Have any of you ever done those Goodreads challenges? You know where in the beginning of the year you set your book goal? Well I finally reached my goal and I had to share the two books that put me over my goal.
As we approach the New Year I want to wish you all well. I am looking forward to new challenges, books and good times. I am currently changing the scope of my blog and will try to feature more reviews at least once a week ( try is the word! I work full time lol). Cheers to a new year!!!! Check out my," I finished my challenge books" below.
Blurb:
Piper Madison has a job she adores, a luxurious apartment in Manhattan, and a slight obsession with vintage apparel. Her life would be perfect in every way... if only her family would accept her for it.
Thinking she's a huge let down because she didn't marry a billionaire, there is only one way to get her parents out of her hair during her holiday visit to their Colorado cabin....
Buy a pretend boyfriend. She hires Matthew Cooper, a hot, tall, and wickedly handsome male escort with a set of dimples and charm that will bring any woman to her knees.
He assures Piper that they will prove her family wrong, and that it will remain only business between them, but when the bells ring, the snow falls, and the Christmas lights twinkle, Piper and Matthew realize hearts are on the line, and that they may be in for more than they bargained for.
Now this next book was just a book I had to one-click if you are familiar with this author you will know why.
Blurb: Ruby Lassiter has spent her life taking care of others. Helping to raise her siblings took all her time and energy. Now they are grown, some married with children and all living their lives. Ruby is now thirty-seven years old, experiencing empty nest syndrome. No she never married and has no children of her own. What is she supposed to do with her life now?
Devin Upton moved back home to settle his father’s estate. Taking over his father’s business was one thing. Fulfilling his father’s dying request was another. It was up to him to find the right person to bring the plan to fruition. At thirty-eight, never married and no children, love was the last thing on his mind.
An angry woman bursting through the door and literally knocking him to his knees changed that.
Christmas magic is in the air. Love is all around. Anything…anything can happen when red slippers are involved.
It’s hard to put a series to rest. You feel like you
have grown with the characters heck sometimes I feel like I am a part of the
family. But sometimes you just know when the end is near. I especially love
when authors give all the characters an h.e.a. Author Loretta Walls ( Embue) No Other Love series has finally come to
an end but not without drama, laughs and some grown up loving. I will offer
just a little disclaimer if you haven’t read the other books in the series
before starting the book you must. This series is almost like an anthology a
continuation and building upon all the characters in each of the eight books.
This last book A Love Like No Other ( The
Finale) although the focus is on characters Fletcher and Kidada ( I really
need to ask the author how you pronounce that one) the book is very episodic in
which it focuses on all the characters from her previous books. As a reader I
felt like it was a soap opera all in one book i.e. for those of you who are
familiar with Arden “the diva” she makes an appearance and let’s just say Ari knows
how to put her in her place.
Now for the finale…..
Kidada has left her husband and position as first lady
of her church in Stony Creek County ( I will say the way these church folk get
down it almost felt cult like) But I digress. Her husband Pastor Cecil needs
his own episode on that Iyanla show that appears on OWN. I was shocked at all
the drama surrounding that relationship. Needless to say she leaves her husband
and because of his extra sexual activity she has put a wall up around her when
it comes to men. And wouldn’t you know Fletcher is just the man for the job. I
loved that he was a blue collar brother and that their relationship took time
to develop. Although I will say reading this book with so many characters I
felt like in the beginning of the book it should have been some sort of chart.
It was a lot to take in at times. I think that a time frame was needed because
in one moment Kidada was working cleaning bathrooms and the next it was a year
later. And the Arden vs. Ari thing I wish it was a little more build up with
that scandal. This was a great finale and getting to catch up with all the characters
was great. Let me say that although they are all married with kids they have
the most going on and just enough to keep readers intrigued. Over the holiday
break readers check this book out. As always please judge this book for
yourselves and not based on this one review.
Let me just be clear I love books are read across all
genres but what I don’t read is fetish, alien, and books that have no plot just
a bunch of “mommy porn.” I like what I like and for that I am unapologetic. I
am sure there is an audience for such books I am just not it. I learned a good
lesson with just accepting arcs. I honestly cannot endorse everything it wouldn’t
be honest which is why I have been doing more promo’s then reviewing as of
late. I am not saying I am not reviewing or beta reading anymore just that I am
being more discerning. On my blog I list my likes and dislikes so if you feel
your books meets my aesthetic please send me a request.
The books I have been seeing in mass production titles
are so crazy I don’t even know how authors can even seriously publish them. I won’t
list any of the titles on here but anything with a “color” in the title with
some sort of sexual expletive is not my type of book. It’s a fetish plan and
simple. Now I don’t judge people who buy these books but they aren’t for me.
I understand that most people write these days to turn a dime and not for the love of it anymore. But really are we releasing fetish books and I use the term books loosely because they are more like pamphlets for the little bit of content.
Another thing that I have been noticing are reviewers who endorse anything for a free book. Listen, I cannot will not pimp myself out for a book. I have always paid for my books and will continue to pay for them. Going into 2016 I will be on a reviewing hiatus for awhile. I urge real authors with content not those who are jumping on the tyrannical Amazon easy publish bandwagon to take back your craft. Dont let these newbies who not all have no talent, unedited books sway you from your craft. I like many bloggers are begging for good reads. With the recent rise of fake reviews and a mob of fan girls who if you state any opposition are on the attack, who in the world would want to review? Its a sad state but I am hopefully that 2016 will be a better reading year.
It's something about the holidays that make me all warm & fuzzy inside. ( lame I know) But seriously this time of year I love reading a good holiday story. I decide to post my top seven holiday romances filled with alpha males, holiday cheer ( or some element of the holidays) and steamy love scenes. All books are available on Amazon. Happy Holiday & Happy Reading!!!
Rebel Reed is not a man who has trouble living up to his name. Known for bucking all forms of authority, Rebel has the criminal record to prove it. Born into the Renegade Rider family, Rebel has had a life-long love affair with Harleys, the open road, and Miss Kayla Jordan.
As son of MC's president, Rebel was being poised for the King's position, until Rebel found his girl in the arms of his father. After a night of violence, heartbreak and rage, Rebel broke off from the pack. Going Nomad, Rebel left his family, his club, and the girl who wrecked his heart, and ventured out into the world to carve a new destiny. But when tragedy strikes, Rebel is forced back to the town where he left all his demons. There, he will face his father, his ex, his truth, and his destiny.
Taking place in Clayton, West Virginia, Rebel's Cut is the gritty and action packed first installment of a new MC romance series by Addison Kline.
Addison Kline is an award winning, best selling novelist who writes mystery,
psychological thrillers and romantic suspense novels. She lives in
Pennsylvania with her husband, their sons and two rambunctious dogs.
Addison has had a love affair with the written word since before she
entered school. Her grandmother taught her the glory of taking an
adventure in the pages of a book. When Addison isn’t writing, you can
find her reading, going for an adventure with her sons, or traveling
Brandon: I’d kill for her. I want to see the bastard who murdered her mother burn in hell. No other woman has made me feel so much. My heart aches for her more than my cock does. I want her to be mine. I want to own every ounce of her body and her soul. But I’m trapped by another who’s holding a gun to my balls
Zoey: Who am I kidding? I’m helplessly and hopelessly in love with my boss, Hollywood heartthrob, Brandon Taylor. Our pasts are entwined just like our hearts. He makes me feel things in places I’ve never known before. But I don’t stand a chance against America’s It Girl, Katrina Moore. Forget it. There won’t be a happily ever after for me.
As his memory returns, Brandon’s need to dominate and possess his curvy assistant in every way consumes him while Zoey finds herself succumbing to his magnetic charm. Unexpected events and a fluffy little dog bring the twosome closer to their destiny, but an evil force threatens to end their journey. Fate’s a bitch, right?
I take another hit of the Campari cocktail. “Have you ever gone swimming in the Mediterranean?”
He smiles. “Dozens of times. The water is incredible. If we have time, I want to take you swimming.”
A frisson of anxiety curls in my gut. Not only am I afraid of swimming in the sea, but I also sure as hell don’t want Brandon to see me in a bathing suit again.
“I don’t think so. You know, I’m still afraid of the ocean.”
He laughs. “The Mediterranean isn’t an ocean. It’s a sea. And technically, the part here in Cannes is a bay. So, the water is very calm. Barely a wave.”
“B-but I didn’t bring a bathing suit.” The truth. I never even thought of bringing one since I packed so hastily.
He laughs again and unnerves me. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll buy you a bikini.”
I gulp. A bikini—the last thing I want to be caught dead in! Especially with Brandon. As I envision the worst, he continues.
“There’s probably a boutique right in the hotel.” He regards me coyly. “You may only need a bottom. Most women here sun and swim topless.”
I gulp again. The ring of Brandon’s phone saves me from responding. Thank God, because I’m at a loss for words.
My eyes stay on him as he pulls out his cell from his jeans pocket and glances down at the caller ID. His lips twist and his brows furrow. Katrina? The phone continues to ring while I anxiously circle the rim of my glass with my fingertip. To my relief, he doesn’t answer it, and, in fact, turns it off. “Fuck it,” he mumbles under his breath. His frown morphs into a smile when Antoine personally brings us our meal along with the bottle of wine.
“Bon appetit,” says the jovial man, setting our order down.
The tantalizing, garlicky aroma of the mussels wafts up my nose. My appetite is aroused.
“Antoine makes the best mussels meuniere in all of the Riviera,” Brandon tells me.
Antoine smiles proudly. He uncorks the wine and pours Brandon a bit. Brandon takes a sip and nods approvingly. “C’est parfait.”
It’s perfect. He’s perfect. We share the big bowl of mussels and the crispy fries, sensuously feeding helpings to one another and imbibing the refreshing pink wine between bites. Moans escape my mouth. Not only are the mussels divine, but their tender meat is also charging me with sexual energy. Mussels must be some kind of aphrodisiac. But actually, everything is turning me on. The food, the wine, the setting. And most of all, the mouth-watering man sitting across from me. My eyes don’t waver from him as I feed him the last mussel. His luscious lips clamp down on the edible part and then he sucks on it.
“Mmm,” he moans, closing his eyes as he does. Every ounce of me is buzzing and there’s a wet fire inside my panties. He swallows and licks his upper lip. Another gush of wetness and a rush of hot tingles besiege me. He re-opens his eyes and meets my gaze, holding it fiercely. Before either of us can say word, a staunch, swarthy woman appears on the terrace. Holding an accordion, she heads our way. Once at our table, she stretches out the instrument and starts to serenade us.
“Inoubliable…”
Oh my God! In one word, the song is instantly recognizable. “Unforgettable.” Mama’s favorite song…sung in French. With the husky voice of a fallen angel, the songstress’s moving rendition pulls at my heartstrings. Tears flood my eyes.
“Why are you crying?” Brandon asks, tenderly brushing my unstoppable tears away.
“This was Mama’s favorite song. She sang it all the time. It reminded her of Papa.” Sniffling, I pause while the dark memory fills my head. “It was playing on the Pier when she was shot.”
“I’m sorry. It’s a beautiful song,” he says softly, cutting into the painful, unforgettable memory. His violet eyes burn right through me and his voice grows softer. “Almost as beautiful as you.”
My watering eyes blink several times while my breath hitches in my throat and my heart hammers against my chest. His words swirl around in my head like confetti. They shower my flesh with flecks of heightened sensation and my soul with explosive emotion. I begin to unravel.
And then he does something that totally turns me into vapor. Tracing my tear-soaked jaw, Brandon sings along in English, his voice pure velvet, as devastating as the man he is
“Oh, Brandon!” I weep out his name. The impact of this magical moment has reduced to me to mush.
Still singing and melting my heart, my gorgeous god of a man stands up, and rounding the table, pulls out my chair. “Dance with me, Zoey.” A soft but strong command.
On my next sniffle, I’m in his strong arms, my head resting on his beating heart, my arms draped around his shoulders, as he moves me slowly to the melody and words. Swaying me side to side, he sings into my ear while tears stream down my face and dampen his linen shirt. I lose myself in him with each slow measured step. It’s as if there is no one else in the world but the two of us. Unforgettable…as the word drifts into a hypnotic hum, he draws me closer to him, pressing his lips on my scalp. I feel the warmth of them and his taut body flush against mine. I melt into his ripples and his arousal. He owns me and I don’t have the strength or desire to break away. Physically or mentally.
I’m drunk with emotion. And one forbidden four-letter word. So intoxicated, I can’t think straight or question what I’m doing. I just cling to him. Like a song of love. Finally, I lift my head, and look up at him, my bleary eyes searching for answers. His impassioned gaze holds me captive. My already racing pulse accelerates.
“Brandon—” I don’t know what words will spill out of my mouth next, if any at all. It doesn’t matter. Because on my next heartbeat, he fists my hair and tugs back my head. Before I can take another breath, his lips come crashing down on mine like a meteor. Still humming, he sucks and gnaws my hungry mouth. White-hot balls of passion explode inside me, showering me with fireworks from my head to my toes. I moan into his mouth and then I part my lips, allowing his tongue to find mine. Entwined, our tongues dance sensuously, swirling and twirling to the music and lyrics. Oh my God. This kiss! This incredible kiss! I cup his strong, stubbled jaw, deepening, and extending it, as he draws me closer, one hand gripping my ass. The song drifts into my ears like a magic carpet. The sparks now blind me. I squeeze my eyes shut. Yet, he’s all I see. Never before has anyone been so unforgettable in every way. After what seems like an eternity, the timeless song ends, and he gently breaks his lips away. My heavy eyelids rise like theater curtains, and our glazed eyes lock in a passionate exchange. Shouts of “bravo” from patrons and bystanders reverberate in my ears. I feel myself flush with embarrassment, but Brandon’s dimpled smile fills me with a rush of lust and desire as he holds me tight in his arms.
Tears flow from my eyes. Everything’s been so perfect. The setting. The meal. Our dance. Our kiss. But something is so wrong with this picture. A blaring ambulance races by. The sound of the siren startles me back to my senses, out of my drunken stupor. Brandon’s name burns on my heart. Remorse singes my brain. I want to rip that dazzling smile off his face. What the hell is he doing? What the hell am I doing? He belongs to another. As reality sets in, so does a bitter mix of panic and regret.
Oblivious, Brandon kisses my tears away and then breathes against my neck. “Baby, let’s make this night unforgettable.”
Author Bio
Nelle L'Amour is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling Author who lives in Los Angeles with her Prince Charming-ish husband, twin teenage princesses, and a bevy of royal pain-in-the-butt pets. A former executive in the entertainment and toy industries with a prestigious Humanitus Award to her credit, she gave up playing with Barbies a long time ago but still enjoys playing with toys with her husband. While she writes in her PJs, she loves to get dressed up and pretend she's Hollywood royalty. She writes juicy stories with characters that will make you both laugh and cry and stay in your heart forever.
In addition to the Gloria’s Secret Trilogy, she is the author of the bestselling THAT MAN series, the Seduced by the Park Avenue Billionaire boxed set, and the highly rated Amazon bestseller, Undying Love. Unforgettable, her latest series, will be published in Fall 2015. Nelle loves to hear from her readers. Connect to her at:
Fall in Love with Ares God of War and Alena MacLeod. Together they Rock the World from the Heights of Olympus to the Celtic Moors. In The Heart of War, Magdalena MacLeod has been on the run from Cernunnos, Great Horned God, for 200 years when she mysteriously washes ashore on secluded isle of the God of War. When the Olympians discover her presence on Ares' island, they send Apollo to the island to retrieve her while Ares is away. Diplomatically winding her way out of immediately going to Olympus and having nowhere to turn, Alena strikes a bargain with the God of War--her virginity for his protection. Ares sees a sweeter deal; her in his bed and himself back in his rightful place on Olympus even if it means turning Alena over to Zeus. After Alena proves herself to Ares in battle and his bed, the God of War must choose between his Divinely Dysfunctional Family, his pride, and Alena. Child of War-A God is Born Ares and Alena have settled on snowy Olympus to await the birth of their son, Raven. Before Raven is even born, Zeus outwardly despises him for his Fey blood. With only one to keep his family safe from his father, Zeus the God of Gods, Ares enters into a blood pact that could cost the God of War everything he holds dear. After a harrowing birth wherein mother and son are nearly lost to Ares, it quickly becomes clear that Raven may be the most powerful and cunning Olympian ever born despite his muddled bloodline. Zeus, Apollo, and Aphrodite plot against the new family by carefully planting the seeds of rage and doubt in Ravens' mind, they turn son against mother. It appears as though Cernunnos' prophecy is coming to life as Raven grows to be a very angry young man. As the true past between the Olympians and Celts is revealed, the battle for Ravens' mind and the ultimate control of Olympus begins. Before it's over, the white snows of Olympus will run red with blood. Child of War-Rising Son sees Raven on the verge of manhood as his rampage continues and he begins the difficult path to Acceptance by his fellow Olympians. Out to prove he's as good, if not better than, any of them he bests the Trials set before him by Hades and Poseidon. This isn't enough for him, in his quest to prove to his Father, Ares, that he is an Olympian Raven preys upon the Mortals below Olympus in a time of great weakness. Enlisting the aid of his Uncle Apollo and settling for nothing less than utter Chaos, together they push the Mortals to pure anarchy. Ready to conquer the remainder of his Trials so he may take his place at the Counsel Table, and bring Ares the glory Cernunnos once prophesized, only one thing stands in his way; the night his Mother fell down the stairs. Apollo, ever the Man Behind the Curtain, pulls Raven's strings like a true puppet master. It's far too late when Raven realizes all he's done in hopes of pleasing his Father actually makes Ares look guilty of destroying the Mortal World. A little Chaos and a little Anarchy aren't enough for the Golden God, in his on-going quest to destroy Ares, Apollo sets a plague loose upon the embroiled Earth. By the time the Olympians discover what's going on twenty million people are dead with the number multiplying exponentially every day. Women of War gives us a brief reprieve from the death and darkness as we journey backward in time spanning four generations of women in Alena's family. From her great-grandmother, Shar Draiocht the last known Queen of the Dark Kingdom to her tortured daughter Morrowind, to Maven Alena's free-spirited mother and through the lonely life of Alena MacLeod ending where The Heart of War begins with the night Alena washes up on Ares' shore. With intensity, lust, fear, and strength these Women of War make their way in the world revealing the hidden truths of the past and Ares true connection to his beloved Wife, Alena. Kingdoms of War, the OF WAR Series Finale, sees nearly four billion souls lost to the ravages of Anarchy and the dreaded disease Major Falls. Ares, Athena, and Raven journey the Mortal World vainly reaching for a sliver of what was only to discover what will be. From the fiery wreckage a new world is slowly arising one where the descendants of Olympians, Celts, Dark Fae, and all manner of Magickal Being will rule. Ares and Athena wander the world, hoping to curtail further damage by obliterating weapons of mass destruction the Wolf inside the God of War slowly succumbs to Major Falls. A rabid God of War is not a pretty sight. Soon it becomes clear that Ares may not live to see the glory of Olympus restored.
By the time Ares' fevered body is brought to Olympus, Apollo's descent into madness is utterly complete. The Gold God is quite insane as he expertly kills off the members of his Divinely Dysfunctional Family. Yet, Alena's greatest nemesis holds the key to saving Ares' life. The price is high and, should she pay it, Alena can't be sure Ares would ever be able to forgive her.
Ares was in a foul mood and suffering from a splitting headache when he arrived back on the island with Alena. "Go inside." He said gruffly and pointed toward the cliffs and the cave above.
"Ares?"
"Please, Alena, just do as I ask. Go."
She didn't want to leave him here, alone, on the beach but it didn't appear Ares was wanted company, not hers anyway. In the face of his Father and the other Olympians, Ares stood tall and strong. He'd come to her aid just as he said he would and kept his promise. Alena was stunned. When Zeus said he would return Ares' property and his station to him, she felt sure the God of War would sell her down the river. She wanted to thank him, wanted to ask why he had done it but she held her tongue. "Yes, my Lord." Hiking up the hem of the dress, she turned to make her way up the long strange stairs leading from the beach to the top of the cliff. With a heavy heart, she walked a few steps until she got to the base of the stairs and there she turned around. Ares was sitting on the sand facing the water and the setting sun. He had thrown off the belt with the heavy sword and his thick leather vest; they were in the sand next to him as he sat there with his head down in his hands. She could not leave him there. Quietly coming up behind him, Alena sat down, wrapped one arm over his left shoulder and the other under his right lacing her fingers together and pulling him backward. Alena expected him to balk or to fight but, instead, Ares settled backward into her arms, rested his head in the crook between her neck and shoulder as he let out an exhausted sigh. "I'm sorry I'm so much trouble, my Lord." She whispered as she nestled her face into his hair.
Letting the softness of her touch and the warmth of her body comfort him, Ares closed his eyes and drew in the peaceful shelter she offered. "It's not you. It's Them."
The Olympians were quite the Divinely Dysfunctional Family. Alena had never seen or heard so much bitter bickering from one clan. If that was her Family, she might be damn happy that she lived in Exile on a beautiful island such as this. "They're awful." She whispered in his ear careful not to let any prying ears overhear. Ares gave out a deep chuckle and then another sigh as his hand rose up to caress her arm. She thought of how brave, how daring, and even dashing, Ares had been as he stood there telling all of them they could not have her. When she listened to him speak of Artemis, Alena nearly cried. Then she had been stunned into silence having expected the God of War to hand her over, maybe not with ease but readily enough, in return for his crown and scepter. "Thank you for keeping your promise."
"You expected this chauvinistic pig to do less." Ares mused still with his eyes closed. "Everyone does."
It was in the 4th grade when Lisa discovered she was a naturally gifted writer. The teacher asked the class to pen a story about a baby bird's first flight and read them to the class. Putting pencil to paper, Lisa was instantly whisked away by a force she couldn't explain. When they were finished, all of the children read their happy stories to the class. Not Lisa. She got up and told of how the baby bird flew too high, hit a plane, crashed to the ground and died. She told of how the mama bird and daddy bird cried of how even God was upset sending the rains pouring from the sky. The class was speechless when she finished all they could do was stare at her. The teacher kept her after class told her the story was very good but it was different from the others. She asked Lisa if she'd ever heard of Icarus and did she base her story on him. Lisa had yet to encounter Greek Mythology or hear a whisper of Icarus. As Lisa left the classroom the teacher again told her how good the story was but suggested she might want to write something happier next time. When Lisa asked her teacher "why" she had no answer. Luckily for us, Lisa never took that teacher's advice.
Today she brings us stories rich with romance along with the trials and tribulations that make up the life in which we live.
Lisa Beth Darling is 49 years-old, lives in her hometown of New London, CT with her husband of nearly 30 years, Roy. She is the author of more than fifteen novels along with several short stories and non-fiction books.
