. You understand why James is so scared to unleash his true nature; the demons of his past that still haunt him. Lita was a fantastic heroine. She says what she means and means what she says, and she’s not afraid to go after what she wants. She may submit so sweetly to James’s dark desires, but she’s no pushover. She gives as good as she gets and you can’t help but root for her.

Look how agreeable I’m being.”
“Don’t make a habit out of it. I like when you fight me.”
“I like the way you get even.”

The only quibble I had is that I wished we got the full flashback of their night together four years ago. We get a snippet in the beginning and I was hoping we’ll get the full story further into the story. But aside from another short snippet, alas, that never happened. It alludes to what happens, but sadly for this pervert, never quite got down to the dirty details.

If you’re a fan of Tessa Bailey’s dirty talkers, you definitely don’t want to miss her dirtiest one yet! Make your ovaries happy and one-click this deliciousness!

Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days. Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention. She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband of eight years and four-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Blog Tours, Excerpts · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4 stars, Tessa Bailey

New Release & Review: ★Tyrant★ by Nashoda Rose

March 7, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

TYRANT
Series: Scars of the Wraiths #2
Genre: Paranormal Romance with erotic elements
Author: Nashoda Rose
Release Date: March 7, 2016

“I don’t do nice. Period.” -Kilter (nickname: Off-Kilter)

Kilter is crass, reckless and stubborn. He has alienated everyone—just the way he likes it. Until the day he meets Rayne and emotions he buried long ago reawaken.

“I was nothing but a science experiment.” -Rayne

Rayne has been locked away and used for research ever since she was a child. The abuse caused her to withdraw into a tomb of numbness where she’s found a safe place to hide. But her safe place isn’t safe at all, it’s slowly killing her.
When Kilter rescues her and she is unexpectedly drawn to his raw honesty, Rayne must decide whether to trust him and fight for what she can’t see or drown into the depths of darkness.

For some Scars, it’s the story of healing and redemption, for others it’s the beginning of a tortured existence. Which will it be for Kilter and Rayne?

A band of fierce warriors walk in the shadows of the human world with capabilities derived from the senses: Trackers, Sounders, Healers, Tasters, Visionaries and the rare Reflectors. They are known as the ‘Scars.

*Stygian must be read first. 18+

Scars of the Wraiths Series
Stygian (Scars of the Wraiths, Book 1)
Tyrant (Scars of the Wraiths, Book 2)
Take (Scars of the Wraiths, standalone)
Credo (Scars of the Wraiths, Book 3) (coming 2016)

AMAZON | iBOOKS

My emotions had been sealed, hidden and buried in a tomb for years. I was numb; I liked being numb, but Kilter dug up the top and ripped off the lid, and now my emotions were tearing through my veins like missiles.

I’m a huge Nashoda Rose fan. Whatever this woman writes, I’ll read. But there’s just something about her Scars of the Wraiths PNR series that has hooked me to the point of addiction. Each time I finish a new installment, I find myself rabidly salivating for the next. I’m absolutely hooked on this unique world that Nashoda built with her characters. Her writing maintains it’s signature grit and if possible her alphas are even more alpha in this one. Something to do with the PNR aspect, I’m sure, and I eat it all up with a squirming sort of glee.

Now if you haven’t read Stygian, you must before going into this book. While each book in the series focuses on a different couple and their HEA, the story arc continues throughout the series. And while the author gives you a jolt of memory here about what happened in book 1, you would still be slightly lost having not read Stygian first.

Those that have, you’ll definitely recall Rayne; a waif of a woman that you don’t quite know is a friend or foe. She’s the wife of one of the most brutal enemies of the Scars, and also the man responsible for the death of one of their mate’s. But she’s also the woman that helped Kilter escape the compound when he went for a rescue mission, and now he can’t stop thinking about the woman he left behind. Is she paying for letting him escape? Is she actually an unwilling prisoner? Kilter knows only one thing, he needs to go back to her and he’ll stop at nothing to do it.

Rayne was a bit of an enigma. You know what she’s suffered and you know that she’s valuable to the people holding her captive…but you don’t know why. Years of abuse has reduced her to a shell of a woman. She’s dangerously thin, emotionally stunted and scarred. She doesn’t know why this dangerous warrior wants to help her, but she’s trying her hardest to accept his help now that he’s rescued her from the hell she’s known practically all her life.

Tyrant was a bit different from the other books in the series, where there was quite a few more POVs in the form of Delara, Waleron, Jedrick, Kilter and Rayne, and two more side characters that you’ll get to know later in the book. But there is not one wasted page. Where usually I would be bothered by so many POVs, it really worked for the story here. Each POV drove the plot, and I couldn’t see it working without it.

There’s quite a lot of story that happens here too; outside of just what’s going on with Kilter and Rayne. The story that truly kept me glued to the pages was Waleron and Delara. There’s some mind reeling revelations that left me both shocked and impatient to finally get their full story.

As for Kilter and Rayne? They were absolute perfection. Kilter has been angry at the world for years. Ever since the horrific torture he suffered at the hands of people he trusted the most, he’s lost his trust not only for the rest of his fellow Scars but everyone. He’s withdrawn, angry, vengeful. But there’s something about Rayne that soothes him and so his behavior towards her was so wonderful to read. He may be rough around the edges, but this man is uber protective of Rayne. Not to mention their chemistry was incredibly hot.

Our chests heaved, hearts pounded, and our skin was heated as we both stilled and stared at one another for a minute, taking in what we shared, knowing it was special.
And, yeah, knowing this was more. We were more. And it was endless.

While the romance between Rayne and Kilter is the primary focus, there’s a lot happening around that. So much so that at times they almost came in second. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because everything that was happening was incredibly entertaining. Though having said that, they did get a little bit lost in the shadow of everything else that was going on at times.

I found my focus to truly be centered on the happenings between Waleron and Delera. I was practically rabid for any new details about their past, and there were some really juicy details that were revealed in this book.

Nashoda Rose is a masterful story teller and she weaves one hell of an addicting story within a unique world of The Scars. I’m sitting on pins and needles until the next book!

Graphic is stock purchased and created by me for DGR blog. Please don’t share without permission

THE REST OF THE SERIES

TAKE
AMAZON | MY REVIEW

STYGIAN
AMAZON | MY REVIEW

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, PNR · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4 stars

Review: ★Searing Ecstasy★ by Setta Jay

March 4, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

Searing Ecstasy
Series: Guardians of the Realms #7
Genre: Erotic PNR
Author: Setta Jay
Release Date: October 7, 2015

Drake, the powerful dragon and leader of the Guardians, has spent his long life protecting all inhabitants of the four Realms, but fails to save the one who matters most. His mate. In the month since finding her feral, he’s been slowly losing control of his beast and soon he fears the dragon will reign free unleashing it’s fury upon the Realms.

Delia has changed. No longer a carefree young woman, she is now a nightmare in the making. After her abduction and torture she unwillingly houses two beasts and more power than she can ever contain on her own. She can never be released. Nor can she have the male who gives her any semblance of sanity in her new world, the one she craves more than her own freedom.

With unknown enemies on the horizon and yet another God awakened will they lose themselves in the madness of an impossible mating? Or will they come together in searing ecstasy, bonding them in a way that sets them both free?

Warning: Sexually explicit content (beds actually get burned down) and alpha males and females with bad language.

Amazon / iBooks / Kobo

She was obsessed with a dream, because having Drake was a beautiful illusion.

Seven books. Seven erotically charged and deliciously addicting books. All of it leading up to this glorious moment; Drake. I’ve been anxiously anticipating for the leader of the Guardians and constantly growling and smoke billowing dragon shifter to get his book, even before his heroine was introduced. And when the author did reveal who the heroine would be in one of the biggest twists ever? Let’s just say on a scale of 1 to ten, I was somewhere around rabid. I wanted it BAD is what I’m trying to tell you here.

Her beauty called to his dick, her scent claimed his dragon, but it was her strength that sealed his fate.

Searing Ecstasy had a slightly different feel to me then the rest of the series. For one, the mating frenzy was accepted by both Drake and Delia right away and there wasn’t so much in the form of relationship development to be had. Primary the struggle was wrapped around Delia’s aftereffects of the torture she endured at the hands of the sadistic Cyril. Being the host to not one but two beasts; one of which has lost it’s intended mate is slowly draining her and mating with Drake just may set both of them over the edge. So the majority of the time is spent trying to find a cure for Delia’s shadow beast and allowing her to safely mate with Drake.

The secondary story bring the conclusion of Nastia and Sander’s story. They first captured my interest in Binding Ecstasy and I couldn’t wait to see how things turn out between Nasty and her phoenix. I have to admit that they’re story actually almost overshadowed the one of Drake and Delia for me.

There’s also the addition of a brand new character that’s sure to bring quite a few twists of his own. Luckily his book is next so I don’t have to wait long.

I enjoyed this book just as much as I’ve enjoyed every other book in this series. It’s erotic, action packed and filled with plenty of twists and turns. Admittedly I didn’t find Drake and Delia as a dynamic enough couple as I had anticipated. This may be due in part to me setting my hopes fairly high for their story. I suppose I just crave a little more relationship angst in my stories, so this very well may be just me. Readers that enjoy the instant spark will enjoy the heck out of it! I also lost count on the amount of times Sander growled. The man did that a lot. I’m not sure if he could even speak normally if he tried lol. But then again, it was pretty hot, so can’t complain too much.

Setta Jay has become synonymous for me with erotic PNR. The woman weaves a hell of an addicting story with this series and I hope it never ends. It’s my go-to when I need something super fun and sexy but with a touch of grit. I highly recommend reading the series in order because there is typically a secondary romance that continues throughout two books parallel to the main couple.

If you’re a fan of super sexy PNR, this series is an absolute must read!