Category Archives: Review
ARC Review: Too Many Reasons by Kristen Strassel
Too Many Reasons
Kristen Strassel
Spotlight Series, Book 2
Expected publication: February 9th 2015
Abby Gauthier is close to getting everything she’s worked so hard for. The band she manages, Sinister Riot, has been offered a major record contract. But it comes with a catch: the band must add Eli Jamison, winner of the talent show The Spotlight, to the lineup.
Devon Sinclair is the singer of Sinister Riot, and he’s Abby’s best friend. She’s in love with him, but fears she’ll lose him if she makes the first move. Devon knows adding Eli to the band is a mistake, and he’s right. Eli’s interested in more than just making an album. He wants to take control of the band, and he wants to get to know Abby better. A lot better. When tensions between Devon and Eli threaten to destroy Sinister Riot, Abby must act on her true feelings or lose everything she’s ever wanted.
4 Stars
Life, Love and Rock-N-Roll!
Abby and Devon have a very unique relationship. A friendship started many years ago. To the average outsider, they are the perfect couple. To those in their inner circle, wonder why they do what they do to each other. He is her dream man. She is the one he falls on, always. They are closer than close. Rising through the ranks of the trying to make it rock and roll world, tests the bounds of this tighter than knots friendship. Or is it really more.
Rockstar drama, sexual tension and great characters light up the pages of Too Many Reasons. This is a character driven story with a plot that kept me guessing. Abby and Devon made me love and want to smack each of them in turn. I felt like Too Many Reasons was a down to earth, real life rocker story. I love that music was a big focus of the story, along with the crazy romance. Well done, Kristen Strassel!
Early ARC Review: Finally Found You by Carrie Ann Ryan
Finally Found You
Carrie Ann Ryan
Tempting Signs Series, Book 4
June 23rd 2015 by Fated Desires Publishing, LLC
The moment Presley Mackenzie walks into her kitchen only to find her boyfriend in a sweaty encounter with another woman on her kitchen counter, she vows to give up men forever. Between her testosterone-heavy day job in the gaming world, her broken heart, and her need to grow into her own shoes, dating just isn’t important.
Mason Sutton not only just got dumped by the woman he thought he’d spend the rest of his life with, but now he finds himself healing beside the woman his brother cheated on. He’s spent his entire life living in his brother’s shadow only to find himself wanting the one woman he can’t have.
As Presley and Mason soothe each other’s hurts, they find themselves falling for each other even as they fight it. But as they learn to forgive and fall in love, their pasts come back to haunt them and the future they thought they could have starts to crumble before it can take hold.
4 Stars
Presley and Mason have both gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to love. Months since both of their respective break ups, Mason and Presley have become tighter than most friends. Spending most days of the week eating together and sharing time doing all the things a couple would do but they are NOT dating! Yea right! The two are so compatible and perfect for each other. Sad part is the just don’t want to see it, but being burned by love with do that to a person.
Once the hormones started flaring,it was no surprise that Presley and Mason took your friendship to the friends with benefits level. Woo! Do we have some dirty talkers on our hands!! As passion heats, the feeling that these two are trying to suppress become to hard to ignore. Add in life throwing a wrench into all that is comfortable in their world. See how two people who say that don’t want to feel love, in all reality do.
A sweet love story between friend with a dirty twist. Carrie Ann Ryan turns geeky escapades into steamy passion.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author/patient for an honest review. Receiving a complimentary copy does not affect the outcome of any review.
ARC Review: Getting Naughty by Kristin Daniels
Getting Naughty
Kristin Daniels
I would call this short story a tease but it fully delivers. Take a workaholic husband, a wife who does not possess the virtue of patience, add in some loneliness, a friend, a bottle of wine, the right outfit and a daring a erotic idea, that’s what Getting Naughty is all about!
Review: Fueled Obsession by Amanda Heartley
Fueled Obsession
Amanda Heartley
Book 1
Jackson Fitzgerald loves sex…drugs…and the smell of high-octane fuel in his nostrils. Living on the edge, he’s a reckless bad boy who’s used to getting what he wants, when he wants it, be it scoring his next hit or the next girl. He couldn’t care less…and he makes no apologies…
…until he meets Mollie…
They couldn’t have come from two more different worlds…worlds that collide in the most unlikely place. Spectacular coincidence or destiny? Either way, this gearhead won’t be tamed that easily…
18+ for adult situations.
3.5 Stars
Jack Fitzgerald lives in the fast lane! Bad ass cars, street racing, crazy women and flying high on adrenaline and drugs. Jack has another side I did not see coming. Self proclaimed not nice guy, has a bigger heart then he lets on. Doing good in a way that makes a bigger impact than he could realize.
Mollie DuBois has the heart of a saint. A good girl from the right side of the tracks, who see thing differently than most people. Having suffered loss, Mollie wants nothing more than to make some good in the world. Mollie defies what is expected of her, to help those in more need than her family and friends want to see. Danger and adventure are just what the doctor didn’t order for Mollie, but are just what she needs.
High octane chemistry! Amanda Heartley catches the readers attention with fast cars, bad boys and that sweet girl. From the descriptions of the cars, kickin’ street racing and fun banter of the characters makes Fueled Obsession, Book 1 an entertaining read. I am not a huge fan of serial stories or cliffhangers, which this book is. Ms. Heartley wonderful made this read very enjoyable for me.
Review: Standing By by Claudia Y. Burgoa
Standing By
Claudia Y. Burgoa
A Knight’s Tale, Book 2
Published September 23rd 2014
Mitch Knight
1. Loves a good challenge
2. Never turns his back on a dare
3. Loves to create nicknames
4. Nobody cooks better than him
5. Doesn’t believe in love
When Parker Welsh sells Mitch Knight his organic restaurant, Willows, he not only gives Mitch ownership; but everything entangled with it. Including the annoying pastry chef who supplies the muffins and cupcakes.
Hayley Roth-Welsh
1. Loves To-Do Lists and Five-Year Plans
2. Has her dream job of baking sweets
3. Always tries to make others happy
4. Never seems to succeed with her family
5. Is still a virgin, waiting for love
Hayley played by her mother’s rules for the first eighteen years of her life, instead of heading to college as her family expected, she rebelled and opened a bakery, Pieces of Heaven. Her family expects her to fail and head back to school and their wish may come true once Parker sells his restaurant to the handsome, arrogant Mitchel Knight. It’s either join forces with him or lose her dream
3.5 Stars
Take a fly by the seat of his pants kind a guy and a girl who lives by taking notes and keeping lists. Throw in a lot of snark, sarcasm, some push and pull, you get two people are so perfect for each other.
Mitch and Hayley have a bit of a bumpy past together. Causing a bit of animosity between stubborn people. They are alike but in opposite ways. Kinda hard to explain but very funny to watch. For people who did not want to be around each other, they found a way to love one another.
A fast paced story with some comical characters and some plot twists. My one issues with Standing By, there were instances where I was confused as to who was talking. An overall good quick contemporary read.
A complimentary copy of this title was provided by the author/publisher for an honest review review.
Review: Unbound by Sara Humphreys
Undone
Sara Humphreys
The Amoveo Legend, Book 5.5
Fate has this not so funny way of being very cruel at times. And you never know it until it bits you in the butt.
Zachary, a guardian for the Amoveo, is coming down to the wire on finding his mate. Not that this sexy lion shifter is ready to be settled down with one woman for eternity. However the prospect of losing his powers is not on the top of his todo list. Needing to clear his head, Zachary takes a much needed vacation to a tropical paradise. It takes less than a New York minute for fate to jump up and slap Zachary in the face in the form of the perfect woman stumbling into his arms.Annabelle Caedo has a secret talent that has her on the run. Her family that is more cult like than not, has a vendetta that’s not going to stop. Not buying into their way of life or thinking, Annabelle sets out to save herself by finding in the one place she feels is safe. Less than five minutes into her Safehaven her world gets turned upside down and falls right into the arms of the man she’s been dreaming of, a man she’s been taught to hate. The thing is the arms of the enemy are the safest place she’s ever been.
Sara Humphreys Amoveo series is truly something to behold. Action, passion, magic, suspense and super hot shifters, everything a book needs to keep on sitting at the edge of your seat turning the pages. The legend of the Amoveo shifters intrigues me. The complexity and depth of the characters kept me reading. Ok and it was really, really hot!! The descriptions of the lagoon and waterfall truly breathtaking and magical themselves! A great read for shifter lovers.
Review: Shatter Me by Alex Grayson
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Shatter Me
Alex Grayson
The Jaded Series, Book 1
Skip the coffee, go straight for the wine and grab a box of tissues. Your going to need them. Alex Grayson’s debut novel Shatter Me will do just that. Shatter the reader to pieces, making them want more!
Bailey is a woman who has been to hell and back. Enduring an ugly past that keeps her looking over her shoulder. Layered with scars inside and out, Bailey runs to keep herself safe. Pain and fear are always near this sweet brunette. Bailey has the inner strength and the need to survive that will just call to your heart.
Jaxson has to be the sweetest Alpha man I have ever read. Tattooed and pierced, the man is sexy beyond belief. The violet blue eyes, they had me from the get-go. Jaxson has a colored past, but that will not stop him from protecting the girl in need.
This is one of those books where intense is not strong enough of the word. Shatter Me is emotional and almost too real! At times hard to read and pissed me off to no end. You can not read this book and not feel something. Shatter Me is one of the best debut novel I have read in a very long time. Ms. Grayson has powerful story telling voice! Pulling you in and over powering you. You will not know what hit you. How she is able to make her characters so real is beyond me, but don’t stop doing it! She writes them like the reader has to get to know them. Like real life mixing laughter with the tears. Passion, with gritty raw emotion will keep the pages turning of this 5 Star read!
Review: Lane Changes by S.L. Ellis
Lane Changes
S.L. Ellis
Cassie Cruise Series, Book 1
Cassie Cruise wants her life back as a kick-ass P.I. Trouble is, she has zero credibility since bungling a case on reality TV. After a public tantrum, she slinks off to bury her head in the sandy beaches of Southwest Florida. Just as she starts over as the owner of The Big Prick Tattoo Shop, a body is discovered in the trunk of her burning car. Cassie’s aware there are those who’d get in line for their turn to torch her car. But murder?
You don’t have to like her, but you damn well better respect her. And get out of her way—this is one case she intends to solve, with or without an audience.
4 Stars
Cassie Cruise is a take no nonsense kind of girl. She will also put herself into your business, make her opinion known, tell just like it is whether you want to know or not. Her personality is overpowering with a lot of spunk and pizzazz behind her. God that woman made me laugh. She is a strong woman, with a sixth sense when it comes to people. I hope when I am 49 I’ve got the energy and charisma that Cassie Cruise has!
Lane Changes was a welcome surprise to my reading pallet. S.L. Ellis really pulled her headers in with captivating and funny characters, fast-paced story that kept you guessing and lots of action to keep the pages turning. For a mystery I laughed a lot. A great start to a new series.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher/author for an honest review. Receiving a complimentary copy of this title does not affect the outcome of this review.
Review: Playing with the Drummer by Robin Covington
Playing With The Drummer
Robin Covington
Head Over Heals Series, Book 3
E-Book, 239 pages
Entangled: Indulgence
Entertainment journalist Lita Matthews is on the verge of making it big. As in her-own-TV-show big. She just needs amazing inside scoop on the year’s hottest celebrity wedding. Instead, her big break is becoming a big nightmare—all thanks to rock star Rocky Cardano. Who apparently hasn’t gotten over what happened between them four years ago… Rocky is pretty damn familiar with just how far Lita will go for a “scoop.” Hell, their unbelievably hot hook-up in Mexico years ago was the story of a lifetime. Rocky’s learned his lessons. He’ll do whatever it takes to keep her from the story—even if he has to seduce her to the point of distraction! But Lita has always had a way of getting under his skin. Only this time, he won’t be able to just walk away…
4 Stars
Seventy-two hours of uninhibited lust and passion with a nameless person who sparked your body in all the right ways, sounds almost too go to be true. True enough to rock the foundations of both Rocky and Lita. Until the moment that names come to the faces that had them ripping their clothes off. Changing lust for anger in a split second, leaving a lot of harmful words and deeds in wake of something that left a lasting impression soul deep. Fast forward four years, Rocky and Lita skate around each other in social settings, while harboring both animosity and underlining desire. When paired together for friends wedding has both heads and clothes flying.
Lita loves the spotlight. Being the daughter of Hollywood and an entertainment reporter she knows all too well how the game is played. Being presented with an opportunity to fill her dream puts her in an awkward position. She surprised me by not being a ruthless, cut throat reporter. She has a sense of dignity and pride in what she does. She adds a bit of class to world that can be very ugly. She’s a true friend. She went out of her way, above and beyond and even surprise me by sacrificing something I didn’t think she would.
Rocky is the the hottest recluse known to man. Drummer for an amazing rock band who’s always in the media spotlight, Rocky prefers to sit behind his kit, playing music. He’s known for his dislike of reporters. Rocky will avoid them at all cost. He has his reasons. A private man who is fiercely loyal to those he cares about. Sexy, headed and protective, Rocky won my heart from the very beginning.
The chemistry and sexual tension between Rocky and Lita set the stage for this quick read. Tempers flair, passion flow and a few people learn who they really are and what they want in life. Playing with the Drummer hits the spot for a good Rocker Romance.
Review: Falling For A Santini by Melissa Schroeder
Falling For A Santini
Melissa Schroeder
Santini Series Book 7
A crush that turned into love.
Being the only girl in a family with five Santini brothers was never easy on Elena Santini. She always tried to be faster and smarter to make sure they always took her seriously. They were always trying to tell her what to do, and worse, who she could date. That’s why falling for her oldest brother’s best friend wasn’t smart especially when he treats her like a sister. That is, until she gets him alone in her apartment one night.
One night in Heaven.
NCIS agent Jethro Thomas, known to everyone as JT, has always played it smart. When his admiration turned to attraction a few years ago, he started avoiding Elena. A guy wasn’t supposed to have those kinds of thoughts about his best friend’s little sister. After returning from an undercover assignment, and about to go on another one, he can’t seem to resist the temptation. One night with her and he knows he’s lost, but he has a job to do.
A changed man.
JT returns from the assignment with a few more scars, both physical and emotional–but he survived for one reason. He’s ready to start a new life with Elena, but a dark cloud hangs over the new love. When small incidents evolve into near death accidents, JT realizes someone from his past is ready to destroy his happiness, even harm Elena to make him pay.
4.5 Stars
Elena Santini is just that, a Santini. Proud, confident and brave. A beautiful and sexy woman serving her country as a marine pilot. As bold as any of her brothers, Elena creates an opportunity putting herself in a position to get what she wants. Little did she know she was going to get more than she was asking for.
NCIS agent Jethro “JT” Thomas has a personality that just makes you like him. Loyal, funny and caring the honorary Santini will charm your heart. His job puts his life in danger, but wanting his best friends little sister has his head on the block. Being known for his cool and collected manor, JT gives into temptation that he has been avoiding for years and falls hard.
It’s no secret that my favorite book family is the Santini’s. A family who are proud and honored to serve on many branches of the Armed Forces. Close doesn’t begin to describe the relationships between the Santini siblings, cousins and medley mothers. My favorite thing about the Santini’s is their curse. When a Santini man finds the woman for him, he falls and he falls hard. Melissa Schroeder has made me laugh on more than one occasion it watching these big,strong, military men get twisted over the one they love. Now we see how Elena Santini, the only female of family falls.
Chemistry, passion and loving deep. That’s what the Santini’s are about. Elena and JT were a true treat for the lovers of the Santini family. Their passion built for years and proving they were perfect for each other. Through humor, longing, lust and passion we see the Santini curse hit once again. Falling For A Santini quickly became my favorite book of the series.
A complementary copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.
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