Striking Distance by Pamela Clare

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book Synopsis

My Review

No one, and I mean no one does Romantic Suspense quite like Pamela Clare. I have loved this entire series, but this book blew them all out of the water. I cried, I sobbed, I swooned, I cried, I laughed, I didn’t want it to end. As much as I loved Hunt, I think after Javi he has now moved to number 2. Javier stole my heart. (And after the prequel novella…my ovaries too). If you have read Clare’s other books, then you know just how amazing of an author she is, and this book is the perfect example of why. And if you have not yet experienced the absolute AWESOME that is this series, drop everything you’re doing (I’m not even kidding, do it now. Don’t even bother reading my review) and READ.THIS.BOOK. While I would definitely recommend reading this in order, you can easily read this book as a standalone since neither Javier nor Laura appeared in previous books. But the characters from previous books do make an appearance in here.

Over 3 years ago, a chance meeting in a bar in Dubai leads to a unforgettably erotic weekend between Laura and Javier. Although they each promise the other no strings, that night stays with them and they both harbor a desire to see the other again. But those plans come to a screeching halt when in the middle of a live broadcast, Laura’s entire team gets slaughtered while she is kidnapped and held captive and presumed dead.

Surviving unimaginable horror at the hands of a brutal terrorist for 18 months, Laura tries to hold on to her memories. Months of torture forces to lose touch with a lot of reality that she struggles to even remember her own name.

Javier never got over Laura’s supposed death. Having believed that she was beheaded immediately after her kidnapping, his only thought is revenge against the man responsible for it. Months of planning and his special ops team is put in charge of the raid against the Al Qaeda compound that hides the terrorist. Nothing could shock him more than discovering that Laura has been alive all this time. So when a threat is made on Laura’s life, Javier knows no one is more determined or capable to keep her alive than he is.

This book broke my heart. And then it put it together piece by emotional piece. Reading about everything that Laura went through was simply devastating. She was such an incredible heroine. I can probably go so far as to say she was my favorite in the series. She was vulnerable and damaged, but had this incredible strong and persevering core. My heart broke for her with every new detail that came to light about her time in captivity.

And then there was Javi. My amazing, sexy as sin, broken in his own way, Javi. He was just perfect. His last mission has left him with scars, some on the surface, but the deepest being on his soul.

He struggles with what happens and learning to trust someone with his past.

Laura and Javier together was just beautiful. I love the way they both soothed the other.

This book was an intense and emotional read. The connection between Laura and Javier was written in such a beautiful way that it flowed off of the pages effortlessly. While I’ve come to expect and love a certain amount of steam in Clare’s books, I loved the way it was written here. It was’t just empty sex, it was a beautiful and emotional connection between two people learning to heal and move on.

It was, in a word, perfection.

The suspense part of the story was fantastic. It kept me at the edge of my seat from beginning to end guessing and grasping at shadows. And when the culprit was finally revealed, I was truly shocked.

I adored this book. I loved everything about it. And that is not something I can say often. If you are a fan of romantic suspense, and even if you aren’t, you will love this book. Packed with action, suspense, steam, and emotionally gripping this is a story I will not be forgetting any time soon.

Sing by C.D. Reiss

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book. Holy fucking shit! THIS book. I was a pathetic, blubbering, ugly crying mess when reading it.

         

And no, dammit, I’m not even slightly exaggerating. The angst just about did me in.

                                                               True Story                   

How do you even go reviewing a book that effected you so much, and not reveal any spoilers? You don’t. So I’m not even going to attempt it. Nothing that I write can possibly do it, or this incredible series, justice. I’m not even sure how to describe it. But if I had to use just a few words?

Beautiful
     Emotional
          Gut wrenching
                Keep you on the edge of your seat
                      Incredible
                            Brilliant
                                 Enchanting
                                      Poignant
                                           Unforgettable
                                                Beautifully erotic
                                                        Unputdownable
                                                                  Compelling
                                                                              Literary

Want me to take you on my emotional journey through this book? No? Well I’m going to anyway.
I went from

To

To

But mainly, it was a whole lot of

I loved this series, I devoured each new installment, but THIS book. This book deserves a standing ovation. The emotional journey that it took me on. I was ugly crying all over my e-reader. My poor husband thought I was having an emotional breakdown. And at one point, I’m pretty sure that I may have been.

C.D. Reiss,

I worship at the altar of your brilliance. No really. You’ve ruined me. This series will be giving me the mother of all book hangovers. And I’m sitting on pins and needles in anticipation of your next book. Fair warning though

Book 1: Beg (my review)
Book 2: Tease (my review)
Book 3: Submit (my review)
Book 4: Control (my review)
Book 5: Burn (my review)
Book 6: Resist(my review)

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Control by C.D. Reiss

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just when I thought this series couldn’t get any better, C.D. Reiss goes and gives us dual POV’s.

I am not often at a loss for words, but these books are so spellbinding, I can barely tear myself away to write a review. I’ve read some incredible series this year; The Original Sinners, Consequences, and I can now add Songs of Submission to the list.

Want me to describe these books for you in 2 words? LITERARY.ORGASM.

Book 4 finds Monica and Jonathan delving even further into the boundaries of their relationship. As terrified as Monica was of the word “submissive”, she is finding herself not only comfortable in the role, but craving it.

He was the ache between my legs, the desire in my belly, the tingle on my skin, the very embodiment of my gratification.

And Jonathan is finding that Monica is not quite the casual relationship that he first thought she would be.

“What you’re breaking isn’t some little, meaningless coupling. We aren’t some casual fuck, and we never were. Not from the first night. Not from the first time I laid eyes on you. You were built for me. I denied it as long as I could, but we were meant to be together. You are the sea under my sky. We’re bound at the horizon”

What I love the most, well besides Jonathan of course, is how Monica is portrayed. It is so refreshing to read about a heroine that owns her sexuality, as opposed to being meek and shy.

Her sexuality wasn’t coy or cute. She wasn’t saucy; she was feral. Her very presence on the earth stirred me.

Now as much as I would love to sit here and gush some more, I need to get back to book 5. Be thankful I was even able to give you that much. And I thank you

Book 1: Beg (my review)
Book 2: Tease (my review)
Book 3: Submit (my review)

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Submit by C.D. Reiss

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book Synopsis 

My Review

I wish I could give you a long and lengthy review that this book rightfully deserves, but I can’t. One, because I can’t seem to tear myself away from reading the next book and two, well because nothing I say will simply give it justice.

Book three in the SoS series picks up immediately where Tease left off. We get answers to some of the questions we were left with immediately at the end of Tease. But at the same time, left with many more questions.

C.D. Reiss has an incredible gift with words. The woman is able to weave and spin words to build an incredibly erotic picture in your mind. It’s genius. It’s brilliant. It’s addicting.

You’re both the best and worst submissive I’ve ever met.” 

“And you’re the only dominant I’ve ever met.” 

“I want to be your last. I want to ruin you for other men.”

In Submit, Monica finds herself struggling between friendship and the growth of her career. But she also finds that a lot of her thoughts are dominated by a certain sexy millionaire.

Jonathan is absolutely amazing. With each new book, I just fall for him harder and harder. He is sexy as hell, yet also incredibly sweet. He has a very dominant presence, yet never comes off as domineering or overly possessive. He is, for lack of a better word, delicious.

Monica can try to fight it all she wants, but you just can’t walk away from a man like that. You’d have to be crazy.

Now jumping straight into Control.

Reviews from previous books in series

Book 1: Beg (my review)
Book 2: Tease (my review)

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Beneath the Burn by Pam Godwin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book Synopsis

They meet by chance. The timing is wrong.

Three years later, she finds him again, but their separation was poisoned with narcotics and bloodied by enslavement.

Her freedom gambled away, Charlee Grosky escapes the international businessman who held her captive. But his power reaches beyond her protective barriers and threatens everyone she has come to love.

Jay Mayard wears his tortured secrets under his rock god facade. Drugs are his release, even as he seeks to be the man forged of the steel only she can see.

In a celebrity world filled with paparazzi, groupies, and drugs, Jay and Charlee must face their worst fears. When the battle is over, what will be left…Beneath The Burn.

Genre: Romantic/Erotic Thriller

Content warning: Includes graphic rape, sex, anal, bondage, and violence. 

My Review

5 Burning Stars

How do I even go about reviewing a book that I’m pretty sure had me highlighting every other page. I’m not even slightly exaggerating. I highlighted the hell out of this book. This is the first testament of how much I enjoy a book. If I can’t stop highlighting, I know that I’m hanging on to every single word.

Love is like a series of improbable, lonely notes landing together in meaningful chaos. Where every channel carries a rhythm that conveys an expression of emotion. It doesn’t feel flat or fake or hollow. It’s not exaggerated with overtones. The complexity might feel organized, but the creation is never controlled.”

This was the story about two beautifully broken souls finding a healing peace with each other. A dark and emotional story of pain, abuse, and learning to heal. The characters were amazing, the love scenes incredibly erotic, and the writing? Devastatingly brilliant! I loved every single dark and gritty page.

I will try to review without giving away any spoilers, because you really must discover all the details for yourself. I wouldn’t want to take away from any of it.

Three years ago, Charlee and Jay have a chance encounter at her tattoo shop that effects them both immensely.

Inexplicably drawn to one another for reasons they don’t yet thoroughly understand, fate unfortunately has different plans for them. Charlee’s life takes a dark turn that night, while Jay goes on to become a famous musician.

Now three years later, fate reunites them once more but with many more painful memories and scars darkening their present.

For nine years, she didn’t know who she could cling to, or if she would ever be able to take that risk, but clinging to Jay felt… elemental. As if deep within him lay the map to emotions she’d lost and maybe some she never experienced. She wouldn’t let go. No matter how contagious his pain. If she were tough enough to endure hers, could she shoulder his too?

Charlee was such an amazing heroine. You couldn’t help but feel for her. She was so strong, yet undeniably broken.

The darkness and pain that she has experienced at the hands of an obsessive psychopath in her young years is beyond anything I can describe. Pam Godwin spared no detail in describing any of the darkest details. I consider myself to be pretty used to dark reads, but even I found myself cringing at some parts. The abuse that she experiences was incredibly difficult and disturbing to read. But it helps pain an very vivid picture of how it effects her and forms her into the person that she is now.

Jay, my beautifully broken and damaged Jay. How I loved him in this book. I’m pretty sure I feel for him in the first few pages. The mystery of his past is what intrigued me the most about him. He tries so hard to deal with the nightmares of his past, but the loss of Charlee 3 years ago sends him into another tailspin.

Lost in a haze of drugs, alcohol, and meaningless sex, he struggles to bury his dark secrets as deep as he can. That is until Charlee walks into his life again, and he finds himself wanting to be the man she deserves.

I want to learn how to bend to your touch without breaking.” He stroked his cheek along hers, the rise and fall of his chest intoxicating her. “I want you to touch me inside and out.”

While their relationship was anything but smooth, I absolutely loved the two of them together. It was emotional

Will you walk to me? Will you move so close that the ground wobbles, the walls between us crumble, and your thoughts rip open until we’re melding our fears and hopes as easily as we share air?”

Beautiful

She was his greatest possibility. His reason. His why. He would give whatever she needed to be whole and happy, because (view spoiler)[loving (hide spoiler)] her was as essential as drawing air.

And erotic as hell

If you love dark, emotional, and erotic stories, I couldn’t recommend this one enough.

This book captured my heart, the characters wove their way into it, and their story is one that will be staying with me for a long while.

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Convicted by Aleatha Romig

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book Blurb

My Review

This book was…I thought…And maybe…uhhhhh…To sum it up…
FUUUUUUUCK! My brain hurts! I need a mental health vacation. I need unicorns and rainbows. I need a hug. I need a drink. I need my sanity back. Actually, that’s probably long gone now.

Having read all 3 books back to back, I can tell you all one thing. If you plan on doing the same, I suggest having reinforcements.

I imagine, that if I had a conversation with Ms. Romig, it might go something like this.

Me: Any words of advice for the readers about to pick this book up?

Aleatha:

Me: Allrighty then…I’ll take that as a no??

So what was going through your head as you were writing convicted?

Aleatha:

And there you have it. But guess what? That’s all that you’ll be getting from me too. It’s impossible to fully review this book without revealing spoilers, so I’m not even going to try.

What I can tell you? This series is unlike anything you will ever read. It’s dark, twisted, convoluted, fucked up, and so brilliantly written that even when you’re curled up in a dark corner and rocking yourself back and forth, you’ll still want to continue reading.

Aleatha doesn’t ease you in with Convicted. Fuck no! She throws you right into the deep end of crazy and doesn’t let up up until the end. There are so many twists, the book will keep you at the edge of your seat until the last page. It is not every day you can pick up a book and get a hero that by all accounts you’re supposed to hate, yet somehow the author makes you fall in love with him. Stockholm? Maybe! This series has taken over my life for a week. I will never be the same after finishing it.

I cannot think of words that will give this book the justice that it deserves. Is it something that I would read again? Not even if you paid me. I think that if I pick this up again, they will be carting me away to the nearest psych ward. Is it a series that I will ever forget? Not in a million years. I hated it. I loved it. I wanted to throw my kindle at the wall. I wanted to rage, scream, cry, and beg for mercy. But it never let up.

I had to sleep on it before leaving a rating. After much deliberation, I know one thing: Any book that makes you feel and think as much as this did, deserves nothing less than 5 brilliant stars. Yes, it was one crazy ride. But damn, it’s not one I will be forgetting anytime soon.

Me right after I finished
Review to come. Once I get some of my sanity back. Which might take a while. Or never? I don’t even know. Who are you? Where am I? Who’s that? What was I talking about? Tonyyyyyyyyy

la la la la la la la la

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Truth by Aleatha Romig

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book Blurb

My Review

Let me start out by saying that I hated…no that’s not right. I despised…no, that’s not quite accurate. I LOATHED Tony in Consequences. I kept asking myself how in the fuck people could be team Tony with such a cruel, brutal, and in my eyes irredeemable asshole. (Now I should probably admit that my internal masochist was silently hoping that he would redeem himself. That bitch is eternally optimistic and has a thing for irredeemable assholes. I just didn’t think it was possible with Tony.)

So imagine my surprise where halfway through this book I not only began to feel for him, and actually (gasp) like him, but became a full fledged team fucking Tony.

This book fucked with my head.

Claire once read that time doesn’t pass at normal speeds within a black hole. If one were to travel into a black hole for only moments and return again, centuries would have passed. That explained the sensation she felt, once again peering into his dark gaze.

Tony was a giant magnet. His pull affected everything, from the rotation of the earth, to her mind’s ability to reason.

Oh Claire, I feel for you. I was right there with you.

I’m not even sure how to go about reviewing this book without revealing any spoilers. So I’m not even going to try. I was questioning where Aleatha Romig would take this series. I struggled through some parts of Consequences. It was one tough fucking pill to swallow. This book? I have one thing to say to you, Ms. Romig

I forever worship at the altar of your greatness.

Holy shit. I’m speechless. My mind? Blown! My sanity? Well what little of it was left…gone! I will never be the same. Truth was a crazy thrill ride filled with enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. And then when you read the end?

This book will keep you guessing until the end, it will make you question EVERYTHING and you will still not be close to what the truth is. I couldn’t put it down. My brain hurt. I was going crazy. I needed a shot or 5 of vodka once I finished. But FUCK! What a ride!

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