BEING ZOLT by Dawna Raver

I waited and waited and waited. Okay a bit dramatic, but as soon as I finished Indulging Irelyn, I was ready to find out what the hell was gonna happen and how the bastard Marcus be punished for his cruelty.

Being Zolt was well, well worth the wait, and so many twists and turns in this book I was almost dizzy trying to keep up. Raver has an incredible gift of mastering each turn and twist and each is totally believable and after you read it you think to yourself "DUHHH...OF COURSE!!"

There are no spoilers here, because you truly have to read it to experience it.

This is NOT a standalone, you can't read this and understand the nuances and timeline without reading Indulging first.

I've heard a rumor that she is currently working on an unexpected third book in this series, Saving Kenna, and I'm not telling you why she needs saving, but I am sure this book will be sexier and hotter than the first two.

A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

GETTING WORKED UP by Erin Nicholas

erinnicholas.com

The second book of the Sapphire Falls series, and so far is my favorite. I LOVE the super spunky and sexy Phoebe Sherwood, who is in love with the perfect man. Unfortunately her perfect man is in love with someone else. Phoebe and Matt have been buds for years, and at some point she knew she loved him. She just never had the nerve to tell him, but now he has told her his intentions to propose to another woman. That's when Phoebe decides to pull out all of the stops to convince Matt that ]she is his soulmate, not Nadia.

When hunky and handsome Joe Spencer, shows up in Sapphire Falls to stake his claim on his semi-fiance Nadia, Phoebe figures that she has found the perfect partner to help her get Matt back. It's a win-win, right?

What she didn't count on was falling in love with Joe. Joe certainly didn't see it coming either.

I found myself really mad at Matt, who made it clear to all of the boys/men in town that Phoebe was off limits, so Phoebe was friends to all, but very lonely.  This seemingly nice gesture was really his way of keeping Phoebe as a back up plan. He didn't want any of his friends "sleeping" with his potential wife.  By the end of the book he does redeem himself.

A++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Can't wait for the next in the series.

GETTING OUT OF HAND by Erin Nicholas

GETTING OUT OF HAND

Erin Nicholas

I am a tremendous Erin Nicholas fan, her books are hot and sexy and always full of humor. I was thrilled to see a new series, and her fictional town of Sapphire Falls is brilliant. Full of sexy men and a taste of Payton Place. Many of the residents have lived in Sapphire Falls for years, and most grew up there and know everything about everyone. That's where the true fun begins.

Gorgeous Mason Riley must face his childhood demons if he wants to attend his class reunion. In high school he was seen as the geeky need with a genus IQ. Now he's all grown up, filled out and wealthy. His goal? Win over the the girl who broke his heart, Hailey Conner, who happens to be the town mayor. And she needs him. Or rather needs his money. 

Hoping to get him to invest in her latest real estate venture she enlists her former college roommate and now assistant Adrianne Scott to help her seal the deal. Poor Hailey didn't count on shy and unassuming Adrianne falling in love with Mason. 

Book is a stand alone, which you know I love, but it is also a series where characters will be part of subsequent books, including the second in this series: Getting Worked Up.

This is a 5 star book, and you'll thank me for recommending it.

Need I say more?

Up By Five, Erin Nicholas

I must say I was so eager to read this book, and now that I am finished I am totally and wholeheartedly disappointed. I am sad to see the end of this fun series about the Bradfords.

Up By Five was the perfect ending to this series and was great to finally see a HEA for Cody.

After years of one night stands, Alpha hot firefighter Cody finally begins to see something more than just a beautiful woman, and this woman has worked beside him for 2 years. Gabriella is no regular woman, she’s one of the guys, but after her apartment burns down and she is forced out in the middle of the night wearing a skimpy tank top and short shorts, Cody notices that she has suddenly grown breasts! So the humor ensues, Gabby does her best to maintain her emotional distance, and the more she succeeds the harder he falls. As with every Erin Nicholas book, you can count on some steamy, hot sex and some humorous bantering back and forth.

Oh, if you’ve followed the series, you’ll love the hospital scene when Conner brings in a huge stuffed bunny to Sara Gordon, proclaiming that her new baby “looks a lot like me!”

Looking forward to the next series that Nicholas will create, and hope it’s soon!

Indulging in Irelyn by Dawna Raver WOW!!

Indulging in Irelyn by Dawna Raver

What a great book, as this was my introduction to Raver’s work, I can’t wait for her next book, and sequel to this Being Zolt.

I loved this book and the chemistry between Alpha Zolt and Irelyn is sizzing hot! Both characters have their own inner demons, but they also have some very real demons working diligently to destroy them both individually and collectively. These storyline are part of what keeps you up at night turning each page as quickly as you can read, and forcing you to go to work the next day in a daze contemplating what twist and turn has taken place.

So, the sex is steamy and the storyline is somewhat sordid; Marcus: WHO DOES THAT??? Anyway, you’ll have to read it to understand what I mean. The book is a must read. I also liked the fact that Raver is a good writer, the story was woven so well, there was not one missing word, phrase or detail that left me wondering what was missing.

Only complaint is that the book ends with a HUGE cliffhanger, and I hate to hang off a cliff! Although this does tend to add to the excitement of the next and prayerfully final book in this riveting series.

TRUST by Sherri Hayes

TRUST, by Sherri Hayes

This last book of the Finding Anna series, and I am relieved that it is finally over. Completed. I am not a fan of series books. I hate unfinished stories, and most of the time the next chapter/book is months away from release.

This series is a very hard read. It contains torture, extreme sexual abuse and captivity.

Each book chronicles how a 17-year-old was kidnapped and taken for a slave to repay her father’s gambling debts. It takes you to many dark places and the details are explicit and shocking. The book is not for the faint of heart, and it is doubtful that you can read about Anna’s abuse and not become physically ill and angry, just imagining that a human being could treat another like that.

Stephan is certainly the hero in the book, but he is also controlling, which at first makes you angry, but then you realize that he does it to help Anna cope. As the final book progresses you see that he is just as obsessed with her as she is with him. Hard to separate the love from the obsession with these two as their emotions are so intertwined.

Personally, I was hoping for a HEA that included Brianna not having/wanting/needing to address her husband as “Sir,” full redemption and children, but based on the story, I don’t think those things are possible for Brianna (Anna) or Stephan for a very long time.

Nick and Lilac by Marian Tee

 

CONTAINS SPOILERS

This was a hard read for me. Lilac has suffered abuse from a boyfriend and has spent her short life trying to move past the feelings of shame and humiliation.Same is true for Nick. This book details how each of them suffers and ultimately survives.

When sexy playboy & Greek billionaire Nick Christakos notices her he is immediately intrigued because she wants absolutely nothing to do with him. She is secretly attracted to him because of how nice he is to her, but she is not ready to have any sort of relation ship with a man, especially one who has one-night standed every girl on campus.

Nick is not sure what to do with this plain and gorgeous girl, and consequently spends a lot of time strategizing how to be her friend, with the ulterior motive of getting her into his bed as soon as he can.

Nick has his own demons and he battles them throughout the book and Lilac is there to comfort him and accept him. Something he is not able to do for himself. Sadly, Nick wants to bed her, but refuses to love her, but won’t allow anyone else to love her either, including his twin ( you gotta read it to believe it!) He is still in love with his ex. I was rooting for Jason (twin) to win the girl.

I love these two complex characters, and the thought that they are so different would they ever have the chance to be happy, alone or together.

Marian Tee weaves a tight which leaves you breathless for the next page. A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Penance by Ann Mayburn



I was expecting lots of hot sex, after all it is an Ann Mayburn novel, I was blown away by the emotional rollercoaster that took me for a ride throughout this book. Penance is such a just title for this book. A story where inner loathing and suicidal thoughts meets understanding, unconditional love and finally, forgiveness and acceptance of self.


This book is not for the faint of heart. Michelle and Wyatt deal with serious issues of PSTD and mental illness. Mayburn takes great care to position these characters as heroes, not victims. She also shows the struggle in which they work, both together and separately, to heal. This serves to give hope to all of us that no matter our issues we are worthy of being loved and giving love.

Oh, and there was a lot of hot sex.

Thank you to author J.S. Scott for introducing me...

Happy Hunk Day.

This pic may be worth a thousand words, but this one leaves me speechless....

Five Musical Notes for GOING FOR FOUR by Erin Nichols

If you have had the pleasure of reading any of Erin's books you know each one is a HEA with lots of smokin' hot men, smokin' hot sex and her fabulous sense of humor. Going For Four is no exception. I eagerly awaited the arrival of this book and was well rewarded for my patience.

Others have reviewed the book and given you the "Cliffs Notes" synopsis, so I won't. All I can tell you is that my very favorite scene in the book takes place, not in the bedroom, but the kitchen. Before you jump to conclusions, Cody is fully dressed.That's all you'll get outta me, you gotta read it for yourself.

Erin, great job keeping me engaged throughout this series, not get busy finishing up Up By Five.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this prior to publication!

The Darkest Joy, Marata Eros:

An amazing journey of grief and finding of joy.

I experienced every tear, sob and moment of despair. I can't help but wonder if suicide or the thought of suiciding personally touched author Marata Eros. Grief pours off each page as Brooke comes to terms with her survival and her tremendous loss and soul-breaking. Chance arrives in her life at the precise moment she has chosen to end it. From that moment he feels responsible for her and welcomes the realization that he likes the idea. I would have enjoyed more backstory on him and why he was so against loving someone.

I thoroughly loved this book, with the exception of the villain. I totally did not see that coming and would have liked to have even considered the possibility that this person might be the murderer. Somehow it caught me off guard and left me wondering what I missed and not in a good way. I wanted more hints, more possibilities and more tension between the killer and their ultimate prize.

I appreciate the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

SIX out of Five Musical Notes for Tracy Wolff's Tie Me Down

::::::SPOILER ALERT::::::

This was a great book, with many twists and turns that I did not expect, so much so that I began to question my understanding of the story, which only added to the suspense and mystery-and my engagement.

Genevieve is a well-rounded character and could have her own series of mysteries. I love how the seemingly gentle, yet oh-so dominating, Cole Adams is able to persuade her to "let her hair down." After all she is perceived as a "bad ass" cop, but this blond bombshell is more than willing to give over control to the ever sexy Cole Adams.

The fact that someone has taken pictures and shares them with her police boss only adds another layer of depth to this story.

I was given a complimentary advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

5 Musical Notes for Rachel Grants' Grave Danger

I figure since my name has a melodious sound to it, I'd use musical notes as ratings instead of stars!

No spoilers here!

Love the emotions between Mark and Libby. The suspicion, the lust, the belief, each of these emotions plays out in ways you least expect and the conclusion? I didn't see that coming!

This book has all the makings of a great movie and I hope to be able to see it on a big screen someday. Grant obviously did her research on archaeology as the details were more in depth than someone with a mere hobby.

I look forward to her next book.

I received a complimentary advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review/thoughts.

5 Stars for Chapter 1: Chained, Roman Holiday, by Ruthie Knox

OMG! I love me some Ruthie Knox and was thrilled to get an invite to read Roman Holiday 1: Chained prior to publishing.


As a HUGE Ruthie fan I had high expectations, and she did not disappoint. I fully intended to hate Roman, but I ended up liking him. He shows Ashley a kindness that I was not expecting based on his mission to get her the hell off of the tree! Only complaint I have is that the chapter ended too quickly and I had to wait for the next installment. I'm impatient and would have liked the entire book available at once. Having said that, I have purchased all of the novellas and eagerly await the end of this dreaded hiatus!

Can't wait for Roman to tell her he loves her:-)

Ruthie: you will make that happen. Right?

Thoughts on Billionaire by Juliette Jones Four out of Five Stars

I enjoyed much about this book, loved Lila and Alexander and how much their childhood shaped their adult lives. I loved watching them share their fears and past horror that they had never been able to fully share with anyone before.


SPOILER ALERT

Several parts of the book were uncomfortable for me to read and witness. I had a difficult time understanding how someone like Lila, so innocent and traumatized about sex would allow the scene at the card table to play out. It seemed way out of character for Lila to go that far, and I was shocked (disappointed) that Alexander allowed his friends to see and touch what he claimed was "his" without killing one of them. At that point I lost much respect for him. He was to be her protector and her safe harbor and yet he allowed her to be violated. The second scene was the two women in Paris with the whole "massage" scenario. Again, I thought it seemed out of place given the relationship they had built, and when she would question him and look for his reaction, he continued to encourage her to participate. Again, I did not like that they had allowed others into their world, and that both seemed to be perfectly fine with doing so.

I read entire book last evening and this morning these passages are still bothering me, I want to rewrite them and make Alexander into the hero that would protect her from anyone touching her and invading the love they have for each other, that is why I rated the book with 4 stars instead of 5.

I received a complimentary copy of this book prior publication. All opinions are my own.

 

Safe in HIs Arms by Renee Rose

SPOILER ALERT




I enjoyed many aspects of Safe In His Arms by Renee Rose, especially the intrigue and suspense.



After a one-night fling with Zac, Becca ends up pregnant. Zac, serving in a "non-disclosed" organization would like more than his one night, espcially when he realizes that the condom slipped. He contemplates telling Becca so she would have a choice of taking a morning after pill, but then decides againt telling her. He knows he can never have her, but he likes the idea of a baby with his DNA.



I must say his cavalier attitude left me seething! Especially given the fact that Zac knows he is unable to see her again. Fast forward seven years later, we find out that Zac has been watching her through cameras in her apartment, subsidizing her rent and providing her with a car through the guise of a contest. Its is only when Becca's life it threatened that Zac returns.



Despite the fact that her lover has suddenly returned to her life and admits all of the above, she is quite forgiving.



In my opinion the spanking scenes were too frequent and I was bothered that Becca, who is positioned as a strong single mother would be reduced to tears so often. I would have enjoyed more steamy sex between the two instead of Zac having to physically spank her into releasing her emotions.



I was surprised by the ending and despite my opinion above, I eagerly read the book in one sitting.

Wow! Happy Friday. I can't tell you how long I have waited for this day of the week! Christmas is only 5 days away and i have not purchased 1 present. Slacker? Yes, but I have been reading so many good books I don't want to venture out.

Author J.S. Scott had this image posted on her facebook page today, and damn if it hasn't been playing with my mind and hormones all morning. Instead of suffering alone, I am posting here so you can enjoy the oh so good misery too!

Sigh.

RUINED by Tracy Wolff

NO SPOILERS::::::::::::::::
Love this book, and this author.

Tracy Wolff adds all of the important elements to her novels; alpha male, girl in need and lots of desire. The sex is secondary in this book (shocking, I know). It really is more about the absolute power of emotions and inner turmoil experienced by both characters.

Chloe and Ethan are well-developed characters, each with their own set of "rules to live by" and need to "never trust again." Somehow these weaknesses are what ultimately brings them together and what also tears them apart.

I was stunned by the sudden ending of the book. Suffice it to say the last page of Ruined, is not the end of their story. Can't be. There is too much that needs explaining. So much that I continue to check Tracy's facebook page to see when a sequel is expected.

You'll love this, and will want to read it all in one sitting. Promise.

I was given an advance copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

My thoughts on the book BLUE LINES by Toni Aleo

This is not a play-by-play synopsis of Blue Lines and does contain spoilers.

I am a huge Toni Aleo fan, I love her fanaticism for hockey and her detailed knowledge of the sport makes the Assassins series believable.

I eagerly awaited Blue Lines as I had completed the other books in the series and I was not disappointed. Piper has been in love with Erik, her sister’s brother-in-law, and a hockey player for the Nashville Assassins forever. On one lucky night, Erik only sees Piper and they end up making love all night in her apartment. Next day Erik explains how their tryst was a mistake and they should try to remain friends because they are ‘family.” Piper is devastated and tries to move forward, only to discover that her one night of bliss has resulted in a pregnancy. Piper prolongs the inevitable for six months, when she can no longer hide her baby bump. After calling several times, only to have some female answer the phone, she bravely stops by his apartment to tell him the news in person. Understandably Erik is off the charts pissed; one because she waited so long to tell him and now his choices are quite limited and two because he hasn't been able to get her out of his mind since the night they shared. (Don’t get all warm and fuzzy, he may think about her, but he is still chasing anything with a V!)

The story progresses to a marriage of convenience, not so much for Piper, but for Erik who has incurred the wrath of the team's owner for acting like a "man-whore." The marriage allows him to appear settled down and respectable to his family and teammates and shows that he is “doing the right thing” by Piper and his baby. Piper attempts to assuage her guilt for not telling him right away by agreeing to marry him. This after he yells at her Marrying me is the least you can do after what you've done to me!" She agrees secretly hoping that Erik will grow to love her as much as she loves him. Sadly, Erik continues to behave badly and says horrible things to Piper in hopes of killing the feelings she has for him.

I was secretly hoping that she would kick him out on his backside weeks before she actually did. Luckily they work things out in the end and will live happily ever after.... Highly recommend the book, could be read as a stand-alone novella, but if you enjoy smokin' hot athletes and even hotter sex, I'd suggest you read all of the Assassin's series. You can thank me via email.

But this smokin;' hot cover, uh book, here.