Tuesday, September 6, 2016

The Protector By Jodi Ellen Malpas





JEM is the Queen of writing the tortured alpha-male and Jake is no exception. He has a lot of demons, ex-military with ptsd and no reason to move forward except for his job as a bodyguard. To be honest Jake is a mess. If he isn’t drunk he is with whatever flavor of the week. His past has ruined him and haunts him daily. He gets the call to be a bodyguard for this one case involving a rich brat (or so he thinks) but one look at her face he is battling whatever emotion she evokes in him.

Camille is fiery she is the complete opposite of what Jake thinks. She has a dream and an ex who is a druggie and abusive. Wanting nothing do with her father’s fortune or the mistakes of her past, Camille sets out to make a way for herself and nowhere in those plans was to fall in love with Jake.

So, this is one of those insta-love, insta-crazy type of stories. I will say that Camille doesn’t just give into Jake’s charms. She drives him crazy and I loved her little tests she put him through. At times Camille could be a little petty just to make Jake mad. I found the “lingerie” scene very funny. I did want more of an explanation to why these two were together besides just the physical attraction.


Jake’s character is very complex especially with the secrets he carried. And it kind of made me a little annoyed because he was ready to lay down tooth and nail for Camille but for reasons he can’t explain but not face his past? I didn’t really feel the connection between the two characters they barely have a conversation and when they do it’s him being broody and her with her Elvis sneer. The angle with her father and the case dragged on and kind of fizzled. One thing that made this story for me was Abbie and Charlotte. I will say that this book does have the element of suspense. A few parts left me confused i.e. in one scene Jake is going to meet Abbie and it’s all planned out but Camille asks where he is going. Then the next page she all of a sudden knows where he is going and all the details? For such a young age Charlotte has a good grasp on things and is very articulate. I did like the ending of the book I thought it was really sweet. This book wasn’t my favorite by JEM. There were parts that I enjoyed but overall it kind of dragged on. Please judge this book for yourselves and not based on this one review. 

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Sweetest Sorrow By J.M. Darhower



When I first head J.M. Darhower was writing a follow up to By Any Other Name, I was elated. I didn’t know if we would ever get a follow-up but here we go and this story ended with quite a bang.

Genna ( with a G) and Matty B are star crossed lovers ( so Romeo & Juliette but with a mob twist) that managed to escape their families in a mock death. But of course the story can’t end there it was too many loose ends one being Genna’s brother Dante. He is a loose cannon, walking through the streets of N.Y. with no purpose and a grudge. Let me tell you Dante has been through it: beaten into a coma, loosing almost all his loved ones and trapped in a world with no one to trust. Until ( it’s always an until) he meets Gabby. She is his nurse well really his only hope because nobody wants to get tangled up in mob business where death seems to be the only outcome. Gabby is a firecracker and although she knows that she shouldn’t cross that line with Dante fate has plans of its own.

I loved that the author showed the two couples in a contrasting light. Dante being the person struggling through light and dark. But really who could blame him? He has lost his purpose and that was hate led by Primo. And then you have Matty who wanted no part of this life but Genna proved him wrong. It was interesting to read about both couples because their relationships were vastly different.

Dante’s story was a little hard to take a times. He was surrounded by death and annoyed me because he kept making silly mistakes. Gavin provided a comic relief and his “friendship” with Dante was cute and odd at the same time. Gabby has a little twist to her story and isn’t all who she seems. Now on the flipside you have Genna and Matty who are on the run and trying to figure out their way in life. Genna is still a firecracker and due to her circumstances refuses to be treated like the ice Queen.

I enjoyed this story and how the author not only focuses on the main characters but the lives of the family members who are in the background pulling the strings. Some parts drug along for me. I really wanted Dante to make a plan or at least heed Gabby’s advice. The story ended well but I do wonder what the next step was for them. It kind of ended with Dante making a plan for his next step but what of Gabby? Does she still work or will that be another story? I was surprised at the number of allies that stood up for both the couples even though the families had bad blood. I will say that what you think you know about these families you don’t. J.M. did a great job of shaking things up and keeping the storyline going. I cannot wait to see what’s next. Please judge this book for yourselves and not based on this one review. 

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

For Logan By Soraya Naomi




Title: For Logan
Series: Chicago Syndicate #5 
Author: Soraya Naomi
Genre: New Adult Mafia Romance
 Release Date: August 27, 2016



Blurb

After a lifetime of loss, Logan Wade has no faith in things such as justice. He screws and discards women with ease, and deep down, he doesn’t even know who he is anymore. He’s an agent who’s defecting to the Chicagoan mafia, the Syndicate.

However, Logan’s tightly scheduled plans derail when he meets Rosalia Calderone, the mafia counselor's daughter, who's ten years younger, reckless, and doesn’t know when to keep quiet. Shrouded under the secrets of her parents, Rosalia has been kept out of mafia business her entire life until unforeseen circumstances thrust her into Logan’s path. As she grows closer to him, Rosalia sees that there’s much more to Logan than what he shows the world. Even though she realizes it's dangerous to fall for a closed-off man like him, she’s a girl who always follows her heart.

What starts as a forced acquaintance turns into an illicit affair where risks are taken and bonds are broken, and Logan and Rosalia learn that love can be disastrous.

Every action has a consequence, and matters of the heart are no exception.

A New Adult Mafia Romance.

A complete standalone.

From Soraya Naomi, Amazon Bestselling Author of For Fallon and For Luca.
Novel Grounds Semi Annual Literary Awards 2014 winner of Best Breakout Novel For Fallon (Chicago Syndicate, #1)



Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK



Prologue

Rosalia 

“Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned,” I confess in the small booth and shut my eyes, causing two tears to roll down my cheeks in regret.

Sometimes we take risks and they don’t play out as we expected, but it’s better to regret something you did do than to regret something you didn’t do. Living with what could’ve been is far worse.

“You haven’t sinned,” a familiar, deep voice comments.

My gaze shoots up to the lattice screen in time to see him exiting the compartment. Then he yanks open my door. I’m met with stormy, sapphire eyes – the color of a cloudless sky – that have haunted my dreams for many nights.

Logan steps forward, but I push him out of the confessional with both of my palms on his hard chest. “Where have you been?” I demand, wiping my tears away angrily.

As my vision clears, I’m astounded by how much he reminds me of the man I fell in love with. His navy dress shirt is tucked into his slacks, showing off his toned torso. Nonetheless, this is the man that is my Heaven and my Hell. My current Hell; but the time we lived in Heaven together isn’t easily forgotten.

He studies me for a long moment, as if I’m a figment of his imagination. Then he runs his fingers through his dirty blonde hair and messes up the strands, making him much too appealing in his anguish.

“Rosa,” he says in a tormented tone. Reaching for me, he cups the back of my head and threads his fingers through my long, black hair.

His sandalwood cologne invades my nostrils and brings back memories that are best left in some dusty corner of my mind. He lowers his forehead to mine, and I clutch his shirt as the passion he incites in me still pumps furiously through my veins. His thumb strokes the dimple on my cheek while we stare at each other.

“I should hate you,” I mumble, confused.

“No. I’ve come to explain.”

“Explain what? You broke my heart and left. Everything’s ruined!”

“I had to leave to set things straight and so that I didn’t get killed in the process, Rosa,” he snarls. Yet, in a softer tone, he adds, “But I had to see if you’re okay.”

We’re standing face-to-face, and as he tilts my head up, I recognize the flame of love in his dark irises. As usual, we lose control the second his mouth slants over mine. He commands my emotions with the heat of his touch. Logan’s lips urge mine apart, guiding me hungrily into his masterful kiss. One large hand covers my ass while he palms my head. On their own accord, my arms wind around his neck. Our teeth clash and our tongues dance in a teasing foray – desperately recapturing a love that others tried to extinguish.

He growls and lifts me up into his arms effortlessly. My jade, knee-length dress rides up my hips when I hook my legs around him before he carries me to the elevated altar of the church, surrounded by devotional statues and lit candles. I’m shoved onto the two-step carpeted stairs in front of the altar while we grind into each other. Logan nips a path up my throat as I gaze up at the painted angels on the dome ceiling. He pulls my lips between his teeth and bites the corner of my mouth.

“I need to fuck you,” he groans huskily, pressing his rock-hard erection against me.

We’re both breathing heavily, forgetting where we are – in the Parish of the Blessed, in the middle of the day, with people inside the sacristy.

This is what he’s done to me. Even after everything, I’m unable to deny him. I’ve chosen to be bad right along with him, and I’m choosing it again.

We’ve always been reckless. We’ve broken a family apart. And now, we’re about to fuck in the church where the wedding will take place in less than twenty-four hours.




Author Bio

I read many genres but favor intense, seductive, and provocative novels where the male character loves fiercely, without remorse or boundaries. I also adore forbidden love tales and have an odd fascination with kidnapping romances. No, I don't secretly want to be kidnapped, though!

I have a passionate obsession with the written word and indulge in chocolate pastries much too often.

My debut novel For Fallon (Chicago Syndicate, #1) was released on July 26, 2014. I’m honored that For Fallon won “Best Breakout Novel 2014” in the Novel Grounds Semi Annual Literary Awards.

Sign up to Soraya’s newsletter to keep up to date with release dates: http://eepurl.com/b0MS85



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Monday, August 29, 2016

Wide Open Spaces By Aurora Rose Reynolds


Before I get into this review when I first read the title the Dixie Chicks song, Wide Open Spaces played in my head and stuck throughout the entire book. One lyric in particular: " She needed wide open spaces, room to make her big mistakes." The main characters in the book Shelby & Zack have this for a lack of a better word "wide open space" that needed to be filled and are not mending the broken pieces together. This book for me was a "real" read to where you can relate to the characters on a human level.

Wide Open Spaces from the beginning had me hooked. The authors dedication and prologue are very telling of just what you are about to jump into. Some of the most beautiful stories are the hardest to take. This story deals with themes such as adoption, betrayal and love but the beauty of the story is that like life you make it through.  

Shelby & Zack have a connection that cannot be severed. They created something beautiful together but couldn’t afford to hold onto it. In her emotional state Shelby blamed Zack for the pain she was experiencing over Samuel. He never left her but the sadness and anger drew a wage between them. Now decades later she is back in town and running into the one man who broke her, Zack.

Shelby ‘Shel”….

I felt like even through all the emotional turmoil Shelby experienced she was still trying to find her voice. With her ex- Max she allowed him to dictate her happiness and now that she is back in her home town pieces of the old Shel are starting to resurface. Trying to get her life back together along with her son they move back into her childhood home right beside Zack.

Now it may sound a little cliché but here is where the story gets sticky! Zack lives next door with his kids as well. I know you are saying well they both seemed to move on. But what happens when it seems like your love has moved on with someone you considered a friend?

I do love that the author digs deeps into the emotional sadness and devastation that many feel when they give up a child for adoption. We get to see how Shel & Zack coped with recovering from the loss of Samuel. Now don’t get me wrong this book isn’t all that heavy, I mean this is Aurora Rose Reynolds we are talking about. Zack is a complete Alpha and loosing Shel again isn’t a mistake he will repeat. ( let’s just say the love scenes are very steamy) The kids are very funny and I love their covert mission to get their parents together. This story has a few twists like an ex, oh a bear, and the most important redemption.


Although I loved elements of this story Shelby was annoying at times. I just wanted her to find her voice and fight for herself instead of crying. Zack’s characters helped balance her out. He knew what he wanted and what he lost. Some parts dragged a little and I wanted more of the couple to have interaction and discuss the issues between them it almost seemed glossed over for a second. One of the things I am excited about is Aubrey’s story!!! All in all this was a good read and I would recommend it. Please judge this book for yourself and not based on this one review. 

Friday, August 26, 2016

Savage Rebel By Kathleen Kelly




Title: Savage Rebel
Series: Savage Angels MC #6
Author: Kathleen Kelly
Genre: MC/Contemporary/Erotic Romance
 Release Date: August 24, 2016



Blurb

A Casino. A Rival MC. A Mob Family.

Dane, President of the Savage Angels MC Tourmaline Chapter sends Rebel to Las Vegas to negotiate their purchase of a casino. When the local Mob Family in Vegas feels threatened by their presence, a rival MC, The Dark Warriors step in to protect what they consider their territory.

The Warriors are a ruthless club who will stop at nothing in their pursuit of power.

An innocent woman catches Rebel's attention which serves to give the Warriors a brand new target. Ruby is caught in the crossfire and with a rat in the mix, all bets are off. Will Rebel be able to save his woman and close the Casino deal or will he lose it all to the Dark Warriors?

**Previously published in the Riding Dirty Anthology no longer available**







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Author Bio


Kathleen Kelly was born in Penrith, NSW, Australia. When she was four her family moved to Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Although born in NSW she considers herself a QUEENSLANDER!!

She married her childhood sweetheart and they live in Brisbane with their two furry kids. A British Short Hair called Grace and a Burmese called Jack.

Kathleen enjoys writing contemporary, romance novels with a little bit of erotica. She draws her inspiration from family, friends and the people around her. She can often be found in cafes writing and observing the locals.

If you have any questions about her novels or would like to ask Kathleen a question she can be contacted via e-mail: kathleenkellyauthor@gmail.com or she can be found on Facebook.



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Thursday, August 25, 2016

Rush By C.A.Harms




Title: Rush
Series: Montgomery Men #1
Author: C.A. Harms
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
 Release Date: August 23, 2016



Blurb

I was running from my husband, a man I thought I’d known.
Running from the hell he had put me through.

He’d nearly destroyed the woman I had once been and
I would do whatever it took to regain my freedom.

I would lie, and cheat.
I would steal if it meant that I never had to go back there.

I’d run and keep running…

But there was one problem. I hadn’t planned for Ashton Montgomery.
He was a distraction I couldn’t allow. Not if I wanted to stay safe. I had to remain distant, but he was relentless and had other ideas.
I caved because I hadn’t thought it all through, not in detail.
If I had I would’ve realized that you can only live in a fantasy world for so long before everything came crashing in around you.
And those lives you’ve destroyed along the way, make you no better than the monster you were trying to break free from.

How could I have been so careless?
It wasn’t meant to turn out this way.
But the Rush of my freedom took control and I forgot how important it was to keep the secret of who I had once been.

And now I had nothing.
Only the fear that the man I’d run from would find me again, and finish what he started.







Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK





Author Bio

A little about me. Let’s see where to start.

I love HEA stories, as long as they come packing a little heat. I need some excitement, some angst, and moments that make me fan my face are always good too. I am an Illinois girl, born and raised. Simple and true, it honestly doesn’t take much to make me happy. I love the little things; they truly mean the most. I may have a slight addiction to my new Keurig—oh my, that thing is a godsend. And so fast too. I have two children who truly are my very best friends, and their faces never fail to put a smile on my face. I have been married to my husband for sixteen years, and even though at times I want to beat him with a stick, I would never change the years we have had. We have learned and fallen, only to pick each other up, dust off the ache, and help each other make it right.

I am one of those authors that adore my fans. I love to hear from you. After all, it is because of each one of you that I continue to write. I look forward to your feedback.

Be sure to follow me to stay up-to-date on all my upcoming releases.



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Wednesday, August 24, 2016

I Cant Die Alone By Regina Bartley




Title: I Can't Die Alone
Author: Regina Bartley
Genre: New Adult/Contemporary Romance
 Release Date: August 21, 2016



Blurb

She was alone on a journey to find a man she’d never met. She had a backpack filled with three days worth of clothing, and old photograph, and a letter dated 1997. With one goal in mind she set out to find the man from the letter, the man named Benjamin Cooper. The only thing that she knew about this man was that he was married to her mother many years ago, and according to his letter he loved her. That was the only conformation she needed to search for him.

Tori Holt had no family left that she knew of, and one chance to find someone to share her last days with. Otherwise, she’d die alone. The doctors said she wouldn’t live to see her twenty-first birthday, the birthday that was only three months away. Time was not on her side, but she didn’t care. Tori knew right from the beginning that this journey wouldn’t be easy. But it didn’t stop her, because nothing about her life had been easy. 

Then she met Bo, the handsome boy who kept her company on a park bench. Bo was the son of a man named Benjamin, the man from a letter dated 1997. 

The hardest part about finding love is letting it go.
The easiest part about the journey is the moment it all makes sense.







Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK






Author Bio

Regina is a contemporary romance writer from Kentucky. She lives there with her husband, kids, dog and cat. She can be found behind her computer, a good book, or watching sports. She loves to hear from her readers.



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