Mine to Keep by Cynthia Eden

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Synopsis

Love is the most dangerous obsession…

Skye Sullivan is trying to put the pieces of her life back together. She survived a brutal stalker and escaped his abduction, and now she is looking to the future—a future that includes Skye’s lover, billionaire Trace Weston. Skye thinks the danger is finally over for her.

She’s dead wrong.

When Trace’s past comes back to haunt him, Skye discovers that the man she loves isn’t quite who he seems to be. Trace has been leading a double-life. An ex-special forces agent, his military training turned him into the perfect killing machine. He made more than his share of enemies during his time in the military—and as he built his security empire—and one of those enemies is striking back.

He won’t lose her.

Skye is the one weapon that can be used against Trace—his only vulnerability. But he won’t let her go—he can’t. Trace will do anything necessary to protect Skye. Anything. Yet when she discovers the secrets that he’s tried to keep hidden, Skye’s pain and rage may send her running directly into the cross-hairs of a killer…

My Review

When I read and loved Mine to Take, I wasn’t aware that the author was planning a second book for Trace and Skye. I was skeptical about reading this book since I wasn’t sure what more could possibly be told of the couple. But I gave in because I was curious to learn more about the mysterious Trace and also because I have yet to read a Cynthia Eden book I haven’t enjoyed. Mine To Keep was certainly no exception.

Mine To Keep starts off exactly where Mine to Take left off. Skye is still recovering after being held captive by her crazy ex-lover. She’s still hunted by nightmares and she is beginning to see that she is not the only one. While she may have been in love with Trace since she was a teenager, she is beginning to realize that she barely knows him. Trace hides nightmares of his own, and his past is a dark shadow that threatens to overtake their current happiness. But not all things stay in the past, and when something from his past threatens his future, Trace knows there isn’t anything that he won’t do in order to protect Skye.

If there is one thing that Cynthia Eden is good at, it’s writing one hell of a Romantic Suspense. Every time I thought I knew what was coming, she would yank the rug right out from under me. Mine to Keep was a spine tingling suspense filled with so many twists and turns, that it will keep you at the very edge of your seat until the last page. But let’s not forget the steam, because well…I like me my steam. This book was damn hot.

Trace was just as delicious as he was in book one. He’s arrogant, fiercely protective, and broody. Which is a winning combination for me.

I loved Skye and Trace’s relationship. While it wasn’t perfect, there were moments that just melted my heart.

I never understood how you could spin that fast, that much without getting              dizzy.”

“It’s easy, I just look at you. You’re my center. My focus. For every spin, a ballerina needs a focus.”

We get to find out about Trace’s past and his time in the military. Although from all the build up, I was expecting something much worse than what it turned out to be.

I also really enjoyed how Skye came into her own in this book. Even though she loves Trace, she knew her limits to what she will be able to accept, and she wasn’t scared about drawing that line.

What ultimately made this a solid 4 stars for me was the suspense. As much as I thought I knew what was coming, it caught me by complete and utter surprise. And even then there were still more twists. No it wasn’t quite a 5 star book, only because I felt that I had gotten my fill of Trace and Skye in book one, and felt that it could have been just one longer book as opposed to 2. And while I doubt it would be a book I would re-read, I still enjoyed it thoroughly.

We were also introduced to 2 men from Trace’s military past, Drake and Noah. While I am enjoying the delicious golden eyed Noah right now in Mine to Hold, I really hope that we get a book for Drake. There is just something about a broken man that gets to me, and Drake is all sorts of broken, broody and dark.

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

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Knots by Chanse Lowell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Synopsis

My Review

Whenever I read BDSM Romance my first thought always is – I really hope this isn’t another book with a hero with a spanking and light bondage penchant calling himself a Dom. I’m an avid BDSM Romance reader, so I tend to get picky. Having never read a book by Chanse Lowell before, I wasn’t really sure what I was walking into with this book. My thoughts once I finished? It was a beautiful and highly erotic story of true love.

I don’t typically enjoy reading about insecure heroines with frequent water works. Jeanie’s constant guilt, insecurities and doubts at times made me want to throttle her. The fact that at the end of the book I not only grew to like her, but to feel for her, says a great deal of the amazing job the author did with characterization.

The entirety of the book focuses on Mark and Jeanie’s relationship development. It was real, at times heart breaking, heart melting, and erotic as hell.

Mark…I don’t even know where to start with him. He was…he just…GAH! I want to lick him! The man was just perfection. He was sweet and patient when need be

God, he wanted her wrapped around him right now—to be able to embrace her and free her soul from years’ worth of guilt she never should’ve had.

But when the man got down to business…holy mother of orgasms! The things that he would say and do…my ovaries barely survived it.

Deep inside that pussy, there’s an ache for me, and I’m gonna find it…You’re gonna give me every breath as I fuck you with my fingers.

I think what I truly loved about Mark was how understanding and caring he was with Jeanie. The was no commitment issues, overly domineering caveman antics or jealousy. He simply made his feelings clear and hid nothing.

You’re a part of me, and I can’t let go of that part, because it’s the best fucking piece of my soul. Before you, I don’t know if I even had half a one. But now, I look at you, I breathe in your scent, and I know I have one because I only want what’s best for you—to see you smile, hear you laugh, watch you come undone with pleasure.”

I really loved this story. I enjoyed watching Jeanie’s character grow from an insecure, guilt-ridden woman to someone stronger. While this wasn’t quite a 5 star read for me, it was a very strong 4 stars. I will gladly pick up Chanse Lowell’s future books.

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Hard to Handle by Jessica Lemmon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Synopsis:

My Review

Let me start out by saying I am not usually a reader of “sweet” romances. I like my romances with a kick, preferably a dirty one. But every now and then, a girl needs some sweet, and I got the perfect dose of it with this book.

I went into this with zero expectations, having never read a book by Jessica Lemmon before. After finishing, I can definitely say I will not hesitate in picking up any of her future books. I fell in like with this book. No, it wasn’t quite ‘sing the book’s praises from the rooftop’ love, but I liked it a whole hell of a lot.

So you read the book blurb, and you might be expecting Aiden to be some type of heart-breaking, womanizing, man-whore, right? No? Odd…I did. Maybe because that seems to be all I read lately. Aiden was NOT that. I LOVED Aiden. He was the perfect combination of sexy as hell, sweet and yet also endearingly vulnerable. My heart broke for everything that he went through. I really loved that the reason he left Sadie a year ago was not your typical commitment phobe issues.

When she’d first met Aiden, hot-handed, dead-sexy-smile, two-hundred-pounds-of-delicious-golden-muscle Aiden, he’d been to hell and back. Now he’d been to hell and back, and returned for one more round trip with frequent flyer miles. And he was still clawing his way out of the depths.

He recognized right away the mistake he made and now that he has another chance, he’s determined to show Sadie that she needs to take another chance on him.

He had so many things to say. Like how sorry he was, how he’d do anything to take back the day he’d lost her for good. How he wanted her with an intensity time and space hadn’t been able to erase.

Sadie was tough, quirky and sassy. I love heroines like her. When Aiden left her a year ago, he left her with a broken heart. She’s determined not to let any other man in again, especially the sex on a stick Aiden. So what happens when Aiden starts chipping away at all her hard built walls?

I loved how Aiden pursued Sadie. He wasn’t pushy, domineering, or high handed. He simply wore his heart on his sleeve and made no attempts to hide it from her.

Love wasn’t hard for him. Love was simple. Love was yes, followed by a hundred more yeses. What was so damn complicated about that?

But don’t get me wrong, while this book was sweet, it still had some steam. And Aiden definitely delivered on that end as well.

This book was just what I needed. It was sweet, with a side of steamy, and a fantastic hero.

We were also introduced to Aiden’s brothers, the broody millionaire Landon and the angry, grieving Evan. I hope that we will be getting their stories next, because the set up already has me intrigued.

This book, while part of a series, can be easily read as a standalone.

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

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Book Blurb

It didn’t matter that the ref called it a clean hit. Nico Hunter would never be the same. 

Elle has a good life. A job she loves, a great apartment, and the guy she’s been dating for more than two years is a catch and a half. But it’s boring…and she strives to keep it that way. Too many emotions are dangerous. Her own past is living proof of what can happen when you lose control.

Then Nico walks into Elle’s office and everything changes…for both of them. But what can the tattooed, hard-bodied MMA fighter and the beautiful and always steady attorney have in common? A lot more than they bargained for.

 

 

   

I’ve been this way for a long time. I make responsible choices. My life is neat and organized and my heart rate stays constant. I like it that way most of the time. I should be proud of where I am in my life. But the truth of the matter is sometimes I feel like I’m suffocating in my perfunctory life.

But beneath the perfect layers lies a dark past with an even darker secret. And if controlling her environment allows her to keep it buried and wake up without nightmares, then that is what Elle will do. But then Nico Hunter walks through her office doors, and everything changes. Nico was a six-foot-three, two hundred and twenty-one pounds, green eyed sex on a stick. When he sees Elle, he knows what he wants and the man knew damn well how to go after it. I have to admit he certainly had a way with words.

Why do you want to have dinner with me?” “Aside from the obvious, that you’re gorgeous?” “When I look in your eyes I see a little light flicker…” He pauses for a second. I look at him, but still don’t speak. “And for the last twenty four hours all I could think about was what it would take for me to turn that flicker into a flame.”

 

You’re a beautiful, smart, strong woman who is used to being treated like a lady.” I’m confused at his words and Nico sees it on my face. He pulls me to him and buries his face in my neck. His breath is so close to my ear when he speaks, I feel the words throughout my body as he speaks them. “But when I finally get you underneath me, I’m definitely not going to treat you like a lady.”

If you follow my reviews, you know I have a soft spot for the dirty talkers, and Nico did not disappoint in that department.

Ride me. You’re so tight and wet.  I’m going to fill up that sexy little pussy and make it mine. I want my smell on you. In you. So that the whole god damn world knows you’re mine.”

 My thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book. There was no unnecessary angst. They didn’t play games with each other. I loved that even though Nico had a womanizing past, he doesn’t hesitate to stake a claim on Elle. He was a straight shooter and didn’t have commitment issues.

The relationship between Nico and Elle was not a perfect one since they are both characters that are trying to deal with a past that has scarred them. While Elle knows the nightmares that haunt Nico, Nico doesn’t realize the darkness that Elle hides. While we learn what haunts Nico pretty much right away, there are only hints and pieces alluding to Elle’s past. I had a feeling about what it was from the beginning, but I don’t think it was meant to be a big secret. But still, when I found out the whole story, my heart broke for her. 

My only complaint? I really wished the author gave us some sort of physical descriptions on the supporting characters. Aside from a description of what they wore, I never noticed anything mentioning what they look like: hair color, eyes, anything. When I read a book, I like to have an image in my mind of what I’m reading; to feel like the author is showing me a story as opposed to just telling it. Don’t get me wrong, the writing itself was fantastic. I suppose I just wanted a little bit more from it. It wasn’t something that bothered me so much that it took away from the story, but it was enough for me to notice it. I’m a reader that likes to have a visual in my head of every character I read, not just the main hero and heroine. The book itself was fantastic, I enjoyed the characters and the story. This is definitely a series that I will be following. If you enjoy steamy stories with sexy MMA fighters, definitely give this one a shot.

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About the Author

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn’t change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work.  She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting smut author by night! 

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Bared by Him: by Red Garnier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Blurb

My Review

He’s as powerful as Zeus, but has the disposition of Hades

Something in her gaze snared and trapped him. There was passion in there, in those eyes. Kindness. Compassion. And something deep and wounded.

I have been addicted to this series ever since book 2, Taken by Him. And I have been looking forward to the brooding and man of few words Cade ever since. I had a feeling that his story will be a good one, and I was not wrong. While book 2 still continues to be my favorite in the series, this was the most emotionally charged one.

Cade West lost his wife to cancer 10 years ago, and continues to grieve her loss. Though it’s not as much sadness that he feels, as it is anger; anger that he wasn’t able to help her, that no amount of money and treatment was able to save her from death at such a young age.

So when the beautiful Ivy barges into his office demanding that he donate to her cancer research charity, his rage hits an all time high. He wants to throw the ballsy blonde out of his office but there’s just one problem, he wants her, and he hasn’t wanted a woman like this in as long as he can remember.

So what does he do to take care of this problem? Well he challenges her to a game of strip poker and promises his donation if she wins.
Ivy can’t help but feel an intense pull to Cade. She knows the wounds that he has, and she want to get to the man behind it, so she takes him up on the offer.

But when the game begins, all bets are off.

This novella, like all the others, was incredibly steamy and sexy. Cade may be a man of a few words but when he’s in the bedroom…well, let’s just say he says ENOUGH.

Ivy was a wonderful heroine. She was hesitant to get emotionally involved with Cade, but I can completely understand why that was given the information we find out about her in the end of the book. There was no unnecessary angst, which was refreshing as well.

Cade was dark and broody, but when he finally recognized his feelings for Ivy…I just fell even more for him.

I want you, Ivy. I want you more than I’ve wanted anything in my life – I take you in my sleep. I take you any way I can get you, any fucking time I can.”

While the sexy, womanizing, manwhore Luke continues to be my favorite in this series, Cade definitely came in in a very close second.

Each novella is told in dual POV and can easily be read as a standalone. Though I highly recommend reading them all. Red Garnier has this fantastic writing style that allows the reader to not only get a feel for the characters in 100 pages, but to fall for them as well.

And let’s be honest here, these books are friggin HAWT with a capital H.

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Safe With Me by Kristen Proby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ll be damned if I’ll screw this up for her. I’m too fucked up for anything long-term, and she deserves nothing less.

Book Blurb:

My Review:

I’ve been looking forward to Caleb and Brynna’s story for a while now. Kristen Proby definitely knows how to write a steamy as hell romance. While I can’t say this book will be making to my favorites list, I did enjoy it.

When a tragic event forces Brynna and her twin daughters to fear their safety, they pick up their life in Chicago and move to Seattle where Brynna’s cousin lives. It’s been a year since the incident that sent them into hiding, and Brynna is finally starting to settle into a somewhat normal life until a threat rises up again and she has no choice but to accept protection in the form of her walking fantasy, Caleb Montgomery.

Brynna has been lusting after Caleb for months, but Caleb insists on a hands off friendship. He doesn’t think that he’s capable of a relationship; his experiences as a SEAL left him broken and damaged. He doesn’t think that he has anything to offer Brynna or her girls. But that doesn’t mean that he stops wanting her any less.

Caleb still suffers horrendous nightmares from his past tours. He thinks he’s broken, damaged, not worthy of someone like Brynna.

Brynna was a wonderful heroine. She was strong, in a very understated way. She wasn’t a pushover or whine when she didn’t get her way. I loved the way that she handled Caleb and his problems. She was understanding and patient.

Caleb was just pure sex on a stick. Kristen Proby definitely did not disappoint in the sex department. This book was HOT. When Caleb finally gave in to the red hot passion between them IT.WAS.ON.

These two just burned up the pages together. It wasn’t just all Caleb, I really liked how Brynna went after what she wanted and didn’t shy away from getting it.

Brynna’s girls were adorable, and I especially enjoyed Caleb’s interaction with them. It was incredibly sweet.

We also get to catch up with all the characters from the past books and find out how their relationships have developed, which was great.

So why only 4 stars? Well, while I loved Caleb and Brynna, and Brynna and Caleb together, and the super steamy scenes, I just didn’t connect that much with this book as I did with Rock with Me.

I think my biggest quibble was the “suspense” part of this book. I felt like it was really glossed over and just a quick filler. In the beginning, it explained Brynna’s move, and then the reason for Brynna to need Caleb’s protection, but then it sort of just fizzled out? The way that it resolved just felt entirely too glossed over. I just felt like something was missing. It seemed like there was all this build up, and then in the end the quick resolution just fell slightly flat. I’m not even sure why I think that, and I very well may be in the minority with my opinion. But whatever the reason may be, it still just didn’t feel like a 5 star book for me.

What I’m very happy about? The little teaser we get into Matt’s book in the end. Sweet baby jebus! I am ALL about the dirty and kinky cops.

Bring it on! I cannot wait.

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Maybe Baby Lite by Andrea Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

His nearness electrified me. He didn’t realize that he did those same things to me. My lips wanted him to kiss me, my heart wanted him to love me, and my hormones, well they were all about him spanking me at the moment.

I was going to have him tonight and whatever monsters or memories still lurked in my subconscious would just have to sit back and watch.

Well…that was definitely different. I went into this expecting a hot little read, but what I got is so much more.

No really! I kid you not, my friends. While this book was indeed a spicy one, I absolutely loved that it was filled with mystery, angst, and enough twists and turns to keep me turning the pages on my kindle till the very end.

There were things that I loved, things that I didn’t quite love, and then things that plain irritated me.

Let’s start with the characters.

Trey

Oh…I’m supposed to say something else about here, huh? Well alrighty then. It’s no secret that I love the super arrogant, possessive, sexy commitment-phobe types and Trey was that in spades. Unfortunately at times, it was a tad much…even for me. I found myself getting frustrated with him and the choices he would made and things he did at times. I had a tough time getting into the dynamic of his relationship with Tylar in the beginning. It just felt like they went from hate-lust at first sight to a somewhat relationship. I just wanted a little more development there. But as much as I wanted to slap him at times, I still loved him. It’s just something about those arrogant assholes. No matter how much they piss me off, I still love them. Le sigh.

Taylor

I had a love/hate relationship with Taylor for a large part of this book. I had to keep reminding myself that she was only 21. She had a horrific childhood that left her dealing with quite a few demons. Her immaturity is what ultimately drove me crazy about her. The choices she would make with Trey frustrated the hell out of me. Not to say that Trey was an angel, but Taylor made some choices that had me wanting to reach through my Kindle and shake her.

I also had a hard time believing her sexual 180. She went from

to

I swear, I’m not sure what was in her Cosmo articles, but damn! Girl picked up some skills for a virgin.
I also could have done without her constant reference to Trey’s smooth and silky voice. I swear, every time she said it, I would just get a flashback to

And after I got done giggling like a stupid school girl, I would just roll my eyes.
But as much as she frustrated me, I couldn’t help but grow to like her towards the end of the book.

Tylar’s mom

I said it before, and I’ll say it again: I want to kick this woman in the ovaries. My inner dirty girl and I had many conversations about this (yes, I talk to myself at times…what of it?) and we are in total agreement here

The story

This was quite possibly my favorite part about the book. While I love a steamy romance, it needs to have a good plot to go along with it to keep my interest. And Maybe Baby Lite definitely had that. I loved every part about the story; the side characters, the mystery, the angst, EVERYTHING. I friggin LOVED Gina, her humor, the things she’d say; she was awesome. Tristan also managed to give Trey a run for his money in the sexiness department. I just saw that I will be getting more of my 2 favorite side characters in book 3.5 (Andrea, you rock, woman!) and I cannot wait to read all about them.

The steam

Sweet baby Jebus but this book was HAWT! Sadly, I’m not sure if my ovaries survived this book. I’m pretty sure they might have had a spontaneous combustion somewhere around the 60% mark.

As much as they frustrated me at times, and putting aside the few cheesy lines that gave me an eye roll or 5, I loved Tylar and Trey together. They weren’t perfect and had plenty of issues. But ultimately I liked where it brought them to by the end of the book. Though that ending…THAT ENDING! THank God I have the second book already, or someone might have gotten hurt LOL.

So that is all the ramblings from this girl, I’m off to lick…errr…read more Trey in Baby Love Lite. And I thank you

ARC courtesy of author in a exchange for an honest review

Bound by Him by Red Garnier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“There’s a little string” – he pointed at his chest and then at hers – “from here to here. I don’t need to tie you. We’re bound to each other, wherever we are, whether we like it or not.”



He’d been her one and only love. He’d been her safe haven. He’d freed her from hell and taken her to heaven, and then he’d left her for three years.

Andrew Fairchild fell for Whitney Donahue hard and fast. He knew right away that she is the only woman for him. Their love was strong and he knew he would do anything to protect the fragile woman that he lost his heart to.

But three years ago when a tragedy strikes Andrew was forced to make a difficult decision that took him away from her. But now he’s back and all he wants is the woman that is bound to his soul.

Andrew was Whitney’s first and only love, and she knows that she will never love any other man the same way. But Andrew broke her heart and her trust when he left her, and she is no longer the broken and fragile girl that she once was. But no matter how much her mind might fight it, her body and heart know that she still belongs to him. She may try to deny it the connection between still exists after these years, but the passion between them never burned out.

When a madman threaten’s Whitney’s safety, there is only one man that she trusts to keep her safe, and Andrew will stop at nothing to protect the woman he loves.

This novella was packed with action and suspense, and enough steam to set your e-reader on fire. I loved that Andrew didn’t hide his feelings or was the typical male slut hero. He loved Whitney with a passion and he wasted no time or words in proving it to her.

The story never felt rushed and it flowed very nicely. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. I am not typically one for serial novellas, but I love that these books are all pretty much stand-alones. You don’t have to wait 5 books to get a HEA. It hits the spot for whenever I need a quick and steamy read. I also liked that it had a story line beyond just Andrew and Whitney’s relationship. There was the added mystery behind the madman that blackmails Whitney. It was great that it wasn’t another one of those fluffy and quick novellas. I’m really looking forward to the next book. If you’re looking for a quick, steamy read with a great story, a sexy as hell hero then definitely give this one a try.

A solid 4 stars from me.

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