Target On Our Back By J.M. Darhower

In the words of Drake:

I know when that hotline bling
That can only mean one thing

(Once you read the story you will get the reference)

Naz is back and he is working on being a changed man for Karissa. But you know what they say about leopards and all. A man like Naz can’t stay out for long especially when new enemy’s surface and they strike a little too close for home. One of the things I loved is that we got to know more about Naz’s past and the relationship with his father. When all you know is the business how do you move forward?

Karissa….

I was really hoping that she wouldn’t be as naïve but I guess that’s a part of her charm. I felt she was too trusting. i.e. a random stranger sits with her in a restaurant and she starts revealing things she never even told her best friend. In the words of Naz, “huh?” I understand she is a college student and granted she showed it. I guess I wanted more insight or more on their relationship as a married couple. I thought sadly they were boring they never really went anywhere. Even the love scenes were a little lackluster. And Naz?! Some of his character changes like the Drake ring tone was a little funny.

What I did love is the introduction of a few new characters like Scar and his family. The way that ended hopefully the author will give Melody & Leo a story. The epilogue was great. I just felt that Naz & Karissa relationship was a little dry it didn’t have the same spark in the first book sadly. This is just the opinion of one reviewer. Please judge this book for yourselves.  

Feel Good Wednesday

Its the middle of the week hump day! For me this is always one of my hardest days. Whenever I find it hard to just get up and go I listen to music or read something inspirational to keep me going until Friday!!!! Below I have listed a few songs that get me as they say "lit."

• Beyonce: "Formation"

• Chris Brown: "Back To Sleep"

• J.Cole: "Love Yourz"

• Tupac: "Keep Ya Head Up"

• Cold Play: "Yellow"

This are just a few songs for the get up and go. What songs inspire you or get you feeling good?

Deep By Skye Warren

Title: Deep

Series: Chicago Underground

Author: Skye Warren
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: February 23, 2016

Blurb

Dark. Powerful. Dangerous.

Philip Murphy has all of Chicago under his thumb. Except me.

We met in a perfect storm of violence and lust. He saved me and then disappeared from my life. Now I pretend I never knew that kind of darkness. I focus on midterms and campus parties, as if they can wipe the slate clean.

Then he turns up outside my dorm room—wounded and barely conscious. He’s the head of a crime syndicate, a powerful man, but he needs me now. There are traitors in his midst.

I can help him, but I can’t fall for him.

Not again.

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Excerpt

It was dark outside, grown late, and I hadn’t eaten dinner yet. Somewhere out there, Philip was probably dining with crystal and expensive wine. Meanwhile I’d probably order a pizza with one of those coupons by the door.

A low sound raised the hair on my neck.

Oh God, I’m not alone.

My gaze swept over the small dorm room. From here I could see the tiny bedroom area and the kitchenette. I could see almost the entire space. Empty.

Maybe it was just one of my neighbors getting busy and—

The sound came again, louder. A shiver ran through me. It was coming from outside the room, but not from either side. It was coming from the door.

I crept over and looked out the peephole. An empty hallway bulged in the distorted lens.
Now I was doubting myself. Had I actually heard something? Maybe it had come from the dorm room across the hall. When I first moved here, it had been shortly after my “ordeal,” as my adoptive mother called it. I had jumped at every sound, both real and imagined, more traumatized by my brush with danger than I’d wanted to admit.

My gaze snapped to my phone.

I could call my adoptive mother right now, but I knew she wouldn’t want to be bothered. I could call the building management, but I knew what would happen. The same thing that had happened last time I called them. They’d send my floor advisor to check on me. If there was anything scary in this hallway, she’d have to face it first.

And if there wasn’t anything scary, if it was my imagination again, the PTSD I didn’t want to acknowledge, well then everyone would know how fucked up I was inside.

No, I had to be overreacting. This was nothing. There was no one in the hallway. And even if there was, it would be some drunk guy, passed out on the wrong floor.

I’m a normal college student, I reminded myself. I’m not afraid of anything.

Both of those things were lies, I was neither normal nor brave, but at least I could send a drunk frat boy on his way.

I opened the door a crack. Nothing.

Relief filled me, and I opened the door wider.

A body slid inside, slumped over without the door to support him. A short scream escaped me before I caught myself.

He was wearing a three-piece suit stained with blood, his expression slack, eyes glassy with pain and delirium. Philip. 

Oh God, he was hurt. Really badly hurt if he couldn’t stand up. Horribly hurt if he’d ever have come to me of all people. I didn’t have time to process the shock of it, of seeing him again. I had to get him out of sight. If he’d been injured like this, someone was after him. Someone would want to finish the job.

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Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dark romance such as Wanderlust and Prisoner. Praised as a “true mistress of dark erotica”, her books have been featured in Jezebel, Buzzfeed, USA Today Happily Ever After, Glamour, and Elle Magazine. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, four dogs, and one evil cat.

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Black Girl Magic

I hear and see so many things by many bloggers and promoters talking about the lack of diversity or when some of these blogs do feature "diverse" blogs or books many are excluded. I had to look at myself and think back and see how I can contribute to featuring  more diverse books. Because lets face it even though I do read across genres majority of the books I promote are mainstream partly because we have very few diverse promoters and the ones who have hit me up have been very unprofessional. So like many before me and after me in order for things to change you have to start with you first.

There has been a saying lately called "black girl magic"

Black Girl Magic is described by one blogger as:

 a term used to illustrate the universal awesomeness of black women. It’s about celebrating anything we deem particularly dope, inspiring, or mind-blowing about ourselves.

And lets be clear this is not to put down one race over the other but to celebrate the culture and the beauty of African-American women. Below I have listed a few books that are a few favorite of mine. Black history isnt just a month its everyday and it is American History. 

This list can go on and on honestly! And it is plenty of books I left out. What books are your "black girl magic?"

Trapped In His World By Roxy Sinclaire

Author Bio:

Roxy Sinclaire writes steamy, suspenseful romantic stories as the main genre, and this includes a variety of different topics. Some of these include dark romances, action packed romances, mafia romances, and many more. She currently works in customer relations in New York City, but is trying to fulfill her passion in writing and eventually have her dream job become a reality.

Author website: http://roxysinclaire.com/

Author facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Roxy-Sinclaire-129282574116140/

Author twitter: https://twitter.com/roxysinclaire

Author Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Roxy-Sinclaire/e/B01AWL7BGM/

“Where is your boss, by the way? You said you invited him.” I would like to see him so I could get a slight idea of what I will be in for Monday morning.
“He is around here somewhere. I spotted him earlier. Turn around, you’re up.”

I gasp and whirl around. Crap! It’s my turn to walk all by myself, with all eyes on me. It sure seems a long way, now that it’s actually time for me to make the journey. I gulp and tighten my fingers around the lovely bouquet in my hands. I’m surprised I haven’t crushed it. I take a deep breath and step forward. All eyes are trained on me as I walk slowly down the passage. Please don’t fall, please don’t fall, I chant. My heart is going a thousand beats per minute. I groan inwardly as I notice the lascivious once-over glances that are thrown my way from a few of the male guests. I finally come to the end of my walk to stand beside the other bridesmaids. I let out a low relieved breath and turn to watch my best friend walk down the aisle, accompanied by her father.

I smile when she meets my gaze and winks. I sneak a peek at the groom. He is looking at his approaching bride with stars in his eyes. I am hit with a feeling of longing. When will a man look at me with so much love? The right man for me has to be out there somewhere. I just need to be patient. I sigh inwardly. Patience has never been my strong suit. The perfect man could be among the guests here this afternoon. I scan the crowd idly. As if by a magnetic pull, my gaze locks with mesmerizing blue. My breath hitches in my chest. The man looking at me is incredibly good-looking. As a matter of fact, he is gorgeous. He stares at me with a burning intensity that causes my toes to curl in my strappy heels. I feel flushed, yet the way he looks at me causes me to shiver. My gaze lowers to the perfectly manicured hand placed possessively on his arm. Standing beside him is a tall, stunning blonde. She looks like a supermodel.

Laying eyes on his gorgeous companion, the trance that I seemed to be in quickly breaks. I shake my head slightly and return my attention to Chloe. I’m surprised to see that she has already reached the altar and is standing next to her groom. I quickly move to adjust the train of her gown behind her. I make a terrible maid of honor. I wasn’t even paying attention to the bride. I try to ignore the mysterious man’s presence, but I can’t forget how his eyes bore into me and the fact that he looks like a Greek god. I can still feel his eyes on me and I am tempted to look back at him, but I fight the urge. I wonder who he is. He must be a friend of Seth’s. If he were a part of Chloe’s circle, I’m sure I would have noticed him before. The man is pretty hard to miss.

I listen as Chloe and Seth recite their vows, and my heart melts at how they stare into each other’s eyes lovingly. The mysterious man creeps into my mind. What would it be like to have someone like him stare lovingly into my eyes? I’m utterly sure I would swoon. But that can never happen. The blonde beside him would make sure of that. He is way out of my league anyway. I could never land a man like him. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” The priest’s voice penetrates my thoughts. I blink. Wow, the ceremony is over already? I spent the whole time thinking about a man whose name I don’t even know.

Recently Author Roxy Sinclaire reached out to me to read and review her book Trapped In His World. You all know that I love discovering new authors. Let me preface this review by saying that to write is truly a talent. I honestly don’t know how authors do it! Sharing your work with the world and offering it up for judgement is tough. I appreciate each and every author for their work because you took the time to write something that you believe in and one review good or bad does not make or break your work. An “unfavorable” review is not an attack it’s just that as one reader certain themes/concepts were problematic for me. Remember reviews are just opinions not the gospel. And you know what that say about opinions!

Navia…

Her life was nothing she planned for it wasn’t even what she would wish for on her worst enemy. Moving to the big city from N.C. she has a degree but like most her degree hasn’t helped her and bills seem to be the only thing coming her way. Chole her best friend offers her a job as a temp for her boss while she is vacation on her honeymoon. Signing on the work for the broody and very private Jason Black things are going to get very interesting and quick. Little does she know this is more than a job it’s about to irrevocably change her life forever.

Jason Black…

What can I say about Jason? He has deep seated issues with sex and women. Very private and deeply troubled it is something about Navia that has drawn him closer to her. Not being able to get her out of his mind Jason goes further than he has ever been with any woman. Could Navia be the woman to change the mysterious Jason Black?

This book is a dark read and explores the themes of bdsm. Navia and Jason meet at Chole’s wedding and are instantly drawn to each other. It doesn’t take them long to develop a sexual relationship with each other. This isn’t the issue my problem lies with when you are entering in a bdsm relationship or even writing about it you have to be very careful because at times this didn’t feel like a consensual relationship. Navia seemed as though she did all the things he liked to do and allowed herself to be used and abused because she just wanted a man. The author doesn’t dig deep into their relationship until nearly the end of the book. And the bomb dropped about Jason and his mother was explosive. I felt like this book had some good concepts it just needed to be explored more. It was too short and fell a little short for me in certain areas especially their relationship. As a reader I never understood why they were drawn to each other except sexually but nothing of any depth. She had more in common with the worker she met at the job than Jason. I felt at times I was reading about a very co-dependent relationship that was very toxic. And when Navia finally stands up for herself she caves and goes back to this relationship. But why? Nothing is fully explored or fleshed out. And the ending? It just seemed rushed honestly. This book wasn’t my cup of tea. And I don’t discourage readers. If you enjoy a quick dark read please one click this book. This review is based on one reader’s opinion. Please judge this book for yourselves and not based on this one review.

Deceptions By S K Hardy

Author SK Hardy is a little jewel in the author world. She has a growing fan base and a series of hot alpha male in all flavors. Readers I suggest if you have yet to check this author out please do so. Her most notable pieces of work are her Sin City Heat Series and Being Barron. Author SK stories are raw, gritty, and above all else sexy!!! Readers check out her latest release below.

Synopsis: 

In an industry struggling for its very survival, music executives Quinton King and his brother Treyvon have proven time and time again that they have the golden touch. They worked and hustled to make their company, King Entertainment Group, a force to be reckoned with. Along with the victory of success, every King needs a queen. Quinton thought he’d found his in Kyla James. Kyla was more than just a pretty face and sexy body. She was intelligent, honest, and real, something he never thought he’d find in an artificial world of glitz, glamour, and groupies. However, once Quinton lets his guard down he’s blindsided by the discovery that Kyla has been working with his enemies to destroy him the entire time by going after his company. Her betrayal cuts deeper than he wants to admit. Quinton is determined to extract his revenge on everyone who conspired to destroy him…and he is starting with Kyla James.

Author Bio:

SK is a Louisiana native who has written internet short stories since 2009. In 2011, she published her first novel and began her odyssey into the literary world. 

SK's erotic novels are full of drama, romance, and unbelievable twists that will engage all five of your senses - they're just that potent. As one reader puts it, SK's books are like an "erotic journey" that you want to "savor in delicious, little bites." She allows you to live vicariously through her work and experience your deepest, most private fantasies while sitting on the edge of your seat anticipating what will happen next.

SK has just gotten started. Take a chance and jump on this ride - if you dare.

Distraction By Aurora Rose Reynolds

Synopsis: 

Distraction: The great intensity, novelty, or attractiveness of something other than the object of attention. Sven is a man who takes pride in his ability to separate himself from his emotions. He's a man who knows who he is and where he’s going in life, a man who needs no one, because needing someone, anyone, is a weakness. His past taught him love isn’t enough. Maggie wants the happily ever after, but has never picked the right men, or stuck around long enough, to build a forever. It’s always been easier to get out early, before emotions make things messy. When Maggie wakes up naked in Sven’s bed, with no memory of the night before, these two must be honest about their feelings and face their fears, so they can build a future together. Will love be enough for them to get their happy ending together, or will a threat from outside strike them down before they ever have a chance? This book contains an over the top alpha who knows what he wants, it also contains sexual situations that may not be suitable for younger audiences.

Sven….

The introduction to this character had me captivated from the first page. The author starts out with a little background on his horrific childhood and how that helped shaped the complex man that you read about later on in the story. Sven uses sex as a weapon he has learned early on in life to not let women or anyone close to his heart until one day he spots Maggie “Mags” downstairs in his club.

Maggie….

The club life isn’t her scene but she will do anything to find the man who beat and drugged her sister. On a mission she doesn’t expect to come into contact with a live walking Adonis. Because of her sister’s lifestyle and the new man that has entered her life Maggie is in for a rollercoaster.

One of the things I loved about this story was the prologue I wanted to know more about Sven and all his family issues. Unfortunately his issues with his mom were just brushed over and not fully developed. I didn’t understand why share all this information and not mention them again until toward the end of the story. When we were introduced to Maggie she was in her pajamas in a night club looking for the man who harmed her sister and then like a chapter later her sister is healing and at home. As I was reading I was trying to think did I miss something? Why do we hear about this healed sister after she takes the job? Why is she still at the club if her sister is home? ( I understand she wants to prevent this from happening again but with her sisters issues I am sure it’s not an isolated event). I get the seriousness of the issue but Maggie was at the club every night for two weeks?  One thing with this book is that the story has great promise but lacked execution.

I loved this series and love the author’s work this story was just a bit of a letdown for me. I don’t know if it was the fact that Maggie’s characters was to come off as “cute” or “funny” but honestly I felt her very childish and frustrating. I was almost embarrassed for Maggie with the language she used it just seemed as though it was a forced funny i.e. “shizzle” “link-licker” I understand because of her own childhood she and her sister had to raise themselves but where was her since of self-preservation? This story had way too many contradictions for my taste i.e. she models, makes a great salary but has an old school cell phone, unreliable car but is popular because she knows some of Sven associates. At one point I felt like the author was writing about different characters. I think their instant connection was fine but needed to be developed because only and only later in the story did his “mother” issues come up. I found it hard to believe that he being a business man like he is didn’t know she was impaired the first night they were together. Around chapter 4 this story kind of turned around for me a little I felt some emotional connection with Maggie and the fact that she was so heavily depended upon from everyone in her life. I just felt that so much of this story things were mentioned and then brought up again as an afterthought like her boyfriend at the time. They were together he was common of course but still what happened because a few chapters later they weren’t together. ( this is just one of the many examples). I was annoyed with the sister and her approaching Sven the way he did that didn’t seem normal at all. But I did love that the Mayson family was mentioned. All in all this story wasn’t bad it just wasn’t my favorite.

River James By MJ Fields

Title: River James

Series: Rockers of Steel #3

Author: MJ Fields 
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: January 31, 2016

Blurb

When he fell in love, he fell hard. When he lost her, he lost his will.

Drugs, sex, and rock and roll—in that order—became his life.

River James, the drummer for Steel Total Destruction, loved the brotherhood he formed with his unlikely best friend and his band mates, and the family he found in his label until one tragic accident takes it all away in the blink of an eye. Twisted metal, shattered bones, crushed dreams, and torn wreckage causes deep, dark secrets to be revealed and he quickly turns to the sure things in life: drugs and women. Will he find himself in the wreckage or will he lose his way in the smoke and debris?

The first person in her family to graduate from high school and college, Keanna Sutton is flying high on her accomplishments. She has the career and man of her dreams…or so she thought. While recovering from a break-up she has a chance run-in with a tall, handsome, silver-tongued drummer who tests her strength and ability to hold her own tongue. She desperately tries to ignore the implausible attraction to River - a man she knows will be no good for her. When she finally throws caution to the wind, she finds herself getting rocked the only way a badass like River can: hard and nasty. Will the hottest night of her life end there? Or will she lose herself in a man whose only promise is that a lady always comes first?

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Author Bio

USA Today bestselling author M.J. Field's love of writing was in full swing by age eight. Together with her cousins, she wrote a newsletter and sold it for ten cents to family members.

She self-published her first New Adult romance in January 2013. Today she has completed six self-published series, The Love Series, The Wrapped Series, The Burning Souls Series, The Men of Steel Series, Ties of Steel Series, and The Norfolk series.

MJ is a hybrid author who publishes an Indie book almost every month, and is signed with a traditional publisher, Loveswept, Penguin Random House, for her co-written series The Caldwell Brothers. Hendrix is available now, Morrison was released on December 22nd, 2015.

There is always something in the works, and she has three, yes, three, new series coming out this summer, and fall.

MJ lives in central New York, surrounded by family and friends. Her house is full of pets, friends, and noise ninety percent of the time, and she would have it no other way.

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Enzo By Shyla Colt

 Title: Enzo

Series: Jinx Tattoos Book 1

Author: Shyla Colt

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: January 29, 2016

Neglected, abandoned by a heroin-addicted mother, and placed in foster care at ten, Enzo Jordan has learned one thing…love hurts. At thirty-five, he has a successful tattoo shop and his choice of women. The one-night stands are getting old, and the love he holds for his best friend, Aibhlinn is impossible to hide. When the attraction between them reaches a boiling point, he's forced to choose between facing his fears and walking away. 

Aibhlinn Leahy has been in love with her best friend for years. The Irish-born comic book artist has poured time, energy, and love into the wounded man. His choice to walk away breaks her heart but frees her to explore a new future.

Life is a cruel and amazing thing. An abandoned baby brings the two back together, and they’re forced to examine the love that has long existed between them. This is a story of pain, scars, and fear. We all have demons to battle. The real decision is who's in control…us or them?

PAST

If you told him a few years ago, he would go to the Prom and enjoy it, he would’ve laughed. Yet, here he was lounging on the bed watching television in the hotel room he and Aibhlinn had rented. Their friends had started off partying with them before bowing out to retreat to their own rooms or head on home. 

She was still dressed in the blush pink gown that hugged her curves, and belled out into a skirt that brushed the floor. He’d ditched his tux jacket, unbuttoned his top buttons and rolled up his sleeves hours ago. 

“We really are morbid you know,” Aibhlinn commented. 

“Why?” 

“Watching Carrie on prom night,” she said. 

“Well, no one dumped pig’s blood on you, so I think we’re good.” 

“The night’s still young,” she stated dryly. 

Enzo laughed and shook his head. “Like I would ever let that happen.” He felt fiercely protective of his best friend. The girl had cracked opened his chest cavity, wormed her way into his heart…brought him kicking and screaming out of the darkness and into the light. She’d done something few people could, gained his trust. He studied her as she beamed. 

Her blue-green eyes sparkled and he could see the small flecks of green inherited from her father. Her thick hair tumbled around her slender oval face in insane curls, and she glowed. Her full lips were tempting him. Bare of lipstick they glistened and glimmered a light shade of pink. Suddenly, he wanted to know what that lip-gloss tasted like, what she tasted like. 

“Enz?” she said. 

“Shhh.” He leaned forward and cupped her face. 

She went still, but didn’t move away. 

He took it as permission. He pressed their lips together, and his world exploded around him. She tasted like sugar, sweet, and addictive. He couldn’t get enough. He tilted his head for better accent and she gasped. He slipped his tongue into her mouth.

It was akin to sticking his tongue into a light socket full of pleasure endorphins. Energy rushed through him weaving a seductive spell. His pants grew too tight, and his hunger for more flared. She whimpered, and he moaned. The sound of her surrender tasted better than any of the pleasure filled cries he’d wrung from other girls. 

His heart raced, and his hand shook slightly as he brushed her hair way from her face. It was baby soft and smelled like flowers. He’d fallen into heaven. He lowered her body to the bed. Pressed chest to chest, their eyes locked and he knew he was in way too deep. I love her. The words jolted him from his lust. He pulled back, breathing hard. “As good as this feels and as amazing as this would be with you, I just can’t. It would ruin what we have and if I ever lost you, I’d lose my mind. You’re the only female I can trust. I need you to stay that. Do you understand? It’s nothing against you, and everything for you. I’m a bastard and I know it. You deserve romance, flowers and a deep commitment. I can’t give you that, babe.”

“Who says it’s what I want,” she said. 

Enzo smiled and brushed the stray strands of hair behind her ear. “It’s what every girl wants, whether they realize it or not. Trust me, I’m older and wiser.” 

“Oh fuck you and your six months,” she said with s shaky laugh. 

Her eyes looked glossy and he knew if he saw a mirror, his would be the same. If he’d been a better person, someone capable of love the way she deserved, he would’ve continued. He cursed the bitch of mother and the way she’d twisted his dark soul. She broke something inside him, he would never be able to fix. He rested his forehead against hers, and tightened his hold, knowing he would never again get to experience this level of intimacy with the one woman he loved as much as he was able to.

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Shyla Colt grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, but has lived a variety of different places thanks to her wanderlust, interesting careers, and marriage to a United States Marine. She's always loved books and wrote her very first novel at the age of fifteen. She keeps a copy of her first submission letter on her desk for inspiration. After a lifetime of traveling, she settled down and knew her time had come to write. Diving into her new career like she does everything else, with enthusiasm, research and a lot of prayers, she had her first book published in June of 2011. As a full-time writer, stay at home mother, and wife, there's never a dull moment in her household.She weaves her tales in spare moments and the evenings with a cup of coffee or tea at her side and the characters in her head for company. A self-professed rebel with a pen. Her goal is to diversify romance as she continues to genre hop, and offer up strong female characters.