A biker. A tattoo artist. A love to last a lifetime.

Maddox Cross has always had to be tough. When his father went to jail for murder, the teenager took care of his sister and mother. Now on his own and working security at a night club, Maddox wants to become a tattoo artist-a dream that comes closer to reality when he falls for the hottest, most tatted woman he’s ever seen. She’s wild and beautiful, and Maddox will do anything to be with her.

Bee Malone came to town to open up her new tattoo parlor, Masquerade. Since being kidnapped as a young girl, Bee has had trouble getting close to anyone. But when she meets Maddox, she sees that under his hard biker’s body is the sensitive soul of an artist. What starts out as a sizzling one-night stand soon becomes so much more.

Bee wants Maddox to join her tattoo business, but letting him into her life means revealing all her most intimate secrets. And as the past begins to intertwine with her present, Bee fears their love may not be as permanent as their ink . . . 

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4 Stars

You can pretend all you want that you’ve never been hurt before and that you’ve never lost anything, but I will continue to call bullshit. Loss is loss. It’s not a contest about who’s been hurt more. We all have our battles to fight.”

While I can’t say that this was my favorite book in the series, it was still a fantastic addition. Facadecontinues to hold the number one place in my heart so far.

I was so excited to get my hands on this book since meeting Maddox as Laney’s brooding older brother in book 2. I just knew that behind the mysterious broodiness lies the soul of a broken man, and I couldn’t wait to uncover all his secrets. Does that sound deep? Because what I meant to say is that the second I read tattoos and motorcycle my inner dirty girl was throwing her panties at my kindle. See? That doesn’t sound half as good as what I said before. What can I say? A girl’s got a type, and mine just happen to be tatted up, motorcycle riding bad boys.

The first half of the book got off to a rocky start for me. It took me a while to really get into the story and feel the connection between Bree and Maddox. I think in part that has to do with how quickly they got together. (And I do mean quickly, since clothes started flying in the first 5%) I simply couldn’t feel their connection. I read that they were drawn to one another…I just couldn’t connect to it, if that even makes sense. I was almost afraid that one of my favorite NA series may turn into a DNF. But then something changed right around the halfway point and I found myself getting more and more drawn into the story. I’d give the first half 3 stars and 5 stars for the second, rounding it to a solid 4 star read.

Both Bree and Maddox are closed off for their own reasons, and each of those reasons are absolutely heart breaking.

Maddox struggles with the guilt of the part that he played in his father’s affair and ultimate breakdown of everything that followed it. He doesn’t feel like he deserves anything, especially not love. After all, he was weak, not strong enough to do what needed to be done…or so he thinks.

The only thing that truly drives him is his desire to be a tattoo apprentice. Drawing and tattoos allow him an escape, if only for a little while, from his daily reality. Maddox gets the shock of a lifetime when he discovers the only tattoo shop in town is owned by the girl he spent one passionate night with…with no thoughts of later.

Bree is not looking for love either, she doesn’t even know what it is. She may appear whole on the outside, have parents that love and support her, and her own business, but inside she’s just a lost girl. Struggling with a past that has broken her and her belief in love, she merely takes life day to day.

As different as these two feel they may be from each other, they share a bond that neither of them want to face.

Brutal honesty is underrated and I can see he has it, like I do. If I were a different kind of girl- the kind who believed in love- Maddox would be the guy that I’d fall for. Though I guess if I really wasn’t me, he probably wouldn’t be what I’d want.

Although both of them fight the emotional connection between them as much as they can, the one thing that they can’t seem to fight is the sexual pull between them.

And they don’t exactly try to fight that all that much.

Stop making me want you.” The same heat from his eyes in now in his words.
“Stop letting me have you,” I reply, and it seems to inflame him more.

As much as I struggled with the first half of this book, I absolutely devoured the second half. That was when the emotional intensity that I’ve come to associate with this series and Nyrae’s writing really shined through. My heart broke for both Maddox and Bee with each new detail of their past coming to light. It was poignant and even gut wrenching at time. The part where Maddox finally talks with Adrian, I’m pretty sure it managed to bring a tear even to my cold and black little heart. It was that good.

Fans of the series will really enjoy this one, and if you’re like me and struggle in the beginning, I strongly recommend pushing through since it will be worth it in the end.

While you can easily read this book as a standalone, I’d highly recommend reading Facade first to get a better understanding of the story’s background and a better understanding of Maddox. But if you want to go ahead and just dive into this one without reading Facade, the author gives you plenty of background information that you wouldn’t be lost.

If you’re a fan of steamy NA with broken characters, a poignantly written story, and a hero who you will equal parts love and feel like your heart is breaking for, definitely give this one a try.

Accidental Gold digger.

Circumstance forced Eden Mercer to sell herself to Dominic Armstrong for half a million dollars and in return she is to play the dutiful wife in public and submit to him completely behind closed doors.

The Tyrant.

Dominic is Ruthless, manipulative and sadistic but Eden is determined not to break under his cruelty. But how does one persevere when in the clutches of a Monster?

                           

Their marriage had started off corrupted and had only grown worse in the ensuing years, the decaying layers of lies, distrust, humiliation, animosity and resentment had poisoned the very foundation of their union, making it impossible for anything else to flourish there. The only undeniable truth between them was the uncontrollable lust that drew them together with such cataclysmic force that it nearly always maimed her not to be touched by him.

If you like your heroes to be utter assholes, your angst overflowing, your sex scenes scorching, and a story that will grip you from page one, then you need to read this book.

If I had to rate this based on story alone, it would be a solid 5 stars. I was fully invested in the story, rooting for a HEA, and equal parts hating the hero and wanting him to get the girl. I’m a sucker for these types of books. I had read Francette Phal’s Bet series and enjoyed it immensely. I actually found the characterization of Dominic and Eden to be similar to the hero and heroine from The Bet; and that’s not a bad thing at all.

Dominic is rich, cold, ruthless, and jaded. He’s been obsessed with Eden since he first saw her singing in a smoky bar, and he knew he had to have her by any means possible.

She became Dominic’s obsession, and he’d known instantly that he would own her. She’d been a rarity, an artifact, another possession he needed to add to his innumerable collection.

And Dominic is a man that always gets what he wants. With Eden in a dire financial situation, he knows he has her right where he wants her. So he takes her, for a measly half-million dollars.

Eden didn’t mean to marry Dominic for money, but that’s exactly what happened. Feeling like she had no choice and nowhere to go, she makes a deal with the devil himself. Now 5 years later she finds herself married to a ruthless asshole who treats her no better than a sex doll, and reminds her of his ownership of her at every chance he gets.

He gets off on humiliating her, on branding her any way he can.

Be very careful, pet, not to underestimate the extent of my generosity.” He bent down so that he was inches away from her face, his cold green eyes piercing her. “Now, go clean my come off your face and wait for me like a good little wife, hmm?”

I’m always afraid when it comes to stories like this that I’ll find myself reading about a weak heroine. But that was certainly not the case here. In the span of the book you see Eden go from someone that accepts her fate to fighting for her independence. You see her come into her own.

Will Dominic ultimately break her in the end, or will she be able to turn the ruthless tyrant? Guess you’ll have to read the book to find out, since that’s all that you’ll be getting from me.

So if I loved the story as much as I did, why not give it 5 stars? Because unfortunately I found the delivery a bit lacking. While the writing is fantastic in parts, I thought that it was overly descriptive to the point of redundant at times. I cannot describe how many times I read about Dominic’s green eyes and all the different ways of describing it; emerald gaze, cold green eyes (actually, I didn’t lose count, it was 58) Then there was Eden’s golden gaze (26) and caramel skin (10. OK, so this one wasn’t AS bad). Good lord. As much as I can usually look past it if I like the story enough, I found myself getting irritated here.

The other problem? Some of the descriptions of the sex scenes. I’m all for poetically written erotic scenes, but this was a whole different ball game for me.

First there was this:

She reclined backwards, her torn dress hanging haphazardly at her sides as she slowly propped herself on her elbows in offering Dominic a banquet of sumptuous breasts with nipples puckered to delightful peaks, the macchiato river of her flat belly led to the bare ocean of her salted caramel pussy.

Let’s just say that caramel macchiatos were off the menu for me for about a week after this.

When that exploring hand gently pried her thighs apart, he discovered her garden, the fountain at her center overflowing with her essence, drenching his fingers.

My other quibble were the transitions, or lack thereof. Written in 3rd person POV and it would jump from Eden, to Dominic, to Eden’s friend Jenna pretty randomly. I had to go back and re-read certain parts because of this as it got somewhat confusing.

Unfortunately, try as I might, I just couldn’t look past these things. I love Francette Phal’s unique story telling, and I would highly recommend this book for those that enjoy this type genre. But I do feel it fair to warn you if these things can make or break a book for you. Luckily for me, I enjoyed the story enough that this only brought my rating down slightly. (Which tells you a lot about how good the story is, since this would normally bring my rating down quite a bit in any other case) There was also a delicious little teaser in the end of this book for a different character that was introduced here. I’m practically salivating at any more crumbs about that book. Though I am really hoping that the heroine is not the one that was mentioned. Guess I’ll just have to stalk the author in the meantime for more hints. And I thank you

            

Waking up in Vegas was never meant to be like this.

Evelyn Thomas’s plans for celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Las Vegas were big. Huge. But she sure never meant to wake up on the bathroom floor with a hangover to rival the black plague, a very attractive half-naked tattooed man in her room, and a diamond on her finger large enough to scare King Kong. Now if she could just remember how it all happened.

One thing is certain, being married to one of the hottest rock stars on the planet is sure to be a wild ride

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Love isn’t always smooth or straightforward. It can be messy and painful. Doesn’t mean it isn’t still the most incredible thing that can ever happen to you.

OK, show of hands, ever wake up after a night out only to tell yourself you’re never drinking again?

Now what if you woke up the next day with a hangover from hell and zero memories of the night before, only to discover you’re married to a rockstar and sporting a five carat diamond to boot?

That’s precisely the predicament that 21 year old Evelyn Thomas finds herself in. Though as far as predicaments go, can’t say I feel all that bad for her. All she wanted to do was celebrate her 21st birthday with a bang (and I do mean a bang). Her first sexual encounter leaves a lot to be desired and what’s a girl left to do but to get wild and crazy in Vegas and pick up a man to rectify it. Turns out the man she picks up just so happens to be the guitarist for the wildly popular band, Stage Dive. And while Evylyn can’t seem to recall anything from the previous night, David doesn’t seem to suffer from the same.

The story is told entirely in Evelyn’s first person POV. Evelyn’s quirkiness endeared me to her pretty much right away. She describes herself as being bigger boned girl, but she never harps on this. She’s not crazy insecure about her body, which to be honest was a breath of fresh air from the usual heroines I read about. I also loved the interaction between her and David

How far did we go that night?”
His gaze dropped to the neck of my tank top and the curves of my breasts. “Second base.”
“Shirt on?”
“Off. We were both topless. Topless cuddles are the best.”

What started off as a crazy night, slowly begins to lead to something much more.

You asked me this morning in the car if I thought you were scary. The answer is yes. You scare me shitless. I don’t know what I’m doing here. But I hate the thought of leaving you.”

As far as Rock star Romances go, I’d say this one was on the tamer side…at least for me. I also found it a bit too insta-lovey for my tastes. But then again my tastes do run towards the more ansty variety. I really enjoyed the story of Evelyn and David. There were sweet moments, steamy moments, and many laugh out loud moments.

I was going to kill him. Slowly. Strangle him with the overpriced thong. A fitting death for a rock star.

I loved Evelyn’s internal monologue. She was quirky and funny and some of the things that came out of her mouth should have left me rolling my eyes but instead I found myself laughing and just liking her even more.

He didn’t have much of a belly button. It was basically a small indent followed by a fine trail of dark hair leading down across his flat stomach directly to it. And it was hard, thick, and long.
It being his penis, of course.
Gah. No, that didn’t sound right.
His cock. Yeah, much better.

And if you’re wondering about the steaminess of this book, rest assured there’s plenty of steam to appease your pervy little hearts.

While I really liked both the hero and heroine in this book, many times Mal stole the show for me. I fell for him the first time he called Ev “child bride”. I cannot wait for his book. But the story I’m REALLY dying for is Jimmy’s. That sounds like it’s going to be right up my angst-whore alley.

It may not have been a perfect 5 star read for me, but it was a very solid 4 stars. If you like steamy rock star romances with an endearing heroine, a sexy tatted rock star, and a light and easy plot, then one-click away on this. No crazy angst or crazy situations found here. Just a light and easy read about 2 unlikely people falling in love.

Have you ever wondered if it is possible to read a book that only has about 4 words of dialogue yet still love it?

Have you also ever wondered of what would happen if a prehistoric book mated with a Nicholas Sparks book?

If I was a fan of Shay Savage before reading this, I am now full on

This was an amazing, beautiful, one of a kind love story. It was unlike anything I have ever read and I doubt I’d read again. It was unique. It was unforgettable.

I struggled with my rating at first since it did take me a bit to get into the story. I did skim through some parts and found it to be slow in others. But considering it’s been 2 days since I’ve finished and I still can’t stop thinking about it? It deserves nothing less of the 4 glorious stars.

If you read the blurb and are expecting a domineering “caveman” caveman type alpha (You know the type. The “me man you woman we bang” type of caveman”), well you’ll be sadly disappointed. Ehd was nothing like that.

He was vulnerable, sweet, constantly doubting himself with Beh, and at the same time so incredibly endearing that you can’t help but completely fall for him. His inner thoughts never failed to put a smile on my face.

What if I don’t fit inside her?
After all this time of waiting for her to want me, what will I do if I am unable to mate with Beh?
I take a calming breath and assure myself I will fit inside of her. Women are supposed to stretch there so babies can be put inside and come back out when they’re ready. If something the size of a baby can come out, surely my penis can go in.
It’s big, but it’t not that big!

The story is told entirely in Ehd’s POV. The fact that Shay Savage was able to write an entire book from a caveman’s POV that has about 3 words in his whole vocabulary just shows her incredible talent as an author. It’s no small feat let me tell you.

You don’t get much more insight into Elizabeth that what Ehd is able to gather from his perspective.

It wasn’t a quick paced book. There wasn’t a lot of action, no dirty talk, or filthy dirty caveman loving. Don’t get me wrong, it was still steamy, in a very sweet first time discovery way. Both Elizabeth, or Beh as he calls her, and Ehd are innocently naive. But that just added to the appeal for me.

It is told over the span of many years, and unfolds the story of love at it’s most innocent and pure. It was beautiful, albeit not my usual type of book.

Then there was that ending. Oh my poor cold little heart, that ending!

The only other time I cried like that was at the end of (The Notebook)[The Notebook (hide spoiler)]. Good lord. (Highlight to view spoilers)

And just as you think it’s over, Shay gives you a last chapter that just ties everything together.

Were there some discrepancies in the story? Sure. (How can Elizabeth live her entire life in the tribe and even her children talk, but no one else in the tribe, not even Ehd pick up more words? )[How can Elizabeth live her entire life in the tribe and even her children talk, but no one else in the tribe, not even Ehd pick up more words? (hide spoiler)]
But this is not really a book that you expect to be highly realistic, so I didn’t harp on that.

So if you’re looking for a different and unique book about a beautiful and innocent love and discovery, this is not to be missed. You will fall for Ehd just like I did. It’s one of those books that will stick with you for a while.

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

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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.

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