Review: Ruthless by Lexi Blake

Title: Ruthless

Author: Lexi Blake

Publication Date: 8.9.2016

Series: Lawless #1

Source: ARC from publisher

Purchase: Amazon

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

The first in a sexy contemporary romance series featuring the Lawless siblings—from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake.

The Lawless siblings are bound by vengeance. Riley, Drew, Brandon, and Mia believe the CEO of StratCast orchestrated their parents’ murder twenty years ago to steal their father’s software program. And there’s only one way Riley can find some solid evidence...

Heir to the StratCast legacy, Ellie Stratton hires a new attorney to handle a delicate business matter—and she’s shocked by her attraction to him. Over the course of a few weeks, Riley becomes her lover, her friend, her everything. But when her life is threatened, Ellie discovers that Riley is more obsessed with settling an old score than in the love she thought they were building. And Riley must choose between a revenge he’s prepared for all his life and the woman he’s sure he can’t live without... 

Review:

I’ve always known Lexi Blakes books in other forms – when she co-writes with Shayla Black or as her alter-ego, Sophie Oak. So this was my first Lexi Blake, solo artist book and I was pleasantly pleased by what I found on these pages.

RUTHLESS actually carries over from Blake’s other series, Masters and Mercenaries. In Dominance Never Dies (book 11 in that series) you’re introduced to the family as that is little sister Mia’s book – the Lawless series is all about her hot big brothers, but Mia and her husband do make some appearances. I liked them enough to go back and purchase that book because I wanted more Mia and Case (but that’s a review for another day).

After the murder of their parents at a young age, the Danvers sibling are out for revenge on the people who set them up, which lands Riley smack in Ellie Stratton’s orbit as Ellie’s deceased dad is one of the people who killed Riley’s parents. With a connection like that, I’m sure you can only imagine all the ways this story goes.

And you’re right. I must admit that RUTHLESS is very predictable for the most part. But there were a few curveballs and twists that mildly surprised me which kept this book from becoming formulaic. It may not be ground-breaking material, but it is entertaining. I loved reading it and being introduced to the Danvers family.

I would love to be invited to that Thanksgiving dinner party.

I’m excited to see where Blake takes the rest of this series. If Riley’s brothers are half as hot and smoldering as he is, then I shall be a happy girl.

Review: Wanderlust by Roni Loren

Title: Wanderlust

Author: Roni Loren

Publication Date: 7.19.2016

Series: N/A

Source: eARC from publisher

Purchase: Amazon

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Restaurant critic Aubrey Bordelon is never at a loss for words to describe her meals in the fancy restaurants of New Orleans. But after her magazine’s high-profile music reporter falls ill, she finds herself out of her element and in a sea of screaming fans awaiting Wanderlust’s lead singer, Lex Logan. The sound of his voice gives her goosebumps, and the stage presence of the hard-bodied rock star takes her breath away. So when he pulls her onstage for a sexy stunt, she knows she’s in real trouble.
 
Lex doesn’t want to pretend that the sparks on stage between him and Aubrey never happened, but it certainly makes the fact that she’s writing a story on his band all the more dangerous. The last thing he needs is some nosy reporter revealing their problems to the world. But the sexy Southern belle doesn’t give up easily, and soon he’s wondering if the best way to chase her off the story is to coax her into his bed… 

Review:

First off: Who do I need to coerce into making this a series? Because I needs me some more of dis.

Second: Who do I need to coerce to make this available in print? Because I needs it in all the formats it has.

WANDERLUST is just … perfection in a book. From start to finish, Roni Loren delivers in true Roni Loren fashion weaving a story with humor, heat and everything in between. It’s one of those books I wanted to just go on forever and ever because it’s so simply sweet and fun to read.

Aubrey is a fun heroine, but Lex is where it’s at. I loved every version of Lex: hot rocker Lex, hot hero Lex, hot asshole Lex, hot – you get where I’m going with this? There isn’t a scene where I don’t freaking love Lex in all ways. But Aubrey is a good balance to him and he to her; he challenges her when she shuts down and she grounds him when he gets a little intense. They work. There’s a give and take to their relationship that makes it believable.

This book has all the markings of the perfect springboard into a new series: a compelling and colorful cast of secondary characters and two main characters I need more snippets of in the future. So … Who do I have to coerce?

Review: Hell Breaks Loose by Sophie Jordan

Review:
Ever since that jaw-dropping ending that came with ALL CHAINED UP (book 1), I have bee dying to get my hands on HELL BREAKS LOOSE. And what I really mean is dying to get my hands on Reid.

Sadly it would seem that Grace beat me to him. Sigh.

I have to admit - I love a good kidnapping to romance story. Maybe because everything is so intensified and it gives the hero/heroine limitless time to sit and talk and get to know each other, but storylines where someone is kidnapped and then falls for their rescuer/kidnapper (who is kidnapping them with ulterior motives that don't involve hurting them - no Stockholm Syndrome for this girl, thank you very much) are some of my favorites.

Sophie Jordan is a powerhouse author. She does it all: regency romance, contemporary romance, new adult, young adult, paranormal, fantasy ... There's nothing she can't write and write beautifully. I love all her books, but the Devil's Rock series is a great jumping off place if you've never read her. These books are beyond amazing.

ABOUT HELL BREAKS LOOSE:

Hell hath no hunger like a man let out of a cage . . .

Shy and awkward, First Daughter Grace Reeves has always done what she’s told. Tired of taking orders, she escapes her security detail for a rare moment of peace. Except her worst nightmare comes to life when a ruthless gang of criminals abducts her. Her only choice is to place her trust in Reid Allister, an escaped convict whose piercing gaze awakens something deep inside her. Reid is nothing like her other captors.

He’s tougher, smarter…and one blistering look from him makes her hotter than any man ever has.

Reid spent years plotting escape and revenge . . .years without a woman in his bed. For this hardened felon, Grace Reeves isn’t just out of his league—she’s from another planet, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting her. Escaping Devil’s Rock was tough, but resisting this woman could be the end of him. For a man with nothing to lose, protecting her . . . claiming her as his own, becomes more necessary than his next breath.

LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | iBooks | The Book Depository

ABOUT SOPHIE JORDAN:

Sophie Jordan took her adolescent daydreaming one step further and penned her first historical romance in the back of her high school Spanish class. This passion led her to pursue a degree in English and History.

A brief stint in law school taught her that case law was not nearly as interesting as literature - teaching English seemed the natural recourse. After several years teaching high school students to love Antigone, Sophie resigned with the birth of her first child and decided it was time to pursue the long-held dream of writing.

In less than three years, her first book, Once Upon A Wedding Night, a 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Nominee for Best First Historical, hit book shelves. Her second novel, Too Wicked To Tame, released in March 2007 with a bang, landing on the USA Today Bestseller's List.

LINKS: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Tour Schedule:

Week 1:

7/18: Ex Libris - Review

7/19: Pretty Sassy Cool - Top 10

7/20: The Cover Contessa - Review

7/21: Take Me Away to a Great Read - Mood Board

7/22: Stuck In Books - Review

Week 2:

7/25: The Irish Banana Review - Review

7/26: Krista's Dust Jacket - Review

7/27: I Heart Romance & YA - Clothing Inspirations

7/28: The Book Cellar - Review

7/29: Reads All the Books - Review

Giveaway:

3 Finished Copies of HELL BREAKS LOOSE (US Only)

Review: Addicted by Elle Kennedy

Title: ADDICTED

Author: Elle Kennedy

Publication Date: 6.28.2016

Series: Outlaws #2

Source: ARC from publisher

Purchase: Amazon

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Lennox used to live in a paradise on earth with his best friend Jamie, in a place where visitors came and went, allowing their desires to run free. But everything changes when a deadly attack forces them to take up with Connor Mackenzie’s band of Outlaws. Lennox knows Jamie is hung up on someone else, but he’s always believed he’s the man for her—and won’t let her go without a fight.
 
Even though Jamie is well aware that Lennox is one hot specimen of a man, she refuses to let sex ruin the most important relationship in her life. But when the object of her interest spurns her, she indulges in a little pleasure-filled revenge with her very magnetic, very willing best friend. One thrilling night with Lennox is enough to awaken Jamie’s unexpected desires for him. And now that she’s had a taste, she’s not sure she can ever give him up...

Review:

There are hardly words to describe my love of this world Elle Kennedy has created with the Outlaws series, and with ADDICTED (book 2), it just gets better and more layered.

Friends-turned-lovers is my absolutely favorite of favorite tropes. I love when there’s a backstory and foundation for a relationship, and that’s exactly what Kennedy gives us with Jamie and Lennox. The sparks between these two are enough to set the entire town ablaze. The evolution of their relationship isn’t without its problems and flaws, which they work hard to overcome.

While this is a romance, there is an overall plot binding all the books together. This is very much a dystopian series with a twisted government at the helm that the outlaws are trying to stop. Or at least survive.

Full of seriously sexy times and a cast a characters that will amuse, wow, and leave you gasping for more, the Outlaws series is one of my absolute favorites.  

Review: Fighting Dirty by Lori Foster

Title: Fighting Dirty

Author: Lori Foster

Publication Date: 2.23.2016

Series: Ultimate #4

Source:  eARC from publisher

Purchase: Amazon

Rating: 3 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

With the life he's led and the muscles he's gained, Armie Jacobson isn't afraid of anything. Except maybe Merissa Colter's effect on him. It's not just that she's his best friend's little sister. Fact is, she deserves better. Women pursue him for one night of pleasure, and that's all he wants to offer. Until rescuing Merissa from a robbery leads to the most erotic encounter of his life. 

Good girl meets bad boy. It's a story that rarely ends well. But Merissa is taking matters into her own hands. No matter how he views himself, the Armie she knows is brave, honorable and completely loyal. And as past demons and present-day danger collide, they're both about to learn what's truly worth fighting for…

Review:

I feel like I've been waiting for Armie and Rissy's story since the beginning of the series and after so much waiting and temptation, this book just fell really flat for me.

Rissy came off as desperate; she basically insinuated herself into Armie's life, giving him no choice. And Armie was just ... there. Very placid and not what I expected.

The romance felt like forcing two mismatched puzzle pieces together. You could force them together, but it was obvious they didn't fit. There was no real relationship: Just a suddenly they were together. The whole book felt very meandering and winding, not very streamlined or well-thought out.

This was the book I was most excited about in the series and it was was my least favorite once I actually read it. I'm sad to see this series go out with a limp pop instead of a spectacular finale of fireworks.

Review: Dare to Run by Jen McLaughlin

Title: Dare to Run

Author: Jen McLaughlin

Publication Date: 2.2.2016

Series: Sons of Steel Row #1

Source:  eARC from publisher

Purchase: Amazon

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Lucas Donahue is not ashamed of his criminal past, but after a brief stint in prison, he’s ready to go legit and live a normal life. The problem is, no one leaves the gang without permission—even if he is one of the boss’s top men. Plus someone’s placed a hit on him. And then there’s that feisty little bartender who’s going to cause him even more trouble.

Heidi Greene knows to keep her distance from a ladies’ man like Lucas—even if she can’t keep her eyes off him. When he rescues her from an attack in the alley outside her bar, she’s forced to stay by his side for safety. But the longer she spends time with him, the greater her chances are for getting hurt in more ways than one.

Review:

So I've met Jen McLaughlin multiple times at multiple events. Let me tell you - she is one of the sweetest people. Always smiling, itty bitty petite ... She's the definition of adorable. But I'd never read one of her books until DARE TO RUN.

HOLY CRAP. What the what even happened?! This book absolutely caught me off guard and by surprise in all the best ways.

Lucas is a bit of an ass. Arrogant, commanding, maybe a lot little bossy. Typically that annoys me when I'm reading, but it just worked in this book. The way Jen writes him, with a heart, makes it impossible not to like him. Doesn't hurt that he's hotter than a Miami beach in July. I loved the way he was with Heidi, and watching them butt heads and fall for each other was everything I wanted.

This is a book you'll just enjoy. Just love it for because it's a fun, entertaining book and a great start to a new series.

Review & Giveaway: Unexpected Rush by Jaci Burton

Title: Unexpected Rush               

Author: Jaci Burton

Publication Date: 2.16.2016

Series: Play By Play #11

Source:  Finished copy from publisher

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

All the Right Moves

For Barrett Cassidy, playing defense for the Tampa Hawks is a dream come true. And now he may have discovered his dream woman. Harmony Evans, once the sweet, gawky teenage sister of his best friend and teammate has grown into a smart, gorgeous woman with moves he finds hard to resist. But he knows he can’t get involved with his best friend’s sister—it’s guy code.

Harmony has always gone after what she wants with single-minded determination, from her independence to her education to her career in social work. She never expected her youthful crush on Barrett to develop into something deeper. And she’s not about to let some ridiculous man rules or her brother stand in her way.

When the chemistry is this combustible, lines tend to get crossed. And when Barrett and Harmony’s secret gets out, it just might be game over...

Review:

There's a reason I shout, "JACI BURTON" whenever a friend wants a sports-romance recommendation. No one combines the heat of competition and chemistry the way Jaci does. I am thrilled and entranced over and over again without fail because dang. Her books are amazing, and the 11th book in the Play By Play series is no second string book.

Old crushes-turned lovers are my favorite trope in romance. I love anytime there is a back story between two characters; to me it gives a stronger foundation and I can truly believe they get the HEA when the book ends.

I love Barret - he's sweet and fun and compassionate and a wonderful balance to Harmony. The two of them have remarkable chemistry. This is one of those books I simply never, ever wanted to end.

Is it time for book 12 yet?!

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Review & Giveaway: Mastered by Maya Banks

Title: Mastered

Author:  Maya Banks

Publication Date: 12.29.2015

Series: Enforcers#1

Source:  ARC from publisher

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

What he wants, he takes with no remorse or guilt.

She stood out in his club like a gem, unspoiled and untouched. A lamb among wolves, she clearly didn’t belong. Drawn to her innocence he watched as she was surrounded by men who saw what he did—but no one but him could touch her. He summoned her to his private quarters. He sensed her fear. He also recognized the desire in her eyes. And he knew she wouldn’t leave before he possessed her. She had no need to know his secrets. Not until he had her under his complete and utter control.

What he wants, she isn’t sure she can give him.

The moment he told her want he wanted, she couldn’t resist. Instinct told her to run, but her heart said stay and walk the fine line between pleasure and pain. Though she wasn’t sure she could ever completely surrender, the primal part of her wanted to try, even knowing this man could break her in ways she never imagined. Because once he possessed her, he owned her and it would be too late to turn back. She can only pray that he doesn’t destroy her in the end.

Review:

I am a huge Maya Banks fan and when I saw that she was delving into a new series, I was 100% on board. If Maya writes it, I reads it. That’s how we were. So when MASTERED landed on my doorstep, I was beyond excited.

Here’s the thing, this book is full of Maya’s telltale awesomeness – hot scenes that will leave you blushing and biting your lip and a cast of characters that sets up a delicious new series.

My problems were with Evangeline and Drake, mostly Evangeline. Drake is a total Dom—controlling and demanding and always in control. Sometimes he was a bit more of an ass than he needed to be, but I was OK with it.

Evangeline was a bit too self-absorbed for me. She had her moments where I genuinely enjoyed her as a character, but I also felt a lot of frustration at her forced naiveté. No one is that ignorant. And while I can allow some leeway because she’s fumbling through this new relationship, she makes some major missteps that I’m still shaking my head over.

But this book ends on a massive cliffhanger that I simply must know the end to, and there is a cast of peripheral characters that you know are going to get their own books later on down the road and I can’t wait to read their stories. That’s why I gave this book 4 stars. Because it’s a hopeful start to a new series by an author I really love.

The lovely people at Sullivan and Partners are letting me give away 1 finished copy of MASTERED. 

US & Canada Only

Winner must be over 17

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Review: Off the Clock by Roni Loren

Title: Off the Clock

Author: Roni Loren

Publication Date: 1.5.2016

Series: Pleasure Principles  #1

Source:  ARC from publisher

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Overtime has never felt so good…

Marin Rush loves studying sex. Doing it? That’s another story. In the research lab, Marin’s lack of practical knowledge didn’t matter, but now that she’s landed a job at The Grove, a high-end, experimental sex therapy institute, she can’t ignore the fact that the person most in need of sexual healing may be her. 

Dr. Donovan West, her new hotshot colleague, couldn’t agree more. Donovan knows that Marin’s clients are going to eat her alive unless she gets some hands-on experience. And if she fails at the job, he can say goodbye to a promotion, so he assigns her a list of R-rated tasks to prepare her for the wild clientele of The Grove’s X-wing.

But some of those tasks are built for two, and when he finds Marin searching for a candidate to help her check off her list, Donovan decides there’s only one man for the job—him. As long as they keep their erotic, off-the-clock activities strictly confidential and without strings, no one will get fired—or worse, get attached…

Review:

At this point I have what can only be described as a Pavlovian response to Roni Loren books. Someone says, "New Roni Loren book!" and I immediately start salivating and obsessing until said book is in my hands. That's the way it was with OFF THE CLOCK - the first in Roni's new Pleasure Principles series.

Some books take a little bit of build up to get into, but OFF THE CLOCK starts with a gasp and doesn't quit until the end. Any book that has me blushing on the first page is a winner in my book, and chapter one had my cheeks redder than a July tomato - and that was one of the tamer parts of the book.

This book is steamy and hot and will give you shivers in all the right ways. It also does a wonderful job at setting up this new series, subtly introducing characters that I know will have a bigger role further into the series while not losing focus on Marin and Donovan's story. Roni has a great way of bringing new characters into the background, layering them in so they stand out but never take the spotlight off your dynamic duo.

And trust me - Marin and Donavan are nothing if not dynamic. Their story kicks off with them meeting one fateful night in college and then flashes forward a few years to when they are thrown back together. Sparks fly whenever they're around (I practically heard the sizzle with every page turn).

Fans of Roni's Loving on the Edge series already know she can write a solid book with a heaping doze of smexy, bracketed by characters you can't help but adore. If you've yet to discovered the magic that is Roni Loren, consider this your written invitation.

Review: Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye

Title: Hearts In Darkness

Author: Laura Kaye

Publication Date: 5.17.2013

Series: Hearts In Darkness #1

Source:  Gifted ebook from the awesome Krista

Rating: 4 ½ Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Two strangers…

Makenna James thinks her day can't get any worse, until she finds herself stranded in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call, the pin-striped accountant catches only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights go out.

Four hours…

Caden Grayson is amused when a harried redhead dashes into his elevator fumbling her bags and cell phone. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he's terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he's trapped in his own worst nightmare.

One pitch-black elevator…

To fight fear, they must reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?

Review:

Bookish friends are the absolute best, am I right? I was texting with the wonderful Krista at Krista’s Dust Jacket, lamenting about the fact that I was suffering from a massive book hangover. Which lead to talking about what she was reading (Hearts in Light). She was raving about this book and I admitted I had never read HEARTS IN DARKNESS – which is a seriously stupid oversight on my part because I know and adore the author, Laura Kaye. Two seconds later an email flashes that Krista gifted me the book.

Of course I started it and devoured it immediately. This book was totally what I needed, so thanks, Krista (and Laura)!

HEARTS IN DARKNESS is a small-ish book, a smidge longer than your usual novella, but that just makes the fact that in 112 and pages Kaye makes me fall in love with and adore Caden and Makenna all the better. This book takes off with a bang and doesn’t quit.

The entire novel spans one night. Now, I can already hear the internal “insta-love” grousing, but hold on a second. I think it’s crucial to remember that Makenna and Caden spend hours trapped together in total darkness with nothing to do but talk to each other. So tally up all that and what does that time equal? Three or four dinner dates? Twelve phone calls? A thousand texts? There’s a beautiful intimacy in that the way their relationship begins and unfolds is because they have nothing to do but be with one another and learn about one another.

HEARTS IN DARKNESS is a freaking fantastic little powerhouse of a book. It’s a superfast read that you won’t want to quit. Thankfully, Krista just introduced me to this book (as I am now telling you about it) and you only have to wait a few days before the sequel, Hearts in Light, comes out.

In the meantime, HEARTS IN DARKNESS is available for your reading pleasure for less than $1. You're welcome. http://amzn.to/1Ufg0Iw

Review: Crosstown Crush by Cara McKenna

Title: Crosstown Crush

Author: Cara McKenna

Publisher: Signet

Genre: Adult, Explicit, Contemporary, Kink

Series: Sins in the City #1

Source:  Finished copy from publisher

Amazon

Rating: 3 ½ Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

The first in a new series from the “wicked-hot”* author of Hard Time and Give It All explores the fantasies of a daring married couple—and those of a stranger invited to play along in their scandalous little games… When he’s working, Mike Heyer is all business—every inch the alpha male, with the hard, capable body to back up his persona. But at home he can be a different man entirely, harboring appetites only his wife gets to glimpse…

When Samira first learned of her husband’s fantasies, she was reluctant, even alarmed. But after witnessing the way they set him on fire, she yielded, and happily indulged. As their games have intensified, so has the rush. And now so has the risk—they’re poised to take Mike’s indecent desires to the next level, by opening their bed to a sexy, brazen stranger. A man seeming custom-made to grant every last one of Mike and Samira’s sinful wishes.

Welcoming someone new into their lives was always a dangerous proposition, but the couple imagined if anything was at stake, it was their privacy…not their hearts.

Review:

You know when you have that one book friend whose opinions are eerily similar to your own so when they say, "READ THIS" you do if for no other reason than you trust their judgement? That's what happened with CROSSTOWN CRUSH. Jessica, the publicist whose judgement I trust implicitly, sent me an email and said I should read this.

I immediately grabbed it as my next book and what followed was one of the strangest, hottest, weirdest books that still has me all twisted up and turned around.

I get kink. I get fetish. I know that some people fall on the blander than vanilla side of the sex spectrum while others are off the charts the other way. As long as the adults are being safe, rational, and all consenting ... It's your life. Cuckolding was not a kink I had really seen before in a book. I've never given it much thought, but I tried to keep an open mind reading this.

Samira and Mike have been playing this game for awhile now where she pretends to cheat on him (the first paragraph is her walking into Sephora and splashing on some men's cologne to give her husband the impression she was with another guy). She comes home, an argument ensues that by now is more of a well choreographed dance between them. It ultimately ends with Sam telling Mike he isn't man enough to satisfy her and him proving he is. Cue hot sex and adorable post-coital pillow talk. For reasons that are made clear early on, Mike is always in controlled Alpha mode and this is the only way he knows how to release his inner anxiety. I get it. It do. I understand that on a clinical level.

When they decide to take it to the next level and find someone for Sam to "cheat" on Mike with (Mike watches the whole time either hiding somewhere or via video), Bern enters the picture. Yes, his name is Bern. Yes, I hate his name, too.

Bern is a great guy and what follows is 3 people exploring all their kinks and fantasies together. Lots of steamy, smexy times. Some a bit stranger than others, but as a whole it worked.

But (and you knew there was a "but" didn't you?) things inevitably start to fall apart. What I love is how strong and rational Sam stays throughout all of this. She's wonderfully accepting and giving, but she's no pushover. She's a great female character.

I can't exactly say where or why things fall apart and what the outcome is. I recommend reading this book for yourself if you want to know. But if you're not familiar with this kink (or the world of kink and fetish - even in books, if not real life), make sure you go into it with an open mind. No, these people are not crazy. No, they are not brainwashed. Yes, this does happen in real life. If you're not comfortable with kink, that's totally OK. But I wouldn't recommend grabbing this book.

Review: Tough Love by Lori Foster

Title: Tough Love

Author: Lori Foster

Publisher: Harlequin

Publication Date: 8.25.215

Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, MMA

Series: Ultimate #3

Source:  ARC from BEA

Rating: 3 ½ Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

She's playing hard to get… to win the MMA fighter of her ultimate fantasies in a sultry new novel from New York Timesbestselling author Lori Foster…

Vanity Baker loves a good, clean match, but she's not above playing a little dirty. She's wanted Stack "The Wolf" Hannigan from day one. Seems as though the best way to corral the famously commitment-phobic fighter is to insist on keeping it casual. And her plan works—deliciously well—until Stack's past steps out of the shadows. 

Stack learned early to stay free of attachments. But with sexy, forthright Vanity, he's the one always left wanting more. Then his troublemaking family comes back into the picture, threatening everything Stack cares about—Vanity included. Suddenly he realizes they're much more than friends with benefits. He's ready to go to the mat for her…but will it be in time to protect the woman who's tamed him for good?

Review:

I love this series - I do. Hot MMA guys, sweet heroines and a lot of heat. What isn't to love? I will say that I felt like Lori Foster dropped the ball a bit this time and the book felt a little formulaic to me. Still amazingly good, but not quite the top of her game.

Stack and Vanity (seriously - what is up with these names?) have been in the periphery for the last 2 books and now is their time to shine. With blazing hot chemistry, these two are meant to be.

I think.

Here's the problem: Vanity wants Stack. Like wants him forever. OK, cool. I can see that. But she plays these self-proclaimed "games" to get him that smack of high school and are so ridiculous. She tries to be what she thinks he wants and it makes me wonder if I ever knew the real Vanity.

Will the real Vanity please stand up?

Look, I enjoyed this book a lot. I did. But between Vanity's inner crisis of character and the cringe-worthy melodrama at the end, this just wasn't Foster's best work. But even on a bad day, her writing is still top notch.

Review: Scandal Never Sleeps by Lexie Blake & Shayla Black

Title: Scandal Never Sleeps

Author: Lexie Blake & Shayla Black

Publisher:  Berkley Romance

Publication Date: 8.18.2015

Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense

Series: Perfect Gentlemen #1

Source:  ARC from publisher

Buy: Amazon

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

They are the Perfect Gentlemen of Creighton Academy: privileged, wealthy, powerful friends with a wild side. But a deadly scandal is about to tear down their seemingly ideal lives . . .

Maddox Crawford’s sudden death sends Gabriel Bond reeling. Not only is he burying his best friend, he’s cleaning up Mad’s messes, including his troubled company. Grieving and restless, Gabe escapes his worries in the arms of a beautiful stranger. But his mind-blowing one-night stand is about to come back to haunt him . . .

Mad groomed Everly Parker to be a rising star in the executive world. Now that he’s gone, she’s sure her job will be the next thing she mourns, especially after she ends up accidentally sleeping with her new boss. If only their night together hadn’t been so incendiary—or Gabe like a fantasy come true . . .

As Gabe and Everly struggle to control the heated tension between them, they discover evidence that Mad’s death was no accident. Now they must bank their smoldering passions to hunt down a murderer—because Mad had secrets that someone was willing to kill for, and Gabe or Everly could be the next target . . .

Review:

I will never turn down a new Shayla Black or Lexie Blake book, but pairing the two together makes me all the more excited. SCANDAL NEVER SLEEPS is the first installment in what is sure to be an amazing, thrilling, and swoony new series. I devoured this book in less than 24 hours.

Can I first talk about Everly? Because I love her. She made this book amazing for me. I love when Gabe got a little controlling or high handed (because he wanted to protect her), she immediately shut that down and told him they needed to end things now because she would never be the docile little woman who waited for the men to finish saving the day. I feel like I have been waiting years for a heroine to say that. She was smart and sure and confident … The epitome of a heroine.

Gabriel … He was a little harder for me to wrap my head around. By the end I was Team Gabe, but it took some getting there. He is a bit of an ass and very used to getting his way.

This book nicely sets up the series and I can’t wait for the Gentlemen to keep unraveling the mystery. Typically in a contemporary series you have self-contained books where each book can standalone. This series seems to have a central plot that will tie all the books together. I can’t wait to see how this ends.

Review: Call on Me by Roni Loren

Title: Call On Me

Author: Roni Loren

Publisher: Berkley

Publication Date: 7.7.2015

Pages: 448

Genre: Adult, Romance, BDSM

Series: Loving On the Edge #7

Source: ARC from publisher

Rating: 4 ½ Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Oakley Easton wants two things: to be a good mom to her daughter and to ditch her less than ideal night job. Hooking up with bad boy drummer Pike Ryland? Not on the agenda. She needs a promotion. Not sex, tattoos and rock ’n’ roll......

Review:

IS THIS PIKE’S BOOK IN MY HANDS?! IS IT?! IS IT?!?!?!?!

Those were my exact words as I clutched an early copy of CALL ON ME in my fingers. And then I hugged it. And I loved it. I pet it. Because it’s Roni freaking Loren. I have a serious author crush on this woman – she writes the hottest, sexiest, steamiest books ever. They have prime real-estate on my bookshelves—front and center on my adult romance shelf. So I can see them every single day.

Wait – you probably want a semblance of a review, don’t you?

OK. Let’s do this:

We first met Pike [insert: *sigh*] several books back and he and his rockstar awesomeness have toyed on the fringes of a few books but now is my boy’s time to shine. (Yes. MY boy. Stand down, Krista.)

From the second he meets the brilliant and enigmatic Oakley, he’s consumed and so am I because Oakley is just awesome. She’s a mom of this kickbutt little girl who is a talented as she is quirky and Oakley is doing everything to make sure her child wants for nothing. They have an incredible relationship and Pike never pushes his way between them. He’s like that missing piece of the family puzzle that just fits.

This book was about two grown-ups learning to compromise as they fall in love—learning how to give and take and love. It was one of the healthier relationships I’ve seen in a romance novel.

This book also gave us Devon and Hunter. Let’s all swoon together for a second, shall we?

Look, this is a 7^th book in an amazing series, but you can jump in here! Loren writes these so that each book can stand up all by itself (but seriously, would you eat just 1`chocolate chip cookie at a time), but together they’re a formidable force of a series.