Category Archives: Review
ARC Review: For His Eyes Only by Lexi Blake
For His Eyes Only
Lexi Blake
Masters and Mercenaries series, Book 13
A night he can’t forget
Five years ago, Nick Markovic found himself consumed by his quest for vengeance. The one time he managed to find peace was in the arms of Hayley Dalton. Being with her was like bathing in sunlight, and he ached to feel that again, but he couldn’t. He gave his oath to Hayley’s cousin Desiree, his partner at McKay-Taggart and Knight, that he’d never let his darkness infect Hayley’s innocent world.
A spark she can’t put out
It was years before that Hayley offered everything she had to Nick. After that one amazing night, all she wanted was to be his forever. Unfortunately, Nick’s reaction was to walk away from her and never look back. The warm and caring man she’d discovered was gone, and after Des’s death, he’d only grown colder. But when Hayley finds herself in mortal danger, she’s forced to seek protection from the man who broke her heart.
A flame that threatens to consume them both
Haunted by the women he failed, Nick can’t allow himself to grow close to Hayley again. Running to stay ahead of the powerful forces that endanger their lives, they travel from the lush Garden in London to the glittering lights of Rio. As the threat against her becomes clearer, he realizes that to keep her safe he must confront the demons from his past, even if it costs him a future with the woman he loves.
4.5 Stars
Nick is dangerous, brooding, commanding and hotter than sin. A demanding Russian with a dirty mouth. His past is paved with web of lies and deception. He carries heavy weights upon his heart and soul. Causing long running battles with his heart and mine. Nick tries to fight the feeling continuing to brew within, all the while feeling unworthy of such wonderful things.
Hayley is so much more than she appears. She may seem a naive but that girl has an underlying strength that you don’t see coming. She’s learned to adapt to her surroundings and being able to bend where most people wouldn’t see it. Through the course of this book Hayley’s character transforms from someone seeming timid to becoming one hell of a confident woman. I love those type characters.
Lexi Blake knows how to keep a reader up at night. Dangerous and sexy, romantic suspense at its finest. Hayley and Nikolai have a crazy, hot mess of a story. Their history is laced with feelings deeper than either one is willing to admit. They are the one that haunts each other. When circumstances beyond their control push them together the past returns and wants for the future are had. Heavy on suspense and a few what the crap moments kept this reader turning the pages from beginning to end. Suspense takes the forefront however there is no lacking of hot passion within the pages. One scene in particular to make one time readers of the series quite happy and is hands-down hot. For His Eyes Only is an intense read, yet I expect nothing less from Lexi Blake.
A copy of this title was provided for review.
ARC Review: Sweet Rivalry by K. Bromberg
Ryder Rodgers had a plan.
He was going to stride into the conference room, do the required song and dance over the next five days, and win the biggest contract of his career. But when he walked in and heard the voice of one of his competitors, all his plans were shot to hell.
Harper Denton. She was always on top. In college. First in their class. Always using every advantage to edge him out to win the coveted positions. The only one who could beat him. His academic rival. More like a constant thorn in his side. And his ego’s.
When he heard her voice, he was brought back to years before. To the bitter taste of being second best. But the woman who meets his gaze is nothing like the drab wallflower he used to know. Hell no. She was all woman now: curves, confidence, and staggering sex appeal. And no doubt, still brilliant.
The fact that she’s gorgeous and bright won’t distract him. This time, Ryder’s determined to be the one on top. But not if Harper can help it.
Amazon | Amazon UK
He takes a step toward me then hesitates, but before I can process anything else, his lips are on mine.
And not just on mine––not just a brush of lips against lips—but I’m talking all in. Hands on my cheeks, tongue licking between my lips, body pressed against mine, groan in the back of his throat, type of all in.
I don’t react at first. I’m stunned. Flabbergasted, my mind reeling from the anger to the surprise to now this without any warning at all.
This is Ryder.
My rival.
My supporter.
My crush.
The thoughts flicker that this is what I’ve wanted. But they soon shift to panic. To insecurity I don’t kiss well enough. That this is all a joke and I’m the butt of it.
But then I feel. Everything. All at once.
And I know this is real.
It’s like I can’t catch my breath and have too much air all at the same time.
My body is on fire. And not just from his touch but from that burn deep inside that feels like it’s exploding and imploding all at once.
So this is what it feels like to really be kissed.
It’s a fleeting thought before the sensations, the moment, the emotions, consume me whole.
His hands move my face to change the angle of the kiss. His fingertips on the line of my jaw singe my skin. His lips move expertly against mine, and all I can do is feel. All I can do is want.
Thinking isn’t an option.
The anger from before has morphed to want. The adrenaline has recharged with desire.
There is no rivalry.
There is no graduation ceremony tomorrow I’m missing to catch my flight.
There is no panic over if I’ll ever see him again.
It’s just him.
And me.
The scent of his cologne in my nose. The heat of his body against mine. The taste of hunger in his kiss.
4.5 Stars
Ryder and Harper’s sexual tension, banter and years of knowing each other make Sweet Rivalry very sweet indeed. Second chance romances are my favorite as of late, Ms. Bromberg nailed it with an office setting second change.
I really enjoyed the exchange between Ryder and Harper. They complemented each so well. Their sexual tension was both exciting and sexy, while driving each other crazy. They build each other up in ways that no one else can. Sexy and suffocated while playful and funny.
This is my first read from Ms. Bromberg and will never be the last. She gives readers fun characters, shining personalities, just enough drama to keep it interesting and some O so sexy moments. Sweet Rivalry is a fun, quick and sexy read that will leave you more than satisfied at the end.
A copy of this title is provided for an honest review.
New York Times Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy, and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines, and damaged heroes who we love to hate and hate to love.
She’s a mixture of most of her female characters: sassy, intelligent, stubborn, reserved, outgoing, driven, emotional, strong, and wears her heart on her sleeve. All of which she displays daily with her husband and three children where they live in Southern California.
On a whim, K. Bromberg decided to try her hand at this writing thing. Since then she has written The Driven Series (Driven, Fueled, Crashed, Raced, Aced), the standalone Driven Novels (Slow Burn, Sweet Ache, Hard Beat, and Down Shift), and a novella (UnRaveled). She is currently finishing up Sweet Cheeks a standalone novel out November 14th.
Her plans for 2017 include a sports romance duet (2 books: The Player, The Catch) and the Everyday Heroes series (3 books: Cuffed, Combust, and Cockpit). She’s also writing a novella for the 1,001 Dark Night series that will be out in February 2017.
She loves to hear from her readers so make sure you check her out on social media.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon Author | Driven Group
Review: Going Down Hard by Carly Phillips
Going Down Hard
Carly Phillips
Billionaire Bad Boys Series, Book 3
A stand-alone Billionaire Bad Boys novel.
Billionaire Bad Boys: Rich, Powerful and sexy as hell.
Derek West rose from poverty to take the tech world by storm. He’s sexy, confident and gets any woman he wants. And who he wants is Cassie Storm, the rich girl he’s never been good enough for.
She’s desperate to save her family company and there’s only one man who can help. But Derek isn’t interested in helping. He wants to possess both the company and the woman he’s never been able to forget.
His plan? To screw her out of his head. Except once he’s had a taste of Cassie, he doesn’t want to let her go. Her family remembers where he came from, and they won’t allow it. When the truth about their pasts comes to light, though, it may be Cassie who’s going down hard.
4 Stars
Carly Phillips treats readers with the most delicious of bad boys.
Derek is not what I consider your typical billionaire. He worked for every dollar he has made by taking the tech world by storm. The man has a true rags to riches story. He sexy confident and has a set of values that were instilled to him by the best kind of parents. he’s the type of man who can get anything he wants and most of the time does, however his caring heart is filled with passion and compassion.
Cassie is an amazing woman. She strong, compassionate and when she sets her mind to something she goes for it. She’s like the black sheep of her family, she stands out from them. Her family may have money but she doesn’t see things the way they do. She displays passion is everything thing she does. Along with her amazing personality, Cassie is a character you can’t help but to enjoy.
Cassie and Derek are a wonderful couple. People from opposite sides find a way to work throughout their past discretions to find a second chance at what could have been. Carly Phillips never fails to give reader a story they can get lost in. Great paced, passionate and sexy, and fantastic dialogue. A bit of drama with a lot of passion and feeling. A great read.
ARC Review: Bewitching Bedlam by Yasmine Galenorn
Bewitching Bedlam
Yasmine Galenorn
Bewitching Bedlam Series, Book 1
ebook
Published January 9th 2017 by Nightqueen Enterprises LLC
As Maudlin and Aegis prepare to open the Bewitching Bedlam to guests, they immediately find themselves embroiled in a battle for customers. Ralph Greyhoof, the owner of the Heart’s Desire Bed & Breakfast, doesn’t like to share. The conflict heats up when Maddy finds a local witch dead in the rose garden. The woman looks a lot like Maudlin and suspicion falls on Ralph. But Maddy knows that, as competitive as Ralph is, he wouldn’t resort to murder. Maudlin and Aegis set out to find the killer, even as their own relationship is put to the test. Aegis’s old flame has returned, determined to win him back, no matter what it takes.
5 Stars
| With Bewitching Bedlam, Yasmine Galenorn has just given me everything thing I have been wanting in a fresh paranormal read.
Maudlin “Maddy” Gallowglass may have just become my favorite of Ms. Galenorn’s lead ladies. She’s hands down a total kick a** woman. Maddy has lived a long life, made history, loved and lost. Hundreds of years running, fighting and maybe even reeking a bit of havoc. Maddy is smart, strong and independent. A talented witch and an amazing friend. Maddy’s personality shines through the pages. She funny, snarky and powerful in more ways than one. Maddy is a complex character whom I very much connected with. Her charm and charisma make it very easy to like her, once I got to know Maddy, I was fascinated. Aegis is a smoking hot vampire musician. He just enough alpha to make me purr. He what I call the perfect romantic vampire. He commanding but not overly aggressive. He respectfully and caring. Excellent world building, a few plot twists and amazing characters make Bewitching Bedlam a fantastic read. Ms. Galenorn has outdone herself. First the world building- is truly excellent. An island that is 95% pretcom is the playing field for the Bewitching Bedlam series. I love the mixing of so many paranormal beings. You can almost feel the magic coming off the pages. The town itself is almost like a character. It has a personality that is all its own. Next, the plot twist- Ms. Galenorn kept me engaged and guessing through the entire story. Just when you think you got it, something will happen and change it all up. Characters- the cast of the story rock. Yes, all of them. Personality shines through, even with secondary characters. Making the story that much more enjoyable. Sandy is flamboyant, funny and bold. She is a riot and I absolutely loved her. Characters I really didn’t want to like found a way do so. Many characters have a long history with many ups and downs, creating a deep layer to this tale. Bewitching Bedlam is just what I have been wanting/needing in a paranormal read. The first full length book of the series is like a breath of fresh air. We’ve got every kind of paranormal creature you can think of, humor and sass, a touch of suspense, multiple layers of depth and personality and some smoking hot romance. What more could I ask for? A quick moving story with a fully engaging plot. Bewitching Bedlam will satisfy all of your paranormal needs. A copy of this title was provided for a review. |
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ARC Review: Marrying Emily by Susan Stoker
Marrying Emily
Susan Stoker
Delta Force Heroes Series, Book 4
Kindle Edition, 160 pages
Few people know better than Delta Force soldiers that life is unbearably short and achingly precious. So Cormac Fletcher isn’t waiting one more day to marry the love of his life, Emily. Fletch has already adopted her daughter, Annie. Now it’s time to officially make Emily his too.
Emily understands just about every woman experiences a few wedding snafus—but they’re usually not of the harrowing, life-or-death variety. Fortunately for her, a guest list full of Delta soldiers and SEALs will make this an event to remember—for both Emily and the uninvited guests trying to ruin her special day.
4 Stars
Heartwarming, passionate and a bit of action.
Fans of Susan Stoker’s Delta Force Heroes Series will understand what a true treat Marrying Emily is. Emily and Fletcher show readers how truly in love they are as the begin their happily ever after.
The emotions and passion within the pages of Marrying Emily is overwhelming at its best. It’s so much more than a wedding story. It healing and hopeful. Family is not always about blood and sometimes you just have to live in the moment. Strong woman and amazing alpha men is stop at nothing to show their love and keeping their women safe.
A quick read that will make you feel.
A copy of this title was provided for an honest review.
Audio Review: The Promise of Surrender by Liliana Hart
The Promise of Surrender
Liliana Hart
Narrator: Carly Robins
MacKenzie Family Series
1001 Dark Nights
Published December 15th 2015 by Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated
Mia Russo spent ten years working undercover, entrenched in the dregs of society before handing in her shield. Opening her own pawn shop is a piece of cake in comparison. All she needs is the bad attitude she developed on the streets and the shotgun under her counter to keep law and order. Until the day Zeke McBride walks into her shop.
Zeke knows Mia has every right not to trust him. He was the one who chose the next op instead of her. And all he can hope is that somewhere under the snarl and cynicism is a woman who can forgive. Because whether she trusts him or not, they’re going to have to work together to bring down the gang that’s decided Mia is their next target.
4 Stars
Mia is a strong-willed, take no crap and feisty woman. She’s tough in every manner of the word. A former undercover agent, having seen and experienced things that still shakes her to the core. She left that life and her love behind. Mia is now the proud owner of a pawn shop in Surrender. Her strength, sassiness and quick mouth make her a very likable character.
Zeke is still living the undercover life. Chasing after criminals and putting his life on the line. The years have started wearing on him, realizing something he should have a long time ago. Brave, charming and stubborn, Zeke is a good man even if he shows it in ways that are not the norm.
Liliana Hart’s The Promise of Surrender is a quick, feisty and naughty read. Both Zeke and Mia are wonderful characters. The history they share is deep, a bit dark and highly emotional. Their chemistry is amazing. The passion Mia and Zeke share shines through every action they make. They are fun even when being stubborn and hardheaded. The heat level is about as hot as it can get as Zeke and Mia are combustible together. A bonus to the story is a visit with the MacKenzies that Ms. Hart has make us all fall in love with. A great short read.
Carly Robins perfectly delivers very emotion through her narration of The Promise of Surrender. She makes it easy to distinguish character voices, delivers the emotion spot on and you can tell she has fun narrating the story. You can hear the passion and emotions flowing through her voice as she creates a perfect picture of the story.
Audio Review: Jack and Coke by Lani Lynn Vale
Jack and Coke
Lani Lynn Vale
Uncertain Saints MC Series, Book 2
Narrators: Mason Llyod and Kendall Taylor
Lies
Mig’s wife is a bitch.
How else do you describe a woman that lies, cheats and steals to get what she wants?
That’s exactly what happens when she traps him into a marriage he wants nothing to do with, saddling him with a kid that he knows doesn’t deserve to be in a world like his.
He’s doing a pretty bang-up job at ignoring everything but his responsibilities as a DEA officer and a member of The Uncertain Saints MC.
Then his neighbor knocks on his door, and everything he thought he knew is blown out the window.
Deceit
Annie teaches Mig that not every woman is out to get him.
Her love for Mig stretches past what’s appropriate for two friends, and Annie soon straddles that invisible boundary between appropriate and inappropriate.
Annie’s not a cheater, though.
When she tries to say goodbye, Mig won’t let her leave, and soon the tiny town of Uncertain blows up with the news of Annie and Mig’s innocent friendship.
Betrayal
Matters of the heart are foreign to Mig, and it takes Annie being gutted for him to see the wrong he’s done.
He waits too long, though, and Annie’s heart is broken.
She wants it all, or she wants nothing. She can’t take anymore half-hearted attempts at being just friends.
The heart wants what it wants, and it doesn’t take long for Mig to realize that.
But just when Mig finally has it all in the palm of his hand, his life is ripped to shreds by a new player in the game, and it takes all of Annie’s love and devotion, as well as help from the men of The Uncertain Saint’s MC, to put Mig back together again.
4.5 Stars
Mig lives by a code of honor that has most people wondering what is wrong with him. A total alpha man that is caught up in a bad situation. I loved and felt for Mig. His heart is like no other. His past has him sticking to a code of ethics that are not only honorable but crazy in the same. His heart is longing for another while a new life is what keeps him walking in circles of misery.
Anne recently divorced a guy who turn into total scum while they were married. She’s a spunky and bold woman. She says what she means and what’s on her mind. Anne’s an independent woman, owning her own business and is building a new life after her years with a no good man. This woman has a heart of gold, the patience of a saint and the will to take on the world.
Lani Lynn Vale gets me hooked every time. Mig and Anne have a roller coaster ride of a story. That’s putting it kind of light. Their chemistry is something beyond what either one of them has felt before. Circumstances do not allow them to act upon the feelings, readers feel the pain right along with Mig and Anne. Cheating is a no go for me, while this story may go to shades of gray at times it NEVER crosses the line. An honorable and admirable man suffers tremendously, while a good woman stands beside him while the one who should, wouldn’t. Mig is a total alpha with code of morals that makes him damn near saintly. Anne is strength and patience. Two amazingly strong people have a raw and bumpy road filled with deep emotion, humor, a few crazy people and passion that is worthy of a book!
Lani Lynn Vale captures steamy passion, raw emotion and intense personality that has readers feasting on her words. Jack and Coke is a fine example of Ms. Vale’s unique writing style that captures a reader instantly and has them hanging on every word. I can’t get enough of LLV!
Review: Holiday Spirits by Yasmine Galenorn
Holiday Spirits
Yasmine Galenorn
Chintz ‘n China Series, Book 6
When Kip gets himself in serious trouble, a strange spirit enters the house—one that at first poses as Santa Claus. But beneath that jolly exterior, lies a dark creature from legend and lore. Join Emerald O’Brien for the holidays, as she battles both psychic turbulence as well as the demons every mother faces when her child lands in trouble with the law.
4 Stars
A nasty Christmas spirit has taken residence in Emerald’s basement causing more than ghostly activity to be revealed. Kip is growing up and getting himself into trouble. Emerald shows that a mother’s love is sometimes tough but is always with love.
I so enjoyed seeing Joe and Emerald settling into being a family. The care they all show for each other is wonderful. I love seeing family traditions being passed down from one generation to the next. Yasmine Galenorn treats readers with a little visit with Emerald and family in Holiday Spirits. A little mystery, some lessons learned and humor make this visit very enjoyable.
A copy of this title was provided for an honest review.
Review: Too Wild To Tame by Tessa Bailey
Too Wild To Tame
Tessa Bailey
Romancing the Clarksons series, Book 2
Paperback, 336 pages
Sometimes you just can’t resist playing with fire . . .
By day, Aaron Clarkson suits up, shakes hands, and acts the perfect gentleman. But at night, behind bedroom doors, the tie comes off and the real Aaron comes out to play. Mixing business with pleasure got him fired, so Aaron knows that if he wants to work for the country’s most powerful senator, he’ll have to keep his eye on the prize. That’s easier said than done when he meets the senator’s daughter, who’s wild, gorgeous, and 100 percent trouble.
Grace Pendleton is the black sheep of her conservative family. Yet while Aaron’s presence reminds her of a past she’d rather forget, something in his eyes keeps drawing her in. Maybe it’s the way his voice turns her molten. Or maybe it’s because deep down inside, the ultra-smooth, polished Aaron Clarkson might be more than even Grace can handle . . .
Aaron is a self-proclaimed manipulator, self-assured, smooth talking politician. The man is a player. All about the one night stands, no strings attached. The less feelings involved in the matter the better. This dirty talking, looks too good in a suit man has some deep emotion lying behind his get lost in eyes. Aaron is a complex man, as the layers begin to shed I realized that Aaron is a completely different man than I perceived him to be.
Grace is a very equine and quirky character. She’s the black sheep of a family in the political spotlight. Grace suffered a horrific tragedy during her teens, that caused her to vow to live life to the fullest. To be true herself. Grace is a wild, free spirit that I came to really enjoy . Her heart is huge and she’s a bit weird. Once you get to know her, Grace grows on you, not helping but to like her.
Tessa Bailey takes readers on an emotional ride with a panty melting, dirty talking man in Too Wild to Tame. The Clarkson’s are a complex family with vas amounts of personality. Aaron and Grace’s story is like peeling layers slowly to reveal the goods of the core. An untimely meeting ignited chemistry between two very opposite people. The pull of passion dances with Grace and Aaron leading to some very hot and steamy scenes. I believe they balance each other in ways they are unable to do themselves. I enjoyed Too Wild to Tame and am definitely looking for to reading more of the Clarkson’s their road tripping adventures.
Review: One Hex of a Wedding by Yasmine Galenorn
One Hex of a Wedding
Yasmine Galenorn
Chintz ‘n China Series, Book 5
Emerald O’Brien is about to tie the knot with her fiance Joe, but one uninvited guest to their engagement party reminds her that some ties still need to be severed. Her ex-hubby Roy can’t hold his liquor–or his temper–and after brawling with Joe, he threatens to ruin their wedding. When Joe is wounded from a gunshot the next day, Roy becomes the prime suspect. Emerald knows her ex has a mean streak a mile wide but doesn’t believe he’d be capable of attempted murder. And when a sinister presence starts stalking her maid of honor, Em begins to worry that her marriage has been cursed before she’s even walked down the aisle…
3.5 Stars
Nothing like a wedding to shake things up…. Even magically.
Ms. Galenorn takes us out of the tea shop and the craziness has hit the fan. Emerald’s family is in town, the drunken ex shows up and the BFF has a stalker. That doesn’t even include the paranormal aspect of story! I loved all the family moments of One Hex of a Wedding. Getting to see a different side of Emerald, that just shows what a wonderful character she is.
Ms. Galenorn ends the Chintz ‘n China Series on a high note. One Hex of a Wedding has a good plot, excellent character development, great paranormal aspects and a well written mystery. Many moments to laugh out loud with. Along with a storyline that will keep you turning the pages. Ms. Galenorn consistently gave readers an engaging story, while keeping them guessing through the entire series. Emerald has grown considerably throughout the series, magically and personality. I have enjoyed spending time in the tea shop and shall miss visiting with them.
Coffee Books Life 