ARC Review: ☆Among the Echoes☆ by @AlyMartinezAuth

August 19, 2014 by · Leave a Comment
Title: Among the Echoes
Author: Aly Martinez
Publication Date: July 31, 2014
Genre: Erotic Suspense
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My name was Dr. Erica Hill. I was a victim, then a witness, and then I ceased to exist altogether.

I may still be breathing, but stripped of my identity, I have long since stopped living. I am invisible, and my life depends on my ability to stay in the shadows.

But he sees me.

Slate Andrews is the embodiment of everything I have been taught to avoid. He’s rich and famous, and one image of him with a woman would earn millions for any paparazzi lucky enough to snap it. He has vowed to protect me with his life, yet he exposes me with his every breath. I should be stronger and walk away. I should disappear. But I’m terrified he would come after me.

I’m on the run, determined not to take him down with me but absolutely unable to let him go.

My name is Riley Peterson…at least for today.

*Among The Echoes is a stand alone novel which contains material that may be offensive to some readers. Including sexual abuse, graphic language, and adult situations. Intended for readers 18+.*

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N

4 Stars

Our relationship was established on secrets and lies, but in the end it flourished through truths. Slate told me years ago that we all have scars, and our relationship is no different. It could have easily been ruined from the start, but he fought for me- even when I couldn’t fight for myself.

This was my first book by Aly Martines, and what gave me to push to read it? Would you look at me different if I told you it was the cover? What? You would? Well then it definitely wasn’t that? But I exaggerate, it was the combination of the cover and the first few sentences of the blurb.

My name was Dr. Erica Hill. I was a victim, then a witness, and then I ceased to exist altogether.


I may still be breathing, but stripped of my identity, I have long since stopped living. I am invisible, and my life depends on my ability to stay in the shadows.

Then I read the first couple of chapters and I. Was. Hooked. The story grips you by the throat with the very first line. Though the rest of the book is a bit more of a slow built. I was a little thrown off with the introduction of one of the characters when I realized he wasn’t the hero, but by the second half of the book I understood why he couldn’t have been.
Erica Hill is a survivor, but surviving that night came with a price; her identity. She’s no longer the woman she used to be, that woman is hidden behind a fearful and demure shell.

Slate Andrews is a celebrity in his own right. The heavyweight champion of the world in boxing, he’s looking to escape the flash and glamor of his daily life and just unwind as a nobody in a place where no one knows who he is…including his neighbor. She may come off as a little mouse, but behind her eyes he sees something more, and as he gets to know the woman more, he knows what he wants.

Erica is not typically a heroine that I enjoy reading about. Her experience has traumatized her, and understandably so after what she’s been through. She’s scared of her own shadow and even more scared of falling for the sinfully sexy and protective man next door. But every now and then there were bursts of her true personality and I’d find myself warming up to her more and more.

Slate was…well he was just everything. Aly Martinez has written a super protective hero without having him come across as an OTT caveman. She’s also written a hero that is a perfect mix of sweet with a sinfully sexy side of dirty talker. And I couldn’t help but love every single side of him.

The story is a slow build but a very engaging one. The author reveals the details to you bit by small bit throughout the story, and I personally really enjoyed that. While you may have plenty of questions in the beginning, I can tell you that every single one of them will be answered toward the end. I particularly liked the “twist” that was thrown in at the end there.
Aly Martinez definitely has a new fan in me after this book and I’m really looking forward to (view spoiler)[Leo’s (hide spoiler)] book next. He was such an amazing side character that I just can’t wait to read about him more in his own book.
**ARC courtesy of author in exchange of an honest review**

AuthorPhotoAlyMBorn and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Aly Martinez is a stay-at-home mom to four crazy kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. Currently living in Chicago, she passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine at her side.

After some encouragement from her friends, Aly decided to add “Author” to her ever-growing list of job titles. So grab a glass of Chardonnay, or a bottle if you’re hanging out with Aly, and join her aboard the crazy train she calls life.

Don’t forget to check out Aly’s Wrecked and Ruined series
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ARC Review: ☆Tempting Her Best Friend (What Happens in Vegas)☆ by @Gina_L_Maxwell

August 17, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

A satisfying contemporary romance from Entangled’s Lovestruck imprint…

Alyssa Miller is tired of waiting for her next-door neighbor to see her as more than just his best friend. Ready to let off some steam, she heads to Las Vegas for a romance book convention where, if she’s lucky, she’ll get down and dirty with one of the sexy cover models.

Dillon Alexander doesn’t do commitment—especially not where his best friend is concerned. She deserves a man who can give her the world, not damaged goods. But when he realizes Alyssa intends to have a one-night stand on her vacation, he hauls ass after her to make surehe’s the one to scratch her itch.

Neither of them expects their explosive chemistry to burn hotter than the lights on the strip, but with a little help from Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, a flamboyant matchmaker, and TSA, what happens in Vegas might not stay in Vegas…

Amazon / Barnes & Noble
4 What Happens in Vegas Stars

To love someone is to know fear. Gut-wrenching, soulcrushing fear. Fear that your love won’t always be enough. Fear that something terrible could rip them away from you. There are dozens, hundreds of scenarios, but they all come down to the same thing: when you love someone with all your heart, the scariest thing imaginable is having to live without them.

If you’re looking for an easy, romantic, steamy and cute read, you really can’t go wrong with this book. The friends to lover trope is a tried and true method, and never fails to bring on a smile to my face, especially when it’s written by the fabulous Gina Maxwell. Gina puts her own spin on falling for your best friend with a little bit of Vegas craziness thrown in, a masquerade ball and a sexy Tarzan. Curious?You’ll have to read it find out more 😉

But I can give you a spoiler free cliff’s notes…

Alyssa Miller has been in love for her best friend for years. Heck, they’re practically acting like a married couple considering they live next to each other and see each other on a daily basis. Oh, except without the sex… and the never ending line of women that frequent her neighbor’s apartment.

Alyssa would love for Dillon to see her as something other that his sexless best friend, but she’s giving up hope. Her libido has certainly had enough of it. Batteries will only get a girl so far.

Tired of her risk-free and boring life, Alyssa decides that a weekend at a Romance book convention is the key to solve her dry spell. A steamy night spent with a sexy cover model she’ll never have to see again after seems just the key. Too bad Dillon is not exactly on board with that idea…

Dillon Alexander has always had feelings for his best friend, but he’s not the commitment sort and he knows he’s not what a woman like her needs. But when the idea of Aly with another man brings out his inner caveman? Let’s say a man will go to great lengths to resolve a situation; like follow her to Vegas and propose that he be the man to scratch her itch…no complications or strings need apply

Then, in the privacy of her room, he’d give her exactly what she wanted: excitement, passion, and multiple orgasms. Batteries not required.

And when the man puts his plan into action? Well let’s just say Alyssa never stood a chance

So what happens?
What starts of as this

Turns into a whole lot of this

I loved the setting of Vegas and all the fabulous side characters that were introduced. While this wasn’t anything I haven’t really read before, it was entertaining from beginning to finish. A little cute, a little sexy, sometime a touch cheesy, but still wonderful. An angst light, fluffy and romantic read that will appeal to all lovers of contemporary romance.

I hope that Dillon’s twin will be getting a book next. This is just one of those light and easy reads that are perfect for in between reads or just when you need a cute and uplifting romance.

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

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ARC Review: ☆One Night of Sin☆ by @ElleKennedy

August 9, 2014 by · 3 Comments

A sexy category romance novella from Entangled’s Brazen imprint…

Sometimes it’s good to be bad…

When it comes to sex, good girl Skyler Thompson always plays it safe, choosing stable and sedate over wild and thrilling. She doesn’t do one-night-stands, but one look at sinfully sexy Gage Holt and she’s willing to reconsider. He makes her want to be bad for once in her life, and she’s prepared to take what she wants.

Danger follows former MMA fighter Gage Holt like a shadow. Despite his successes as part owner of Sin, an exclusive nightclub in Boston, Gage can’t risk getting involved with a woman, especially one as sweet as Skyler. Still, he can’t resist a taste—and it’s so damn good he has to see her again.

As addicted as he is to her, Gage knows there’s no future for him and Skyler—not with his past lurking in the dark corners of an MMA cage. But Skylar’s tougher than she looks, and she’s ready to fight for her man.

Only $.99!!!

4 Sinfully Hot & dirty talking Stars


You say the filthiest things,” she moaned.
“That’s ’cause I’m a filthy boy. A very filthy boy that needs to be punished. So now ride me until I can’t see straight.”

Ha! See what I did there?

If you’re at all familiar with Elle Kennedy’s writing then you know that the woman can write some fucking HAWT books. And One Night of Sin? Sweet baby jebus! This book needs to come with a warning…and I mean A WARNING!

  • Book may cause sporadic ovary CUMbustion
  • Make sure you stock up on batteries or have your significant other on hand
  • Gage and his dirty mouth may give you a hot flash…or 30
  • Thinking about Gage and his dirty mouth may also make you impatient to wait if significant other isn’t on hand at the moment


Oh…there’s also a story somewhere in there. I swears! If I can only remember what that is now. Ahh yes, it’s all coming back to me now.

We have Gage Holt a former MMA fighter and current part owner of a club, and a verra bad boy. As far as first meetings go? He’s got that part covered…


That’s what you want, isn’t it? For me to fuck you right here, right now, against the wall. Isn’t that what you want, Skyler?”

Be reasonable, what woman can resist THAT? Certainly not Skyler Thompson, a good girl that’s always played it safe when it came to sex. So when on a bad date while at club Sin, she catches the eye of the sinfully sexy and tatted up Cage? Let’s just say she know exactly what she wants…and she really makes no qualms about going after it.

But luckily she’s forward without coming off as desperate or brash, which is typically my kryptonite with heroines.

The set up is not really unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Bad boy meets good girl. Boy isn’t looking for a commitment because he’s not “fit” to be in one. Boy and girl agree to some no string sex.


…we need to lay down a few ground rules.”
“What kind of rules?”
“Actually, there’s only one. This thing between us…it’ll be just sex. That’s all I can give you.”
“Fine, great, I’ll take six more orgasms.”

And since your offer sounds so tempting, Cage…

As far as the plot goes, it’s entertaining and the book reads very quick. Well…give or take a few “breaks”. Uhem.

I loved the set up for the 3 partners, all of who are former MMA fighters. This definitely was a hot little book in what looks to be a very promising and sinfully delicious series.

Did I also mention the hot sex?


Are all your fights usually so quick?”
Nope. I wanted it over fast so I could take you home and fuck you.

But don’t worry, it’s not just smut and zero story. If you’re looking for a scorching hot book with a dirty talking MMA fighter and a good girl gone bad? Looks like you’ve got your next read here 😉

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

But seriously guys, this is a STEAL for $.99. If you want a hot and steamy read with a hero that will quite literally melt the panties off of you, this is a must read. Huge rec from this dirty girl 😉

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ARC Review: ☆Temptation☆ by @RobinCovington

August 7, 2014 by · Leave a Comment
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Burn up the sheets one page at a time with Robin Covington and her sizzling romance, Temptation!!
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She needs to be good.
Five years ago, Kit Landry was homeless and alone at sixteen. Determined to ditch her crappy life, she moved to Nashville with only $200, her guitar, and a notebook full of songs. She hit it big as America’s country sweetheart, but a year of living like a rock star plus a stint in rehab has killed any good will she had with her label. The suits have ordered Kit to shape up or ship out of the limelight. The last thing she needs is a hot, sexy distraction with a sinful smile.
He doesn’t know the meaning of the word.
Max Butler is as far from a celebrity as you can get and he likes it that way. A Nashville firefighter, he’s living the single life with a revolving door of parties, friends, and a different woman in his bed every night. When his normal life suddenly collides with the girl on his favorite Rolling Stone cover, he sees the perfect chance to fulfill his ultimate fantasy and see just how bad Kit can be.
Sometimes bad is so very good.
With three weeks until Kit leaves for her big tour, Max promises to give her a break from being the good girl–no strings attached. But when hot days lead to sultry nights, the lines get blurred and suddenly three weeks of bad might not be good enough.
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Review
4 stars

I had thought the fire was dangerous, but I was wrong. Max was the thing I needed to worry about.
“You’re no angel,” I whispered.
“I’m glad you finally figured it out.”

I have yet to read a Robin Covington book I didn’t enjoy, and Temptation was no exception. Steamy, a little angsty, entertaining and satisfying; it was the perfect NA contemporary read.

Kit Landry is America’s country sweetheart.

The guitar was more important to me than any lover, our connection elemental, and I respected the hell out of it.

But she wasn’t always the good girl she is today. After her stint in rehab and her bad girl ways landing her in every gossip magazine, her label is threatening to drop her. To keep her career on the up and up, she needs to keep her image good and focus on her music. So now Kit must be the epitome of good, and to do that the last thing she needs is a bad boy that will test her every resolve.

Max Butler is a bad boy firefighter. He may risk his life running into burning buildings, but he has no interest in risking his heart to giving it to another woman…ever.

But a little no string, no commitment fun between the sheets with his own personal fantasy? Sign him up. So when he gets the opportunity to get close to Kit after rescuing her from a fire, he doesn’t think twice about it.

I went at her again like I was starving.
And I was famished. For her. It was the craziest thing I’d ever experienced, but I wasn’t going to let a little insanity stop me.

While the chemistry between them was nothing short of scorching,

both Kit and Max are gun shy when it comes to anything more. Max from being burned by a woman in his past, and Kit from another reason from her past.

I really loved that this was written in dual first person POV, but that’s usually my preference. This did have quite a bit of back and forth between Kit and Max. There was that element of ‘I want you, but I can’t’, but it wasn’t overdone or OTT in my opinion. I could have done without that additional “drama” at the 90% mark, but then again it DID fit the story so it didn’t bother me too much.

I liked both Kit and Max…well that’s a lie. I liked Kit but Max is what made my pervy little heart go all pitter patter with his deliciously sexy dirty talking ways. This author definitely knows her way around a sex scene. Damn.

If you’ve never read a Robin Covington book before, this is the perfect one to start with. I promise you’ll be going to her back list immediate after.

P.S.
My casting has been gratuitously stolen from the author’s inspiration behind Max and Kit 😉

About the AuthorRobin Covington, who NYT Best Selling authors, Robyn Carr and Carly Phillips, said was their new “auto-buy author”, writes sizzling hot contemporary and paranormal romance.

A Night of Southern Comfort, her best-selling debut novel was a 2012 finalist in the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Awards, earned 4.5 stars and was touted by RT Book Reviews as bringing a “fresh, modern feel to the genre while still sticking to the things that get our adrenaline pumping — sex and danger”. When she’s not exploring the theme of fooling around and falling in love, she’s collecting tasty man candy, indulging in a little comic book geek love, and stalking Joe Manganiello.

Robin is a member of the Romance Writers of America, the Washington and Maryland Romance Writers, a faculty member at Romance University, a member of the Waterworld Mermaids, and a contributor to the Happy Ever After blog at USA Today. You can find Robin on her website, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter (@RobinCovington).

Robin lives in Maryland with her hilarious husband, brilliant children, and ginormous puppy.

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Blog Tour & Review: ☆Buried☆ by @SelenaLaurence

August 6, 2014 by · Leave a Comment
BURIED by Selena Laurence
Blog Tour and Giveaway

Buried

Hiding from Love #3 
by Selena Laurence
Releases  August 4, 2014
* Stand Alone Novel *
Seven years ago, Juan Martinez lost everything—his only parent, his home, his life as he’d known it. Alone, lost, and desperate, he turned to the Reyes Hispanos—the RH—one of the most violent gangs in South Texas. But when you sell your soul to the devil, you pay a heavy price. Convicted of a drive-by shooting, Juan has served hard time. Finally out on parole, he wants to disappear—from the RH, from memories of all that he’s lost, and especially from the gorgeous woman who just showed up next door.

Beth Garcia grew up following after her older brother, David, and his best friend, Juan. She always dreamed of a day when she’d be old enough for Juan to look at her as someone other than David’s little sister. But he disappeared at seventeen, after his mother was deported, and Beth thought she’d lost him forever. When she finds him living at the halfway house next door, she knows he’s still the same guy inside. Determined to save him from himself and the RH, Beth sets out to prove that he didn’t commit the crime he was convicted of. But the path to absolution is dark, and even Beth may not be able to discover the real Juan.

Can a man with a damaged soul and a beautiful heart let a woman with fierce loyalty and unwavering love risk it all to save him? Or will his past bury them both this time?

4 Stars

I’m going to find Juan- the real Juan. I’m going to bring him back from the dark, deep place of pain and punishment he’s been living in. I know who he is. I’m going to remind him who he is, and then I’m going to make sure the world knows him too.

In my typical fashion of doing things back asswards, I went into this book without having read the previous 2 in this series. What? Don’t act like you’re surprised. What can I tell you after finishing it? 3 things.

1. The story goes to prove what a fantastic author Selena Laurence is
2. You can easily read this as a standalone
3. I will now be going back and reading the previous 2, not because I was lost in the story, but simply because I’m intrigued by the characters.

Juan Martinez has spent the past 7 years in hell. He’s lost his mother, his home, and life as he once knew it. Seeing no other alternative, he turned to the only option he thought was available to him; joining the Reyes Hispanos, one of the most violent gangs in his town of Texas. His life certainly hasn’t been easy, and he’s long since buried all his youthful dreams. The straight A student with dreams of a wife and a white picket fence has been replaced by the cold faced gangster that’s learned to hide everything he feels. After serving hard time for being convicted of a death in a drive-by shooting, Juan only wants one thing; to hide. To hide from his past, to hide from his present, and definitely to hide from the gang that is already breathing down his neck and wants him back into the fold. But all that changes when at his halfway house his past comes crashing into him in the form of Beth Garcia; his childhood best friend’s younger sister and the woman he’s always loved.

Beth still remembers the boy that Juan used to be, and she refuses to believe in the facade of the dangerous gangster he now presents. She doesn’t believe he’s guilty of the crime he was convicted for. She sees beyond the hard exterior to the broken soul of the man beneath. The man that she used to know, and the man that she is determined to find again.

I can’t give you any one word to describe this book, because it doesn’t fit into any particular box or genre that I can think of. It was emotional, heart wrenching, at times sexy, and poignant.

I loved the strength in both of these characters. With every piece of the puzzle of Juan’s past that gets revealed, you get further and further drawn into the story.

Juan for all his bad boy gangster ways was nothing like that with Beth. This was his childhood crush and the girl he always imagined himself being with. So while their connection is instantaneous when the reconnect these 7 years later, you can understand it given their history. Though their relationship is not an easy one with the chaos that surrounds them from Juan’s past life. There was action and quite a few nail biting moments that will keep you glued to the story from beginning to finish.

I also loved how Selena included Joss from A Lush Betrayal in the end here. It was so flawlessly done and just added to my enjoyment of the story to see the two worlds tied together.

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

The Hiding from Love series

Hidden 
(Nick & Lindsey)
** 99 cents **

Amazon | B&N | iTunes

Camoflauged 
(Gabe & Alexis)
** FREE **

Amazon | B&N | iTunes

Concealed 
(Gabe & Alexis)

Amazon  | B&N |  iTunes

Buried 
(Juan & Beth)

 Amazon | B&N  | iTunes

Selena Laurence is the Barnes and Noble Bestselling author of what she likes to call Edgy Contemporary Romance. Her books have been Amazon Top 10 bestsellers in multiple categories including Multicultural Romance, Hispanic Fiction, Urban Fiction, Military Romance, and Romantic Suspense. Her New Adult romance, Hidden, won the 2014 Reader’s Crown Award for Contemporary Romance of the year.

Selena lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and spends a hell of a lot of time at soccer games, on her laptop, and reading. She requires a Mocha Latte every day to function, keeps a goldendoodle at her feet most of the time, and has more kids than she or Mr. Laurence know what to do with.

Selena is also author of the Lush Series, a story of four high school friends who form the rock band Lush.  Take a ride with rock stars, men, brothers, and lovers, as Joss, Walsh, Mike, and Colin discover what it means to succeed, to fail, to hurt, and to love.

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ARC Review & Author Interview: ☆No Limits☆ by @lorilfoster

August 5, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

A surprise inheritance reunites a mixed martial arts fighter with the woman he’s never forgotten in the first in a smoldering new series from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster…
Cannon Colter is quintessential hero material: chiseled jawline, shredded body—the works. He’s also the guy who rescued Yvette Sweeny from kidnappers, only to put an end to her romantic dreams. These days, she’s older, smarter, determined to face whatever life throws her way. Even the prospect of sharing a house and business with Cannon.

Cannon knew Yvette wanted him three years ago. But she was young—and some things are worth waiting for. Thrown together by her grandfather’s legacy, he realizes how deep Yvette’s scars really go, and how much danger lurks in their quiet town. As pent-up desire explodes between them, protecting her becomes the only fight that matters. And he’ll break all the rules to do it…

Releasing: August 26

Available for pre-order
Kindle / Nook / iTunes / BAM / 
Amz Paperback / B&N Paperback
4 Swoony Romance Stars

When need be, I can fight dirty, though usually I just fight for sport. But when it comes to you, I fight to win.

I’ve been a HUGE Lori Foster fan since reading her very first SBC Fighters book years ago. Ever since then, I’ve been stalking the poor author in hopes that’d she’d write another MMA series. Considering that she’s a big fan of sport and it’s very evident in her writing, it just makes it all the better. So when Cannon was first introduced in Getting Rowdy, I’ve been practically salivating at the thought of him getting his own book. I kid you not. Allow me to quote my own review

On a different note, I am absolutely DYING to get a book for Cannon. He was one of my favorite parts of this book. Please please please give us a book for him. Did I happen to mention that he’s a fighter? I would squeal like a teenage girl spotting Justin Bieber if Lori Foster gives us another series like her SBC Fighters with Cannon. Seriously, I’m not even embarrassed to admit that.

So when I began reading this book and realized that Cannon is THE Cannon, I had a little moment

The one thing that I’ve truly come to appreciate in Miss Foster’s books is the way she ties all her characters together flawlessly, even from earlier series. We got Rowdy, Logan, Reese, Dash…and even Havoc had a mention.

Having said that, you can definitely read this as a standalone, though I would recommend reading the novella Hard Knocks, just to get a better introduction to all the fighters. Now on to the review.

Cannon

If you’re looking for a sweet yet incredibly sexy, protective and possessive yet not OTT hero, you simply must meet Cannon.

Three years ago, Cannon rescued her and her grandfather from kidnappers. Yvette has always harbored a school girl crush on the sexy fighter, but then he walked away from her. She was too young, too needy, too vulnerable…or so she thought. But Cannon never forgot the beautiful girl with the green eyes, so when her grandfather’s passing and will gives him the opportunity to fix the wrongs of years’ past, he doesn’t think twice. He wants Yvette, and he’ll have her, but first he needs to convince her.

The one thing that I always liked about Cannon, even when he was a young man in the other series, he was always the sweet guy. He was the neighborhood protector, the nice guy, yet he still exuded that sexy and dangerous vibe without coming off like an asshole. I was so happy to see that didn’t change in his own book. He was still the swoony protector, and still the nice guy. While he hasn’t been a saint in the 3 years he hasn’t seen Yvette, he was dubbed “the Saint” in the SBC for a reason; he treats everyone, even his one night stands with kindness. This is not your stereotypical asshole fighter book hero.

Cannon loses no time at all in making his intentions clear to Yvette. His feelings for her haven’t changed, and if anything they’ve only intensified through the years.

Her impact on him was the same as three years ago when he’d first kissed her. She’d started an itch that had never gone away, and instead had grown to nearly consume him.

Yvette has always had feelings for Cannon, but she never thought he’d reciprocate it. But she’s not the same woman that she was when he rescued her. She’s older, wiser, and determined to fix her problems herself and not be seen as the vulnerable and needy girl used to be.

If you’re looking for some fighting action here, you won’t get it. This is very strictly a romance book with a hero that just happens to be a fighter. And honestly? I can’t complain in the least.

This was a slow burn and slower paced romance, meaning the author didn’t throw the MCs into bed at the very first opportunity. Not even close. The sexual chemistry and tension between them was palpable by the time they burned up the sheets together…and boy did they burn them up. But the sex wasn’t at the center of this book. The romance was. And the romance was perfection. Lori Foster was the author that first introduced me to contemporary romance, and all these books later she continues to remind me why she’s one of my go-to authors in the genre.

This book had a little bit of everything; romance, suspense, and some action. Even a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming.

Yvette was a character that in any other circumstance would bother me with her insecurities, but something about her just worked for me here. Sure I was frustrated with her a few times, but I also understood why she felt the way that she did, so I was able to look past it.

Then there were the side character; Armie, Denver, Stack, Vanity, Rissy, and Cherry. One future pairing has already been made clear, and let me just tell you I can already tell that that book will be SCORCHING. I can’t wait. I’m so happy that Lori has has written another MMA series, and can’t wait for more. This was the perfect book and couple to start off what promises to be another amazing series.

***ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest revew***

Interview with Lori Foster
Hi Lori! Thanks so much for being here on Dirty Girl Romance blog today. We are super thrilled to share with our readers your upcoming release,  No Limits, and your new Ultimate series. And of course my inner fangirl is squeeing like a teenager at a Justin Bieber concert with excitement here 🙂

But that’s enough about my inner fangirl, let’s talk Cannon!

   
DGR: We first meet Cannon as a young man in Getting Rowdy. Did you know then that you would be writing a book for him? (I have to admit my first thought when I read the book was, ‘please please start another series with him like your SBC Fighters series’. I was a big fan of that series, obviously.)
LF: Thank you so much! Many readers contacted me after Cannon’s appearance in the Love Undercover series. Seemed everyone, including me, liked him from the get-go. And yes, almost as soon as Cannon showed up on the page I knew he wanted his own book. Some characters are like that. I don’t know anything about them. I don’t even know they’re going to appear. Them poof –they show up, steal a scene, and convince me they need a book of their own.  🙂

DGR: I also know you’re a big fan of the MMA, does that make your writing process for this series more fun?

LF: Yes, definitely. It also makes it easier in some ways, more difficult in others. I have a lot of respect for these professional athletes and I want to do them justice while also romanticizing them and enhancing natural qualities enough to make them “book worthy” heroes. Because I love the sport, I feel familiar with it. But again, the realities of training and competing should never read like a how-to manual for a romance novel. So I have to gloss over some things, expound on others. Overall, my MMA series is about ripped, capable fighters falling in love and working through some suspense elements. NOT about actual fighting.

DGR: I personally loved Cannon’s combination of possessive and protective with super sweet. Can you tell the readers any more enticing details about his character? 



LF: Like many of my heroes, he’s a natural born protector. He has a sister he adores, a neighborhood he’s loyal to, and a wealth of honorable, sometimes quirky friends. I like to write characters that have some flaws, but I have to admit, Cannon doesn’t have many.  🙂

DGR: What was your favorite part to write for No Limits?

This is awful to admit, but my favorite part to write was Armie Jacobson. He’s a character who will end up with his own book, and from the first time he showed up, he was hilarious and outrageous and he’d say and do things that surprised me and had me grinning. He’s a perfect best friend for the very responsible Cannon, and I have a feeling readers will enjoy him as much as I have.

DGR: This is an over-asked question, I’m sure, but I still have to ask. Who would be your dream cast to play Cannon and Yvette?

LF: Well shoot. That’s always a toughie because while I love movies, I almost never remember the names of actors. Josh Duhamel is always a hottie, and he’s big enough to be Cannon, although maybe he’s a little older. Not sure. Mila Kunis has the right look for Yvette, if she could play a quieter, more reserved part.

DGR: There were many interesting side characters introduced; Armie, Denver, Stack, Vanity, Rissy, and Cherry. Any hints who’s up next and who’ll be the heroine to bring him to his knees?

LF: Yes! I’m almost done writing Denver’s story now. It’s titled HOLDING STRONG and should be out April/May 2015. Denver is one of the bigger fighters (in more ways than the obvious) and he’s a little more alpha, a little less laidback than Cannon. He and Cherry showed some attraction in NO LIMITS, and in their own book they finally get together, but also have some issues to work out. Denver sees her as the ultimate party girl, and since he’s pretty possessive, that bugs him a lot. Both of them also have troublesome pasts that have to be resolved.

DGR: Armie (dreamy sigh). He was so much fun to read as a character. I think I highlighted everything he ever said. When is his book and can you give us any more details about him to tide us over in the wait?

LF: See!? I loved Armie too. I think you’re going to love him even more in HOLDING STRONG. But I don’t see Armie getting his own book until… the end of the series. Sorry. Cannon is first, Denver is second. Stack will likely be third. That leaves Armie for last. But the good part is that we’ll get to see Armie playing in his secondary role for a while longer. 🙂
DGR: I love that you also included several characters from other series like Rowdy, Logan, and of course even my favorite, Havoc, got a mention. Are any of the boys from SBC Fighters series going to be making any more appearances in this series?

LF: They are! I had to get permission from previous publishers to include them, but everyone is on board so expect some cameos and some longer roles as the two SBC series mesh. You can expect to see Dean (Havoc) Conor from CAUSING HAVOC, and Simon (Sublime) Evans from SIMON SAYS, and maybe even some peeks from Jude Jamison, JUDE’S LAW. 🙂

DGR: Anything else you’d like to let the readers know about this No Limits and the Ultimate series?

LF: Readers can catch early “sneak preview” excerpts on my website – www.LoriFoster.com and can win fun goodies like T-shirts, mouse pads, key chains, etc… on my Facebook page – www.Facebook.com/LoriFoster

Thank you!

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Review: ☆Looking for Trouble☆ by @VictoriaDahl

July 31, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

A good reason to be bad…Librarian Sophie Heyer has walked the straight and narrow her entire life to make up for her mother’s mistakes. But in tiny Jackson Hole, Wyoming, juicy gossip doesn’t just fade away. Falling hard for the sexiest biker who’s ever ridden into town would undo everything she’s worked for. And to add insult to injury, the alluring stranger is none other than Alex Bishop the son of the man Sophie’s mother abandoned her family for. He may be temptation on wheels, but Sophie’s not looking for trouble!

Maybe Sophie’s buttoned-up facade fools some, but Alex knows a naughty smile when he sees one. Despite their parents’ checkered pasts, he’s willing to take some risks to find out the truth about the town librarian. He figures a little fling might be just the ticket to get his mind off his own family drama. But what he finds underneath Sophie’s prim demeanor might change his world in ways he never expected.

 

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Review
4 stars

If she were timid, he wasn’t sure he’d ever have noticed her. If she’d hidden behind her glasses and sweater, his eyes would have skipped right over her, letting her red hair and brown eyes blend into the crowd. But she wasn’t hiding, she was…waiting. And Alex was perfectly willing to step up to the plate.

Sophie Heyer is a good girl with a dirty little secret. She may be the prim and proper little librarian in a small town, but underneath the modest clothes hides a bad girl that can’t wait to get out.

But being the daughter of the woman that was the center of the town’s scandal 25 years ago is not easy. Especially not when she looks exactly like her. After all, when your mother leaves her husband and 2 young children to run off with a married men, the rumor’s won’t be good. So Sophie tries her best to go against her mother’s image. She’s a good girl. She walks the straight line, and she’s not looking to deviate from that…especially not for a bad boy.

Alex Bishop is a bad boy. Covered in tattoos, riding a motorcycle and not staying in any place too long is what he’s about. He tried a relationship one, but let’s face it, with his constant travel for work and everything else, he’s not cut out for them. But he’s not opposed to a little fun between the sheets. Especially when a certain little redhead catches his eye.

He’s been away from the little town for years, and he’s not happy to be back. He may not know who Sophie is…but Sophie certainly knows who he is. He just so happens to be the son of the married man her mother ran away with all those years ago. The son of the woman that hates Sophie and everything she reminds her for. Too bad that doesn’t stop the scorching hot chemistry they have between them. Sophie may try to be good, but Alex makes her want to be oh so bad.

If you’ve never read a Victoria Dahl book, you’re definitely missing out. I love her sexy combination of romance, humor, scorching sex, and endearing characters, and this book was no exception.

Need something?” she asked.
Alex groaned. “I had to crawl to the shower. Are you trying to prove your superiority? I give. Uncle.”
Sophie laughed. “What’d you come out here for?”
“I don’t remember,” he said. She felt him growing hard against her. “Jesus, you’re a witch. The kind that can raise the dead.”
“Maybe you’re ore of a man than you thought.”
He groaned again. “I’ll punish you for that later.”
“Promise?”
“No. I probably won’t have the strength.”

I really enjoyed this book. I’m not a fan of mousy heroines, so I was so happy to see that Sophie was hiding her true personality behind her demure mask. And Alex? Did I mention tattoos, a motorcycle and a dirty mouth? What else do you need? How bout a great story on top of everything?

Looking for Trouble was a great start to what looks to be a very promising series and I can’t wait to see what else Miss Dahl has in store with the next books. I do wish that we did an epilogue or a little bit more from that ending, but it was still satisfying and fitting to the story. A very solid 4 star read.

Fans of sexy contemporary romance will really enjoy this one.

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Book Spotlight, Review & #Giveaway: ☆Rocked☆ by @TarynElliottFic and @cariquinn

July 12, 2014 by · 8 Comments
If you haven’t yet met the boys of Olivion, you, my friends, are seriously missing out. If you like Rock Star romances and steamy hot lovin…AND a great story on top? You NEED to read this series. 
Book 1 in the NA rock star series, Lost in Oblivion

Love definitely wasn’t on the setlist.

Opening for their idols on their first tour, Oblivion is living the dream. Mostly. Frustrated at being shoved out of his mediator role by their new manager, Deacon McCoy loses himself in brutal workouts. He only comes up for air long enough to refuel—and to tease the deliciously cute chef who makes him crave a lot more than what she’s offering on her serving plate.

As the child of roadie parents, Harper Pruitt has heard every pickup line twice. To her, musicians are one step above the scraps on her cutting board. All she wants is to get enough experience to run her own catering company, but Deacon and his bottomless stomach are too tempting to resist. He’s far from the typical rock star and before long, she finds herself experimenting with him, inside and out of the kitchen.
Apron – and panties – optional.

When Harper sees that Deacon’s dream band with his best friends may be turning into a nightmare, she can’t walk away. Deacon’s so much more than just a peacemaker and the man behind the bass. But she has her own dreams to chase…even if she’s starting to think what she’s building with him might be the biggest one of all.

You met Deacon McCoy in SEDUCED, now you can watch just how far a big man can fall.
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4 Sexy Manimal Stars

From the moment he touched her, he’d known it was more.

So truth be told, there has yet to be a Rockstar Romance that my pervy little self has been able to pass on. After falling in love with Cari Quinn’s writing in Shadowboxer, when I saw her and Taryn Elliot have a sexy rock star romance series? Well let’s just say I was a little excited to get my hands on Rocked.

In a sea of formulaic rock star romances, Rocked managed to truly stand out for me. Why? Because it didn’t start off with the biggest of all manwhores and assholes falling for the girl. Nope. It had a deliciously sweet, tall, muscled and tatted Deacon.

That’s not to say that this series doesn’t have it’s manwhores. Oh no. It certainly has that. And I for one cannot wait to see both Simon and Nick be brought to their knees. But this book was about my sweet Deacon, so let’s get back to him.

(First I’d strongly recommend reading Seduced in order to get a much deeper understanding of all the band members of Oblivion. While Rocked could be read as a standalone, reading the prequel first will help you understand all the guys…and girl…much better)

Oblivion has finally hit the big times. They’re given the chance to open for their idols on their very first tour. Touring and performing in front of huge crowds is a dream come true…but it’s not without problems. The relationship between all the band members is definitely not smooth sailing, especially when a contract is on the horizon. Good thing they have the sensible, calm, and mediator bass player, Deacon.

Deacon is tired of the one night stand and the faceless groupies that all seem to lost in a haze of drunken memories. He wants more. So when he sees the sexy blonde chef on the catering service for the tour, he pursues her relentlessly…

Harper Pruitt has been there, done that, and burned the groupie t-shirt. Being the daughter of roadies, she’s more than accustomed to dealing with cocky rock stars. She has no intention of getting involved with one, that’s for damn sure. Especially when she’s so determined to get set up her career as a chef. Too bad Deacon is nothing like what she expected and not at all what she’s used to.

It wasn’t like she was powerless against him. It was so much more than that. He was warmth and promise and generosity distilled into an impossible man.

She may be smart mouthed and give as good as she takes. But the intensity of Deacon and his sinfully sexy body and tattoos soon prove too much to resist. Add into the mix his perfectly sweet words, and it’s done.

We’re going to burn out,” she said against his mouth an couldn’t stop herself from tasting him again. “Nothing good will come of this.”
“Harper, nothing but good is going to come from this.”

I loved the way that the relationship between Harper and Deacon was built. The book is long and it gives you a chance to truly get invested in them. Their struggles, their lust, and of course…the music

While I did feel that the book could have been a little shorter, I can’t say that I ever found myself bored with the characters or the story. The band’s struggle definitely added an extra element to keep me turning the pages to see if they crash and burn or shine. But what truly kept me glued to the pages was the super steamy sex scenes.

What? I never said I wasn’t shallow. Don’t look at me like that. Just wait until you meet Deacon for yourself, you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.

While Harper struggles with the inevitable relationship that they have going, Deacon was all in from the very beginning. There was no playing around from him. He knew what he wanted and he went for it.

Making her his, holding on to her as if she was going to fade out like the last strains of a song wasn’t a smart move. Instead he had to trust that if she was truly that important, then things would fall together.

Cari and Taryn managed to give their love story the perfect combination of sexy and dirty with sweet and passionate.

But all he could focus on was how she felt around him. Like heaven and hell were pulling at him. Take more, give more, love more. Life infused around him and through him as her sweet body gave and softened for him.

I am hooked on this series, line and sinker. I’m already salivating for every single book, and that rarely happens. Usually I have one or 2 characters that I’m curious about, and the rest I could take it or leave it. I can’t tell you who I want a book for more, Simon, Nick or Gray. I want them all. BAD.

If you’re looking for your next rock star series, look no further than the boys of Oblivion.

In her arms is where he was meant to be. And the chaos in his mind ebbed and flowed with lust and the heady first blush of emotion. She filled him up, made him ache, and when her surrender came this time, it was soft and sweet.

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

Want even more of Harper and Deacon? 

Well lucky you! Taryn and Cari just released a sexy novella for them on July 4th. Check it out!

     Loving in fast forward…


Love on the fast track has been the definition of Harper and Deacon McCoy’s relationship. In between studio sessions with Deacon’s band, Oblivion, and building a new clientele for Harper’s catering business, the newlyweds haven’t had time to sleep let alone have a honeymoon.
Deacon convinces Harper that they need a week alone together before her business as well as a new album and tour swallows them whole. Since Texas has always held special meaning for them, they head to Galveston to recharge and remember what it’s like to just be a couple.
A beachfront cottage, hours of alone time, and plenty of skin on skin action is just what the rock star ordered. Until the future once again comes much quicker than they expected, threatening to crumble not only their perfect honeymoon but also their brand new marriage

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And psssst…it’s only $.99 right now 😉
TARYN ELLIOTT comes from the great state of New York—upstate, thank you very much. She’s usually busy making up stories with her best friend until the wee hours of the morning, or fangirling over her favorite TV show. She falls in love with each and every one of her leading men as she writes their book, and there’s always a soundtrack to match.
She loves talking to readers, so if you’d like to reach her, please visit her website: tarynelliott.com and sign up for her newsletter, or drop her a line at: taryn@tarynelliott.com.

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR CARI QUINN saves the world one Photoshop file at a time in her job as a graphic designer. At night, she writes sexy romance, drinks a lot of coffee and plays her music way too loud. When she’s not scribbling furiously, she’s watching men’s college basketball, reading excellent books and causing trouble. Sometimes simultaneously.
Visit Cari at www.cariquinn.com to sign up for her brand new newsletter, or drop her a line at:cariquinnauthor@gmail.com.

(1) signed copy of Rocked by Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliott , an ebook of Rock, Rattle & Roll – 1 winner (US only)

(1) XXL Lost in Oblivion T-shirt- 1 winner (US only)

And 2 lucky winners will also receive an ebook of Rock, Rattle and Roll (open internationally)

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Release Day Blitz, Excerpt, Review & #Giveaway: ☆The Reality of You☆ by @JeanHaus

June 27, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

Naomi Porter was once witty, fun, and outgoing, but she has scratched outgoing off the list, along with men. She has a mediocre tech job in fabulous New York, a large smut book collection, and awesome friends, both tangible and in an online gaming community. She just doesn’t date. A future filled with cats and housedresses beats having her heart broken again.

But Naomi still likes men, even kind of stalks—mostly fantasizes about—a gorgeous one at work during lunch.

Her best friend, Kara, is determined that Naomi will be outgoing again. When Kara finds out who, as in a notorious playboy, Naomi is stalking at lunch, she plans to break Naomi of her lunchtime habit and bring her back into the real world. It’s just going to take a bit of deception.

Between all the deceiving, fangirling, and bumbling, Naomi might not be able to resist the temptation of turning her seven-month fantasy into reality. And really, so what if he’s a playboy or a demanding jerk? Her fantasies don’t include love or even like, just a bed or a couch or the back seat of a limo…

Reality might be just what she needs.

*A sexy romantic comedy intended for audiences 18+

Amazon / B&N / Smashwords

~Meet Naomi Porter ~

-They each had some kind of jackass drink: dry martini, cosmopolitan, Manhattan, Caipirini, and one neat, overpriced single malt scotch. Except for me. I drank beer. American beer. From the tap, thank you very much.

-Whoa. Wow. Whoa. Between his gaze and his words, I imagined jumping on his lap and experiencing some of that.
– What was better than fried tortillas? Nothing. Well, except Doritos. But they were fried tortillas with cheese-flavored dusting. 
-Could sharks jump out of the water? The ocean lay more than a hundred feet away. I wanted a shark to swallow me whole and drag me to the deep, salty depths of the sea after that ramble.
– But he is also hot, delicious, and the star of my day and night dreams.
-I didn’t cook. I constructed dips.
-I wanted to grab a toothpick and stuff it up my roommate’s nose. Two toothpicks to be precise, one for each nostril.
– Seriously, I never imagined being a tux girl, but holy hot hell, I could dry hump his suit. Preferably with him in it, but…
-You can never, ever, go wrong with bacon.
– I was going to faint. Or let out a whoop. Or tackle him. And it wasn’t just because he was removing his pants.

“Keep an open mind. First impressions aren’t always correct,” she said from behind me as we strode down the hall.

“I’m not expecting Prince Charming but those three are wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am all the way. Is a little interest, a little romance, a first date with a toe-curling kiss too much to ask for?” I inquired over my shoulder.

“Maybe you need a wham-bam to get back into business. Like get it over, then move on to the romance and the toe-curling kisses.”

“Harrumph,” escaped me before we came out of the hallway and into the main bar. Three steps into the room, I stopped dead in my tracks. I became a deer in headlights when I noticed a person sitting sideways at the bar. Dark brown hair. Square jaw. Dark winged brows. Sensual lips with a rocks glass pressed to them. I gaped as he tipped the glass higher and amber liquid touched his lips.

Kara ran into my shoulder. “What the hell?” she asked, rubbing her jaw and stepping next to me. “Don’t pull this again. It’s only one more drink.”

“It’s him,” I somehow said, though still in shock. “My lunch guy.”

“Him? What are you talking—” She followed my frozen gawk. “Holy shit, Naomi! He’s the guy you watch at lunch? That’s not a bike—that’s a luxury car! Like an Aston Martin!” Kara had a thing for luxury cars. And shoes. And clothes. And purses.

I nodded as the woman next to him gave him a sultry stare. Jealousy flared within in me. Hopefully the daydream kind, but yeah, he was an Aston Martin compared to the three ten speeds waiting in the other room.

Kara smacked her forehead. “I should have known. Why didn’t my stupid ass put two and two together when you described him? You know who he is, right?”

Locked on him, my eyes turned huge. “What? No.”

“He’s—”

“Aggggg, not listening to Kara.” I covered my ears. “Don’t tell me.” Sure, I stalked him at lunch, but I didn’t want the possibility of becoming a full-time stalker. More than that, I didn’t want my lunchtime lustful fantasies ruined by reality. I was more than aware of it being a fantasy. I liked it as a fantasy.

4 The Reality turned out Much better than I expected Stars

The reality of you is so much better than anything I’ve ever imagined.

I have been a fan of Jean Haus ever since Ink My Heart. I’ve loved her NA books, so when she let me know she has a new Romantic Comedy in the works, I was just a little excited at the opportunity to read it.

Miss Haus has yet to let me down and this book was certainly no exception. While I can’t really say it was a romantic comedy (I’d call it more of a contemporary romance with a little humor), I still really enjoyed it. I also have to say that the synopsis does not do this book justice at all. It was so much better than I anticipated.
Meet Naomi Porter

Naomi has pretty much given up on men and relationships after her disastrous past relationships. Every man in her life has stopmed on her heart and dumped her, with her most recent ex being the nail in the coffin. After a horrible car crash ruins not only her chance for Olympics but her engagement as well, she’s done. Burying herself in her “safe” world, the last thing she wants is to have her heart broken again

So she makes do with her mediocre job, her online gaming, her friends, her smutty books…and her fantasies. And the recurring star of those fantasies just happens to be the mysterious sexy man that she more or less stalks during her work lunch hour.

She doesn’t know who he is, what he does, or if he’s even single. But he certainly has a nice ass and her imagination can fill in the rest…

Let me recall some of your descriptions of the man. There was ‘Mr. McGriddle, cover that man in sticky maple syrup’. You also described him as ‘tall, dark hot chocolate, give me two cans of whip cream’. And let’s not forget the eloquent, ‘Superpants, able to make a woman cum with a drop of his drawers.”

So her friends also happen to know of her obsession.
Her best friend and roommate is determined to break Naomi out of her rut. But a crush on the mystery man is not the way to go. Especially since her friend Kara knows that the mystery man happens to be the incredibly rich and even bigger asshole with a 3 week relationship minimum, Reese Jordon. And what’s the best way to rid her friend of this crush and finally get her out of her rut and into the real world? Expose her to the true asshole-y potent effect of Reese by getting her a job as his temp for the week during a Puerto Rico work trip. But plans rarely go according to plan.
I knew I’d love Reese at his first asshole remark to Naomi. To say he was a grade A asshole to her would be an understatement. But beyond the asshole and cold businessman there was also an undercurrent of something…more.
I loved Naomi’s bumbling and accident prone quirkiness. I could have done without her “inner fangirl” as it gave me some cold sweat flashbacks to a certain ‘inner goddess’, but it wasn’t too bad. It was even cute at times. Her inner thoughts always managed to put a smile on my face.

I was quite sure that his “secretary” licking him during Pilates would be frowned upon.
She was so endearingly shy yet cute.
I took a sip of wine, and held in a moan. He was going to make me a wino, a big fat wino because I planned on drinking wine with everything now. Doritos, yogurt, dips, pizza…cereal? There had to be a wine that paired with Cocoa Puffs.
The relationship between Naomi and Reese was slow building but filled with plenty of sexual tension. Between lustful fantasies and a few stolen gropes and kisses I was beyond ready for these two to finally get together…and when they did?

Yup. Hawt!
I did get irritated with her friend Kara.

Considering the woman pretty much set the whole thing in motion, she was a grade A bitch about everything. I was hoping she’d redeem herself toward the end of the book, but that ever really happened for me.

So I really wished she would just shut the hell up and stay out of it at times.
As for the rest of it? I really liked it. It was cute, funny and sexy. I really fell for Reese and the way he treated Naomi. Naomi was a great heroine as well. I was not expecting the twist at the end. It caught me completely off guard. And the last chapter was the perfect conclusion. Jean really brought the story a full circle and it was great.
If you’re a fan of fun and sexy contemporary romances, I definitely recommend this one. I really hope Jean Haus has more adult books like this up her sleeve in the future.
**ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review**
I write young adult and romance novels. I read a lot too. I even do a bit of cooking, which is actually quite good. I also golf a lot in the summer with my awesome husband and son, but I cook way, way better than I golf.
I am Represented by Jane Dystel of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.
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Review: ☆Hold On Tight☆ by Abbi Glines

June 22, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

Six years ago, Dewayne Falco’s life changed. He lost someone he never expected to lose. Resigned to punish himself for something he felt he could have prevented, he goes through life without getting too close to anyone.

What he didn’t expect was for the girl across the street to move back home and remind him of what they both lost: Dewayne’s younger brother Dustin. However, when a miniature version of Dustin opens the door to greet him, Dewayne realizes he might not have lost everything after all.

Sienna Roy loved Dustin Falco most of her life. He was the boy next door, the high school basketball star and her best friend. But when his life was cut short, she realized he left a part of himself behind.

Now, she’s back in Sea Breeze, thankful to have a home for her and Dustin’s son, but not sure if she can ever forgive the people across the street who abandoned her when she needed them the most — The Falcos.

Betrayal, lies, and forbidden attraction might end Dewayne and Sienna’s story before it’s even begun

4 Solid Stars


I wanted to protect myself from getting hurt, but I trusted him. I trusted him more than I’d ever trusted anyone. Besides, I wasn’t sure he hadn’t taken my heart years ago and not given it back. There wasn’t much left for me to protect anymore.

So here’s the thing. Abbi Glines books are like crack for me. Slightly overpriced but entirely addicting crack. The past few releases of hers have felt somewhat lackluster to me; a little of been there, read that. I really haven’t loved a Sea Breeze book since Just for Now, but it looks like she has her mojo back with this one. I loved Hold on Tight. No it’s not an epic love story or anything that will stay with you for a long time to come, but it was entertaining, steamy, and had characters I didn’t want to throttle.

Six years ago Dewayne Falco took the shy Sienna Roy under his wing, but what blossomed was more than just a friendship.

But Dewayne knows that this is the girl for his brother, and he won’t stand in the way of that. If only his pigheaded brother will appreciate her for what she is. Unfortunately all he can do is watch from the sidelines.

Sienna Roy thought she had the boy of her dreams when Dustin Falco started paying attention to her. So why is it that the older Flaco brother always seemed to cross her mind? But unfortunately one night and one mistake changes everything, changing the course of both their lives. Now six years later Sienna returns to the one town she never thought she’d step foot in again, but she’s no longer the same girl…and Dewayne Falco is definitely no longer a boy.


He wasn’t just the nice guy who had been my friend when I was younger. He was also a an who had abandoned me when I’d needed someone the most.

But Sienna doesn’t just have herself to think about now. Her life changed irrevocably those 6 years ago, and now she also has her son. But can bad boy Dewayne really chance the course of his life and womanizing ways for the woman that has always been in his heart?

I really loved the story of Dewayne and Sienna. I especially loved that Sienna was so down to earth and did’t do any unnecessary stupid shit to stir drama or keep secrets. She was who she was, and she kept nothing hidden. I really appreciated that. She puts all her cards out on the table pretty much right away.

Dewayne? Well Dewayne was everything I had hoped he would be and so much more. Sweet mother of dirty talk was he more!


I know it’s a bad idea. But damn, Sienna, you’re driving me crazy. I just want a little taste. If you’d spread those legs for me and let me taste you just once, then we could be friends. I just need a taste, baby. I know it’s gonna be sweet.

Of course there has to be some drama and angst, or it wouldn’t be a NA book, so Dewayne fights his connection to Sienna thinking he’s not good enough for her. But luckily there were no jealous exes thrown into the mix or no added unnecessary drama. I truly enjoyed it from start to finish. And you know what they say, the bigger they are, the bigger they fall. I absolutely loved watching Dewayne lose his battle.

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