Expanded Edition

“I’m not sure what you have been told about me, but I’m not nearly as bad as they make me out to be.” His deliciously deep voice carried a little bit of ego. 

I’m sure you are exactly as bad as they make you out to be…. 

Brad De Luca is used to getting whatever and whomever he wants. The premier divorce attorney in town, he’s a playboy who’s bedded half the city—including his own clients. And when the newest intern at his firm poses a challenge, his seductive prowess goes into overdrive. 

Pre-law student Julia Campbell is fresh off a failed engagement and happy with her new independence. Even if she weren’t warned away from Brad at every turn, she’d know he was bad news. The last thing she needs is a man who could destroy her job prospects, not to mention her innocence. But before she knows it, the incorrigible charmer has her under his spell. His deviant tastes plunge her deep into a forbidden world of sexual exploration…but her heart may not survive the fall.

Is that the only reason I’m sitting here? Because I’m an intern in your firm, therefore off-limits?”
“I invited you here because I enjoy spending time with you. You challenge me and make me laugh. And because every time I see you I want to rip your clothes off and put my hands on you.

Why oh why did it take me so long to read this? My first book by Allesandra Torre was Sex Love Repeat and I absolutely fell in love with her writing style. I then went back and one-clicked every single book by her, this included. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this; it being her debut book and having some mixed reviews. I shouldn’t have been concerned in the least. I really can’t go wrong with a book by this author. Brad De Luca now has my pervy little heart in the palm of his hand. But I digress…

Julia is a 21 year old Pre-Law student that just landed an internship at one of the most prestigious law firms. Fresh off a broken engagement, she’s not looking to get wrapped up in a man again too soon, especially a manwhoring womanizer that every person at the firm warns her off of.

The one thing I love about Alessandra’s writing are her heroines. Julia may be young and not exactly coming from a vast sexual experience, but she was no blushing ingenue. She was feisty, sassy, and gave as good as she got.

Brad De Luca is the firm’s most successful divorce attorney. He’s used to getting what he wants, and he’s not exactly lacking for women. But when Julia continually denies his advances, he’s intrigued. He has to have her. And let’s face it, there’s only so long that Julia can fight the incredible sexual pull between them.

Julia doesn’t believe in sex without love. Brad doesn’t believe that his perfect woman exists so why deny the pleasure of sex. They share nothing in common except for the attraction that is slowly coming to a boil between them.

But little by little Brad slowly chips away at Julia’s doubts and Julia begins to see that she’s not exactly the good girl that she once believed herself to be. Brad is an enigma that she just can’t seem to stay away from or quite figure out.

So what is it that Brad wants from his women? His kink? That “thing” he wants that he doesn’t think the type of woman he’d want to marry will be able to give him?

Guess you’ll just have to read it and find out!

Guess I’m sadistic that way 😉

I’m looking forward to learning more about Brad and seeing where book two takes his relationship with Julia, because let me tell you…that scene at the end? Good lord, gimme more of that.

Until the next book…

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

**New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Vi Keeland, brings you the steamy story of Vince & Liv**

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

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

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

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

I want you, Liv. I wanted you seven years ago. Want you even more now. So much that I can’t think about anything else. Need you.”

If you like sexy, dirty talking MMA fighters then this series is a must read. I really liked the first book, Worth the Fight, but Worth the Chance was even better in my opinion.

There’s just something about Vince that grabs you from the first few pages. He’s a manwhore, and he’s not exactly lacking for GIMPS. That’s Groupies I Must Pound if you’re not familiar. He doesn’t even have to do much, being a fairly well known MMA fighter women pretty much throw themselves at him.

At least I won’t have to work too hard for this one. I think she’s almost as ready as I am. Maybe more so. But that’s okay, even though I usually like to hunt for my dinner, sometimes it’s nice to just call in for delivery too.

But beneath the hardcore and sexy exterior, is the soul of a damaged man. Growing up the way that he has, with a druggie mother he’s been taking care of for years, has solidified his belief that love just isn’t for him. Permanence isn’t a part of his world, and it may never be. But then a blast from his past changes everything.

Liv is a journalist on an internship, vying for her dream job. She may not be happy about the fluffy piece she’s been handed to interview the local fighting celebrity, but she’ll do it. The last thing she expects is for that man to be the boy that broke her heart when she was 16 years old.

But Vinny isn’t the same boy he was 7 years ago, and when he sees Liv again he just knows he won’t be able to watch her walk away.

I want you in my bed. Underneath me, on top of me bent over…fuck, we’re going to invent new ways for me to have you.

I’m a sucker for the friends to lovers trope. Make that ca second chance romance as well, and I’m in pervy book heaven. I couldn’t get enough.

Liv did irritate me with the way she treated Vinny at first. On the one hand, I understood why she acted the way that she did since he broke her heart all those years ago when he walked away. But on the other hand, her little snarky and jealous comments to him grated on me more than once.

Luckily by the second half of the book she more or less got her shit together. What ultimately made this book for me was Vinny. I loved the way he pursued her, and of course his sexy dirty mouth didn’t hurt either.

The progression of their relationship was perfect. The author didn’t rush to the I love yous, and really made you believe it.

You scare me, Vinny. We scare me.”
“You scare me too, Liv.”

Then there was Summer.

And that is all I’ll say about that twat.

The ending was perfect. What Liv did for Vinny at the end, well it was so perfect. She completely redeemed herself in my eye with everything that she did to help him. It was beautiful.

This series just keeps getting and better and I can’t wait until the next book, especially after getting a peak into the sexiness that is Jax in this one. Spring cannot come soon enough!

Kane Archer hasn’t always been tormented; he hasn’t always hated himself or been full of rage. He hasn’t always lived his life with an overpowering sense of guilt that threatens to destroy him. 

There was a time when his life was different. He was optimistic; he smiled and laughed; he loved passionately; he had it all.

Kane was content—until the unthinkable took it all away.

Two and a half years later and still reeling from his fiancée’s death, Kane returns to the one place he vowed he’d never visit again—Camden—with the promise to find the men who killed her and bring them to justice, regardless of the cost.

Emotionally numb, stricken by guilt, and haunted by the events preceding Aimee’s death, the last thing Kane wanted was to meet someone he connected with; someone who made him feel again.

As Kane gets closer to those responsible for Aimee’s death, he is thrown a curveball when he discovers a secret so devastating it rocks his world and threatens to destroy his chance at happiness.

Whitney Jareau packed up her life when tragedy struck her family, leaving everything behind. Finally free from the persistent and domineering family that insisted she do the one thing she couldn’t, Whitney found peace in Camden.

Two years later, her family wants her to come home and will stop at nothing to get her there. Wearing her heart on her sleeve for Kane Archer, a man so gorgeous it hurts to see the pain he carries, Whitney fights her family and refuses to return home to carry out their wishes.

Can Whitney stay strong without giving in to the demands of her family?

Can Kane let go of the past and move forward with the woman who brought him back to life?

Or, will he walk away from her and carry the burden of UNBEARABLE GUILT.

I was ripped from heaven with an angel, and tossed into the fiery pit of hell by myself with no way out. I wouldn’t ever allow myself to be released from its relentless grip.

Ladies, do you like your heroes brooding, tortured, alpha males, with a dash of asshole? Well then, meet Kane Archer.

Two and a half years ago, Kane lost everything that ever mattered to him. Watching your fiance die will scar a man, and Kane certainly carries the worst scar imaginable since her death; the guilt of being responsible for her death.

The only feeling stronger that the guilt that permanently eats at him, is the drive for revenge and finding the men responsible for the events that led to his fiance’s death. Forced to return to the place where it all started and the last place he wants to be, Camden, the town he grew up in and the town he left after Aimee’s death. Treated as the social pariah, everyone it town still suspects him of being his fiance’s killer, even his former best friend and now cop, Luke Gunner. Shunned by everyone, the last thing Kane expects is the attention of one beautiful blonde.

Whitney can’t help but feel attracted to Kane, the man is utterly delicious after all, even if he does exude danger from ever pore.

The things I’d do to him would make my parents roll over in their graves. Though, in my defense, you can’t be that hot and not have women admire the hell out of you or your body – especially when that body wears the shit out of a pair of jeans and a Slipknot shirt, and looked like Kane

At first Kane thinks Whitney is just another ditzy girl that’s attracted to him almost as much as she’s intimidated by him. But soon he begins to see that there is much more to the woman than first meets the eye. Kane is not looking for another woman; he can’t. How can he move one when every single time he closes his eyes, all he can see is the corpse of his dead fiance.

Whitney sees beyond what the townspeople think, deep down to the vulnerable and broken man that lies beneath the tough and tatted exterior.

But Whitney has something she’s running from that is slowly catching up with her. Can she be strong enough to stand by Kane and help him heal, or will his guilt leave them both broken?

My Thoughts
This book gripped me from the first few pages. That epilogue doesn’t ease you in. It throws you right into the deep end, and doesn’t spare any gory detail. Wow.

I absolutely loved that it was written in dual First Person POV. It helped so much more to actually be inside Kane’s head and feel everything that he’s feeling. I’m not going to lie, his actions at times made me feel bipolar. I went from

to

But then again, I have this thing for the assholes. As much as I wanted to throttle Kane at times, my heart also broke for him.

I was a little afraid at first that I would not like Whitney’s character. In the first few chapters she comes across as slightly ditzy, and all she thinks about is how absolutely hot Kane is. I get it, the man can fill out a pair of jeans. I don’t need it reiterated at every chance. But I suppose such is the brilliance of Emma Grayson and her character development since she was able to make the reader see her the same way Kane did at first. So when the sudden change to her personality finally comes about, you’re left just as pleasantly surprised as Kane was.

As much as I hate to compare any books or authors, since I think that they deserve to be judged individually, I couldn’t help but get a little Kristen Ashley vibe here. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad thing at all. Maybe it was all the “babes” and Kane’s mannerisms? This book reminded me slightly of At Peace, which I really enjoyed. But it was also a very unique writing style and story, so it does stand very well on its own.

I found some of the nicknames that the girlfriends call themselves a little strange. I don’t have many friends that I refer to as “baby”, but that may just be me LOL.

As much as I loved Whitney’s tough girl personality, I really wished she hadn’t forgiven Kane as easily as she did. Yes he’s tortured and broody, but he was a straight up asshole to her at times. I wanted him to work for it, grovel a bit.

My other minor quibble is Luke. I hated the way he treated Kane. While Kane never corrected his perception of him, it still killed me to see the way that he treated him. (view spoiler)[When Luke finally found out the truth and apologized, I guess I just wanted a little bit more. It didn’t feel like enough after years of treating Kane no better than a murderer. (hide spoiler)] But those very few things aside, I truly enjoyed the hell out of this story.

What a gut wrenching, action packed, suspenseful and steamy as hell ride this book was. I enjoyed every minute of it, and eagerly anticipate any future books by this author. It’s always great when you can be pleasantly surprised by a new to you author. 

Love is never beautiful. 


It’s dirty, and raw, and broken. That’s what makes it perfect. It’s two broken pieces forming together to make something whole, something worth fighting for. 


Axel Wraithe is my other piece. He’s the biker who’s been hunting me for a year, yet he’s the one who can so easily break me. 


He wants what I have, and I want what he’s got to give. Only he’s fighting against himself, not willing to give it. 


He’s got monsters in his heart, changing who he is, changing what he believes in. I’m the only one who can help him, and I won’t stop until I’ve got the truth. 


I want to fix what’s broken, but I can’t do that without him. 


So I’ll fight for my gorgeous, broken biker. I’ll fight until our pieces fit back together

I know how it feels to be surrounded in darkness, Cricket. But don’t you ever… ever let it consume you.

If you’re looking for a dark and gritty biker book, you really don’t need to look further than this. Angels in Leather was an addictingly dark thrill ride that I couldn’t put down until the last page.

I was completely enthralled from the prologue. I also may have also been confused as hell, but I knew I couldn’t put it down until I figured everything out. Every time I though I had one thing straight, Bella Jewel would thrown in something that would leave me questioning everything I thought I knew. I loved it!

After watching her father get shot in cold blood by the man that once meant everything to her, Meadow is on the run. Forced into hiding because of the information she carries, she’s constantly looking over her shoulder. She’s not paranoid. She knows that the man that killed her father is now after her and the information she has. He wants her caught, and he’ll stop at nothing to catch her. Just because this is a man that she’s known and been infatuated with since she was a little girl changes nothing, because the man that he is now is utterly terrifying. So she continues running for over a year…until he finally catches up with her.

Axel Wraithe is not a biker that you want hunting you. He’s a mean motherfucker with issues that are a mile wrong. Ever since he’s come back from the 6 months he was missing, he’s been different. He’s broken, fucked up, his cravings on the dark side. He’s been running after Meadow for over a year. The fact that she’s the daughter of a man he once called his friend, no longer matters. She has information he needs, and he’ll stop at nothing to get it from her.

Meadow might be terrified of the monster that Axel has now become, but she’s also confused by her attraction for him. How can a man that’s putting her through hell in order to withdraw answers from her still be so attractive?

Ladies, if you like your heroes to be utter assholes. I’m talking completely, borderline-unforgivable-yet-you-still-love-them assholes, Axel is your man. The first half of this book was no light read. There was no starry eyed attraction, lust at first side, I-have-to-be-mean-to her-but-I-can’t type of attraction. Hell fucking no! Axel was a total dick. He puts Meadow through hell.

But beneath the dangerous anger and the dark sexual urges was the soul of a man that has been to hell and came back utterly broken. You want to hate him, and yet at the same time you can’t.

And when Meadow’s life is threatened, Axel is forced to realize just how deep his feelings for her might run. But if he can keep her alive, does he pose a greater threat to her in the end?

I loved Meadow’s character. She was equal parts broken and strong. I understood how she can feel a pull to someone like Axel. She really gave as good as she got. She was determined to break down his walls, even if he was attempting to build up even stronger ones.

I just want something. I want to be let in, just a tiny bit. I want to know what I did wrong. I want to know how I can fix what’s broken. I want to know what the fuck happened to make you this monster? I just want to understand, just a tiny bit. I want so much, I don’t even know where to start, but for some sick, strange reason, more than anything, I want you, Axel.

The story is certainly not lacking in the steam department. If you like your books steamy with a side of kink, you’ll definitely get that here. Axel’s tastes definitely ran on the…darker side.

There were a few minor things that kept this from being a 5 star for me.

Highlight to see spoilers
1. (It didn’t really make sense for me how an undercover cop can just set up his own MC. It seemed highly unrealistic, so when more background was being given about that sting, I really wished this was explained better.)[It didn’t really make sense for me how an undercover cop can just set up his own MC. It seemed highly unrealistic, so when more background was being given about that sting, I really wished this was explained better. (hide spoiler)]

2. (Axel’s escape from Beast the first time. He’s kept and tortured for 6 months, forced to have women suck him off until he comes…women that are not exactly there of their own free will. Then one of these women just lets him go? That seemed just too convenient for me. I’d understand if he escaped, but to escape with the aid of one of the women? How did she get the means to unlock him? How was she not killed for it herself later? This was just too glossed over for me to understand and connect with it fully. )[Axel’s escape from Beast the first time. He’s kept and tortured for 6 months, forced to have women suck him off until he comes…women that are not exactly there of their own free will. Then one of these women just lets him go? That seemed just too convenient for me. I’d understand if he escaped, but to escape with the aid of one of the women? How did she get the means to unlock him? How was she not killed for it herself later? This was just too glossed over for me to understand and connect with it fully. (hide spoiler)]

Those 2 things certainly didn’t take away my enjoyment of the book. It was still an great start to what looks to be a very promising biker series.

Then Bella Jewel hit me with that little sneak peek into book 2. What? WHAT?!!!! Is it a love triangle? Is it a menage? I DON’T FUCKING CARE!!!

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

Two years ago, Jason and Kate Ryker were brought together by grief and bound to one another by love. Now married, they’re confronting their fears together.
But heartbreak finds them again, and the ties that bind Kate and Ryke are tested as she struggles against fear and sadness. As a grief counselor, Kate understands all too well the pain of her clients. And while her husband’s career as an NHL forward is at an all-time high, he’s coping with the frustration of feeling powerless as his wife’s hopes slip away.

Kate’s unexpected journey sheds light on the fear that imprisons her, and reveals that she is the only one who can set herself free

Lisa’s Review

I loved this follow up into to the lives of NHL star, Jason Ryke and the beautiful, Kate Camden. Honestly written, emotional and heartwarming Brenda Rothert has delivered a more than worthy second look into this couple’s life. Normally for my reading tastes I can struggle with a continuing series written about the same characters, but this author gave me fresh, engaging writing and pulled me into a storyline that held my rapt attention. This won’t be the last time I grab this authors work, I’m well and truly sold, here are my ‘Captive’ book thoughts …

What’s it all about?
Kate and Ryke fell hard and fast in love, after months of being inseparable they decided to make things official and Ryke made the love of his life his forever. Ryke would do anything to keep his sweetheart happy but sometimes life is cruel and after just a few months of wedding bliss they have to start fighting to survive the storms of life. But will they be fighting through the difficulties together or will they be torn apart by the heartache and darkness. ‘Captive’ is the follow on story to book one ‘Bound’ in Brenda Rothert’s touching story of Ryke and Kate’s journey of love.

What did I love?
Often times a follow up novel centred around the same couple can often seem like an authors attempt to drag out a series and I have to confess that with some series I can get bored and distracted. But I can gladly say that nothing about this series is unnecessary in fact I felt impressed with the authors planning out of each book and it’s content. I loved the fact that Kate is still irresistible to Ryke his love could never be questioned but like most true-to-life couples they find that their true love path takes some knocks. Kate finds herself broken once again and we are taken in on a sensitively written journey of pain, healing and self discovery as this couple navigate even more heart shattering circumstances. As I’ve said many a time before I can’t resist a sports themed romance so I really appreciated the added ice hockey related scenes that were included in book two. Ryke is what romance hero dreams are made of, equal parts gorgeous, alpha and sportsman made him an irresistible combination. I loved his unending love and adoration for Kate and I was glad to see more involvement of his friendship with Luke in the story. Kate was completely relatable, her difficulties never become annoying or over the top instead the author delivered a heart breaking tale with plenty of romance and love. As for a happily ever after, well you’ll have to read the series to find that out, but I’ll say this I’m in love with the characters and I’m more than happy to give away four huge stars.

Why not five?
As much as I applauded this well put together novel, it had times of feeling a little heavy with the topics it was dealing with, some would say this is not a negative aspect but for for me it took away some of the overall enjoyment factor of my reading experience. But I haven’t got any major complaints this book is lovingly written, with relatable characters and true to life relationship difficulties.

Final thoughts …
Brenda Rothert was a ‘new to me’ author before starting this series, and if these books are anything to go by then I’ve been missing out. Rothert writes her stories with an emotional twist that tugged at my heart strings and I’m so glad that the series is continuing with Luke’s story. I can’t wait to find out more about this gorgeous NHL star. Nothing is more appealing to my reading tastes than a sports themed romance and I’m already waiting in anticipation of what this author will do next. If you like your romance to be well thought out with a little heart ache then I’d urge you to pick up this series. I’m a firm fan of what this author has achieved so far with this series, and I don’t regret meeting these characters one bit. What you waiting for? Go grab this series, readers. Enjoy … Kisses.

About the Author

Brenda Rothert started her writing career as a print journalist. She now writes Romances, some Contemporary and others with a twist of dystopian society and adventure. Rothert lives in Central Illinois with her husband and three boys.

Bound

Giveaway

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Ana Belle never wanted anything more than to hang up her apron, jump on her Vespa and ride off into the sunset, leaving Sugartown in the dust. 

Elijah Cade never wanted anything more than a hot meal, a side of hot arse and a soft place to lay his head at night where he could forget about his past. 

But you know what they say about wanting: you always want what you can’t have. 

Nineteen year-old virgin Ana is about to discover that’s not quite true because a six foot three, hotter than hell, tattooed, Aussie sex god just rode into town. He’s had a taste of her pie and he wants more–no really, Ana bakes pies for a living, get your mind out of the gutter. 

She’d be willing to hand over everything tied up in a big red bow, there’s just one problem; Elijah has secrets dirtier than last week’s underwear. Secrets that won’t just break Ana’s heart, but put her life at risk, too. When those secrets come to light, their relationship is pushed to breaking point. 

Add to that a psychotic nympho best friend, an overbearing father, a cuter than humanly possible kid brother, a wanton womanizing cousin, the ex from hell, and more pies than you could poke a … err … stick … at. 

And you thought small towns were boring. 

Welcome to Sugartown. 

*Content Warning. Intended for a mature 18+ audience. Contains explicit sex, oodles of profanity and a crap-tonne of AWKWARD.

Holy mother of fuckballs what in fuckity fuck?! No really? I want to know! How on earth did I not realize that second half was coming? And why did it take me this long to read this book? I’d spank myself for this, but I’d much rather Elijah do it.

I wanna put you over my knee and spank you til your arse is raw. And then I wanna flip you over and eat you out until that beautiful pussy can’t come anymore. Then I wanna fuck your mouth until you drain every last drop from me.

Gosh I’m such a sucker for the sweet talk, but I digress…

This book was not what I expected at all. It started out all hunky dory

I liked Ana right off the bat. She’s funny, sassy, and her relationship with her BFF and raging nyphomaniac Holly had me cracking up for most of the book.

Okay, okay, okay. Knickers?”
“The white G-string you helped me pick out.”
“White? That’s good. Virginal. He’ll be reminded this is a first for you and hopefully won’t just impale you on his pork sword.

Then in comes all that is the tatted deliciousness of Elijah. And I was pretty much done for. The man was pretty much sex on a stick. Add into that his mysterious and dark past and you couldn’t get me to put the book down. I couldn’t get enough.

And then somewhere around the 47% mark all of a sudden my sexy, swoony, rainbow and sexual tension filled ride took a dramatic turn into dark and twisty angstville.

Holy shit. And I mean HOLY SHIT, I didn’t see that coming at all. When Elijah’s past begins to catch up with him all hell breaks loose. And things just get darker and darker. I was perfectly fine with this. As a matter of fact, I devoured every single page in anticipation of finding out what’s next.

But then Elijahhad to go and burst my happy bubble. Why oh why would he do this?

Highlight to view spoiler:
This would not be technically considered cheating, but the woman that he does sleep with…oh to say that I was unhappy would be a GROSS understatement.
I.Was.Pissed.

If you’re looking for a light and slightly angsty NA book, this is not it my friends. What it was, was a dark, angsty, slightly intense at times ride…and I loved it.

My only real complaint? The ending. There is a lot of buildup about Elijah’s past and all the repercussions from it. Yet there is no clear resolution at the end. Now I don’t expect a perfectly happy, wrapped in a bow HEA, but SOMETHING would have been nice. I’m hoping that perhaps this may be continued in book 2 since this is a series. But it would have been nice to get at least a crumb or something about it in this one. Ah well.

Now I am a trembling and anxious mess of pervy anticipation for book 2. I need Jackson and Holly’s book like yesterday!

When I was a boy, I met a girl.
She didn’t know it then, but…
She changed me.

Now…..I am a man.
A man who is broken by the stories of the women who come to me.
They are my birds with broken wings.
I help them heal, help them to make them strong, so they can fly free.
Lark changed me. Loved Me. Made Me Strong.
With her, I am free.

I write…
To the girl of the past.
To the girl of my present.
And, the girl of my future.

Dear Dish….

Excerpt

Review

This was my first book by J.B. Hartnett, so I went in with zero expectations and I gotta say I was pleasantly surprised. This was very different from many of the books I’ve read lately, but in a refreshing way. The pacing was different. The progression was different…in a unique way. So let me explain

Reading that book blurb probably doesn’t tell you much, yet it also tells you quite a bit at the same time…confused yet? Let me try to explain. The book begins in 2006 and slowly progresses into the present with flashbacks to Nico’s youth.

When Nico was a child, his parent ran a shelter for battered women. And this was when he met her, the girl that changed everything for him. In an attempt to bring the traumatized girl comfort, seven year old Nico held her hand while she slept. The one specific thing he remembers of this night? It was the first night he didn’t wake up with a nightmare, nor has he had one since then.

But that day is now ingrained in him and it changed him forever. Now Nico is a tattoo artist. He also helps women heal with his tattoos. In his years, he witness so many forms of abuse he loses count. But seeing the healing and purging effects that his tattoos bring these women does help. Unfortunately what it also does, is bring back his nightmares. Now Nico himself is the broken one after taking their pain. He medicates with booze and pussy, the only 2 things that help mute the grief of their stories.

Other Books in The Leaves Series

Inky (Book One)

Anika “Inky” Redding has it all: a great fiancé and a job that allows her to follow her passion of painting and considering her history, that’s plenty.

Cole (Book Two)

Cole Carlyle, successful hotelier, has lived his life on his own terms.

Burned by a gold digging ex-wife, he never expected to find his soul mate in Anika “Inky” Redding.

Anika Redding, talented artist, overcame her past to live her life free of shame.

Betrayed by people she thought she could trust, the last thing she expected was to find true love in Cole Carlyle.

Their love for each other has helped them overcome their demons before, but now faced with an unimaginable challenge, Cole must turn to the last person he wants involved in his life, and hope that those demons don’t once again try to swallow them whole.

Inky and Cole’s romance and passion ignite and in the sequel to “Inky” we follow their journey to overcome their pasts once and for all, while building their love into something everlasting.

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About the Author

Giveaway

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This Much Is True by Katherine Owen 

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

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Fate brings them together
Fame & lies keep them apart
One truth remains…

She’s become the Paly High girl with the most tragic story…
At 17, Tally Landon just wants to graduate and leave for New York to pursue ballet. Her best friend Marla convinces her to attend one last party—a college party—where she can be among strangers and evade the whisperings about her heartbreaking loss of her twin that follows her everywhere she goes. She meets Lincoln Presley, Stanford’s famous baseball wonder and has a little fun at his expense—when she lies about her age and who she really is—intent on being someone else for the night and escaping her tragic story.

His only focus is baseball, but he can’t forget the girl he saved on Valentine’s Day…
At 22, Lincoln Presley’s star is on the rise—about to finish at Stanford and expected to be taken early in Major League Baseball’s upcoming draft—his cousin’s party serves as a welcome distraction. But then, he sees the girl from Valentine’s Day that he saved from that horrific car accident and can’t quite hide his disappointment when she appears to look right through him and not remember him at all. He vows to learn her name at least before he leaves. What’s the harm in getting to know this girl? What’s the worst that can happen?

They share this incredible connection, but fate soon tests these star-crossed lovers in all kinds of ways…
And yet, despite the lies being told to protect the other, and the trappings of fame that continually separate them, and in lieu of the deception by those they’ve come to trust the most; one truth remains.

This much is true.

Review

4 Devastating, Gut Wrenching, What in the holy masochistic hell possessed me to read this stars!

She seems to have taken my soul. I’m going to have to figure out a way to get it back.

Sweet mother of fucking feels! I mean what in the effing fuck did I just read?!!! I feel like I’ve been run over by the angst bus, which then backed up and ran me over again for good measure. Then when I was lying there all helpless, the Feels truck ran me the fuck over and left me a whimpering, blubbering, emotional fucking mess in dire need of hard alcohol! I mean OH. MY. GAWD.

To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t even sure how to rate this book. I equal parts loved it and hated it at the same time. What an emotional roller coaster. Actually, scratch that. This book is like a horrific train wreck, you just know what you find will be brutal as hell but you can’t seem to stop yourself from looking anyway. It is 400+ pages of angst, hearbreak, drama, and gutwrenching moments. I remember hoping, praying, almost promising the devil my soul for just ONE FUCKING HAPPY MOMENT! And you know what? Didn’t get it. Nope.

What I did get was a brilliantly written, emotionally gripping and poignant story.

LIFE CAN CHANGE in as little of fifteen seconds. I know this.
Fifteen seconds.
An SUV clips my car, kills my sister, and changes me and my life forever.

Thirty seconds.
The time it takes for a stranger to lift me up and carry me away and save me from the burning wreckage.
Thirty seconds.

One night.
The time it takes to fall in love with Lincoln Presley and forge promises that neither of us can keep.
One night.

Thirty seconds.
In thirty seconds, a heart can break.

You do not get eased in to the story. Not even close. It starts with a tragedy and grips you from the very beginning, refusing to let go of your heart and emotions until the very end. I was’t even sure if I would survive the whole book.

Valentine’s Day may be a happy day for most people, but for Tally all that day signifies is loss. It is the day her life forever changed when she lost her twin sister in a horrific car accident. Tally always saw her twin, Holly, as the better half, the sun to her moon. And now that she’s gone, there’s no more sun in her life. So she focuses on the one constant in her life, ballet

But fate has a different plan when Tally meets the handsome rising baseball star, Lincoln Presley, and everything changes.

I will not give you a sum up, because what you need to know the book synopsis gives you. Anything else would be a spoiler, and this is a book that needs to be experienced fully. What I can tell you is prepare yourself for one gutwrenching, emotional, devastating, tear filled and painful read…

The amount of devastating circumstances and events that Tally experiences it’s a wonder to me how she even functions. Just when you think that’s it, it can’t possibly get any worse…BAM! Some more shit happens.

The story is told through several years starting from when Tally is 17 and spanning to her at 21. It’s a story of poor circumstances, unlucky timing, and bad decisions. But beyond all the doom and gloom there’s also a story of a one-in-a-lifetime love.

This is not a book for everyone. It was depressing as hell for over 90%. I was equal parts unable to put it down and kicking my own ass for even reading it.

I wouldn’t label this as a YA book (Not really sure why it’s tagged that way on some sites). The only thing YA about it is Tally’s age when it starts. If you’re expecting a steamy NA book, well you can take that expectation and shove it where the sun don’t shine because you will not be getting that either. And for a self-proclaimed smut addict like me, that was one tough pill to swallow. However, the story itself was enough to keep me turning the pages.

I want to tell you that I absolutely loved it, and a part of me did. But then there’s another part of me that was screaming ENOUGH ALREADY! How much more shit can happen to this poor girl? It was almost too much.

If you enjoy emotional and poignant reads that are smut light but will stay with you for a long while, definitely give this book a shot. The writing was some of the best I’ve read. But is this a book I see myself ever going back to? Hell NO! As a matter of fact, I plan on submersing myself in mindless smut just to try and get my feels right again. And when smut won’t do? There’s always my other fix all

About the Author

Dark. Edgy. Contemporary. Romantic. Were we describing me? Or my fiction? Sorry. I drink too much…coffee, not enough water. I swear too much for God and my mother, and I slip these into my fiction. Sorry. I’m impatient, a perfectionist, a wordsmith, a dreamer, which ends up being good and bad. I’m a workaholic; ask my fam-dam-ily. I’ve written four novels in as many years: SEEING JULIA, NOT TO US, & WHEN I SEE YOU, as well as my latest release THIS MUCH IS TRUE. If you love angsty, unpredictable love stories, I’m yours. ♥   

Author Links:
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Giveaway

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Review

Holy shit. I mean HOLY SHIT! I did not see this book coming. Let me warn you now

The thing about lines? They stop being dangerous the moment you cross them; they stop mattering too. And instead of admitting that, you just set another limit, raise the stakes, draw another boundary for your sins, and find a way to justify your actions.

Jesse Chance used to be a fighter back in high school days, and a damn good one, making pretty good money in illegal fights out of the local farm his friend’s parents own. But that was before he promised his dying mother that he will make something better of himself. Before he left his small town, girlfriend, and everything of his life behind to start new. Now he’s in college, he has new friends, a new girl, and his fighting days are behind them. That is until a visit from his father flips his life upside down.

Jesse wants nothing to do with his father, it’s not like he’s been a resounding presence in his life. Being the bastard son in a small town never got him anything but grief. But in order to prevent a tragedy, Jesse agrees to help the one man he hoped never to have to see again. Forced to go back to the town he used to call home and back to his old way, Jesse knows that nothing good can come of this, but he does know that his fists will earn him the cash that he so desperately needs.

All I’ve ever done is carve out a space for you inside me, Jesse. And I’m afraid it’s gotten so big, it’s going to eat me alive one day.”

This book takes the reader into the dark and violent world of underground fighting. There’s no rules, no safety net, and anything goes. There were moments that even I found myself cringing. Intense is an understatement.

This is not a sunshine, rainbows and butterflies book. It’s grungy, it’s gritty, and holy fuck does the author not hold back on the details. In the middle of the chaos that is the main story, we also get the love story of Drew and Jesse. I have to admit that me and my puny brain struggled a bit with the names at first. I mean, Jesse I can get used to, but when the heroine has a masculine name while the hero has a female sounding one…well…it took some getting used to.

I devoured this book from beginning to end. I had to know what happens. There were so many twists and turns I thought I’d get whiplash. It’s not light reading when the Spanish Cartel is involved. Then the twist at the end…HOLY FUCKING SHIT! I didn’t see that coming at all. I was flabbergasted.  I couldn’t believe what was happening. I’m pretty sure I was sitting there with my jaw hanging open, catching flies for a good 10 minutes staring at my kindle.

About the Author

Giveaway

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I didn’t plan to become a stripper who performs live sex shows. 
But that’s what happened. It’s what I do, and I’m good at it. 


I was going to go on and do something with my life. I was going to be something more than just a piece of ass.
But that’s not how it worked it out. 


Men don’t control me. Not anymore. Not until my best friend left and hecame into my life.


I don’t want lose myself and drown in another man. But I’m afraid it’s already too late.


**This book is intended for mature audiences only due to graphic depictions of sex and bad language.
Buy it on Amazon

First, let’s have a moment of silence for my poor ovaries, please. They put up a good fight, but somewhere around the 16% they spontaneously cumbusted.

Needless to say this book was HOT. But I think you already got that, so let’s move on.

That poor vibrating and over-caffeinated pussy in the gif? That would be me, because I stayed up until the butt crack of dawn to finish this book. So let me warn you now, this is one of those books you will want to finish in one sitting. Which is exactly what I did…only to have it end with a cliffy. Now I’m not going to lie, there was bitching, cussing, and maybe even some crying involved when I realized that I will have to wait until Fall of 2014 to get the second book. Was the cliffhanger bad? Not as bad as some of the others I’ve read, but still I feel it fair to warn you.

Julia/Jewel is not your typical heroine. She’s no blushing, virginal ingenue. She’s a stripper that performs life sex shows for money, swears like a sailor, has fake boobs, and is the type to revenge fuck her ex-boyfriend’s best friend. She doesn’t really have much qualms in admitting she’s only good at two things; shaking her ass and fucking.

But when her best friend and partner in the live shows leaves for New York for a new job, Jewel is left to dance by herself. Until her manager partners her up with him…the man only knows as The Ripper.

I don’t want to give anything away, so I won’t give you much more detail than that. You really need to read it to experience it for yourself. What I can tell you is that the sexual chemistry between Jewel and The Ripper was utterly explosive. Their first performance together

I was sucked in. The mystery behind who Cole “The Ripper” was, why he acted the way he did, and knew the things that he did kept me turning the pages well into the night. I just had to know. Of course the smoking hot sex scenes didn’t hurt.

But here is where I am a whole lot conflicted in my rating. When we finally find out the truth about Cole…

I had a hard time connecting with it. Now I may be completely on my own here, but it came off almost creepy and stalkerish to me. Not sexy. Then for him to (view spoiler)[throw out the I Love You card (hide spoiler)] when he did…I don’t even know how I felt about that. It was like he went from one extreme to the other, and it threw me off.

That being said, as conflicted as I was with the ending, it didn’t manage to take away from my enjoyment of the book. I still enjoyed it thoroughly.

My only BIG problem? THE WAIT UNTIL BOOK 2! Fall? Really?!

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