Review: Welcome to Sugartown by Carmen Jenner

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.

4 I did not see that coming Stars

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!

Blog Tour, Review & #Giveaway: #Nico by @JulieHartnett

Amazon I Barnes & Noble I iTunes I Kobo

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….

**Although Nico is considered part of The Leaves Series, it can be read as a stand alone**

Excerpt

“Nico…” she begged.
“What is it, babe?” In that moment, I was a tease. I was going to make sure I took this bad fuckin’ day and turn it into something she would remember happily.
“You know what I want,” she moaned.
“Don’t move.” I walked away, into the kitchen and dug into one of the bags. The store fuckin’ got me, what could I say. I was gonna barbeque in style next summer. But one thing my kitchen needed was a new spatula. Nice rubber handle, strong, and wide, flat, heatproof silicon…perfect for what I wanted. I came back and rubbed over her left cheek, pulled away for that perfect first contact and…
Thwack!

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

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…

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.

But he’s never forgotten the little girl from his youth. So in the attempt to change his spiraling life for the better, he decides a better form of therapy would be to write to her, his Dish. He can’t help but wonder if he’ll ever have the type of peace that he had in that one night with her again. He wonders where she is, if she’s happy, if he’ll ever meet her again…
The progression of the book is very gradual and slow, but not in a bad way. You get a lot of Nico’s present and you don’t meet the heroine of the book until pretty much the half way mark.
While I did enjoy the writing and the story, I did have some minor quibbles. I was really surprised to find out that Nico is almost 40. I never really felt that from the story. I don’t know how to best explain it, considering that it should have been fairly obvious to me from the dates, but the way he came off was more like someone in their early 30s or late 20s.
My biggest complaint is that I had a hard time understanding the reason behind the major problem in Nico and Larc’s relationship at the very end. Considering that it became pretty obvious to me around the 60% mark who she was for him, I really didn’t understand why it caused such tension. Now don’t get me wrong here, it may have been the case of my puny little brain not catching on to something here. But as it was, I simply couldn’t connect with this “issue”.
Aside from that, the book was great. There was angst, there was steam, I read it in practically one sitting. I can definitely say that I would gladly pick up any of the author’s future books, and look forward to doing so.

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.

All is well until someone from her past sets events in motion that upend Inky’s careful world. 
When a handsome customer comes to her rescue, will she take a risk with her whole heart?
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.

About the Author

Julie is a Southern California native, a fan of a really good story (preferably romance with a happily ever after), really good pie (preferably pumpkin) and copious amounts of coffee (preferably Folgers).

She has always enjoyed writing and at one time thought she could be a singer songwriter…the ‘writer’ part is the one that stuck.

Julie is obsessed with pi…the equation(and the food). She’s allergic to cats and cantaloupe and hates mushrooms…so if you ever want to give her a gift, those are out for sure.She currently lives with her own romance hero husband and two boys in Melbourne, Australia.

Giveaway

$50 Gift Certificate
Signed Set of The Leaves

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Blog Tour, Review & #Giveaway: #ThisMuchIsTrue by @KatherineOwen01

This Much Is True by Katherine Owen 
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

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:
Goodreads I Twitter  I Facebook  I Website

Giveaway

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Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: A Fighting Chance by A.J. Sand

A FIGHTING CHANCE
By A.J. Sand
New Adult/Adult Romantic Suspense
Jesse Chance is a bastard.
And that’s all he heard his entire life growing up once news got out that he was the illegitimate child of womanizing ex-con, Henry Chance.
Stuck in Glory, Texas, a town too small to escape the sins of his parents, Jesse turned into exactly what everyone expected him to be: a lover of liquor and women, and so good with his fists, he became a teenage champion of the secret underground fighting rings that float around the South, while doubting the only people who ever believed he could be more, his ailing mother, and his girlfriend, Drew Hallisay.
But determined to make his mother’s dying wish come true, he enrolled in a college on the East Coast, far away from his past. Jesse Chance is reborn into a new life, and set on keeping Glory, Texas–and Henry Chance–in his rear view.
Until a visit from his father in the middle of the night changes everything.
Forced to return to Glory to prevent a tragedy, Jesse is soon back on the fighting circuit with Drew’s help and facing the history he was so desperate to escape, the part of him he would prefer to hide.
As he slips back into his old ways–Henry Chance’s ways–he finds himself torn between the guy he was and the one he’s been struggling to become. And in a world dead set on betting against you, can you ever really overcome your past… or your destiny?

Review

4 Gripping and Gritty Stars
We’re all walking on the edge of chaos, knowing full well it won’t take much to fall over.

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

of reading that is. Because this book is…I’m not even sure how to best describe it
INTENSE
UNAPOLOGETIC
AND GRITTY AS HELL!

Seem to cover it nicely, because DAMN what a ride!
Now if you’re at all like me, you may have take a look at that droolworthy cover and assumed what you’ll be getting here is a steamy NA story about a sexy fighter, right? Well fuck that! Because that’s not even close to what you’ll be getting here.
This book was fantastic, but I can tell you that it’s not for everyone. So if you’re uncomfortable with some intense and descriptive violence, I’ll suggest grabbing your teddy bear and cowering in the corner, because this book is not for you my friend.
Just look at what the author herself wrote about this book:
– Standalone, not even remotely part of a series (I probably won’t ever write another series).

– No cliffhanger! Wooo! 

– Might be a wee bit intense for some in terms of the violence.

So excited to move away from contemporary romance and AFC is quite a way to move! 😉 It’s TOTALLY different from the others but, truthfully, I’ve never written a traditional contemporary romance. 

I can’t do it. I’m evil, I guess. 

It’s way gritty, it’s way grungy, and I let loose because I needed to. It won’t be an easy ride because that’s not how I operate. I decide a long time ago that if I was going to write an underground fighting book, it wasn’t going to be sugarcoated. 

It’s a huge study in human nature, too, so if you like books where good is good and bad is bad, this won’t work for you. Graham Greene once said human nature isn’t black and white, it’s black and grey, and I STRONGLY believe this. 
So, if you’re looking for rainbows and kittens and bunnies. They aren’t here. 😉
It’s still longity-long because, well, it’s me and that’s how I roll.

Can’t say we didn’t warn you. So let’s move on…
If you read the blurb, then you have probably about 1/18th of what this book is about. I could tell you more, but where’s the fun in that? This is something that needs to be experienced without any spoilers. But I can gloss over the edges for you, just a little, because I’m nice like that 🙂

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.

When he runs into the girl that used to own his heart and he walked away from, all the feelings come rushing back. But it’s too late now. Now Jesse is with someone else, and Drew is engaged. But can old feelings really disappear, or do they simply fester until reaching the surface?

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.

The love story was steamy, and you could definitely feel the tension and sexual chemistry between the H/h. I loved that the author really made you burn for them together. There was no insta anything. Their relationship was one bumpy fucking road. So would I recommend this book? Hell yes. But be prepared to get on to one hell of a roller coaster ride. This is not a book for the faint of heart, but it’s certainly worth the risk.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to go purge some of the images from this book with some mindless smut, or else I’ll never recover. And I thank you

About the Author

A.J. Sand grew up an only child whose parents bought her many, many books to keep her busy, so it was only natural that she would start writing her own stories. She is the author of “Documentary,” “Remake” and “Recklessly.” She lives just outside of Washington, D.C.
Author social media links:

Giveaway

  $25 Amazon gift card, (1) copy of A Fighting Chance on either Kindle or Nook, and (1) Wantable gift card or one-time accessories box (U.S. Only giveaway) – 1 winner

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ARC Review: Drowning in Rapture by Megan D. Martin

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



4 Holy shit that was hot Stars

Sometimes you have to do bad things to get what you want.

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***

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Fast Forward by Marion Croslydon

Fast Forward (Second Chances # 2) – No cliffhanger, HEA
Author: Marion Croslydon
Release date: December 19, 2013
Genre: Contemporary romance/ New Adult
Tour organized by: AToMR Tours


From the Amazon bestselling author of No Reverse comes a moving story about love, redemption and what happens when life switches to fast forward.

Cassie learned the hard way: Love forgives… in the end.

In No Reverse, Josh and Cassie’s epic love story went from the brink of destruction to a fragile new beginning. Now they must mend their broken family and win back the son they gave up five years ago.

But second chances need to be earned and the road ahead is rocky. With Cassie on tour and Josh trying his hand at a political career, the struggle becomes clear. When the adoption takes a bad turn, Cassie and Josh are prepared to give up everything for the fight of their lives.

Will this young family finally heal the years of heartache, or will they be torn apart for good?

There is no cliffhanger.

4 Second Chance Stars
This was my chance- our chance- to make things right. I’d made a promise to Cass and damn it all to hell, I’d never break it.

Sweet mother of feels what an emotional roller coaster Josh and Cassie’s story took me on. I’m still trying to get all my feels right because…damn…just damn.

Fast Forward is the highly emotional conclusion to the story introduced in No Reverse. Please note that if you haven’t read the first book, this review might have minor spoilers.

Josh and Cassie have now reconciled and are back together trying to make a new life for themselves while fighting to get custody of their son. But nothing is ever easy for them…not even close.

I’ll be honest, this books is not really my typical preference. As emotionally charged as the first book was, I really enjoyed it. This one, while not being what I’d normally read, I still enjoyed. The writing is phenominal. Marion Croslydon has a way with words, that much I can tell you.

So why the 4 stars? This book had a little too much drama for me. It was one road block after another followed by 5 more for these two. The second they would resolve one thing, something else would happen. It was non-stop.

Between the drunken/abusive father, the adoption, Josh’s new job and ex-fiance, it was non stop drama. Some may really enjoy it, but I prefer my drama in doses…not through the whole book.

That being said, the book was beautifully written and the love story between Josh and Cassie was truly touching. Watching everything they go through and how it made them grow as people and as a couple was great. The epilogue was the perfect way to close their story. So while it may not be anything I’d go back to, it was still a very enjoyable read.

If you’re looking for an emotional love story of second chances, then this book is definitely for you.

Read my review for book 1, No Reverse here

About the Author

Marion loves to share happy vibes, talk book crush, fictional boyfriends and sexual chemistry with like-minded people. And because she spends most of her days on her own deep inside her writing cave, you are welcome to come and say “hello” from time to time. Just to make sure she doesn’t sink into insanity. Her friends, family and arch-enemies (there are quite a few) will be forever grateful for your help.

Author Social Media Links 

    Giveaway

     (1) Kindle Device from Amazon – International

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    Blog Tour & Giveaway: A Little Too Hot by Lisa Desrochers

    From USA Today bestselling author Lisa Desrochers comes the third book in her sizzling new adult series. 

    If you play with fire …

    Tossed out of college and cut off by her parents, Samantha West is in pretty dire straits. So when her rocker best friend hooks her up with a job dancing at a gentlemen’s club, who is she to turn it down? Plus, there are rules to dancing at Benny’s: No touching, keep your clothes on at all times, and never get closer than three feet. Unfortunately for Sam, her first private client makes her want to break every single one of them.

    Harrison Yates is scorching hot, but he’s got a past that involves being left at the altar not too long ago. Sam is determined to make him forget about his ex, but when she makes her move, it flings her life into a spiral of chaos she never saw coming. Because Harrison Yates isn’t who he seems to be. And his secret will probably get her killed. 

    The book will be released on January 21st.

    “Every page is deliciously breathtaking, wickedly sexy and sensational. A LITTLE TOO HOT is wonderfully unique and a LOT HOT! I am a HUGE Lisa Desrochers fan.”
    — KATY EVANS, New York Times bestselling author of REAL

    “Lisa is brilliant at creating sizzling sexual tension and impossible circumstances that make the reader hold their breath all the way to happy ever after. Sam and Harrison are more than A Little Too Hot, they are scorching!”
    — JAY CROWNOVER, New York Times bestselling author of RULE

    “Lisa Desrochers’ best yet! A LITTLE TOO HOT is hotter than hot with all the emotional punch to back it up!”
    — SOPHIE JORDAN, New York Times bestselling author

                                                                  *********

    A LITTLE TOO HOT PRE-ORDER: 

    Pre-order A LITTLE TOO HOT for an exclusive alternative chapter written in the hero’s POV!
    ***********

    Review
    Suddenly, this doesn’t feel like a game anymore. It feels deeper. And scarier.

    How is it possible that I am only now discovering this amazing author? I should be kicking myself. Or be spanked…preferably by Harrison…if he was into that sort of thing. What?

    As in my usual fashion, I did things a whole lot backwards and read this book without reading 1 and 2. And while I plan on rectifying this immediately, it’s also safe to say this is easily read as a standalone. The author does such a fantastic job with character development and explaining things from the previous books that I never once felt lost or confused. What I did feel, was completely engrossed in the characters and the story.

    I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Samantha at first. Her heavy partying and lack of interest in classes got her kicked out of not only college but also her parent’s house. Her desperate circumstances force her to accept her friend Jonathan’s offer to hook her up with a job. An exotic dancer at a club is not exactly her dream job, even if she doesn’t have to take her clothes off. But hey, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. So she begins working at Benny’s, which you can probably describe as

    Sam is not exactly looking for love. She’s still getting over her heart being broken by her boyfriend Trevor, who’s now engaged to her best friend. The last thing she expects is to begin lusting after a client. But she can’t help herself.

    Harrison Yates is sexy, tattoed, and getting over his own heart break. But the chemistry between them is too hot to ignore. So what happens when lines start to get crossed and things get a little too hot?

    The second Harrison entered the picture, I was sucked in. The sexual tension between these two was combustible. I love when an author can make you burn for it right along with the H/h. Lisa Desrochers did such an amazing job with this. You could practically taste it. And then when Sam and Harrison begin to give into the sexual pull between them?

    But then right around 28% Lisa threw in the mother of all plot twists. I did not see that coming at all. I sat there like an idiot, staring at my kindle, trying to get my jaw off of the floor. If I was engrossed by that point, after it I simply could not put the book down. I just had to see what happens next.

    While I typically like my books on the more steamier side, this book was still extremely satisfying for me. The sexual chemistry between Sam and Harrison was incredible. I’m not sure how else to best describe it but to say it was like a rubber band that kept stretching and stretching until it got to a point that you know once it finally breaks it will be HUGE. And boy was it.

    If you’re looking for an entertaining, sexy, and a wild ride of a read, this book is a must read.

    Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to one-click the rest of the books in this series. And I thank you

    **ARC received in exchange for an honest review**

    About the Author

    LISA DESROCHERS is the USA Today bestselling author of the A Little Too Far series, courtesy of HarperCollins, and the young adult Personal Demons trilogy from Macmillan. She lives in Northern California with her husband, two very busy daughters, and Shini the tarantula. Find her online at www.lisadwrites.com, on Twitter at @LisaDez, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LisaDesrochersAuthor.

    Author’s Social Links

    Giveaway

    Win an A LITTLE TOO HOT blurb pack: REAL, MINE, and REMY signed by Katy Evans; RULE, JET, and ROME signed by Jay Crownover; and FORPLAY signed by Sophie Jordan plus signed swag.

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    A Little Too Hot

    ARC Review: In Bed With Mr. Wrong by Katee Robert

    The blind date from hell is about to get hotter…

    Brianne Nave is never doing her friends a favor again. When they begged her to go on a blind date, she didn’t expect someone so perfectly gorgeous. She’s a mousy librarian—totally not in this man’s league. And judging by his odd reaction when she opens the door, he knows it, too.

    Air Force Pararescuer Ryan Flannery avoids his hometown at all costs. He’s not thrilled about the date until he’s shocked silent by the prickly little librarian’s sweet curves and kissable lips…and her smart mouth. But then an argument leads to a kiss that spirals out of control. How can two people have so little chemistry outside the bedroom when they fit together so perfectly in it?

    When their friends strand them in a cabin to “work things out,” Bri’s not sure whether to kill him or put the industrial-sized box of condoms they find to use. Bottom line—Ryan’s career military and hates the tiny town she loves. He’ll leave, just like everyone else in her life. And if she’s foolish enough to give him her heart, he’ll take it with him.

    Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes

    Review

    3.5 stars
    They didn’t like each other. Couldn’t carry on a conversation without snipping at each other, and couldn’t snipe at each other without ending up in compromising positions.
    This book is exactly why I’m an obsessive Brazen junky. It was the perfect recipe to a deliciously spicy little read for me. I loved it!
    Now let me start with saying that I happen to have a type…for my books that is. There is nothing more that I love more than an enemies to lover trope. Something about the snarky comments, insults, and barbs flying back and forth with an thick undercurrent of lust that never ceases to just do it for me. And if that happens to be your type too, then look no further than this book.
    Ryan and Bri set the pages on fire, and I loved every fiery and passionate moment of it.
    When Brianne Nave agrees on a blind date as a favor to her friend, she’s not expecting much. She doesn’t exactly date much. She’s a little mousy, a little shy, and knows she’s not prime male fantasy material. But when Ryan Flannery shows up on her doorstop, she’s speechless. Until he makes it evident that she’s clearly not what he expected. And this is when the insults start flying.
    Bri and Ryan couldn’t have less in common. Bri is a librarian that dreamed of living in the small town where everyone knows you and your business. Ryan is an Air Force Pararescuer, that wanted nothing more but to escape the town and leave it in the past along with his infamous reputation of being the son of the town drunk and the boy that burned the high school down.
    To say that these two start off on the wrong foot would be a gross understatement. The snarky comments and insults start flying right off the bat. And let me just tell you. It is
    Bri might be a mousy librarian, but she is certainly no push over. If anything I felt her to be a little harsh on Ryan at times. She never really thought twice about throwing his past in his face, even though she knew barely anything about it.
    Now Ryan on the other hand was absolutely swoon worthy. I have a soft spot for military men in my books, and he was no exception. While Bri may have been running scared from their sexual chemistry, Ryan faced it head on.

    One thing was certain—she thought this was over and done with between them. Well, he damn well didn’t. He wanted to know which was the real Bri—the snarling harpy from their date or the sweet, sexy thing from the porch—and the only way to do that was to see her again. They were going to talk this out, even if he had to lock her in a room to do it.

    I loved the banter between these two.

    You’re staring at me like you’re thinking—” She blushed and frowned harder. “Knock it off.”
    “You’re projecting. I wonder why?” Could it be that you recently had your mind blown?”
    “Shut up. We’re in public.”
    “That didn’t bother you the last time we were together.”
    “Oh my God, will you stop talking?”
    “It’s not my fault someone has their panties in a twist.”
    She leaned in, kissably close. “Don’t think for a second that you had more than a passing effect on my panties.”

    And then when the banter would stop, the clothes would start flying. And let me just tell you, the chemistry between them? SCORCHING

    A quick paced, sexy story about two very different people who find out they may have more in common than they thought. A first in a series that is already looking to be an auto-buy for me. I cannot wait to get my greedy little hands on the towns bachelor/sheriff and Ryan’s brother Drew. Would it be possible that Avery might be the girl for him? Not sure. But a girl can hope 🙂

    I really enjoyed this book. This was my first novel by Katee Robert, and it certainly will not be my last. It wasn’t quite the amazing 5 star book for me (I tend to be stingy with my 5 stars). But it is a book I wouldn’t think twice about re-reading, and I definitely liked it a whole heck of a lot.

    If you’re a fan of witty banter, swoon worthy military heroes, sassy and sharp tongued heroines, and a steamy story that will be sure to get your own panties in a twist then this book is definitely for you. Gotta love that Brazen yumminess!

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

    Blog Tour & Giveaway: Kayden: The Past by Chelle Bliss


    ** CAN BE READ AS A STAND ALONE NOVEL**

    Kayden Michaels has a past filled with sex, addiction, and heartache. A past that he’s avoided sharing with the love of his life, Sophia, and held close to his core not risking rejection. Needing to get his addictions in check and gain control of his life for the sake of his family, Kayden is forced to confront his past and make amends for the path he’s walked.

    Kayden must recount every carnal act and the betrayal from those he’s loved to identify the triggers that spur his addictions and overcome it all to be worthy of Sophia’s love – his sole reason to exist.

    This is NOT a novella.

    Playlist

    Demons ~ Imagine Dragon
    Crazy Bitch ~ Buck Cherry
    Gorilla ~ Bruno Mars
    Livin’ on a Prayer ~ Bon Jovi
    Sex and Candy ~ Marcy PLayground
    Love the Way You Lie ~ Eminem
    Everything I’ve Known ~ KoRn
    Bring Me to Life ~ Evanescence
    Cold Hard Bitch ~ Jet
    What Goes Around Comes Around ~ Justin Timberlake
    Waiting for the End ~ Linkin Park
    The Reason ~ Hoobastank
    Control ~ Puddle of Mud
    I Hate Everything About You ~ Three Days Grace
    Closer ~ NIN

    Trailer

    Excerpt ~ Explicit~

    “Hey, where ya going?” she asked. “What about me?”

    “I’m sure someone here would be happy to give you what you want. I got what I was looking for, babe.”

    “You had me suck your cock and you’re just going to fucking leave me here?” she asked glaring at me with hatred so pure I could almost feel the fist she wanted to hit me with.

    “I got what I came for. You were a total bitch to me for years; you don’t deserve what I’d give, how good I’d fuck you,” I said with my arms crossed against my chest.

    “You’re a total cocksucker, Kayden,” she said poking me in the chest with each word to drive the point home.

    “No, that would be you, babe,” I said with a smile, “Oh, and by the way, you have a little on your chin,” I said pointing at her face chuckling softly at the situation. I watched as she wiped her chin and I turned and walked away, leaving her there like she deserved.

    Review

    3.75 Stars

    Now I know that there is a note that this can be read as a standalone, and while it can, I wouldn’t recommend it. I think that understanding the dynamic behind Kayden and Sophia’s relationship, how they started, where they are now, etc is necessary to appreciate this book for what it was. I read this first, and then I went back and read Untangle Me. Had I not read Untangle Me, I’m not sure I would have rated this one as high.

    While this was not a novella but a full length book, it read like a novella to me. Not in a way that it was too short, but it was a very quick read. I read it in one sitting. Kayden’s life was like a bad car crash; you’re almost scared to keep watching, afraid it might get worse, but yet you can’t tear your eyes away.

    Kayden, my poor fucked up Kayden

    The poor guy goes through so much shit only to stumble over a new pile of it at every turn. The Past takes up back to the very beginning, the root of where it all began. It starts from his childhood and continues through many of his relationships.

    Now I can tell you that Kayden had some shit luck when it came to women…but somehow I think that would be an understatement. Let me see, how do I best sum it up? Ah yes! They all seem to hit a teeny tiny little iceberg

    With as much shit as he went through with women, I was surprised he kept trying. I wouldn’t have blamed him if he chose to surround himself with a different type of pussy altogether.

    If you’re expecting a romance, this is not what this book is at all. It is a deeper look at the man that Kayden is and what made him into who he is today. It takes you through every single one of his doomed relationships, and there were plenty. It takes you through his struggle with alcohol and drugs. It gives you a dark and unapologetic look into the life of a man that has had it anything but easy.

    Chelle Bliss knows how to write one hot as hell sex scene, and there were quite a few here. Kayden really knew how to deliver on that front.

    I really enjoyed this book. The fact that I read it in one sitting should tell you plenty. So why not 5 stars? I couldn’t help but feel I was being told the story at times, as opposed to being shown. I love being able to experience all the ups and downs along with the characters I’m reading about, but this book didn’t quite have that. I felt like I was reading Kayden’s diary, which I believe this was.

    I loved getting a peak into his head, and if you read and enjoyed Untangle Me, this book is a must read.

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

    About the Author

    I have been a teacher for over ten years, and needed a creative outlet for all my naughty thoughts. I received a bachelors degree in History and a Masters in Education, which led me to becoming a high school history teacher.

    I love to read, I can devour a book a day, when given the chance or having the time. I can’t pick one favorite book, there are just too many that come to mind. I do have favorite authors though. My top five authors are: Colleen Hoover, S.C. Stephens, Tarryn Fisher, CJ Roberts, and Kele Moon. I agonized over the top five. There are so many fantastic Indie authors that help feed my quest for the next best story.

    Writing has been a journey unlike; filled with anguish, love, fear, and creativity. I’m excited for the next step and to share Kayden and Sophia.

    Author’s Social Links
    Goodreads I Website I Facebook I Twitter

    And don’t forget to check out Untangle Me, now only $.99 for a limited time

    Giveaway

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    ARC Review: Bound by Brenda Rothert

    College senior Kate Camden has learned to adapt – to her last year of school, to the promise of motherhood, to the fact that she’s doing it all alone. But just when she’s learned to adjust, heartache threatens to break her apart.

    Pro hockey player Jason “Ryke” Ryker has it all: adoring fans, a promising career, and a beautiful wife. But when his seemingly perfect life is shaken by tragedy, he’s left questioning whether having it all is ever more than an illusion.

    When circumstance brings Kate and Ryke together, they discover they don’t have to hurt alone. Bound by a grief that haunts them both, they must rely on one another to survive heartbreak. But that grief is more powerful than they realize, and the tie that binds them together may ultimately tear them apart.



    Lisa’s Review

    FOUR BOUND STARS.
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    I think it’s fairly obvious by now that I can’t possibly resist a story of love. What you may not know is that a sports themed romance really gets me excited. Combine love, Brenda Rothert’s writing talent, some heart ache and a Ice hockey professional and you are left with a story that is soul searching, heart melting and sexy-steamy all in one gorgeous book. From the cover to the ending this short, moving story won me over. Here are my ‘bound’ book thoughts …

    What’s it all about?
    In her last days as a college student Kate Camden will spend them battling against some of the darkest days of her young life. Life is proving to be difficult for this blonde beauty and she’s doing all she can to keep her head above the water. Ice hockey star and model Jason Ryker is living his dream, from the outside this handsome sportsman seemingly has it all, but inside he’s a man fighting demons from his past. When life brings Kate and Jason together their brokenness may just be the thread that draws them close, but with broken hearts and a past that hasn’t been easy, Kate and Jason find themselves battling to find a way to overcome obstacles that stand in the way of their love.

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    What did I love?
    Even though this book was on the short side it definitely left a dramatic impression. When they say ‘all good things come in small packages’ they must have been thinking about this loveable, touching novel. The author created an intimate atmosphere as she developed Kate and Ryke’s relationship. I was so transfixed by the story that I forgot that I was reading about fictional characters, I loved the anticipation that was built up from the start and I instantly felt connected to where these characters would end up. There wasn’t a moment that I felt distracted or uninterested, the author held my attention in every scene. The book started out with some surprise difficulties that instantly grabbed my attention and from that point the author continued to pull at my heart strings. From beginning to end I felt emotionally invested with both the characters. Kate and Ryke were both adorable, individually I loved their point of views and as a couple I was cheering for them from the beginning. The attraction between them was relatable and the slow burn style build up made the book into an addictive page turner. The intimate moments between the couple were both sensual and sexy and there was definitely enough steamy moments to keep most lovers of heart melting scenes happy. Overall there wasn’t much that I didn’t adore about this story of love. I cried, laughed and fell in love right alongside these characters and I’m ready to know more …

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    Why not five?
    Firstly I’d like to say that this book was a winner in my eyes and it deserves every one of the respectable four star rating that I gave it. For me there was not much between this book getting the full five stars however, I would have liked for the story to be longer, I wanted to learn more about Ryke and Kate and their developing relationship. I needed more of a prolonged conclusion to the story, I loved the building up of the relationship and anticipation of the couple finding true love, but I would have liked the author to have spent more time giving the reader a more detailed happily for now ending. Thankfully this book is a part of a series so I’ll get my second look into the lives of these characters at a later date. All in all this book both touched and enchanted me, I would recommend this promising start to the series to other readers and I’m interested in reading more by this author.

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    Final thoughts …
    Sweet, sexy, weepy, touching and thought provoking. This author has created a story that is full of heart and soul and I’m one to happy reader to have been given the book to review. This will be a series to look out for and i’m happily adding this author to my ‘look out for future releases’ list. Don’t delay go grab it readers, enjoy … kisses.

    *Guest reviewer for Dirty girl romance book blog, ARC generously provided by author in exchange for an honest review.*

    Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

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