Take Down By Dez Burke

Title: Take Down 

Author: Dez Burke 

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Suspense, Comedy 

Photographer & Model: Leo Taylor 

She thinks I'm her Guardian Angel. I know I'm her worst nightmare.

I thought I had everything under control. Until the day I saved Maggie’s life.

Most men would melt if a girl like her looked at them the way she looks at me, as if I was her savior, her protector.

She sees the muscles, the tats, the hero the media makes me out to be. 

I’d give anything to be that man, to hear her screaming my name as I showed her exactly what a Marine can do in bed, but I can’t let her in.

What I had to do in Afghanistan made me a monster. 

If I let her in… I might let it out. 

I belong over there, in hell. 

I don’t know how to live in the heaven that is Maggie.

She doesn't realize how hard I'm fighting to keep her away.

She doesn't know who I really am.

I'm irredeemable.

She should run.

Before she unleashes a monster that can’t be controlled.

Take Down is a full-length stand alone romance novel with a guaranteed HEA, no cheating or cliffhangers! Take Down is 87,000 words and 418 pages long. 

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I glance down at the small hand reaching over to cover mine. Maggie gently pries my clenched fingers apart and laces her fingers through them without speaking.

The small gesture is a gut punch to my insides. I struggle to swallow past the pain I’m feeling inside.

It’s almost too much to hope that she’s willing to give me a second chance. Especially after what I just put her through. I’m nothing but a total stranger. She doesn’t know me at all. Yet she’s willing to take a risk.

On me.  

For me.

It’s hard for me to believe someone would be willing to do that. Most of my life I’ve been alone. Scraping by and making it the best I can by myself without help from anyone.

“Why?” I ask.

I don’t elaborate. I don’t need to. She knows what I’m asking.

“Because I see something hidden in you deep down below all the pain,” she says. “I know it’s there. I feel it. You’re a good man inside, Toby. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done in the past. Or even tonight. I can look past all that. I know who you really are.”

I feel the tension I’ve been holding in my body for what seems like forever slowly start to melt away. Lifting our hands to my lips, I gently kiss her fingers. My lips linger a long second.

“Look at me,” she says.

I can’t.

Not yet.

I’m afraid if I do, she’ll see me for what I really am. When I don’t, she places a hand on my cheek and turns my face toward hers.

“See?” she says. “Take a long look. I’m still here, and I’m okay. A little freaked out and bruised, but I’ll survive.”

I’m not so sure.

“How can you ever forgive me?” I ask, reaching up a gentle hand to lightly touch her neck.

“I already have,” she says softly.

“Fuck…Maggie.”

With a defeated groan, I pull her close and crush my lips against hers in a desperate kiss. All of the emotions I’ve fought so long to keep in check come flooding out. I close my eyes and drink in her intoxicating sweetness until my head reels.

Knowing that she’s willing to take a chance after what I did makes me crazy. She should run out into the night screaming for help. Instead here she is, her lips soft and eager against mine.

I need her tonight.

She’ll never know how much.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Dez Burke writes hot, steamy books featuring bad boy alpha males.

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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.  

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.

Ascend (Wolf In Exile) By Amber Ella Monroe

 

Synopsis:

After Thane’s breakout from Area S2, he ascends as Alpha of the ShadowRock Pack once again. His first priority is to stop the spread of an illegal drug connected to the Silex name. Discovery of its existence could shatter a thousand-year-old blood truce between wolf shifters and an ancient race of vampires.

The attraction between Thane and Kalena continues to burn even when they are apart. Thane has made it clear that she holds a special place in his heart. But while they are learning to love each other, trouble continues to brew…

When it comes time for Kalena to expose information about Silex and the harmful drug, she’s more than prepared to do it—especially when it will help dozens of others like her. What she doesn’t realize is that her willingness to help will lead to a revelation so shocking that her union with Thane will be jeopardized.
~

Ascend (approx. 17,000 words) is Part Three of Wolf in Exile, a serialized shapeshifter paranormal romantic suspense that contains a cliffhanger at the end. Intended for Mature Audiences only.

 

I was pleasantly surprised by the latest installment in the Wolf In Exile Series. Just when I think I have it figured out the author adds another curve ball that leaves my jaw dropping.  I love that this books starts right off where the other when left off. Kalena has since been rescued after sharing a steamy love scene with Thane. Although they have a new love Thane knows shes his mate. But these two have a lot to learn about each other. When secrets are revealed how will they survive? Area S2 has nothing on the bomb that’s about to explode when all is revealed.

Things seem to be going well since the two have been reunited but Kalena has memory loss and Thane is trying to survive in a world he has been removed from. I was surprised at the turn this book had taken toward the end. And wanted to scream when the author left us on yet another cliif-hanger. All in all this was a very quick read but as a reader I wanted more. As soon as the story was getting good it ended. Hopefully the author doesn’t make her fans wait too long.

 

Scratch ( Corporate Hitman Book 2) By: Olivia Linden & LeTeisha Newton

This is my first book ever by author Olivia Linden and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Scratch is book 2 in the corporate hit man series if you haven’t read book one you don’t need to but I suggest you do because the series is actually good.

Scratch: Never a man to be underestimated in fact he thrives off of it. Most saw him as flashy, a pretty boy but underneath lies a man with secrets and an underlying darkness. Women were a game for him apart of the job or a means to an end. The game changed and the rules changed when Agent Monica entered his life.

Monica: No-nonsense and very much so straight to the point. She is all woman in a male dominated field. Never one to put her heart on the line and definitely not one to mix business with pleasure. But you know what they say never say never.

Brought together to work on a case the lines get crossed and feelings get involved. Monica & Scratch have a lot more in common then they think.

This book is suspense sprinkled with a little romance. My problem with most action/suspense books is that sometimes the romance aspect takes a huge backseat and there is no balance between them. I thought this was a well told story with some very steamy love scenes. I will say that this book is more so dealing with the business and cases then romance. Scratch is a man obsessed and tries to mask his frustrations with his playboy ways but Monica has a way of changing that. I did enjoy reading about these two budding relationship and the fact that we got to catch up with other characters from the previous book Glitch which after reading this I just had to read that one as well. I will say that I wanted a little more from the ending it left me with a few more questions than answers which I guess we will find out in the next book. Like I always mention, “judge this book for yourselves and not on one person’s opinion.”