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Review: End Game by Tess Diamond

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Author: Tess Diamond

Book: End Game (O’Connor & Kincaid #3)

Other books in series: 

Dangerous Games (O’Connor & Kincaid #1)
Game of Lies (O’Connor & Kincaid #2)

tl;dr recommendation: I loved the drama, swooned over Jake and ate up the suspense. 4 stars!

Book Summary:

Will this dangerous game end in tragedy for Special Agent Maggie Kincaid?

A Senator’s daughter’s life hangs in the balance, and the FBI have suffered a deadly blow. Now Maggie and Jake O’Connor must throw away the play-book and go rogue to rescue the teen victim – before a political conspiracy silences them all for good. But with lives hanging in the balance, there’s no room for error. Will Maggie’s own traumatic past be the key they need to unlock the case – or the weapon that will destroy them all?

Longer Review:

Finally!! The conclusion I so desperately needed. End Game is the third and final installment in this heart stopping serial. We pick back up with Maggie and Jake as they’re about to change the game. They’re going to hunt down the unsub and (hopefully!) save the Senator’s daughter.

I was surprised at some of the twists that were thrown at me here. Well played, Tess. Well played. The writing kept me on my toes and the plot kept me engaged. While I absolutely adore romantic suspense for that reason – I was a little bummed that there wasn’t a whole lot more romantical interaction between Jake and Maggie. This was definitely heavy on plot over sex. I GUESS THAT’S OK. There’s still most definitely a spark between them and their relationship spirals towards the center of the story, but it’s not all banging. Regardless, their budding relationship blossoms into something believable and enjoyable.

The story wraps up and loose ends are all tied – except for one. Which totally bugged me. I’m assuming that it was left open so that the thread could continue into the next book/series, but when each serial ends in a cliffhanger I really wanted the last book to solve every piece of the puzzle.

Even still, this FBI danger ridden plotline called to my law and order loving heart. I loved the drama, swooned over Jake and ate up the suspense. 4 stars!

[I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review]

Review: Snowed in with the Bad Boy by Sylvia Pierce

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Author: Sylvia Pierce

Book: Snowed in with the Bad Boy

tl;dr recommendation: fiesty, fun, sexy and seriously entertaining. I found myself wanted a hell of a lot more of the two of them with the story ended. 5 stars!

Book Summary:

“Santa lost my address a long time ago, Cupcake. The only present you’re getting tonight is my face between your thighs.”

Former black ops mercenary Ronan Steel doesn’t do Christmas—not anymore. And he abso-f*ckin-lutely doesn’t do damsels in distress, banging on his door in the middle of a blizzard. Give her a ride? Hell, no. With her big blue eyes, innocent smile, and f*ck-me-senseless elf costume, that girl is nothing but trouble.

Sweet, sexy trouble that leaves him aching for a taste of what’s hidden under those candy-cane-striped tights…

Georgie Taylor will not miss another Taylor family Christmas—not after last year’s disaster, and especially not after shelling out $500 for the perfect elf costume. But a freak storm puts her holiday travel plans on ice, leaving her stranded at the secluded mountain cabin of a cocky, sexy-as-sin recluse who makes Scrooge look like a fuzzy pink teddy bear.

If only his filthy mouth didn’t make her so hot…

As the blizzard rages on, all Ronan wants for Christmas is to f*ck that good-girl smile right off Georgie’s face. And all Georgie wants is to punch Ronan in the snowballs… until he pins her down and gives her a full-blown Christmas miracle right there on the kitchen table…

High up in the Colorado Rockies, cabin fever never felt so good. But when Christmas morning dawns, what does Santa have in store for the naughty bad boy and his nice little elf?

** A sexy, standalone Christmas novella with an HFN and no cliffhanger! **

Longer Review:

This holiday novella is just what you need to ignore your family and have a good holiday sex fantasy or two.

Georgie’s in a slutty elf costume and gets stranded on the side of the road/end of Ronan’s driveway in the middle of the woods. He’s the opposite of warm and cuddly, but there’s just something right beneath the surface that they both can feel brewing – and it’s not hot chocolate because Ronan doesn’t have that shit.

Does this book sound ridiculous? Yes. But ohmygod it was ACTUALLY GOOD. I swear to fuck. I wouldn’t lie to you. There’s surprisingly a decent amount of depth with each character and I’m not just talking about Ronan being deep inside Georgie. Although that happens too – and it’s wildly successful. And hot.

I suppose it’s my fault that I sold this novella a little short (THE PUNS WRITE THEMSELVES) but in all honesty, this book is feisty, fun, sexy and seriously entertaining. I found myself wanted a hell of a lot more of the two of them when the story ended.

Let’s talk about the ending too – it was realistic and perfect. I wanted to hug Sylvia a little bit because she gave me the HFN that I needed and didn’t cheese it up to the HEA that maybe some would have thought was required. It was extremely well done. The writing was great too.  Except for the fact that she used the word ‘manhood’; however, I’ve forgiven worse sins, I’ll forgive this one too.

I know I’m gushing a little bit about a holiday bad boy novella, which is slightly ridiculous, but I was blown away with how quickly I tore through it and how I wanted even more. I’d read anything from Sylvia – Put her name on your list of authors to watch, curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and get your bad boy on. 5 stars!

[I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review]

Review: Game of Lies by Tess Diamond

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Author: Tess Diamond

Book: Game of Lies (O’Connor & Kincaid #2)

Other books in series:

Dangerous Games (O’Connor & Kincaid #1)
End Game (O’Connor & Kincaid #3)

tl;dr recommendation: This is romance laced in kevlar. 4 stars!

Book Summary:

Time is running out for Special Agent Maggie Kincaid…

A Senator daughter has been kidnapped, and the FBI’s best hostage negotiator Agent Kincaid knows something isn’t right. What started as a routine case has spiraled into political conspiracy – with a young girl’s life on the line.

Teaming up with ex-forces security expert Jake O’Connor, Maggie must fight the victim’s family and her own FBI bosses to rescue the innocent girl trapped in the middle of this dangerous game – before it’s too late. But when clues from the case trigger memories of her own kidnapping, she discovers that her past demons might be the most deadly enemy of all.

Longer Review:

 

This is romance laced in kevlar. This well written suspenseful serial left me super happy that I had the third book on hand.

In Game of Lies the danger gets heightened, and the unsub FINALLY becomes known. I actually totally didn’t predict who it was, so I give major points to the author for that.

This is the second in a serial romantic suspense series so you’re going to get more of the story, but not all of it – and that may make you a little bit crazy. Not to give too much way, but the girl is still kidnapped and Maggie and Jake have essentially joined forces in an effort to figure out who the kidnapper is and how they can stop him.

I loved the strength that Maggie shows in this installment and I adored the explosion of chemistry between her and Jake. There’s a little scene that I wished lasted WAY LONGER than it did – but I get it…I do…girl is kidnapped blah blah blah.

You’ll be happy to know that book three is available for your immediate needs. Because you’ll have them. 4 stars!

[I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review]

Review: Dangerous Games by Tess Diamond

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Author: Tess Diamond

Book: Dangerous Games (O’Connor & Kincaid #1)

Other books in series:

Game of Lies (O’Connor & Kincaid #2)
End Game (O’Connor & Kincaid #3)

tl;dr recommendation: a fantastic short read for the mystery lover. 4 stars!

Book Summary:

A thirteen year-old girl has been taken – and Special Agent Maggie Kincaid is the only one who can get her back.

When a Senator’s daughter goes missing, every minute counts. The FBI’s best hostage negotiator, Agent Kincaid, knows what it’s like to be a terrified victim. Kidnapped as a child, those memories haunt her every day – and give her an insight into the evil mind behind this deadly crime.

But the Senator’s family has other plans, and have brought in ex-forces security expert Jake O’Connor to oversee negotiations. He’s got secrets of his own, and doesn’t play by the same rule book. With time running out, Maggie and O’Connor will have to overcome their differences to keep this case from ending in tragedy.

Longer Review:

This book is full of smart suspense that had me captivated. Maggie has balls. Her take no prisoners attitude works both in her position as former FBI Agent as well as in life. Of course, she’s still working through attempting to overcome a horrible tragedy – thus why she’s not working with the FBI at the moment.

I actually really liked the premise of the story. It’s written in third person, so if that bugs the fuck out of you: be forewarned. But that didn’t bother me. I felt Maggie’s fire, her passion, and her need to get back to doing what she was meant to do with her life.

When she meets Jake all bets were off. I should have cared more that a girl was being held hostage – and I swear I did – but the small arcs of attraction between Maggie and Jake had me eager for more.

The plotline was believable and enjoyable – this is definitely a fantastic short read for the mystery lover.  Book one had me hooked. It’s a serial, so there’s a cliffy – but you’ll make it. PROMISE.

[I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review]

Review: Protect Her – Part 11 by Ivy Sinclair

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Author: Ivy Sinclair

Book: Protect Her: 11

Other books in series:

Protect Her: 1
Protect Her: 2
Protect Her: 3
Protect Her: 4
Protect Her: 5
Protect Her: 6
Protect Her: 7
Protect Her: 8
Protect Her: 9
Protect Her: 10

If you want to just go balls out – purchase the box set of 1-3 here & the box set of 4-6 here.

tl;dr recommendation: romantic and sweet, while still remaining true to its out of this world plot. Ivy delivers the ending we want with the twists and turns we’ve coming to expect. 4.5 stars

Book Summary:

The final thrilling chapter of the Protect Her serial…

My name is Paige Matthews, and I am supposed to be dead. Riley thinks I’m dead, and that was the reason that he turned dark. Now I have to find him before it’s too late to ever bring him back. When he does, I’m not sure if he’ll be able to live with what he’s done. But I won’t give up on him. Not without one hell of a fight.

My only allies are Viho and Klein, and they don’t trust me. Not with Benjamin’s invisible leash around my neck. Demons. Archangels. It doesn’t matter. I won’t let anyone stand in my way to bring Riley back to the light, even if it means I end up dead in the process.

One way or another, this is the end.

********************
This urban fantasy paranormal adventure unfolds over multiple volumes of approximately 25,000 words each. Due to strong language, this story might not be suitable for younger readers.

The complete Protect Her serial, Parts 1 through 11, are available now.

Longer Review:

I know what you’re going to say. There are 11 parts to this serial: that’s madness. OKAY maybe. yes. it’s slight madness. But it’s really really good paranormal angels & demons madness. And you can buy big chunks of it in box sets! and the story is now officially finished!! SO GO ON ALREADY.

The story is really well written and is the fix to your PNR craving. Book Eleven (i know, we already discussed this, get over it) finally provides us with the answers I’ve been desperately needing. It’s romantic and sweet, while still remaining true to its out of this world plot. Ivy delivers the ending we want with the twists and turns we’ve coming to expect.

At this point in the story Riley is missing – he just watched Eva die and he’s convinced that his attempts to reclaim Paige from Eva’s grasp before her death were unsuccessful. Of course, Paige is alive – this is an HEA people – and Paige is determined to track him down. She has to let him know she’s alive and she needs to bring him back from the dark side before it’s too late.

This paranormal world is so easily believable that you’ll start looking for demons outside of your house and you’ll be ready for angels to descend at a moments notice. Suspense and romance carry this intriguing and page turning serial to its conclusion. I’m a little sad it’s over, but I’m so happy to have been part of this journey. 4.5 stars

[I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review]

Blog Tour & Review: The Fall by Kate Stewart

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Synopsis

Dallas
He was the beginning of my heart . . . and the end of it.
I was only fifteen years old when he claimed it and twenty when he took it with him.
They say what is meant to be will find a way. But when you have changed to the point of no return, how can anything ever be the same?
Seven years later, Dean Martin waltzed back into my life in hopes of resuming what I had fought so hard to forget, but he was in for a wake-up call.
I was no longer the naïve woman he had left . . . and I was no longer his.
I met the love of my life and my soul mate when I was fifteen. I knew that; he knew that. He wanted that girl back. I wanted to forget she ever existed.

Dean
What I thought was my pre-destined path was very much an illusion. Living seven years with regret, I realized too late that I was broken, and that I only had myself to blame.
I thought love could wait . . . but it didn’t.
We’d had it all those years ago, and then I foolishly left it behind.
She was all that mattered. She was all there ever was.
There was no life without Dallas, no reason . . . except her.
No matter how hard she tried to convince me, I knew I had to once again make her mine, to make her remember . . . the fall.

The Fall Teaser

Review

Gah. THIS BOOK. angst. lots of motherfucking angst. and then there were tears: both my own and Dallas’. If you’re looking for something emotionally jarring, The Fall more than fits the ticket. What happens when the life you created isn’t the life you were meant for?

Dean is a gorgeous and imperfect hero who I wanted to shake and fuck – preferably at the same time. His journey of discovery is also beautiful to watch. He and Dallas were perfect together. They fit like two puzzle pieces, finding their match and hanging on for dear life. But due to their age difference (it’s only a few years, so no worries) Dean’s off to college and then med school while Dallas catches up.

That one year that they shared together. That one year was everything. It was everything good. and everything bad. I swear to fuck I’m tearing up right now just thinking about it.

I felt the break of their hearts the first time around and the building of the walls the second. When Dean strolls back into Dallas’ life, I couldn’t quite understand why she was so angry. Why she was so hesitant to give him another chance. AND THEN I FOUND OUT. There’s a reason. A really good one. and then i cried. 

But no matter how strong Dallas was and no matter how much she attempts to resist, she constantly succumbed to Dean – and she constantly hated herself for it.

The twists of this book had my eyes growing wide and my teeth clenching. Just when I was expecting everything to wrap up in a nice, neat package, Kate throws you across the room and stomps on you a little bit before she picks you back up.

This book is well written and soul quenching. Get ready, you’re going to fall for this one. 4.5 stars!

[I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review]

Excerpt

It was three long years before I heard three words that would forever change me. I was walking across campus toward the Marshall Hall building when the voice sounded. “Dean, Dean Martin?” A smile was already on my lips as I looked in the direction of the voice. Dallas’s laugh was unmistakable as she walked toward me. What I wasn’t expecting was the mere sight of her would leave me scrambling to regain basic fucking motor function. My smile quickly faded as she flew at me in a hug. All the breath left my body as I inhaled her scent. I gripped her to me tightly as she laughed and hugged me back. When she pulled away, my arms were still securely around her. I knew I had to be grinning like an idiot as she beamed back at me.

“How the hell are you?” she asked, a little Texas twang in her voice.

“Better now,” I said, still refusing to let her out of my grasp.

We spent a little longer than we should in our embrace, neither of us willing to pull away from the other. In that instant, I felt the pain of missing her ease slightly. My chest tightened at the return of a familiar stir.

It was just that damned easy.

“Let me look at you. Damn …” My voice was hoarse as I let her go to take her in. She was wearing tight jeans, knee high, rider boots and a tight fitting red sweater. I took in every curve as I whistled slowly.

“I know.” She waggled her eyebrows up then down and did a little turn for the full effect. She was a far cry from the skinnier version I left. She had a small amount of curve on her hips and her long legs remained one of her best assets. This was no longer the tempting Lolita that I had left. This was the young woman I had always pictured but even more beautiful than I could have imagined.

“Still dressing like every day is a Sunday at church,” she said, poking fun of my clothes, as usual.

“I don’t hear anyone else complaining,” I pointed out, still overwhelmed with the sight of her in front of me. “And you are still a pain in the ass,” I noted as she laughed.

“You have no idea. So did you miss me, Dean?”

“You know the saying ‘Don’t know what you got till it’s gone?’ Well, I can’t stand most of the girls at this school,” I assured her.

“Well, don’t tell me the infamous Dean Martin has changed his ways,” she teased.

“No, I still sleep with them. I just run like hell after,” I chuckled. “Anyway, what about you?”

“What about me?” she asked her eyes meeting mine. I let them stray and sweep down her body slowly bringing them back to her. “Dean, you wouldn’t be checking me out, would you?”

“Yes, I absolutely fucking am,” I said pointedly, giving her pause. She gave me a wary glance as she looked around campus. She seemed more relaxed than when I had left her, more comfortable in her own skin. Her confidence radiated off her in waves. My mind drifted back to the kiss I had left her with as I studied the slow curve of a smile forming on her lips.

We quickly made up for lost time and spent the rest of the day stuck together, holding hands and laughing as I gave her a full tour of campus. I was on my last year and would be leaving for Columbia next fall and I was again a senior to her freshmen. I refused to dwell on that. I felt completely relaxed for the first time since I had left her three years ago.

We were inseparable our first few weeks of school as we stayed busy, getting reacquainted. When we were not in class, we spent our nights either on the phone, walking on campus, going to parties, or hanging out at my frat house. My friends seemed to like her right away, a little too much for my liking. I caught their hungry eyes on her and glared at them openly as they shot a game of pool at the table in what was supposed to be our dining room. The minute her back was turned, I was bombarded with the inevitable question of who she was to me.

There was no mistaking my straight answer to Casey, the newest member of my fraternity. “Don’t even fucking look at her,” I barked.

“Okay, bud, all right,” he said, backing away to grab the pool stick from Rob—another brother who was a senior—and eyed Dallas suspiciously. It wasn’t common practice for me to bring girls back to the house other than to my bedroom. I had fallen into a bad habit my first few years at school but had slacked since then, concentrating more on my grades.

New York was a whisper away, but Dallas…Dallas was here.

I watched her work the table as she made herself comfortable, shooting off her shit talk at my frat buddies, who happily obliged her. They were impressed, especially Casey.

Casey was notorious on campus, easily one of the biggest players. He had absolutely no good intentions when it came to the opposite sex and though I wasn’t one to preach, he had a rather tasteless way of discarding the affections of his women. He was doing his best to impress her and she seemed to notice, humoring him.

Rob was the next to ask, stepping up and handing me a beer. “What’s the deal?” He asked as he eyed Dallas’s perfect ass as she took a shot and made the eight ball, winning the game. She looked up at me with her knowing smile. She was so fucking beautiful. I cursed my stupidity in bringing her to the house.

“The deal is any woman I bring into this house is off limits,” I said through clenched teeth. Rob laughed as he eyed me. “Dude, that’s not exactly fair. I don’t think any of us would get anywhere that way,” he said loudly. I ignored him and grabbed Dallas’s hand.

“Nice game,” I said, giving her a wink and pulling her toward the door. The guys frowned as if I was taking away their shiny new toy.

“Bye,” Dallas said quickly as I pulled her out of the house.

“Oh, come on, Dean. You aren’t going to pull the same old shit you did in high school.” She raised a brow. I took a step toward her.

“No, this will be different. I promise.” Before she could question me, I swept her in my arms and hauled ass down the steps of the massive front porch of the house.

“What the hell are you doing?” She laughed as I ran like a lightning streak toward the quad. “Getting you somewhere safe. Couldn’t you smell it in there?” I said, running faster as she laughed.

“Smell what?” she asked, her voice choppy as I kept my legs moving.

“Your pregnancy,” I answered, slowing to a halt. She rolled her eyes as she jumped from my arms.

“They were just curious,” she said, giving me a pointed stare. “I’m sure you don’t bring girls home often to meet the parents, am I right?”

I smirked.

“Whore,” she said without affection. I pushed her down on the grass as she yelped out in protest, flailing her arms before giving in to the inevitable.

“You ass!” she said testily as she wiped grass from her sweater but stayed seated.

“Oh Dallas, always trying to bring out the angry Spaniard in me,” I teased as I joined her on the grass.

She chuckled. “Truth hurts.”

The night was surprisingly cool for early September in Texas. I looked over at her, memorizing the perfect outline of her face, the way her silky hair cascaded down her shoulders and swirled around her as the breeze lifted it. She smiled at me and the unmistakable jolt shot through me, the effect the same. This time, I didn’t fight it.

“It’s not like that anymore,” I said in an attempt to reassure her. I grabbed a stray hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. She sobered up a bit, her smile slowly fading.

“Not what I heard,” she said, hugging her knees to her chest, averting her eyes. She wasn’t being confrontational, and I knew that. “They don’t call you the Spanish slut this time,” she said with no humor in their voice.

“Oh yeah, what do they call me?” I said, nudging her, hoping to lighten the mood.

“Dean,” she said looking straight into my eyes. Fuck if I didn’t want to kiss her right at the most inappropriate moment. I didn’t want to aid in what she already probably thought of me. I had wanted to kiss her so many times in the past few weeks but had held back for this very reason.

“You do them a disservice, you know,” she said thoughtfully as she played with the blades of grass, not looking at me.

“What do you mean?” I asked, plucking a piece of grass between my fingers.

“Letting them think that’s all you are good for. They never get to know you. It’s sad.”

I laughed. “They objectify me?”

She looked at me seriously. “Yes, they do.” That wiped the smile off my face.

“Dallas, I told you a long time ago, I don’t care about that shit, never will.”

“No, I guess not,” she said, perking up with a smile I knew wasn’t genuine. “I mean you are the big man on campus again. And what the hell is up with that frat chair in there, anyway?”

“It’s my throne,” I said defensively.

She rolled her eyes. It grew darker as the lamp lights came on around us, our faces covered in shadows. We enjoyed a few minutes of silence before she spoke up.

“Tell me about Columbia,” she prodded. “You are so close,” she encouraged.

“I can’t wait,” I said honestly. “My parents took me to New York when I was ten. I just remember being excited the entire time. I loved the semi-organized chaos. The noise, the culture clash, it was palpable, you know. Even then at that age, I could feel it, and it was everywhere. At least that’s the way I remembered it. I made my decision then, I wanted to be there and Columbia was a big heap of icing on the cake. My father and I spent hours going over my game plan. He always loved the idea of Columbia, especially when I told him I wanted to be a doctor. All these years later, I haven’t changed my mind. I’ve been back a few times since to check out the campus, look at housing, I still love it. Have you been?”

I hadn’t realized she was watching me closely, a small smile on her lips. “No, my parents and I vacationed a lot, but mostly to Colorado and then California to see my aunt and uncle. We never really made it out east.”

“It’s incredible and nothing like it is here. It makes our corner of the world seem so small. There is so much potential bursting out of it. I think you’d love it.”

“Maybe…probably,” she said, lost in thought.

“Then again, you are a true Texan. So damn proud to be from this fucking state with no plans of ever leaving,” I teased. “Even your name suits you.”

Before she could attack me for that, I lifted her to her feet. “Come on, I’ll walk you home.”

“Are you going to do this every night?” she asked as she leaned in close and I played with the tips of her long hair as I trailed my fingers down her back, pulling her closer to me. “Maybe, if you want me to.”

“Hmmm, kind of a boyfriend type thing to do, isn’t it?” I avoided her question, leading with mine.

“Coming to my toga party tomorrow night?”

“Maybe,” she said, glancing my way with a smile.

“You should, Dallas.”

“Why is that?”

“’Cause I will be there,” I said, slowing to a stop at her dorm.

She turned to me playfully. “Oh, well, when you put it that way, meh…and change clothes would you, you look like a bible salesmen.” She hurried up the steps as she chuckled.

“Just come, okay? We can tilt a few beers back and I want to talk to you.”

“About what?” she asked as I admired her from the bottom of the steps. She had on a sweater dress that outlined her curves perfectly and tight black leggings that I dreamt of ripping off her all day.

“There’s just something I want to talk to you about.” She heard the hint of seriousness in my voice. “It’s important.”

“Okay, I’ll be there.”

The Fall Teaser 2

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About the author

Kate Stewart, a native of Dallas, now resides in Charleston, S.C. She moved to the city three weeks after her first visit, dropping her career of 8 years, declaring the city her creative muse. Since her move in 2010, she has published two novels, the third coming July 2015. She lives with her husband of 8 years, Nick who is featured on the cover of the novel, TITAN. (Set to re-release some time in 2015.)

Her other novels include Room 212, Never Me, and Loving the White Liar which are all available now.

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Blog Tour & Review: Tattooed Scars by Alicia Rae

The second book in Alicia Rae’s Tattooed series, TATTOOED SCARS, releases on Tuesday, December 8th!

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About TATTOOED SCARS

Raelyn Jennings knows one thing for certain. She loves Damien Heathman with every fiber of her being. A life without him wouldn’t be one worth living.

Damien has never loved a single soul—until Raelyn. She heals the pain that has tainted the deepest part of his heart. She is his everything, his single reason for breathing. Damien’s relentless determination refuses to let anyone or anything stand in his way of being with her.

But soon, Damien’s and Raelyn’s pasts begin to collide with their future in ways they never thought possible, testing their undying love for one another.

Damien’s dark secrets from the scars hidden beneath his tattoos threaten to reveal themselves while Raelyn is faced with impossible decisions that need to be made.

Can Damien convince Raelyn to take a risk in hopes of securing the longevity of their future? Or will Raelyn choose the safe path that also comes with a limit?

There isn’t any time to waste, for the clock never stops ticking.

TATTOOED SCARS releases December 8th – add it to Goodreads here!

 REVIEW

This is book two in a three book series, so don’t get all upset when you realize there is another book to go. Of course, this book really doesn’t end in a cliffhanger. It’s an ending that leaves you wanting more – but it’s not a cliffy that will make you want to throw yourself over the edge.

We pick back up with Damien and Raelyn where we know that Raelyn’s tumor may be back but we don’t know what she’s going to do about it. And, uhhh, truth be told, she doesn’t either for a good part of this book. Which was both suspenseful and infuriating.

Oh sweet sweet Damien. His unwavering support of Raelyn holds up this book on its legs, walking it forward and carrying it at its hardest moments. His fierce strength and stubborn determination made me fall for him again and again. *swoon*

Damien may not have known was love was before Raelyn, but he’s certainly making up for it now. He is all alpha male, but so fricking sweet that you’ll want to tackle hug him. And well…Raeyln does that too. The sexy scenes are plenty sexy. I’m pretty sure Damien would walk around with Raelyn permanently attached to his dick if he could. And I was totally ok with that.

Angsty, emotional and passionate, Tattooed Scars left a lasting impression. NEED BOOK THREE NOW! 4 stars!

[I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review]

Did you miss the first book, TATTOOED EMOTIONS? You’re in luck! TATTOOED EMOTIONS is on sale now for just .99c for a very limited time only – find out more below!

tattooedemotionsAbout TATTOOED EMOTIONS

Raelyn Jennings has survived the unthinkable. She’s been given a second chance to live, to breathe, to feel. Her ability to overcome such a traumatic hurdle has created armor around her heart. But beyond her shield is fear, a consuming deep one, of the unknown. Raelyn vows to herself that she’ll solely focus on the one constant in her life, her career as the CEO for a prestigious accounting firm.

Damien Heathman’s unrelenting determination has made him a powerful, respected man. He’s sexy and confident and utterly breathtaking. His dominance and strength is evident in every purposeful stride, every meaningful look, and every soft caress.
Raelyn has worked with Damien’s company, Heathman Enterprises, for many years, but they’ve never crossed paths—until now.

Damien’s presence fills a room. He steals Raelyn’s breath and sparks her broken heart back to life. Once Damien sets eyes on Raelyn, there is no turning back. He wants her, and he’ll stop at nothing to have her. Not even the dark secrets hidden behind his tattoos will stand in his way.

The chemistry is undeniable. The passion is palpable.

Can Damien convince Raelyn that he is worth the risk? Or will Raelyn allow her past to control her future, feeling the chance of another heartache is too great to bear?

Buy TATTOOED EMOTIONS now for just .99c: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | iBooks

About Alicia Rae

Alicia Rae is a Contemporary Romance Author who lives in Dekalb, Illinois, with her husband and three beautiful boys. Alicia has a passion for reading all types of romance, writing to bring a story to life, and wedding photography.

Alicia loves to hear from readers! Text RAE to 22828 to join her mailing list

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | Newsletter

 

Release Blitz & Review: Catching To Win by Carrie Aarons

 

 

Title: Catching to Win
Series: Over the Fence #3
Author: Carrie Aarons
Genre: New Adult/Sports Romance
 Release Date: December 1, 2015
Blurb

Kelsey O’Brien is the definition of a free spirit. She goes where she wants, when she wants, and takes to bed who she wants. And when she arrives back at Grover University after eight months on an African animal preserve, it’s her best friend, who recently sprouted abs and a panty-dropping beard, that has caught her eye. As their friendship turns physical, Kelsey begins to form feelings she swore she’d never have for anyone. But when the past she’s not ready to face finds her, she must make a decision whether to stop running, or confront the truth

The first time Clint Bellows laid eyes on Kelsey, he fell hard. Too bad she looked right through him. A year and countless hours in the gym later, she’s back and hardly recognizes him and his new body. After a drunken encounter takes them over the line of friendship, Clint agrees to Kelsey’s proposal of a benefits-added relationship. Only he’s playing for keeps, and is willing to round all of the bases trying to score the self-proclaimed gypsy.
 She’s running from her demons. He’s committed to winning her over. Can he catch her in time, or will she be out of his grasp before he can blink?

Purchase Links
AMAZON US / UK
Review

Catching To Win lights up the scoreboard with stubborn angst and fiery passion. Kelsey and Clint are sweetly but oppositely matched. Clint’s the former heavy baseball player who decides to change his life – and his looks – after one glance at Kelsey.

Kelsey’s a bit of hard person to get a handle on. She’s definitely an animal lover and she’s also as skittish as a cat – picking up and running away whenever things get tough. She’s a bit narcissistic and shallow, but a lot of girls are at her age so that didn’t turn me off as much as I had expected it to.

Clint may be sexually inexperienced but he’s like a strong anchor in Kelsey’s stormy world. What Kelsey starts as a friends with benefits arrangement quickly spirals into so much more than she thinks she can handle. Somewhat silly and occasionally worthy of a roll of the eyes, Kelsey’s not always the quickest lion in the pack, but she is the most loyal – to those who have earned her trust.

Clint is hot, sweet and romantically inclined. When he falls – he falls hard. I loved his willingness to take on Kelsey’s whirlwind life and his big heart that so quickly filled with all of Kelsey.

Catching To Win is New Adult romance meets baseball gloriousness. I mean, who doesn’t love hot men in tight white pants getting all sweaty and uhhhh yea. I most certainly do. YES, PLEASE. 4.25 stars!

[I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review]

 

Excerpt
When we got inside, the blaring hip­ hop music was only coming from one corner of the house. Kelsey’s corner.I waved the guys off, signaling that I would take care of the problem. As I got closer, I could make out the lyrics, “Drunk in loveee. We be all night! Loveee. Loveee. We be all night!”

Chuckling to myself on her choice of song, I knocked on the door. Waited a few seconds, nothing. This time I banged my entire fist in an effort to rattle the wood on its hinges. Still nothing.

“Roo…” I opened her door, letting myself in, and stopped dead at the sight in front of me. Kelsey was in the middle of the room, her hair piled on the top of her head like some fiery tornado, a glass filled to the brim with red wine in her hand. And she was dancing like a mad woman.

She donned a white tank top that exposed the sides of her breasts and entirely-too-large grey sweatpants that pooled over her feet, making her look like a dwarf. She was utterly adorable and fucking mouthwateringly sexy.

At the creek of the door she turned, her naturally red lips splitting in a megawatt smile.

“Hi!”

I could tell from her dancing and the slight blush of her cheeks that she was tipsy. It made her even cuter.

“Hi yourself. What’re you doing there?” I couldn’t help her infectious smile from spreading across my face too.

She shook her hips wildly as the song changed to something faster. Pitbull maybe. But I was never good with music. “I had a long, hard day. Kickass, but fucking hard! So I’m dancing.”

Kelsey makes this more evident by raising the wine glass to her lips, taking a huge swig, and then raising it above her head and twirling in circles.

I drop my baseball bag on her floor and toe my sneakers off. Then I join her in the middle of the floor, and begin to move.

She gives a happy shout and moves closer to me, joining her free hand with mine and swinging both of our arms.

“I had my fingers up a zebra’s ass today. Well technically, it was a whole fist!” She announces this like it’s the most normal thing in the world while I pull quickly out of her grasp. Kelsey giggles at my repulsion.

“Oh my god, bro! Don’t worry I had gloves on. But I did have to juggle her placenta in there…”

“Kels, stop. I am going to throw up.”

She did that sexy little giggle again and raised the glass to her lips. As she took it away and swallowed, she then raised it to mine. I let her pour some into my mouth, watching her cinnamon eyes over the brim. I knew the instant desire sparked in them, and I could feel myself harden in the mesh shorts I wore.

Reaching up, I held the delicate stem in my fingers and pried it out of her hand. Setting it down on the desk, I began to stalk toward her like she was the meal and I was ravenous.

 

Also Available
AMAZON US / UK

 

AMAZON US / UK
Author Bio

They say those who can’t do, teach. Well, Carrie has no hand-eye coordination, and her idea of romance is a Netflix marathon complete with Thai food. So, she writes sports romance novels instead.

Beginning her writing career as a journalist, Carrie wrote about real-life crime and scandal before turning to the fantasy world of fiction. She lives with her husband in an apartment they are constantly outgrowing.

Author Links

 

 

Review: Understatement of the Year by Sarina Bowen

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Author: Sarina Bowen

Book: Understatement of the Year (The Ivy Years #3)

tl;dr recommendation: I loved Rikker and Graham. and they love each other. repeatedly. in lots of positions. and places. YUM. 4 stars!

Book Summary:

What happened in high school stayed in high school. Until now.

Five years ago, Michael Graham betrayed the only person who ever really knew him. Since then, he’s made an art of hiding his sexuality from everyone. Including himself.

So it’s a shock when his past strolls right into the Harkness College locker room, sporting a bag of hockey gear and the same slow smile that had always rendered Graham defenseless. For Graham, there is only one possible reaction: total, debilitating panic. With one loose word, the team’s new left wing could destroy Graham’s life as he knows it.

John Rikker is stuck being the new guy. Again. And it’s worse than usual, because the media has latched onto the story of the only “out” player in Division One hockey. As the satellite trucks line the sidewalk outside the rink, his new teammates are not amused.

And one player in particular looks sick every time he enters the room.

Rikker didn’t exactly expect a warm welcome from Graham. But the guy won’t even meet his eyes. From the looks of it, his former… best friend / boyfriend / whatever isn’t doing so well. He drinks too much and can’t focus during practice.

Either the two loneliest guys on the team will self destruct from all the new pressures in their lives, or they can navigate the pain to find a way back to one another. To say that it won’t be easy is the Understatement of the Year.

THIS BOOK IS A STANDALONE. NO CLIFFHANGERS. NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.

Warning: unlike the other books in this series, this heartbreaking love story is about two guys. Contains sexual situations, dance music, snarky t-shirts and a poker-playing grandmother.

Longer Review:

New Adult, m/m is always a win for me…add in hockey players and you’ve hit the hat trick. Rikker and Graham were sweet, endearing, stubborn and sexy men who struggle to find their soft landing in a hardened world.

While Rikker is very out – I mean, he couldn’t be any more OUT as the first openly gay hockey player in NCAA history – he’s not exactly thrilled about the role he was thrust into. When he joins Graham’s hockey team it’s like being tossed into a mixing bowl of emotions. He’s thrilled to see his first love again – but he’s also pissed when Graham refuses to acknowledge him.

Graham is more of an enigmatic character. He struggles with his feelings for Rikker. He doesn’t want life to be harder for him. He doesn’t want to feel the things he feels for Rikker. But he does. And it’s suffocating him. You can feel Graham’s hurt – and when he starts to lift the heavy burden on his shoulders, it’s like you’re suddenly lighter too.

There are some sexy scenes to tide you over, but this book is more about plot than about sex.  I do wish that we had a bit more there at the ending…I felt that it just sort of stopped. However, on the whole I loved Rikker and Graham. and they love each other. repeatedly. in lots of positions. and places. YUM.

I’m a little in love with Sarina Bowen and this book has only enhanced the fangirling. Perfectly written prose engaged me and her words made me just plain feel. Graham most definitely speaks softly and carries a big stick. *wink* 4 stars!

Blog Tour & Review: Wolf Bait by Nina West

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WOLF BAIT is the first book in the Wolf Cove Series releasing November 16th. You aren’t going to want to miss this fantastic title so go grab your copy for just $.99 today!

Wolf Bait, Final Cover Revised

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About WOLF BAIT:

WOLF BAIT is the first book in the Wolf Cove Series.

When life turns to hell, most people talk about running away. Abbi Mitchell actually does it. Determined to escape her humiliating heartbreak and her overbearing mother, Abbi takes a summer job at a resort in Alaska. It’s supposed to be four months of snow-capped mountains, peaceful wilderness, and figuring out if she should wait for her lifelong sweetheart to come back, as he has promised he’ll do.

Instead, it’s Henry Wolf.

Owner of the luxury hotel chain, Henry Wolf is cool and composed, successful with everything he touches, and undeniably beautiful. And for some reason Abbi can’t fathom, he wants her—the farm girl from small town, USA with no corporate experience—as his personal assistant.

Abbi scrambles to meet his professional demands while she battles her growing attraction to him. Physical feelings she shouldn’t have because he’s her boss, because she’s way out of her league with him, and because they’ll never be reciprocated.

Until they are.

Will Abbi be able to let go of herself—her values, her dreams, and her inhibitions—to give him all that he’s demanding of her?

Get your copy of WOLF BAIT today!

Review:

Warning: this is the first in a series. This is a strangely important morsel that was missing from the book’s description.

However, that shouldn’t stop you from joining Abbi’s journey away from her asshole ex-fiance and into Henry Wolf’s bed. Abbi’s desperate to not go home for the summer. Not only would she have to deal with her ridiculously overbearing mother (Abbi, are we related?) but she would also have to deal with the pity stares since she found her ex-fiance fucking a girl. This is sort of an issue since they go to a Christian College and they promised to save each other for marriage. Fuck you Jed, you fucking fuck.

So instead, she applies for a job at Wolf Resort…in Alaska. Four months away from everyone. Four months to be whoever she wants to be. Honestly, had she not gone to a Christian College, this is what college would have been like for her freshman year. But alas, she didn’t, so at least she has the option here and now. There are a lot of firsts going on in this book.

This is virgin innocence well played – and it’s goddam hot as Henry explores every inch of her untouched body. Of course, Abbi’s naivety is a little eye-roll inducing and her sudden ability to chuck out her ingrained religious beliefs is not entirely believable. Of course, that’s not saying I didn’t like that part.

Be prepared for an extremely mercurial man. Henry’s actions would be confusing to even an experienced woman, so Abbi actually got plenty of credit from me for being able to handle his crazy. Yet, there’s something that draws you to him as a character. He’s definitely complicated, and obviously hot as hell. Everyone wants a piece of him, but he only wants all of Abbi.

I easily flew through this book and quickly became attached to the characters. Even in her innocence Abbi is likeable and funny. She’s starting to find her voice, and I am dying to hear more of it.

Overall, the sex is stellar, the plot is enjoyable and I’m now dying to move into book 2. Wolf Bait will have you preying…NINA YOU SLAY ME. 4.5 stars!

[I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review]

Add it to your Goodreads now!

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About Nina West:

Nina West lives in the city but spends her summers in the wilderness with her husband. She loves having a steaming cup of cocoa in one hand and a steamy story full of angst in the other. Follow her on Facebook or on Twitter!

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