Showing posts with label 3.5 stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 3.5 stars. Show all posts

Mar 9, 2019

{Blog Tour: Review + Excerpt} Covet by Ella James


Available for $2.99 on Release Day ONLY.
(Price will go up to $3.99)
FREE in Kindle Unlimited
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2U4QXP5
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Xvdh6O
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2H0mPRg
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2IB9npm

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
THEME: Addiction 
Covet (Sinful Secrets, #3)
Covet (Sinful Secrets, #3)
by Ella James

4.26 · 468 Ratings · 177 Reviews

BLURB: 

Homer Carnegie. Admit it—you know my name. Your kid’s got my e-trading card. Your husband sits up straighter when I stroll onto the TV screen. He knows I’m going to crack the bat and save the day. Even your grandma’s jonesing for my autograph. But women my age? They’re the worst. Or would that be the best?

It’s not my fault they line up at the door. They catch my balls all right, two at a time sometimes, or even three. Believe me, everybody wins.

At least they did—until the video. I heard TMZ paid a million for a bird’s eye view of Homer on his A-game. The only folks who didn’t watch with eager eyes? Red Sox management. They want me benched, or worse, shipped off to rehab.

It’s a long story, what happens next. How I end up on a boat, bound for the world’s most remote island: Tristan da Cunha. Just a speck of dust in the Atlantic.

Except my heart is there.

I don’t know that when I step onto the boat.

I don’t know a lot of things.

What I’ll covet…

What I’ll lose…

REVIEW:

This was my first introduction to Ella James and the Sinful Secrets series. The writing was unique, as one character was almost stuck in a different era in the way she spoke, while the male lead was of the present. I liked how different they were from each other, but connected on a different level that brought them together emotionally and physically.

Covet follows Declan Carnegie, who is going down a dark path due to substance abuse. He comes from a well known family as well as being a star baseball player, so being in the spotlight while suffering isnt helping him. He gets away to get himself together by going to the island of Tristan. His father helped make the little area grow. He comes across a young woman who seems to be able to heal the broken side of him, she has no judgement on his past and sees the best in him. But both have something that stands in the way of them truly connecting.

This was a whirlwind story, it dives deep into someone who is suffering from substance abuse and really brings light on such a sad and dark situation. You really pull for Declan to find some help, to let this woman Finley help him. He has so much good in him, after so many bad decisions, I felt bad for the guy.

Finley is a very unique character, it took me a while to connect with her, mainly due to how she spoke. Since the people of the island were almost stuck in the past it seemed, it was hard to understand her at times. At first she can't stand the sight of Declan, but soon see's something in him, something vulnerable and she is pulled into wanting to know more about him.

Overall this was a really eye opening story, because of how deep the author went with Declan's side of the story. You really want him to let Finley help him, you want him to win his battle. The author did a great job to make it real and see how it effect someone life. The romance is innocent and sexy, finely is naive and Declan is something out of the norm for her. In the end I enjoyed seeing how these two opposites could find their own little happiness.







Excerpt:
“You’re a liar.” The words are like velvet, and his face is set like stone.
“No, I’m not! Now go away from me!”
I shove his chest without forethought and then recoil as fear pounds through me.
“Tell me you don’t want me. C’mon, fucking tell me, Finley. Make it easy.”
“I want you, and I hate it. I hate you!”
“Tell me you don’t want my hands on you. My mouth right there.” His finger points to my throat. I can’t swallow. His hands run down my arms, the warm palms feather-light. His face is grave as all the universe.
I can say nothing. I’ve made unforgivable mistakes, so many errors in judgment. My foot is caught in moss I’ll never break free of...and still I crave him.
“I don’t want to want you,” I say, the words barely there.
To my surprise, he laughs, his prince’s mouth twisting before he tosses me over his shoulder and makes off toward the curtain, striking it aside to stride toward the beds.
“I don’t want to either, so I guess that makes it even.”


About the Author:
Ella James is the USA Today and Amazon Top 10 bestselling author of twenty teen and adult love stories. She’s an angst-a-holic who loves exploring difficult situations and the emotions of the people caught up in them. Also, smut. But always, always romance.
Ella is an Alabama native who makes her home near Boulder, Colorado, with her writer husband, three young children, and hyperactive dog. When she’s not writing, she can be found hiking the foothills, taking nature photos for her Instagram account, and swilling vanilla cream soda.

Nov 6, 2018

{Blog Tour: Review + Promo} Misadventures with a Professor by Sierra Simone


Book: Misadventures with a Professor
Author: Sierra Simone
Part of the Misadventures Series by Waterhouse Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance 

***MISADVENTURES ARE STANDALONE ROMANCES THAT CAN BE READ IN ANY ORDER***


My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
THEME: Teacher/Student Romance
Misadventures with a Professor (Misadventures, #17)
Misadventures with a Professor (Misadventures, #17)
by Sierra Simone  4.43 · 134 Ratings · 99 Reviews

BLURB:

Zandy Lynch never planned on going to grad school a virgin. So when her professor father finds her a job abroad as a research assistant the summer before she starts her master’s program, she sees her chance. She’s got one night in London to lose her V-card to a Mr. Darcy lookalike before she has to join some ancient professor in the country...

****

Misadventures is a romantic series of spicy standalone novels, each written or co-written by some of the best names in romance. The stories are scandalous, refreshing, and, of course, incredibly sexy. They’re the perfect bedside read, a ‘quick blush’ for the reader who loves a page-turning romance.

REVIEW:

I'm always captivated by Sierra Simone's writing and world building, she knows how to suck you into her stories, she knows what her readers love and even more so she knows smoking hot romance.

I've read a few of the misadventures series and I love how each story is fun, dramatic and romantic. I never get bored with the series because each other put their own spin and special touch. Simone took me by surprise with her Camelot series and I couldn't wait to get my hands on a kinky alpha professor.

I was easily drawn in by Oliver, the professor and the man who although intelligent and alpha had an innocence and insecurities that made him charming and sweet because he went through a bad relationship and couldn't handle being hurt again. He had his moments of stubborn and rude attitude towards Zandy, but it was because of his past and Zandy had to learn how to get through yo him. I loved every moment with him but the best was his introduction, this man would of captivated me not only b first glance but by how much he want this innocent young woman to be safe.

Zandy is a tough nut to crack, I had moments where I was shaking my head because her innocents and immaturity were a little much. I guess in a way I have never encountered a woman like her so it was hard to believe her at times. However she was wonderfully smart (book smart is the best!), wanted to please the man she connected too but also never change him. She grew so much in such a little time, I could tell she needed someone like Oliver to bring out the more mature and natural side of herself.

In the end this was wonderfully written, I loved watching two people who both wanted something special in a relationship, grow and understand that it was right in front of them. I may not of connected to Zandy's character, but I know a lot of people will adore her persona.



Add to your TBR - Goodreads

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Meet the Author
Sierra is a voracious reader of all things including the smuttiest smut, young adult, piles of non-fiction for research, and everything Bill Bryson (especially on audio).
She loves writing the dirtiest things that she can think of, King Arthur, sparkling water, Tarot, coffee, leggings, and learning new words daily.
Her previous jobs have included firing ceramics, teaching living history lessons in one-room school house in full, 1908-approved school marm attire, and working as a librarian for several years—not in that order
She lives in the Kansas City area with her hot cop husband, two children, and two giant dogs. (And two cats, but they're so naughty we don't talk about them.)
The social media she cares about the most are Spotify and (her very very NSFW) Tumblr. Following her in those places is a true love language, indeed.

Nov 1, 2018

{Blog Tour: Review + Excerpt} The Legacy by Dylan Allen

The Legacy BT Banner.jpg

“Hands down, one of my fav reads this year!”

- Ilsa Madden-Mills, Wall Street Journal bestselling author

The Legacy, an all-new steamy contemporary romance standalone from Dylan Allen is available NOW!


DATheLegacy5x8_MEDIUM.jpgThe Legacy by Dylan Allen
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
THEME: Opposites Attract
The Legacy (Rivers Wilde, #1)
The Legacy (Rivers Wilde, #1)
by Dylan Allen

4.39 · 215 Ratings · 171 Revie

BLURB:

He's the king of all he surveys.

Except her.

Exiled for 15 years, Hayes Rivers has finally assumed his place as head of Houston’s oldest and most powerful family.

Now, they call him King.

A legacy of wealth and prestige are his to claim.

As age-old rivalries, long-buried secrets, and generations of betrayal threaten his birthright, he finds himself in a battle for control of his family’s future.

When he meets Confidence, she’s a sweet distraction.

Everything he shouldn’t want.

But after a weekend of passion and surprising intimacy,

he realizes she's everything he needs

He holds the keys to a kingdom,

But he covets the key to her heart.

And he'll stop at nothing to claim his queen.

REVIEW:

The Legacy is my first introduction to Dylan Allen and I'm happy to say I have been pulled into her writing and into this world of the rich and powerful. I loved the concept between two wealthy feuding families and how it felt like I was pulled into the world of the TV Show Dallas. The Legacy brings together two people who are polar opposites but have this park this intense connection that was off the charts.

The Legacy follows Hayes Rivers, who has been living in Italy until the time is right or his becomes of age to take on his families legacy. He was boring into one of the most prominent families in Texas, their only blood heir to a company he is born to rule. But being the new King, he finds his queen in the most unsuspecting way. The two begin a journey of passion, angst, family drama and twists that I didn't see coming.

Hayes hands down won me over, he intrigued me even from the beginning as a little boy who lost his father but didn't even want to attend his funeral. He was already having to grow up fast and then having to leave his life behind to move to Italy. Even though it was a brief introduction, I knew this kid was going to be all alpha when he grew up. Boy was I right. Hayes was betrayed and scorned, when he meets Confidence and their encounter goes from intrigue, anger, to instant connection. He thinks she's a gold digger, where she actually is just a lost woman who needs to find her footing.

Confidence is a very unique female lead, I love snarky, smart and strong women. I had some trouble connecting with her, she felt a little rushed and chaotic when she's introduced. The insta-love threw me a little bit too, I'm not used to reading how two people fall for each other that quickly, I like a little more build up. Nonetheless, I enjoyed how confidence didn't always abide by her name, she needed to ride of her insecurities after what happened to her with her job and a-hole ex. She is smart and I felt Hayes was the right it for her to boost herself up. Not because hes wealthy but because of the way her saw her, beautiful and smart.

Since this is a duet I was holding my breath at the end, I knew something was coming but man the last few pages had me on the edge of my seat. Can I just say I'm soooo excited for Remi's character. Looking forward to the next book!


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the legacy an one
Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
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legacyteaser5.png

EXCERPT:

He rakes his eyes down my body. My white blouse feels thin under his heated gaze. I shift in my shoes when he lingers on my hips.

“You’ve missed me,” he says.

“I haven’t,’’ I lie.

“If I touched your pussy, what would I feel?” he asks.

“That’s one question you won’t be answering tonight.”

“I want to touch you.” He dips his head and kisses my cheek. His hand grips my hip.

“You’ll feel better when I’ve made you come,” he whispers against my cheek.

He moves so fast that my ass is up on the edge of the sink before I can protest.

“Do you want me to stop?” he asks. His finger trails up my leg and stops at my knee. Blood rushes in my ears, heat pools between my thighs.

“Of course not,” I breathe.

His fingers slip under the hem of my shorts and I grab his fingers.

“But I’m going to ask you to anyway.” His eyes fly up to mine in surprise, but there’s no anger there. In fact, I think what I see is respect.

“Why?” he asks and stands back up.

If it could speak, my vagina would be cursing me out.

“Because what I want isn’t what I need, Hayes.”

“Why are they mutually exclusive?”

“I don’t want to just be your partner in bed,” I admit.

“Oh, Tesoro,” he sighs and drags his nose across my temple before he moves us back to facing each other. He cups my face in his hands and presses a soft kiss to my lips before he pulls back.

“There’s not a pussy in this world I’d fall on my knees for. Not even yours,” he says, the fierce love and tenderness in his eyes stealing my breath.

His eyes never leaving mine, he continues. “But for this, Tesoro…” His palms cover the space between my breasts and my heart kicks against the wall of my chest, desperate to find its way into the hand of the man it loves.

“For the love of the most brilliant woman I’ve ever met.” He kisses me again. “I would spend the rest of my life on my fucking knees.”

And then, my big, strong, beautiful man brings my entire world to a halt. He drops to his knees in front of me. On the floor of the public restroom.

“Hayes, get up.” I tug his arm. “Please.”

He grips my hips and presses his face in between my legs and inhales.

“Goddamn.” His groan vibrates against me and moisture blooms beneath his mouth and nose. “I love the way your pussy smells. I fucking miss the way it tastes. I’m dying to feel it gripping my cock.” He rubs his nose against my clit and pleasure skitters, like the kiss of butterfly wings, all over my body.

I thread my fingers into his thick, silky hair just as he leans away and stares up at me with that same fierceness.

But now, it’s laced with need.

He has the look of a predator, and I wish he would hurry up and catch me.

“I want to plant my flag there so that everyone knows it’s mine. But, it’s not even in the top five of my favorite things about you, Confidence. And it’s certainly not the only thing I want.” He looks up at me through his honest, smart eyes, and the rest of the world falls away.

“Oh, Hayes …” I trace the line of his strong brows and sweep down the slope of his nose.

“I want your fire. I want your courage; I want your loyalty. I want your anger, your disdain, your disappointment.” I brush a lock of hair off his forehead. “I want you smiles; I want your laughter. I want you fighting for my team. And yes, I want your pussy. Every day.” He squeezes my hips, and I want to give him everything he’s just asked me for.

But …

“I can’t.” I shake my head, caught between my fear and my love and feeling like neither one of them are serving me well right now.

“You won’t,” he chides me gently, but with real reproach in his voice. “But I understand.” He cuts off my protest. “You want to protect yourself. But you can’t. Not from me. Not from us. It’s all or nothing. And as long as we’re alive, it will never be nothing.”

“Hayes, don’t …” I pull back slightly and shake my head. I don’t know what to say.

“I know,” he says with real regret in his eyes. “I fucked up. But, I am not that asshole who treated you like you were nothing. I’m not ashamed of anything except that something I did made you feel like you were less than the miraculous person I know I’ll never deserve,” he says.

My hand comes to my chest and my fingers clutch the front of my blouse. “Oh, Hayes,” is all I can manage.

“But, I need you to understand—” His eyes go from pleading to demanding in a blink.

“That you thought I was hiding something?” I interject.

“No,” he says sharply. “That I’m responsible for my entire family. Not just the ones that are alive right now. But the ones who will be alive in a hundred years. I just had to keep the estate intact because I lost sight of that once and married someone who I barely knew.”

“Well, I’m not her,” I remind him.

“I know that … and I knew it in Italy, too. By the time the report came, I didn’t care what it said.”

“Why not?” I ask.

“I already knew everything that I needed to about you. You’re the woman who leans in when most people lean away,” he says. I want so badly to throw my arms around his neck and tell him it’s okay. That I see him, and that I’ll always lean in.

“I’m going to show you why us. How us. I’m asking for a lot. Your future. Your love. Your loyalty. Your body. Your children. Your life,” he says. “But I’m offering you the same things in return.”


About Dylan Allen
Dylan Allen is a Texas girl with a serious case of wanderlust.

A self-proclaimed happily ever junkie, she loves creating stories where her characters chase their own happy endings.

When she isn’t writing or reading, eating or cooking, she and her family are planning their next adventure.


Dylan Allen
Connect with Dylan
Stay up to date with Dylan by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2OcDm8M



Sep 7, 2017

{Book Tour: Review + Giveaway} Holly Freakin' Hughes by Kelsey Kingsley


Today we have the blog tour for HOLLY FREAKIN’ HUGHES by Kelsey Kingsley! Check it out and grab your copy today!

Holly Freakin' Hughes by Kelsey Kingsley
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
GENRE: Contemporary
THEME: Romance, Book Lovers, Chick Lit
RECEIVED: Tour

BLURB:

31-year-old HOLLY HUGHES is happy with her life. She’s a moderately successful teen advice columnist living in a tiny studio apartment on the Upper East Side with her boyfriend STEPHEN and their cat CAMILLE. She has grand plans of marrying Stephen and having his babies, until Stephen announces that he is in fact gay and in love with someone else, his boss ANTHONY. This twist of fate is the beginning of a slew of life-changing events in poor Holly’s life. Her boss fires her from the magazine for being too old, leaving her unemployed and unable to keep her apartment.

With nowhere else to go, Holly moves back to Long Island to live with her younger sister LIZ and 3-year-old niece ANNA, and takes over as Anna’s babysitter until she can find the confidence to get herself back on her feet.

As a part of her babysitting routine, Holly takes Anna on bi-weekly trips to the local bookstore, where they attend Story Time. On one occasion, Anna just so happens to run face-first into 36-year-old BRANDON DAVIS, a tall, handsome man who just so happens to be an international best-selling author of a fantasy book series. Holly is unaware of this bit of information, and remains oblivious as their friendship and love for each other grows.

When Brandon faces his personal qualms toward his career and confesses who he is to her, Holly is left to face her own issues with inadequacy.

The story deals with acceptance for one’s position in life, forgiveness, and overcoming the feeling of simply not being good enough.

REVIEW:
This was such a refreshing a fun read, yes there is heartbreaking emotional relationships at the beginning but its fun in the sense that the readers get to watch an author and super sweet woman fall in love. This is a lighter romance, some ups and downs for both leads but they really have this fantastic and sweet connection that I couldn’t wait to for these two to figure it out.

Holly Freakin’ Hughes follows Holly, who just had her relationship of many years blow up in her face when her boyfriend shocks her with some surprising news. She is devastated, is unemployed and watching her sister daughter and doesn’t really feel shes going to find that happily ever after. Until she meets Brandon, who also hit a surprising halt in his relationship that he thought was going to lead to marriage. These two become instant friends but both don’t see what right in front of them and they have to hit a lot of buts in the road to get a clear view.

Holly is a bit of a mess, she really puts herself in the bummer zone quite a bit and I wish she was a little more open to seeing the brighter side of things. Her connection with Brandon is sweet, fun and there is heat, but they “friend zone” each other after Brandon gets cold feet. She is defiantly the more aggressive person in their “relationship”, she misses a good connection and even starts a relationship with another man but still feels for Brandon. It’s a roller coaster for sure. I adore her relationship with her family, they are totally rooting for her to find someone, even if it’s a little pushy at time. My only issue with Holly is when she finds out who Brandon is, she kinda goes a little over the top for me, which made me not like her as much.

Brandon, such a sweet guy who really got punch in the face by his ex who seriously was an awful person. He’s extremely passionate about his work, but super passive as he gets nervous with his “celebrity” status. He does keep it from Holly but he liked the “real” connection they had over books and just being normal together. It was fun to watch him want Holly, and he is there for her in every bad turn she makes, especially New Years Eve. In the end I just wanted him to go for it, that if he’d let the past go he would fing Holly was his girl.

Overall this was a cute read, the steamy moments were off the charts, but minimal and the main focus was watching these to navigate what they wanted in life.


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About Kelsey Kingsley:



Kelsey Kingsley grew up in the great state of New York, and still lives there with her family and a cat named Ethel. When she isn’t writing her fingers to the bone, she enjoys a good (or bad) book, reruns ofFrasier, ruining the lives of her Sims, and singing and dancing in the kitchen. She somehow survives off a diet of tea, doughnuts, and French fries. However, she hates cheese and listening to people chew. You’ve been warned.

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Jun 28, 2017

{Review} A Ghoul's Kiss by J.M.Stoneback

A Ghoul's Kiss by J.M.Stoneback

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

GENRE: Urban Fantasy
THEME: Romance, Paranormal, Vampires, Ghouls
RECEIVED: Publisher

BLURB:

She has the key.
He steals her heart.

Oncologist Sarah Clemons's world is about to get turned upside down. Going on a blind date seemed like a good idea until a tragic incident lands her--injured--in Ghoul King Eric Faye's mansion.

Eric doesn't trust humans. After all, ghouls have never found a reason to need humans in their lives. The closer he gets to Sarah, the more he realizes how important she truly is: Sarah holds the key to unlocking the secrets of the mystical book, The Zenith, which can change the path of his people forever. Eric and Sarah set out to find the book together, the journey leading them on perilous paths as they try to deny their passion and desire for one another. Can they let go of the fears of their pasts to find a future together?

REVIEW:

I’ve been stuck in the contemporary romance genre for so long, that I didn’t know how much I missed a good Urban Fantasy. Ghouls Kisses was a great quick read that introduced a unique world of vampires, trolls, ghouls and many more paranormal beings. I’ve never really picture ghouls as being sexy, but Stoneback makes them beautiful and powerful, especially the lead male Eric, who readers will love this Alpha male.

A Ghouls Kiss follows Sarah Clemons who after one terrible date ended with her waking up in a random mansion, she is sucked into a world she never thought existed. Sarah is held “captive” in the mansion of the Ghoul King, Eric, who is fascinated by her because she holds the key, literally, to unlocking a book that can defeat evil. Together they go on a action packed journey to find this missing book as well as discover more about each other and their growing affections.

This was a great first introduction, it did take me a while to warm up to Sarah, but once the story really picked up on the action she was great. The majority of the story really focused on the romance, it built on Sarah trying to come to terms with this new world and the fact she and Eric had some off the charts chemistry. Eric is an interesting Alpha male, he’s a determined leader and becomes pretty protective of Sarah right off the bat. I really enjoyed every scene they had together, the banter, the romance, and the suspenseful moments.

Overall I always enjoy a quick read, this was a nice refreshing new story, my fist into the world where Ghouls were this powerful. I do wish we had a bit more world building as I did get confused at some points, because something wasn’t as detailed when it was explained. Some of the dialogue did feel a bit forced and could use a bit of freshening up. But I can already see how the plot and twist that happen are going towards something really magical. I would recommend this to paranormal lovers who would like to see a change of paranormal lead, from the overfilled pool of werewolves and vampires, give the Ghouls a try.

Thanks again to the very sweet author for giving me the chance to read her work and write my review.


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Sep 7, 2015

{Review} of The Promise by Kristen Ashley

The Promise by Kristen Ashley
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

GENRE: Romance
THEME: Suspense, Mystery, Mature
RECEIVED: Bought

BLURB:

Since his brother’s death, Benny Bianchi has been nursing his grudge against the woman he thinks led to his brother’s downfall. He does this to bury the feelings he has for Francesca Concetti, his brother’s girl. But when Frankie takes a bullet while on the run with Benny’s cousin’s woman, Benny has to face those feelings.

The problem is Frankie has decided she’s paid her penance. Penance she didn’t deserve to pay. She’s done with Benny and the Bianchi family. She’s starting a new life away from Chicago and her heartbreaking history.

Benny has decided differently.

But Frankie has more demons she’s battling. Demons Benny wants to help her face. But life has landed so many hard knocks on Frankie she’s terrified of believing in the promise of Benny Bianchi and the good life he’s offering.

Frankie’s new life leads her to The ‘Burg, where Benny has ties, and she finds she not only hasn’t succeeded in getting away, she’s doesn’t want to.

REVIEW:

With the final Burg novel coming out soon, I wanted to get back into one of my favorite Kristen Ashley series, one that always has a mystery in the mix. I was exited to get to know more about the Bianchi family and Benny who is cousin to Cal from a previous book. I love how Ashley always ties her series together by showing her readers how past characters are doing and also having them befriend the latest female lead.

The Promise follows Frankie Concetti who is recovering from being shot by a a crazy man who was trying to hurt a family friend. She is now a hero but also she has put the spotlight on her from the family who abandoned her. Frankie dated and fell for Vinnie Bianchi, but when his life spiraled into the mob and he was killed, the one family she adored, became strained. Now that she saved a member of their family, they are determined to make amends, especially her dead boyfriends brother Benny. But nothing is easy with their family and when Frankie’s curiosity in a strange death at work puts her in danger, Benny is determined to keep her save and with him.

Frankie is a tough cookie, she has survived a pretty traumatic event and is determined to move forward on her own. But the Bianchi family is determined to take care of her, Benny Bianchi comes back in her life and isnt going anywhere. I love how this family wants to fix the relationship with Frankie, whom they thought of as a daughter. Benny is someone who Frankie was close to and actually fit more with than his brother Vinne, but Frankie never went there. Years have gone by since Vinne’s death and Frankie is nervous and unsure why Benny wants to take care of her so much. The chemistry between these two is smoking hot and hilarious, they have so much banter and hot moments is adds to their long friendship they already had to a hot romantic one. Frankie has a lot of stubborn moments but in the end she knows this family cares for her deeply, and with her extremely damaged family always disrupting her life, she yearns for some happiness with them and Benny.

Benny is a man who knows what he wants, Frankie is a women that has always has had a special place in his heart. He’s done waiting for her to come around and now that she needs the help, he’s made himself the only caretaker she’s going to get. Benny reminded me a lot of his cousin Cal, he is all alpha and pushy but also extremely loving, even when hes not trying to be. His love for his family will make anyone melt and his protectiveness of Frankie shows how much he has always cared about her. I love how he always had her back against her insane family and how he accepted the mob side of her extended family to a point that made her happy.

Overall this was a bit of a shift from the prior books as the mystery wasn’t a huge focus, but the relationship is so strong and loving that it didn’t bother me. The mystery has to deal with Frankies work, she is a workaholic and enjoys what she does, but she also is known for putting her nose where is doesn’t belong. I did like the mystery but I wished it was more intense like the others have been. In the end I loved seeing the other Burg couples and seeing how their life’s have moved forward. I cant wait to read the final in the series next and I know Ashley will always give me a great HEA.


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Aug 21, 2015

{Review} Wicked Fall by Sawyer Bennett

Wicked Fall by Sawyer Bennett
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

GENRE: Contemporary
THEME: Romance, Erotica, BDSM
RECEIVED: Bought

BLURB:

Never in your wildest dreams could you begin to imagine all the filthy and depraved things that go on inside The Wicked Horse. Step inside and Woolf Jennings will make every one of your dirty fantasies come true.

He’s covered in a facade of deception. An enticing blend of multi-millionaire and hot-as-hell Wyoming rancher, those that think they know Woolf Jennings admire his abilities to preside as CEO of his family’s cattle and oil empire. But only a privileged few truly understand what fuels the glitter of depravity in those gorgeous blue eyes. Only a few know he’s opened up a sinfully erotic and private sex club named The Wicked Horse right at the base of the beautiful Teton Mountain range.

Sweet Callie Hayes has returned home to Wyoming and is looking forward to starting her life over again. After a night of impetuosity, she’s managed to put herself right in Woolf’s line of sight… the man who she foolishly offered up her virginity to years ago and was flatly turned down.

Now Woolf is seeing that Callie is all grown up and has a kinky side to her that leaves him as confused as it does turned on. Worse yet, both Callie’s dirty desires and sweet heart are getting under his skin, and making Woolf question everything he’s ever believed about himself.

REVIEW:

My love for the Cold Fury Hockey team drew me to the Wicked Horse series, because I knew if Sawyer Bennett was writing it, I would be hooked in a heart beat. I love how Bennett brings out the intense connection with her couples, not matter if its sports connected or a deep passion in looking for something different in romance. Wicked Falls is all spice and everything nice and an alpha male who knows how to heat things up.

Wicked Falls follows Woolf Jennings, the CEO of his family’s oil and cattle empire, which makes him a multi-millionaire catch for anyone who catches his eye. But Woolf has always had a sweet spot for his old friends sister Callie and when she comes back into town, all the memories and smoking hot connection are brought back to life. However Woolf has a secret and its hidden on his ranch in the form of a night club called Wicked Horse, behind the scenes is a dark more kinky side and he isnt sure how his sweet Callie is going to handle it.

Woolf isnt what I expected, I was expecting more a rich playboy who is swept off his feet by a ordinary girl. But no Woolf loves his work, respects what his family built, and opened his nightclub to keep his real passion going. Truthfully he is still looking for himself, he thinks he knows what he wants in the romance and kinky side, but in actuality he has always known the one girl who would fill that void. I liked that he wasn’t ashamed of his dark side and he had people in his life that enjoyed the same life and respected the business. I liked his relationship with his best friend Bridger, Bridger helps Woolf go in the right direction, he realizes his friend is having a hard time understand what he wants. Then there is Callie, she is a surprise for him and also someone who brings out the passion in him.

Callie was a little harder for me to connect too, I felt for her after her fiancĂ© cheated on her. I think for me I felt that if she cared for Woolf so much and wanted to be with him, she should of opened up to him more. I liked that she enjoyed his world, but it wasn’t really what he wanted, as he was still looking for that special something. There are some really hot moments with Woolf, Bridger and Callie, and I can see how much Callie grows to understand Woolf.

Overall I loved the growth in the main couples relationship and that they both were able to find what they were looking for. In the end the secondary characters almost stole the show, especially Bridger and Caine, there is something about those alpha men, I know their books are going to be hot and yummy. I definitely cant wait and hope to read more on how Woolf and Callie progress.



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Jun 28, 2015

{Blog Tour: Review} Wicked White by Michelle A. Valentine


wickedwhiteWicked White by Michelle A. Valentine
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

GENRE: New Adult Contemporary
THEME: Music, Romance
RECEIVED: Tour

BLURB:

After his mother dies, rock star Ace White—lead singer of the red-hot band Wicked White—is done with the celebrity game. The phony people, the meaningless one-night stands: he doesn’t want any of it anymore. Quitting in the middle of a sold-out tour, Ace sets out to find some place—any place—where he can be alone.

Aspiring singer Iris Easton’s life has never been easy. First, her mother walked out on her when she was a kid. Now she’s buried in debt, weeks after losing her beloved grandmother. When a mysterious and sexy new guy moves in next door, Iris can’t help but be drawn to his soulful gaze. She can tell there’s something from his past haunting him—something he’s not telling her.

Just as Ace starts falling for Iris, the media go on a worldwide hunt to find the missing rocker. Will true love conquer all, or will the truth be the very thing that tears the couple apart?

REVIEW:

I’ve read and seen so many bios on the hardship of being a celebrity, it may look fun but it sounds like a whirlwind of do this and do that, and never having a real life. I liked how Valentine explored a rockers life that saw the negatives and didn’t live the crazy rock star life. This was definitely a mellower toned story for a rocker, but it was a refreshing change from all the bad boys I’ve been reading about.

Ace is stuck in a life of fake people and no creative freedom, he wanted to be a rock star but didn’t see that his life was going to be following orders and being pulled along. After hearing the woman who he thought of as a mother was in the hospital, he doesn’t even think twice, he just leaves in the middle of a tour, going AWOL. I can only imagine in real life how freaked out the managers and record label would be if this happened to a star. But kudos to him not wanting to take it anymore. He moves in to a trailer park with his new identity, where he meets Iris who is struggling too. They have an instant attraction but Ace doesn’t want to bring Iris into his chaos.

Iris has come back home, leaving her New York life behind to take care of her grandmother’s estate. She hopes to go back a live her dream as a singer but for now she needs tenants. Iris handles her first new tenant who is Ace, but his attitude isn’t much to go on. She’s a little taken back by how mean he is to her for no reason. But of course guys like him think that being mean will keep people away, it only just makes people more determined to find out what’s going on. I found it interesting that someone whose dream to be a singer doesn’t recognize, even though he changed his appearance, someone who is so famous. But she seems to not be a judgmental person who gets star struck. I adored her positive attitude and she was so different from the girls I normally read about, she has a protective side that added to her strength.

In the end they both had to come to terms with their futures. The story consists of two parts, the first is more of an introduction and you can see how the leads really connect to each other. The second was a whole lot of angst and some annoying decisions made because of Ace’s true identity. I knew once Iris found out about him and or if the media tracked him down something big was going to happen. There were some ups and downs, but I really enjoyed the writing and character development. Even though it had an insta love romance I liked how they both connected and had such different struggles to help each other through. The ending however I wasn’t a big fan of so I’m hoping in the next book will see more of this couple and how they figure things out.


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ABOUT MICHELLE A. VALENTINE

Michelle A. Valentine is a Central Ohio nurse turned New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of erotic and New Adult romance. Her love of hard-rock music, tattoos, and sexy musicians inspired her erotic BLACK FALCON series.

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